Director Jobs in Croydon, Greater London

Location: Hybrid home working and Office based (currently Hammersmith, likely move to Farringdon autumn 2024)

Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of financial insecurity. We work with people who have current or recent experience of financial hardship and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating poverty, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

Our vision is that everyone in the UK has financial security so they can thrive.

Our purpose is to offer support to those of us facing financial shocks and together challenge the systems and perceptions that cause financial insecurity.

This role involves supervising risk management, overseeing the charity’s approach to contracts, and leading a small team dedicated to enhancing business support throughout the charity. If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to contribute to our purpose, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of a team dedicated to creating positive change.

About You

As our Group Head of Governance, you'll step into a dynamic role within our CEO Office, shaping the future of our organisation. You'll be instrumental in steering Turn2us and Elizabeth Finn Homes towards excellence in governance. Your expertise will ensure that we not only meet but exceed legal and regulatory standards, setting a gold standard in corporate governance. From board secretariat excellence to robust risk management, you'll lead the charge, guiding our organisation to new heights of efficiency and accountability.

With your exceptional communication skills and strategic mindset, you'll elevate our governance practices. Your commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging will infuse every aspect of your work, fostering a culture of inclusion and dignity.

From managing board secretariat matters to driving continuous improvement in governance practices. You'll lead by example, inspiring our team to embrace operational excellence and embody our values. Together, we'll ensure that safeguarding is not just a policy but a guiding principle in everything we do.

If you're passionate about social justice and ready to take your career to new heights, we want to hear from you. Join us at Turn2us, where every day brings new opportunities to create a brighter, more equitable future. Apply now and be part of a movement that's changing lives, one step at a time.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are contractually required to work from the office a minimum of four days a month. Some roles, including the Group Head of Governance are required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting.

Please note that all job offers are subject to two to three satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Closing date: 11.59pm, 4th June 2024

Interview date: TBC

Estates management Management of the operations information systems. E.g. Inventory, Health and Safety logging Ensure that we receive competitive quotes for all works carried out on our sites in compliance with our financial regulations Ensure that all contractors are communicated with in a timely and professional manner on all works to be carried out Project management. Prepare business cases and feasibility studies; tender, award and manage projects Manage all compliance maintenance and work closely with the site team to ensure these are completed Scheduling of maintenance across all sites, maintaining a 3 – 5 year maintenance cycle that informs budget setting Work with Heads of Service to source and prepare appropriate buildings/spaces in order to expand services Manage and maintain an Asset Register for BeyondAutism On request, provide data for SMT, governors, trustees and Heads of Services Liaise with services’ administrative staff to ensure required data is captured and scheduling of site works are smooth Manage the schools’ personnel check -n (inventory) and access control systems Management of the cleaning and consumable supply contracts Health and safety management Ensure that the site team and the Senior Management Team are supported in ensuring our sites comply with Health and Safety legislation Support the Director of Finance with the organisation and completion of Health and Safety Audits Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety, relating to fire, water, and asbestos Chair organisational Health and Safety and maintenance meetings and attend site specific meetings Reporting and recording Ensure that all site documentation is held in a central file. Including checking and holding site-based certification, arranging annual reviews, arranging testing and monitoring at each site in particular related to Health and Safety legislation to include, though not limited to, electrical testing, gas testing, legionella testing, fire assessment Ensure that accurate registers are kept of asbestos, and hazardous substances across all sites Ensure minutes are taken at any operational meeting in particular, estates and Health and Safety meetings Provide monthly reports to SMT Attend monthly Services SMT, providing reports as required by the COO Management responsibilities To manage and provide strategic leadership to the Site and Cleaning teams To provide monthly supervision and ensure structures are in place for effective appraisal, personal development and performance management of the Site and Cleaning Teams To take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, pupils, students, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to safeguarding, health, safety and risk To manage the Maintenance and facilities budget in conjunction with SMT and the annual service development plans Adhere to the Premises Policy, working with SMT to ensure that new premises acquisition is managed appropriately, and disposal is managed in a timely and effective manner General Adhere to BeyondAutism’s Safeguarding Policies Work within the organisational Diversity Policy to promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff, both current and prospective Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with students, parents and colleagues Adhere to policies as set out in the staff handbook Comply with the Data Protection Act/GDPR Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time Navigate our Carbon Neutral ambitions by formulating and driving the charity sustainability targets This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, as reasonably directed by the COO. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing organisational requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder. The post holder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post.

RAFT Research Programme Consortium Chief Executive Officer (0.6FTE)

Department of Disease Control

Salary: £51,299 to £58,723 per annum, pro rata.

Contract: Part Time, 3 days per week, Fixed Term until 30th April 2026

Job Reference: ITD-DCD-2024-06

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

The LSHTM is searching for a CEO to help in the management of the ‘Resilience Against Future Threats’ (RAFT) Research Programme Consortium (RPC). RAFT is funded by FCDO, and its mission is research that will be of practical benefit to national programmes for the control of vector-borne diseases especially malaria. The Consortium partners are the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Centre for Research into Infectious Disease Cameroon, the Institut Pierre Richet in Côte d'Ivoire, the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in Tanzania, the Faculty of Tropical Medicine of Mahidol University in Thailand, and the Malaria Consortium. One strand of our work concerns the arms race against insecticide resistance in African malaria vector mosquitoes, and in particular the process of choosing the most cost-effective insecticidal interventions in the face of complex geographic variation in resistance and a limited amount of epidemiological trial evidence. The other strand is addressing the more strategic and longer-term threats facing vector control, including the rise of Aedes-borne viruses in Africa, and the effects of anthropogenic changes in the environments in which we live.

We are looking for a CEO who will join the leadership team based in the LSHTM. This is a senior role with operational responsibility across all of RAFTs activities, including its research, its governance structures and workings as a partnership, its relationship with FCDO and the intended users of the knowledge outputs. You will work closely with RAFT’s two Principal Investigators/Research Directors and provide support to all other Principal Investigators/Directors from partners in the Consortium. The CEO will manage the relationship with the donor (UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO) and be the primary point of contact. You will provide strategic Management of RPC governance structures; and actively participate in RPC management meetings with Management Group and running of the Consortium Advisory Group (CAG). You will work closely with the Programme Manager to ensure best practice in budget management, financial probity, forecasting expenditure, and financial reporting to donors, Management Group and CAG.

The CEO will oversee and report on detailed progress against the agreed workplans and logframe, including on risks to programme success and make changes and recommendations as required. You will lead on Lead on active engagement with RAFT’s primary external stakeholders (i.e. the main intended users of its knowledge outputs), including National Malaria Control Programmes (NMCPs) in countries with high burden of mosquito-borne disease, World Health Organisation (WHO), UK Government FCDO etc, so as to understand their research and technical priorities and to coordinate RAFT’s role and contribution. Finally, the CEO will also oversee the development and implementation of the RAFT Communications Strategy and together with the Research Uptake Manager, oversee all RPC communications, data management procedures and engagement of users and policymakers with the research outputs, representing the RPC in public debate and other media.

Candidates must have a higher education to degree level, or equivalent, or substantial relevant experience, experience of managing and reporting on programme grants from funders such as FCDO, EU etc, significant proven experience of financial planning and management including creating and monitoring budgets

The post is part-time 3 days per week, 0.6 FTE and fixed-term until 30 April 2026. The post is funded by the UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is available immediately.

The salary will be on the Professional Services salary scale, Grade 7 in the range £51,299 - £58,723 (SP 38-43) per annum pro rata (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is hybrid in the UK at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, or alternatively in an appropriate location in Africa.

Applications should be made on-line via our jobs website. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed the email displayed on our website job posting. Please quote reference ITD-DCD-2024-06.

The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be considered acceptable.

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.

Closing Date: Wednesday 5th June 2024

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.

Are you a strategic, passionate, and experienced leader with a big heart for the older generations? If so, you could be the person we are looking for to lead Embracing Age.

Introduction

We live in a world that is ageing, and with that come opportunities and challenges.  At Embracing Age we want to harness those opportunities and respond to the challenges. We’re motivated by the heart of God towards the older generations, particularly those no longer able to live independently, and needing to draw on care and support. 

If you’re motivated by a similar heart and that message resonates, then perhaps you are the person to take Embracing Age forward in this next season. It’s an exciting time, we’re a growing charity with an amazing staff team and trustee board.
 

About Us

Embracing Age is a Christian charity working towards a world where older people are valued, connected and full of hope. We do this by befriending care home residents, supporting informal carers and equipping churches in their work amongst older people. Care home residents are twice as likely to feel severely lonely than older people living at home and we want to embrace them with God's love.

About the Role

The CEO will provide leadership to Embracing Age and to be responsible for the management and administration of the charity, in partnership with and reporting to the trustees. You'll lead, inspire and motivate staff and volunteers, whilst upholding and developing the Christian ethos, vision, mission and values of Embracing Age, along with the strategic objectives and priorities.

About You

You’ll be a strategic, passionate person with a big heart for the older generations and a desire to mobilise churches and communities in coming alongside them. You’ll be a friendly, confident individual with good communication and organisational skills who is looking for a part time flexible role. 

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please read through the recruitment pack and send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides, outlining your interest in and suitability for the role.

Your application should include a brief description of your faith journey and Church involvement and the details of two referees, one being a Church leader and the second a professional referee.

If you would like an informal chat about the role please get in touch

Closing date 8th June 2024

The Web Designer / Developer will be responsible for the design, layout and coding of websites. You will be involved with the graphical and technical aspects of websites and also the maintenance and update of existing ones. You will directly report to the Directors, cooperating with the social media/marketing team.

You will design captivating and compelling work that supports and drives Al-Khair Foundation’s consistent and meaningful media coverage to continually promote greater public awareness of the organisation.

Main Responsibilities:

• Write the programming code, either from scratch or by adapting existing website software and graphics packages to meet business requirements
• Monitor the website’s performance and identify any technical problems
• Collect and analyse site analytics
• Ensure on-page SEO
• Discuss technical solutions with clients and providing innovative new ideas to solutions
• Work on future products, including creating an intranet for staff
• Maintain a high awareness of industry’s issues and trends.

For further information and to apply, please click the 'How to apply' button and follow the instructions.

We are looking for a Senior Policy Officer who, in effect, will be the Campaign’s Deputy Director. You will be involved in all aspects of the Campaign’s work.

You will work remotely initially with some face-to-face meetings in London.  You must be able work from a London office in future

Main Responsibilities:

•  Assist in developing strategy and other key aspects of the Campaign’s work

•  Conduct and oversee research into FOI topics

•  Monitor FOI developments and decisions of the Information Commissioner and tribunal

•  Assist in drafting amendments to relevant legislation

•  Help publicise the Campaign’s work via social media and the Campaign’s website

•  Promote the Campaign’s work to the written and broadcast media

•  Advise requesters and contribute to training courses

•  Assist with funding applications

•  Supervise volunteers

The salary and role are likely to be enhanced in future.

Person specification

• Familiarity with the FOI Act and case law – or proven ability to rapidly acquire detailed knowledge of complex legislation and case law

•  Relevant full-time work experience

•  Excellent judgement

•  Flexibility to respond to urgent developments/changing requirements

•  Live in or close to London

•  UK citizen or person with right to live and work in the UK

•  Proven writing skills

•  Social media experience

Benefits

•  We pay a contribution to your pension

•  Friendly informal working culture

•  Small organisation – 4 staff at full strength

Application Process

Please submit your CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages), outlining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience meet the requirements.

Please include your UK address.  Applications from people living outside the UK are unlikely to be considered.

Applications will be considered before the closing date.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity and the chance to make a real and lasting difference for others? Join Kinship, Britain’s biggest charity supporting kinship carers.

Kinship carers are strong, capable and fiercely determined to ensure they get what they need to support their kinship family. And we want to support them to feel confident to do that.

Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We support, campaign and raise awareness of kinship care and the issues affecting kinship carers every day.

Kinship care begins in crisis. A child whose parents are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It’s frightening, confusing and heart-breaking. Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. It’s life changing and challenging raising children who’ve been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first. 

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and committed Business Development Manager to join our growing charity. Responsible for winning new business and retaining existing contracts to achieve financial and growth targets, this is a pivotal role at Kinship. If you are self-motivated, have experience of producing high quality, successful bids, can think strategically, and love to work collaboratively across teams, we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead on all commissioning activity at Kinship directly with commissioners and through tendering activity.

• Lead and support the creation of high-quality bids including writing technical questions and method statements.

• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of Kinship, the external environment, and kinship carers and integrate this knowledge into business development activity and bid production.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience of successful bid production and bid management – from identification of opportunity through to submission. Track record in successful tendering for retention of contracts and new business.

• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal. Able to articulate and translate complex ideas and service delivery models into compelling, structured, and high-quality written propositions.

• Ability to analyse large volumes of information to develop clear and compelling bids and proposals.

Key dates:

• Application deadline: 5pm on Thursday 30 May

• Interview date: Thursday 13 June (in-person, London)

Kinship are an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from appropriately qualified people from all sections of the community and aim to promote diversity.

Our client is a small public services body which is seeking to recruit a Finance Director to lead the operational running of the organisation.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, this post will be responsible for providing financial and strategic guidance to the Board, overseeing the development of the corporate plan, and also crafting a robust digital strategy to enhance operational efficiency.  Of course, this will also include leading on financial initiatives, managing budgets, overseeing financial submissions, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, whilst upholding robust governance and compliance, and employing internal control and risk management mechanisms.

The successful candidate will be a CCAB qualified accountant with financial acumen, experience of managing budgets and complying with sector regulation.  Exceptional team leadership skills will also be important, with a key attribute being the management of multi-disciplinary teams.  Strong understanding of corporate management processes and digital technologies will also be required, plus first rate interpersonal skills and the ability to rapidly build working relationships across an organisation.

For the right candidate, this role represents the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the next stage of the organisation’s development.

Our Business Development department is integral to the success of our organisation and we are looking for an experienced, organised and driven individual to fulfil the role of Head of Business Development. 

We are looking for someone who is comfortable in leading and co-ordinating a team. You will lead and operationally manage the department in our external business development engagement activities as well as our internal, cross-departmental collaboration working towards our ‘Evolve Strategy’.

You will have a clear and demonstrable understanding of configuring, organising and developing business development strategies and an understanding of how an awarding body operates particularly within the education landscape. 

A proactive communication style, strong organisation and interpersonal skills and a decisive nature are key qualities required in this role. You will operate in a flexible and predominantly remote working environment; therefore a demonstrable experience of working using your own initiative alongside a desire to innovate and test new ways of working are essential. 

Your team will be supported by a Business Development Co-ordinator and two Business Development Managers, each focused on retention of business and new business (New Business Development Manager to be recruited). Additionally, a team of Business Development Officers and Centre Engagement Executives also support the team. 

We view this role as an integral part of successfully delivering our strategy. You will have the opportunity to shape the way your department operates to support the needs of the business as well as our centres. 

The role fits within the wider Leadership Team and working closely with other HODs and Managers will be a key ingredient to success. 

Role purpose: 

• Set & deliver the Business Development Strategy alongside the Director of Engagement that supports growth, reach, and impact of Leadership Skills Foundation programmes. 
• Drive operational progress by developing positive and proactive working relationships with other Heads of Department.
• Influence the future direction of the Leadership Skills Foundation as a member of the Leadership Team.

The main resposnsibiltiies will be:

• Effectively manage and develop the Business Development Team and relationship management functions to meet agreed budgets and maximise learner/programme registrations.
• Accountable for the Business Development team’s sales planning and forecasting including annual budgeting.
• Regularly developing and presenting clear insight and analysis on market activity, responsibilities, and opportunities.
• Work closely with the Head of Marketing & Communications and New Business Development Manager to devise and deliver targeted new business campaigns and activities.
• Work closely with the Retained Business Development Manager to devise and deliver strategies to retain and grow our centres.
• Work with the Business Development Coordinator to ensure engagement processes and the customer journey meet the needs of centres efficiently.
• Maintain a working knowledge and up to date awareness of the sectors, market audiences and landscape the Leadership Skills Foundation works with.

Head of (HOD) Responsibilities

• Implement the one company/vision/culture and demonstrate its impact.
• To carry out environmental scanning to recognize opportunities and challenges and formulate appropriate actions to position the Foundation in line with its agreed objectives.
• To implement and develop appropriate business management capabilities and practices across the organisation.
• To operationally implement the strategy and set work expectations as agreed by the Board and the SLT.

Skills, experience and knowledge 

• An understanding of education systems in the UK 
• Previous experience in a sales environment and understanding sales processes. 
• Experience of managing pipeline systems
• A proven track record of delivering income growth 
• Analytical thinking and evaluation skills
• Ability to present information concisely using Microsoft Office programmes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Leadership capabilities

Desirable 

• Previous experience of managing a sales team and managing direct reports
• An understanding of awarding bodies and their operating landscape 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI 

The Head of Business Development will receive a generous salary, a flexible and agile working environment, private Vitality healthcare (subject to successful completion of probationary period), personal development opportunities, enhanced pension, enhanced holiday and sick pay and an extended Christmas break.

If you want to be part of thriving and evolving organisation, then we would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.

An opportunity to join an enthusiastic team to play a pivotal role in implementing HR systems, fostering a positive workplace culture, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting the professional development of our staff.  The successful candidate will have a background in delivering the whole employment life-cycle processes, and will report to and support the Director of Operations in delivering systems and administration that help the organisation to operate more consistently.

An ideal role for an experienced People & Culture or HR Officer who is driven to get the job done using collaboration across the organisation, and make an impact working with community managers and the senior leadership team to make Keychange an even better place to work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures in compliance with UK employment law and best practices.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection process, including job postings, candidate screening, and interviews.
• Coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring a smooth transition for new hires and departing staff members.
• Manage employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Communicate the employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives.
• Maintain accurate HR records and ensure data confidentiality and compliance with GDPR regulations.
• Collaborate with managers to identify staffing needs and develop workforce planning strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate HR metrics, such as turnover rates, employee engagement scores, and diversity metrics, to identify areas for improvement and inform decision-making.
• Stay informed about current HR trends and best practices and make recommendations for continuous improvement.

This role is 0.5-0.6 FTE with options for flexible and hybrid working.  Working hours will be discussed with the successful candidate to ensure a mutually beneficial working pattern

Keychange is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.  We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected.

Psychometrician
£21,012 pa plus excellent benefits (£52,530 pa FTE)
Aldgate, London
14 hours per week

We are seeking a Psychometrician for two days per week to lead psychometric analyses and interpret the examination results of the Royal College of Pathologists.

The College is responsible for the delivery of pathology examinations for doctors, scientists, oral pathologists (dentists) and veterinary pathologists in 17 specialties – the Fellowship examinations of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath). The FRCPath Part 1 is held online and is a test of knowledge while FRCPath Part 2 is held in person around the UK as well as in the Republic of Ireland and, for histopathology, in international centres such as Dubai and Egypt. The College is regulated by the General Medical Council for the medical examinations and the General Dental Council for the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology examinations, but the examinations are open to all appropriately qualified candidates.

The FRCPath examinations are held twice a year in Spring and Autumn and attracts approximately 1,200 candidates per session across the specialties. While some examinations attract up to 200 candidates, some examinations consistently attract very small numbers of candidates, with a number of examination cohorts sitting somewhere in between. The Psychometrician will advise on the appropriate data collection methods for the examinations and undertake psychometric analyses of appropriate examination data for each examination session and will, in time, be asked to provide analysis of longitudinal data.

As the College continues to develop its examinations, the Psychometrician will possess sufficient expertise to provide advice on the appropriate psychometric tests to undertake for the specialty examinations as different formats or methods of delivery are considered.

The examinations are delivered by an examinations team in the College which sits within the Learning Directorate. Each specialty examination is supported by an appropriately qualified panel, led by a Panel Chair, all of whom are overseen by the Clinical Director of Examinations (a pathologist). The Psychometrician will be expected to communicate with a wide range of individuals regarding the College examinations, with varying levels of knowledge about psychometrics, and will provide training for examiners and staff on a regular basis.

The College is a professional membership organisation dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of pathology. There are currently approximately 12,000 members, all of whom are pathologists based in hospitals, universities and laboratories in the UK and overseas. The College’s main tasks are to set and maintain training standards for doctors and scientists, to advice on the appointment of consultant pathologists, to ensure the membership is kept up to date with current practice through the continuing professional development scheme, and to promote the latest developments in pathology by holding scientific meetings.

The College’s mission is to promote excellence in the practice of pathology and to be responsible for maintaining standards through training, assessments, examinations and professional development.

We offer attractive staff benefits including 25 days annual leave (pro rata) rising with length of service, an employee discount scheme, and season tickets, as well as a cycle to work scheme.  The College values diversity, welcoming applications from all members of society. We offer a mix of remote (home) and office working, with hybrid working arrangements currently in place.

Closing date: 9am, 3 June 2024.
Interviews: 18 June 2024.

Your new company
This amazing and leading charity is made up of people with dementia, carers, trusted experts, campaigners, researchers, and clinicians. They are the UK's largest collective force of people with unparalleled knowledge and over 40 years of experience addressing the biggest challenges facing people living with dementia.

Key responsibilities:

• Developing and maintaining exceptional and credible relationships.
• Dealing with any concerns or complaints.
• Managing all correspondence in/out of the Director's office.
• Responsible for sourcing and co-ordinating briefings and data.
• Responsible for the delivery and coordination of events and development activities for the director's leadership team and the wider directorate.
• Responsible for providing support to the Director on both organisational and directorate-wide projects,
• Responsible for coordinating recruitment for senior roles (Executive Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team, Head's of, Board)
• Manage the processing of payments of any contracts/services.
• Working in collaboration with Business Managers, other Executive Assistants and Associate Directors, Personal Assistants.
   

What you'll need to succeed
 

• Networking and making contact - The most essential things the EA will do for our Director of People are the… "Can you just find… can you just ask…. Can you just grab x person?" We are looking for a confident person, who's not shy about contacting the people they need, and chasing up actions.
• Some experience of HR - The Director of People gets 60-80+ emails a day, so you need to be able to spot the urgent things they need to see, and - with a bit of guidance - what can be delegated to other people.
• Able to manage EA basics standing on their head! (Not literally) but standard practice like, managing an inbox, perfectly organised diary, travel, expenses, invoices and more!
   

What you'll get in return

• Salary: £38,500
• Hybrid: Home-based with occasional travel
• Duration: 3-months temp role with a potential permanent opportunity
• Office Location: Fenchurch Street
• Interviews: Week commencing 13th May
• Start date: Monday 20th May
   

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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The Task Ahead: Finance Manager

As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.

As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.

The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!

Areas of Responsibility

The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:

• Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.

• Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.

• Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.

• Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.

• Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.

• Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.

• Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.

Person Specification

Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:

• Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.

• Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.

• Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.

• Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.

• Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.

Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences: 

• Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.

• Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.

• Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.

• Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself. 

Why Work for The Difference?

Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children. 

Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.

Our Organisation 

The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning.  By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.

The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.

Our Values

• High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves.  We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis. 

• Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.

• Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/

• Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them.  We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.

• Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions. 

• Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.

• Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.

• Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times. 

How To Apply 

To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.

First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.

If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green. 

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates. 

As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.

Recommended Reading 

If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:

• The research which underpins our organisation.

• Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023

About the role

Play your part in improving leadership in the health sector

This is an exciting time to join our Leadership and Organisational Development team. Our work enjoys an outstanding reputation in the NHS and beyond and you’ll play an important role in supporting this, working across a range of clients and projects.

As a Programme Co-ordinator, you will be responsible for managing the logistics of a range of different courses and programmes. You will work closely with the Programme Directors, who design and deliver the course and programme content.

Your role will include communicating with programme participants and clients, creating programme materials, managing budgets, booking venues, travel and accommodation, and event management.

You will be skilled at working across a suite of programmes and balancing multiple deadlines. You’ll enjoy taking personal responsibility for your own portfolio and also working with the team of Programme Coordinators to support each other’s work and drive continuous improvement.

Our business model includes online working alongside in person therefore you will be expected to provide online technical support and be proficient in Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other online platforms to support the delivery of client work.

To join us, you need to be exceptionally organised and methodical as well as an excellent team player with a collaborative approach. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must, alongside first-rate numeracy skills to be able to monitor programme budgets. We’re looking for someone who is confident with using Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other online packages and databases too. With experience of working in busy environments, you’ll combine these talents with a keen eye for detail, a flexible approach and great client relationship skills.

The Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and introduce careers in health and care policy to a broader range of people. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community, including those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will improve the way we influence health and social care policy. 

What you'll get in return 

The King’s Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation’s needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. In keeping with our current policy, the post-holder will be required to work a minimum of two days per week from our central London office (pro rata, averaged over a month).

In addition to a competitive salary, The King’s Fund offers generous holiday entitlements, a £3 daily discount in our café and an on-site gym.

How to apply

To apply, please read our supplementary guidance documents below, then download and fill in our application form. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email so we can discussion options.

Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK. 

CVs will not be accepted as applications. Applications must be submitted using The King’s Fund application form.

Interviews will be held virtually on Thursday 6 June 2024 (role available to commence as soon as possible).