Children and youth development officer jobs in darlington, county durham

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.

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. 

Sex Education Forum was founded in 1987 and became an independent charity in 2021. We convene over 70 Partner organisations, working together to make sure that the relationships and sex education (RSE) young people get is right for them. We influence national policy, are a respected voice in the media and contribute to ground-breaking research on RSE. By working in partnership with young people and training educators who work with some of the most marginalized young people, we know what changes are needed to make RSE the best it can be. We will soon be launching a new three-year strategy and have secured multi-year funding to further embed youth inclusion in our work. The Communications Manager will be a new role, working closely with the CEO and staff team, enabling us to realise the ambitions of our strategy.

We are seeking to appoint someone with a depth and breadth of communications skills. The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker with excellent interpersonal skills and have values aligned with ours. Your ability to lead and deliver our communications functions will enable us to platform young people, engage with a diverse range of professionals and communicate effectively to stakeholders including funders, government, Parliamentarians and the public.

This is an incredible opportunity for a communications specialist to bring your creativity and skillset to a thriving, innovative and highly respected national charity. This will be a rewarding role, with huge potential to grow your management and leadership skills to empower others and to make a difference to the lives of children and young people.

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants that reflect the diversity of educators and young people that Sex Education Forum seeks to support.

Funding has been secured which provides scope for extension of the fixed term contract. 

The Ancient Tree Forum (ATF) is seeking a motivated and organised Technical and Engagement Officer to join our small, friendly and flexible team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a charity dedicated to safeguarding the UK’s ancient and veteran trees, along with their wildlife, heritage and cultural values. 

This role is vital to achieving our strategic outcomes by providing expert technical advice, supporting and collaborating with the Technical Advisory Panel to develop authoritative guidance and publications. You will act as a key contact for public and stakeholder enquiries and contribute technical expertise to ATF’s communications across our website, newsletter, social media and press activity. 

You will engage with sector networks, collaborate with partners and support strategic messaging. This role will help strengthen the charity’s visibility and impact in ancient and veteran tree conservation and protection. 

The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Campaigns and Media Manager to join our Policy, Insights & External Affairs team.
 
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £36,000 - £40,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events. Ideally the post-holder will live in commutable distance to our office in Leicester.
 
What we do
 
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
 
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
 
About the Role
 
Responsibilities of the role comprise:
 
Campaign planning

• Lead the delivery of an ambitious and creative media and campaign strategy to bring about an improved recognition of the value and impact of youth work.
• Lead on other campaign strategy and planning, utilising a range of campaign tactics integrating media, digital media and other campaign tactics, working closely with other members of the Comms team and across Directorates.
• Oversee campaign activity for the annual Youth Work Week, to ensure the campaign engages key opinion formers and provides an opportunity for those within the sector to celebrate the impactful work they do.
• Analyse campaign effectiveness, including setting and tracking metrics across digital and traditional media.
• Ensure campaign plans are fully scoped and uploaded to the online project management system.
• Leading on strategic approaches to celebrity supporters / ambassadors and ongoing relationship management.

 
Press Office function

• Lead proactive media monitoring, enabling timely responses to significant developments and tracking positions on issues relating to NYA’s work.
• Develop key messages and positioning statements on issues in the youth sector and NYA’s activities, role and stance and promote consistency of messaging across NYA’s channels.
• Managing and responding to reactive media enquiries, providing statement and reactive ‘lines to take’, with the support of the Head of Communications
• Producing engaging content for various channels and audiences including press releases, blogs, opinion pieces and media briefings to elevate NYA’s profile and demonstrate our expertise and thought leadership.
• Managing the media monitoring and media database, nurturing relationships with target journalists, as well as online news outlets and thought leaders on key strategic issues.
• Confidently working with charity and corporate partners to maximise opportunities to demonstrate the impact of their support.
• Provide line management and development support to two Communication Officers.

 
About You
 
Essential competencies of the Campaigns and Media Manager:

• A self-starter brimming with creative ideas and proven experience of designing and executing high-impact campaigns that bring about a measurable change in knowledge, behaviour and / or policy.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building effective relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, including political audiences, and confident in growing new relationships and leading meetings.
• An ability to grasp complex information and distil key messages for different audiences and crucially, which tactics and channels to use to engage them
• Have proven experience and a strong understanding of the UK media landscape, with demonstrable experience of having nurtured relationships with national and sector journalists to garner high-quality coverage.
• An understanding of how to use research and intelligence gained from listening exercises and other stakeholder insights to inform campaign messaging and metrics.
• Be skilled in developing media strategics and developing case studies and using data to create compelling new hooks
• Be proficient in evaluating campaigns and media outputs, with the ability to derive insights that inform future strategies.
• Be proficient in drafting statements and media responses at speed and in line with key messages.
• Have outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce and edit content to a journalistic standard across diverse audiences and channels.
• Have an understanding of how to use social media platforms to engage audiences effectively, understanding their role in broader campaign strategies.
• Be experienced in line management and fostering the NYA culture of personal growth
• Excellent project management skills - able to keep track of all the moving parts to keep tasks on track and mitigate risks. Experience of using project management platform (or similar) would be an advantage.
• An understanding of data protection and safeguarding young people.
• A passion for using effective communications to promote youth work and celebrate the achievements of young people and youth workers.
• Highly competent in all Microsoft suite and ideally have experience of Google Drive and Sharepoint.

 
Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
 
Why Work for NYA?
 
NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
 
NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
 
A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
 
NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
 
We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
 
How to Apply:
 
Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements
 
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Friday 13th July 2025:
 
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
 
A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
 
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
 
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
 
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
 
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
 
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
 
REF-222155

About the opportunity

Are you passionate about using data to create change for children and young people in education? We are looking for a Data and Insights Manager to lead the ongoing development of our Salesforce CRM and help us make the most of our data to achieve our charity mission.

At Action Tutoring, data is central to everything we do. With an evidence-based culture and impact at the centre of our strategy, gathering and analysing high-quality data is a key priority.

Our highly customised Salesforce database supports every aspect of our work—capturing and managing data from volunteers, pupils, schools, and tutoring sessions. As Data and Insights Manager, you will make sure our system remains fit for purpose and help turn data into meaningful insights that can inform decision-making.

Duties and responsibilities 

Salesforce and systems development

• Collaborate with external Salesforce development consultants to continue building our system capabilities and design.
• Design and oversee the collection of stakeholder, tutoring delivery, quality assurance and evaluation data, working with colleagues to ensure data is collected in a timely, accurate and consistent manner.

Team leadership and support

• Line manage the Data Lead, ensuring their work is of high quality and they have clear development objectives.
• Plan and oversee training and support for the whole organisation on the effective use of Salesforce, developing their understanding of the purpose and value of data.

Data insights

• Support the Head of Impact and Quality to generate insights from data to inform evidence-based decision-making across departments, including through dashboards.

• Data governance

• Champion data security and GDPR compliance across the organisation, including contributing to the upkeep of privacy notices, responding to queries, and facilitating stakeholder GDPR rights.
• Any other reasonable tasks as per the request of the CEO.

About you (person specification)

Qualifications criteria:

• Right to work in the UK.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

• Two or more years experience with Salesforce administration.
• Experience working with complex datasets in Excel (including data cleaning in preparation for import, export or analysis).
• Experience analysing and visualising quantitative data.
• Good understanding of GDPR compliance and processes.
• Able to design new processes that are scalable, impactful and user-focused.
• Experience managing projects effectively.
• Confident in communicating change to stakeholders at all levels.
• Creative and inquisitive about how technology and automation can improve efficiency.
• Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Committed to the mission and values of Action Tutoring.
• Committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.

You will be likely be more successful in this role if you have:

• Salesforce Administrator Certification (or on track to complete within the next six months).
• Line management experience.
• Experience with data visualisation tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience using coding languages R, Python or SQL for data cleaning or analysis.
• Experience working in the charity or NGO sector.

Reports to: Head of Impact and Quality

Place of work: Flexible/hybrid. The candidate can be based anywhere in England. Our London office address is: 8-10, Fivefields, Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH

Contract and hours:  Permanent, full time contract (37.5 hours)
We offer flexible hours 9.30-4pm as core hours.

Application deadline: Sunday, July 13th, 2025

Interviews: Tuesday, July 22nd – Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025

Ideal start date: Monday, August 18th, 2025 (though we are flexible for the right candidate)

DBS requirement: All Action Tutoring staff must have an enhanced DBS check suitable for the child workforce. 
If you don’t already have one, we’ll process one for you. Should you be aware of any incidents, cautions or convictions that would appear in a DBS check, please notify us when you apply. 

For more information on the role and information about Action Tutoring, please see the attached job pack.

We are a small but mighty team, with huge ambitions to transform more lives of those who live with an intellectual disability, through the power of sport.

If you are just looking for a job, then we are probably not for you. However, if you are an experienced finance and business operations professional able to demonstrate strategic and operational ability around financial planning and processes as well as delivering cost effective, efficient and fit-for-purpose business services, then we would like to hear from you.  Charity finance experience and experience in a similarly broad role covering other areas of business operations including IT, risk management, data protection & data management and health & safety is a must.

We continue to be focused on our vision to create an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We are a small, but growing, team with huge ambitions, and applicants must be comfortable operating in an environment where working under your own initiative is expected and encouraged.

We are looking for people who are passionate about Special Olympics and are completely aligned with our values. We are authentic. We act with honesty, integrity and respect. We are creative and innovative. We love to embrace difference and doing things differently. We are brave, courageous, resilient and determined. We listen and are led by the voice of our athletes. We are always kind. We are Inclusion in Action.

We are continuing to build a high-performing team who care for each other and care about our cause. Our athletes are incredibly inspirational, courageous and insightful people, and they deserve a team who are equally committed and passionate about our mission.

This is a permanent, home-based role. There will be the requirement to attend internal and external meetings or events which will involve travel away from home and working outside of normal hours.     

The role is both strategic and operational in nature and represents a fantastic chance to join an amazing charity at an exciting time of growth.

For job role specifics please see the Job Description.

What We Can Offer 

· Competitive salary circa £33,000 (£55K FTE) per annum depending on experience. 

· 15 days holiday on appointment plus pro rata bank holidays and one extra day for your Birthday. 

· Stakeholder Pension Scheme from appointment. 

· Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for out of hours work. 

· Flexible working. 

· Health Cash Plan

How to Apply

To apply, please send a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you wish to work for Special Olympics GB. It is important that all prospective employees understand our mission and are driven by our cause. Please be specific about how your skills and experience will help you undertake this role and how they match the requirements of the Job Description and Person Specification. Generic letters and agency approaches will not be considered. Please also include your CV.

First stage interviews will be held week commencing 28th July 2025.

Safer Recruitment 

Special Olympics Great Britain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. The successful candidate will be required to complete regular safeguarding training and undertake a DBS/PVG check relevant to the requirements of the role. For this role that will involve a Basic Disclosure. 

Equal Opportunities

Special Olympics GB is committed to equality and diversity and encourages all sections of the community, particularly those living with a disability, who meet the job requirements to apply.

Other

The job holder will need to provide evidence of their ability to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a basic DBS check.

We will only contact those who have been selected for interview.

We request no contact from agencies.

At Young Sounds UK our mission is to help musically talented young people from low-income families fulfil their potential. We're seeking our first Evaluation Director to join a small, thriving organisation and lead our evaluation strategy. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will generate insights that strengthen programme delivery, and how we understand and share our impact.

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

The closing date for applications is Monday 14 July 2025 at 12 noon.

About Young Sounds UK 

Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:

• We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help 
• We support music education through training, advocacy and research.

Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are: 

• Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential 
• Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
• Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
• Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development

Role overview 

Young Sounds is a reflective organisation. We’ve always invested time and effort in seeking out, understanding and demonstrating the difference our programmes are making. We believe in learning from experience. This is what we mean by evaluation.

We have recently secured funding to build on our evaluation work to date, and it is a priority for us to more fully embed evaluation throughout our work – the Evaluation Director will be critical to us achieving this. The Evaluation Director is a new role and will lead the development and implementation of Young Sounds’ evaluation strategy, ensuring that our work is evidence-based and impactful.

Key areas of responsibility 

• Evaluation strategy and organisational learning 
• Programme evaluation 
• Organisational capacity and culture 
• Research and policy engagement 
• Quality assurance and reporting 

We are looking for a Finance Officer to join our team to administer the financial affairs of the District. This role will include working closely with the District Secretary and Treasurer to implement financial policies and controls, assisting with preparing budgets and accounts, managing payroll, processing receipts and payments and maintaining appropriate accounting records. 

Role Purpose and Objectives

To administer the financial affairs of the District including preparing budgets and accounts, managing payroll, processing receipts and payments and maintaining appropriate accounting records. 

Responsibilities

Financial Controls and Policies

• Support the District Treasurer to implement proper financial policies and controls, ensuring appropriate accounting codes for churches and charities are complied with.

Budgets and Accounts

• Assist the District Secretary, Treasurer and Resourcing Mission Committee to prepare budget and circuit assessments for the District with reference to the District Mission Plan.
• Work with the District Secretary and Treasurer to prepare annual accounts for the District, including liaising with the auditors and helping to draft the Trustees’ Annual Report, particularly with regard to accounting practice and policies.
• Support the District Secretary as needed to ensure compliance with the Methodist Church and Charity Commission requirements, including supplying the information for HMRC P11D forms.

Payroll

• Ensure District employees’ and ministers’ payroll information is correct and liaise with the central Methodist payroll bureau so that staff are paid on time.

Administration of Bank Accounts

• Monitor cash flow and administer transfers between bank accounts.
• Set up approved payments in online banking and liaise with signatories to authorise these for payment.
• Liaise with the Treasurer and/or District Secretary on transactions with the Central Finance Board and Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, preparing paperwork to facilitate drawdown of funds.
• Administer changes to banking mandates.
• Administer changes to Direct Debits and Standing Order instructions.

Receipts and Payments/Book-keeping

• Check invoices and expenses claims for accuracy, before sending to authorised persons for approval.
• Record all bank transactions for all bank accounts on a monthly basis.
• Produce monthly fund summaries, with detailed analyses.
• Provide monthly ‘sub-accounts’, where required, for specific projects

Other key tasks

• Manage the District’s Financial Record systems, including archiving information as necessary
• With the District Secretary, review and renew the District’s Insurance Policies. 
• Maintain the District’s Asset Register.
• Other duties commensurate with the role as agreed with the District Secretary.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Lisa Murphy, District Secretary. To apply, please complete the application form and submit by the closing date and time. CVs will not be accepted. 

Interviews to take place during the week beginning 7th July 2025.

This new role at Young Sounds UK will provide a wide range of support across the organisation, managing the logistics for our events, assisting our Development team with vital fundraising tasks, and handling a wide range of organisational administration.

You'll need to be proactive, highly organised, and looking for a busy role within a passionate team. With at least 3 years experience you'll be keen to use your strong communication skills and attention to detail to provide high standards of administrative support.

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

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 15 July 2025 at 12 noon.

About Young Sounds UK 

Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:

• We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help 
• We support music education through training, advocacy and research.

Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are: 

• Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential 
• Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
• Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
• Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development

The Senior Operations Lead will be integral to managing and leading the charity’s operations. This role calls for an energetic and proactive leader who can supervise daily functions of our charity, enhance our systems and processes, ensure the organisation operates smoothly, and support the Director in the running of the organisation.

The ideal candidate will adopt a trauma-informed approach, reflect our values, and demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to our mission.

Key Responsibilities

Trauma-Informed Champion

Strategic Leadership

Operational Management

Staff Management

Monitoring and Evaluation

Designated Safeguarding Officer

Policy and Procedure Oversight

Contracts and Agreements oversight

Volunteer Management

Governance

Systems and Processes

Health and Safety  

Data Protection

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.

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

Senior Individual Giving Executive
c.£33,000 per annum
Remote

The Talent Set is thrilled to partner with a leading UK children’s charity to recruit a Senior Individual Giving Executive.

This exciting opportunity plays a key role in delivering impactful, multi-channel fundraising campaigns. The successful candidate will manage high-value projects across channels such as digital, direct mail, DRTV, and telemarketing, supporting income growth through regular giving, lotteries, cash appeals, raffles, and more.

This is a fantastic role for someone with strong campaign management experience who’s ready to step up and help shape future planning, guide junior team members, and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

If you're passionate about creating powerful supporter journeys and driving fundraising success, this could be your ideal next step.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and manage end-to-end fundraising campaigns across a range of channels including digital, direct mail, DRTV, dialogue, lottery, and raffles—ensuring compliance, timely delivery, and budget management.
• Support strategic development by evaluating campaign performance, contributing insights, and making data-driven recommendations to inform future Individual Giving strategy.
• Oversee campaign budgets, including forecasting, processing invoices, monitoring variances, and supporting the development of annual income and expenditure plans.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring campaigns align with brand guidelines, fundraising strategy, and organisational goals.
• Mentor and support junior team members, providing guidance on campaign delivery, professional development, and internal processes.
• Champion continuous improvement, staying up to date with sector trends, contributing to team planning, and actively supporting diversity and inclusion within the organisation.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience managing campaigns across at least two fundraising channels (e.g. face-to-face, telemarketing, direct mail, DRTV, or digital), with strong understanding of creative processes, data segmentation, and campaign evaluation.
• Skilled in setting and monitoring budgets, working to KPIs, analysing campaign performance, and supporting data-driven decision making.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously under pressure, ensuring timely delivery and accuracy in all aspects of campaign delivery.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience liaising with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, and ability to give clear, constructive creative feedback.
• Confident using Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, Outlook), with analytical and numeracy skills and familiarity with database and data briefing tools.
• Proactive in personal development and supporting others, demonstrating flexibility, team spirit, and problem-solving capabilities in a fast-paced, changing environment.

What’s on Offer:

• Play a central role in delivering impactful fundraising campaigns across a range of high-performing channels including digital, DRTV, and direct mail.
• Contribute to the planning and development of the charities Individual Giving strategy, with opportunities to shape future campaign direction and innovation.
• Benefit from tailored learning and mentoring opportunities, including overseeing junior team members and collaborating across specialist teams and external partners.
• Be part of a mission-led organisation making a tangible difference across the UK, with values of hope, respect and inclusion at its core.
• Enjoy a healthy work/life balance with a supportive working policy, flexible hours, and travel only when required for essential team meetings or key events.

To be considered for this position please apply with your CV as soon as possible, regrettably please note we may not be able to reply to each and every application.

We are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practises that ensure equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will happily make reasonable adjustments to always ensure a fair process.