Governance and policy officer jobs

We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation. 

The Finance Officer will be a new role for The Christie Charity (Charity) and a fantastic opportunity for an individual looking to work for a fast moving, growing organisation. Everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie NHS Foundation Trust to ensure cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology, ensuring they have the best possible experience.

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic self-starter to support the Head of Finance, and Funds and Finance Business Partner with the following:

- The financial management of the Charity’s funds and individually funded projects; and

- The financial control and administration of The Christie Charity group including, but not limited to, The Christie Charity and its two wholly owned subsidiaries (The Christie Trading Company Limited and Northern Pathology Developments Limited).

You will be joining The Christie Charity at an exciting time as we seek to diversify the Charity’s income streams through use of innovative social investments and strategic commercial ventures. This position provides an excellent opportunity to develop a deep understanding of charity and commercial finance within a dynamic and purpose-driven organisation.

Financial management

In relation to the financial management of the Charity’s funds, you will support the Finance and Funds Business Partner in ensuring designated named funds comply with governance requirements and are utilised in accordance with their Terms of Reference. In relation to the financial management of individually funded projects, you will support the Finance and Funds Business Partner in monitoring spend against budgets through accountability mechanisms agreed with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust finance team.

Financial control and administration

You will play a key role in ensuring robust financial control across the Charity group. This is a hands-on role where you will be responsible for tasks such as ensuring timely and accurate reconciliations are completed and addressing any variances or discrepancies as part of month-end processes or preparing month-end management accounts for review by the Head of Finance. You will be supporting the Charity’s aim of maintaining strong governance across both charitable and commercial operations.

Additional information

The Finance Officer is a newly created role that marks an exciting step in the Charity’s transition toward greater in-house financial management. Previously managed under a service level agreement with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, key aspects of financial management are now being brought into the organisation to strengthen control and governance.

Day-to-day financial transaction processing will continue to be delivered by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust during the initial months of the role, therefore, the postholder will be expected to work closely and collaboratively with their finance team to ensure seamless operations and continuity across the Charity group. These are anticipated to transfer to the Charity group with the postholder taking on a subset of these responsibilities within the first year in post.

This post would suit an individual who enjoys working in a dynamic, evolving environment, where responsibilities may shift in response to organisational priorities. The postholder must be comfortable navigating ambiguity, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

The postholder will also provide support to the team on an ad-hoc basis as required and deputise as appropriate.

The role follows a hybrid working model and involves working from our Withington office 2 - 3 days per week.

Interview and assessment

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter describing their motivation for applying and suitability to the role (up to 2 A4 pages) along with their up to date CV.

Potential candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview and assessment. Provisional dates for first-stage interviews and assessments are 20th January and 22nd January 2026. 

As CEO, you will work closely with our Board and Senior Leadership Team to shape a bold vision for Bolton CVS, ensuring our work remains innovative, inclusive, and impactful. You will enable trust, shared accountability, and collective ambition; strengthening our position as a catalyst for collaboration, equity, and social change.

From influencing policy to driving investment into the sector, your leadership will help organisations and individuals thrive. You will champion financial sustainability, nurture a values-driven culture, and enable colleagues to take ownership and deliver exceptional support.

As a trusted advocate, you will represent Bolton CVS and 10GM in strategic spaces and high-profile events, amplifying the voice of the VCSE sector and forging partnerships that unlock opportunity and resilience.

We're looking for someone who:

Leads with Energy: Brings dynamic, values-driven leadership that motivates teams and partners toward shared goals. Creates momentum and a culture of ambition and collaboration.

Thrives in the Fast Lane: Enjoys an evolving environment and embraces new challenges with enthusiasm, agility and resilience.

Adapts and Innovates: Translates strategic ambition into clear priorities and measurable outcomes that deliver lasting change. Anticipates future needs, embraces innovation, and leverages new approaches to strengthen organisational and sector-wide effectiveness and impact.

Celebrates Diversity: Promotes equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Builds an organisational culture where all voices are valued and shape decisions.

Connects Hearts and Minds: Builds authentic relationships with stakeholders, partners, and communities. Creates trust and shared purpose to unlock collaboration and collective impact.

Speaks the Language of Impact: Communicates with clarity and influence across diverse audiences. Articulates complex ideas in ways that inspire confidence, engagement, and action.

Navigates Complexity: Provides strategic leadership across internal operations and external partnerships. Balances organisational priorities with sector-wide opportunities to drive alignment, collaboration, and sustainable outcomes.

Leads Through Challenge: Provides confident, values-driven leadership in sensitive or high-pressure situations. Creates space for constructive dialogue, builds consensus, and transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Ready to Lead Boldly? If you’re prepared to bring vision, energy and influence to the table, this is your opportunity to strengthen the future of Bolton CVS, 10GM and the wider VCSE sector. As CEO, you’ll be at the heart of driving collaboration, championing equity, and unlocking potential, helping organisations and communities thrive. This isn’t just a role; it’s a chance to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.
 

Chief Executive Officer - FoodCycle
Location: Vauxhall, London (flexible working; regular travel to Projects and for meeting with key stakeholders required)
Salary: circa £75,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35–37.5 hours per week)

Are you ready to lead FoodCycle through a period of consolidation and sustainable growth, protecting its volunteer-led, guest-centred model while building reliable income streams and scaling proven pilots?

About FoodCycle
FoodCycle is a national charity running volunteer-powered community dining projects that combine rescued surplus food, spare kitchen space and local volunteers to deliver free, hot, sociable three-course meals. Our work sits at the intersection of food-waste reduction, food-poverty relief and loneliness prevention. Nationally scaled but locally delivered, FoodCycle has grown rapidly, enjoys strong volunteer goodwill and is developing promising trading and schools pilots to strengthen sustainability.

As our next CEO you will:

• Shape strategy & impact - co-create and implement a clear 3–5 year strategy and a focused 12-month operational plan with measurable milestones.

• Stabilise leadership & culture - provide visible, warm and practical leadership across Projects; develop the senior team and protect volunteer trust.

• Secure financial sustainability - own the income strategy, diversify revenue across trusts, individual giving, corporate partnerships and trading, and present credible cashflow plans to the board.

• Build commercial & trading capacity - drive Manor House and other trading pilots towards viable, repeatable income models.

• Safeguard quality & risk - ensure robust safeguarding, food-safety and operational thresholds for opening new Projects.

• Raise profile & partnerships - act as FoodCycle’s principal ambassador to corporates, funders, local authorities and policy audiences.

Who you are

• A senior leader with experience stabilising and growing people-facing, delivery-focused organisations.

• Proven at generating income from multiple streams, with commercial fluency to develop simple trading models and convert corporate engagement into lasting partnerships.

• Financially literate - comfortable owning budgets, forecasting and discussing risk with trustees.

• Excellent at people and change management - able to build and motivate small national teams and large volunteer cohorts.

• Data-driven, curious and pragmatic - tests pilots, embeds what works and sets clear go/no-go criteria for scale.

• Values-driven and visible - passionate about food justice, guest dignity and volunteer leadership.

• Right to work in the UK and satisfactory DBS checks required.

Why FoodCycle?

• Lead a nationally recognised, volunteer-led movement tackling food waste, food poverty and social isolation.

• Play a pivotal role growing promising trading and schools pilots to create sustainable income.

• Work with an engaged Chair and committed board, and a small, passionate national team.

• Be part of a friendly, non-hierarchical culture where leaders are visible in Projects.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19th January 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Chief Executive Officer

Salary:     c.£75 - 80,000 per annum

Hours:      Full time 35 hours per week

Contract:  Permanent

Location:  The role is, of necessity, office based, although flexibility for home working is expected where appropriate. Evening and weekend work will be required to attend networking and other events.

At Sussex community Foundation we are approaching our 20th anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone, we are looking for an ambitious and dynamic chief executive to lead us into the next 20 years, enabling us to make Sussex a fairer and more equal place.

At Sussex Community Foundation we bring inspirational people together to create the change Sussex needs. In our first 20 years we have built a reputation across the county as an authoritative voice in local philanthropy, attracting and retaining new Fundholders to the Foundation.

As a leading grant maker in the county, our reputation within the voluntary sector is incredibly important to us. We want to ensure that our future Chief Executive builds on these trusted relationships.

We have an experienced and influential Board who will support you in your role, backed up by an enthusiastic and committed team of experts in both fundraising and grant making.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Mark Spofforth OBE FCA - Chair of Trustees

Closing date: Monday 5 January 2026 - noon
We are using the Charity Job anonymous recruitment process - please ensure that you apply through the portal.

Please log into your CharityJob candidate account to access and download the Persons Specification and to submit your application.

**No Agencies please**

#Chief Executive Officer #CEO #Executive #Leadership 

About Local Voice and Healthwatch

Local Voice is an independent charity delivering Healthwatch services in Waltham Forest and Newham. Healthwatch gives local people a strong voice in shaping health and social care. We gather community insights, identify what is and isn’t working, support improvement, and represent people’s experiences to decision-makers.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and organised Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day delivery of Healthwatch Waltham Forest and Healthwatch Newham. You will manage operational activity, support staff and volunteers, maintain strong governance processes, and ensure that insight gathered from local people leads to meaningful improvements.

You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Advisory Groups in each borough and help shape annual work programmes based on evidence, engagement, and co-production.

What we are looking for

• Experience managing projects, teams, and budgets
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build relationships with statutory, voluntary and community partners
• Understanding of Healthwatch, community engagement, or health and social care
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and high-quality community insight

Full details are in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Benefits: 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays), company pension

Lead. Inspire. Serve. Transform Lives.

Are you a Christian leader with a heart for young people and a passion for community transformation?

Do you believe in the God-given value and potential of every person?

Are you ready to guide one of the country’s oldest and most trusted Christian youth movements into its next chapter?

YMCA North Staffordshire is seeking an exceptional Christian Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission, embody our values, and continue shaping a movement that is transforming the lives of thousands of young people and families.

With a proud 160-year history and an award-winning campus at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, this is a rare opportunity to lead a charity that is deeply rooted in Christian faith, committed to radical inclusion, and driven by a vision where all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

Our Christian Vision and Values

YMCA North Staffordshire is an inclusive Christian movement.

Our mission flows directly from our faith and is grounded in four core values:

PROTECT

We provide sanctuary and safety, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and respected.

HOPE

We see young people not through the lens of their past, but their God-given potential.

PERSEVERE

We walk with young people through challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.

TRUST

We act with integrity, accountability, and belief in the dignity of every human being.

Because these values are Christian in origin and practice, and because the CEO is the guardian of our mission, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

 About the Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead an organisation of 130 staff, a £5m+ budget, and a £35m estate, helping strengthen community through youth development, education, housing, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The next CEO will:

• Provide strategic leadership to deliver the 2026–2029 Business Plan
• Champion youth voice and empowerment in all areas of work
• Sustain and grow financial strength, partnerships, and social enterprise
• Uphold and deepen our Christian identity, ensuring values-led practice
• Drive innovation, digital transformation, and organisational development
• Represent YMCA NS locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Be a visible advocate for young people in Stoke-on-Trent
• Strengthen our “village” culture: welcoming, relational, rooted in Ubuntu and Asset-Based Community Development principles (ABCD).

Purpose of the Role

To lead YMCA North Staffordshire in fulfilling its Christian mission, as described in the Associations charitable objectives 

We develop young people; they develop their world.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership in alignment with Board governance
• Upholding Christian ethos, values, and culture across the organisation
• Financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability
• Community development and partnership building
• Youth advocacy and empowerment
• Oversight of housing, programmes, and impact measurement
• Staff leadership, pastoral care, and organisational culture
• External representation and communications

 Person Specification – Summary

Knowledge

• Housing, youth services, and community development
• Charity law, governance, safeguarding
• Understanding of Christian ministry, mission, and values
• Organisational development and change leadership

Experience

• Senior leadership in values-led or Christian settings
• Track record of strategic development and organisational growth
• Experience working with young people, housing, or community sectors
• Experience nurturing Christian ethos across a diverse organisation

Skills & Abilities

• Inspirational leadership and people development
• Strategic planning and delivery
• Excellent communicator and ambassador
• Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to articulate and embody Christian faith
• Deep commitment to Christian values and the Aims & Purposes of the YMCA

 The Leader We Are Looking For

The landscape for young people is changing — and so must we.

We need a CEO who is:

• Faith-filled and prayerful
• Values-driven and courageous
• Relational, compassionate, and community-minded
• A champion of excellence, innovation, and good governance
• Grounded in Christian mission and committed to radical inclusion
• Able to inspire hope, build trust, and persevere through challenge

As George Williams, YMCA’s founder, said:

“You are not alone, and you can be more.”

Our next CEO must believe this not only for themselves — but for every young person we serve.

How to apply

An application pack can be found at the YMCA North Staffordshire website. This role is subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.

Key Recruitment Dates

• Closing Date: 18th January 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026

We are a safe recruitment Organisation and an Equal Opportunities Employer, we run the disability confident guaranteed interview scheme.

We are an organisation with Christian values, committed to Equality and Diversity in the Workplace. YMCA is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

This integral role will provide high-quality administrative, compliance and organisational support across the charity. The Operations Officer will support day-to-day operations, ensuring strong governance, accurate record keeping and systems efficiency all of which will allow the delivery of CHEER’s client and volunteer services.Training will be offered where required (eg: compliance, DBS checking, charity governance).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. CRM management (Beacon) 

• Ensure the charity’s CRM is accurate, up to date and used consistently across the team. 

• Conduct regular spot checks and data quality reviews. 

• Support the transition to CRM-driven reporting. 

• Develop and maintain CRM admin processes, templates and documentation (including user guide). 

2. Governance, compliance & policy administration 

• Maintain organisational policies, procedures, training records and compliance documentation. 

• Schedule reviews cycles and follow up with team/trustees for updates. 

• Maintain accurate HR compliance records for team (DBS renewals, training certificates etc.). 

• Keep governance and compliance well-organised and accessible. 

• Contribute to improving workflows, systems and processes. 

3. SharePoint & digital systems maintenance 

• Lead an overhaul of SharePoint structure to create a clear, user-friendly filing system. 

• Ensure documents are saved, organised, version-controlled and archived. 

• Keep SharePoint updated and functioning well. 

• Support staff with basic digital troubleshooting and liaise with IT support when required. 

4. Memberships, subscriptions & Organisational admin 

• Monitor charity memberships, renewals, insurances, subscriptions, storage costs, licences, software and service contracts. 

• Maintain a central register of renewal dates and ensure timely payments. 

• Support procurement of equipment, supplies and services. 

5. Meeting coordination & minute taking 

• Manage meeting schedules, invitations, and logistics for: 

• AGM 

• Board/trustee meetings 

• Trustee/team meetings 

• Working groups and subcommittees 

• Prepare and circulate meeting papers. 

• Attend meetings, take accurate minutes and distribute them promptly. 

We are seeking an experienced, community-minded Office Manager / Mentor to join us three days per week. This role is ideal for someone who combines strong organisational and systems-building skills with a genuine passion for helping young people grow.

You’ll ensure our office runs efficiently by maintaining and improving admin systems, supporting project delivery and strengthening our communication with partners, parents and governance structures. Alongside these operational duties, you’ll also play a supportive mentoring role guiding young people joining Voyage for placements and work experience, modelling professionalism and helping them develop workplace confidence whilst imparting your knowledge.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Lambeth Links in their search for their CEO.

Lambeth Links is a small charity with a big ambition: to be a central point of rallying, communication and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ Community who live, work and socialise in Lambeth – the largest borough in London. The organisation aims to strengthen the links between individuals and groups while also highlighting the many issues that continue to adversely affect the community.

Lambeth has a deep and rich history of LGBTQIA+ activism. From being home to founding members of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) to hosting Europe’s first EuroPride in Brixton in 1992, the borough has long been the beating heart of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Lambeth Links exists to continue that legacy of championing collective voice and driving forward change.

As CEO, you will lead the operational and strategic running of the charity, make sure that the organisation runs well every day and that it has the people, systems and income to grow.

The ideal candidate will have :

• Significant experience of leading at senior level in a charity, social enterprise, public or community organisation. This might be as a Chief Officer, Director or Head of a significant function with clear accountability for people, budgets and organisational performance.
• Experience of working directly with or supporting a Board of Trustees or similar governing body, including preparing papers, giving honest advice and implementing decisions.
• Experience of organisational development or change, for example improving systems, structures, culture or ways of working in a small organisation.
• Understanding of the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people, including those who are Black or from other communities of colour, disabled people and people with insecure immigration status, and a commitment to intersectional practice.

​​​​How to Apply

If you wish to apply for this position, please supply the following by 11.59pm on 18/01/2026:

• A detailed CV, setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements. 
• A cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) highlighting your suitability for the role. Please explain how you meet the essential criteria and give one or two examples that show how you have already operated at, or very close to, Chief Officer level. For example, leading an organisation or major function, managing whole organisation budgets or income plans, or steering a Board or governing body through a key decision. 
• Details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of their relationship to you and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

To find out more and received the Candidate Information Pack, request support when applying, or have an informal confidential discussion before applying, please get in touch with Inclusive Boards.

Are you a passionate leader with a commitment to animal welfare? Join Greyhound Trust as our Head of Operations - where you will shape the future of homing services and champion the wellbeing of retired racing greyhounds across the UK.

About Us

At Greyhound Trust, we believe every retired racing greyhound deserves a loving home and a life filled with kindness and compassion. Our national network of homing centres and Branches—powered by dedicated staff and volunteers—supports over a thousand greyhounds each year in their journey from track to home.   You will help take us back to our pre covid numbers of several thousand greyhounds being homed by Greyhound Trust each year.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and sitting as part of the Senior Management Team, you'll be responsible for developing and delivering our national Homing and Welfare Strategy, while leading the transformation of our homing network to home more greyhounds and develop its impact. 

This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic change in animal welfare at both a national and grassroots level, whilst being operational and handws on in a sector that you love.

What You Will Do

• Lead national strategy for homing and greyhound care

• Oversee operations at our homing centres, including the flagship National Greyhound Centre

• Identify high impact changes to increase reach and home more greyhounds, and lead the relevant operational change across the homing network

• Develop new welfare and outreach initiatives

• Manage a high performing team of operational Managers, focused on greyhound outcomes, supporting and developing our valued volunteers and championing the breed

• Lead welfare governance, policy, and budget management

About You

We’re looking for a confident, collaborative and visionary leader who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will bring:

✅ Senior experience in animal welfare;  if not, you will need to evidnece your ability to be successful with a steep learning curve

✅ Strong operational and budget oversight skills

✅ Ability to analsyse data and trends, and model new ways of working to address identified needs

✅ A track record of driving service improvement and innovation

✅ Excellent communication and people management skills

✅ Experience working with volunteers and multi-site teams

✅ Confidence in navigating complex welfare and behavioural decisions

✅ A passion for animal welfare and a values-led approach

Experience in policy, outreach / project development and regulatory governance is a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a respected national charity with a mission led culture

• Shape the future of homing practices and volunteer engagement across the UK

• Work alongside a passionate team, who are dedicated to Greyhound Trust and Greyhound Welfare

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead national transformation in greyhound welfare, we wouldlove to hear from you.

Apply by submitting your CV AND a covering letter, outlining your suitability for the role and why you would be a great fit for Charity and its existing committed team.
 

Workspace and Executive Assistant

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Workspace and Executive Assistant 

Bristol

£29,235 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Ref: 112REC

Full time 37.5 hours per week – we are happy to talk flexible working

Base: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days a week expected at the Bristol City Centre Workspace

Contract: Permanent

ABOUT THE ROLE

Team: Planning, Governance and Assurance Directorate

As the Workspace Executive Assistant, you will enjoy a varied role based in the charity’s city centre head office. You will lead on delivering a welcoming and efficient front of house service for colleagues and visitors. 

Our UK-wide office spaces are centrally managed, and you will play a key role in this team - providing proactive administrative and operational support to ensure the smooth running of several workspaces. You will also provide Executive Assistant support to the Executive Director of Resources.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Oversee and maintain the planned preventative maintenance schedule for allocated workspaces, ensuring timely completion of any identified remedial actions.
• Responsible for reviewing and updating risk assessments for allocated workspaces.
• Coordinate day-to-day operations across multiple UK workspaces to ensure they run smoothly and safely
• Provide high-quality Executive Assistant support to the Executive Director of Resources, including diary and meeting management.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, takes a proactive approach and thrives on engaging multiple stakeholders to solve problems collaboratively. 

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for someone who has experience and understanding in the areas listed below. You don’t need to meet every requirement — if you feel you’d be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

• Experienced in office management, customer service, and providing Executive Assistant support.
• Knowledge of office-based Health & Safety.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills, along with strong IT literacy.
• Good communication skills with the ability to manage strong, collaborative relationships with senior colleagues.

WHAT WE OFFER

We want you to feel supported, valued, and empowered in your role. That’s why we offer flexible working, a positive team environment, and benefits designed to support your wellbeing, finances, and family life.

Wellbeing Support

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time employees
• Option to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time employees)
• Paid volunteer days to support causes you care about
• Free, confidential support service available 24/7
• Access to cycle-to-work schemes through Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme

Financial Benefits

• Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans
• Discount benefits
• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary 

Family Friendly Policies

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday) 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Application deadline: 23:59, 12 January 2026   
• Interviews will be held at the Bristol Workspace on Monday 26 January. If you are unable to attend in-person, please contact us for alternative arrangements. To apply, please complete our online application form.
• We are committed to being a truly inclusive employer. We welcome applications from everyone from all parts of the community.
• Adjustments are available throughout the application process.

We are committed to being a truly inclusive employer. We welcome applications from everyone from all parts of the community.

Adjustments are available throughout the application process.

Our Values

• We are always learning
• Championing equity
• Taking ownership
• Delivering Together

Role Description

The purpose of the Executive Assistant role is to provide administrative, organisational and coordination support to the Executive Team, ensuring their time and attention are aligned with organisational priorities, goals, and objectives. The role covers executive coordination, governance administration and project support.  The Executive Assistant enables effective decision making across the Leadership Team, supports the smooth delivery of priorities, and contributes to the execution of long-term strategic goals.

The Executive Team comprises the Chief Executive, Operations Director and Business Development Director.  They work together as part of the Leadership Team, comprising key leaders from across the charity.

Excellent attention to detail is crucial, as is the ability to operate with discretion and flexibility. A high standard of written and verbal communication is essential. The role requires collaboration across Finance, HR, Trustees, and external stakeholders, and an understanding of effective charity governance would be desirable.

This role requires a high level of emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation. Success in this role depends on a proactive mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure. The Executive Assistant must be highly dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

Executive Coordination

• Manage calendars, inboxes, travel and meeting preparation for Executive Team
• Coordinate agendas and logistics for internal and external meetings
• Liaise with stakeholders, clients and partners to ensure smooth engagement

Governance Support

• Own the established governance timetable, board meeting scheduling, and trustee communications
• Draft and distribute board packs, take minutes, and track actions
• Support governance processes in collaboration with the Operations Director
• Support trustee onboarding, training, and engagement
• Ensure timely completion of Charity Commission and Companies House submissions
• Leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance business processes

Strategic communications

• Communicate with external stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Team
• Coordinate staff events and meetings
• Work with marketing and communities & projects teams for conferences and external events

Project support

• Support ongoing transformation projects in collaboration with Head of Business Functions
• Support recruitment and onboarding for senior roles led by the Head of Business Operations
• Support strategic planning and performance tracking led by the Operations Director and Business Development Director
• Support handover and re-onboarding of Executive Assistant on her return April 2027

Role Requirements

Required:

• Minimum of four years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a fast paced and changing environment, taking initiative and managing competing deadlines calmly and flexibly.
• Confident communicating with the executive and leadership team, trustees and external partners in a professional and timely way.
• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and good judgment.
• Confident coordinating meetings, preparing papers and taking accurate minutes.
• Ability to research, digest, analyse and present material clearly and concisely.
• Ability to identify and apply AI-driven tools to enhance business activities and using AI to streamline workflows and personalise business engagement.
• Comfortable stepping into an established role quickly and maintaining continuity during the maternity leave period.

Desirable:

• Experience in charity governance
• Experience in project support/management

Employees are also expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties that are consistent with the grade, responsibilities, and typical scope of the role. Any additional tasks should remain appropriate to the nature of the post and not extend into unrelated functions or specialisms.

All employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values and behavioural standards, which include being supportive, transparent, respectful, kind, honest, and collaborative. This means fostering a culture of empathy, openness, integrity, and teamwork in all interactions, and contributing positively to the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.

We are committed to flexible working and are open to requests for different working patterns. This includes part time arrangements and four day working week requests, which we will always consider as part of the recruitment process.

To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.

Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 2nd of February 2026.

Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network
Location: Hybrid (Manchester office with national travel)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Closing date: Monday 12th January 2026 (10am)

About Belong

Belong is the UK’s leading not for profit network dedicated to social cohesion. They work across sectors to build a more connected, less divided society by strengthening trust, belonging and resilience in communities. Their growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society and business, and they support partners through place-based cohesion and intercultural programmes, research and policy influence, training, consultancy, leadership development, and a thriving programme of networks, events and knowledge sharing. Belong are collaborative, evidence led and committed to building common ground, creating environments where diverse communities are able to thrive together.

About the Role

This is a pivotal moment for Belong as they enter the next stage of their strategic growth. They are seeking a dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to play a central leadership role in shaping their future and strengthening Belong’s national impact. Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, you will ensure the organisation has the systems, culture and resources needed to deliver on their mission. This is a transformational cross-organisational role, leading Belong’s core internal functions: finance, HR, IT, project management, communications, engagement and events, while driving continuous improvement, financial sustainability and organisational resilience.

You will bring strategic vision, operational excellence and a collaborative leadership style that empowers colleagues, champions inclusion and wellbeing, and ensures Belong’s operations remain aligned with their purpose of building a more united and less divided society.

About You

Belong are looking for a strategic, enabling and emotionally intelligent leader with proven experience overseeing multi-function operations at a senior level, strong financial management and strategic planning expertise, and experience within the charity or public sector. You will bring excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, a track record of income generation and bid development, and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Knowledge of cohesion, integration or community development is desirable but not essential. Personally, you will be collaborative, inclusive and solutions focused, with strong emotional intelligence, resilience and a commitment to continuous learning.

Benefits

• 30 days’ annual leave per year
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form, where you will be asked to answer three questions:

Why are you interested in this role and how do your values align with Belong’s mission?
What achievements make you a strong candidate for the COO role?
How does your leadership style empower others and create a positive culture?

Deadline: Monday 12 January 2026 (10am)
First Interviews: w/c 26 January 2026 (remote)
Final Interviews: w/c 9 February 2026 (in-person)

Belong’s Commitment to Inclusion

Belong is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. They welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage individuals from communities under-represented in the charity sector to apply. Impostor syndrome can disproportionately impact candidates from marginalised groups—if you are unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to do so.

REF-225 549