290 Communication director jobs
£33,964 per annum
Fixed term (12 months)
Part home/Part office (London) based
UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.
This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) for someone looking to develop their career in high-value fundraising within one of UNICEF UK's most ambitious growth areas. Working alongside experienced relationship managers, you will help steward major philanthropic partnerships and contribute to securing transformational seven-figure gifts that create lasting impact for children worldwide.
The ideal candidate will be supporter-driven and mission-aligned, with the ability to build positive relationships that balance supporter needs with the best interests of children. They will be an effective communicator who can manage competing priorities, convey complex information clearly, and collaborate confidently across teams and with high-value supporters.
They will also be results-focused and resilient, using insight and learning to improve performance, adapting to challenges, and taking a proactive, solution-oriented approach. Experience in donor communications, relationship management, event delivery, and the confident use of systems such as Salesforce and Microsoft Office will be important to success in the role.
Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.
Closing date: 9am, Friday 25 September 2026.
Interview date: Week commencing Monday 12 October 2026.
In return, we offer:
- excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)
- outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role
- impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.
- the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world
Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.
We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home. We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.
UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.
We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.
If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.
If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.
Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland).
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), a charity funded by supporters, raising funds for UNICEF’s work for children.

About School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.
The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.
90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.
Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.
We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.
“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”
- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO
The Role
The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.
Strategy and Direction
● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador
● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team
● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals
● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan
Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact
● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people
● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention
● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement
Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations
● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events
● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile
Leading People, Culture and Operations
● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team
● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values
● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence
Governance and the Board
● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees
● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting
● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements
About You
Essential
● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees
● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative
● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams
● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors
● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level
● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery
● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable
● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds
● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience
● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape
● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities
Personal Attributes
● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage
● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks
● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it
Terms of Appointment
Contract type
Full-time, permanent
Location
Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff
Salary
£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP
Reports to
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Direct reports
Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations
Travel
Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events
Trustee meetings
Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a pivotal role at the heart of ISEAL, bringing together strategic and operational HR leadership and effective office management to create an inclusive, well-supported workplace. The Manager, HR and Office Management will translate our new organisational strategy into forward-looking people practices, while ensuring that colleagues are supported by the policies, systems, resources and working environment they need to thrive.
Working closely with directors, the leadership team, line managers and two HR Coordinators, the postholder will shape the employee experience across the full journey—from recruitment and induction to development, progression and exit. The role will also oversee workplace services, internal communications, budgets and legal compliance across multiple jurisdictions (UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada), helping a hybrid and remote workforce stay connected, informed and confident. As an additional resource, an experienced HR consultant delivers recruitment campaigns and other special projects.
We are looking for an experienced generalist HR professional, who combines strategic insight with practical delivery and sound judgement. You will bring current employment law knowledge, strong influencing and coaching skills, a genuine commitment to inclusion and wellbeing, and the confidence to improve policies, systems and ways of working in an international, values-led organisation. Above all, you will be collaborative, resilient and motivated by ISEAL’s mission to accelerate positive change for people and the planet.
The key responsibilities we entrust you with:
HR Management
- Develop and deliver a HR strategy aligned with the organisation’s new strategic direction, translating priorities into sustained impact
- In collaboration with Leadership team, advise on and implement resource and overhead planning to support strategic objectives
- Shape, continuously improve and communicate ISEAL’s HR policies, procedures and processes, enabling colleagues in a hybrid/remote setting to understand them easily and apply them confidently
- Deliver a proactive approach to employment compliance, anticipating legislative developments across 6 jurisdictions with ISEAL staff and translating them into clear, timely organisational actions
- Champion a thriving organisational culture, empowering colleagues at every level to bring ISEAL’s values to life in their decisions, behaviours and ways of working
- Cultivate a workplace where wellbeing is embedded in everyday practice and open, constructive dialogue flows well between employees, line managers and across the organisation
- Foster and continually enhance an inclusive employee experience across the full journey—from recruitment and induction to performance, progression, learning and development, and exit
- Navigate emerging employee matters with care, sound judgement and consistency, equipping line managers to confidently address both routine and complex HR situations
- Serve as a trusted strategic adviser to directors and the leadership team, bringing forward progressive HR practices that strengthen organisational effectiveness and employee engagement
- Coordinate support of a dedicated external HR consultant for recruitment and special projects
- Oversee maintenance of all personnel and HR records in appropriate systems
Office Management
- Lead on maintaining a comfortable and well-functioning workplace, including continuous review of the overall physical infrastructure needs and provision
- Shape and communicate forward-looking workplace policies and practices, pioneering flexible approaches to space, collaboration and ways of working.
- Create a safe, welcoming workplace by leading the effective delivery and continuous improvement of office services, facilities, IT equipment and resources
- Act as first point of contact for any issues raised by staff relating to the office
Other
- Lead and continually strengthen internal communications that connect colleagues, reinforce shared purpose and encourage meaningful participation, including monthly staff meetings, the quarterly support staff newsletter and organisation-wide communications.
- Lead and empower two HR Coordinators, creating the conditions for them to grow, develop and deliver excellent support across the organisation
- Steward the HR and premises budgets with foresight and accountability, directing resources towards the organisation’s people, workplace and strategic priorities.
- Build own capacity and knowledge on all matters related to organisational legal compliance
Essential attributes / skills / knowledge
- Substantial generalist HR management experience, combining strategic understanding with confident delivery of day-to-day people operations
- Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with organisational priorities
- Strong track record of designing, reviewing and embedding accessible HR policies, procedures and processes
- Proven experience of managing diverse employee relations matters with sound judgement, fairness, discretion and appropriate confidentiality
- Current, practical knowledge of UK employment law and the ability to translate legislative change into clear, compliant policies and advice
- Excellent communication skills both in person and in a hybrid/remote environment with an ability to influence senior leaders and coach line managers at all levels
- Experience working in values-led culture that supports employee wellbeing, engagement and open dialogue
- Commitment to EDI principles and experience implementing approaches that foster an inclusive workspace
- Varied experience of HRIS solutions and, ideally, with the implementation of new systems to enhance HR operations
- Experience working in an international setting covering a variety of jurisdictions and employee locations
- Proven people-management capability, including coaching, developing and empowering team members to work to the best of their ability
- Strong planning, prioritisation and budget-management skills, with the ability to balance strategic projects and operational demands
- High levels of integrity, initiative and resilience, with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to organisational change and continuous improvement
- A personal commitment to and interest in creating a more sustainable world
Desirable
- Oversight of international payrolls
- CIPD Level 5 qualified
ISEAL´s culture and how we will help you thrive
Our values are Connection, Empowerment, Inspiration, Wellbeing, Effective Working and Creativity.
These are traits we value in each other and in the organisation overall and we instil these in all our processes and interactions. The issues we work on are of a global nature and our team reflects this, with individuals from many different backgrounds and nationalities. We know this diversity adds to the high quality of work we deliver as an organisation and through our commitment to diversity and inclusion we want to add strengths and perspectives in our team with each recruitment. Diversity for us includes race and gender identity, age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other areas forming part of someone´s identity. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
As an organisation, we also support our people in their personal and professional development, with specific budgets and processes enabling individuals to take advantage of growth and development opportunities. We offer 25 days of annual leave, to which we will add a day a year after 2 years (to a maximum of 30 days), as well as an extra five days as a one off once you have been with us for a full five years.
We recognise individuals’ preferences when it comes to where and when to work through a hybrid working model as well as the opportunity to apply for flexible working arrangements to suit individual´s needs.
Other relevant information
Term: This is a permanent contract
Working hours: 80 % (30 hours) could be spread across 4 or 5 days
Salary: £57,000-62,000, depending on experience (pro rata for less than 100%)
Location: London is the preferred location. The role requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.
Applicants will need to provide evidence that they are entitled to work in the UK.
International travel: The post holder will be required to undertake occasional international travel
Ideal start date: November/December 26 ideally
Reporting to: Director, Finance & Operations
How to apply
Specific enquiries about this role and the application process can be sent to the recruitment(@)isealalliance(.)org.
Deadline for applications is 4 October 2026. Please note that we will only contact shortlisted applicants.
Cover letter: We would like to see candidates´ own writing in the cover letter and discourage the use of AI for this purpose.
Interview process
Please note that we will endeavor to keep to this schedule, but some dates may be subject to change.
Screening interviews (Teams): 7-12 October
Pre-interview timed exercises (between 60 – 90 minutes from home): 16-18 October (if applicable)
Panel interviews (in person): w/c 19 October
Decision: w/c 26 October
Accessibility
If candidates require additional time or other considerations for the interview process, we are committed to accommodating any reasonable requests. Please note that ISEAL will cover travel expenses for in person interviews for candidates travelling from outside of Greater London. ISEAL also covers caring expenses for candidates who are carers and need to arrange of cover for the duration of the interview/exercises
Empowering sustainability systems to drive global change

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and dedicated Community Outreach Worker to join our experienced team, supporting adults with acquired brain injuries across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
This is a varied and rewarding role, providing information, advice, guidance and practical support to individuals who may be facing significant health, social and emotional challenges following a brain injury. You will help people to identify appropriate support and work towards greater independence, confidence and wellbeing.
You will work closely with individuals, their families and carers, as well as a wide range of health, social care, public and voluntary sector organisations, helping to ensure people receive the right support at the right time.
No two days will be the same. The role involves working independently in the community and travelling throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, so flexibility and the ability to organise and manage your own workload are essential.
We are looking for someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a person-centred approach and the confidence to work with people in sometimes complex or sensitive circumstances.
If you are motivated by helping people rebuild their lives following brain injury and would like to be part of a supportive and committed team, we would love to hear from you.No two days will be the same. The role involves working independently in the community and travelling throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, so flexibility and the ability to organise and manage your own workload are essential.
Interview Process
Initial interviews will be held on Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October 2026.
Shortlisted candidates progressing to the second stage will be invited to attend a second-stage interview on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
Applicants are asked to ensure they are available on the relevant interview dates before applying.Interview Process
Initial interviews will be held on Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October 2026.
Shortlisted candidates progressing to the second stage will be invited to attend a second-stage interview on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
Build Up aims to build the power of young people to shape where they live and to change who can make decisions about London. We are recruiting a Head of Income Generation to shape and lead an ambitious fundraising vision to grow our impact across London.
The Role
This is an exciting new position in our team, created to help build our case for investment, tell our story and harness the support of new audiences. You will develop and deliver a 3-year fundraising strategy that unlocks new opportunities, diversifies income and builds lasting funder relationships. With consultancy support on communications and evaluation, you’ll have the tools to make a powerful case for our work.
Candidates are welcome to discuss the role with our Director before applying - contact details are in the job description.
Who You Are
You’ll have a proven track record in leading fundraising strategy, securing charitable investment and writing successful grants. Alongside trusts and foundations, you’ll bring experience across other income streams (like corporates or major donors). You’ll balance strategy with delivery, thrive under pressure, and be excited by funding young people’s ideas. Our approach is innovative and we are looking for someone that can create clear, inspiring narratives that unlock new opportunities.
About Build Up
Build Up works to build the power of young people to shape where they live, and to change who can make decisions about London. Regeneration leaves young people behind. We support young people to take action by advocating for, designing and building local spaces to meet their needs.
Our approach is unique – and it works. Young people gain skills, leadership and power over decisions that affect them, while local communities benefit from genuinely inclusive spaces designed by and for local residents.
Why Join Us
At Build Up your work has a visible, lasting and personal impact - your ideas will genuinely shape our development. We’re a small, collaborative and passionate team with a flexible approach to work - we welcome proposals for non standard work patterns.
Key Details
This role is available on a 4 OR 5 day a week contract, subject to candidate preference.
Salary: £50,000 - 54,000 (pro rata) + 8% employer pension contribution
Full / part-time: 4 days (30 hrs) or 5 days (37.5 hrs) per week
Holiday: 32 days plus public holidays (pro rata)
Work pattern: Flexible
Location: Hybrid – at least 1 day per week in our Elephant & Castle office
Contract: Permanent
To Apply
For more information and to apply, please see the job description.
Applications close Sunday 20th September 2026. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis from Monday 14th September, so we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.
#Fundraising #FundraisingManager #HeadOfFundraising #FundraisingLead #FundraisingDirector #DirectorOfFundraising #Fundraiser #YouthFundraising #GrantFundraising #UnrestrictedFundraising #FundraisingStrategy
Build Up runs practical construction projects across London, supporting young people aged 10-23 years old to shape their local area.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
As part of the leadership team, you'll hold ultimate responsibility across our democratic lottery delivery teams, develop partnerships, and help shape where we go next as an organisation. You'll grow our opportunities through a considered and systematic approach to business development - new applications, bids and partnerships - and the revenue that comes with them, with support from the team.
This is a role for someone who's genuinely committed to democratic renewal, and good at bringing people together across different contexts and cultures.
Key Responsibilities
- Driving the organisation forward
- Working alongside the other directors to shape the organisation's strategy
- Imagining and developing new applications/markets for sortition and deliberation; translating ideas into concrete opportunities, bids, contracts, and revenue
- Spotting and pursuing new opportunities (bids including fundraising, partnerships, earned revenue) particularly at an international level, with the support of the team
- Leading the growth, sustainability and adoption of OpenDLP, our open-source democratic lottery software on a global scale (including but not limited to, building strategic partnerships, developing sustainable revenue models, and promoting adoption amongst users)
- Connecting the global sector
- Maintaining and developing relationships with key global partners, funders, and stakeholders
- Keeping up with what's happening in the deliberative democracy world and bringing relevant
opportunities back to the team - Sharing best practice across teams and helping raise standards across the sector
- Leading the team
- Strategic oversight of Democratic Lottery teams
- Line managing Heads of teams, one of whom is based in Australia which will require some flexibility in hours, and a few more team members
- Coordinating and facilitating budget proposals from the Democratic Lottery teams, making sure resources are allocated fairly and teams have what they need
- Contributing to a Working Group (to be decided)
Please see the recruitment pack for more details.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Help shape the future of an ambitious local charity
MRS Independent Living supports older people, disabled people and people experiencing mental health challenges to live independently, stay active and remain connected to their communities. We combine practical in-home support with innovative community-led projects that tackle inequalities and improve wellbeing.
We're looking for a Deputy Director who is excited by the opportunity to help lead this established local charity into its next chapter.
This is a role for someone who enjoys thinking strategically while also rolling up their sleeves to make things happen. You'll work alongside the Director to shape our future, develop new services, build partnerships and secure funding. You'll also be happy stepping into day-to-day operations when needed to support the team, maintain continuity and ensure our services are high quality and running smoothly.
Whether your background is primarily in fundraising and you're looking to broaden your operational leadership experience, or you've led services and want to develop your fundraising and strategic skills, this role offers an excellent opportunity to build a well-rounded senior leadership career.
About the role
As Deputy Director you'll provide leadership across our community projects, helping us develop and deliver sustainable, high-quality services that make a real difference to our community.
You'll:
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Work with the Director and Board to shape organisational strategy and future development.
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Lead fundraising from trusts, foundations, corporate partners and other income sources.
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Oversee our community projects, ensuring they deliver expected outcomes.
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Support, coach and develop project staff and volunteers.
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Build strong partnerships across the voluntary, health and public sectors.
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Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting to demonstrate our impact.
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Deputise for the Director when required.
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Take a practical, hands-on approach - providing operational support wherever it's needed.
We're looking for someone who has:
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Experience in fundraising, service management or both, ideally within the charity and voluntary sector.
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Ideas to develop and grow our community work, and the confidence and project management skills to operationalise them.
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Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and support others.
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Excellent relationship and partnership-building skills.
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A collaborative, adaptable approach with the confidence to switch between strategic thinking and practical delivery.
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A commitment to co-production, equity and user-led approaches.
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a respected local charity while developing your own senior leadership experience.
You'll join a small, supportive team where your ideas will influence organisational strategy, new services and long-term sustainability. No two days are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to work across fundraising, operations, partnerships, governance and organisational development—making this an ideal stepping stone towards a Director or CEO role.
If you're looking for a leadership role where you can make a tangible difference to people's lives while broadening your skills and experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Our staff benefits include:
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Flexible and hybrid working
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Generous holiday allowance of 28 days (pro rata) per year plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after one years’ service
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Enhanced sick leave and pay
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Enhanced family leave and pay
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Ongoing opportunities for learning and professional development
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Employer pension contributions of 4%
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Life assurance cover equivalent to one year’s annual salary for members of our workplace pension scheme
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the team
The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships.
The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.
Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
The Development Director (Philanthropy) provides strategic leadership across Impetus’ philanthropy and stewardship portfolio, with responsibility for relationship management, renewal, growth and selected new business activity. The postholder will work with high-value funders, including corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.
In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in pro bono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus’ growth ambitions, supporting the increase in philanthropic income to £14m by 2029.
Working closely with the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear stewardship, renewal, relationship-growth and selected new business plans, ensuring strong donor retention, high-quality engagement and sustainable growth in high-value income.
Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will oversee the donor lifecycle across the philanthropy portfolio, with particular focus on strategic stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and the effective transition of selected prospects into long-term donor relationships. They will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure donor relationships and selected funding opportunities, while working with colleagues to ensure the philanthropy pipeline, stewardship plans and account management disciplines are strong.
Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and selected donor acquisition, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.
Key responsibilities
Strategic Relationship Management & Growth
- Own and oversee strategically significant donor and partner relationships at six and seven-figure levels, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
- Set and embed best practice stewardship standards, ensuring donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
- Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
- Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
- Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Philanthropy and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.
New Business: Pipeline & Conversion
- Personally lead on select six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
- Work with trustees, senior volunteers and networks to support warm introductions, relationship development and follow-up, in line with agreed new business and stewardship priorities.
- Work with colleagues to translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for donors, prospects and priority audiences.
Performance and KPI Reporting
- Accountable for ensuring effective implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of fundraising performance frameworks, KPIs and reporting disciplines.
- Use performance data and insight to improve team effectiveness, inform portfolio planning and resource recommendations, and identify opportunities for retention, renewal and growth.
- Oversee philanthropy portfolio data quality, reporting and forecasting, ensuring robust systems and processes.
- Ensure robust systems, processes and performance disciplines are in place to support delivery of agreed philanthropy portfolio objectives and wider fundraising goals.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and evidence-led decision-making across the philanthropy portfolio and direct team.
Donor Communications
- Provide strategic oversight of donor communications for the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, timely and aligned to Impetus’ voice, values and evidence base.
- Work with Communications and Philanthropy colleagues to design and continuously improve philanthropic communications, including cases for support, proposals, pitches, stewardship materials and donor updates.
Leadership and Team Performance
- Line manage and develop the Head of Philanthropy, providing direction, coaching and performance oversight within agreed strategy and priorities.
- Develop the Head of Philanthropy as the operational lead for stewardship, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across their team.
- Set clear objectives and success measures for stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and portfolio delivery, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
- Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, balancing pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
- Build fundraising and stewardship capability across the team through coaching and consistent, fair and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.
Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value
- Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen donor relationships, partnership value and long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.
Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk
- Ensure philanthropy and selected new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
- Oversee accurate philanthropy pipeline reporting, forecasting and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insight informs portfolio planning and decision-making.
- Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
- Identify and escalate strategic, financial or reputational risks associated with donors, prospects and partnerships.
Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation
- Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
- Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
- Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are well managed and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
- Model Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across the philanthropy portfolio.
Strategic Leadership
- Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
- Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring stewardship, renewal and relationship growth contribute to organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
- Provide strategic oversight of philanthropy portfolio forecasting, budgeting input, pipeline performance and resource recommendations, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and escalated proactively.
- Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support donor stewardship, relationship growth and selected new business development.
- Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen philanthropy portfolio performance and wider fundraising capability.
- Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
- Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, modelling Impetus’ values and supporting continuous improvement.
Person specification
Essential:
Fundraising & new business leadership
- Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
- Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
- Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
- Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.
Senior stakeholder engagement
- Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
- Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
- Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.
Leadership & people management
- Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
- A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
- Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
- Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
- Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.
Strategic & intellectual capability
- Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
- Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
- Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.
Financial, operational & delivery capability
- Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
- Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
- Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.
Communication, values & ways of working
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
- A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.
Desirable
- Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
- Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
- Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
- Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
- Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.
About Impetus
At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
- Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
- Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
- The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment
We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.
Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
Our Values
In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are brave and curious
We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.
We bring high trust, high challenge
We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.
We are evidence led and results driven for young people
We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.
We thrive through diversity
We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.
We always seek collaboration
We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our employee benefits
Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
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 interview stage.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.
Interviews:
1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.
2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
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.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Noah's Ark Children's Hospice is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to recruit a Director of Finance on a permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded children's hospice at a pivotal stage of its development, taking a leading role in strengthening financial performance, improving organisational effectiveness and helping shape the charity's next phase of growth.
This is more than a traditional Finance Director role. Noah's Ark has undergone significant transformation in recent years, moving from a predominantly community-based service to operating a 24/7 hospice facility at The Ark. The successful candidate will join at a critical point in this journey, with the opportunity to strengthen the finance function whilst working closely with the wider Senior Leadership Team to ensure the charity is making the best possible use of its resources and delivering maximum value for children and families.
For an ambitious, commercially minded finance leader, this is an opportunity to combine strong financial leadership with genuine organisational impact, helping to shape a more effective operating model and contributing directly to the future direction of the charity.
The role
- Partner with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape the charity's financial and strategic direction during a period of organisational change.
- Stabilise and strengthen the finance function, ensuring high-quality financial management, robust controls and accurate, insightful reporting.
- Lead the budgeting, forecasting and financial planning process, including modelling different care delivery approaches, investment decisions and longer-term strategic scenarios.
- Support the charity to improve its financial position, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and ensure resources are being deployed to maximum effect.
- Oversee statutory accounts, external reporting, audit and regulatory requirements, ensuring the charity maintains strong financial governance and compliance.
- Ensure effective management of reserves, investments, cash flow, liquidity, insurance and restricted funds.
- Contribute to the development of the charity's next multi-year strategic plan, bringing commercial discipline, financial insight and a practical focus on delivery.
- Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and productivity improvements across the organisation, working collaboratively with colleagues to turn insight into action.
- Support the design and implementation of new IT and financial systems, ensuring they provide the information and controls required to support an effective organisation.
- Lead and develop a small finance team, setting clear expectations, building capability and creating a culture of accountability and high performance.
- Play an active role in wider organisational leadership, bringing constructive challenge and financial insight to decisions beyond the traditional finance remit.
The organisation
Noah's Ark Children's Hospice provides specialist care and support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, alongside their families. Its purpose-built hospice, The Ark, opened in 2019 and provides a unique environment where children can receive specialist care, therapy, bereavement support and family services in a safe and welcoming setting.
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, Noah's Ark supports families across North and Central London and Hertsmere, delivering care wherever it is needed - in the family home, within the community or at The Ark.
This is an organisation with a warm, supportive culture and a strong commitment to its values of Kindness, Excellence and Courage. It is now looking for a finance leader who can combine that collaborative approach with the confidence to challenge constructively, make difficult decisions and drive meaningful improvement.
Essential criteria
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Strong experience leading a finance function.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, audit and statutory reporting.
- Demonstrable experience producing and interpreting high-quality financial information that supports effective decision-making.
- Experience leading and developing teams, with the confidence to set expectations, address underperformance and hold colleagues accountable.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders and non-finance colleagues.
- A proactive, hands-on and self-starting appr
We help children who are seriously unwell make the most of every day



The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) is the leading membership body for voluntary sector organisations that support disabled people. Representing over 145 organisations across England and Wales, we bring together leaders, experts and partners to influence change, share learning and strengthen the sector.
We're looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Events and Engagement Manager to lead the delivery of our growing programme of conferences, professional networks, member events, learning opportunities and stakeholder engagement activities.
This is a varied and rewarding role at the heart of the organisation. You'll be responsible for creating exceptional experiences for members and delegates, coordinating high-profile events, supporting external engagement activity, managing key relationships and identifying new opportunities to increase member participation and value. You'll also use data, feedback and insight to continually improve our offer and help shape future engagement activity.
We're looking for someone with strong event and project management experience, excellent organisational and communication skills, and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You'll be equally comfortable managing the detail of event delivery and contributing to wider organisational objectives.
In return, you'll join a small, ambitious and supportive team committed to improving the lives of disabled people by supporting a strong and vibrant voluntary sector.
If you're passionate about bringing people together, creating engaging experiences and making a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Our vision is for an ambitious, trusted and vibrant voluntary sector that works together to enable disabled people to live the lives they choose.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Description
Main duties and responsibilities
Manage the DUK project portfolio
- Become a subject matter expert in applied and translational research in DMD, allowing informed decision making and effective communication with key stakeholders
- Support identification of new project and collaborative opportunities, including the ongoing management and delivery of our applicant-led funding call
- Support the Director of Research and Development in project scientific review, working with the Scientific Advisory Board, Patient Advisory Board, Senior Leadership Team and DUK Board of Trustees
- Manage project development and initiation, including contracting, the development of detailed project plans, including go/no-go milestones, and budgets
- Manage and oversee project delivery, including monitoring of progress, according to agreed timelines and deliverables (including written updates and formal reports), and managing project finances, including reviewing and approval of invoices and monitoring project expenditure
- Support research budget forecasting in liaison with the finance team and the Director of Research and Development, and ensure compliance across the project portfolio
- Build and manage relationships with external partners and maintain regular communication through the project life cycle
- Support the Director of Research and Development to identify areas of strategic focus to inform the development of new research programmes
- Contribute to and support the development of DUK led research proposals for external funding and work with the income generation team to identify opportunities for research funding
Research governance and processes
- Maintain and improve, as relevant, internal processes for research management and governance
- Act as system owner for the research functions within DUK’s CRM (Salesforce), maintaining records and driving process improvements for grant workflows and monitoring
- Support the Director of Research and Development in research governance activities
- Support the Director of Research and Development to ensure compliance with the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) requirements, such as - contributing to annual data collection and surveys; implementation of AMRC processes and reviews recommendations, as relevant; keep up to date with relevant news and opportunities for training, collaboration and networking
Support the Director of Research and Development on the following external engagement activities
- Development and implementation of outreach and engagement activities in the DMD patient and research community to inform areas for research focus and prioritisation
- Scoping and development of formal and informal strategic partnerships and relationships with key stakeholder organisations (e.g. membership societies, other charities, consortia etc)
Support delivery of DUK flagship strategic programmes
DUK has strategic programmes in clinical research access and capacity, care standards and care access, assistive technologies and patient data. Under the oversight of the Director of Research and Development and working closely with the relevant programme team:
- Coordinate key programme updates and discussions between the DUK team and the programme teams
- Working with DUK comms team, support the development of external comms and marketing
- Working with the Director of Research and Development and the programme teams, support development of new initiatives and external funding opportunities
Other key responsibilities
- Provide general research admin support (e.g. arrange research meetings, both internal and external, prepare agendas and take minutes)
- Work with DUK comms team to identify case studies and success stories and support the development of the research comms strategy
- Coordinate research comms and work with the Director of Research and Development and comms team to ensure all research content is accurate and appropriate
- Work with the income generation and comms teams to provide updates to our key co-funding partners
- Support the collection of portfolio data across all programmes for DUK KPIs and to support DUK impact report development
- Coordinate and deliver research led events and support the Director of Research and Development in the agenda and content development for the annual Duchenne UK New Horizons conference
- Travel across the UK to attend meetings with partners
APPLYING FOR THIS JOB
Please send us a copy of your CV with a cover letter (max 1 page) that includes the following:
1. Please tell us why you would like to work for Duchenne UK.
2. In the job description, we have highlighted a range of essential experience and skills that we need. Please describe how you have demonstrated these with practical examples.
3. If you think you have other qualities, we have not mentioned but which you think suit this role, please let us know. We want to know some of the things you have done and the experiences you’ve had, and what you think they have taught you.
4. Tell us one thing that really excites you about this role.
Please email your application by 10am on Monday 14th September 2026
Duchenne UK works to create a future without Duchenne, while supporting those affected today.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
NWLLC is a community-based legal practice and a registered charity. We comprise the Brent Community Law Centre and Camden Community Law Centre.
NWLLC now works across northwest London supporting residents to understand and enforce their legal rights. In doing so, we address the root causes of social injustice – poverty, family breakdown, unemployment and exploitation.
NWLLC provides full legal casework, representation and advice in the following areas of social welfare law – Housing, Immigration & Asylum and Welfare Rights. In 2024-25 we assisted over 3500 people. We represent clients in all courts and tribunals.
We provide outreach advice services in Brent and Camden including Camden Safety Net.
We also provide the housing duty solicitor schemes at Central London Country Court giving emergency representation in possession hearings for rent and owned homes and at the warrant stage for evictions.
To oversee and manage all financial and accounts record keeping and maintain all operations and compliance to ensure the smooth running of a legal practice.
Key Tasks
Finance
1. Maintain our Quickbooks accounts system/ Clio Case Management System
2. Process payment requests, staff and volunteers expenses and invoices
3. Identify and follow up debtors
4. Monthly reconciliation and bookkeeping of all cards and accounts
5. Assist with preparation of monthly management, year-end accounts and audit process
6. Work with the Director for the takeover of the calculation and reporting of the taxes owed by the law centre
7. Work with the Director to take over the administration of the NWLLC payroll and pension
8. Responsible for liaison with external accountants and auditors
Legal Practice and Billing
1. Preparing information and submitting for all monthly reports to the Legal Aid Agency, including CWA (Legal Help) and Court Duty submissions
2. Work with the Director to take over the preparation of work in progress reports
3. Work with the Director to prepare and disseminate monthly billing reports
4. Work with the Supervising solicitor and the SMT to identify cases to push through the billing process.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the team
The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships.
The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.
Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
The Development Director (New Business) provides strategic leadership for Impetus’ new business development, prospect pipeline and high-value funding opportunities. The postholder will have responsibility for identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate, trust and foundation, and high-net-worth donor relationships, as well as continued relationship management for key, established relationships.
In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in probono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus' growth ambitions, helping to increase philanthropic income to £14m by 2029.
Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear new business priorities, pipeline plans and prospect engagement approaches, ensuring a strong flow of qualified opportunities and sustainable growth in high-value income.
Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure prospects and strategic funding opportunities, while overseeing the stewardship and retention of current partners.
Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor acquisition, pipeline development, prospect conversion and stewardship, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.
Key responsibilities
New Business, Pipeline & Conversion
- Personally lead on six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
- Work with trustees, senior volunteers, and networks to unlock introductions and new opportunities, providing clear support and follow-up to maximise success.
- Evolve Impetus’ new business strategy, driving the identification, cultivation, and conversion of new high-value donor and partner relationships.
- Translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base, and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for new audiences and sectors.
Strategic Relationship Management & Growth
- Own and oversee select donor relationships at six and seven-figure levels within the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
- Ensure your donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
- Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
- Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
- Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Development and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.
Research, Insight & Pipeline Development
- Provide strategic leadership for the Research & Insights function, ensuring prospect research, donor intelligence and market insight inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and organisational planning.
- Lead the strategic development of fundraising pipelines, ensuring focus on opportunities with the greatest potential for long-term income growth, impact and strategic fit.
- Ensure donor intelligence and prospect research are used effectively to identify, qualify and prioritise new funding opportunities.
- Maintain oversight of gift acceptance, due diligence and fundraising compliance in relation to fundraising opportunities, ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
- Identify and escalate strategic, reputational or compliance risks associated with donors and partners.
Leadership and Team Performance
- Line manage and develop the Head of Development, providing strategic direction, coaching and performance oversight.
- Establish the Head of Development as the operational lead on new business, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across the wider team.
- Set clear objectives and success measures for new business growth, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
- Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing team culture that balances pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
- Build fundraising capability across your team through leadership, coaching and consistent, fair, and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.
Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value
- Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen strategic partnerships and support long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.
Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk
- Ensure new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
- Oversee accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insights inform decision making.
- Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
- Identify and escalate strategic or reputational risks associated with prospective partnerships.
Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation
- Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
- Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
- Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are leveraged and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
- Back Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Philanthropy team.
Strategic leadership
- Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
- Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring new business delivers against organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
- Provide strategic oversight of annual forecasting, budgeting, pipeline performance and resource planning, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively.
- Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support strategic relationship building and new business development.
- Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen organisational fundraising performance and capability.
- Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
- Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the Philanthropy team, modelling Impetus' values and supporting continuous improvement.
Person specification
Essential:
Fundraising & new business leadership
- Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
- Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
- Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
- Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.
Senior stakeholder engagement
- Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
- Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
- Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.
Leadership & people management
- Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
- A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
- Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
- Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
- Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.
Strategic & intellectual capability
- Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
- Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
- Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.
Financial, operational & delivery capability
- Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
- Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
- Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.
Communication, values & ways of working
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
- A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.
Desirable
- Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
- Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
- Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
- Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
- Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.
About Impetus
At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
- Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
- Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
- The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment
We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.
Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
Our Values
In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are brave and curious
We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.
We bring high trust, high challenge
We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.
We are evidence led and results driven for young people
We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.
We thrive through diversity
We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.
We always seek collaboration
We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our employee benefits
Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
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 interview stage.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.
Interviews:
1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.
2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
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.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title:Financial Controller
Salary:£70,000 per annum
Location:Hybrid: Working time split between your Home and our London Office
Hours of work:Full-time (35 hours per week)
Reporting to:Director of Finance
Premier, Europe’s largest Christian media organisation, is seeking an outstanding Financial Controller to help steward the financial life of a ministry that helps people encounter God through media and experience renewal in their daily lives.
This is more than a senior finance role - it is an opportunity to use your professional gifts and provide wise financial leadership to sustain and strengthen our ministry. If you have ever wondered whether your finance skills could be used to help build God’s kingdom in a deeper way, this may be the role God is calling you to.
You will benefit from opportunities to grow personally and professionally; developing your leadership and deepening your technical expertise in a role where your contribution is genuinely valued.
Role Overview
The Financial Controller is responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day leadership of Premier’s finance function. We are looking for a hands-on, solution-focused individual to lead a small team, oversee Premier’s accounting system (Iplicit), prepare high-quality financial reporting, support budgeting and audit activity, and deputise for the Director of Finance as required.
Key responsibilities will include:
Leading the day-to-day operation of Premier’s finance function, managing the team and deputising for the Director of Finance
- Overseeing accounting operations, controls, reconciliations and data integrity across finance processes
- Managing the finance system, proactively improving systems and processes, and driving efficiency and automation
- Preparing draft monthly management accounts, cashflow reports and financial analysis to deadlines
- Supporting budgeting and forecasting, reporting and preparing the audit and statutory regulatory returns
You will have:
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualifications
- Proven experience of leading finance operations, month-end processes and management reporting
- Experience of preparing management accounts, budgets, cashflow reports and balance sheet reconciliations to deadlines
- Excellent understanding of double entry
- Experience of managing and developing a finance team to meet deadlines
- Experience of importing and reconciling data from external databases or systems
- Advanced Excel skills and a strong track record of accounting systems management, process improvement and delivering efficiencies though automation
- Strong commercial awareness, sound judgement and the ability to communicate clearly with senior stakeholders and budget holders
Please note that Premier is a Christian media agency and this role has a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to have a personal Christian faith. You will have a good understanding of the Christian community and a clear commitment to Premier’s mission to help people encounter God through media.
Premier staff regularly attend all-staff meetings and devotions where we share what God is doing through Premier and spend time praying for our work. There are also several occasions each year when staff are required to gather in person.
If you sense God may be calling you to this role, we would love to hear from you!
Information for candidates
Why Join Premier?
Premier offers a great place to work, with people that support, encourage and look after one another. You will love coming into work, both in person and virtually!
Competitive salary and benefits package:
•Flexible working arrangements based on the requirements of the role
•25 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays
•Additional leave on your birthday
•Contributory pension scheme
•Life Assurance scheme
•Employee Assistance with online GP scheme
•Eye care scheme
•Enhanced Family leave and Pay
In addition we offer:
•Mission-Driven Work: Take the opportunity to make a tangible impact by contributing to a mission that reaches millions of people.
•Dynamic Team Culture: Join a supportive, creative, and passionate team that values innovation and collaboration.
•Growth Opportunities: Benefit from ongoing professional development in a role where your contributions are truly valued.
Application Process
•All applications need to be completed online using our recruitment system (linked from our adverts).
•You will be asked to answer a number of questions before submitting your application – please ensure you provide information on how your skills and experience meet the requirements for this role.
Premier exists to help people encounter God through media.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Hughes Hall is one of the largest constituent Colleges of the University of Cambridge: progressive, international and egalitarian, with a distinctive commitment to putting learning and research at the service of wider society.
As Hughes Hall looks ahead to its 150th anniversary in 2035, the College is entering a period of major transformation. With a highly international student body, a growing global alumni community and ambitious plans across education, impact and the estate, Hughes Hall seeks to reimagine what a Cambridge College can be: outward-looking, inclusive, and connected to the challenges of the wider world.
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious individual to lead the College’s fundraising and alumni operation as Development Director. Reporting to the President, Sir Laurie Bristow, the postholder will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, and will lead a small development office. They will lead a major anniversary campaign, expected to raise in the region of £30–50m over the next decade to support scholarships, transformational capital projects and wider social impact.
The post holder will likely be a senior development professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts. They will have first-hand experience leading, or being instrumental in, major campaigns. They will be prepared to travel in the UK and internationally to cultivate prospective donors and stakeholders.
Strong candidates will be energetic, confident communicators and relationship builders, able to act as a warm, credible and energetic ambassador for Hughes Hall. They will combine strategic judgement with a hands-on approach, be able to speak and inspire an audience, and to lead a successful team.
This is a mission-critical appointment at an exciting moment for Hughes Hall. It is a rare opportunity to design and lead the first major philanthropic campaign in Hughes Hall’s history, and to help shape the College’s future as it approaches its 150th anniversary. The College has strong foundations, clear ambition and significant philanthropic potential; this is a distinctive opportunity for someone who shares Hughes Hall’s ethos to help shape the future of a unique Cambridge institution.
To apply for this vacancy, please visit the website via the apply button. The closing date for this role is 15th September 2026.