Chief operating officer jobs in Central london, greater london

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious, strategic and relationship-driven Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships to lead and deliver a national, high-impact partnerships strategy. This role is central to our growth plans and will generate sustainable income, deepen corporate and employer engagement and create tangible employment outcomes for young people. You will combine commercial instinct with social purpose - building partnerships that deliver measurable impact for young people and clear strategic value for corporate and employer partners. 

Key information

• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 dependant on experience
• Contract: Full time, Monday-Friday, 9.30 – 5.30mpm with some out of hours work needed for events such as Spear Celebration
• Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: Tuesday 7th April, 09.30am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Significant senior-level experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility, business development or strategic partnerships
• Significant experience within the corporate sector, with an established network of relationships across national businesses and employers
• Proven experience of delivering growth strategies and achieving income target, with a strong track record of securing and managing high-value (£100k+) partnerships
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing high-performing teams
• Credible, confident and persuasive communicator with excellent relational skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite
• Resourceful and proactive, ability to manage multiple priorities, drive projects forward to completion and establish effective processes and structures

We are an office-based organisation and value the collaboration and opportunities to work creatively and build community that this offers us, with staff spending time in the working week both at home and in the London office.

We are looking for an interim Head of Legacies, In Memory and Supporter Care to play a vital role in strengthening the supporter experiences and relationships that help power our lifesaving work.​

This is a 12 month offering a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where you’ll help shape and deliver our Legacy, In Memory and Supporter Care programmes. You’ll put insight, compassion and supporter needs at the heart of everything we do. You will lead a talented team to inspire people to give in meaningful ways, deepen their connection with our cause, and help us grow sustainable income that ensures we can be here for anyone who needs us.​

We're looking for someone who can drive our ambitious plans to grow our legacy income. ​Working collaboratively across teams and directorates, particularly Data, Finance and External Engagement, making sure our strategies are based on insight and are effective in communicating the need.​

With significant direct marketing experience, ideally across legacy and in memory fundraising, strong leadership capability and a passion for exceptional supporter care, you’ll bring the expertise and energy needed to help us reach new audiences and build long lasting supporter relationships.​

If you’re driven by purpose, motivated by insight and inspired by the chance to make a real difference, we’d love you to join us.​

Contract terms:

• £55,000 - £60,000 per annum, plus benefits
• 12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover)
• Full time hours are 35 hours per week, but we are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences.
• Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office
• In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month

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​What you'll do:

• Lead the delivery of Samaritans’ legacy and in-memory giving strategy
• Deliver excellent supporter experience, maximising the attraction and retention of our supporters
• Grow and sustain Samaritans’ legacy income in line with our fundraising strategy
• Encourage, explore and develop our supporter care approach to help improve our supporter experience and retention
• ​Build and manage strategic relationships with external agencies and suppliers
• Produce comprehensive campaign evaluations and make recommendations for continuous improvement
• Lead and develop a high-performing team through a culture of ambition and proactive performance management

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What you’ll bring:

• ​A supporter led mindset and approach
• Demonstrable experience of delivering income growth from legacies and in-memory income streams
• Experience of understanding, using and reporting on data for marketing purposes
• Experience of using a range of marketing channels and approaches, including a strong understanding of different audience needs to maximise income generation
• Excellent people management skills with experience of leading a high performing team
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting
• Skilled in strategic thinking and planning, with a creative approach to solving complex problems
• Confidence in negotiating and influencing at senior levels of the organisation
• Strong understanding of fundraising legislation​

For full Job Description and Person Specification click here

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Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.​

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.​

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.​

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.​

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

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​ Criminal record check (DBS):

We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, this role will require an Enhanced DBS check.

At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form. The declaration form will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process. 

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Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV. 

1. Please tell us about your experience leading and growing a fundraising programme, ideally in legacy and/or in-memory income streams. We’re interested in examples of strategies you developed, how you applied insight to shape your approach and how you measured the outcomes you achieved.
2. How do you ensure supporters receive a high quality, compassionate and consistent experience across their journey?
3. Please describe a situation where you influenced senior stakeholders or collaborated across departments to deliver a fundraising or supporter engagement outcome.
4. Please provide an example of how you have built, led and motivated a high performing team.

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Applications close: ​09:00am on Monday 30th March

1st stage Interviews: w/c 6th April 2026 (online)

Second stage interviews will be held in person, at our office in Ewell (Surrey) w/c 13th April​

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At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.

Salary:                                 £62,651 per annum

Contract Type:                     Fixed Term Contract – Paternity Cover (up to 10 months)

Closing date:                       7 April 2026 at 11pm

Interview date:                  4 – 15 May 2026

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

CARE International UK is currently developing its new 4-year Strategy working within the CARE International Vision 2030, which will launch in July 2026. The strategy will build on our focus on women’s leadership in crisis, and expand on our strengths in anticipatory action and women’s access to economic opportunities. This includes investing in CIUK’s Early Action Fund, which sits within the Programme Management Team and works with country offices to support communities to prepare for and respond to climate and conflict-related emergencies. The Programme Management Team is at the centre of driving the impact we want to achieve through our new strategy, and continuing to work towards our goal of giving more power, resources and space to local organisations and communities, in particular to women-led organisations and women activists, so they can lead the decisions, debates and programmes that affect their lives.

The Head of Programme Management is a key organisational leadership role and will be part of the CIUK Extended Leadership Team working with other heads of team and the senior leadership team to help run the organisation effectively and deliver the 4-year strategy. CIUK’s restricted income from donors is significant and is CIUK’s largest income stream; as such the Head of PMT has a high level of responsibility for stewardship and effective management of the ongoing programme portfolio. Our largest programmes are complex multi-partner consortia in fragile contexts with budgets of up to £60m. The role-holder also has a crucial role to play in identifying learning from our programmes and sharing these across CARE and the sector.

About you

You will have demonstrated experience working with a range of donors, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with deep knowledge of how the FCDO operates, how they are structured and contract programmes, as well as their current priorities. You will also have experience delivering programmes with corporate partners, and trusts and foundations. You will have the ability to build strong relationships and have demonstrated ability to negotiate complex contracts with donors and influence donor positions. You will have a strong programme management and risk management background that allows you to understand and work across multiple projects and contexts, and manage risk at the portfolio level, dealing effectively with new risks and issues as they emerge.

As a leader of a large team, you will have strong people leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate strategy into action, motivate colleagues and demonstrate to team members how their role links to organisational strategy and objectives. Your leadership style will be aligned with CIUK’s feminist leadership principles and values. You will need to have experience of working in donor-funded organisations, understand cost recovery models, and have experience working to deliver large-scale programming in development and/or humanitarian contexts.  A good understanding of the current debates in the sector on local leadership and a commitment to the principles set out in the pledge for change are essential.

About the role

The Head of Programme Management leads a large team to oversee all of CIUK’s active humanitarian and development projects funded by UK donors. The team leads CIUK’s relationships with Country Offices and Regions and develops close partnerships to help us achieve long-term and effective programming across the humanitarian and development arena. The team also builds strong relationships with institutional donors and works with the Partnerships and Philanthropy team to deliver corporate-funded programmes. The Head of Programme Management is responsible for ensuring strong grant management and donor compliance including programme financial management. The team ensures that CARE provides and is recognised by donors for offering excellent value for money and real impact for its programme participants. The team also leads CIUK’s approach to delivering smart development and humanitarian programmes with an increasing focus on equitable partnership approaches. 

The role covers four main areas of responsibility:

Representation and relationship management

Holding relationships with a set of senior stakeholders including FCDO Senior Responsible Owners, other donor counterparts, CARE Country Directors, Programme Directors and Regional Directors. Negotiating contract terms with donors and troubleshooting delivery issues with country offices. Positioning CARE’s work to external stakeholders, including personally representing CIUK in external forums and with donors.

Organisational and team leadership, strategy and planning:

Set and drive the programme management team’s annual plans and contribution to the organisation’s strategic priorities. Be accountable to delivering on team KPIs and organisational KPIs that link to PMT’s work. Play a key role in the leadership of the Programme and Policy department. Provide strong line management to direct reports and demonstrate a strong personal commitment to CIUK’s equity, diversity and inclusion goals and feminist leadership principles.

Financial and compliance management

Provide close and effective management of multi-million pound budgets. Reforecast accurately throughout the year, identifying and working with country offices to rectify implementation issues. Manage risks and issues at portfolio level, raising high and critical risks for attention by senior leadership and board as necessary. Ensure donor compliance is followed.

Programme quality, monitoring evaluation and learning

Ensure that CIUK closely monitors project implementation, relevance of programme outputs and outcomes and ensures programmes meet relevant technical standards and up to date best practice. Programmes fulfil requirements on programme quality and adhere to do no harm standards, the Core Humanitarian Standard, and ensure that CARE’s safeguarding standards are met throughout the life of the programme. Proactively share knowledge from CIUK’s programmes across the confederation and externally.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit the UK Government's guidance on right to work. Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be found here.

Safeguarding 

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to: 

· Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here).  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. 

· Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to Equality and value Diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to HR.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Hillingson. This is an on-site role, located within the London Borough of Hillingdon, there may be requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hounslow
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum, Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. 

For further infomation regarding the role, please view our downloadable job pack. 

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 31 March 2026

Interview Date: 14 and 15 April 2026

Job Title: Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)

Location: The Gaia Centre, Lambeth
Salary: £14,428.56 per annum, inlcuding London weighting if applicable
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent

Hours: 18.75 hours per week (working days to be discussed)

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

The independent gender violence advocate will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children.

The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence). The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options. 

The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, and practical options that might increase their safety. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. 

Closing Date: 09:00am 1 April 2026

Interview Date: 9 and 10 April 2026

Help shape the future of co‑production in Wales. Join us in turning local learning into national change.

We’re looking for a Programme Coordinator to support our structured strategic involvement support with public services, produce high‑quality case studies and learning outputs, and help us influence national conversations on co‑production. This role sits at the heart of our evolving programme, connecting local insights to the wider policy landscape and supporting better co-production and involvement practice across Wales.

You will help gather and communicate learning from our local work with Public Services Boards (PSBs) and other partners, contributing to a clear, national picture of how co‑production is working in practice. You will work closely with the Programme Manager, associate consultants and local contacts to support project delivery, events, and sharing learning outputs.

Contract type: Fixed term (until 31 August 2027)

Hours: 30 hours per week, flexible working patterns

Salary: £30,000 per annum pro rata (£24,324 per annum actual), plus work from home allowance of £26 per month

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum pro rata (20 days actual), plus 8 statutory Bank Holidays and a 2-week office closure at Christmas

Location: Remote, with travel for meetings across Wales (Wales-based applicant preferred)

Brief person specification

Knowledge and experience

Experience of coordinating projects or programmes involving multiple partners.

Experience of writing clear and engaging content (e.g. blogs, case studies, articles, reports).

Experience of organising online and/or in‑person events.

Experience using digital tools for communication, coordination and collaboration (e.g. Google Suite, WordPress, social media, CRM/contact lists).

Skills and attributes

Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise effectively and manage several concurrent tasks.

Able to interpret information, identify learning and present it clearly.

Ability to build and maintain trusting, professional relationships with a wide range of partners.

Attention to detail in written materials, data handling and resource preparation.

General

Commitment to co‑production, involvement and social justice.

Comfortable working independently, drawing on your own initiative.

Curiosity, empathy and a willingness to learn from others.

Able to work well as part of a team and to work on a range of collaborative projects to advance the work of the network.

Recruitment pack, including full role description and person specification, is available when clicking "Apply Now" below.

As part of your cover letter, please submit a statement addressing the full criteria as listed in the recruitment pack.