Directorate support officer jobs in City of london, england

ShareAction is an independent charity and an expert on responsible investment. We work to build a world where the financial system services our planet and its people. We set ambitious standards for how financial institutions, through their investment decisions, can protect our planet and its people and campaign for this approach to become the norm. We convene shareholders to collectively push companies to tackle the climate crisis, protect nature, improve workers’ rights and shape healthier societies. In the UK and EU, we advocate for financial regulation that has society’s best interests at its core.

What you’ll do

This role sits at the centre of ShareAction’s five-year strategy for the period 2026–2031. As Programme Lead for Responsible Investment Standards (RIS), you’ll steward one of our most strategically important programmes – defining, defending and advancing the standards that underpin responsible investment and driving leadership among pension funds, ensuring the programme contributes directly to the organisation’s three strategic shifts: durable rules, asset-owner accountability, and public legitimacy.

Asset owners, such as pension funds, sit at the top of the investment chain, controlling the retirement savings of millions of people. How they invest that capital – and how they hold their fund managers to account on risks like climate change – shapes whether the system serves people and planet. Your work will help push pension funds towards genuine leadership and towards stronger laws and confident regulation across the UK and EU.

It’s a varied role spanning policy advocacy, direct engagement with asset owners, coalition-building and research. Early priorities include activating asset owners as system stewards and delivering our flagship benchmark of global asset managers. You’ll also work closely with colleagues developing new work to strengthen the voice of pension savers, ensuring the millions of working people whose retirement incomes are at stake stay at the heart of everything we do.

You’ll join a cohort of senior Programme Leads – spanning Energy Transition, Health and Pension Saver Power – helping to embed ShareAction’s new programmatic way of working. You’ll report to the Director of Investment Standards & Policy, working closely with the wider Leadership Team, including the CEO, COO and Director of Campaigns & Communications.

On the strategy side, you’ll set the direction for campaigns that influence investors, companies and policymakers, with clear change goals and a strong theory of change behind them. You’ll hold strategic oversight of the whole RIS portfolio, build a shared framework for planning and measuring impact, and report regularly to the Leadership Team on how things are progressing. You’ll also lead the programme’s evolution in line with our 2026–2031 strategy and make sure RIS acts as the organisational hub for responsible investment standards – working closely with our thematic programmes and the Pension Saver Team to keep everything joined up.

Funding is a big part of the role, too. You’ll take the lead on securing funds for the programme, working closely with the Director of Investment Standards & Policy and our Fundraising Team, and you’ll build and manage funder relationships directly, supporting Directors and the CEO on the bigger, cross-programme funder conversations. You’ll also represent ShareAction externally – at events, in the media, and in the rooms where the debate gets shaped.

Day to day, you’ll oversee delivery of the whole programme portfolio, holding responsibility for its objectives and outputs. At the heart of this is our Investor Engagement and Research Team, which you’ll lead directly – overseeing everything from benchmarking the asset management industry to publishing research and guidance for asset owners, building the relationships that strive up standards, and providing secretariat support for our CRIN and RINU networks. You’ll keep an eye on risk across the portfolio and work closely with peers across ShareAction’s Extended Leadership Team to keep it all well coordinated.

You’ll take overall responsibility for the programme’s financial performance, working with programme staff to manage budgets that flex in line with fundraising income. On the people side, you’ll directly manage five members of staff and oversee the work of 12 more, building a team culture that’s healthy, inclusive and genuinely supportive. You’ll also matrix manage colleagues across the wider portfolio and share learning and best practice to build consistency across programmes – including shaping how ShareAction approaches research governance more broadly.

We’ll also look to you to stay on top of best practice across communications, campaigns, policy, research and investor engagement and to keep pace with political, commercial and sector developments – including horizon-scanning on emerging themes like AI, bondholder stewardship and pension governance, so RIS is always ahead of the debate, and coordinating engagement with investors across the organisation.

You’ll work closely with other Programme Leads, the Leadership Team, and stakeholders including asset owners, asset managers and funders – using your skills to influence real change in how the financial system serves people and the planet. If this role sounds like something that would build on your current skillset and engage you, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll bring to the team

We’re looking for someone with:

• A proven track record of leading complex programmes or portfolios that influence the choices of decision-makers. These should be programmes that integrate a range of disciplines and levers, ideally in a not-for-profit or campaigning context.
• Broad subject matter expertise across relevant campaigns or thematic areas and the ability to hold strategic oversight across multiple topics.
• Knowledge of the pensions industry: how it works and what incentivises pension funds to take action.
• Experience leading bid development and managing funder relationships, with a track record of securing significant funding.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including developing senior-level relationships.
• Experience leading and developing teams, including through matrix management of structures, and creating cohesive, healthy and supportive team cultures.
• The ability to develop and communicate strategy clearly, connecting programme-level work to organisational priorities.
• Excellent project and programme management skills, including designing consistent frameworks in fast-moving, contested contexts.
• Strong financial management skills, including managing complex, flexible budgets.
• The ability to translate strategy into actionable plans in contexts where there might be no tried and tested playbook, with enthusiasm for innovation and confidence in leading others through change.
• Some understanding of responsible investment standards, stewardship, and the political and regulatory landscape shaping investor behaviour in the UK and EU.

It would also be great if you have:

• Experience as a lead spokesperson in an advocacy context, through public speaking or media engagement.
• Experience leading and/or running high-profile campaigns that mobilise diverse stakeholders, including investors, civil society and policymakers.
• Experience using external communications and media as a tool for change.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks in a programme or portfolio context.
• Experience conducting and overseeing large research projects.

While we hope we'll find someone with the majority of these skills and experience, we're keen to hear from you even if you don't have them all. We appreciate lots of skills are transferable, and we welcome opportunities to explore different ways of achieving our goals.

We have a formal hybrid working policy in place. As this role involves regular engagement with London-based stakeholders, you can expect regular time in our Aldgate office (typically at least once or twice a week), alongside the flexibility to work in a way that suits you.

What we will do for you

We are a fast-paced organisation that has grown substantially over the past few years. We recognise that our people work hard to advocate for responsible investment and drive meaningful engagement with those who have the power to create a brighter future. Every day, they bring their expertise, passion and persistence to build a world where the financial system serves our people and planet. We want to ensure we provide the right environment for our colleagues to thrive, and we are committed to improving our employee offer where possible.

Currently, we are pleased to offer:

• A commitment to flexible working: over 60% of our employees have some sort of flexible working arrangement in place.
• Hybrid working: we are committed to supporting our staff to work in a way that suits their lifestyle and meets the requirements of their role.
• Internal promotion and development opportunities: we offer a range of ways to improve your skills and focus on what you love, including promotion, secondment or sideways development opportunities. For some levels of roles, we also offer direct progression.
• The opportunity to help make a difference: we tackle some of the world’s biggest social and environmental challenges. We offer opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience in a friendly, flexible and supportive working environment.
• A unionised work environment: our staff have the opportunity to join the union and are supported by our recognised union, Unite. We regularly consult and negotiate with our employees on workplace matters ranging from working conditions to pay.
• Regular in-person meetings, including all-staff away days, retreats and directorate strategy days to create connected teams.
• 8% non-contributory pension invested with NEST and their green funds.
• A healthcare plan with Bupa.
• An employee assistance programme: advice and support, lifestyle discounts and short-term counselling.
• Death in service cover of 3x salary.
• 25 days’ annual leave (increasing with length of service) plus office closure at the end of the year, ensuring everyone gets time to switch off together.
• Enhanced family leave pay: up to 18 weeks paid at 90% for either parent.
• Enhanced sick pay: starting at 5 weeks’ full pay from day 1.
• Season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9.00 am on Monday, 24th August 2026.
First-round interviews: w/c 31st August 2026 (online).
Second-round interviews: w/c 14th September 2026 (in person at our London office). 

To be considered for this post, you must be legally eligible to work in the UK; unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Salary: £49,100 per annum

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Closing date: 16 August 2026 at 11pm

Interview date: 24-25 August 2026

We are recruiting for two Interim Senior Programme Development Specialists:

· 5-month fixed term contract (from 21 September 2026 – 28 February 2027)

· 6-month fixed term contract (from 15 September 2026 – 15 March 2027)

Please specify in your application form which fixed term contract role you are applying for.

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

Do you want to play a key role in an experienced and passionate team supporting and shaping CARE International UK’s portfolio? Join the Programme Funding Team! The team shapes our restricted programme portfolio by securing funding from UK-based institutional donors, trusts and foundations, multilaterals and in some cases private sector donors.

The Senior Programme Development Specialist leads the design of complex proposals – including bids £20m+ and FCDO commercial contracts. They also play a vital role ensuring quality bid submissions to a variety of donors, aligning with CARE international UK’s impact objectives, in particular gender justice and local leadership. 

About the role

As the Senior Programme Development Specialist, you will manage a pipeline of institutional funding opportunities and be responsible for securing a significant proportion of CIUK’s restricted income. You will work in partnership with CARE country offices, national and international partners, finance colleagues, and technical advisory teams to identify, scope, bid for and secure new funding for programmes through both grant and commercial contract modalities. You will deliver a high-quality bidding process, submitting applications to funders such as FCDO, DEC, START Fund, Education Cannot Wait, Jersey Overseas Aid Committee, and Power of Nutrition. You will build learning from existing CARE programmes into bid design and design programmes in line with CARE policies and standards, as well as donor standards.

About you

You are a passionate and experienced funding specialist, with a proven track record in fundraising from key UK donors – including solid experience of commercial bidding and FCDO frameworks, trusts and foundations and corporate donors. You will have the ability to lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams during proposal preparation, working with partners and colleagues in multiple locations. You have experience in and very good understanding of programme design and meeting institutional and corporate donor requirements. You have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. You are capable of building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders; you are a positive collaborator and a strong team player.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit theUK Government's guidance on right to work. 

Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be foundhere.

Safeguarding 

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to: 

· Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in theInter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here).In line with this Scheme, we willrequest information from successful applicants’ previous employersabout any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment,or incidents under investigationwhen the applicant left employment.

· Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Equality and Diversity

We are committed toEquality and value Diversity. We are aDisability Confident Employerand particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to the HR Team.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.