Director of delivery jobs in Manchester, greater manchester

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

Manchester Metropolitan University is a great university in one of the world's best global student cities. We advance knowledge to benefit society and make higher education accessible to those with the passion to succeed. We bring change through outstanding research and excellent education and support our region and its economy by empowering and enriching our students, colleagues and our wider community.

We are seeking to appoint our first Associate Director of Development to deliver the next step change in the University's philanthropic income. Reporting to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and responsible for a high-performing fundraising team, the postholder will focus on translating strategy into delivery and results, focussing on the solicitation of major and principal donations.

What you'll lead and deliver

• Significantly increase the number of six-figure level and above donations to the University from high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporations.
• Ensure income delivered aligns with the University's strategic priorities, including advancing areas of research excellence.
• Work effectively with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and the academic leadership to identify philanthropic priorities and projects that will resonate with potential donors.
• Effectively lead a successful and respected fundraising team, further strengthening the performance culture and practice of cross-university collaboration.
• Effectively relationship manage your own prospect pool of high-level donors and prospective donors.
• Work effectively as a key member of the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team, and with colleagues across the Directorate of External Relations and wider University.

About you

• Target-driven, with a proven track-record of managing a high-performing fundraising team.
• Significant experience of the solicitation of six-figure level, or above, donations.
• You will understand the UK higher education sector and have secured philanthropic support for research and scholarship.
• Strong analytical capability and evidence-based decision-making.
• Possess high emotional intelligence and demonstrate nuance and delicacy when dealing with senior and diverse stakeholders.

This is an unparalleled opportunity for the right individual to play a critical role in the advancement of the University, delivering our vision and ambitious agenda over the next decade.

Further information and how to apply

For a confidential conversation, please contact Dominic Boyd, Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Applications must be made via our recruitment system and should include a full CV and a letter of application setting out your interest in the role and details of how your knowledge, skills and experience match the essential criteria being sought.

 - The closing date for applications is Sunday 28 June 2026
 - Interviews will be held in Manchester on Thursday 30 July 2026

About Manchester Met

We have been proudly driving progress for more than two centuries. As one of the UK's largest and most popular universities, we're a force for good, dedicated to delivered outstanding research and excellent education. Much more than a university, we are a place where ambitious people unite as a diverse and inclusive community to make meaningful connections. Where world-class facilities combine with exceptional minds to improve lives through innovation. We welcome those who are committed, talented, and hardworking. People who believe in our values and are as driven as we are to achieve shared goals.

Our community of over 5,100 colleagues work in close partnership every day to bring about positive change regionally, nationally, and globally.

Build a role with purpose, in an environment designed to unlock your potential. Be part of Manchester Met. Be Manchester Met proud. Let's transform lives together. 

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy

Anna Freud is seeking a Deputy Programme Director to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

We offer a range of staff benefits, including an all-in-one rewards and recognition platform called Perkbox and wellbeing offers such as finishing early on Fridays and free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.

What you’ll do

As Deputy Programme Director, you will play a key role in the leadership, delivery and ongoing development of the MSc Psychology and Trauma (Child & Adolescent) programme, working closely with the Programme Director to ensure students receive a high-quality learning experience and that the programme meets UCL academic standards and objectives.

• Support the leadership and management of the programme by helping to oversee day-to-day operations, quality assurance, governance requirements, student recruitment activities, and the ongoing development of the course
• Contribute to teaching and assessment through delivering teaching sessions, marking student work, developing assessments and marking criteria, and ensuring academic standards are maintained across the programme
• Lead and manage a dedicated module by planning and delivering teaching, coordinating guest lecturers and seminar leaders, reviewing content, overseeing assessments, and evaluating module effectiveness
• Support student success and wellbeing by monitoring student progress and engagement, contributing to pastoral support, responding to feedback, and helping to manage academic or welfare-related concerns
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation by helping to enhance curriculum content, maintaining compliance with UCL requirements, supporting digital learning developments, and ensuring a positive, inclusive learning environment for all students

What you’ll bring

You will be an experienced academic or clinical professional with specialist expertise in child and adolescent trauma, a strong track record in postgraduate teaching and programme delivery, and the ability to provide academic leadership while creating an engaging, supportive and inclusive learning experience for students

• Relevant doctoral qualification and subject expertise – You will hold a relevant clinical doctoral qualification with professional registration (e.g. Psychologist, Psychoanalyst or Family Therapist) or a PhD in child mental health, alongside extensive knowledge of psychology, neuroscience and the impact of trauma on child development and wellbeing
• Postgraduate teaching and curriculum experience – You will have experience designing, delivering and quality-assuring postgraduate or Master's level education, including teaching, assessment, marking and curriculum development
• Academic leadership and programme management skills – You will be able to contribute to the leadership and successful delivery of a postgraduate programme, managing competing priorities while maintaining high academic standards and regulatory compliance
• Student support and engagement experience – You will have a proven ability to provide pastoral and academic support, foster student engagement, and contribute to a positive learning environment that supports student achievement and wellbeing
• Collaborative and digital learning expertise – You will be comfortable working with multidisciplinary teams, managing teaching staff and guest lecturers, and using virtual learning environments and digital learning technologies to deliver high-quality online education

Key details

Hours: Part-time: 14hrs/0.4FTE – flexible but to include Tuesday afternoons.  Programme teaching days and team days are expected to be prioritised

Salary: £58,000 pro rata per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme.

Location: Remote

Contract type: Fixed Term cover for 12 months

Next steps

Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Monday, 29 June 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Monday, 6 July 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held remotely in week commencing 13 July 2026

How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

Questions?

Please email us with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Director UK Resilience

 Location: UK Wide, Flexible (Hybrid)

Salary: £83,116 - £116,838 per annum, dependent on experience 
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you ready to lead the British Red Cross’s crisis resilience across the UK - helping to prevent suffering, save lives and uphold dignity when it matters most?

This is a rarely advertised, high‑impact leadership opportunity to play a defining role in how the British Red Cross delivers its humanitarian mission across the UK. As Director of UK Resilience, you will lead at the moments when people are most vulnerable - shaping how communities prepare for crises, respond in emergencies, and recover with strength and dignity.

 You will set the strategic direction for a coordinated, UK‑wide approach to emergency response, recovery, preparedness and community education, working in close partnership with government, emergency services, local authorities and the voluntary sector. Your leadership will ensure the British Red Cross is ready to act swiftly and effectively in an increasingly complex and unpredictable crisis landscape.

 Embedded within UK Operations, you will provide national strategic leadership at scale, enabling the organisation to mobilise staff, volunteers and partners rapidly and with confidence. Operating within a complex matrix environment, you will bring together multidisciplinary teams and senior leaders, harnessing the depth of expertise across our workforce and volunteer network to deliver trusted, well‑coordinated humanitarian responses.

 With the reach, credibility and experience of the Red Cross Movement behind you, you will help deliver large‑scale, integrated responses alongside statutory responders - meeting immediate humanitarian need while strengthening long‑term community resilience. Representing the organisation nationally, you will build influential partnerships, support delivery of our 2030 Strategy, and help ensure our crisis response continues to evolve in line with our Fundamental Principles.

 At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to humanity. If you are motivated by purpose, ready to lead at national level, and driven to make a tangible difference in people’s lives when they need it most, this is your opportunity to help lead the Red Cross mission in the UK.

What will a day in the life of a UK Director of UK Resilience involve?

• Providing overall national strategic leadership for the British Red Cross’s UK resilience mission, shaping how we prepare for, respond to and recover from crises across the UK.
• Setting the direction and ensuring delivery of a nationally coherent, evidence‑based UK Resilience offer, aligned to the organisation’s 2030 Strategy and humanitarian mission.
• Leading a large, multidisciplinary directorate across Strategy & Performance, Product, Business Services and Operations, creating clarity of accountability and empowering teams to deliver at scale.
• Acting as the organisation’s professional authority on humanitarian resilience, ensuring British Red Cross expertise informs national policy, standards and practice.
• Building and sustaining strategic partnerships with government (including devolved administrations), statutory responders, civil contingencies partners and the voluntary and community sector.
• Ensuring resilience activity across the UK is effective, consistent, financially sustainable and grounded in operational delivery, with a clear focus on communities most exposed to risk.
• Working closely with operational leaders and volunteer teams to maintain readiness and the ability to scale quickly during crises.

To be a successful UK Director of UK Resilience, what will you need?

• Knowledge of national resilience systems, including preparedness, response and recovery arrangements operating across the UK.
• Senior-level experience of leading or influencing complex, multi-agency and multi-stakeholder environments, with the ability to work effectively across sectors.
• Experience of developing and delivering strategy at national or system level, including translating strategic intent into priorities and outcomes.
• Experience of building and sustaining strategic partnerships with government, emergency responders and voluntary and community sector organisations.
• Experience of operating with senior stakeholders, including producing high-quality strategic documents and Board-level papers.
• Understanding and experience of how risk, vulnerability and impact from crises differ across communities, and how this shapes effective resilience planning and delivery.

We understand that no candidate will meet every requirement. If your experience looks a little different but you feel you can bring value to this role, we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Interested? Apply now!
Please submit your application via the British Red Cross website. You’ll need an up-to-date CV and supporting statement as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on the 5th July 2026.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation and we value different experiences and the perspectives that lived experience brings. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in leadership.

In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:

• Flexible working: Remote and hybrid working, flexitime, compressed hours, and job sharing.
• Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
• Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
• Learning & Development: A wide range of career and learning opportunities.
• Discounts: Blue Light Discount Card, Tickets For Good & employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support: Peer Supporters, CiC (EAP) & Headspace App.
• Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident & Carer Confident employer.

We are dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable and wellbeing‑focused culture where everyone feels safe, valued and can thrive. Guided by our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Strategy, we foster belonging, psychological and physical wellbeing, and work to remove barriers to fair opportunities. Grounded in compassion and anti‑racist practice, we listen to diverse voices, value lived experience and create environments where staff and volunteers can succeed.

Together, we are the world’s emergency responders.

Salary: £94,851 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).

The role:

We are delighted to be recruiting for a visionary, mission-driven leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI) as Executive Director. In this new role, you will be reporting to our Board of Trustees, through our Board Chair, and working in collaboration with our President & Founder of Mary’s Meals. As Executive Director, you will provide inspirational strategic and operational leadership of MMI, ensuring delivery of its key responsibilities within the global strategic plan. 

Leading with humility, clarity and courage, you will champion faithful adherence to the vision, mission and values of Mary’s Meals, as we strive to grow our global movement and reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.

As Executive Director, you will:

• Lead MMI in delivering its objectives across the three strategic pillars: Feed, Grow and Strengthen. 
• Oversee the coordination and implementation of global strategy. 
• Provide inspirational leadership to MMI and the MMI Executive Leadership Team.
• Strengthen organisational systems, governance and development. 
• Foster strong collaboration across the global network. 
• Work closely with the Board, President and Founder and MMI teams to support sustainable growth across Affiliate organisations. 

About you:

You are an inspiring, effective and authentic leader with significant experience at executive or CEO level, in a complex organisation, ideally with an international footprint. Experience in an international non-profit, charity or social impact organisation would be advantageous, though not essential. Strong preference will be given to candidates with a deep understanding of our work gained through prior engagement with our mission. 

You will also bring: 

• Proven ability to inspire and lead senior teams, while cultivating a strong organisational culture. 
• Demonstrated success in developing and delivering strategy to drive growth, innovation and organisational strengthening. 
• Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
• Proven experience of leading transformational change, while maintaining stability and mission focus. 
• A deep personal commitment to the vision, mission and values of Mary’s Meals. 

About us:

We are a global movement supported by people from all walks of life, united by one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. As an organisation, named after Mary the mother of Jesus and shaped by Christian values, we feel that the way we do things is as important as the result and we welcome all who wish to play their part in our important work. We continue to change the lives of over 3 million children who today will receive Mary’s Meals.

We are a values-driven organisation - we believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, we are fully committed to a culture of safeguarding, we are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement.

We believe in the innate goodness and dignity of every person. In line with this, Mary’s Meals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit, without discrimination of any kind.  

We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work-life balance. We have an office in Glasgow for those who would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis. Some travel to Glasgow, other locations across the UK and to countries where Mary’s Meals operates will be required.

Our Benefits:

• 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)
• Flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance
• Pension

Additional Information:

Salary advertised is for UK based candidates, our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates, please visit our website for more information about salaries in other locations.

To apply:

If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. Please click Apply and include your CV and a succinct covering letter, of no more than one A4 page, highlighting your motivations, suitability and outlining your participation in our mission.

Closing date for applications is Monday 22nd June 2026

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Project Development Officer to join our team as a pivotal element of our new National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project.

The project will significantly augment our capacity to support UK synagogues in need of support to preserve their historic fabric and protect and make accessible the Jewish heritage they embody. The successful candidate will report to the Foundation's Projects Director, leading on essential organisational development and project set-up in the year 1 Development Phase of the project.

While a specialist consultant team will be recruited to implement this project during years 2-6 of the project subject to a successful Delivery Phase application, the Project Development Officer is integral to scoping and developing the delivery programme in the crucial initial planning of the project.

About NEON 

NEON is a not-for-profit organisation committed to accelerating social movements. We build capacity and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a new economy. We work across a wide range of progressive issues including climate, housing, healthcare, and migration and we support over 1,000 organisers across the UK working towards political, environmental, and social justice. Our theory of change is rooted in understanding both the strategies, stories, and structures required to sustain a movement. Short term, this results in improved movement infrastructure, skills, and connections; long term, it leads to robust relationships and movement alliances capable of systemic change. 

Context

NEON’s People & Operations Hub makes sure all our internal systems run smoothly and that our team is happy, high-performing and cared for. The People & Operations Hub brings together people, culture, operations, fundraising and finance, and plays a key role in making sure NEON is both high impact and a joyful place to work, at the heart of this is ensuring our values of respect, generosity and solidarity and anti-oppression principles are embedded into all internal practices.

As part of this, we’re currently looking for someone to support us for a defined period of time to review and refresh some of our core operational and compliance areas, and support us with discrete ops tasks as they arise. This includes reviewing, updating and embedding key systems and processes so that they are clear, usable and consistently followed across NEON. Alongside this, we want to create a NEON-wide handbook, so that we have a simple accessible place where people can find everything they need to know about how we do things at NEON. We also want to strengthen our guidance around event safety, both online and in-person, so staff feel comfortable and supported when planning and delivering work. It’s crucial for us that this work is developed in collaboration with the People & Operations Hub as well as the wider team. 

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is comfortable moving across operational and compliance work. Someone who has a solid understanding and experience in delivering high-level health and safety, data protection, IT and systems work, and other operational aspects of running an organisation, and can turn that into something practical, usable and genuinely helpful for our team. Someone who is self-motivated, comfortable working independently, and able to take ownership of pieces of work from start to finish

We’d love someone who has experience working closely in or within people and operations teams in small- medium sized not-for profits or charities, and who knows how to take complex or messy systems and make them simpler, clearer and easier to embed in day-to-day practice. We’re looking for someone aligned with our values of respect, generosity and solidarity and is well-versed in including anti-oppression principles into operational work. Someone who is motivated by working in a values-led organisation where decisions factor in culture, trust and care as well as the technical elements.

This person should be confident reviewing and improving systems and understands and is experienced in working closely with other people to do this, whether that’s with the Director of People and Operations to receive direction or troubleshoot, working alongside our Ops Assistant to put things into practice and draw on their organisational expertise, or engaging the wider team to elicit their ideas and challenges, and incorporate them into improvements. Similarly someone who is able to work with external support we have in place around IT, HR and data protection and translate their recommendations into practical action.

They’ll need to be able to hit the ground running and pick up discrete pieces of work, working thoughtfully and collaboratively with a team that’s juggling lots of different priorities. Aside from improving key pieces of work, the other core part of the role is bringing people with them, which will involve coaching and mentoring skills, a learning and development approach, and helping others feel confident taking on and owning this work.

Above all, we’re looking for someone who understands how to make organisations compliant and well-run in a way that feels proportionate, caring, and realistic for a team of our size. Someone who can embed these pieces of work, without overcomplicating things, and who can foster a sense of shared ownership. We’re also looking for someone who really cares about how operational work is truly embedded and put into practice across organisations, who thinks carefully about what happens after their involvement or support ends and knows how to build internal capability so work doesn’t stay dependent on them.

Key deliverables

By the end of the service period, the following outputs will have been delivered and fully embedded into NEON’s ways of working:

IT and systems

The freelancer will complete a high-level review of NEON’s current IT systems, identify key risks and gaps, and produce a set of recommendations. 

Outputs will include working with the People & Operations Hub to lead implementation and embedding of agreed improvements across tools and ways of working, including an improved GDrive structure, Google Workspace and IT security improvements and an IT and phones policy.

Data protection

The freelancer will complete a high-level review and strengthening of NEON’s GDPR and data protection approach.

Outputs will include updated core policies (GDPR policy, privacy notice, retention policy) and practical guidance to support consistent implementation across the organisation. It also includes delivery of staff training and further strengthening of our “Data Champions”.

Event processes

The freelancer will assess our current event-related practices (online and in-person).

Outputs will include clear, practical recommendations, strengthened guidance for managing event safety and risk in practice and staff training and support.

Health and safety

A review and update of NEON’s health and safety approach will be completed to ensure policies and processes are clear, practical and consistently applied.

Outputs will include an updated H&S policy, incident reporting process, risk assessment templates, and a simple event safety framework with guidance and checklists. It also includes delivering staff training and embedding of H&S practice across the organisation, including clarification of roles and responsibilities.

AI policy and guidance

The freelancer will research and develop NEON’s approach to AI use across the organisation, considering best practice, risks, opportunities, and the impact of AI on staff and NEON’s work. It should also include thoughtful consideration of the harms and ethical concerns associated with AI.

Outputs will include engagement with staff to understand current use and concerns, alongside the creation of clear and practical AI guidance and an organisational AI policy to support safe, thoughtful and consistent use of AI tools across NEON.

NEON Handbook

A NEON-wide handbook will be created, bringing together key processes, guidance and signposting to essential organisational information in one accessible place.

The handbook will be co-developed with staff and People & Operations Hub members to ensure it reflects day-to-day practice and is maintainable internally after completion.

Day-to-day operations support

The freelancer will provide additional operational capacity to support the Hub with emerging priorities, and time-sensitive pieces of work that arise during the contract period.

Outputs may include support with operational problem-solving and decision making, maintaining processes and procedures, providing subject knowledge expertise, maintaining documentation and other discrete operational tasks agreed with the Director of People and Operations.

A key part of this work will be ensuring that all outputs and improvements are properly embedded within the People & Ops Hub and the wider organisation. This includes creating clear documentation, guidance, training and handover processes so that NEON staff can confidently hold and maintain this work after the consultancy ends.

Timescales and fee schedule

The freelancer will be appointed and ready to engage from the end of July/ start of August 2026. We expect this work to be completed across two-three days per week for up to six months, ideally finished by the end of January or February 2027 (depending on start date). There may be a possibility of extension if other relevant and discrete projects arise and in agreement with the Director of People and Operations.

Call out information required

Interested freelancers are asked to provide the following information in response to this call out:

1. Brief career history and details of relevant assignments undertaken (this could be in the form of a CV)

2. A statement not exceeding 800 words on your proposed approach to the deliverables, including:

   1. Your technical and subject matter expertise

   2. Your personal style and approach to working with others

   3. How you will embed our values of respect, generosity and solidarity and anti-oppression principles into the deliverables

3. Your day rate, indicating whether VAT is payable (please note our indicative day rate that is aligned with our internal budget is £375)

4. A clear commitment to undertake the work within the timeframe set out above

5. Two testimonials from suitable clients or professional partners

The deadline for submissions is Sunday 28th June 11.59pm

Please find email address for submission of applications on our website.

We may wish to discuss submissions with you on Monday 6th July or Wednesday 8th July 2026. We will inform you if this is the case.

For any further information or clarification prior to submission, contact us at our website.

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic, and highly organised individual with either registered healthcare status or an experienced commissioner of healthcare services and a passion for supporting people with long-term health conditions like ME.

As Clinical Lead, you will play a pivotal role in the delivery and development of our Healthcare Services. As our CQC Registered Manager, you will play a critical role in supporting the team and assuring effective and safe services for people with ME of all ages and their families.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will also play a pivotal role in developing our services, drive performance and optimise processes, and enhance service delivery to take action with impact to better support individuals living with ME.

Job Purpose   

Working closely with the Director of Operations, the Clinical Lead will play a pivotal role in leading and developing Action for ME’s clinical Healthcare Services, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care for individuals affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The postholder will be responsible for clinical oversight, service development, and leadership, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to enhance outcomes for children and adults with ME and will be the CQC Registered Manager for the service.  

At present, Healthcare Services is a small team with two physiotherapists and one doctor (specialist GP), with plans to recruit more.

We are keen to develop and expand our services, building on the small amount of spot purchasing from local commissioning boards and exploring a diagnosing and prescribing offer. We are also keen to explore the potential of increasing the range of disciplines offered within the team. You will play a key role in contributing to, and delivering, the strategy for our Healthcare Services.  

Key Responsibilities  

• Provide clinical support and expertise to Action for ME's Healthcare Services, ensuring evidence-based, person-centred care.  
• Act as Registered Manager for CQC (Care Quality Commission) purposes and ensure that the service meets all required standards.   
• Lead the development and implementation of clinical policies, protocols, and best practices in line with national guidelines and regulatory requirements.  
• Supervise and support healthcare professionals within the service, offering guidance, mentorship, and training.  
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including NHS services, researchers, and others, to enhance healthcare provision for people with ME.  
• Ensure the service complies with regulatory and safeguarding standards, including CQC requirements where applicable.  
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery, using data-driven insights to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience.  
• Provide expert advice on complex cases, supporting the team with clinical decision-making.  
• Designated Safeguarding Officer for Healthcare Services.   
• Represent Action for ME at external forums, conferences, and policy discussions.   

Person specification
All criteria noted below are essential requirements of the role.

Qualifications

• A registered healthcare professional (e.g., doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist) with active professional registration (GMC, NMC, HCPC or equivalent) OR an experienced commissioner of healthcare services with experience of quality assurance, safeguarding and compliance. 

Experience and Knowledge

• Extensive clinical experience in chronic illness management OR sound understanding of clinical practice, ideally with expertise in ME or related conditions and a clear understanding of the challenges faced by people with ME.  
• An understanding of Care Quality Commission regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership experience in a healthcare setting, including team management and service development.  
• Strong understanding of evidence-based practice and clinical governance.  
• A sound understanding and experience of safeguarding children/young people and vulnerable adults.
• Experience in training and mentoring healthcare professionals.  
• Knowledge of NHS structures and commissioning processes.  
• An understanding of working within the third sector or charitable organisations.

Skills and Behaviours

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with patients, carers, and healthcare professionals.  
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and the ability to quickly learn relevant bespoke software systems.

Attitudes

• Commitment to patient-centred care and advocacy for people with ME.  

We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's helping people today with support, information, or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.

As Communications Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, impactful communications that advance Action for ME’s work, improve understanding and recognition of ME and support fundraising efforts

The Communications Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy, leading a team of two other communications staff. You will work closely with colleagues across the fundraising, policy, research and services departments, delivering clear and compelling storytelling, and maximising visibility across media, digital platforms and key stakeholder networks.

Key duties

Leadership and Management

• Work to ensure that people with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of communications and marketing.

• Contribute to the development of, and then lead implementation of, the Communications Strategy, ensuring the appropriate involvement of key stakeholders, scoping, evaluating, and improving our practice.

• Maintain a data-insight led approach to the communications work providing regular management information and key performance indicator reports.

• Work as a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

• Line manage Communications Team members, supporting them to set and achieve performance objectives through regular one-to-ones and 12-monthly appraisals.

• Be responsible for Communications budget and the relationship with services providers required for the production of the charity’s digital and printed information and support resources.

Communications and Marketing

• Raise the profile of the impact of ME, and of Action for ME and its work, to enable the organisation to reach more people and better support need, by establishing a regular cadence of appropriate but innovative product across all main social media channels.

• Ensure fundraising is supported by embedding clear calls to action around donations and membership growth as a matter of course.

• Under the direction of the Director of Fundraising, develop all website, press and social media content for charity appeals.

• Market the charity’s Support and Healthcare services, including key digital and printed information and support resources, to the ME community and the professionals working with them, working closely with respective service leads.

• Contribute to income generation by working closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop the communication and marketing materials needed to implement the organisation’s Fundraising Strategy.

• Coordinate the charity’s response to any crisis communications, including developing appropriate crisis management plans and working outside of office hours as required.

• Establish effective systems/processes for gathering, supporting, maintaining, and managing case studies for a range of purposes (including press and media opportunities, public affairs and policy work, and fundraising).

• Draft and issue press releases and media statements and ensure appropriate follow-up by telephoning journalists, contacting picture desks etc. as appropriate.

• Alongside the CEO and any commissioned agency, develop relationships with key press, media and communications stakeholders to enhance the charity’s work.

• Oversee the production of the annual report, on budget, to schedule, taking overall editorial responsibility for content.

• Oversee the ongoing development of our digital engagement including our website and social media and being the point of contact on website issues.

• Fulfil the role of brand gateway keeper, ensuring all digital and printed communications, including information and support resources, adhere to brand guidelines, house style and organisational tone.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and oversight of how ME and related key issues (e.g. Long Covid) are discussed in the media and wider ME community.

• Build networks to enhance the charity’s strategic communications and marketing work.

• Build and maintain an effective social media monitoring regime, ensuring fit for purpose rules of engagement are in place and applied consistently.

Other Key Accountabilities 

• Ensure that all relevant service standards are met including compliance with best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal standards.

• Ensure best value in all our work.

• Undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required, from time-to-time, at the discretion of your line manager.

• On occasions, provide management support and cover within the organisation, as needed.

• Act as an advocate for the charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience, Knowledge and Understanding 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a communications management role

• Experience of developing integrated, insight and audience-led communications plans including social media

• Experience of website and brand management

• Experience of delivering successful campaigns

• Experience of engaging with press and/or media including writing press releases and media briefings

• Experience of working collaboratively with different teams/departments

• Experience of working in charity communications (desirable)

• An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable)

• Experience of integrating fundraising with communications (desirable)

Skills, Behaviours and Values

• Adaptable and highly organised with an ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload, use your own initiative, work independently, and work well in a team.

• Strong MS Office skills including the ability to use Word, Excel, databases and web-related programmes and software.

Reports to: Operations Director (Head of Delivery) 
Contract: Part-time 20 hours over 5 days a week (0.5 FTE) 

Role Purpose 

As Payroll Lead, you will manage HOST’s global payroll operations — ensuring that all staff, contractors, and hosted partners are paid accurately, compliantly, and on time. 

You will bring structure, care, and precision to one of HOST’s most essential services: ensuring the people driving climate and social action receive the financial stability they need to do their best work. 

This role supports both internal HOST staff and hosted partners, liaising across HR, Finance, and Community Support to deliver secure, compliant, and efficient payroll management. You will also help develop new systems and processes as HOST expands internationally, ensuring our operations remain smooth, transparent, and aligned with local legislation. 

Core Responsibilities 

1. Payroll Management 

• Manage all aspects of monthly payroll for UK and international employees, contractors, and hosted partner staff. 

• Prepare and process payroll changes (new hires, terminations, pay adjustments) in line with internal procedures. 

• Ensure timely submission of payroll information to Finance and external providers. 

• Reconcile payroll each month, identifying and resolving any discrepancies. 
   

• Reporting cadence: Monthly payroll cycle; quarterly summary to Operations Director. 

2. Compliance and Record-Keeping 

• Ensure full compliance with UK employment law, tax regulations, and international payroll requirements in collaboration with external providers. 

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee and contractor records. 

• Support statutory reporting, including PAYE, HMRC, and pension submissions. 

• Liaise with HOST’s Finance Team on audits and compliance reviews. 
  Reporting cadence: Monthly compliance report; annual payroll compliance review. 

3. System Management and Improvement 

• Maintain and improve digital payroll systems, ensuring data accuracy and secure integration with Finance and HR tools. 

• Support the development of HOSTHub payroll features and automation processes with the Tech Team. 

• Identify opportunities to simplify workflows and strengthen reporting. 
  Reporting cadence: Quarterly system and process improvement review. 

4. Contractor and International Payroll Support 

• Coordinate with the Community Support and Finance Teams to process international contractor payments, ensuring correct deductions and documentation. 

• Liaise with local payroll providers and Employer of Record (EoR) partners to ensure compliance in each jurisdiction. 

• Track and report on cross-border payroll performance and issue resolution. 
  Reporting cadence: Monthly report; immediate escalation of compliance concerns. 

5. HR and Staff Support 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll queries from staff and contractors, providing clear and timely responses. 

• Collaborate with the HR & Operations teams to ensure policies and processes reflect payroll updates and legislation. 

• Support onboarding and offboarding processes for staff and contractors. 
  Reporting cadence: Ongoing; monthly summary of staff queries and resolutions. 

6. Risk and Confidentiality 

• Identify potential payroll or compliance risks, escalating concerns to the Operations Director and Finance Manager. 

• Ensure all payroll data and personal information are handled securely, in line with GDPR and HOST’s data protection policies. 
  Reporting cadence: Ongoing; quarterly inclusion in organisational risk report. 

Key Relationships 

Internal: Operations Director, Finance Manager, Accountant, Community Support Leads, HR & Payroll External Specialist, and Legal Lead. 
External: Payroll providers, Employer of Record partners, and hosted partner representatives. 

Performance Indicators 

• 100% accuracy in payroll delivery and documentation. 

• 100% on-time monthly payroll completion. 

• All compliance and statutory submissions completed by deadline. 

• 100% confidentiality maintained in payroll data handling. 

• Measurable improvements in payroll efficiency and staff satisfaction. 

Qualifications/Experience:  Member of recognised payroll body e.g. CIPP/GPA 

Join SmellTaste and lead the development of the charity’s involvement in research, shaping how lived experience of those affected by smell and taste impairment is integrated in research projects. As Research Development and Engagement Manager, you will lead engagement with researchers, our patient community, and external partners to develop and support new research collaborations. This includes leading the Public and Patient Involvement activity for a 12-month National Institute of Health Research-funded Programme Development Grant, the ICAST Programme: Improving Care for patients with Smell & Taste Disorders, and undertaking planning work for the prospective Programme Grant which is expected to follow this.

This post is funded for 2 days (15 hours) per week for an initial 12-month period, with the potential for the contract to be extended and for it to become a full-time role subject to further funding being secured. 

You will be joining a small, friendly and ambitious team that will support your professional development as part of the charity’s ongoing growth.

If you are passionate about making a difference to an underserved patient community and want to be part of a pioneering and collaborative organisation that values and empowers the people it represents then we would love to hear from you. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Application instructions: 

Please apply by providing both a CV and a covering letter which clearly states how you meet all the points in the Personal Specification.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the SmellTaste contribution to a 12-month National Institute of Health Research-funded Programme Development Grant, led by Prof Carl Philpott at the University of East Anglia (the ICAST Programme: Improving Care for patients with Smell & Taste Disorders).  
• Develop a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) strategy for the above project, including evaluation of impact and dissemination
• Manage a PPI panel for the NIHR project, organise PPIE meetings and ensure participants and panel members are remunerated for activity.
• Develop a detailed, costed delivery plan for the national survey element of the planned Programme Grant which is expected to follow on from the Programme Development Grant, including marketing and publicity, recruitment and dissemination.
• Work with the charity’s CEO and honorary Director of Research and Medical Affairs to develop a research strategy for the charity that aligns with the research priorities identified in the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Smell and Taste Disorders.
• Work with the charity’s CEO, honorary Director of Research and Medical Affairs and external researchers to identify opportunities for new collaborative research opportunities.
• Develop funding applications for research projects.
• Oversee all of the charity’s collaborative research activity, including PPIE activity.
• Evaluate and report on the impact of research projects, ensuring inclusivity and ethical standards.

Personal specification

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in biological sciences or a related field
• Experience leading or supporting public and patient involvement and engagement initiatives in research
• Experience leading or supporting involvement in research
• Experience of writing grant applications
• Ability to communicate and interpret complex scientific research clearly
• Experience working with diverse and underrepresented communities
• Confident relationship builder with researchers and other external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills, including strong project management skills

Hours: Part-time, 15 hours per week

Salary: £40,000, pro-rata

Holiday allowance: 25 days pro-rata, plus bank holidays

Location: Home working. Some travel will be required to attend in-person meetings and events

Interviews expected to be held during the week commencing 22nd June.

Product Lead – HOSTHub  

(Operational Product Delivery) 

Reports to: Operations Director (Head of Delivery) 
Contract: 1.0 FTE (Temp to Perm) 
Location: Remote (UK or International) 

Role Purpose 

The Product Lead – HOSTHub is responsible for identifying, prioritising, and resolving day-to-day product challenges across HOST’s digital platform. 

HOSTHub serves as the operational backbone of the organisation, enabling delivery across finance, legal, partnerships, and hosted partner services. In this role, the Product Lead ensures the platform functions effectively in practice—by understanding user needs, surfacing issues early, and driving the design, prioritisation, and rapid delivery of solutions. 

While contributing to the longer-term product vision in collaboration with the leadership team and development partners, the primary focus remains on operational product delivery. This includes managing fortnightly sprint cycles, maintaining a dynamic and prioritised backlog, and ensuring continuous alignment between user requirements, internal processes, and platform capabilities. 

The role requires a highly hands-on individual who thrives at the intersection of users, internal teams, and developers, with the ability to translate real-world challenges into clear, actionable product decisions. 

Core Responsibilities 

1. Product Problem Identification and Prioritisation 

Lead the ongoing identification of friction points, inefficiencies, and system gaps across HOSTHub use cases, including those impacting hosted partners, funders, and internal staff workflows. 

Maintain a dynamic, prioritised backlog of product issues and enhancements, informed by user insight and operational impact. 

Work closely with delivery teams across finance, legal, partnerships, and community support to understand how the platform performs in practice and where it falls short of user needs. 

Translate operational challenges into clear, well-defined product requirements that are actionable for development teams. 

Ensure prioritisation is driven by delivery urgency, risk exposure, and opportunities for efficiency, rather than abstract feature development. 

2. Sprint Management and Delivery Execution 

Own the end-to-end delivery of the product, managing fortnightly sprint cycles. 

Set sprint priorities, create and refine tickets, and ensure all development work is well-scoped, logically sequenced, and ready for delivery. 

Collaborate directly with development contractors to run sprint planning, stand-ups (where applicable), and sprint reviews. 

Validate completed work against real user workflows before release to ensure quality and usability. 

Maintain clear visibility of progress, risks, and dependencies, escalating blockers and trade-offs to the Operations Director as needed. 

Provide bi-weekly sprint reports outlining delivered outcomes, outstanding issues, and upcoming priorities. 

3. User Engagement and Feedback Loops 

Establish continuous feedback loops with both internal users (staff teams) and external stakeholders (hosted partners and funders). 

Conduct structured user conversations to understand how systems are used in practice, not just how they were designed to be used. 

Validate proposed solutions with users prior to development where appropriate, ensuring alignment with real needs. 

Ensure user insights consistently inform backlog prioritisation and shape sprint scope. 

Maintain a clear view of user satisfaction grounded in qualitative feedback, not just survey-based metrics. 

4. Cross-Team Operational Alignment 

Act as the central point of coordination across product, delivery teams, and external developers. 

Ensure HOSTHub effectively supports real operational workflows across key service areas, including Project Hosting, Hosted Grantmaking, and Capacity Building. 

Partner closely with Finance, Legal, and Partnerships teams to align system functionality with compliance, contractual, and reporting requirements. 

Identify and resolve misalignments between team processes and platform functionality, either by adapting the system or clarifying and standardising ways of working. 

5. Development Oversight  

Manage the day-to-day relationship with the development team, ensuring requirements are clear and issues are addressed promptly. 

Ensure all development outputs are practical, functional, and aligned with real operational needs. 

Avoid over-specification and unnecessary complexity, prioritising simple, implementable solutions. 

Track defects, rework, and technical debt, incorporating them into sprint priorities where they have a meaningful operational impact. 

6. Data, Workflow, and System Effectiveness 

Ensure HOSTHub captures and delivers data that is accurate, actionable, and aligned with reporting requirements. 

Identify and implement opportunities to automate key workflows, reducing manual effort across teams. 

Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure system logic supports compliance and audit requirements in day-to-day operations. 

Maintain clear, practical documentation of key workflows and system behaviours to support effective operational use. 

7. Risk, Compliance, and System Integrity 

Work closely with the Legal Lead and Operations Director to ensure product decisions do not introduce unmanaged risk. 

Prioritise data protection, security, and system reliability as core product considerations. 

Ensure compliance requirements, including data protection and financial controls, are embedded in how the platform operates in practice. 

Take clear ownership of system incidents or failures, coordinating response and ensuring timely resolution and follow-through. 

8. Contribution to Product Direction 

Contribute to longer-term product thinking, including roadmap development and the ongoing evolution of the system. 

Provide grounded input to strategy based on observed user behaviour, operational constraints, and delivery realities. 

Ensure product direction remains focused on solutions that are practical, scalable, and genuinely valuable to users. 

Key Relationships 

Internal: Operations Director, Finance Team, Legal Lead, Partnerships Director, Community Support Team, Data Analyst, Training Lead. 

External: Developers, technical providers, hosted partners, funders. 

Performance Indicators 

Reliable delivery against sprint commitments, with a clear connection to resolved operational issues. 

Reduction in recurring user-reported problems across key workflows. 

Demonstrable improvements in system usability and efficiency for internal teams and hosted partners. 

A well-maintained backlog with clear, transparent prioritisation rationale. 

Strong alignment between platform functionality and operational delivery needs. 

Timely identification and effective resolution of system risks and critical defects. 

Required Experience 

5–8 years’ experience in hands-on product management or product delivery roles, with clear ownership of day-to-day execution. 

Proven experience managing sprint cycles and working directly with developers to deliver iterative improvements. 

Strong track record of identifying user needs and translating them into effective product solutions. 

Experience working with complex operational systems involving multiple user groups and workflows. 

Ability to operate effectively in environments with evolving and loosely defined requirements. 

Comfortable working across technical and non-technical teams, acting as a practical bridge between them. 

Familiarity with system integrations, workflow tools, and data-driven platforms (e.g. CRM systems, finance platforms automation tools) 

Strong prioritisation skills, with the ability to balance urgency, impact, and feasibility. 

Clear, structured communication style, enabling effective coordination and delivery clarity across teams. 

Manchester Central Foodbank is a busy Trussell Trust-affiliated food bank, with centres in Central, North, and East Manchester. We were established in Ardwick in 2013 by students at the Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, making us the first student-led food bank in the country. Since then we have grown significantly, expanding our weekly sessions into Harpurhey and Openshaw.

Our core aims are to deliver the best quality support that we can to the largest number of our neighbours in need, while working with partners and influencing and organising at a neighbourhood and citywide level to reduce and end the need for food banks in Manchester.

We currently support 16,000 people per year with nutritionally balanced 3-day food parcels. This is double the number of people we supported in the first year following the Covid-19 pandemic, and four times the number supported in 2019. We also provide financial inclusion support with advice workers in public sessions, access to energy vouchers, SIM cards, and other voucher or material support. We coordinate across a network of 200 active front-line referral agencies with the aim of ensuring everyone who accesses our service has appropriate, specialised, and ongoing support alongside the material provision that we provide.

We are active leaders in anti-poverty organising and community development, as convenors of the citywide Building an Anti-Poverty Community collective and aim to be key shapers and influencers of new strategies and policies, working closely to support and influence local government, NHS, education and research agendas in Manchester and more widely building upon our track record of successful anti-poverty partnership work, social value impact and Parliamentary influencing. Our core values are: care, partnership, dignity, partnership, anti-stigma and rights-based.

Key responsibilities
As Chief Executive Officer you will be the key senior staff leader for the charity. You will lead the team to ensure they have the resources, frameworks, and support to effect smooth day-to-day running of our frontline support service. You will provide a strong business management focus, through supporting the financial process, overall metrics and reporting, day to day HR and input for the external Payroll Team, Health and Safety, appropriate working conditions, and strategic planning and communications. 

As the senior lead you will also facilitate and support the Board of Trustees to develop and lead strategic development objectives and plans for transformation, and ensure the delivery and implementation of the charity’s overall strategy and specific focused strategies. You will develop and manage strategic relationships with stakeholders including Council, NHS, and other statutory partners and funders, corporate and social value funders and partners, and high-value and donors. You will also plan and lead fundraising strategies. 

You will be a key external interface for our community and partners.  You will do this by:

Staff/Board Leadership and Governance:

• Line managing a current team of operations staff, including those supporting the recruitment, training, and management of a large team of volunteers. 

• Building team spirit and employee engagement and offer.

• Leading and delivering regular staff performance and development reviews.

• Developing and delivering robust metrics and reporting to the board and staff team, through consistent monthly and quarterly reporting packs to the board of trustees.

• Ensuring all staff and volunteers are familiar and engaged with the charity’s long-term goals and objectives, and know how their work helps to implement these on the ground. Leading the development of induction packages and ongoing offers for staff and volunteers. You will be responsible for writing, implementation, and update of institutional policies as needed to staff and volunteers.

• Leading targeted volunteer recruitment strategies to maximise core delivery capacity through volunteer roles and prioritise staffing capacity to core charity operations.

• Ensure policies are kept current.

• Ensure recording and management of absence/leave.

• Ensure Health and Safety aspects of all organisational operations are compliant, in collaboration with the Board sponsor.

• Manage day to day financial input, through the Xero app, and ensure accurate and up-to-date financial reporting for the Board/Treasurer. This includes administering monthly payroll requests.

• Oversee training and personal development plans for staff and volunteers, as appropriate.

• Working with the Chair of Trustees to implement the charity’s strategic plan and structural development objectives.

• Develop and implement ongoing plans and actions to ensure operationally-appropriate and safe office, warehouse, and working spaces.

• Lead on development, modelling, and maintenance of service delivery standards, quality control, and ensuring frontline teams have the appropriate resources, support, and frameworks to deliver high quality and consistent support offers.

Foodbank Management:

• Support the Operations and Project Lead to deliver the smooth running of food bank sessions across multiple centres, ensuring an excellent standard of service across all centres, and seeking to continually develop our service in line with our goals to support the largest number of people with the best support we can while working to reduce and end the need for food banks in Manchester.

• Develop and build a new Delivery Strategy with the Chair of Trustees and Operations and Project Lead.

• Support the Operations and Project Lead and Warehouse and Logistics Coordinator to safely store and maintain optimal stock levels, maximise food donation levels and reduce food spend, develop and maintain relationships with community donors, and record incoming and outgoing stock, with the aim of ensuring that all centres are well stocked to provide as many varied, balanced, and nutritious and culturally-appropriate food parcels as necessary.

• Ensure compliance with the procedures set out in Manchester Central Foodbank’s policies, the Trussell Trust’s Operating Manual, and relevant statutory requirements at all times.

• Ensure our food bank centres provide a safe and dignified environment for clients, free from discrimination, judgement, and stigma.

Strategy and External Relationships:

• Working with the Chair of Trustees on development, monitoring, and implementation of the core charity strategy and sub-strategies. Ensuring the involvement and participation of the food bank’s staff, volunteers, external partners, and service users in all strategic planning and decision making, where appropriate.

• Support the Operations and Project Lead to work build strong relationships with referral partners and wider community and statutory networks of collaborators and support to ensure that our service users are able to access the maximum amount of support before, during, and after accessing our service to minimise the length and severity of financial crisis, maximise their incomes, and provide pathways to ongoing and longer-term support.

• Play an active role in strategic and convening spaces around our city and neighbourhoods to present the foodbank’s approach, bring more partners into our network, and influence policy and funding frameworks.

• Develop and manage a Corporate Relationships and Social Value strategy, including communications, networking, and relationship management.

• Lead on directing the charity’s external communications, including social media, in person, newsletters, company visits, and other content.

• Manage internal communications, including developing and delivering two-way team briefings with the board and staff/volunteers, biannual town halls or away days with board members and staff/volunteers, newsletters, and an open and collaborative, person-focused, and developmental culture within the organisation.

About you

Essential Experience and Knowledge:

• 5 years’ experience of leading a similar profiled charity or organisation and successful Board interaction.

• Experience of leading successful transformation and change for a charity and a strong developmental mindset and focus.

• Have led a team of 5 or more staff members to successful performance, demonstrating experience of coaching and individual development skills.

• Experience in developing and leading successful and engaged volunteering programmes and support.

• Full valid driving licence. 

• Proven experience of leading the development and delivery of strategy and sub-strategies to successful conclusion and fashioning evidenced business cases for current and new development projects.

• Leading multiple complex projects or services, balancing the needs and interests of a range of stakeholders.

• Experience of implementing rigorous reporting and evaluation practices on operations.

• Experience of managing day-to-day financial administration and reporting.

• Evidence of delivering clear metric dashboards and reports.

• Experience of high-quality implementation of Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies and a leadership practice that centres care for staff, volunteers, and service users. Safeguarding lead qualification is desirable but will provide training if not.

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in HR processes and management.

• Experience in building and delivering strategic plans.

• Proven experience of effective problem solving and responding to crisis situations.

• A good working knowledge of the social welfare and political landscape in Manchester – or demonstrable experience in similar expertise and networking and an openness to learn and develop sector-specific knowledge.

• A nuanced and sensitive understanding of the complex reasons people attend food banks.

Desirable Experience and Knowledge:

• Partnering with and building relationships with Council, NHS, and other statutory partners and funders, corporate and social value partners and funders, high net worth donors, and fundraising through grant applications and individual/community donors.

• Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and views. 

• Experience of handling safeguarding incidents, follow-ups, and debriefs with staff, volunteers, and service users.

• Demonstrated success in delivering communications strategies for internal and external stakeholders, including social media and press content and campaigns.

Personal Skills and Attributes:

• An individual who embodies the values of Manchester Central Foodbank in their core professional practice and personal approach to their work.

• An empathetic and care-centred approach and the ability to centre the experience and outcomes of people from marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds in core decision-making and prioritisation.

• A leader who takes ownership, accountability, and responsibility to drive an organisation and team forward with a developmental mindset.

• A highly self-motivated and proactive person who centres collaboration and consensus with the staff team, volunteers and Board of Trustees in their approach.

• Able to develop strategy and plans and translate strategy to actionable delivery and developmental projects.

• A high level of literacy and communication.

• A high level of numeracy and ability to analyse data.

• Strong leadership attributes to build engagement and performance with the team.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate, persuade, and coach staff and volunteers.

• Excellent personal organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and deadlines.

Role Summary

As our Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, you will play a key role in strengthening ProVeg's ability to attract, engage, and hire mission-driven talent across our international organisation.

This role combines strategic talent acquisition leadership with hands-on recruitment delivery. You will personally lead end-to-end recruitment for international and selected country office roles, while developing recruitment standards, tools, and practices that enable hiring managers and People & Culture colleagues to recruit effectively and consistently. We are therefore looking for someone who enjoys both shaping recruitment strategy and executing recruitment activities directly.

You will work closely with the Director of People & Culture to build a proactive, candidate-centred, and data-informed approach to talent acquisition, helping strengthen ProVeg's position as an employer of choice.

Job details

Reports to: Director of People & Culture
Department: INT People and Culture
Working hours: 30-40
Salary: depending on location and experience, e.g. €44,000 - 48,000 in Germany,
zł 120,000 - 150,000 in Poland (full-time equivalent).
Location: Remote.
We welcome candidates globally who hold permanent residency and can adhere to a working schedule that includes core collaboration hours of 10 am - 4 pm CET.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute full-cycle recruitment for international and selected country office roles, including job advertising, sourcing, screening, candidate communication, interviewing, selection support, and offer coordination.

• Act as a trusted talent partner to hiring managers, helping define role requirements, assess candidates fairly, and make informed hiring decisions.

• Develop and strengthen ProVeg's employer brand through authentic recruitment messaging, content, and candidate engagement.

• Build and maintain a consistent recruitment framework across ProVeg, including templates, guidance, toolkits, and quality standards.

• Own and optimise our plattform Teamtailor, ensuring efficient workflows, reliable recruitment data, and transparent reporting.

• Use recruitment insights and data to identify opportunities for improvement and support workforce planning together with the Director of People & Culture.

• Train and support hiring managers and People & Culture colleagues to recruit with greater confidence, consistency, and effectiveness.

• Document and share recruitment practices, lessons learned, and tools across teams and countries.

• Communicate progress, challenges, and recommendations clearly, proposing practical solutions and next steps.

Competencies

• You bring strong experience in full-cycle recruitment, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, stakeholder management, and offer processes.

• You have experience recruiting for international, senior, or specialist roles in complex or fast-moving environments.

• You are confident advising hiring managers throughout the recruitment process and balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

• You have experience improving recruitment processes, frameworks, toolkits, or ways of working.

• You have hands-on experience with applicant tracking systems, ideally Teamtailor, and using recruitment data to improve hiring outcomes.

• You demonstrate curiosity and openness to exploring responsible AI applications in recruitment, with awareness of data privacy, ethics, and transparency.

• You demonstrate strong organisational skills and can manage multiple recruitment processes simultaneously while maintaining quality and candidate experience.

• You have experience collaborating across cultures, countries, and time zones.

• You have an affinity with ProVeg's mission and vision.

• You are fluent in English and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• You have experience creating employer branding content, such as careers page content, social media posts, candidate communications, or employee stories.

• You have experience with LinkedIn Recruiter or similar sourcing tools.

• You have experience working in a mission-driven, non-profit, advocacy, or international organisation.

• You have experience with Personio, Leapsome, Google Workspace, or similar tools.

• You have contributed to workforce planning or talent strategy.

• You have experience training or coaching hiring managers or People & Culture colleagues on recruitment practices.

Benefits of working with ProVeg

• A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.

• Provision of a work laptop.

• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.

• Career development support.

• Mental health & wellbeing support via access to the OpenUp platform and a free Headspace subscription

• We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days increasing by one day a year to a maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays)

• And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!

• Depending on your location, there might be additional benefits.

Further Information

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are motivated to join ProVeg and describe how you can bring in your experience to this role. Even if you do not meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to apply. Our tasks are diverse, and we are flexible in how we distribute them. We are happy to support your growth and development.
We also encourage all applicants to apply without a photo or disclosing their date or place of birth.

If you are living with a disability, health condition and/or neurodiversity, please feel free to let us know how we can adjust and support your application process. For example, we can offer alternative tools, different interview formats, or additional time for tasks.

Important: Please make sure to use your own words and ideas in the cover letter. The goal is for us to know you better in order to assess if this role and your motivation are a good fit. Letters written with AI, or written in a language other than English, will be disregarded.

Application process:

1. Screening of your application

2. Interview with People & Culture (30-40mins)

3. Job related trial task (~ 2 hrs.)

4. Second interview with the team (60mins)

When:

Application deadline: open until filled
Start date: preferably 01.08.2026