About Planet Patrol
Our vision is a world where all beings can enjoy our waterways, free from pollution. We are a global community dedicated to placing people-powered environmental data at the heart of decision-making. Through our unique anywhere, anytime, anybody approach to citizen science, we gather critical evidence of water and litter pollution to drive solutions that protect both environmental and human health. Our data and citizen science methods have been featured in academic journals (Stanton, et al., 2022) and media investigations (Channel 4 and ITV), enhancing public and scientific knowledge of litter pollution.
About the role
As Director, you will oversee daily operations, including forecasting and budgeting for the entire organisation (currently c£300K per annum). As such, you will lead on developing a sustainable funding stream for our mission-driven work, ensuring we maintain a 6-month runway at all times. You will build and maintain strong external relationships to help grow and develop the organisation. The Director will provide leadership to a small, remote team (4 x PAYE) and create a happy, sustainable and productive work environment. Most importantly, the Director will ensure objectives are being met - both personal and organisational - to deliver impactful, positive change for our waterways in the UK, and abroad.
About you
The successful candidate will be a strong leader who excels at strategic thinking, with the natural ability to analyse situations and relationships to maximise impact and return on investment. They will have experience in line management, fundraising and financial management. We are seeking candidates who have experience in senior management in a non-profit setting, ideally within the environmental sector but not essential. Critically, you must thrive in a start-up environment and have a can-do attitude to problem solving. You’ll be one of only a handful of employees and a team of excellent freelancers, so being a team player is a must! This is a great opportunity to really shape the organisation and our impact, so if you like having agency and being innovative, Planet Patrol would be a great fit.
Your top qualities as a leader
- Ambitious
- Collaborative
- Agile
- Resilient
- Resourceful
Key Responsibilities
Funding Development + Stakeholder Relationships (40%):
- Significant responsibility for successful contractual negotiations and maintaining a healthy new funding pipeline. Secure six-to-seven figure funding opportunities to provide a sustainable revenue stream for 3+ years.
- Strategic understanding and experience of competitive and fast changing charitable financial landscape.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with funders and other voluntary sector organisations.
- Ensure we are suitably represented at appropriate meetings, events, conferences, management groups etc. and that issues that impact our work are raised appropriately.
Operational Leadership including Compliance + Budgetary Control (30%):
- Effective leadership driving business operations and strategic targets. Inspire teams to deliver high-quality programmes and foster a culture of creativity and innovation.
- Draw up and monitor budgets, with support from the Founder and Team Leaders, and ensure effective management and use of all resources. Ensure maximum operational efficiency and maintain a six-month runway at all times.
- Work collaboratively with the Founder and Team Leaders to build annual Business Plans and long term strategies for the organisation.
- Ensure compliance across product / project delivery, finance, human resources, IT, legal, health and safety, customer services and facilities management. Ensure that all data is collated and managed in line with data protection requirements.
- Maintain and develop effective human resource systems for the recruitment, management, support, training, and appraisal of staff and volunteers. Ensure systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the work.
Team + Performance Management (30%):
- Build high-performing, committed teams. This includes line managing, coaching, and supporting team members to create a positive, productive work environment.
- Oversee the team to deliver comprehensive planning and reporting.
- Set benchmarks, monitor performance, and develop a culture of continuous improvement.
- Proactively manage the performance of Team Leaders by carrying out inductions, regular accountability meetings, supervisions, and probation reviews, while also setting clear work and development objectives.
Person Specification
The role is for up to 30 hours a week over 4 days - for the right person we would consider fewer hours. If you think you could do the role but do not meet all of the specification points below, we would still like to hear from you.
Essential Experience and Ability
- Senior management experience working within a small charity or Community Interest Company (CIC).
- Track record of driving operational excellence, including organisational finances and resources.
- Experience of line management, team development and performance management.
- Experience of securing sustainable and diverse revenue streams; including multi-year, strategic deals worth six-and-seven figures.
- Proactive approach to risk management and maintaining compliance.
- Experience in a strategic role, including developing organisational strategy and/or developing and overseeing monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and managing stakeholder relationships.
- Ability to effectively prioritise, manage and oversee programmes of work across the organisation and lead through change.
- Ability to work under own initiative, delegate where appropriate, prioritise work and meet strict deadlines.
- Good general IT skills and appreciation of new platforms that can increase efficiency and effectiveness (Slack, Trello, Canva, Dext, Xero, HubSpot, SenseHR).
- Broad understanding of GDPR and other essential legislation and organisational policies, including use of AI.
- Passionate about the environment and the importance of citizen science.
- A commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Legal right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship.
What we offer
Planet Patrol values collaboration, innovation, and agility. That’s why we’re proud to be a 4-day week employer. We offer a flexible, remote working environment, paired with regular opportunities to connect as a team. We’re a vibrant, mission-driven non-profit that supports professional growth, alongside wellbeing. We offer a generous annual leave package, your birthdays off and encourage you to get out into nature whenever possible.
Application details
If you believe in the work we’re doing and think you could add something to it then we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV, LinkedIn profile and answers to the four questions listed on the application page. We are unable to process applications which are not complete.
Applications close midnight Sunday 23 November.
First stage interviews will be held virtually on Wednesday 26 November.
Second stage interviews will be held in person on Wednesday 3 December.
Non Charity Employer 
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change.
You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work.
What will you do?
This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion.
You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage.
You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.
This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events.
About you
You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery.
You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models.
Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset.
Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference.
Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.
About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)
At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.
Our benefits package includes:
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Flexible working
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Enhanced annual leave
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Homeworking allowance
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Occupational pension scheme
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Occupational sickness scheme
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Special paid leave provision
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Enhanced family leave
Download the Candidate Information Pack
Read our Applicant Privacy Notice
Child and adult at risk protection policy statement
The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
To apply
Please complete our online application form.
The closing date is 16th November 2025 at [23:30].
Interview Process
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First-round interviews: Monday 24th November (online)
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Meet the team task and fireside chat: Thursday 27th November
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Final interview (in person, London): Monday 1st December
Questions?
Contact us through our website.
Please note:
Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.
To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role. As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position.
As part of our safer recruitment process, all candidates invited to a final interview will also be required to complete a confidential self-disclosure form, which allows any relevant information to be discussed in line with our safeguarding policy.
We also reserve the right to cancel the final stage of interview on 1st December if candidate does not meet expectations at this stage.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.