Director of student services jobs in hackney central, greater london
Job Summary
Salary: £42,000 - £45,000 per annum (£25,200 - £27,000 per annum pro rata)
Work Location: Charrington Street, London NW1 1RD
Hours per week: 21.6 hours per week (0.6 FTE), normally to be worked in the afternoons Monday to Thursday
Leave: To be taken during non-operational periods and school holidays
Contract type: Fixed Term to 31 July 2026
Closing date: 9 July 2025
Interviews to be held: week of 14 July 2026
About Camden Learning
Launched in 2017, Camden Learning is a schools-led partnership between Camden schools and Camden Council. All Camden schools are involved, co-constructing a model based on the principle that collective effort achieves more. We aim to drive improvement for all, guided by values of excellence and social equity. Camden Learning is a pioneer in school-led partnerships, establishing a successful model for cooperation and improvement.
We have launched a new Opportunity Centre at 52 Charrington Street, Somers Town as part of the innovative London AI Campus. The Centre will provide young people with access to technology, digital learning, and AI education, extending learning beyond the classroom in a secure and inspiring environment.
The role
We are looking for a dynamic and passionate Opportunity Centre Officer to lead operations at this innovative space, ensuring it becomes a hub of inspiration and growth for young people.
This role will oversee the Centre’s daily operations, ensure smooth delivery of engaging learning experiences, and collaborate with schools, partners, and the community to provide meaningful development opportunities for young people.
This is a fixed term contract starting late August/early September 2025 until July 2026.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Management:
· Oversee day-to-day access and use of the Centre, including student registration and visitor management.
· Ensure the facility is safe, secure, and welcoming, including health and safety checks, safeguarding measures, and ICT setup.
· Coordinate the planning, setup, and cleanup of learning activities.
· Manage basic building maintenance, including coordinating repairs, ensuring cleanliness, and overseeing general upkeep of the facility.
Youth Engagement & Programme Delivery:
· Support external facilitators and partners in delivering inspiring and educational sessions.
· Foster a positive learning environment, ensuring young people are engaged, motivated, and safe.
· Work with partners to design and improve activities that promote personal and social development.
Administrative & Event Coordination:
· Manage the Centre’s calendar, schedule activities, and coordinate events with schools, parents, and external partners.
· Create promotional materials and manage digital communications to raise awareness of the Centre’s offerings.
· Assist the AI Campus Director with key administrative tasks.
Stakeholder & Partner Collaboration:
· Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, parents, students, and community organisations.
· Act as a Camden Learning ambassador, promoting inclusivity and positive learning outcomes.
Safeguarding & Compliance:
· Act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring all safeguarding policies are upheld.
· Conduct regular health and safety checks, addressing any issues proactively.
Continuous Improvement:
· Gather feedback from students, parents, and partners to identify service gaps and opportunities for enhancement.
· Contribute ideas to further develop the Centre’s programming and operational excellence.
About You:
You are passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can thrive. You have a hands-on approach, excellent organisational skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Your ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, combined with your dedication to operational excellence, will make you a vital part of the Opportunity Centre team.
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
· Experience working with young people in educational, youth work, or community settings.
· Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with students, parents, and partners.
· Knowledge of safeguarding practices and experience acting in a safeguarding capacity.
· Confidence in handling practical site operations, including health and safety, security, and ICT tasks.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and the ability to quickly learn new IT systems.
· Administrative expertise, including managing schedules, creating promotional materials, and handling logistical coordination.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a good standard of English and Maths.
· Relevant Level 3 qualification (e.g., education, youth work) or equivalent experience.
Personal Attributes:
· Highly organised and proactive, with a problem-solving mindset.
· A collaborative team player committed to positive youth outcomes.
· Passionate about education and community development.
· Adaptable and resilient, capable of managing multiple priorities
Staff benefits
· We offer 30 days’ annual leave entitlement as well as bank holidays, increasing to 33 in the first three years in post. (Note this is the full time allowance which will be pro-rated for part time hours).
· A generous NEST pension – with a minimum 10% employer contribution.
· Death in service benefit 3 x your salary.
· We value output over hours. We recognise our people have responsibilities and interests outside of work and we support flexible working arrangements, all dependent on the needs of the service.
· Season ticket loans and Cycle to Work Scheme, with savings of between 32% and 42% on the standard retail price of a new bike.
· A collection of staff discounts, on shops and health clubs, travel, and insurance, including from many of the worlds-leading technology manufacturers.
· Corporate rates for membership of GLL - Better Leisure.
· An Employee Assistance Programme.
· Free Hearing tests, Eye tests and Health checks.
Our commitment to inclusive recruitment
For education organisations to flourish, improve performance and genuinely represent the communities they serve – it’s essential that we seize the opportunity to develop a diverse workforce.
We know that to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people, the very best talent from our society needs to be identified, supported and retained.
Our organisations perform better when they reflect the rich breadth and depth of our society – and we should be proud to bring together a dynamic combination of knowledge, skills and lived experience.
In practice, an inclusive approach to recruitment takes care and attention. We are all stakeholders in the education system – so together we need to continue to challenge recruitment norms, processes, and behaviours.
We are committed to recruitment campaigns that are developed with inclusivity at their core, whilst keeping a resolute focus on the best choice of candidate for the post.
Pillars of an inclusive approach
1. Ensuring roles are designed and described clearly and accurately, removing hidden barriers that might inadvertently dissuade a great candidate from applying.
2. Communicating a clear commitment to inclusivity throughout all recruitment marketing materials – showing as well as telling candidates that we are an open, inclusive employer.
3. Taking positive action by seeking and welcoming applications from under-represented groups – using recruitment interactions and headhunting to reach a wider pool.
4. Assessing impact and improvement through effective diversity and equal opportunities monitoring and ongoing dialogue with staff.
Non Charity Employer
51 - 100
Camden Learning is a schools-led partnership. We aim to drive improvement for all, guided by values of excellence and social equity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the job
Over the past decade Pembroke House’s activities in Walworth have grown considerably, with annual turnover rising from £200k to £1 million. Further growth is expected as a result of a new strategy anchored around five 10-year commitments to the neighbourhood, consolidation of our activities across two community buildings and continuing to build wide-ranging partnerships in Walworth.
We are looking for an experienced and skilled financial professional who can steward us through this crucial period of development. You will be someone who combines a passion for our mission, a keen eye for detail and a flair for interpreting financial information and supporting non-specialists to make sound financial decisions.
Days will be varied spanning everything from helping budget holders report to funders; preparing accurate financial reports and management accounts; to creating the budgets and frameworks for long-term financial planning. The rest of the core finance team comprises a Bookkeeper and a pro bono Payroll Officer based in Pembroke College, Cambridge. Other members of the team manage petty cash, look after the room hire business (including invoicing and credit control) and administer pensions.
The trustee’s Finance and Risk Subcommittee formed two years ago and a new trustee position of Treasurer is currently being recruited. The Finance Manager will service and attend the subcommittee’s quarterly meetings and be the main contact point with the Treasurer between meetings.
As a new role there will be plenty of opportunity to mould finance operations across the organisation. Finance systems are currently in place, and have satisfied the auditor over the past few years, but there remains scope for improvement, including through automation and upskilling of the wider team.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Foster a culture of financial responsibility, in conjunction with the Leadership Team.
- Draft the audit file and schedules and assist the auditor with follow up questions and queries.
- Lead on the preparation of the charity's annual budget.
- Prepare fundraising budgets, financial claims and invoices for funders in line with (grant) agreements.
- Approve and act as signatory to all contracts for services issued and received.
About Pembroke House
Pembroke House is a centre for social action and residential community in Walworth, south-east London.
We were founded in 1885, by students from Pembroke College, Cambridge, as one of the first settlement houses. Shocked by growing poverty and inequality, the pioneers of the settlement movement sought a new approach: taking up residence to live, work and solve problems alongside local communities. We continue to share a building with St Christopher’s church, which has its routes in the same student settlement.
For over 130 years, we’ve been working to bridge traditional divides and unite people – whatever their background or walk of life – in building a better Walworth.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Located in the heart of Walworth, we strive to empower communities and individuals to create a neighbourhood where everyone can flourish.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We’re looking for a passionate and relationship-driven Partnerships Lead to grow and manage our organisation's impactful collaborations with schools, communities, and corporate partners.
About Khulisa:
Khulisa, meaning 'nurture' in the Zulu language of South Africa, is an award-winning charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people. We focus on reaching those who are most at risk – young people from deprived communities who are often marginalized, vulnerable to exclusion, and at heightened risk of becoming involved in crime.
Our approach centres on safe, exploratory methods that aim to understand behaviour and experiences often rooted in trauma, abuse, and neglect. We deliver intensive therapeutic programs within educational and community settings, empowering young people to confront the underlying causes of their emotional distress and work toward healing. To create lasting, sustainable change, we also work to establish trauma-informed environments around young people by equipping parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to offer effective, supportive care. Currently, our services are active in London and Manchester.
About the role:
The purpose of this role is to build and manage Khulisa's high-impact partnerships with schools, communities, and corporates that generate income and expand the reach of our therapeutic programmes. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Identifying, initiating, cultivating and managing relationships with schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), Local Authorities
- Working closely with Khulisa's Head of Programmes and Participation to develop, implement and regularly review our schools engagement plan
- Developing and maintaining relationships with corporate partners to generate financial support, sponsorships, and other forms of engagement
- Maintaining a record of and report on partnership pipelines, engagement outcomes, and income forecasts and actuals
For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description below.
The post holder will be required to work from home permanently but be willing and able to easily travel to various locations across the London and the North West as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role and to engage with stakeholders and colleagues.
What we're looking for:
Abilities/Experience
- Experience of generating new partnership engagements from schools and/or other youth spaces and to secure their participation in social impact projects where resources are pooled.
- Ability to identify new opportunities for partnerships and initiate engagements, including knowing when to bring in senior colleagues to maximise the chance of success.
- Experience of manage multiple and diverse stakeholder groups, to recognise shared values, and secure commitment to joint-working.
- Experience of creating compelling digital presentations for a variety of audiences, using PowerPoint or similar software. • Ability to buy strongly into strategic objectives and reflect passion for Khulisa’s work with young people.
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as the job requires, and to travel.
- Commitment to inclusive, wellbeing-led approach to supporting young people.
Knowledge/Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and to engage others in a compelling manner to securer their ongoing interest.
- Deep understanding of the education sector, secondary schools in particular, and the factors that could contribute to young people becoming excluded or marginalised.
- Sound knowledge of the various stakeholders in the education sector, including the complexities of building relationships with multi-academy trusts and understanding of the relationship between schools and local authorities.
- Good understanding of the realities of delivery to young people and able to build the knowledge base necessary to engage others convincingly on the effectiveness of therapeutic practices in ensuring young people’s wellbeing.
- Advanced knowledge of safeguarding legislations, policies and practices relating to children and young people.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are actively looking to recruit a diversity of talent. We embrace, respect and value the difference in our employees and believe that we and our work is better for it. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that consists of fairness, dignity, and caring for everyone, and one that enables every employee to flourish and realise their potential.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MONDAY 21ST JULY AT 12 NOON
To apply, please submit a CV and Covering Letter, both of which should be no more than two pages, outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the role as laid out in the Job Description.
We advise candidates to review the attached Job Description and Person Specification prior to applying, to see if this role and organisation is a good fit for you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Interim Head of Finance & Operations
Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.
We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.
You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.
The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.
You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.
Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.
Main responsibilities and accountabilities
· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people.
· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.
· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.
· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.
· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.
· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis.
· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)
· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)
· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity.
· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets.
· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.
· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings.
· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise.
· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.
· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.
· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.
· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.
· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.
· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience
- Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
- Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
- Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
- Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
- Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
- Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
- Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
- Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
- Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
- Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
- Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
- Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
- Attention to detail
- Ability to present financial information to various audiences
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
- Honest and dependable
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
- Line management experience
- Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
- Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
- Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
- Degree in financial management or accounting
Full details are provided in the candidate pack
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)
28-35 hours per week. Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.
Permanent and remote. Travel to London required on an occasional basis
You will be rewarded with the following benefits:
· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.
· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.
· Flexible working
· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.
We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check.
Timetable
Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025
Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.