Director of communications jobs

Director of Fundraising - Back Up : London office / hybrid (2 days per week)

Salary: £72,000 - £80,000 per annum : Full time, permanent

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Back Up, a national charity supporting people affected by spinal cord injury, to recruit their new Director of Fundraising.

This is a pivotal, senior leadership role at an exciting point in Back Up's journey. With income at £3.6m and plans to reach £5m by 2030, the Director of Fundraising will play a critical role in shaping strategy, driving sustainable growth and further developing Back Up's high-performing, values-led fundraising function.

About Back Up

Founded in 1986, Back Up exists to ensure that no one faces spinal cord injury alone. Every two hours, someone in the UK sustains a spinal cord injury. Back Up provides life-changing services including mentoring, wheelchair skills training, family support, residential courses and return to work. Their Limitless Ambition strategy (2025-2030) sets out bold plans to expand reach, deepen impact and strengthen the organisation for the future.

The role

• Salary: £72,000 - £80,000 per annum
• Full-time, permanent role
• Generous annual leave and pension
• Strong commitment to flexible working and inclusion
• Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) employer
• Hybrid working, 2 office days per week (Wandsworth, South London)

As Director of Fundraising, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO and leading income growth across a broad and diversified fundraising portfolio. You will:

• Lead delivery of Back Up's 2025-2030 fundraising strategy, growing income from £3.6m to £5m+
• Provide inspiring leadership to senior fundraising leaders and teams
• Strengthen fundraising systems, performance frameworks and governance
• Build strong relationships with trustees, the Fundraising Development Board, major donors, corporates, trusts and foundations
• Champion ethical, values-led and inclusive fundraising practice
• Use insight, data and innovation (including responsible use of new technologies) to improve performance and decision-making

This is a role for a strategic, credible leader who enjoys translating ambition into income and impact.

About you

You will bring a strong track record of leading and delivering significant fundraising growth, alongside:

• Senior leadership experience within fundraising
• Expertise across high-value income streams (corporate partnerships, major gifts, trusts/foundations,)
• Experience working with boards, senior volunteers and high-level stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, financial awareness and communication skills
• A leadership style that is collaborative, values-driven and inclusive
• Alignment with Back Up's values and mission

Experience in health, disability or adjacent sectors is welcome, but not essential.

Location

Hybrid working, with offices based in Wandsworth, South London.

How to apply

To request a full application pack, please submit an application with your updated CV.

Key dates

• Closing date: Wednesday 13th May
• Invitations to interview: 18th May
• First stage interviews (online): 26th May
• Second stage interviews (in person): 2nd June

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with

Programme Support & Knowledge Director

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Location: The role can be based in the London, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries.

UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: Salaries and benefits will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience.

UK: £81,510 per year with excellent benefits.

Other Countries: Competitive with excellent benefits.

*We offer competitive, market-aligned starting salaries. While most roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, we may adjust this in exceptional cases depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and potential.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Programme Support & Knowledge (PSK) team is a critical and dynamic unit within WaterAid UK’s International Programmes Department (IPD), working across 17 countries in Africa and Asia. PSK is a diverse and motivated group of over 20 technical specialists and advisors committed to bringing sustainable WASH to the world’s poorest and most marginalised people.

About the role

As our Programme Support and Knowledge Director, you will play a key role in delivering our mission by providing strategic leadership to the PSK team and the wider IPD, as part of the department’s SMT. You will also input into organisation-wide initiatives, external collaborations and global networks to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to WaterAid UK’s programmes
• Lead the Programme Support & Knowledge Team
• Lead programme learning and knowledge management
• Oversee programme support and capacity development
• Support fundraising, external engagement, partnerships and communications
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Extensive and deep experience in WASH development across multiple contexts
• Strong technical WASH skills – e.g. sustainable rural and /or urban water supply service delivery and management, climate resilient WASH, 
• Systems-thinking capability to support transformational WASH programming
• Proven ability to lead strategic, impactful initiatives in large organisations
• Strong understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation in development
• Experience in knowledge management, learning and capacity development
• Proven experience of developing propositions and donor engagement and
• A track record of leading high-performing teams and supporting change

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Working knowledge of French, Portuguese or Spanish
• Experience leading or managing applied research
• Experience establishing and promoting technical standards.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 11 May 2026. Shortlisting and Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage you to apply at an early stage.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies. These will be shared during the process

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !

Since 1990, Public Law Project has held power to account through landmark legal challenges. PLP’s recent work, delivered in close collaboration with its brilliant clients and partners, includes challenging the government's Rwanda immigration policy, securing justice for the Windrush generation, and scrutinising the use of AI in public decision-making. 

Our work is highly respected and deeply valued across the legal and social justice sectors. To continue tackling the most pressing legal injustices of our time, we need to increase our reach and engagement with our key audiences (including policy makers, the legal community and civil society organisations), amplifying our influence and impact.  

The Role  

Reporting to the Communications & Engagement Director, this is an exciting role focused on supporting and building PLP’s external profile and audience engagement. You’ll be responsible for: building relationships with journalists and securing media coverage, day-to-day content creation and the development of our digital channels. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the organisation, as well as partners and clients, to ensure our communications are timely, inclusive, and impactful.

You would be joining the team at a significant moment. The issues we work on – from immigration to AI – have never been more salient or more important. You would be joining us after we have launched our bold new strategy and play a part in refreshing our visual identity and shaping our narrative.

We’re looking for someone who is:  

Digitally savvy, media-smart and a creative storyteller: You have strong news judgement and storytelling ability, with experience securing media coverage and creating compelling content across digital channels. You enjoy translating complex legal and policy issues into content that engages and inspires — and know how to tailor it for different platforms and audiences. 

A collaborative colleague: You will enjoy working across teams with colleagues at all levels and with external partners and clients. 

Organised and determined: You are an excellent project manager who enjoys developing plans and putting them into action

Committed to Equity: You share PLP’s commitment to understanding and addressing the effects of marginalisation in all our work. 

If you're ready to help us tell the stories that matter, we'd love to hear from you. 

As part of our commitment to recruit fairly we use anonymised-selection processes until interview, offer additional interview opportunities to the highest-scoring candidates from under-represented communities, and use ‘tie-breaker’ provisions at all stages of our selection process. 

The People & Culture Director is responsible for leading the People Team, business partnering with the SLT to provide strategic, operational and change leadership across the charity.

This role will lead all people, culture, and organisational development activities across Ygam, ensuring they are aligned with Ygam’s values, strategy, and statutory responsibilities as a UK charity employer.

Success will be consolidating and building upon our existing structures to deliver a high‑performing, values‑driven, and inclusive culture which enables Ygam to achieve our objectives both now and in the longer-term

As a trusted member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the postholder will act as a coach, adviser, and culture‑builder—championing equity, wellbeing, safeguarding, and effective leadership and line management across the charity, as well as playing a full role in cross-SLT pieces of work.

The role also plays a key part in bringing colleagues together by coordinating internal events, including the planning and delivery of all-staff Together Days.

Our commitment as a People Team is to help the wider staff group on their journey within Ygam. We aim to provide an environment which brings out the best in our team, so that they can provide the best possible service to the people we support.

Who are we looking for?

This post sits on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).  We are looking for a senior.  experienced, credible, and values‑driven people director, who combines strategic insight with a deeply human approach.

You will be someone who believes that culture is created through everyday behaviours, relationships, and decisions, and who is comfortable working with complexity, ambiguity, and change.

You will bring significant leadership experience at this level across the full HR and People brief. as well as strong professional judgement alongside empathy, curiosity, and humility. You will be a confident self-starter able to challenge constructively while building trust at all levels of the organisation.

Above all, you will share our commitment to high-performing culture that is driven by our mission and values and be motivated by the opportunity to help create a workplace where people and volunteers feel safe, supported, included, and able to do their best work.

ABOUT GLOBAL CANOPY

Global Canopy is a data-driven not for profit delivering real transparency and accountability for market impacts on nature and people. Our special focus is on ending deforestation – an essential step in achieving urgent global goals on climate, nature and human rights.

ABOUT CORPORATE PERFORMANCE

A growing number of companies and financial institutions are seeking to mitigate their impacts on nature. But many have made commitments that are not being met, and others are failing to take any action at all. We hold the most exposed companies and financial institutions to account through our Forest 500 project, by assessing their policies and performance.

With our suite of Deforestation-free Finance Guidance and a forthcoming new tool, DEFT Pathway, we provide tools and data for financial institutions and investors to support effective engagement with high-risk companies. We support the finance sector, policy makers and other stakeholders by providing market-leading data on deforestation and ESG metrics through Forest IQ.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and deeply knowledgeable Programme Director. It is an opportunity to become part of an accomplished and proactive team at the heart of the fight against market-driven deforestation and nature loss.

You will be a strong technical leader who excels at programmatic management and delivery. With a drive and passion for effective delivery, technical quality and rigour, and ensuring teams are well organised and properly resourced to meet their individual and collective objectives on time and on budget. You will lead the management and mentoring of the team and its development to ensure it is equipped and motivated to deliver on and scale-up its day to day work, while also continuing to innovate. 

You will participate in strategy development and external representation, helping to ensure we stay at the leading edge of global efforts to transition to deforestation-free supply chains and portfolios. You will ensure that our external partnerships are well managed, and that we are continuing to secure the resources and relationships needed to effectively deliver on our strategy in this fast-moving space.

The programme is structured as three workstreams, which work across our projects and products. The workstreams Leads are responsible for delivery, so a key part of your role will be in supporting and enabling them and their teams to effectively deliver on their goals:

• Research, Methodologies and Innovation
• Data and Product
• Uptake (Communications and Engagement)

The workstreams all work across Forest 500, Forest 500 – Finance, Floresta 250 – Cattle, Deforestation-free Finance Sector Guidance, Forest IQ, and DEFT Pathway.

You will also hold overall budget and fundraising responsibilities for the team and be supported by a dedicated Finance Business Partner and our Development Team.

You will ensure that we are making the most of the technical expertise, data and other synergies across Global Canopy as a whole, leveraging the time and skills of regional and cross-cutting programmes, such as the Brazil-based team and Human Rights and Learning & Development functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme leadership

• Lead the effective implementation of the Corporate Performance strategy and workplan through the oversight and management of delivery of the Corporate Performance portfolio of projects. Ensure effective and impactful delivery, building and maintaining strong relationships with partners and strong programme management and leadership. 
• Oversee all major programme management tasks and deliverables including ensuring delivery against budgets, risks and opportunity management and escalation, donor reporting and deliverables. Day-to-day management of workstreams will be with the respective workstream Leads.
• Guide and direct the Corporate Performance team, ensuring technical excellence and high-quality outputs. Support their growth and development as individuals and in sharing learning opportunities across the team. This includes line management of Corporate Performance Leads and matrix working across Global Canopy teams.

Team and people management

• Develop multi-year plans and design processes to ensure staff ownership and clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Empower, support and line manage staff including technical coaching, career development and progression planning as well as identification of key team capabilities to be developed.

Strategy, fundraising and external representation

• Stay abreast of external developments affecting our strategy. This includes engaging with NGO peers and our target audiences of companies, financial institutions and policymakers.
• Manage partnerships and identify new strategic partnerships to further drive forward the Corporate Performance work of Global Canopy and partners.
• Work with other senior colleagues in Corporate Performance and Global Canopy to develop the strategy and future opportunities via consultative processes.
• Working collaboratively with the Development team to cultivate and sustain strong relationships with both new and existing donors, while developing tailored fundraising proposals as needed to sustain and grow the programme..
• Engage in public speaking at conferences, on webinars and more to engage stakeholders and inspire action on deforestation by companies, financial institutions and other key players.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, these are the things that will matter the most:

• Strong programmatic and people management skills, with a proven track record in successfully delivering on complex, cross-sector projects.
• Deep technical knowledge and leadership on deforestation, climate and nature frameworks and policies, and the latest developments in this fast-evolving space.

Essential behavioural competencies:

• Strong leadership presence, modelling and championing leadership behaviours and organisational values.
• Positive outlook. High emotional intelligence and a coaching and mentoring-based approach to line management.

Skills and experience:

• Significant experience of project/programme management, working with and leading a large team.
• Experience of all stages of project development and delivery e.g. project design, fundraising, as well as project implementation and delivering results.
• Ability to oversee partnership projects with a variety of stakeholders and competing interests and priorities.
• Ability to identify potential fundraising opportunities and design concepts in collaboration with Global Canopy’s Development team. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Specific expertise in at least one combination of Global Canopy’s focal areas of forests and land use, and supply chain and financial transparency.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary: £70,000 full time equivalent (This role sits within Band B on Global Canopy’s remuneration framework.)

Nature of contract: Full- or part-time (0.8 FTE), fixed term (24 months). We are a flexible employer and welcome candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Base: Our office is in Oxford, with flexible home-working arrangements in place. Ability to attend the office fortnightly at minimum would be desirable. We will support UK visa sponsorship for this position. 

Holidays: 36 days (including bank/public holidays) for discretionary use across the annual leave year. Option to purchase up to an additional 5 days or equivalent of one week’s leave.

Pension: Employer pension contribution of 8%.

Healthcare cashback plan: Covering dental fees, eye-care, wellbeing, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more – for you and any children. 

Group Life Assurance: Paying a lump sum of 3 times annual salary

Group Income Protection: Paying 75% of annual salary for up to 2 years (for long term sickness).

Employee Assistance Programme: Which provides free, confidential advice on personal and legal matters.

Other: Huge range of discounts and cashback deals at gyms, restaurants, holidays, and much more.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the position, please use this link and submit an up-to date CV and answers to the following questions (max 300  words each). 

1. Why are you interested in this role? Which of your previous roles are most relevant to the Corporate Performance Director position, and what skills, strengths and experiences would you bring to Global Canopy?
2. Please give an example of when you have led a team that worked across multiple projects and/or workstreams. What were the biggest challenges you faced and how did you deal with these?
3. Please give an example of a time when you were accountable for evolving a programme strategy and fundraised for a new or existing area of work. What were the key lessons you will bring to this role?

Applicants are required to disclose if and how they have used AI in their application. 

The closing date for applications is Monday, 18 May at 9am BST.

The recruitment process for this position is intended to be as follows: 

1. First-round interview of 30 mins (tentatively 26 & 28 May) 

2. Final interview of 1 hour (tentatively w/c 8 June) with a written assessment to complete in your own time

This recruitment process will take place online via video. The entire process is likely to take 4 weeks to complete from the closing date of this advert. Due to the volume of interest, we are unable to provide all applicants with individual feedback.

Assistant Finance Director (12–18 month FTC to begin)
A leading Housing Association in the area

A well-established and forward-thinking Housing Association is seeking an Assistant Finance Director to join on a 12–18 month contract initially. Reporting directly to the CFO, this position offers a unique opportunity to operate as the number two in finance, playing a key role in both strategic leadership and operational delivery.

The organisation provides a broad range of general and supported housing and is recognised for its commitment to delivering high-quality services and positive outcomes for its communities.

This role is ideally suited to a senior finance professional with Housing sector experience who is looking to step into a high-impact leadership role, driving improvements across people, processes, and financial insight.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance function, acting as deputy to the CFO
• Oversee financial and management accounting, ensuring robust reporting and controls
• Support financial planning, treasury activities, and development finance
• Drive a high-quality business partnering function across the organisation
• Lead on improving financial processes, systems, and internal controls
• Support the Executive team on business planning, including scenario modelling and stress testing

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Proven experience within a Housing Association or Registered Provider
• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing and developing teams
• Ability to operate at a strategic level and influence senior stakeholders
• Excellent technical finance skills combined with a commercial, business-partnering mindset
• Strong analytical and systems capability, with confident communication skills

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance leader looking to step into a director level role within a purpose-driven organisation.

Friends of the Dales is seeking an outstanding Executive Director to lead our next chapter. We are an independent, dynamic and resilient charity working to protect and enhance the special landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, while supporting the wellbeing of local communities and encouraging people from all backgrounds to value, enjoy and protect this remarkable place.

This is an exciting opportunity for a values-driven leader to build on our strong reputation, recent strategic review and ambitious campaigning work. We are looking for someone who can combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership, bringing energy, credibility and expertise to a charity with a proud history and a growing future.

About Friends of the Dales

Friends of the Dales is an independent membership and campaigning charity dedicated to the Yorkshire Dales. We campaign on issues including nature recovery, wildlife, farming, access, housing, transport, climate resilience, landscape management and sustainable rural communities.

Founded in 1981, we are known for our critical and supportive local voice and our collaborative approach to campaigning and influencing policy. We work with partner organisations, local communities, trustees, volunteers and supporters to protect and improve the Dales for future generations.

We also work with the network of National Park Societies and Campaign for National Parks, and we have a strong commitment to widening diversity and inclusion across our charity and the communities we serve.

The Role

The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, operational management and external representation for the charity. Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will be responsible for delivering the Board’s strategic direction and business plan, growing the supporter base, strengthening financial resilience and ensuring our campaigning remains impactful and aligned with our mission and values.

This is a varied and influential role requiring a confident, collaborative and hands-on leader who can balance strategic oversight with day-to-day delivery. You will work closely with trustees, staff, volunteers, members, supporters and external partners to help shape the future of the charity.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a candidate with:

● Senior leadership experience or aligned and transferable experience and skills in a charity, membership organisation or similar environment.

● Direct experience or transferable experience of campaigning, influencing, advocacy or policy work.

● Strong organisational leadership and operational management skills.

● Knowledge and experience of fundraising, membership growth, partnership working and charity operations.

● The ability to inspire staff, trustees, volunteers, members and supporters.

● A values-driven approach and a strong understanding of, or connection to, the Yorkshire Dales and the issues affecting it.

Experience in a similar setting may be transferable, and we welcome candidates who can demonstrate the skills, insight and leadership needed to succeed in the role.

Working Arrangements

This is a permanent role, offered as either:

● Part-time: 4 days per week, or.

● Full-time: 37 hours per week.

The salary is £50,000 per annum FTE, with part-time hours paid pro rata.

The role is based at Canal Wharf, Eshton Road, Gargrave, BD23 3PN, with some flexibility around working hours and location by agreement. Regular travel across the Yorkshire Dales and occasional evening and weekend working will be required. Ideally, the successful candidate will live in, or within approximately 30 miles of, the perimeter of the Yorkshire Dales.

We offer:

● 22 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after five years’ service, plus English bank holidays, pro rata for part-time hours.

● Additional paid leave over the Christmas and New Year office closure.

● An enhanced employer pension contribution of 5% via NEST.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer sponsorship.

How to Apply

To apply please read the full candidate briefing - available on the Friends of the Dales website - and submit:

● A current CV, including any gaps in employment.

● A supporting statement of no more than 2,000 words, explaining why you wish to apply and how you meet the criteria in the person specification.

● Details of two referees, including one from your current or most recent senior leadership role, with confirmation that you are happy for us to contact them if shortlisted.

● Any dates when you may be unavailable or difficult to contact.

● Any adjustments or accommodations you may require at the interview or presentation stage.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a one-day selection event in the Yorkshire Dales, including a short presentation and panel interview. Full details of the presentation topic and interview questions will be shared in advance.

Recruitment Timetable

● Monday 18 May 2026, 5pm: Closing date.

● Week commencing 25 May 2026: Review of applications and shortlisting.

● Week commencing 15 June 2026: Shortlisted candidates invited to the Yorkshire Dales selection day.

● Week commencing 29 June 2026: Candidates informed of outcome.

Equal Opportunities

Friends of the Dales is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community it serves. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community, and we will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest, whether formal or informal.

Informal Discussion

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact Jonathan Riley, Chair of Trustees after reviewing the appointment brief.

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time National Director of Operations to lead our delivery across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and emerging community settings, with an ambition to reach Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in scaling our impact and strengthening our presence across the criminal justice system and beyond.

As National Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our learning programmes in prisons and community settings. You will ensure high‑quality, consistent and accessible delivery, overseeing a team of six Regional Managers and a wider workforce of around 65 staff, volunteers and over 2,000 peer mentors trained each year.

Working closely with senior colleagues, partner organisations and national bodies such as HMPPS, you will drive programme excellence, innovation and partnership working. You will also play a key role in new business development, operational strategy, contractual delivery and ensuring we can reliably demonstrate the impact of our work.

The role requires an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage. You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and leading distributed teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working with statutory bodies or large public-sector partners (e.g. HMPPS).
• Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding, or alternative education environments (desirable).
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Shannon Trust’s values.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but will require travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. This role does require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews, which will be held online, are planned for the w/c 18th May.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to be our next chief executive, leading a respected and influential membership organisation at the heart of a thriving grassroots movement.

You’ll be working to build on the success we’ve seen and strong position and voice we have established for ourselves and our members, as a leading force for inclusive and sustainable transport and communities.

You’ll bring an impressive track record in values-based leadership, a proven ability to engage and inspire grassroots change-makers, strategic partners and policy-makers, and a deep belief in the importance of community-led change towards a sustainable, equitable future.

About us

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation, which is in the process of applying for charitable status, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 77 community-based organisations, and around 1,300 station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in dispersed locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role, and your main responsibilities

Our current CEO is moving on after nine years in role, leaving the organisation, team and wider movement in a strong and empowered position to deliver on the next phase of our development.

Your opportunity is to lead the organisation, and to deliver on our new five-year strategy setting an ambitious course for the future during a period of major transformation for our railways and the wider transport system. You will ensure that we are:

• clear in our identity and our independence, and seen as thought leaders in our field;
• are supporting our members and stakeholders to meet their changing and diverse needs; and
• ensuring the financial and operational resilience of the organisation in an environment that is undergoing a period of rapid change.

As CEO, you will lead a passionate and experienced senior leadership team with three direct reports, while working closely with and reporting into our Board, key partners and funders, and ensuing an engaging, empowering, tenacious approach across all we do.

Advocacy of community rail and its benefits will be high on your agenda, and you will be working closely across multiple stakeholders including UK and devolved national governments, regional and local authorities as well as forging collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations.

Maintaining our community-centric ethos, you will need to ensure we're effective in enabling members to unlock greater value from the railways at a grassroots level, while drawing on their insights to affect wider change. With hundreds of member groups and organisations across Britain delivering life-changing, place-enhancing work, you will have a solid foundation to build on, to take community rail forward and expand our impact in the years ahead.

Last, but not least, you will be responsible for ensuring the strong and effective governance of the organisation, modelling our governing principles, values and behaviours, and ensuring that we have robust financial and resource management in place.

Skills, competencies and qualities

1. Exceptional leadership skills, including a proven ability to lead, develop and grow third sector organisations or multi-faceted teams delivering complex activities, projects and campaigns;
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills: articulate, assertive, with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
3. Experienced in acting as the public face of an organisation, such as through the media, public speaking and high-level meetings, and using evidence and storytelling to articulate and champion a cause;
4. Politically astute, with knowledge of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a sound grasp of the importance of public transport, sustainable travel, and community-led action;
5. A proven ability to influence policy and decision-makers, and to identify influencing opportunities, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, including sharing community insights;
6. A strong track record in income generation and development, building strong funder relationships and delivery partnerships, managing programme or organisational budgets and controlling expenditure;
7. Experience of working with and/or reporting to a board, ideally in a not-for-profit and/or membership context;
8. An empowering, engaging approach to leadership, management and change-making;
9. Resilient, pragmatic and determined, with the ability to work under pressure, seize emergent opportunities, manage risk, and support others dealing with competing priorities.

Other information

The role will involve extensive travel within Britain as part of building your profile and that of the organisation with central and devolved government in Scotland and Wales, and increasingly with the devolved regions of England.

There is flexibility on location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or West Yorkshire) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London. It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably. 

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months. 

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 7%; and access to Employee Assistance Programme.

Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

Following the growth of the Income Generation team Severn Hospice is expanding.

At Severn Hospice, we provide specialist care and support to people living with incurable illness from across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales. We are looking for a motivated, empathetic and personable Legacy Fundraiser to help support our future care through legacy giving.

Legacies are a major income stream, and with your influential and intuitive approach you will play a pivotal role in managing, developing and maximising our legacy portfolio.

Just like our care, our relationships with supporters are individual and with your excellent interpersonal skills and sensitive manner, you will focus on building warm, meaningful relationships with supporters, creating positive experiences at every touchpoint and inspiring people to consider leaving a gift in their will. You will nurture existing legacy supporters, grow new audiences and contribute to engaging campaigns, events and community partnerships that promote legacy giving. Progress towards objectives will be regularly reviewed through key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring that targets around supporter engagement, outreach activities, and campaign effectiveness are met and exceeded where possible and our future goals are achieved.

You will also develop links with local solicitors, funeral directors and other community partners to raise awareness of our care and the impact legacies can make. Part of your objectives will include expanding these professional networks and tracking partnership outcomes as a key indicator of success.

If you have excellent communication and organisational skills, the ability to balance sensitivity with ambition and a passion supporting a local cause we’d love you to get in touch. Working towards defined objectives and KPIs, you’ll play a fundamental role in supporting our future care and helping us to achieve long-term sustainability.

Communications and PR Manager
Location: Headquarters in Lincoln – HEMS Way, Lincoln, LN4 2GW. Hybrid working may be available upon completion of probation  
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 per week
Salary: £34,000 to £42,000 (FTE), subject to skills and experience.
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Director of Income and Engagement

About Us

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) provides lifesaving critical care to the communities of Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire, funded by public donations. If somebody is involved in a serious incident or suddenly taken ill, speed and time are of the essence. Giving a patient the best chance of survival, our Air Ambulance crew effectively take the A&E department to the scene of the emergency.

Rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission across all five areas that were inspected – Safe, Caring, Effective, Responsive and Well led, we are a friendly, inclusive, and dynamic team focused on ensuring we deliver the best possible service. The tie that binds us here at LNAA is our set of values – Teamwork. Respect. Innovation. Compassion (TRIC). We display these attributes in the way we interact with the people we meet, from former patients and volunteers to our supporters and colleagues.

About the Role

The Communications & PR Manager will lead all internal and external communications for Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The role is responsible for protecting and enhancing LNAA’s reputation, delivering clear and compelling storytelling, and maximising visibility across media, digital platforms and key stakeholder networks. Through strategic planning, strong leadership and creative communication, the postholder will engage staff, volunteers and supporters, secure positive media coverage, and support fundraising and organisational priorities.

Our Benefits

• Annual Leave of 25 days, which increases by 1 additional day per completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days. in addition to bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff)
• Additional days leave for your birthday.
• Pension scheme includes 6% employer contributions, with 4% employee contribution.
• Access to a Health & Wellbeing Care Plan*
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme*
• Life insurance at 3 times your annual salary*

*On completion of probationary period.

Closing date: 1st June
Interview date: Week commencing 8th June 2026
N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Interested?

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. 

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or equivalent) is required for this role.

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is an equal opportunities employer and aims to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and equitably regardless of gender, race, colour, ethnicity, age, disabilities, social economic background, religious or political beliefs, marital status, maternity or paternity, or sexual orientation.

Please note that we are currently unable to sponsor applicants for work visas in the UK. Therefore, you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. Applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship will not be considered.

No agencies please.

Chair (Non-Executive) – Board of Directors

South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd (‘SWWFL’)

Remuneration: £12,500 per annum (plus expenses)
Location: Home-based, with some travel across the South West
Time commitment: Approximately 4 days per month

Do you care about the work of the Wildlife Trusts and want to make a real difference to the future of our treasured wildlife?

About the role

SWWFL, a wholly-owned trading subsidiary of 8 regional Wildlife Trusts, is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to take on the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. This is a pivotal leadership position, providing direction to the Board of Directors, supporting the Chief Executive Officer, and strengthening relationships with our owning Wildlife Trusts and partnerships with client Trusts.

You will also serve as a Company Director of SWWFL, sharing responsibility for the oversight, stewardship, and long-term success of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation supporting the work of The Wildlife Trusts across the extended South West.

Key responsibilities

As Chair, you will:

· Lead the Board of Directors, ensuring effective governance, decision-making and accountability

· Work closely with the CEO, providing both support and constructive challenge

· Ensure strong strategic alignment between SWWFL and its owning Wildlife Trusts and client Wildlife Trusts

· Oversee financial performance, risk management and regulatory compliance

· Chair Board meetings and ensure effective participation from all Directors

· Act as an ambassador for SWWFL with external stakeholders and partner Wildlife Trusts

· Lead the annual appraisal and development of the CEO

Governance and Director responsibilities

In addition to Chair duties, the postholder will fulfil the responsibilities of a SWWFL Company Director, including:

· Acting in accordance with the SWWFL Memorandum & Articles of Association and Members’ Agreement

· Exercising independent judgement, care and diligence

· Ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and risk management

· Supporting long-term sustainable success of the business

Terms of appointment

· The Chair is appointed by majority vote of the Board

· Term: normally 3 years, may be renewed, with annual performance review by the Board and owning Trusts

· The Chair role is remunerated, via a contracting agreement, in recognition of additional responsibilities

· The person appointed must, therefore, have appropriate and genuine self-employed status (or equivalent) to receive payment

· Where a Trustee of an owning Wildlife Trust is appointed, they cannot receive remuneration in line with SWWFL governance arrangements

· All Directors (including the Chair in their Director capacity) are subject to SWWFL governance requirements

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

Experience

· Significant Board-level experience

· Proven experience of chairing meetings

· Senior strategic leadership experience (ideally in a commercial environment)

· Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building experience

Skills & knowledge

· Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements

· High level of financial literacy

· Commercial awareness

· Experience in risk management and organisational oversight

Personal qualities

· Strategic, decisive and emotionally intelligent

· Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills

· Confident in an ambassadorial role

· Committed to the mission of The Wildlife Trusts

Time commitment

The Chair is expected to commit around 4 days per month, including:

· Regular meetings with the CEO and Finance Manager

· 6 Board and Stakeholder meetings annually

· 4 Finance & Remuneration Committee meetings

· Meetings with auditors and owning Trust CEOs

Some travel across the South West will be required, although many meetings are held remotely.

Eligibility

The Chair does not need to be an employee of an owning Wildlife Trust. However, they do need to be a member of their local Wildlife Trust, and they will operate within a Board that includes Directors who are drawn from the owning Trusts:

Avon, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a values-driven organisation, helping to support vital conservation work across the South West and beyond.

How to apply

An application pack and form can be downloaded from the SWWFL website. A copy of your CV, plus a personal statement detailing your skills and experience relevant to this role, must be included in your application.

The deadline for applications is 7th June 2026.

Interviews will take place on 30th June 2026 at Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol. 

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family-friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave
• Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Opportunities for hybrid working

More information about working at the School can be found on our jobs page.

About the role

Reporting to the Programme Director of the What Works Hub for Global Education, you will communicate the programme’s mission and findings to a range of audiences – from policymakers in target countries, to leading global academics and international organisations. This will involve overseeing and delivering the Hub’s communications strategy, managing the Hub’s website and social media channels, creating and disseminating content, and coordinating with implementation partners in country, as well as offering a range of hands-on support as part of a tight project team. The role will involve working closely with our strategic and consortium partners, to ensure that communications and engagement activities are targeted effectively to different audiences and country contexts.

You will be based within the What Works Hub at the Blavatnik School of Government, as part of the Hub’s central programme team.  You will also have strong links to the School’s corporate Communications and Events team, who will provide senior guidance and support on communications and engagement. You will be supported by, and line-manage, a Communications and Projects Officer.

This role is fixed-term until 30 June 2027.

Whilst the role is a Grade 8 position, we would be willing to consider candidates with less experience for which an appointment would be at Grade 7 (£39,424 - £47,779 p.a.) with the job title and responsibilities adjusted accordingly. This would be discussed with applicants at interview/appointment where appropriate.

About you

You will be a communications professional who wants to make a contribution on important global issues and is passionate about improving education outcomes. You proactively support broader team activities, stepping in where needed, while still ensuring you deliver on your core duties. You can get your head around research and policy ideas easily, and are comfortable working with academics. You are responsive enough to deliver fast on their priorities and win trust, but assured enough to offer ideas about more effective or efficient ways to deliver their objectives.

You must be a self-starter who is confident working in a matrix style, can cope with complexity and ambiguity, and can define, schedule and drive your own objectives and activities based on a strong understanding of the programme objectives. The role also demands excellent writing skills, digital fluency, and the ability to get to grips with complex concepts and networks.

You will be able to promote the Hub’s thinking, evidence and stories to a broad audience, including policymakers worldwide, working strategically with partners to build the Hub’s credibility as the go-to place for excellence on learning outcomes.

You will have excellent strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, experience of working with partners globally, experience of writing articles and copy for websites, and demonstrable editorial judgement. Strong project management and proven delivery skills, along with relevant work experience and demonstrable experience using social media in a professional communications capacity, are essential.

Application process

Please upload a supporting statement that outlines how you meet the selection criteria in your own words, along with your CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is at 12 noon (UK Time) on Friday 15 May 2026.

War Child UK is at a pivotal moment. As more children than ever are growing up affected by conflict, the need for their work has never been greater, and neither has the importance of connecting with the world and their key audiences in bold, relevant and meaningful ways. 

As they begin a new five‑year strategy, introduce a refreshed brand and strengthen their ambition to reach more children impacted by war, we are seeking an outstanding Executive Head of Communications, Marketing and Campaigns to help lead this next chapter. 

This is a rare opportunity to shape how War Child UK shows up in the world, bringing together their vital purpose, distinctive voice and creativity in ways that truly resonate. You’ll join a team driven by ideas, collaboration and action, united by a deep commitment to the children, communities and partners they serve. 

From stand‑out cultural moments to ambitious advocacy campaigns and urgent emergency communications responding to some of the world’s most severe crises affecting children, you’ll lead a team producing powerful communications that cut through, connect with audiences and inspire action. 

Executive Head of Communications, Marketing and Campaigns 

War Child UK 

Circa £75,000 per annum

London (Hybrid and flexible working policy)

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising and Engagement, this is a pivotal new role at a defining moment for the organisation, as War Child UK launches a new strategy and refreshed brand. 

You will lead a team of experts across marketing, communications, digital, press, content and advocacy, shaping how War Child UK engages supporters, partners and decision-makers. You will oversee the delivery of high impact campaigns and communications on the worst crises affecting children and across a portfolio of bold music, art, gaming and corporate partnerships and events. 

You will develop an audience-led communications, brand and marketing strategy that drives engagement, income and influence, ensuring campaigns and advocacy are fully integrated and mutually reinforcing. 

This role combines creativity with strategic judgement, providing senior leadership on external positioning and reputational risk and crisis communications advisory – and shaping how War Child UK shows up in the world, while enabling a motivated, ambitious team to perform at its best. 

About you 

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on leader with: 

• Strategic communications leader with a proven track record of delivering integrated, audience‑first communications and marketing strategies that drive engagement, income and influence in complex, fast‑moving environments. 

• Expert in narrative, brand and advocacy, with strong experience shaping external positioning, leading high‑impact campaigns, and using communications to advance political advocacy and public change. 

• Insight‑led and externally focused, skilled in using audience insight, data and cultural, media and political trends to inform strategy, prioritisation and decision‑making. 

• Credible senior adviser and collaborator, with strong influencing skills, experience advising leadership on external positioning and reputational risk, and the ability to build effective relationships across teams and with external partners. 

• Motivational leader and executor, able to build and manage high‑performing teams, deliver high‑quality content and campaigns, balance creativity with discipline, protect workload and wellbeing and uphold best practice in EDI, safeguarding and ethics. 

How to Apply 

If you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Jane Ray or Erica Ritchie via email with a copy of your CV.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline for applications: Sunday 31st May, Midnight 

Online Interviews with Prospectus:  8th and 9th June 

In-person interviews with War Child UK:  Thursday 18th and Friday 19th June 

Staff and CEO Engagement sessions:Thursday 25th June