Director of development jobs

We welcome applications from people who have significant legal aid experience in public law, housing law, and/or community care law, and who have undertaken strategic litigation. If this is you, and you meet the minimum criteria for the Legal Director role, we encourage you to apply.

Please note: We do not expect the postholder to generate legal aid income at a multiple of their salary. While we do aim to grow legal aid income across the team to an initial target of £25,000–£30,000 per annum, the focus of this role is on developing high‑quality legal aid practice and building sustainable income collectively, as part of a mixed‑income organisational model. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black and minoritised communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people from working-class backgrounds, and people with lived experience of the issues we work on. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and we know that lived experience and diverse perspectives strengthen our legal practice and our work for systemic change. 

The Legal Director is a newly created senior leadership role and will lead and shape Release’s legal services, setting the strategic direction and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, client‑centred representation. The role will expand access to justice through strong legal aid provision, embed harm reduction principles across all legal work, and uphold rigorous regulatory and ethical standards. It will also play a key role in sustaining Release’s commitment to training and developing the next generation of social justice lawyers.

This pivotal post combines oversight of a multidisciplinary legal team with movement‑driven advocacy and strategic litigation. The Legal Director will identify and pursue high‑impact cases to challenge unlawful policies and drive systemic change, while building strong external relationships with affected communities, policymakers, and partners. Working collaboratively, the role will co‑create innovative models of legal support that respond to emerging needs and amplify the voices of people most affected by drug laws and wider structural injustice.

As Legal Director, you will:

Set Strategic Direction: Define and implement strategies to expand legal aid provision, improve access to justice, and embed harm reduction principles across all legal work.
Lead and Inspire: Oversee a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, legal advisers, and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Ensure Excellence and Compliance: Maintain rigorous regulatory standards whilst driving forward progressive, client-centred approaches to legal practice.
Advance Systemic Change through Strategic Litigation: Identify and pursue high-impact cases to influence legislation, challenge unlawful policies, and dismantle barriers to justice for people who use drugs and other marginalised communities.
Engage Externally: Build powerful coalitions by engaging with affected communities, policymakers, stakeholders, and advocacy networks to drive legal and social reform.
Co-Create Innovative Service Solutions: Develop new models of legal support that respond to emerging needs, leverage technology, and amplify the voices of those most affected by drug policy and laws by working in partnership with them. 

This role is ideal for a visionary and inspiring leader who combines legal expertise with a commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and systemic transformation.

Person Specification

Essential

• Minimum 9 years + post qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate, and
• Minimum 7 years + significant experience in legal aid supervision and regulatory compliance, and
• Minimum 3 years + proven leadership and team management skills, and
• Minimum 3 years + strategic litigation or test cases, and
• Strong commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice.

Desirable

• Experience working in a charity or non‑profit organisation.
• Experience supporting, contributing to, or developing test case work, policy‑linked casework, or other legal work aimed at achieving wider systemic or community impact, including through indirect, collaborative, or emerging roles.
• Understanding of the impact of drug policy and criminalisation on marginalised communities.
• Experience in developing new services, partnerships, or funding‑linked delivery models.

Pembroke College, Oxford, is seeking a highly organised and motivated Finance Officer (Development) to join its friendly and professional Finance team on a part-time basis (50% / 18.75 hours per week). This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a vital role in supporting the College’s philanthropic activity and financial operations within a historic and forward‑looking academic community.

Founded in 1624, Pembroke is an inclusive and dynamic College based on a central site in Oxford, combining award‑winning modern developments with beautiful historic quadrangles. The College’s Fellowship and Governing Body have ambitious plans for the future, supported by a strong culture of engagement, fundraising, and public benefit.

The Finance Officer (Development) is a key member of the Finance team, providing essential support to both the Finance and Development functions. Working closely with colleagues across Accounts and Development, the postholder will ensure that donations, expenditure, and financial records are processed accurately, reported clearly, and managed in line with College policies and external regulatory requirements.

This is a pivotal role for someone who enjoys working with detailed financial information, values accuracy and integrity, and is keen to contribute to the success of the College’s development and fundraising activities.

Key Responsibilities

Development Finance Support and Recording Donations

· Accurately record donations received through a range of channels, including direct debit, bank transfer, online platforms, cheques, and cash, using both finance and development systems.

· Liaise closely with the Development Team to ensure donations are correctly classified and reported.

· Reconcile donation records between systems to maintain consistency and accuracy.

· Work with colleagues to identify missed pledge payments and recurring gifts.

· Maintain well‑organised and reliable financial and donor data to support effective reporting.

Gift Processing

· Prepare and submit Gift Aid claims in compliance with HMRC regulations.

· Process fortnightly Direct Debits and associated amendments.

· Maintain and update fund, campaign, and donor trackers, including research into historic funds.

Development Expenditure

· Work with the Development Director to ensure development‑related expenditure is recorded correctly.

· Monitor and report on Equals Money expenditure and other designated development funds.

Reporting and Budgeting

· Produce clear and accurate reports on income and expenditure for Finance and Development teams.

· Support reporting for the Finance & Planning Committee and Governing Body.

· Assist with annual budget preparation and forecasting.

· Produce cost‑centre and ad hoc reports as required.

General Duties

· Provide flexible support to colleagues in Finance and Development.

· Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial systems and processes.

· Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role.

Benefits include:

· Membership of the University staff pension scheme.

· Free lunch when College kitchens are open.

· Generous annual leave entitlement (pro rata).

· Opportunities for professional development, including mentoring by qualified accountants and access to paid external training.

· A supportive, inclusive, and collegial working environment.

About You

You will be an organised and detail‑focused finance professional with excellent numerical skills and a collaborative approach. You will be confident managing multiple priorities and committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial accuracy and confidentiality.

Essential criteria include:

· Experience in purchase ledger, accounts payable, and/or income recording within a finance function.

· Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and finance databases or systems.

· High levels of numeracy, accuracy, and attention to detail.

· Ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to work with colleagues, suppliers, donors, and other stakeholders.

· A proactive, flexible attitude and willingness to develop new skills.

Desirable criteria:

· Experience in a charity, higher education, or not‑for‑profit environment.

· Familiarity with donation management systems such as DARS.

· Understanding of Gift Aid regulations and HMRC processes.

· Experience liaising with external stakeholders, including donors and suppliers.

Operations Transformation Programme Director

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Interim Operations Transformation Programme Director 

Full Time/Fixed Term Position for 18 Months (potential for permanent role)

Our offer to you 

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. You will receive: 

• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years
• Hybrid, Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts – you will have access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping 

 
About Us 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,300 employees and over 28,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning.  As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future.  

St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services (e.g. Ambulance Operations) and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them such as our Volunteers and our Young Responders programmes. There is also a buoyant social enterprise network which delivers first aid training and supplies medical consumables to businesses and consumers.  And now with a new strategy and after a review of our current structures were recruiting to a new Operations Transformation Programme Director to help take our delivery to the next level and build our services. 
 
Job Summary 

As The Operations Transformation Programme Director, you’ll build and lead a new directorate driving major change across Estates, Fleet, Logistics and Supply Chain to ensure St John’s operational services are efficient, future‑ready and deliver outstanding support. Reporting to the COO, you’ll oversee Estates & Facilities, Fleet, Logistics, Clinical Equipment, Health & Safety and Business Continuity, managing a c.£22m budget. You’ll ensure that we implement our new Estates strategy, lead capital investment, transform contract management, and deliver a best‑in‑class logistics and supply chain model. Success means measurable performance improvements, achieving key transformation milestones, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and embedding a culture of innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement while ensuring value for money.

About You 

You will bring senior leadership experience from a large, complex organisation, with strong expertise in either estates and FM, or supply chain, logistics, medical devices and contract management. You will have led large, diverse and geographically dispersed teams, delivering major transformation and operational improvement programmes. Degree‑educated with relevant professional development, you will demonstrate inspirational leadership, excellent communication, analytical thinking, confident board‑level reporting, and proven budgetary management.

About the Role 

• Own and be accountable for the development and delivery of transformation plans for estates, fleet, logistics, and supply chain, aligned with organisational strategy and ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency
• To be accountable for the account management of key external providers across Fleet and Estates
• To hold overall accountability for a significant P&L and ensure adherence to plan delivering value and measurable improvements.
• Lead change initiatives, engaging stakeholders and driving adoption of new processes and technologies.
• To role model, empower and enable your people. To champion and exemplify compassionate, ethical and accountable leadership and St John HEART values.
• Establish and drive continuous improvement of KPIs and dashboards to measure and drive effectiveness across the various teams and the business and to ensure we meet internal and external compliance requirements, continually measuring and acting on customer/stakeholder feedback
• Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders, partners and customers.

Please see the job description for more detail (this can be viewed on our website or once you click apply) 

If you are a current St John Ambulance employee, please apply here: Click here 

For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply: please apply below 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. 

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.   At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups.  We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.    

'St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role'. 

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy. 

Director of Income Generation & Business Development
Salary - £55,000 - £60,000 dependent on experience
Location: Leeds (hybrid working)

For over 50 years, Leeds Women’s Aid has been a lifeline for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The organisation has grown significantly, from a c.£600–700k income charity 10 years ago, to one now approaching £5m annual income. With this growth comes bold, renewed ambition to diversify income, strengthen influence and ensure LWA’s voice, values and impact are communicated with clarity and confidence to reach those who need them most. 

It’s an exciting time in LWA’s development. With a growing footprint, deeper community roots, expanding services and renewed ambition to influence systemic change for women. This newly established Director of Income Generation & Business Development role is designed to bring together income generation, marketing and communications, and retail under one strategic umbrella to shape the next chapter of LWA’s development and impact. 

As Director of Income Generation & Business Development you will set the strategic direction for all income related activity across the charity, ensuring LWA develops a sustainable, diversified income portfolio that is aligned with the charity’s purpose and values. This is an opportunity to shape a sustainable future for LWA – ensuring it can continue to grow its impact and that its work remains rooted in the voices and experiences of women and children. 

You’ll play a key role in the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to collective leadership, organisational governance and the long-term resilience and strategic direction of the charity. 

As Director of Income Generation & Business Development you will:

• Strategically lead a multi-year income generation and business development strategy, setting key objectives and enabling diversification that aligns with LWA’s values and new organisational strategy. 
• Provide strategic leadership for marketing and communications, ensuring organisational-wide narrative building that reflects the values and impact of LWA, while championing the voices of women and children. 
• Ensure strategic leadership for LWA’s retail function, developing growth strategies that balance community impact alongside financial performance. 
• Develop compelling, adaptable cases for support that reflect LWA’s impact and ambitions, ethically and meaningfully embedding survivors’ voices. 
• Strengthen organisational resilience through income diversification beyond statutory funding, establishing strong communities of support and identifying opportunities for growth. 
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Services & Engagement and Director of Strategy, Partnerships & Influence to identify and develop new commissioning and business development opportunities, ensuring viability and strategic alignment. 
• Represent LWA with authenticity, integrity and sensitivity to ensure the values of the organisation are upheld and that organisational decision making reflects women-centred principles. 

The role would best suit:

• A senior income generation leader, with broad multi-stream experience and a proven track record of strategically driving growth and diversification of fundraised income. 
• A strategic leader with the ability to develop a team across income generation, marketing and communications and retail. 
• An individual with experience of developing income generation strategies that intersect with organisational strategies and ambitions. 
• Someone with the ability to balance income generation with ethical storytelling/responsibility, public accountability and regulatory considerations. 
• An individual who demonstrates commitment to LWA’s values and the Nolan Principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 
• Someone with demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, women-led and women-centred support services, including the importance of trauma-informed, inclusive, and empowering practice for women and girls.

Please get in touch as soon as possible to express an initial interest, the deadline for applications (CV and Application Questions) is Tuesday 24th February with first stage interviews scheduled to take place Thursday 5th/Monday 9th of March.  

Due to the nature of the services provided and the population supported, this post is subject to an Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010, and therefore the postholder must be female. This requirement is applied lawfully and proportionately, reflecting the organisation’s provision of specialist women-centred services and the need to maintain safety, trust, and authenticity in leadership and external representation.

Appointment to this role will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including satisfactory references, right to work verification, and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level.

Director of Care – Hope House Children’s Hospices

Location: Hope House, Oswestry, Shropshire (with regular travel to Ty Gobaith, Conwy and across the UK)

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working with some evenings/weekends)
Salary: £79,950 – £90,456 per annum + £7,380 car allowance + relocation package
Closing Date: 25th February 2026
 

Make a Life-Changing Difference Every Day

Hope House Children’s Hospices are seeking an exceptional and compassionate Director of Care to lead and shape the delivery of outstanding palliative care for children and families across Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales.

 This is more than a job, it’s a calling. You’ll join one of the UK’s most respected children’s hospices, where 98% of staff say they enjoy their work and 94% are proud to be part of our mission.

 About the Role

 As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will:

 Lead the strategic development and delivery of care across our hospices and community services

• Champion a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Inspire and empower a multidisciplinary team to deliver compassionate, professional care
• Represent the charity as the Nominated and Registered Individual under relevant care regulations
• Ensure the voices of children and families shape our services and strategy

 What We’re Looking For

 NMC Registered Nurse with at least 5 years’ experience in care services, ideally with multi-site or children’s hospice experience

• Proven senior leadership experience with a track record of motivating high-performing teams
• Strategic thinker with strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and governance skills
• Passionate about making a difference in children’s palliative care

 Why Join Us?

• Purpose-Driven Work: Help every child with a life-threatening condition live their best life
• Supportive Culture: Work with a dedicated team of nearly 300 staff and 450 volunteers
• Excellent Benefits: NHS pension continuation, generous leave, wellbeing support, learning & development, and more
• Flexible Working: Hybrid and flexible hours with hospice-based presence 3+ days/week

Ready to Lead with Heart?

To explore this unique opportunity, please contact our retained executive search partner:

Chris Mayers -  

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Director of Finance and Operations post is a key role within WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation.  Responsible for providing strategic leadership across finance and operational functions, the post holder will ensure WDC has the resources to deliver our mission, ensure WDC meets reporting and governance standards and ensure timely and efficient reporting to all levels of WDC employees, trustees and relevant external bodies and will ensure resources are deployed to maximise operational benefit.  Alongside this, this new position will lead core operational functions of Supporter Services (including leadership of the CRM), facilities and IT.

PMRGCAuk is a small national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). We have a big impact, supporting patients with our small staff team and with the help of a proactive team of volunteers and working closely with leading rheumatologists and researchers to improve diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a passionate and dynamic Outreach Development Coordinator 

This is a newly created role designed to develop and support our volunteer network within the organisation. We currently have more than 50 volunteers working for us on our helpline, running local groups, administration and our online forum, HealthUnlocked and they are a crucial part of our service delivery.

Working closely with our small staff team and trustees, this role is intended to provide a solid framework for the volunteers within the organisation, as well as developing a strategy for continuing to grow our volunteer pipeline and expand our services.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and manage a volunteer strategy for the organisation

· Recruit, induct, support and manage a range of volunteer roles within the organisation, including our local group organisers, helpline volunteers and HealthUnlocked volunteers

· Support existing local groups and develop the establishment of new groups, with a particular focus on areas where we are limited in terms of numbers of groups, ie the Midlands and North of England

· Provide ongoing day-to-day support to volunteers

· Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for volunteers

· Network and liaise with local health professionals to raise the profile of the organisation and services and encourage group participation.

· Update volunteers on the latest developments within the charity and within the wider PMR/GCA community, including latest research and news

· Working alongside the Director, support the fundraising strategy to ensure sustainability of the charity and support fundraising initiatives within the community

· To support the membership strategy, taking every opportunity to encourage membership uptake, including professional membership

· Other responsibilities commensurate with the general scope and purpose of the post.

Who We're Looking For:

• A proactive self-starter with experience of working with volunteers.
• Someone with experience of working in a small voluntary organisation who recognises the needs to be flexible and adaptable
• Someone with knowledge of the UK voluntary sector and a passion for improving health outcomes.
• A strong communicator with excellent writing, project management, and financial skills.
• Someone who is confident with IT systems

Part time – 30 hours per week (equivalent to four days)

Salary range £34-36,000 FTE (pro-rata 0.8 £27,200- £28,000)

Fixed term contract – 2 years

Location: Home based with travel to meetings in London and in support of setting up new local groups.

This is a fixed-term contract for a period of two years. The fixed-term nature of the post reflects the charity’s current operational and financial planning cycle. Any extension beyond this date will be at the charity’s discretion based on organisational need and affordability.

Please apply by sending a copy of your CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 sides) outlining why you feel you would be the perfect fit for this role and what you could bring to the organization.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: 5th March 2026

Fitzwilliam College is a special welcoming community with a long history of being different, from its founding in the 1860s as a non-collegiate institution for students who could not afford to be affiliated with a Cambridge college through to its movement into becoming a college rooted in the 1960s modernist designs of Denys Lasdun. Fitz combines a drive for academic excellence and enquiry with a proven commitment to widening access to a Cambridge education.  The College is located on a large seven-acre site within 10 minutes’ cycle ride of all the major faculties and departments of the University.

Fitz is looking to appoint an outstanding individual as Development Director. A senior figure within the College, the post-holder will oversee the delivery of the £40 million FutureFitz campaign in conjunction with the Master, the Bursar, and the Governing Body. They will lead on fundraising for the campaign, developing new and deepening existing donor relationships, and will manage a team of five development staff. Fitz is looking for a strategic fundraiser who is open to thinking creatively about development. They will embody the College’s ambitious, collaborative and pragmatic ethos, and will be an active and engaged member of the community.

The ideal candidate will be an outstanding major gifts fundraiser, with campaign experience and a significant track record of fundraising at a senior level. They will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience of cultivating long-term relationships with donors, and a proven ability to oversee, shape and motivate a team of engaged staff. They will ideally have experience engaging comparable alumni donors. They should be committed to the College’s values and aims.

The Development Director will be elected a Fellow of the College, reflecting the seniority of the post and the importance of the role.

Fitzwilliam College values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities.  The College is committed to helping people grow and develop; to that end we actively welcome diversity in personal and professional backgrounds and aim to ensure the postholder will have access to excellent opportunities to continue to grow and progress in their professional tenure at the College.

We’re hiring a Director of Communities, Health and Partnerships.

Hackney CVS is in an exciting new phase and we’re looking for a senior leader to help shape it.

Following a major restructuring and redesign of our support offer, we’re focusing more sharply on our core mission: strengthening, connecting and championing the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Hackney and the City of London.

Our Director of Communities, Health and Partnerships will:

• Lead our networks, forums and engagement work.
• Amplify community voice in local decision-making.
• Build powerful cross-sector partnerships.
• Support the voluntary sector to influence systems change.

You’ll join our Senior Leadership Team at a pivotal moment, helping us embed new ways of working and secure a brighter future for the VCS.

If you care deeply about equity, collaboration and the potential of the VCS to transform lives, and if you thrive in complexity, influence and relationship building, we would love to hear from you.

For the full job description and person specification, please see the attached recruitment pack.

#director #community #health #partnership

Lead complex, high-impact services that support people to live well and help shape the future of social care in Southend.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026
Location: Southend-on-Sea and services-based

About Southend Care

Southend Care is a wholly owned local authority company delivering a broad range of adult social care services, including older people’s care homes, domiciliary care, supported living, mental health services and community-based provision.

Operating across multiple locations with a lean, committed leadership team, the organisation is known for its adaptability, responsiveness and ability to manage change in a challenging and fast-moving environment.

With a refreshed board, new non-executive directors and a renewed focus on culture, engagement and commercial resilience, Southend Care is looking ahead with confidence. We are also on a journey towards providing services for children and young people, so there has never been a better time to join us.

About the role

Southend Care is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in leading and shaping high-quality social care services across the city. This is a rare opportunity to join a values-driven, commercially aware organisation at an exciting point in its evolution, helping to strengthen operational performance, embed a positive culture and support sustainable growth.

As Director of Operations, you will take overall responsibility for the operational leadership, quality, safeguarding and performance of services. Working closely with the Managing Director and Director of Corporate Services, you will provide visible, credible leadership to managers and frontline teams, ensuring services are safe, person-centred and financially sustainable.

You will play a central role in developing managers, strengthening consistency across services, improving engagement with stakeholders and service users and supporting opportunities for service development and growth.

This is a genuinely hands-on role in a small senior team, requiring someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves while also contributing strategically to the organisation’s future direction.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an operationally strong, people-focused leader with senior experience across social care and a deep understanding of regulated services. You will bring credibility in areas such as safeguarding, quality improvement and service delivery, ideally in older people’s services, domiciliary care, mental health or supported living.

You will be comfortable working autonomously in a lean environment, visible and approachable in your leadership style and confident holding managers to account while building trust and rapport.

Commercial awareness, adaptability and a collaborative mindset are essential, as is a genuine commitment to service user and staff experience.

Above all, you will bring the energy, personality and practical leadership needed to thrive in a close-knit team and help Southend Care continue to evolve and succeed.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026.

Director of Philanthropy

We are seeking a Director of Philanthropy to join Nekton in a pivotal leadership role at a critical moment of organisational growth. You will lead and deliver a global philanthropic fundraising strategy for a pioneering marine science and conservation institute focused on rapidly accelerating the scientific exploration and protection of the ocean.

Position: Director of Philanthropy

Location: Hybrid (Onsite attendance in Oxford or London 2 days a week, with international travel)

Salary: £80,000+

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Closing Date: 23 February 2026

About the Role

The Director of Philanthropy is a pivotal, high-impact role responsible for co-defining, executing, and managing Nekton's global fundraising strategy, with a notable focus on securing major philanthropic gifts from high-net-worth individuals and foundations.

You will be the engine that drives the financial success of our ambitious scientific and conservation programmes, translating Nekton's vision to explore and protect the ocean into compelling cases for support.

Key areas of responsibility include:

· Strategy & Leadership

· Donor Relations & Management

· Collaboration & Communication

Why This Role Matters

This is a rare opportunity to shape and deliver one of the most ambitious philanthropic agendas in marine science today. As Director of Philanthropy, you will help unlock the resources required to explore the last great frontier on Earth, influence global ocean policy, and leave a lasting legacy for the planet.

If you are motivated by big ideas, long term impact, and the power of philanthropy to drive systemic change, this role offers both scale and purpose.

About You

This role demands an entrepreneurial, strategic, and highly hands on fundraiser with a proven track record of securing very significant gifts. You will be equally comfortable shaping strategy at Board level and personally leading high value donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

We are looking for someone with experience of:

· Securing significant six and seven-figure philanthropic gifts in a high-profile international organisation.

· Extensive network and demonstrable success in cultivating relationships with global philanthropic foundations, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

· Articulating complex scientific and conservation initiatives into inspiring donor narratives and stand-out grant applications.

You will be able to undertake international travel to meet with prospects and attend events.

If you have a passion for ocean science, exploration, and conservation, and a deep commitment to Nekton’s mission, then apply today!

About Nekton

Nekton is a pioneering marine science and conservation institute, a charitable foundation committed to rapidly accelerating the scientific exploration and protection of the ocean. Our global programmes combine cutting-edge scientific discovery, inspiring public engagement, and catalysing policy impact.

This role is central to driving the financial ambition of our initiatives, including:

· Ocean Census (Primary Focus): A UN-endorsed, global collaboration to discover ocean life

· First Descent: Expedition-based deep ocean exploration and conservation

· Ocean Rising: Connecting culture and the ocean

· YACHTS for Science: Scientists to sea - matching private vessels with marine research.

· New 5-Year Global Voyage: A major, sustained expedition to explore and protect the ocean globally.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Fundraising, Philanthropy, Fundraiser, Director of Fundraising, Director of Philanthropy, Head of Fundraising, Head of Philanthropy, Major Gifts, Major Donor.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Sadler's Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. Our mission is to make and share dance that inspires us all.

Sadler’s Wells commissions, presents and produces more dance than any other organisation in the world, with programmes and productions in the UK, global tours with performances in venues in 53 countries to date and our pioneering Digital Stage. Operating across three distinct venues and four theatres in London, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the Lilian Baylis Studio, the Peacock and the newly opened Sadler’s Wells East, our aim is to reflect and respond to the world through dance. We enable artists of all backgrounds to create dance that moves us and opens our minds; sharing those experiences with the widest possible audiences to enrich their lives and deepen their understanding of what it means to be human.

About the Role

The Director of Finance, Data and Systems leads the delivery of high‑quality financial stewardship and strategy, providing expert oversight of finance, data and systems across all Sadler’s Wells venues to support organisational performance and decision‑making.

Working as part of Sadler’s Wells’ senior leadership team, you will act as a trusted advisor to the Co-Chief Executives and the Board, ensuring robust organisational financial planning, risk management, and ensuring resources are effectively aligned to deliver impact for audiences and wider stakeholders.

Key duties will include:

• Act as a strategic advisor to the Co-Chief Executives, trustees and other key stakeholders on all financial matters.
• Prepare and present financial updates to SLT, the Boards of trustees and relevant sub-committees.
• Lead the Finance and Data & Systems teams (3 direct reports and a wider team of 18)
• Advise the Board with clear, insightful financial reporting and recommendations.
• Lead the finance and accounting strategy to optimise the organisation’s financial performance
• Strategic oversight of Data and Systems department, ensuring the operational infrastructure is fit for purpose, and seeking to optimise the use of data to support improvements across the organisation.
• Lead the financial management plan, including setting and management of budgets, and provision of robust and relevant financial and management information to senior management, trustees and committees, and all budget holders within the organisation.
• Provide financial vision and forward financial planning and identify risk and maintain oversight of relevant mitigation measures.
• Ensure accurate and timely year-end accounts and audit processes, in line with Charity Commission requirements and applicable accounting standards (e.g. SORP).
• Responsible for the governance of the three corporate charities, subsidiary company and board subcommittees through maintenance and development of a risk management framework, financial systems and internal controls.

About You

You will be a CCAB qualified (or equivalent) accountant, with experience operating at Director of Finance, Chief Financial Officer level or within an equivalent senior finance leadership role. Applicants seeking a step up are encouraged to apply but must strongly demonstrate relevant prior experience of leading finance teams operationally and strategically.

You will have experience of reporting into Boards and sub-committees with the ability to translate and present complex financial data to non-finance audiences.

Candidates from all sectors are encouraged to apply but must demonstrate an interest in the work Sadler’s Wells undertakes as a world-leading performing arts venue.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. 

What We Offer

• Salary of £120,000 per annum
• Hybrid working – 3 days per week in-office. As this position requires close collaboration across teams a strong in-person presence is encouraged across all four venue sites.
• Annual Leave of 25 days annual leave per year
• Life assurance policy of twice annual salary
• Discretionary access to tickets for performances and staff discounts at the Garden Court Café and Park Kitchen and Bar

More Information

           Application Deadline: Sunday 22nd February
           First Stage Interviews: Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th March 2026
           Second Stage Interviews: Monday 16th March 2026

Sadler’s Wells is partnering with Ivy Rock Partners in the recruitment of this role. For further information please contact Holly Arrowsmith at Ivy Rock Partners for further details.

All direct or third-party applications will be forwarded to Ivy Rock Partners.

Recruitment Statement from Sadler’s Wells

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who feel they align with our mission, vision and values. We are international and multicultural on our stages, and we want to reflect that in our organisation. By celebrating difference and incorporating diverse points of view and experiences, we can become closer to our artists, audiences and the communities we serve. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer meaning we have been certified by the government as actively taking steps to attract, recruit and retain disabled workers.

Sadler’s Wells is a PiPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts) Charter Partner, striving towards creating a more family friendly working environment.

Director of Healthcare Operations & Income

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Director of Healthcare Operations & Income

Hybrid 

Full Time/Permanent

Our offer to you 

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. You will receive: 

• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years
• Hybrid, Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts – you will have access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping 

 
About Us 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,300 employees and over 28,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning.  As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future.  

St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services including our Ambulance Operations and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them such as SJA Volunteers, and our Young Responders programmes. There is also a buoyant social enterprise network which delivers first aid training and supplies medical consumables to businesses and consumers.  And now with a new strategy and after a review of our current structures were recruiting to a new National Head of Ambulance Operations to help take our delivery to the next level and build our services. 
 
Job Summary 

In a newly refreshed role, were looking for an outstanding individual, someone that will bring robust experience in aligned fields, is used to working in a challenging but rewarding environment, enjoys leadership and is genuinely driven by the cause of St John. 

We have huge ambition at St John to increase our income, reach and impact and as lead Director, you will hold overall responsibility and accountability for the Healthcare Operations Directorate encompassing Event Healthcare, Ambulance Operations and Community Healthcare delivery. You will drive the commercial ambition of your portfolio, shaping strategy, setting direction, and delivering against stretching targets. You’ll work closely with volunteer leaders across the organisation, forging strong partnerships that strengthen our impact and help us build new community centred healthcare provision. 

You will take the lead on our engagement with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and key external partners, regulators, stakeholders and commissioners, including Event Customers, ICBs, Trusts and the wider NHS. Central to the role is championing innovative, high quality, patient centred services that are reliable, financially viable, effective and continuously improving. You will provide visible, motivational leadership across your directorate, embedding our HEART values and positioning our services as an employer of choice beyond the NHS. Alongside fellow leaders, you will share collective responsibility for delivering the charity’s strategic objectives, while confidently managing a significant P&L of approximately £20m+.

About You 

You will be degree‑educated (with a relevant master’s desirable), ideally hold a clinical qualification such as Registered Paramedic. You’ll bring substantial senior leadership experience in large, complex organisations, with a strong track record in delivering ambulance or health service strategies, leading in CQC‑regulated environments, and managing a commercial operation of £20m+ with full P&L accountability. You’ll have experience shaping effective policies and processes, leading large staff and volunteer teams, and delivering complex change programmes. Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and people‑centred leadership skills, underpinned by emotional intelligence and collaboration, are essential.

About the Role 

• To lead and hold overall responsibility and accountability for our major services including Event Healthcare, Ambulance Operations and Community Healthcare delivery.
• To hold overall accountability for a significant P&L and ensure adherence to plan
• To ensure that our services are patient focused, responsive, safe, effective, well led, and sustainable, and hold overall accountability for CQC leadership and the highest standards of delivery.
• To role model, empower and enable your people. To champion and exemplify compassionate, ethical and accountable leadership and St John HEART values.
• Inspire excellence, compassion and commitment in your leadership team
• In collaboration with key colleagues, lead on the development of effective business and commercial development and marketing strategies that drive revenue surplus, enhance market share, and strengthen brand value.   
• Establish and drive continuous improvement of KPIs and dashboards to measure and drive effectiveness across the various teams, including Events and Ambulance Operations, and the business and to ensure we meet compliance of all Healthcare Operations contracts, continually measuring and acting on customer/stakeholder feedback
• Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders, partners and customers (including key Event customers, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), ICB’s, and NHS England), ensuring the Charity is well positioned to capitalise on potential business and funding opportunities

Please see the job description for more detail (this can be viewed on our website or once you click apply) 

If you are a current St John Ambulance employee, please apply here: Click here 

For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply: please apply below 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. 

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.   At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups.  We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.    

'St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role'. 

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy. 

To enable Operation Smile’s global surgical activities, OSUK’s Partnerships Team works to maximise high-potential income channels such as corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraisers and trusts and foundations.

We have created an exciting new position in our team for an ambitious and confident relationship fundraiser. Working as part of the Partnership Team, the Philanthropy Manager position will secure critical income from new and existing major donors through compelling, donor-centred approaches and excellent stewardship.

The position will build on existing relationships with individuals who make significant personal donations, aiming to grow their contributions, as well as making approaches to new prospects, working closely with the Director of Partnerships.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Philanthropy Development

• Ensure achievement of annual income target for philanthropy
• Develop and implement plans for a structured philanthropy programme, for both new and existing donors, aligning their giving with our strategic priorities
• Take primary responsibility for managing the current small pool of major donors, to grow and sustain their giving – strategic development of each relationship will be essential
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of new major donor prospects, creating propositions/proposals and making approaches, working with the Director of Partnerships
• Seek peer-to-peer introductions to new prospects, from existing donors, board members and other contacts
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to donors and internal stakeholders
• Work with the Communications team to generate media presence and content to attract philanthropic interest from new prospects
• Represent Operation Smile UK in global philanthropy discussions, applying any global strategies to develop successful fundraising plans for the UK
• Lead on development and management of any philanthropy cultivation events

Additional Responsibilities

• Create and maintain annual philanthropy budget and business plan, including activities from current supporters and forecasting new business income

Additional Information

• 2 years’ experience in a philanthropy or business development role
• We promote flexible and hybrid working, with 2 days per week in our London office in Battersea (nearest stations Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Town). There will also be some UK travel for meetings, conferences and events.
• Some overseas travel required to visit projects and partner countries, a highlight of the role!

First-round interviews are set for the week of 2nd March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.