Design jobs

L&W is growing our research team and looking for a Head of Research to lead innovative, impactful research and evaluation projects across our focus areas of employment and skills.

This role will expand our capacity to win and deliver evaluation and qualitative research, while strengthening our methodological capability. We’re open-minded about what that means—but we want people who can go beyond standard process evaluations and basic qualitative approaches. You might have experience mapping and evaluating complex system-level change, applying realist evaluation methods, or developing co-design and participatory research projects. You will have have applied these while working alongside the practitioners and policymakers who need these insights to make decisions.

You will join a team that is enthusiastic about learning and improving, and a peer group of experienced qualitative and quantitative research leaders who you will work alongside.

If you have research consultancy experience and want to join a purpose-driven organisation that delivers real impact locally and nationally, we’d love to hear from you. But you might come from a different professional background and still meet our criteria. 

Location: London or Leicester. Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office, with the option of working the remainder at home.

Team:Research and Development

Salary:£45,650-£59,080 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location

Duration:Permanent

Working hours:0.6 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (eg, condensed hours, flexible start and finish times

Main Purpose

The Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods is a new post for L&W – as we seek to deepen our capability and expand our capacity.

The post-holder will direct research projects across all of our areas of work, providing specific leadership and expertise in programme and system-level evaluations, and projects mobilising innovative or advanced qualitative methods (such as system mapping, co-design methods, ethnographic methods, creative methods and/or theory-based/realist evaluation).

They will work with the Head of Research: Employment and Better Work to develop the wider qualitative and evaluative skills of the wider research team.

They will also play a key role in leading and writing responding to tenders and working with colleagues to develop pro-active research proposals that fill key evidence gaps and respond to the interests of our funders. They will be a good relationship manager – who can understand what commissioners are interested in, and shape projects to deliver meaningful insights that solve the problems practitioners and policymakers face across employment and skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Line manage members of the R&D team
• Co-lead the qualitative methods group at L&W: supporting the wider research team to develop their skills. 

Income

• Write and contribute to reactive and proactive funding proposals across L&W’s areas of work, with a specific focus on process and theory-based evaluations, and proposals using advanced/innovative qualitative methods
• Build relationships with current and potential funders
• Identify and build relationships with research partners

Impact

• Ensure that all projects under their direction generate meaningful insights and recommendations that respond to the real-world concerns and challenges faced by practitioners and policymakers
• Communicate insights clearly and effectively to funders and other stakeholders

Delivery

• Act as Project Director for research and evaluation projects: liaising with funders; shaping research proposals and plans; supporting project managers; leading project meetings; ensuring project margins are delivered effectively; carrying out research directly where appropriate
• Work with External Affairs team to develop appropriate comms and influencing plans for projects under your direction
• Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team

Person Specification 

Expericence 

Experience of delivering and directing high-quality programmes evaluation and policy-relevant research: shaping research plans, working with funders and delivering meaningful insights -Essential 

Experience of responding to research and evaluation tenders and writing proposals. -Essential 

Experience of managing, supporting and developing researchers and research managers -Essential 

Experience of carrying out research and evaluation in the areas of employment and skills -Desirable

Skills

Advanced qualitative evaluation and research skills, eg. One or more of theory-based evaluation, ethnographic methods, creative/art-based methods, co-design methods, system-level evaluation -Essential 

Effective and efficient relationship management -Essential 

Clear and direct written communication style -Essential 

Knowledge

Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose -Essential 

Demonstrable knowledge in the areas of employment and skills policy and practice -Desirable

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including, famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to the 5 country offices worldwide we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable Development Programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role: 

The Head of Income Generation & Marketing is a key member of Muslim Aid’s Leadership Team, responsible for executing the organisation’s fundraising and marketing strategy and overseeing all marketing and communications activities across the organisation. The post holder will lead the delivery of income generation plans, providing strategic direction and hands-on operational support to their direct reports to maximise income across all sub-department income streams. They will be accountable for growing and sustaining revenue from a diverse portfolio of supporters across the UK, ensuring income targets are met or exceeded.

The role includes mentoring and leading Management, supporting them to implement effective fundraising activity, achieve ambitious income and renewal targets year on year, and deliver high-quality stewardship experiences for supporters.

About the Role:

1. Design and deliver MA’s cross organisational fundraising and marketing strategy with a focus on sustainable and reliable unrestricted income generation. This will include key activities, areas of required investment, KPIs and milestones as well as the projected growth of fundraising income
2. Increase and diversify existing and new revenue streams specifically digital, CSR and private philanthropy.
3. Drive delivery against income targets by setting clear, ambitious, and achievable operational targets for each income stream, ensuring teams are supported to meet objectives aligned with Muslim Aid’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
4. Provide effective marketing leadership for the organisation in collaboration with key stakeholders and drive forward transformational integrated marketing activities and campaigns.
5. Provide inspiring and motivating values-driven leadership to the team that enables them to deliver their goals and achieve their potential.
6. Build on the areas of High Net Worth and CSR in regards to income generated from corporate, major donor and trusts so that these areas become part of our sustainable fundraising foundation.

About You:

You must currently hold the right to work in the UK. Muslim Aid is not offering sponsorship for this role

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Experience across diverse fields of fundraising including individual, major and corporate funding and understanding of key fundraising markets.
2. Ability to develop and expand digital fundraising.
3. Ability to contribute to overall leadership and development of Organisation and bring MA’s fundraising, marketing communication and programme work closer together.
4. Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and promote the charity to various stakeholders.

Why you should apply:

Join Muslim Aid as our Head of Income Generation & Marketing and take a leading role in driving our fundraising and marketing strategy. As a key member of the Leadership Team, you’ll oversee income generation across multiple streams, lead high-performing teams and grow sustainable income from a diverse supporter base across the UK. If you’re passionate about strategic leadership, impactful fundraising and delivering meaningful supporter experiences that enable life-changing humanitarian work, apply now to make a real impact at scale.

Benefits you will enjoy working for us: 

• 25 days annual leave + 4 Privilege days
• Hybrid working
• Paid time off for medical appointments 
• 2 hours lunch break on Fridays 
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL) 
• Pension Scheme

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV and a portfolio of your work. 

What You will be doing

The role is responsible for managing social media channels, delivering impactful digital campaigns, coordinating external advertising across print and digital platforms, and producing high-quality marketing materials. By creating consistent, compelling communications and supporting the promotion of key initiatives, the postholder will help strengthen awareness, broaden reach, and support the charities’ aims.

Social Media (both charities)

• Plan, create, and schedule content across social media platforms for both charities.
• Ensure content aligns with campaigns, awareness events, and strategic priorities.
• Monitor performance, engage with audiences, and track analytics to inform growth.
• Work with colleagues across the charity to source stories, visuals, and updates for posts.

We are looking for ambitious and strategic Development Manager – Corporate and Philanthropy to lead the growth of our corporate fundraising, build high-value partnerships, and work with our network of senior supporters to unlock transformational opportunities.

With a strong foundation of mid-level corporate partners (typically £5k-£25k) and a skilled Senior Officer in place to manage and grow those relationships, you’ll be free to focus on securing new, higher-value partnerships and support.

The Role:

You’ll lead our corporate new business development identifying and approaching companies aligned with our mission, and converting them into long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

You’ll work closely with the Director of Fundraising to cultivate high-net worth individuals and senior volunteers who can introduce us to the right people and help get us in the room.

Working with colleagues across communications, marketing and services, you’ll create professional, pitch-ready presentations and proposals that inspire companies to partner with us – and then deliver those pitches at a senior level, with confidence and clarity.

Key responsibilities:

· Research, Identify and approach new corporate prospects, building a strong pipeline of potential six-figure partners

· Lead on creating bespoke, compelling pitch decks and proposals, working with the communications and Marketing Team to ensure quality and impact.

· Deliver high-level presentations and pitches to senior stakeholders across a range of industries.

· Work with the Director of Fundraising to identify and engage major donors and key contacts who can help unlock introductions and strategic support

· Manage Senior Officer who leads on existing mid-level corporate partnerships.

· Support the growth of the mid-level portfolio and ensure excellent stewardship and reporting for all corporate partners.

· Collaborate with marketing, communications, and service delivery teams to ensure partnerships are meaningful, on-brand, and mutually beneficial.

· Monitor income and pipeline progress, ensuring accurate forecasting and tracking.

What we’re looking for:

· A track record of securing new business or corporate partnerships, ideally in a fundraising CSR setting

· Confident writing and presenting skills, with experience creating professional pitch decks and delivering high-level presentations

· A strategic thinker who can spot opportunities, plan a compelling approach, and close the deal

· Experience collaborating across teams (e.g. Marketing design, service delivery) to shape proposals and deliver joint objectives

· A strong relationship-builder with the credibility to work with senior executives, philanthropists and decision-makers

· Organised, self-starting and passionate about helping families when they need it most

· Line management experience desirable, but not essential

We welcome applications from the commercial sector and those working in CSR, partnerships or business development roles

We will be reviewing applications ongoing so early applications are advised. We may close the advert earlier than advertised.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter(max 2 pages) explaining how your experience fits the role. More details can be found in the recruitment pack attached. 

Closing date: 6 February 2026

The Programme Director, Media and Communications leads on the design, development and implementation of communication strategies and plans to advance Humane World for Animals UK’s strategic priorities with regard to campaigns, brand-building and fundraising. The role creates, implements and measures the success of a comprehensive communications programme that will aim to significantly enhance the organisation’s image and position within the UK animal protection space.

If you are results-oriented, organised and creative and have strong proven experience as a media and communications professional then we would like to hear from you.

Key areas of responsibility

1. Develop and execute communications strategies for Humane World for Animals UK’s key campaigns and fundraising requirements.

2. Measure and track communications impact, reach and effectiveness, reporting against agreed targets.

3. Manage, maintain and grow productive relationships with a range of journalists with a goal of securing prominent national media coverage.

4. Oversee the organisation’s social media channels to promote campaigns, support fundraising and engage meaningfully with UK supporters and political stakeholders.

5. Serve as chief content reviewer to ensure communications materials adhere to policy, factual accuracy and visual brand guidelines.

6. Lead on designing reputational risk management mitigation strategies.

7. Implement UK specific brand strategies with the aim of increasing and measuring brand awareness in the UK market.

8. Lead on celebrity recruitment and stewardship.

9. Manage sourcing and contracting relationships with communications / PR agencies and databases to ensure consistently high-quality and value for money communications outputs.

10. Manage the communications and media budget, including regular reporting.

About you

Our successful candidate will be confident, creative and positive with a proven track in media and communications roles at a senior level. A proactive self-starter, you will have demonstrable experience of managing and developing strong, focused and ambitious teams, and a solution-focused approach to overcoming obstacles. You will have experience of building high quality media and communication strategies and plans and delivering these in a fast-paced environment. You will have ambition and drive for creating positive change for animal welfare; a willingness to constantly learn and develop the most impactful, cost-effective communications for our target audiences; and your work will be solidly underpinned by regular evaluation of progress and impact with a view to further improving strategies.

We are searching for an experienced media and communications professional to make a difference and be part of our successful and friendly team. If that’s you, please get in touch!

We believe everyone deserves healthy, sustainable and culturally appropriate food, where they live. We believe the way people access food should be rooted in health, dignity and choice. We believe the food system should be shaped and determined by everyone, and that every voice matters. We believe a thriving local, independent food economy is one that celebrates healthy food. We believe that good food is not a luxury. It’s a basic human right.

If this aligns with how you see the world, and you want to use your skills and experience to help us build towards it, you’ll feel at home here.

Why this role matters

 Alexandra Rose run practical place-based food system transformation projects based around a voucher for fresh fruit & veg. We currently have 9 projects across the UK, and we’re aiming to scale in the coming years. Each project operates the same model, but each project adapts to work with different communities, different languages, different community support infrastructure, different retail options, and more.

At the core, we work with local trusted community organisations who distribute our vouchers to local families on low incomes with young children, and in some areas to local adults on low incomes managing food related health conditions (diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, etc). Voucher distribution is linked to a range of wider wrap around services to ensure that our projects support people in getting out of poverty in real and long-lasting ways. Our vouchers area accepted exclusively by local, independent healthy food businesses, ensuring that we are also supporting a fairer, healthier local food economy.

Our model directly tackles the barriers of affordability and accessibility to the most nutrient dense and most expensive element of a healthy diet. We change the health outcomes of young children and adults living with food related health conditions. We actively change the food environment that is available to a range of people who have been disadvantaged for decades.

As we grow nationally and expand the reach of our projects across multiple regions, we need strong operational leadership to ensure we can deliver consistently, efficiently and with confidence. You will help shape the systems and structures that support our operations, building on the strong work of our existing project teams.

This role is central to developing an operational approach that is both standardised and adaptable, supporting diverse communities while ensuring high-quality delivery, compliance, data collection and organisational resilience. As a senior leader, you will be an active part of the organisation’s Senior Management Team, and play a vital role in guiding the organisation through change, whether driven by shifts in policy, political context, funding environment or community need.

 Key Responsibilities

 Operational Leadership & Systems Development

• Build on the strong work of our project teams to develop consistent, scalable systems and processes that support effective delivery across different communities.
• Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of robust operational systems: data management, compliance, monitoring, reporting, risk management and quality assurance.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (including data protection/GDPR), charity governance requirements and internal administrative standards.
• Work closely with external tech support and internal teams to maintain and improve our digital platforms and tools.

 Project Oversight & Delivery

• Provide leadership and coordination to regional project coordinators, ensuring high-quality delivery and alignment with organisational standards.
• Oversee the development of a simple, practical monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework to enable accurate tracking of reach, impact and performance across all projects.
• Support internal reporting to the CEO, SMT and Board, and external reporting to funders, partners and local authorities.

Financial & Resource Management

• Work with the Head of Finance to align operational budgets with organisational priorities, ensuring responsible resource allocation and cost-effective delivery.
• Contribute to financial forecasting and scenario planning from an operational perspective.

Organisational Resilience & Adaptability

• Contribute to organisational planning in response to external changes (policy shifts, political changes, funding conditions, inflationary pressures, etc.).
• Lead operational risk management and ensure continuity of delivery under changing circumstances.
• Promote a culture that values clarity, reliability, adaptability and dignity in service delivery.

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Line-manage project coordinators.
• Maintain strong relationships with local partners, community organisations and local authorities to support effective delivery.
• Support clear internal communication so that people understand processes, compliance expectations and their roles in operational delivery.

Person Specification

 We’re looking for someone who:

• Has significant relevant experience in operations management.
• Is highly organised, systems-focused and confident designing and continually reviewing and improving processes, tools and operational frameworks as the organisation grows.
• Is comfortable navigating and coordinating multiple projects, teams and stakeholders across different regions.
• Understands data protection, compliance and risk.
• Has strong digital literacy and can quickly learn new systems. The platforms and apps that underpin our work are central to Operations Team working.
• Has strong financial literacy and experience with budgets, forecasting and resource planning.
• Remains calm, pragmatic and solutions-focused during periods of change or uncertainty.
• Communicates clearly, constructively and collaboratively.
• Shares our belief in dignity, community, independence and the right to good food.

 Why join us?

• A senior leadership role with genuine influence in a mission-driven charity.
• The opportunity to shape and strengthen the systems that will support national growth.
• Work that contributes directly to fairer, healthier, more dignified food access across the UK.
• A culture that values flexibility, clear thinking, integrity and adaptability.

Use of AI in applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support aspects of their application, such as grammar, formatting, or drafting. We understand that using AI tools in this way can help you express your strengths more clearly. However, your final submission must be a genuine, accurate reflection of your own skills, experience, and understanding of the role. 

To support integrity and transparency in our recruitment process, we ask that you include a brief note explaining where and how AI tools were used in your application. Applications that appear overly generic, inconsistent with interview performance, or rely heavily on generative AI without clear attribution may raise concerns during the selection process.

 Additional information

We want our organisation to reflect the diversity of the communities we work in, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds.

Interview dates

• First stage interview - Thursday 19th Feb online via Teams
• Second stage interview - Thursday 26th Feb in person in a central London location TBC

Job Title:                                                   Head of Policy & Campaigns

Grade and Salary:                                     Team lead - £56,000 to £60,000 (depending on experience)

Reporting To:                                             Director

Number of direct reports:                           Three (currently)

Location:                                                    Brighton/Hybrid (At least two days per week in Brighton Office)

Contract:                                                  Full time, permanent (35 hours a week)

Travel Requirements:                                The post involves some UK travel and may include occasional travel to Europe.

Background

Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK) is the only charity in the UK focused solely on tackling the problems caused by pesticides and promoting safe and sustainable alternatives in agriculture, urban areas, homes and gardens. It is an independent, non-profit organisation, which works nationally and internationally to eliminate the use of the most hazardous pesticides, reduce dependence on pesticides overall, and to increase the adoption of sustainable alternatives to chemical pest control.

Our Head of Policy & Campaigns leads our work in the UK which aims to better protect both the environment and human health from pesticide harms. Through policy work, lobbying, research, media and strategic communications, we aim to influence a range of decision makers, from the UK government and devolved administrations to local councils and the country’s biggest supermarkets. The role also includes working alongside PAN UK’s Director to secure funding to cover the UK team’s salaries, overheads and activities. It is an incredibly varied role, involving everything from leading on strategy development for the UK team while also being intricately involved in writing and editing publications and executing other activities such as events and mobilising the public.

The Head of Policy & Campaigns is part of PAN UK’s Senior Management Team (along with our Director, Head of Finance and Governance and Head of International Programmes) which sets the direction of the organisation and ensures it is well-managed and delivering on our mission. 

Specific responsibilities

1.       Advocacy, policy and campaigning

• Lead the UK team in developing advocacy strategies, and fully utilising opportunities to make progress towards achieving PAN UK’s mission.

• Conduct high quality research and analysis aimed at influencing decision makers. Ensure it is presented in a way which is both technically accurate and compelling.

• Develop and/or maintain expertise in pesticide policy with the aim of being able to represent PAN UK credibly in a range of external fora.

• Build relationships with a wide range of decision makers including government ministers and civil servants, parliamentarians, devolved administrations, local councils and supermarkets.

• Ensure that the organisation’s policy positions on UK pesticide issues are clear, well thought out and will lead to positive change.

• Find creative ways to involve the UK public in PAN UK’s work, including enabling members of the public to contact decision makers directly.

2.       Communications

• Secure media coverage for PAN UK outputs, including writing press releases and liaising with journalists. Provide written quotes for media outlets and give interviews for radio and TV.

• Write materials including policy reports, political briefings and public-facing communications such as blogs and supporter emails. Edit and sign off all outputs from the UK team, ensuring they are both well-written and accurate.

• Conduct public speaking at a range of events, from high-profile events in parliament to community gatherings (and everything in between!).

• Work closely with PAN UK’s Communications Manager to provide content for the organisation’s website and social media channels. Support the Communications Manager in their broader work which includes raising PAN UK’s public profile and leading on individual giving.

3.       Fundraising and financial management

(Please note that PAN UK does not employ fundraisers).

• Raise sufficient funds to cover the UK team’s salaries, activity costs and contribution to organisational overheads.

• Contribute to efforts to raise core funds, which are led by PAN UK’s Director.

• Identify and build relationships with new funders, particularly trusts and foundations, with the aim of securing funding.

• Maintain excellent relationships with existing funders, making sure to meet reporting deadlines.

• Follow PAN UK protocols to ensure that the UK team’s finances are well-managed.

 4.     Leadership and strategy

• Manage a high-performing team, leading on strategy development and implementation and ensuring that the team runs effectively.

• Line manage the staff of the UK team, running regular 121s, annual appraisals and generally making sure they are happy and productive.

5.       Contributing to the organisation

• Contribute to the effective and smooth running of the organisation through membership of the Senior Management Team.

• Report to the PAN UK Board of Trustees as and when required.

• Other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Director and commensurate with the post.

Person specification

Essential

• At least eight years’ advocacy experience, including experience of designing, developing and implementing both policy work and public campaigns.

• Experience of developing, implementing and reviewing strategies designed to create change. 

• Excellent writing and editing skills and experience of producing both technical and public-facing materials. Exceptional attention to detail and a personal commitment to accuracy.

• An understanding of the political context, actors, and processes relating to key policy areas that intersect with pesticides such as food, farming, environment and/or health.

• Experience lobbying decision makers and knowledge of how the UK political system works.

• Demonstrable experience of preparing successful funding applications and building relationships with funders.

• Experience of managing, leading and motivating staff.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice.

• Proven ability to work on own initiative, meeting objectives and tight deadlines under pressure.

• The right to work in the UK.

 Desirable

• Knowledge of problems and solutions associated with pesticides and/or other chemicals. 

• Experience working in sectors related to pesticides including environment, health and/or social justice. 

• Relevant degree in a related discipline (science or social science).

• Experience of dealing with the media and acting as a spokesperson.

• Experience in managing project budgets.

• Knowledge of UK libel laws.

You’ll take pride in delivering excellent customer service while ensuring your team’s activity is prioritised and in line with organisational objectives. 

Alongside the Head of Marketing & Communications, you’ll play a key role in planning and prioritisation for the wider Comms team, using your detailed stakeholder understanding, audience insight and market research to inform team plans. You’ll also work to support the group and individual hospice brands, working with your team and the Head of Marketing & Communications to develop the brand strategy and ensure appropriate application of our visual identity, as well as delivering brand awareness activity as needed.

Essential criteria

With the support of the Campaigns & Brand team, to deliver and manage key marketing and communications projects, campaigns and activity from inception to completion, across all available channels.

Provide line management for the Account Executives, Marketing Manager and Design & Brand Manager.

Lead the Account Executives in supporting stakeholders from across the three hospices with their communications needs, ranging from campaign planning and execution to supporter communications, patient information and ad hoc requests.

Take, develop and interrogate marketing and communications briefs from colleagues across the hospices, supporting the Account Executives with delivery against these briefs, planning resources and identifying pinch points.

Devise, develop and maintain briefing and delivery processes to ensure the efficient and effective running of the team.

Meet regularly with key department managers, building strong relationships and developing schedules for projects and activity.

Support the Head of Marketing & Communications with the annual and ongoing planning cycle, to ensure a clear overview of activity across the wider team.

Lead on more complex projects or campaigns as needed, including activity that supports brand awareness and fosters recognition, understanding of what we do, and support in our communities.

With the support of the Marketing Manager, build and maintain our market research and audience insight that supports the Account Executives and wider Marketing & Communications team in their delivery of appropriate strategies and messaging.

About us

Southern Hospice Group is the largest group of hospices in Sussex and one of the largest in the UK. We are committed to providing exceptional and compassionate care to adults, children and their families across Sussex. Bringing our teams and resources together as one organisation means we can focus on new and exciting visions and plans for our people and patients and provide even greater opportunities for our workforce. 

St Barnabas House provides specialist palliative care to adults in the Worthing, Adur, Arun and Henfield areas through a range of services, including in-patient care and community living well services.

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire, providing specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. 

Martlets provides essential care to people affected by terminal illness in Brighton and Hove and surrounding areas. Our expert teams provide the very best care and support, helping patients and their loved ones to live life to the full during the precious time they have together.

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of our community. We also invite applications from suitably experienced people for all industry sectors who can demonstrate the skills, ability and enthusiasm to work with a people-centric organisation like ours.

We are seeking a Communications and Marketing Manager to shape how our work is seen, understood and engaged with across local government and public policy. This role will lead the day-to-day delivery of our communications and marketing activity at a moment of growing influence and impact for the organisation.

Working horizontally across New Local’s practice, membership, policy and events work, the postholder will help ensure our ideas, relationships and activity are brought together coherently and effectively for our audiences. You will play a central role in developing compelling stories from our research, practice and partnerships, including the work of member councils. To do this, an interest in and understanding of the changing relationship between citizens and the state at a local level will be an important asset. 

This is a hands-on role for an experienced communications professional who combines strong editorial and digital skills with a willingness to think strategically, sound judgement and creativity. Success will be measured not just by the quality of individual outputs, but by the extent to which New Local’s communications feel joined-up, collaborative and mutually reinforcing across teams, extending the reach, influence and impact of our work. 

Your job will include: 

• Leading and delivering New Local’s communications and marketing activity, aligning content, channels and campaigns with organisational priorities and positioning. 

• Planning and coordinating communications for key publications, events, campaigns and moments, managing an editorial calendar that brings together policy, practice, membership and external opportunities. 

• Overseeing New Local’s digital presence, including the website, newsletters and social media, ensuring content is timely, engaging and high quality. 

• Working horizontally across teams to align messaging and identify shared stories, shaping joined-up communications that support membership growth, events, partnerships and policy influence. 

• Creating and commissioning high-quality content and assets, including written content, design and digital materials, drawing out strong stories from members and partners. 

• Using media, insight and data to extend reach and impact, supporting press engagement, monitoring performance and continuously improving communications activity. 

And more… As part of a small, friendly organisation you’ll have the opportunity to participate in other activities and support the wider development and delivery of New Local’s vision and strategy. 

Please visit our website for the full job description and details on how to apply. 

Candidates will be contacted for interview by Monday 9 February 2026.

First round interviews will include a task and will take place online on 16 and 17 February 2026

Second round interviews will take place on Thursday 26 February and Monday 2 March 2026.

We’re looking for a Principal Officer – Engagement to lead the development and delivery of SYMCA’s Engagement Strategy, embedding a culture of creative, inclusive, high-quality engagement across the organisation. You’ll coordinate engagement activities, manage engagement leads, and ensure that all engagement work aligns with the Mayor’s priorities and SYMCA’s strategic objectives. This is a senior role with significant influence—helping to build trust, strengthen relationships, and improve outcomes for South Yorkshire.

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

Please note South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.  

About the role

In this role, you’ll champion best practice in engagement, ensuring that SYMCA’s approach is ethical, accessible, and impactful. You’ll design and deliver engagement activities and training, provide internal consultancy, and work with partners to maximise collective impact. Your work will help shape policy, improve organisational capability, and foster a culture of engagement excellence.
 

Key responsibilities include:

• Design and deliver a corporate engagement training programme to build internal capability and confidence.
• Design and deliver some engagement activities directly but chiefly provide consultancy and advice to the organisation on ethical and accessible engagement, ensuring compliance with best practice and legal standards.
• Collaborate with Bloomberg I-Team and Insights team to co-design innovative engagement and social research projects.
• Coordinate outreach and partnership working with key stakeholders including local authorities, MCAs, Government, VCSE, and universities.
• Convene and manage internal and external engagement networks to build organisational capacity and foster peer learning.
• Identify emerging trends and best practices in engagement, translating insights into strategic recommendations.

About you

We’re looking for an enthusiastic strategic leader with proven experience in designing and delivering engagement programmes. You’ll need excellent communication and project management skills, the ability to work across complex structures, and a passion for championing inclusive engagement. If you thrive on driving culture change and building strong relationships, this role is for you.

Essential:

• Experience delivering engagement projects in partnership with external organisations.
• Experience designing toolkits and delivering training to build engagement capability.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Experience managing high-level stakeholder relationships.
• Experience in ethical and inclusive engagement approaches and using digital tools to manage relationships.
• Experience presenting, organising events, and managing meetings.
• Interest in devolution and its potential to empower communities and restore trust.
• Demonstrable interest in behavioural insights, social research, and participatory engagement methods.

Benefits

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.
 

In addition to the above, some of benefits include -

Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
 

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in additional to your normal annual leave
 

Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts. 
 

Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
 

Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes. 
 

Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications
 

Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management. 
 

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority
 

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. 

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements. 

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview. 

Evaluation Manager (2 posts)

£46,000 per annum + benefits
Full-time, permanent 
Central London (hybrid working, minimum one day per week in the office​)

​Education Endowment Foundation

Our client, Education Endowment Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and education achievement. They do this by supporting schools, nurseries and colleges to improve teaching and learning for two-to 19-year-olds through better use of evidence.​

​Roles:
​
We’re looking for two Evaluation Managers to commission and oversee robust, cost-effective evaluations of promising projects, manage a portfolio of studies, and contribute to the development of methodological best practice at the heart of the EEF’s work.

As an Evaluation Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in commissioning and managing high-quality, cost-effective evaluations of EEF -funded projects. You’ll oversee a portfolio of studies from design to delivery, working closely with external evaluators and programme teams to ensure rigorous, practical evaluations and clear communication of findings. This is a chance to shape influential research, strengthen the evidence base on what works in education, and contribute to the EEF’s wider strategic work.

You’ll join one of two closely connected teams at the heart of the EEF’s evidence-generation work, offering distinct but complementary opportunities.

One role sits in the Evaluation Team, a large, expert team responsible for commissioning and managing EEF’s major independent evaluations, including large-scale randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental evaluations, and for supporting external research teams to deliver rigorous, high-quality studies across the portfolio.This will suit someone with a quantitative leaning with a strong understanding of trials and experimental design.

The second role sits in the Programme Development and Scale-up Team, a smaller, highly cross-functional team working at the earlier and later stages of the evidence pipeline. This team leads pilots, early-stage and scale-up evaluations, with a stronger focus on implementation and process evaluation, and on developing and testing innovative evaluation approaches to support effective scale-up.This will suit someone with a mixed methods background and a more qualitative skillset.

Both roles work closely together and across the organisation to ensure EEF’s evidence is rigorous, relevant, and has real impact in the system.

In these roles you will:

• Commission evaluations in our priority areas, including critically reviewing evaluation proposals to ensure proposed designs are high quality and cost-effective and that the most suitable external evaluators are matched with projects.​
• Manage a portfolio of evaluation projects once external evaluators are appointed and being the primary point of contact for evaluators.
• Liaise between the evaluator and the delivery team (that is delivering the intervention) and chairing meetings to ensure the evaluation project is set up effectively with a high-quality design (working closely with colleagues in EEF’s Programmes team).
• Work closely with the evaluator and delivery team to understand the practical issues involved in delivering evaluations, mitigating risks, and providing support when problems arise.
• Manage evaluation contracts and budgets, and monitoring delivery of evaluation plans.
• Conduct technical reviews of protocols, study plans, statistical analysis plans and evaluation reports.
• Work closely with other teams to ensure that published reports are of high quality and effectively communicate findings to an audience of practitioners, academics, policymakers and the general public.
• Draw on expertise from across EEF to shape and apply innovative evaluation approaches, working collaboratively to strengthen evaluation design, learning and the use of evidence.
• Develop, improve and monitor implementation of evaluation guidance and resources to clarify best practice and build the capacity of evaluators to conduct high quality research.

​Candidate:

You'll be able to demonstrate:

• A commitment to the aims of the EEF and a genuine interest in the education sector in England.
• An understanding of technical aspects of evaluation methodologies (implementation and process evaluations, randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, choice of outcome measurement, etc.) and an ability to identify high quality evaluation plans and reports.
• Experience in delivering or commissioning rigorous evaluation projects in education, health, or another related field
• Strong relationship management skills, including managing stakeholder performance and differences in opinion.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences including practitioners, academics, and policymakers.
• An organised and methodical approach, with excellent project management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• The ability to work independently with strong attention to detail and a commitment to fact checking own work, as well as the ability to work closely and collaboratively across teams.
• A proactive, flexible, and pragmatic approach to evaluation, with an ability to balance a commitment to rigour with accessibility and impact.
• A degree with substantial research methodological training, or equivalent research experience.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring these principles are upheld in all aspects of their work.

In addition, there are a few desirable skills for this role which could help you to stand out. Great if you already have them, but we don’t expect any candidate to have them all, and will provide training as required for the right candidate:

• Experience in delivering or commissioning quasi-experimental evaluations (for the role in the Evaluation team).
• Experience in delivering or commissioning qualitative, mixed-methods and theory-based research and implementation and process evaluations (for the role in the Programme Development and Scale Up team).
• Experience or familiarity with working on programmes as they develop and scale, and an understanding of how evaluation and evidence can inform decisions about programme design, adaptation and readiness for scale-up (for the role in the Programme Development and Scale Up Team).
• A PhD or Masters with training in quantitative methods and/or mixed methods.
• Experience conducting relevant statistical analysis and/or qualitative analysis.​​

Apply:

Please send (via the "Redirect to recruiter" button above) your CV together with a personal statement addressing the following:

• Why you want to work as an Evaluation Manager at the Education Endowment Foundation including how the role aligns with your interests and career aspirations. (250 words)
• What experience do you have of undertaking and/or supporting evaluations. This may include experience with randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs (particularly relevant for the Evaluation Team), and/or qualitative, mixed-methods or theory-based research and implementation and process evaluations, including how evaluation evidence has informed programme development, adaptation or scale-up (particularly relevant for the Programme Development and Scale-Up Team). (300 words)

If you have a preference for working in the Evaluation Team or the Programme Development and Scale-Up Team, please state it when applying.

Closing date: Monday 26 Jan (23.00)
First stage interviews: w/c 2 Feb 2026
Second stage interviews: w/c 9 Feb 2026

As specialist recruiters we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community.​

Head of Programmes / Programmes Director, Level Water

What we're building

Level Water exists to solve a problem that shouldn’t exist: too many disabled children are still missing out on high-quality swimming lessons.

We’ve built a delivery model that works. Families trust us. Pools want to work with us. Funders back us. We’re well-funded (80% unrestricted) and responding to growing demand.

Now we’re entering the next stage: scaling what works without losing quality, care, or joy. This role sits right at the heart of that mission - leading not just how our programmes are delivered, but how we define, measure, and grow our impact.

We’re Level Water - a founder-led charity solving unequal access to swimming for children with disabilities. We’re not a typical charity. We own our swim events and run them like a business, creating a sustainable income stream that directly funds our programmes. That model gives us the freedom to move fast, test ideas, and build something that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

Because we’re self-sustaining, we can make clear, confident decisions about our programme and impact direction. If you want to help tackle unequal access to sport - and shape how a modern charity designs, delivers, and measures programmes at scale - this is your chance.

The opportunity

This isn’t a “keep programmes running” role.

This is a build, lead, and scale a national delivery model role.

As Head of Programmes, you’ll own how Level Water’s programmes are designed, delivered, improved, and expanded. You’ll take a proven model, design for growth  and help turn it into something category-defining - working at pace, making smart decisions, and setting the standard for what inclusive swimming can look like across the UK.

You’ll work closely with the CEO and senior team, lead our brilliant programme function (a Training and Excellence Manager and Programmes Officer), and bring energy and momentum to a part of the organisation that sits right at the heart of our impact.

If you’re excited by growth, complexity, and building something that really matters, you’ll thrive here.

If you’re looking for a role where you can play it safe, this probably isn’t it.

What you’ll actually own

Programme design, quality & scale

• You’ll own how Level Water’s programmes are designed, delivered, and grown - now and into the future.

• Set the strategic direction for our lesson delivery model, ensuring it scales without losing quality, care, or joy.

• Lead and develop the Programmes team, setting clear priorities, standards, and ways of working.

• Ensure programmes are safe, inclusive, effective, and consistently high-quality as delivery expands.

• Build the systems and processes that make great delivery easier at scale, not harder.

Impact, learning & continuous improvement

• You’ll define how we understand, measure, and improve our impact - and use learning to drive better delivery.

• Ensure we gather meaningful insight from families, swimmers, teachers, and partners.

• Turn data and feedback into clear learning that actively shapes programme decisions.

• Lead Level Water’s approach to impact reporting for funders, partners, Trustees, and the Board, alongside the Senior Leadership Team.

• Set clear success measures and use them to guide prioritisation, iteration, and growth.

Strategic partnerships, funding & sector influence

• You’ll build the relationships and credibility that enable sustainable programme growth and wider change.

• Build and manage strategic partnerships with national pool operators and delivery partners.

• Secure and manage national agreements that unlock scale and improve access.

• Work closely with Fundraising to shape strong, realistic programme content for grants and funding proposals.

• Own the programme side of grant-funded delivery, ensuring work is well planned, delivered to a high standard, and reported with clarity and confidence.

• Represent Level Water externally as a credible, influential voice in inclusive swimming, helping to shift culture and practice across the sector.

Who we’re looking for

We care far more about how you work than where you’ve worked or what sector you come from. You don’t need a background in swimming. You don’t need charity experience. What matters is how you think, how you lead, and the energy you bring.

People who thrive here have:

• Ambition for growth. You’re excited by the moment where something good needs to scale - and you want to help shape what comes next, not just maintain what already exists.

• Ownership and momentum. You take responsibility, spot opportunities, and move things forward. You don’t wait for perfect information or permission before acting.

• The ability to hold strategy and delivery together. You can zoom out to set direction and zoom in to make sure things actually work - and you know when each is needed.

• Confidence leading through change. You’ve helped programmes or services evolve through growth, complexity, or transformation, and you’re comfortable making decisions in imperfect conditions.

• Strong relational leadership. You build trust quickly, bring people with you, and create credibility with partners, teams, and senior stakeholders.

• A solutions-first mindset. When things get complicated (and they will), you stay calm, pragmatic, and focused on what will move things forward.

Bonus points if:

• You’ve worked in a scale-up, start-up, or fast-growing organisation.

• You’ve built or reshaped delivery models, partnerships, or systems as things grew.

• You’re motivated by impact and inclusion, and want your work to genuinely change lives.

If this sounds like you - and you’re excited by the challenge of building something ambitious with real-world impact - we’d love to hear from you.

Why Level Water?

Our values - Bold, Driven, Personal, and Joyful - shape how this role shows up in practice. You’ll be expected to bring ambition, move with purpose, care deeply about people, and help build programmes that feel genuinely joyful to be part of.

Bold.
This isn’t a “run what already exists” role. You’ll challenge assumptions, set direction, and help shape the future of inclusive swimming. We want your judgement, your ideas, and your confidence to make clear calls.

Driven.
We’re growing fast, and programmes sit at the centre of that growth. If you’re ambitious about scale, impact, and building something that lasts, there's a real opportunity here to lead what comes next.

Personal.
We’re founder-led and people-first. You’ll work closely with families, partners, and colleagues, balancing high standards with empathy, clarity, and care.

Joyful.
Swimming should be positive, empowering, and fun - especially for children who’ve too often been excluded. You’ll help ensure our programmes don’t just deliver outcomes, but create experiences that build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of the water.

Practical details:

• Flexible working: remote, hybrid, or (even better) office-based in Tunbridge Wells, your choice.

• You'll attend weekend events throughout the summer.

• Some travel required to pools, partners, and events (including occasional weekends)

• Salary: Head of: £46k-57k (depending on experience)

How to apply

We want to hear from you in whatever way best shows us who you are and how you think.

Get creative. We really want to get a feel for your personality and style. A traditional CV and cover letter? Great. A video introduction? Awesome. Whatever format helps you shine and show us who you are. 

Here's what we'd love to know:

1. What’s the boldest change you’ve delivered that improved outcomes for the people your programme existed to serve - and what did you personally do to make it happen?

Before you apply:

If you've got questions about the role, the team, or whether this might be right for you, please reach out. I'm Lucy Powell, Operations Director at Level Water, and I'd genuinely love to chat. 

Deadline: 

We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will close this advert once we've found the right person. So if this excites you, don't wait, but do take the time to show us who you really are. 

We'd rather see your best work than a rushed application. If you need a bit of time to put that together, talk to us.

We're excited to meet you. Let's build something brilliant together.

Have you got a flair for design and the ability to create engaging content for various digital channels?

We are looking for an experienced digital communications professional to join Cherry Trees at an exciting time in the charity’s development, helping to grow its reach and outstanding reputation in supporting children and young people with complex disabilities.

This is a busy and varied role, working closely with the Communications & Marketing Manager and the Head of Fundraising and Communications to raise awareness, increase visibility, and support fundraising.

You will play a key part in delivering Cherry Trees’ digital content and developing our social media presence, finding innovative ways to expand our reach through engaging, audience-specific content. Responsibilities include supporting website content development, managing social media accounts, growing our following, and assisting with regular e-communications to external and internal audiences. You’ll liaise with children and families supported by the charity, as well as supporters, colleagues, volunteers, and trustees, to create impactful content.

In summary, this role connects Cherry Trees to the community—conveying the importance of our work, promoting our outstanding care, demonstrating its impact, and motivating people to support us through donations, fundraising, and volunteering.

Yada is a small charity working to prevent and remove the stigma around the sexual exploitation of women and girls. Based in West Sussex our services include specialist 1-1 tailored support to self-identifying women involved in the sex industry, as well as partnership working to deliver preventative workshops to women who may be at risk of sexual exploitation.

Our training offer to professionals who support women who are being sexually exploited has also grown over the last few years. In 2025 over 200 professionals received our training. We are at an exciting time in the development of the charity as we look to expand our services, including reviewing our established training offer and exploring new options. 

The role

The Training and Resourcing Lead will have a key role to play in shaping and strengthening Yada, building on our previous success, and ensuring the charity’s sustainability as a respected specialist in the area of sexual exploitation locally and nationally. The role will have responsibility for leading on the review, design, development and delivery of our training offer to external partners and professionals, including networking and proactive local partnership building, to ensure all professionals who support women who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation receive training support. The role will also have responsibility to research, design and deliver a package of short internal training sessions for the development and upskilling of our outreach staff to ensure they remain trauma informed and current as specialists in supporting women in the sex industry. There is an expectation that the post holder will become Yada’s specialist in the sexual exploitation of women who are at risk, and be able to share this knowledge.

About you

We are seeking a self-motivated and organised female who has experience at collabarative working and relationship building, with previous experience in presenting or training.  She should have the ability to take on a specialist area and share this with others in a professional manner in person or online, promoting positive learning. Ideally this person would have previous experience or knowledge of working with vulnerable people, demonstrate an understanding to responses to trauma and PTSD, or show a commitment and passion for marginalised communities and be willing to learn. Knowledge of violence against women and girls would be an advantage.​