Director of services and influencing jobs

This is an exciting opportunity to join The National Brain Appeal, a highly ambitious neurological charity with an outstanding track record. We have raised significant funds to transform research and care for people living with neurological conditions – from dementia and brain tumours to motor neurone disease and epilepsy.

Building on the success of our recent appeals, this role will play a pivotal part in expanding our major gifts fundraising and delivering a step-change in the impact of our work. We are seeking a highly experienced philanthropy and partnerships professional with a proven track record in generating major gifts up to figures, who will lead the creation of a new Development Board and work closely with senior supporters, clinicians and researchers to grow and deepen our networks.

Job Title: Innovation and Practice Manager – Youth Homelessness

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: £37,221 – £41,741
Location: London
Closing Date: Monday 5th January 2026
Interviews: w/c 12th January 2026

Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for an Innovation and Practice Manager to join our Services team.

About us

We help vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. Centrepoint provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills so they can move into education, training and employment. Our ambition is to end youth homelessness by 2037.

Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people each year.

About the role

This is an exciting new role focused on developing, testing and embedding innovative and best-practice approaches to ending youth homelessness.

You’ll work across Centrepoint and with external partners to coordinate innovation activity, develop replicable service models, influence practice nationally, and ensure that learning is captured, evaluated and shared widely. A strong emphasis of the role is co-production, ensuring young people and frontline practitioners shape everything we do.

Centrepoint operates a hybrid working model

The requirement is a minimum of 50% of your working week in the office. For most full-time colleagues, this means attending the office for five days over a two-week period (e.g. two days one week and three days the next). This will be adjusted accordingly for part-time or compressed hours contracts.

What you’ll be doing

• Programme managing Centrepoint’s work to develop a replicable model to end youth homelessness across local authority areas
• Coordinating innovation activity across services and partner organisations to ensure consistency, oversight and learning
• Keeping abreast of best practice in youth homelessness in the UK and internationally
• Developing best-practice tools and resources for commissioners and practitioners
• Engaging and influencing local, regional and national partners to improve service delivery
• Supporting evaluation, learning and dissemination of innovation outcomes
• Ensuring meaningful co-production with young people and professionals with lived experience

What we’d be looking for from you…

• Experience delivering, commissioning or managing services within a housing, homelessness or social care context
• Strong understanding of the issues affecting young people at risk of homelessness
• Experience coordinating projects or programmes involving multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels
• Strong written skills, including producing reports and materials for external audiences
• A genuine commitment to reducing youth homelessness and amplifying young people’s voices

Why join Centrepoint?

In return for your efforts you’ll receive a competitive salary, excellent learning and development opportunities, and a wide range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave per year, rising to 27 with service
• Healthcare cash plan (including dental, optical and therapies)
• Private medical insurance
• Income protection
• Employer pension contribution of 5%
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Interest-free travel loan

At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness, and we are just as committed to fairness and equality within our organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of homelessness.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to join Centrepoint as an Innovation and Practice Manager – click ‘Apply’ now!

We are delighted to be partnering with The Ehlers-Danlos Society, a global organisation that puts people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) at the centre of everything they do. Their mission is to help the world understand these conditions better, accelerate research, and provide education that truly changes lives.

The organisation is looking for an innovative and strategic Learning & Education Director to lead and grow the Society’s global education portfolio. In this role you will give direction and shape long-term learning strategies, educational initiatives, inspire multidisciplinary teams, and ensure every program reflects scientific rigour, and the lived experience of the EDS/HSD community.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree (required) and advanced degree or diploma (PGCE, Master's or PhD (preferred) in Education, Healthcare, Public Health, Instructional Design, or related field.
• Significant leadership experience in healthcare and medical education, with a track record of overseeing learning portfolios.
• A deep understanding of healthcare education and evidence-based learning principles.
• The ability to communicate complex medical or educational concepts clearly and confidently to diverse audiences.
• Experience and network with clinicians, academic institutions, research bodies, and advocacy groups.

If you want your work to directly influence how healthcare professionals understand, diagnose, and support people living with EDS and HSD, bridging knowledge gaps and raising the standard of care worldwide, then this is the role for you!

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted via the Charisma website and include your CV and a supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other category protected by law.

The Ehlers Danlos Society asks every successful candidate to give their consent for us to obtain two written references, consent to a DBS check, and to provide us with documentary proof of qualifications. Any offer of employment will be conditional on these requirements being satisfactory.

Location: Fully remote (UK-based), with occasional travel

Closing date: 19 January 2026

Charisma vetting interviews will need to be completed by close of play on the 27 January in preparation for shortlist submission on the 28 January.

Interviews with The Ehlers-Danlos Society:

• 1st stage interviews: w/c 9 February 2026
• 2nd stage interviews: w/c 16 February 2026

Please note: the chosen candidate will need to be available to attend the annual retreat on 16 March 2025 (this can be attended while the candidate is serving notice. All expenses will be paid, however, if the chosen candidate subsequently withdraws and doesn’t join The Society, the candidate will be expected to reimburse the organisation). 

About us:

Drinkaware is a leading charity concerned with reducing harm from alcohol. We do this by providing impartial, evidence-based information, advice, and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol harms; and working in partnership with others to deliver change through our tools and interventions. The Trust is funded primarily through voluntary, unrestricted donations from alcohol producers, wholesalers, and on- and off-trade retailers, but acts entirely independently.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and thrive in a role where no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the role:

As our Operational Development Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in designing and delivering high-quality, evidence-based interventions and services that reduce alcohol-related harm. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll ensure our programmes are inclusive, impactful, and grounded in behavioural science.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the design and delivery of harm reduction interventions and prevention.
• Driving operational planning and ensuring interventions align with public health objectives.
• Embedding quality assurance, safeguarding, and compliance across all programmes.
• Collaborating with teams including Digital, Marketing, Research, and Partnerships to deliver effective services.
• Representing Drinkaware externally with stakeholders, funders, and public health bodies.

This role also includes line management of two team members and offers the opportunity to influence strategic direction while maintaining hands-on delivery.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About you:

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. You’ll bring:

• Strong operational leadership experience in the charity, public health, or related sectors.
• Expertise in alcohol harm reduction and prevention approaches.
• Experience designing and implementing evidence-based interventions.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible content.
• A collaborative mindset and confidence working across multiple teams.

Qualifications in psychology, public health, or behavioural science are desirable but not essential. We are keen to see applicants with certificates in Motivational Interviewing, CBT or other relevant therapeutic approaches relating to alcohol harm reduction or prevention. If you meet most of the criteria and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Why join us?

At Drinkaware, we value our people and offer a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. You’ll enjoy:

• Hybrid Working (two days a week in the office)
• 30 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• Bupa health cover
• Matched company pension scheme
• Life assurance cover
• Wellbeing and learning grants
• Perks and discounts platform

…and more.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today and help us work together to reduce alcohol harm across the UK.

For full information please refer to the attached job description, our applicant privacy policy and read more about Drinkaware on our website.

All candidates must be eligible to work in the UK and provide proof of your right to work in the UK.

Closing date: 9am Monday 12 January 2026

Expected Interview date: 30 January & 2 February

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from all communities. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

No agency support is required

The ISM seeks a Legal Officer to help deliver key services to its members across a wide range of legal issues. The role includes supporting unpaid-fee claims, helping musicians understand third-party contracts, and assisting the wider legal team with ongoing matters.

The award-winning ISM is the dynamic, change making professional body representing musicians. With a current membership of over 11,000, the ISM is known for its legal support to its members across a range of issues from copyright and employment disputes to contracts.  We are also known for our campaigning work on issues from equality to Brexit and AI which can cross over into legal services. We do not handle litigation and any disputes which proceed to this stage are handled by our legal insurance providers. 

It is vital that we deliver gold standard legal services, responding to the needs of our professional musician membership. You will be someone who has experience as a legal adviser or have some legal knowledge such as contract, copyright or employment law. You will be proactive with strong problem solving skills, good drafting and oral skills, keen attention to detail and good emotional intelligence.

You will be joining a professional staff team who are based in Bayswater, London. The role is five days per week of which at least three will be in the office.

For a full job description for this role and how to apply visit the ISM website.

Closing date is Monday 12th January at 9.30am. Interviews will take place face-to-face and applications generated by AI will not be considered.

If you’re a passionate and visionary leader who is committed to making a difference to London’s natural environment, we’d love to hear from you!

The City of London Corporation is the Trustee of 11,000 acres of iconic greenspaces in London and the Home Counties.  We deliver multidisciplinary work on nature conservation, climate resilience, heritage, access and recreation, and community engagement.  Our Natural Environment Division has an annual budget of over £30m, 350 staff and welcomes more than 20 million visitors to its sites every year.

We’re looking for an innovative, results-driven Deputy Director to play a leading role in supporting the transformation of the Division and its 8 environmental charities, delivering key projects and continuous improvement. You’ll lead the Division's work on heritage and outdoor learning and will support the development and delivery of major projects including the Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy.

You’ll use your business acumen and financial skills to develop and support the long-term sustainability of the Division’s charities.  You’ll also lead on developing strong external partnerships and income generation plans and will use your leadership, organisational and change management skills to develop and embed new ways of working.  Working closely with the Natural Environment Director, you’ll lead on key initiatives across the Corporation’s greenspaces, including the development and resourcing of multi-million-pound projects.

You’ll be an accomplished leader with experience of leading and managing complex operations, projects and programmes. You’ll have expertise in planning and managing major projects, building high-performing teams, and forging strategic partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, local authorities, and businesses.  Excellent leadership and communication skills are critical as you’ll engage with and influence a wide range of stakeholders to shape and implement strategies, policies and key delivery mechanisms such as business plans.

The City of London Corporation offers a unique opportunity to work alongside world-class teams in an environment which respects and celebrates historic traditions and cultures, whilst providing access to leading innovators and disruptors across our global economic hub.  We operate a flexible working policy with the opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. 

Closing date: 12 Noon on Monday 12th January 2026

1st Interview - 2nd February

2nd Interview: 12th February

To apply online please click the apply button.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. 

We reserve the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as part of the selection process the successful applicant will be required to obtain a standard / an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. 

Because our roles are so varied, we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ policy for workplace attendance. How many days a week you’ll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the requirements of your role. It’s important that you understand the requirements before applying to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies and business needs. 

This role manages the BSI’s Clinical Immunology Professional Network, and drives partnerships to secure funding and support. You will also lead the BSI’s work on vaccines, aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of effective and affordable vaccines that deliver patient benefit.

This is a highly visible role requiring extensive engagement with partner organisations including the NHS, charities, funders, government bodies and industry, alongside a strong understanding of the relevant policy landscape. Acting as a primary interface with clinical and research communities, funders and other key stakeholders, you will also secure external funding to support project delivery. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to build strong relationships and successfully deliver projects both within and beyond the BSI.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious and innovative science and health membership organisation, delivering impactful projects, and building important partnerships in the dynamic field of clinical research.

Job Title - Head of Legal Aid and Billing

Contract - Permanent

Hours - Part Time, 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE) with some flexibility around working hours

Salary Range - £28,800 to £34,800 per annum (£48,000 to £58,000 FTE)

Location - London office - Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ

About Coram

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

One of the nine members of the Coram group, Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is the UK’s specialist centre for children’s rights in education, immigration, community care and family law, and provides significant international legal systems consultancy. The centre is located on the Coram Campus in central London with a base in Colchester. We champion access to justice through information and advice, legal practice and representation, policy and strategic litigation. Our Legal Practice Unit provides advice and representation primarily under legal aid contract. Our Policy and Practice Change team promotes practice change through training and capacity building to professionals and secures systems change through research, policy and advocacy.

About the role

This role will provide leadership and management for CCLC particularly focused on the Legal Practice Unit’s legal aid billing operations. Through systematic and efficient management, the post-holder will play a pivotal role in CCLC’s financial and operational sustainability. The role will be accountable for maximising the unit’s legal aid billing in controlled work, certificated work and inter partes costs and will hold responsibility for the unit’s billing systems. It will also be responsible for private fees billing. The post-holder will oversee the smooth running of legal aid billing including through line management of the billing team. The post-holder will work very closely with legal, operations and administrative staff. The role will act as a key point of contact for a range of internal and external stakeholders including Coram’s central finance team who will support the role with grant fund management and overall accounting functions for CCLC. The post-holder will support the Managing Director of Legal Practice and Children’s Rights and department heads in the successful maintenance of our relationship with the Legal Aid Agency. Where appropriate they will be deputising for the Managing Director on legal aid and financial matters.

The role would suit a highly organised and efficient legal aid lawyer, or a finance or billing professional with solid experience of legal practice and a deep understanding of the challenges of legal aid. Whilst candidates with direct experience of legal billing (and more specifically civil legal aid billing) are welcomed, we recognise that this is a highly specialised and niche field. As such, this role could suit a highly experienced solicitor who appreciates the important role developing sustainable businesses plays in ensuring access to justice and who therefore wishes to move into practice and financial management. They will need an aptitude for processing large amounts of data, developing and managing spreadsheets and improving organisational systems. However, they will be well supported through training, an enthusiastic and competent junior billing team, the central finance team and an outsourced legal cashiering company, as well as a friendly and collaborative management team including the Managing Director and the Heads of Education Law, Community Care Law and Immigration and Asylum Law.

This is a largely office-based role in order to fully provide support to the billing team. However, some remote / hybrid working may be possible depending the experience of the candidate after the initial settling in period and there will be flexibility over how the three days will be spread across the week (within working hours). The team are mostly based in the London office and with one billing team member in Colchester so the post holder may require some occasional travel. 

For further information on CCLC please visit our website.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026 at 5pm

Test and Interview date: Week commencing Monday 12th January 2026

Coram (entity) is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage applicants from Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds to join our teams. Whilst we have a diverse team we recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and families we help.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

The postholder will support adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to have their voices heard, engage in the community, and influence the services they use. Key responsibilities include:

• Organising Mystery Shops: Plan and run mystery shopping activities to ensure members experience high-quality services from statutory and other organisations, providing timely feedback to help providers improve.

• Coordinating Speak Out Meetings: Organise and facilitate monthly Speak Out campaign meetings and support members’ participation in LD Partnership Board meetings.

• Supporting Campaign Participation: Assist members to take part in and report on campaigns at Borough, Londonwide, and UK levels, with the aim of improving services for adults with learning disabilities.

• Supporting Consultations: Help members engage in consultations at local, regional, and national levels, ensuring their views are captured and communicated effectively.

We are seeking someone who can empower our members to stand up for themselves, share their opinions, and actively participate in community life. Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential, alongside a good understanding of the challenges faced by adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. This role is central to helping members Speak Out in Hounslow and increasing their visibility and influence as valued community members.

Our enduring focus is to strengthen the voluntary sector and transform the funding system, so that charities can do their best work.

About IVAR

At IVAR, we’re more than researchers – we’re sense-makers and bridge-builders. We turn real-world challenges in the voluntary sector into clear, practical insights that inspire change and action.

For 25 years, we’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder with charities, funders and community organisations: listening, learning and tackling tough problems together. Our work is curious, grounded, human and hopeful.

Our 2025–2030 strategy includes a clear commitment to transforming the funding system and the Open and Trusting programme will be the key to achieving that commitment.

Born in 2021, Open and Trusting is directly inspired by what matters most to charities. Today, 170 funders have signed up to the eight commitments – actively working to be clear, flexible, proportionate, and purposeful in their grant-making. We know this makes a huge difference to charities and the communities they support.

About the role and person

Open and Trusting has come a long way, but there’s a lot more it can achieve – which is why we are looking for a dedicated leader for the programme. The success of the role will depend on an understanding and belief in the work of charities and funders, and the power of transforming funding practices. 

As Head of Programme and Engagement, you’ll bring energy, structure and connective thinking to the work. You will strengthen the community, support learning and ensure that the programme runs with momentum and purpose.

This role is collaborative and outward-facing and combines project management, engagement, community-building and fundraising. The person will need first-rate listening, diplomacy, influencing and relationship-building skills and will be a proven manager, with a track record of developing management infrastructures that underpin the success of initiatives involving multiple strands and big ideas.

If you feel you fit the role and are motivated by our work then we’d love to hear from you. Please find out more by looking at the Candidate Information Pack.

Closing date for applications is Friday 23 January; please download the pack before 18 January.

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

Closing Date: 12th January 2026, 10.00am 

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

Company Description

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end of life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end of life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Job Description

The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will shape how the charity tells its story to the world. This person ensures our messages, campaigns, and content aligns with our mission and resonates with the audiences we serve. You’ll work across the organisation to turn complex priorities into compelling narratives, guiding teams to communicate with clarity, consistency, and purpose. It’s a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and storytelling - translating organisational goals into communications that inspire and influence.

This is an exciting, newly created role that offers the opportunity to shape our strategic communications approach from the ground up. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our external communications are cohesive, impactful, and aligned with our organisational strategy - strengthening Marie Curie’s public image and brand. If you're looking for a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference and leave your mark, we’d love to hear from you!

You will be responsible for: 

• Working closely with the Director and Head of Communications to develop, manage and optimise Marie Curie’s external communication strategy.
• Leading strategic communications planning, translating organisational goals into actionable, audience-led communications plans. 
• Developing and overseeing key messaging frameworks and thematic narratives based on insight and research. 
• Evaluate performance, generate insights, and ensure continuous improvement.
• Advising and working closely with senior management, internal communications, teams across our income and innovation directorate and external agencies.
• Ensuring team, channel, campaign and product strategies are aligned and support the departmental, directorate and organisational strategy.
• Line managing the Strategic Communications Manager and leading matrix teams on key projects.

Key Criteria:

• Extensive experience in a senior external communications role, with a strong track record of delivering integrated, high-impact strategic communication campaigns from start to finish.
• Experience translating organisational strategy into compelling structured key messages for our audiences.
• Experience advising and influencing leadership and stakeholders at all organisational levels. 
• Proven track record of leading projects across teams and managing agency partnerships.  
• Confident and persuasive communicator with excellent writing, planning, and leadership skills.
• Highly capable of prioritising tasks and managing multiple projects and campaigns to meet deadlines. 
• Experience managing agencies and overseeing high-profile campaigns.
• Confident working in changing environments.
• Passion for purposeful communication that makes a measurable difference.
• Experience working in a charity, not-for-profit, or health-related organisation (desirable).

Please see the full job description. [LINK]

Additional Information

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications: 9 Jan 2026.

Salary: £45,000-50,000 & £3,500 London weighting allowance where applicable.

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Based: Fully remote (work from home) or hybrid working (Embassy Gardens office in London).

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments. Please email any requests to

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

Benefits: 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays), company pension

Lead. Inspire. Serve. Transform Lives.

Are you a Christian leader with a heart for young people and a passion for community transformation?

Do you believe in the God-given value and potential of every person?

Are you ready to guide one of the country’s oldest and most trusted Christian youth movements into its next chapter?

YMCA North Staffordshire is seeking an exceptional Christian Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission, embody our values, and continue shaping a movement that is transforming the lives of thousands of young people and families.

With a proud 160-year history and an award-winning campus at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, this is a rare opportunity to lead a charity that is deeply rooted in Christian faith, committed to radical inclusion, and driven by a vision where all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

Our Christian Vision and Values

YMCA North Staffordshire is an inclusive Christian movement.

Our mission flows directly from our faith and is grounded in four core values:

PROTECT

We provide sanctuary and safety, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and respected.

HOPE

We see young people not through the lens of their past, but their God-given potential.

PERSEVERE

We walk with young people through challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.

TRUST

We act with integrity, accountability, and belief in the dignity of every human being.

Because these values are Christian in origin and practice, and because the CEO is the guardian of our mission, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

 About the Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead an organisation of 130 staff, a £5m+ budget, and a £35m estate, helping strengthen community through youth development, education, housing, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The next CEO will:

• Provide strategic leadership to deliver the 2026–2029 Business Plan
• Champion youth voice and empowerment in all areas of work
• Sustain and grow financial strength, partnerships, and social enterprise
• Uphold and deepen our Christian identity, ensuring values-led practice
• Drive innovation, digital transformation, and organisational development
• Represent YMCA NS locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Be a visible advocate for young people in Stoke-on-Trent
• Strengthen our “village” culture: welcoming, relational, rooted in Ubuntu and Asset-Based Community Development principles (ABCD).

Purpose of the Role

To lead YMCA North Staffordshire in fulfilling its Christian mission, as described in the Associations charitable objectives 

We develop young people; they develop their world.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership in alignment with Board governance
• Upholding Christian ethos, values, and culture across the organisation
• Financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability
• Community development and partnership building
• Youth advocacy and empowerment
• Oversight of housing, programmes, and impact measurement
• Staff leadership, pastoral care, and organisational culture
• External representation and communications

 Person Specification – Summary

Knowledge

• Housing, youth services, and community development
• Charity law, governance, safeguarding
• Understanding of Christian ministry, mission, and values
• Organisational development and change leadership

Experience

• Senior leadership in values-led or Christian settings
• Track record of strategic development and organisational growth
• Experience working with young people, housing, or community sectors
• Experience nurturing Christian ethos across a diverse organisation

Skills & Abilities

• Inspirational leadership and people development
• Strategic planning and delivery
• Excellent communicator and ambassador
• Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to articulate and embody Christian faith
• Deep commitment to Christian values and the Aims & Purposes of the YMCA

 The Leader We Are Looking For

The landscape for young people is changing — and so must we.

We need a CEO who is:

• Faith-filled and prayerful
• Values-driven and courageous
• Relational, compassionate, and community-minded
• A champion of excellence, innovation, and good governance
• Grounded in Christian mission and committed to radical inclusion
• Able to inspire hope, build trust, and persevere through challenge

As George Williams, YMCA’s founder, said:

“You are not alone, and you can be more.”

Our next CEO must believe this not only for themselves — but for every young person we serve.

How to apply

An application pack can be found at the YMCA North Staffordshire website. This role is subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.

Key Recruitment Dates

• Closing Date: 18th January 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026

We are a safe recruitment Organisation and an Equal Opportunities Employer, we run the disability confident guaranteed interview scheme.

We are an organisation with Christian values, committed to Equality and Diversity in the Workplace. YMCA is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

This is an exciting and pivotal leadership role at the heart of Kinship’s digital transformation. You’ll lead a talented and ambitious team to deliver and develop live digital services, accessible content and user-centred products that kinship carers rely on to access support.

This role does not own all services delivered through digital channels. It owns selected shared digital products while also enabling teams across Kinship to deliver their work effectively through digital platforms, content and journeys, while teams retain ownership of their services and outcomes. You’ll provide leadership on standards, user experience, accessibility and innovation.

Context:
Kinship is expanding its reach and digital capabilities, and our digital platforms are central to how we deliver services at scale. In 2024, we launched a new website bringing together all content and services under one home, and introduced Kinship Compass, a postcode search tool that helps kinship carers find relevant local and national support.

Alongside this, we have been developing a new AI-powered tool to help kinship carers access trusted information quickly and accurately, 24/7. You will lead the evolution of these digital services ensuring they are safe, ethical, resilient and data-informed, and that innovation is always grounded in reliability, safeguarding and user trust.

You’ll play a key role in the Department for Education funded national Training and Support Service, ensuring kinship carers can easily access and book high-quality training through our digital platforms.

You’ll oversee content design in collaboration with internal and external subject experts and kinship carers themselves and lead the digital and content streams for Kinship Minds, including the development and delivery of our e-learning platform and curriculum.

This role sits at the intersection of digital service delivery, product development and content design. At Kinship, content design is distinct from communications or marketing. It focuses on designing clear, accessible and trauma-informed information, learning content and user journeys that enable kinship carers to understand their options, make decisions and access support. Content is treated as part of the service itself and is central to the quality, safety and effectiveness of our digital platforms.

This is a role for a digital leader who is both strategic and operationally grounded. You’ll balance innovation with delivery, experimentation with governance, and ambition with accountability. You’ll champion inclusive, accessible and co-produced design, ensuring digital products support real-world service delivery and improve outcomes for kinship families.

You will work closely with colleagues in the Communications and Policy team (who sit in a separate department and lead external communications, campaigns and social media) and who own the external communications strategy. You will ensure clear alignment while retaining a distinct focus on digital service innovation, product development and content design.

What you'll be doing:

Digital leadership and strategy

• Lead the Digital and Content Design team, setting clear priorities and building a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Own and deliver Kinship’s digital strategy and product roadmap, covering the website, Kinship Compass, Kinship Minds, the AI tool and other digital services, excluding marketing and social media.
• Provide digital leadership across Kinship, strengthening capability and effective cross-organisational working.
• Lead responsible digital innovation, ensuring AI and emerging technology are used where they clearly improve service delivery, accessibility and user experience.
• Take accountability for digital budgets, agency relationships and delivery against agreed outcomes, timescales and quality standards.
• Horizon scan and translate external digital developments into practical, service-led improvements for Kinship.
• Contribute to organisational planning, reporting and income generation linked to digital innovation.

Website, content and digital product development

• Lead the ongoing development and innovation of Kinship’s digital platforms to ensure they are user-centred, accessible and continuously improved.
• Oversee the content strategy and governance for Kinship’s website, Kinship Compass and new e-learning platform.
• Work with internal colleagues to improve our workshop booking system.
• Ensure a consistent content design approach across all digital platforms, grounded in user need, plain English, trauma-informed practice and continuous testing and improvement.
• Lead the content design team to develop content for strategic projects working collaboratively with subject experts and kinship carers.
• Work closely with Advice and Training teams to ensure digital platforms and content design support service delivery, quality standards and DfE contract requirements.
• Develop an excellent understanding of end-to-end audience experience and how the website, online content and digital products can drive effective online services and enhance the kinship ecosystem. Map the user journeys across our website and digital products leaving no dead ends.
• Ensure integration across all platforms (e.g. website, telephony, Salesforce, Kinship Minds) to create seamless user journeys for kinship carers and internal teams.
• Embed meaningful participation and co-production with kinship carers in digital service and content development.
• Drive accessibility and inclusion, ensuring our digital services reach and work for all kinship carers, including those with lower digital literacy.
• Ensure strong digital governance, accessibility, documentation and use of insight to continuously improve performance and impact.
• Oversee SEO, analytics and data-driven optimisation to improve engagement, performance and impact.

Type of person we’re looking for:

We’re looking for a service-led digital leader who is as comfortable with operational delivery as they are with strategy and innovation. You’ll understand that digital products are part of how services are delivered, not an add-on, and that reliability, accessibility and trust matter as much as creativity.

You’ll be curious, pragmatic and values-driven, with the judgement to know when to push innovation forward and when to prioritise stability, safety and user confidence.

You are likely to:

• Have led live digital services or products that people rely on, not just content.
• Be comfortable balancing innovation with delivery, and experimentation with governance.
• Think in terms of end-to-end service journeys, not just platforms or pages.
• Be motivated by improving outcomes for people, particularly families experiencing complexity or crisis.
• Value co-production, accessibility and inclusive design as core to good digital practice.
• Bring clarity, calm and consistency to teams working in complex environments.
• Be confident working across disciplines such as digital, services and delivery without needing to own everything.
• Care deeply about doing digital work ethically, safely and well.
• Show commitment to personal development and learning. 

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Head of Digital and Content by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 4 questions below in the online application process.

Closing date is midnight on Sun 18 Jan 2026, first interview online on Thurs 22 / Fri 23 Jan 2026 and second interview in person on Thur 29 Jan 2026. 

1. What attracts you to this role at Kinship, and how does your experience prepare you to lead digital services, content design and innovation in the context of kinship care and families experiencing complexity or crisis? (250 words max)
2. Give an example of where you introduced or explored digital innovation (for example AI, automation or new platforms) in a service context. How did you balance innovation with reliability, safeguarding or user trust? (250 words max)
3. Describe a time you used content and/or service design to help people understand complex information or access support. How did you identify user needs, test what worked, and ensure the content enabled action rather than just engagement?(250 words max)
4. This role leads a small but mighty remote and dispersed team. How have you managed remote teams to maintain clarity, wellbeing, accountability and delivery? Please include a practical example. (250 words max)

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.

• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown).

• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling).

• Charity Worker Discounts.