Director of supporter communities and groups jobs

Lead a national charity at a pivotal moment of change and make a life‑changing impact for individuals and families affected by rare craniofacial conditions. 

Headlines Craniofacial Support is a UK-based charity providing information, advice and support to individuals and families affected by craniosynostosis and other rare craniofacial conditions.  The charity works closely with professional partners, including the 5 NHS Designated Specialist Craniofacial Units across the UK.

Craniosynostosis is a condition where two or more of the plates in the skull fuse prematurely, requiring medical support from a young age. Around 350 children are born with craniosynostosis each year in the UK.

Established by group of parents in 1993, Headlines now has over 2,500 members.  Within our charity offer we send out regular newsletters and an annual magazine, Headline News.  We also support families to connect through events such as an annual Family Weekend, conferences and Days Out, and provide information through our helpline and access to psychological support.  We have private social media groups and specific groups within our membership who meet regularly including Cranio Dads, Young Persons Network and a Teens Group.

After 8 successful years, our current Director will be retiring in 2026 and we are now seeking an enthusiastic, inspirational and proactive individual to take up the reins.This is a rare opportunity to lead a well-established, respected national charity at an important moment of transition.

Strategic priorities for us, moving forward, include increasing our fundraising activities to ensure sustainability of the charity alongside the smooth running of our core activities in providing support, facilitating research and raising awareness.

Key responsibilities

The Executive Director will hold day-to-day responsibilities, working closely with the Chair and Trustee Board to provide effective leadership and operational management of the charity. Specifically, they will:

• Act as an ambassador for the charity, liaising with members, health professionals and with wider community and provide day-to-day management of Headlines staff and activities, setting objectives in line with the operational plan.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection and other legal, statutory and regulatory requirements and responsibilities.
• Work on behalf of and with the Trustees to deliver the charity’s mission, goals, operational plans and long-term strategy,  and act as a positive leader and role model, managing and motivating Headlines staff,
• Ensure effective financial management of Headlines working closely with trustees and the treasurer to ensure financial security and appropriate allocation of funds.
• Manage and enhance the event programme to meet charity objectives, including identifying and meeting members’ priorities and raising awareness of craniofacial conditions.
• Develop opportunities for collaborative working and partnerships with other organisations for the benefit of people with craniosynostosis and rare craniofacial conditions.  This also includes work overseas, predominantly in Europe with our medical and charity partners.
• Oversee communications and marketing activities to raise the profile of Headlines, its work and the needs of its members.
• Identify opportunities for growth, developing projects and keeping policies relevant, to enhance and expand the work of Headlines.
• Be responsible for generating funds through innovative and cost-effective fundraising activities and grant applications to maintain the long-term success of the charity.

Person specification 

Essential criteria

• An understanding of the importance of the charity’s values and priorities.
• Evidence of inclusive, innovative and proactive leadership, with demonstrable experience of fundraising and income generation.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with experience organising events and activities.
• Experience of successfully managing budgets and developing new and sustainable funding streams.
• Excellent organisational, presentation and communication skills and the ability to write reports for public consumption and for statutory obligations.
• A high level of digital literacy skills with an understanding of online technology and the application of social media.
• Proven track record in managing, leading and motivating staff and volunteers.
• Willingness to operate a hybrid model of working with most work taking place from home, working remotely with stakeholders and across the UK/ internationally for specific events.
• Experience of working within the charity sector, ideally at a management level and/or within  financial management of the charitable sector, with sound knowledge of the relevant legal requirements and regulations applicable to a charitable organisation.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working effectively with a Chair and Board of Trustees.
• Experience of working for a health-related organisation.
• An awareness of the principles of inclusivity, accessibility or experience of working with individuals with visible differences.
• Degree or equivalent.
• Experience of commissioning research and liaising with research bodies.

Other information

Headlines hosts events and fundraising activities throughout the whole of the UK. All Headlines staff are expected to work flexibly to support those activities as required, e.g. attendance at Annual Family Weekend, conferences, member events, supporter receptions and other related scientific meetings and conferences. This may occasionally require travel and overnight stays. In addition, all staff are expected to be self-servicing in terms of administration and basic digital skills. Please note that the list of duties is not exhaustive and additional responsibilities might occasionally arise and the workload can vary across the year

JOB DESCRIPTION
Fundraising and supporter engagement

• Engage and support individuals, communities and local businesses to fundraise for Duchenne UK, providing outstanding stewardship and care throughout their journey.
• Recruit participants for both ‘run your own’ and third-party challenge events (runs, cycles, walks, skydives, etc.), developing long-term relationships with supporters – including families directly connected to the Duchenne community.
• Manage and grow Duchenne UK’s community fundraising programme, including in-memory giving, birthday fundraisers, and local community initiatives.
• Respond promptly to fundraising enquiries and proactively inspire new audiences to get involved.
• Project-manage a calendar of third-party challenge events, overseeing logistics, communications, and participant stewardship from sign-up through to completion.
• Identify and develop new community and virtual event opportunities to grow income and reach new audiences.
• Recruit, support, and motivate volunteers to assist with events and community fundraising activity.
• Work with the communications team to promote events and community fundraising across digital channels and social media.
• Identify and cultivate supporters with potential for deeper engagement or major giving.
• Represent Duchenne UK at events, community gatherings, and external meetings to raise awareness of the charity’s work 

Internal processes and support

• Track supporter activity and income, monitoring performance against agreed KPIs and reporting regularly to the Director of Income Generation
• Collaborate with the Communications team? To develop compelling fundraising toolkits, resources, and materials to empower supporters to fundraise effectively.
• Lead on CRM database management for community and events fundraising, maintaining accurate and up-to-date supporter records, ensuring GDPR compliance, and developing processes that improve data quality across the team.
• Ensure all fundraising activity is delivered in line with relevant legislation, including UK charity law and Fundraising Regulator guidance.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential experience:

• At least 2 years’ experience in a fundraising, events, or community engagement role within the charity sector.
• A proven track record of meeting income targets and growing a supporter base.
• Experience engaging and supporting a diverse range of fundraisers including individuals, schools, community groups, and local businesses.
• Experience recruiting, supporting, and motivating volunteers.

Essential skills and attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a wide range of supporters.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Confident using a CRM database and Microsoft Office suite; experience with online fundraising platforms (e.g. JustGiving, Enthuse).
• Understanding of UK charity law, GDPR, and Fundraising Regulator best practice.
• A proactive, creative, and solutions-focused approach to fundraising.
• A genuine empathy with Duchenne UK’s mission and the communities we serve.

Desirable experience:

• Experience in a health, rare disease, or neurodisability charity.
• Experience managing third-party or mass participation challenge events.

Desirable skills:

• Experience using social media for fundraising promotion and community building.
• Familiarity with GDPR compliance in a fundraising context.

Join Kingston Hospital as our new Director to lead a well-established NHS charity and drive forward both fundraising income and impact for Kingston & Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Friday 26th June.

Who we are

Kingston Hospital Charity is the dedicated charity for Kingston & Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. Working closely with clinicians and teams across Kingston Hospital and local community services, we raise and steward charitable funds to enhance care and the experience of patients and their loved ones—above and beyond what NHS funding alone can provide. Our support helps create welcoming, healing environments, invest in innovation and technology, and strengthen staff wellbeing and development so that exceptional care can be delivered every day. Relaunched in 2017, the charity brings together grateful patients and families, community groups, businesses, trusts and philanthropists who want to make a tangible difference for local healthcare.

About the role

The Charity Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for Kingston Hospital Charity. Reporting to the Board, the postholder will lead the charity’s growth, profile and impact, ensuring charitable income is maximised to enhance patient care, staff wellbeing and innovation beyond core NHS funding. There is a real focus on securing major gifts to successfully deliver trust strategic priorities and other funding opportunities as well as expanding the charities’ reach and impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting and delivering the charity’s long-term vision and strategy
• Leading income generation across fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy and grant funding
• Building strong relationships with clinicians, NHS trust leadership, donors and community stakeholders
• Ensuring excellent governance, financial stewardship and regulatory compliance
• Leading and developing a high-performing charity team
• Acting as a senior ambassador and advocate for the charity locally and regionally

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a senior fundraising leader to lead a small but ambitious charity team and drive income growth. You will need:

• Senior leadership experience in charities, fundraising or a relevant sector
• A strong track record of income growth and strategic development
• Experience in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals
• Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Credibility operating at the Board and executive level
• Commercial acumen combined with a strong values-led approach
• Passion for improving healthcare outcomes and patient experience

This role offers a high-impact opportunity to shape the future of a well-established NHS charity and make a tangible difference to local health services.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 26th June.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please visit the Peridot Partners page and contact our advising consultants.

The Wesley Hotel is a progressive hospitality brand based in the London Borough of Camden. Known for our commitment to sustainability and community, we leverage both ethical practices and innovative technology to enhance guest experiences. As a social enterprise, our profits support charitable activities, reinforcing our mission to provide meaningful hospitality services. The Methodist Church of Britain is the owner of The Wesley Hotel in Euston and Camden.

The Vacancy

We are seeking two exceptional individuals to join our Board as a Non-Executive Directors (NED) and help guide the organisation’s strategic direction. The successful candidate must meet the statutory duties outlined in the Companies Act 2006, including acting within the company’s powers, promoting its success, exercising independent judgement, and upholding the highest standards of care, skill, and integrity.

Board Directors must avoid conflicts of interest, declare relevant interests, and maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

If you are committed to strong governance and ethical leadership, we welcome your application. Additional information on directors’ duties is available from Companies House.

Key Responsibilities

Non-Executive Directors are expected to contribute across the following areas:

• Strategy: Support and constructively challenge long-term strategic direction
• Performance: Monitor and scrutinise Executive performance against objectives
• Risk: Ensure effective systems for identifying and managing risk
• Accountability: Promote clear responsibilities and strong internal controls;
• Governance: Uphold high standards of corporate governance and Board effectiveness

Director are expected to contribute to smaller working groups comprising both Board members and senior executives.

Values and Ethos

While the company is owned by the Methodist Church, Non-Executive Directors are not required to be members of the Church. However, candidates with suitable experience and who are in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Methodist Church are encouraged to apply, including first-time NED applicants.

Please note that while The Wesley manages the formal recruitment process, the final appointment decision rests with the Methodist Church in Britain.

Any appointment will be subject to approval by the Trustees of the Methodist Church, who act as the Company’s shareholder.

About You

We are seeking two candidates with senior-level experience and strong governance capability. While a range of professional backgrounds will be considered, we are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in finance, IT/cyber security, legal, HR, risk, property, or communications. Experience within the hospitality sector is highly desirable. Above all, candidates must demonstrate the ability to operate effectively as Non-Executive Directors, providing independent judgement, strategic insight, and constructive challenge.

Successful candidates will be able to provide independent oversight, constructive challenge, and strategic guidance to the Board, ensuring the long-term success, sustainability, and effective governance of the company. The Non-Executive Director will contribute to Board decision-making, uphold high standards of corporate governance, and support the Executive Team in delivering agreed objectives.

Remuneration

Non-Executive Directors receive a monthly fee based on an estimated commitment of 24 days per annum, remunerated at a rate of £375 per day. Reasonable, pre-approved expenses incurred in the course of fulfilling the role will also be reimbursed.

Informal Enquiries

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Pragya Pant, Head of HR & People Development at Direct:+44 (0)207 691 8554 and email the HR department.

Closing date :  Friday, 24 July 2026

Shortlisting date: by 21 August 2026

Interviews date:  September and October 2026 (Dates TBC)

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if sufficient applications are received.

Executive Director, Customer Services

Cambridge

£102,500 per annum 

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished and values-driven leader to join CHS Group (Cambridge Housing Society) as our new Executive Director, Customer Services, following the retirement of the current postholder.

Mission and ambition

CHS Group is an independent charitable housing association and social enterprise serving Cambridge and Cambridgeshire. We provide affordable rented and shared ownership homes, housing with care for older people, supported housing, and a range of community services that help people build stability, independence and opportunity. We currently own and manage over 3,000 homes across the county.

Founded in 1927, our mission to meet the need for affordable homes in and around Cambridge is as relevant and urgent today as it has ever been. As a locally rooted organisation, we combine strong community connections with the ambition to deliver high-quality homes and services that enable people to flourish.

CHS is a well-led, financially strong organisation with the highest governance and viability ratings of G1/V1. We are ambitious for our customers and place them at the heart of everything we do, building on well-established tenant engagement and a strong commitment to listening, learning and improving. With the development of a new Corporate Plan, ongoing digital development, and a clear focus on service excellence, this is an exciting time to join us and lead and shape the next phase of our housing management and customer services, while also overseeing complaints and our small development team.

The person we need

Our new Executive Director will bring:

• A strong track record of strategic leadership in housing management and customer services within a regulated environment, delivering excellent outcomes and building a high-performance, customer-focused culture.
• In-depth expertise in housing legislation, tenancy law, safeguarding, and the regulatory framework for social housing.
• Proven success in improving customer satisfaction, service accessibility, and operational performance through effective use of data, insight, and service design.
• Experience of leading high-quality complaint handling, embedding learning, and using insight to drive service improvement.
• Experience of leading digital and process change that enhances the customer experience and improves organisational effectiveness.
• The ambition, judgement, and partnership skills to evolve services, inspire colleagues, and help deliver our new Corporate Plan.
• Ofqual-regulated level 5 qualification in housing management / foundation degree (or equivalent). 

A credible and collaborative leader, you will bring the communication skills, presence and emotional intelligence to build strong relationships with the Board, colleagues, tenants and partners. You will also demonstrate the integrity, values and personal qualities that reflect CHS’s culture and ways of working.

Deadline for applications:  5pm Sunday, 14th June 2026

Interview dates: Friday, 3rd July 2026

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10 year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Location: Based in our London office – we are open to flexible working options, but expect to be in the office 2 days per week

About the role

Ivy Rock Partners are proud to be partnering with Crisis in their recruitment of a Director of Finance. The Director of Finance is responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, ensuring the long-term financial sustainability and resilience of the charity. You will lead financial strategy, governance, planning, reporting and control across a complex organisation with multiple income streams including fundraising, retail operations and charitable/service delivery activities.

The role will also lead a significant programme of finance transformation, including implementation of a new finance system to support organisational efficiency, insight and future growth.

Key Duties:

• Lead the development of the charity’s long-term financial strategy and annual financial planning process.
• Provide strategic financial advice and commercial insight to the SLT and Board of Trustees
• Lead the organisation’s finance transformation agenda, driving continuous improvement in financial processes, systems and ways of working.
• Lead financial appraisal of major projects, investments and transformation programmes.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management processes.
• Lead external audit and year-end processes.
• Lead, motivate and develop the finance team.

About you

We are looking for a strong financial leader, who can lead through change, build strong and collaborative relationships across the organisation, and ensure that the team are able to deliver the financial management needed.

• Experience of senior financial leadership experience within a complex organisation.
• Experience of working with Boards, Committees and senior stakeholders.
• Experience of leading finance systems or transformation projects.
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Applicants from all sectors are encouraged to apply. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in the charity, housing, public, or not-for-profit sectors, as well as commercial-sector candidates who can demonstrate a strong understanding of, and commitment to, the charity sector.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly and more!

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

Ivy Rock Partners is managing the process for this recruitment on behalf of Crisis. For further information, please apply or contact Holly Arrowsmith at Ivy Rock Partners for further details.

Closing date: Monday 22 June 2026, at 23:59pm
Interview date: W/C 29th June - Main panel and stakeholder panel interview

• Hours: 37.5 per week 

• Salary: £57,000 per annum 

• Contract: Permanent 

• Location: Our office, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB 

• Deadline for applications: Monday 15th June, 12 Noon 

• Job Interview Date: Monday 29th June 

The Director of Finance, Corporate Services & Income is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring Advonet is financially sustainable, well-run and resilient. The role provides strategic financial leadership, oversight of corporate services, and a significant focus on income generation and diversification.  

This role plays a critical part in strengthening Advonet’s long-term viability by improving financial decision‑making, embedding a culture of income awareness and diversification, and enabling managers and teams to contribute confidently to business development activity.  

Apply now

To find out more about this vacancy, please download our Recruitment Pack from our website. It has information on what the role involves, including key responsibilities and a person specification. There is also more about what working for Advonet is like, as well as information on our values and the benefits on offer.

To apply for this job we require a cover letter (max 500 words) and a CV diversity monitoring form. You can find more details about this in the Recruitment Pack.

For any questions about the role, please contact our office and ask to speak to Angela Ellis CEO.

Executive Director

Lead the next chapter of a growing organisation championing East and Southeast Asian communities across the UK.

We're looking for an experienced, values-driven leader to shape SEEAC's future, strengthen our impact, and help build a more equitable and representative society.

The Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) is a community-led organisation working to amplify East and Southeast Asian voices, strengthen cultural identity and representation, and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of ESEA communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SEEAC at a pivotal moment in our development. As Executive Director, you will provide strategic leadership across the organisation, working closely with our Board, staff, partners and communities to deliver our mission and ensure long-term sustainability.

You will lead organisational strategy, fundraising, partnerships, governance and operations, while acting as a visible and inspiring ambassador for SEEAC's work. The role offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of the organisation and help expand our reach, influence and impact.

About You

We're looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with collaborative leadership and a strong commitment to social justice.

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within the charity, cultural, community or non-profit sector

• A strong track record in fundraising and income generation

• Experience overseeing organisational strategy, governance and financial management

• Excellent relationship-building and partnership skills

• The ability to inspire teams, stakeholders and supporters

• A passion for community empowerment, representation and equity

Experience working with East and Southeast Asian communities is highly desirable, though we welcome applications from candidates with transferable leadership experience who share our values and vision.

What We Offer

• Salary up to £50,000 FTE (pro rata, depending on experience)

• Part-time role (0.8 FTE / 4 days per week)

• Hybrid working arrangements

• Flexible working practices

• Pension contributions

• 28 days annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata)

• A unique opportunity to lead a respected and growing community organisation

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A CV (maximum 3 pages)

• A cover letter outlining how your experience meets the essential criteria

Applications close at 9:00am on 19 June.

We particularly welcome applications from people of East and Southeast Asian heritage and from groups currently underrepresented in leadership positions.

The Centre for Progressive Change is looking for a Safe Sick Pay Campaign Director that will be part of the newly formed Executive Team. This is an exciting time to be joining the campaign, as we capitalise on our successes so far and plan for our next big policy gain - increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay.

This role will be in charge of the Safe Sick Pay campaign including the strategy to see an increase in the rate of Statutory Sick Pay, fundraising to implement the strategy, hiring campaign team members, supporting the team to implement the strategy, holding the key stakeholder relationships, driving the campaign, and delivering parts of the campaign where needed.

As a member of the Executive Team, they will be part of the team responsible for the strategy, structure, team, culture and finances of the organisation.

Responsible to: Executive Director

Location: Office in Sustainable Ventures, Waterloo, London

Salary: £66,000 - £76,000 starting salary based on experience

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Working Rhythm: We work in sprints - working for about 6-7 weeks and then taking time off during the Parliamentary recesses. We offer 40-days of annual leave (including bank holidays).

Closing date and time: Monday 15th June, 9am

Please see the job pack for full details of the role, interview process and more information about The Centre for Progressive Change.

Room to Heal is a human rights charity and therapeutic community based in London. We support people who have survived torture and organised violence to rebuild their lives in exile, through an integrated programme of therapeutic and casework assistance. We offer a range of activities including: therapeutic support groups, gardening, individual therapy and casework, cooking and social gatherings, and therapeutic retreats.

We are looking for a Co-Director who will:

• ensure the overall financial sustainability of the charity through fundraising and financial strategy and management;
• work with the Co-Director, Chair and Board to ensure appropriate governance and legal compliance;
• continue to raise the profile of RtH and its work, establishing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including public, private and voluntary partners;
• develop and implement strategic priorities, goals and objectives to achieve Room to Heal’s (RtH) vision

YMCA DownsLink Group (YMCA DLG) is the leading charity supporting children and young people across Sussex and Surrey through safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice. Following a significant period of organisational stabilisation and transformation, we are now entering an ambitious new phase focused on growth, influence and deepening our impact.

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Mental Health and Advice to join our Executive Team and lead our counselling and specialist support and advice services for children and young people. This is a strategically important leadership role with responsibility for community and schools counselling, specialist youth advice and sexual exploitation services, safeguarding, service quality and contract growth across a complex and evolving operational landscape.

You will bring visible leadership across services, strengthen partnerships with commissioners and local authorities, and help shape the future of mental health and advice support for children and young people across the region. Alongside this, you will help lead the organisation as a whole, contributing to long-term sustainability, growth and strategic direction.

This appointment forms part of a wider strengthening of YMCA DLG’s Executive Team, alongside the recruitment of a second Director role, as the organisation enters its next phase of growth and impact. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation at a pivotal moment and help shape what comes next.

Peridot Partners are supporting us with the recruitment of this role. When you click 'Redirect to Recruiter' you will be redirected to the full job advert and how to apply on the Peridot Partners website.

Closing date: 9 am Tuesday 30th June

We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader to relaunch and build the next phase of the UK Democracy Network: a national network that helps organisations working to strengthen democracy across the UK connect, collaborate and coordinate more effectively.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a growing national network. The Network already has strong foundations, sector backing, and three years of core funding secured. The next step is building it into an independent, trusted and influential organisation that helps the democracy sector work together more effectively.

About the Network

The Democracy Network exists to help make collaboration across the democracy sector more effective. It connects organisations, practitioners and professionals across the UK democracy ecosystem, helping to reduce duplication, strengthen relationships, share intelligence, and enable more coordinated collective action.

About the host organisations

The Network is jointly incubated by two organisations with deep roots in UK civic tech, democratic education, and sector-wide network building:

The Politics Project supports young people to use their voice by giving them access to brilliant democratic education. They work with young people, teachers, youth practitioners and politicians to help them learn about, teach and actively participate in democracy. The Politics Project also leads the Democracy Classroom Network, a sister network of over 100 organisations across the democracy, education and youth sectors which support over 3,500 teachers and youth practitioners to engage young people in democracy.

Democracy Club produces the most comprehensive election data in the UK. Established in 2010 and registered as a Community Interest Company in 2015, it runs the national polling station finder Where Do I Vote and candidate lookup service Who Can I Vote For, serving election information to millions of UK voters each year and supplying data to the Electoral Commission. Democracy Club brings a mailing list of 35,000, an active community of 1,200 volunteer contributors collaborating on election information, and strong digital and data expertise to the Network.

Our vision for the Network

Over the last year, we have carried out extensive consultation with members of the UK Democracy Network, the Network’s Steering Group and funders. Through this process, we have developed a new vision for the Network that is designed to reflect and support the diversity of the democracy sector, and the wide range of approaches, perspectives and organisations within it.

Our model is built around a series of smaller thematic, geographic and demographic-based “hubs” within the wider Network. These hubs will create spaces for organisations and individuals working on particular issues, in particular places, or with specific communities to collaborate more effectively, while remaining connected to the wider democracy ecosystem.

Alongside this, the Network will support stronger coordination and information sharing across the sector through activities such as a monthly bulletin, shared events, an annual conference and practical tools and databases that help partners collaborate more effectively.

Importantly, we want to build on and strengthen the excellent work that already exists across the democracy landscape, rather than duplicate it. Over time, we also hope the Network can help incubate and support new hubs and collaborations around emerging issues and opportunities within the democracy sector.

About the role

The Network will be delivered by a small core team: a Network Director (this role), a Network Manager (in post), and a Network Coordinator (to be recruited).

Our medium-term ambition is for the Network to become an independent organisation in its own right. We see this role as central to shaping that transition, with the successful candidate expected to lead the Network into its next phase as an independent organisation over the course of the grant period. 

Key responsibilities

The Network Director provides overall leadership of the Network and is responsible for its long-term sustainability and strategic direction. 

Specifically: 

• Strategic leadership. Set strategic direction for the Network in consultation with members, hosts and the Steering Group / Board.

• Represent the Network. In networking and fundraising events, high-level roundtables and in high-profile relationships with government, funders, media and sector leaders.

• Lead on fundraising. Develop relationships with major funders, alongside Harriet Andrews at The Politics Project, building a diversified, sustainable funding base.

• Oversee the Network's transition to an independent legal structure. Support the establishment of the Board, working with Harriet Andrews and Sym Roe to recruit members with a mix of professional expertise and elected network representatives.

• Build an inclusive, supportive team culture. Line manage the Network Manager and Network Coordinator.

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation. Lead reporting to funders, and support the annual review process with the team and Steering Group / Board.

Person specification

We are looking for a values-driven, experienced, strategic leader. They will have strong people and financial management skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across the democracy sector. They will be an excellent communicator, comfortable leading through complexity and change, and motivated by a commitment to strengthening UK democracy. 

The postholder will be expected to work in-office two days a week and attend regular in-person engagements in London.

Benefits

• 33 days’ annual leave pro rata, including Bank Holidays (with three days off between Christmas and New Year).

• 4% employer pension contribution.

• 2 working days / 15 hours of volunteer leave a year.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

Further information about the role and job specification can be found in the Candidate Recruitment Pack.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The UK democracy sector has historically been less diverse than the country it serves, and we want to help change that, starting with how we recruit. We particularly welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in democracy sector leadership, including people of colour, disabled people and people from working-class backgrounds.

How to apply

Please apply via charity job with the following:

• Your CV (no more than two pages).

• A supporting statement of no more than 500 words, setting out how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification and why you are drawn to this role.

The closing date is 11.30pm, Sunday 14th June 2026.

We will shortlist on the basis of the supporting statement against the person specification.

About Us

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition unites the voices of parents, children, providers, early years professionals and the wider business community, working together for investment and reform of early education and childcare in England.

We believe that we all benefit from a well-functioning early education system and we all have a role to play in ensuring it works for children, parents and the economy.

We are backed by some of the most high-profile campaign and research organisations in the UK. Our members include early years provider membership bodies, parent campaign groups, early childhood experts, trade unions, the business lobby, anti-poverty campaigners and NGOs. Together, we use our collective voice and research to build public and political support for early education and childcare. And it’s worked. Thanks to the dedication of our members, early years is one of the top priorities for the government’s Plan for Change.

But our work isn’t done – we have an ambitious agenda to ‘rescue and reform’ the system, ensuring that:

• Every child can access high-quality education and care that their parents can afford and that will support them to thrive
• Every provider is funded fairly for the places they offer
• Every early years professional is rewarded and recognised for the skilled work they do

This is an exciting time to join the Coalition. We have experienced significant growth in recent years and with early years firmly on the policy agenda, we expect this to continue.

We are now looking to appoint a Deputy Director to help steer that work and further drive the development of the Coalition. You will work closely with the Executive Director (ED) to lead our influencing work at the highest level, strengthening our policy platform, and ensuring we translate evidence into meaningful impact. At the same time, you will play a pivotal role in supporting a talented and experienced team and shape the continued growth of the Coalition as a charitable organisation.

About The Role

• Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week over 5 days. We may consider 4 days per week.
• Duration: Two-year contract, renewed subject to funding.
• Location: Home-working but based in or near London.

· Salary: £62,000 - £64,170 per annum FTE

We are a remote team, with most colleagues based outside London. This role requires regular access to Westminster, so you will need to be based in or within easy reach of London.

We work flexibly and understand the realities of balancing work with caring commitments. We trust you to manage your time but expect that most of your hours are worked within core office hours to fulfil the requirements of the role. To support fluent remote working, we require all staff to work on Thursdays.

This is a dual role, delivering our policy, engagement and public affairs strategy while also supporting the Executive Director to grow the Coalition as an organisation and movement. You will play a central role in shaping the Coalition’s strategy, culture and growth. This is a senior, outward-facing role, suited to someone who can think strategically, build influence at the highest levels, and remain hands-on within a small and ambitious team.

About You

You are a senior public affairs professional with a strong track record of strategic influencing and engagement to shape policy. You bring robust judgement and credibility and are motivated by the opportunity to deliver meaningful change in a high-profile policy area and may have experience on public-service reform.

You are equally comfortable setting direction and delivering through others as you are rolling up your sleeves to respond to fast-moving political developments. You are a confident relationship-builder who can operate effectively at senior levels, while working collaboratively across a diverse coalition.

You should have previous experience of managing functions and teams and working in senior leadership teams. Ideally you will be live to the challenges of working in a small, but high-impact national organisation and have experience of scaling teams and functions.

What You Can Expect To Be Doing

• Executive leadership
  This will include supporting the ED with key senior stakeholder relationships including funders, ministers and policymakers. You will be required to deputise for the ED during periods of leave or when directed to do so. This is a pivotal role which straddles the executive and senior leadership functions. Consequently, you will be expected to make decisions that balance multiple interests and help scale and grow the Coalition as a sustainable organisation.
• Lead the Coalition’s policy and influencing function
  Work with the Senior Leadership Team and Coalition members to turn evidence into clear, credible policy positions and priorities, ensuring members are aligned, informed and able to contribute.
• Develop and deliver a cross-party influencing strategy
  Building on the Coalition’s profile, you will further nurture and maintain relationships with MPs, peers, special advisers, civil servants and key stakeholders, ensuring strong reach across Westminster, local government and the wider policy community.
• Maximise key moments for impact
  Identify and respond to opportunities in the parliamentary and policy cycle to maximise influence, including producing briefings, consultation responses and submissions.
• Oversee policy-related events to support engagement
  Lead activity such as events, roundtables and party conference attendance to strengthen the Coalition’s visibility and impact.
• Align policy, public affairs, research and communications
  Work closely with the Head of Communications and Campaigns, and the Associate Director of Research to ensure a joined-up approach across research, influencing, media and campaigning.
• Represent the Coalition externally
  Act as a senior spokesperson at high-level meetings, events, and in the media where appropriate.
• Strengthen how we measure impact
  Work with the Executive Director to further develop our impact framework, improving how we track, evaluate and communicate influence.
• Lead and develop the team
  Provide support to team members, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of leading a team or working at executive/senior leadership levels where you have managed budgets and had to make decisions related to organisational effectiveness. This should also include demonstrable experience of building and nurturing teams that can deliver an organisational strategy.
• Proven experience leading influencing functions in an advocacy or policy environment and delivering change
• Experience turning research and insight into clear, credible and persuasive policy positions.
• Knowledge of system change approaches, ideally within public service reform or similar
• Knowledge of how Government, Parliament, Whitehall, political parties and the wider policy community operate, and how to navigate them effectively.
• Able to operate confidently in complex, fast-moving and politically sensitive environments, working across party lines with diplomacy.
• Demonstrable experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with politicians, advisers, officials and sector leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality briefings and representing organisations externally.
• Experience of supporting fundraising activities either through relationship-building or bid-writing.

Desirable

• Understanding of early education and childcare policy in England and the challenges currently facing the system.
• Experience working in or with coalitions, membership organisations or alliances.
• Proven ability to work flexibly as part of a small, remote team.

The application process

Please apply with a CV and cover letter (no more than two pages) by the listed closing date. No agencies please. We recognise that the use of AI technologies can be useful in reducing the work that goes into job-hunting, however, we kindly request that you use your cover letter to evidence that you have understood the requirements of the role and provide examples of how you can meet the criteria.

The EECC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We use anonymous recruiting during the application process and we use positive action under section 159 of the Equality Act in relation to disability or race. This means that if we have two candidates of equal merit in our process, we will seek to take forward the disabled or Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidate in order to diversify our staff team.

We regret that our small team does not have capacity to provide individual feedback on every application.

Recruitment timeline

• Closing date: 23:30, Thursday 11th June. 
• Notified for interview by: Tuesday 16th June
• Interviews: We expect this to be a two-stage interview process with first interviews held on either 24th or 25th June and second stage interviews arranged an agreed time.

In the event that we don't receive suitable applications, we may extend this deadline and timeline.

Help shape the future of a national charity making a difference across the UK 

At Volunteering Matters, we believe stronger communities start with people. Every day, we bring people together through volunteering to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing and create lasting social change in communities across the UK. 

As we deliver an ambitious new five-year strategy, we are looking for an exceptional Director of Financial Assurance with significant senior finance leadership experience to help shape our future sustainability, strengthen financial resilience and provide the strategic insight that enables confident, impactful decision-making. 

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership role with genuine influence across a national charity at a pivotal point in its journey. 

A strategic leadership role with real impact 

This new role is about providing the organisation with a clear, forward-looking financial picture, strengthening financial assurance, improving forecasting and helping ensure long-term sustainability in an increasingly complex funding environment. 

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Finance & Audit Committee, you will play a central role in helping the organisation navigate growth, investment, risk and opportunity. 

This role line manages the Finance Manager, ensuring strong operational finance while maintaining clear separation between operational delivery and independent oversight. 

Most importantly, you will be excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of a national charity that creates real impact in communities every day.   A

Why join Volunteering Matters? 

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with a clear social purpose, ambitious plans and a culture built around flexibility, inclusion and collaboration. 

We offer: 

• Flexible home-based working across the UK

• A senior leadership role with genuine strategic influence

• The chance to shape organisational sustainability and future growth

• A supportive and values-led culture

• Meaningful work that positively impacts communities across the UK

Our Values  

Everything we do is guided by our values: 

Empowering | Inclusive | Compassionate | Positive | Straightforward 

Disability Confident 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. 

 Diversity & Inclusion   

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.   

Benefits   

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer: 

• Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work)  

• Unlimited Annual Leave  

• Employee Pension scheme  

• Life Assurance  

• Cycle to Work Scheme  

• Season Ticket Loan  

• Employee Assistance Programme  

• Enhanced sick and family leave.   

• Lifestyle Discount Scheme   

We are also open to discussing job share applications.   

 GDPR Statement   

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.       

Policy on AI-Generated Applications  

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI.   

Interested? 

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.   

Right to Work in the UK 
Please note that while we hold a license to sponsor employees on a skilled worker visa, the number of applications we can make each year is very limited. Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship, therefore, you must already have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.