Director of communications jobs

Head of Communications
Hybrid – Central London (40% office based)
Circa £54,000 per annum
Full-time, 35 hours per week

Paul Hamlyn Foundation is seeking an experienced and values-driven Head of Communications to lead and shape its internal and external communications strategy.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a strategic communicator with a strong understanding of reputation management, stakeholder engagement and inclusive storytelling. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Learning, Insight and Influence, the successful candidate will play a key role in communicating the Foundation’s impact, amplifying the voices of funded organisations and ensuring communications activity reflects the Foundation’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all corporate communications activity across internal and external channels
• Ensure consistent, clear and engaging messaging aligned to organisational priorities
• Manage the development and delivery of regular content, including announcements, blogs and stakeholder communications
• Lead on the production of the annual report and other key publications
• Provide expert communications advice to senior stakeholders, including on sensitive or complex issues
• Manage media relations and support the organisation in responding to reputational or press enquiries
• Line manage and support a small communications team, fostering a collaborative and effective working environment
• Ensure communications activity supports the organisation’s broader influencing and strategic objectives

Person specification

• Significant experience in corporate communications, ideally within the charity, public or wider non-profit sector
• Experience leading or contributing to a communications function at a senior level
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to advise and influence at senior level
• Proven experience managing and developing teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail
• Experience handling media relations and managing complex or sensitive communications issues
• A strong understanding of how communications can support organisational strategy and influence
• Comfortable working in a non-campaigning environment, with a focus on corporate and stakeholder communications

How to Apply 
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button.

Please Note: All speculative/ direct CVs sent will be forwarded to The Talent Set for review. 

Commitment to Diversity 
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process. (Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position)

Director of Professional Standards & Accreditation
Home based (with regular UK travel)
circa £65,000 pa
Full time – 35 hours per week

The Director of Professional Standards and Accreditation is a senior position focused on establishing, overseeing, and upholding the standards that support professional registration and the award of professional titles within the cyber security industry. The role is responsible for overseeing operations that support the Councils core duties to:

• Set and enforce the standards of competence and behaviour required of those whose name is included of the Register of Cyber Security Professionals;

• Approve qualifications, certifications and assessment routes delivered by third party providers recognised as leading to professional registration;

• Award the professional titles of Chartered, Principal, Practitioner and Associate cyber professional and associated specialist designations.

• Determine continuing competence and CPD requirements to support ongoing entitlement to remain on the Register and hold a professional title in cyber security.

• Investigate complaints related to the professional conduct, competence or fitness to practice of registered cyber security professionals and enforcement of sanctions where deficiency or failure is determined.

• Acting as the Council’s principal authority on professional assessment and accreditation, the Director will also serve as the strategic interface with Ofqual, QAA, and other qualification regulators, ensuring national recognition, consistency, and public trust across all pathways—from vocational and apprenticeship routes to higher education and chartered levels.

• The Director of professional standards & Accreditation will have direct line management responsibilities and will be accountable for the wider professionalisation team and outcomes, including the direct delivery of the Associate professional registration title.

Key Responsibilities and Functions:

• Standard Setting: Develop and implement the ethical code, process for ethical complaints and professional competency standards that registrants must meet and adhere to.

• Regulatory Oversight: Accountable for the accreditation and quality assurance of bodies licensed to provide recognised assessments or routes to registration with The Council.

• Policy Development: Contribute to the development of policy for The Council, ensuring it aligns with the organisation’s vision and statutory responsibilities.

• Compliance & Enforcement: Ensure that registrants comply with the standards and regulations applicable to them and take action when non-compliance occurs.

• Public Protection: Protect the interests of consumers by promoting high professional standards within the cyber security profession.Job Description | Director of Professional Standards & Accreditation

• Strategic Input: Provide advice and guidance on matters of professional registration, standards, assessment and quality assurance including Licensed Body accreditation to the leadership team and The Council Board of Trustees.

• Stakeholder management and collaboration: Work closely with our key partners including UK Government, Regulators, Industry, Academia and licensed bodies and engage them with our vision and mission.

• Ensure effective co-ordination and collaboration with volunteers to feed into the quality improvement cycle and growth of the Council (expert advisory panels/groups/moderation/TAPs etc)
• Co-ordination and oversight of the Ethics Committee and Panel.

• Leadership and Management: To recruit, manage, supervise and support the individual members of staff for the professionalisation team, including setting and agreeing objectives within the organisation’s appraisal framework.

Required Experience and Skills

Professional Expertise:

• Deep understanding of the processes and requirements that underpin the development, implementation and upholding of professional standards including competency frameworks, ethical codes and practice guidance.

• Substantial experience leading accreditation, assessment, and quality-assurance functions in a chartered, regulatory, or Ofqual-aligned organisation

• Knowledge and experience of assessment methodologies, validation, qualification design and structure, internal and external quality assurance and moderation approaches to support the recognition of routes to professional registration and award of professional titles.Job Description | Director of Professional Standards & Accreditation

• Experience with qualifications and career pathways – shaping progression routes, aligning with industry standards, and ensuring recognition nationally/internationally.

• Strong grasp of the UK education and qualification ecosystem, Ofqual, QAA, apprenticeships, higher-education frameworks, and national occupational standards, capable of aligning professional recognition with formal qualifications.

Essential Experience:

A minimum of ten years of significant experience operating in comparable organisations to UKCSC whether Chartered Institutes, professional associations or regulatory bodies with a public interest purpose to set and uphold professional standards, maintain a Register and award professional titles.

Regulatory Principles:

Understanding of professional regulation and the role it plays in providing public assurance, trust and confidence.

Strategic Thinking:

Ability to think strategically and contribute to the future direction of the cyber security council and wider cyber security profession.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills:

Capacity to interpret data and develop solutions to complex issues and drive continuous improvement.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, able to represent the Council with clarity and authority to boards, regulators, and external partners.

Commercial & Business Acumen:

Sound business and commercial awareness to sustain and expand the Council’s professional-registration community.Job Description | Director of Professional Standards & Accreditation.

Leadership and Management:

• Experience of managing and leading a high performing team, with a management style that empowers others.

• Ability to work flexibly within changing priorities and a capacity to be adaptable as required to deliver completed tasks to set deadlines.

• Experience of engaging and working effectively with committees, public-interest boards, and volunteer stakeholders as part of development activities.

• To carry out such tasks as the COO/CEO may from time to time deem necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Council.

• Reporting requirements and attendance at key strategic meetings.

• Record of representing an organisation at national level with credibility and gravitas.

Accreditation and Qualification Expertise:

• Experience in education and training accreditation.

• Knowledge or experience of the education pathways (apprenticeships to degrees).

• Good understanding of the UK education system.

• Understanding of competence-based assessment methodologies (portfolios, experiential learning, exams, interviews).

To apply, please send your up-to-date CV, along with a covering letter showing how you meet the personal specification and key duties via the email application button.

Closing date for applications: Friday 15th May at 12:00pm

The Opportunity

Engagement is becoming central to how school leaders think about improvement. The 2026 White Paper reframed it as a lead indicator of school improvement. Ofsted's new framework gives it weight. MAT CEOs and headteachers increasingly want termly data they can act on, and TEP is built to provide exactly that.

We have a strong foundation in the North of England, as a region with some of our founding partners, including Outwood Grange Academies Trust, The Education Alliance, BDAT and Pathfinder were among our Research in the Commission for Engagement and a Lead Indicator and we are proud to still have in our community. However, there is still substantial appetite across the North for TEP to give trust and school leaders precision they can act on. There is a pipeline of interested trusts. And there is real opportunity to shape a regional story (events, flagship partnerships, local authority engagement) that compounds as partnerships grow.

The Regional Director will own that opportunity and lead business development in the region. You'll be building on a proven product and a credible research base, and joining at the point where regional presence matters most. Early work will focus on opening new partnerships at trust level, stewarding a small number of strategic relationships with sector bodies and Teaching School Hubs, and establishing TEP as a trusted voice in the region.

What you'll inherit

• A proven platform and service offer. Validated by 600+ UK schools, designed around the rhythms of the school year, supporting school leaders across the country.

• Support from our Partnerships Director. Working closely with Jess Easton, Director of Partnerships and Insights, who is actively involved in regional strategy, as well as support from our Regional Director (Agnes Fitzpatrick) who works in the South of England.

• Partnerships team support. A Marketing function, a Community team handling delivery, and colleagues across ImpactEd Group opening doors.

• Early pipeline to build on. Warm conversations with trusts in the region, and a growing profile in the sector to build on.

• Real commercial ambition. Clear termly targets, a performance-related pay structure, and the opportunity of employee shares through EMI.

• A base in Leeds. A vibrant, accessible city-centre office two minutes from Leeds station, in the heart of the tech hub of the north.

The role

You'll lead TEP's growth and business development across the North of England: opening new partnerships with schools and trusts, stewarding strategic relationships with sector bodies, and shaping how TEP shows up in the region. You'll have real autonomy, backed by a Director who's hands-on with strategy, a growing marketing function, and the research weight of ImpactEd Group behind you.

There are three main areas of responsibility:

• Winning new partnerships: Lead new business across the North of England, opening conversations with schools and trusts, converting them into partnerships, and delivering against termly targets.

• Growing strategic partnerships: Steward the region's highest-value partnerships (typically Teaching School Hubs, sector bodies, or place-based local authority partnerships), leading the relationship and evidencing TEP's impact.

• Contributing to TEP more broadly: Feed regional intelligence into TEP's business planning: where the growth is, where the risks are, and help embed scalable ways of working.

About you

We are open to a range of backgrounds, though it is likely the successful candidate will have significant experience working in or closely with schools and education, and experience in selling products or developing partnerships with school leaders. This role offers hybrid working, with 3 days per week in the office or on the road. You should be willing to travel across the North of England for partner meetings, conferences and events (approximately 50% of your time), with occasional UK-wide travel.

What you'll need

• Experience working within or closely with UK schools, Local Authorities and multi-academy trusts, ideally with an existing network across Northern England

• A demonstrable track record in partnership development, account management, or educational sales

• Experience presenting to a senior education leaders (Headteachers, CEOs, Directors)

• A strong understanding of school budgeting cycles and decision-making processes

• Experience delivering presentations or public speaking.

What will set you apart

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling value propositions

• Entrepreneurial, pragmatic and solution-focused: you can think on your feet and adapt to change

• Comfortable with targets while maintaining a relationship-focused approach

• Self-motivated, with a consultative rather than transactional sales approach

• A clear passion for improving school engagement and supporting school leaders

• Excited to join a young organisation and help shape its growth in the coming years

We are an ambitious team incubated and supported by ImpactEd Group. The role would be employed by TEP Services Limited.

Help people remember, celebrate and give in meaningful ways

At Trinity Hospice, we believe in providing compassionate care not only for patients, but also for the families and loved ones around them. For more than 40 years, we’ve supported communities across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, offering care, comfort and guidance at some of life’s most difficult times.

We are looking for a thoughtful and dedicated In Memory Officer to join our Fundraising and Communications Team. This is a deeply meaningful role, offering the opportunity to shape how we support people to remember and celebrate those who matter most to them, while helping to generate vital income for our hospice services.

In this role, you will lead the delivery and development of our in-memory fundraising programme, creating compassionate and engaging ways for supporters to honour loved ones. You will take ownership of key initiatives such as Light up a Life and Memory Meadow, while also exploring new opportunities for people to connect, remember and give. Alongside this, you will play a central role in shaping our bereavement communications, ensuring supporters receive thoughtful, timely and sensitive engagement throughout their journey. 

This position brings together creativity, organisation and empathy. You will be confident managing multiple projects, using data and insight to inform your work, and delivering high-quality communications across a range of channels. Just as importantly, you will have the emotional intelligence and judgement needed to work in sensitive situations, ensuring every interaction reflects the care and compassion at the heart of Trinity Hospice.

Collaboration is key to success in this role. You will work closely with colleagues across fundraising, communications and clinical teams, as well as building relationships within the local community, including funeral directors and supporters. Together, you will help create a seamless and supportive experience for bereaved families while growing a sustainable and impactful in memory giving programme.

Joining Trinity Hospice means becoming part of a team where your work has real impact. We are committed to helping our people develop and thrive, offering opportunities for learning and a range of wellbeing and staff benefits.

This is more than a fundraising role, it is an opportunity to make a lasting difference. Through your work, you will help people remember loved ones in meaningful ways, while ensuring we can continue to provide compassionate care to those who need us most.

The Organisation

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is the UK’s leading children’s charity, driven by a single, unwavering belief: every child deserves to be safe, loved, and free from abuse. Established in 1884 and operating under Royal Charter, the organisation has spent more than 140 years working to prevent cruelty to children and create lasting change in their lives.

Today, that mission has never been more urgent. As the challenges facing children continue to evolve, from the risks of online harm to complex family circumstances, the NSPCC provides vital frontline support while also working to influence the systems that protect children. Each year, it helps make over a million children safer from abuse, with thousands of adults turning to its Helpline and children and young people relying on Childline’s 24/7 counselling when they have nowhere else to turn.

Working across all four nations of the UK and the Channel Islands, the NSPCC combines direct services, education programmes, and national advocacy to drive impact far beyond its immediate reach. Central to its work is a commitment to evidence-led practice, ensuring every action is informed by what works, and that the voices and experiences of children and young people remain at the heart of a safer, more protective society.

The Role

At the heart of NSPCC is its Services Directorate, delivering practical, child-centred support that helps keep children and young people safe. These services translate the organisation’s mission into action through prevention, therapeutic support, and strengthening safeguarding practice.

The Services Director will play a critical role in shaping the NSPCC’s future as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, leading the development and delivery of a national services strategy and overseeing a complex portfolio of services.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Leading high-quality national and local services that improve outcomes for children and young people
• Shaping and delivering the services strategy to support the organisation’s wider ambitions
• Driving integration and impact across NSPCC and Childline services
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including the Chief Executive, Board, and external partners

The Person

This is an opportunity for a collaborative, values-driven leader to navigate complexity, drive meaningful change, and make a lasting difference to children’s lives at scale. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Extensive experience and proven track record at Director level of successfully developing and delivering services, including co-production and collaboration with partners, in a complex stakeholder environment that have a measurably positive impact for beneficiaries.
• Highly experienced in child protection with demonstrable knowledge and experience of child safeguarding. A social work qualification will be highly advantageous.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams of functional experts, overseeing significant income and expenditure budgets, and driving operational performance through the setting and monitoring of clear, aligned objectives.
• Experience of designing and delivering transformational change and driving performance management using appropriate quality and management methods and models, to deliver efficient and effective services.
• Demonstrable understanding of the operational context for services including the commissioning and market environment.
• Experience of managing senior stakeholders, both internally and externally, and confidence in dealing with, and influencing, senior employees and volunteer colleagues, and producing and imparting clear and non-technical advice and information.
• Values the different skills and attributes of others, utilising the insight, experience and expertise of colleagues.
• Experience of representing an organisation at the highest level. Clearly articulates a compelling vision, focussing on both what the future might hold and the more immediate stepping stones to realise those outcomes.
• Challenges constructively and evidences a willingness to receive constructive challenge in order to drive our individual and collective efforts forward.

Further Information

For further information about NSPCC, the role responsibilities, and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this key role within the NSPCC and feel you have the skills and experience required, please include the following with your application:

• An up to date CV with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement which addresses how you meet the criteria for the role as detailed in the Person Specification. Please also discuss your motivations for applying.

Closing date for applications: Monday 1st June 2026
Preliminary interviews with Russam: 12th-16th June 2026
First stage interviews with NSPCC: Week commencing 29th June 2026
Second stage interviews with NSPCC: Week commencing 6th July 2026

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.

This role plays an important part in helping colleagues across Battersea stay informed, connected and engaged with the work we do for dogs and cats. As Internal Communications Officer, you will support the delivery of day-to-day internal communications activity across a range of channels, helping ensure staff, volunteers and trustees have access to clear, timely and engaging information.

You will contribute content across multiple internal platforms, including producing Battersea’s weekly internal newsletter and supporting the ongoing development of Pawtal, our staff intranet. The role also involves helping colleagues across the organisation manage their own content, offering advice and support to ensure information shared with staff is clear, consistent and aligned with Battersea’s priorities.

You will also support the delivery of internal engagement activity, from large-scale events such as Town Halls, roadshows and our End of Year Highlights event, to smaller sessions that showcase the work of teams across the organisation. Alongside this, you’ll assist with CEO video communications, coordinating filming and helping bring senior leader messages to life.

Working closely with the Internal Communications Manager and Internal Communications Specialist, you’ll also help monitor how our communications are performing by gathering feedback from staff and analysing engagement data to support continuous improvement.
This is a varied role suited to someone who enjoys working collaboratively, managing multiple priorities and creating communications that help colleagues feel informed, included and connected to Battersea’s mission.

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
• Discounted gym membership and cycle to work schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing Date: 14th May 2026

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview Dates: w/c 25th May 2026

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

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. 

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.

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.

National sight loss charity, Retina UK is currently recruiting for a personable, motivated Senior Research Coordinator with experience in communicating science to a lay audience, who is educated to degree level in a biomedical or clinical science, and has excellent presentation and planning skills.

Key responsibilities will include ensuring effective communication of research into inherited sight loss, including the projects we fund, to our community, fundraisers, supporters and staff and measuring the impact of our research programme.

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.

JUSTICE is looking to recruit a new Executive Assistant to join our friendly, outcome-focused, values-led team. This is a permanent role and provides an exciting opportunity for someone who is an experienced EA and thrives in a fast paced environment where priorities shift and no two days are the same.

We are looking for an individual who is motivated by the purpose of the charity, to improve the UK justice system so that it is fair and within everyone’s reach. You will take pride in enabling senior leaders to work efficiently, strategically and with impact. The successful post holder will be a highly organised and proactive professional who has supported multiple senior leaders simultaneously and who enjoys working autonomously whilst using their initiative to manage competing demands.

This role will suit someone who remains composed under pressure, exercises sound judgement when handling highly sensitive information, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation of the Chief Executive and Directors’ work.

The Executive Assistant will be a key part of our small but dedicated organisation, contributing to the effectiveness of the Executive Team and supporting the wider mission of JUSTICE. 

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in and something you would enjoy doing, please do apply!

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 the application form 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.