Director of communications jobs

This is an exciting opportunity to work on the frontline of policy advocacy and development in child health. As Head of Policy and Research you'll be responsible for overseeing the development of our policy positions and all related outputs, as well as the research that underpins our campaigns and advocacy, across England, Scotland and abroad. You will be an integral thought partner to the Director of Strategy & Delivery and wider leadership team on the development of pioneering research concepts that will drive the child health agenda forward. You will be our internal technical expert on food policy, ensuring all of our work is evidence-based and impactful, as well as being our external representative, liaising with leading policy and research experts across academia, civil society, and government agencies. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research

• Work with the Director of Strategy & Delivery and Research Manager to plan research projects and support their delivery, ensuring they support policy calls and reflect young peoples’ experiences.

• Lead the translation of  Bite Back’s research into high quality outputs including reports, briefings and submissions.

• Work with campaigns, communications and content teams to turn research findings into high impact creative communications for a range of audiences.

• Serve as a primary spokesperson for our research including in media placements, speaking slots and government evidence sessions. 

Policy development

• Lead on the development of Bite Back’s policy positions in key and emerging areas, ensuring young peoples’ views and experiences are fed in at every stage.

• Lead the development of all policy outputs including submissions, consultation responses and briefings, ensuring they are evidence-based and reflect young peoples’ voices. 

• Lead the technical policy liaison with stakeholders and experts in the field to gather evidence and critically assess the Bite Back’s positions. 

Evidence

• Keep abreast of new evidence on key areas relating to nutrition, climate and health and consider the implications for Bite Back’s policy and relevant activity.

• Collaborate internally to provide knowledge and advice on policy and evidence issues with colleagues and the youth board.

• Review and sign off key outputs to ensure they reflect the latest evidence and data.

Stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with a range of external stakeholders to support Bite Back’s influencing agenda, including with senior government policymakers, academia, WHO and other charities in England, Scotland, and abroad.

• Represent Bite Back on a range of alliances, coalitions and partnerships.

• Deputise for the Director of Strategy & Delivery when needed.

Leadership

• Line management of Research Manager and Impact & Evaluation manager, with a dotted line to the Policy & Engagement Executive and Senior Programmes & Policy Manager for Scotland.

• Operate as a member of the extended leadership team, collaborating with other Heads and the Directors to ensure research and policy considerations are embedded seamlessly into campaigns, communications and programmes.

• Lead the policy and research strategy development for Bite Back in new geographies, providing visionary technical leadership in how we expand to new countries across the UK and abroad.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

We will be looking for applications that demonstrate experience in at least some of these areas, and evidence of capacity to build skills in others. Please don’t be put off applying for one of our jobs because you can’t demonstrate every skill. If you're passionate and excited about working for us, and possess the main skills and experience we are looking for, go ahead and apply. You could be just what we are looking for!

Required: 

• Significant experience  of managing food policy work, which has informed and influenced national and local food policy in England. 

• In depth knowledge of the breadth of the food, nutrition and obesity public health landscape and the key challenges faced in the policy environment.

• Deep technical expertise in food policy research, development, and communication - with a strong focus on commercial determinants of health.

• Strong analytical skills, including a good understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including creative implementation research techniques. and experience with commissioning external research.

• Ability to synthesise and utilise evidence to support policy development and influencing. 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate complex issues.

• Calmness under pressure, with ability to prioritise multiple projects to agreed objectives and deadlines. 

• Line management experience.

• A passion for our mission and a commitment to our values: Fresh, Resilient, Respectful, Energetic, Real.

Desired: 

• Strong policy and research networks in the UK across academic, civil society, and government agencies. A trusted technical voice.

• Post graduate experience in public health or nutrition and/or evidence of continuing professional development of relevant knowledge and skills in the field. 

• Experience in working with young people.

• Experience with designing creative, outside the box research with fresh ways of influencing food policy change.

• Understanding and some experiencing working on food policy across devolved nations (Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland), and within other global contexts.

The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) is the representative body for Directors of Public Health in the UK with a rich heritage, its origins dating back more than 160 years. It is a collaborative organisation working in partnership with others to maximise the voice for public health.

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Administrator to play a central role in supporting the delivery of ADPH projects, networks, and events across the UK. This position is key to ensuring that all activity is recorded accurately, systems run smoothly, and members receive an exceptional level of support. Working closely with programme leads, you will contribute to the development and delivery of work programmes, maintain the membership database, and assist in the upkeep of internal systems.

You will work across the team to help plan, deliver, and evaluate projects, carrying out background research, analysing data, and coordinating smaller pieces of work independently. The role also involves organising meetings and events, both online and in person, facilitating smooth delivery and taking accurate minutes

A significant part of the role includes supporting our internal systems, particularly Salesforce and MS365. You will be expected to maintain user guides, support online member platforms, and help gather feedback to drive system improvements. Alongside this, you will contribute to internal and external communications, maintain data tracking for KPI reporting, and support ADPH’s regional networks.

This role requires excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. You should be confident using Microsoft Office applications and be experienced in administrative work with a positive attitude and willingness to learn

All applications must be accompanied by a covering letter outlining why you believe you are suitable for the role to be considered for interview.

The Association operates a hybrid working model and candidates are welcome from across the UK, however attendance at regular monthly meetings in London will be required, further details are available by contacting as below ahead of any application if required.

Closing date Thursday 30th April, 12 moon.

Do you want to change the world for vulnerable children?

The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies UK (CVAA) aims to improve adoption policy and practice across the UK for the benefit of children, challenging the adoption system to deliver for children and work in their best interests. Alongside advocating for system change, CVAA works to support our member voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) across the four nations of the UK, stimulating innovation and ensuring they stay at the leading edge of practice. The active engagement of members and the building of collaborative alliances with others who seek positive change for children are essential to the effectiveness of our work.

The Head of Policy is a vital member of the small CVAA team, working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to champion the voluntary adoption sector and put children at the heart of everything we do. Due to maternity leave we have an exceptional and unique opportunity for someone who shares our passion to change the world for children, to gain valuable experience working at national level with senior stakeholders to contribute to system change, advocating for the power of adoption to change lives.

You will need strong people skills, experience of developing policy in consultation with stakeholders and using data to transform services and strengthen lobbying work. Most of all you need a cast iron commitment to change the world for vulnerable children.

CVAA works to challenge discrimination and disadvantage and welcomes applications from all communities, particularly those who are underrepresented in our sector, which includes but is not limited to people from Global Majority backgrounds, adoptees, men and those who identify as LGBTQ.

Key information

• Maternity Cover 1 year from July 2026
• Location - remote contract with occasional travel
• £40 – 45K depending on experience
• An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

Applications

Please send a CV and letter of application, outlining your motivation for applying and the skills you offer, to Satwinder Sandhu (CEO) by 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026.

Both Satwinder (CEO) and Alice (Director of Strategy and Policy) are happy to have an informal chat about the role. Please email to arrange a convenient time to speak.

Initial online interviews via Microsoft Teams will be on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May, with final in-person interviews scheduled for Thursday 28th May 2026 in London. Please let us know whether you cannot make any of these dates in your application.

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.

We are looking for a strategically minded and highly committed individual to lead our System Navigation Services.  This person will be responsible for developing exceptional services to help people seeking sanctuary navigate the systems they are forced to exist in and delivering these in solidarity with those seeking sanctuary.These System Navigation Services - The Sanctuary, The Drop-In, The Sheffield Project for Refugee Integration and Growth (SPRING), and our Volunteering Team - are exciting, joyful, and powerful city-wide services that are developed alongside the community of people seeking sanctuary.  They are both impressive in their current form and have so much potential for the right candidate to build and develop them further. 

Alongside this work, we also expect a successful candidate will also have a deep understanding of systemic change, understand our unique role in that work, and understand how their role contributes to systemic change. 

Ultimately, this is a position of leadership within a highly trusted and impactful organisation at the forefront of the movement for the rights of people seeking sanctuary.  We are truly excited about bringing on someone to join us on the journey we are all on together – towards a city that is safe and welcoming for those seeking sanctuary.  In a time when that vision seems to be receding from us, we believe this work is more important than ever.

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.

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

Severn Hospice is a leading regional charity providing compassionate care for people living with incurable illness across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales. We are looking for an experienced, compassionate and motivated fundraiser to help grow our Individual Giving programme, a vital source of income that enables us to continue delivering our caring services.

As Senior Individual Giving Fundraiser, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering fundraising activity that inspires supporters and maximises engagement, income and lifetime value.

Leading a diverse portfolio including regular giving, appeals, in memoriam gifts, funeral donations and general donations, you will use insight-led planning and thoughtful communication to engage supporters, build lasting and meaningful relationships and encourage long-term giving.

Working closely with colleagues across the income generation and communications teams, you will develop campaigns, initiatives and supporter journeys that make new and existing supporters feel valued, informed and inspired by the difference they make.

This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery. You will manage budgets, plan and monitor campaigns, evaluate performance, and ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory and best practice standards. You will also line-manage the Legacy Fundraiser, supporting the development of legacy income as part of the wider Individual Giving programme.

Severn Hospice is a wonderfully rewarding place to work. If you are an experienced, creative and relationship-focused fundraiser with a passion for supporting your local community, we would love to hear from you.

Contract Type: Fixed Term for 12 months from start date

Location: Hybrid working, based in our London office. There is an expectation to travel 2-3 times a year for this role

Employer: King's Trust International (not The King's Trust)

Are you a strategic, values‑driven leader with deep experience in delivering complex international programmes?

Do you thrive at the intersection of quality delivery, partnership, people leadership and impact?

King’s Trust International (KTI) is looking for a Deputy Director of Global Delivery to play a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening our global delivery portfolio as we work towards our ambition of supporting one million young people worldwide.

The Role

This is a senior leadership role at the heart of our delivery model.

As Deputy Director of Global Delivery, you will provide strategic oversight and operational leadership across all regional delivery portfolios, working through our Heads of Regional Delivery and Senior Regional Managers. You’ll ensure our programmes are high quality, safe, financially sound, compliant and impactful, while continuously strengthening partner relationships and delivery capability.

You’ll act as a key connector across the organisation, working closely with Safeguarding, Finance, Impact, Fundraising, Digital & Design and Communications,  to ensure delivery is integrated, evidence‑led and aligned with KTI’s long‑term strategy.

Why this role matters

This isn’t just oversight;  it’s leadership with global consequence.

You’ll help ensure that:

• tens of thousands of young people each year access high‑quality opportunities
• delivery partners are supported to grow stronger and more sustainable
• safeguarding, risk and quality are never compromised
• KTI’s reputation with funders, partners and trustees remains robust and trusted

Your leadership will directly shape how our impact is delivered, measured and scaled.

What You’ll Do

You will:

• Lead and support regional delivery leaders across multiple geographies
• Ensure programmes meet KTI’s minimum standards for quality, safeguarding, financial and risk management
• Provide strategic oversight of delivery performance, KPIs and outcomes
• Strengthen partnerships and support delivery partners to improve quality and sustainability
• Champion equity, inclusion and youth‑centred approaches across global delivery
• Contribute to organisational strategy, funding development and board‑level reporting
• Spot risks early, lead problem‑solving and embed continuous learning

We’re Looking for Someone Who Is:

• A confident senior leader with experience delivering complex international programmes
• Comfortable managing multi‑regional portfolios and operating in dynamic environments
• A strong people leader who can coach, challenge and support senior managers
• Highly credible with partners, funders and internal stakeholders
• Strategically minded, but grounded in operational reality
• Deeply aligned with values of equity, safeguarding, integrity and youth voice

If you’re motivated by meaningful impact and want to play a central role in shaping how global programmes are delivered, we’d love to hear from you.

Perks for working at The King’s Trust International:

• Great holiday package. 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus public holidays. Office closure the days between Christmas and New Year
• Fantastic Family leave. Receive 13 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay for maternity and adoption leave, and pro rata entitlement for shared parental leave. Receive 8 weeks' full pay for paternity leave.
• Flexible and agile working. Where operationally possible, you can work your hours that support a work-life balance, including compressed hours and hybrid-working (part office - part home-based) or working from home options.
• Benefits platform. Everything from health and financial wellbeing support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas
• A free employee assistance programme (EAP) to support your mental wellbeing.
• KTI will contribute 5% of your salary to the workplace Pension Scheme
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)
• In-house and external training opportunities are available throughout the year

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Social Media Officer, to join our Marketing and Communications team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in a commutable area for Milton Keynes?
• Do you have between two and four years of experience managing professional social media accounts? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

​Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

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We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

​We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

Finance and Operations Director  

Location: Brighton, UK
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £57k - £60k. The role also includes the potential for an additional payment of up to £5,000, linked to the achievement of agreed financial performance indicators (e.g. reserve levels).

· Lead finance and operations for an international charity transforming lives through clean energy access across Africa and Asia

· Shape organisational strategy, governance and financial systems whilst managing a global finance function across multiple countries

· Join a values-driven organisation with 15+ years' experience reaching over 240,000 people to date

A Brighton based International NGO is seeking an experienced Finance and Operations Director to lead its finance, compliance and operational functions. This is a strategic leadership role with real impact, supporting an international charity on a mission to enable people living in poverty to access clean energy, empowering them to develop sustainable and resilient livelihoods, and mitigating the impact of climate change.

The organisation has around 10 staff in the UK, with further teams across Kenya & Nepal where the key programmes are based.

Position Overview 

You will lead the organisation’s global finance and operations team, ensuring robust financial governance, strategic planning and compliance across the organisation. You will directly report to the CEO as well as provide reports to the Finance and Audit committee of the board. You will manage financial systems and processes, oversee programme budgets, and lead on IT, facilities and health and safety matters. The role will also act as Company Secretary. The position is offered on a full-time permanent basis – with hybrid working available, ideally with a minimum of 2 days per week onsite in Brighton.

Responsibilities 

· Lead strategic planning, governance and financial reporting to the Board

· Prepare quarterly rolling forecasts and monthly financial reporting across all regions

· Prepare year-end statutory accounts and lead audit processes

· Oversee payment processing and maintain accurate financial transaction records

· Quality-assure project budgets and undertake financial due diligence on partners

· Lead development and implementation of IT, procurement and health and safety policies and processes

· Manage outsourced IT providers and HR systems

· As Company Secretary, ensure regulatory compliance

· Provide line management to the Finance and Operations Team (1 direct report in the UK, 2 dotted line reports overseas)

Requirements 

Essential qualifications and experience:

· Full UK recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

· Strategic financial leadership experience including organisational budgeting and reporting

· Strong knowledge of charity governance and charity accounting (SORP)

· Experience preparing financial year-end accounts and audit information

· International programme finance experience including project budgeting and global financial transfers

· Experience building effective relationships with staff, stakeholders and trustees

· Some experience overseeing IT requirements, cybersecurity and digital software selection

Essential skills:

· Confident, collaborative leader with strategic thinking ability

· Strong financial analysis and reporting capabilities

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· IT oversight and digital software implementation experience

· The post-holder must possess sensitivity to ethnicity, and gender and will, at all times, adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

Desirable:

· Working knowledge of QuickBooks

Benefits include: 

· Permanent role offering the opportunity to make lasting impact

· Competitive salary with potential for up to £5,000 additional payment

• 6% employer pension contribution
• 2x Salary Life Assurance
• 30 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays

· Work for an organisation with strong values, collaborative culture and commitment to tackling climate change

Please note the organisation is unable to sponsor employment visas, so applicants must have the full right to work in the UK without restriction.

How to Apply 

If you're an experienced Finance and Operations leader with charity accounting expertise and strategic vision, please send your CV to Jamie Reynolds at Marble Mayne Recruitment or reply to this advert.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.

Key dates

Closing date: Friday 8th May at 5pm

Interviews: 1st stage interviews to take place week commencing 18th May, with a second stage to follow.

For more than 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has helped the military community succeed beyond service – building careers, shaping futures, and living with purpose. Last year, we provided dedicated and specialist employment and justice support to over 23,000 people to create careers and long-term stability.

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Are you a passionate leader with a commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community? We’re looking for an experienced and driven individual to lead and shape our national employment support service, helping veterans and their families build meaningful and sustainable careers.

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This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing team, influence strategy, and make a real difference across the UK.

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Brief role description

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The Programme Manager plays a pivotal leadership role in delivering the Forces Employment Charity’s Ex-Forces Employment Charity Programme. This programme provides regionally-based, comprehensive employment support to all who have served in HM Armed Forces, ensuring personal and locally informed guidance for veterans seeking employment or career change.

Working closely with the Director of Veterans and Families Employment, the Programme Manager drives operational excellence, strengthens service consistency across the UK, and represents the charity’s employment offer in the devolved nations. They ensure that our national network of Advisors is supported, empowered, and aligned to strategic goals, enabling the very best outcomes for the veteran community.

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It’s essential that they have experience managing multi-site or national teams, alongside a strong understanding of employment support or careers guidance. They will be confident working with a range of stakeholders, able to use data to inform decisions, and an excellent communicator. Strong IT skills and a genuine commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community are also key.

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Ideally, they will bring experience from the veterans or employability sector, along with some understanding of devolved nation policy or frameworks such as safeguarding or vocational training.

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This role requires an Enhanced DBS check.

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Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check our website.

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Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description.

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What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits.

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Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

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Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying.

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We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

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We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

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#LI-DNI

Head of Public Affairs

Over the past 2 years, GuildHE has been transforming into the voice for distinctive higher education providers, building our brand on the principle that diversity is necessary for a healthy and vibrant higher education sector.  We have a new look, a renewed energy, and a bold vision for the future of distinctive institutions. Now, we need the final piece of the puzzle: our first-ever Head of Public Affairs. 

This is a landmark appointment for us. As a newly-created role following our recent rebranding, you’ll be building our external presence, taking our fresh identity and the work we’ve undertaken so far to the next level as we seek to double-down on our high-impact advocacy and engagement work.

As our inaugural Head of Public Affairs, you will have a unique mandate to shape the way GuildHE interacts with the world, where you can:

• Own the Narrative: Take our new brand and shape the 'GuildHE voice' across Westminster, the media, and the wider HE sector.

• Build the Blueprint: You will have the autonomy to design our engagement frameworks from scratch—working with the Director of Policy and Strategy to decide how we influence policy and how we best champion the value of specialist education.

• Create a Legacy: Because this is a brand-new headcount, every success will be yours to claim. You are here to build a function that will help define our influence for the next decade.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who will champion diversity in higher education. From world-leading arts and agricultural institutions to large and distinctive HE providers who serve their students, industries and communities in innovative ways, you will find the common threads that bind our members and weave them into a compelling national story. You aren’t just representing institutions; you’re representing a vision of a more varied, vibrant educational landscape.

We’re looking for pioneers, who are energised by the phrase, “we haven’t done that before.” We’ve done the work on our look and feel—now we need you to provide the megaphone. If you’re a strategist who loves the 'start-up' energy of building and expanding functions within a respected, established body, we want to hear from you.

This this is the right job for you?  Please send a cover letter explaining that to us (max 2 pgs) and a CV by the deadline.

Application closing date: May 22

Interviews: June 3-4

Circa £70,000 per annum

Permanent

Part home/Part office (London) based

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as Head of the Portfolio Management Office (PMO).

In this pivotal leadership role, you will provide strategic direction, governance and oversight of UNICEF UK’s portfolio, ensuring our most important initiatives are prioritised, sequenced and delivered effectively. Sitting within the Strategy Directorate, the PMO acts as the organisation’s centre of excellence for portfolio management, strategic delivery, governance, assurance and financial oversight, working closely with Directors and senior leaders to enable informed decision making and successful delivery of our strategy.

We are looking for an experienced portfolio or PMO leader with a strong track record of operating at senior level in complex organisations, bringing confidence in governance, prioritisation, delivery oversight and change leadership. You will be an excellent relationship builder, comfortable influencing executive stakeholders, and able to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery discipline. Experience of leading teams, embedding standards, and improving confidence, visibility and accountability across a portfolio is essential.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 4 May 2026.

Interview dates: Week commencing 18 May 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams).

In return, we offer:

· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of 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 welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

Fixed term 12-month contract

About the role:

We are recruiting an Associate Director, Strategic Planning, People & Culture to join the Estates & Facilities (E&F) Strategic Management Office (SMO) on a 12‑month maternity cover.

This is a great opportunity to make a visible impact at a pivotal time, supporting the recalibration of E&F’s flagship Fit for King’s programme and embedding the Estates & Facilities Philosophy. Working with senior leaders, you will help shape the strategic direction of the directorate so that we can deliver a Fit for King’s Estate for the King’s community.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategy & Performance, you will lead the Strategic Planning, People & Culture team and be accountable for effective strategic planning, robust programme oversight, and directorate-level budget planning and risk management. You will take ownership of key strategic initiatives, ensuring appropriate governance, reporting, benefits realisation and change management arrangements are in place. You will work closely with the Senior Director of Strategy & Performance to establish and embed the structures, governance and reporting needed to provide assurance against delivery of the directorate’s strategic plan (the Estates & Facilities Philosophy), with a particular focus on finance, people and internal processes.

As a key member of the SMO leadership team, you will build and maintain trusted relationships across Estates & Facilities and the wider university, bringing clarity to priorities, enabling effective collaboration, and supporting confident, evidence-based decision making.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term 12-month contract or until the return of the substantive post holder (maternity cover).

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Strong experience in strategic business planning, with the ability to develop and deliver strategy.
2. Expertise in programme and project management, including establishing governance, managing risks and dependencies, and leading change activity across complex, multi-year programmes.
3. Demonstrable leadership abilities, with experience managing teams and developing high-performing teams.
4. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups all levels of the organisation.
5. Proven experience of building and maintaining effective senior-level relationships with sophisticated influencing/negotiating skills
6. Experience of budget planning and financial oversight of large and complex, including building business cases and balancing risks.
7. Strong analytical skills, with experience in risk management and the use of data to inform strategic decision-making.
8. A collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset, with a commitment to high standards of service, innovation and continuous improvement.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience and/or knowledge of the challenges of UK higher education.
2. Change management qualifications and/or experience of implementing cultural change
3. Experience of working in EDI or knowledge of EDI including EDI legislation and issues that may impact workplaces and/or education

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Closing date: 10 May 2026.