This is an exciting new opportunity to shape the future of technology and digital capability across five South West charities. We are seeking an exceptional Regional Chief Technology Officer who is motivated by both challenge and purpose; someone who can harness technology to make a tangible difference to how our faith-based charities support church communities.
Working across Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Salisbury and Truro, this role offers a rare platform to influence at scale. The successful candidate will lead a region-wide programme of digital transformation and process optimisation, helping modernise systems, strengthen cyber resilience and unlock efficiencies that release resources for mission and ministry.
This is not technology for its own sake. We are looking for someone who combines strategic insight with practical delivery; a leader who can translate complex technical possibilities into real-world improvements for staff, clergy and volunteers. You will play a key role in shaping the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, while ensuring strong governance, security and compliance.
Please note that, whilst the role will be primarily home-based, the post-holder will be required to travel regularly across the Southwest region, with an onsite presence in each organisation at least once per month.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop, articulate, and implement a shared digital transformation and technology strategy that is directly aligned with the overarching mission and strategic goals of the five dioceses.
- Act as the principal technology advisor to the Diocesan Secretaries and their senior leadership teams.
Process Mapping & Optimisation:
- Lead a comprehensive, collaborative review of key administrative and operational processes within the Diocesan Boards of Finance (DBFs) and in parishes where appropriate.
- Use process mapping techniques to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement, and then design and implement optimised workflows.
AI & Responsible Innovation:
- Actively research, evaluate, pilot, and implement appropriate AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency, support fundraising, and improve service delivery.
- Ensure all innovation is undertaken responsibly, ethically, and with a clear focus on tangible benefits.
Stakeholder Management & Engagement:
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across all five dioceses, including clergy, staff, and volunteers.
- Foster a culture of digital literacy and champion the benefits of change in a clear, accessible, and empathetic manner.
Project & Change Management:
- Oversee the full lifecycle of technology and process improvement projects, from initial conception and business case development through to delivery, user training, and final handover.
- Employ robust project management methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Qualifications, Training & Experience:
- Proven and extensive senior technology leadership experience (e.g., CTO, Head of IT, Director of Digital Transformation) with clear evidence of strategic impact.
- Relevant degree (or equivalent) in a technology-related discipline, with appropriate professional certifications in technology, architecture, project or change management, and membership of a relevant professional body.
- Strong track record in business process mapping, analysis and re-engineering delivering measurable efficiency gains.
- Practical experience evaluating, procuring and implementing modern technology solutions, including cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365), CRM systems and data analytics tools.
- Experience in the charity, non-profit or similarly complex, values-driven sector is highly desirable. Demonstrable experience of, or well-informed and practical interest in, the responsible and ethical application of AI and automation in an organisational context.
- Significant experience in technology strategy, budget management, vendor negotiation and delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.
Competencies & Behavioural requirements:
- Exceptional communicator and translator: Able to convey complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language and influence a wide range of non-technical stakeholders with confidence.
- Strategic yet pragmatic thinker: Sees the big picture and aligns technology with organisational priorities, while remaining hands-on and focused on practical, value adding solutions.
- Collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader: Builds trust and consensus across diverse stakeholders and cultures, leading change with empathy, credibility and sensitivity.
- Resilient and delivery-focused: Proactive and self-motivated, with the drive and discipline to deliver complex, multi-year programmes and achieve measurable outcomes.
- Culturally astute and values-aware: Demonstrates understanding of, and respect for, the Church of England’s context, governance and ethos, navigating the environment with diplomacy and good judgement.
Our benefits include:
- Generous company pension
- A comprehensive health & wellbeing programme, inlcuding an Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid volunteering & study leave allowace
- Company events
- Home working
The Diocese of Salisbury is a Christian community of churches, schools and chaplaincies serving one million people over 2000 square miles.
The overall purpose of the role is to lead and coordinate meaningful participation and engagement opportunities for children, young people and adults to shape services, influence decision-making and ensure the voices of lived experience are central to organisational development. The postholder will support in designing, delivering and evaluating initiatives that build trust, inclusion and empowerment.
Main Responsibilities
- To co-ordinate and provide safe spaces for children, young people and adults to participate in user- led activities and projects.
- To be a key link between children, young people and adults within our participation service and staff, making sure their voices and experiences are heard.
- To recruit and engage children, young people, and adults, to enable them to feel comfortable to join our Participation service.
- To support the Head of Voice, Participation & Engagement to develop opportunities for children, young people, and adults to be actively involved throughout the organisation.
- Lead and facilitate small scale participation projects.
- To maintain records of all interactions with stakeholders, using Salesforce.
- To be able to work flexibly, including regular evening and occasional weekend work in response to participants availability.
- Support the Head of Voice, Participation & Engagement in planning and facilitating forums.
- Work with people with lived experience of bereavement to create meaningful content and service recommendations.
- Work across the organisation sharing, promoting and training in best practice in participation.
- To assist in planning, organising and delivering participation events (virtually and in-person).
- Ensure that a range of voices are heard, with particular focus on EDI.
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of members of the participation service through adherence to the organisation’s safeguarding policy and practice.
- Maintain accurate records throughout all services, complying with the organisation’s recording and reporting requirements.
Communication and Relationships
- Develop and maintain trusted relationships with children, young people, families, adults, and stakeholders to create safe and inclusive spaces for participation.
- Facilitate group and one-to-one engagement sessions using creative and accessible methods to ensure diverse voices are heard and valued.
- Collaborate with internal teams, including service delivery, communication, marketing and fundraising to embed participation principles across all areas of work.
- Represent the organsiation externally at meetings, events and networks, sharing insight from lived experience to inform sector-wide learning.
- Translate feedback and participation outputs into clear reports, presentations or creative formats that inform decision-making.
- Demonstrate empathy, confidentiality and active listening when engaging with individuals or groups who may have experience loss and trauma.
- Establish excellent internal working relationships with peers and colleagues.
- Model the values and culture of the organisation in interactions and relationships at work.
- Adapt communication style and approach to suit the needs, preferences, and emotional states of children, young people and adults, including those with neurodiverse profiles or communication difficulties.
- Provide clear, compassionate explanations of support options, safeguarding procedures, and next steps to children, young people, adults and families.
- Maintain professional boundaries while fostering a safe and supportive environment for children, young people and adults.
- Respond to challenging or emotionally charged situations with sensitivity, professionalism, and a focus on empathy and support.
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation of communications and decisions in line with organisational policies and data protection regulations.
Knowledge, training and experience
- Proven experience in youth participation, community engagement, co-production, or related areas, ideally within charity, education or health and social care sector.
- Understanding of participation frameworks, rights-based approached and trauma-informed practice.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of grief, loss, trauma, child development, and the psychological and social impact of bereavement on children, young people, families and adults.
- Experience in facilitating groups, workshops, and creative engagement activities both in-person and online.
- Ability to translate engagement insight into practical feedback and recommendations
- Adhere to legislation and statutory guidance related to Safeguarding Children and Young People, Safeguarding Adults, and the Mental Capacity Act.
- Participate actively in clinical supervision and reflective practice to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery.
- Contribute to the development and sharing of knowledge within the team by supporting training, mentoring, and peer learning opportunities.
Analytical and judgment skills
- Ability to gather qualitative and quantitative feedback and identify key themes, trends, and areas for improvement.
- Exercise sound judgement in managing sensitive information, ethical boundaries and participant confidentiality.
- Assess engagement risks and implement appropriate boundaries and referrals in line with safeguarding policies.
- Critically evaluate participation initiatives and contribute to evidence-based practice through reflection, evaluation tools and reporting.
- Balance organisation priorities with participant needs, ensuring representation remains authentic rather than tokenistic.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and meaningful data recording and reporting to inform practice, service evaluation, and organisational performance monitoring.
Planning and organisational skills
- Plan, coordinate and deliver participation activities, forums and events with clear objectives, timelines and outcomes.
- Support the development of annual participation calendars or frameworks as needed.
- Manage competing priorities across multiple projects, ensuring timely communication with internal teams and external partners.
- Maintain accurate records, consent forms and participation data using appropriate digital systems.
- Support logistical arrangements including venue booking, accessibility adjustments, transport and safeguarding measures.
- Contribute to strategic planning by identifying emerging themes, opportunities for partnerships and areas for innovation.
- Provide cover and support for participation and engagement team members during periods of absence or high demand.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and reflective capacity, using supervision and peer support to sustain personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness.
- Contribute to the development of efficient, evidence-based practices by supporting team planning, service evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Person Specification
Essential
- Minimum 3 years’ experience of working with children and young people or adults in health, social care, youth, community or education setting
- Experience of advocating for the interests of children, young people or vulnerable adults or individuals from ethnically diverse communities
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with experience of tailoring these to a wide range of audience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with children, families, and professionals while maintaining professional boundaries at all times
- Experience of facilitating participation groups both in person and online
- Knowledge of different facilitation approaches and methods
- Demonstratable experience of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and an ability to practice in a way that promotes this
- Experience of building trusting relationships with children, young people, and adults creating safe space
- Passion for the power of Voice and Lived Experience
- Understanding of the challenges that participation work can present, and experience of how to overcome this
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team and with external organisations
- Emotional maturity, stability and resilience with a strong commitment to self-care and the ability to seek support and guidance when difficulties arise in the course of work
- Strong IT skills, including confidence in using multiple IT systems
Desirable
- Experience of working in bereavement sector
Benefits
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata if applicable) with increase for long service.
- TOIL for our hours work.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Company sick pay.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Life assurance.
- Training loans.
- Enhanced family friendly policies.
Recruitment Timetable
Application deadline: 16th June 2026 at midnight
Winston’s Wish reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.
Please refer to our recruitment pack for further details on the interview process.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Every partnership, donation and gift helps make that possible. As Impact Communications Manager (12-month fixed term contract), you’ll bring that impact to life in a way that inspires major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners to support our work.
You’ll turn complex information into clear, compelling communications that build trust, strengthen relationships and support fundraising growth. Working across Philanthropy, Corporate Partnerships and Legacies, you’ll shape proposals, reports and engagement materials that show both the human impact and the value of supporting Alzheimer’s Society.
This is a role that blends creativity with delivery. You’ll need to think strategically, write persuasively and manage multiple priorities in a fast moving environment where quality and deadlines matter.
You’ll also lead and develop an Impact Communications Officer, working closely with another Impact Communications Manager within our High Value Operations team to shape and strengthen this specialist function.
This role is a 12-month fixed term contract.
What you'll do
You'll help our high value fundraising teams secure support, grow income and build long term partnerships. You’ll combine creative thinking with strong delivery, making sure communications are engaging, clear and effective.
You’ll lead on writing proposals, pitches, reports and stewardship materials for high value audiences, shaping messaging and turning complex information into persuasive content that drives action.
You’ll also work across the organisation to gather insight, identify opportunities and bring together stories, evidence and data that demonstrate impact. Alongside this, you’ll support donor meetings, presentations and events with high quality communications that build trust and confidence.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading high value fundraising communications from brief to delivery
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines, making decisions to keep work on track and to standard
- Building strong relationships across teams to gather insight and identify opportunities
- Improving engagement, messaging and fundraising effectiveness through better communications
- Managing and developing an Impact Communications Officer, providing clear guidance and support
- Contributing to improvements across High Value Operations
About you
You're a skilled communicator who combines creative thinking with strong delivery. You enjoy shaping ideas, solving problems and producing work that makes a real difference.
You’re confident working with different teams and stakeholders, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and focus.
You’ll bring:
- Copywriting skills, with experience of creating clear and persuasive communications tailored to different audiences
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high quality work to agreed deadlines
- Understanding of high value audiences such as major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners, or transferable experience that helps you build this understanding
- Experience of building relationships and working with stakeholders, with the ability to collaborate and work towards shared outcomes
- Experience of supporting or developing others, with a commitment to helping people grow and succeed
If you’re excited by this role but don’t meet every requirement, we’d still really like to hear from you. We value potential as much as experience.
Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place week commencing the 29th June via MS Teams.
About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.
Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply. Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.
We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.
We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.
Giving back to you
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.
You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.
