Chief of staff to ceo jobs

Executive and Finance Officer

We’re looking for a proactive and highly organised Executive and Finance Officer to play a vital role in the operations of Centre for Mental Health.

This varied and interesting role supports our CEO and Board, managing day-to-day operations and taking on key finance and HR responsibilities. This will include financial support: reconciling accounts, processing invoices, supporting our Board by organising meetings and helping with many aspects of recruitment, onboarding and assisting our staff team. In this role, you will be at the heart of our team’s success.

You will need to bring outstanding organisational skills, strong IT ability, and experience in financial processes (with knowledge of Sage 50). Experience of working in a charity is desirable.

About us
We’re Centre for Mental Health. We take the lead in challenging policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. We do this by building research evidence to create fairer mental health policy.

By joining our small, friendly and dedicated team, you’ll help us create a fairer society and drive forward sustainable policy change, pursue equality, social justice and good mental health for all. 

The closing date for applications is 7th October 23:59.

Interviews will be held in person at our office in Elephant and Castle, on Tuesday 21 October between 10am and 5pm.

Salary Scale: Grade PO5/6/7 £50,568 - £58,692

Location: Copthall House 9, The Pavement, Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1DA (Hybrid - office/home working)

Hours: Full-time 36 hrs per week all year round

Department: Development Team

Reports to: Executive Director of Development

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for over 2000 pupils and students from nursery to further education across 13 academies and 9 college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.

Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs including autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health; profound and multiple disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health needs.

Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business team which includes HR, finance and IT.

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Head of Development to join our senior leadership team. This pivotal role will drive our growth agenda, ensuring new opportunities are identified, developed and delivered to support the continued success and impact of OHC&AT.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research and identify opportunities for growth, including expansion of existing provisions, acquiring schools/college centres and developing new service models

• Lead on feasibility assessments and the development of strategic business cases for agreed projects.

• Lead on statutory consultations and Equality Impact Assessments as required

• Lead on the submission of bids and proposals to external partners and agencies as required.

• Undertake due diligence for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT.

• Manage the integration process for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT.

• Oversee all aspects of development projects, including planning, budgets, timelines, risk management, and reporting.

• Monitor progress of development projects, manage risks, and resolve issues as they arise to ensure successful completion at development stage.

Key Requirements:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

• Significant experience in a strategic development, or a programme leadership role within education or a related public sector environment

• Demonstrable experience of managing successful expansions, acquisitions, or capital projects

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write clear and persuasive business cases and proposals.

• Proven project and programme management expertise, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time and to budget

• A strong personal commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children and young people with special needs

Rewards & Benefits:

• Comprehensive training and development

• Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks

• Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured (our employee assistance programme)

• Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders

• Scope for career progression across nine college centres, 13 academy schools and Central Teams

• Generous annual leave and flexible working schemes in addition to bank and public holidays and a Christmas closure period

• As part of your contract of employment you will enrolled into the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) which has life cover and financial protection for your family

• Enhanced parental leave schemes

• Cycle to work scheme

• Season ticket loans

• Employee referral scheme

• Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness

• Home electronics scheme

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

OHC&AT is a rewarding and inspirational place to work, where everyone works together to create the best possible outcomes for pupils and students.

To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in please complete and submit the Application Form - via the blue button above.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 12th October 2025

Interview Dates: 22nd and 23rd October 2025

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.

What is the opportunity

Balance is seeking a persuasive and positive role model to work with its leadership team and trustees to shape our quality and commercial development. The Quality and Development Manager will occupy a key role in supporting our growth, sustaining our quality standards and growing commercial and income generating activity.

This post is also regarded as development opportunity for a candidate looking to be part of the charity's long term succession strategy for middle and senior managers.

About your values and strengths

You are someone who strenths and values will align with the following attributes:

• You can think on your feet and are consistantly able to bring ideas to the table
• You understand the tension between quality and cost and how to resolve them
• You are able to build alliances and relationships that have sustainable benefits to the charity and its work
• You can exhibit confidence in your colleagues and mobilise their skills and knowledge to drive our quality standards
• You see problems as opportunities and a gateway to new ways of delivering our services and business development

What you can expect from us

• A charity that works hard to put its people, those who it supports and those who provide its services at the heart of what we do.
• A charity that takes its mission and values seriously in developing its services, operational approach and commercial relationships
• That supports and encourages its staff to participate as partners in our development as a business, our outcomes and the delivery of our values.

You can also expect

• A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression in and beyond the charity.
• Inclusion in and a 3% employers contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus bank holidays and an additional day off for your birthday.
• Access to a range of discount schemes including Blue Light Card
• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
• Access to travel card loan, and bike to work scheme.

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options

We're on a mission to empower young people aged 14-19 across England and Wales, and you can help make a real difference.

Following our successful Wales pilot supporting 15,000 young people since launching in 2024, we're scaling regionally. In 2025 we're focusing on Bedfordshire, and that is where we need you, while also responding to needs across England and Wales, aiming to reach 90,000+ young people in-person and 2.5 million+ online across both nations.

As a Project Coordinator you'll connect volunteers with schools and foster impactful relationships within our dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people.

Working from home with occasional team meet-ups, events, and school visits, you'll join a dedicated team that values high expectations and individual contributions to help young people achieve positive outcomes.

If you're passionate, self-motivated, and eager to contribute to a great mission, this is your chance to join a team that's helping young people to transform their career and life chances.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what one of our young people had to say: "My personal experience has been exceptional. There is a collaborative atmosphere, and it is truly empowering to be part of a charity that values student input and involves us in decisions that directly affect our lives." – Working Options Alumnae.

Find out more about the role, and hear from our Chief Executive about our charity's ambitions, via the applicant pack linked below.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine interest in our work and in the greater Bedfordshire area and/or South of England in easy reach of Bedfordshire.
• Is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Is self-motivated.
• Has excellent attention to detail. 
• Can juggle multiple priorities, sticking to deadlines and flagging when priorities need reviewing. 
• Has a flair for developing great relationships, particularly with schools and colleges. 
• Is proactive and tenacious, able to seek out new opportunities and remain resilient. 
• Is creative and likes coming up with new ideas. 
• Is ambitious for themselves and for the charity. 
• Has high computer literacy.

While we don't specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across England and Wales face today.

If you like the sound of this environment, we would love to hear from you.

Good luck with your application!

Help shape the future of England’s common land.

We’re the only charity in England dedicated to protecting and enhancing common land and supporting the tradition of sustainable pastoral commoning. Fresh from completing a landmark £3.1 million National Lottery project, we’re growing fast — and we’re looking for our first Operations Director to help us scale up our impact.

You’ll lead on operational strategy, build strong systems and processes, and make sure our small but talented team has what they need to deliver their best work. If you’re an experienced, adaptable leader who thrives in a small charity and cares about landscapes, heritage, and community, we’d love to hear from you.

Role: 0.8 FTE fixed 2 year contract extendable subject to funding.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 24th September 2025.

Vist our website to apply and for further information

You will be responsible for leading and championing the delivery of all SBS Bible based projects (including advocacy, engagement and education programmes) and for overseeing our fundraising strategy, as we continue to play a key role within the global United Bible Societies (UBS) fellowship, whilst motivating staff to deliver the organisational objectives.

You will be passionate about the transformational impact of the Bible and motivated to use your skills and experience to encourage Bible engagement in Scotland and around the world.

We are looking for a leader who is both creative and strategic, and who thrives in a senior management position as part of a leadership team.

You will have experience in delivering ministries and programmes that have had a profound impact on people’s lives.

As a leader and team player with excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, you will enjoy learning from others.  You will be passionate about developing a professional and high-achieving department composed of two functions: Bible Engagement and Fundraising.

You will have a talent for motivating others to do their best work, coaching them to work collaboratively across SBS, with the wider United Bible Societies network around the world, and with the Scottish Christian audience.  

Faith requirement – in order to engage with existing and new SBS audiences, this role carries an occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian.  An understanding of the different Christian communities in Scotland and playing an active part in the spiritual life of the organisation is vital to this role. 

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Chief Executive and Head of Bible Engagement, develop a clear vision for the Bible-based work in Scotland. This includes, but is not limited to, developing ways in which SBS can work with all churches in Scotland to encourage Bible engagement within congregations and beyond.

• Working with the Chief Executive and Head of Fundraising, develop a clear vision for funding Bible-based work whether that be in Scotland or overseas.

• Working closely with other colleagues, amplify the brand and raise the profile of SBS, connecting with existing and new audiences, inspiring them to support the SBS mission and engage with the Bible.

• Help develop and ensure delivery of effective supporter journeys / pathways and maximise opportunities for growing new audiences and active donors.

• Help oversee the design and implementation of campaigns designed to meet fundraising targets.

• Effectively manage and control departmental budgets.

• Provide expert guidance, advice and support to the Senior Leadership Team and Chief Executive, Directors, staff, and volunteer speakers, taking the lead on delivering key Bible engagement campaigns.

• Represent SBS at external meetings with partner organisations, agencies, and the wider United Bible Societies network.

• Manage and coach the Bible Engagement and the Fundraising team, providing Christian support and encouraging development and growth opportunities.

• Participate in and occasionally lead Bible studies at all-staff meetings and prayer meetings.

• Undertake any other tasks requested by the Chief Executive.

About you

• SBS believes that spiritual maturity, character and behaviour are just as important as competence, therefore you will be a devoted follower of Jesus with a passion for the Bible. You will be active in a local church that supports your vocation and provides spiritual support.

• Extensive experience (5+ years) in a senior ministry or programmes position.

• Experience working for charitable organisations, or in international development or similar areas, interacting with a board of directors and with an understanding of charity reporting.

• A detailed knowledge of Scottish Christian and social environments.

• Excellent planning and organisation skills, with the ability to manage projects and organise your own workload and that of direct line reports.

• Leadership and people management skills and a willingness to listen and learn from others.  A genuine interest in developing people.

• A natural preference for collaboration and teamwork, able to interact and manage a wide range of stakeholders at different levels of seniority, sometimes in a cross-cultural context, to deliver the best possible outcome for the charity.

Head of People and Culture

Salary:  £48,000 - £51,000 - depending on experience (pro-rata)

Contract Type: Permanent 

Hours: Part Time - 3 days a week (typical example of hours 09.30-17.30 but with flexibility)

Location: Remote with periodic travel to London (to our Elephant & Castle, central London office) and external meetings as required to meet the needs of the role

Responsible To: CEO

Application Deadline: 13th October 2025

Interview Dates: 1st round interviews 20th & 21st October

We will be reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall people and culture strategy aligned with Hatch’s overall vision, values and organisational strategy.

Organisational Culture & Employee Experience

• Work with the CEO to champion a values-driven, inclusive, and purpose-led culture that supports employee engagement and well-being.

• Design and oversee initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction, psychological safety, and workplace trust.

• Lead initiatives that reinforce cultural norms and behaviours aligned with organisational values.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Leadership

• Develop and lead the Hatch’s DE&I strategy

• Set DE&I KPIs; monitor progress and report to leadership in the quarterly board papers.

• Set up and work with an internal DE&I working group to implement DE&I Strategy 

• Organise training and education programmes on unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and anti-discrimination.

• Oversee equitable hiring, compensation, promotion, and development practices.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Act as a senior point of contact for complex employee relations matters.

• Build systems for transparent communication, feedback, and conflict resolution.

• Analyse quarterly engagement surveys and eNPS score data and develop action plans for improvement.

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Deliver reports on key people and culture metrics to the Senior Leadership Group (SLG) and Board, ensuring data-driven insights support strategic decision-making.

• Ensure all people-related policies, procedures, and contracts are regularly reviewed and updated, aligning with organisational needs, values, and current employment legislation.

• Maintain compliance with employment laws and regulatory requirements, minimising organisational risk and promoting ethical practices.

• Support the organisation in responding to emerging workforce-related risks.

• Develop and manage the people and culture budget annually

Compensation and Benefits

• Ensure our pay, benefits and progression framework support employee well-being and align with DE&I principles.

Learning and Development

• Identify skill gaps and oversee the creation of learning strategies to support upskilling and reskilling.

• Promote a continuous learning culture and leadership development at all levels.

Talent Attraction, Management and Succession Planning

• Lead the design and execution of robust talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies.

• Oversee performance management frameworks to drive growth and accountability.

• Continually develop Hatch’s employee value proposition to build Hatch’s brand as an employer of choice 

• Further develop our performance management framework to encourage high performance, professional development and values alignment

• Support and enhance our approach to leadership development and succession planning and providing support and advice to the team and managers to navigate these

HR Operations

• Act as owner of the Factorial HR system, ensuring data accuracy, functionality, and ongoing optimisation.

• Review and approve staff expenses in line with Hatch’s policy.

• Oversee all onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring a smooth employee experience across the lifecycle.

• Manage changes to staff working hours, salaries, and contractual terms.

• Lead and coordinate recruitment processes, including job postings, candidate management, interviews, and offers.

Person Specification 

Skills

• An all rounder, able to develop a big picture vision and deliver on the details

• A keen eye for identifying talent and passion for developing people (in both their professional and personal growth)

• A focus on diversity and inclusion as a competitive business advantage

• Ability to build authentic relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders 

• Excellent communicator on all levels with demonstrated empathy and strong interpersonal skills

• Analytical skills and and ability to make, and support others to make, data-informed decisions

• Project management skills

• Problem-solving skills

Experience

• Proven experience in a similar leadership role, preferably within the social enterprise or nonprofit sector

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing people and culture strategies, talent management, and performance management programmes

• Leadership of end to end employee life cycle

• Partnering with business stakeholders across a whole organisation, especially senior stakeholders

• Leading people & culture project rollouts

• Developing a positive performance culture

• Experience with recruitment and HR systems advantageous

As Director of Fundraising, you’ll be part of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), leading fundraising development and investment. An experienced leader, you’ll manage diverse income streams and teams, excelling in high-value individual and corporate relationships. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and team development skills are essential - you’ll oversee a fundraising strategy, collaborate with other SLT members on grants and campaigns, and help shape the charity’s culture, ensuring all staff align with its values. 

Please see the website for the complete job pack Join Us | Sheffield Hospitals Charity

Job Title: Senior Programme Officer, Active Fellows

Line Manager: Team Leader, Active Fellows (Deputy Fellowship Programme Manager in Team Leader’s absence)

Salary: £36,062

Start date: 1 November 2025

Contract type: Permanent

Application deadline: 16 October 2025. Please note we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis

Benefits:

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving

• Competitive salary

• Team and individual training opportunities

• Commitment to performance and personal development

• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office)

• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm

• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement

• 8% employer pension contribution

• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes

Role Purpose Statement

The Senior Officer, Active Fellows plays a key role in delivering high-quality support to Cara Fellows. This includes leading casework, coordinating Cara’s mentoring scheme to support Fellows’ placements, and contributing to strategic improvements across the Fellowship Programme. The role combines direct support to Fellows, operational oversight and delivery of casework, and collaborative leadership to support Cara to uphold its mission.

Organisational Background

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933.

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk.

Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’

This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Russia and many other countries.

Key Responsibilities

Fellowships

Casework

· Manage a caseload of up to 50 Cara Fellows, providing tailored support.

· Maintain accurate and GDPR-compliant records of casework activity.

· Liaise with Fellows to coordinate support and escalate complex cases to the Team Leader as required.

· Monitor, research and update visa guidance to reflect changes in complex immigration regulation.

· Keep up to date with relevant information regarding immigration laws, e.g. visas, legal procedures, etc.

· Liaise with independent legal advisors where necessary.

Finance

· Work with colleagues in finance to ensure accurate and timely payments to Cara Fellows and non-Fellowship related payments.

· Promptly issue relevant invoices.

· Understand financial processes – on Salesforce and Pleo – and update systems appropriately.

· Contribute to robust financial processes.

Support Mechanisms

Mentoring Scheme

· Project Lead for the Cara Mentoring Scheme.

· Coordinate rounds, delegate tasks to the team as required, and oversee delivery.

· Recruit mentors and mentees, and decide on a cap on number of participants if required.

· Lead on partnerships with organisations working in the mentoring world.

· Monitor the relevant budget and flag issues to the Team Leader.

· Lead on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for the Scheme, suggesting improvements to this, and ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.

Webinars and Workshops

· Lead on developing ideas for webinar topics relevant to the needs of Cara Fellows.

· Organise these webinars, contacting speakers and attendees, all with the close support of the Programme Assistant.

· Monitor and evaluate the success of these events, through clear feedback mechanisms.

· Aim to deliver approximately three webinars per year, subject to team capacity.

· Lead on the delivery of workshops for Cara Fellows with external partners, managing Fellow participation.

· Contribute to the development of accessible resources to share openly within the Cara network.

Strategic Development

Alumni Engagement and Impact Reporting

· Play a key supporting role to the Team Leader in improving Cara’s alumni engagement.

· Contribute to developing Cara’s alumni network, with involvement in strategic discussions on interacting with alumni.

· Keep track of Cara Fellows’ media preferences and support the Team Leader in inviting relevant Fellows to participate in public events and media engagements.

Monitoring and Evaluation

· Support M&E activities across the Fellowship Programme, suggesting improvements to data quality and reporting.

· Ensure accurate data entry on Salesforce and flag inconsistencies to relevant team members.

· Assist with compilation of required information, statistics and reporting to Cara’s Council & F&GPC meetings.

Management Responsibilities

Deputise for Team Leader

· Cover for the Team Leader when required – lead team meetings, make decisions on cases for the team, provide general guidance and leadership.

· Assist the Team Leader with line management within the team, mentoring junior staff and contributing to continued team development.

· Approve the Active Fellows team’s working hours.

· Provide input on policy and process improvements.

· Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when needed.

Training/Inductions

· Play a leading role on inducting new staff to the Active Fellows and wider Cara team.

· Train new staff on key processes and offer continued guidance on difficult/complex cases and tasks.

Partnerships

· Support key strategic partnerships in Cara’s Universities and Research Network.

· Support the Team Leader in organising webinars and events for Cara’s network representatives at host institutions across the UK.

Ad Hoc Responsibilities

· Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary.

· Support Fellowship Programme with ad hoc responsibilities.

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, Deputy Fellowship Programme Manager, or Team Leader, Active Fellows.

Person Specification – Senior Programme Officer, Active Fellows:

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or equivalent

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Understanding of UK immigration options for displaced academics
• Experience managing sensitive casework and maintaining accurate records
• Experience coordinating projects, events, or support schemes
• Familiarity with basic financial processes (e.g. payments, budget tracking)
• Confident use of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or other CRM systems

Desirable:

• Awareness of global issues affecting at-risk academics
• Experience coordinating mentoring programmes or similar initiatives

Skills & Attributes

Essential:

• Cultural sensitivity and commitment to Cara’s mission
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and time management
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Adaptability, integrity, and problem-solving ability

Desirable:

• Foreign language skills (e.g. Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian)

Be part of something extraordinary at Sense. 

We’re here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. As we start to develop and deliver an ambitious three-year plan for Sense’s future, we are looking for a chief strategy and governance officer – a senior leader with a strategic experience, inclusive values, and a commitment to impact. 

About the role 

As our chief strategy and governance officer, you’ll report directly to the chief executive and play a key leadership role as part of Sense’s chief officers’ group. You’ll lead business planning, performance, risk, governance, safeguarding, health and safety, internal audit and project management across the charity—ensuring strategy and delivery are aligned at every level. 

You’ll also serve as company secretary and oversee our legal and regulatory compliance with the Charity commission and Companies house, while championing an inclusive approach to governance that empowers disabled people with complex needs. With a team of senior leaders reporting into you, you’ll shape culture, drive improvement, and model the leadership values that make Sense a truly people-centred organisation. 

This is a hybrid role based from either Birmingham or London, with frequent travel.

What you'll do 

• Lead the delivery of Sense’s strategy through robust business planning and performance frameworks.
• Oversee impact measurement and risk management, enabling evidence-led decision-making.
• Act as company secretary, ensure legal and regulatory compliance and high-quality support for our board of trustees and their committees.
• Provide executive leadership of safeguarding and health and safety, fostering a proactive culture of learning.
• Create an environment for project and programme management across Sense that enables clear oversight of delivery through a values-led Project management office.
• Manage internal audit via external providers, ensuring assurance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and board of trustees, providing insight, coordination, and strategic guidance.
• Drive inclusion, equity and sustainability throughout the organisation’s leadership approach. 

About you 

We’re looking for an experienced, values-driven leader who is: 

• Strategic and analytical, with senior-level experience in governance, performance or organisational leadership.
• Highly organised and insightful, with a strong grasp of business planning, impact reporting and risk.
• Experienced in governance leadership, ideally with charity or regulated services knowledge and company secretary experience.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders, including boards, executives, and regulatory bodies.
• Committed to inclusion and the social model of disability, with a track record of embedding equity and diverse perspectives in strategy and operations.
• Digitally confident, with strong understanding of data protection, information governance, and the role of technology in transformation. 

About Sense 

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader. 

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement. 

To apply 

Please use the link below to complete your application. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying. 

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close recruitment at any time. 

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of disabled children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role. 

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people.

Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values

The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Chief Operating Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team.

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £85,000 per annum
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional to meetings, events and conferences.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

Responsibilities will include:

• The COO leads the day-to-day functioning of the organisation to ensure smooth, efficient, and effective delivery of services. This is vital for maintaining operational stability and achieving strategic outcomes.
• They design and execute strategies that align with the organisation’s mission and long-term goals ensuring resources are used effectively and priorities are clear.
• They promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement through supporting employee engagement, productivity, and organisational success.
• The COO collaborates closely with the CEO/CFO and other senior leaders to drive strategic initiatives and business growth, ensuring unified leadership and coherent decision-making.
• They partner with the CFO to manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation. Financial oversight ensures sustainability and supports informed investment in strategic priorities.
• Strengthen governance and risk management frameworks, aligned to regulatory expectations and best practice while proactively managing reputational and operational risks.
• The COO cultivates strong relationships with partners, clients, and stakeholders to enhance service delivery and reputation. These relationships are key to influence, collaboration, and impact.
• They lead efforts to improve processes and adopt best practices across the charity to enhance efficiency and keeps the organisation competitive and responsive.
• They ensure that daily activities support the charities long-term objectives.
• The COO mentors other directors and departmental heads and fosters leadership capabilities across teams.
• They establish and track KPIs to identify inefficiencies and guide improvements through data-driven decision-making to enhance accountability and results.
• They evaluate and refine workflows to boost productivity developing efficient processes to reduce waste and improve service quality.
• They act as a bridge between departments and the CEO to ensure cohesive execution of strategic plans preventing silos and promoting organisational synergy.
• The COO serves as a senior figure in national and cross-sector forums, conferences, and strategic partnerships to strengthens the organisation’s voice and influence.
• They demonstrate commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in both internal culture and external programmes to foster a fair and inclusive organisation.
• They work with the CEO, CFO and Director of Growth to identify and pursue new revenue streams and strategic partnerships. This expands the organisation’s reach and sustainability.
• They engage in public speaking, media interactions, and external representation demonstrating clear communication, credibility, and stakeholder engagement.
• They develop and embed evaluation frameworks to assess progress against strategic goals. The measuring of our impact ensures accountability and informs future planning.
• They promote the organisation’s brand at events and through networking.

The COO takes on other responsibilities as needed to support the organisation’s mission.

About You

Essential competencies of the Chief Operating Officer:

• Extensive experience in senior leadership with a proven track record in operations, financial and risk management, and delivering high-performing teams, ideally in the charity sector.
• Strong understanding of business functions such as HR, Finance, Marketing, etc.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and execute effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Commercially astute, process-driven, and highly pragmatic in approach.
• Experience in driving performance and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field; MBA preferred

Why Work for NYA?

• NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
• NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
• A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
• NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
• We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Monday 29th September 2025:

A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.

Please note: The covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 80% AI generated content will be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Youth Work changes lives

Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it.As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.

We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.

REF-223747

Be part of something extraordinary at Sense. 

We’re here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. As we start to develop and deliver an ambitious three-year plan for Sense’s future, we are looking for a chief strategy and governance officer – a senior leader with a strategic experience, inclusive values, and a commitment to impact. 

About the role 

As our chief strategy and governance officer, you’ll report directly to the chief executive and play a key leadership role as part of Sense’s chief officers’ group. You’ll lead business planning, performance, risk, governance, safeguarding, health and safety, internal audit and project management across the charity—ensuring strategy and delivery are aligned at every level. 

You’ll also serve as company secretary and oversee our legal and regulatory compliance with the Charity commission and Companies house, while championing an inclusive approach to governance that empowers disabled people with complex needs. With a team of senior leaders reporting into you, you’ll shape culture, drive improvement, and model the leadership values that make Sense a truly people-centred organisation. 

This is a hybrid role based from either Birmingham or London, with frequent travel.

What you'll do 

• Lead the delivery of Sense’s strategy through robust business planning and performance frameworks.
• Oversee impact measurement and risk management, enabling evidence-led decision-making.
• Act as company secretary, ensure legal and regulatory compliance and high-quality support for our board of trustees and their committees.
• Provide executive leadership of safeguarding and health and safety, fostering a proactive culture of learning.
• Create an environment for project and programme management across Sense that enables clear oversight of delivery through a values-led Project management office.
• Manage internal audit via external providers, ensuring assurance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and board of trustees, providing insight, coordination, and strategic guidance.
• Drive inclusion, equity and sustainability throughout the organisation’s leadership approach. 

About you 

We’re looking for an experienced, values-driven leader who is: 

• Strategic and analytical, with senior-level experience in governance, performance or organisational leadership.
• Highly organised and insightful, with a strong grasp of business planning, impact reporting and risk.
• Experienced in governance leadership, ideally with charity or regulated services knowledge and company secretary experience.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders, including boards, executives, and regulatory bodies.
• Committed to inclusion and the social model of disability, with a track record of embedding equity and diverse perspectives in strategy and operations.
• Digitally confident, with strong understanding of data protection, information governance, and the role of technology in transformation. 

About Sense 

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader. 

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement. 

To apply 

Please use the link below to complete your application. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying. 

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close recruitment at any time. 

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of disabled children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role. 

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people.

Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values 

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to help us increase our income from mid-level and major donors, trusts and foundations, and legacies.

This is an exciting time to join our charity, Cambridge is changing rapidly, and we are working hard to tackle issues such as the loss of nature, climate change and access to green space. We have inspiring new projects to expand habitats and green spaces on the Gog Magog Hills, to create a new wetland at our Coton Reserve, to plant trees and woodlands and to save one of Cambridge’s oldest buildings. Right now, the work of our charity is needed more than ever before, and we need the financial resources to be able to step up and make even more of a difference.

Committed to our causes, you will use your donor cultivation skills to strengthen existing relationships and use your research and networking skills to identify and cultivate new opportunities. Your excellent written and development skills will enable you to work with colleagues to turn their visions into compelling proposals for funders and our wider support base. Your knowledge of fundraising best practice will ensure that we deliver an excellent donor experience.
You will be an effective worker with an eye for detail who can use your experience to fulfil the administrative and reporting requirements of the funds you are helping to raise.
You will work alongside our Membership & Communications Manager and have some support from our Administrative Assistant. You will also be supported in your work by the CEO, trustees, volunteers, and external contractors.
You will be part of a friendly and committed management team where you can make a difference, and your work will have an impact.
Our office is in an 18th century building overlooking the beautiful Wandlebury estate. Wandlebury is located on top of the Gog Magog Hills just south of Cambridge.

The Centre for Progressive Change is looking for a full-time Operations Director that will be part of the newly formed Executive Team. This role will be responsible for running the operations of the organisation with a focus on our people, systems and processes. They will work closely with the Executive Team, ensuring the organisation runs smoothly and efficiently so that we can have impact.

The Centre for Progressive Change (CPC) is an organisation that builds campaigns for national policy change in the UK. Our focus is on making progressive gains that improve the lives of low- and middle-income communities. We want the UK to be a place where everyone has the financial resources they need, where people are treated as equals and are free to be who they are without persecution, and where we look after our environment.

To achieve this vision, our mission is to build proactive campaigns for progressive legislative change, do research on what works when campaigning for national policy change and offer training and consultancy to support other organisations to build effective campaigns. Our campaigns use an inter-disciplinary approach including community organising, mobilising, advocacy, business engagement, campaign research and press work.