Chief operating officer jobs in Lambeth, greater london

Caritas Social Action Network

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave)

Location: office in London, with mostly working from home, regular travel in England and Wales, and rare travel overseas.

Contract: full-time, to cover a team member’s maternity leave

Salary: £30,00

Closing date: Monday 13 July at 12 noon

Interview date: Thursday 16 July in person, in London

CSAN is the official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice affecting people who live in England and Wales. We’re facing a steep rise in poverty and significant pressures on social, economic and church resources. Currently, the Church is called to raise a prophetic voice against poverty and the rhetoric of division and work for the building of a more just society.

Over the last 20 years, CSAN has built up a network of 50 diocesan and direct service charities with a combined annual spend on social mission estimated at £400m, excluding the work of schools and religious congregations. Our members build up local community life in diverse ways, and many of them support individuals in difficulty, including with housing, prison and detention, social isolation, ill-health, violence, disability, employment, care, therapeutic and welfare support.

The key responsibilities of the post are:

1. To scan the social policy environment to capture developments in legislation, consultation papers and Bills relevant to the Caritas network for the purpose of comprehensive tracking and briefing.

2. To deliver an effective programme of Catholic advocacy and political campaigns that contributes to the common good, with particular attention to the priorities of the dignity of workers, child poverty, social care and end of life; supporting and connecting well with the team’s other activities, and where possible with the CSAN membership’s priorities,

3. To draft campaign and advocacy materials for the range of media channels used by CSAN and support the CEO in engaging with the press and approaches from campaigning organisations including contributing to CSAN’s social media networks.

4. To provide admin support and contribute to CSAN’s Alliances as required, especially the Advocacy Alliance and the Criminal Justice Alliance with information and education on policy and legislation.

5. To ensure that our advocacy is consistent with the Bishops’ understanding of the Church’s role in society and supports the priorities of the Bishops’ Conference, especially the Department for Social Justice.

6. To act as a conduit of information and communication between the Bishops’ Conference and the CSAN members, under the guidance of the CEO, assisting CBCEW where possible in gathering information and the lived experience of poverty.

7. To develop and contribute to practice materials for the network, especially in the areas of campaigning, advocacy, social policy and formation for mission.

8. To oversee monitoring of the Catholic press and relevant wider networks for relevant articles, developments and campaigns.

9. To support the general work of CSAN as required by the CEO, including leading in the development and organisation of the charity in specific areas subject to skills and experience.

The work of the small national team requires a high level of integrity and teamwork, respect for and capacity to navigate complex civil and church contexts at pace, and a stable commitment to personal formation and training. Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave) will bring a professional track record of relevant research and analysis, production of compelling communications, and diligent administration. A satisfactory basic DBS check and references are required.

CSAN is a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, with national agencies in over 160 countries, and among the most successful examples of organised Catholic social action in modern times.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in growing a major donor programme that directly supports life-changing eye care services in the Holy Land. You will work closely with the Executive Director, UK (EDUK) and senior leadership, including the CEO and Trustees, to contribute to the long-term sustainability of a respected and impactful international charity.

As part of a small, ambitious and collaborative UK team, you will play a major role in shaping and developing the major donor programme, building meaningful relationships with supporters and seeing the tangible impact of your work on patients and communities.

The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) is a UK-registered charity delivering expert eye care to the people of the Holy Land, regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay. It operates through two locally-registered charities to provide services in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

Manager - Our Place and Our Voice
Pay: £37,650 - £41,250 per annum, pro rata
Hours: Part-time. 28 hours a week
Work Pattern: Spread across Monday to Saturday (mostly Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with occasional Saturday work to support events and projects)
Contract Period: Permanent
Location: AoD Our Place Project, Normand Croft Community School, Lillie Road, London SW6 7SR

About Action on Disability

Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of London’s leading Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs). Guided by the Social Model of Disability, we work to remove barriers and promote equality, inclusion and choice for all Disabled people.

AoD is a medium-sized charity with a Board of Trustees, 27 staff, and a strong pool of casual staff and volunteers. Many of whom have lived experience of disability. We are proud that 100% of our Board and 54% of our staff identify as Disabled.

We deliver four key services: Young Lives & Families, Employment, Welfare Benefits, and Independent Living.

Purpose of the Role

The Part-Time Manager for Our Place and Our Voice leads AoD’s work on co-production, peer support, campaigning and community engagement. The postholder ensures Disabled people are actively involved in shaping services, influencing policy and strengthening their voice within the local community and beyond.

The role coordinates peer-led programmes, develops accessible training and events, and builds partnerships that promote inclusion and representation. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, the postholder ensures that AoD’s values of co-production and Disabled leadership are embedded throughout the organisation.

Main Responsibilities

1. Lead, plan and coordinate AoD’s Our Place and Our Voice programmes, including co-production, peer support and community engagement initiatives.

2. Develop and deliver accessible training, workshops and events that build confidence, skills and leadership among Disabled people.

3. Recruit, supervise and support volunteers, peer facilitators and freelancers to deliver activities safely and effectively.

4. Build and maintain positive partnerships with local authorities, VCSE organisations, health services and community networks to promote the voice of Disabled people.

5. Promote co-production practice across AoD’s services, working with other managers to embed user involvement in service design and review.

6. Ensure all activities are inclusive, accessible and aligned with the Social Model of Disability.

7. Monitor and evaluate project performance, including collecting data, feedback and case studies to evidence impact.

8. Manage budgets within agreed limits and support financial planning and reporting to the Chief Executive.

9. Prepare and submit funding applications and tender bids (in conjunction with the Chief Executive) to support programme sustainability and growth.

10.  Ensure compliance with AoD policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health & safety and data protection.

11.  Represent AoD positively at external meetings, forums and events, promoting our work and values.

12.  Work collaboratively with other AoD departments to promote shared learning and inclusive practice.

General Responsibilities

Work in line with AoD’s aims, values and the Social Model of Disability.

• Follow AoD’s policies on Equality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Data Protection.
• Actively contribute to team meetings, supervision and training.
• Promote AoD’s services and values to partners, employers and the wider community.
• Be flexible and willing to carry out other tasks that support the smooth running of the service.

Organisational responsibilities

All staff share responsibility for upholding AoD’s values and ensuring that our work reflects the principles of the Social Model of Disability. In this role you will:

• Work in line with AoD’s aims, values and strategic priorities, promoting equality, inclusion and co-production in all aspects of your work.
• Follow AoD’s policies and procedures, including those covering Equality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Data Protection and Confidentiality.
• Promote and represent AoD positively to partners, employers, funders and members of the public.
• Contribute to organisational development, suggesting improvements and sharing ideas to strengthen our services.
• Participate fully in supervision, training, team and organisational meetings, and support colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Maintain accurate records and monitoring data, contributing to reports for funders, commissioners and internal use.
• Work flexibly across projects and departments when needed, supporting colleagues and adapting to new priorities.
• Ensure safe and responsible working practices in all aspects of your role, including the wellbeing of yourself and others.
• Uphold AoD’s commitment to being a DPO led by and for Disabled people.

In return we offer

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata), rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Life Assurance (1x salary if enrolled in the auto-enrolment pension)
• Company sick pay (2 weeks after 6 months’ service; 1 month after 12 months)
• 2 weeks Disability Leave pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

Additional Information

• Some evening or weekend work may occasionally be required.
• An enhanced DBS check will be required.
• Travel across Greater London will be required; travel expenses reimbursed according to policy.
• Managers are expected to work on-site for at least four days per week (full-time equivalent); for part-time staff this will be proportionate to their hours.

Closing Date: 24th July
Interview Dates: 4-6th August
N.B. We reserve the right to interview and close the deadline early should a suitable applicant apply

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website where you can complete your application for this position.

We particularly welcome applications from Disabled people, as they are currently under-represented in leadership roles across the wider voluntary and community sector. As a Disabled People’s Organisation, we believe lived experience brings valuable insight and leadership to this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments at all stages of recruitment and employment.

No agencies please.

About Us

Slade Gardens Community Play Association is a small registered charity that operates a 1.25-acre staffed adventure playground in the heart of Lambeth. Our open-access service welcomes children and young people aged 0-21, providing them with the freedom to come and go independently while enjoying a diverse and stimulating play environment designed to support exploration, creativity and development.

About the Role

This is a genuinely hands-on, hybrid role. In this small organisation, one person will carry operational playwork leadership alongside fundraising, safeguarding, finance, governance, line management and community partnership. If you’d love being out in the playground itself as much as building the plans and partnerships that keep it thriving, we would like to hear from you.

Please see the full job description attached.

Tommy’s is the leading charity that exists to stop the heartbreak and devastation of baby loss and make pregnancy and birth safe - for everyone.

This is an important moment for Tommy’s. We are embarking on a period of transformation to allow us to grow our reach, awareness and impact. We are investing in our data, systems and technology so that they are fit for the future and allow us to save more babies’ lives.

The Deputy Director of Data and Technology will lead this transformation  – working closely with the COO to shape and deliver the strategy, governance and change needed for Tommy’s to thrive.

The role

This new role is a focal point for technology strategy, partnering the business in the capability of technology and data to increase front line impact and the charities goals.

• Lead Tommy’s data and technology strategies and roadmaps.
• Identify practical quick wins and longer-term priorities.
• Strengthen data governance, quality, insight and reporting.
• Improve integration and use of data across systems.
• Oversee core systems, outsourced IT managed service provider, cyber security and business continuity.
• Lead and develop the database team.
• Chair the Technology Advisory Group.
• Act as a visible, trusted business partner across the organisation.

About you

We are looking for a collaborative and credible leader with experience in data, technology and transformation.

You may come from technology leadership within charity, but you do not need to. We are open to candidates who will bring expertise and innovation from other sectors.

You will bring experience of:

• Leading data, technology and change.
• Developing and delivering organisation-wide strategies or roadmaps.
• Managing systems, budgets and priorities.
• Developing outsourced MSP relationships to deliver value and service.
• Translating technical issues into clear, practical decisions.
• Influencing senior stakeholders and non-technical colleagues.
• Building trust and bringing people with you through change.

You do not need to be a deep specialist in every technical area. You do need to be confident as a leader working across data, systems, technology, suppliers and organisational change.

Why Tommy’s?

This is a strategic role with real scope to shape the future. You will join a mission-led organisation with ambitious plans, a strong platform for growth, and a commitment to using data-based evidence to drive greater impact.

Tommy’s also has a distinctive operating model, including research, partnerships and ownership of the London Landmarks Half Marathon, giving the role exposure to both charity impact and commercial activity.

We offer hybrid working, flexible working options, 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, enhanced parental leave, wellbeing support, pension, life insurance (*4) and personal development.

We discourage a long-hours culture and value quality, focus and impact.

Inclusion

Tommy’s is committed to building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences, including those underrepresented in senior data and technology leadership.

You do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply. If you are excited by the role and aligned with our mission, please send your application to Ivy Rock Partners for a confidential discussion.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

Closing date for applications 13th July 2026

Internal title: Executive and Governance Administrator

Location: Home (most meetings are online and we are largely a remote working organisation, however travel will be expected to central events at  least 1-2 times a year which will be paid for by the charity)

Salary: £34,453 Full Time

Hours: 35 per week (full time)

Closing Date: Sunday 19 July - 23.30

Contract: Permanent

About the role

This is a key support role at the heart of Housing Justice, providing high-quality, proactive and highly organised executive support to the CEO and senior leadership team in a fast-moving national charity environment. The postholder plays a critical role in enabling the CEO and Directors to operate effectively, requiring excellent diary management, strong judgement, discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities and anticipate organisational needs. The role also involves coordinating meetings end-to-end, ensuring they are well-structured and outcome-focused, including preparing agendas, capturing accurate notes, maintaining action logs, and proactively following up to ensure timely completion.

About you

We are looking for someone with:

· Significant experience supporting senior leaders in a PA, Executive Assistant, or equivalent role

· Experience managing complex diaries across multiple senior stakeholders

· Experience of agenda setting and action tracking for a variety of senior management and trustee meetings

· Experience working in a fast paced, often changing environment

About us

Housing Justice brings together communities and finds solutions to homelessness by building personal connections, a sense of belonging, and creating justice in the housing system. We train and support volunteers to offer various accommodation options while building a network of local support. This includes providing personalised assistance to help individuals access relevant local services and address their other needs. Through compassionate, courageous, and collaborative action, we implement innovative solutions to tackle housing injustice, enhance the quality of housing, and elevate the voices and experiences of groups affected by housing injustice to both local and national governments.

Purpose of the role

Are you passionate about how digital communications can be leveraged to help even more people understand the role and importance of churches and to encourage and support those who are caring for these historic buildings? We are looking for a part-time Communications Officer to join our small Communications Team at the National Churches Trust. You will help plan, write, build and send our regular newsletters, manage our photo library and permissions, and support us in making sure our website is up-to-date, accurate and accessible.

If you are a good communicator and writer, you understand the importance of UX design and supporter journeys, and you want to use your skills to help keep churches open and in use, then this could be the role for you.

Hours of Work: Part-time, 21 hours per week split over three days, working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Introduction to the National Churches Trust

We want to keep the UK’s wonderful collection of church buildings well maintained, valued and in use. Working on the ground in all four nations, we support churches of all denominations. Our vision is to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities.

Our mission:

• We Speak Up: churches are valued and supported

• We Build Up: churches are well maintained, adaptable and in good repair

• We Open Up: churches are sustainable, open and welcoming

Our values:

• Being straightforward in responding to others’ needs

• Providing support that makes a difference

• Joining forces to achieve greater impact

• Driving change that brings our vision closer​

Please note, we are not looking for any freelancers to fulfil this role.

For more information, download the job description supporting document. To apply, visit our careers page via the Apply button.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday, 12 July 2026.

Interviews: Thursday 23 or Friday 24 July 2026 in Westminster, London.

Thank you for your interest in the National Churches Trust and our mission to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities. We look forward to hearing from you.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The HR Officer plays a key role in delivering an effective, professional, and compliant HR service across the organisation. Supporting both operational HR processes and employee experience, the post holder will contribute to attracting, developing, and retaining talent in a collaborative and values-driven research environment.

Main responsibilities

HR Operations & Administration Support

• Lead recruitment campaigns in consultation with hiring managers, including drafting job adverts, short-listing and coordinating interviews.
• Manage employee life cycle process, including background checks, onboarding and offboarding.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in compliance with GDPR and organisational policies.
• Administer HR systems, contracts, and employment documentation.
• Manage relationship with 3rd party suppliers including HR consultancy and DBS check providers.
• Support payroll preparation including monthly absence reporting and ensuring accurate data submission and coordination with Finance/Payroll.
• Support the wider central administrative team as required.

 Employee Relations

• Provide first-line HR advice to managers and staff on policies, procedures, and employment matters.
• Support casework relating to absence, performance, disciplinary, and grievance processes.
• Support managers and the COO with complex people cases, working with the external HR partner as required.
• Promote a positive and inclusive working culture aligned with the organisation’s values.

Learning & Development

• Coordinate training activities and support professional development initiatives for research and support staff.
• Some delivery of internal people-related training
• Assist in identifying skills gaps and contributing to workforce development plans.

Policy & Compliance

• Ensure HR practices comply with employment legislation, charity sector regulations, and best practice.
• Monitor and assist with the development, review, and implementation of HR policies and procedures, including handbook updates.
• Support equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives across the organisation.

HR Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to HR projects such as staff engagement, wellbeing initiatives, and organisational development.
• Support the implementation of HR systems improvements and process efficiencies.
• Collect and analyse HR data to inform decision-making and reporting.

Knowledge, skills and experience 

Essential

1. Experience in an HR administrative or officer-level role.
2. Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
3. CIPD Level 3 or equivalent.
4. Experience of supporting payroll and finance processes.
5. Proven ability to establish and evolve people processes in a growing organisation.
6. Proficiency in HR systems, such as BreatheHR or equivalent, and Microsoft Office applications.
7. Experience of working in organisations with multiple staffing arrangements i.e. direct employees, secondees, contractors etc.
8. Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
9. Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
10. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable

1. CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards).
2. Experience working in the charity, academic, or research sector.
3. Experience supporting EDI and wellbeing initiatives.
4. Familiarity with public funded and/or project-based staffing environments.
5. Experience supporting or negotiating secondment arrangements, particularly within academic, charity or research environments.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job. 

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 5 July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

 AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Do you believe in the power of the arts to build community and transform lives? At Pimlico Musical Foundation, we work with a diverse community, providing a broad range of opportunities for both children and adults, and free musical education to local children, many of whom face considerable challenges. We bring people together, provide opportunities for young talent, and support the local community's engagement with the arts. We achieve this through various programmes, in partnership with local schools and organisations such as Westminster School, Oxford University, Opera Holland Park, the Rodolfus Foundation, and Future Academies.

We are seeking an experienced and driven fundraiser to take strategic ownership of our income generation across all income streams, leading the next phase of our growth. As Head of Fundraising, you will own and develop the fundraising strategy while continuing to deliver hands-on where needed, supported by an engaged board and CEO. Most of all, we are seeking someone who wants to make a difference, contributing to a community and improving access to the arts for everyone, regardless of their background.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is looking to appoint a Communications Manager to grow our profile and increase the impact of our work to create sustainable and resilient places that are fair for everyone. At a pivotal time for planning and placemaking in the UK, this new role is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy for one of the UK’s leading campaigning charities as it enters a new chapter.

The purpose of this role is to:

• Lead the development and implementation of communications across all of the TCPA’s areas of work to support the delivery of the Association’s Five year Strategy. Working closely with the Chief Executive and the management team, the Communications Manager will develop new strategies to raise the profile of the organisation and increase the reach and impact of the TCPA’s projects, campaigns and activities.
• Manage and deliver the TCPA’s day to day communications activity, working with the team to expand our audiences, and shape the TCPA’s approach to communications to enhance the organisation’s work.

The successful candidate will have excellent organisational skills and proven experience of delivering diverse and effective communications strategies. The role will lead and deliver the TCPA’s Communications Strategy, embedding high quality communications across the work of our small and committed team. 

Finance Manager

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000

Contract: Permanent, full-time (open to 4 days/week)

Hybrid working (approx. 60% office-based, East London area)

About the Organisation

This growing charitable organisation exists to improve the experience of patients, families, and staff across a network of NHS healthcare sites. Through fundraising, grant-making, and strategic investment, the charity enhances environments, supports staff wellbeing, and contributes to better care for the communities it serves.

The organisation’s vision is to ensure everyone who interacts with its supported healthcare services experiences exceptional care, comfort, and compassion. Its work is driven by values of collaboration, integrity, and community — ensuring every pound raised contributes directly to meaningful improvements for local people.

About the Role

As Finance Manager, you will play a key leadership role at the heart of the charity’s transformation. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will oversee all aspects of financial management, governance, and reporting — safeguarding the organisation’s financial integrity and sustainability as it moves through this period of change.

This is a rare opportunity for a strategic and hands-on finance professional to help shape systems, embed strong controls, and design the financial frameworks that will support the charity’s long-term growth and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, audit, and statutory reporting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, cashflow statements, and multi-year financial forecasts.
• Oversee year-end accounts and manage the external audit, ensuring compliance with Charity SORP and HMRC requirements.
• Maintain financial systems, improving processes and developing fit-for-purpose financial policies and procedures.
• Provide clear, insightful reporting to the CEO and Board to support effective decision-making.
• Manage restricted/unrestricted funds, fundraising income, and grant allocations.
• Oversee investments and reserves alongside external advisers.
• Partner with fundraising and operations colleagues to maximise income impact and ensure financial sustainability.
• Support the charity’s transition to independence, embedding strong governance and financial control frameworks.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong experience in charity finance, ideally within a fundraising or grant-making environment.
• Solid technical knowledge of charity accounting, restricted funds, and Gift Aid.
• Comfortable operating independently in a sole finance role, with both strategic and operational responsibilities.
• Experience developing or improving financial systems during periods of organisational change.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including the ability to advise trustees and colleagues without a finance background.
• Hands-on and proactive approach — able to switch between daily processing tasks and senior-level strategic work.
• Familiarity with Sage (or similar) and strong Excel capability.

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a newly independent charity with a clear purpose, strong foundations, and the ambition to make meaningful change every day.

You’ll join a supportive, close-knit team working closely with NHS partners and local communities. The charity offers flexible hybrid working, professional development opportunities, and the chance to directly influence the impact delivered across its healthcare sites.

If you’re motivated by the idea of helping to build an effective, dynamic, and compassionate charity from the ground up, we’d love to hear from you.

Location: Home based within commuting distance of either Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast 

Salary: £32,750 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week 

Interview date will be scheduled as and when applications are received. Please apply promptly as the vacancy will close once we have appointed a successful candidate.  

This is a full time fixed-term position for one year (with possible extension subject to funding). 

Who we are looking for  

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer – Devolved Nations to help us build on this momentum.

The role of the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer - Devolved Nations is vital to achieving our UK-wide advocacy mission: to reduce health inequalities in type 1 diabetes, to widen access to type 1 diabetes treatments and technologies and to ensure that people with type 1 get access to emerging new treatments and future cures in the devolved nations.  

You will lead on projects with key stakeholders and high-level Parliamentarians, such as our access to treatments and early detection work, as well as people with type 1 diabetes, policy makers and researchers. You will help to deliver Breakthrough T1D’s influencing plans, improving access to and choice of type 1 diabetes treatments and technology in the devolved nations.  

Experience required 

• Experience of working successfully with politicians, their offices, Government departments, and other public affairs stakeholders to influence policy and to influence public/stakeholder discourse across the devolved nations

• Experience of leading public affairs delivery in at least one (preferably all) of the devolved nations 

• Experience in analysing Government policy in-depth and creating policy briefings  

• Experience of drafting briefings, reports and policy submissions   

• Experience of communicating across a range of parliamentary and professional stakeholders at all levels   

• Demonstrable knowledge, interest and experience of working in a public affairs and policy-based environment 

• Experience of organising stakeholder events  

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

About us

Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) is a values-driven organisation working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to protect the world’s rainforests and uphold their human rights. Since 1989, RFUK has partnered with forest peoples and grassroots organisations to secure land rights, challenge destructive industries, and influence laws and policies that safeguard forests and the people who depend on them.

Our mission is clear: to combine human rights and environmental protection to tackle deforestation. From the Congo Basin to the Amazon, our work has helped communities protect millions of hectares of rainforest. With a growing team of passionate advocates for social and environmental justice, we are committed to scaling up our impact to confront the accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.

About the role

The Head of External Relations is a key senior leadership role at Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) responsible for overseeing effective fundraising and communications strategies to support the organisation's work protecting rainforests and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for building RFUK’s external profile and support for its ambitious 2033 vision to scale up community-led protection of tropical forests. The position combines strategic communications, outreach, targeted campaigns, and media engagement to connect RFUK’s impactful programmes to its growing audience, supporters and funders.

This a key role in the organisation, managing a small team, working closely with the Programmes team to craft compelling narratives that drive engagement and action, with the Operations team to ensure financial sustainability, and with the Executive Director to create and implement targeted fundraising strategies.

About you

This role requires a strong commitment to social and environmental justice, the ability to form and cultivate relationships with a range of different groups, and the ability to communicate complex issues persuasively.

You’re an experienced leader with a proven track record in both strategic communications and fundraising. You’re a creative communicator who can turn complex issues into persuasive, accessible messages that drive change and support for our mission. You know how to secure significant income from foundations, corporates, individuals and major donors, and you’re confident in building long-term relationships with diverse stakeholders. You thrive on collaboration, motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals, and bring resilience and cultural sensitivity to everything you do.

Job description and benefits

Please download the full job description from our website. We offer 30 days annual leave, 4% pension contributions, Employee Assistance Programme, learning and development allowance, and four weeks of work-from-anywhere flexibility.

Location

This role is offered as a hybrid role based in our Bethnal Green, London office. The postholder will be required to work in the office 2 days per week during their 6-month probation period. This can be reviewed with their Line Manager thereafter.

Application Process

To submit your application, kindly complete the online application form by 9AM, Friday 10 July. Please be aware that the form will be anonymised for review by the panel.

Please note that CVs will not be considered.

We strongly encourage all candidates to read the Recruitment FAQs page on our website before submitting their application.

Regrettably, due to the large number of applications we usually receive, it is not possible to write to you should you not be shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

Initial interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held online on Thursday 16 July. Please let us know in your application if you are available to attend an interview.

We are seeking an exceptional governance leader to join a respected membership organisation with a long-standing commitment to advancing professional excellence and delivering positive societal impact. This is a rare opportunity to influence organisational strategy at the highest level while leading governance, risk, compliance, audit, and regulatory functions across a complex and evolving organisation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with Trustees, senior leaders, and key committees, you will play a critical role in ensuring the organisation continues to operate with transparency, integrity, and accountability while supporting ambitious plans for the future.

If you are an experienced governance professional who enjoys balancing strategic leadership with practical delivery, this could be your next career-defining opportunity.

About the Role

This is a strategically important leadership position responsible for overseeing governance, compliance, risk management, internal audit, data protection, and organisational assurance.

You will provide expert advice to the Board of Trustees, senior committees, and executive leadership team, ensuring governance frameworks remain effective, proportionate, and aligned with best practice.

Leading a specialist team, you will champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and informed decision-making across the organisation. You will also play a key role in supporting organisational change, strengthening risk management capability, and embedding governance excellence throughout the business.

This role offers significant visibility and influence, providing the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders and contribute directly to organisational strategy and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across governance, risk, compliance, audit, and assurance functions.
• Act as a trusted adviser to Trustees, Board committees, and executive leaders on governance matters.
• Ensure governance structures, constitutional processes, and decision-making frameworks operate effectively and transparently.
• Lead the organisation's approach to risk management, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, monitored, and mitigated appropriately.
• Oversee internal audit programmes and drive implementation of recommendations that strengthen organisational performance.
• Act as the organisational lead for data protection and regulatory compliance.

About You

• You will be an experienced governance, company secretarial, legal, or regulatory professional with a track record of operating at a senior level within a complex organisation.
• You will bring strong strategic thinking alongside the ability to translate governance requirements into practical solutions that support organisational objectives.
• Experience within a membership body, charity, professional association, regulator, public body, or similarly governed organisation would be highly advantageous.

If you are passionate about governance, leadership, and organisational excellence, we would love to hear from you.