Director of operations and people jobs
Are you passionate about using evidence to drive change? Do you want to help shape services that save lives? Join Samaritans as our new Impact and Evaluation Officer and play a vital role in embedding an evidence-based culture across the organisation.
As part of our Research and Evaluation Team you’ll support and deliver high-quality evaluation and impact measurement initiatives. You’ll help us understand what works, why it works, and how we can do better, ensuring our services are grounded in insight and learning.
You’ll work closely with colleagues across Samaritans, as well as academics, consultants, and people with lived experience, to build robust frameworks, develop theories of change, and communicate the difference our work makes.
Contract
- £35,000 per annum plus benefits
- Full Time (35hrs per week)
- 12-month fixed term contract
- Hybrid – Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office, with an option to work from a shared office space in London Bridge
- In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value.As part of the Performance and Insights team, you will join three in-person retreats per quarter. Participation to other in-person meetings will depend on need
- We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
What you’ll do
- Support the design and delivery of impact and evaluation projects
- Conduct evidence reviews and develop monitoring frameworks
- Facilitate theories of change for services and interventions
- Collaborate on ethical, high-quality data collection
- Build internal capacity through training and resources
- Contribute to our annual Impact Report and other communications
- Champion the voices of people with lived experience in all we do
- Ensure all research is conducted in line with our policies
What you’ll bring
- Strong knowledge of research and evaluation methods
- Skilled in both qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Experience using analysis software packages (e.g. NVivo, R, SPSS, Excel)
- Experience designing and applying theories of change and log frames
- Great communication and collaboration skills
- Project management skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a solutions-focused mindset
- Experience in the third sector or a service delivery organisation (desirable)
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline (desirable)
- Interest in Social Return on Investment (SROI) (desirable)
Job Description and Person Specification attached.
Why Samaritans?
At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.
You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure. You can also visit our careers website to access this.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
Apply now
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You’ll be asked to upload your CV and answer some application questions.
We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.
Applications close: 30th October 2025 at 09:00am
Interviews: Friday 14th November 2025
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Senior Strategy Manager
£57,000 - £67,000 plus
Reports to: Head of Strategy
Directorate: ?Strategy & Philanthropy?
Contract: ?Permanent?
Hours: ?Full time 35 hours per week? (We will consider requests for flexible working and compressed hours)
Location: ?Stratford, London? ?Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)?
Closing date: 27 October 2025
This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment process: 2 stage interview process with task included in second stage interview. There will also be screening calls to inform the shortlisting process, these will take place between 6 and 10 November
Interview date: 1st stage 17 and 18 November, 2 stage 25 and 26 November.
Cancer Research UK's mission is to bring about a world where everybody can lead longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
We are looking for a Senior Strategy Manager to join our small, high-performing in-house Strategy Team.
The Strategy Team helps leaders at Cancer Research UK to make choices about its future, set its long-term strategy and direction, and coordinate its plans to help beat cancer faster. We work on Board and Council-level priorities that shape the future of the organisation, often involving complex, cross-organisational trade-offs and decisions that materially change how we operate. We act as independent advisors, helping leadership to navigate difficult choices, and ensure the organisation, our operations, and the choices we make are aligned and optimised to deliver our mission as effectively as possible. We bring insight, structure and creativity to challenging strategic questions, and foster a strong culture of learning and development.
Cancer Research UK is the world's largest independent cancer research organisation, with 4000+ staff bringing in £700m+ revenue through a world-class fundraising and philanthropy operation and a network of 500+ shops. Our income enables us to fund scientific research through a network of 4000+ scientists, 90 research institutions and global partnerships. We also use evidence to influence public policy and to provide information to patients. Through our commercial arm - Cancer Research Horizons - we invest and partner to take scientific breakthroughs from the lab to the bedside, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role, which requires strategic leadership, intellectual agility, and the ability to simplify complexity and drive clarity in ambiguous environments. As one of three Senior Strategy Managers in the team, you will lead major strategy projects, working directly with Executive Directors and Trustees.
We are seeking candidates with substantial strategy experience either in top-tier management consultancy or in-house strategy teams, who have led complex, cross-organisational projects and worked directly with senior executives and board members. In return you'll have the opportunity to shape decisions that influence how Cancer Research UK invests, grows, and evolves - across areas as diverse as scientific research, fundraising, retail, commercial ventures, and organisational design.
You'll be motivated by our mission and excited to work across the full breadth of what Cancer Research UK does. Experience in fundraising, life sciences, healthcare or not-for-profits is a plus.
This role is not suitable for general project managers or those without direct experience in shaping business strategy at an organisational level.
What will I be doing?
Lead, own, and manage high-impact strategy projects, from initial scoping, defining the approach, through to recommendations and decisions.
Identify and frame key strategic questions, simplify complexity, and break down problems to generate new insights and drive actionable decisions.
Navigate and balance multiple senior stakeholders' perspectives, pushing back when needed, to achieve the best outcomes for CRUK.
Influence - without direct line management - by working in partnership and collaboration with stakeholders across the organisation
Operate at pace in a dynamic environment, managing scope, resources, competing priorities and your own workload, across multiple projects.
Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis to explore complex strategic issues and support evidence-based decision-making.
Bring external insight - from market trends, partners, competitors, and people affected by cancer - to inform strategic choices and direction.
Coach and support Strategy Managers and other colleagues across CRUK to build strategic capability, navigate ambiguity, and unblock delivery challenges.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enable effective strategy development and execution.
Synthesise insights into clear, compelling recommendations and produce high-quality papers and presentations for senior audiences, including Executive and Trustee meetings.
What are we looking for?
Proven experience leading and delivering organisational strategy projects at pace - from defining the scope to driving decisions and transitioning to delivery.
Confidence and credibility in engaging with Board-level stakeholders, navigating unfamiliar subject areas, simplifying complexity, and guiding decision-making.
Breadth of cross-organisational experience and project types (e.g. long-term strategy, reviewing a major part of the business, strategic options assessment to drive growth, organisation design).
Ability to draw on deep personal experience to tackle new and complex strategic challenges, think creatively, and proactively define effective approaches to deliver the work.
Strong strategic thinking - able to interpret complex information, see the big picture, and apply financial and business acumen to manage trade-offs and support conclusions.
Excellent communication and presentation skills - able to distil complexity into clear, actionable insight that enables major organisational decisions.
A collaborative team player who can lead, support, and coach others effectively, contribute to building the team and a good place to work.
Comfortable working flexibly in a fast-changing environment.
Numerate and financially literate, with the ability to analyse and model data, and communicate findings in a clear and accessible way.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our .
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.
For more information on this career opportunity please or contact us at .
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: , , , and .
Thank you!
Hours: Full time
Pay: Up to £41,000 GBP gross per annual (dependent on experience)
Right to work: Applications are accepted only from those with the right to work in the UK.
Duration: Permanent
Location: Manchester, UK (Hybrid working available)
Are you passionate about designing learning that prepares health and humanitarian teams to respond effectively when emergencies strike?
UK-Med is a frontline medical aid charity. Born of the NHS, we’ve been working for over 30 years
towards a world where everyone has the healthcare they need when crises or disasters hit.
The Learning Design Specialist at UK-Med is pivotal in enhancing the preparedness and competence of healthcare professionals for humanitarian emergency response initiatives.
The Learning Design Specialist focuses on efficiently designing and coordinating development of targeted training programs for both internal organizational audiences and external humanitarian, global health and academic partners. The goal is to ensure that our Core Staff and a Register of approximately 1400 healthcare professionals worldwide are thoroughly equipped to provide exceptional care, leading to positive outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.
The Learning Design Specialist will contribute to innovating and refining UK-Med's training content, ensuring it meets the specific needs of a diverse, global workforce. They will be responsible for the creative and learning design specific aspects of expanding and quality assuring the learning portfolio, incorporating digital, in-person, and simulation-based training tailored to strategic priorities. In order to successfully deliver on responsibilities, the Learning Design Specialist will contribute to nurturing professional relationships to enhance our bespoke learning offerings, ensuring they meet the dynamic needs of our partners and maintain industry-leading standards.
The Learning Design Specialist will provide high-quality advice and support on designing effective learning solutions for external partners and conduct engaging and effective training sessions, both online and face-to-face, catering to the varied learning preferences and needs of the participants.
You will have a positive and flexible problem-solving approach and be willing, able, and ready to deploy to support all UK-Med programmes and projects.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits along with a friendly working environment and the opportunity to make a real difference.
How to apply
We strongly recommend that you read the Candidate Information Pack - Learning Design Specialist before applying for this role.
To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (no more than 2 pages) that includes a detailed explanation of your suitability for this post with specific reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
Applications must be submitted through ouronline jobs portal no later than Monday 3rd November 2025.
This is a rolling recruitment, and we may appoint a candidate before the closing date. We will keep all applicants regularly updated on the status of the campaign.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. UK-Med is unfortunately unable to support visa sponsorship for this role.
UK-Med is committed to safeguarding of our personnel and beneficiaries and has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse. We conduct thorough vetting before any appointment is confirmed.
UK-Med is committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel respected and supported to be able to fulfil their potential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.
Location: Based onsite in Crisis Skylight Merseyside, 96 Kent Street, L1 5BD
Hours: 35 per week between the hours of 8.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday on a rota basis
About the role
As an Engagement and Assessment Worker, you will be the first point of contact for someone who comes to Crisis for help to prevent or end their homelessness. You will:
- Welcome them to the service on site and at partner agencies,
- Listen carefully and non-judgementally to their story,
- Complete thorough Crisis and Mainstay assessments using a trauma informed approach,
- Agree realistic options and the support needed to assist them to prevent their homelessness or a pathway out of homelessness.
- Help them formulate a holistic plan and help them take the initial steps, where necessary.
- Hold a caseload of members who require short term intervention to end their homelessness.
About you
- Experience of working successfully with disadvantaged/or socially excluded groups and individuals, utilising a psychologically informed approach.
- Ability to deliver excellent customer service, ensuring accessible, welcoming, and safe ‘front of house’ environment in a busy service.
- Experience of assessing presenting needs, and an understanding of strengths-based assessments. You will have empathy and understanding of the barriers to accessing services.
- Ability to manage successful relationships with external agencies and relevant service providers and successfully advocate on members behalf.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills used to ensure accurate record keeping on a variety of Case Management Systems/Databases.
- Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to successfully manage a busy and diverse workload.
- The ability to use your own initiative to contribute to the effective running of the service and to work flexibly as part of a team.
Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.
We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.
Working at Crisis
Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.
Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.
As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.
- Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
- 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
- Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
- And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.
When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.
How do I apply?
Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.
Closing date: Sunday 2 November 2025 at 23:59
Interview date and location: Friday 14 November 2025 at Crisis Skylight Merseyside, 96 Kent Street, L1 5BD
AI in Job Applications
We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences
Accessibility
We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.
Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC04009
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Title: Business Manager (Parental Leave Cover)
Location: London
Remuneration: £68,000 - £78,000 depending on experience
Contract: Fixed Term 12 months
Start Date: 1st December 2025
Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time Pro Rata (5 or 4 days per week)
The Role
The Business Manager is a senior, cross-cutting role, working in close partnership with FILE’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to enable and enhance strategic alignment, organisational effectiveness, and cross-functional collaboration. This role balances strategic insight with operational excellence, ensuring the SLT works as effectively as possible while driving delivery on organisational priorities.
This is a highly facilitative, cross functional role requiring exceptional judgement, communication, and organisational skills. It operates with a birds-eye, systems level view of the organisation, acting as the connective tissue that keeps the SLT aligned. The role balances a forward-looking strategic perspective with hands on operational execution. The postholder will work across teams to identify challenges and opportunities, manage critical projects, facilitate decision-making, and champion a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Partner to Senior Leadership Team: Work with the SLT as a thought partner to drive clarity, alignment, and execution on organisational priorities, including planning cycles, workflow management, and organisational performance reviews.
2. Operational Leadership and Execution (SLT): Lead operational cadences (SLT meetings, offsites, quarterly reviews, and strategic planning sessions) and manage cross-functional initiatives and projects. In 2026 this will include supporting the development of FILE’s 2027-2030 organisational strategy.
3. Confidential & Complex Decision Support: Handle highly confidential issues such as legal, financial, or organisational change initiatives with discretion and maturity. Provide quality recommendations to support complex and confidential decision making.
4. Support Team Leadership & People Management: Manage, empower and develop the Executive Assistant team, ensuring strong support for the SLT and fostering a collaborative, high performing leadership culture.
5. Cross-Functional Coordination and Collaboration: Enable effective communication and coordination across teams, ensuring alignment and follow through on organisational priorities.
About you
We know that long lists of criteria can be discouraging and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they feel they meet all of the criteria. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.
We also recognise that skills and experience can be gained in unexpected places, so we welcome applications from candidates who feel they have relevant skills for the role, gained from a wide range of professional, lived and learned experiences.
· Confidential and Sensitive Information Handling - Deals with legal, financial and organisational issues at a sensitive level, requiring discretion and maturity. Autonomy is high, but final accountability rests with SLT/Executive Director.
· Project & Program Management - Manages cross-functional projects end to end coordinating stakeholders and reporting to SLT.
· Change & Risk management - Handles change initiatives and risks, providing recommendations. Requires high judgement, though execution shared with others.
· Team Leadership & People Management - Directly leads and manages a team of Executive Assistants.
· Strategic Thinking and Judgement - Acts as thought partner to SLT, anticipating issues and preparing options. Must balance strategic insight with operational detail.
· Collaboration & Stakeholder Management - Builds strong relationships with SLT and wider teams, ensuring alignment and transparency.
· Adaptability & Resilience - Works across strategy, operations and leadership, often shifting between priorities according to organisational need. Must thrive under pressure and complexity.
· Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Helping embed JEDI principles into policies and practices and acting as a role model for inclusive behaviours.
About FILE
The Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE) is a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation working to accelerate legal action on climate change.
Through grant-making and in-house legal expertise, we empower our partners to deliver strategic, innovative legal interventions and we support lawyers in their own countries to bring their own cases.
Legal action can unlock the systemic changes in finance, policy and social systems needed to protect all of us from climate change. The power of the law is both direct (changing policy and practice) and indirect (signalling the wider shifts taking place across these systems).
FILE is a ‘regrantor’ - this means we do not bring legal action in our own name. We receive grants from our philanthropic donors and make onwards grants to partners who align with FILE’s charitable aims and purposes. We do not seek to make any profit from our activities either in a relevant financial year or in the longer term.
Location
We are advertising this role for candidates based (and with the right to work) in the UK.
Working for FILE
FILE is a collaborative community of individuals who share a passion for climate, nature, and justice. We bring together knowledge and experience to support our mission.
Our people are empowered to lead their work both individually and as part of a wider team in order to make impactful change. As a relatively young organisation with the ambitious mission to change global systems, our roles are ideally suited to those who are strategic, innovative and collaborative, and open to growing in line with the Foundation.
FILE is committed to challenging systemic injustice. Our ability to do so is strengthened by the diversity of our partners and staff. Our mission, work and impact is global, with staff and partners from across the world and a range of lived experiences. We are actively working to create a culture where colleagues feel welcomed, heard and supported to succeed and thrive.
How FILE supports its staff
FILE is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. FILE offers a generous annual leave policy and additional time-off work to support wellbeing. Amongst other benefits, FILE offers private healthcare, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave, enhanced sick leave, flexibility working remotely and also abroad and a matching contribution to a pension scheme.
Applications
Please apply on our website and upload your CV. This role is open for applications immediately and we accept applications on a rolling basis. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. The role will be closing on the 28th of October.
Representation and Culture
FILE recognises the under-representation of historically marginalized communities and individuals in climate, nature and philanthropy spaces. We are committed to developing an organization that represents the world we are looking to protect and building a culture that supports such.
In doing so, FILE is committed to building policies and practices that ensure no current or prospective employee is discriminated based on disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Our community sponsorship work fits within our ‘Migrants and Refugees’ theme of work, which combines place-based and multi-issue organising through our Migrants and Refugees Organising (MARO) team, and effective national campaigns, alongside the pioneering community sponsorship of refugees. Staff joining Sponsor Refugees are joining a thriving team that works collaboratively with the wider Migrants and Refugees theme.
About
This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, policy influence, and grassroots impact. As Head of Community Sponsorship, you’ll be at the forefront of one of the UK’s most inspiring community movements. Citizens UK played a pioneering role in bringing community sponsorship of refugees to the UK and now leads national programmes helping hundreds of people find safety, belonging, and a new start.
You’ll oversee national delivery of our sponsorship work, manage a talented cross-functional team, and shape the future of the UK’s refugee resettlement system. From working with community organisers and local groups to engaging senior policymakers and funders, your leadership will help grow a movement that places compassion, collaboration, and lived experience at its heart.
We’re looking for a mission-driven leader who can think strategically, build partnerships, and inspire others, someone who believes that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they act together. If you’re ready to help shape the next chapter of the UK’s refugee welcome story, we’d love to hear from you.
Purpose
At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.
Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, it called for a Canadian-style scheme in 2015, which led to the UK government launching its own programme in 2016. Citizens UK was instrumental in shaping the policy and later established the Sponsor Refugees programme in 2017 Through training, advocacy, and coordination, it has helped hundreds of local groups welcome refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots mobilisation with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement.
Main Responsibilities
As Head of Community Sponsorship at Citizens UK you will lead the complex strategic and operational delivery of the Sponsor Refugees programmes. This currently includes funded work to deliver a second phase of the Communities for Afghans programme to welcome 125 Afghan refugees as well as oversee the development of influencing work around the UK Government’s forthcoming sponsorship reform agenda. The post-holder will oversee a cross-functional team, ensuring that goals around refugee resettlement, host and sponsor recruitment, and strategic partnerships are met. This includes managing project performance through effective monitoring and evaluation, aligning operations with the organisation’s business plan, and integrating teams to deliver impactful results. The role also involves coordinating outreach to grow the network of hosts and community sponsorship groups, while embedding refugee voices in strategic planning and promoting meaningful community engagement.
In addition to project leadership, the Head of Community Sponsorship will drive organisational development by fostering collaboration, developing sustainable funding strategies, and ensuring alignment with Citizens UK’s broader migration and transformation goals. They lead relationship management with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning staff management, communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK’s refugee resettlement strategy and sustaining its national impact.
Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, initially reporting to the Director of Communications and External Affairs, your main responsibilities will include:
Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives
• Demonstrate ability to initiate and lead large-scale, national-level community sponsorship programmes that reflect and advance Citizens UK’s mission.
• Develop and implement strategic approaches that integrate community organising with refugee resettlement policy influence.
• Build and grow innovative that centre lived experience and drive systemic impact.
Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively
• Oversee multiple complex projects with national reach, ensuring targets on refugee resettlement, host recruitment, and strategic partnerships are achieved.
• Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals.
• Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams.
Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion
• Lead the team in learning and reflective practice, ensuring up-to-date expertise on sponsorship policy, refugee needs, and civic engagement models.
• Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects.
• Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks.
Develop and Manage External Relationships
• Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), delivery partners and civil society institutions.
• Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader.
• Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions.
Communications
• Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK’s sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums.
• Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership.
• Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly.
Develop and Manage Internal Relationships
• Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures.
• Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK teams.
• Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives.
Generate Income and Resources
• Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK’s sponsorship work.
• Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors.
• Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D)
Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D)
Experience
Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E)
Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E)
Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E)
Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E)
Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D)
Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E)
Key skills and knowledge
Strong leadership and team coordination skills – able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E)
Excellent project and performance management skills – able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E)
In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E)
Outstanding written and verbal communication – confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E)
Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E)
Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E)
Personal qualities & values
A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E)
Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government, and grassroots communities (E)
Collaborative and people-centred, able to work constructively across teams and with volunteers, refugees, and community leaders (E)
Committed to embedding refugee leadership and lived experience into programme design and delivery (E)
Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment (E)
Comfortable working within an accountable team culture – open to feedback, reflective practice, and continuous improvement (E)
Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when necessary to support programme delivery (E)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.