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About Parenting for Lifelong Health:
Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) aims to empower parents to improve child development, reduce family violence, and promote mental health. We give parents the support they need, the skills that work, and trusted advice they can count on to protect and support their children’s health, safety and development. Our parenting courses are developed with families, powered by low-cost and accessible technology, backed by rigorous evidence, and delivered within systems. Originally founded as an initiative in 2012 in collaboration with UNICEF and the WHO, Parenting for Lifelong Health was established as a UK charity in 2022 and since then has reached over 8 million families in more than 35 countries.
PLH Values
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Courage
We have the courage to design for the big picture and complex problems with a commitment to creating sustainable solutions that last.
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Evidence
We believe our work transforms the lives of children, families, and communities. Evidence of impact guides every decision, and we are relentless in pursuing the greatest impact with the least investment of time and resources required for parents and providers.
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Playfulness
Parenting and child wellbeing thrives on play — and so do we. We experiment, learn from each other, as well as from parents and children, and create playful and engaging products and programmes that inspire joy, curiosity, and connection.
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Respect
Everyone brings something essential. We show kindness in our team, honesty with our partners, and deep respect and empathy for parents and children, and those who are on the frontline of providing services for them.
PLH has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity in how we work, who we work with, and what we do. Candidates from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
PLH also has a strong commitment to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). All candidates considered for the role will be subject to background and reference checks in their country of residence.
Benefits: Flexible remote-working, home office set-up, unlimited annual leave, professional development opportunities, enhanced pension contributions, enhanced statutory leave provisions including maternity and paternity leave.
About the role:
The Senior Director of Finance is the most senior finance professional at Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH). The role provides strategic financial leadership and ensures the organisation meets its fiduciary, regulatory, and governance obligations as a UK charity, while enabling responsible growth and global scale.
Acting as the organisation’s senior finance lead, the postholder will support the CEO and Board of Trustees to meet their statutory duties under UK charity law, including duties of care, prudence, and accountability, while building robust financial systems aligned to PLH’s 2026-2028 Strategic Plan and country implementation model.
The role ensures that PLH’s resources are used exclusively to further its charitable purposes, safeguarded appropriately, and managed transparently in the public interest.
Responsibilities:
Charity Governance, Fiduciary Oversight, and Trustee Support
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Act as the primary source of financial advice to the CEO and Board of Trustees, supporting trustees to fulfil their legal and fiduciary duties under UK charity law.
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Support the effective functioning of the Board Finance Committee, including preparation of high-quality financial papers, scenario options, and risk analyses.
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Ensure trustees have clear oversight of:
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Financial performance against approved budgets
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Liquidity, reserves, and solvency
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Financial risks and mitigations
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Long-term sustainability and going-concern considerations
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Ensure financial decision-making aligns with PLH’s charitable objects, governing documents, and public benefit obligations.
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Support compliance with Charity Commission guidance, including SORP (Standard Operating Procedures), CC3 (The Essential Trustee), CC12 (Managing a Charity’s Finances), and CC19 (Charity Reserves).
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Support trustees in understanding and exercising oversight of charity-wide financial risk, including downside and stress-test scenarios.
Financial Strategy, Planning, and Sustainability
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Lead the costing and financial modelling of PLH’s 2026-2028 Strategic Plan and country implementation model, ensuring affordability, sustainability, and strategic coherence.
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Design, implement, and institutionalise a three-tier scenario planning framework (base, growth, and downside cases) to support prudent and adaptive decision-making.
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Develop a long-term (3-5 year) financial sustainability model projecting:
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Revenue by source (restricted and unrestricted)
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Expenditure and staffing growth
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Enterprise risk management (ERM) contributions
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Reserves, liquidity, and risk exposure
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Develop, maintain, and regularly review PLH’s reserves policy, including target levels, rationale, and planned use, in line with Charity Commission expectations.
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Advise senior leadership and trustees on the financial implications of growth, innovation, and funding opportunities.
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Provide forward-looking financial insight to support organisational decision-making under uncertainty and changing funding conditions.
Financial Management, Reporting, and Controls
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Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure accurate, complete, and timely accounting records in accordance with UK charity accounting standards (SORP FRS 102).
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Provide strategic oversight and assurance over organisation-wide financial reporting, using management accounts and dashboards prepared by the Finance Manager to inform executive and trustee decision-making.
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Ensure proportionate internal controls, segregation of duties, and approval frameworks are current and implemented by the Finance Manager.
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Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive financial risk management framework covering:
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Liquidity and cash-flow risk
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Donor concentration and funding dependency
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Currency and foreign exchange exposure
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Contractual and grant compliance risk
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Contingency and downside planning
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Ensure effective coordination between in-house finance staff and outsourced accounting and payroll providers, maintaining clear accountability and quality assurance.
Audit, External Reporting, and Transparency
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Oversee the annual audit process, supporting the Finance Manager’s role as primary liaison with external auditors and ensuring timely completion of statutory accounts.
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Support trustees in reviewing and approving:
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Statutory financial statements
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Trustees’ Annual Report
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Financial disclosures to regulators
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Ensure high standards of financial transparency and accountability to donors, partners, regulators, and the public.
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Oversee statutory filings and financial reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
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Contribute to narrative financial reporting on sustainability, risk, and reserves where appropriate.
Organisational Financial Capability and Culture
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Develop and maintain clear financial policies, procedures, and approval workflows to support consistency, compliance, and accountability.
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Embed a culture of financial stewardship, prudence, and shared accountability across the organisation.
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Promote ethical financial practice and safeguarding of charitable assets in line with PLH’s values and public-interest obligations.
Team Leadership and Management
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Lead and develop PLH’s finance function, including line management of the Finance Manager and oversight of external bookkeeping and accounting partners.
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Ensure the finance function is appropriately resourced, scalable, and fit for a growing, multi-country organisation.
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Set clear objectives, performance standards, and professional development pathways for finance staff.
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Promote ethical practice, professionalism, and continuous improvement within the finance team.
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Provide mentoring and strategic development support to mid-career finance staff as the organisation grows.
Essential Skills and Experience
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Senior-level financial leadership experience.
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Strong understanding of UK charity governance, trustee responsibilities, and Charity Commission expectations.
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Demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, scenario modelling, and reserves management.
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Proven experience establishing robust financial controls, reporting systems, and audit processes.
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Experience working directly with Boards and Board Committees in a governance context.
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Demonstrated experience embedding or overseeing organisational-wide financial risk management frameworks.
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Ability to translate complex financial analysis into clear, decision-ready advice for trustees and senior leaders.
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Experience operating in organisations with a mix of restricted, unrestricted, and partially recoverable income streams.
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Comfort working in an evidence-driven, analytically rigorous organisational environment.
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Strong people leadership and management capability.
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High levels of integrity, sound judgement, and commitment to PLH’s charitable aims.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
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Financial leadership experience within a UK charity, international NGO, or comparable not-for-profit organisation.
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Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA) or equivalent experience.
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Experience with multi-country, multi-currency operations and restricted funding environments.
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Familiarity with UK charity accounting (SORP FRS 102).
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Experience working closely with trustee Finance or Audit & Risk Committees.
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Familiarity with donor concentration risk analysis and income diversification strategies.
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Exposure to safeguarding or PSEA considerations from a financial governance perspective.
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Experience supporting organisational growth and scale within regulated charity contexts.
The Director of Finance & Corporate Services is a new post for the East London Mosque Trust (ELMT). The Director of Finance will lead the Trust’s financial strategy, planning, and operations. This pivotal role will oversee the day to day financial transactions and ensure compliance while driving financial sustainability, transparency, innovation, and long term growth. The post holder will work closely with the CEO, the Senior Management Team, and the Trustees to help shape the future direction of the organisation. As one of the largest mosques and Islamic centres in the UK, it is imperative to build capacity in the leadership team to deliver effective, informed, strategic financial decisions to support the future sustainability of the ELMT.
Responsible to: CEO
Director of Finance & Corporate Services
The Director of Finance & Corporate Services is responsible for the proper conduct of all aspects of the day to day financial management of the ELMT.
Finance Management
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes.
- Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with charity regulations and accounting standards.
- Manage cash flow, reserves, and funding streams including grants, donations, and contracts.
- Maintain an annual and a five-year financial forecast to underpin the strategic objectives.
- Responsibile for managing ELMT’s investments, while developing and implementing strategies for maximising ELMT’s finances.
- Manage and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate across departments to support financial literacy and budget ownership.
Governance & Compliance
- Prepare financial reports for CEO/SMT, the Board of Trustees and funders.
- Ensure compliance with The Charity Commission, HMRC, and Companies House requirements.
- Lead on audit preparation and liaise with external auditors.
- Lead on digital transformation for financial arrangements.
- Ensure there is a knowledge/awareness of fraud across the organisation.
- Ensure good risk management.
Finance, Sustainability & Compliance
- Optimise financial controls and processes in order to minimise financial risks, and ensure organisational compliance.
- Ensure compliance with funding agreements across all the teams and services.
- Ensure monthly reconciliation of all control accounts including creditors, debtors, payroll and banks; the preparation of monthly management accounts; and preparation/maintenance of control over all non-transactional journals such as accruals, prepayments, fixed assets/depreciation.
- A sound understanding of Islamic financial principles and their application within a charitable and governance context.
- Lead the strategic financial planning process, delivering annual and forecast budget plans, periodic forecasts within year and funding requirements, working closely with CEO and SMT.
- Plan and coordinate all tax, finance and treasury management practice and policy, with reference to charitable status, cash management and investments, reviewing and reporting on investment portfolios on a monthly basis.
- Ensure monthly payroll is accurate and timely, including all matters related to HMRC, and PAYE submissions.
- Have a full oversight of contracting and procurement activities and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, always seeking value for money, and where possible, cost saving opportunities.
- Check the condition of all assets and conduct an ongoing review of whether assets and investments are being put to best use and serving the organisation’s interests.
- Work with the CEO to identify new revenue-generating tactics.
- Responsible for the preparation of annual accounts to prescribed standards, managing effective relationships with the auditors, taking responsibility for the completion and submission of statutory/regulatory reporting in line with prescribed timelines, and keeping up to date with regulatory and statutory requirements within the charity sector.
- Lead on The Charity Commission reporting, including the annual review/trustee report and updating the organisation’s information held by The Charity Commission and Companies House.
Operational Excellence
- Review and improve organisational processes across ELMT, including Operations, Facilities, HR and Policy, ensuring they are efficient, effective and aligned with best practice.
- Identify and propose practical improvements to systems, policies and ways of working, driving internal efficiency and increasing organisational impact.
- Ensure alignment between systems, policies and processes, enabling departments to work effectively together and supporting ELMT’s strategic objectives.
- Over time, take on broader responsibility across departments, particularly in strengthening processes and embedding sustainable efficiencies.
Information Technology Management
- Devise and establish IT policies and systems to support the implementation of strategies set by upper management, including Data Protection and Cyber Security.
- Keep abreast of changes and updates to Data Protection legislation and ensure that staff receive regular training on Data Protection and Cyber security
- Evaluate the company systems and processes to coincide with the needs of the organisation
- Decide the need for upgrades, configurations or new systems and report to upper management.
- Direct the management of the ELMT website.
- Oversee the IT service provision ensuring it meets the ongoing needs of ELMT.
- Manage and develop the IT team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
General
- Deputise for the CEO as necessary, including assuming delegated leadership, decision-making, and representational responsibilities as appropriate.
- Represent the organisation externally as required, including with partners, stakeholders, and relevant bodies.
- Maintain and develop organisational culture, values and reputation with all staff, associates and external stakeholders.
- Work flexibly and undertake any other duties agreed between you and the Board of Trustees.
- Support projects of the ELMT and participate in multi-disciplinary, cross-organisational groups and project teams.
- Attend Senior Management Team (SMT), staff and committee meetings when required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent strategic, analytical and leadership skills to join Impetus as an Investment Director and support us in our mission to transform the lives of young people.
The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy.
Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
About the Investment Team
The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.
The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.
The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.
The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.
The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.
The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.
Key responsibilities
Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio
- Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment
- Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, to assess and build partnership foundations with potential partners – covering leadership and governance, and their impact, scale, and partnership potential;
- Modelling from first contact of origination, our approach to engaged and trust-based investment management support;
- Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.
Managing partnerships with portfolio partners
- Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs
- Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, including appropriate annual investment milestones to allow for a clear assessment of re-investment potential at end of phase
- Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks against milestones and making evidence-based recommendations on progression or exit to Leads, Portfolio Director and the Investment Committee
- Escalating key risks on performance, leadership and safeguarding
- Conducting annual partnership review with Sector Leads and partner CEOs
- Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments, in line with Service Funding Agreements.
Supporting portfolio partners
- Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, using a mix of at least monthly one-to-one meetings and group facilitation to:
- clarify theory of change,
- define long term ambition,
- develop growth strategy
- achieve a step change in the delivery and performance management of outcomes,
- strengthen leadership (individual and collective) and governance capabilities,
- develop path to scale,
- build financial resilience;
- Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity-building projects (in addition to providing direct management support). Ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and contribute to charity progression;
- Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners that are aligned with the partner’s activities and do not distract or undermine their core work;
- Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities for portfolio partners, enhancing their ability to deliver impact at scale;
- Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner that is managed by an Investment Director.
Support to Impetus
- Developing expertise about “what works” in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement as well as investigation into key research and evaluative literature;
- Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus’ strategy, model and delivery;
- Contributing to internal priorities and working groups (e.g. team strategy discussions, digital improvement initiatives, or equity, diversity, and inclusion)
- Contribute towards Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, donor reports and fundraising events
- Sharing the learning from our work across the team, across the organisation and externally working within Impetus strategy and agreed forums
- Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, and engage portfolio partners appropriately in these events.
- Where appropriate, line-managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team to grow and develop, and achieve their project, role and team objectives.
Person specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
- Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
- A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
- Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
- Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
- Tenacity and initiative.
- Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
- Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback.
- Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
- Strong planning and time management skills.
- Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.
Desirable
- Experience in the non-profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
- Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
- Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
- Board experience in private, public or third sector.
- Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.

Direct Reports and span of control: Head of Property Compliance, Head of Mechanical & Electrical, Head of Specialist Repairs
Dimensions (budget holder, level of contract/systems etc responsibility):
- Responsible for delivery of compliance related services of over 30,000 homes, 90,000 customers
- Controls budget >£20m per annum
- Responsible for headcount of circa 200 colleagues including managers and trades
- Member of the Property Services Senior Leadership Team
- Representation at operational panels to support Compliance Delivery
- Organisation leader
Created/Reviewed date: October 2025
Role Purpose
Oversee a blended model of in-house direct labour teams and external supply chain partners, lead and empower your teams to successfully deliver effective building, mechanical, electrical and regulated compliance related works and services across the organisation's property portfolio to ensure our homes are safe and well maintained. Delivering against challenging KPI's, ensure continuous improvement and customer safety across gas, fire, water, electrical, lifts, M&E and asbestos.
Working with the Property Services Director and Assistant Directors to shape and implement the Property Compliance Delivery strategies to deliver effective building/property regulatory compliance in line with statutory, regulatory and policy requirements. Instrumental in leading change and embedding a positive, enthusiastic, and empowered culture that enables colleagues to deliver good performance and great customer service.
Lead on new ways of working including the use of modern digital solutions to make our business more effective, agile, and responsive, requiring a forward and outward looking approach as well as an open mind and applying Lean principles in decision making.
Key Accountabilities
- Shape and contribute to the organisation's long-term compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with national housing policy and emerging legislation.
- Lead on the effective management of statutory compliance, ensuring all regulatory and legislative responsibilities for gas, electrical, asbestos, fire safety, legionella, water, and lifts are delivered.
- Oversee the delivery of regulatory repairs within the required timelines such as Damp, Mould and Condensation, Disrepair cases, and HHSRS related complex repairs, oversee escalated complaints that require additional attention to de-escalate and resolve.
- Responsibility for preparing and presenting detailed assurance, risk and performance reports to the senior leadership teams and relevant committees / boards.
- Ensure services delivered have customers at the heart of decision making, proving excellent customer service which prioritises keeping them safe.
- Accountable for performance targets, budgets and work programmes, agreeing and monitoring these and ensuring team managers align and set objectives that deliver the strategic and directorate plan.
- Manage critical relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally including but not limited to, in-house colleagues and external contractors, senior stakeholders, governing bodies, external auditors and consultants and legal representatives.
- Lead a team which is capable of delivering all current and new regulated delivery, such as Awaab's Law, HHSRS, and disrepair cases.
- Lead on external audits, inspections and regulatory reviews.
- Ensure effective property compliance 1st line assurance is in place for all areas of service and works delivery.
- Lead on the development of the compliance schedule, creating programmes on a pre-emptive cycle to ensure that the business remains compliant.
- Recruit, manage, coach, motivate, and develop colleagues within your team in line with organisational policies.
- Critically evaluate compliance information and KPIs, producing regular assurance reports covering all areas of compliance performance, processes, procedures, and statutory responsibilities.
- Oversee the development and on-going review of compliance related policies and procedures, in line with legislation and industry best practice.
- Ensure a sustainable suite of competent specialist Supply Chain partners is in place.
- Ensure that business compliance responsibilities are complied with in respect of properties where there is no maintenance responsibility.
- Responsible for a responsive aspect of repairs and maintenance in respect of Gas/Heating b
Director of Philanthropy
We are seeking a Director of Philanthropy to join Nekton in a pivotal leadership role at a critical moment of organisational growth. You will lead and deliver a global philanthropic fundraising strategy for a pioneering marine science and conservation institute focused on rapidly accelerating the scientific exploration and protection of the ocean.
Position: Director of Philanthropy
Location: Hybrid (Onsite attendance in Oxford or London 2 days a week, with international travel)
Salary: £80,000+
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Closing Date: 23 February 2026
About the Role
The Director of Philanthropy is a pivotal, high-impact role responsible for co-defining, executing, and managing Nekton's global fundraising strategy, with a notable focus on securing major philanthropic gifts from high-net-worth individuals and foundations.
You will be the engine that drives the financial success of our ambitious scientific and conservation programmes, translating Nekton's vision to explore and protect the ocean into compelling cases for support.
Key areas of responsibility include:
· Strategy & Leadership
· Donor Relations & Management
· Collaboration & Communication
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to shape and deliver one of the most ambitious philanthropic agendas in marine science today. As Director of Philanthropy, you will help unlock the resources required to explore the last great frontier on Earth, influence global ocean policy, and leave a lasting legacy for the planet.
If you are motivated by big ideas, long term impact, and the power of philanthropy to drive systemic change, this role offers both scale and purpose.
About You
This role demands an entrepreneurial, strategic, and highly hands on fundraiser with a proven track record of securing very significant gifts. You will be equally comfortable shaping strategy at Board level and personally leading high value donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
We are looking for someone with experience of:
· Securing significant six and seven-figure philanthropic gifts in a high-profile international organisation.
· Extensive network and demonstrable success in cultivating relationships with global philanthropic foundations, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
· Articulating complex scientific and conservation initiatives into inspiring donor narratives and stand-out grant applications.
You will be able to undertake international travel to meet with prospects and attend events.
If you have a passion for ocean science, exploration, and conservation, and a deep commitment to Nekton’s mission, then apply today!
About Nekton
Nekton is a pioneering marine science and conservation institute, a charitable foundation committed to rapidly accelerating the scientific exploration and protection of the ocean. Our global programmes combine cutting-edge scientific discovery, inspiring public engagement, and catalysing policy impact.
This role is central to driving the financial ambition of our initiatives, including:
· Ocean Census (Primary Focus): A UN-endorsed, global collaboration to discover ocean life
· First Descent: Expedition-based deep ocean exploration and conservation
· Ocean Rising: Connecting culture and the ocean
· YACHTS for Science: Scientists to sea - matching private vessels with marine research.
· New 5-Year Global Voyage: A major, sustained expedition to explore and protect the ocean globally.
Other roles you may have experience of could include Fundraising, Philanthropy, Fundraiser, Director of Fundraising, Director of Philanthropy, Head of Fundraising, Head of Philanthropy, Major Gifts, Major Donor.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
Director of Principal Giving & International
Advancement Department
University College London
London, UK
Grade 10 role with a salary of £100,000-£120,000 pa (inclusive of London Allowance). Plus excellent benefits, including a sector-leading relocation package.
An exceptional leadership opportunity to play a significant role in the success of one of the biggest fundraising and engagement campaigns in the higher education sector in Europe.
UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Today, UCL has over 51,000 students, 14,000 staff and over 470,000 alumni, and is one of the world’s top 10 universities.
We will launch our largest ever fundraising and engagement campaign that will leverage the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that our bicentennial anniversary in 2026 presents. Since our last campaign, we have increased our ambitions and are building further capacity and expertise across our Advancement division. As part of this step-change, we have re-imagined our Principal Gifts & International team and are now seeking an experienced practitioner to drive this area forward. There has never been a more exciting time to join the Advancement office.
As the Director of Principal Giving & International, you will lead a newly combined team that cultivates meaningful relationships with donors and prospective supporters who have the potential to transform the future and impact of UCL. You and your team of experts will secure philanthropic gifts at the 7 and 8-figure level and drive our international fundraising activity forward. You will work with key colleagues and stakeholders across Advancement and the wider University, as well as with a mission-critical senior volunteer network around the world. It’ll therefore be critical that you are a highly experienced and ambitious fundraiser and leader, with vision, creativity and the ability to make things happen while taking others on the journey with you.
To be successful, you must bring well-rounded knowledge and experience of best-in-class principal gifts fundraising, and a demonstrable track record of securing 7-figure philanthropic gifts, alongside an awareness of global fundraising trends. Your approachable and collaborative manner, along with your ability to work at pace and with gravitas, inspires confidence from those around you. Being enterprising and solutions-focussed, people enjoy working with you and actively seek you out as a thought partner. You must be equally comfortable in playing a front-facing role, as well as operating behind the scenes and supporting others in making the ask, as it’s the transformational outcomes and impact that truly drives you.
In return, you will join a team of passionate individuals who work together to achieve remarkable things with a global impact. Our people really are our greatest asset, and we invest in them so that they can fulfil their potential. Equity, diversity and inclusion is important to us and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to give their best in a place where their unique experiences, perspectives and skills are seen as valuable assets. We also prioritise work-life balance and offer hybrid and agile working as well as flexibility around working hours. We are happy to receive part-time applications for all of our job opportunities, and can consider a 0.8FTE working pattern for this role. And we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
If you’re interested in hearing more, please contact our recruitment partners at Richmond Associates or you can download further details from their website by following the Apply button.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS midnight GMT on SUNDAY, 1 MARCH 2026
Director of Fundraising
We are seeking an experienced Director of Fundraising to lead income generation and build strong relationships with major donors and corporate partners.
Position: Director of Fundraising
Salary: £58,000 to £65,000 per annum, pro rata
Location: Burnt Oak, North London, with some hybrid working
Hours: Full time or 0.8 FTE
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Wednesday 4th March at noon
Interviews: First round 11th, 13th or 16th March. Final round in person w/c 23rd March
About the role
The Director of Fundraising role sits on the Senior Leadership Team and has responsibility for delivering a fundraising programme with a target of around £2m per year. You will lead the fundraising function and personally manage a portfolio of major donors and corporate partners.
Key responsibilities include
- Generating substantial income to meet annual fundraising targets
- Managing and stewarding major donors, high net worth individuals and corporate partners
- Supporting trusts and grants fundraising to deliver high quality funding bids
- Leading and developing the fundraising team, setting KPIs and income targets
- Developing and delivering a fundraising strategy aligned to the wider organisational strategy
- Preparing reports and presenting to the Board of Trustees and relevant committees
- Ensuring compliance with fundraising legislation and codes of practice
- Working with partner organisations and networks to share best practice
- Acting as a senior leader within the organisation and role modelling organisational values
About you
As Director of Fundraising You will be an experienced fundraising professional with a strong track record of securing significant income from major donors and partners. Essential experience includes:
- Experience of securing six figure donations from major donors or corporate partners
- A strong track record of meeting challenging fundraising targets
- Experience of managing donor pipelines and aligning supporter interests with organisational need
- Experience of working with Trustees or senior volunteers
- Line management experience and the ability to lead and motivate a team
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills
- A strategic and target driven approach to fundraising
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Experience of using a fundraising database or CRM system
About the organisation
The organisation provides open access youth services for young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. It operates six days a week and offers a wide range of activities and targeted support. Fundraising is essential to cover the majority of its operating costs, and the charity is well established locally with strong community and philanthropic support.
The organisation is part of a wider national network, working collaboratively with partner organisations to increase funding and share best practice.
Other roles you may have experience of could include; Head of Fundraising, Head of Development, Fundraising Manager, Major Gifts Manager, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy Lead, Fundraising Director, Development Director, etc.
If you are looking for a leadership position that requires creativity, that will enable you to flourish, be ambitious, operate both strategically and operationally, and drive success, then this is the position for you. #INDNFP
We welcome applications from people who have significant legal aid experience in public law, housing law, and/or community care law, and who have undertaken strategic litigation. If this is you, and you meet the minimum criteria for the Legal Director role, we encourage you to apply.
Please note: We do not expect the postholder to generate legal aid income at a multiple of their salary. While we do aim to grow legal aid income across the team to an initial target of £25,000–£30,000 per annum, the focus of this role is on developing high‑quality legal aid practice and building sustainable income collectively, as part of a mixed‑income organisational model. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black and minoritised communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people from working-class backgrounds, and people with lived experience of the issues we work on. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and we know that lived experience and diverse perspectives strengthen our legal practice and our work for systemic change.
The Legal Director is a newly created senior leadership role and will lead and shape Release’s legal services, setting the strategic direction and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, client‑centred representation. The role will expand access to justice through strong legal aid provision, embed harm reduction principles across all legal work, and uphold rigorous regulatory and ethical standards. It will also play a key role in sustaining Release’s commitment to training and developing the next generation of social justice lawyers.
This pivotal post combines oversight of a multidisciplinary legal team with movement‑driven advocacy and strategic litigation. The Legal Director will identify and pursue high‑impact cases to challenge unlawful policies and drive systemic change, while building strong external relationships with affected communities, policymakers, and partners. Working collaboratively, the role will co‑create innovative models of legal support that respond to emerging needs and amplify the voices of people most affected by drug laws and wider structural injustice.
As Legal Director, you will:
Set Strategic Direction: Define and implement strategies to expand legal aid provision, improve access to justice, and embed harm reduction principles across all legal work.
Lead and Inspire: Oversee a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, legal advisers, and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Ensure Excellence and Compliance: Maintain rigorous regulatory standards whilst driving forward progressive, client-centred approaches to legal practice.
Advance Systemic Change through Strategic Litigation: Identify and pursue high-impact cases to influence legislation, challenge unlawful policies, and dismantle barriers to justice for people who use drugs and other marginalised communities.
Engage Externally: Build powerful coalitions by engaging with affected communities, policymakers, stakeholders, and advocacy networks to drive legal and social reform.
Co-Create Innovative Service Solutions: Develop new models of legal support that respond to emerging needs, leverage technology, and amplify the voices of those most affected by drug policy and laws by working in partnership with them.
This role is ideal for a visionary and inspiring leader who combines legal expertise with a commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and systemic transformation.
Person Specification
Essential
- Minimum 9 years + post qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate, and
- Minimum 7 years + significant experience in legal aid supervision and regulatory compliance, and
- Minimum 3 years + proven leadership and team management skills, and
- Minimum 3 years + strategic litigation or test cases, and
- Strong commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice.
Desirable
- Experience working in a charity or non‑profit organisation.
- Experience supporting, contributing to, or developing test case work, policy‑linked casework, or other legal work aimed at achieving wider systemic or community impact, including through indirect, collaborative, or emerging roles.
- Understanding of the impact of drug policy and criminalisation on marginalised communities.
- Experience in developing new services, partnerships, or funding‑linked delivery models.
Purpose of the role
The Legal Director provides strategic leadership on immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality for ILPA, with a primary focus on legal policy, legislative analysis, member engagement and public influence.
The role is responsible for shaping ILPA’s legal positions, overseeing the quality and coherence of legal analysis across the organisation, and maintaining ILPA’s standing as the leading professional membership body in immigration and asylum law.
Key responsibilities
1. Legal strategy and leadership
In collaboration with the Trustees and Chief Executive, the Legal Director will:
a. Develop and maintain ILPA’s short-, medium- and long-term legal strategy in line with ILPA’s charitable objectives.
b. Identify emerging legal, policy and practice issues affecting immigration, asylum and nationality law.
c. Engage with ILPA members to understand frontline impacts and systemic concerns.
d. Advise the Trustees and Chief Executive on legal policy priorities, organisational positioning and risk.
e. Translate member insight into clear legal and policy positions.
f. Lead ILPA’s legal responses to legislative proposals, consultations and policy initiatives.
g. Ensure ILPA’s legal work remains focused, authoritative and aligned with ILPA’s strategic plan.
2. Policy, parliamentary and public influence
a. Lead ILPA’s engagement on legal and policy matters with government departments, Parliament and public bodies.
b. Draft and oversee consultation responses, parliamentary briefings and policy submissions.
c. Represent ILPA at meetings with Ministers, officials, parliamentarians and sector partners.
d. Provide expert evidence to parliamentary inquiries and committees.
e. Support the Chief Executive in high-level advocacy and external relations where appropriate.
f. Maintain ILPA’s reputation as a trusted expert voice on immigration and asylum law.
3. Member support and legal expertise
a. Maintain expert-level knowledge of UK and international immigration, asylum and nationality law.
b. Monitor and analyse developments in legislation, case law and policy.
c. Oversee the accuracy and quality of legal information provided to members.
d. Support ILPA’s thematic and regional working groups, including attendance and follow-up actions where appropriate.
e. Build and maintain relationships with NGOs, migrant organisations and advice-sector partners.
f. Strengthen member engagement through high-quality legal leadership and insight.
4. Relationship with litigation and advice functions
a. Work collaboratively with the Director of Strategic Litigation and Advice to ensure consistency between ILPA’s policy positions and litigation strategy.
b. Provide legal policy insight to inform litigation priorities where appropriate.
5. Management and organisational leadership
a. Line manage the Senior Legal Officer and support the Chief Executive’s HR management function for the Senior Legal Officer
b. Provide strategic direction and professional support to the legal function without direct responsibility for operational casework or project delivery.
c. Contribute as a senior member of ILPA’s management team.
d. Support organisational planning, risk management and reporting.
e. Act as a senior ambassador for ILPA internally and externally.
6. Cross-organisational working
a. Work with the Training Manager to identify emerging legal training needs and priority topics for members.
b. Contribute to the development of training programmes, events and conferences by advising on content and legal accuracy.
c. Support identification of suitable speakers and trainers from within ILPA’s membership.
d. Work with the Content and Digital Services Manager to ensure legal content is accurate, accessible and up to date across ILPA’s digital platforms.
e. Contribute legal expertise to funding bids and project reporting where required.
f. Support organisational strategy development and review.
g. Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority of the role.
Accountability and relationships
Reports to: Chief Executive
Direct reports: Senior Legal Officer
Key internal relationships:
· Director of Strategic Litigation and Advice
· Training Manager
· Content and Digital Services Manager
· Trustees and Chief Executive
Person specification
Essential
· Substantial expertise in immigration, asylum and nationality law
· Strong understanding of public law and human rights frameworks
· Proven experience of legal policy development and advocacy
· Excellent analytical and drafting skills
· Experience managing senior legal staff
· Authority and credibility with Parliament, government and the profession
Desirable
· Experience within a membership organisation or charity
· Understanding of litigation governance structures
· Experience contributing to digital legal resources
· Familiarity with training design or professional education
Why work at ILPA
• National profile and respected reputation
• High-impact policy and legal work
• Flexible and supportive working culture
• Collaborative, expert-led organisation
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director of Fundraising
Location: Hybrid working, with 1-2 days per week in London office - all staff in London office every Tuesday.
Salary: £85-90,000 per annum.
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, is seeking an ambitious and strategic leader who can drive sustainable income growth and build high‑value partnerships and relationships that can change the lives of thousands of women and their families.
Ovarian cancer hasn’t seen the scientific breakthroughs that some other cancers have, with survival rates that haven’t changed meaningfully in decades. Ovarian Cancer Action is working to address this, with an urgent mission that by 2032 at least half of women in the UK with ovarian cancer live for 10 years. To realise that goal, the charity is carrying out world-class scientific progress in prevention, early detection and treatment, funding more ovarian cancer research than any other gynaecological cancer charity in the UK.
This is an exciting time to be joining the charity, and the Director of Fundraising will play a key role capitalising on the huge potential of the charity’s current work to transform survival of ovarian cancer, including the possibility of a preventative vaccine this decade.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving OCA’s fundraising ambition and accelerating income growth, managing the development and delivery of an insight‑driven fundraising strategy and identifying major opportunities across mass fundraising, philanthropy, partnerships and influential networks. The post-holder will be responsible for personally cultivating and securing high‑value relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations and strategic partners, and leading and developing a high-performing fundraising team to secure significant multi‑year gifts and leverage milestone organisational moments to unlock transformational support.
The successful candidate will be a senior fundraising leader with a strong track record of securing significant 5‑ and 6‑figure gifts, partnerships and multi‑year commitments. You’ll bring deep experience managing high‑level philanthropic relationships and a track record of inspiring leadership, building high-performing teams. Strength in CRM systems, data‑driven pipeline management and cross‑organisational collaboration is essential, as is exceptional communication and influencing ability.
On a personal level, you will thrive in a mission‑driven and fast-paced environment, bringing strategic insight and an entrepreneurial, optimistic and solutions‑focused approach to life. You will be energised by opportunity, resilient in the face of challenge, and comfortable testing, learning and innovating. Above all, you’ll be motivated by improving women’s health and committed to aligning fundraising ambition with organisational strategy and research impact.
Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.
Closing date: Monday 2nd March 9.00am.
PLEASE NOTE: We will be longlisting applications as soon as we receive them, so please apply early to register your interest.
We're the UK's leading ovarian cancer research charity, working on early detection, prevention and treatments so that no woman dies of ovarian cancer.
Life is a national charity committed to delivering high‑quality, compassionate and person‑centred support to people facing crisis. Guided by our values of Humanity, Solidarity, Community, Charity and the Common Good, we work across multiple sites to provide safe, effective and life‑changing services.
The Role
We are seeking an exceptional Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance to join our Senior Leadership Team at an exciting time of organisational development.
Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a senior, influential role with strategic responsibility for quality, safeguarding, compliance, estates and continuous improvement across our national portfolio of services.
You will provide visible, values‑led leadership, ensuring that everything we do is safe, effective, person‑centred, financially sustainable and fully compliant with regulatory requirements. This role has a real opportunity to shape the future of Life – and to positively impact the lives of hundreds of people we support.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership on quality improvement, compliance and continuous improvement across supported housing, estates and services
- Hold senior accountability for safeguarding governance, complaints and assurance frameworks
- Lead audit, inspection and review activity, ensuring consistently high standards and strong regulatory outcomes
- Embed a culture of quality, learning and improvement across multi‑site services
- Oversee property compliance, health & safety and estates management, ensuring safe and welcoming environments
- Use data, insight and digital systems to drive performance, manage risk and support innovation
- Act as the organisation’s senior lead with regulators, inspectors and professional bodies
- Work collaboratively with fellow Directors to deliver a joined‑up, high‑quality client journey
- Develop, coach and inspire senior leaders, fostering a high‑performing, values‑driven culture
About You
You will be a credible, values‑led leader with a strong background in regulated services and a passion for quality and safeguarding.
Essential experience and qualifications include:
- Senior leadership experience within supported housing, homelessness or a closely related regulated sector
- Proven success leading multi‑site services and senior operational leaders
- Strong track record in quality improvement, safeguarding, compliance and inspection readiness
- Sound financial and commercial awareness, including managing significant budgets and resources
- Lean Six Sigma qualification
- Level 5 Safeguarding qualification
- Health & Safety qualification (IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent)
You will also bring:
- Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into practical delivery
- A collaborative, visible and approachable leadership style
- Integrity, humility and purpose in how you lead
- A commitment to co‑production, continuous learning and innovation
- Strong communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description on our website.
Salary: £50,285 per annum
Hours: 32 hours per week
Location: Home Based with travel across sites in the UK
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Haberdashers’ Company is one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, with a history dating back to 1371. While custodians of a remarkable heritage, we are firmly focused on the present and future. Our enduring purpose is to empower young people from every background to fulfil their potential through our schools and by supporting their communities.
Today, the Company is a thriving membership organisation of more than 1,000 members from a wide range of professions, united by a shared commitment to service and social impact. We are a modern, values-led funder, committed to flexible, relational and transparent grant-making, working in partnership with our schools, churches, communities and charity partners to create lasting change.
Central to our approach is the Haberdashers’ Advantage, a distinctive funder-plus model that combines grant funding with member-led governance support, volunteering, mentoring and capacity building. Each year, the Company distributes over £5.6 million to support schools, young people, churches and charities across North London, Southeast London, South Wales and the West Midlands, with a primary focus on education and community resilience.
The Role
We are seeking a Director for Charities to lead and further develop the Company’s grant-making, philanthropy and fundraising. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering charitable strategy and ensuring the Company’s resources create meaningful, long-term impact for young people and communities.
The Director for Charities will oversee our grant-making, steward key funding relationships and play a central role in developing fundraising with members, including growing individual giving, legacies and events-based income. The role is inherently relational, working closely with charity partners, schools, dioceses, Company members and colleagues. You will support and advise grant-making committees, convene learning and engagement events, and represent the Company within external funder networks to remain connected to best practice in modern philanthropy.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a values-driven leader with strong experience of flexible and responsive grant-making and fundraising in the charitable sector, and a clear commitment to improving outcomes for young people and communities. You will have excellent communication skills, a warm, engaging and reflective leadership style, and will thrive in a small but highly collaborative organisation. You will be comfortable engaging with grassroots charities, senior stakeholders, Company members and robust governance structures, combining an appreciation for heritage and service with a commitment to modern, progressive philanthropy.
To read more about the opportunity and our work, please download the full appointment brief.
Closing Date: 3 March 2026
People Beyond Profit Screening Conversations: 9-18 March 2026
The Haberdashers’ Company Panel Interviews:
- First Stage: 27 March 2026
- Second Stage: 13 April 2026
Join a charity which helps families wherever and whenever they need us
Lia’s Wings is the only charity delivering life-saving aeromedical transfers by plane both within the UK and overseas. We make sure babies and children receive the vital treatment they need, no matter where they are. Alongside these urgent medical transfers, we provide tailored, wrap-around support for families to help them through a crisis, creating long-term improved health and well-being outcomes.
We are seeking a new Director of Fundraising to help us increase our income to support more families.
The successful candidate will set the strategic direction for fundraising, lead the team to build strong and sustainable income streams and ensure the charity has the resources it needs to deliver and expand our vital services.This is a wonderful opportunity to help shape the future of our small but mighty charity. The successful candidate will bring proven fundraising leadership experience, strong relationship-building skills, and a genuine passion for providing life-changing support to babies and children.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned to organisational goals.
- Lead income development and diversification across corporate, major donor, trusts and foundations, community fundraising and events.
- Lead the development of compelling cases for support, proposals, and donor communications.
- Build a strong corporate partnerships programme, including aviation sector engagement and charity of the year partnerships.
- Identify and cultivate major donor prospects, working closely with the CEO where appropriate.
- Grow individual giving, including regular giving, appeals, and legacy development.
- Oversee the trusts and foundations pipeline, ensuring high quality applications and stewardship.
- Provide strategic insight to the CEO and Board on fundraising performance, opportunities, and risks.
- As a member of our Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational planning, budgeting, and impact. reporting.
We are looking for someone with:
- Proven track record of delivering significant income growth across multiple fundraising streams.
- Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
- Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and developing teams.
- Demonstrable success in building relationships with high-value donors, corporates, or trusts.
- Experience working in a small or growing charity environment.
For further details, please see the attached job description.
How to apply:
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) should demonstrate how you meet the person specification set out in the job description.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th February.
Please note first round interviews will take place online Thursday 5th and Monday 9th March. A second (and final) round interview will take place in London on the morning of Wednesday 18th March.
The UK's only aeroplane ambulance charity: ensuring British children can access lifesaving and life-changing medical treatments when in urgent need.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.
You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.
You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team.
Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.
Team:Research and Development
Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location
Duration:Permanent
Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)
Main Purpose
The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).
While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.
They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and management
- Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
- Line management of senior and mid-level staff
- Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate
Income
- Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
- Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
- Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners
Impact
- Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
- Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
- Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them.
Delivery
- Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
- Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
- Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team
Person Specification
Experience
Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential
Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential
Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential
Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential
Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable
Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable
Skills
Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential
Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable
Clear and direct written communication style - Essential
Knowledge
Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential
Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential
Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title - Managing Director of Research Programmes (UK)
Contract – Permanent
Hours - 35 hours per week
Salary – Circa £75,000 per annum (negotiable)
Location - Coram Campus, Bloomsbury, with occasional travel and some working from home as agreed
About Coram
Coram, which is the oldest children’s charity, is a group of specialist organisations; we help more than 1 million children and young people from infancy to independence, creating positive change that lasts a lifetime.
Established by Royal Charter in 1739, as the Foundling Hospital, and operating from its distinctive 3.5 acres headquarters in the heart of London, Coram has built a position of insight, influence, and research by working closely with other organisations and other sectors, universities and government, professionals, and families. We have ambitious plans for the future, to be the UK’s leading recognised research organisation, dedicated to improving life chances as the Institute for Children.
About the role
This role works directly with the Chief Executive as a member of the Senior Management Team in achievement of this vision and strategy; it will lead the advancement of the Coram Institute for Children as a UKRI recognised independent research organisation (IRO), drive research capacity and capability, champion and deliver internal and external evaluations, advance Coram’s sector credibility and relationships, and inform and contribute to the group’s reach, relevance and results.
This senior position leads a large team of mixed methods researchers and data analysts and comprises an important opportunity for a credible research leader and experienced charity senior manager who is dynamic and multi-skilled with an entrepreneurial approach to lead the only IRO in the children and young people’s sector.
The successful candidate will have a strong business focus and commitment to translating research findings into policy and practice and direct experience of securing research council funding, or funding from sources such as What Works Centres, local and central government or Trusts and Foundations.
You will be able to work individually, in a team and across the organisation. Strong critical thinking ability, partnership building skills and knowledge, experience and commitment to improving lives of children are essential.
To apply for this role, please visit the Coram website to complete an application. Please note CV’S will not be accepted.
Closing date: 18th February 2026 at 12 noon
Interview date: 26th & 27th February 2026
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.
If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Registered Charity No. 312278.
Coram changes lives, laws and systems to create better chances for children, now and forever.
