Communications manager for major change programmes jobs

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Safer Places to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

Safer Places is a specialist support service for individuals at risk of, fleeing from, or recovering from domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking. We provide a wide range of trauma-informed services to adults, children, and young people across Hertfordshire and Essex, with safe accommodation available to those in need from across the UK.

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Lead Safer Places into its next chapter. This includes enhancing the charity’s service delivery, forging new partnerships, and expanding its role as a Registered Social Landlord to better meet the evolving needs of our communities.
• Embed Safer Places’s vision across the organisation – ensuring it is understood, embraced, and translated into action at every level.
• Have an entrepreneurial mindset to leverage opportunities for the charity to grow. 
• Continue to ensure that Safer Places is recognised for the quality of its services, its commitment to inclusivity, and its highly trained, compassionate staff.

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

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £85,000 - £90,000 p.a.

Location: Hertfordshire/Essex – most working hours will be spent collaborating with colleagues and partners at our offices and service sites, with flexibility for some remote work.

Employment term: Permanent / full time.

How to apply:

Please review the recruitment pack for further information about Safer Places, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 5th December 2025

Both Safer Places 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.

Location: Home-based in the UK, within 90 minutes travel of Central London, with occasional national and international travel.

Contract: 2 years with the possibility of extension dependent on continuation of funding. You should be available to start by mid-January 2026.

Reporting to: Executive Director (ED) 

Salary: £85,000  - £90,000

Additional benefits: 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (annual leave increasing by 1 extra day for every year’s service up to 30 days total), life assurance and access to an employee assistance programme. 

Job description 

Overall purpose of role 

The Director of Operations and Finance is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for ensuring WeProtect Global Alliance has robust and highly effective financial management, operational, governance, and risk infrastructure. The Director will provide strategic financial leadership, act as the primary resource for the Board on governance matters and oversee corporate compliance to enable the impactful delivery of the organisation's strategy to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse online. 

We are seeking a highly experienced operational leader who is a proactive and confident decision-maker. You will be an influential SMT member and a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and the Board. You must be able to think strategically and solve problems, translating complex technical requirements (finance, legal, risk) into clear, pragmatic, and achievable goals. You will operate with high ethical standards and integrity, modelling the Alliance's values of Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment across all internal and external relationships. 

Key Responsibilities 

Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance  

• Corporate Governance: Ensure Alliance governance is efficient, effective and provides the necessary support and oversight to the team to enable delivery of our mission, leading on review and optimisation of our governance structures and management. Act as a key advisor to the Executive Director and Board on all aspects of governance, legal compliance, and statutory obligations (including Dutch Chamber of Commerce and UK Companies House requirements).

• Risk Management: Senior responsible owner of the strategic risk register and proactively monitor and escalate strategic risks, reporting on high-level mitigation strategies to the Board and Finance, Risk and Audit Committee. Liaising with the Deputy Head who will oversee the day-to-day monitoring and reporting of operational risks. 

• Internal Control & Audit: Set the strategic standard for the internal control environment. Commission, approve the scope for, and receive final reports on all internal or external governance reviews or audits. Approve all final audit recommendations and plans before presentation to the Board. 

• Legal Compliance: Ensure the Alliance is compliant with all relevant UK, Dutch and international laws, managing external legal counsel relationships as needed, including maximising pro-bono support. 

Operations and People Management  

• Operational Oversight: Provide strategic direction for core operational functions, ensuring the Deputy Head of Operations and Finance delivers effective day-to-day operations including procurement, IT infrastructure, and general administration. 

• Human Resources: Lead internal responsibility and the strategic development of the people management function, in liaison with the Executive Director. This includes owning the overarching policy framework, approving major changes to employee benefits, and managing any external HR consultants or support services to ensure all HR policies, recruitment practices, and performance management are compliant. Overseeing the Deputy Head on supporting the implementation of capacity building across the Secretariat.

• Line Management: Directly line manage and mentor the Deputy Head of Operations and Finance, setting clear objectives, managing performance, and supporting professional development. As a member of the SMT, you may also play a key role in matrix managing team members across the organisation.

• Cross-Organisational Leadership: Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and all members of the SMT to foster a culture of high performance, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across all functions, including implementation of our organisational Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy and our overall organisational strategy. 

Strategic Financial Management & Leadership  

• Financial Strategy & Planning: Lead the development and own the ultimate approval of the organisation's financial strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability and resource allocation aligns with strategic objectives. Working closely with the Deputy Head of Operations and Finance on setting  the parameters for the annual budgeting cycle and it’s execution.

• Budgeting & Reporting: Produce accurate, timely, and insightful financial reports and analysis for the Executive Director, Senior Management Team (SMT), and the Board/Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, drawing on the preparations of the Deputy Head e.g. forecasting, overseeing annual budgeting cycle and fincnial planning 

• Audit & Statutory Compliance: Take ultimate accountability for the annual statutory audit process, ensuring all financial statements are prepared in compliance with relevant legislation and best practice for the Alliance’s Dutch and UK registered entities. 

• Systems and Controls: Own and strategically evolve the financial control framework, ensuring robust policies, procedures, and systems are in place. Champion organisation-wide adherence to these standards, working closely with the Deputy Head who will oversee daily compliance and financial reporting accuracy. 

• Grant Financial Management: Work with our Head of Development to oversee the financial management and reporting for all restricted and unrestricted grants, ensuring full compliance with donor requirements. Contribute to the organisation’s investment strategy and diversification by assessing financial viability of new funding sources or income models. 

Person Specification 

Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Skills 

• Sector Experience: Proven senior leadership experience (Head of or equivalent) within a non-profit, charity, or international NGO setting. 

• Governance & Risk: Extensive experience in developing, implementing and managing corporate governance frameworks, statutory compliance, and organisation-wide risk management in the non-profit sector. 

• Legal Expertise: Demonstrable deep experience and knowledge of relevant legal frameworks and regulation relating to the non-profit sector in the UK and Netherlands.

• Financial Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of relevant financial regulations, statutory accounts and audit processes, with proven experience setting the financial strategy and controls framework for an organisation. 

• Leadership & Management: Demonstrable track record of successfully leading, managing, and developing a multi-disciplinary team, including the management of senior direct reports. 

• Strategic & Communication Skills: Excellent strategic thinking, with the ability to translate complex financial and governance information into clear, accessible reports and advice for senior stakeholders (Executive Director, Policy Board, Finance, Risk and Audit Committee). 

Desirable 

• Accountancy qualifications 

• Experience as a Company Secretary or equivalent governance role. 

• Experience in management and oversight of human resources 

• Knowledge of international grant financial management and donor compliance requirements (particularly UK and Dutch). 

Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to the values of WeProtect Global Alliance, including safeguarding children and upholding principles of Respect, Accountability, and Empowerment. 

See attached document for the full job profile.

Salary: £57,000.00 per annum

Location: London Old Street (with flexible hybrid working options)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 37.5 per week – we are also open to flexible/part time applicants

Closing date: Tuesday the 18th of November at 11:30pm  

Please note that interviews will be taking place on Monday the 1st of December. This will consist of a formal interview followed by a stakeholder panel interview on the same day.

Shelter is looking for a talented Head of High Value Operations and Stewardship to build the newly formed Operations and Stewardship team, which will provide our high value supporters across England and Scotland with an outstanding supporter experience and ultimately drive generosity to power Shelter’s fight for home. This person will need a deep understanding and extensive experience of high-value fundraising and a proven track record in leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams to problem solve through innovation.

If this sounds like the right next step in your career, we invite you to apply for this newly created role. Join us in Shelter’s Fight for Home and help shape and lead our fundraising strategy.

About the role

This is a new and exciting role at Shelter, as the post-holder you will have the opportunity to head up a new function which will empower Shelter’s high value fundraisers to deliver transformative partnerships and donor relationships by providing exceptional operational support, donor insight, and high-quality resources. This team will help to build meaningful relationships that motivate supporters, diversifies our audiences, and secures the sustainable income needed to end the housing emergency.

This position is key to support our bold ambitions to grow high value income and provide best in class donor stewardship and experience. You will have the opportunity to shape our High Value Partnerships Operations and Stewardship function, making it your own.  It is a very exciting time to be joining us as we launch our new four-year strategic plan.

What to expect

This cross High Value Partnerships team brings together the existing functions Prospect Development and High Value Events alongside the brand-new Information and Assets function. You will be responsible for overseeing these functions and developing the cross-team strategy. There are two excellent senior managers to lean on delivering Prospect Development and HV Events, so it is expected the main focus for the first 6-12 months will be driving the development of Information and Assets.

You will be required to translate organisational priorities into compelling cases for support and donor communications, create and manage funding priorities and funding gaps, improve access to case studies and other storytelling tools, partner with HVP teams to understand their requirement and their prospects and donor’s needs. Your work will be key to creating an inspiring donor experience that clearly demonstrates impact and encourages continued support.

You will champion new ways of working and best practice in high value fundraising operations, working to develop streamlined processes and systems to empower fundraisers with the tools they need to work their portfolios efficiently through the donor journey.

About you

We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced individual who has a strong understanding of high-value fundraising and a proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams, ideally within a high value fundraising environment.

You will need to have the ability to identify fundraising opportunities within complex strategic plans and be able to effectively shape these into compelling presentations for potential funders to drive income.

Being a natural relationship-builder, you will excel at collaborating and influencing teams both within and outside of fundraising to drive success and achieve shared goals.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

-          Charity Worker Discount

-            Blue Light Card Discount

-            30 days of annual leave

- Enhanced family friendly policies

- Pension

- Interest free travel loans

- Access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The newly formed High Value Operations & Stewardship team will sit in the High Value Partnerships (HVP) sub-directorate which is part of Shelter’s Income Generation directorate. It’s an award-winning team that is responsible for all areas of high value income generation across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, statutory funders, corporate partners and legacies to power Shelter’s fight for home.

Shelter’s High Value Partnerships (HVP) team is an energetic group of around 50 talented professionals who collectively raise over £30 million each year through voluntary and statutory income. By harnessing the support, networks, influence, and expertise of our supporters, the team plays a crucial role in powering our mission to fight for home.

As our portfolio of high-value funders continues to grow—and with ambitious targets ahead—we’re building a dedicated operations function to act as the central hub for knowledge, insight, and coordination within HVP. This new function will lead enabling projects and drive collaboration across Shelter, ensuring our fundraisers have everything they need to secure transformational support.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should include responses to the ‘About You’ points in the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:

• We work together to achieve our shared purpose
• We enable decision making
• We create change and align behind our strategy

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Do you have experience in working with vulnerable people with complex needs in a Housing,  Hostel or Supported Accommodation environment? 

 
We have a new Housing job opportunity where you will be working with a team of Housing professionals with the aim of supporting some of the districts’ most vulnerable adults to move on from temporary accommodation. 

You will be managing all temporary and emergency accommodation placements on behalf of Cotswold District Council. The role involves working closely with homeless clients in various emergency accommodation arrangements. The aim is to assist these individuals in accessing affordable housing options and ultimately reducing the time they spend in short-term accommodation.

• You will be based primarily within one of our Hostels working intensively with homeless clients to enable them to access the full range of affordable housing options with the aim of reducing time spent in short term accommodation.

• The role involves travel across our district to visit homelessness households in their temporary accommodation (including Hostels and various B&B’s) with the aim of assisting them with maximising all of the housing options available to them to ensure that they are able to move on from temporary        accommodation as soon as possible.

• Create bespoke ‘Tenancy Ready’ plans for each client and ensure that they have access to the appropriate support and resources to achieve this.

• You will also take part in assisting the Temporary Accommodation Supervisor in ensuring that full risk assessments are carried out on each client before being offered a placement in Council managed accommodation.

• Assist with the daily running of the homeless hostel’s, ensure repairs are promptly reported to the Property Service Team and assist with ensuring H&S risk assessments are up to date and adhered to.

What we are looking for…

Someone who values structure, confidentiality, and professionalism as much as they do empathy and support. You will be expected to handle sensitive personal information with the utmost discretion, in line with GDPR and safeguarding protocols. Maintaining client confidentiality is non-negotiable in this role. 

You will need to have knowledge of Housing and related legislation, including the Housing Acts, case law, the Homelessness Reduction code of guidance and good practice.

This role requires a strong understanding of professional boundaries and the ability to maintain them — even in emotionally complex situations. This is a rewarding but demanding role — ideal for someone who thrives on helping others in crisis, but who understands the importance of clear boundaries, resilience, and confidentiality. 

You will need resilience and adaptability as you will often work with people experiencing stress, crisis, or confrontation, so it is essential you can manage these situations calmly and confidently. Being emotionally resilient and understand how to support others without becoming personally involved or emotionally entangled.

Teamwork is essential for this role to work effectively with colleagues and external agencies.

Please note you will be based at the hostel 5 days a week and will need the ability to travel as required.

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

You will need…
• GCSEs (5 A-Cs or equivalent, including Maths and English)
• Experience of working in a Housing, Supported Housing or Homelessness focused service
• Experience of working with vulnerable people and people with complex needs

Special Conditions…
• Full UK Driving Licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes
• DBS Check

Should we receive sufficient applications for this role we reserve the right to close the vacancy early, therefore we advise candidates to apply as soon as possible. Previous applicants need not apply.

Publica is a unique place to work – we are a local government organisation with a twist! Publica wants to transform the way local services are delivered. To help do this we have started to fundamentally rethink the way we design our services in the digital era so that Publica is a customer-focused organisation driven by real user needs.

What can we do for you…
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of 7% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with huge tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Access to digital financial advice (covering your pension scheme, mortgages and other finances)
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary
• These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy when you join us!

To apply for this position please click on "apply now" within this page and submit your CV and supporting statement. Please tell us about your skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience and how they meet the criteria listed above and in the job description/person specification. It’s important that we’re a good fit for each other, so let us know what’s important to you and why you want to work for Publica Group Ltd.

Your application will not be considered if you have not provided a supporting statement, in addition to your CV.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email. 

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children.  Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references;  proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.

• About Us

• You will be employed by Publica Group Ltd which was created by four partner Councils (West Oxfordshire District Council, Cotswold District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Forest of Dean District Council) to deliver more efficient and improved services. 

  
  Publica is a unique place to work, established to transform the way local services are delivered, fundamentally rethinking the way our services are designed and delivered in a digital era, making us a customer-focused organisation driven by real user needs.