Communication and programme funding officer jobs

This is an exciting new role within HFF Science Team and would suit an individual looking to apply their demonstrable experience of research funding processes, and their knowledge of the research environment and funding landscape. If you’re organised, adaptable and keen to make a positive impact on world-class research, we’d love to hear from you.

SENIOR FUNDING MANAGER, HUO FAMILY FOUNDATION

Salary: £60,000 per annum plus benefits

Reports to: Director of Research

Line manages: N/A

Location: Mayfair, London

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week

Start date: August 2026

You must have the right or the permission to work in the UK. Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. 

Closing date:  30 April 2026

Interview dates: during May 2026

ABOUT THE HUO FAMILY FOUNDATION AND ITS SCIENCE PROGRAMME

HFF is a grant-giving foundation based in London. Its mission is to support education, communities and the pursuit of knowledge. The Foundation’s current focus is in three main areas: education; the arts; and science.Since its inception in 2009, it has pledged over $100M to impactful projects in the UK, US and China.More information is available on our website.

The Trustees of the Foundation are supported by a small executive team of six.

The rapid rise and use of digital technology have permeated much of society and transformed the way many humans interact. There has been a broad array of research efforts, but the full implications - both positive and negative - on human physiology, psychology, behaviour, well-being and mental health remain unclear.  We believe there is an opportunity to help advance the research and the field of knowledge in this area. 

To this end, since mid-2024, HFF has established and will continue to grow a multi-year research portfolio in the UK and the US on the Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology on Brain Development, Social Behaviours and Mental Health in Children and Young People.  In 2025, we ran our first annual call and recently announced the outcome of these awards on our website.For our second annual funding round in 2026, we recently released an open call for proposals. 

As we continue to build our funding portfolio through annual funding calls, we are now looking for a Senior Funding Manager to join the small HFF Science Team in a permanent role. 

SUMMARY PURPOSE - WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING AND ACHIEVING

The Senior Funding Manager is a newly created role in the HFF Science Team.

You will work with the Director of Research and the Senior Programme Officer to administer the Foundation’s science portfolio of grants schemes, awarded grants and associated activities. You will manage and deliver the end-to-end grant application, review and award processes. You will act as a key point of contact for external liaison relating to the schemes. 

Working with the rest of the team, you will also help to develop and deliver events for Foundation grant holders. The role may require some domestic and international travel, including to meet grant holders for horizon scanning, monitoring and impact assessment purposes.

You may also contribute to the Foundation’s wider portfolio of work, and the delivery of our strategy.

IS THIS JOB FOR ME?

This is an exciting new role within HFF Science Team and would suit an individual looking to apply their demonstrable experience of research funding processes, and their knowledge of the research environment and funding landscape. You will lead and deliver the full funding cycle with its complex priorities with confidence. Strong communication, analytical skills and attention to detail are essential, along with the ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively. You will be part of a small team, so a pro-active and ‘hands on’ approach to all tasks will be necessary; collaboration and a willingness to support others are essential to success in this role. If you’re organised, adaptable and keen to make a positive impact on world-class research, we’d love to hear from you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Senior Funding Manager, you will: 

• Take a leading role on managing a diverse grant portfolio from pre-application to post-award, ensuring robust due diligence, clear communication with applicants, high-quality committee preparation, supporting good governance and decision-making, and smooth implementation of funding decisions.
• Provide proactive and collaborative funding operations support to the Science Team and other HFF colleagues.
• Lead, coordinate and deliver funding schemes and calls, setting timelines and workflows, and managing all aspects of associated funding committees to enable efficient, well governed decision making.
• Act as a trusted advisor, offering guidance to applicants and colleagues on funding policies, applicant eligibility, assessment processes, allowable costs and best practice.
• Oversee, coordinate and deliver high quality peer review and governance, selecting appropriate expert reviewers, managing conflicts of interest, ensuring timely and transparent assessments.
• Ensure effective post award grant management and continuous improvement, resolving complex queries, assessing change requests, monitoring compliance and progress, and contributing to process enhancements that support high quality funding operations. 
• Partake in monitoring and impact assessment purposes – annual reports, end of grant reports, etc.
• Liaise with other funding organisations, as appropriate, for example, on the operation of joint funding schemes.
• Contribute to the HFF Science’s wider activities, which may include developing and delivering events for HFF grant holders such as a mini conference or workshop. This may require some domestic and international travel.
• Contribute to the Foundation’s wider portfolio of work, including drafting and providing information for papers for meetings of the HFF Trustees.
• Perform any other duties that might be reasonably expected, and which are commensurate with this level of post. 

KEY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education/Qualifications/Knowledge (essential)

• Educated to Bachelor’s degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant science or public health subject
• A strong understanding of academic research activities in science
• An excellent understanding of procedures and best practice in research funding

Education/Qualifications/Knowledge (desirable)

• Educated to Master’s or PhD standard (or equivalent) in a relevant science or public health subject 

Skills (essential)

• Skilled team worker
• Highly numerate with strong analytical skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
• Good IT (e.g. Microsoft suite, ChatGPT, and online databases) and presentation skills
• Robust stakeholder management skills – ability to quickly build and maintain the trust of internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority

Experience (essential)

• Proven experience (at least five years) as a funding manager or similar role 
• Experience of delivering research funding processes
• Extensive experience of using a grants management system
• Experience of planning, leading and delivering projects
• Connections and links to other funders and peers across the sector

Experience (desirable)

• Extensive experience of the Flexigrant grants management system

KEY STAFF POLICIES AND BENEFITS

• Annual leave allowance of 28 days per year plus bank holidays
• 10% employer contributions through the Foundation’s pension scheme 
• Private medical insurance and travel insurance
• Health cash plan
• Life insurance
• Flexible and hybrid working is possible
• Team away days and opportunities to engage with events and activities in the cultural sector
• Onsite breakfast and lunch

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit by the deadline via email an up-to-date CV, including information on your notice period for your current job, and answer the two application questions below to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role. 

 Minimum Criteria

• Experience of academic research environments and educated to at least degree level in a relevant science or public health subject. 
• Previous experience as a funding manager or equivalent role in a research funding organisation.
• Extensive experience of using a grants management system.
• In relation to the funding of research, excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage large workloads, and work to deadlines. 
• In relation to the funding of research, strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to summarise complex information, and tailor it for specific audiences. 
• Excellent stakeholder management skills - ability to quickly build the trust of internal and external stakeholders. 

 Application Questions

• Using examples, outline how you meet the minimum criteria for this role (up to 500 words).
• Provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each activity, please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.

Ahead of applying, if you any questions about the role and/or would like an informal chat about the position, please contact the HFF Science Team via email.

Stella Maris UK is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of International Programmes to drive delivery of our international strategy and strengthen our global network.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for building strong relationships with international partners, identifying programme opportunities, and securing sustainable funding from corporates, trusts and foundations. The role will oversee the development and delivery of high-impact projects, ensure effective grant management and reporting, and support capacity building across the global Stella Maris network.

The role requires regular international travel to build partnerships, support programme delivery, and represent Stella Maris at meetings, conferences and network events.

We are looking for a confident leader with a strong track record in international development, grant fundraising, and stakeholder management, alongside the ability to translate strategy into delivery.

We are seeking a dynamic Fundraising Executive to lead on securing income from trusts and foundations. In this pivotal role, you will identify funding opportunities, craft compelling and persuasive applications, and build strong, lasting relationships with funders.

You will also play a key role in supporting wider fundraising activity, including developing corporate partnerships and exploring diverse income streams. Working closely with an experienced and supportive CEO, you will help drive the organisation’s long-term sustainability and growth.

Our organisation benefits from fantastic local support and is highly valued by the young people we serve. We are committed to sustaining our therapeutic services while expanding and diversifying our offer — including social groups for LGBTQ+ young people and mentoring programmes.

With the energy of a new CEO and a clear strategic plan, we are focused on delivering high-quality early intervention that nurtures and empowers young people to reach their full potential.

If you are an experienced fundraiser with a passion for making a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you. Flexible work options.

This is an exciting opportunity to direct our grant awarding as Programmes Director, 37.5 hours per week, based in Cornwall and able to work from CCF’s office in Bodmin at least two days a week.

Salary: £42,000-£45,000 per annum depending on experience

The Programmes Director is a key role within Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) and is responsible for leading the development and management of CCF’s grant making programmes and measuring our impact.

At the Cornwall Community Foundation, we believe in a positive life in Cornwall for all, free from poverty and social isolation. Our aim is to change people’s lives for the better by helping local communities.

If you have previous knowledge of the voluntary sector, particularly in Cornwall, and are looking for a wide variety of responsibilities working to tight deadlines, we want to hear from you. We offer a friendly environment to work in and you'll be joining a team who really are making a difference in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Please download the application pack from the Cornwall Communitty Foundation website.

To apply for this post please send your CV and covering letter. (Incomplete applications will not be considered). CCF are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across our funding portfolio and staff team. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and/or those from racialised communities.

Closing date 11 May 2026.

Oxford Hospitals Charity is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative and organised candidate to join Oxford Hospitals Charity and make a real difference to patients and staff of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

This part-time maternity cover role is up to 30 hours per week, worked across our operating hours Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. 

An excellent communicator, you will enjoy working proactively ‘out and about’ across the hospitals meeting clinical staff and supporting them in identifying potential funding needs, working with them in applying for funding and evaluating the impact of the projects the charity funds. Your energy and enthusiasm, along with your excellent planning and communication skills will enable you to coordinate a wide range of applications and projects as part of the Programme Team.

You will work closely with the wider charity team to develop and enhance new systems and processes to ensure all aspects of the programme are captured.  Whilst experience in a Charity or NHS environment is desirable, we are open to candidates from other backgrounds with transferrable skills and an excellent record of relationship management.

Join our small but impactful team and play a pivotal role in our mission to enhance the hospital environment, procure vital equipment that significantly improves patient care, and contribute to groundbreaking research, staff development, and training.

Are you an organized, creative professional looking to make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees and vulnerable children? HealthProm is looking for a Programmes and Development Officer  to join our small but mighty team in London.

For over 40 years, we’ve been a lifeline for those disadvantaged by poor health, disability, and forced displacement. From supporting 3,000+ Ukrainian and Afghan refugees in London to delivering community health projects in Eastern Europe and Afghanistan, our work is diverse, urgent, and life-changing.

In this hybrid role, you will:

• Coordinate: Provide vital administrative backbone to our UK and international projects.

• Fundraise: Research new opportunities to help us grow our reach and sustainability.

• Tell Our Story: Transform technical reports into powerful narratives for our website and social media.

Why join us? If you have a background in International Development, a flair for communication, and a desire to work with migrant and refugee communities, we want to hear from you. We offer a supportive, flexible environment near King’s Cross where your contribution is seen and felt every day.

Help us ensure no child or family is left behind. Apply now.

Future Frontiers is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through an exciting new phase of growth and impact.

This is a remarkable opportunity to lead an organisation that has already helped thousands of young people across London to build confidence, shape their own future careers, and realise their potential. This is a pivotal time for Future Frontiers, as we continue to move forward with our 2025–28 strategy, we are expanding our offer, aiming to increase our reach and deepen our impact.

In recent years, like many similar organisations, we have navigated a challenging financial environment, and through the commitment of our leadership team and Trustees, we are returning to a more positive financial position. The next CEO will build on this momentum – strengthening our foundations, expanding our reach, and ensuring that even more young people can benefit from our work.

This role is an opportunity to lead an ambitious, passionate, and talented team united by a powerful mission: advancing social mobility and transforming life chances. We are seeking a strategic leader, commercially astute, and deeply motivated by the potential of young people. As CEO, you will play a defining role in shaping our future, forging new partnerships, securing vital support, and amplifying our impact.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has proven senior leadership experience, ideally within a charity or purpose-led organisation
• Can set and deliver strategic direction while driving measurable impact
• Is a strong relationship-builder, confident engaging funders, partners and stakeholders
• Brings commercial and financial acumen, with experience of income generation
• Is deeply committed to improving outcomes for young people and advancing social mobility

How to apply
To apply, you will need to send us your CV and a separate supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4 explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the criteria.

Application deadline: Wednesday 22nd April, 5pm
Round one interview: Thursday 7th May (shortlisting will take place w/c 27th April)
Round two interview: w/c 11th May (date TBC)

Both rounds of interviews will take place in person at our office near London Bridge.

Start date: To be agreed with the successful candidate. Ideal start date September 2026.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo enhanced DBS and reference checks to cover employment for the last 5 years.

To support fair and inclusive hiring, we are asking all applicants to complete our diversity and equal opportunities monitoring form. This helps us to identify barriers and improve our processes. Responses are anonymous, not linked to your application, and do not affect hiring decisions.

For full details on the role, responsibilities, and how to apply, please see the attached CEO Applicant Pack.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Director of Programmes & Impact with essential third sector experience to lead and shape our global programme function.
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring that all funds raised are translated into effective delivery on the ground, supported by strong oversight, clear data, and credible impact.
You will own the full lifecycle of programme delivery — from partner management and implementation through to compliance oversight, data capture, and donor reporting. You will also play a key role in building the systems, processes, and structures that enable impact to be delivered and evidenced consistently as the organisation grows.
This role offers a high level of ownership and influence, with the opportunity to shape how The Zahra Trust delivers, measures, and communicates impact globally.

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks)

Fixed term for 12 months in the first instance (subject to the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period)

We are recruiting to a brand-new role and are looking for an experienced, community-focused Programme Manager (Place) to lead Salford CVS’s Pride in Place activity in Pendleton and Peel Green. This is a key role focused on ensuring that strong, representative community voice, clear governance, and meaningful VCSE sector involvement are embedded from the outset.

Pride in Place is a national ten-year programme that places Neighbourhood Boards at the heart of local decision-making, with local authorities acting as the accountable body and communities expected to shape priorities and hold partners to account. In this model, Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) like Salford CVS play an important enabling role - helping to connect local authorities with VCSE organisations, strengthening engagement, and ensuring a diverse range of community voices can participate fully.

As Programme Manager (Place), you will coordinate our work to support high-quality governance, inclusive engagement and strong local insight across both neighbourhoods.

A core part of your work will be ensuring that Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards in Pendleton and Peel Green benefit from authentic, representative and evidence-driven community input. This includes leading the development of a community research programme, working in close partnership with VCSE organisations already active on the ground. Through these organisations, who often have trusted relationships with residents, established local networks and specialist knowledge of particular communities, you will lead on approaches that reach a wide range of voices, including those who are seldom heard. You will oversee our Trusted Voices and community researcher model, ensuring local people are recruited, supported and empowered to gather high-quality insight that reflects the diversity of each neighbourhood. This work will help create a rich, grounded understanding of community priorities, enabling transparent, accountable and well-informed decision-making across the programme.

The Programme Manager (Place) will bring clarity, organisation and coordination to this work. You will maintain oversight of our role within the wider programme, share insight with partners, identify gaps in engagement, and support the VCSE sector to participate meaningfully in Pride in Place structures and discussions.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about community-led change, place-based working, and strengthening the voice and influence of local people and VCSE organisations. You will be joining a programme at a formative stage, helping to shape how communities in Pendleton and Peel Green participate in long-term neighbourhood investment and decision-making.

Benefits

• 28 days’ holiday - rising to 30 days (after five years), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Enhanced company sick and maternity pay, subject to terms and conditions of service
• Pension scheme - with 7% employer contribution (and 1% mandatory employee contribution)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund via an employer subsidised scheme (optional and non-contractual)
• RHS family membership (optional and non-contractual)
• Development opportunities - we support and encourage our staff to progress in their careers (including formal training)
• A supportive working culture - we respect and support one another to do the best we can

If you would like to apply for the position of Programme Manager (Place), please submit your application on our website via the apply button.

Closing date: Noon on Monday 27th April 2026.

Interview date: Friday 8th May 2026.

We reserve the right to review applications before the closing date should we get sufficient applications.

Please note late applications will not be accepted.

About Sheldrick Wildlife Trust UK

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a pioneering conservation organisation, working across Kenya to protect endangered wildlife and preserve habitats for future generations. Through projects including our world-renowned Orphans’ Project, veterinary interventions, anti-poaching operations, and community outreach, we are dedicated to securing a future for wild species. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust UK plays a vital role in supporting conservation projects, raising funds, cultivating donor relationships, and engaging supporters to sustain and build upon life-saving work in Kenya.

The Role

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Fundraising Support Officer to join our UK team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about wildlife conservation, eager to learn, and looking to develop a career in fundraising and supporter care.

The Fundraising Support Officer will be central to ensuring our supporters receive the highest standard of care. Working across individual giving and retail, the postholder will gain valuable experience in many areas of charity fundraising and supporter engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporter care, to include answering email, post, and telephone correspondence, providing receipts and donor follow-up.
• Support to the Retail Manager, including acting as first point of contact for order enquiries, exchanges, and returns, and assisting with fulfilling orders from the charity’s online shop.
• Accurate recording of donations and correspondence on the charity’s CRM system.
• Support the regular giving and orphan adoption programmes.
• Support the Communications team by drafting and proofreading thank-you letters, donor updates, and impact reports.
• Assist in developing and attending charity events.
• Assist with general fundraising administration and other duties as required by the team.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in building relationships with customers or stewarding supporters and donors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a polite and professional manner.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable learning new systems.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and/or handling supporter or customer data.
• Experience in customer service and administration.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team.
• Enthusiastic, proactive, and willing to take on a variety of tasks.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environment.
• A genuine interest in wildlife conservation and the mission of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Desirable:

• Minimum two years’ experience in donor care or fundraising in the charity sector.
• Experience drafting written communications for a public audience.
• Understanding of the UK charitable sector and fundraising principles.
• Understanding of data protection, including GDPR.

What We Offer

• A supportive and friendly team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development in fundraising and supporter care.
• The chance to play a key role in protecting wildlife and habitats through one of the world’s most respected conservation charities.

If you believe you are well suited to the role, please send us your CV and one-page cover letter by clicking the 'Apply' button on this page. Use your cover letter to tell us about your previous experience and why you want to work for SWT UK. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Early application is encouraged as we will be reviewing applications throughout the advertised period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time. Successful applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an initial video call to discuss their prior experience, and then an in-person interview at our office in Billingshurst. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are not able to support visa or work permit applications for this role. (No agencies, please).

Steel Warriors was established in 2017 to rethink how knife crime is tackled by turning a symbol of violence into one of strength and resilience. We transform the lives of marginalised young people by recycling knives seized by the police into outdoor calisthenics gyms and create positive change in communities. We provide classes at our five outdoor gyms across – Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Haringey and Enfield – and deliver programmes in schools (including pupil referral units), youth and sport clubs, and in Brixton Prison. Our coach mentors deliver high quality, inclusive calisthenics sessions alongside mentoring and employability sessions

The Head of Programmes and Safeguarding role combines strategic leadership with strong operational oversight. The postholder is responsible for leading the design, development and scaling of high-quality services, supporting their team to perform effectively, and ensuring that programmes deliver meaningful outcomes for participants. They will work closely with colleagues, delivery partners, funders, young people and board members to drive programme development aligned with the organisation’s strategy, theory of change and ultimate goal of young people being safer, healthier and feeling more connected and positive about the future. The role requires an exceptional organiser and team leader able to manage a range of priorities, coordinate people and systems effectively, and maintain high standards across delivery areas.

Impact & Communications Coordinator

Salary: c.£30,000
Contract: Permanent | 35 hours per week
Location: Hybrid (North London & homeworking)

FEAST With Us (FEAST) is looking for a driven and creative Impact & Communications Coordinator to lead the measurement, evaluation and communication of our work tackling food insecurity across London. This pivotal role combines impact evaluation, data analysis and storytelling—using evidence to improve our services, strengthen fundraising, and clearly communicate the difference FEAST makes to individuals and communities.

About Us

FEAST improves the nutrition, wellbeing and health of people at risk of food insecurity. We deliver nutritious community meals, and Healthy Eating on a Budget programmes across London venues, working in partnership with charities and community organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead FEAST’s impact measurement, evaluation and learning, including Theory of Change and impact frameworks
• Collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative impact data
• Produce accessible impact reports, case studies and insights
• Support funding applications and reporting with robust evidence
• Develop and deliver FEAST’s communications and marketing strategy
• Create engaging digital and print content (website, social media, newsletters, reports)
• Manage FEAST’s website and ensure consistent brand messaging and tone of voice
• Build relationships with partners, ambassadors and stakeholders

About You

You will have:

• At least 2 years’ experience in charity impact/evaluation
• At least 2 years’ experience in communications or marketing
• Strong data analysis, writing and storytelling skills
• Excellent organisation and project management abilities
• Experience using tools such as Excel, PowerBI, Mailchimp, CMS/WordPress and Canva
• A strong commitment to FEAST’s mission and values

Knowledge of food insecurity, nutrition, PowerBI dashboards, PR or policy work is desirable.

Key Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Pension: 3% employee / 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible hybrid working
• Supportive, mission‑driven team culture

How to Apply

Send your CV and covering letter by 5pm, Friday 24 April 2026. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Change Lead, Youth Sector 

Reports to: Head of Change for Youth Sector 

Salary: £56,600 

Location:  Central London, Hybrid*  

Contract: 2 years -fixed term contract

Closing date: Thursday 23rd April 2026 at 12pm (noon) 

Interviews: Week commencing 4th May 2026 

About the Youth Endowment Fund 

All of us will experience violence at some point in our lives. For many children, it is a daily reality. Each year, tens of children are killed, hundreds are hospitalised, 1 in 5 teenage children are victims and the majority admit to feeling afraid of violence. It scares them when they travel home from school, prevents them from going out and makes the most vulnerable feel like they don’t matter. It is taking lives, traumatising families and dividing communities. It robs potential, progress and hope.   

But it doesn’t have to be this way.   

The Youth Endowment Fund believes that no child should be affected by violence. We research violence to understand it; we find, fund and test what works to prevent it; and we are building a movement to end it.  

Key Responsibilities 

We are making good progress building the evidence of what works within and around the youth sector to reduce violence. With the launch of the new Practice Guidance we are keen to translate evidence recommendations into practice. The greatest risk is that evidence stays on the shelf and doesn’t help young people – your role is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
 
You’ll focus on helping local authority commissioners use our tools and guidance in their everyday decisions about youth services. This will involve: 

• Creating clear, practical content like guides, toolkits and workshop materials to support the use of Practice Assessment for the Youth Sector (PAYS). 

• Leading our Practice Guidance programme, working closely with commissioners to help them use evidence in their work. 

• Building strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders across the sector. 

• Planning and tracking how we support more commissioners to adopt evidence-based approaches. 

• Spotting what tools or resources are needed and helping develop them. 

• Finding effective ways to share evidence, from events and workshops to online sessions and presentations. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation, you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.

• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You 

You are this sort of person: 

• You are fascinated about change and are experienced in making it happen. You have outstanding analytical judgment alongside the emotional intelligence and experience needed to identify the right opportunities for change, then make them happen. You understand why people find change difficult. You come alive talking about how people make decisions and why they do the things they do. 

• You understand Local Authority Commissioners working specifically working with the youth sector. You really understand how youth commissioners work, from Directors of Children Services, Heads of Services to senior stakeholders within the youth sector. You have experience of commissioning youth provision, working in youth sector, ideally in a role that worked with young people who are vulnerable to or involved in violence. You can demonstrate ability to reflect on and adopt evidence-based practice in relation to the youth sector.

• You write in a way that people easily understand. You have that rare skill of writing in plain English. You have experience of translating complex information into plain writing that everyone can understand.

• You have excellent project and time management skills and the ability to deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment. You can work independently and to a high standard.

• You win people over. People tend to warm to you and respect you. You have built good relationships with very senior people and with very junior people. You are good at chairing meetings, connecting people and having good introductory meetings. You are comfortable talking to a government minister, a youth worker, a company CEO, a teacher and a 15-year-old student. Listening to people from all backgrounds matters to you.

• You are an excellent strategic thinker. People say that you are good at seeing the big picture. You have experience of wrestling into place a strategy for a project or organisation. You are good at thinking logically, but you are also creative. You have ideas but are happy rejecting a lot of them. You like seeing things from different points of view. 

• You learn fast but remain humble. You are very quick at getting your head around things. You like learning. You are very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know. You know that you can learn more. You know that it's easy to assume you know when you don't. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You are a great and supportive team player. 

• You don't want your days to pass without making a difference. You want to play a significant part in reducing violence.

• You understand young people. You understand what the lives of vulnerable young people can be like and you understand some of the organisations that work with them, ideally through first-hand experience.

• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

You must have this sort of experience 

• Changing frontline practice and systems: You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within the youth work sector. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.

• Commissioning, or supporting the commissioning of, youth sector services, preferably in a role/setting specifically working with young people who are vulnerable to or involved in violence.  

You might have this sort of experience:  

• Crafting and delivering a strategy to get a new piece of evidence or guidance adopted within the youth sector.

• Behaviour change research experience.

• Working with other funders and commissioners of youth services, such as housing investment leads.

While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.    

It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.    

Hybrid Working Details     

The office is based in Central London, but you don’t have to be.

Those living in London and within the 32 London Boroughs are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month. As part of our commitment to flexible working, we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage. 

To Apply 

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form by click on the "Apply for this" button by Thursday 23rd April at 12pm (noon). 

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:  
 
1. Turning evidence into practice: We are keen to ensure that our Practice Guidance and tools are actively used by commissioners. This role requires building trusted relationships with local authority commissioners and other local funders to encourage evidence-based decision-making. Describe your experience influencing senior stakeholders to change practice or adopt a new approach?
 
2. Influencing commissioners: This role requires building trusted relationships with local authority commissioners and other local funders to encourage evidence-based decision making. Describe your experience influencing senior stakeholders to change practice or adopt a new approach? 
 
3. Excellent project management: Will be critical to delivering the Practice Guidance programme and supporting adoption across the sector. Tell us about a complex project you have led from planning through to delivery and share what management tools aided you. 

Interview process  

This will be a one stage process, with interviews taking place the week commencing 4th May 2026.

 
PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits, and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays  

• Four half days for volunteering activities  

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support

• Volunteering days - 4 half days per year  

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary  

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm  

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans  

• Employer contributed pension of 5% 

Personal Data   

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.   

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time National Director of Operations to lead our delivery across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and emerging community settings, with an ambition to reach Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in scaling our impact and strengthening our presence across the criminal justice system and beyond.

As National Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our learning programmes in prisons and community settings. You will ensure high‑quality, consistent and accessible delivery, overseeing a team of six Regional Managers and a wider workforce of around 65 staff, volunteers and over 2,000 peer mentors trained each year.

Working closely with senior colleagues, partner organisations and national bodies such as HMPPS, you will drive programme excellence, innovation and partnership working. You will also play a key role in new business development, operational strategy, contractual delivery and ensuring we can reliably demonstrate the impact of our work.

The role requires an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage. You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and leading distributed teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working with statutory bodies or large public-sector partners (e.g. HMPPS).
• Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding, or alternative education environments (desirable).
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Shannon Trust’s values.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but will require travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. This role does require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews, which will be held online, are planned for the w/c 18th May.