Community and events assistant jobs
Location: Hybrid working. Our flexible working policy requires everyone to be in our east London office for 25% of the time as a minimum because building in-person relationships is important to us (for this role we ask that you come to the office every week for the minimum of one day), but you’re welcome to be there more as many staff are.
Salary: £48,524 p.a.
Hours: Permanent, full-time, contract. At NEON, we work a 28 hour week - the equivalent of a 4 day standard work week. This can be done over 4 or 5 days.
Benefits: a 28-hour week, 7.5% employer matched pension, genuinely flexible working, 20 days holiday per year (25 days pro rated for a 4 day week), plus bank holidays and Christmas break, a progressive Parenting Policy, Sabbatical Policy, and a generous staff development budget
Reporting to: Director of Operations
Application deadline: Sunday 19th July, 11.59pm
Interview dates: First round of interviews (online): Mon 3rd - Weds 5th August 2026, second round of interviews (in person): Thursday 13th August 2026
This role requires that you are resident and have the right to work in the UK
About NEON
NEON is a capacity and infrastructure building organisation that seeks to accelerate the transition to a new economy by building the power of social movements - because without strong social movements we lack the power we need to win. We deliver trainings, develop resources, facilitate collaboration and work in partnership with key movement allies, especially in the climate, housing and migration movements. Our focus is on strengthening the organising, communications and strategy skills of social movement organisations, as well as deepening movement alignment, as we believe these are key to building collective power. As part of our work, we are looking to change the starting point in social movements from “what do we agree on” to “what can we win together?”
Purpose of this role
This role is the main point of contact for staff for all people & operations support. It is crucial in providing the systems and support that NEON staff rely on to do their best work by:
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owning NEON people and operations policies and ensuring they are understood and applied consistently and equitably across the organisation;
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guiding staff through people processes;
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overseeing the smooth running of operations systems across the organisation.
What you’ll be doing:
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Lead the full lifecycle of NEON staff, including recruitment, contracts, onboarding, ongoing management, and offboarding, while overseeing and supporting the Ops Assistant to run these processes. Lead on reviewing and improving people processes and ensure anti-oppression is embedded within them.
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Manage HR systems and records, including contracts, payroll inputs, leave, training, appraisals, probations and policy implementation, ensuring processes are accurate, well maintained and completed on time by line managers.
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Act as first point of contact for HR queries, taking ownership of NEON’s policies, processes, culture and employee relations. Advise staff and line managers on policies, accommodations, and support needs, conduct relevant HR meetings and escalate to the Director of Ops and People when appropriate.
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Manage monthly payroll, submitting updates to the outsourced provider, checking accuracy of pension and other deductions, implementing pay increases and paperwork, and addressing staff payroll queries or signposting them to financial guidance.
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Line manage the Operations Assistant to a high standard using the full spectrum of management tools and approaches e.g. mentoring, coaching, challenge and feedback using the feedback guidelines, more formal performance processes. Empowering them to thrive at NEON and perform their role excellently.
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Oversee day-to-day operational support functions delivered through the Ops Assistant, including IT and systems, GDPR processes, office and facilities coordination, health and safety, staff event logistics and board logistics, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to a high standard, following NEON’s values.
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Support the Director of Ops and People in developing and updating people policies, procedures, and practices, staying across emerging trends, and embedding a caring, anti-oppressive culture through organisational development projects such as internal comms, team guides, manuals, and frameworks.
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Maintain core organisational administration, including Companies House filings, insurance renewals, subscriptions, and shared organisational inboxes.
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Participate or lead on Operations projects as agreed, (e.g. HR systems, data protection, health and safety), with clear scope and prioritisation.
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Actively lead on the enhancement of the Ops Peer Support Network’s community of practice as part of implementing the network strategy.
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Play an active part in the whole NEON team, contributing to organisation-wide plans
Who you are:
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HR & people ops experience: You’ve worked in HR or people operations before and are confident managing the full employee lifecycle — recruitment, contracts, onboarding, performance, leave, payroll coordination and offboarding. You can hold these processes end-to-end and keep them accurate, consistent and compliant, whilst ensuring they align with the values and ways of working.
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Operational systems & improvements: You’ve held responsibility for systems like HR platforms, shared drives, IT tools or project management software. You’re confident in improving how things work and embedding changes so they actually stick and work for people.
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Strong organisation & reliability: You’re highly organised, detail-focused and someone who gets things done. You can manage multiple recurring processes (like payroll cycles, HR records and compliance tasks) and keep everything on track without things slipping.
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Line management experience: You’re a skilled and confident line manager, and able to support with feedback, development and performance. You know how to balance care with clarity and accountability.
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First point of contact for HR & ops support: You’re comfortable being a go-to person for staff questions on HR, people and operations. Supporting staff and managers with clear, practical guidance and handling sensitive issues with care, confidence and professionalism.
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Working knowledge of compliance areas: Good understanding of core compliance areas such as UK employment practice, data protection and health and safety. You know how to apply these in a proportionate, practical way that fits a small organisation.
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Self-directed and collaborative: You’re able to manage your own workload and priorities, whilst working naturally across teams, actively building relationships, sharing responsibility, and making sure work is joined up rather than siloed. You’re comfortable holding your own while staying deeply connected to the wider organisation and what others need from you.
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Proven understanding of anti-oppression work and commitment to tackling all institutional forms of oppression, bigotry and exclusion
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An affinity with NEON’s aims, objectives and organisational values of solidarity, generosity and respect.
We know that people from certain backgrounds and identities are often excluded in progressive movements and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this.
So:
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We particularly welcome applications from marginalised groups, especially people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Disabled people and those who identify as working class or have done so in the past.
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We know the work goes way beyond "diversity", it's about making the space inclusive too. So we are continuously working on that at NEON. So far this includes tangible things like a flexible work policy so people have genuine flexibility around where and when they work and a 28 hour week as standard; a gender-neutral parenting/leave policy, an anti-oppression strategy which is held at senior level given how important it is to the organisation. It also includes the day-to-day work of creating psychological safety for everyone at NEON and celebrating the wisdom of black, indigenous, queer, Disabled and other cultures in the way we work and behave
There are no formal education requirements for this role. As long as you can show us you have the skills we don’t mind where you got them from! Also important to us is your potential to learn and grow in the role so even if you don’t have 100% of the skills listed we want to hear from you.
Non Charity Employer
21 - 50
We build capacity & infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a new economy.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Pathway Manager
Apply today to step into a role where your leadership will drive real, measurable impact—empowering teams, shaping inclusive services, and making a lasting difference in people’s lives every day.
Location: Lambeth - Lambeth YP Assessment Time Out
Salary: £43,632 per annum
Closing date: 05 July, 2026
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37.5
About the Role
Lead the delivery of a high-impact, person-centred service as a Pathway Manager, where your leadership will directly shape outcomes for individuals and communities. You’ll drive performance, quality, and continuous improvement across a multidisciplinary pathway, building strong partnerships and using insight and data to inform confident, effective decisions.
We’re looking for a proactive, values-driven leader who thrives in complex environments. You’ll bring strong operational oversight, team leadership, and stakeholder management skills, alongside a commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and excellence. If you’re action-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about delivering meaningful change, this is your opportunity to make a real difference in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours a week), permanent role.
Key Deliverables
• You will be committed to working in and maintaining an environment that supports the safeguarding of young people as the Safeguarding Lead for the service
• You will be adept in managing the service and its partnerships
• You will manage, monitor, evaluate and continuously improve the service and its operation within Lambeth’s developing approach
• You will comply with quality inspection and assessment procedures
• You will ensure effective support, learning or family support plans (as applicable) for young people are in place and regularly reviewed
• You will maintain a safe and secure environment, that has appropriate risk assessment processes and systems in place that are regularly reviewed and monitored;
• You will ensure young people are a major part in shaping service delivery
• You will ensure effective delivery of Depaul UK’s approved life skills training and work closely with Participation and Volunteering leads.
• At the end of this programme, you will develop an evidence based report, that will enable us to embed what was done well, share learning internally and externally
• To be successful in this role you will be expected to go the extra mile by being flexible with the hours you work always bearing in mind the needs of the business.
• You will undertake full line management of the Team Leader and ETE worker
• Any other duties commensurate with the role
Health and Safety:
• To ensure a safe and secure environment and maintain high standards within the services. This includes risk assessments, health and safety checks and the cleaning and preparation of rooms for new residents.
• To involve service users in developing an awareness of their own personal and building health and safety, through information sessions, key working and support planning and resident meetings.
• To ensure that the project is clean and safe and to encourage residents to take some responsibility in the cleaning of their communal areas and their room.
• To work for a proportion of the time as a lone worker and as part of the wider team.
• Undertake appropriate risk assessments for lone working.
Administration:
• To maintain written records and monitoring information as appropriate and input and retrieve data on the Inform system.
• To prepare reports, statistical data and other information that maybe requested by the Asst. Area Director.
• To ensure that any repairs and maintenance issues are reported in a timely manner in order to ensure the health and safety and security of the building environment.
• Any other administrative tasks that will ensure the smooth running of the service.
Finance:
• With the support of the Area. Director devise effective, safe and timely methods for the collection of accommodation and service charges from residents, and to maintain auditable records of payment.
• Ensure that arrears management procedures are adhered to.
• To take responsibility for petty cash and record all transactions in line with policy.
General:
• To contribute to a high quality and effective delivery of service.
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required and attend training, events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
• To participate in regular supervision and IDP and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
• To contribute to and be supportive of young people’s involvement in our services and in all levels of decision making throughout the organization.
• To ensure that all Depaul policies and procedures are adhered to.
• To be successful in this role you will expected to go the extra mile by being flexible with the hours you work always bearing in mind the needs of the business.
• Any other duties commensurate with the role.
What we are looking for from you
When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.
• A commitment to the ethos and values of Depaul including the organisation’s policies and procedures
• Demonstrable experience of working with young and vulnerable people and young families with multiple and complex needs.
• Experience and understanding of challenges and barriers faced by young people in securing accommodation and sustainable education and training.
• Experience of leading a team, establishing processes and relationships.
• Negotiating skills
• Coordinating and organising skills
• Able to work on own initiative but at same time able to exercise sound judgment in knowing when to consult or delegate tasks.
• Able to work flexibly and develop positive working relationships at a range of different levels including staff, volunteers, managers, young people and stakeholders to set and deliver organisational goals and resolve conflicts of interest professionally.
• A clear understanding and ability to implement risk management, information sharing and data security arrangements.
• Awareness of and commitment to equal opportunity and diversity practice. Ability to promote and implement diversity practice and policies and generally treat colleagues and young people fairly and with respect.
• Demonstrate ability to use IT to a level which will enable high quality reporting to be carried out. This should include an ability to use data capture systems including running queries and reports.
• Expertise to manage a medium sized team of staff with responsibility for multiple projects/ services, a range of which of which operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
• The ability to provide cover Monday to Friday with occasional management support at weekends.
What You’ll Receive
· Tailored training and development
· Flexible working options where suitable
· 26 days annual leave, rising with service
· Family friendly leave policies
· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
· Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
· Cash health plan for you and your family
· Death in service benefit
· Access to legal and practical support
Safer Recruitment
Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.
About Depaul UK
In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.
What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.
As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.
The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
- Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
- Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
- Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
- Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
- Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
- Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network
About The Difference
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Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.
About You
Essential
- Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
- Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
- Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
- Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
- Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
- Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
- Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people
Desired
- Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
- Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
- Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
- Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
- Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
- Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations
Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.