Director of development and external affairs jobs

Location: Home-based with regular travel to the Guildford office
Job Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £53,462
Benefits: 27 days holiday bank holidays (pro rata for part time roles), perk scheme access, life assurance, paid compassionate leave, enhanced sick pay, Cycling UK membership plus many more staff benefits.

There’s never been a better time to join the team at Cycling UK! We are 18 months into our ambitious new strategy – and we want you to be part of it. There are loads of reasons to love cycling, even if you’re not someone who cycles. From cutting pollution, to making us healthier and happier, cycling can help us all thrive.

As our Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications, which sits in the wider External Affairs directorate, you will have responsibility for increasing the profile of the charity’s brand with a particular focus on increasing engagement with our priority audiences. Working closely with colleagues within the Commercial directorate you will ensure our marketing and communications are aligned and maximising opportunities for impact and income. The role involves leading a team of 11 people in developing and delivering Cycling UK’s Brand, Marketing and Communications Strategy. This team has overall responsibility for ensuring Cycling UK’s brand is imbedded across the organisation and our brand profile is raised among our priority audiences. We are ideally looking for someone with vast digital experience able to ensure the charity is making the most of the latest developments in digital tools and platforms, with a particularly strong focus on digital marketing, supporter journeys and content strategies. The role form

If you’re a strategic brand leader, passionate about purpose-driven communications and making an impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Explore the attached job description for full details on this exciting opportunity. Complete the application form expressing why you are the right candidate for this opening. Focus on gearing your supporting statement to exemplify how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, directly referring to the person specification. This enables the selection panel to assess your relative strengths against the specified criteria.

This role is home based with expected travel to London and Guildford.

Applications close at 9:00am on the closing date shown

You may also have experience in the following: Brand Strategy, Marketing Leadership, Communications Director, Digital Marketing, Content Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, Campaign Management, Social Media Strategy, Brand Development, Audience Engagement, Marketing Communications, Fundraising Communications Head of Brand, Head of Marketing, Head of Communications, Marketing Director, Communications Director, Brand and Communications Manager, Digital Marketing Director, Director of Marketing and Communications, Marketing and Communications Lead, Engagement and Communications Lead

REF-225 742

Location:  Hybrid working - Part London office-based and part home working. The post holder will work a minimum of one day a week in the office. 

Salary: £31,800 per annum 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Tuesday 6 January 2026 at 10.00am 

Interview date: Tuesday 13 January 2026 on Teams. Please note that there may be a second stage in person on Wednesday 21 January. 

This is a permanent role. 

Who we are looking for 

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a Social Media and Content Officer to help us build on this momentum. 

We’re looking for a creative and proactive person to join us as our new Social Media and Content Officer. We’re looking for someone with excellent content creation skills, a strong understanding of social media platforms and trends, and an ability to deploy tactics to ‘stop the scroll’ on our owned content. 

As the Social Media and Content Officer, you will be responsible for our social media channels, creating compelling campaigns and content that engage our communities and build support for research into type 1 diabetes (T1D). You will help us build our engaged online T1D community and proactively seek out new and innovative approaches to digital communications, while protecting and enhancing the Breakthrough T1D brand. 

Experience required 

You’ll have previous experience of: 

• Working across multiple social media platforms and monitoring engagement e.g. Meta, Linkedin, X 

• Producing audience-specific, engaging and shareable daily content in different formats 

• Training and supporting others to create and publish content

• Supporting and delivering unique and vibrant social media campaigns 

• Growing online social communities and rates of social media engagement 

• Interpreting social media analytics and providing insight on content performance 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

At Breakthrough T1D we do understand that AI (Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT) can be a useful tool for candidates to assist in applying for our roles. We ask that applicants do ensure their authentic voice is present, and we look forward to seeing examples of your specific experience. 

Location: Hybrid
Department: External Affairs & Communications directorate
Salary: £51,000 - £57,500
Hours: This is a full-time post [35 hours per week], however, we welcome applicants with proposals for shared working arrangements or other flexibilities.
Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 12th January 2026, 10.00am 

Benefits: 10% employers pension contribution (NEST) HSF Health cash Plan-covering employee partners and dependants under 18 28 days Annual Leave plus bank holidays and increases with length of service 2 hours weekly wellbeing time out Employee assistance program , offering GP advice lines, virtual doctors, prescription services, emotional wellbeing support, a legal help line and counselling. Funded eye site test (Specsavers) Pay it forward days- 2 days volunteering Mindful Employer Perkbox and Reward Gateway – discount platforms
 
Overall Purpose
 
We are at a critical stage in the evolution of our strategy, and to help build the next era of healthcare, our influence with national decision makers will be crucial. The 10-year plan for the NHS creates opportunities for the NHS charity sector that we must capitalise on.
 
This role will report to the Associate Director of Policy and Influencing to help shape our policy and influencing activity, including assessing opportunities and risks, and make recommendations for action. This will involve building and utilising strategic relationships, as well as in-depth policy knowledge, to develop and take forward evidence-based and responsive propositions which translate into funded opportunities for the sector, and to influence for improvements in the policy and regulatory environment in which NHS charities operate, to enhance impact.
 
You will have experience of policy development, be a strategic thinker and excellent at building relationships in a complex stakeholder environment.
 
Overall objectives
 
• Work with the AD of Policy and Influencing to scope policy and influencing strategy, assessing opportunities and risks and make recommendations for action.
• Hold relevant policy, strategy and wider contextual expertise and knowledge for the organisation – and the sector – including in-depth understanding of current frameworks and horizon-scanning future developments, identifying issues of interest to the organisation and our members.
• Build long-term strategic relationships with policymakers – including Government, especially the Department of Health and Social Care, and other relevant NHS bodies and health organisations.
• Translate knowledge and strategic relationships into:
o Opportunities for the sector – including through propositions and influencing potential funders / commissioners / decision-makers.
o Improvements in the policy, regulatory and strategic environment within which NHS charities operate, through evidence-based policy calls and influencing.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
The main duties and responsibilities of the role holder are as outlined below:
 
• Support the AD of Policy & Influencing on organisational policy and influencing strategy.
 
Policy development/ expertise
• Hold organisational policy expertise on identified issues for the NHS charity sector; developing evidenced-based policy positions and relevant strategy for influence.
• Working with the Insights and Impact Specialist ensure sector learnings and impact data inform organisational policy and are shared with policymakers.
• Produce policy briefings and reports for targeted stakeholders.
• Respond to relevant policy consultations.
• Provides reports and information for colleagues within NHS Charities Together to ensure understanding of policy and public affairs and to support organisational strategy.
• Lead on the policy content and analysis for policy and influencing tools such as Financial Comparison survey.
 
Influencing
• Build relationships with relevant strategic partners (and potential partners) in Government, health care, academia, VCSE and other sectors to support organisational strategy.
• Identify and connect into relevant networks, including representing the organisation and the sector.
• Arrange briefings and roundtable events for targeted stakeholders.
 
Membership Policy engagement
• Support communication and sector engagement related to policy and public affairs, including identifying relevant policy information needed from members; mobilisation of membership behind relevant calls, and supporting development of members’ skills and capacity relating to influencing and government relations.
 
Other Duties
 
• Act as a champion for NHS Charities Together and NHS charities.
• Visibly live NHS Charities Together’s values, including our commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly by ensuring that our policy and public affairs activity takes into account the diversity of the communities and members that we support.
• Carrying out the duties of post in accordance with NHS Charities Together’s policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.
• Working flexibly, prioritising workload and working effectively as part of a team.
• Adhere to relevant legislation, best practice, policies and processes including, but not limited to charity law, the fundraising regulator, GDPR and professional codes and standards.
• Represent NHS Charities Together as needed.
 
REF-225 785

Location:  Hybrid working Part London office-based and part home based with a minimum of one day a week in the office, or home based 

Salary: £31,800 per annum for London based and £29,300 per annum for home based 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Tuesday 6 January 2026 at 10.00am 

Interview date: Thursday 15 January 2026 

This is a permanent role. 

Who we are looking for 

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a dynamic Community Events Officer to help us build on this momentum.

You will be an enthusiastic person with an eye for detail and the ability to plan, manage and deliver our community events programme. This role will work at the heart of a passionate team, who deliver support and information to people living with type 1 diabetes throughout their type 1 journey. Events are a key opportunity to connect those living with the condition and to share what Breakthrough T1Doffers. 

With experience in delivering events, you may have worked for charities before in similar roles. Your role will be to oversee the planning and delivery of our community events, including on-the-day logistics in person and virtually. You will also develop post-event follow-up with participants and strategically evaluate our community events programme, working with the Community Partnerships and Events Lead. There will be opportunities to represent Breakthrough T1D , network and exhibit at external events and develop creative plans and strategy for future events, to support Breakthrough T1D’s ’s aims and mission. 

Experience required 

You’ll have previous experience of: 

• Planning, delivering and evaluating successful community events

• Facilitating virtual events via Zoom or similar online platforms 

• Representing an organisation through networking or exhibiting at conferences, community events and other similar functions 

• A proven track record working with and managing budgets 

• Working within a community and building relationships with volunteers, new and existing supporters and stakeholders 

• Demonstrating excellent communication and interpersonal skills 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

At Breakthrough T1D we do understand that AI (Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT) can be a useful tool for candidates to assist in applying for our roles. We ask that applicants do ensure their authentic voice is present, and we look forward to seeing examples of your specific experience. 

Job Purpose

The Head of Campaigns will work to ensure that we meet our UK campaign goals, currently for Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Fisheries, and Offshore Oil and Gas.  

Reporting to and advising the Executive Director, and working closely with the Leadership Team, you will oversee the planning, development and implementation of all delivery across our current campaigns.   You will manage the Campaigns team (2 direct and 2 indirect reports) to ensure that we deliver impactful campaigns that ultimately achieve our goals.

Eligible candidates should be confident and proactive, with the ability to oversee multiple projects, and with excellent team management skills.  They must have sector relevant campaigning experience, be able to support and advise during the annual strategic planning cycles, and be enthusiastic and positive in response to the changing demands of a small team.  They must be passionate, and able to design and develop creative and bold campaign strategies alongside our small but experienced team.

The position will be hybrid, with 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs) based in Oceana’s UK offices in Newquay, Cornwall or Paddington, London.  Regular national, and occasional international, travel will be required to meet team members and stakeholders in geographically diverse locations, including Washington, DC.

Oceana 

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. Globally, Oceana has won more than 325 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world's ocean. Our talented staff consists globally of about 240 people, working in more than twelve countries, including scientists, communications, fundraising, finance, administration, policy, and advocacy experts.   All team members have the opportunity for occasional travel to our headquarters in Washington, DC to connect with the global network.

Oceana in the UK is tightly focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, including protecting seabed habitats, ending overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments. 

We fight for UK seas to get the protections they deserve through highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. We act as a vital public-policy interface – raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and influencing policymakers directly for commitments at key moments throughout the year.

Our small, experienced, and highly motivated team work in geographically diverse locations in London and Cornwall, coming together both digitally and in person as part of developing and delivering our ambitious campaign strategy to restore ocean biodiversity and abundance.

We’re proud to be bold, creative, agile and visual in our campaigns, and proud of the team we’re creating here in the UK. We’d love for you to join us.

Responsibilities

• Lead all current campaigns, and take accountability for the quality, timeliness and success of all campaign activities and deliverables in support of our campaign goals.
• Oversee all projects across the campaigns team including (but not limited to) campaign actions and launches, public mobilisations, digital actions, NGO partnerships and coalitions, and potential legal challenges.
• Oversee and document project planning, ensuring activities are underpinned by an effective theory of change, and ensuring input and buy-in is secured from all relevant members of the UK and HQ teams.
• Monitor and evaluate progress against plans, ensuring effective delivery of campaign objectives.
• Oversee the campaign calendar and budget, ensuring that all campaign deliverables are managed and delivered on time and to budget, with any updates accurately reflected in the quarterly reforecast process.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Team and global team members on the strategic development and innovation of campaigns, reviewing and setting annual plans, longer term goals, and new campaign areas.
• Understand and monitor all components of all campaigns and be able to confidently communicate progress and details to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee public affairs activities, manage political consultancy and co-ordinate Oceana presence at relevant political meetings and events.
• Collaborate closely with senior Science and Research, Policy, and Communications colleagues to ensure campaigns have robust and complementary foundations across all departments.
• Work with the UK leadership team to develop and communicate a compelling campaign vision and strategy to Oceana staff, supporters, donors, and allies.
• Work as part of the UK’s Leadership Team, contributing to decision making and overall progress towards organisational goals, and represent campaigns in this forum.
• Represent the Leadership Team in person in the London or Cornwall office 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs), providing direction and guidance and promoting a positive working culture.
• Manage and support 2 line reports, and 2 indirect reports, helping to coach and lead a high-performing Campaigns team.
• Build strong external relationships and represent Oceana UK to ensure we advance our campaign goals with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil servants, politicians, the fishing industry, NGOs, and businesses.
• Draft timely, accurate and compelling funder and supporter reporting.
• Draft periodic progress reporting on UK campaign goals and milestones for Oceana’s global board.
• Be prepared to represent the organisation publicly where needed, including through media interviews, speaking events, and writing.
• Ensure a strong commitment to the organisation's values and vision, as set out by Oceana globally.  
• Travel occasionally, both nationally and internationally, to meet with team members and wider internal and external stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities as appropriate and necessary to achieve campaign and organisational objectives.

Candidate Requirements

Education and work experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in campaigning, ideally toward ocean or environmental goals (essential).
• Experience leading and developing campaign strategic plans, alongside detailed annual plans and budgets.
• Proven experience developing innovative, bold and creative campaign activities in support of overall campaign goals.
• Experience as an active member of a Leadership Team or Management Team in a similar organisation.
• Extensive line management experience, including of multiple reports.
• Experience working in an international NGO (preferred).
• Experience working closely with policy colleagues, lobbying and negotiating with civil servants in government on policy matters.
• Experience working closely with communications colleagues, ensuring effective messaging and engaging growing audiences.

 Skills and knowledge:

• Familiarity with fisheries or marine and environmental regulations, legislation and policies in the UK, as well as with the key institutions and decision-making processes.
• Excellent project management skills, with demonstrable experience managing and prioritising multiple workstreams, tasks, projects and timelines effectively.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality and impactful campaign outputs.
• Excellent management skills, and proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with staff and with other organisations and allies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organise, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Good understanding of the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and a proven commitment to improving these in the environmental space.  
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to speak confidently in the media and at events.
• Integrity and the ability to work with confidential information with discretion.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the conservation sector. 

All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks and a criminal background check.

• Application Deadline: Sunday 11th January
• Interview Dates (TBC)

Terms:  Part time (0.4 FTE), 24-month contract

Salary range:  £27,810 - £41,200

Location:  Remote, with occasional in-person meetings and conference travel

Start date:  March 2026

Line manager:  Project Manager, Nuclear Transparency Inventory

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK. 

Application closing date:  16th January 2026

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive  period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

Role Description

The Project Officer will directly support the Project Manager, Dr Lyndon Burford, in delivering the Nuclear Transparency Inventory (NUTRI). NUTRI will catalogue the transparency policies and practices of all nuclear-armed states regarding their nuclear arsenals and related facilities. It will be published on a free, interactive website. 

The primary focus of NUTRI is on whether, how, and why states choose to disclose data about their nuclear arsenals and related facilities and policies. The project aims to support further research and dialogue by offering a go-to source of trusted information for officials, decision makers, and analysts on how the leaders of different states think about nuclear transparency. The aim is to help increase mutual understanding and prevent miscalculations, and foster confidence for future arms control and disarmament efforts.

The role of the NUTRI Project Officer will include desk-based research on nuclear transparency; helping coordinate the work of external consultants; engaging with and helping coordinate the work of the project Advisory Board; helping facilitate peer review of research findings; travelling nationally and/or internationally to promote NUTRI and its findings; drafting project-related policy briefings and other publications; and helping convene in-person and online meetings with experts and policy makers. The role also includes collaboration with the team working on BASIC’s NPT Monitor project.

Personal attributes and experience

The NUTRI Project Officer will have 4-6 years of experience and will have begun to carve out a presence in the nuclear policy field. They will be highly motivated, work well independently and in a team, and be comfortable speaking and presenting to, and writing for, a variety of audiences, including government officials, analysts, and civil society experts. 

The successful applicant will have a working knowledge of the world’s nuclear arsenals and related policies and demonstrable experience producing high-quality research. They will be highly organised, with strong time management skills and the ability to maintain focus on core project aims while juggling multiple workstreams. Though the Project Officer may be relatively new to fundraising, they will be able to contribute to the process with excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and policy insights. The Project Officer will work with their line manager to identify a professional development plan to close skills gaps and work towards becoming a respected leader in their field.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Support the Project Manager in the day-to-day management and implementation of the project, ensuring timelines and milestones are met. 

• Conduct independent research and provide analytical support to the Project Manager. 

• Help coordinate, with support from the Project Manager, the work of project partners and consultants, including Advisory Board members, external consultants, and peer reviewers.

• Proof read data from external consultants to ensure it is appropriately formatted according to agreed specifications.

• Help coordinate, with support from the Project Manager, the development of a dedicated website to publish project findings.

• Draft briefings for diverse policy audiences, including government officials and senior decision makers, international institutions, and civil society experts. 

• Help develop and facilitate, with support from the Project Manager and in collaboration with other BASIC staff, online and in-person events, including at the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

• Co-produce written materials with the Project Manager. 

• Develop and manage, in collaboration with the Project Manager and Director of Communications, regular social media posts to promote NUTRI and its findings.

Role Requirements

Essential:

• Educated to Master’s level
• 4-6 years of work experience in a think tank, research institute, NGO, foundation or government working on international security issues
• Passion and commitment to our organisational mission of promoting dialogue to advance global security
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and different levels of seniority
• Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and highly organised approaches to research and data storage
• Good working knowledge of Google suite / Microsoft 365
• Strong interpersonal skills and team work
• Experience helping organise policy roundtables and workshops
• Willingness to travel internationally when required
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Desirable:

• Experience organising high-level meetings (in-person and/or online)
• Project management experience 

Chief Executive Officer - FoodCycle
Location: Vauxhall, London (flexible working; regular travel to Projects and for meeting with key stakeholders required)
Salary: circa £75,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35–37.5 hours per week)

Are you ready to lead FoodCycle through a period of consolidation and sustainable growth, protecting its volunteer-led, guest-centred model while building reliable income streams and scaling proven pilots?

About FoodCycle
FoodCycle is a national charity running volunteer-powered community dining projects that combine rescued surplus food, spare kitchen space and local volunteers to deliver free, hot, sociable three-course meals. Our work sits at the intersection of food-waste reduction, food-poverty relief and loneliness prevention. Nationally scaled but locally delivered, FoodCycle has grown rapidly, enjoys strong volunteer goodwill and is developing promising trading and schools pilots to strengthen sustainability.

As our next CEO you will:

• Shape strategy & impact - co-create and implement a clear 3–5 year strategy and a focused 12-month operational plan with measurable milestones.

• Stabilise leadership & culture - provide visible, warm and practical leadership across Projects; develop the senior team and protect volunteer trust.

• Secure financial sustainability - own the income strategy, diversify revenue across trusts, individual giving, corporate partnerships and trading, and present credible cashflow plans to the board.

• Build commercial & trading capacity - drive Manor House and other trading pilots towards viable, repeatable income models.

• Safeguard quality & risk - ensure robust safeguarding, food-safety and operational thresholds for opening new Projects.

• Raise profile & partnerships - act as FoodCycle’s principal ambassador to corporates, funders, local authorities and policy audiences.

Who you are

• A senior leader with experience stabilising and growing people-facing, delivery-focused organisations.

• Proven at generating income from multiple streams, with commercial fluency to develop simple trading models and convert corporate engagement into lasting partnerships.

• Financially literate - comfortable owning budgets, forecasting and discussing risk with trustees.

• Excellent at people and change management - able to build and motivate small national teams and large volunteer cohorts.

• Data-driven, curious and pragmatic - tests pilots, embeds what works and sets clear go/no-go criteria for scale.

• Values-driven and visible - passionate about food justice, guest dignity and volunteer leadership.

• Right to work in the UK and satisfactory DBS checks required.

Why FoodCycle?

• Lead a nationally recognised, volunteer-led movement tackling food waste, food poverty and social isolation.

• Play a pivotal role growing promising trading and schools pilots to create sustainable income.

• Work with an engaged Chair and committed board, and a small, passionate national team.

• Be part of a friendly, non-hierarchical culture where leaders are visible in Projects.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19th January 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.