Director of programmes and advocacy jobs

Across the UK, makers are building creative businesses, sustaining heritage skills, experimenting with materials and influencing design, art, architecture, sustainability, wellbeing & much more.

At the Crafts Council we champion craft and the people who make it.

As our work grows and the craft sector evolves, we’re looking for a Director of Marketing, Communications & Audiences to help shape how we tell the story of craft today.

This role will enable us to connect insight, develop narrative and grow influence — ensuring that what we learn from audiences, makers, members and partners helps shape how craft is represented nationally and internationally.

The Role

The Director of Marketing, Communications & Audiences will lead our marketing, communications and audience development strategy.

We are looking for an exceptional candidate who can help the organisation interpret insight, articulate a confident narrative and strengthen our public presence.

Working closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team, you will ensure that insight drawn from audiences, makers, members, programmes and partners informs:

· how we position craft nationally and internationally

· how we grow and engage our audiences

· how we strengthen our influence across the cultural and creative sectors

You will lead a small but talented team and work across the organisation to build clarity, confidence and collaboration around our communications and audience strategies.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience leading marketing, communications or audience strategies
• Understands how cultural organisations build influence and public profile
• Is confident translating complex information into clear narrative and messaging
• Has strong experience with digital ecosystems, audience journeys and CRM insight
• Is collaborative, curious and comfortable working across organisational boundaries
• Brings a genuine interest in creativity, craft and the cultural sector

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a national cultural organisation listens to its audiences, understands its role and communicates its impact.

You will play a key role in strengthening the visibility and influence of craft — and the makers who shape our world.

We’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking, strong marketing expertise and curiosity about the role creativity plays in society.

Someone who understands how cultural organisations build influence, bring people with them and tell stories that matter.

Contract and Hours - Permanent, part time, minimum of 3 days and up to 4 days per week. 0.6 - 0.8 / 21.75 – 29 hours per week (full time 36.25 hours per week). To commence as soon as possible from June 2026 onwards.

A typical working day is 9.15-5.30pm, including a lunch break (unpaid). We support flexible working and part-time arrangements where it is appropriate for the role.

We promote hybrid working with three days per week worked at our office and gallery for full-time staff, and two days per week office and gallery working for part-time staff.

Wednesday is a whole team office and gallery day when staff meetings take place.

Salary - £65,000 to £70,000 gross per annum based on full-time working, equating to:

£39,000 - £42,000 gross per annum based on part-time working 3 days per week,

£52,000- £56,000 gross per annum based on part-time working 4 days per week.

Location - Crafts Council Office and Gallery is based on the Pentonville Road in Islington, London, with some hybrid / home working.

Community sits at the heart of everything we do.

This role leads our work to connect, support and grow the national craft community through Crafts Council Membership and the Craft UK network.

You will shape spaces where makers, creative businesses and craft champions can connect, learn and thrive. Working closely with colleagues and partners across the sector, you will ensure that our membership programmes respond to the real needs of the craft community and create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with craft.

You will bring strong community instincts, an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing creative practitioners and small creative businesses, and a passion for the transformative power of craft.

As a senior leader within the organisation, you will guide a talented team to deliver a compelling programme of activity, events and partnerships that strengthen the value of membership, deepen engagement and grow participation.

Through insight, listening and collaboration, you will ensure that our work remains relevant, inclusive and ambitious — supporting makers today while helping shape the future of the craft sector.

Role Focus

This role combines community leadership, programme development and income generation.

You will:

• Build and nurture a thriving national craft community
• Lead the strategic development of Crafts Council Membership and Craft UK
• Grow membership participation, reach and income
• Champion inclusive practice and remove barriers to engagement
• Strengthen the voice and visibility of craft through partnerships and advocacy

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the craft sector and understands the realities of building a creative career or business.

You will be a natural community builder with the ability to bring people together, build trust and create opportunities for collaboration.

You will also bring:

• Experience developing and growing membership, community or network-based programmes
• Strong understanding of the creative industries or craft sector
• Experience managing teams and supporting colleagues to deliver excellent work
• The ability to develop partnerships and collaborative initiatives
• Confidence working with data and insight to inform strategy and programme development
• Experience delivering programmes or initiatives that generate income or financial sustainability
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in programme design and delivery

Contract and Hours - Permanent, full-time, 36.25 hours per week. Role to commence from Summer 2026 onwards.

A typical working day is 9.15-5.30pm, including a lunch break (unpaid). We support flexible working and part-time arrangements where it is appropriate for the role.

We promote hybrid working with three days per week worked at our office and gallery for full-time staff, and two days per week office and gallery working for part-time staff.

Wednesday is a whole team office and gallery day when staff meetings take place.

Salary - £39,000 to £50,000 gross per annum, dependent on experience and based on full-time working (pro rata for part-time / annualised working).

Location - Crafts Council Office and Gallery is based on the Pentonville Road in Islington, London, with some hybrid / home working.

As Community Connector you will play a vital role in fostering meaningful relationships between Raw Material and its diverse local communities, and stakeholders across the education, arts, youth work, community, and social and healthcare sectors. 

Working as part of the Programmes Team (and closely with other Raw Material staff) you will develop, coordinate and participate in the delivery of Raw Material’s CEP, building awareness of the charity’s creative and wellbeing programmes, facilities and broader services (e.g. workspaces).

You will develop creative ideas, partnership opportunities and produce and organise activities, events and initiatives that amplify Raw Material’s mission, and boost our reach, increase participation and engagement in our services, and enhance the accessibility, relevance and impact of our work, particularly amongst marginalised communities.

You will champion the use of music and creativity as tools to support wellbeing, personal development and social inclusion; communicate the benefits and value of Raw Material’s programmes and services; and create inclusive pathways for underrepresented and marginalised communities with lived experience to access Raw Material opportunities.

About us:

Anti-Slavery International is the world’s oldest human rights organisation. Our vision is freedom from slavery for everyone, everywhere, always. We believe that modern slavery is a contemporary issue of the highest importance, and we are determined to work with others to make sure people can be free from slavery across the world.

About the role:

To shape, lead, ensure resourcing and support delivery for all ASI's programme and advocacy work, so as to maximise the organisation's impact on modern slavery. The role combines strategic, advocacy, management and operational elements.

Key Tasks:

• identify how ASI can maximise its contribution to tacking modern slavery by identifying current needs and opportunities
• support Programme Managers in their ongoing delivery of programmes
• liaise closely with Programme, Fundraising and Comms Teams
• ensure proper design, management, monitoring and reporting on externally and internally funded work,
• with the CEO, to link with governments, external partners, businesses, networks universities/research centres and others to build the positive relations and shared activity needed to understand and tackle modern slavery and keep ASI strong
• external spokesperson on issues related to modern slavery
• work with Comms and Fundraising to identify stories and opportunities, promote the organisation and describe our achievements

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• 6% pension contribution
• employee benefits including employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, annual season ticket loan, eye tests

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

The External Relations (ER) Department mobilizes external audiences to raise the requisite funds, influence policies and achieve practice changes to improve outcomes for our clients, while growing and protecting our global brand. The Global Policy & Advocacy team is a dynamic part of the ER Department that leverages the power of IRC’s ideas to solve the biggest challenges facing IRC’s clients across the “arc of crisis” and influence external stakeholders, in particular governments and multi-lateral institutions, to enact these solutions to ultimately make meaningful change for our clients. From addressing the drivers of conflict to meeting the needs of displaced people, the team partners with innovative thinkers, experts and those with lived experience to identify solutions and bring them to life. We take pride in being solutions-oriented and creative. We are precise in our goals, tactics, and messages. We drive change year over year, knowing that system change takes dedicated focus while maintaining the flexibility to respond to emerging needs across the globe. Finally, we are collaborative, constantly seeking new ideas and perspectives from others in our sector and beyond as we work side by side with programs, strategy, communications and research and innovation teams across the IRC.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm. 

The Purpose of the Role

Scope and Authority 
 

Authority:
As the Program Advocacy and Engagement Director, you serve as a strategic leader shaping IRC’s global influence across crisis response contexts, guiding advocacy efforts that are integral to advancing IRC’s mission. You are responsible for strengthening our advocacy strategies and practice, providing strategic oversight, coordination and strategy building across national, regional and multilateral advocacy efforts. You will work with regionally based teams and collaborate with senior regional and country leaders, technical experts, and global counterparts to optimize IRC’s advocacy reach, advocate for systems change policies and impacts and ensure coherence. This role will be critical to ensure focus, alignment and strategic oversight to maximize IRC’s advocacy impact at a time of stretched resources and expanding humanitarian need.  

This individual will play a critical role in coordinating and identifying the strategic opportunities to cultivate relationships and influence policies at the highest levels across IRC’s advocacy priorities, implementing creative influence strategies, including targeting non-traditional stakeholders on key crisis work. This individual will ensure the global advocacy team is informed by and responsive to trends at national/regional levels, connecting our Advocacy & Influence work to the experiences and needs of our clients and programs, and providing advocacy guidance, skills development and best practice sharing.  

Key Working Relationships

Internal contacts: Regional CRRD Policy, Advocacy and Communication; Global Advocacy & Influence colleagues; Best Use of Resources Advocacy Specialist; Policy & Solutions team; Technical Excellence leads; Crisis, Response, Recovery and Development teams; Country Programs; Communications; Awards Management; President’s Office, External Relations Department 

External contacts: Legislators; government officials; critical decision makers in multilateral institutions; peer NGOs; local/regional advocacy and/or operational organizations

Key Accountabilities

Advocacy Strategy (45%)
•  Advance IRC influence by leading or supporting the design and execution of integrated advocacy strategies, including power maps, for crisis response issues in line with organizational priorities and in partnership with regional, national and technical leaders and global policy, advocacy and communications teams. 
•  Lead efforts to advocate for system change at the country level, engaging with IRC regional advocates, and Spot and capitalize on external opportunities to advance IRC’s influence objectives including with non-traditional partners. 
•  Work with regional advocates to provide expert strategic guidance and support to country programs and emergency response teams in the development of advocacy strategies. 

Policy and Advocacy Prioritization and Contextualization (25%)
•  Contribute to policy generation and prioritization by providing advocacy insights from program regions and country contexts as well as multilateral institutions, collaborating with policy colleagues to increase the credibility and efficacy of our solutions.  
•  Support the identification of policy and advocacy priorities that meet the three criteria of impact, feasibility and added IRC value. 
•  Work closely with regional and national advocates to understand critical legislation and policy impacting clients and IRC’s programmatic teams in countries where we operate. 

Multilateral Strategy (15%)
•  Build strategic relationships and maintain diplomatic engagement with multilateral institutions such as the UN, leveraging IRC’s presence to influence multilateral policy and funding decisions.  

Senior Leadership Engagement (15%)
•  Identify and shape high-impact external engagements for IRC’s senior leaders, including message development, briefings, and event positioning to elevate IRC’s global thought leadership. 

Steward Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 
•  Steward gender equality, diversity and inclusion both in the culture of IRC, as well as in the policy solutions we develop and the ways we wield influence. 

Teamwork (% N/A)
•  Support a positive team culture by acting openly and collaboratively, supporting colleagues in their work and sharing credit with others where appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:
•  Graduate degree or equivalent experience in relevant field such as Public Policy, International Development, Politics, Economics, Law or International Relations **
•  Demonstrable track record of leading advocacy strategies that generated tangible policy change, ideally in more than one context. **
•  Ability to think strategically and creatively, being oriented towards solution development when traditional advocacy means do not suffice and especially in fluid and politically sensitive environments, exercising sound judgment under pressure.**
•  Extensive knowledge of humanitarian aid and refugee issues, particularly around long-term displacement. **
•  Exceptional verbal communication and interpersonal skills: strong presenter, facilitator, public speaker and trainer. Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with experts, high level decision-makers, and colleagues in the humanitarian and development fields. **
•  Excellent writing skills and the ability to translate complex material and data into compelling narratives that resonate with decision-makers and mainstream audiences.
•  Ability to work within short timelines to a high degree of accuracy.
•  Initiative and ability to work independently on fast-moving issues, and juggle competing demands.
•  Experience working in a development or humanitarian context is preferred. 
•  Fluency with IRC’s strategy and advocacy agendas is preferred. 

Experience:
•  Demonstrated experience in leading advocacy strategy development and execution with a focus on creativity and strategic thinking.
•  Extensive  experience working on complex humanitarian and/or development issues particularly at the multilateral or systems-change level, in more than one geographic or political context. International NGO or multilateral/intergovernmental body experience preferred. National legislative or executive branch experience is an asset. 

About Symphony Collective

Symphony Collective exists to build platforms and create spaces that help young people find and thrive in their purpose, using Arts, Education and Advocacy as tools.

What began as a vision has grown into a thriving ecosystem including music education, academic support programmes, wellbeing and social justice initiatives, live events, podcasts, short films and community convenings. As our work expands, so does the need for strong delivery and operational leadership.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Programmes to co-lead Symphony Collective alongside the Founder & CEO.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for an operational and delivery partner who will:

• Develop and implement our cross-pillar delivery strategy
• Embed strong operational systems across all programmes
• Oversee delivery staff, freelancers and contractors
• Ensure safeguarding, compliance and quality assurance standards are consistently met
• Translate vision into structured, scalable execution

While the CEO focuses on vision, partnerships, fundraising and storytelling, you will ensure that Symphony’s programmes run with clarity, discipline and operational excellence.

This role combines programme leadership with embedded operational oversight — it is as much about systems and structure as it is about delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Strategy & Delivery

• Develop and implement Symphony’s cross-pillar programme strategy
• Oversee delivery across Arts, Academics and Advocacy
• Translate organisational vision into clear plans, timelines and execution
• Ensure quality assurance metrics and impact frameworks are embedded

Operations & Systems

• Design and implement operational systems and workflows across programmes
• Improve internal coordination, reporting and accountability
• Embed automation, tools and processes that support scale and efficiency
• Oversee safeguarding protocols and compliance processes

People Leadership

• Line manage programme leads, freelancers and volunteers
• Build an inclusive, high-performing delivery culture
• Support recruitment, onboarding and performance development

Governance & Risk

• Maintain operational integrity and risk awareness
• Ensure safeguarding standards are embedded across all delivery
• Support trustee reporting in relation to programme performance and compliance

Symphony Studios

• Oversee the day-to-day programme delivery within Symphony Studios
• Ensure the space functions effectively as a hub for education, creativity and community life
• Align studio operations with wider programme growth

Programme Areas

Arts — music school (choirs, live instrument tuition, production), podcasts, short films and live events

Academics — exam support (GCSE extra tuition), mentoring, soft skills and wider learning programmes

Advocacy — wellbeing and health campaigns, social justice convenings and community work (including our flagship event, TRIBE: Festival of Hope)

About You

You may come from the charity, social enterprise, education, arts or community sector and will bring:

• Senior programme or operational leadership experience
• Strong organisational and people management capability
• Experience building systems and structures in growing organisations
• A collaborative, values-driven leadership style
• Deep alignment with Symphony Collective’s mission and communities

Above all, we are looking for someone who wants to build something brave and meaningful, and who understands what it takes to expand opportunity, support social mobility and create inclusive spaces where young people from marginalised communities can belong, grow and imagine a bigger future.

Our Second Home (OSH) is the UK’s youth movement for people with refugee backgrounds. We support young people to build community, become leaders, and flourish into adulthood in the place they call home.

Each year, hundreds of young people from dozens of countries and living in London & Bristol take part in our residential programmes, leadership training and youth hubs. Our residentials are often the first step – immersive, relationship-rich spaces where young people connect, reflect and begin to see themselves as leaders. From there, many move into leadership training and take on volunteer roles within the movement.

Our work is youth-led and rooted in lived experience. We are now implementing our 2025–2028 strategy, focused on strengthening quality, embedding learning and ensuring our growth is sustainable and safe.

The Head of Programmes is a senior leadership role, reporting to the CEO and managing two senior colleagues. You will hold responsibility for the quality, coherence and safeguarding of all programme activity.

Responsibilities (abridged - see attached job description)

Programme Leadership & Strategy in Practice

• Lead implementation of OSH’s 2025–2028 programme strategy.

• Oversee the design, quality and coherence of residentials, leadership training and hubs.

• Take operational responsibility for residential delivery, including participant referrals, recruitment of staff and freelancers, programme content and educational standards.

• Attend and lead approximately five residential programmes per year.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen youth engagement and leadership pathways as the organisation scales.

• Ensure programme data is accurately recorded and used to improve delivery.

Team Leadership

• Line manage the Communities Manager and Leadership & Volunteering Manager.

• Provide structured supervision, clear objectives and professional development support.

• Ensure strong coordination between hubs, residentials and leadership pathways.

• Build a culture of accountability, reflection and continuous improvement.

Safeguarding & Welfare

• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and serve as DSL at events as required.

• Ensure safeguarding practice is robust, consistent and embedded across all activities.

• Respond to safeguarding and behavioural issues appropriately and oversee safe recruitment processes.

Partnerships, Budget & Oversight

• Maintain referral partnerships and represent OSH externally where appropriate.

• Hold programme budgets within agreed limits and ensure financial discipline.

• Embed monitoring, evaluation and reflective practice across the programme team.

Experience & Competencies (abridged - see attached job description)

Essential

• At least 5 years’ experience in youth or youth-centred programming, including residential or intensive settings.

• Experience designing and delivering leadership development or informal education programmes.

• Strong facilitation and training skills.

• Demonstrable experience managing staff and developing teams.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding practice and willingness to act as Deputy DSL.

• Experience working with young people from refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds, or strong understanding of the issues affecting them.

• Ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery in a part-time senior leadership role.

• Strong organisational skills and commitment to inclusive, youth-led practice.

Desirable

• Level 3 Safeguarding training.

• Experience managing programme budgets.

• Experience contributing to organisational strategy or scaling programme models.

• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Beacon CRM, MyConcern or similar systems.

• Lived experience of migration or displacement.

One of London’s historic “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, the Cemetery Park is now a Local Nature Reserve and a vital green space in the heart of the East End — where biodiversity, heritage and community come together.

Founded in 1990, the Friends are an award-winning charity dedicated to protecting and caring for this unique site. Now, we are looking for a values-driven, collaborative leader to help strengthen our organisation for the future.

About the role

This is a senior leadership position within a collaborative charity structure. You will:

– Work closely with the Board of Trustees on strategy and governance

– Lead on finance, fundraising and organisational sustainability

– Support and develop staff and volunteers

– Represent the charity externally

– Work in close partnership with our longstanding Cemetery Park Manager

Importantly, this is not a corporate CEO role. It is an opportunity to lead within a community-rooted, place-based charity where humility, partnership and emotional intelligence matter as much as strategy.

We’re looking for someone who:

•  Has senior experience in a charity or values-led organisation
•  Understands governance and financial sustainability
•  Can build trust with staff, volunteers and stakeholders
•  Is excited by heritage, conservation and community

As a small charity, this role balances strategic thinking with hands-on involvement.

The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC) is a registered charity that brings together the UK’s leading health organisations, representing more than one million health professionals, to advocate for responses to climate change that protect and promote health. Through coordinated, collective action, the Alliance communicates the relationship between health and climate change to government, the public and other health professionals.

We are seeking a dynamic, motivated, and professional Director with excellent policy, project management, and interpersonal skills, experience in strategic communications and change.  The right candidate ideally also has experience in advocacy, and a track record of building consensus and leading campaigns.  .

The Director will be responsible for the Alliance’s overall strategy, oversight of the communications, policy and public affairs programmes, projects, and engagement with Alliance members and key external stakeholders. They will work closely with the Chair and trustees and develop good working relationships with senior leaders and public affairs and communications teams from the membership organisations that make up the Alliance. As the sole employee, the Director needs the professional capacity to coordinate strategic and operational delivery across all areas of the charity and ability to manage multiple stakeholder relationships. They will develop and lead a strategic focus to increase income generation and build a small team of staff to enable the organisation to continue to grow.

Role: Senior Delivery Manager

Directorate:            Standards

Team:                      Workforce Development

Manager:                Director of Standards

Direct reports: Education Network Manager, High Skills Performance Coach and Curriculum Lead (two colleagues)

Role purpose

The Senior Delivery Manager plays a key role in leading high-quality operational delivery across WorldSkills UK’s workforce development products and services. The postholder will be responsible for contract, project and performance management, ensuring all programmes are delivered efficiently, consistently and to a high standard. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, this role leads operational systems, processes and delivery management to support effective provision for further and higher education and the skills system, raising standards of teaching, learning and assessment.

Key tasks and responsibilities

The postholder will be accountable for ensuring that workforce development programmes and services are delivered efficiently, compliantly and to a high standard, with strong operational oversight and continuous improvement.

Contract and project management

· Lead contract and relationship management with key grant funders, ensuring compliance with funding agreements and timely resolution of delivery issues.

· Ensure timely and accurate reporting, including regular performance updates and financial summaries, to support effective oversight and decision making.

· Maintain strong operational governance by identifying, managing and mitigating risks, and escalating issues appropriately.

· Oversee evaluation activity, ensuring evidence and insights to inform continuous improvement and future programme development.

Operational management

· Oversee data management processes to ensure accurate collection, monitoring and reporting of operational and performance data.

· Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of systems and tools that underpin programme delivery (e.g. CRM, dashboards, workflow).

· Design, refine and maintain operational processes that support high‑quality, efficient delivery and a positive customer experience across all workforce development activities.

Delivery management

· Lead the planning, implementation and delivery of workforce development products and services to ensure they meet agreed project objectives, quality standards and stakeholder requirements.

· Plan and oversee high‑impact events and training delivery, managing the full end‑to‑end customer journey from promotion and delegate engagement, through booking and delivery, to post‑event evaluation. Ensure all activity is scheduled and sequenced effectively around the academic year.

· Manage and support the team of trainers and coaches to deliver high‑quality, consistent and impactful training and engagement activity.

· Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure smooth, timely and cost‑effective delivery of programmes and services.

General

In addition to the key tasks and responsibilities set out above, employees at this level are expected to:

· Manage, support and motivate allocated staff to successfully deliver agreed activities and tasks.

· Produce specification requirements in line with procurement processes for outsourced activity.

· Contribute to organisational risk and issues management processes.

· Support delivery of WorldSkills UK’s strategic priorities and annual business plan.

· Ensure resources (staff, suppliers, partners, volunteers) are managed efficiently and effectively.

· Contribute to a performance‑driven culture with robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

· Demonstrate WorldSkills UK’s values in all aspects of the role, contributing to a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture.

· Promote and comply with WorldSkills UK’s policies, including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion.

· Carry out any other duty as may be reasonably assigned that is consistent with the nature of the role and its level of responsibility. Any significant changes will be made in consultation with the post holder taking account of their experience, skills and capability.

Person specification

Key: [E] Essential / [D] Desirable.

Qualifications and experience:

· Experience of operational, project or programme management within education, skills or workforce development [E].

· Experience managing complex projects and multiple stakeholders in publicly funded or grant‑funded environments [E].

· Experience of event management or oversight of outsourced delivery [D].

Knowledge and skills:

· Strong programme and budget management skills [E].

· Ability to lead operational change initiatives and embed new systems and processes [E].

· Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and translate insights into action [E].

· Excellent risk management, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills [E].

· Ability to influence and motivate colleagues and partners, including those working remotely [E].

· Ability to build strong and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders [E].

Personal qualities and attributes:

· Demonstrates professionalism, reliability and sound judgement [E].

· Organised and methodical, with a structured approach to planning and delivery [E].

· Able to work independently, using sound judgement and initiative, while collaborating effectively with others [E].

· Able to identify practical solutions and improve ways of working [E].

· ideas Adapts positively to changing priorities and ways of working [E].

· Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve shared goals [E].

· Able to motivate and support others to deliver high quality work [E].

Special circumstances:

· Able to work occasionally outside normal hours where required [E].

· Able to travel within the United Kingdom, where required [E].

· Able to undertake occasional overnight stays where required [E].

Summary of terms and conditions

· Permanent.

· The salary for this role is £50,000.

· WorldSkills UK offers a maximum employer’s contribution to your pension of 6% of your basic salary, on the condition that you make an employee contribution to your pension of at least 3%. You may choose to contribute a higher percentage of your salary to your pension, subject to statutory limits.

· Group Death in Service (Life insurance) 3 x annual salary.

· Health Care Cash plan.

· Normal place of work is Third Floor, 52-54 St John Street, London EC1M 4HF. This role is office based (as above) with flexible hybrid working. It is expected the postholder will attend the office at least once or twice a week (a minimum of four days per month).

· Full time working hours are a minimum of 35 hours per week, normal working hours are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday although we pride ourselves on having a flexible approach to our working practices and service delivery and are happy to discuss flexible working options, with suitable candidates.

· 25 days’ annual leave [which will increase by one additional day for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days] plus public and bank holidays.

· The post is subject to six months’ probationary period with two weeks’ notice during the probationary period and one month thereafter.

· The offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references.

· Salaries are paid monthly by direct transfer on or about 21st of the month.

How to apply

WorldSkills UK is committed to making appointments on merit by fair and open processes and use a blind recruitment approach. Please ensure that you submit your application in Word (curriculum vitae and cover letter) to help us in this process.

We recognise that no candidate is likely to meet every criterion in full. If your experience is not an exact match but you believe you can bring relevant skills and experience to the role, we encourage you to apply.

Applications should be by email and must include:

· Curriculum vitae outlining your full career history. Please remove identifying information such as your name, contact details, date of birth, nationality, photographs and links to personal profiles to support our anonymised recruitment process. This includes your name, email address, date of birth, nationality, languages spoken other than English, photographs, and links to personal profiles (e.g. LinkedIn). Applications that contain identifying information in the CV may not be considered.

· Supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role, addressing the points listed in the role description and person specification. Throughout the recruitment process we will be looking for clear examples and evidence of your experience, knowledge and skills.

· Separate document containing your name, contact details (email and phone number) and confirmation of your right to work in the UK.

For the full information on how to apply, read the job pack attached to the advert. 

Interview process and timeline

It is intended that the interview process will have two stages:

· Stage 1 – online via MS Teams. The interviews will be held on Tuesday 7 April 2026.

· Stage 2 – in person. Candidates progressing to the second stage will be invited to attend an in-person interview at our office: Third Floor, 52–54 St John Street, London EC1M 4HF. This stage of the interview process will take place on Wednesday 15 April 2026. Candidates will be asked to complete an interview task as part of this stage of the process, details of which will be provided to those invited to the interview.

Reasonable adjustments will be offered to all candidates during the recruitment process. For further information please contact our Senior HR Manager, Andreea Ojog.

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 17:00. Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), one of the world’s foremost independent international policy and research organisations, is seeking an outstanding fundraising and communications leader to work alongside our Executive Director and senior team.

Following the launch of our strategy - Manifesto for a Thriving World – and a recent organisational restructure, we decided to bring the functions of fundraising and communications together under a single Director. This is a tactical move, appreciating our funding sources, audiences, and how to reach them are quickly shifting, with the need to think differently about our brand, positioning, use of technology and relationships.

You will lead and shape our strategy in these areas, while also managing strong existing teams and being a key voice in IIED’s governing bodies. You will be the focal point for our institutional funding partnerships and take accountability for achieving a fundraising target and set of objectives. You will be at the heart of guiding IIED’s impact-focused communications, brand, marketing and influencing approach, as well as creating a reinforcing positive trajectory by connecting fundraising and communications. 

In joining IIED, you will have the opportunity to work with creative, innovative and committed colleagues striving to achieve IIED’s six propositions. You will be part of an organisation hosting the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, supporting the Least Developed Countries in international negotiations and delivering highly influential research, events and equitable partnerships tackling climate change, nature loss and inequality. 

About Us
IIED is an international policy and research organisation working to build a fairer, more sustainable world, in partnership with others across the globe.

• We stand up: challenging the systems and structures that perpetuate economic, social and environmental injustice – acknowledging our own role in this.
• We speak out: calling out the big blockers that prevent progress for communities and working to amplify voices, redistribute power and strengthen rights.
• We innovate: developing, co-producing and supporting evidence-based ideas to drive progress towards a thriving world for all.
• We collaborate: building connections at local, national and international levels, to support diverse partners to tackle the climate, nature and inequality crises so that people and the planet can thrive. Come and be part of this exciting journey with us

The Benefits
- Salary of £78,715 - £91,102 per annum dependent on experience
- 25 days' annual leave per year, plus bank holidays and additional leave over Christmas
- 7.5% employer pension contributions
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Employee protection scheme (life, critical illness, income protection)

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a senior fundraising and communications leader with significant experience in an international NGO or charity settings to join our globally influential organisation at a moment of strategic transformation.

About You
To be considered as the Director of Fundraising and Communications, you will need:

• Significant experience leading fundraising functions, delivering multi-stream income generation strategies
• Significant experience overseeing a broad communications portfolio, including research communications, brand positioning, digital engagement and media, and internal communications.
• An impressive track record in securing large-scale funding and have exceptional communications and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong leadership experience in multi-cultural environments, building high-performing, values-led teams.
• The willingness and ability to travel internationally.

If you are ready for a career-defining role at a pivotal point for our organisation and the global community, we are waiting to hear from you.

The closing date for this role 24 March 2026.

IIED is a Global organisation that serves the Global Majority. We are committed to equity of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in IIED’s workforce, including members of minority groups and those with lived experience of the work we do. Even if you don't satisfy all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply, as we will offer training and development to upskill the right candidate for the role.

So, if you want to become our Director of Fundraising and Communications, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Role purpose
Providing independent Health complaint advocacy for a statutory rights based service under the Health and Social Care Act 2014, empowering qualifying individuals to raise concerns, speak up, and participate in decisions about their care and treatment. The post focuses on ensuring individuals have dignity and respect, clarifying options to challenge decisions, and supporting involvement, independence, and wellbeing. It is also about helping in providing accessible information, facilitating advocacy escalation if necessary, in writing to the parliamentary and Health service ombudsman, whilst  monitoring outcomes of individuals to improve experiences towards suitable resolutions.

This role will include listening and providing information and representing people’s views. You may be asked to support people by attending Best Interests Meetings, Review Meetings, Safeguarding meetings, Hospital PALS Manager’s Meetings, Community Mental Health meetings, Social Care Practitioners meeting, Mental Health Review Tribunals, Ward Round Meetings and Care Plan Approach meetings focussing on solutions to any NHS complaint

We must provide advocacy to Ealing residents over 18. You will ensure that people have their voice heard, views and rights understood and feel more in control of decisions affecting them.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide people with information about their rights

- Help people understand the information given to them and the options available

- Empower individuals to challenge and raise concerns themselves about their care and treatment.

- When required liaise with key health care professionals, parliamentary and health ombudsman on behalf of individuals when required

- Represent key meetings when required

- Delivering IHCA Advocacy Awareness campaigns and other workshops in person and online when required.

- Understanding Safeguarding and GDPR compliance.

- Administrative duties include the completion of case notes, quarterly reports, managing the inbox, triaging referrals to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements, and onboarding clients onto the database.

- Action planning with the client, identifying goals and empowering them to create this document and own it collaboratively

- Work in line with the Advocacy Charter

- Following our non-instructed advocacy policy to ensure those who have communication issues, still get effective representation.

- Also, an understanding of IMCA.

Person Specification

Essential:

• At least 2 years’ experience/knowledge of providing Independent Health Complaint Advocacy towards the NHS
• Excellent listening skills
• Strong communication and case planning skills
• Completed Kate Mercer Advocacy Training (formal external qualification) or equivalent.
• The ability to build good relationships
• Commitment to equitable access and digital proficiency.
• Ability to work to deadlines and work independently
• Flexibility, reliability, and confidence when speaking with a range of people
• Experience and good working knowledge in Microsoft Office products
• Excellent report writing skills
• Knowledge and experience of supporting people with learning and communication difficulties
• An awareness of diversity and ability to research complex and sensitive issues independently and quickly

Desirable:

· Lived experience of mental health

· Driving license

· Other Languages

Post is subject to a DBS check.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people from all backgrounds.

This is an exceptional opportunity at one of the world's most prestigious universities at a time of extraordinary ambition and philanthropic momentum. 

Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Oxford
Salary: £65,336 - £82,255 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record
Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

Here at the University of Oxford, we are recruiting three Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts to join our incredible team. These are new positions, part of an expansion of our friendly, collaborative and successful Principal Gifts team.

As Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts, you will operate at the highest levels of the University to secure transformational gifts at the eight-figure-plus level, advancing Oxford’s mission and global impact.  Your work will help ensure that Oxford continues to attract the brightest minds, pursue world-leading research, and address the most urgent challenges facing humanity.

You will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Director of Development – Principal Gifts, and other senior leaders to align principal gift opportunities with institutional priorities and articulate a compelling case for support to some of the world’s most significant philanthropists.

Your impact will be enduring – enabling breakthrough discoveries, expanding opportunity for students, and strengthening Oxford’s position as a global leader in education and research.  The Associate Director of Development role offers the chance not only to secure transformational gifts, but also to shape the future of Oxford’s philanthropic culture and leave a legacy at an institution that has been changing the world for over nine centuries.

This is a chance to join a dedicated, professional and ambitious team at a time when Oxford’s fundraising is at unprecedented levels. With strong support from the Vice-Chancellor, a proven track record of principal gift success, and an unparalleled global reputation, you will have every opportunity to make your mark, both at Oxford and in your career.

You will be passionate about what we do here, not phased by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope to hear from you!

The University of Oxford is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

Closing date: midnight on Monday, 6 April 2026.

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

No agencies please

About the role 

At the Motability Foundation, we fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. 

We’re building a Transport Solutions Team that can work flexibly across all the tools in our delivery kit – from grants and innovation pilots to research, partnerships, and commercial interventions. This includes a growing portfolio of projects tackling key challenges like inclusive EV charging, complex community transport funding opportunities, and large-scale research such as the National Centre for Accessible Transport. 

We are now recruiting four Transport Solutions Managers to help design and deliver high-impact work across this portfolio. These are pivotal roles that combine subject expertise, delivery capability, and leadership and are designed to work flexibly across our matrix structure. 

Some roles will focus more on funding: exploring new funding mechanisms and managing end-to-end development and delivery of funding opportunities and a team of grant managers. Others will focus more on direct delivery: leading projects, partnerships or research commissions. But all Transport Solutions Managers will be encouraged to develop and contribute across both areas. 

We’re looking for people who bring either or both of these skillsets to the role and who are keen to grow their expertise across the range of tools we use. Whether your background is in grant-making, innovation, systems thinking, or programme delivery, we want to hear from you. 

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, purpose-led team driving change in the transport system for disabled people and to work on some of the most interesting and impactful projects in the sector. 

What you’ll be doing 

• Lead the design and delivery of impactful projects or funding opportunities, working closely with Programme Directors and colleagues across the Transport Solutions Team. 

• Manage end-to-end delivery of specific initiatives – this could include grants, pilots, commissioned projects, partnerships or other tools – ensuring they are well scoped and aligned to our strategic priorities. 

• Use insight, evidence, and stakeholder engagement to shape the approach to new work, including scoping documents, funding criteria, business cases, and delivery plans. 

• Work flexibly across our matrix team, contributing to projects or funding rounds outside your own portfolio as needed, and supporting colleagues with specialist input or delivery resource. 

• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including charities, researchers, delivery partners and commercial organisations. 

• Manage delivery, budgets, due diligence, risks and outcomes for projects or funding opportunities, ensuring appropriate governance and reporting is in place. 

• Collaborate across teams including Impact & Evaluation, Finance, and Communications to ensure high-quality delivery, learning and visibility of our work. 

• Bring and apply knowledge in key areas such as accessible transport, disability, inclusive innovation, grant-making or systems change. 

• Support the development and continuous improvement of our delivery models, funding mechanisms and ways of working. 

Your experience 

Must haves:  

• Experience managing projects or funding opportunities from inception through to delivery, including planning, delivery, and monitoring, ideally across teams and with external partners or suppliers. 

• Ability to scope and deliver initiatives or funding opportunities using evidence, insight, and engagement with disabled people and other key stakeholders. 

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple, complex workstreams to deadlines in a fast-paced and evolving environment. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups. 

• Strong data and analysis skills, including the ability to synthesise qualitative and quantitative insight to inform decision-making and strategy. 

• High IT literacy, including confident use of Microsoft Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint). 

• A collaborative and flexible working style, with experience contributing to cross-team initiatives or matrix working. 

Nice to haves: 

• Understanding of disability and transport issues, such as the social model of disability, transport barriers, key legislation etc. 

• Experience delivering or managing grant programmes, innovation pilots, research projects, or cross-sector partnerships. 

• Familiarity with innovation or funding mechanisms such as challenge prizes, agile funding rounds, co-design, systems mapping, or commissioning frameworks. 

• Experience of working in or alongside government, industry, or the not-for-profit sector. 

• Experience supporting or line managing others in a team or project context.