Directorate support officer jobs in City of london, england
WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
A rare opportunity to lead communications and brand for one of the UK’s leading education trusts.
As Head of Communications and Brand at the Harris Federation, you will shape and protect our public profile, leading strategic communications, marketing and media activity across a network of 55 academies.
Reporting to the CEO, you will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, driving brand consistency, overseeing high impact campaigns, and leading digital, PR and internal communications to support pupil recruitment, staff attraction and organisational growth. You will also build and lead a high performing MarComms function and manage external agency partnerships.
This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll bring the Harris story to life - showcasing our impact, strengthening our reputation, and helping us navigate sector challenges with clarity and credibility.
If you are a senior communications leader with a strong track record in brand, digital and stakeholder engagement, and are passionate about making a difference to young people’s futures - we’d love to hear from you.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Leadership & Executive Advisory
- Develop and lead the Federation’s external communications and brand strategy at the highest level, ensuring coherence across all academies and central services.
- Act as an adviser to the CEO and executive team on internal and external communications.
Brand Leadership
- Own and embed the Federation’s brand identity, values, and visual standards across all academies and external channels.
- Own and embed brand guidelines, tone of voice, and messaging across all channels to ensure consistency.
External Campaigns & Growth Marketing
- Create comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that align with the Federations aims and increase brand awareness.
- Own and develop high impact external campaigns to support pupil recruitment, reputation and trust building, staff recruitment (in collaboration with Talent Acquisition), and new academy expansions.
MarComms Directorate Leadership
- Build and lead a high performing Marketing & Communications Directorate.
- Set long-term capability requirements and lead workforce planning as the function scales.
For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media or related field.
- Professional Marketing qualification (CIM or equivalent)
- Evidence of CPD in digital marketing, SEO, or communications.
- Significant experience in marketing, communications, or digital strategy.
- Experience managing brand identity and external communications
- Experience in education, charity or public sector.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing, SEO, Analytics, and social media best practice.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Strong design awareness and understanding of visual identity.
- Proficiency with CMS platforms, social media tools, and analytics software.
For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.
Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.
A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.
We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
- 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
- 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
- Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.
Thank you!
We are seeking a Head of Governance reporting into our Chief of staff and leading a team of four, comprising two Senior Governance Officers and two Governance Officers.
This is an exciting opportunity to join The National Lottery Community Fund in a pivotal leadership role, where you will be given the opportunity to shape and strengthen governance function and frameworks while providing expert support to executives, non-executives, and the Board.
As a trusted advisor to the Chair, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring robust governance, compliance, and assurance in line with our regulatory requirements. You will lead a skilled team delivering strategic governance oversight in a modern, agile way that supports the whole organisation.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape governance at a senior level within a purpose-driven organisation. You will work alongside senior leaders and stakeholders, influence strategic direction, and lead meaningful improvements that make a lasting impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop all areas of governance across the Fund, ensuring efficient, effective, and compliant practices.
- Provide strategic governance oversight, driving consistency and harmonisation across committees and decision-making forums.
- Act as a proactive and trusted advisor to the Chair of the Board.
- Oversee governance support for UK-wide and England-based decision-making bodies, simplifying and improving ways of working.
- Manage a complex cycle of governance meetings, ensuring excellence in delivery and decision-making support.
- Lead the appointment, induction, and development of non-executive members.
- Build and lead a high-performing governance team, fostering development, coaching, and continuous improvement.
- Work closely with the sponsor government department and lead governance improvement initiatives aligned to our One Fund ambition.
- Contribute strategically as part of the Directorate leadership team, supporting corporate planning and taking collective responsibility for staff.
About You
You are an experienced and influential governance leader with a track record of delivering strategic oversight and driving organisational improvement. You bring:
- Significant experience leading a governance function within a complex or public sector organisation.
- Proven ability to streamline processes and strengthen governance assurance.
- Experience providing strategic, proactive support to senior executives and Boards.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislative frameworks (including the National Lottery Act and Public Sector Equality Duty).
- Expertise in delivering governance improvements through harmonisation and matrix working.
- A strong people leadership background, with experience coaching and developing high-performing teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills and a commitment to outstanding customer service.
Interview details:
- Date: Week Commencing 6 July 2026
- Format: Online
- Location: UK Wide
The role can be based at any of our UK offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Newtown.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the recruitment team
For any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.
How to apply:
Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.
Essential Criteria
- Proven leadership experience of a governance function within a complex, regulated or public sector organisation.
- Demonstrable expertise in governance frameworks and compliance, with the ability to ensure adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Significant experience advising senior executives and Boards, including acting as a trusted and proactive strategic advisor.
- Strong track record of improving governance practices, including streamlining processes and driving consistency across committees or decision making bodies.
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, including the National Lottery Act and Public Sector Equality Duty (or equivalent regulatory frameworks).
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with a focus on coaching, mentoring, and building capability.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders, including government departments.
- Excellent organisational and operational skills, including managing complex governance cycles, delivering high quality outputs, and ensuring attention to detail and assurance.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.
We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)
Non Charity Employer
501 - 1000
It starts with community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Funding and Compliance Lead
Starting Salary: £55,479 (outside London); £58,983 (London-based). Plus 3.6% increase following successful completion of probation period.
Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility – so please ask)
Location: London-based role with expectation of hybrid working from our London office
About Lloyds Bank Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place – personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong.
We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger.
We back people and communities across England and Wales to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen.
About the Role
This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the Foundation delivers high-quality, transparent and equitable funding practices across its work.
As Funding and Compliance Lead, you will lead the end-to-end funding and compliance function, bringing together assessment, contract management, risk and grant management to ensure decisions are robust, proportionate and aligned with regulatory and sector standards.
You will play a critical role in strengthening systems and ways of working, improving consistency, quality and the experience of applicants and funded partners. Working closely across the organisation, you will ensure that funding and compliance activity is aligned with our strategy and supports effective delivery of community-led change.
You will also lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced and collaborative leader with strong expertise in grant management, compliance and risk. You will bring a track record of delivering high-quality funding processes, alongside experience of improving systems and ways of working.
You will be confident navigating complexity, balancing rigour with pragmatism, and ensuring that processes are both robust and accessible. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to use data and insight to inform decisions are essential.
You will also be an effective people manager, able to support and develop others while creating a positive and inclusive team culture. A strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and the Foundation’s values is key.
How to Apply
Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply.
For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the contact information provided in the candidate pack.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview.
More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address.
Key Dates
Closing Date: Midday, Monday 15th June
First Interview: Thursday 25th June 2026
Second Interview: Monday 6th July 2026
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We support small, local and specialist charities across England and Wales.
