Communication officer jobs in Harrogate, north yorkshire

As our Operations Co-ordinator, you will play an important role in keeping Birthrights running smoothly. Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider team, you will support a range of administrative, HR and finance processes that enable our work to protect and advance human rights in maternity care across the UK.

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive and detail-oriented, with strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Experience supporting administration, HR processes or finance tasks is desirable.

A commitment to human rights, equity and anti-oppressive practice is important, as is the ability to work collaboratively in a small, mission-driven organisation.

Download the full job pack below for more details, including the job description, person specification and how to apply.

Apply for our Operations Co-ordinator role by: 12pm (noon) on 6th April.

Shape public policy. Safeguard professional standards. Lead a profession towards the statutory recognition it deserves.

Not every Chief Executive role involves influencing government, protecting professional standards and occasionally resolving a registrant query before the end of the day.

After seven years, Mike Orlov is retiring as Chief Executive and Registrar of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. The Board is now seeking a successor who can continue strengthening the organisation and raising the profile and importance of professional interpreters working across public services.

NRPSI is the independent voluntary regulator and national register for public service interpreters in the United Kingdom. It sets professional standards, upholds accountability and provides assurance to public sector organisations, including the Ministry of Justice, the Metropolitan Police and NHS bodies, in settings where interpreters are relied upon in critical situations.

In these environments, clear communication is essential. When it fails, the consequences can affect legal outcomes, safeguarding decisions and, in some situations, lives.

The organisation is entering an important moment in its development. The House of Lords Public Services Committee’s 2025 report on interpreting services in the courts has brought renewed national attention to the role that professional interpreters play across justice, policing and healthcare. At the same time, NRPSI continues to advance the longer-term ambition of statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters.

As Victor Olowe, Chair of NRPSI, puts it: “This is an important moment for NRPSI and for the wider profession, particularly following the House of Lords 2025 report and the government’s commitment to address some of its key recommendations.”

As Chief Executive and Registrar, you’ll engage with senior stakeholders across government and public services while leading a specialist, long-standing team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register and the standards that underpin it.

Drawing on your experience, you’ll help shape the organisation’s next stage of development and strengthen the role NRPSI plays in safeguarding the public through professional interpreting standards.

The Role

Stepping into this role, you’ll be accountable to the Board for the governance, strategic direction and operational leadership of the organisation.

This is a hands-on leadership role, working closely with the Chair and Board to shape the organisation’s strategy and priorities, while ensuring the Register continues to operate with credibility, integrity and independence.

You’ll have direct responsibility for the integrity of the Register itself. This includes oversight of registration, renewals, complaints and disciplinary processes, as well as responsibility for ensuring the organisation’s Code of Professional Conduct and regulatory framework remain robust and fit for purpose.

With your experience, moving between strategic and operational ground will come naturally to you. One week you may be engaging with senior civil servants or government departments about the importance of professional interpreting standards. The next you may be reviewing operational processes, supporting your team in the delivery of the Register’s core functions or ensuring the organisation’s financial position remains sustainable.

Your team works mainly remotely and are all long-standing, dedicated and experienced, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register. Working in a remote-first environment, continuing a culture of collaboration, accountability and professional development while ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high standards of service is high on the list of priorities.

Externally, you’ll act as the senior voice of NRPSI. What does this mean in reality? Engaging with stakeholders across justice, policing, healthcare and central government, representing the organisation’s perspective clearly and authoritatively. This could include contributing to sector discussions, building relationships with policymakers and making the case for why professional interpreting standards matter to public safety and effective public services, or posting on LinkedIn and social channels, giving updates or hosting town halls for registrants.

The role also sees you supporting the organisation’s longer-term ambition of achieving statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters, a goal that will genuinely benefit from the right leader’s credibility and persistence.

Financial sustainability also sits within your remit. NRPSI is funded through registration fees paid by interpreters, and you’ll oversee the organisation’s finances while ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver its strategic priorities. Alongside this, you’ll maintain oversight of operational systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve resilience, efficiency and the effective use of digital tools.

The Person

This is a role that calls for someone who has operated at senior or director level within a charity, not-for-profit organisation, professional body, regulatory organisation, membership association or comparable public service environment.

Someone who understands the responsibilities that come with leading an organisation whose work centres on professional standards, governance and public protection, and who brings the credibility, judgement and experience required to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders including government departments, public sector organisations, registrants and sector partners.

A collaborative, trust-based leadership style will be just as important: someone equally comfortable exercising independent judgement as they are balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery in a specialist organisation where both are needed in equal measure.

You’ll bring most of the following:

• Senior leadership experience at director level or above within a charity, professional body, membership organisation, regulatory body or public service environment
• Experience influencing government policy or engaging with commissioners of public spending
• Experience developing or improving regulatory, registration or accreditation processes
• The ability to represent an organisation clearly and confidently in public, including engaging with senior civil servants, sector stakeholders and the media
• Financial literacy and experience overseeing organisational budgets and sustainability
• Experience developing and delivering strategy and operational plans
• Confidence using digital systems, data and communication platforms to support organisational priorities
• Understanding of, or experience in, a registrar or equivalent function within a professional, regulatory or standards body, including accountability for the integrity of registration processes and criteria

Desirable

• Familiarity with public affairs, policy engagement or advocacy work would be advantageous, as would exposure to justice, policing, healthcare or public service environments.
• Experience navigating politically sensitive or contested professional environments, including managing public criticism, would also be beneficial.
• A second language would be welcomed.
• Above all, you’ll share a commitment to the public interest and the role professional interpreting plays in ensuring fair access to justice and public services.

A full candidate pack providing further information about the organisation accompanies this ad.

Key Information

NRPSI is working with Michelle Paoloni, Director at House Recruitment, on this appointment.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages outlining your relevant experience, where you saw the role advertised and what has prompted you to apply.

• Applications close at 5pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
• Discovery conversations with House Recruitment will take place on a rolling basis.
• Final interviews will be held in person in London on Wednesday 29 April 2026.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

NRPSI is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process.

Self-Employed Chartered Surveyors Sought

 Based in the Midlands and North of England

Flexible, Project-Based Consultancy Making a Difference

Are you an experienced Chartered Surveyor, seeking meaningful work on a flexible basis? Do you want to use your skills to help amazing organisations doing good in the world?

The Ethical Property Foundation is the UK’s only dedicated property advice charity serving the voluntary sector. (Registered Charity Number 1101812) Each year, we provide over 900 organisations with expert, independent property advice and education. We are now looking for one or more self-employed Chartered Surveyors - general practice surveyors and building surveyors to join our team and help deliver affordable consultancy services to the voluntary sector.

About the Role

This is a self-employed, project-based opportunity. Assignments typically require 4-5 days of work (not full-time) and include:

· Lease renewals and rent review advice

· Development of client property strategies

· Options appraisals

· Property acquisition advice

· Property disposal advice

You may also have opportunities to design and deliver property-related webinar training.

Our Associate Property Advisers work flexibly from home, with occasional client site visits across England, Wales, and Scotland.

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking Chartered Surveyors (or equivalent) with:

• Strategic thinking and reporting skills
• Specialisms such as facilities management and / or architectural experience
• General practice skills
• We also have opportunities for building surveyors who can offer a charity rate on their standard fee.

You’ll need excellent communication skills to engage and empower our clients—many of whom support vulnerable people in challenging circumstances—and the ability to investigate, analyse, and propose practical property solutions.

Why join us?

Our clients support a diverse range of causes and manage every type of property imaginable. In the past year, we’ve advised on office buildings, church premises, oast houses, former schools, libraries, theatres, fields, industrial units, and more.

You’ll be part of a team of extraordinary senior property professionals who share a passion for making a positive impact.

Key details

• Day Rate: £220
• Working Hours: Flexible, variable based on agreed project deadlines
• Location: Work from home with travel as required for site visits
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: The post holder falls within the definition of ‘Person Employed’ and are therefore included within EPF’s PI insurance.
• DBS Clearance: Provided by EPF
• Reporting To: Head of Property Services

Start date

By mutual agreement.

Interested in using your property expertise to make a difference? 

Are you an experienced fundraiser, skilled in crafting persuasive appeals and telling moving stories of impact and change? We have a fabulous opportunity for you to use your creative and organisational skills to make a difference to families in South London and East Surrey.

Our programmes include individual family support, domestic abuse recovery and a range of parenting and group work programmes to enable families to thrive.

The core of your role will be in generating funds from trusts, foundations and grant making trusts.

• Identify and research prospective funders aligned with Welcare’s priorities.
• Develop tailored, high-quality grant applications, expressions of interest, and monitoring reports.
• Manage a rolling pipeline of small, medium, and large grant opportunities.
• Lead on multi-year and restricted funding applications where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate tracking of deadlines and submissions using eTapestry (Blackbaud’s CRM/Supporter Management System)
• Work closely with CEO, Head of Practice and Business Manager to gather data, case studies, and outcomes.

• Translate impact data into compelling narratives aligned with funder priorities.
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to strengthen future bids.

Salary:  £41,771 FTE (pro-rata £25,062)

Fully remote working

Generous Annual Leave allowance

Longlisted candidates will be required to complete a full application form prior to interview.

Application closing date: 6 April 2026

Interview date: rolling interview

Use your digital marketing skills to support those in poverty in Eastern Europe 

Are you a digital marketer who wants to use your skills for good? Do you enjoy combining creativity with data - and working collaboratively across teams and cultures? 

We are seeking a Digital Marketing Officer to join our International Digital Team and support digital marketing across 12 fundraising countries. This is an exciting opportunity to work at an international level, helping to strengthen digital activity, improve performance, and share best practice. 

About us 

Mission Without Borders is an international Christian organisation working in some of the poorest communities in Europe. We journey alongside people facing poverty and marginalisation, providing practical, emotional and spiritual support that enables long‑term, sustainable change. We serve people regardless of religion or ethnic background. 

Our international team supports this work around the world, bringing expertise in digital, fundraising, communications, finance, IT and Salesforce, and working closely with colleagues in our 12 fundriasing countries and 6 project countries. 

What you’ll be doing 

You’ll support international and country teams to deliver effective, data‑led digital marketing. Working closely with fundraising, communications and digital colleagues, you’ll help shape and support campaigns, improve digital performance through insight and analytics, and share best practice across multiple countries - always with an international mindset and sensitivity to local needs. 

About you 

You’ll be an experienced digital marketer with a collaborative approach and a passion for using digital to make a difference. You’ll have a strong understanding of the Christian faith and Christian audiences. You’ll be comfortable working across cultures, managing multiple priorities, and using insight to continually improve performance. 

Essential 

• Proven experience in digital marketing, including online campaigns 

• Strong skills in digital advertising, analytics and SEO 

• Confidence using tools such as Google Analytics and major ad and social platforms 

• Experience working with stakeholders and managing multiple priorities 

• Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills 

• A strong understanding of the Christian faith and Christian audiences 

Desirable 

• Experience working in an international or multi‑country context 

• Experience in the charity or not‑for‑profit sector 

• Familiarity with Salesforce or digital integrations 

• Knowledge of digital compliance and cookie legislation 

Why join us? 

• A genuinely international role with real purpose and impact 

• The opportunity to support digital marketing activity around the world 

• A collaborative, skilled, and fun digital team 

• Space to learn, innovate and share best practice 

• Up to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays 

• Pension scheme 

• Flexible and remote working, but with occasional travel to our London office and internationally

If you’re passionate about digital marketing and want your work to contribute to meaningful, long‑term change, we would love to hear from you.

This is a permanent, full-time role, but we would also consider applicants on a part-time job share basis.

Are you an inspirational leader looking for your next challenge? Would you like the opportunity to guide a respected mental health charity through the next exciting stage of its journey?

York Mind is a vibrant and compassionate organisation dedicated to promoting recovery from mental ill-health, improving emotional wellbeing and supporting independent living. Through a wide range of services, including 1:1 support, advocacy, social activities, training and workplace wellbeing programmes. York Mind provides both face-to-face and digital support to people across the region.

Driven by the belief that mental health matters and that everyone has the right to thrive, York Mind works tirelessly to challenge stigma and ensure that support is accessible to those who need it. Last year alone the organisation supported more than 4,500 people experiencing mental health challenges, helping them move towards healthier and more fulfilling lives. Guided by values such as Being Brave, Standing Up, Developing Together, Actively Seeking and Being Pragmatic, the team is united by a shared commitment to making a genuine difference.

We now have a career-defining opportunity for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead York Mind into its next chapter, strengthening its impact and ensuring more people receive the support they deserve.

The Role

The Chief Executive Officer will report to the Board of Trustees and will be responsible for the overall strategic leadership, management and development of York Mind.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing clear strategic leadership and direction for the organisation in line with its vision, mission and values.
• Working closely with the Board of Trustees to shape and deliver the long-term strategy and ensure effective governance.
• Leading and inspiring a committed team to deliver high-quality services that support recovery, wellbeing and independence.
• Ensuring strong financial management and sustainability, including developing income streams and funding opportunities.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with partners, commissioners, local authorities, communities and the wider voluntary sector.
• Championing mental health awareness and advocating for the needs of people experiencing mental ill-health across the region.

The Person

We are looking for an inspiring and values-driven leader who is passionate about improving mental health and wellbeing. The successful candidate will bring the credibility, energy and vision required to lead a growing and impactful charity.

Key skills and experience include:

• A strong track record of senior strategic leadership, ideally within the charity, public or health sector.
• Experience of working effectively with Boards or Trustees to deliver robust governance and organisational oversight.
• Demonstrable financial and organisational management experience, ensuring sustainability and operational excellence.
• Excellent networking, partnership and influencing skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to inspire staff, partners and the wider community.
• A genuine commitment to York Mind’s mission and values and to improving mental health outcomes.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a highly respected organisation making a tangible difference to people’s lives. As CEO of York Mind, you will have the chance to shape the future of mental health support across the region, working with a passionate team and committed trustees to expand the charity’s reach and impact.

If you believe you could lead York Mind through the next phase of its journey, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 10th April

Interviews: 27th and 28th April

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Leanne at Charity Horizons.

To apply, please send a comprehensive CV and supporting statement outlining how your experience meets the person specification and your interest in the role.

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format, such as audio or video upload, please contact either Charlie or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.

Please also be aware that Charity Horizons use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.

Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.

This is a a unique opportunity has arisen within a national breastfeeding charity to support the organisation through an exciting new phase of development. 

The ABM is a small but growing national charity. To support our expanding activity, we are creating a new role that provides comprehensive administrative and operational support across the organisation. The Team Support Officer will ensure the smooth running of core processes while also assisting colleagues working across all functions, including but not limited to, fundraising, communications, training, governance, and events.

This new post integrates and expands on previous administrative functions, providing flexible operational support across all areas of ABM’s work. It replaces the former Administrator and Admin Assistant roles, bringing together core administrative functions with additional capacity to support ABM’s strategic growth.

We’re looking for a part-time Trusts Fundraising Officer to contribute their skills, experience, and personality to add value to our Trusts team within the Fundraising department at Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

This home-based role is now available due to the current post holder moving on to new pastures. The Trust team has had incredible success in recent years, which we are eager to sustain and grow. The successful candidate will provide support to the Trusts Fundraising Manager and work alongside a fellow part-time Trusts Fundraising Officer within this ambitious team.

The role is a varied one, focusing on all aspects of the funding cycle – from identifying opportunities and building relationships, to writing compelling applications and providing high level stewardship. The team works collaboratively across the Association to ensure Blesma’s programmes and services can continue to help limbless veterans and their families.

Blesma is unique as a membership Association as well as a charity. Our Members are the heart of all our work – therefore, the impact of our fundraising is clearly visible in the experiences of our inspirational limbless veterans.

If you’re interested, please read the attached Job Description and apply with your C.V. and a Covering Letter detailing why you’d be an ideal candidate for the role and how your experience and skills match those detailed in the Person Specification.

If you are uncertain about your suitability, apply anyway and let us decide! 

We may close the application down early if we receive a high volume of applications. 

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was established 80 years ago and today is one of the UK’s fastest growing charities for nature. We seek to appoint a Digital Marketing Officer to join the communications and public affairs team.

We are looking for a digital marketing expert to lead and boost engagement online, drive footfall to our visitor centres as well as events, and inspire more people across Yorkshire to choose a wilder life. 

This is a role in which you could make a world of difference, by bringing wild experiences to more people through colourful content and stories, leading to positive action for wildlife and driving recognition for our trusted brand. 

Close collaboration with colleagues across the Trust is essential, working with communication, engagement, reserve and visitor services colleagues to promote events, and a growing programme of wildlife-themed festivals and wildlife watching experiences. 

You will have experience of planning and delivering strategy to reach different audiences through channels, as well as creating or commissioning content that reaches audiences with impact. You will have an ability and interest in using analytics to help bring continuous learning and improvement to our activity. 

People tell us that the best thing about working at the Trust is the people and you’ll join a dedicated communications and public affairs team, in the growing fundraising and engagement directorate. 

Yorkshire is home to some of the UK’s most amazing wildlife and wild places but much of it is under growing pressure and facing an uncertain future. We are part of UK wide movement restoring nature, helping people take meaningful action and creating an inclusive society where nature matters. You will have an opportunity to truly make a difference in one of England’s largest regions, to inspire more people to notice, enjoy and take action for Yorkshire’s incredible wildlife and wild places.  

Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the British Liver Trust  

Communications Team 

Building momentum, Changing lives 

The British Liver Trust is the UK’s leading charity supporting children and adults affected by liver disease and liver cancer. We advocate for improved prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care for all people affected by liver conditions across the UK. Liver disease is a public health emergency – it is the third leading cause of premature death in the UK, with deaths increasing by 400% over the past two generations. 

We believe that liver disease and liver cancer are at a tipping point. By taking bold action ourselves and with others, we will start to shift that balance and seize this moment. We are looking for an experienced policy officer to support us on this journey and to directly contribute to change.

This is an exciting time for the Trust as liver disease is increasingly being recognised as a priority by the NHS and we have recently launched our new organisation strategy.   

We are seeking a policy and public affairs professional to support existing work and support our advocacy with key stakeholders across the UK and to help improve outcomes and care for all liver disease patients.

The role  

• Run the Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Liver Disease and Liver Cancer

• Support our policy development, including supporting our consultation responses

• Help secure parliamentary debates and speakers, and provide tailored and impactful briefings 

• Coordinate political outreach to grow our pool of supportive MPs 

• Monitor and horizon scanning 

• Represent the Trust at external meetings to amplify our profile and policy messaging

• Work closely with colleagues in the communications, outreach, roadshow and fundraising teams to ensure policy is embedded across the Trust’s work. 

The postholder will have the opportunity to influence change and improve outcomes and services for liver disease and liver cancer patients. 

Policy and Public Affairs Officer 

Salary £32,000 – £35,500 per annum  

Full time 35 hours per week  

Home-based with regular access to London and occasional visits to Winchester (HQ).  

We offer a range of benefits for our employees, including: 

• Life assurance 4x your salary starting from date of employment 

• 5% employer pension contribution, rising to 7.5% at 15 months and 10% at 27 months service (optional on contribution increase) 

• Holiday buy-back scheme (up to 3 days per annum) 

• 25 days paid annual leave (FTE) 

• BUPA health cash-back scheme; money back on everyday healthcare costs, 24/7 health advice line, employee assist programme, mental health support & wellbeing resources 

• Cycle-to-work scheme 

• Contractual sick pay offering up to five weeks’ full pay, dependant on length of service to support employee wellbeing 

• 3 days additional gifted leave between Christmas and New Year 

If you would like to apply for the role, please send:

• a covering letter explaining how your experience, skills and knowledge make you suitable for the role, with particular relevance to the Job Description

• an up-to-date CV, including two referees

Closing date: 5pm on Friday the 10th of April 

Interviews: to be held on Tuesday the 21st of April 

The Fundraising Officer will play a key role within York Mind’s fundraising team, contributing to the growth and diversification of voluntary income to support our services across the city.

This is a varied and outward-facing role, supporting the delivery of community, events, corporate and individual giving activity. Alongside helping to grow income, the postholder will support the development of strong, long-term relationships with our supporters, ensuring they feel valued, informed and connected to the difference their fundraising makes.

While community and events activity remain important, we are particularly keen to strengthen our individual giving and supporter stewardship work to build more sustainable income over time. The successful candidate will contribute to appeals, regular giving development and donor engagement, helping to shape positive supporter journeys.

Working closely with the Fundraising Manager, you will help ensure supporters have a positive experience with York Mind, from first contact through to thank you and ongoing engagement.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, is organised and proactive, and wants to develop their fundraising skills within a supportive and values-led organisation.

Main Deliverables

1. Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship

2. Community, Events & Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

3. Corporate Fundraising & Relationship Support

4. Volunteer Recruitment & Stewardship

5. Newsletters, Website & Charity Communications

6. Work within York Mind Values

Person Specification

- Demonstrable experience delivering income-generating fundraising activity, ideally within a charity setting

- Understanding of fundraising principles and supporter stewardship

- Experience of organising and supporting events, campaigns or community fundraising initiatives

- Ability to build effective and sustainable relationships with supporters or external partners

- Experience working collaboratively within a team and willingness to support across different areas when needed

- Excellent written and verbal communication, and creative thinking skills

- Organised and reliable, with the ability to manage competing priorities

- Warm, sociable, friendly and motivated to make a difference

- Confident using MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

- Experience using a CRM or database to maintain accurate supporter records

- Experience supporting email communications (e.g. Mailchimp or similar platforms)

- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends (TOIL provided)

- Ability to travel locally for events and partnership working

- Experience of uploading content and using a range of social media channels

- A commitment to the York Mind values

- A commitment to work with the widest range of communities possible to make sure our organisation is representative and inclusive

- Self-awareness of own competencies, practical needs and personal resilience, and willing to seek help with these where necessary

We recognise that not every candidate will meet every element of the person specification. We are also particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate strong experience in one or two key areas of fundraising and are motivated to develop further skills within a supportive team environment.

If you seek a fresh and rewarding challenge, look no further than Open Country! Seeking to help disabled people to access and enjoy the countryside, we embrace a wide range of fundraising methods, so this role could be adapted to suit either full-time or part-time work. We are also able to cater for your particular skill set, though core duties would likely include: 

• Researching and writing grant applications to charitable trusts, grant-making bodies and other funders.
• Developing and delivering new and imaginative community fundraising activities.
• Encouraging appropriate corporate sponsorship and fundraising.
• Developing and delivering Open Country fundraising events and third-party events.

This is a hands-on, dynamic role requiring creativity, insight and panache, coupled with great communication and relationship-building skills.

You will work collaboratively with our Finance and Fundraising Manager at our Head Office in Harrogate, though an element of home working can be considered.

Appointment to this post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Organisation: The Skill Mill
Location: Remote, with expectations to travel to Gateshead and occasional travel to other UK locations
Salary: £45,000 pa 
Contract Type: 2 years fixed term contract, Full-Time
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Job Purpose:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a pivotal role in driving the operational success of The Skill Mill. Working closely with the CEO, the COO will oversee day-to-day operations through line-management of the 3 regional Operations Managers, will ensure the delivery of exceptional services, and will support the growth of our social enterprise model across the UK and beyond. This is a strategic leadership position, requiring a dynamic individual with a passion for social impact, operational excellence, and business development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all operational functions, including service delivery, project management, and workforce coordination, ensuring high standards and client satisfaction.

• Strategic Growth: Collaborate with the CEO to develop and implement expansion plans, identifying new partnerships, contracts, and opportunities to scale The Skill Mill’s impact, ensuring operational readiness and quality as the organisation scales.

• Team Management: Lead, motivate, and develop The Skill Mill’s operational delivery teams (see attached structure chart), including the Operations Managers, the Pathway Advisors, and the Supervisors, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement. Lead workforce planning, staff development and wellbeing to ensure a sustainable, motivated and resilient workforce.

• Financial Oversight: Work with the finance team to manage budgets, monitor performance against targets, and ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining quality.

• Governance: Supporting organisation and partnership governance by contributing to papers, risk registers and performance reports, engaging in solution-focused discussion at relevant forums, and ensuring feedback loops with operational delivery teams.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, commercial clients, criminal justice partners, and community organisations.

• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all activities comply with legal, regulatory, and health and safety standards, mitigating risks effectively and escalating through appropriate organisational and legal pathways where necessary.

• Safeguarding: Act as senior lead and an initial escalation point for safeguarding, ensuring robust policies, training, reporting and continuous improvement.

• Impact:

         - Measurement: Monitor and report on social and environmental outcomes, ensuring alignment with The Skill Mill’s mission and funding requirements.

         - Performance: Work alongside partners, including Social Outcomes, evaluation and funding partners to drive performance in line with key success milestones, and engage in collaborative problem-solving to improve the offer and overcome challenges.

         - Quality Assurance: Contribute to organisational quality assurance processes by providing operational insight to support effective monitoring and review. Facilitate and support quality assurance audits, reviews and continuous improvement practices across operational delivery, working closely with operational delivery teams and relevant partners to ensure learning is embedded and service standards are consistently met.

• Innovation: Drive operational efficiencies and explore innovative approaches to service delivery and trainee support.
   

Person Specification:
Experience:

• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, working with vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.

Skills and Abilities:

• A values-led approach to strategy, with the ability to balance social impact, quality, and financial sustainability in strategic and operational decision-making.

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a collaborative and empowering approach.

• Confident in using insights from performance data and information to drive continuous improvement

• A clear, confident and inclusive communication style, with the ability to engage, motivate and align within the organisation and externally

• A collaborative approach to partnership working, with the ability to navigate differing priorities and build trusted relationships across sectors/ stakeholders.

• Proficiency in working with digital tools that support operational efficiency (e.g., CRMs, project management software, Microsoft Office/Google Suite)

• Ability to translate organisational strategy into actionable operational plans
  ​

Personal Attributes:​

• Passionate about social justice, youth development, and environmental sustainability

• Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

• Commitment to The Skill Mill’s values of opportunity, integrity, and excellence.
  ​

What We Offer:​

• The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people and the environment.

• A supportive and purpose-driven work environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth as part of a growing social enterprise.
   

Essential Requirements:

Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience in managing operations, ideally within criminal justice or a social enterprise, charity, or environmental services sector.

• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage complex operational delivery in multiple geographical areas, ensuring quality and consistency across teams.

• Demonstrable success in growing an organisation or enhancing service delivery, including securing contracts and partnerships.

• Experience managing diverse teams in a hybrid work environment

• Experience of working effectively with external partners, including commissioners, criminal justice agencies and/or commercial organisations.
   

Skills and Abilities:

• Analytical mindset with experience in budgeting, performance monitoring, and process improvement.
   

Qualifications and Certifications:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification (e.g., business management, operations, or social enterprise leadership) is preferred but not essential.

• Enhanced DBS check is required.

About The Skill Mill:

The Skill Mill is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.

The Skill Mill is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and communities. We provide employment opportunities for young people with criminal convictions, equipping them with skills and experience through delivering high-quality environmental services, such as grounds maintenance, horticulture, and flood prevention. Our mission is to reduce reoffending, enhance employability, and create sustainable social and environmental impact.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records.

There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Engagement and Involvement Officer will play a central role in supporting meaningful engagement and involvement of young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study.

Primarily, the postholder will be responsible for the stewardship and coordination of the AHS Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG). The post-holder will provide ongoing support to YPAG members to ensure their active participation in opportunities to inform and shape the work of AHS. This will include working closely with the adults in the YPAG members’ lives, including parents/carers, teachers and other relevant adults or professionals. The postholder will also be required to build positive working relationships with other organisations and institutions that work directly with young people. They will support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to develop mechanisms to reach wider and more diverse groups of young people to take part in engagement and involvement activities at AHS.  

This is a role that requires confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The post-holder will be a strong advocate for children’s rights, have a sound working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices, and demonstrate experience of co-ordinating youth advisory groups, youth councils or similar.

Main responsibilities

Coordination & facilitation

• Plan, organise, and deliver regular meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions with young people.
• Develop accessible, inclusive and engaging materials to support young people’s participation in activities and discussions.
• Ensure robust mechanisms are in place to facilitate a feedback loop, communicating to young people the impact of their input.
• Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and inclusion are embedded in all activities.
• Lead on and maintain communication with young people, parents/carers (where appropriate), and partner organisations.

Support for young people

• Provide guidance, pastoral support, and clear information to help young people take part confidently and safely.
• Facilitate training and development opportunities to build young people’s skills, knowledge, and confidence.
• Foster an environment where young people feel respected, valued, and listened to.
• Manage mechanisms for reward and recognition of young people’s input and contributions.

Strengthen and enable staff team

• Strengthen knowledge and understanding of youth engagement and involvement across the organisation.
• Enable the wider staff team to plan and conduct activities with the YPAG and wider groups of young people, supporting the design of involvement tasks that are age-appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with best practice.
• Provide feedback to colleagues on how to maximise the impact of youth involvement.

Administration & governance

• Manage recruitment and onboarding processes for YPAG members.
• Oversee consent processes, data handling, and safeguarding requirements.
• Coordinate payments, incentives, travel, and expenses for young people.
• Maintain accurate records, produce meeting notes, and ensure timely communication.
• Support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to track, document and report on outcomes and the influence of young people’s involvement on projects and workstreams.

Continuous learning and development

• Contribute to the development of the organisation’s engagement and involvement strategy.
• Contribute to the evaluation of engagement and involvement activities and gather feedback from young people, parents/carers and other relevant parties we work closely with.
• Maintain an interest and working knowledge of best practice in youth involvement, participation, and co‑production.
• Identify opportunities to share learning and reflections with the AHS team and wider colleagues to continuously improve practice and processes.

Interest-holder and partner engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and community groups to recruit and support young people to engage in engagement and involvement activities.
• Provide verbal and written presentations of engagement and involvement work with young people to internal and external audiences.
• Represent AHS in meetings, workshops and events where appropriate.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Experience developing and delivering engagement and involvement activities with young people and other relevant interest-holders (such as parents, families, teachers and schools).
• A proven track record or professional background in working with young people – such as in youth work, counselling, mentoring, education, or a related setting.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, especially with young audiences.
• Understanding and experience of good practice in youth engagement and involvement, including the principles and implementation of safeguarding, data protection, and inclusive practice.
• Experience of co-ordinating a youth advisory group, council, board or similar structure
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritising tasks and manage own workload.
• Ability to design and deliver workshops, focus groups or meetings that encourage open dialogue and collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - able to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders and to summarise and report key information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated commitment to children’s rights, youth participation and the meaningful inclusion of young people’s views and perspectives.
• Confidence using online meeting tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom), and collaborative platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft 365).

Desirable criteria

• Relevant qualification in youth participation, youth work, community engagement or similar.
• Understanding of public involvement in research or willingness to develop expertise.
• Understanding of key concepts and challenges in young people’s health and wellbeing and the transition to adulthood.
• Understanding and knowledge of key potential partners across the UK for delivering youth engagement in the sector.
• Experience using digital engagement and facilitation tools for online sessions (e.g. Miro, Mural, Mentimeter, Canva, PowerPoint).

Dimensions

• This has been designed as a full-time role, although part-time work could be considered for the right candidate.
• Flexible working may be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be necessary to various AHS locations and partner organisations.
• Willingness to work hours flexibly including some evenings/weekends.

Additional Information

• Enhanced DBS/PVG or equivalent safeguarding check will be required.

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is midnight on End of Day Sunday 29 March.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the weeks commencing 27 April and 05 May.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.