Finance and commercial director jobs

Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, DOE.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reports to: Programme Director

Location: Harlow, Essex. Easily commutable from London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale Station. We offer a free minibus service to/from Harlow Town Train Station as well as free parking and EV charging on site.

Extra Information: We offer blended working within this role, with 3 days a week on site.

About the role:

At the Motability Foundation, we fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose.

We’re building a Transport Solutions Team that works flexibly across all the tools in our delivery kit – from grants and innovation pilots to research, partnerships, and commercial interventions. Our growing portfolio includes flagship projects tackling challenges such as inclusive EV charging infrastructure, complex community transport needs, and large-scale research and systems change activity through the National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT).

We are now recruiting a Transport Solutions Manager to play a leading part in the management of NCAT, which will make up around half of the role, while also contributing to the design and delivery of other high-impact transport solutions activity across the Foundation’s portfolio. This is a pivotal role that combines programme leadership, stakeholder management, governance, and delivery, and is designed to work flexibly across our matrix structure.

The successful candidate will act as a key point of coordination for NCAT, supporting its effective mobilisation, delivery, governance and partner relationships, while also working across other Transport Solutions priorities in line with the expectations of broader internal Transport Solutions Manager roles.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, purpose-led team driving change in the transport system for disabled people, and to work on some of the most complex and impactful projects in the sector.

What you will be doing:

• Act as a key point of coordination for NCAT within the Foundation, bringing together cross-functional input across areas such as delivery, innovation, governance, operations, insight and evaluation.
• Lead the ongoing management activity for NCAT, including the development and implementation of systems, processes and governance structures to enable effective delivery.
• Coordinate programme reporting for NCAT, including the preparation of regular updates for senior leadership and governance committees, ensuring accuracy, insight and alignment with organisational goals.
• Monitor progress against plans, budgets and timelines, identifying and resolving risks such as under or overspend, ineligible costs or delivery delays.
• Escalate risks and issues proactively, supporting the development of mitigation strategies to manage impact and maintain programme integrity.
• Support governance structures, including advisory boards or steering groups, ensuring they are effectively convened, briefed and engaged in programme direction.
• Build and maintain strong funder and delivery partner relationships, acting as a key link between the Foundation and external partners to support trust, alignment and shared learning.
• Ensure monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches are embedded, working with internal and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and strategic alignment.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and insight generation, supporting the dissemination of findings, progress and outcomes from NCAT and related work to maximise external impact.
• Lead and/or contribute to other projects, programmes or funding activity across the Transport Solutions portfolio, working flexibly in line with team priorities and the expectations of other internal Transport Solutions Manager roles.
• Collaborate across the Foundation, including with Finance, Legal, Communications, Insight and Evaluation, HR and Data Protection, to ensure high-quality delivery and strong organisational alignment.

Your experience:

Must haves:

• Significant experience in programme or project management roles, ideally within complex or multi-stakeholder environments and as a funder.
• Strong understanding of programme delivery, governance and reporting, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills, with the ability to maintain accurate information for monitoring, reporting and decision-making.
• Financial literacy, with experience in analysing budgets, monitoring spend and managing financial risks.
• Experience managing contracts, legal agreements or delivery arrangements with external partners, suppliers or grantees.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, with a relationship-first approach that builds trust and enables collaboration across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, agile, matrix-working environment, adapting to shifting priorities and timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality reports, papers and presentations for senior audiences.

Nice to haves:

• Understanding of managing cross-disciplinary research or systems change activity involving technical, social and user-centred disciplines.
• Experience managing large-scale grants, programmes or partnerships and holding a primary relationship with external delivery partners.
• Track record in delivering or supporting innovation pilots, research programmes, grant programmes or cross-sector partnerships.
• Experience working in or in collaboration with government, industry, academia or the non-profit sector.
• Knowledge of disability and transport issues, including relevant policy, legislation, barriers to access and the social model of disability.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we'd still encourage you to apply.

About Saferworld

Saferworld is an independent international organisation working in partnership with civil society to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work in solidarity with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and we build conditions for peace and justice. We also support analysis and learning to influence local, national and international policies and practices that help foster lasting peace and justice. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives free from fear and insecurity. We operate on a not-for-profit basis with partners in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with nine offices across those regions and offices in the UK, USA and Belgium.

Saferworld is committed to providing a safe, trusted environment that safeguards our staff, partners and communities. Our organisational integrity is derived from the values and principles that underpin and guide our work.

We are seeking a strategic and inspiring Head of Funding and Programme Development with a proven ability to lead, motivate, and mobilise resources in a values-driven environment. This role calls for a leader who is deeply committed to equitable partnerships with communities and organisations in conflict-affected settings, guiding teams to raise resources effectively while advancing peace and justice outcomes. Grounded in a people-centred vision of change, you will foster collaboration, champion locally-led approaches, and steer efforts toward resourcing sustainable, community-driven, and collective visions of peace.

About the role

• The Head of Funding and Programme Development will shape Saferworld’s income profile in alignment with our organisational strategy and change process. The post-holder will lead the development and implementation of Saferworld’s funding strategy, ensuring it supports our strategic, programmatic and operational priorities.
• The role will focus on strengthening the quality, flexibility and diversity of Saferworld’s funding base, nurturing relationships with strategic institutional donors, growing philanthropic funding, and identifying new income opportunities.
• This is an exciting opportunity to influence Saferworld’s fundraising and programme development approach during a pivotal period for the organisation. The role will line-manage a small team across programme development, philanthropy and funding.

Key responsibilities

• As part of Saferworld’s senior leadership, you will support organisation-wide initiatives and contribute to strategic decision-making. You will monitor funding trends, identify emerging issues relevant to Saferworld’s work and partnership approaches, and develop appropriate strategies to respond.
• Working closely with the Senior Operations Team, you will ensure funding plans are developed across business units and thematic/regional areas, and that income pipelines are maintained while quality assurance and active cost recovery are proactively pursued. You will oversee the funding and prospects pipeline, produce data and analysis to support decision-making, and provide regular reporting to senior leaders and the Board.
• Externally, you will represent Saferworld with key donors, partners and networks, building strategic relationships and identifying funding opportunities.
• You will lead the development, implementation and monitoring of Saferworld’s funding strategy, ensuring a balanced, ethical and diverse portfolio of restricted and unrestricted income streams. This will include securing quality funding against agreed targets and supporting income diversification through trusts and foundations, commercial funding, and other sources.
• You will work closely with Saferworld’s Grant Management Team to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to donor relationship management and cultivation. You will also lead the design of multi-country and thematic proposals, as well as consortia bid development, to strengthen partnerships and support new ways of resourcing Saferworld’s strategy.
• The post-holder will set standards for collaborative and participatory programme design, manage proposal development processes from opportunity notice to contract signing, and ensure learning from donor feedback is used to strengthen our fundraising approach.
• You will lead the Funding Leadership Team to ensure cross-organisational ownership of fundraising efforts, and work closely with regional, thematic, policy and grant management colleagues throughout the funding cycle.

People and leadership

• You will line-manage the Funding and Programme Development Team and foster an environment where staff feel empowered, take responsibility and are accountable for achieving organisational objectives.
• You will ensure the team facilitates strong participatory programme design and proposal development with partners and staff, embedding Saferworld’s organisational values and principles. You will also support the team to work closely with colleagues across the organisation, grounding proposals in learning, evidence and evaluation findings.

About you

• You will bring proven senior leadership experience in funding, with a track record of developing and implementing funding strategies and raising income through a range of donors, including individuals, institutions, trusts and foundations. You will also have experience securing high-value contracts and grants of seven figures.
• You will have strong experience of leading complex participatory programme design, including developing budgets, monitoring frameworks and proposals. You will be confident coordinating programme development processes with multiple teams and partners to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.
• You will have a proven track record of motivating, mentoring and managing a team, and supporting that team to think creatively about fundraising. You will also be confident developing networks, building alliances, and nurturing relationships with individuals, collaborators and funders.
• You will bring a strong understanding of key political, development and humanitarian trends and debates, particularly linked to peacebuilding, development, human rights, governance, and security and justice. You will also have sound knowledge of UK civil society and charity regulatory requirements, and an understanding of the current international aid, peacebuilding and human rights funding environment.
• Experience of working and/or living in conflict-affected contexts, and understanding of peacebuilding and conflict prevention, are desirable.

Skills and qualities

• You will have excellent leadership and management skills, including strategic planning and business development. You will be able to provide sound financial and compliance advice, demonstrate good financial stewardship, and bring a creative, proactive approach to your work.
• You will be able to set priorities while working under pressure, adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities, and move between hands-on involvement in proposal writing and strategic oversight.
• You will bring strong communication skills, including experience of communicating across cultures and with diverse audiences. You will understand the power imbalances that may be reflected in programme design and budgeting, and bring a strong commitment to inclusive processes and to shifting power and resources to partners.
• You will be committed to Saferworld’s vision, mission and values, including equality, diversity and safeguarding. You will be able to lead by example and create a safe and respectful environment for all staff.

Application process

• Please apply through our vacancy portal on the Saferworld Jobs website.
• Upload your CV and a covering letter addressing the person specification and explaining why your experience matches the requirements of the role.

Deadline for applications: 3 August 2026
Interviews planned: Week commencing 10 August 2026

For this role we are looking for highly competent Programme Managers with significant experience in successfully delivering advanced programme and portfolio management, and who have experience delivering large complex multi-stream programmes. You will be PRINCE2, PMP, or equivalent qualified, and experienced in a fundraising organisation would be highly desirable.

Reporting to the Head of Change, the Programme Manager will manage the Foundation’s strategic change portfolio of work. You will establish a trusted, secure, well‑governed programme of change. The role will be responsible for delivering the project assurance board, ensuring that all programmes of work deliver the organisational-wide change the charity requires.

This role is cross-organisational, with involvement with the Chief People Officer on the operating model, the Chief Finance Officer, and the Director of Transformation on planning and delivery. 

The role will assist in delivering:

• A transformational, organisation-wide approach to change grounded in best practice.
• High-quality, consistent programme delivery through a strengthened PMO capability.
• Improved organisational readiness and staff confidence during periods of change.
• Clear, measurable outcomes across the Foundation’s strategic transformation priorities.
• A culture that embraces innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Data Leadership:

• Establish and maintain programme governance frameworks, controls, and reporting standards. 
• Ensure the programme delivers measurable business value and ROI. 
• Provide executive-level reporting to sponsors and other appropriate governance groups. 

Portfolio & Delivery Oversight: 

• Oversee multiple interdependent projects, managing the end‑to‑end delivery, from design through to implementation and evaluation.
• Manage the programme with clear plans, milestones, budgets, and risk management so that the Foundation is well informed about the programme’s performance. 
• Drive delivery to time, cost, scope, and quality targets. 
• Ensure benefits realisation planning and post-implementation reviews are held, and findings shared where appropriate. 

Risk & Issue Management: 

• Develop a programme-level risk management framework. 
• Proactively identify cross-project risks and systemic issues, using data, evidence and learning to improve programme effectiveness
• Develop organisational-wide mitigation and contingency strategies. 
• Ensure regulatory, compliance, and governance standards are met within Projects

Change & Transformation Leadership: 

• Lead on large-scale organisational change initiatives. 
• Embed change management and organisational adoption. 
• Develop communication plans to support transformation. 
• Embed new ways of working, processes, or systems. 

Financial & Commercial Management: 

• Support delivery leads with the development of business cases. 
• Ensure financial performance and cost control are managed, an appropriate use of charitable funds and value for money
• Develop in Project vendor and third-party relationships and serve as an escalation point for delivery leads. 
• Assist on procurement strategy where required. 

Team & Capability Leadership: 

• Lead and mentor more junior project managers and delivery leads so that project teams’ performance are consistent across the programme. 
• Develop performance standards and accountability structures. 
• Foster a culture of delivery excellence and continuous improvement. 

Quality & Continuous Improvement: 

• Identify opportunities to improve ways of working, programme design and delivery
• Implement programme assurance and quality control measures. 
• Promote best practices in project and programme management. 
• Conduct lessons-learned reviews and drive process improvement. 

Role responsibilities are not exhaustive, and you would be reasonably expected to take on wider tasks that are commensurate with the level of your role.

Skills, abilities, and attributes:

• Self-starter who is adaptable, able to operate strategically and hands‑on in equal measure.
• Willing to learn and develop new skills, and help to develop the knowledge and skills of peers 
• Committed to the principle of continuous improvement, with careful attention to detail and due process 
• Committed to delivering consistent and high-quality customer service to both internal and external stakeholders 
• Good interpersonal skills and able to influence and effectively liaise with both internal and external communities 
• Confident in communicating well, both in writing and verbally, and exhibits listening and influencing skills, working with integrity, and exhibits the Foundation’s core values 
• Skilled in working with agile methodologies 

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications:

• Proven experience in advanced programme and portfolio management expertise, delivering large, complex, multi-stream programmes. 
• Able to demonstrate good strategic thinking and commercial acumen, showing strong problem-solving and analytical capability. 
• Good financial literacy (budget management, cost modelling, ROI analysis). 
• Expertise in building business cases, development, and benefits realisation planning. 
• Expertise in leading cultural organisational changes, bringing planning to life across an organisation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for senior and non‑technical audiences.
• Track record of influencing at senior/executive levels 

Desirable Qualifications: 

• MSP, PgMP, PRINCE2, PMP, or equivalent. 
• Experience in fundraising and fundraising organisations (desirable)

Benefits: 

• Contributory pension
• Annual personal development budget
• Annual health and wellbeing personal allowance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and parental leave pay accessible without length of service requirements.
• Health and wellbeing programme that offers optional free yearly health check-ups.
• Support for healthy eating via fruit bowls and onsite lunch facilities. 
• Agile working, flexible hours, and supportive IT kit. 
• Shower facilities and bike lock area. 
• Generous annual leave (27 days + bank holidays)
• Subsidies for glasses
• Employee Assistance Programme

Head of Communications & Public Affairs

The Head of Communications & Public Affairs is a pivotal role at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) promoting our world-leading work in science, conservation, horticulture, and education.

Working as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will lead the organisation’s approach to strategic communications, seeking opportunities to engage external audiences, disseminate key messages, and raise RBGE’s profile on a national and international stage through press and media engagement.

With oversight of the communications and publishing functions, this role will also provide key support to the Regius Keeper and the Executive Team in shaping engagement and communication strategies with political stakeholders across the Scottish and UK governments.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in the next phase of RBGE’s corporate strategy, strengthening key policy relationships and promoting RBGE’s expertise to deliver real impact in the fight against the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

Closing date:                            09:00am (BST) on Monday 20 July 2026        
First interview date:               30 July 2026
Second interview date: 5 August 2026

Recruitment information: 

Further details on the job description, person specification, and how to apply can be found in the candidate pack for the role on our website here: Head of Communications and Public Affairs Candidate Pack

Hackney Empire is looking for a new Deputy Technical Manager.

The new role of Deputy Technical Manager will play a critical operational and leadership role within our busy 1,250-seat theatre and additional rehearsal and event spaces. Supporting the Technical Manager, you will lead and motivate a committed technical team to ensure the flawless execution of large-scale transfers, touring musical theatre, dance, opera, comedy and live music shows; supporting produced work and public-facing activity from our Creative Futures programme. 

This is a balanced, hands-on and production-focused role. It requires combining administrative and logistical preparation - such as advancing technical riders, developing costings and estimates and preparing staff rotas - with leadership and delivery of high-level stagecraft management during intensive fit-ups, show operations and rapid get-outs.