Senior Organiser
Salary per annum: £66,909*
Contract type: Permanent, Full-time
RCN UK HQ (London), Birmingham or Cardiff Gate with hybrid working
Ref: RCN02695
This is a UK wide role ideally located in London, Birmingham or Cardiff but for the right candidate we’re happy to discuss one of the other 9 RCN Office locations. Please contact us if you would like to enquire about the other offices.
There is more to the RCN than you might think. We’re a trade union with a membership of over half a million nurses, midwives, nursing support workers and students. We support their practice, represent them, lobby on their behalf, and develop them. We exist to make a positive difference – to the working lives of our members and ultimately to standards in patient care. Our employees are drawn from many walks of life – we are nurses, marketers and communicators, administrators, IT professionals, policy and finance experts, lawyers… together we are so much more. We couldn’t do what we do without our people.
We're accredited with Investors in People Silver Standard. Our people are our greatest asset, and we want people who can contribute to our purpose in line with our values.
If you’re looking to find a workplace with strong values of fairness, social justice and the opportunity to make a real difference to thousands of nursing professionals, then the Senior Organiser role may be a good fit for you.
As the Senior Organiser you will take responsibility for leading on major organising drives/campaigns and to act in a leadership role with respect to the RCN organising programme and the RCN Activism Strategy. You will work with the Head of Organising and other key stakeholders on designing and implementing organising drives/campaigns in both recognised and greenfield workplaces, as well as manage a small team of UK-wide Organisers and work across multidisciplinary teams to deliver Activism Academy objectives.
This role is for the experienced Organiser and/or Campaigner who is familiar with strategically planning and delivering an organising drive. The successful candidate plays a key role in supporting the nursing profession to realise their power through a organisational wide upskilling of organising theory and practice. This is rare opportunity to shape an Organising Strategy in the early days of culture shift.
With at least five years of Organising experience, you will have first-hand knowledge of running a campaign from beginning to end. Your experience will demonstrate your ability to write a campaign plan, build a team, communicate clearly and deliver against objectives. Management experience is ideal but if your skillset and organising experience demonstrates your ability to manage a small team, then this role may be your next step forward.
In this role you will be designing and managing organising drives/campaigns under the direction of the Head of Organising. This means working with key RCN stakeholders to coordinate all aspects of the assigned organising drives/campaign including strategy, timeline, communication and other aspects needing to be considered.
We’re looking for someone who will lead by example and be out in workplaces, with a small team of organisers, working directly with members. Whether you’re a trade union organiser or community organiser, we’re looking for someone who understands strategy, who will work hard to raise the voice of nursing and who can support an internal cultural shift into the Organising Approach.
If you are unfamiliar with the “organising approach or organising model” this role is likely not to be a good fit.
What we offer you
We expect you to be dedicated to the principles of the organising approach, working alongside members developing the RCN Activism Strategy. And we expect you to be rewarded for it. We offer an impressive range of benefits, a broad range of learning development opportunities and an award-winning health and wellbeing programme. We offer annual leave up to 32 days plus bank holidays and three additional days for the Christmas break plus generous maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.
*We offer a competitive pay structure with annual pay progression until you reach the top of the salary scale. We normally offer new employees the first point of the salary range, although you may be able to negotiate a higher starting salary depending on your skills, experience and current salary.
We are a diverse organisation and understand everyone has different needs and many of our employees enjoy flexible working enabling them to deliver results whilst having a good work life balance.
Our selection process
Please click the ‘apply now’ button to submit a CV and answer the supporting questions online demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this role. You may not be shortlisted if you don’t. Please ensure your CV is in a simple format with minimal tables and sections. Any identifying information in your application will automatically be anonymised for shortlisting purposes.
We want your experience applying for a job with us to be the best it can be. We may hold our interviews and assessments in person or by video call. If you foresee any problems, please let us know.
Equal opportunities for everyone
Equity, diversity and inclusion are a priority for us and we aim to foster an inclusive environment so our people can bring their authentic selves to work. This is integral to our mission to enable you to support our members and ensure their voice is heard by all UK governments to get the best outcomes for them and their patients.
As a proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities.
Contact details
Four virtual informal group drop-in sessions will be made available for those who are considering applying and may have further questions. Please note that joining a drop-in session is not a pre-requisite to applying. These sessions are being made available as alternative for candidates who would have requested an individual informal chat. The sessions will take place after 23 June 2025 and will be led by the recruiting manager. If you wish to be booked on to one of the sessions please email Annemarie McNeely, please visit our website for the email address.
For more information about the recruitment and selection process, please visit our website.
Closing date: 11.59pm, 13 July 2025.
Selection dates:
Assessments (online): 24 and 25 July 2025.
Interview (in-person): 4 August 2025.
Registered Charity 
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Summary
Location : Requirement to attend our sites in Basildon, Harlow and Thurrock if required and to team meetings quarterly.
Type: Remote
Salary: £48,000.00 per annum
Hours : 37.5 hours per week
Term: Permanent
Main Responsibilities:
Leadership
1. As a member of the Operational Leadership Team and wider Senior Leadership Team, work collaboratively and take collective responsibility for the strategic management and leadership of the organisation.
2. Work closely with the CEO, Treasurer and Board of Trustees to facilitate good governance and risk management.
3. Manage, maintain and develop all financial systems and control; increasing their impact and quality, and implementing best practices in financial management.
4. To supervise finance assistants and ensure that they are adhering to financial code of practices.
Financial Management
1. Lead and manage all aspects of the financial cycle, including budgeting, forecasting, fixed asset management, reserves & designated fund management and financial reporting.
2. Work with HR & Payroll Officer to manage and retain oversight of the day to day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking and general ledger maintenance, including the reconciliation of petty cash, credit cards and all bank accounts on a monthly basis reviewing and approving payment runs and payroll.
3. Work with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to prepare the annual budgets and forecasts.
4. Lead and manage the provision of regular budget monitoring and reports to budget holders.
5. Assist with the budget preparation for funding bids. Manage, monitor and keep track of any grants, funding or commissioned income, working with relevant managers to provide relevant financial information for inclusion in monitoring reports.
6. Lead and manage the provision of quarterly financial reports to the Board and advise them on financial issues as appropriate
7. Provide insightful financial analysis and reporting to inform and support organisational management, development and decision[1]making, and funding applications across the organisation.
8. Work with the CEO to prepare medium term financial forecasts for the organisation to support strategic decision-making and delivery of strategic priorities.
9. Lead on the audit process and the preparation of year end accounts to trial balance including preparation of the audit file and the closing down of the accounts on our accounting management system to ensure that the organisation is compliant with legal requirements and good practice.
10. To work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and designated Trustees to advise, review and cost the annual pay award.
11. To provide back-up and holiday cover for the processing of monthly payroll.
12. To work with and support the HR & Payroll Officer in providing payroll information and reconciling payroll monthly.
Governance and compliance
1. Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and reporting requirements (e.g. Companies House, HMRC and the Charity Commission).
2. Attend Trustee Board meetings to report on financial matters, including the identification and management of financial risk, and provide any relevant reports.
3. To support the Trustees, SLT and line managers in managing our finances carefully and within our financial means, through provision of advice, guidance, support and training.
4. To be the main point of contact with external auditors.
5. To ensure that robust financial controls are in place, underpinned by appropriate financial policies and procedures and to ensure that they are adhered to and that the organisation is protected from fraud and error.
Closing date for applications : 21st July 2025
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.
About the role
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we play a unique and vital role in supporting children and young people with cancer. Guided by our strategy, The Time is Now, we are committed to delivering high-quality, impactful services that make a real difference. As a leading provider of psychosocial support and accommodation throughout treatment, end-of-life, and bereavement, we are proud to ensure our services remain relevant, responsive, and tailored to the needs of those we support.
We are looking for a dedicated professional to provide business support across the directorate, working closely with senior operational leaders to drive the implementation and development of our services. This role will be instrumental in supporting new service initiatives and collaborating with other directorates and external partners, such as the NHS and charity organisations, to help us achieve our strategic goals.
This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application an enhanced criminal record check will be completed.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.
- Providing business support across service development, planning, evaluations, and improvement projects
- Collaborating with other directorates and external partners to deliver joint initiatives aligned with strategic goals
- Supporting the implementation of new systems and processes to drive continuous improvement
- Designing and managing operational programmes, embedding learning from previous work
- Coordinating cross-functional teams, managing risks, and ensuring robust monitoring and reporting
- Building strong relationships with stakeholders and managing governance and service agreements with NHS trusts
What do I need?
Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.
The key experience, skills and attributes we’re looking for in this role are:
- Experience in service delivery and development within health or social care, with a strong track record of managing programmes that drive improvement and innovation
- Skilled at working collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams and with external partners to achieve shared goals
- Confident in preparing reports, managing corporate documentation, and using monitoring and evaluation to inform decision-making
- Strong understanding of project management, with the ability to identify risks and embed learning
- A commitment to anti-oppressive practice, equity, and amplifying the voices of children, young people, and families affected by cancer
- Passionate about Young Lives vs Cancer’s mission, values, and strategic priorities, with a proactive approach to safeguarding, inclusion, and continuous improvement
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Thinking and Growth days: four days a year to support your wellbeing through reflection, learning and development - in whatever way works for you
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
To arrange an informal chat, please contact Cassie Davis, Service Manager Operations & Development.
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Closing date: Thursday 24 July, 5pm
Interview date: Tuesday 29 July, via Teams
Interview note: We will let you know whether you’ve been shortlisted for interview on the afternoon of Friday 25 July. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited to book an interview slot. Once confirmed, we'll email you the interview questions in advance.
