Deputy head of service delivery jobs

St John's College is an award-winning, Ofsted-rated Good autism-specific college for autistic young people aged 16–25. We are now seeking an experienced and strategic Deputy Head of College to join our College Leadership Team (CLT).

About the Role

As Deputy Head of College, you will play a key role in the strategic and operational leadership of the College. Working closely with the Head of College, you will drive the quality of education, ensuring that all learners receive a high-quality, ambitious and personalised curriculum that prepares them for adulthood.

You will lead on the continuous improvement of teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring strong outcomes for learners, and will contribute to the development and delivery of the College's strategic vision. This is a highly influential role, supporting the alignment of education, health and care provision while ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the strategic leadership and continuous improvement of the College, contributing to long-term planning and vision
• Lead on the quality of education, ensuring a well-sequenced, ambitious curriculum aligned to learner needs and EHCP outcomes
• Drive high standards in teaching, learning and assessment through effective leadership and performance management
• Oversee curriculum planning, timetabling and delivery, ensuring consistency across provision, including off-site learning
• Lead on external accreditation and RARPA, ensuring robust assessment, tracking and reporting of learner progress
• Monitor learner outcomes and use data to inform decision-making, interventions and improvement planning
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders including families, local authorities and partner organisations
• Support safeguarding across the College, contributing to DSL responsibilities and a strong culture of safety and wellbeing
• Ensure effective operational management, including staffing structures, resource allocation and day-to-day systems
• Deputise for the Head of College as required

About You

We are looking for a confident and values-driven leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for autistic young people.

You will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status and a relevant degree (or equivalent)
• Experience of leading teaching, learning and curriculum development within a SEND or specialist setting
• Strong understanding of autism, SEND legislation, EHCPs and the SEND Code of Practice
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams to deliver high performance
• Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills
• A commitment to inclusive practice, equality and learner-centred approaches

You will be resilient, collaborative and driven to deliver continuous improvement, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational delivery.

Why Join St John's College?

• Be part of a values-driven, autism-specialist organisation with a strong reputation for quality and innovation
• Join a committed and supportive leadership team with a shared ambition for learner success
• Play a key role in shaping the future of education for autistic young people
• Access high-quality training and professional development opportunities

If you are an experienced leader with a passion for inclusive education and a commitment to excellence, we would love to hear from you. Only applications submitted online will be considered via the recruitment portal.

Informal visit to setting/main college site - Ongoing through June 2026

Candidates informed of application outcome - 01st July

Interviews - Tuesday 07th July 2026 

Start Date-  January 2027 or earlier 

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Documents

• Deputy Head - JD - St Johns - June 2026.pdf (0.57 MB)

Job Title: Head of Business Operations
Salary: £40,000 per annum (£32,000 per annum pro rata) + 10% company pension on successful completion of probation
Contract: Permanent
Base: The Brain Charity, Norton Street, Liverpool, L3 8LR
Hours: Part Time - 30 hours per week
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: 4

Summary of Role

The Head of Business Operations will play a key leadership role within The Brain Charity, leading and overseeing the effective and safe delivery of a range of business and operational activities. This includes responsibility for premises management, health and safety, data protection compliance, ICT systems, and operational services such as room hire and café provision.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior colleagues, the role will ensure that systems, processes and services run efficiently, meet regulatory requirements, and support the charity’s wider objectives. The postholder will also lead on continuous improvement, oversee operational performance, manage budgets and commercial activities, and develop sustainable income-generating services that support people living with neurological conditions.
 

Key Responsibilities

Management of Physical Assets

• Hold responsibility for the organisation’s assets register.
• Ensure that all buildings owned by the organisation and their fixtures and fittings are maintained to a high standard in a cost-effective way.

Health & Safety, Security & Business Continuity

• Provide leadership and assurance on the effectiveness of Health & Safety controls across the organisation.
• Ensure the safe, secure and continuous operation of the charity’s premises, including oversight of access arrangements, security controls, and incident response.
• Ensure Health & Safety and food safety policies are in place, effectively implemented, embedded into day-to-day operations, and consistently monitored to maintain full compliance across all operational activities.
• Ensure statutory checks, monitoring activities and remedial actions are completed, documented and reviewed in line with regulatory requirements.
• Maintain organisational readiness for incidents affecting premises safety, security, or continuity of service delivery, and act as the designated Deputy within the Business Continuity Plan, carrying out responsibilities in line with the defined scope and actions of the plan.
• Act as a designated security key holder and first point of contact for premises alarm activations and building security incidents, ensuring appropriate timely response and escalation.

Data Protection & GDPR

• Support and contribute to ensuring compliance with GDPR and data protection legislation across the organisation.
• Support the CEO and senior leadership team in meeting data protection responsibilities, including compliance reporting and engagement with the ICO and Subject Access Requests where required.

ICT, Digital & Systems Oversight

• Provide oversight of ICT infrastructure, Microsoft 365 accounts and CRM systems, ensuring they support operational and business objectives.
• Produce and present quarterly reports covering ICT performance, KPIs, system risks and improvement activity.
• Manage supplier relationships and contracts for IT support services, including due diligence, contract management and renewal.
• Support ICT and CRM development initiatives in line with organisational priorities.
• Ensure compliance with Cyber Essentials requirements and oversee the organisation’s cyber security posture.

Operational Management

• Take responsibility for improving the performance, productivity, efficiency, and profitability of the café, room hire services.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Team to support the promotion and advertising of business activities, including room hire and café services.
• Lead and manage facilities refurbishment and improvement projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
• Oversee contractor engagement ensuring compliance with Health & Safety and contractual requirements during works.
• Ensure appropriate insurance policies are in place, regularly reviewed and maintained in line with organisational risk exposure.
• Act as the operational lead for insurance-related matters, including renewals and claims support.
• Support the CEO and Trustee Board with financial matters relating to business activities as required.
• Monitor and analyse business data, producing reports and delivering presentations to senior management and the trustee board.

Financial Management

• Set and manage budgets for existing product and service delivery.
• Forecast sales targets and monitor progress against these.
• Support the CEO and Trustee Board with financial matters related to business activities as required.

People Management

• Take responsibility for being up to date with the charity’s current policies and procedures and ensure they are adhered to by all staff within your department.
• Monitor, performance manage and improve the efficiency of all direct reports.
• Support the professional development of all direct reports.
• Provide ongoing and regular formal supervision through the organisation’s supervision and appraisal framework.
• Motivate staff to achieve their KPIs through quality controls.
• Monitor, train and support all volunteers.
• Delegate tasks to achieve the overall aims of the organisation in line with own responsibilities.
• Contribute to The Brain Charity management rota when required. 

Other

• Take responsibility for being up to date with the charity’s current policies and procedures and to adhere to these.
• Actively support promotional and fundraising events for The Brain Charity, attending a minimum of 1 fundraising or client-focussed event over the course of a year.
• Assist and support volunteers within the team as and when required.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks which may be required by the charity from time to time.
• Regularly provide cover for all aspects of the department you belong to during any absence relating to your colleagues.

Head of Financial Operations
London | Hybrid Working
1 Year FTC

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance leader to join a highly respected higher education institution at a pivotal time in its development.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, this role will lead a large Financial Operations function, overseeing accounts payable, income and receivables, and finance systems teams. Managing a team of approximately 15 staff, you will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of efficient, customer-focused financial services, while driving continuous improvement across systems, processes and controls.

Working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, you will be responsible for the effective management of income collection, supplier payments, cashflow and working capital, alongside maintaining a robust internal control environment. You will also lead the ongoing development of financial systems and support the wider finance leadership team in delivering strategic change initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (CCAB) with significant experience leading financial operations within a complex organisation. You will have a strong background in transaction processing, financial controls, systems development and team leadership, alongside a proven track record of driving change and improving service delivery. Experience of ERP systems is essential, while exposure to the higher education sector would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative and forward-thinking finance professional looking to make a significant impact within a values-led organisation known for innovation, creativity and academic excellence.

To find out more, please get in touch with Rosemary Pini from Allen Lane for a confidential discussion.

Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an inspiring, values driven Chief Executive Officer to lead a trusted women’s charity into its next chapter, strengthening impact, income and community influence.

Salary: £55,000–£60,000 FTE (pro rata, DOE)
Location: Holloway, London (hybrid working)
Hours: 0.8 (some flexibility)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 26th June 2026
 

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to lead a well established, community rooted women’s organisation with over 40 years of history. As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and external representation, working closely with a committed Board of Trustees.

You will balance long term strategic thinking with hands on delivery, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, well governed and responsive to the women it supports.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering a clear organisational strategy aligned to the charity’s mission and values
• Leading, motivating and supporting a small, dedicated team
• Ensuring strong governance, safeguarding, compliance and operational systems
• Support high quality, person centred service delivery and impact through strategic oversight and delegation. 

• Leading income generation across trusts, foundations, corporates, earned income and individual giving also including pitching to major donors and relationship building with communities

• Managing budgets, financial planning and organisational resources
• Acting as an ambassador and advocate, building partnerships across local VCS and local authorities
• Raising the organisation’s profile, influence and reach locally and beyond

About you

You will be a confident, emotionally intelligent leader with senior level experience in the charity, community or related sectors. You are values led, collaborative and motivated by social justice, with the ability to inspire others and lead effectively through complexity.

You will bring:

• Proven experience of strategic leadership, organisational development and growth
• A strong track record of fundraising and financial management
• Experience of working effectively with a Board of Trustees
• Excellent communication, influencing and partnership building skills
• A genuine commitment to equality, inclusion and supporting marginalised communities
• The ability to thrive in a small organisation, balancing strategy with delivery

Experience in community services, welfare advice or working with women facing multiple disadvantage is welcomed but not essential.

About the organisation

The charity is a women only organisation based in North London with more than 40 years of history. It was established by women supporting one another through hardship and isolation and has since evolved to serve a diverse range of communities across London.

Today, the organisation supports women facing poverty, insecure immigration status, domestic abuse, ill health and social exclusion. It provides a safe, welcoming space where women are listened to, supported and empowered to improve their wellbeing and independence.

Please note: This is a women only role under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
DBS and right to work checks will apply.

Other roles you may have experience of could include:
Director, Managing Director, Executive Director, Charity Director, Head of Operations, Head of Services, Director of Communities, Director of Programmes, Deputy CEO, Strategic Lead

Director

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director to help lead a multi-award-winning charity into its next phase of growth and impact.

Position: Director
Salary: £52,500 - £57,500
Location: Hybrid – at least 4 days per week in the office (N7), with regular travel to prison sites
Hours: Full-time
Closing Date: 10th July 2026

About the Role

The charity supports people serving prison sentences through creative music and peer-led employment programmes. Working closely with the existing Director and Board of Trustees, you will help shape and deliver the organisation's strategic vision while ensuring the successful delivery of programmes across multiple prison sites.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading strategic planning and organisational growth
• Developing and delivering fundraising and income generation strategies
• Securing grants, contracts and partnership opportunities
• Overseeing financial planning, budgeting and reporting
• Managing contracts and relationships with prison and sector partners
• Leading and supporting a dispersed team
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation with funders and stakeholders

About You

You will be a strategic and hands-on leader with:

• Significant leadership experience within the charity, criminal justice or wider social impact sector.
• Experience as a senior leader, Director, CEO or member of a leadership team.
• A strong track record in fundraising, income generation and partnership development.
• Experience securing and managing contracts, organisational operations and financial oversight.
• Strong strategic, operational, and financial management skills.
• Experience leading and supporting dispersed teams in complex environments.
• A strong understanding of prisons, rehabilitation and the barriers faced by people within the criminal justice system or related sectors (homelessness, substance use, rehabilitation).
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with a practical, hands-on approach.
• A genuine commitment to social justice and belief in the transformative power of creativity, music and peer-led support.

About the Organisation

Established in 2014, the charity delivers creative music and peer-led employment programmes in prisons across London, Kent, the Midlands and the North East. The organisation works alongside people facing significant barriers, helping them develop skills, confidence and pathways into employment while creating meaningful opportunities for long-term change.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive, Operations Director, Executive Director, Director of Services, Head of Programmes, Director of Operations, Managing Director, Director of Partnerships, Charity Director. #INDNFP

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People. 

We are seeking an Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation to play a central role in shaping how Villiers Park delivers and develops its programmes at a pivotal point in the implementation of our 2025-30 strategy. This role represents an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our digital education offer and innovation work, ensuring it enhances both the reach and depth of our programmes for young people across the UK.

Villiers Park is a national social mobility charity with a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes that support young people from under-represented backgrounds to fulfil their potential. As we continue to grow, digital provision and innovation are increasingly important in enabling us to reach more students, and to do so in engaging and inclusive ways.

Digital learning and programme innovation will be critical to the next phase in our strategy, building on the foundations we have already established, including the development of our learning platform and programme model. Alongside this, Leadership Challenge continues to expand as a key national outreach and social action programme, and this role will be instrumental in ensuring its quality and impact.

Our work is possible because of a brilliant team of staff, trustees and volunteers and committed funders and partners who believe in what we do and want to make the greatest possible difference. The Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation will work closely with colleagues across programmes, partnerships, communications and fundraising, as well as external partners, to ensure our digital and programme offer is coherent, forward-thinking and aligned with our mission.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, helping to translate ambition into impact for the young people we serve.

Sarah Chick

Head of Programmes 

Job purpose

The Assistant Director - Digital and Innovation leads the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision. This includes the design and delivery of online learning experiences, the development of digital and physical resources for use across programmes, and ensuring that digital delivery is accessible, safeguarded and aligned with the organisation’s mission.

The role also provides strategic and operational leadership for Leadership Challenge, Villiers Park’s national student outreach and social action programme. This includes programme design, partner engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring the programme is effectively resourced and financially sustainable.

Working closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Communications and Fundraising teams, and external partners, the postholder supports the development of digital innovation, programme resourcing and Leadership Challenge activity to enhance reach, impact and quality. 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision, ensuring alignment with our Theory of Change, priorities and values
• Lead the design and evolution of high-quality digital learning experiences, content and pathways for students, schools, parents/carers and volunteers
• Oversee the adoption and integration of digital platforms and tools, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, GDPR compliance and scalability
• Drive innovation in digital delivery by monitoring sector trends and embedding relevant approaches to enhance reach and impact
• Ensure digital provision complements and strengthens face-to-face delivery across programmes, working closely with the Head of Programmes and Assistant Directors
• Provide strategic oversight of the use of AI within programmes, ensuring its application enhances learning experiences while maintaining safeguarding and ethical standards
• Provide strategic oversight of the development and ongoing review of physical resources, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment across programmes
• Ensure all resources are inclusive, engaging, curriculum-aligned and reflect organisational standards and brand expectations
• Maintain a coherent approach to resource development, ensuring materials support programme delivery and learning outcomes effectively
• Lead the strategic and operational development of the Leadership Challenge programme, ensuring it is high-quality, sustainable and aligned with organisational priorities
• In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and strengthen partnerships with charities, corporates and universities to support programme growth and delivery
• Oversee the development of an appropriate recognition or award framework for participants
• Establish and oversee robust quality assurance and evaluation processes for digital and physical content and delivery
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and risk management, and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees.
• Work collaboratively with Fundraising and Communications teams to support income generation, bid development and programme promotion

This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks relevant to the role and within their capability.

Skills and experience:

• Significant leadership experience in education, youth or social mobility sectors
• Knowledge of school and college curricula and the needs of learners aged 13–19
• Proven experience in designing and/or delivering digital learning
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, digital accessibility standards and inclusive design
• Experience developing high‑quality educational resources (digital and physical)
• Ability to lead programmes, manage projects and deliver to deadlines
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders to further organisational aims and fundraising objectives

Personal attributes:

• A genuine commitment to and care for social mobility and young people’s futures
• Organised and proactive, effectively, prioritising workload and delivering outcomes independently
• Strategic and forward-thinking, with an ability to see the bigger picture
• Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across different functions
• Willingness to learn and develop your own practice and experience

Additional Information:

• The postholder will be required to travel regularly to schools, events and partner organisations
• An enhanced DBS check will be required
• The postholder will hold responsibility to be one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
• The postholder will require a full UK driving licence
• Evening work and overnight stays may be required
• Hybrid – location local to our Cambridge office or near to one of our Regional Hubs

Employee Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated) and additional leave over Christmas.
• A dedicated wellbeing day for you to take at any time and three days (pro-rated) paid leave for volunteering or study each year.
• Training and professional development, including termly staff development days.
• Support from our wellbeing working group and access to an employee assistance programme.
• Opportunity to join working groups with other colleagues from across the organisation as well as wider networks such as the Fair Education Alliance.
• Flexibility in working hours.
• Additional sick pay and compassionate leave policies. 

Safeguarding

Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.

Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.

All employees and volunteers will also agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.