We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Programme Officer to work as part of our National Programmes Team.
This is a 25 hour a week fixed term position until July 2026
Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.
Mental Health UK brings together the heritage and experience of four charities from across the country who’ve been supporting people with their mental health for nearly 50 years.
With our local service delivery and national expertise in supporting people whose lives are affected by mental health problems, we have been able to mark a significant footprint in the areas that deeply challenge our mental health and stability.
We provide support and services for some of the biggest societal challenges that pose a threat to people’s mental health, including money problems, navigating through the system to get the right support, understanding mental health, loneliness and isolation, and resilience in young people.
The Mental Health UK programmes team is responsible for the delivery of high-quality programmes and projects that: meet the aims and objectives of Mental Health UK’s 2025-2030 Strategy, strategically align with the needs and expectations of our four founding charities, deliver for all stakeholders including funding partners and beneficiaries.
We design, deliver and measure the impact of our projects and services, ensuring that they meet the needs of people living with mental health problems and have a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities across the UK.
One in four people in the UK have experienced a mental health problem. At Mental Health UK, we won’t stop until everyone has the tools they need to live their best possible life.
How you will make a difference
As Senior Programme Officer, I will support the Head of Commercial Insight & Development to ensure Mental Health UK delivers high quality projects and programmes that:
- Meet the aims and objectives of our 2025-30 strategy.
- Are strategically aligned with the needs and expectations of our four founding charities.
- Deliver for all stakeholders, including funding partners and beneficiaries.
In this role, I will support the Head of Commercial Insight & Development to identify opportunities to grow and expand our existing programmes. I will work with the Communications and Marketing Team to identify opportunities throughout our programmes to demonstrate our impact as an organisation.
I will oversee the day-to-day delivery of projects within Mental Health UK’s portfolio, supporting colleagues across Mental Health UK and the four founding charities to ensure outputs are delivered on time and to budget, and outcomes are achieved as planned.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here.
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you a passionate HR professional who cares about people-focused solutions?
Whether it’s due to homelessness or poor mental health, the number of people experiencing a crisis is on the rise. Connection Support believes in a future where people are free from crisis. But for the times when crises do happen, we’ll be there to help every step of the way.
Does this sound like something you want to be a part of?
We are currently recruiting for a Head of People Services to support us with our delivery of our people strategy.
The impact you will have
Providing strategic direction with a hands-on role, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset.
You will lead the development and execution of HR strategies and people-focused solutions that align with the Organisation’s mission, vision and values.
Focusing on enhancing operational efficiency, you will also drive HR transformation initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the HR function, management team and across the wider organization, using data and reporting to add value.
This is an exciting time to join Connection Support as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and turn our focus to preventing homelessness long before it happens, as well as continuing to provide support for those in crisis.
Contract: Permanent.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £42,322 - £47,949 per annum, dependent on experience.
Location: Hybrid/ based in one of our main offices across our areas of operation (Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes) with flexibility to travel between offices and work from home.
Closing date: Tuesday 17th June @10am
Interview dates: Week commencing 23rd June
About you
You have significant HR management experience, with a CIPD level 7/equivalent qualification or expert by experience. Your experience includes project planning and implementation, employee relations, TUPE and demonstrable knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practice. In addition, you are proficient in using HR metrics and data analytics to create insights to inform business decisions and measure HR effectiveness.
You have a proven ability to lead organisational change and drive HR process improvements and have some experience or knowledge of technological solutions. In addition, your strong team leadership experience supports your ability to coach, mentor and develop HR teams and managers.
Due to the nature of the role, a driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential for this role.
You will be passionate about the impact you can have by being part of Connection Support, and your values align with ours.
What we offer in return
Connection Support is committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive and ensuring everyone is valued, treated with respect and has a positive experience.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented candidates, including but not limited to Black, Asian, ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, LGBTQIA+, men, women, and people with lived experience.
We have been named as one of the top 10 charities to work for in the UK by Best Companies and offer fantastic benefits including 30 days annual leave (pro rata for part time), plus bank holidays, sick pay, and an enhanced benefits package which includes cover on health benefits, eco travel incentives, childcare discounts, retail discounts and much more.
Should you need additional support with your application or require adjustments to any part of our recruitment process please don’t hesitate to ask. We are more than happy to help, drop us an email or call direct to discuss your requirements.
Connection Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.