249 Communication executive jobs in Marylebone, Greater London

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Executive Assistant to provide dedicated support to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

This is a pivotal role at the heart of the College, providing confidential, high-level executive support that enables the President and CEO to focus on leading the College and delivering its strategic priorities. You will be a trusted partner, managing complex schedules, coordinating key activities, and acting as a central point of contact for a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Key tasks and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Managing complex diaries, meetings, travel arrangements, and competing priorities on behalf of the President and CEO.
• Coordinating correspondence and communications, ensuring timely responses and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Preparing agendas, briefing papers, presentations, reports and other documentation to support meetings and decision-making.
• Monitoring actions and commitments, ensuring follow-up and completion within agreed timescales.
• Building strong relationships with senior leaders, members and external partners.
• Providing high-quality secretariat and administrative support for leadership meetings, governance activities and key projects.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Upholding the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality at all times.

About You

You will be an experienced Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant, or Senior Administrator with a proven track record of providing high-quality support to senior leaders in busy, fast-paced and demanding environments.

Highly organised and adaptable, you will be skilled at managing competing priorities, coordinating complex workloads, and maintaining exceptional attention to detail. You will be a confident communicator who can build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, and take a proactive, solution-focused approach to your work.

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, together with the ability to quickly learn new systems, is essential.

The Package

This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive employee benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to):

• 26 days of annual leave, plus bank holiday
• 1 additional paid day of leave for the purpose of celebrating your birthday
• Healthcare support through Benenden Health
• Up to 12% pension contribution
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Wellbeing hour once a week
• Cycle to work and employee discounts schemes
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to Mental Health First Aiders and Employee Assistance Programmes

About the College

The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) is the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK. We are the third largest medical royal college in the UK by membership. With a combined membership of more than 24,000 Fellows and Members, we ensure the quality of patient care by safeguarding standards in the three specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.

At RCoA equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture so it is important to us that this is reflected in everything that we do. We welcome applications from all individuals irrespective of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, marital status, or parental responsibilities to ensure we actively embrace an inclusive and representative culture that encourages, supports and celebrates our differences.

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward should we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback to external candidates. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted following the closing date.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be resident in the UK at the time of application.

No agencies please.

The Role

This is an exciting time to join Starlight. We already have considerable expertise across influence, insight and communications and a strong platform from which to build. Recent opportunities with broadcasters, parliamentarians and other influential audiences demonstrate the potential to take Starlight's voice further. The Head of Influence, Insight and Communications will bring these strands together, working with talented colleagues to spot, shape and amplify opportunities that advance our ambition to end preventable trauma in children's healthcare.

As we enter the next phase of Starlight's development, with our new strategy to end preventable trauma for children in healthcare, our focus is on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of our influencing work. Our aim is to build on our strong existing capability, bringing together complementary specialist teams to create greater strategic impact, stronger external influence and an even more integrated approach to delivering our mission.

This new Influence, Insight and Communications role brings together the existing influencing, insight and communications teams, recognising the significant overlap between strategic communications, public affairs, campaigns, insight and organisational influence. The role will provide strategic leadership across these disciplines, enabling Starlight to connect research, lived experience, policy engagement and communications around organisational priorities, and maximise our external impact.

The role will sit within the Play in Healthcare team, reflecting the shift in emphasis of our communications and marketing activity towards influencing, campaigning and systems change. It plays a critical part in making children's experiences visible, amplifying the voices of children and families, and building understanding of why emotionally safe healthcare matters.

Reporting to the Director of Play in Healthcare, and working closely with the Director of Income Generation & Engagement, the postholder will bring together Starlight's existing expertise in influence, insight and communications to translate evidence and lived experience into compelling narratives, policy positions, thought leadership and strategic communications that strengthen Starlight's reputation, influence decision-makers and support organisational growth. The postholder will identify, shape and amplify opportunities to position Starlight as a trusted voice on children's healthcare experiences and the role of play in supporting children's wellbeing, development and emotional safety.

About Starlight

Starlight is the national charity for children's play in healthcare.

We believe that healthcare should be a more humane and child-centred experience for every child. We work across the UK to champion the importance of play during treatment, care and recovery, supporting children, parents and carers, and healthcare professionals.

Our ambition is to end preventable trauma in children's healthcare.

At Farm Africa, we believe sustainable agriculture is one of the most powerful tools for tackling poverty, restoring ecosystems and building climate resilience. Working alongside farmers, businesses, governments and partners across eastern Africa, we help rural communities grow more, earn more and protect the natural environment on which their futures depend.

As we enter a new strategic period, we are seeking an exceptional Director of Fundraising & Communications to join our Senior Management Team and help lead Farm Africa through a pivotal phase of growth, transformation and opportunity.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future direction of fundraising, communications and external engagement at Farm Africa. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will lead our communications and fundraising functions, drive income growth and diversification, strengthen our profile and influence, and play a central role in embedding a more integrated ‘One Income’ approach across the organisation.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future direction of Farm Africa at a pivotal moment in the organisation's development. As Director of Fundraising & Communications, you will join the Senior Management Team and play a central role in delivering our next strategic period, leading the development of our profile, influence, partnerships, and income-generation activities.

You will provide strategic leadership across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, individual giving, corporate partnerships and communications, building on existing strengths while identifying new opportunities for growth and impact. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will lead the development of a new communications strategy that strengthens Farm Africa's voice, reputation and reach, ensuring we communicate our impact in compelling ways to supporters, donors, partners and wider stakeholders.

Alongside driving sustainable income growth and strong return on investment across the fundraising portfolio, you will help shape a more integrated organisational approach to income generation, working collaboratively with colleagues across Programmes, Commercial Supply and Country Teams to embed our One Income approach. You will also lead the development of our US fundraising strategy, building on Farm Africa's existing charitable registration to unlock new funding opportunities and relationships.

As one of the organisation's most senior ambassadors, you will represent Farm Africa with donors, funders, partners, trustees and sector stakeholders, building the relationships, reputation and support that will enable us to maximise our impact across eastern Africa.

About You

We are looking for a strategic, commercially minded and inspiring leader who combines strong communications expertise with a track record of delivering fundraising growth and organisational impact.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising, communications, external relations or a related field.
• Strong strategic communications and brand leadership expertise.
• Experience of leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• A proven ability to develop growth strategies, strengthen stakeholder engagement and build high-value external relationships.
• Commercial acumen, strategic thinking and a focus on delivering measurable results.
• The credibility and confidence to influence at Board, executive and partner level.

Experience within the international development sector and exposure to US fundraising would be advantageous but are not essential.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to an organisation with an ambitious future and a strong reputation for delivering impact. You will join a talented and committed leadership team at a time when Farm Africa is redefining how it communicates, engages supporters and grows income to maximise its impact across eastern Africa.

If you are excited by the opportunity to shape strategy, lead change and help drive the next phase of Farm Africa's growth, we would love to hear from you.

Ready to Make a Difference?

This is a unique opportunity to join Farm Africa at a pivotal moment and play a leading role in shaping how we grow income, strengthen our profile and maximise our impact across eastern Africa.

If you are an experienced and strategic leader with a passion for communications, fundraising and organisational growth, we would be delighted to hear from you.

If you are interested in this role and would like more information, please visit the jobs page of our website. 

The deadline for applications is 02 November 2026. 

In July 2026, following almost two and a half years of work and nearly two decades as a Faculty, we became the College of Intensive Care Medicine: an independent charity with our own Board of Trustees, governance and voice. Reaching this point has been a significant achievement. Now comes the next chapter: building an organisation that is genuinely independent, financially sustainable and equipped to lead the specialty for the future.

This role sits at the heart of that transformation.

Organisationally, we are creating a College from what was previously a faculty function – establishing our own culture, values, policies, systems and operating model while managing a careful and constructive separation from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), our long-standing host and continuing close partner.

Financially, we begin with an established income base, derived predominantly from subscriptions and examinations. The Executive Director will lead the development of a more diverse and resilient financial model, strengthening income and ensuring long-term sustainability without compromising our charitable purpose, governance or commitment to members.

For our people, we need to build our own workforce and operating model while supporting colleagues through a genuine change in employer and organisational identity. This will require clarity, empathy and strong leadership – alongside an unwavering focus on maintaining the services that almost 5,000 members rely on.

THE ROLE

We are therefore looking for an Executive Director who has successfully led organisations through significant transformation; who understands how to build financial sustainability and diversify income; and who can bring people with them through complex and meaningful change.

You will bring the strategic and financial credibility to earn the confidence of our Trustees and partners at the RCoA, alongside the emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership needed to unite staff, members and the wider clinical community behind the College’s future.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a new professional College at the moment of its creation: establishing its identity, culture and operating model while building the foundations for long-term independence and impact.

TIMELINE

Closing date: Monday 19th October 2026

Preliminary interviews: w/c Monday 2nd and 9th November 2026

Final Panel interviews: w/c Monday 7th December 2026  

At 2makeit our vision is to be part of a criminal justice sector in which creativity plays a vital role in reducing the risk of reoffending.

Our mission is to help rehabilitate those with lived experience of the criminal justice sector via mentoring coupled with creative expression through programmes in music, art and writing.

We currently work in 5 prisons - support begins with activities to establish trust and confidence. We aim to develop a trusting relationship with participants to raise their self-esteem and confidence to prepare for release and continued through-the-gate support. In the community we deliver programmes in 5 locations in partnership with the NHS, HM Prison and Probation Service and other charities to improve the life chances for some of the most excluded and vulnerable individuals in society.

As CEO you’ll lead an organisation with a plan for growth: developing new projects in prisons and in the community alongside opportunities to showcase the work of the charity and its beneficiaries.

Position: CEO

Responsible to: Board of Trustees through the Chair of the Board

Location: Remote; SE England

Salary: £45,000–£50,000 per annum

Annual leave: 28 days (not including bank holidays)

Job Purpose

Working closely with the Chair of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive will:

• Provide leadership and direction to the organisation in the development and achievement of its vision, mission and values
• Take overall responsibility for implementing the agreed strategies and achieving the business plans of the organisation, by effectively managing and developing the resources available to the organisation
• Represent the organisation externally by building and maintaining strategic relationships with senior prison and probation managers, partners, networks, and other charities.

The post holder will be the lead senior executive with overall responsibility for the operation of the organisation.

How to apply: Click the CharityJob Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation. In your letter of application please show how your experience and skills match the requirements of the role in the full job description and the essential criteria listed in the person specification.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 29th October in Central London.

Closing date: 16th October 2026

Annual leave: 33 days (plus eight bank holidays)

Benefits:

• enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental pay
• family-friendly policies
• 8% employer pension contribution (Aviva)
• life assurance cover at 3 x annual salary
• health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
• 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
• confidential employee assistance programme (Medicash)
• access to a wellbeing app
• flexible working options including hybrid working, flexible working patterns such as part-time, compressed hours, and more*
• learning and development opportunities including bespoke training and access to LinkedIn Learning)
• commitment to employee health and wellbeing. We have a Menopause Friendly accreditation and are a Disability Confident employer

Dementia UK is looking for a Digital Marketing Executive to join our Marketing and Communications team on a 12-month maternity cover. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver high-performing digital campaigns that raise vital funds, grow our reach and engage supporters with Dementia UK’s work.

You will take ownership of paid digital campaigns, from development and launch through to optimisation and reporting. Alongside campaign delivery, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to our evolving digital engagement strategy, helping shape processes, ways of working and how the digital team collaborates with fundraising and other teams across the charity.

You will develop and manage paid social campaigns, optimise audience targeting and use performance data to improve results. You’ll produce clear, insightful reporting and recommendations, translating campaign performance for stakeholders and helping teams understand what we can learn and apply to future activity.

You’ll have proven experience running paid digital campaigns on Meta, with a good understanding of campaign tracking, optimisation and reporting. You’ll be confident interpreting data and communicating results clearly to non-digital colleagues, with the ability to manage campaigns independently while collaborating effectively across teams. Experience of working within charity fundraising or knowledge of, would be an advantage.

Join Dementia UK at an exciting time for our digital engagement work where you will have the autonomy to deliver impactful campaigns and the opportunity to help shape how we use digital to engage supporters and grow our impact.

Our culture

In addition to offering a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, we truly value our people. It’s important for us to create a workplace culture that looks after our people to support them in achieving their full potential. You will become part of a diverse and dedicated team who are supported to use and develop their skills. We recognise and value the key role you will play in delivering our strategic plans for the benefit of those living with dementia. 

Our staff have a voice. Representatives from different roles and levels across the organisation lead and positively contribute to our working groups around health and wellbeing, menopause, and equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Our supportive and nurturing workplace culture has recently earnt us recognition as the Sunday Times Best Place to Work in the non-profit and charities sector 2025 (big organisation).  

Dementia UK is proud to welcome everyone. We aim for a truly inclusive culture with talented, diverse teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We celebrate differences and individuality and encourage everyone to feel comfortable being themselves at work.

Dementia UK is a Disability Confident employer. 

By applying to join Dementia UK, you acknowledge that in the event you are successful for the role, any offer and your ongoing employment will be conditional on you having or obtaining the right to work in the UK. 

*Please note that any decision on flexible working is based on business needs 

As Communications Officer, you will play an important role in delivering our digital, marketing and engagement strategies. You’ll work across social media, email marketing, websites, campaigns, content, branding and media, helping to build CUF’s profile and equip people to build stronger relationships.

You’ll take responsibility for delivering paid social campaigns, coordinating our Mailchimp activity and e-newsletter, publishing website and social content, and using data to understand what’s working and improve our communications. You’ll also work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including the Fundraising Team.

You’ll have professional experience in communications or marketing, excellent writing and editing skills, and a good understanding of digital communications. You’ll be confident using websites, social media and email marketing platforms, and comfortable working with data and analytics.

Experience of Mailchimp, Salesforce, CMS, social media advertising and design/photo-editing software would be an advantage.

You’ll be creative, organised and self-motivated, with the ability to work collaboratively in a small team. An interest in social action and community-led development is desirable, as is experience of working in a charity or interfaith environment.

Why join CUF?

This is an opportunity to use your communications skills for a purpose: helping churches, faith groups and communities recognise their strengths, build connections and take action to overcome poverty.

If you’re looking for a communications role where your work can make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

For an informal conversation about this role and for more information, please contact our Communications Manager, Laura Morton, please see job pack for contact details.

To apply: please send an up-to-date CV and covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to the HR Officer, please see job pack for contact details. Please note only CV's accompanied with a covering letter will be considered for shortlisting.

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 18 October. 

Interviews: Online, week commencing 26 October.

Church Urban Fund is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

We are looking for a strategic, hands-on communications leader with strong press relations experience who can help raise Borne's profile, lead our strategic communications, grow awareness of our mission to prevent preterm birth, and reach new audiences.

This is a key leadership role in a small, but ambitious charity at a moment of real momentum, growing in terms of reach and influence. Marketing and communications will be central to helping Borne take our next steps forward.

About You

You are a collaborative, strategic communicator with the confidence and experience to raise the profile of a growing charity. You combine excellent judgement with strong press relations expertise and know how to turn organisational ambition, scientific progress and human stories into compelling public narratives. 

Why Join Us?

• Play a senior role in a purpose-led charity tackling one of the most urgent challenges in maternal and infant health. 
• Join at a pivotal moment, with a refreshed brand, revamped website and new marketing strategy already in place. 
• Help take Borne to the next level by raising our profile, increasing awareness and supporting ambitious plans for growth. 
• Work closely with a committed team, expert researchers, supporters, ambassadors and partners. 
• Shape a communications function that is inclusive, ethical, ambitious and rooted in real-world impact. 

Make your communications work matter

Are you a creative, confident communicator who wants your work to make a visible difference?

At Healthwatch Greenwich, communications are central to our purpose. The stories we share, the reports we publish and the campaigns we run help make sure residents’ experiences influence the people responsible for local health and social care services.

This is an opportunity to take real ownership of communications within a small, purposeful charity. You will have the freedom to bring forward ideas, shape our content and find compelling ways to reach residents, communities and decision-makers.

One day you might turn a resident’s experience into a powerful story. The next, you could be launching a new report, creating content for a community campaign or finding a better way to engage people online. You will work across a varied portfolio and be able to see the difference your communications make.

You will work closely with a supportive team and with NHS, local authority and community partners. This is our dedicated communications role, so we are looking for someone who enjoys taking initiative, managing their own work and turning ideas and evidence into clear, engaging content.

HEAD OF FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Church Urban Fund (CUF) is a national charity working across England with local churches and faith-based partners who are committed to serving and strengthening the communities where they live, and overcoming poverty in all its forms. 

Our vision is a future where every neighbourhood across England is able to flourish. We mobilise churches, faith groups and local people to overcome poverty and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities, rooted in an Asset Based Community Development framework that believes local people know their communities best.

We're looking for a Head of Fundraising and Communications to lead the team tasked with securing the funding to deliver our mission and communicating the work of CUF in new and exciting ways. Reporting to the Deputy CEO and leading a team of four direct reports, plus one indirect report, you'll shape the strategic direction of fundraising and communications.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead and inspire CUF's Fundraising and Communications team, building meaningful relationships with supporters, partners and advocates who share our vision of flourishing communities.
• Play a key role in shaping CUF's future by working with the Senior Leadership Team to develop ambitious plans and turn bold ideas into compelling opportunities for support.
• Drive income growth across major donors, trusts and foundations, churches and individual supporters, unlocking the resources needed to tackle poverty and strengthen communities.
• Lead engaging, audience-focused communications that raise awareness of CUF's work, grow support and inspire action through digital channels, marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships.
• Champion and strengthen the CUF brand, acting as a trusted strategic voice to ensure our mission, values and impact are communicated with clarity, confidence and consistency.

If you're an experienced fundraising and communications leader with a talent for building relationships with major donors, trusts and foundations, and a passion for equipping others, we'd love to hear from you. Some knowledge of the different faith communities in England would be an advantage, and the ability to work well with people of different faiths and beliefs is essential.

Benefits:

• 22 days annual leave, plus 3 CUF discretionary days and Bank Holidays
• 7.5% employer pension contribution, with no minimum employee contribution required
• Flexible working arrangements considered
• Employee Assistance Programme
• The chance to shape strategy at a pivotal moment, as CUF approaches its 40th anniversary

For further details please see the candidate pack.

Contract & Hours: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week, flexible working arrangements considered)
Location: Hybrid/London (with presence at our London office to be determined with line manager)

For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Key dates:

• Closing date: Monday 19th October
• Charisma vetting interviews will be completed on a rolling basis and must be completed by: Friday 23rd October
• Interviews with Church Urban Fund:
  • 1st stage: Tuesday 3rd November
  • 2nd stage: Monday 9th November

The Executive Director will provide strategic, operational and financial leadership for East London Dance, working in close partnership with the Creative Director & CEO to deliver the organisation’s vision and business plan, strengthening its position as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. The role leads people, culture, finance, governance, risk, operations, fundraising and stakeholder engagement, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, well-governed and equipped to deliver high-quality artistic and community programmes.

As a senior ambassador, the Executive Director builds strong relationships with funders, partners, trustees and stakeholders, while fostering an inclusive, collaborative and values-led culture. The role creates the conditions for a thriving team, turning creative ambition into organisational reality and supporting East London Dance’s long-term success.

We’re looking for someone who can help turn our ambition into a sustainable, thriving future – building the relationships and the funding that will carry us forward, and doing it alongside a team that already cares deeply about the organisation.

If you’re someone who loves building things, who knows how to bring people and money together, and who wants to help shape what east London’s cultural life looks like for years to come – we’d love to hear from you.

Job requirements:

Must bring substantial senior leadership experience, ideally Director, Deputy CEO or equivalent level, with evidence of strategic planning, organisational growth and performance management. Must have a proven track record in fundraising, business development and income generation, including securing funding, managing funder relationships and identifying new commercial or partnership opportunities; experience leading high-performing teams, managing change and strengthening organisational culture; strong financial acumen, including understanding budgets, balance sheets and financial decision-making; knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and risk management frameworks; experience working with Boards of Trustees. Must demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, be confident using Microsoft Suite, and have knowledge of ACE funding and reporting requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

Provides strategic, operational and financial leadership with Creative Director & CEO. The role translates the Business Plan into action, leads staff, freelancers and consultants, and develops an inclusive, high-performing culture. Key responsibilities include workforce planning, recruitment, HR compliance, performance management and staff wellbeing. The role oversees organisational systems, administration, IT and the operation of Talent House, including health and safety, compliance, venue hire and stakeholder relationships. They co-lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow monitoring and audit processes, while driving fundraising and income generation across grants, trusts, partnerships, sponsorship and earned income. The role also leads governance, risk management and business continuity planning, supports the Board of Trustees, develops strategic partnerships, represents the organisation externally and strengthens its profile, impact and long-term sustainability.

Apply via the East London Dance Website by Thursday 8 October, 12 Noon

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Citizens Advice St Albans District (CASTAD) to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

CASTAD provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. We campaign on the issues that matter to them when their voices need to be heard.

We want to see a world where no one suffers through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities, or an inability to pursue them; and where the underlying causes of people’s problems have been eliminated.

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Deliver high-quality client services to approximately 9,000 users per annum.
• Ensure financial resources are in place to run the service.
• Work with the Trustee Board to define and lead the future strategy and sustainability of CASTAD.
• Execute the agreed strategy by ensuring a detailed and measurable Business Plan is in place, regularly tracked, and reported on.

If you are inspired and excited by what CASTAD does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer
Salary: circa £50,000 - £55,000 p.a.
Contract: Permanent / Full-time
Location: Citizens Advice St Albans and District, The Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3JE. (Flexible working will be considered.)

How to apply: Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about CASTAD, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 19 October 2026

Both CASTAD and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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

We’re looking for highly organised, proactive and resilient Executive Assistant & Office Manager to provide exceptional support to our CEO and Senior Management Team and help ensure the smooth running of our Reception and Administrative Office.

This is a varied and pivotal role at the heart of a small, retirement community on a beautiful 13-acre site in South-East London (Kent/Surrey border).  You will manage the CEO’s diary and inbox, prepare papers and correspondence, support the Senior Management Team, coordinate key organisational projects, and personally deliver day-to-day office administration, including covering reception.

This role would suit an individual who thrives in a varied environment, is confident managing multiple priorities, and is willing to take a practical, hands-on approach - no two days are the same. You will anticipate needs, help drive priorities forward, and play a key role in enabling the CEO, Senior Management Team and central officer to operate effectively.

The role

• Provide proactive executive support to the CEO, including diary and inbox management, briefing preparation, correspondence and research.
• Coordinate and service Senior Management Team meetings, ensuring agendas, papers, notes and actions are well managed.
• Project manage key organisational initiatives, including policy reviews, compliance-related projects and organisational documents.
• Oversee the efficient running of the office, including reception, office systems, supplies, meeting rooms and administrative procedures.
• Support resident services administration.
• Maintain accurate records, support reporting and act as a confident user of office and CRM systems.

About you

You will have a track record of supporting senior leaders, excellent organisational skills and the confidence to manage competing priorities with discretion and sound judgement. You will be a clear communicator with a high standard of written English and strong Microsoft 365 skills.

It is important that you enjoy working in a hands-on role in a varied customer facing environment.

Further details can be found in the job description and person specification