Community engagement executive jobs

Chief Executive Officer

Wandsworth Community Transport (WCT)

• Based in Balham, London SW12 9PZ (on site).
• Full-time Hours: 35 per week (flexibility required).
• Salary: £50,000–£65,000 (depending on experience).

• Closing Date: 8th December 2025.

The Role: Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking a Chief Executive Officer to provide inspirational leadership and strategic direction for WCT. You will work closely with the Management Committee, staff, volunteers, and partners to ensure our services continue to thrive and adapt to the changing needs of the community.

This is a varied and rewarding role that requires a balance of strategic vision, financial acumen, operational oversight, and strong external engagement. You will represent WCT locally and nationally, build new partnerships, and ensure we remain a trusted and valued part of the community transport movement.

Job Description

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Leadership & Strategy
• Provide overall leadership and management of WCT.
• Work with the Management Committee to set and deliver strategic objectives.
• Lead the charity through change, ensuring sustainability and growth.

2. Financial Management
• Ensure robust financial systems, budgets, and forecasts.
• Diversify income, secure grants and contracts, and manage financial risks.

3. People & Culture
• Lead and inspire a committed staff and volunteer team.
• Ensure fair HR policies, training, and development.
• Promote a culture of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

4. Operations & Compliance
• Oversee transport operations, health & safety, and premises management.
• Ensure compliance with charity, employment, and transport legislation.

5. External Relations & Advocacy
• Build strong partnerships with local and national stakeholders.
• Represent WCT in the community transport sector and with policy-makers.
• Promote WCT’s profile through media, communications, and advocacy.

About Wandsworth Community Transport

Wandsworth Community Transport (WCT) is a registered charity and a proud member of the Community Transport Association. We provide accessible and affordable transport services to community groups and individuals across the borough of Wandsworth. Our mission is to ensure that no one is excluded from community life due to lack of transport.

Key facts:
• Over 25 accessible minibuses serving the borough
• More than 2,000 community groups and individuals supported annually
• 35 staff members and a large team of volunteers
• Annual turnover of around £1 million
• Services include minibus hire, door-to-door services, Shopmobility, shopping shuttles, and outings for elderly and disabled residents
 

We also run a vehicle workshop and deliver essential driver and passenger assistant training programmes. Our volunteers play a crucial role in supporting elderly and disabled passengers, ensuring WCT is truly embedded in the heart of the community.

Looking ahead, we are committed to:
• Diversifying our funding and income streams
• Expanding our services to meet unmet transport needs
• Transitioning towards a greener, more sustainable fleet
• Strengthening partnerships with local authorities, health services, and the voluntary sector

To Apply

Click on the link to request the full application pack Chief Executive Officer

Head of External Engagement

Clergy Support Trust is an organisation which “punches above its weight”, in terms both of the help provided to hardworking clergy households, and the influence we seek to have on Church culture. We are looking for an experienced communications professional, able to lead a broad function encompassing all aspects of our external engagement: media engagement, strategic communications, events and fundraising, so we are looking for someone with strong experience across these areas.

As member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of External Engagement will be joining the leading Anglican wellbeing charity, supporting thousands of households each year, as we embark on a new strategic period (2026-30) and at a pivotal point in our mission.

Key responsibilities include:

• To lead, manage and report on the work of the External Engagement team.

• To design and deliver communications relating to the charity’s 2026-28 Strategy, ensuring appropriate, informative content for colleagues, applicants, supporters, partners and stakeholders.

• To oversee delivery of our first ever Fundraising Strategy.

• To be the charity’s principal Press Officer, and to support the Chief Executive

• as the charity’s principal spokesperson.

• To oversee the charity’s growing programme of events.

If you have significant experience in a comparable role, with exceptional writing skills and an excellent understanding of strategic communications together with previous team and budget management experience, we would love to hear from you!

This is an exciting role in a unique organisation.  Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience for all UCL students and to be one of the best students’ unions in the UK and the world.  We aim to build a vibrant and empowered student community with real influence in UCL and beyond, that enables students to enjoy their time at university; pursue their interests and passions; see the world in new ways; and develop the skills and experience to change the world for the better.

We are a registered charity employing over 100 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services of any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.

It's an exciting time to join our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking new Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.

We support hybrid working. Excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible. This role is based at our Bloomsbury campus with work across various football facilities across London.

The role is a full time and permanent. This role is based at our Bloomsbury and UCL East campuses with flexibility to work from home on a 40/60 basis (40% working from the office). We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible. 

Do you have experience in co-creation and co-production between universities and the wider community? Are you passionate about coordinating engaging opportunities for students to dive into the world of engaged research? If the answer is yes, then we want to hear from you!

Our ideal candidate will have excellent project and event coordination skills, strong communication and campaigning abilities, and a good working understanding of the life cycle of a research project.

We are recruiting for a Community Engagement Coordinator join our team in the Community Engagement team. 

Job Title: Community Engagement Coordinator

Location: At least once a week in our head office in Vauxhall, weekly visits to our refuge’s (travel expenses will be covered) and homeworking
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum(Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a community engagement coordinator who is passionate about supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The community engagement coordinator will work as part of a team of the community engagement service working across East, West and South London. The key aims of this new service are to build relationships with specialist providers across south, west, and east London, where our services are clustered, to develop a menu of enhanced support opportunities to meet survivors’ social, health and financial needs.

This is a very important role in Refuge, which will make a real difference to the lives of the women and children that Refuge supports every day. Together as a team, you will create pathways to decrease social inclusion, increase participation in community activities, employment, education and training. You will be skilled at working with a diverse range of audiences and will be adept at creating and developing new partnerships and pathways that improve the lives of survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 27 November 2025

Interview Date: 10 and 15 December 2025 (In-person at our head office in Vauxhall, London)

Growing up in today’s world is hard. At Youth Talk, we’re determined that every young person has a safe place to talk in confidence — whatever’s on their mind.

We’re a small but growing local charity with big ambitions, and we are now looking for an energetic and enthusiastic Community Events & Volunteering Lead to join our team. This is a role for someone who loves people, thrives on variety, and wants to turn community energy into life-changing impact. The role will help drive our community fundraising – connecting with schools, local groups and our amazing volunteers helping to raise awareness and vital funds for Youth Talk. You’ll play a key part in growing our reach, leading and supporting our volunteers and helping us make an even bigger impact across St Albans and beyond.

We are looking for a proactive and people-focused fundraiser to join our ambitious team as Community Fundraising and Partnerships Officer. This is a pivotal role where you will:

• Grow community income and build meaningful partnerships with local companies, schools, individual supporters and groups.
• Shape and deliver inspiring fundraising initiatives that engage the community and raise vital funds.
• Be the key link between Dash and our supporters, ensuring every donor, volunteer, and partner feels valued and connected to our mission.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make the role your own. While some community fundraising has taken place, there is huge potential to grow our income and partnerships given our location near major companies and active community groups. You will work closely with our CEO and Trusts & Foundations Lead and play a central role in securing the resources needed to continue our life-changing work.

4-5 days per week (flexible), hybrid location (home-based with regular travel to Maidenhead, Slough, and
Windsor, so ideally based within 1 hour of the area)
Term: Permanent or we will consider contract

This role is perfect for someone who wants to use their fundraising expertise to make a real and lasting difference to families in crisis.

An exceptional opportunity to lead, grow, and transform lives 

Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow is seeking an inspiring and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead our trusted local charity through its next stage of growth and innovation. 

This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible difference for children and families — by strengthening our community presence, driving income generation, and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life. 

About Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow 

We believe strong families make strong communities. 
Our trained volunteers provide emotional and practical support to parents of young children, helping them navigate the challenges of early childhood and family life. 

Operating across three London boroughs, we are a vibrant, values-driven charity and part of the wider Home-Start network — one of the UK’s leading family support movements. 

The Role 

As CEO, you’ll be both strategic leader and hands-on advocate, driving our fundraising and partnership agenda while overseeing operational excellence. 

You’ll lead our talented team, work closely with trustees, and represent our charity with energy and passion — ensuring we remain a visible and trusted voice for families across Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and inspire staff and volunteers to deliver high-impact family support services. 

• Develop and implement a bold, diversified fundraising and income generation strategy. 

• Build and nurture relationships with funders, corporates, philanthropists, and community partners. 

• Act as a confident ambassador, raising the organisation’s profile locally and regionally. 

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees on governance, strategy, and long-term sustainability. 

• Oversee service delivery, safeguarding, and operational compliance. 

About You 

You are: 

• A proven fundraiser and relationship builder who can secure sustainable income across multiple sources. 

• A confident and inclusive leader who inspires and empowers teams. 

• Skilled in partnership development and community engagement. 

• Experienced in charity governance, financial management, and service delivery. 

• Deeply committed to safeguarding, equality, and family wellbeing. 

Why Join Us? 

• Lead one of London’s most respected family charities. 

• Shape our strategy for growth and sustainability. 

• Join a passionate, values-led team and supportive board. 

• Enjoy flexible, hybrid working across three vibrant boroughs. 

How to Apply 

If you meet most but not all of our criteria and are passionate about giving children the best start in life we'd still like to hear from you.

Apply via CharityJob or reach our to our Chair for an informal conversation. 

Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 

At 21 Together, we believe every person with Down’s syndrome has the right to live a happy, rich and fulfilling life. Based in Maidstone and working across Kent, we support children and young people with Down’s syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

We are a small but impactful charity looking for an inspiring Chief Executive Officer to lead us through the next phase of our growth.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Organisation: 21 Together
Location: Maidstone, Kent (Hybrid working available)
Salary: From £48,561 FTE, dependent on experience 

Contract: Permanent or Fixed Term (flexible)
Working Hours: Part-time or Fractional (minimum 3 days per week)
Closing Date: 5th January 2026

Interview Date: Early January 2026

The Role

As CEO, you’ll provide strategic leadership, oversee operations, and drive income generation to ensure our long-term sustainability. You’ll work closely with our committed Board of Trustees, lead a passionate team, and act as the public face of the organisation.

We’re open to part-time or fractional working arrangements (minimum 3 days/week) to attract the right person.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver our mission and long-term strategy
• Ensure strong financial oversight and fundraising success
• Lead and support staff and volunteers, fostering a positive and inclusive culture
• Maintain strong governance and ensure legal compliance
• Represent the charity externally and build key stakeholder relationships
• Monitor impact and promote continuous improvement

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• An experienced leader with a strategic mindset
• Financially astute, with a track record of managing budgets and securing income
• A confident communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement skills
• Committed to inclusion, learning, and supporting vulnerable communities

Desirable: Experience or understanding of Down’s syndrome and/or learning disabilities.

What We Offer

• Flexible working (minimum 3 days/week)
• Hybrid arrangements available
• Supportive and values-led culture
• Opportunity to make a meaningful, visible difference

Full-time | Permanent | Office-based with flexible options
Salary: Circa £30,000 depending on experience.

Join us at Kent Community Foundation and help make a real difference in your community.

We’re looking for a proactive, highly organised Executive & Operational Assistant to support our governance and keep our operations running smoothly. This is a varied and rewarding position where no two days are the same.

What you’ll do:

• Support governance by coordinating board and committee meetings, preparing papers, and taking accurate minutes.
• Provide high-trust executive support to our Chief Executive and Head of Finance & Governance.
• Manage finance administration: process donations, grant payments, and maintain bank accounts.
• Be the backbone of our office—managing supplies, welcoming visitors, and handling enquiries.
• Assist with HR tasks including recruitment and updating our HR system.

What we’re looking for:

• A proven and experienced administrator with strong organisational skills, integrity and attention to detail.
• Someone confident in working with numbers and familiar with finance systems.
• Someone who thrives in a busy environment and wants their work to have a positive impact.

Why join us?

• Be part of a team that supports local communities across Kent.
• Enjoy flexible working options and a collaborative, supportive environment.

Location: Our offices in Smeeth near Ashford (flexible arrangements available).
Closing date: 4th January 2026 | Interviews 14 January 2026

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the person specification 

If you need accessibility support or adjustments during the application process, please contact us at the same email address.

About Us

Unfold is a bold, community-rooted charity supporting children, young people and families to thrive on their own terms and shape the systems around them. We’ve been driving social justice locally for 35 years, powered by brilliant volunteers who mentor, champion and walk alongside the people we serve.

About the Role

We’re growing fast, and we’re looking for someone who can supercharge our volunteer experience. You’ll lead the full volunteer journey,  recruiting community-rooted mentors, designing inclusive training, strengthening partnerships with universities and employers, and making sure every volunteer feels valued, prepared and inspired.

About You

You’ll embed social justice, accountability and care at every step, ensuring our volunteers reflect the communities we support. If you’re a relationship-builder, a storyteller, a strategist and a champion of equity who knows how to turn passion into action, we’d love you on our team.

We’re eager to hear from applicants with lived experience of the challenges our service users face, including people from the global majority, women, people living with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Why Work with Us

• Holidays: 25 working days (along with additional Christmas closedown days)
• Pension: We offer a generous pension provision. New staff are automatically enrolled for a pension after three months, and after six months, we will match your contribution up to a maximum of 8%.
• Team working: We are a small but brilliant team: we're supportive, diverse, and we help each other out. There are always opportunities to get involved in different aspects of the organisation, or lead on new initiatives.
• Training opportunities: We want to ensure that our team is continuously learning and building expertise in their field. For this reason, we offer each team member two days per year dedicated to professional development and training opportunities.
• Wellbeing - How we feel matters: Staff have access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, and our staff Wellbeing Champions are leading on the design and delivery of our wellbeing strategy, including the review of our quarterly wellbeing survey. Staff have regular supervision sessions to encourage reflection and discussion on our work and wellbeing. Additionally, we’re excited to introduce three days a year dedicated to team-building activities. These days are an opportunity to build skills, foster connections, and recharge as a team!
• Flexible working: We're happy to consider flexible working arrangements in line with the requirements of the role.
• Working Environment: We work in a beautiful, accessible, eco-friendly co-working space with a number of other charities, with plants, a leafy roof terrace and free hot and cold drinks. With comfortable spaces to read quietly or talk in a group, our workspace is somewhere you'll want to be. 

AtaLoss is seeking an organised, proactive and mission-driven Executive Assistant for our Church Engagement department to support the continued growth of The Bereavement Journey® and our work equipping churches to become Bereavement Friendly. This full-time role provides essential administrative, digital, coordination, resourcing and delivery support, for webinars, events, resources, websites and church engagement activities, helping to expand our reach and impact across denominations in the UK.

Working closely with the Head of The Bereavement Journey® and Church Engagement, you will manage administrative processes, source and assess suitable Bereavement Friendly Church material and resources, update website content, support online programme delivery, coordinate communications, resource practitioners and monitor engagement data. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys varied work, can balance detail with initiative, communicates sensitively and effectively, and thrives in a purpose-driven Christian environment. As AtaLoss continues to grow nationally, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and strengthen bereavement support within churches and communities.

Martingale Postgraduate Foundation (Martingale) exists to fund and support the next generation of talented researchers. We believe that family income should not be a barrier to the pursuit of excellence, and our mission is to enable and nurture talented individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to thrive within world-leading postgraduate research.

Martingale’s flagship programme is the Martingale Postgraduate Scholarship, which supports students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue and excel in postgraduate degrees, by providing:

• A fully-funded Living Wage Scholarship to pursue a one-year Masters degree or a four-year PhD.
• All tuition fees and research expenses, including a tax-free stipend for living costs.
• Tailored support to apply for Martingale courses at our partner universities.
• Access to Martingale programmes, including leadership training and connections with top academic and industry professionals.
• Membership of a pioneering community of talented researchers.

In the three years since Martingale launched, we are now supporting over 100 Scholars to undertake postgraduate degrees across our ten partner universities and have committed over £7.7m in Scholarships. We are continuing to expand our offer, bringing on new partners each year.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and collaborative Head of Communications and External Engagement to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping Martingale’s external profile, strategic partnerships, and policy influence.

As Head of Communications and External Engagement, you will join our growing senior management team, overseeing several critical aspects of Martingale’s work: communications and recruitment; partnerships and fundraising; and policy and advocacy. Working closely with the CEO, you will oversee all aspect of Martingale’s external communications and engagement to ensure Martingale’s success.

You will set the strategic direction of Martingale’s external positioning, working closely with the CEO on a day-to-day basis to ensure that our communications, partnerships and policy activity is aligned and meeting Martingale’s mission. You will ensure that Martingale’s messaging is consistent, with a bold brand presence and strong collaboration with various external stakeholders including funders, universities, media, and government.

We are looking for a strong communicator with extensive leadership experience including line management, partnership management and external relations. You will bring excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail, a proactive mindset, and a strong alignment with Martingale’s mission. We welcome applicants from a range of career paths who are excited to be part of a growing, fast-paced charity delivering meaningful impact.

Martingale Foundation is incubated by Purposeful Ventures who provide operational and strategic support. The Head of Communications and External Engagement will be employed by Purposeful Ventures.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver a clear, bold strategy for communications, policy, and partnerships aligned with Martingale’s vision and growth.
• Lead the development of Martingale’s voice, ensuring consistency across all external channels and stakeholder interactions.
• Act as a senior leader within the organisation, contributing to overall strategic planning.

Communications & Brand

• Oversee all external communications, campaigns and media engagement, strengthening Martingale’s profile and influence.
• Manage content strategy, digital channels, storytelling and brand evolution.
• Ensure high-quality and accessible communications across print, digital, and in-person events.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain and grow relationships with Martingale’s university, philanthropic, and other partners.
• Collaborate with the CEO on fundraising engagement strategies and impact storytelling.
• Oversee ambassador engagement and support Martingale’s national and regional events.

Policy & Advocacy

• Lead Martingale’s policy and advocacy work to shape the future of postgraduate access and equity.
• Along with the CEO, represent Martingale in external forums, responding to consultations and influencing key stakeholders in research and education policy.
• Collaborate with researchers and partners to generate evidence and drive systems change.

Team Leadership & Management

• Line manage team leads across communications and partnerships, with oversight of a team of four.
• Support the professional development of the team, ensuring alignment with Martingale’s values and goals.
• Foster a collaborative, agile, and inclusive culture within and across teams.
• The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the role as requested by the line manager. 

Key Requirements:

Essential Criteria

• Right to work in the UK

Experience and skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences including senior stakeholders.
• Significant senior-level experience in communications, policy, or external relations within a mission-driven organisation.
• Proven experience line managing a multi-person team, including managing people who manage others.
• Strong track record of developing and delivering high-impact external engagement strategies.
• Excellent communication skills — strategic thinking combined with hands-on content expertise.
• Experience managing and cultivating high-value partnerships or donor relationships.
• Understanding of UK education, social mobility, or research funding landscapes.
• Proven experience in account management, managing multiple external stakeholder relationships and partnerships successfully.
• Advanced IT proficiency: Spreadsheet, Word Processing, CRM or Databases, Email, Web-based applications.

Desirable

• Experience working with or within higher education or research organisations.
• Familiarity with charity fundraising or philanthropic communications.
• Experience delivering communications in a startup or scale-up environment.
• Experience in working with governance boards and/or trustees.
• Experience delivering / overseeing ambitious recruitment campaigns.

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent interpersonal skills: able to build rapport and trusting relationships, able to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting.
• A commitment to Martingale’s mission to support postgraduate students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly growing and changing organisation with a degree of ambiguity – confident to create processes and ways forward where they might not yet exist.
• Creative and innovative: willing to think outside the box to maximise reach.
• Resourceful, able to act on initiative, hardworking, detail-oriented, and systematic.

Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after two years of service and to 30 days after three years of service. This entitlement is pro rata for part-time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work-life balance and personal commitments.
• As a Purposeful Ventures employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme, where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Access to Charlie Perks, offering discounts and rewards at over 30,000 brands and retailers.

Contract start date: 1 March 2026

At Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex we have an exciting opportunity for a creative and experienced learning and public engagement specialist to join our Senior Leadership Team to lead a newly structured department. Reporting to the Director of Wakehurst, this role will help to deliver our mission by leading formal and informal learning, participation and events, delivering inspiring and informative experiences and content and connecting people to nature through Wakehurst’s designed and wilder landscapes, conservation, and research programmes.

Our ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with a passion for connecting people to nature. You’ll bring a proven track record of creating inspiring visitor experiences and events that drive attendance and income, alongside confidence in leading multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating internally and externally. With strong strategic thinking and hands-on delivery skills, you’ll manage complex projects, budgets, and KPIs while championing accessibility, safeguarding, and EDI best practice.

Experience in fundraising, ticketing strategy, and audience engagement is essential and we’re looking for someone with excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills. A background in botanic science, conservation, or biodiversity is a bonus.

First interviews w/c 8 December. Second round interviews if required w/c 15 December.

This role is based at Wakehurst with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please find out more by clicking “Apply”.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.

CamRARE is celebrating a decade of progress and impact and is seeking a dynamic Managing Director to lead our next chapter of growth. 

As our Managing Director and founding member prepares for her planned retirement, Cambridge Rare Disease Network (CamRARE) is seeking a dynamic and visionary new leader to guide the charity into its next decade. You will drive strategic growth, strengthen partnerships, ensure long-term sustainability, and champion innovation, research, and community impact for people affected by rare and undiagnosed conditions. 

You will inspire and empower a passionate and talented team of staff, trustees, volunteers, families and partners, while building strong connections across our networks to expand our reach, visibility, and influence. As an energetic and forward-thinking leader, you will bring the drive and expertise to strengthen partnerships, grow income through innovative fundraising and strategic collaborations, and champion CamRARE as a trusted voice within the rare community and beyond.

Why choose a career at Cambridge Rare Disease Network?

#purpose – We’re on a mission to make life with a rare condition easier through community, collaboration and connections. Your role is to lead this mission to directly contribute to a better future for those living with rare conditions.

#growth – We’re a small, ambitious team where you’ll have opportunities to shape and grow with us. You will use your experience and knowledge to make a measurable impact.

#diversity and inclusion– We value the diversity and unique insights each person brings. We actively welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

About Cambridge Rare Disease Network

There are over 10,000 rare conditions that affect 400 million people globally. Receiving a diagnosis can take years. Most rare diseases have no treatment. Coordination of care is often poor.

We’re on a mission to make life easier for those affected—uniting individuals, families, patient groups, researchers, industry, clinicians and policymakers to accelerate solutions and improve lives. Through knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and creativity, we aim to make the journey smoother for people living with rare and undiagnosed conditions and their families.

• CamRARE connects patients, advocates, research experts, and leaders—catalysing action to drive solutions and create lasting change
• Connects knowledge with lived experience to transform the journey toward better diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals and their families
• Connects, educates, and supports the rare disease community - locally and globally - to improve outcomes and transform lives

Leading CamRARE

As Managing Director, you will provide strategic leadership for the charity, oversee governance and operations, develop and execute the strategy set by the Board of Trustees, and build key external partnerships. This role leads fundraising efforts and develops high-level external stakeholder relationships with Government bodies, including healthcare organisations/departments, Industry, patient and charity organisations, and Research Institutions involved in rare disease. This is a key role to build, strengthen and nurture the charity's connection with the rare disease community, empowering them and fostering an inclusive and supportive network.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals and their families living with rare conditions.
• Has proven experience of 10+ years in a senior leadership role with a track record of delivering impact.
• Has experience in strategic planning, organisational development, and leading change.
• Brings creativity, adaptability and a “can-do” attitude.
• Has experience in income generation and managing stakeholder relationships.Has strong team management skills with a focus on development and building an inclusive workplace culture.
• Has experience in financial management and resource allocation.
• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire.
• Has sound knowledge of issues affecting the voluntary sector
• Enjoys working independently, hands-on as part of a team and effectively with remote teams
• Experience in and enjoys networking and partnership building, can communicate effectively with a broad range of people
• Experienced in business delivery aligned to financial targets, core objectives and strategy implementation
• Has experience leading events and campaigns