Actively Interviewing
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Project Officer – Active Journeys
London, East & South-East
£28,831 per annum (pro rata for part time hours)
Ref: 08REC
Full Time 37.5 hours per week – happy to talk flexible working
Base: Hybrid, with travel around London, East & South-East
About the role
Are you passionate about active travel and community engagement? This is an exciting opportunity to become part of the Active Journeys team at Sustrans, based in the London, East and South-East region. As a Project Officer, you will play a dynamic role in delivering a variety of walking, wheeling, and cycling projects that make a real difference to people's lives.
In this varied role, you will be responsible for planning and delivering practical activities for young people in schools, supporting the implementation of School Streets to create safer and healthier environments, and working closely with the National Cycle Network and Infrastructure teams on community engagement for related schemes. You will engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, building strong relationships to ensure the successful delivery of projects, and will also be responsible for integrating Sustrans volunteers into your work to help maximise impact and community involvement.
This role requires regular travel within the region and the flexibility to work on-site at various project locations on behalf of Sustrans.
About you
You should have experience working with schools and/or community groups, which may include voluntary work. You’ll be confident managing small projects while also contributing effectively as part of a team and building collaborative relationships. We’re looking for someone who understands active travel and the challenges faced by communities experiencing inequalities. You should also have a good understanding of behaviour change theories, safeguarding principles, and health and safety legislation, including conducting risk assessments.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work across multiple projects and lead group workshops. You will be proactive, able to manage your own workload, and confident in solving problems as they arise[JB1] .
Sustrans has a long-term commitment to being a charity for everyone - reducing inequality, valuing diversity, enabling inclusion and ensuring all people are treated with dignity and respect. We aim to be a truly inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all parts of the community, in particular from under-represented groups.
What we offer
In return we can offer true hybrid working to suit individual circumstances and a flexible, supportive and rewarding working environment.
Wellbeing
- 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working
- Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff)
- Staff volunteer days
- 24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service
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We are members of the Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme who both offer cycle to work schemes
Financial
- Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Sustrans
- Bike, computer and season ticket loans
- Discount benefits
- London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 for all those living within a London Borough (32 local authority districts plus the City of London)
- Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary
Family Friendly
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday)
Additional information
- Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 23:59, 08 June 2025.
- Interviews will take place in via MS Teams during the week commencing 16 June 2025
About Sustrans
At Sustrans you'll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.
We're all here to change things! You’ll be part of an incredible community of talented, passionate, creative, problem solvers all working together to change things for the better. We act locally and think big - we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone.
You'll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You'll work on exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you'll be rewarded by seeing the difference you make to people, communities and the planet.
We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve, we welcome difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your wellness is supported.
You'll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible, supportive, ethical and fun.
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Role Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Executive Director to lead ProVeg UK in this next phase of growth and impact. This role combines strategic leadership with high-level stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and organisational development. The ideal candidate brings entrepreneurial energy, exceptional communication skills, strong credentials in the UK NGO sector, and a passion for food systems transformation.
ProVeg UK has a very strong track record in influencing public food through its School Plates programme, which has, to date, swapped over 47m meals from meat-based to plant-based or veggie. We work in over 8,000 schools across the UK, reaching over 1.3 million children every day. We are keen to expand this excellent work to a wider range of stakeholders, including hospitals (a new manager has just been recruited to develop a Hospital Plates pilot), policymakers, the corporate sector and media.
The Executive Director will be at the forefront of this expansion, while also ensuring the continued success of our existing programmes. As such, this is a high-impact role, offering the opportunity to be a catalyst for positive change in the UK’s plant-based and alternative protein movement — helping to shape a more sustainable future.
Job Details
Reports to: Deputy CEO
Country: UK
Location: Greater London Area (within 1.5 hours by train)
Hours: Full-time (35 h/week)
Salary: £55-60k (plus London allowance of £3k, if applicable)
Start date: ideally ASAP
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver ProVeg UK’s long-term strategy aligned with ProVeg International’s mission
- Lead the design and scaling of UK-based programmes that create measurable impact and reflect local opportunities and needs
- Represent the organisation to increase ProVeg’s visibility and influence.
- Sit as a member of the ProVeg C.I.C. Board.
Stakeholder Engagement & Fundraising
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with strategic partners including food companies, government agencies, foundations, and major donors
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including government tenders and philanthropic partnerships, with a strong focus on climate and health-related funding
- Act as a public thought leader and spokesperson in the UK for food systems transformation in line with ProVeg International’s strategy
- Manage governance and engagement with the UK board
Team & Organisational Development
- Lead and support our fantastic, high-performing UK team and foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, impact and evaluation
- Provide regular coaching and feedback, ensuring clear objectives, performance development, and providing recognition
- Foster innovation, improvement and a growth mindset in the team, and identify new opportunities to grow our UK work
- Collaborate with ProVeg International teams and other ProVeg countries on shared programmes and goals
Financial Management & Reporting
- Develop and oversee the UK annual budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation
- Ensure compliance with UK regulations, reporting requirements, and ProVeg International policies
- Provide timely and transparent reporting to the Deputy CEO, International team, and Board
Qualifications
Essential
- Proven leadership experience (5+ years at deputy- or C-level) in a UK-based NGO or mission-driven organisation, ideally in food, climate, or health sectors
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and partnership building, especially with foundations, governments, or climate philanthropies
- Strong entrepreneurial mindset and ability to develop and execute impactful strategies
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with experience speaking to media and government bodies, at public events, and with internal stakeholders of all levels (Board, Senior Leadership Team, Staff and Volunteers)
- Deep understanding of UK funding landscape, policy environment, and relevant NGOs
- Experience leading diverse and remote teams, with a collaborative and empowering leadership style
- Commitment to ProVeg’s mission and values, and strong alignment with our strategic goals
- Experience working with cross-functional and international teams
- Committed to following a plant-based lifestyle
- Knowledge of good governance practice
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to effectively fulfil the role of Director
Desirable
- Existing network of funders, policymakers, or influencers relevant to food systems or climate in the UK
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. in public policy, environmental studies, food systems, business, or similar)
- Familiarity with effective altruism principles and evidence-based programme design
- Understanding of plant-based innovation, sustainable diets, or alternative proteins
Benefits of working with us
- Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days per year, with an additional day granted at the start of each calendar up to a maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays)
- A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.
- Provision of a work laptop.
- Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.
- Career development support
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay
- Compassionate animal companion leave
- Employee Assistance Programme including counselling
- Access to 24/7 virtual GP Service
- Mindfulness support via a free Headspace account for you and up to 5 friends or family members
- Access to the Wisdom app with exclusive perks and discounts
- Membership to the OpenUp platform
- We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.
- And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!
When?
Application deadline: 15.06
First (People & Culture) interview: 23.06 - 26.06
Trial task: 03.07-06.07.
Second (team) interview: 14.07 - 22.07
Final (executive) interview: 24.07 - 26.07
Further information
Your application should include a cover letter and CV. Please indicate your motivation for the role and describe how you meet the requirements. Please send us your application using our online form. Thank you!
Important: Please make sure to use your own words and ideas on the cover letter. The goal is for us to know you better in order to assess if this role and your motivation are a good fit. Letters written with AI, or written in a language other than English, will be disregarded.