Director of programmes and learning jobs in Greater london

SCIE Vision

We are committed to building a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives.

At the SCIE, we are driven by our values:

· Progressive – always learning and developing.

· Inclusive – working together for equality, diversity, and fairness.

· Credible – evidence-based, robust, and reliable.

· Transparent – open and honest.

· Committed - focused on making a difference to people’s lives.

The role

A senior People & Culture leadership opportunity with the autonomy to shape people strategy.

Reporting to the Director of People, Finance and Corporate Resources, you’ll work closely with the SLT and Board, providing leadership across organisational development, workforce planning, talent, EDI, engagement, wellbeing, reward, change and employee relations.

You’ll also line manage the People & Culture Assistant, while influencing people practice across the organisation.

We’re looking for a credible, experienced leader who brings strategic thinking, sound judgement and the confidence to navigate complexity, challenge constructively and turn insight into practical action.

If you’re looking for a role you can genuinely make your own, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer in return:

We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service. Benefits of working for SCIE can be found here Work for the Social Care Institute for Excellence - SCIE

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.

Build Up aims to build the power of young people to shape where they live and to change who can make decisions about London. We are recruiting a Head of Income Generation to shape and lead an ambitious fundraising vision to grow our impact across London.

The Role

This is an exciting new position in our team, created to help build our case for investment, tell our story and harness the support of new audiences. You will develop and deliver a 3-year fundraising strategy that unlocks new opportunities, diversifies income and builds lasting funder relationships. With consultancy support on communications and evaluation, you’ll have the tools to make a powerful case for our work.

We encourage candidates to discuss the role with our Director before applying - contact details are in the job description.

Who You Are

You’ll have a proven track record in leading fundraising strategy, securing charitable investment and writing successful grants. Alongside trusts and foundations, you’ll bring experience across other income streams (like corporates or major donors). You’ll balance strategy with delivery, thrive under pressure, and be excited by funding young people’s ideas. Our approach is innovative and we are looking for someone that can create clear, inspiring narratives that unlock new opportunities.

About Build Up

Build Up works to build the power of young people to shape where they live, and to change who can make decisions about London. Regeneration leaves young people behind. We support young people to take action by advocating for, designing and building local spaces to meet their needs.

Our approach is unique – and it works. Young people gain skills, leadership and power over decisions that affect them, while local communities benefit from genuinely inclusive spaces designed by and for local residents.

Why Join Us

At Build Up your work has a visible, lasting and personal impact - your ideas will genuinely shape our development. We’re a small, collaborative and passionate team with a flexible approach to work - we welcome proposals for non standard work patterns.

Key Details

This role is available on a 4 OR 5 day a week contract, subject to candidate preference.

Salary: £50,000 - 54,000 (pro rata) + 8% employer pension contribution
Full / part-time: 4 days (30 hrs) or 5 days (37.5 hrs) per week
Holiday: 32 days plus public holidays (pro rata)
Work pattern: Flexible
Location: Hybrid – at least 1 day per week in our Elephant & Castle office
Contract: Permanent

To Apply

For more information and to apply, please see the job description.

Applications close Sunday 20th September 2026. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis from Monday 14th September, so we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.

#fundraising #fundraising manager #head of fundraising #fundraising lead #fundraising director #director of fundraising #fundraiser #youth-led fundraising #project fundraising #unrestricted fundraising #fundraising strategy

We need a Programme Director to lead a tri-borough initiative tackling serious youth violence across Kilburn, Queen's Park and surrounding communities.

This is a challenging and a rewarding role where you will be exercising your considerable judgement, diplomacy and practical project management skills.

Shared Ground is an innovative, co-funded project, seeking to work for the benefit of young people at risk of serious youth violence, with buy-in from stakeholders including Local Authority senior leads and Central government.

If you have a passion for the value and importance of community-based work in supporting positive futures for young people, why not help ensure that this ambitious programme thrives?

See the job description for more details.

Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to develop the skills, knowledge, mindset, and connections to create a regenerative, equitable and just future.

Key info:

• Based in London, UK

• Full-time (4.5 days at placement & 1 half day training weekly)

• £27,010 per annum salary

• Programme dates: April 2027 - March 2028 (50 weeks)

• Apply by Monday 12th October, 9:00 am BST

About On Purpose:

On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.

Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.

Programme structure:

Two 6 month placements 

• Through work placements with organisations driving impactful change, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues 4.5 days of the week. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Bow Foodbank, BELU and VISA.

Weekly expert-led learning 

• Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves half a day, weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. The blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change. 

1:1 mentoring & coaching

• Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.

Join a supportive, impactful community

• You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of ~20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community with 1000+ alumni, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.

Benefits:

• Earn a £27.01 k salary - On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs.

• Develop your ability to make an impact - Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. Our alumni are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.

• Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities - Our Associates have moved into a range of impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK, a former accountant now CEO at Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and a  journalist and editor now co-CEO of Heard.

• Standard UK holiday allowance

• A 3-day residential (expenses paid)

Who we’re looking for:

This programme is ideal for you if you’re either:

• at a stage in your career where you’ve built solid professional experience and want to use your professional skills to create change in organisations, systems and beyond;

• not currently in a career that aligns with your beliefs, but looking to transition into one;

• or you’re already in the impact sector and want to deepen your understanding of how systems and organisations work, develop the skills to lead transformational change, clarify your purpose and vision, and join a cohort and wider network of peers committed to putting purpose before profit.

Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:

• A minimum of three years full-time professional experience

• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme

• Fluency in English 

• Office environment experience 

• Skills including project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

• Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome and encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

How to apply:

• Read our Associate Programme brochure for more information.

• Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.

• Closing date for applications: Monday 12th October, 9:00 am BST

• Interviews will be held in mid-late November.

Director – Jamma Wellbeing

Build the model. Prove the impact. Scale through partners.

Jamma Wellbeing is looking for an exceptional Director to lead the organisation through its next stage of development.

This is an opportunity for an experienced, entrepreneurial leader to bring their judgement, experience and vision to work closely with a passionate Founder and Board to shape the future of an ambitious wellbeing charity.

Jamma Wellbeing exists to empower people so they can navigate life with greater confidence and choice. At the heart of our work is Brain Smart®, a practical wellbeing education framework that makes complex psychological ideas understandable and useful. Brain Smart is already being delivered through partnerships in prisons, schools, communities and workplaces.

We now want to build on that foundation.

The opportunity is to help build and deliver Jamma Wellbeing’s future model: delivering a sharper strategy, developing a strong operating model, building the right partnerships and creating a sustainable route to greater impact.

For the right person, this is much more than a conventional charity Director role. It is a chance to help build an organisation capable of changing how practical wellbeing education is delivered — taking useful, evidence-informed ideas to more people through trusted partners.

The role

The Director will lead Jamma Wellbeing from its current stage into a focused, sustainable and scalable organisation.

You will work closely with the Founder and team, while having real responsibility for translating ambition into delivery.

Key priorities will include:

• turning Jamma's strategy into a clear and executable plan;
• developing Brain Smart and its supporting infrastructure into a compelling, partner-ready proposition;
• building and leading high-quality partnerships across primarily education, public services, communities and other relevant sectors;
• establishing a sustainable income model, including licensing, partnerships, grants and public-sector opportunities;
• personally leading important early partner relationships and negotiations;
• building a small, capable team and network of specialist support;
• strengthening the systems required for safeguarding, quality assurance, accreditation, evaluation and reporting;
• creating clear measures of impact and using evidence to determine where Jamma should invest, adapt, expand or stop; and
• representing Jamma credibly with partners, funders, commissioners and other senior stakeholders.

Commercial responsibility is an important part of the role. We want to increase Jamma's reach and impact, but to do so in a way that is financially sustainable and protects the quality, integrity and safety of the programme.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a builder.

Someone who is energised by creating something that does not yet fully exist, who can see the big picture but is equally comfortable turning ideas into plans, decisions, partnerships and measurable results.

You are likely to bring:

• significant senior leadership experience in an organisation that has grown, transformed or developed a new operating model;
• a strong track record of turning strategy into delivery;
• experience developing significant partnerships and generating revenue;
• strong commercial judgement, including propositions, contracts, financial management and senior-level negotiation;
• experience building teams, systems or capabilities in an evolving organisation;
• confidence working with Boards and senior stakeholders;
• strong financial literacy and a disciplined approach to priorities, investment and performance; and
• a well-developed network across the UK, including relationships across the private, public and/or philanthropic sectors.

Experience in education, youth, health and wellbeing, charities, social enterprise or public-sector commissioning would be valuable, but we are equally interested in strong leaders from outside the traditional charity sector who are attracted by the opportunity to apply their experience to social impact.

Experience of licensing, accreditation, train-the-trainer or another partner-led scaling model would also be an advantage.

The kind of leader who will thrive here

You will be commercially astute but purpose-led; ambitious but pragmatic; collaborative but prepared to make decisions.

You will be comfortable working in an organisation where not everything is already established.

Most importantly, you will care about creating something useful and enduring — an organisation capable of improving wellbeing, particularly for young people, at meaningful scale without losing the simplicity, quality and humanity at the heart of its work.

About Jamma Wellbeing

Jamma Wellbeing is a registered charity with a simple vision:

A future where understanding and shaping your wellbeing is a basic life skill for everyone.

We work through trusted organisations and partners to bring practical wellbeing education to the people and communities they already serve.

Our emerging model is deliberately designed for scale: Jamma develops and improves the programme, materials, accreditation, safeguarding, quality and evaluation framework, while partners bring the audience, setting and trusted local delivery capability.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape an organisation, build a sustainable model and create meaningful impact at scale, we would like to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter (max 2 sides A4)

Interviews by video, will take place on the 16th, 17th or 18th September and if successful, a second in person interview will take place during the week commencing 5th October in Surrey.

Lead safeguarding. Shape culture. Enable safer churches.

The Diocese of London is seeking an exceptional safeguarding leader to serve as our first Director of Safeguarding.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of the Church of England’s largest and most diverse diocese, driving a culture that is preventative, accountable, transparent and focused on learning and improvement.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for safeguarding across the Diocese, oversee governance and assurance, lead a skilled safeguarding team, and champion the voices of victims and survivors.

We are looking for a credible and experienced professional with significant safeguarding expertise, strong professional judgement, and a passion for enabling safer churches.

Join us in shaping the future of safeguarding in London. We would be delighted to hear from you.

The postholder will have an enhanced DBS check.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 20 September at 5pm. The selection day will take place in-person on Thursday, 22 October. 

Please refer to the Candidate Information pack for the full details of the Role, Responsibilities and Person Specification.

The Academy Learning Designer will support the development, delivery, and maintenance of Academy face-to-face and online content.

As a member of the Academy team, you will work closely with the Academy Programme Lead to build and maintain a portfolio of content and resources that are accessible and appropriate for rehoming organisations/individuals located in the UK and around the world.

With skills in best practice pedagogy, and experience applying that across blended learning programmes, the role holder will have excellent communication skills and the ability to coordinate and manage relationships with Subject Matter Experts within and outside of Battersea

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. If you would like to talk more about this, please contact us. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 13th September 2026, 11.59pm

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s):

First round (online via MS Teams) - Monday 21st or Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Second round (in person at Battersea London) - if necessary to be confirmed

For more information about the role, please download our Recruitment pack.

To apply for the role, please click on the "Apply" button.

Head of Operational Delivery | Lead National STEM Education Programmes | Maternity Cover

EDT is seeking an exceptional Head of Operational Delivery to lead national student and school engagement activities across the UK during an exciting period of transformation. This is a rare opportunity for a strategic and people-focused leader to take ownership of operational delivery, student recruitment, programme performance and team leadership within a respected education charity. As our Head of Operational Delivery, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring thousands of young people access inspiring STEM experiences that improve social mobility and create pathways into future careers.

Why Join EDT?

At EDT, our values drive everything we do:

• Passionate about creating equitable access to STEM careers.
• Dynamic in our response to a changing world.
• Collaborative with industry, educators and communities.
• Respectful of young people's potential and lived experiences.

As Head of Operational Delivery, you'll help shape the experiences of young people across the UK while leading teams that directly contribute to EDT's mission of inspiring the next generation of talent.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and develop EDT's Operational Delivery Team, ensuring exceptional programme delivery, student engagement and school recruitment nationwide.
• Oversee performance, capacity planning, budgets, KPIs, reporting and operational effectiveness across multiple programmes.
• Develop and implement student recruitment and engagement strategies that drive growth and impact.
• Work closely with senior leaders to improve efficiency, support programme growth and maximise delivery outcomes.
• Champion safeguarding, quality standards, continuous improvement and outstanding learner experiences.
• Build strong relationships with schools, colleges, universities, funders, volunteers, alumni and partners.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full responsibilities and person specification.

Who We're Looking For

• Experienced operational leader with a track record of managing teams, programmes and organisational performance.
• Strong background in education, youth engagement, programme delivery, student support or charity operations.
• Experience managing budgets, KPIs, reporting frameworks and operational planning.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities, solve challenges and drive continuous improvement.
• Passion for supporting young people and creating meaningful educational opportunities.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, leadership and communication skills.

What's In It For You?

• Full-time maternity cover contract from 28 September 2026 to 3 August 2027.
• From £36,000 to £49,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Opportunity to lead national programmes with significant social impact.

Location

• Hybrid working.
• Office base in any of our regional offices -  Manchester, Birmingham, Welwyn Garden City, Plymouth or Southampton.
• National remit with occasional travel and overnight stays.

Why This Role Stands Out

• This is more than an operational leadership role.
• As Head of Operational Delivery, you'll influence how young people engage with STEM education across the UK.
• As Head of Operational Delivery, you'll lead national recruitment, engagement and delivery strategies that support thousands of students each year.
• As Head of Operational Delivery, you'll work closely with senior leaders to shape the future direction of an ambitious and growing charity.
• As Head of Operational Delivery, you'll have the opportunity to create lasting impact for young people, schools and communities nationwide.

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Special Olympics GB is proud to support some of the most inspiring athletes in the world — individuals with intellectual disabilities who compete from local to international levels, breaking down barriers and showing the transformative power of sport both on and off the field of play.

As we enter an exciting new chapter, we are seeking an outstanding Director of Operations to join our Executive Leadership Team. This is a pivotal role for a strategic and values-driven leader who can strengthen our organisation, drive operational excellence and help deliver even greater impact for athletes, families and communities.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and wider movement, you will lead organisational performance across governance, safegaurding, finance, people, systems, planning and delivery, ensuring Special Olympics GB is resilient, ambitious and fit for the future. As Executive Lead for Safeguarding and Welfare, you will champion a culture where the wellbeing, safety and dignity of every athlete remains at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is inspired by the power of sport to transform lives and create more inclusive communities.
• Brings significant senior leadership experience and a track record of organisational development and operational excellence.
• Can translate strategic ambition into effective delivery and sustainable growth.
• Has experience of governance, compliance, finance, risk management and safeguarding.
• Builds strong relationships and partnerships, influencing with credibility and integrity.
• Leads with empathy, accountability and a commitment to inclusion.

The Director of Operations at SOGB is a wide-ranging, key role, reporting to the Chief Executive as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Working across the organisation, the Director of Operations manages the operational and support services activities including governance, compliance, HR, business processes, IT, safeguarding, finance and health & safety to ensure that the organisation runs smoothly, efficiently and effectively.

Application Instructions

For Job Role specifics and how to apply please see the below SOGB Director of Operations Recruitment Pack.

The closing date for applications is Friday 4th September 2026 at 9am. There will be a two- stage interview process that will cover both culture/motivators and thematic competencies.  Stage 1 interviews will take place week beginning 28th September 2026 and stage 2 will take place week beginning 5th October 2026.

Join London Legal Support Trust and use your communications skills to champion access to justice. Create engaging content, manage our website and social channels, and promote our programmes and fundraising events. We are looking for an organised, creative communicator with strong writing, digital and content management skills. This permanent, full-time hybrid role is based in Holborn and offers flexible working, generous leave and development opportunities.

Contract Type: Fixed Term until 30th November 2028

Location: London, Birmingham, Leeds or Glasgow - 40-60% of your week in an office, with an expectation to travel when required

1st stage interviews: 21/09 over MS Teams

2nd stage interviews: 02/10 face-to-face (Location TBC but likely London)

This fully funded role runs until 30th November 2028 and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a major employability programme supporting young people across the UK.

Please note: this role is subject to The King's Trust securing funding through an ongoing DWP commissioning process. We are committed to only making appointments once funding and contract awards have been confirmed, ensuring full transparency for all candidates.

Lead a transformational national programme

We're seeking an experienced and ambitious individual to lead the delivery of our Jobs Guarantee programme, supporting thousands of young people into sustainable employment.

As Director - Jobs Guarantee, you will be accountable for this large-scale national contract, ensuring exceptional performance, compliance, quality, and impact. You'll work closely with government stakeholders, employers, delivery partners, and internal teams to create opportunities that change lives.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading delivery of a high-profile national employability programme
• Driving contractual performance, quality, and employment outcomes
• Building and managing strategic relationships with DWP, employers, partners, and subcontractors
• Using data and insight to continuously improve delivery and maximise impact
• Ensuring strong governance, safeguarding, compliance, and risk management
• Leading and developing a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team
• Contributing to wider organisational strategy and growth in employability services

Who will thrive in this role?

You'll likely bring:

• Significant leadership experience in employability, skills, welfare-to-work, or related public service programmes
• A track record of delivering results within complex, high-value contracts
• Experience working with government-funded programmes and outcome-based delivery models
• Strong commercial, financial, and operational leadership skills
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective partnerships
• A passion for improving outcomes for young people and creating lasting social impact

This is an opportunity to shape a flagship programme, influence how services are delivered nationally, and help more young people move into sustainable employment.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need a Director of Jobs Guarantee? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training.The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of a Director of Jobs Guarantee! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events, etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

For nearly 20 years, Lively Minds has been proving that parents are the sleeping giants of early childhood development. With strong evidence and a national scale proof point in Ghana, we have shown that parent powered approaches delivered through government systems can transform children's lives at scale.

We are now at a pivotal moment. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum, and we need the funding, profile and influence to match our ambition. This is a rare opportunity to lead income generation and external voice for an award winning NGO entering an exciting new phase of growth. You will lead our fundraising strategy and direct engagement with Funders ensuring that we maximise all funding opportunities as we continue our strategic evolution. You will also shape a compelling external narrative that will help position Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments strengthening their early childhood development systems.

If you are an exceptional fundraiser and communicator who is equally comfortable in a strategic conversation and writing a winning proposal, we would love to hear from you.

Read the full advert and apply below. Closing date: 3rd September 2026.

About Lively Minds

Lively Minds is an award-winning NGO with nearly 20 years of experience designing, testing and scaling early childhood development (ECD) solutions across the Global South. Our core idea is simple but radical: parents are the sleeping giants of ECD. Governments and donors have long overlooked parents, assuming that poverty and low literacy make them unable or unwilling to support their childrenʼs development. We have spent two decades proving otherwise. With RCT-backed evidence and a national-scale proof point in Ghana, we have demonstrated that parent-powered approaches, delivered through government systems, can achieve meaningful child development outcomes at scale.

Our 2026–2028 strategy marks a pivotal shift. Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now helping pioneer an innovative model of country-led sustainable scale. Rather than delivering programmes ourselves, we provide lean, time-limited technical advisory support to governments to help them integrate parent-powered ECD into their own systems, budgets and institutions. We are currently working with the governments of Ghana, Uganda, Oromia state (Ethiopia) and The Gambia in 2026, growing to six or more country engagements by 2028. Our ambition is to catalyse a sector-wide shift, positioning Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments seeking to strengthen their ECD systems.

Our scale strategy rests on three interdependent pillars: fixed-term Technical Advisory partnerships with governments; the development of a modular radio model simple and affordable enough for governments to adopt and fund independently; and an advocacy and sector influence agenda designed to make parent-powered ECD the norm globally.

Purpose of the Role

Lively Minds is at a critical inflection point. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum. We now need the funding, profile and sector influence to match our ambition. The Director of Fundraising and Communications is a priority hire, created to provide the dedicated, experienced leadership that this moment demands.

The Director will own and drive Lively Mindsʼ income generation, building new funder relationships, managing and deepening existing ones, and ensuring the organisation has the pipeline, discipline and quality of engagement to meet and exceed its fundraising targets. Working in close partnership with the Founding CEO, who retains ownership of a small number of long-standing strategic relationships, the Director will take primary responsibility for securing the funding that makes the 2026–2028 strategy deliverable, and that opens the door to greater scale beyond it. We need to raise approximately £3.4m over the next 3 years to deliver our strategy. But our ambition is to exceed that target so we can support additional governments.

Alongside fundraising, the Director will provide strategic leadership to Lively Mindsʼ communications and advocacy work, ensuring that the organisationʼs external voice is compelling and that we are building credibility in the spaces where funding decisions are made. The Director will lead and provide strategic coherence to a small but outward-facing team, including Head of Partnerships and Advocacy Lead who are active on the international stage. Lively Minds is committed to thought-leadership and active external engagement, but equally committed to ensuring that communications resource is deployed with discipline and rigour. The Director will set a clear strategic filter for where the organisation shows up, what it publishes and who it engages: prioritising focus and quality over volume, and always asking whether external activity is building the relationships and reputation that ultimately drive income and/or systems change.

Lively Minds is a dispersed, remote organisation. The Directorʼs team the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer - are internationally distributed. The ability to lead, develop and maintain high standards across a dispersed team is essential. The role requires regular travel to international conferences and events.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Income Generation

• Own and deliver the multi-year fundraising strategy with clear priorities, targets, income streams and a disciplined pipeline to support the 2026–2028 strategy and future scale
• Steward existing funder relationships, turning strong partnerships into long-term supporters, advocates and connectors to new funding opportunities.
• Lead the shift towards Big Bet and catalytic funding, personally cultivating and negotiating high-value, multi-year partnerships and positioning Lively Minds for system-level scale
• Maintain a high standard of fundraising quality, pipeline management and forecasting, while coaching the team to produce compelling, sophisticated fundraising materials
•  Build and continuously strengthen a diverse funding pipeline, identifying emerging opportunities, new funding markets and strategic partnerships that reduce concentration risk and support long-term financial sustainability

Communications, Brand & Advocacy

• Own and deliver Lively Mindsʼ communications and marketing strategy, balancing visibility and sector influence with the need to strengthen fundraising and systems-change objectives
• Partner closely with the CEO to shape and steward a coherent external narrative, brand and messaging framework across all audiences and channels
• Oversee high-quality core communications and fundraising materials, including cases for support, pitch decks, website content, proposals and donor reports
• Provide strategic communications expertise to Advocacy, Partnerships and MEL, ensuring evidence and learning are translated into compelling narratives and consistent external messaging
• Lead efforts to strengthen Lively Mindsʼ profile and thought leadership in the ECD sector, identifying opportunities for strategic media, events, publications and external platforms that reinforce its positioning and influence

Organizational Leadership&TeamDevelopment

• Contribute actively to SMT and organisational strategy, bringing funder intelligence, external perspective and communications expertise to strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance and MEL to align fundraising targets, forecasting, budgets and evidence, ensuring proposals are credible, accurately costed and evidence-led
• Act as the organisationʼs communications subject matter expert, providing guidance and challenge to ensure high-quality, consistent external communications
• Lead and develop the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer, fostering a team culture of quality, accountability, strategic clarity and continuous improvement
• Build strong cross-organisational collaboration, ensuring teams understand how fundraising, communications, advocacy and evidence work together to advance Lively Mindsʼ strategic priorities

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of significant senior-level fundraising experience within international development, education, philanthropy or a comparable sector
• Proven track record of securing major grants from foundations, institutional donors and high-net-worth individuals, alongside demonstrated experience securing or meaningfully progressing large-scale, catalytic funding from Big Bet philanthropy programmes such as the Audacious Project, Skoll Foundation or comparable funders. A strong understanding of what these funders look for and how to position an organisation compellingly within their processes is essential
• Exceptional fundraising writing skills, with the ability to personally develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, award applications and pitch decks tailored to sophisticated impact funders. This is a hands-on role requiring both strong writing capability and the ability to coach others to consistently produce high-quality fundraising content
• Experienced in developing and owning a marketing and communications strategy, with a strong understanding of how to balance organisational visibility, thought leadership and sector influence with coherence, strategic focus and income generation
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with a Founding CEO to shape and steward the organisationʼs external narrative and brand. Comfortable working in a founder-led environment, providing expertise and constructive challenge while ensuring the organisation maintains a clear, consistent and coherent external voice

Desirable Experience

• Experienced fundraising for a technical advisory, systems change or government-facing organisation
• Knowledge of the ECD, education or early childhood sector and its funding landscape
• Familiarity with the Big Bang Philanthropy network or equivalent impact-focused funder communities
• Experience working alongside advocacy and partnerships teams, providing communications expertise and strategic coherence to their external activity
• Familiarity with the funding landscape for organisations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working remotely across multiple countries and effectively collaborating with cross-cultural teams

Behaviours & Ways of Working

• A doer, equally comfortable in strategic conversations and writing a funding proposal
• Sets a high bar for quality and clarity in all external communications and holds it consistently
• Builds a strong, trust-based partnership with the Founding CEO, provides honest challenge and operates effectively within a founder-led dynamic without losing their own voice or judgement
• Collaborative and cross-organisational. Invests in strong relationships with programme, MEL and finance colleagues, understanding that the best fundraising is grounded in organisational reality
• Calm and focused under pressure - able to manage competing priorities and maintain quality when the stakes are high

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous learning and development budget
• Flexible, remote working

Application Instruction

Interested candidates are encouraged to read the Job Description carefully before applying to ensure they understand the role and meet the required criteria.

To apply, please complete the pre-screening questions and submit your updated CV

PLEASE NOTE - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Timeline

Closing Date: 3rd September 2026

Our Stance

Lively Minds operates a strict Safeguarding Policy and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable people. As part of our recruitment process, the suitability of successful candidates will be verified through appropriate background checks including professional references and police checks.

Lively Minds is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process. We want this commitment to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment decisions are based on merit, skills, experience and suitability for the role, and that all candidates are treated fairly and with respect throughout the recruitment process.

Overview of the Directorate

The Education Directorate delivers the English-Speaking Union’s (ESU) education programmes, competitions and training, helping young people develop the confidence and skills to speak, listen, think critically and engage constructively with different points of view.

The ESU’s debating, public speaking and cultural exchange programmes aim to embed sustainable cultures of oracy in schools and empower young people to engage with the world. The Directorate works with schools and educational settings across England and Wales and with a pool of freelance Oracy Leaders to deliver its programmes.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Education Coordinator – School Partnerships will help ensure young people across England and Wales develop essential oracy skills by supporting the sales of the ESU’s educational products. These include the ‘Discover Your Voice’ student oracy workshops and Teacher Oracy CPD sessions for schools and other educational settings.

The postholder will administer the sales process, responding to enquiries, converting warm leads into bookings and overseeing the delivery of workshops and training. The role requires someone who is proactive, motivated and confident working with a high degree of initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Convert conversations with inbound and warm leads into confirmed workshop bookings

• Respond to and follow up on inbound leads and warm conversations, moving prospects through the sales pipeline

• Collaborate with the ESU Marketing Team and Director of Education to advise on the messaging and assets needed to promote the ESU’s education offers

• Manage workshop delivery, acting as the point of contact for Lead Teachers, appointing freelance Oracy Leaders and providing clear communication, support and resources

• Use Salesforce to manage programme delivery, maintain accurate account and communication records and report on sales pipelines

• Collect monitoring and evaluation data, including student surveys, teacher surveys and case studies

• Work closely with the ESU’s pool of Oracy Leaders, including communicating before and after workshops, booking staff onto delivery and liaising with Finance and HR where necessary

• When capacity allows, support other functions within the Education Programmes Team, including national and international public speaking, debate and performance competitions

• Undertake other relevant responsibilities as reasonably requested by the line manager, including communications, administration and resource design

Skills and Knowledge

• A strong understanding of the education sector, schools and the realities of teaching

• Experience of responding to bookings and servicing requests, particularly within schools or education

• Experience of converting inbound enquiries into bookings

• Experience using CRM systems to track and manage customer or account relationships

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills

• Excellent attention to detail and high standards of accuracy

• Passion for improving oracy skills in young people from all backgrounds

Behaviours

• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to use initiative and work independently

• Confident building positive and professional relationships with schools, teachers, colleagues and freelance delivery staff

• Organised and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards

• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to support the wider Education team when required

• Collaborative and constructive in working with colleagues across Education, Marketing, Finance and HR

• Committed to the ESU’s mission and to creating positive educational opportunities for young people

Desirable

• Experience of working with Salesforce

• Experience coordinating freelance staff

• Experience planning and delivering lessons

• Experience of resource creation

Benefits

• Hybrid working, with three days a week in the office at Dartmouth House, Central London 35 Hour week.

• 28 days’ annual leave plus eight days’ bank holiday, pro rata for part-time staff

• Generous company pension

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to virtual GP services 24/7

• Group life assurance

• Cycle to work scheme

Job Title:Quality Assurance and Training Programme Lead 

Internal Job Title:Practice Improvement and Training Programme Lead 

Hours: 35 per week (full time) 

Location:Home-based withregular travel across England. 

Contract: Permanent

Salary:£43,183 per annum (London weighting £48,364) 

About us

Housing Justice brings together communities and finds solutions to homelessness by building personal connections, a sense of belonging, and creating justice in the housing system. We train and support volunteers to offer various accommodation options while building a network of local support. This includes providing personalised assistance to help individuals access relevant local services and address their other needs. Through compassionate, courageous, and collaborative action, we implement innovative solutions to tackle housing injustice, enhance the quality of housing, and elevate the voices and experiences of groups affected by housing injustice to both local and national governments. 

About the programme

The Faith & Community Development Team supports and strengthens community and faith-based responses to homelessness across England. This role will help shape Housing Justice’s national programme of quality improvement, training and best practice for community and faith-based homelessness services, using insight from our flagship Quality assurance framework, Impact Portal, existing research, and partnership engagement to continue the development of practice standards, resources and learning opportunities for the network. 

About you

We are seeking an experienced and organised programme lead with a strong understanding of homelessness, housing policy and practice, and quality improvement. You will bring strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting and facilitating, drafting reports, quality mark standards and guidance. You will also be comfortable managing multiple priorities, managing a small team, working with data and monitoring information, and building positive relationships with local authorities, funders, sector partners and organisations in the Housing Justice network. 

About the role

The successful candidate will lead the development and delivery of Housing Justice’s national quality improvement, training and best practice work for community and faith-based homelessness services across England. You will oversee the continued development of the Quality Mark accreditation scheme for emergency accommodation providers, lead the creation of a new Quality Framework for day services, develop an Emergency Accommodation Toolkit, and deliver training, learning events and communities of practice. 

The postholder will provide leadership to a small team, with line management responsibility for up to two members of staff, and will work closely with partners to strengthen service quality, safety, effectiveness and sustainability across the sector. 

Benefits

• 29 days annual leave, 3 of which are fixed between Christmas and New Year. This is in addition to bank holidays and pro-rata if part time. 

• After 3 years of serviceyou are entitled to one additional day of holiday for each additional year of service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days, pro-rata if part time. 

• We offer flexible working. Not all posts can be made flexible, but where possible we operate core hours of 10 – 3pm, with employees able to flex their working day around these. Any flexibility is at the discretion of the line manager and relevant senior manager. 

• As this role is offered as hybrid, we will provide some financial support to get you set up with appropriate equipment. 

• We offer an employee assistance programme through Spectrum Life, which can be used by you and your family for a range of advice and support. 

• We offer a cycle-to-work scheme. 

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please read the attached job description and fill out the application form (accessed by clicking ‘Apply’), describing your capabilities for each of the numbered points in the person specification. Please note that we do not accept CVs.