Finance and commercial director jobs

Carers First is a charity that works directly with, and for unpaid carers, providing personalised information, advice and tailored support making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.

We have a committed, dedicated staff team and you could be just the person we are looking for to join us to make that valuable difference in carer’s lives.

We live and work through our values in all that we achieve by being positive, collaborative and ambitious and we have clear plans to scale our reach, support and impact for carers.

About this role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Development Manager to join our team. Reporting directly to the Director of Income and Engagement, you will play a key role in securing and sustaining income to enable Carers First to grow its support and impact for carers. Your responsibilities would include: -

• Identifying, assessing and managing commissioned contract and funding opportunities aligned to Carers First’s strategic aims, maintaining a clear and intelligence‑led pipeline.

• Leading the development of compelling, high‑quality and cost‑effective bids and proposals for carers services and support (including re-securing existing contracts). Working with services, co-ordinating bid plans and bid teams to ensure a consistent, unified approach.

• Supporting the mobilisation of new contracts and services.

• Supporting delivery of the Income Generation Strategy, including leading on larger Trust, Foundation and grant applications where appropriate.

• Building effective relationships with commissioners, funders and partners to support business development and market engagement.

• Using quality, insight, outcomes data and carers’ feedback to strengthen bids, inform service improvement and support the development of innovative service models that improve outcomes for carers.

About you

To be successful in this role you will bring a strong mix of business development expertise, Local Authority commissioned contract success, sector knowledge and collaborative working, alongside a commitment to improving outcomes for carers, with;

• A strong track record of securing new Local Authority commissioned contracts and re securing existing contracts, with experience of commissioning and procurement processes in health, social care or the voluntary sector.

• Proven experience of leading bid development activity and bid teams, producing high quality, persuasive proposals within tight deadlines.

• Experience of senior stakeholder engagement and relationship management with commissioners, funders and partner organisations.

• A good understanding of health and care systems, including Local Authority and Integrated Care System priorities and pressures.

• Experience of service design and service improvement, working collaboratively with multi disciplinary teams and people with lived experience.

• Excellent organisational, programme and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse insight and impact data and translate this into learning, improvement and compelling cases for support.

• A collaborative, inclusive and supportive approach, with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and strong alignment with the values and mission of Carers First.

We are looking for passionate people who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Charity. Carers First is committed to providing a supportive, vibrant, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Carers First Can Offer You

In return for your contribution, we have an amazing package of staff benefits including 26 days annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service, flexible working options, paid carers leave, access to our work-place pension, staff discount scheme, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package.

Whatever you are aiming to achieve in your career, we are here to encourage, help and support you grow, through our excellent training and development programmes.

How to apply

To apply for our exciting opportunity and make a real difference to the lives of carers, visit the Carers First website and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.

Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service that we consider acceptable.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Kate Kennard, Director of Innovation and Development, via our recruitment team to arrange a call.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Interviews: Successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first round interview:

Stage 1: Online competence-based interview – Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Second‑round interviews will only be offered to those candidates who successfully meet the required criteria at the first interview as follows:

Stage 2: A face-to-face meeting in London with an interview panel – Tuesday, 26 May 2026. You will be required to do a presentation, and details will be provided in advance.

Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Positive       Collaborative        Ambitious

To provide strong, visible leadership and strategic oversight of a 40-bed nursing and residential care home specialising in dementia care. The Operations Manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Management

• Provide clear leadership to the administrative and domestic team
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture
• Oversee recruitment, retention, and development of staff
• Implement systems and processes to support high quality care and improve operational efficiency
• Ensure effective use of clinical systems and digital services
• Lead on policies and HR processes

2. Strategic Oversight

• Contribute to and implement the organisation’s strategic plan
• Identify growth opportunities and service improvements
• Monitor performance against KPIs and drive continuous improvement
• Lead change management initiatives

3. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g. Care Quality Commission requirements)
• Oversee audits, inspections, and action plans
• Maintain high standards of clinical governance and safeguarding
• Ensure robust policies and procedures are in place and followed

4. Operational Management

• Ensure safe staffing levels and effective rota management for the administration and domestic team
• Monitor occupancy levels and admissions processes
• Manage incidents, complaints, and risk effectively

5. Financial Management

• Manage budgets, financial planning and reporting
• Monitor income streams including OCC contracts and self-funding residents.
• Work with accountants and the finance officer to ensure financial stability
• Ensure efficient use of resources without compromising care quality
• Identify opportunities to improve income generation and operational efficiency.

6. Procurement & Resource Management

• Lead procurement strategy for equipment, supplies, and services
• Negotiate contracts and maintain supplier performance
• Ensure value for money and compliance with procurement policies

7. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with families, and external partners
• Liaise with local authorities
• Represent the organisation professionally in all interactions

8. Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Ensure robust safeguarding practices are embedded
• Lead on risk assessments and mitigation strategies
• Promote a culture of safety and transparency

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior management role within health or social care
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g. Care Quality Commission standards)
• Demonstrable experience in staff leadership and team development
• Experience in financial management and budget control
• Experience in procurement and contract management

Desirable

• Management qualification (e.g. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care)
• Experience managing care services

Skills & Competencies

Leadership

• Strong, confident, and empathetic leadership style
• Ability to motivate and inspire teams

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to think long-term and align operations with organisational goals
• Data-driven decision-making

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders

Operational Excellence

• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities

Financial & Commercial Awareness

• Understanding of budgets, cost control, and financial reporting
• Commercial awareness in procurement and service delivery

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate and values-driven
• Resilient and adaptable
• High integrity and professionalism

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regulatory inspection ratings (e.g. Care Quality Commission)
• Occupancy rates
• Staff turnover and retention
• Budget adherence
• Resident and family satisfaction

Working Conditions

• On-site role, with participation in the on-call rota out of hours

Other Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK

Vale House is a not-for-profit Dementia Care Home specialising in the highly skilled care required for people who have complex needs arising from dementia. Its specialist care is much sought after and is provided in a light bright building which was purpose built in 2012 just outside Oxford, between Littlemore and Sandford-on-Thames. The forty individual en-suite rooms, which are all outward looking, are built around a figure of eight with internal courtyard gardens where residents can walk safely and securely. Founded in 1990 Vale House has one clear purpose: to care for people with dementia however severe or complicated, and to support their families. The quality of the work of Vale House rests on the skill and commitment of the staff who are chosen with care, well taught and then helped to learn further and work closely as a team.

Support for families is a defining characteristic of Vale House, and unusually Vale House has dedicated family support workers, committed to supporting the family and friends of each resident. This commitment contributes greatly to the inclusive friendly environment which so many family and visitors comment on.

Vale House is registered as an independent charity with the Charity Commission and with Companies House and conforms to the standards and procedures required by those two bodies. It is governed by a committed Board of Directors (unpaid) who are also the Trustees of the charity.

Dimensions, the UK's largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people, is seeking a Campaigns Manager to lead bold, audience-focused campaigns that strengthen our voice, grow our influence, and help drive even better lives for the people we support.

The Campaigns Manager leads the development and delivery of impactful, evidence-led campaigns that raise awareness, influence policy and practice, and drive engagement with key audiences.

The role plays a vital part in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism by shaping public attitudes and ensuring their voices are heard and represented authentically.

Working in co-production with people with lived experience, the post holder will ensure campaigns are inclusive, evidence-based, and aligned with Dimensions’ priorities and values, contributing to meaningful and lasting change.

As part of your application, we would like you to share your portfolio. You can include a link in the skills and experience section of the application or include the links in a covering letter.

Interviews will take place face to face in London.

We will require proof of qualification if you successfully secure this role. 

About the role 

Your main duties will include: 

• Lead the development and delivery of integrated, insight-led and evidence-based campaigns that support organisational priorities and drive measurable impact.
• Plan and deliver influencing content that supports organisational priorities and contributes to policy and practice change.
• Work in co-production with people with learning disabilities and autism to shape campaign priorities, messaging, and delivery.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, including Involvement and Engagement, Resourcing, Communications, and Operations, to deliver joined-up campaigns.

About you

The successful applicant will have: 

• Degree level or equivalent qualification in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field and evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience of developing and delivering successful, integrated campaigns that achieve measurable impact.
• Possess strong planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Have a good understanding of campaigning approaches, including behaviour change, digital-first and content-led campaigning and coproduction.

The rewards

• Up to 35 days’ annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays)
• Staff discount shopping scheme ‘Rewarding Dimensions’
• We offer a salary advance scheme where you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned before payday. 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Pension scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Qualification scheme
• Employee recognition scheme 'Inspiring People' 
• Discounted health and dental cover 
• Life Assurance 
• Bike to Work Scheme 
• Season Ticket Loan

Apply now

• We welcome applications from everyone who has the right to work in the UK, and value diversity in our workforce
• As Disability Confident Leaders, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy - Dimensions has been awarded this symbol by Jobcentre Plus to recognise our commitment towards the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees
• As part of our commitment to making reasonable adjustments, we can offer support to complete your application. Please contact the Resourcing Consultant Team
• We now have British Sign Language (BSL) translated videos for all our recruitment communications.

SUMMARY

Position Title:  Community Organiser

Level: Level 2

Salary: £28, 860 (FTE yearly) Salary reviewed annually

Reports to: Community Director

Location: The Liberation Centre, Brixton, London (Our office in Brixton)/ Hybrid working with at least 2 days’ work from our office (Pro rata for part time). This role will require additional office days on a needs basis

Contract: Part-time (20hrs/weekly), fixed-term contract for 1 year with potential for extension and role expansion subject to budget

Hours: TAA has flexible working hours, with some expected evenings (e.g. one 9pm finish once every two weeks) and weekends due to the nature of the role. All extra hours are reimbursed as Time off in Lieu (TOIL).

Start date: As soon as possible (potentially July, with consideration for notice period)

Benefits:  TAA laptop (employee assistance and health cash package including staff supervision, counselling, dental, optical care and more.)

The Advocacy Academy is an activist youth movement. We serve as the political home for grassroots youth organising and the catalyst for collective action. The lives of the young people we work alongside have been directly shaped by living in an unjust world, and we exist to turn their anger into action. 

Young people are often the catalysts for major social change, from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, to the Soweto Uprising mobilising young people to resist the apartheid regime's education policies, to the Sunrise Movement redrawing the electoral map across America, and more recently encampments and protests across the world protesting the genocide in Palestine. How successfully they achieve real and lasting change depends on whether they are organised and whether they have the right strategy and tactics to be effective. 

This is why we are looking for a Community Organiser who is capable of supporting in building the leadership in young people that enables them to turn the resources they have into the power they need to make the change they want. 

Before you skim the job description, please remember you don’t have to tick all the boxes for each role to apply. Charity experience is not a requirement! We all experience a bit of imposter syndrome, including the staff here at The Advocacy Academy. Let’s name it for what it is - a manifestation of the oppression many of us face on a day to day. If this role pulls you and you believe you could make a difference, then apply anyway or reach out to us to discuss more!

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1.You will become a key member of the Communities Department, including but not limited to:

• Developing a good working relationship with community members and leaders including staff, TAA members, centre users, local residents, traders, and more
• Supporting with organising efforts in the community and in creating pathways for our members to take part in the work 

2.You will help ensure The Liberation Centre is a warm and welcoming environment, working closely with The Community Director and Head of Spacemaking to ensure our space is welcoming, accessible, and that our users are thriving in the space:

• You will coordinate our HOST Programme - You will be accountable for the development and delivery of our HOST programme, including but not limited to:
  • You will ensure our bookings system is up to date, and hold relationships with centre users 
  • You will flag and escalate Health and Safety concerns for the space to the Space Manager and work with them on operationalising problem solving in the space 
  • You will cultivate relationships with Centre users, neighbours, and visitors and encourage them to get involved in activities and feedback any and all concerns or suggestions they might put forward 
  • Support colleagues in the Operations team to ensure our Centre is a great and accessible place for staff to work from

3.You will help make The Liberation Centre a space for political education and organising by:

• Supporting the running of community spaces at TLC - including community putlocks, assemblies, trader meetings, and other TAA-held initiatives 
• Supporting the Head of Community Organising in holding and leading spaces for community action and organising - including things like ensure turnout to events, conduct 1-2-1s, assist in minute taking, follow up on actions etc 
• Supporting with capturing data on the impact of the space and feedback on space use by young people, community groups, and other partners 
• You will be supporting the running of our open access youth space Just Us on an ad hoc basis - which can include: stepping in if people are sick, helping support specific events

4.You will ensure that our community activities run like well-oiled machines by pulling in the right people at the right time and ensuring that key milestones are met:

• Contribute towards risk management standards and ensure Health and Safety standards are met across our programmatic team
• Contribute towards monitoring and evaluation standards, safeguarding practices, and other critical policies and practices within the organisation 
• Provide accurate and timely financial information to the budget lead for your work and to the Finance, HR & Operations team
• Support in the fundraising and income goals of the department by working with the Commercial team in supporting bids, building relationships, and hosting events or spaces

5.Share responsibilities for achieving our strategic objectives by upholding our vision, mission, strategy, ideology, and cultural values within your area and also across TAA, supporting on cross-departmental projects as needed:

• Embody our commitment to social and economic justice
• Role model upholding ideology, culture and value expectations across the organisation including but not limited to: leading by example across departments and during team days and role-modelling leadership, identifying new opportunities to the Community Director and to the team and identifying risks to our integrity and authenticity in relation to ideology and culture
• Ensure that you work in tandem with and in support of other team members including but not limited to: encouraging collaborations across other departments with resources as needed
• Take responsibility for communicating your own wellbeing and needs and providing feedback on TAA wellbeing initiatives to your line manager, and contribute to living the TAA culture
• Take responsibility for pursuing your own development to build knowledge and skills to fulfil your role and areas of interest

6.Governance and Compliance

• Work with the Community Director to prioritise and centre risk management in your portfolio: feeding into risk analysis and mitigation, identifying and escalating risks to the strategic objectives, taking the lead to mitigate risks early and thoroughly.
• Ensure understanding and compliance with TAA policies and practices and take the lead on their implementation within your portfolio

A BIT ABOUT YOU

• You are passionate about, and committed to, creating a more fair, just and equal world. 
• You believe in the potential of young people to challenge the status quo and are dedicated to helping them become more powerful citizens.
• You’ve got a deep understanding of, and a personal relationship with, issues of social justice. From racism to the housing crisis to climate justice, you’ll be aware of how systemic injustice operates in our society, clued-up and well-informed on the big issues of our time and committed to changing them.
• You’ll be comfortable managing a “to-do” list of competing priorities and balancing your workload to meet competing deadlines.
•  You’re a sensitive and thoughtful relationship-builder who is interested in building a network of relationships to support the Advocacy Academy’s work. You’re a great listener, and remember people’s names, faces, and stories. 
• You’re a confident written and verbal communicator, who is comfortable with tailoring communication to reach a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders.
• You’re proactive, organised, and eager to learn, whether that’s chatting with potential funders, researching new opportunities or collaborating with teammates.

IDEAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE  

• At least 2 years of experience in organising and campaigning on issues of social justice and/or 
• At least 2 years of experience in supporting young people to be more confident and comfortable developing and implementing organising or campaign efforts.
• Detail oriented 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working with different audiences or types of stakeholders 
• Project management and experience working collaboratively across teams both in person and online
• Excellent organisational skills with confidence managing multiple tasks at the same time/ balancing multiple priorities to meet deadlines
• Experience with our existing systems e.g., Gmail/ Google Doc/ Google Sheets/ Canva
• Confidence working in a fast-paced environment 
• Due to the office requirement of this role, we need the post holder to be based in London

This is an outline of the responsibilities and duties of the Community Organiser role; it is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Liberation Centre and our young people. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

HOW TO APPLY  

Candidates will be asked to provide a CV and a Cover Letter OR a supporting video application addressing the following questions (no more than 1000 words or 10 minutes for all questions).

• Tell us about a social justice issue that makes you angry and why it matters to you?
• Our Community Organiser will support our members to organise and campaign on issues that matter to them. Tell us about an organising effort or campaign you were part of, what it achieved, what it didn’t, your role in that effort and any reflections you have about being part of it?
• Our Community Organiser will support our members to identify and act on their developing political interests, including helping them to be more confident and comfortable developing and implementing organising strategies. Tell us about a time when you helped someone learn and develop their capacity to make change in the world?
• Include anything else you would like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Community Organiser role.

In addition, please also provide information on your notice period and your availability for interview. You may also attach any other content that would be relevant for us to have in order to showcase interest and experience. The content can come in any form of media, including but not limited to - a mind map of ideas, a timeline or portfolio of your work, life or experiences; a recording; a Powerpoint or other form of presentation; a song, article, poem or other writing samples.

DATES

• Closing Date: The deadline for the applications is 25th May 2026 at 10am.
• Task: If shortlisted you may be required to complete a short-written assessment task.
• First Round of Interviews: will be scheduled for 29th May – 5th June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).
• Second Round of Interviews: will be scheduled for 11th June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).

ONLINE OPEN HOUSE

We will not be hosting an online open house for this role.However, if you have any questions about the role or are interested in hearing more about what The Advocacy Academy is about we are happy to do 15-20mins exploratory phone call. Contact us through the email indicated on the JD to indicate your interest for this.

A NOTE ON USING AI TOOLS IN YOUR APPLICATION 

We understand that AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful when preparing an application, and you’re welcome to use them as a support. However, we’re most interested in hearing directly from you. Please ensure your application reflects your own voice, experiences, and perspective.

We value the unique insights, lived experiences, and ways of thinking that each candidate brings. These are what help us understand who you are and what you would bring to the role, and they are an important part of how we assess applications.

If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know. we’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible

 NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US  

We aim to be representative of the community we are working with. We encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQIA, working class as well as disabled people, those living with mental health conditions, refugees and migrants. We welcome people from all identities who are made to feel marginalized.

We’re not just committed to being an equal opportunity employer, we actively celebrate diversity in all its forms. Let us know if we can do anything to make the application or interview process more accessible. If you are invited to interview, we will at that point ask you for any accessibility requirements or preferences.

As an employer we make all reasonable adjustments to support employees in their work if they are disabled or have a health condition. We support the Access to Work scheme which could provide you with financial support to get the help you need to do all tasks successfully. We are happy to facilitate Access to Work assessments and reclaims and would actively welcome applicants who would need this in order to do the job.