Directorate executive assistant jobs

JOB TITLE: Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

LOCATION: Flexible, with regular travel to London

RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive

DIRECT REPORTS: Senior Trusts & Grants Manager, Marketing Manager, Fundraising Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Full time, 35 hours per week

DURATION: SALARY / GRADE: £65,000 to £75,000 (dependent on experience) plus benefits

TEAM SIZE: 6 FTE (with growth plans of up to 12 fte by 2030)

JOB PROFILE

ABOUT ADOPTION UK

Adoption UK is the leading national voice for adoptive families. We exist to ensure that every child and young person who cannot grow up with their birth parents gets the right support at the right time – from childhood into adulthood.

Every year, thousands of children in the UK are adopted – most having experienced trauma, loss, or neglect. Adoption transforms their futures, but it is rarely the end of the story. Adoptive families face unique challenges: children struggling to trust, thrive in school, or feel safe; parents battling to secure the right support; young people navigating identity and belonging. Without the right help, too many families reach breaking point. Adoption UK is there to change this. We are a lifeline for families – offering community, advice, advocacy, and practical support. We champion their voices with government and professionals, driving changes in policy and practice so that no adoptive family feels they are facing the journey alone.

With over 6,000 members, strong credibility with policymakers, and a powerful lived experience community, we are uniquely placed to influence change. Our mission is urgent and nationally significant: to ensure that every adoptive family can thrive, and every adopted child has the chance to fulfil their potential.

DIRECTORATE PURPOSE

The Fundraising, Marketing and Communications directorate is responsible for:

• Income generation across trusts and foundations, corporates, major donors, community fundraising, public donations, and legacies, alongside relationships with commissioners and public sector funders.

• Partnership development, engaging businesses, philanthropists, trusts, and volunteers.

• Marketing of services and membership to families, adoptees, commissioners, and professionals in health, education, and social care.

• Awareness raising and thought leadership, ensuring adoption and permanence issues have a strong voice nationally.

Currently a team of six, the directorate has strong ambitions to grow in size and scope, with scope to re-imagine its structure to meet future needs.

THE ROLE

This is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of fundraising, marketing and communications at a charity of national importance.

As Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications you will:

• Build unrestricted income in a competitive funding environment

• Lead the transformation of Adoption UK’s income model, scaling from £500k to £2m+ contribution (by 2030) to organisational income growth from a £4.2m baseline.

• Develop and deliver a bold, integrated fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy.

• Build Adoption UK’s brand and profile with families, adoptees, commissioners, policymakers, funders, and the wider public.

• Inspire, coach, and grow a talented team, embedding a culture of confidence, creativity, and innovation.

• Personally cultivate and steward high-value donor, corporate, and foundation relationships, working with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and ambassadors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the design and delivery of a multi-year fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities.

• Act as a cultural change leader, shifting from risk-averse to confident, outward-facing engagement.

• Contribute fully to the Senior Leadership Team, influencing strategy, governance, and financial planning.

Income Growth & Diversification

• Oversee all voluntary income streams – trusts, major donors, corporates, community/public fundraising, legacies – while also strengthening public sector and commissioning relationships.

• Oversee marketing and growth of membership as a core element of income and impact.

• Deliver long-term growth targets.

• Use and promote data-driven decision-making, supporter journeys, and digital fundraising/marketing effectively.

• Design and deliver a signature annual Showcase event, alongside new products such as a Giving Circle and Corporate Club, ensuring clear ROI and upgrade potential.

• Personally lead cultivation of transformational donor and partner relationships, supported by trustees, ambassadors, and patrons.

• Identify and test new funding streams and partnerships to diversify income and reduce risk.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy covering fundraising, membership, services, training, campaigns, and advocacy.

• Ensure a compelling and consistent case for support and brand identity across all channels.

• Raise Adoption UK’s national profile with media, commissioners, professionals, and the public.

• Lead digital transformation: CRM upgrade, supporter journeys, analytics, social media, and digital marketing.

• Manage media relations and reputation, including crisis communications alongside the CEO.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, inspire, and grow a team of talented and motivated individuals.

• Model authentic, adaptive, and inclusive leadership – balancing ambition with staff wellbeing.

• Act as a coach and mentor, supporting professional growth and building the next generation of leaders.

• Champion Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and embed values-led behaviours across the team and all external engagement.

• Foster cross-organisational collaboration so fundraising and marketing are understood and supported across Adoption UK.

Financial & Governance

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and ROI analysis for the directorate.

• Report regularly to CEO and Board of Trustees on progress, opportunities, and risks.

• Lead fundraising due-diligence and reputational risk processes, with regular reporting to Trustee-led committees (e.g. Finance & Risk).

• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Code, GDPR, charity law, and safeguarding standards.

• Embed robust CRM, data, and analytics to support continuous improvement.

External Engagement

• Act as a visible ambassador for Adoption UK with donors, corporates, trusts and foundations, policymakers, and media.

• In collaboration with the CEO and Chair, direct ambassadors and patrons to open doors, advocate, and steward transformational relationships.

• Represent Adoption UK externally at events, forums, and national platforms.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Significant experience leading multi-stream fundraising, with success in at least two of: trusts, corporates, major donors, public fundraising.

• Experience developing marketing and communications strategies beyond fundraising – including brand, service promotion, membership, campaigns, and digital engagement.

• Track record of delivering growth, innovation, or transformation in income and/or organisational profile.

• Strong people leadership skills: ability to coach, inspire, and develop staff, including senior managers.

• Exceptional relationship-builder – credible with philanthropists, corporates, trustees, commissioners, and media.

• Strategic thinker with financial acumen (budgets, ROI, investment planning).

• Authentic communicator with excellent storytelling ability.

• Commitment to Adoption UK’s mission and values, with an inclusive and collaborative leadership style.

• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

• Contributes to an open and honest culture

• Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

• Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

• Leads by example.

• Values transparency and consistency.

• Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

• Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

• Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

• Shares skills and knowledge.

• Promotes Cross Functional team working.

• Offers outstanding service to members.

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

• Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

• Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

• Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

• Takes pride in own development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

• Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

Desirable

• Experience in child welfare, family support, education, or adoption.

• Evidence of leading digital transformation in fundraising, marketing, or CRM.

• Existing networks in philanthropy, corporate CSR/ESG, or foundations relevant to Adoption UK’s mission.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

The Opportunity

This is more than a fundraising role — it is an opportunity to lead transformational change for a cause of national importance. You will:

• Shape and lead a directorate spanning fundraising, marketing, and communications.

• Deliver transformational income growth and secure Adoption UK’s sustainability.

• Build Adoption UK’s brand and reputation as the national champion for adoptive families.

• Market services, membership, and campaigns so more families and professionals engage with our work.

• Lead cultural change, inspiring a confident, outward-facing, and innovative fundraising and marketing function.

Few roles offer such scope to combine fundraising growth, brand leadership, and culture change in a mission of such national importance. This is your chance to make a lasting impact – on Adoption UK, on your career, and on thousands of children and families across the UK.

Timetable:

The closing date for this role is 20th October 2025. However, Adoption UK reserves the right to end the application period sooner so we would recommend you complete the application form as soon as possible.

Shortlisting will be carried out on 22 to 24 October 2025 and you should be notified of an outcome within fifteen working days of the closing date.

The panel will shortlist based on those applicants who best meet the criteria for the role.

The date(s) scheduled for first interviews will be 3rd November 2025. These dates may be subject to change and applications will be advised in advance should this happen.

About Penumbra Mental Health

Penumbra Mental Health is a pioneering charity providing dedicated services for people with mild to serious and enduring mental ill health. 

The charity supports people on their journey to better mental health, by working with each person to find their own way forward. The power of people’s lived experience enables Penumbra to deliver pioneering services which transform lives.

From being there for people in crisis to suicide prevention, supported living to self-harm management and peer support. Penumbra is with those they support every step of their journey to a better place. People's experiences are at the centre of everything that it does.   It also pro-actively champions peer workers; they know that recovery is possible, because they’ve been there too.

The value of Penumbra's approach is a deep understanding that  everyone’s journey is different, so it works with people to identify, believe in, and reach their goals, whatever they may be. 

This is a newly created role which is part of a recharged Business Development Directorate aimed at developing a range of potential income streams and building a sustainable income model, reducing the dependency on statutory income. 

Background information

The Director of Business Development is primarily focussed on growing commercial opportunities and engaging at a strategic partnership and corporate level. The Head of Fundraising and Communications will boost the capacity and leadership of the team to develop voluntary fundraising, lead on smaller corporate partnerships, develop grants and trusts income, create and deliver headline grabbing campaigns that appeal to the wider public thereby developing an individual giving function and lead on organisational communications, including fundraising comms. You will be supported by a Communications Assistant who has a good knowledge of the charity and Fundraising Assistant. The latter post is currently vacant and, it is hoped,  the Head of Fundraising will be involved in the recruitment. There is a strong pipeline of innovative projects which will create compelling cases for support with which to fundraise. The assets are in place, it just takes an exceptional fundraiser to capitalise on opportunities. 

Job description 

Education

• A relevant professional qualification at SCQF Level 9 or above or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means.

Experience

• Experience in both fundraising (multiple and sustainable income streams) and communications(fundraising and organisation-wide), with evidence of developing strategy and delivery as well as management and leadership of these areas.

• Proven success in securing  income through a range of income channels including grants and trusts, partnerships, running campaigns, and raising profile.

• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on activity delivery.

• A track record of planning and delivering successful multiple and sustainable initiatives at a local and national level.

• Excellent writing, storytelling, and communication skills across multiple channels.

• Experience of working with and supporting senior leaders (e.g. comms, media engagement).

• Strong organisational skills, able to juggle multiple projects with limited resources.

• Line management experience and ability to support junior staff in development.

• Experience  of developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy managing both internal communications and external engagement, ensuring a unified voice across all platforms. This includes ensuring the Communications strategy supports Penumbra’s strategic goals, including service promotion, policy influence, fundraising, and brand awareness.

• Experience of managing projects from inception to completion.

• Sourcing and sharing powerful stories from service users, staff, and volunteers, using personal experiences to demonstrate the impact of Penumbra’s work and humanise mental health issues.

• Acting as Penumbra’s lead for media relations, securing press coverage and responding to media enquiries in a timely, professional manner. This includes developing relationships with key journalists, mental health advocates, and influencers to increase Penumbra’s profile. Leading on the creation and delivery of public-facing campaigns to raise awareness of mental health challenges and reduce stigma, including high-profile events like Mental Health Awareness Week.

Knowledge

• Understanding of the voluntary sector, fundraising regulatory frameworks, communications and policy context and partnership agendas.

• Oversee content creation across digital platforms, press releases, speeches, and internal communications.

• Develop and oversee brand guidelines, ensuring all internal and external materials are on-brand and adhere to the highest standards of quality.

• Distribute press releases, statements, and opinion pieces that showcase Penumbra’s expertise and impact on mental health in Scotland.

• Design and implement multi-channel fundraising campaigns targeting major donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and community partners.

• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, data protection and financial compliance.

How to apply

Closing date: Closing date is midnight, Wednesday 15th October 2025

Application: Please submit a CV and covering letter (each no more than two pages) in Word format.

Interviews: Interviews will take place in Edinburgh on Thursday 30th October 2025. Please keep this date free unless I inform you that you are not progressing to interview. 

Queries: If you would like to ask me anything about this role which is not expressed within this candidate pack, please e-mail me and we can arrange a mutually convenient time to talk. I'd be delighted to speak to you. 

£34,300 - £37,300 per year

Fixed term (12 months), full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office

What the job involves

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and it’s harming too many lives. At Prostate Cancer UK, one of our top priorities is funding research that leads to real change. It’s vital we do our best to make sure this research makes a meaningful difference to men’s lives, and that’s where you come in.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Senior Research Officer to help us deliver our funding schemes and patient and public involvement work.  This role sits in the Research Funding Team and will provide us with additional support during an exciting time while we implement a new grants management system. You’ll work across all our grant funding schemes, ensuring we are following best practise in research funding.

You’ll take responsibility for a small portfolio of active research grants, providing support and guidance to the researchers leading them. You’ll be a main point of contact for grant applicants, supporting them as they apply to us and will be responsible for running peer review. Using your understanding of research funding and administration, you’ll help make sure our funding schemes run smoothly and to time. You’ll work with colleagues to support patient and public involvement in research both in our review process and through our Patient Representative Network who help researchers make sure their work is focussed on the needs of men with prostate cancer.

This role is a fixed term to cover an internal secondment for 12 months.

What we want from you

We’re looking for a Senior Research Officer who is passionate about research and has a desire to develop knowledge of prostate cancer. You’ll hold a biomedical degree (or a degree in a related subject), or with equivalent experience gained in research funding, administration or the wider research sector.

You’ll already have a good grasp of how grant funding works and, ideally, some experience of research administration and peer review. Confidence in interpreting complex scientific information is important, as you’ll be using this knowledge to find the right people to peer review the grant applications that are submitted to our schemes.

You're also an accurate record keeper with a keen eye for detail and excellent time management skills. You're assured and clear in your communication, both written and verbal, and you're able to respond to a wide range of inquiries from researchers while always adhering to data protection and confidentiality best practices.  Experience of using Symplectic’s Grant Tracker would be an advantage but is not essential.

We encourage applications from candidates who may not completely fit the job description as we are fully committed to help colleagues develop and progress in their role.

Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.

Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.

We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.

Ways of working

Our hybrid working approach combines the best of flexible working – a positive work/life balance, inclusive and accessible platforms, and online information at our fingertips.

Next steps
More information on what we offer, as well as the role, can be found on our vacancies page. Please download our job profile document (job description) with our ‘How to apply’ section sharing the key points to refer to in your application and to apply, please visit the website via the apply button.

The closing date is Sunday 26th October 2025.  Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.

Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of Monday 3rd November 2025.

Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.

We are recruiting for a People Business Partner to join our team in People and Culture 

Job Title: People Business Partner

Location: Homeworking with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London)
Salary: £40,080 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement including London weighting allowance) 

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We’re looking for a dynamic People Business Partner to join our People & Culture team. This is a pivotal role in delivering responsive, inclusive and customer focused people services that empower our colleagues and support Refuge’s strategic objectives. 

As a People Business Partner, you’ll work closely with designated teams across Refuge, providing expert HR advice and support on employee relations, recruitment, and organisational change. You’ll lead and develop the HR Coordinator, ensuring high-quality service delivery and compliance with policies and legislation. You will analyse and interpret data and information to inform decision making. Your work will help shape a positive employee experience and contribute to making Refuge a great place to work. 

You’ll be an experienced HR professional with a strong track record in employee relations and recruitment. You’ll bring a proactive, solutions focused approach and be confident in coaching managers and making change. You’ll be passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and have a good understanding of employment law and HR best practice. 

Closing Date: 09:00 am 23 October 2025

Interview Date: 30 and 31 October 2025

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Sessional Youth Worker (Oasis Community Hub Hadley)

Hours: Flexible

Contract: Sessional

Hourly Rate: £13.98 per hour

Oasis Community Hub Hadley encompasses a variety of integrated and diverse community projects which together have a common aim to bring transformation to the whole person and the whole community. 

Oasis Community Hub Hadley is looking to recruit a Sessional Youth Worker to join the Oasis Youth & Community Team.

Our team offer a wide variety of Youth Work activities that promote the development of young people, including open access youth club sessions, holiday clubs, mentoring, sports activities as well as targeted support. Training will be given. 

Key responsibilities will include:

- Working as part of a team be responsible for supporting on activities for young people within a number of sites in which we operate, including Oasis Academy Enfield, Oasis Academy Hadley, Ponders End Youth Centre and Bell Lane Youth Centre as arranged. 

- Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all young people accessing our projects.

- Leading on activities that support the holistic development of young people.

You could be successful in this role if you: 

· Are committed and passionate about working with young people.

· Have enthusiasm and work positively and inclusively with others.

· Enjoy working within a team setting.

· Are available to work evenings and unsociable hours.

· We are particularly interested in individuals will skills or interests that they can bring to their work with young people, leading projects or activities where relevant.

This role is a challenging but very rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable young members of society who are living in challenging circumstances. 

If you are interested in this position, please email a CV and covering letter detailing why you feel you are suitable for this role.If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers to application, please let us know.

This is a rolling vacancy and if successful you will be invited in for an interview.

As this is a sessional position, we are unable to guarantee working hours.

 The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889