Fellowship director jobs
Do you enjoy crafting stories that bridge divides and create powerful connections? Are you an organised, proactive operator who thrives in a dynamic team? Do you want to help shape a growing community of social leaders tackling poverty in the United Kingdom?
UK Acumen Academy is looking for a Communications & Operations Officer to support our programmes and spread the word about our UK Fellows. We are seeking a self-starter with experience designing and delivering impactful communications who’s eager to learn, collaborate, and grow.
About UK Acumen Academy
UK Acumen Academy is a charity (Charity number 1185457) that develops and delivers transformative leadership programmes, including the Acumen Fellowship, to equip social entrepreneurs across the United Kingdom with the tools and community needed to strengthen their leadership, scale their impact, and create lasting change.
As the regional partner of Acumen Academy, the world’s school for social change, we are building a locally-rooted and globally-connected network of extraordinary leaders and organisations dedicated to solving problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.
Through our flagship UK Fellows Programme, we have provided catalytic support to 85 Founders, CEOs, and senior leaders, whose innovations have positively impacted over 3 million lives across the United Kingdom.
Role Summary
As Communications & Operations Officer, you will strengthen how Acumen Academy UK communicates and delivers its mission - supporting bold social leaders and amplifying their stories of change.
Your focus will be on communications: creating and sharing campaigns that tell the story of our Fellows, programmes, and partnerships. Alongside this, you will play a key operations support role, ensuring the smooth running of our programmes, events, and participant communications.
Working closely with the UK Director, Senior Programme Manager, and Acumen Academy’s global marketing team, you’ll help shape how we reach new audiences, engage our growing community, and turn insights into action - while developing your own professional skills and networks.
This role is a full-time role and has a salary of £25,000 to £28,000 per year (depending on experience).
Key Responsibilities
Communications
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Design and deliver digital campaigns, newsletters, and social media that amplify the work and impact of UK Fellows
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Write and edit engaging content for blogs, reports, and events that tell the story of our community and partners
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Collaborate with Acumen Academy’s global marketing team to align messaging, share content, and contribute to global storytelling initiatives
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Track and evaluate engagement data to inform strategy and improve communications performance
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Create visual assets (using Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud) that are on-brand, accessible, and inspiring
Operations
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Coordinate event logistics, participant communications, and cohort updates to support smooth programme delivery
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Manage systems such as Airtable, GDrive, and Microsoft Excel for data tracking and reporting
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Support data collection and impact reporting for projects and funders
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Contribute to improving internal processes that strengthen the participant and partner experience
Qualifications and skills
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Experience creating and managing digital communications (email, social media, web, or campaigns)
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Have an eye for detail
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Can use data to learn and refine
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Comfortable with ambiguity and can take initiative
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Can build strong, authentic relationships and enjoy working collaboratively
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Care deeply about social change and are aligned with Acumen’s values: humility & audacity, integrity & respect, listening & leadership, generosity & accountability
Nice to have:
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Experience crafting stories that connect diverse audiences to purpose
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Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Hubspot, or similar tools
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Experience working in purpose-driven or community-focused organisations
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An understanding of the UK social-impact ecosystem
About Time to Shine: This role is part of the Time to Shine leadership programme established by The Rank Foundation. If successful, you will join a cohort of emerging leaders across the Rank network. Over 12 months, you will take part in structured training and peer learning designed to strengthen your leadership, communication, and organisational skills while contributing to your host organisation’s impact.
We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You do not need to meet every criterion to be considered. As this role is part of the Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine programme, we particularly welcome applications from people who may be underemployed or unemployed, while still warmly encouraging anyone who feels they could thrive in the role to apply.
Employee benefits at UK Acumen Academy
We care about our people and giving them the things they need to succeed, and we are passionate about UK Acumen Academy being a great place to work. Wherever possible we aim to give each person responsibility to choose when and where they work, and to find the right balance between team-based and home working. We have shared office space in Somerset House, and for those working at home we’ll provide you with a laptop and an allowance to get yourself set up. Our pro-rata benefits include:
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Flexible working (with 2 days in the office)
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33 fully flexible holiday days (including the 8 UK bank holidays)
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£600 annual budget for learning and development
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Access to all Acumen Academy’s online courses free of charge
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Monthly in-person team days
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Monthly working-from-home allowance
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Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
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3% employer pension contribution
How to apply:
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Stage 1: Complete your online application (tell us what you can do)
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Stage 2: Invited to an video interview with the UK Senior Programme Manager
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Stage 3: Invited to complete a short case-study exercise (show us what you can do)
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Stage 4: Invited to a video/in-person interview with the UK Acumen Academy team
Diversity: UK Acumen Academy knows that we are strongest when our team has a variety of experience, expertise, and insights to draw from. For us, diversity isn’t merely a strategy: it’s an essential part of our organisational success. We are committed to ensuring that UK Acumen Academy is representative of our society at large, and is an inclusive environment for all, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, and socioeconomic background.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The essentials …
- Permanent, full-time
- £55,000 - £62,000 (depending on experience)
- 5 total direct reports (including 3 Leads; Training Courses, Venue Hire, & Energy Group Events, Senior Events Coordinator, and Events Marketing Executive)
- Hybrid working with 2-3 days a week at our London office
Who are we?
Founded in 1807, we are the oldest geological society in the world. Today, we are a world-leading communicator of Earth science – through publishing, library and information services, cutting-edge scientific conferences, education activities and outreach to the general public. We also provide impartial scientific information and evidence to support policy-making and public debate about the challenges facing humanity.
We have a membership (Fellowship) of c. 12,000, more than 2,000 of whom are based outside the UK. Approximately 3,000 are Chartered Geologists or Chartered Scientists - professionals who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence in their field and a commitment to professional ethics.
What you’ll be doing …
Our Head of Events (HoE) will bring leadership and strategic vision to the Society’s Events team encompassing scientific conferences, venue hire, and training courses, working to deliver the business plan and achieve targets for this active, income-generating department.
This role will be responsible for supporting the six-strong team in delivery of our busy events programme, working effectively with conference convenors, and providing exemplary support to our delegates, venue users, sponsors, and clients throughout the year. Working closely with the Director of Science & Engagement, our new HoE will work to develop robust and diverse income streams for the Society from our events as well as sponsorship and will oversee the expansion of our venue hire provision into new markets (e.g. weddings) in addition to seizing other opportunities for growth.
Overall responsibilities / requirements …
Management & Leadership:
- Shape and lead the Events team to deliver top-quality leadership and coordination of our events programmes and customer service for both internal users and external clients
- Continue to support a commercial approach to income generation across the Events department, to support revenue growth and diversification across sectors
- Grow event sponsorship, proactively identifying sponsorship opportunities and supporting the team, convenors, and others to become more confident in developing sponsor relationships and securing sponsorship income.
- Grow and nurture relationships with Fellows and external partners
- Grow and nurture relationships with internal staff across other departments, particularly those jointly responsible for delivering upon the Society’s strategic aims
- Provide leadership and mentorship to the Events team, supporting ongoing professional development
- Act as the senior Events representative at internal committee meetings, providing expert input on event strategy, performance, and future plans.
- Manage external relationships with Events partners, including catering suppliers, AV technicians, and Security where appropriate
- Lead on the delivery of appropriate Health & Safety management alongside equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility actions across the Events team and throughout our programme of public facing events
Conference Delivery:
- Oversee the management and delivery of Society conferences, events, and lectures alongside our Energy Group Lead and Senior Events Coordinator, including offsite delivery where appropriate
- Oversee the planning and delivery of flagship conferences for audiences of approximately 500+ delegates, ensuring high-quality audience experience and strong financial performance.
- Oversee the development and implementation of a strategy for the branding and marketing of events from web, print and social media alongside our Events Marketing Executive
- Embed a commercial approach to conference development and delivery
- Lead the development of partnerships across the Events team, including the management and delivery of joint, flagship events such as the Energy Geoscience Conference (EGC) series in partnership with GESGB
- Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, staff, and Council, to grow the offering of Society events, in London and beyond
- Worth the wider staff team to ensure that our Conference provision is aligned to the Society’s science strategy & supports ongoing professional development for our fellows and members
Training Courses Delivery:
- Provide strategic oversight of the Society’s developing Training Course programme alongside our Training Courses Lead and Training Courses Committee to ensure commercial sustainability, quality, and growth
- Support the promotion and upscaling of our Training Courses programme alongside our Events Marketing Executive
- Work with the wider staff team to ensure that our Training Course provision is aligned to the Society’s science strategy & supports ongoing professional development for our fellows and members
Venue Hire Oversight:
- Provide strategic leadership, working with the Venue Hire Lead to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to grow and diversify venue hire revenue, aligned with the organisation’s wider commercial objectives.
- Lead on the design, launch, and ongoing development of our new Weddings venue hire initiative in partnership with our Venue Hire Lead following the granting of our wedding license from Westminster City Council, ensuring strong market positioning and a high-quality client experience
- Work with the wider events team to improve booking and on-the-day service for internal and external venue-hire clients
- Oversee and continuously improve the end-to-end booking journey and on-the-day service for internal and external venue-hire clients, working closely with the wider events team to deliver a consistently high standard of service.
- Lead on the procurement and management of key suppliers (including catering and other event services), running competitive tenders and negotiating contracts that best support the quality, profitability and sustainability of our events programme.
What we’re looking for …
Candidates for the role of Head of Events will be required to demonstrate a range of skills, competencies, and abilities for the post, and the successful candidate will have demonstrable experience within an Events team as well as leadership experience. The individual will need to be able to build relationships with stakeholders and clients from a variety of sectors and will need to demonstrate a variety of skills.
Qualification & Experience …
Leadership & Management:
- Experience of successfully implementing and leading change
- A track record of successfully building and nurturing strong and productive relationships, internally and externally
- A team worker with proven experience of working collaboratively to realise organisational objectives
- An ability to influence and inspire people successfully at all levels.
Other Qualities:
- Demonstrable ability to prioritise multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines when required
- Familiarity with the current Microsoft Office suite, and use of CRM systems
- Tact, tenacity, and a willingness to work in partnership with others
- Positivity and enthusiasm for the role, and support for your team
- Exceptional interpersonal and people-management skills
- A commitment to personal development and learning
Essential Criteria:
- Successful delivery of conferences and events
- A track record of successful leadership and management
- Financial management, commercial awareness, including budgetary management
- Commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and to the Society’s other core values as set out in our strategy
- Strong written and oral communication skills
Desirable Criteria:
- Venue management experience
- Successful delivery of academic and/or professional/B2B conferences
- Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relevant to public events and venue hire (e.g., licensing, GDPR)
- Experience of working with trustees, committee members, volunteers, and other stakeholders
- Commercial experience in a relevant sector
- Experience of training courses and/or ongoing professional development in a commercial capacity
A bit about us …
The Geological Society is a registered charity and employs just under 60 staff at its offices in London and Bath. Our London office is situated in the beautiful London hotspot of Piccadilly in Burlington House, just next door to The Royal Academy.
As an employee conscious company, we invest in our staff by emphasising training, growth and progression in every role. We firmly believe in creating a positive workplace wellbeing culture and offer a range of benefits to our staff including:
- 25 days basic holiday entitlement you start, increasing up to 30 days with continued service (pro-rated for part-time staff)
- Option to purchase up to 2 days extra holiday days per year
- Contributary pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
- Access to 24/7 online GP with mental health & wellbeing counselling
- Free premium Headspace account for you and 2 members of friends/family
- Discounts and recognitions scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Season Ticket Loan scheme
- Life Assurance and Income Protection schemes
- Free access to Royal Academy exhibitions
- Free Geological Society Fellow membership for qualified staff
The Society is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a harmonious inclusive environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members visitors and staff are respected. We are an equal opportunities employer and the post-holder will be expected to adhere to and support the Society’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
How to apply …
To apply for this position, please click the 'Apply' button above to be taken through to our recruitment page with full contact details.
As part of our inclusive recruitment initiative, we have introduced the concept of anonymous recruiting in order to evaluate applicants solely on their skills and experience. With this in mind, we encourage you to:
- Anonymise your application by stating only your initials in your CV (including your file name) and cover letter.
- State your initials only in the subject line when sending your application.
- Ensure that you have included your contact email and number, as well as dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.
First round interviews will take place remotely. Please let us know if you will require any special provisions to be made should you be called for an interview. We regret that unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted.
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to support visa applications.
#events #head of events #events mangement #events lead #membership #science
Registered Charity
51 - 100
To support Earth scientists, grow interest in the natural world, and connect science, the profession and society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Marketing Officer- Hybrid
Are you a creative communicator with a passion for purpose-driven marketing?
Join Pilgrims’ Friend Society, a Christian charity with over 200 years of experience supporting older people, as we step into an exciting new season of growth, impact, and innovation. We’re looking for a talented Marketing Officer who’s ready to make a real difference, not just in campaigns, but in people’s lives.
This is your opportunity to bring stories to life, amplify our mission of supporting older people in Christian faith and community, and help shape a brand that reflects care, dignity, and hope. You’ll be part of a collaborative team, driving fresh ideas across digital, print, and events, all while serving a cause that matters.
If you’re strategic, hands-on, and ready to put your creative energy to work for something bigger than yourself, we’d love to hear from you.
Read the job pack here for further details of this fantastic opportunity
Responsibilities:
- Creating and delivering marketing campaigns that raise awareness of our care homes and housing schemes.
- Working with our digital agency to run paid campaigns (PPC, social, lead generation) and supporting traditional methods where effective.
- Managing and updating the website to ensure content is clear, relevant, accessible, and SEO-optimised.
- Collaborating with colleagues across the charity to provide consistent, joined-up messaging.
- Protecting and promoting our brand identity and tone of voice across all materials.
- Using research and insight to understand audiences and identify trends.
- Building strong relationships with colleagues, partners, and communities to deliver joined-up marketing.
- Measuring and reporting on campaign impact using tools such as Google Analytics and social media insights.
- Managing the marketing budget to ensure resources are used effectively.
- Additional duties as required.
Experience/skills:
- Degree or equivalent in Marketing, Communications, or related field.
- Minimum of three years’ marketing experience, including digital campaigns, website management (e.g. WordPress), and SEO.
- Confident communicator with strong writing, editing, and presentation skills.
- Proficient in using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite for on-brand materials.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- The ability to work independently and with colleagues from across the organisation
- A can-do problem-solving attitude
*Applicants must be evangelical Christians (This role has an Occupational Requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010).)
Hours:
35 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
Benefits:
- Hybrid working (2 days in the office, 3 days at home)
- Flexible working hours
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Training & development
- Ongoing support from management
- Team events
- Pension scheme
- Care Friends referral
- Medicash
- Perkbox – including an Employee assistance programme.
- Long-standing service rewards
- Birthday rewards
Application Requirements:
To help streamline our selection process, please submit the following with your initial application:
CV: Ensure there are no basic errors.
Cover Letter: outlining how your skills, experience, and faith align with the role and our mission
— What our staff say about us: …“It is a friendly and welcoming place to work” … —
We are committed to having a diverse senior management team and we encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are underrepresented on our senior management team at present.
Please note: the closing date for this post is Wednesday 21st January 2026, however, this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications have been received so please apply as soon as possible if interested.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.