Children and young people services manager jobs in oldbury, west midlands

Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) 

Location: Workplace Offer; Hybrid Working

The position is offered on a 0.6 FTE basis (21.75 hours per week). This role will be home-based but will require travel to Edinburgh and/or other parts of Scotland for in-person meetings as required.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in children's lives through impactful policy and public affairs engagement? Are eager to develop your skills working with Scottish Government, MSPs, and other key decision-makers in Scotland? If so, we want to hear from you. 

Barnardo's is looking for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) to help shape our influencing in Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to build on their existing knowledge and experience with policy influencers in Scotland while playing a pivotal role in creating positive, lasting change for children, young people, and families. 

In this role, you'll work closely with our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Scotland) to implement our influencing plan. You'll help raise Barnardo's Scotland's profile among key stakeholders and policy influencers. You'll be involved in: 

• Monitoring key developments within the Scottish policy landscape 

• Managing relationships and liaising with stakeholders at all levels 

• Conducting research and producing reports to support our policy objectives 

• Supporting reactive policy work to respond to emerging issues 

• Organising events to showcase Barnardo's vital work and engage decision-makers 

Your efforts will ensure that the voices of children, young people, families, and our services are central to our influencing activities in Scotland.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

For full information on this role, including the key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 6th July 2025.

The Organisation

ImpactEd Group supports education and purpose-driven organisations to maximise their potential. We do this by helping our partners to be consistently impactful and operationally sustainable. ImpactEd Group is made up of ImpactEd Consulting and its specialist practices, ImpactEd Evaluation, ImpactEd Philanthropy and our most recent practice ImpactEd Data and Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on our domain expertise and technical skills in these areas, ImpactEd Group aims to be the first port of call for leaders across the education ecosystem. Since being founded in 2017, ImpactEd Group has worked with thousands of schools and hundreds of organisations, serving more than a quarter of a million pupils annually. Our strategy commits to systemic impact by helping our partners to make better decisions. We also empower our team to make decisions on behalf of the organisation as part of our aspirations for employee ownership.

The Opportunity

The Director role is a new opportunity working across ImpactEd Evaluation. Our partnerships encompass education organisations such as charities, edtech organisations and government, and schools and multi-academy Trusts. Across all our partnerships, we aim to design and deliver high-quality research and evaluation projects that help our partners make better decisions for children using good evidence.

As a Director, you will be a senior leader of the evaluation practice and a statutory director on our Practice Board. Reflecting this, you will have a key role in the success of the practice, both commercially and in terms of social impact, and help to shape and deliver the strategy for ImpactEd Evaluation as a practice within ImpactEd Group, reporting to the Practice Lead.

The role will be a combination of business development, oversight and support of evaluation delivery, and strategic responsibilities. You will lead a number of sales and marketing campaigns, and support the design and delivery of our product offerings within those areas, as well as other priority strategic projects. You will also lead on a small number of high-priority partner engagements directly, and play a significant role in overseeing and quality assuring partnerships led by others.

The role would be ideal for a candidate with deep understanding of research and evaluation, a track record in business development, and the ambition to shape the leadership and direction of a growing social enterprise.

Why Us?

As an organisation we care about creating a meaningful place to work and supporting people to grow personally and professionally. These are reflected in our organisational values and our commitments to:

• Agile and flexible working: responsive management, flexible hours, hybrid or fully remote working

• Personal excellence: we invest significantly in professional development, including an external mentor, an individual CPD budget, and formal and informal training and support

• Mental health and wellbeing: access to health and wellbeing advice and free therapist support.

As a growing organisation we are committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a positive experience of work and maintain an annual EDI action plan, supported by a Board sponsor.

We are seeking a dynamic Youth Engagement Officer to connect young people with the natural world. In this role, you’ll create opportunities for Girlguiding members to build their love of nature, deepen their understanding of their role in protecting it and empower girls to become champions and advocates who use their voice to drive change for nature. If you're passionate about youth engagement and nature, we’d love to hear from you.

Youth Engagement Officer – Girlguiding Partnerships
Reference: JUN20251128
Location: Flexible in North-West of England
Salary: £25,847.00 - £27,594.00 Per Annum, Pro Rata 
Contract: 12 months
Hours: Part-Time, 22.5 hours per week
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave (pro rata)

What's the role about?

You’ll be joining the RSPB England Education, Families and Youth team and working on our regional partnerships with Girlguiding, particularly in North West England and with RSPB Project Officers to support the development and delivery of our funded project outputs.

Key tasks:

• Support the delivery of engaging training or workshops for young people, both in-person and online, helping them connect with nature and take meaningful action.
• Collaborate with Girlguiding volunteers and RSPB Project Officers to help develop a youth-focused nature and climate action toolkit.
• Plan and deliver a ‘nature discovery event’ for over 100 girls at a partner green space in Cumbria (4-5 Oct), working closely with Girlguiding to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience.
• Recruit, coordinate and support a team of volunteers to help deliver the partnership event and contribute to other project goals - ensuring they do their role well and has a great experience.
• Facilitate in-person ‘Running Outdoor Nature Sessions’ for Girlguiding trainers in North West England, enabling them to train more leaders.
• Support our partnerships with other Girlguiding regions, to expand opportunities for girls to engage with and advocate for nature across England.
• Collect data to track progress, measure impact and contribute to a project progress and evaluation reports.
• Oversee day-to-day procurement and budget tracking, ensuring resources are managed efficiently and aligned with project needs.

You will be supported in your role by the RSPB Project Officers and Education, Families and Youth Manager, England with opportunities to meet virtually with staff and volunteers, so you feel part of a team and learn about the work of the RSPB and Girlguiding. An induction and relevant training will be provided as well as support to further develop the skills needed for this role.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in planning and delivering youth-focused engagement that connect children and young people with nature, supported by a strong understanding of safeguarding principles and health and safety practices essential for working in outdoor and online settings.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage time effectively to meet objectives without close supervision.
• Strong communication skills, able to build positive, collaborative relationships quickly with a wide range of stakeholders, including young people, volunteers, and partner organisations.
• Understanding of the value of volunteering, with experience in supporting and coordinating volunteers effectively.
• A solid understanding of the natural world, environmental issues, and practical actions that support nature conservation.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering projects in line with defined aims and objectives, including tracking progress and managing budgets using tools such as Microsoft Excel and Word,

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in planning and delivering outdoor nature-based events for groups of over 80 more children and young people.
• Experience in designing and delivering engaging training sessions, workshops, or facilitated discussions for adults and/or young people that encourages meaningful participation and sharing learning.

Additional Information:

• An England role, flexible on working pattern and part of a remote team.
• The role holder will be a homeworker but must be based in the Girlguiding North West England region (Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Manchester, Cumbria, Merseyside, Sefton, Stockport or the Wirral). Travel is required within the North West.
• You will need to be available to run events/training at weekends and/or evenings.
• This is a 12 month fixed-term role for 22.5 hours per week.
• The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Closing date: 23:59, Wednesday 2nd July 2025
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from Tuesday 15th July.

Interested?

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

This role will require completion of a DBS in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.

Trauma Treatment International (TTI) is a registered charity in the UK. Our focus and expertise is in providing evidence-based psychological treatment and support to victims of collective violence around the world. As well as providing treatment for victims directly, we work with organisations and communities to manage, mitigate and prevent trauma. 

This is a highly rewarding role and an exciting opportunity to join and lead our small, yet experienced and impactful team. The role offers the platform to work creatively and flexibly internationally, network with fantastic organisations and help to influence, shape and sustain TTI’s strategy and activities in this pivotal time in the organisation’s development.

Description

 Key Areas of  Responsibility

Clinical strategy and plans for growth

• Have responsibility for the strategic development of TTI’s clinical team, clinical delivery and clinical outcomes, to meet TTI’s ambitious and transformational Strategy 2025-2030.
• Provide clinical leadership to the development of TTI’s strategic vision and annual delivery planning, models of service delivery, standards and clinical governance.
• Support and enable partners, service users and especially those with lived experience to inform TTI’s clinical service design, delivery and evaluation and to engage in communications and research activities in a way that is psychologically safe and follows principles of trauma-informed practice.
• Manage TTI’s clinical capacity and skills, and oversee the growth and development of the team, including recruiting, supervising and managing workload/ assignment of internal staff, associates and external multi-disciplinary team to ensure the organisation’s ability to meet service demand.
• Develop and implement strategies to actively promote diversity in the clinical team and champion culturally sensitive approaches to trauma treatment through research, partnerships and new projects.
• Liaise directly and regularly with TTI’s Trustee with responsibility for clinical oversight, and provide regular reports to the Board of Trustees to support strategic decision-making and risk oversight.
• Oversee the smooth running and effectiveness of specialist clinical advisory groups (clinical advisory groups, research advisory groups and project advisory groups) for TTI that meet the strategic requirements of the organisation and build the evidence base, engage experts and build the reputation and scope of TTI’s work with professionals, networks and sectors in the UK and internationally.
• Take a lead in developing clinical research opportunities, identify opportunities to develop Quality Improvement Projects and disseminate learning internally and externally in collaboration with the communications team.
• Build relationships with Clinical Leads in organisations with shared aims, to build TTI’s relationships and opportunities for partnership and project working.
• Lead the design of internal wellbeing policies and activities and embed trauma-informed knowledge and skills across the organisation, including with clinical and non-clinical staff and trustees.

Delivery of Clinical Services

• Drive TTI’s clinical delivery, in line with TTI’s overarching strategic objectives, including setting long-term and annual objectives and KPIs, within the context of clinical evidence- based best practice, trauma informed principles, participation of those with lived experience and budgetary, donor and risk-management requirements.
• Oversee the development and implementation of TTI’s clinical treatment pathways for survivors of torture, trafficking, slavery and violent conflict or those affected by vicarious trauma or burnout through their work in human rights, including:
  • up to date and evidence based clinical pathways for the main clinical presentations we see at TTI
  • robust assessment, formulation, treatment and ending processes
  •  robust partnership agreements with organisations referring people to TTI for clinical treatment.
• Develop and refine TTI’s clinical services in response to community needs and local/global events, in line with TTI’s strategy, including for working in international communities affected by violent conflict.
• Maintain an appropriate clinical caseload.
• Deliver services to TTI’s organisational clients, (including organisational reviews, trauma training, 1:1 professional consultations, critical incident support), especially to pilot, test and quality control these aspects of TTI’s delivery.
• Support gaps in clinical team capacity as required to ensure smooth running of delivery and excellence of service to our individual and organisational clients.
• Support internal processes led by the fundraising team to design new projects and develop grant applications in order to grow the reach and impact of TTI’s work.
• Support the development of international projects and partnerships and oversee the safe delivery of international work, whether in person or online, in collaboration with the Projects and Partnerships Lead.
• Attend conferences and networks of psychologists in order to learn and embed TTI’s clinical reputation and access to learning and dissemination.

Quality Assurance and Evaluation

• Deliver an evidence-based and continuous evaluation culture and promote internal reflection and learning.
• Maintain and further develop a robust framework for quality assurance and evaluation of TTI’s clinical activities, including engagement of clients, service users and those with lived experience.
• Oversee the consistent use of evidence based clinical measures and ensure robust processes to monitor, evaluate, learn and report on the quality and impact of TTI’s clinical activities and outcomes.
• Support the transition of TTI’s clinical team and associates onto client management software,  with a focus on good data, confidentiality and consistency of adoption.
• Ensure that all systems and processes for storing, managing and reporting on clinical/client data provide robust confidentiality, security and meet TTI’s policies and legal frameworks including Data Protection Act 1998, Caldicott principles.
• Provide regular, timely and accurate data on TTI’s clinical activities and outcomes, to contribute to reports for donors, communications campaigns and annual impact reports and as required throughout the calendar year.
• Provide quarterly performance reports to the CEO and Clinical Trustee on clinical performance, based on clinical data and input from the clinical team and attend Board meetings as requested to report on clinical delivery.
• Oversee TTI’s processes for gathering and responding to feedback from clients and service users, and manage formal and informal complaints relating to the delivery of clinical delivery with the CEO.

Clinical Risk and Safeguarding

• Hold delegated authority from the Board for TTI’s clinical risk management, including engagement in TTI’s Risk-Management Sub-Committee, driving implementation of risk-management and mitigation actions relating to clinical delivery and leading TTI’s monthly internal QSP meetings.
• Feed into internal annual policy review processes, as they relate to clinical delivery, risk management and compliance with clinical duties and trauma-informed practice.
• Be the Safeguarding Lead for TTI, escalating to the Senior Safeguarding Leads as required and ensure processes are in place to meet TTI’s Safeguarding Policy and procedures within the clinical team and associates.

People Management

• Line manage and supervise senior clinical staff and provide support in their duties to manage and supervise their direct reports.
• Notice and respond appropriately to any performance management issues.
• Organise CPD opportunities for internal staff and associates. Oversee the Head of Treatment Services in delivering peer support for internal staff and associates. Update staff of any relevant changes in professional guidance.  
• Support the wellbeing of the clinical team and embed a culture of self-care, trauma-informed practice and delivery excellence.
• Take up monthly external supervision provided by TTI.
• Identify skills gaps and strategies to fill these across the clinical function, within budgetary constraints and maximising access to and sharing of internal knowledge and expertise.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of requirements, guidelines and best practice from clinical governing bodies.

General

• Provide clinical input into communications materials and content in line with TTI’s Communications Strategy as required by the communications and marketing teams.
• Compliance with organisational policies and practices, and attendance at mandatory training.
• Any other appropriate duties as required by the organisation.

Personal Specification

 Essential Criteria

• HCPC registered psychologist who has completed Post Graduate doctoral level training in counselling or clinical psychology.
• Minimum 5 years post registration experience working within mental health services.
• Managerial and leadership experience
• Clinical experience across the life span of individuals
• Up to date knowledge and experience of working with clients with PTSD, complex PTSD, survivors of human rights abuses, such as torture, and/or war related trauma and/or asylum seekers.
• Training in at least two UK NICE guidelines evidence based treatment for PTSD.
• Significant experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a range of settings (could include one or more of NHS, voluntary sector, international humanitarian, community-based, inpatient, field hospital, disaster response etc).
• Experience of developing and delivering training online and in person.
• Knowledge of risk management, safeguarding
• An understanding of the complexities of experience of those surviving torture, trafficking and slavery, persecution and violent conflict
• Understanding of workforce exposure to trauma or traumatic material and experience in staff support
• Evidence of post qualification development
• Training and supervisory experience
• Project management experience
• Ability to manage, motivate, support, develop and lead an online team and promote safe remote working
• A degree of financial awareness with an appreciation of the need to balance the provision of quality care against a budget
• Knowledge of appropriate standards and external regulatory bodies, such as the Care Quality Commission.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of crisis response work
• Knowledge of languages or cultures of those we seek to support
• Lived experience of the issues reflected in TTI’s mission and aims
• Working knowledge of relevant Mental Health, Asylum, Employment and Health & Safety Legislation (e.g. Human Rights Act 1998, Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Incapacity Act 2005) 
• Experience of working in the charity sector or international development sector in the UK or internationally
• Experience in facilitating critical incident response sessions and reflective practice

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
• Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsyc)

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• 33 days annual leave, pro rata to reflect contractual hours (including bank holidays and 3 mandatory days over the Christmas period)
• 3% Employer Pension contribution
• Commitment to staff wellbeing as a trauma informed organisation
• Commitment to personal and professional development
• Flexible working to fit your personal circumstances
• Opportunity to lead the organisation’s clinical development and make your mark as the organisation grows

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. 

Our Office of the General Counsel Division is recruiting for a maternity cover position for ‘Executive Assistant to the Office of the General Counsel’ to join its dynamic and busy team. The organisation is currently operating a hybrid working model.

The purpose of the role is to manage and coordinate the General Counsel’s Division in addition to providing executive and administrative support, research as well developing clear channels of communication with internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate must have:

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent with relevant experience in an administrative, financial or legal position.
• Strong motivation and empathy towards the aims and objectives of Islamic Relief Worldwide.
• Previous experience of providing executive support.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Ability to work with senior leaders, a diverse team and maintain strong relationships and build credibility.
• Proven record of excellent people and interpersonal skills with strong communication skills at individual and group levels. This includes the ability to engage within a multicultural environment
• Has a positive demeanour, and able to overcome setbacks by motivating self and others.
• Flexible, concise and timely minute taking experience and skills (formal and real time).
• Willingness to travel, and work outside normal office hours when urgent.
• Ability to prioritise and work efficiently under pressure and with shifting priorities.
• Proven experience of managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, using initiative to problem solve and making sure tasks are properly finished.
• Excellent communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills. Excellent written and spoken English in particular.
• Excellent and extensive experience with IT software and computer programmes, excellent Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Professional and flexible approach to work.
• Excellent work attendance and punctuality record.

For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.

For more information on the excellent company benefits we offer our employees, please visit our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place on the 22nd July

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received.  Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• screening clearance
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job 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.

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

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom. 

We are looking for a Digital Communications Coordinator to cover maternity leave and to support our busy Communications team.

The Digital Communications Coordinator is a key role within CLAPA, responsible for implementing our digital communications strategy to engage and inspire the UK cleft community. This role moves beyond content creation to take ownership of CLAPA’s digital communications across social and email platforms, ensuring online communications are strategic and data-driven. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, this role supports the planning, delivery, and monitoring of campaigns that inform, support, and connect the cleft community in the UK. 

This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a good understanding of digital communications and a passion for community engagement. The Coordinator will manage day-to-day digital content, respond to online enquiries, and support internal teams with their communications needs. They will also play an important part in maintaining CLAPA’s brand and voice across all channels, ensuring our communications are accessible, on-brand, and effective. 

NB - We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of strong candidates. 

Employer Policy Specialist

Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.

Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).

Start Date: 1st September 2025.

Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm

Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July

Overview

The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body).  The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role.  CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.

• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.

• Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).

• Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.

• Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.

• Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.

• Support our HR professional community.

• Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.

• Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.

• Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.

• The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.

• A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.

• Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.

• Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.

• People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).

• Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.

• Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.

• The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.

• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.

• Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.

• Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.

• Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.

Interim Head of Finance & Operations

Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.

We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.

You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.

The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.

You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.

Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.

Main responsibilities and accountabilities

· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people. 

· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.

· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.

· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.

· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.

· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis. 

· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)

· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)

· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity. 

· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets. 

· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.

· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings. 

· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise. 

· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.

· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.

· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.

· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.

· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.

· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

•  Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
• Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
• Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
• Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
• Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
• Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
• Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
• Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
• Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
• Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
• Attention to detail
• Ability to present financial information to various audiences
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
• Honest and dependable

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
• Line management experience
• Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
• Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
• Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
• Degree in financial management or accounting

Full details are provided in the candidate pack

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)

28-35 hours per week.  Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.

Permanent and remote.  Travel to London required on an occasional basis

You will be rewarded with the following benefits:

· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.

· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.

· Flexible working

· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.

We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check. 

Timetable

Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025 

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.

BACKGROUND

Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) is on a journey of growing churches at the heart of every community. Through this we are seeing growth in many exciting ways. Financially we are at a challenging point. We have had an operational deficit for a number of years and this cannot continue. There are current conversations happening with the National Church around how we get to a sustainable platform through partnership. One key aspect of this is for us to increase our Common Fund returns (the giving from our parishes that supports the costs of our life together). We are taking a radical new approach to our finances which includes intentional reallocation of income to support the costs in our most economically deprived parishes and deeper relationships with each parish around finance through conversation rather than correspondence. Over the next five years we are hoping to be able to move to a financially sustainable platform which will enable us to better serve our communities in the future. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

We need a Head of Generosity to lead the team, and project, that will focus on developing long term relationships with all of our parishes leading to:

• Greater support for our parishes.
• Increased generosity by, and within, our parishes.
• Increased Common Fund.

A steering Group has been established, which the Head of Generosity will be a part of, to plan, design and implement the activities needed to deliver our vision. Through partnership with the National Church we are expecting that there will be four members of this Generosity Team. 

This role, and the team, will need to work closely with Archdeacons and Area Deans, Directors of Mission, Ministry and Finance (and their teams), the Head of Communications and many others. We have one strategy and this is a part of that so needs to link well with all other parts. 

The Head of Generosity will also be Bishops Advisor for Common Fund. Bishop Michael is passionate about supporting our parishes and seeing Common Fund increase and this role will both channel his desire to parishes and help reflect what is learnt back to the Bishop as we progress.

The post holder will have the support of the National Giving Team who have extensive experience and resources to support those responsible for giving and generosity. They will also be given access to a strong and growing national network of people in similar roles. Their experience has proven invaluable to people in roles similar to this, building on best practice and learning from others across 41 Dioceses.

The role will have the following key responsibilities:

• Support in the recruitment and the establishment of the Generosity Team.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the members of the Generosity Team.
• Support the delivery design of this project and deliver the actions agreed by the Steering Group.
• Lead on Parish engagement across all areas of generosity, including the spiritual / theological nature.
• Appropriately discern and allocate team members to support different phases of the process and the different and wide-ranging developmental needs of parishes. 

Through the team:

• Create a bespoke multi year plan for Common Fund with every parish with key stakeholders including Archdeacons.
• Provide consultancy, resources, and hands-on support to parishes to grow regular giving, legacies, and other forms of financial support. This work will be able to draw on the resources developed by the national church as well as the data held on their Cornerstone Platform. The post-holder will be expected to engage in the work of the National Giving Team as part of the development of these wider resources.
• Develop and deliver training for clergy, lay leaders and PCCs, on financial management and giving and generosity with the Ministry team.
• Encourage and assist parishes in the implementation of the Parish Giving Scheme, introduction of contactless giving mechanisms and related diocesan initiatives.
• Source, develop and curate practical resources (digital and print) to support local stewardship campaigns and initiatives.
• Evaluate the impact of stewardship and generosity initiatives and adapt strategies accordingly to achieve the project outcomes.
• Create compelling communication tools that articulate the impact of generosity with our communication team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven leadership experience preferably in financial management, fundraising, or stewardship within a faith-based or nonprofit organisation.
• Strong understanding of church governance structures and financial operations and requirements.
• Knowledge of generosity principles and Christian financial stewardship.
• A prayerful Christian with a deep commitment to the Church’s mission (Genuine Occupational Requirement).

Essential Skills & Attributes:

• Resilient and adaptable, able to handle challenges and maintain momentum in a demanding role.
• Strong people skills, able to engage effectively with parishes and church communities.
• Good communicator being able to engage a wide range of stakeholders and hold their attention.
• Trustworthy and credible, able to build and maintain confidence with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Empathetic towards parishes and deeply committed to supporting the local church.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills, capable of handling difficult conversations with care and professionalism.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and keep track of numerous ongoing responsibilities.
• Team leadership ability. A good line manager able to set a positive team culture.
• Capable implementer, ensuring initiatives are successfully delivered, both at a local and diocese wide level.
• Financially literate, with a good understanding of budgets, stewardship, and sustainability within the Church.

Other Considerations:

• The role requires significant evening and weekend work, demanding flexibility and commitment.
• Local presence is essential—the role must be delivered in an incarnational way, engaging directly with communities.
• Must be able to balance multiple demands, effectively managing several "spinning plates" at once.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The post-holder will be employed by the Diocesan Board of Finance for five years.

Salary and Pension: Salary of £48,000 plus membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution. We are open to discussion especially if you are ordained and are moving out of parish ministry.

Hours:  Full-time 35 hours (5 days) per week. Weekend and evening work will be required, for which the equivalent time may be taken back from standard working hours. We are happy to consider requests for flexible working, and please do mention in your application if you would be interested in looking at alternative working hours. 

Holidays: 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays and 3 Discretionary Days between Christmas and New Year 

Employer: Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance 

Responsible To: Director of Strategic Transformation

CLOSING DATE: 18th July 

INTERVIEWS: 1st August

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work.  

We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in or staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+. 

We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and other services to our staff teams.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.