Education research manager jobs

Our Time Charity is seeking an experienced Development Manager to help grow and embed our early help and family mental health services across the UK.

This is a senior, outward-facing role focused on securing statutory income, developing high-quality tenders, and building strong relationships with local authorities, Family Hubs and strategic partners. A key priority will be positioning KidsTime Workshops as a recognised, commissioned early help offer within local authority family support systems.

Working closely with the CEO, you will identify high-impact opportunities, navigate commissioning processes, and help ensure more children affected by parental mental illness receive timely, preventative support.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in local authority commissioning, business development or statutory income generation, who understands early intervention and wants to use their skills to create lasting social impact.

To learn more about the role, responsibilities and how to apply, please download the full recruitment pack.

Role description:

We are excited to be seeking a talented and motivated individual to join Southampton Hospitals Charity as our Grants Manager.

This role will provide the right candidate with a rare opportunity to implement, embed and oversee the delivery of the Charity’s £2.5 million dedicated grant programmes from pre to post award.

Covering four programmes (Patient Care, Research & Development, Clinical Innovation and Staff Education & Improvement), the post holder will be responsible for managing circa £2.5M of expenditure each year, ensuring they deliver impact for patients, staff and donors.

This is a unique opportunity to work within the hospital environment where the projects we fund are delivered, supporting clinical staff to access funding to directly improve patient care. You will be vital in cultivating these in-hospital relationships.

This role will be key, as continue our ambitious new strategy to grow our reach and impact, and this opportunity offers the right candidate the chance to implement new ways of working as part of the management team.

We are looking for a passionate individual with the drive to deliver this programme of work, but most important they will believe in the Charity’s mission and ensure that every aspect of our work supports its delivery.

Main responsibilities

Grant Management & Compliance

• Oversee the delivery of the charity’s dedicated grant programmes from pre to post award: Patient Care, Research & Development, Clinical Innovation and Staff Education & Improvement. The post holder will be responsible for circa £2.5M expenditure per annum ensuring they deliver impact for patients, staff and donors (grant values typically range from £2K to <£0.5M).
• Oversee the management of the charity's current grant portfolio; ensuring grants are delivered on time and in accordance with internal processes.
• Ensure compliance with financial obligations (inc. payments, reconciliations and audits) and regulatory obligations (inc. data management, grant award contracts, procurement).
• Ensure grant making processes reflects and champion current best practice.
• Develop and implement a Grants Advisory Committee.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with key stakeholders within University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust (UHS), including senior health professionals, executive team members, partners and beneficiaries.
• Work to embed the grants programmes within the hospital environment and work with UHS staff to support them in access funding through working within the hospital and regular visits to clinical areas.
• Act as primary liaison for the Charity’s grant making responsibilities, ensuring alignment with charitable objectives and 2024-2027 strategic mission 
• Provide support to Director of Operations and Resources and the Senior Leadership Team, fostering a collaborative approach to grant programme delivery in tandem with fundraising, communication and art programme goals.
• Represent the organisation at meetings, attending hospital site visits, events and other external facing activities as required.
• Implement hybrid applicant and grantee support functions (e.g. webinars, Q&A events, promotional events, annual learning events).

Strategic Planning & Funding Prioritisation

• Lead the development of the Charity’s grant-making function, working with internal and external stakeholders in identifying key funding priorities that align with the Charity’s mission and future goals.
• Develop strategies for allocating resources effectively and the ongoing review of grant programmes (aiming for continual improvement).
• Develop strategies for working in partnership with UHS for joint decision making, the effective management of capital awards and high value grant requests.
• Identify new grant opportunities and potential partnerships to diversify funding streams.
• Maximise grant impact by contributing to the business planning process.

Evaluation, Reporting & Impact

• Oversee processes for effective grant monitoring, reporting and analysis of grants portfolio.
• Develop and implement an evaluation framework for the charity’s grants programme, ensuring this is embedded and linked to organisation wide reporting mechanisms and measurable outcomes are achieved.
• Use data and insights to inform the continuous improvement of grant-making practices and programme development.
• Utilise information captured to promote grant programmes and support Fundraising and Communications Directorate.
• Support the Grants and Impact Officer.

General

• Support the line management and continuing professional development of the grants team.
• Ensure content and material is in line with Directorate of Fundraising and Communications for marketing, publications, website and social media responsibilities.
• Support the wider work of the organisation, contributing to all staff events/meetings as required.
• Support the Director of Operations and Resources in the preparation of necessary Trustee reports, annual reports and impact reports.
• Support EDI journey.

Knowledge and experience

• Substantial experience in grants management, within a relevant not-for-profit setting (e.g. healthcare charity). Post holder must be proficient with pre and post award responsibilities including assessment.
• Demonstrable track record of contributing to organisational strategy.
• Demonstrable track record of utilising grants management systems.
• Demonstrable track record of budget management.
• Proven ability in managing impact measurement of charitable programmes.
• Proven ability in Committee Management.

Skills, abilities, and behaviours

• Strong attention to detail.
• Financially proficient.
• IT proficient.
• Excellent problem solver.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking with excellent leadership skills and experience in managing and developing others.
• A passion for the Charity’s mission and a commitment to delivering high-impact programmes that enhances patient care.

Job Title: Operations Manager – Osborne Partnership

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (full time equivalent).

Salary: £53,508 dependent on qualifications

Responsible to: Chief Executive - Senior Management Team (SMT)

Responsible for: 4 x Senior Service Managers

3 x Service Managers

Responsible for the safe delivery and environment of the Osborne Centre (both Partners and staff) delivering a range of quality services for our Partners (service users) and ensuring that the management systems are in place and operational.

Qualification(s) Level: Applicants with Level(s) 5 Leadership & Management  Social Care/ Education/ Health (particularly with adults with learning disabilities) or similar qualifications (including degree equivalents or better), are especially welcome however we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and experience subject to expressly agreeing to upskill on the job and provided there is an evidentiary trail that can show evidence of a caring mentality and empathy with our service user group and or in a home care environment or other learning type institution.

Overall purpose:

To manage all aspects of the ‘Operations’ of Osborne Partnership and supporting the strategic development of the organisation alongside the Chief Executive to ensure a  fully functional and operational service for the overall benefit of our Partners (service users) day learning and support development as per the Charities aims and objectives of Education, Skills Attainment, and Employability Skills for adults with learning disabilities.  

To actively train and support Partners to gain independence skills, life skills, and other skills through a ‘mixed ability’ support service that includes supporting the training of Partners through formal qualifications (Entry level NVQ teaching & support), on the job training, and internal qualifications and benchmarks.

To ensure that the service is:

- Properly monitored and utilising an internal database for the recording of information (Storii);

- Delivered on the basis of an agreed organisational and service Scheme of Works/ Service Plan as well as Partner Individual Learning Plans (ILPs);

- Reviewing Partner progress on a quarterly basis showing ‘distance travelled’ by individual Partners;

- Serviced by managed, trained and motivated staff;

- Delivered under the highest standards of health & safety and safeguarding welfare for our Partners.

Role:

To develop, support and deliver the day to day operations of the Osborne Partnership, in partnership with other senior Managers, and Service Managers, with a particular focus on the quality agenda as it relates to Partner services, service development, benchmarking, and external accreditations. The role will ensure that Partner services are engaged in a cycle of continuous review and improvements and providing Service Managers with the tools and support to deliver the highest standards of service through building confidence and expertise, and identifying service and personal development training where appropriate.

Main Duties:

1. To support the development and best practice of all Osborne Partnership service areas to ensure relevant, meaningful, and objective focused delivery for Partners.

2. To work with the relevant Service Managers and Project Supoort Officers (PSOs) to review current service delivery and to provide an objective, supportive, but challenging voice in the development of services.

3. To benchmark Osborne Partnership services and delivery against similar services in the borough and wider afield.

4. Working with other senior managers, identify and action new service areas of delivery commensurate with the Osborne Partnership Memorandum and Articles of Association and subject to Partners consultation and approval.

5. To identify, research, and action plan frontline external accreditations that will provide a objectifiable list of outcomes that will support and benefit Partners; staff development; and the professional standing of the Osborne Partnership.

6. To support senior managers in the development and implementation of new policies and procedures as they may relate to updated legislation; new service provision; Partners welfare, safety and development; staff development and benefits; or any other relevant area of service.

7. To line manage (including appraisals) relevant Service Managers as leaders of services ensuring that they understand the concept of continuous improvement and are supporting Project Support Officers (PSOs) to do likewise.

8. To ensure that Service Managers have identified and developed service schemes of work, annual development training plans for Service Managers and their PSOs in line with continuous improvement principles and to ensure best practice activities for Partners.

9. To work with senior managers to identify and action activities/ services/ initiatives/ documents/ plans that will support the on-going professionalisation and modernisation agenda of the Osborne Partnership

10. To actively support other senior managers in the day to day delivery of the Osborne Centre service provision ensuring health and safety at work principles are adhered to; safeguarding of Partners is paramount; that staff are adequately prepped and prepared for delivery of their services; and that a professional service approach is adhered to at all times.

11. To be the primary development Officer of the Storri database as it relates to Osborne Partnership, information gathering (and mindful of GDPR), and Partmner journeys travelled in the service.

12. To identify personal development opportunities and requirements as dictated by the role.

13. Any other reasonable task as defined as a management role and directed from time to time by the Chief Executive. 

14. To undergo training necessary in relation to the requirements of the post.

15. To undertake any other duties consistent with the overall purpose of the post within the competence of the post holder.

N.B.   As the Osborne Partnership works with and supports vulnerable adults, all posts require post holders to be in possession of a current DBS clearance (formerly Criminal Records Bureau – (CRB).

Job Title:  Operations Manager

The following skills, experience and qualities are required for the position of Operations Manager:

ESSENTIAL

1. Demonstrable evidence of having caring qualities and empathy for our service users group either through direct employment experience or on a personal carers basis.

2. Experience of working with people with learning difficulties or in a wider social care setting or in a home environment (carer), or in a learning institution

3. Demonstrable experience of leading operational team(s), motivating colleagues, and communicating a service vision and an ability to facilitate the development of individuals and groups in a work context.

4. A flexible approach to the work situation sufficient to cope with a variety of tasks and situations.

5. A good general education, sufficient to communicate verbally in a clear manner, and to complete monitoring forms and write reports in a clear and concise manner.

DESIRABLE

1. Qualification in Leadership & Management at Level 5 (or above) and willingness to train in other areas relevant to working with vulnerable adults (see below).

2. Ability to break down tasks into achievable steps for an individual with learning difficulties.

3. Training/ qualification in areas relevant to working with vulnerable adults, e.g. Safeguarding, Lifting & Handling, more general Health & Safety, etc.

4. Knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Act, etc.

5. IT skills.

6. Full driving license.

We are looking for an exceptional, value-driven candidate who can hit the ground running as our Legal Education Officer, working closely with the Director and the rest of our small and dynamic Right to Remain team.

The person must be someone who understands the Right to Remain ethos and is prepared to bring their whole self to our organisation. Needless to say, the role requires an impeccable grasp of the asylum and immigration system and its operation on the ground, including how it impacts our community of people seeking asylum, refugees, migrants, their families, friends and allies. It requires an ability to help and guide our community to navigate the complex and hostile asylum and immigration system.

You will be working closely with the Director and the rest of our small and dynamic Right to Remain staff team: another Legal Education Officer based in Leeds (generally) covering the North, the Organiser based in Manchester leading our mighty These Walls Must Fall, and the Engagement Officer based in London. In particular, the post holder will be closely coordinating their work with another Legal Education Officer in Leeds. The post holder is also expected to be already embedded in the local and regional asylum and migration field, familiar with its dynamics and able to tap into their existing relationships and connections with local groups and actors. 

We are proud of Right to Remain’s unique and bold approach that really believes in collective power. We are focused on building knowledge, radical solidarity and the power of our community. We show up authentically at work and for our community, always giving our 100%. We are determined and calm amidst the crisis and chaos of the world. We know that now is not a ‘business as usual’ time, and we need to meet the moment as the anchor organisation for the migration justice movement. That comes with a lot of responsibility but we also carry it with lightness. We want our new team members to be similarly passionate, ambitious and compassionate. 

With the rest of the team, you will be responsible for maintaining, developing, and increasing usage of our highly popular and accessible resources about the asylum and immigration system, most notably the Right to Remain Toolkit. You will deliver interactive workshops on the legal system for people navigating that system as well as professionals and volunteers. You will engage with our network of community groups to ensure that we are apprised of developments on the ground and we are communicating important changes to these support groups. You will also work with the Director and other colleagues to develop and deliver specific public legal education projects, when necessary. You must have outstanding communication skills and the ability to engage with a wide range of audiences, in a manner that reflects Right to Remain’s mission and values. 

About the team

The Philanthropy & Partnerships Team at Impetus is high performing, experienced and ambitious, united by a shared commitment to achieving lasting change for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We combine deep fundraising expertise, strong sector insight and a clear focus on impact, working collaboratively to build partnerships that enable Impetus and our charity partners to succeed.

We are brave and curious in our pursuit of better outcomes, open to new perspectives and supportive of taking considered risks that help us learn and improve. We set high standards for ourselves and are evidence-led and results-driven for young people, with rigour and excellent execution underpinning our work across the full fundraising cycle.

We bring high trust and high challenge, building strong relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity and respect, while creating a safe environment for constructive challenge and accountability. We thrive through diversity, valuing difference in background, experience and thought, and we always seek collaboration, knowing that we will not achieve our mission alone.

Team members are trusted with responsibility and encouraged to take ownership of their work. You will be supported by skilled, engaged colleagues and challenged to grow in a team that values learning, reflection and continuous improvement.

Why work with us?

Working at Impetus means joining an organisation that is serious about impact and serious about people. Our values actively guide how we make decisions, how we work together and how we deliver change.

In the Philanthropy & Partnerships Team, you will:

• Be part of a high-performing and respected fundraising team
• Build meaningful, long-term relationships with thoughtful, impact-driven donors
• Develop your skills across the full fundraising cycle, supported by strong leadership
• Work on some of the charity sector’s most exciting and long-term partnerships
• See a clear connection between your work and improved outcomes for young people

If you are motivated by purpose, enjoy working to a high standard, and want to be part of a team that is ambitious about both impact and excellence, we would be delighted to hear from you.​

Harbi Jama,

Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships

About this role

The Philanthropy Manager will own an assigned portfolio of prospects and donors at five to six figure level and act as the day-to-day relationship manager within that portfolio.

The role plans and delivers cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activity to agreed KPIs, makes timely operational decisions within scope, and escalates risks/opportunities early.

The post holder contributes evidence and insight into team planning, supports senior colleagues on major/strategic accounts, and collaborates across teams to ensure high quality, inclusive delivery.

​Key responsibilities

• Own and manage an assigned portfolio of prospects and donors at the five to six figure level, delivering agreed income and engagement targets.
• Build and maintain professional, long-term relationships within the portfolio, escalating strategic issues or risks promptly.
• Act as the day-to-day relationship manager for donors in your portfolio, adapting style to audience and context and ensuring clear, timely communications; seek support for major strategic relationships.
• Maintain structured cultivation plans with milestones, update stakeholders proactively, and adjust plans based on learning.
• Develop clear, evidence-led proposals and reports using agreed templates, definitions and KPIs; quality check data before submission.
• Support senior colleagues on major prospects with briefings, meeting notes, and follow ups.
• Supporting Senior Philanthropy Managers, Development Directors and the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships on key accounts (typically £500k–£1m+), preparing high quality materials and inputs and maintaining accurate records of progress through the fundraising cycle in Salesforce.
• Contribute insights to identify and prioritise new grant opportunities and themes; share relevant sector updates with the team.
• Co-develop stewardship plans tailored to donor priorities in collaboration with Engagement, Pro Bono and Events teams.
• Maintain accurate, complete records in Salesforce; apply definitions consistently and quality check data before reporting.
• Maintain Salesforce and contribute inputs for SMT/committee reporting via the Senior Philanthropy Manager; propose lightweight improvements to existing processes.
• Keep professional knowledge current; share useful updates/resources and ensure compliance with relevant standards and legislation.
• Support delivery of major fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events, and ad-hoc Philanthropy Team activities.
• Demonstrate professionalism and best practice in all duties, complying with organisational policies and procedures, and proactively supporting the wider team.
• Model inclusive, professional behaviours; design inclusive meetings/interactions, act as an ally and challenge bias constructively while supporting the wider team.
• Share know‑how and peer‑coach officers/assistants, offering constructive feedback and supporting onboarding for new colleagues.
• ​Attend Impetus events to provide support to Philanthropy team.

​Person specification

​Essential​

• Demonstrable experience generating gifts at five to six figures from UK trusts, corporate partnerships and/or foundations.
• Ability to work through the fundraising cycle with donors to initiate, renew and grow gifts.
• Experience developing partnerships and managing an allocated portfolio of donor relationships.
• Excellent research and prospecting skills.
• Strong experience using Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint, and substantive experience using Salesforce or a comparable CRM.
• Strong planning and organisation skills – build structured plans with milestones/dependencies and track portfolio income/expenditure, highlighting variances early.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong bid-writing and storytelling ability.
• Ability to grasp and convey complex ideas, including Impetus’ model and the private equity industry.
• Able to engage confidently and professionally with senior stakeholders, adapting style and seeking support where appropriate.
• Ability to work well under pressure, meet tight deadlines, manage multiple projects and maintain excellent attention to detail.
• A commitment to Impetus’ mission
• Demonstrated inclusive practice in meetings/interactions, challenges bias constructively and acts as an ally to colleagues and young people.   

Desirable​

• Knowledge of the youth, education or employment sectors.
• Experience fundraising for grant makers, infrastructure organisations or intermediaries.
• Digital fundraising skills.
• Ability to think innovatively.

​​

​About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:  ​​

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school  

• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths 

• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment  ​

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life. ​​

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.​

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.​

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

​

Our Values​

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.​

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.​

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.​

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.​

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

​

​Our employee benefits ​

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

​

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.​

You will need to:​

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form)
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.​

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.​

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.​

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.​

The deadline for applications is Sunday 1st February 2026, 11:59pm.​

Interviews:​

1st Interviews will take place on Monday 9th - Tuesday 10th February 2026.​

2nd Interviews will take place on Tuesday 17th February 2026.​

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

​

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

About The Public Interest Law Centre

The Public Interest Law Centre exists to challenge unlawful state practice and systemic injustice through legal representation, strategic litigation, research and legal education. We specialise in public law, actions against public authorities and public inquiries, bringing cases to court for individuals and grassroots groups who have been treated unfairly.

We hold government and public bodies to account, challenge unlawful policies and practices, and promote access to justice for marginalised individuals and communities. We will not rest until we achieve a fairer and more equitable society.

About the Role

As Fundraising Manager, you will work closely with the Director to execute and implement PILC’s fundraising strategy, with a specific focus on trusts and foundations. You’ll be an experienced fundraiser with demonstrable experience in securing significant income from trusts and foundations. 

Position: Fundraising Manager 

Responsible to: Director

Location: Cambridge Health, London (E2) / Hybrid working - two days per week in the office

Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time), core hours of 10am–4pm

Salary: £40,013 per annum (pending RPI-linked cost-of-living uplift)

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a strong, strategic pipeline of trust and foundation prospects aligned with organisational priorities and funding needs.
• Grow PILC’s individual donor and supporter base.
• Work closely with the Director and project teams to translate power-building and legal work into clear, compelling funding propositions.
• Manage the full grants cycle, ensuring excellent stewardship and compliance with funder requirements.
• Cultivate new relationships with trusts and foundations and steward relationships with existing funders.
• Secure significant income from trusts and foundations, including multi-year and six-figure grants.
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with PILC’s Ethical Fundraising Policy and relevant regulations.

Annual leave and benefits

• We offer 25 days of holiday per year, plus additional time off over Christmas when our office closes
• A 7% employer pension contribution and option to join our Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am – 4pm
• Laptop and mobile phone
• Support and supervision
• Learning and development budget
• Access to our 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced support when you need it most, including enhanced maternity pay and sick pay

Please review the recruitment pack before applying which contains:

• Background information about PILC
• Information about the selection process
• A detailed role description and person specification
• Application form
• Equality & Diversity monitoring form

How to apply: Please submit your completed application form and equality and diversity monitoring form to the email address in the recruitment pack by the closing date: Friday 30 January 2026 at 12pm. 

Interviews will commence the week beginning 9 February 2026.

Please note, we do not accept CVs. 

Head of Water Safety and Education

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week, Monday to Friday)
ORGANISATION: Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)
DEPARTMENT: Membership and Education
LOCATION: Hybrid working, with three days a week at RLSS UK Headquarters, Worcester.
*This is negotiable, depending on the travel time of the successful candidate.
REPORTS TO: Director of Membership and Education
REPORTS: Education Manager
SALARY: £43,997.00 (Grade A)

JOB PURPOSE
To develop, lead, and oversee the delivery of RLSS UK’s Education Strategy, and represent the charity at strategic stakeholder meetings/events.

ROLE OVERVIEW
Early intervention and education is considered critical in the development and resilience of young people to encourage safe experiences. Water plays a vital role in the way we live our lives but it can also result in devastation if not treated with caution. Providing young people with the knowledge and skills to make safe decisions around water is empowering, profound and life-saving.

You will be a passionate and ambitious leader with the skills, knowledge and experience to drive forward this area of work in collaboration with RLSS UK team members across the organisation. You will have a dynamic approach with the ability to combine relationship management, stakeholder engagement, project management and operational oversight to ensure our work in this area aligns with our purpose, mission and vision and enables us to achieve our strategy.

In 2025 the Department for Education (DfE) agreed for the Water Safety Code to be integrated into the newly released Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance for schools in England. RLSS UK were part of a collaboration of various organisations, who campaigned for this important change which is due to be embedded into the curriculum from September 2026. This role will be pivotal to ensuring that RLSS UK’s voice and expertise is maintained in this educational delivery as well as putting in place robust KPIs to allow us to assess its ongoing impact.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Water Safety and Education
• Lead on the development of an ‘Education Strategy’ for RLSS UK that ensures that more young people have access to high quality water safety education
• Represent RLSS UK at wider forums and groups as our water safety and education expert and identify opportunities to increase our impact further
• Work with the Education Manager to develop and deliver education pilots and interventions that are informed by the ‘Education Strategy’
• Work closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to ensure that policy work blends seamlessly and consistently into our educational delivery
• Plan research and evaluation to inform future developments of RLSS UK’s education packages, ensuring that they are impactful and inclusive
• Extend the capability of the community to deliver water safety education, training volunteers, partners, and members to standardise the delivery of our education
• Work with the Education Manager to lead the growth of our education workforce so that RLSS UK is more visible in schools and youth settings across the UK and Ireland
• Work collaboratively with RLSS UK teams to raise awareness of our water safety and education offering and our impact
• Build relationships with those developing similar work in the education space to network and elicit best practices
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by complying with internal information governance policies and maintaining up to date records as part of RLSS UK’s compliance programme

Other Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead on and support ad hoc projects, as required
• Manage, mentor, and support the Education Manager
• Contribute to the successful operation of the charity by undertaking such other tasks as may from time to time be required, including all other duties associated with your role, as directed by your Line Manager
• To always demonstrate and uphold the Society’s values and behavioural standards
• Proactively participate in the Society’s equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and training, and to promote a culture of respect and inclusion for all staff and customers

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Relevant Experience, Skills and/or Aptitudes
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience of working in water safety and education
• Significant experience of working in a leadership role, ideally in a water safety or education organisation
• Experience of collecting research and insight to inform continued development
• Demonstrable experience of contribution to delivery of education strategy and policy
• Dynamic and proactive with the ability to generate innovative ideas and solve problems
• The capacity to lead groups, as well as be a participative member of them
• The ability to relate to, motivate and emphasise with a range of people from different backgrounds
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude
• Excellent at building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Excellent team player who works well under pressure and to deadlines
• Experience in line management, including developing and supporting direct reports to deliver the organisation’s objectives
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate persuasively to a wide range of audiences
• High levels of emotional intelligence
• Proficiency in MS Office applications
• Willingness and ability to travel as required for the role including occasional evenings and weekends

Desirable Relevant Experience, Skills and/or Aptitudes
• Knowledge and understanding of RLSS UK and its work in water safety education
• An understanding of the lifesaving, lifeguarding and water safety sector/communities

WHAT RLSS UK CAN OFFER YOU
RLSS UK is a national Charity based in Worcester, and we offer great staff benefits including -

• Annual Leave based on 27 days + Bank Holidays + a discretionary day off for your birthday
• Private Medical Scheme*
• Enhanced Society Sick Pay*
• Eye Care*
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Howdens Sports Benefits/Perks at Work
• Free RLSS UK Membership
• Free tea and coffee when working from HQ, including access to our wonderful Coffee Machine
• Free on-site parking when working from HQ
• Company Events and more!

*Subject to eligibility criteria

YOUR APPLICATION
Please send your CV and a Cover Letter outlining why you should join our Membership and Education team
Closing Date – 11.59pm, Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview Date – Monday 16th February 2026, at our Worcester Head Office (subject to change)

Should you wish to discuss the role, any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process, or have any questions, please get in touch where a member of the RLSS UK HR Department will be happy to help.

RLSS UK are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.

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Job Description
As the Operations and Visitor Experience Manager, you play a pivotal role at CSC, with full
responsibility for our Centre in Cambridge Science Park and our secondary site, currently in
Wisbech.
An essential part of your role is to drive CSC’s direct revenue streams connected to the Centre.
You will lead your team in generating public and school bookings, and in overseeing community
audiences, private hires, and other groups, ensuring every visitor enjoys a seamless and
welcoming experience. You will also take a proactive approach to increasing visitor numbers,
expanding CSC’s membership base, and researching and developing new revenue-generating
initiatives that strengthen our long-term sustainability.
Your expertise in creating and implementing exhibition spaces will be instrumental in bringing to
life our annual delivery calendar of science themes, which is strategically curated to attract and
engage our audiences while supporting the delivery of our Programmes. You will oversee an
annual budget covering the shop and site facilities.
You will work closely with the Outreach and Innovation Manager to prioritise, schedule, and
maintain products and content in line with CSC’s core Programmes and commitments, ensuring
impactful experiences for all audiences. In collaboration with the Marketing and Communications
Manager, you will plan and execute advertising campaigns targeting both the public and schools.
You will also coordinate with the Corporate Partnerships Manager to develop opportunities for
corporate partners to support on-site exhibitions and events, ensuring agreed partnerships are
effectively tracked and delivered.
Beyond operations, you will champion excellence in STEM engagement, providing both positive
and constructive feedback to the Engagement and Logistics Lead to ensure CSC’s offerings
remain best-in-class. This is an opportunity to shape the visitor experience at CSC, ensuring it
remains dynamic, inspiring, and accessible to all.
Key Responsibilities
● Create a welcoming and engaging environment for all visitors to our centres.
● Support and line-manage the Delivery and Sales Administrator and the Finance and
Operational Support Manager.
● Take overall responsibility for Health and Safety across CSC sites, ensuring full compliance
with requirements at both centres. Implement corrective actions where needed, and
oversee training and incident management to maintain a safe and well-managed
environment.
● Achieve annual direct income revenue targets across Visitors, Membership, Shop, Schools,
Parties, and STEMtots (under-fives), track progress, report findings, and take corrective
action as needed.
● Develop and implement strategies to increase visitor numbers and drive membership
growth.
● Research, plan, and execute new revenue projects to diversify CSC’s income streams.
● Oversee asset records, maintenance priorities, budgets, contractors, and expenditures
across the Cambridge and Wisbech sites, ensuring the effective sourcing and delivery of
third-party exhibits and content.
● Deliver an annual plan for exhibition-floor themes, events, and site management,
coordinating with the Outreach and Innovation Manager and the Engagement and Logistics
Lead to align activities with multi-year programmes, partner commitments, and internal
schedules such as training and exhibit maintenance.
● Establish a multi-layered feedback system to collect, analyse, and act on visitor insights,
continuously enhancing our offering.
● Oversee CSC’s volunteering and work experience programme, ensuring recruitment,
induction, and ongoing support are delivered to a high standard.
● Work with the Director of Business Development to identify and address barriers for
schools, supporting bursary applications and additional funding opportunities.
● In coordination with your team, ensure the shop is stocked with appropriate products to
maximise sales, support at-home engagement with STEM after a family visit and promote a
message of sustainability.
● Increase school bookings through strategic planning, aligning with schools’ annual planning
cycles, targeted outreach, and the effective delivery of engagement programmes.
● Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to plan and deliver advertising for
exhibitions, events, and school engagement, ensuring effective promotion of activities at
both the Cambridge and Wisbech centres.
● Manage the budget and oversee all contractors and expenditures related to the Cambridge
site and Wisbech.
● Provide financial support, working closely with the Director of Operations and Engagement
to ensure CSC’s operational sustainability.
Essential Criteria

Experience managing a visitor attraction, including responsibility for income targets and
cost control.
● A creative and engaging mindset, with a proven ability to work with a team to create
intriguing and popular spaces.
● A thorough and operational approach to planning, risk management, and the continuous
improvement of processes.
● Demonstrated success in increasing visitor numbers and driving membership growth
through strategic planning and effective execution.
● Experience in researching, planning, and delivering new revenue-generating projects.
● A strong track record of increasing school bookings through targeted outreach and strategic
programme design.
● Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety management, including experience in
leading compliance activity and training across multiple sites.
● Strong financial acumen, with the ability to support budgeting, forecasting, and operational
financial oversight
● Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
● A strong drive to deliver timely, high-quality outcomes in everything you do.
● Proven ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing priorities.
● A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
● A collaborative work ethic, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues and partners
across a wide range of projects.
● Competent and confident in using standard computer applications.
● Achieve a satisfactory enhanced DBS check
● Full clean driving license
● Confident in using IT platforms, databases, and digital communication tools.
Desirable Criteria
● A passion for staying up to date with worldwide developments in science, technology,
engineering, and maths.
● Experience in using spaces to support learning or community development.
● Knowledge of sustainability practices in operations and visitor engagement.
● Project management qualifications or equivalent experience.
● Experience with CRM systems and membership platforms
● Experience in science communication or in working with families, adults, and children.
● Strong customer service skills and experience.
● Level 3 or equivalent qualification in a STEM subject.
Working Conditions

The primary location for this role is Cambridge Science Centre at Trinity Centre, Cambridge
Science Park, CB4 0FN; however, travel to secondary sites and the main office will be required.
One working weekend per month will also be required.

About Us

Learning with Parents supports all families to have positive learning interactions together. We drive inclusive parental engagement by partnering with schools and leading the sector through learning what works.

By partnering with primary schools, we support thousands of families across the UK to enjoy learning together at home. Our child-led videos and hands-on family activities replace traditional homework. Through behavioural insight research, innovative technology and teacher training we ensure that as many families as possible are supported effectively.

We are working to improve parental engagement across the sector, by producing evidence of parents’ impact and generating insights into how schools can best support them. Learnings are disseminated through the Parental Engagement Forum and amplified through the Fair Education Alliance.

About the Role

One of Learning with Parents’ objectives over the next five years is to evidence how best to drive inclusive parental engagement. We are looking for an individual with experience in monitoring and evaluation to join our team. 

The Evaluation Manager will be responsible for evaluating our programmes to capture the impact we have, inform improvements internally and share insights externally. The role will begin with implementing an existing evaluation plan and develop into leading improvements and innovations in our evaluation strategy.  It will involve primary research, such as leading focus groups in schools, as well as analysis of quantitative and qualitative data generated by our platform and surveys of parents and teachers. It will also involve reporting this data and supporting others to do so. The Evaluation Manager will be responsible for maintaining tools and processes around evaluation and ensuring strong internal and external communications of findings. 

This is a role which involves extensive collaboration across different internal teams and with external stakeholders such as schools and funders.

Areas of Responsibility 

Evaluation design and planning 

• Improve, develop and innovate on existing evaluation strategies to better capture our impact and the voices of our stakeholders – school leaders, teachers, parents and children.

• Liaise with project leads to ensure that evaluation is planned into projects from the start.

• Liaise with the Programme Director to ensure evaluations are planned in tandem with strategic thinking about parent voice.

• Liaise with the fundraising team to ensure that reporting commitments to donors are planned into evaluations.

• Provide evaluation support with strategic partnerships.

• Collaborate with an external evaluator if appointed in future.

• Feed into future evaluation strategies. 

Primary research and conducting evaluations

• Analyse and present insights from platform data – both qualitative and quantitative.

• Conduct focus groups in schools and online with groups of parents, teachers or school leaders.

• Conduct individual case study interviews with parents and teachers or support other colleagues to do so. 

• Conduct evaluation activities with primary aged children in school.

• Analyse and write up collected data, including qualitative feedback from surveys, interview and focus group data. 

• With the schools team, manage the logistics for evaluation visits, such as arranging dates with schools and designing recruitment materials.

Processes and internal communication

• Maintain communication processes to ensure everyone is up to date and can access the information they need.

• Ensure project management software is kept up to date with details of evaluation activity. 

• Monitor and regularly report on progress in measuring our evaluation indicators. 

• Work with the Tech team to refine processes for managing data which adhere to UK GDPR and best practice in data management and ensure maximum usability of the data.

Evaluation tools and resources

• Develop or refine existing data collections tools. 

• Explore new opportunities and methodologies for capturing child voice and the voices of parents who may typically be underrepresented in research.

• Act as an inhouse technical resource to support the wider team with monitoring and evaluation-based queries 

• Review and routinely update supporting documents such as consent forms.

• Keep abreast of trends and innovations in the wider evaluation sector, identifying new opportunities and approaches for us to explore

Supporting Programme Evaluations

• Support the leads of individual projects to develop project level evaluation plans as required, ensuring that these are integrated into overarching plans, have a Theory of Change and adhere to ethics and data protection protocols.

• Develop or refine existing data collections tools to meet project needs and support with data collection, analysis and write up as required.

Dissemination

• Ensure that findings and learning from evaluations are consistently and robustly documented.

• Ensure evaluation findings are logged and shared internally to inform future programme design and development. 

• In partnership with the fundraising and communications team, create additional versions of evaluation reports for specific audiences. 

• In partnership with project leads, ensure feedback is shared with all stakeholders.

About You 

A successful Evaluation Manager will be able to work across multiple teams to ensure the quality and cohesion of evaluation work.  They will be committed to support the charity’s growth and impact. 

Our ideal candidate would also be able to provide examples of when they have used the following skills and experience: 

• Experience of research or evaluation, including using a range of data collection tools, analysing either qualitative or quantitative data (or both), report writing and sharing findings in a range of accessible and engaging formats.

• Experience designing evaluations and an understanding of the importance of adhering to ethics and data protection protocols. 

• Experience of managing projects which involve multiple stakeholders. 

• Excellent communication skills, in person and in writing. 

• Excellent attention to detail, whether in data analysis or written communication.

• Confidence working with a range of stakeholders, including children and families, and experience developing and maintaining relationships

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Interest in and understanding of educational inequality in the UK.

• A desire to champion and uphold our organisation’s vision, mission and values.

Our ideal candidate might also be able to provide examples of when they have used  some of the following skills and experience, although these are not essential: 

• Experience working in evaluation at another third sector organisation

• Experience working within the UK education system, either in schools or in other organisations working in the space such as charities or suppliers

• Familiarity with the primary school curriculum and current issues in the primary education sector.

• An understanding of the challenges of identifying and engaging families who are typically underrepresented in research.

• An understanding of the challenges of conducting evaluations in a busy school environment, why safeguarding is important in this context and how it may impact the design of evaluations based in schools.

Our Values 

Our Learning with Parents values are key to how we work and inform our strategy, programme, and how we collaborate.

Ambition - We strive do more for the families, schools and organisations we work with

Collaboration - We value the voices of others and achieve more by working together

Exploration - We are curious and seek evidence to inform our work

Innovation - We test, learn, adapt and embrace failure in our pursuit of progress

Integrity - We act responsibly and honestly, and default to transparency

Supportive environment - We work to create an environment which supports growth, belonging and wellbeing for everyone 

Benefits

We have a passionate team and supportive culture. We have supportive policies and offer a number of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave allowance (35 days, including bank holidays)

• Your birthday off and additional holiday reward for every year employed with us (up to five days pro rata)

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and family-related leave policy from day one

• Income protection in case of sickness

• Flexible working times

• Social events

• Environmental (Net Zero) Pension

• Cycle to work scheme

• Benefit Hub, including virtual GP and discount scheme

To Apply 

Submit a CV and answer the following questions through our site by Sunday 15th February:

• Why do you want to work for Learning with Parents? (no more than 300 words)

• Why do you want the role of Evaluation Manager? (no more than 300 words)

• What skills or experience do you have that would make you a good candidate for this role at Learning with Parents? (no more than 500 words)

Your questions will initially be assessed without reference to your personal details or CV so please include all relevant information in your responses. These will be scored by multiple reviewers using a scoring matrix. Please refer to our AI in recruitment policy for guidance.

First round interviews will be online the week commencing 23rd February. Second round interviews will be in person, at our Bristol offices, in the week beginning 2nd March.

We think it is important that our charity reflects the lived experience of our beneficiaries, and we want to be an organisation where employees and supporters from any background can thrive. 

We particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of disability, candidates from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic groups, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, including non-binary (LGBTQ+) candidates, and candidates from disadvantaged communities. These groups are currently underrepresented at Learning with Parents, and we are committed to increasing representation and diversity internally at the charity.

Due to the nature of our work with young people, on acceptance of offers all Learning with Parents employees are subject to a DBS check in accordance with Safeguarding Policies and offers will also be subject to reference checks. 

Please note, travel for data collection from our partner schools across the country will be required. This is likely to be between three to six times a year. Additional travel may be required to share findings with stakeholders, primarily based in London.

Join NDTi and help drive meaningful social change

As a key member of NDTi’s Research & Evaluation team, you will play a central role in shaping, delivering and demonstrating the impact of our commissioned, grant‑funded and internally funded programmes. You will lead a varied portfolio of research and evaluation projects, ensuring high‑quality delivery and contributing to the wider development of our work.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about social justice, committed to inclusive practice, and eager to use evidence to influence change.

As our Research & Evaluation Manager, you will:

• Lead, design and contribute to research and evaluation projects, acting as a key liaison for staff and associates involved in delivery.

• Identify, synthesise and share learning from our work, showcasing innovative approaches, partnerships and achievements.

• Develop and refine research and evaluation methodologies and materials, ensuring a consistent, high‑quality approach across NDTi.

• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of opportunities, negotiating, securing and managing a range of contracts.

• Grow and nurture diverse networks, generating new contacts and opportunities for both yourself and the wider organisation.

Key responsibilities

Day to day, you will manage and deliver a portfolio of projects, ensuring each is completed on time, within budget and to a high standard. This includes:

• Designing and planning research and evaluation projects, including developing theories of change.

• Facilitating stakeholder workshops and sessions, undertaking qualitative and quantitative fieldwork, and conducting evidence reviews.

• Analysing data, producing high‑quality reports and creating a range of outputs.

• Writing and publishing blogs, reports and other resources tailored to different audiences.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues to share learning across NDTi, stimulating creativity and informing future work.

• Managing associates and partners involved in your projects, ensuring clear communication and alignment with NDTi’s mission, policies and contract protocols.

• Developing your professional profile and cultivating relationships that strengthen NDTi’s visibility and influence.

• Leading or contributing to proposals and tenders to secure new work aligned with NDTi’s mission.

• Supporting organisational income targets and quality standards.

• Representing NDTi at national, regional and local networks and forums.

Person specification

We’re looking for someone who brings both expertise and values‑driven practice. You will have:

• At least three years’ experience delivering high‑quality research and evaluation activity.

• Proven experience conducting fieldwork, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

• Experience using a range of methodologies, with strong analytical and reporting skills.

• Ability to interpret and present complex data to varied audiences.

• Strong project management skills, with a track record of delivering work to agreed timescales and budgets.

• Experience writing reports for publication and diverse audiences.

• Knowledge and understanding of social inclusion issues.

• (Desirable) An honours degree and/or postgraduate qualification in a relevant social science discipline.

• (Desirable) Personal experience of health or social care services, or experience as a family carer.

The closing date for completed applications is 9am on Monday 2nd February 2026.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 11th February in person (Bath)

About the role

The Practice Manager plays a key role in supporting the Association of Charitable Foundations’ (ACF) strategic objective to help trusts and foundations aspire to and achieve excellent practice.

Working within the Policy and Programmes team, the role leads and contributes to ACF’s practice work across a range of foundation practice issues. This includes gathering and analysing insights from members and stakeholders, developing evidence-based positions, and producing practical guidance and resources to support learning and improvement across the sector.

The role works closely with colleagues across ACF to ensure practice insights are embedded across the organisation and effectively communicated to members through events, networks, learning opportunities and publications.

This is a maternity cover role offered on a fixed-term, part-time basis.

Key Responsibilities

Practice Insight, Research and Development

• Maintain and develop ACF’s understanding of current foundation practice and the context in which foundations operate
• Gather insights from ACF members, networks and external stakeholders to identify examples of excellent practice and areas where additional guidance is needed
• Research and analyse complex and technical information from a range of sources to inform practice positions and content
• Contribute to the development of long-term organisational approaches and positions on key areas of foundation practice, building on frameworks such as Stronger Foundations

Guidance, Content and Learning

• Develop clear, accessible and engaging guidance and practice resources to support members in reflecting on and strengthening their practice
• Contribute practice content for events, learning opportunities and member communications
• Respond to practice-related queries from individual members and other stakeholders
• Support the ongoing delivery of member benefits such as the Daily Digest

Stakeholder Engagement and Networks

• Build and maintain productive relationships with ACF members and external stakeholders
• Represent ACF at meetings, events and external initiatives to monitor developments affecting foundation practice and build sector relationships
• Take responsibility for a small portfolio of member networks, supporting co-convenors and feeding insights into ACF’s intelligence base
• Maintain ACF’s mechanisms for members to engage with initiatives such as the Funder Commitment on Climate Change and report on progress

Internal Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

• Act as a key internal source of knowledge and insight on foundation practice
• Brief senior leaders on emerging practice issues and trends
• Work closely with colleagues across ACF, particularly policy, communications and learning teams, to ensure practice developments are shared accurately and consistently
• Support strong internal communication so colleagues are aware of and can engage with practice activity

General and Organisational Responsibilities

• Uphold ACF’s values, behaviours and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Comply with organisational policies, including health and safety requirements
• Take responsibility for personal development and participate in training and performance reviews
• Undertake other duties reasonably required within the scope of the role

About the Association of Charitable Foundations

ACF is the leading membership association for foundations and independent grant-makers in the UK.

We strengthen trusts and foundations so they can rise to the challenges of our time. Our vision is diverse, vibrant and effective foundations working together for social good. 

You can read our new five-year strategy here.

You can read the Principles of engagement for our learning, events and networks here

Our values are:
We care · We are open · We are evidence-based · We are ambitious

About our members

We have over 440 members, who together represent one third of the assets of the charity sector and make over 40% of the grants awarded by UK foundations. Our members range from small family trusts to some of the largest charitable foundations in Europe, funding across sectors from social justice and the environment to education and the arts.

Our commitment

We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

We welcome all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the members we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic, disabled, LGBTQ+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.  If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know — we’re happy to support you.

Benefits

ACF has developed a range of benefits to enable staff to perform and be supported in times where personal situations change.  Annual leave is 25 days per year, plus all the bank holidays, as well as additional time off between Christmas and New Year.  We will also make a pension contribution of 10% of base salary on your behalf without any expectation of colleagues matching the organisation contribution.

ACF supports flexible working arrangements, offers hybrid working and has a family friendly policies. We also support employee wellbeing by offering occupational sick pay and an Employee Assistance Programme to all staff.

NACE is a national education charity focused on evidence-informed school improvement and provision for more able learners, and a challenge for all approach to the wider quality of education for all learners. 

We are looking for a Chief Executive to strengthen our voice, grow our membership community, increase demand for NACE resources and services and deepen our impact across the sector.

The Opportunity

As CEO you will be the strategic lead and public face of NACE, building partnerships, amplifying our influence in national conversations, and ensuring our offer continues to deliver clear value for members. 

You’ll work closely with a skilled central team and associates, and with a supportive Executive Board, to realise an ambitious growth plan while safeguarding quality and financial sustainability.

Flexible and portfolio working will be welcomed.

What you’ll lead

Profile & influence:

Position NACE as a recognised and authoritative voice in school improvement for more able learners. Through “challenge for all” strategies in curriculum and pedagogy, by securing speaking opportunities, thought-leadership pieces and strategic policy roundtables; build trusted relationships across MATs, system leaders and sector bodies.

Membership growth:

Deliver a clear value proposition and growth strategy that increases recruitment and retention, secures long-term sustainability, and nurtures a strong sense of community among members.

Partnerships & income:

Develop productive alliances (education, charity and commercial) and responsible income streams (e.g., sponsorships, funded programmes) aligned to mission. 

Team & operations:

Lead and develop the central team and wider associate network; delegate effectively so you can focus on growth, profile and stakeholder engagement; ensure robust budgeting and prudent stewardship. 

What you’ll bring

Sector and system understanding, with credibility to engage senior decision makers and an ability to translate evidence into compelling practice.

Proven ability and track record in scaling reach, membership or audiences through clear propositions, effective marketing/ communications and partnership building.

Excellent communication skills, to include clear, accessible writing and confident presenting for diverse audiences.

Inclusive, collaborative leadership where you develop people, build cohesive teams and work well with trustees; bring sound financial judgement and understand sustainable business models. 

What success looks like in year one

Noticeable uplift in membership recruitment and retention, underpinned by a clear value proposition and data-informed improvements to the offer.

Increased national visibility and demand for resources and services through regular sector platforms, strategic partnerships and stronger recognition of NACE’s contribution to school improvement.

A confident, motivated team with clear roles and delegated operational leadership, enabling you to concentrate on external growth and influence.

Please see the full Job description attached

Our commitment to inclusion

We are committed to fair, inclusive and bias-aware recruitment. If you need adjustments at any stage, or the information in a different format, please let us know. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and career paths; selection is based on evidence against the criteria in the person specification.

NACE is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Consequently, Board members are simultaneously Trustees of the charity and directors of the company. The Memorandum and Articles of Association are the primary governing documents of the charitable company.

Evaluation Manager (2 posts)

£46,000 per annum + benefits
Full-time, permanent 
Central London (hybrid working, minimum one day per week in the office​)

​Education Endowment Foundation

Our client, Education Endowment Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and education achievement. They do this by supporting schools, nurseries and colleges to improve teaching and learning for two-to 19-year-olds through better use of evidence.​

​Roles:
​
We’re looking for two Evaluation Managers to commission and oversee robust, cost-effective evaluations of promising projects, manage a portfolio of studies, and contribute to the development of methodological best practice at the heart of the EEF’s work.

As an Evaluation Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in commissioning and managing high-quality, cost-effective evaluations of EEF -funded projects. You’ll oversee a portfolio of studies from design to delivery, working closely with external evaluators and programme teams to ensure rigorous, practical evaluations and clear communication of findings. This is a chance to shape influential research, strengthen the evidence base on what works in education, and contribute to the EEF’s wider strategic work.

You’ll join one of two closely connected teams at the heart of the EEF’s evidence-generation work, offering distinct but complementary opportunities.

One role sits in the Evaluation Team, a large, expert team responsible for commissioning and managing EEF’s major independent evaluations, including large-scale randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental evaluations, and for supporting external research teams to deliver rigorous, high-quality studies across the portfolio.This will suit someone with a quantitative leaning with a strong understanding of trials and experimental design.

The second role sits in the Programme Development and Scale-up Team, a smaller, highly cross-functional team working at the earlier and later stages of the evidence pipeline. This team leads pilots, early-stage and scale-up evaluations, with a stronger focus on implementation and process evaluation, and on developing and testing innovative evaluation approaches to support effective scale-up.This will suit someone with a mixed methods background and a more qualitative skillset.

Both roles work closely together and across the organisation to ensure EEF’s evidence is rigorous, relevant, and has real impact in the system.

In these roles you will:

• Commission evaluations in our priority areas, including critically reviewing evaluation proposals to ensure proposed designs are high quality and cost-effective and that the most suitable external evaluators are matched with projects.​
• Manage a portfolio of evaluation projects once external evaluators are appointed and being the primary point of contact for evaluators.
• Liaise between the evaluator and the delivery team (that is delivering the intervention) and chairing meetings to ensure the evaluation project is set up effectively with a high-quality design (working closely with colleagues in EEF’s Programmes team).
• Work closely with the evaluator and delivery team to understand the practical issues involved in delivering evaluations, mitigating risks, and providing support when problems arise.
• Manage evaluation contracts and budgets, and monitoring delivery of evaluation plans.
• Conduct technical reviews of protocols, study plans, statistical analysis plans and evaluation reports.
• Work closely with other teams to ensure that published reports are of high quality and effectively communicate findings to an audience of practitioners, academics, policymakers and the general public.
• Draw on expertise from across EEF to shape and apply innovative evaluation approaches, working collaboratively to strengthen evaluation design, learning and the use of evidence.
• Develop, improve and monitor implementation of evaluation guidance and resources to clarify best practice and build the capacity of evaluators to conduct high quality research.

​Candidate:

You'll be able to demonstrate:

• A commitment to the aims of the EEF and a genuine interest in the education sector in England.
• An understanding of technical aspects of evaluation methodologies (implementation and process evaluations, randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, choice of outcome measurement, etc.) and an ability to identify high quality evaluation plans and reports.
• Experience in delivering or commissioning rigorous evaluation projects in education, health, or another related field
• Strong relationship management skills, including managing stakeholder performance and differences in opinion.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences including practitioners, academics, and policymakers.
• An organised and methodical approach, with excellent project management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• The ability to work independently with strong attention to detail and a commitment to fact checking own work, as well as the ability to work closely and collaboratively across teams.
• A proactive, flexible, and pragmatic approach to evaluation, with an ability to balance a commitment to rigour with accessibility and impact.
• A degree with substantial research methodological training, or equivalent research experience.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring these principles are upheld in all aspects of their work.

In addition, there are a few desirable skills for this role which could help you to stand out. Great if you already have them, but we don’t expect any candidate to have them all, and will provide training as required for the right candidate:

• Experience in delivering or commissioning quasi-experimental evaluations (for the role in the Evaluation team).
• Experience in delivering or commissioning qualitative, mixed-methods and theory-based research and implementation and process evaluations (for the role in the Programme Development and Scale Up team).
• Experience or familiarity with working on programmes as they develop and scale, and an understanding of how evaluation and evidence can inform decisions about programme design, adaptation and readiness for scale-up (for the role in the Programme Development and Scale Up Team).
• A PhD or Masters with training in quantitative methods and/or mixed methods.
• Experience conducting relevant statistical analysis and/or qualitative analysis.​​

Apply:

Please send (via the "Redirect to recruiter" button above) your CV together with a personal statement addressing the following:

• Why you want to work as an Evaluation Manager at the Education Endowment Foundation including how the role aligns with your interests and career aspirations. (250 words)
• What experience do you have of undertaking and/or supporting evaluations. This may include experience with randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs (particularly relevant for the Evaluation Team), and/or qualitative, mixed-methods or theory-based research and implementation and process evaluations, including how evaluation evidence has informed programme development, adaptation or scale-up (particularly relevant for the Programme Development and Scale-Up Team). (300 words)

If you have a preference for working in the Evaluation Team or the Programme Development and Scale-Up Team, please state it when applying.

Closing date: Monday 26 Jan (23.00)
First stage interviews: w/c 2 Feb 2026
Second stage interviews: w/c 9 Feb 2026

As specialist recruiters we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community.​

The Royal Commission's diverse and growing alumni community spans academia, industry, science, engineering, and the arts. We are now seeking an Alumni Manager to strengthen engagement with this community and help build meaningful, long-term relationships that enhance the impact of our programmes.

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 is a historic charitable foundation established to carry forward the legacy of the Great Exhibition. Today, we support excellence in research, innovation, and STEM education through prestigious postgraduate fellowships and awards, alongside the stewardship of our South Kensington estate.

The Role

Reporting to the Secretary to the Royal Commission, the Alumni Manager will lead the coordination and delivery of our alumni strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong communication and organisational skills who enjoys building communities and working in the not-for-profit or higher education sector.

Key Responsibilities

Alumni Relations & Community Building

· Maintain and develop the Commission’s alumni network, fostering long-term engagement.

· Work with the Secretary and Alumni Steering Group to develop and deliver an alumni engagement plan.

· Act as the main point of contact for alumni enquiries.

· Manage alumni use of Commission facilities.

Communications & Content

· Produce newsletters, alumni profiles, updates, and case studies.

· Manage alumni-related online content, including website updates and mailing lists.

· Coordinate content and publication of the annual external stakeholder magazine.

· Develop targeted communications for different alumni audiences.

Events

· Plan and deliver dedicated alumni events.

· Support alumni in delivering their own events.

· Assist the Events Coordinator and executive team with other Commission events.

Data & Administration

· Maintain and develop the alumni database, CRM (Hivebrite), survey tools, and internal records.

· Ensure alumni data is accurate and up to date.

· Track engagement metrics and prepare reports for internal review.

You may also be required to undertake other duties reasonably associated with the role.

About You

Essential qualities

· Experience in alumni relations, community management, stakeholder engagement, or a similar role.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.

· Experience planning and delivering events.

· Ability to build positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

· Proficiency in CRM or database systems and Microsoft Office.

Desirable

· Experience in higher education, charities, research organisations, or learned societies.

· Understanding of academic or research environments.

· Experience in digital communications, content creation, or website management.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: £16,932 per annum (10 hours per week; £59,262 FTE).

Flexible working hours agreed with the Secretary, within core hours of 10am–4pm.

At least one day per week working from the office.

Annual leave: 8.5 days plus public holidays (pro rata).

Employer pension contribution of 15% of gross salary via The People’s Pension or a personal pension scheme.