Governance and policy officer jobs

The development officer supports World Physiotherapy’s global development programmes and initiatives, working closely with the development programme manager and senior development officer. The role contributes to projects that strengthen the physiotherapy profession worldwide through programme development, donor engagement, grant support, project administration, stakeholder communications, and the coordination of meetings and events.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised and proactive individual interested in global health and international development. The postholder will work with a diverse range of partners, including member organisations, donors, consultants, academic institutions, and international agencies, helping to advance projects that improve physiotherapy education, practice, and professional development around the world.

Duties and key responsibilities

The development officer will:

• Support the development and delivery of programmes that strengthen physiotherapy globally.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the development programme manager and senior development officer across a range of development initiatives.
• Assist in the identification, design, and development of new programmes and projects that support the establishment and growth of the physiotherapy profession.
• Monitor and track funding, partnership, and development opportunities relevant to World Physiotherapy’s strategic priorities.
• Support donor engagement activities and contribute to the cultivation and maintenance of donor relationships.
• Assist with the preparation of grant proposals, concept notes, reports, and other fundraising materials.
• Support the coordination, administration, and monitoring of existing development projects and programmes.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, records, and databases, ensuring compliance with organisational requirements.
• Coordinate meetings, webinars, workshops, and other activities related to membership and development programmes and partnerships.
• Manage membership and development-related enquiries and assist with follow-up communications with stakeholders and partners.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including member organisations, partners, funders, and consultants.
• Contribute to the preparation of project updates, communications, presentations, and reports as required.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the role and level of responsibility.

Education and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy, international development, global or public health, or related field
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in governance or non-profit management.

Essential experience and skills

• Experience within the health, education, regulatory, international development sector highly regarded.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience coordinating projects and supporting committees or governance processes.
• Experience in fundraising and/or writing grant proposals.
• Ability to work independently within a hybrid environment.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Experience in Microsoft suite/excel.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the physiotherapy profession and the role of professional associations in advancing healthcare and rehabilitation.
• Experience working with international professional associations, non-governmental organisations, or health-related organisations.
• Experience engaging and collaborating with stakeholders from diverse cultural and geographic backgrounds.
• Understanding of global health, rehabilitation, or international development programmes.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Spanish or French (highly desirable) or another language in addition to English.

Personal attributes

• Highly organised, proactive, and detail oriented.
• Strong integrity and commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Collaborative, diplomatic, and skilled in stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a practical, solution-oriented mindset.

Impact of the role

The development officer will support programmes and partnerships that strengthen the physiotherapy profession globally. Through assisting with programme development, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination, the postholder will help World Physiotherapy deliver initiatives that build workforce capacity, support member organisations, and improve access to high-quality rehabilitation services worldwide.

Are you an exceptional governance professional who thrives working in a fast-paced environment?  

We are looking for a highly capable Governance and Executive Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of our charity. Working closely with the CEO, Trustees and Executive, you will help ensure the organisation is governed to the highest standards while driving forward key strategic priorities including EDI and ESG.

This is a rare opportunity to combine your governance expertise with meaningful strategic impact in a dynamic and values-led organisation.

As our Governance and Executive Manager, you will be the trusted adviser and primary point of contact for our Board of Trustees, supporting effective decision-making and ensuring compliance with charity and company law.

You will lead the delivery of high-quality governance processes, oversee Board and Committee administration, support regulatory compliance and help develop policies and frameworks that strengthen our organisation.

Alongside this, you will provide executive-level support to the CEO, helping to coordinate priorities, prepare reports and contribute to organisational success.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), the UK’s leading professional body for health visiting.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join a growing, forward-looking organisation at a pivotal time. With a strong and expanding membership, iHV is working to strengthen the health visiting workforce and shape the future of child and family health across the UK.

As Policy Manager, you will play a key role in influencing national policy across priority areas including early years, prevention, public health, child protection and workforce. Your work will directly support iHV’s mission to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for babies, children, families and communities and spread excellence in health visiting.

Working closely with our clinical team, members and partners, you will develop evidence-based policy positions and help ensure frontline expertise informs decision-making at the highest levels.

You will be joining a collaborative, passionate team in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same – and where your work will make a real and lasting difference. For full information, please view our recruitment pack. 

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the co-development of evidence-based policy positions with iHV’s clinical team, members and partners.
• Monitor policy developments and identify opportunities to influence change.
• Produce high-quality briefings, consultation responses and reports.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across government, charities and the health sector.
• Gather, synthesise and apply frontline insight to inform policy development – including the production of iHV’s high-profile ‘State of Health Visiting’ survey and report.
• Work closely with the Systems and Digital Manager, applying digital and data expertise to leverage digital tools and emerging technologies (including AI) to strengthen evidence-gathering, inform policy development, and improve organisational effectiveness.
• Support delivery of policy elements of iHV projects and organisational priorities.
• Represent iHV at meetings and contribute to sector discussions.

About you:

We are looking for the following essential skills and experience:

• Strong understanding of UK policy-making processes and child and family health/ early years policy – ideally informed by experience working within or closely with government or public sector organisations.
• Exceptional writing skills, with a proven ability to produce authoritative, high impact briefings, reports and policy documents that are clear, persuasive and tailored to diverse audiences.
• Highly developed analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and evidence from multiple sources and translate this into clear, practical and actionable policy recommendations.
• Ability to collate, synthesise and critically assess diverse sources of insight, including frontline practitioner perspectives, quantitative and qualitative data, to inform robust policy development.
• Experience developing or contributing to evidence-based policy outputs (e.g. briefings, reports, consultation responses).
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate inputs and deliver work to deadlines.
• Confident verbal communication skills, with the ability to contribute effectively to meetings, events and external discussions, presenting complex ideas clearly.

Reducing the Risk is an Oxfordshire-based charity with a growing regional and national reputation for delivering high-quality, victim-centred domestic abuse services. Established in 2007, we empower communities, train multi-agency professionals, and provide critical Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of adults and children at risk.

We are now looking for an exceptional, values-driven leader to build on these strong foundations and guide us through our next exciting phase of growth and innovation.

The Role

As our next Chief Executive Officer, you will work closely with an ambitious Board of Trustees to shape and deliver the charity’s strategic plan. Inheriting a highly skilled, dedicated team of practitioners and a network of over 1,800 Domestic Abuse Champions, you will balance compassionate strategic vision with sound operational and financial leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the charity's strategic plan, driving innovation and service development across our local and national footprint.

• Income & Sustainability: Diversify income streams beyond traditional grants, growing our accredited training and consultancy services into sustainable earned revenue.

• Partnership & Influence: Act as the principal public voice for the charity, building high-impact relationships with statutory, corporate, and voluntary sector partners.

• People & Culture: Foster an inclusive, high-performing, and trauma-informed workplace culture that prioritises staff wellbeing.

• Governance & Compliance: Oversee robust risk management, safeguarding frameworks, and regulatory compliance alongside the Board.

Who We Are Looking For

You are a credible, resilient senior leader with a proven track record in the charity, public, or social impact sectors. While a background in the domestic abuse sector is highly valued, what matters most is your ability to navigate complex funding environments, secure multi-source income, and champion victim-centred practices. You are a collaborative relationship-builder who combines commercial awareness with genuine empathy and integrity.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV alongside a covering letter explaining how your experience meets the job description and person specification.

• Application Deadline: Midday, 14th August

• Shortlisting: 19th August

• Interviews: 26th August (In-person at our Oxford office)

                                                        The Road Safety Trust Job Description

                                                          Governance Administration Officer

JOB TITLE: Governance Administration Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO: Governance & Compliance Manager

LOCATION: Remote based but with occasional travel required to the head office of our trading subsidiary company, UKROEd, in Manchester, and nationally throughout the UK and RST meetings in London.

CONTRACT: Permanent

HOURS: 22.5 Hours per week (0.6 FTE) (To include Mon-Weds)

SALARY: £32,043 (FTE1) /£19,225 (Pro Rata)

CLOSING DATE: 16 August 2026

TO APPLY:  CV and Covering Letter Required 

About The Road Safety Trust

 The Road Safety Trust (RST)  is the largest independent grant-giving charity in the UK dedicated to enhancing road safety. Established with the mission to achieve zero road deaths and zero serious injuries on UK roads.

The Trust focuses on funding research and practical interventions aimed at reducing road injury and improving safety for all road users.

The Road Safety Trust is the sole member of its wholly owned trading subsidiary company (UKROEd) which operates the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS).

Surpluses from UKROEd are gifted to the Trust each year, enabling the continuous support of various road safety projects and research grants.

The Road Safety Trust values and respects each individual employee, client and customer and is committed to promoting equal opportunities throughout its workforce and board. As such, all relevant applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, disability, or pregnancy status.

Please visit the RST website to see how your personal data will be used. 

  Role Overview

The Governance Administration Officer will be an integral member of the Trust’s Governance and Administration Team, supporting the Governance & Compliance Manager to ensure the effective and efficient administration of governance and compliance activities of the Trust as well as providing administration support to the wider team alongside other administration staff.

Primary Responsibilities

 Governance

1. Provide administrative support to enable effective management of The Road Safety Trust’s Governance and Compliance activities.

2. Support co-ordination of RST Board and Committees. This may include timely preparing meeting packs, taking minutes, following up actions and organising logistics for virtual and physical meetings.

3. Maintain accurate Governance and Compliance registers e.g. conflicts of interest, skills matrices, Terms of Office records and end of year governance documents, ensuring accuracy and validity of information.

4. To ensure documentation in relation to RST Trustees is maintained appropriately.

5. Support Trustee recruitment and induction, coordinate Trustee training, and regulatory reporting.

6. Co-ordinate and monitor Policies and Procedures reviews and maintain the Policies register.

7. Provide support for the internal audit programme, coordinating audit meetings, compiling  documentation and assisting with actions and reports.

8. Support risk management information, including risk registers other compliance activities.

9. Provide support for Board and Committee reports and dashboards to demonstrate progress against key actions and service delivery at RST.

10. Support the preparation of the annual report and organisation of the AGM.

Administration

11. Use Microsoft Office, HR, Finance Systems to ensure RST policies and processes are adhered to.

12. Ensure the provision of information in the relevant sections of SharePoint for easy access by staff as required.

13. Contribute to the organisation of events, workshops and conferences as required.

14. To support the finance function of the Trust as appropriate.

15. Identify and contribute to improvement of processes and procedures. 

16. Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR and data protection legislation, ensuring safe storage and responsible sharing of data.

17. Support with cover for the rest of the administration team as required.

18. Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the role.

We're looking for an experienced Governance Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of CILIP. Working closely with Trustees, Board and Committee Chairs, the Executive Team and the Presidential Team, you will help ensure that CILIP operates to the highest standards of governance, accountability and compliance.

This is an excellent opportunity for a governance professional who enjoys building strong relationships, improving processes and supporting effective decision-making.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Interim Finance Director, the Governance Manager will lead and coordinate governance, compliance and organisational processes across CILIP.

You will be responsible for supporting effective decision-making, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and providing expert governance support to the Board, Committees and Executive Team.

This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery and is ideal for someone who enjoys driving good governance while ensuring operational excellence.

This is a fixed-term role for 9 months due to organisational planning requirements.

Key areas of delivery:

Governance and Board Support
Lead and continuously improve governance processes, support the effective operation of the Board and Committees, and provide advice on governance best practice.

Policy and Compliance
Oversee CILIP's policy governance framework, coordinate policy reviews and support compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Executive and Organisational Coordination
Support the Executive Team through the coordination of key meetings, events, organisational planning and corporate administration.

Presidential Team Support
Coordinate the activities of the Presidential Team, ensuring effective planning, stakeholder communication and logistical support.

Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to strengthen governance systems, improve ways of working and promote accountability and transparency across the organisation.

ABOUT YOU

We're looking for an experienced governance professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys working with senior stakeholders to ensure organisations operate effectively and compliantly.

You will bring:

• Experience supporting governance within a charity, membership body or similar organisation.
• A strong understanding of charity governance, trustee responsibilities and regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting Boards and Committees and managing governance processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• High levels of accuracy, discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive information.
• A proactive approach to improving processes and ways of working.
• Strong digital skills, including Microsoft 365.

You'll also be a professional, credible and resilient individual who can work independently while remaining highly collaborative, and who shares CILIP's commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and public benefit.

Desirable: Experience of company secretariat responsibilities, statutory filings, governance or board portal systems, and relevant governance or compliance qualifications.

ABOUT CILIP

CILIP is the leading voice for the information, knowledge management and library profession. We are here for everyone who has a professional connection to information, knowledge, data and libraries, and share our belief in their power to change lives.

Our purpose is to unite, support and empower information professionals across all sectors.

About Pathway Fund

We are the UK's first Black and Ethnic Minoritised (BEM)-led impact investment wholesaler, dedicated to catalysing opportunities for Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities across the UK. Our mission is to address structural inequalities within the UK’s investment ecosystem by providing bespoke and subsidised capital to BEM-led organisations, making it more affordable and accessible to those underserved by existing infrastructure. We act as a funder, convenor, and knowledge builder, bridging gaps between communities, finance, and policymakers to drive systemic change and foster inclusive growth and community wealth building.

Following the receipt of our Dormant Assets funding, we have moved into full delivery mode, with the first wave of Investment Management Organisations (IMOs) already applying. We are a small, collaborative team with an ambitious remit and a strong commitment to public value, working closely with partners to ensure we achieve our mission.

Reports to: CEO

Location: Kennington, London (hybrid or remote working)

Contract: Permanent, Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Salary: £34,000 – £38,000 per annum

Purpose of the Role

The Executive Assistant & Governance Officer is a critical role ensuring the seamless operation of the Pathway Fund's leadership and governance structures. This role provides dedicated, high-level support directly to the CEO, the Board of Directors, and logistical support for the Social Investment Committee (SIC). Crucially, this position acts as the CEO's operational anchor, tracking team deliverables and managing external-facing events and communications assets to ensure the organisation operates efficiently, professionally, and at pace.

This is a highly focused role that requires judgment, discretion, and the confidence to manage senior stakeholders, prioritise competing demands, and keep the organisation's leadership moving forward.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Support to the CEO

• Provide proactive, high-quality EA support to the CEO, including complex diary management, meeting coordination, and travel planning.
• Manage the CEO’s inbox, triaging communications, acting as the first point of contact, and handling correspondence with professionalism and discretion.
• Prepare comprehensive briefings, presentations, daily itineraries, and follow-up actions for the CEO ahead of senior meetings.
• Act as a gatekeeper, anticipating the CEO's needs and protecting their time to focus on strategy and partnerships.

2. CEO's Team Delivery & Tracking

• Manage the weekly team meeting cycle and associated papers on behalf of the CEO.
• Monitor team delivery by actively chasing team members on key deliverables, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Track actions and decisions generated by the CEO to ensure organisational follow-through and accountability.

3. Governance Support: Board & SIC

• Provide full administrative and governance support to the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with the Programme Manager (who acts as the formal secretariat for the SIC) to ensure all Social Investment Committee coordination, paper distribution, and logistical support is effectively managed.
• Schedule Board and SIC meetings, ensuring maximum attendance from senior stakeholders.
• Prepare, collate, and distribute high-quality agenda packs and papers for the Board in a timely manner.
• Attend Board meetings to take accurate, professional minutes and capture critical action points.
• Maintain and manage the Board Hub, ensuring it acts as a secure, well-organised, and up-to-date digital repository for all company papers, governance documentation, and member details.
• Track key governance deadlines and compliance requirements.

4. External Events & Project Coordination

• Organise and manage logistics for high-level external conferences, meetings, and events involving external partners, the Board, and the SIC.
• Lead the coordination of the annual Board away day.
• Support the logistical delivery of specific programme events, including Dormant Assets (DA) programme wave support and events.
• Work closely with the Programme Manager to ensure the smooth operational delivery of programme-related administrative tasks.
• Organise and manage (Fund Manager Initiative) FMI events for investment managers.

5. Communications & Asset Management

• Keep the Pathway Fund's external communication mediums and digital assets up to date.
• Maintain and update the Pathway Fund website, working with colleagues to publish agreed content.
• Keep the organisational knowledge base accurate and well-maintained.

6. General

• Handle sensitive and confidential information regarding the CEO, Board, and SIC with absolute integrity.
• Act as a culture carrier, modelling professionalism, clarity, and collaboration.

 Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in an Executive Assistant, Business Support, or senior governance support role directly supporting senior leaders or C-suite executives.
• Extensive experience supporting Boards, Trustees, or formal committees.
• Experience of preparing high-quality agendas, collating complex papers, and taking accurate minutes for senior or board-level meetings.
• Demonstrable ability to support senior leaders in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and push back when necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of digital literacy (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace, document management, video conferencing).
• Confidence in using digital tools, including office software, websites, and content management systems.

Attributes & Approach

• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and reliable.
• Calm under pressure; able to think ahead and anticipate the needs of the CEO and Board.
• Discreet, trustworthy, and comfortable handling confidential information.
• Proactive and solutions-focused – you spot problems early and fix them.
• Confident in tracking and chasing deliverables from colleagues professionally and effectively.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in the charity, foundation, or social impact sector.
• Interest in racial equity, social justice, or systems change work.

What We Offer

• Holiday Entitlement: 28 days annual leave, 3 days office closure between Christmas and New Year (covering office closure), plus bank holidays.
• Flexible/Hybrid Working: We welcome applications from anywhere in the UK. We operate a remote working policy for long-distance employees where they will be required to attend the office twice a month with some flexibility for key events. Travel costs will be covered for remote employees. Employees based locally are expected to travel to the office 3 days a week.
• Pension Scheme: 5.5% employer pension contribution.
• Professional Development: Dedicated training budget or commitment to continuous learning.
• Culture: The opportunity to be part of a highly collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to delivering systemic impact and racial equity in the UK social investment ecosystem.

This is an exciting opportunity for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead our well-respected rare disease patient organisation through the next phase of growth and impact, in particular focussing on financial sustainability and influencing health policy for these rare diseases.These sit alongside the other grass-roots duties of a small charity CEO, including working with our Medical Advisory Team to develop new and maintain existing patient education resources, and overseeing our support services including volunteers and a professional psychological counselling service. Reporting to and working with the Board of Trustees, the CEO will be responsible for delivering our 2027-2030 Strategic Plan, ensuring robust governance, and driving forward our mission to improve the lives of people affected by rare diseases.The CEO manages the part-time Executive Administrator and works with up to 30 current volunteers (patients, carers, and health professionals) to deliver services with impact.This role includes occasional weekend work, as well as approximately 15 days travel (national and international) per year to represent and advocate for the charities’ beneficiaries. 

Do you believe in the power of communities to shape change?
OCVA is seeking a values-driven Chief Executive to inspire, connect and champion Oxfordshire’s community and voluntary sector.

This is an opportunity to lead a respected local infrastructure organisation at the heart of Oxfordshire’s voluntary and community sector. As Chief Executive of OCVA, you will work alongside a committed Board and a small, passionate team to support charities and community groups, promote and champion volunteering, influence local systems, and ensure the sector’s voice is heard.

You will balance strategic leadership with strong relationships. This includes working closely with local councils, funders and partners, while staying grounded in the realities faced by community organisations. 

We are looking for someone who shares our values, understands the voluntary and community sector, and is motivated by making a meaningful difference. The role is as much about listening, collaboration and trust as it is about income, sustainability and delivery. If our mission resonates and you bring curiosity, integrity and a commitment to inclusive leadership to all that you do then we would love to hear from you.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Yorkshire’s most respected community foundations and help shape the future of giving across Calderdale.

For over 35 years, Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) has connected people who care with causes that matter. We believe local generosity has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.

As an independent charitable funder, we work with individuals, families, businesses and organisations to invest in local charities and community groups tackling some of Calderdale’s biggest challenges. Every year, we distribute more than £2 million in grants to support people and places across the borough. At the same time, we are building our permanent endowment, creating a lasting legacy that will continue supporting local communities for generations to come.

This is what makes CFFC unique. We do not just make a difference today. We create a legacy that will benefit Calderdale in perpetuity.

Following many years of successful leadership from our current Chief Executive Officer, we are seeking an exceptional leader to build on this strong foundation and lead CFFC into its next chapter.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring CFFC continues to grow its impact, strengthen partnerships and inspire philanthropy across Calderdale.

You will lead and develop a committed staff team, work closely with Trustees, build trusted relationships with donors, businesses, professional advisers, charities and public sector partners, and ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable, well-governed and ambitious for the future.

You will also act as CFFC’s public ambassador, representing the organisation across Calderdale and beyond, while championing the importance of local giving and community investment.

About you

We are looking for an inspiring and collaborative leader with significant senior leadership experience and the ability to build confidence and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will demonstrate:

Proven strategic leadership and organisational management experience.

Experience of developing successful partnerships, fundraising, income generation or business development.

Strong financial and governance awareness.

Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.

Experience of leading and developing high-performing teams.

A genuine commitment to community impact and the values of the voluntary sector.

You may come from a community foundation, charitable trust, grant-making organisation, charity, public sector, social enterprise or a commercial organisation with a strong social purpose.

What we offer

Salary in excess of £60,000, dependent on experience.

Permanent, full-time position.

Flexible and hybrid working, with a regular presence required in Calderdale.

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays, additional Easter Tuesday leave and office closure over the Christmas period, rising to 25 days after five years’ service.

Employer pension contribution, with details available in the candidate information pack.

The opportunity to lead a respected local foundation with a strong legacy, deep local relationships and ambitious plans for the future.

Closing date: 31 July 2026

First round interviews: Week commencing 17 August 2026

Second round interviews: Week commencing 24 August 2026

CFFC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are happy to discuss any adjustments candidates may need during the recruitment process.

If you are an ambitious leader who wants to build on a strong legacy, inspire local philanthropy and help create lasting change for communities across Calderdale, we would love to hear from you.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Hours per week: 35 hours

Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays

Role Description

The COO is the Cathedral’s principal member of staff and has responsibility for the overall operational performance and administration of the organisation, its assets and its people. Appointed by the Chapter and accountable to them through the Dean, the COO works with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to develop and implement strategy and policy, ensure effective governance and compliance, manage the business functions of the Cathedral and monitor its overall progress and development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of the Cathedral’s overall strategy to reflect the Cathedral’s Vision and Values.
• Ensure the effective implementation of the Cathedral’s masterplan and successfully deliver outcomes through the effective performance management of goals and objectives.
• Secure financial sustainability, achieve growth and optimise the efficient use of resources through effective short, medium and long term planning.

Safeguarding

• Work closely with the Dean, the Cathedral Safeguarding Committee, Chapter Safeguarding Lead and the Safeguarding Officer to develop and deliver the Cathedral’s safeguarding strategy.
• Act as a role model in upholding safeguarding policies and embedding a healthy safeguarding culture across Cathedral life.
• Negotiate, implement and continually review the Service Level Agreement with the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
• Ensure compliance with current safeguarding legislation and national guidance, fostering an environment where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Staff and Volunteers

• Ensure recruitment, training and HR management of staff and volunteers adhere to the Safer Recruitment policies of the Church of England and meet the needs of the Cathedral.
• Develop a workplace culture and ethos that reflects the Cathedral’s values and enables and empowers staff and volunteers.
• Act as a role model for effective people management, supporting, developing, and constructively challenging others while encouraging continuous professional development.
• Foster a collegiate, open, and collaborative environment across the Cathedral.
• Champion diversity and inclusivity within the Cathedral community, providing opportunity and support for all.

Cathedral Compliance and Operational Management

• Ensure the effective running and forward planning of Chapter and other governance committees, including compliance with the Constitution and Statutes.
• Ensure trustees and others in governance positions are properly inducted and trained including in safeguarding.
• Ensure that the Cathedral meets all legislative regulations and complies with ecclesiastical and charity laws.
• Be accountable for reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure that the strategic plan is supported by a robust, multi-year financial plan aligned with long-term objectives.
• Work with the Visitor Experience Manager to increase income generation, establishing a growth plan with the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project.
• Work with the Architect and Facilities Manager to ensure the Cathedral meets its statutory and legal obligations relating to heritage, ecclesiastical and listed buildings in its care.
• Work with the Facilities Manager to ensure the Cathedral meets its statutory and legal requirements in relation to its properties and responsibilities as a landlord.
• Ensure effective management of Health and Safety across the Cathedral ensuring compliance with statutory legislation and best practice; ensure emergency procedures are up to date.
• Ensure all data is protected and processed in full compliance with GDPR legislation.
• Ensure that the Cathedral is complies with all legal requirements, interpreting and communicating changes in compliance to the Chapter and Cathedral staff.
• Support the Church of England’s Net Zero targets and ensure the Cathedral has a plan for reducing carbon emissions; adhering to statutory requirements relating to Net Zero.
• Ensure suitable IT provision is in place, to support Cathedral operations, is secure and regularly review software and hardware requirements.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to oversee public relations, ensuring appropriate management of reputation, branding, and media activities; act as Cathedral spokesperson as appropriate.
• Review working methods, office accommodation and administration support to ensure arrangements are fit for purpose.
• Promote open and transparent ways of working throughout the administration, with effective communication and engagement at all levels.
• Oversee the effective planning and management of key projects and the implementation of delivery programmes to achieve operational and strategic objectives.
• Support the Dean in managing relationships with the 1327 Club.
• Ensure the effective management, use and future development of all the Cathedral’s assets.
• Be responsible for contingency planning, including the management of insurance, disaster recovery and salvage planning and oversee the Cathedral’s risk register.
• Develop for approval, maintain and regularly review policy and procedure documents of Chapter and ensuring they are embedded across the organisation.
• Chair staff and management meetings.
• Manage the business operations of the Cathedral in accordance with the values, standards and budgets agreed by Chapter.
• Lead, manage, motivate and empower staff and volunteer teams through effective structures, training and professional relationships.

Direct Reports

• Chief Finance Officer
• Cathedral Safeguarding Officer
• Human Resources Officer
• Visitor Experience Manager
• Volunteer Manager
• Marketing and Communications Manager
• Facilities Manager
• Shop Manager
• Pilgrims’ Kitchen Manager

Attendance Required at:

• Chapter Meetings
• Finance Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Risk, Audit and Review Committee
• Safeguarding Committee
• Health and Safety Committee
• Information Protection Group
• The Guild of St Edmund Committee
• Forum
• Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
• Enterprises Ltd Meetings
• Eco St Eds Committee
• Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn CIO
• Cathedral Administration and Finance
• Association (CAFA)conferences

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

• A proven track record of strategic leadership with successful
• delivery of projects and outcomes within an organisation of a similar size and complexity.
• Experience of working at board level or closely with boards.
• Significant leadership capability, with the ability to influence, inspire, and engage the Cathedral Community and external stakeholders.
• An empowering management style that fosters teamwork, trust and collaboration, with a strong understanding of HR best practice.
• Successful experience of leading significant change and of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development within a complex organisational environment.
• Proven experience in managing operational performance within tight financial constraints in a complex, multi-faceted environment.
• Effective delivery of financial strategy and budget management, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.
• An understanding of safeguarding and the critical role it plays in protecting all people.

Desirable Qualities

• Previous experience as a COO or at a similar senior leadership level.
• An understanding of the complexities in managing wide-ranging cathedral operations or previous experience within a Church of England setting.
• A good understanding of best practice in charity governance.
• Experience of managing a heritage site.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience in safeguarding best practice.

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to understand complex operational issues and develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to share information effectively at all levels internally and externally.
• Commitment to working efficiently and effectively, utilising technology and software as appropriate.
• Ability to develop and encourage a strong team ethos among staff and volunteers.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage comfortably with all users of the Cathedral.

Other criteria

• Empathy with the beliefs and ethos of the Christian faith.
• Comfortable working within a team of staff and clergy with a range of different skills and gifts, understanding their different roles and working patterns.
• Commitment to the Cathedral’s purpose and vision, and to taking an active role in the Cathedral’s community, mission and outreach.
• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this post. The appointment is subject to a six-month probation period.

Additional Information

The role requires the post-holder to work occasional weekends, evenings and non-working days, as required for which time off in lieu will be given. The post-holder will undertake such other duties as may reasonably be expected. This document is accurate at time of publication but is subject to regular review and may change in line with the Cathedral’s requirements.

Closing Date: 9.00 am Monday 3 July 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 12 August 2026

Head of Governance & Company Secretary (Part-Time)

London (Hybrid – 1-2 days in the office)
3-4 days per week | 3-6 Month Contract | £250-£300 per day (Inside IR35)
Start: ASAP

Are you an experienced governance professional with a strong charity background? We're working with a respected UK charity to recruit an experienced Head of Governance & Company Secretary to provide strategic governance leadership and ensure the organisation continues to meet the highest standards of compliance and best practice.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation on a flexible, part-time basis, with the potential for the role to become permanent.

The Role

Reporting to the senior leadership team, you'll lead the organisation's governance function, providing expert advice to Trustees, the CEO and Executive Leadership Team. You'll ensure effective board operations, maintain compliance with charity and company law, and support the ongoing development of governance frameworks and risk management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as Company Secretary and advising on governance best practice.

• Supporting Trustee meetings, including agenda planning, board papers and minute taking.

• Ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission, Companies House and relevant UK charity regulations.

• Maintaining statutory records and governance policies.

• Managing and developing the organisation's governance framework and risk register.

• Providing governance and project support to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

• Supporting board development, trustee induction and governance improvements.

• Monitoring legislative and regulatory changes, ensuring the organisation remains compliant.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Proven Company Secretary and governance experience within the charity sector.

• Strong knowledge of Charity Commission requirements, charity law and governance frameworks.

• Experience supporting Boards of Trustees and senior leadership teams.

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Strong communication skills and the confidence to advise senior stakeholders.

• Experience of risk management and governance policy development.

• High levels of integrity, discretion and attention to detail.

What's on Offer

• £250-£300 per day (Inside IR35).

• Part-time opportunity (3-4 days per week).

• Hybrid working with 1-2 days per week in the London office.

• Initial 3-6 month contract with the potential to become permanent.

• Immediate start available.

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a well-respected charity.

If you're an experienced governance professional with charity sector expertise and are available to start at short notice, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today for immediate consideration.

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as General Counsel & Company Secretary, you will lead UNICEF UK’s legal, governance and regulatory strategy, ensuring the organisation operates with integrity, sound judgement and confidence. Acting as the principal legal adviser to the Executive Team and Board, you will provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice to support high-quality decision-making. You will also lead a multi-disciplinary department, positioning legal, governance and risk functions as strategic enablers of organisational impact.

You will bring significant senior-level experience leading legal and governance functions within a complex organisation, with a track record of supporting executive and board-level decision-making. You combine strong commercial acumen with sound judgement, able to balance legal risk with organisational priorities and provide clear, practical advice. You are an influential and collaborative leader, skilled at building relationships and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams.

We have partnered with GatenbySanderson for this search and we invite you to learn more about this opportunity and visit our dedicated microsite. The site contains further information about the role, UNICEF UK, further details on how to apply, our recruitment process, as well as contact details of our search partner, GatenbySanderson. 

Closing date: Friday 31st July, 2026 at midnight

Interview date: Late August into September 2026. Specific dates to be confirmed

In return, we offer:

excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Location: Based in London, working from home is an option in line with Crisis’ hybrid working policy. There will be regular travel to locations around the UK, including Newcastle.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join Crisis as we begin delivering our ambitious strategic commitment to provide 1,000 homes for people experiencing homelessness. As the Housing Policy and Compliance Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the policies, governance and compliance framework that underpins this ambition, ensuring our housing services are safe, legally compliant and centred on the needs of our members. Working with colleagues across the organisation, you will provide advice on housing regulation, influence decision-making, and help embed high standards of landlord compliance and governance that support positive housing outcomes.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across housing, property, support and leadership teams, you will translate legislation and regulatory requirements into practical policies and procedures that enable consistent, high-quality service delivery. By driving continuous improvement, championing the rights of people experiencing homelessness, and strengthening compliance and governance, you will help build a housing service that reflects Crisis' values and brings us closer to our mission of ending homelessness.

About you

• You are passionate about improving housing services and using your expertise to ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to safe, affordable, high-quality homes.
• You enjoy turning complex legislation and regulatory requirements into practical solutions that help colleagues deliver excellent services with confidence.
• You are a naturally curious and detail-oriented, with the confidence to identify risks, challenge existing ways of working and drive positive change.
• You communicate clearly and build trusted relationships, working collaboratively with colleagues and partners to influence decisions and achieve shared goals.
• You are organised and adaptable, able to balance competing priorities while maintaining a strong focus on quality, governance and continuous improvement.
• You share Crisis' commitment to ending homelessness and are motivated by the opportunity to help shape a new and ambitious housing programme from the ground up.

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

• A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.
• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Sunday 26 July 2026 at 23:59

Interview process: Competency-based interview + written task.

Interview date and location: Tuesday 4 August via Microsoft Teams

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094