Community engagement officer jobs in windsor and maidenhead, berkshire

Are you a powerhouse in partnership-led fundraising or business development? We’re recruiting an enthusiastic leader to drive six‑figure, multi‑year deals across major donors, trusts, foundations, and corporates, with an ambitious goal to grow income from £1.6M to £4.5M by FY30, in line with our strategic roadmap.

Job Purpose

As Director of Partnerships, you will:

•  Lead on partnerships fundraising, including major donors, trusts & foundations, and corporates with a focus on securing six-figure multi-year agreements to significantly grow funds raised in this area from £1.6 million to £4.5 million by FY30, in line with Operation Smile UK’s multi-year strategy.
• Foster and facilitate collaboration across different departments within OSUK.
• Ensure business as usual is achieved in line with operational plans, while also exploring and implementing innovative initiatives and campaigns to ensure the future success of partnerships' fundraising.
• Represent OSUK at a leadership level, building relationships with industry peers and peers within the Operation Smile global team to ensure best practice across all areas.

Key Responsibilities

Philanthropy Leadership

• Leads strategy, planning and operation of the major gift, trusts & foundations and corporate giving channels.
• Develops annual business plans and budgets in collaboration with the Executive Director (ED) and Executive Team.  
• Strategically identifies and qualifies potential new donors to grow the prospect pipeline.
• Prepares development communications: solicitation and acknowledgement letters; case statements and proposals; stewardship reports; briefing notes; gift agreements.
• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits major gift commitments from high-net-worth individuals
• Monitors activity of the team, ensuring that benchmarks are achieved, including submission of solicitations, donor contacts and meetings, confirmations of donations, and other performance indicators as related to the team checking their portfolio.
• Provides the organisation with the interpretation of market trends and emerging issues that could impact the organisation’s partnerships fundraising stream.
• Ensures the effective collection of donor information and tracking of points of contact in accordance with best practices; provides and presents statistical analysis to senior leaders.
• Leads on data mining, prospect research, and ensuring the quality of data as it relates to the donors they work with.
• Develops and manages relationships within their own portfolio, personally conducting cultivation visits, solicitation calls and stewardship activities as required.
• Effectively manages fundraising resources and practices ethical fundraising.

HR Management

• Leads, mentors, and manages a team; regular meetings to provide direction, coaching and delegation to the partnerships team.

Financial Management

• Manages and implements approved business plans, ensuring that the annual revenue objectives and budget are met or exceeded, and oversight of the partnership’s departmental budgets.
• Provides leadership in the delivery of statistical analysis, projections, and detailed reports on partnerships fundraising goals and performance that may be used to contribute to the development of internal budgets.

Partnership Sustainability

• Develops donor relationships by researching, sourcing, cultivating, and stewarding existing and potential partners.
• Works to broaden sources of revenue, including working with corporate partners in various industries.
• Develops and implements a stewardship program aimed at cultivating deeper ties with donors and corporate partners.
• Contributes innovative ideas to the development of new strategic partnerships and alternative revenue streams.

Other

• Other duties as assigned by the ED.
• Meetings with OSI and partner countries.
• Board reports/board meetings as required.

Recruitment

We are actively interviewing for this role on a rolling basis as suitable applicants apply. If you're interested in this role, it is advisable to apply as soon as possible.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Location: Remote (based in England & Wales with occasional travel required for biannual team days in London, termly Support Coach Team meetings in various locations, and twice termly vists to facilitators in various locations). Due to location of regional hubs, we would encourage applications from the Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester areas.

Salary: £28,665 - £30,765 pro rata (£22,932 - £24,612 actual)

Hours of work: 4 days a week (28 hours)

Contract type: Permanent

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us​

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.

Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Support Coach role involves:

• Supporting volunteer facilitators by coaching them through the opportunities, challenges and obstacles of running a Kids Matter programme
• Training and upskilling facilitators by helping run events and develop new resources
• Working with the wider Kids Matter team to encourage and strengthen Kids Matter’s church partnerships

At Kids Matter, we are committed to delivering effective coaching. All Support Coaches are given the opportunity to go through the coaching accreditation process with ICF to become an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). Kids Matter provides the support and supervision for this to take place, and will cover the cost of the accreditation if the individual remains employed as a Support Coach for the two years following applying for accreditation. If the individual leaves before two years, a percentage of the accreditation cost will be required to pay back.

About you

Are you someone who enjoys coming alongside others, encouraging and challenging them as they learn and grow? Do you have a strong understanding of the disadvantages many families face in the UK? Can you sensitively and effectively communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision to see every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Support Coach position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is 4pm Monday 1st September 2025. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Coordinator).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

About This Job

This job is to work with the cadet media and communications team in creating and delivering digital marketing strategy to increase awareness of both the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and the Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA) mainly through digital platforms including our website and social platforms with the target of increased traffic, awareness, and recruitment. It is an exciting new role with lots of opportunity for personal and professional growth in a hard-working team.

Essential Skills

· A recognised qualification or proven success in digital marketing

· Hands on marketing / communications experience

· Minimum of 1 year experience in marketing

· Knowledge of digital marketing and communications practices

· Content creation abilities

· Use of social media to achieve marketing and communications objectives

· Awareness of graphic design principles and familiarity with Illustrator, Photoshop, or other imaging / graphic design software

Please refer to the attached Job Description for further information.

Our charity

ACCT UK is a national youth charity dedicated to improving the life chances of young people. The Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA) is a charity dedicated to the promotion of the ideals and activities of the Combined Cadet Force in schools. Together we want to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and be inspired through their cadet experience.

We want to develop the youth leadership and training abilities of adult volunteers whilst also helping young people to access cadet activities through fundraising, grant-making, developing new resources and direct support.

We strongly believe that everyone benefits when you help young people to develop their character and values through activities that stretch and mature them. We also know that when young people engage with others at a range of levels in their communities it builds confidence and improves empathy for other’s lives.

Who we are

You will enjoy being part of our small team who work very happily together. By joining ACCT UK you will help us to reach more young people and make a greater difference and we look forward to working with you. We actively promote and encourage you to explore ideas that improve all aspects of the charity’s work in pursuit of its charitable aims.

The charities are proud of our diverse teams, with people on different working patterns, from different backgrounds and at different life-stages. Our experience has taught us that having people with different perspectives and different lived experiences leads to better outcomes for our beneficiaries. If you are wondering if our organisation is for someone like you, the answer is yes! Please apply and explain how you, your experience, your talent and your potential are the right fit for this role.

What we can offer you

In addition to your salary, we offer all staff:

· Flexible working arrangements (you agree a working pattern with your line manager).

· The ability to work both from home and from our Aldershot office.

· Personal Accident Insurance, including loss of earnings cover and death benefit.

· 15 days of sick pay in any 12-month period (after 12 months employment - pro-rata for part time staff).

· A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 5% and we will contribute 10%).

· Good leave allowances (which are offered pro-rata for part time staff):

o 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

o Additional privilege leave, on set days each year, such as between Christmas and New Year.

o An additional five days of volunteering leave.

· Support for qualifications and personal development.

· Employee Assistance Programme.

· Season ticket loan.

· Railcard (if you are eligible)

· A caring and supportive team environment.

How to apply

Please send a covering letter that details how you meet the requirements of the job description along with a CV by 23:59 hrs on Sunday 10th August 2025.

Interviews will be held in person in Aldershot on the 20th and 21st August 2025.

Please note that as a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people, we require staff to make a declaration about any relevant convictions, undergo both a Disclosure and Barring Service check and a  Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check (one of the requirements being that applicants must have been resident in the UK for 3 years). In addition, we will follow up references.

About the MCC Foundation

The MCC Foundation (MCCF) is the charitable arm of Marylebone Cricket Club, (MCC), the most famous cricket club in the world and owner of Lord's Cricket Ground, the "Home of Cricket". We work in the UK and around the world to provide life-changing opportunities through cricket and to ensure that it can be a game for all. 

Role Overview

The Interim Director of Development (Maternity Cover) will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of all fundraising and development activities at the MCC Foundation during a period of parental leave. This role ensures continuity of fundraising operations, oversees a small team, and supports the Foundation's ongoing donor engagement and income generation priorities.

The successful candidate will step into a well-functioning development team and bring the ability to maintain momentum, lead a capable team, and sustain strong relationships with donors, partners, and internal stakeholders.

Ideal start date of mid to end of August. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and continuity for the Foundation’s fundraising team, supporting colleagues to maintain momentum and ensuring ongoing delivery of the development strategy.
• Oversee and guide the team’s work on major donor and high-value supporter relationships, ensuring effective cultivation and stewardship continue. Support the Director, Trustees, and Philanthropy Manager in their engagement with key donors.
• Provide strategic oversight of the donor stewardship programme, ensuring the team continues to prioritise thoughtful, relationship-led approaches at all levels of giving.
• Guide and support the team in managing a robust pipeline of prospects, ensuring clear solicitation plans and donor journeys are in place to meet agreed financial targets.
• Lead and oversee the Foundation’s Trusts and Foundations fundraising activity, providing guidance on prospecting, proposal development, and reporting, while supporting the team to deliver high-quality applications and steward existing relationships.
• Oversee and support the team’s planning and delivery of fundraising events, including donor cultivation and stewardship events, ensuring they are delivered to a high standard.
• Support and mentor the small development team, ensuring team members are empowered to maintain momentum and deliver key fundraising activities.
• Ensure the effective use of the CRM system (Salesforce), maintaining accurate records and ensuring seamless donor administration and stewardship processes.
• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with relevant standards, including the Code of Fundraising Practice, GDPR, and MCCF’s safeguarding and reputational management policies.
• Act as a committed advocate of the MCC Foundation’s mission and programmes, maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the Foundation’s work and impact.

Personal Specification

• Proven experience in senior fundraising roles, with a strong track record in major donor and trust fundraising.
• A deep understanding of different forms of fundraising and the opportunities that exist for organisations like MCC Foundation.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring and motivating small teams.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management abilities, with a donor-centric approach.
• Experience overseeing donor stewardship programmes and managing high-value fundraising pipelines.
• Competence in fundraising event oversight and delivery.
• Strong knowledge of CRM systems (preferably Salesforce) and data-driven fundraising.
• Excellent understanding of fundraising compliance, including GDPR and the Code of Fundraising Practice.

Safeguarding statement

The MCC Foundation is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and adults and providing safe and inclusive environments. The MCC Foundation follows detailed safer recruitment processes and as such, any roles involving regulated activity or any interaction with children and adults, are subjected to a DBS check (an enhanced check is required for those in regulated activity), as well as the collection of references. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our organisation.

Job description - Partnerships and Income Manager

Salary: £38,000 per annum 

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Commercial Services

Hours: Full or part-time hours considered, minimum 0.8 FTE 

Start date: November 2025

Location: Home-based (travel costs paid for meetings) 

Annual leave: 27 days FTE per annum plus Bank holidays (22 days FTE per annum under the Four Day Week) 

Please note that at Waterwise we work a Four Day Week, under voluntary agreements which all staff members sign. This means that you will be contracted and paid as full-time but you will sign a voluntary agreement stating that you commit to employing efficiency tools both individual and team-wide to deliver and be paid for 5 days work within four normal 9 to 5 days - the office is closed on Fridays. Training will be provided and you will be expected to continue to refresh your training and to keep up use of the efficiency tools. Annual leave is also pro rata’d. We can answer any questions you may have about this at the interview/s. On a 20 hours a week contract, you would be spending 16 hours a week at work including the equivalent of 2 one hour lunch breaks, and this can be worked in a flexible pattern, such as two full days or more, shorter days. 

Waterwise 

Waterwise is the leading independent voice in the UK for using water wisely, for the benefit of people and the planet. Our vision is that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone. We are the UK’s conscience on water efficiency, on behalf of people and the planet, and are experts in water efficiency policy, regulation, research, behaviour and campaigns. Waterwise is a people-led organisation which prioritises the wellbeing of its staff.

Water scarcity is an urgent issue right here, right now, right across the UK - consistent record-breaking high temperatures and low rainfall, and recurring drought, show how climate change and population growth are already putting our water resources under severe pressure, and this challenge is growing. Water efficiency has to be a big part of the solution, and we support and challenge governments, industry, customers and others to be innovative and ambitious on water efficiency. Our work includes campaigns, events, media, policy and regulatory influencing, research projects, stakeholder engagement and services such as Waterwise Training and the Waterwise  Checkmark. We are funded by supporters across and beyond the UK water sector. Our Waterwise Strategic Direction, published in August 2022, tells you a bit more about us. Our UK Water Efficinecy Strategy to 2030 tells you a bit more about our ambition.

At Waterwise we put staff wellbeing first, and our staff surveys show that our team knows, feels and appreciates this. Our values are:

People: We will prioritise staff wellbeing, be an inclusive, kind and positive team. 

Purpose: We will deliver independent and ambitious leadership to drive social and  political change on water efficiency 

Pioneer: We will be forward-thinking and visionary in our approach, being brave and  innovative in challenging the status quo 

Passion: We will campaign to protect water and the planet and work to keep our own  environmental impact as low as possible 

We are always looking for bright, committed people with a diverse set of skills and  experience to help achieve our vision that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by  everyone. We are a lively, happy, friendly team, and we can’t wait to read your application! 

At Waterwise, we’re committed to driving equity and preventing discrimination at work and in the work we do. Please see more on this below. 

We are also working to reduce Waterwise’s own carbon and environmental footprint. 

Partnerships and Income Manager Role Description

The Partnerships and Income Manager role involves engaging a range of stakeholders to help generate greater impact and income for Waterwise. The Partnerships and Income Manager will be responsible for researching and identifying potential new business opportunities; conducting outreach to new and existing stakeholders to encourage collaboration; building and maintaining relationships with Waterwise partners, sponsors and members; and assisting with developing winning proposals for funding, in order to deepen the impact we make with individuals, communities and businesses across the UK. The Partnerships and Income Manager will lead on delivery against income targets for our services and events. 

Key responsibilities in the role include: 

• Generating income for Waterwise by retaining existing partners, recruiting new partners, selling sponsorship opportunities, and increasing engagement and investment in Waterwise membership and services

• Researching and identifying new business development leads in line with Waterwise’s commercial strategy

• Building and maintaining an active pipeline of commercial and partnership opportunities to drive income 

• Conducting market and competitor research and engagement to ensure we have a clear understanding of customer needs and align our services to meet those needs

• Conducting lead generation and lead nurturing activities, including representing Waterwise at events and conferences, reaching out to potential new partners by email, phone or social media, and conducting introductory meetings with potential sponsors, members and partners

• Acting as account manager for Waterwise partners, (working alongside the Membership and Marketing Manager who manages member relationships), leading on administration such as ensuring Salesforce CRM is up-to-date, conducting Waterwise’s ethical screening process for potential partners, managing partnership agreements and payments

• Working with the Memberships and Marketing Manager to design and implement communications to demonstrate how partnering with Waterwise offers value for money and delivers against ESG commitments

• Working on grant funding proposals and project bids

• Working with the wider team to assist in the development of content for our newsletter, social media, blogs, trade media and press

• Assisting the team with organising events (e.g. Waterwise annual conference)

• Attending conferences, seminars and meetings to represent Waterwise

The above is not an exhaustive list of activities but hopefully gives you a sense of the role  and requirements. 

Partnerships and Income Manager Person Specification

We need someone who is proactive and a self-starter, with exemplary communication and relationship building skills.

• Target-driven and commercially-minded, with a proven track record of income generation through sales, sponsorship and grant funding

• Experience in business development, sales, commercial services or relationship management roles

• Experience in writing successful new business proposals, compelling pitches and funding bids

• Good interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and forge great relationships inside and outside of the organisation

• Ability to approach new leads with confidence, including making ‘cold’ introductions to new organisations 

• Excellent networking skills and confidence to ‘work the room’ at meetings and events

• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to plan and work proactively to meet deadlines

• Proactive and action-oriented approach to achieving income targets and KPIs

• Confident communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong negotiation skills

• Ability to positively promote Waterwise and its work

• Ability to work flexibly within a small team that works from home

• Ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks

• Ability to communicate across the team about your work and workload

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing 

• Eligibility to work in the UK

Benefits 

At Waterwise the wellbeing of our employees is our number one priority. To recognise the  fantastic work our team does in driving water efficiency, and to support their wellbeing, we  have a wide range of employee benefits, beyond statutory commitments. These include: 

• Positive, values-based environment and an inclusive culture where it feels safe for  employees to say ‘no’ on grounds of workload 

• Strong emphasis from CEO on wellbeing and workload management 

• Homeworking and a small allowance for occasional shared office working 

• Four Day week - being paid full-time but working 80% of this (or pro rata equivalent), in exchange for using tools to work efficiently - for full-time employees this equates to a day off every week, in addition to annual leave

• Flexible working

• Part-time working 

• 27 days annual leave per annum for full-time employees (or pro rata equivalent for part-time colleagues), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d to 22 days full-time equivalent as we work a Four Day Week)

• Death in service benefit at x2 of salary 

• Paid chartered and professional memberships 

• Individual and team training budgets 

• Maternity leave and maternity adoption leave beyond statutory 

• Childcare costs for activities undertaken outside normal working hours 

• Sickness pay beyond statutory 

Equity, diversity and inclusion 

At Waterwise, we’re committed to driving equity and preventing discrimination at work and in the work we do. We know that simply having a diverse workforce is not enough. We want to create an inclusive environment within Waterwise and in our work and events, where everyone can contribute their best and develop to their full potential. We celebrate and value how different everyone is, and we work hard to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. This aligns with our ‘People’ value that we will prioritise staff wellbeing, and will be an inclusive, kind and positive team.

We are committed to treating all current and prospective employees fairly and to ensuring  that our workplace and employment practices are free from discrimination, harassment or  victimisation on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil  partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We  strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply. Everyone in our team has a role to play in helping Waterwise become more diverse and inclusive, and we hope you will join us for this next stage in our journey - for this role we therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under-represented in Waterwise’s workforce. These include people of the global majority, LGBTQI+ people, and men.

We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for everyone.  If you are interested in applying for a role with us and think you may need some additional  support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch.

How to apply 

To apply for this role, you will need to answer role-related questions. Please provide evidence and examples from your work history or other aspects of your life to  answer the questions and demonstrate how you meet the criteria required. Please refer to the person specification when you are doing this.

Our goal is to remove bias from the hiring process and so rather than asking you for a CV and cover letter, we have set up role-related questions which will allow us to assess your approach to a problem and understand what knowledge and skills you have. Your answers will be anonymised, randomised and reviewed by the selection panel. We will use these scores to shortlist for interviews. We also think giving feedback is incredibly valuable for candidates, so at the end of the process, you'll see how well you performed during the application process.

The closing date for applications is 23:59pm on 31st August 2025. There will be a two-stage interview process. First interviews will be held on 17th September 2025 and second interviews will be held on 29th September 2025.  First interviews will be held online via Zoom and second interviews will be held in person in Birmingham (venue TBC).

Our vision is to empower women to love, follow and serve Jesus boldly in every age, stage and season of life.  The current outworking of this is two annual conferences – in both London and Birmingham to over 3000 women, a two-day women in leadership retreat and a biblical teaching series over podcast. Currently, we are seeing God move powerfully and we stand in a defining moment of our journey. We sense a clear call to deepen our impact and expand our reach. To step into this next chapter, we are thrilled to be adding a freelance Head of Fundraising to our small but dedicated team.

We’re seeking a visionary leader who can craft and execute a dynamic fundraising strategy to propel The Orchard to the next level. This role demands a unique blend of relational and strategic acumen—someone who grounds their decisions in data, draws from a wealth of experience, and thrives on unlocking potential. By harnessing a diverse range of fundraising approaches, the right person will help us raise £100,000 per year over the next three years, enabling us to fulfil God’s calling on the organisation.

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £17,314.27 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent 

Hours: 22.5 hours (days to be discussed)

Are you passionate about supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Refuge Worker to join our team, providing vital support in a safe and secure environment for those in crisis. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

As a Refuge Worker, you will be responsible for delivering practical and emotional support to residents, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they rebuild their lives. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, safety planning, supporting access to benefits and housing, liaising with external agencies, and maintaining accurate case records. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, resilient, and highly organised, with experience of working in a support or advocacy role, ideally within the domestic abuse or safeguarding sector.

This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact every day. In return, we offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for training and development, and the chance to be part of a cause that truly matters.

Closing Date: 09:00am 13 August 2025

Iterview Dates: 18 and 19 August 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.