Governance jobs

About us

GSG Impact is a UK-registered charity with a global footprint. We work with a network of National Partners and collaborators across multiple countries to help build “impact economies”, strengthening the systems, relationships and market infrastructure that enable capital and policy to deliver better social and environmental outcomes. Our work brings together evidence, convening power and practical support, partnering with leaders across public, private and civil society to accelerate progress and share what works globally. 

The role

We are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our organisational operations, including finance, HR, governance, compliance and risk. You will ensure strong systems, controls and processes that enable excellent delivery across an international organisation. 

Key responsibilities

• Lead organisational operations across finance, HR, IT, legal, admin and key systems

• Own budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit and treasury/controls

• Strengthen UK charity governance, policies, compliance and risk management

• Oversee contracts, procurement, supplier management and external advisers

• Lead people operations across multiple jurisdictions (including Employer of Record arrangements) 

About you

• Track record in UK charity governance/compliance and international operations

• Senior operational leader with strong financial and people management experience

• Confident working across complex stakeholder environments and multi-country teams

• Clear communicator, pragmatic problem-solver, calm under pressure 

How to apply

Please send CV (max 2 pages) and a cover letter (max 1 page) explaining your suitability.

GSG Impact is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and will carry out appropriate pre-employment checks.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or appoint a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

Giving Back Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a highly respected, long-established professional membership charity on a senior governance appointment of real strategic significance.

This is a rare opportunity to lead governance at a professional membership organisation, operating at the heart of a Royal Charter body with a strong public purpose.

We are seeking a strategic and values-driven Associate Director of Governance to set the standard for governance, risk, audit and compliance across the organisation. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will work in close partnership with Trustees, Council, the Audit & Risk Committee, and senior leaders to ensure decision-making is transparent, well-governed, and aligned with organisational purpose.

The role

The Associate Director of Governance will hold end-to-end responsibility for constitutional governance, board and committee effectiveness, regulatory compliance, risk management, internal audit and data protection.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading best-practice governance in line with the Royal Charter and Charity Commission expectations
• Acting as a trusted adviser to Trustees, Council and the Audit & Risk Committee
• Overseeing enterprise risk, internal audit, business continuity and insurance arrangements
• Serving as Data Protection Officer and leading GDPR compliance
• Strengthening organisational capability, culture and decision-making through clear, confident governance
• Leading and developing a high-performing governance, risk and compliance team

This role sits at the intersection of governance, strategy and culture and offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact within a complex, values-led organisation.

About you

You will be a senior governance professional with substantial experience operating at organisational and board level, ideally within a charity, membership body or regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Proven senior-level experience in governance, legal or regulatory contexts
• Strong knowledge of charity governance, constitutional frameworks and best practice
• Experience leading teams and managing complex, cross-organisational workstreams
• A sound working knowledge of GDPR and regulatory compliance
• Excellent influencing, communication and stakeholder-management skills
• The credibility and judgement to advise Trustees and senior leaders with confidence

A governance qualification (or equivalent experience), experience spanning risk management, internal audit, insurance or data protection, and familiarity with professional or membership bodies, would be advantageous.

Governance Support Administrator
Hours: Part-Time 20-25 hours per week (preferred days Monday-Thursday, hours can be discussed)​
Location: Hybrid (40% from our office in Leeds)​
Salary: £24,000 - £28,500 (Pro-Rata)​
Contract: Fixed Term (12 month maternity cover)​
DBS: A basic check will be required

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About us

​At Epilepsy Action we are inclusive, ambitious, supportive, and committed to creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy. ​

​As we achieve the goals in our 2024 - 2030 strategy we are excited to welcome you to our passionate, supportive and committed team.​

We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that's why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this. By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the charity.​

If you are interested in building a career you can be proud of in an inclusive and ambitious organisation we might have the role for you!

​​

About the role

We are currently seeking a 12 month maternity cover for the role of Governance Support Administrator. This role will play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of our governance processes, ensuring they are robust, transparent, and effective.​

In this role you’ll play a key part in helping our Board of Trustees and leadership team carry out their responsibilities. You’ll make sure meetings are well-planned, papers are prepared with care and accuracy, and our governance processes are followed and continually improved.​

2026 will be an exciting period for Epilepsy Actions governance, as we implement some changes across the Board following a change in our constitution in September this year.​

There will be a range of innovative projects for the person in this role to work on, leading the way as we develop our new ways of working with our Board.​

Your day-to-day work might include:

• Coordinating trustee and committee meetings, including preparing agendas and taking minutes
• Supporting the administration of governance policies and procedures
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring key documents are up to date
• Offering friendly, responsive support to trustees, colleagues and partners

At Epilepsy Action we recognise the power of collaboration and teamwork, so our team members with hybrid contracts can expect to work a minimum of 40% at our office in Leeds. On average this is 2 days a week, normally on Mondays and Thursdays, for full-time employees. The expectation to collaborate face-to-face is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do which may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to help us create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

About you?

​We’re looking for a Governance Support Administrator who shares our commitment to making a meaningful difference. If you’re someone who thrives on organisation, clear communication and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you.​

Ideally you will:

• ​Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and enjoy working with people from all backgrounds
• Are passionate about developing our governance frameworks, and working collaboratively with our Trustees
• Are driven to influence positive change and continuous development
• Would love to learn more about governance, the charity sector, and working alongside the leaders in our organisation​

​Full on-the-job support, and relevant training will be provided.

​​​

Interested?

If you are interested click apply and you will be redirected our careers site to complete your application.​

Closing Date: 9am on Monday 12th January 2026
Informal Chat: Wednesday 14th January 2026
Interviews: Wednesday 21st January 2026

​We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications therefore early applications are advised.

The balance of the role is approximately 2.5dpw HR and 1.5dpw Governance Support. Applications for a 2.5 days per week Head of HR role will also be considered. Please indicate which role you are applying for when you make your application. 

 Liberty is an independent campaigning organisation. It challenges injustice, defends freedom, and campaigns to make sure everyone in the UK is treated fairly. 

Liberty is a small organisation, which punches above its weight, delivering its work through a team of around 35 employees.   We are looking for a Head of HR and Governance Support who brings strong leadership and management skills, hands-on day-to-day delivery to support high-performing teams, and who has strong organisational skills and experience working at a senior level to be able to effectively support the Liberty board, and the board of Liberty's sister charity, The Civil Liberties Trust. 

You will line manager and work closely with the HR Officer to provide responsive, problem solving and supportive HR service to managers across the organisation and to work alongside, support and advise the Senior Leadership Team to develop and deliver a strong HR strategy embedding best practice and continuing to build a positive, inclusive and high- performing culture strongly aligned with Liberty's values.

You will also work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Board and the Finance and Governance Officer to ensure that both boards have the operational and implementation support they need to function effectively, including supporting the upcoming governance review. 

 We are looking for someone who enjoys working at both a strategic and operational level, who enjoys implementing effective systems, and embraces the opportunities and challenges of embedding values-led, anti-oppressive principles within a progressive organisation.

The successful candidate is likely to be qualified or QBE in HR, and have a good grasp of HR employment law, have experience of taking an organisation through transformational change and enjoy working with managers to get the best out of their teams. 

For further information click the apply button.

GADN is recruiting for a new Director (Job share – Funding, Finance and Governance)   

GADN brings together NGOs and individual experts committed to achieving gender equality and the rights of women and girls in all their diversity across the world.  Our Secretariat is a small but highly respected team coordinating advocacy towards the UK Government and supporting our members to promote best practice. 

This new position will work alongside the existing Director to provide strategic direction and vision to the network and oversee the organisation’s operational work. In addition, the primary purpose of this role will be to bring in new sustainable sources of funding for the network in an increasingly difficult funding climate, and to ensure the smooth running of financial and administrative systems and Board governance.

We are looking for someone with leadership skills and vision who is passionate about our work and able to enthuse others. The ideal candidate will have a track-record in securing new funds and experience of external representation at senior levels with donors. You will bring experience in management, ideally at a senior level, and an understanding of budgets and financial planning.

This is an 18-month fixed-term position, for 14 hours a week.

If you are interested in applying, please review the job description and complete the application form by 9pm GMT on Wednesday 7 January 2026.

GADN values diversity and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences to join our team. As we continue working to decolonise our practice and build an anti-racist organisation, we actively welcome applications from Black women and Women of Colour who we recognise are under-represented in the UK international development sector. Selection will be based on skill, experience and suitability for the role. If you share our core commitments, we would love to hear from you!

Lead with compassion. Inspire through purpose. Shape the future of Hospiscare.

Hospiscare has been at the heart of our community for over 40 years, providing outstanding specialist end-of-life care and support to people and their families across Exeter, Mid and East Devon. As we look to the future, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead our charity with vision, empathy and strategic strength.

The opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role — guiding a much-loved local charity through a period of challenge but also opportunity. You’ll work closely with a dedicated Board of Trustees and an experienced Leadership Teams to shape and deliver our strategic goals, ensuring Hospiscare remains resilient, sustainable, and true to our founding values of care, compassion, and dignity.

You’ll be the public face and voice of Hospiscare — inspiring confidence among our staff, volunteers, supporters, healthcare partners, and the wider community. Your leadership will ensure we continue to deliver the highest standards of specialist palliative care while innovating to meet the changing needs of our patients and our community.

About you

You are an accomplished and compassionate leader, able to inspire and unite people around a shared purpose. With substantial senior leadership experience — ideally gained in the charity or health and social care sectors — you bring a track record of shaping strategy, managing complex budgets, and achieving sustainable results.

You’ll understand the challenges facing healthcare and charitable organisations and bring creative, collaborative solutions. You are confident working with a Board, comfortable in the public eye, and driven by a genuine commitment to making a difference to people’s lives at the most profound of times.

Key strengths you’ll bring

• Strategic vision and proven experience leading organisational change and growth
• Strong understanding of governance, finance, and regulatory environments
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — connecting easily and authentically with people from all walks of life
• A leadership style that combines compassion, clarity, and courage
• A deep alignment with Hospiscare’s mission and values

Why join Hospiscare?

At Hospiscare, you’ll find a community of extraordinary people — staff and volunteers dedicated to providing the very best care and support when it matters most. This is more than a leadership role; it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a vital local charity and the lives of countless people in Devon.

We are working with Charity Recruitment Consultant, Jackie Dawkins of Shine Charity Recruitment,who is supporting our search.  For further details about Hospiscare, please read the Recruitment Pack 

Key Dates:

• Closing Date – 26th January 2026 at 5pm
• First Interview with Jackie Dawkins (via Zoom) – 2nd/3rd February 2026
• Shortlisted candidates informal meeting with Chair – 23rd February 2026
• Interview and Assessment Day at Hospiscare – 24th February 2026

Closing Date: 11 January 2026

Ref 7228

Save the Children UK is looking for an individual with extensive senior legal, governance and risk leadership experience to join us as our General Counsel and Company Secretary. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with our Board of Trustees, Chief Executive and leaders across SCUK, as well as partners across the global Save the Children Movement, to help drive impact for children. 

About Us 

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. 

About the role 

As General Counsel and Company Secretary, you will play a pivotal role in guiding decisions that align with our mission and values, ensuring that SCUK operates with integrity, transparency and strong governance. You will lead our Legal, Enterprise Risk and Company Secretariat functions, oversee internal audit performance, and act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board. You will integrate legal, governance and risk-thinking into organisational decision-making, enabling innovation and impact while ensuring compliance and safeguarding the organisation's reputation and obligations. 

In this role, you will: 

• Provide strategic legal, regulatory and governance advice to the Board, CEO and senior leaders, ensuring decisions are informed, risk-aware and aligned with our organisational priorities. 

• Lead and motivate the Legal, Enterprise Risk and Company Secretariat teams, setting strategic direction and fostering a high-performing, inclusive, values- and impact-driven culture. 

• Serve as Company Secretary, ensuring robust governance, effective Board and Committee management, and compliance with company law, Charity Commission requirements and the Charity Governance Code. 

• Oversee SCUK's enterprise risk management and internal audit functions, acting as Executive Sponsor for Global Assurance and ensuring effective risk, audit and compliance frameworks are in place. 

• Support organisational transformation and innovation, including new financial models, subsidiaries, and partnerships, while ensuring SCUK remains compliant, ethical and child-rights focused. 

About you 

You'll be an English qualified lawyer with broad experience across a range of areas, including some or all of charity and fundraising laws, corporate governance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, IT and corporate law.   

Ideally, you'll bring experience in an in-house legal role (including in a charity context) with some experience of working in international contexts.

To be successful, it is important that you have: 

• Senior experience in a challenging role, including managing a team and working with senior executives and trustees.

• Good understanding of the context in which Save the Children works. Experience and understanding of human rights law, child-rights based law and/or laws relating to sexual offences is desirable but not essential. 

• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, influence at senior levels and provide clear, solution-focused advice. 

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues in accessible ways and negotiate effectively. 

• A high level of integrity, ethical judgement and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to fostering a culture of accountability and learning. 

• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values. 

What we offer you: 

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance. 

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work. 

• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day.

Location & Ways of Working: 

SCUK offers ‘remote first' hybrid and flexible work arrangements to enable impact towards our strategic objectives and to support the wellbeing of our talented people.

This role involves close direct work with the Board, CEO, senior leaders, staff, and partners. Often fast-paced and handling sensitive issues and relationships, the nature of this role means that you are likely to need to be in our Farringdon office for at least two days most weeks. Some out-of-hours work may be required. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense.

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

Full-time | Permanent | Office-based with flexible options
Salary: Circa £30,000 depending on experience.

Join us at Kent Community Foundation and help make a real difference in your community.

We’re looking for a proactive, highly organised Executive & Operational Assistant to support our governance and keep our operations running smoothly. This is a varied and rewarding position where no two days are the same.

What you’ll do:

• Support governance by coordinating board and committee meetings, preparing papers, and taking accurate minutes.
• Provide high-trust executive support to our Chief Executive and Head of Finance & Governance.
• Manage finance administration: process donations, grant payments, and maintain bank accounts.
• Be the backbone of our office—managing supplies, welcoming visitors, and handling enquiries.
• Assist with HR tasks including recruitment and updating our HR system.

What we’re looking for:

• A proven and experienced administrator with strong organisational skills, integrity and attention to detail.
• Someone confident in working with numbers and familiar with finance systems.
• Someone who thrives in a busy environment and wants their work to have a positive impact.

Why join us?

• Be part of a team that supports local communities across Kent.
• Enjoy flexible working options and a collaborative, supportive environment.

Location: Our offices in Smeeth near Ashford (flexible arrangements available).
Closing date: 4th January 2026 | Interviews 14 January 2026

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the person specification 

If you need accessibility support or adjustments during the application process, please contact us at the same email address.

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.

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.

The Senior Marketing Planning Manager in an exciting new role to Alzheimer’s Research UK. Sitting in the Marketing Planning team within Strategic Marketing, this role is accountable for making ARUK’s marketing system work end-to-end for bigger and better impact.

This role is responsible for the practical application of the overall marketing strategy into clear, prioritised and sequenced plans across the top of the marketing funnel, working closely with colleagues across Fundraising, Comms, Digital, Policy and Brand.

Operating with significant autonomy, the role embeds planning discipline, governance and rhythm across the organisation — ensuring the right activity happens at the right time, with the right level of investment, to deliver audience and income growth.

This is a senior management role, judged not by activity but by the clarity, efficiency and effectiveness of the marketing system.

Key Responsibilities:

Marketing Planning & Operating Model Leadership

· Own and embed ARUK’s Marketing Operating Model, ensuring planning principles, cycles, governance and tools are understood and consistently applied.

· Translate organisational priorities into an integrated annual and quarterly marketing plan.

· Ensure planning supports growth of our defined target audience and long-term fundraising outcomes.

Master Marketing Calendar Planning & Management

· Own and maintain the single Master Marketing Calendar to ensure a clear and complete view of what ARUK is communicating externally and when.

· Sequence campaigns to avoid clashes, duplication and audience fatigue.

· Enable informed trade-offs between activity based on capacity, impact and strategic priority.

Strategic Marketing & Communications Board Programme Management

· Act as Programme Manager for the Strategic Marketing & Communications Board.

· Ensure meetings are decision-focused, well-structured and supported by clear papers.

· Track actions, outcomes and follow-through to ensure decisions translate into delivery.

Campaign Planning Quality & Governance

· Lead consistent campaign briefing, prioritisation and review processes.

· Ensure Gold and Silver tier campaigns are properly planned, resourced and evaluated.

· Improve planning quality across teams, reducing late-stage changes and rework.

Cross-Organisational Leadership

· Coordinate input from Fundraising, Comms, Brand, Digital, Policy and Insight.

· Build strong working relationships and act as a trusted planning partner to Heads and Directors.

· Enable teams to focus on delivery by providing clarity, structure and coordination.

· Collaboration and briefing of media agency, creative and external partners to ensure visibility and understanding of priorities

People management

· Accountable for team development and line management of Senior Marketing Effectiveness Officer, including career development, performance reviews.

· Ensure outputs from Senior Marketing Effectiveness Officer are translated into strategy and activated in delivery.

Key Outputs

· Respected ownership of a single, trusted marketing plan and calendar actively used across the organisation.

· Effective, well-timed campaigns and clearer prioritisation.

· Improved confidence from senior leaders in marketing decision-making.

· Proactive planning and increased scheduling of external activity that makes the most of brand halo effect.

· Cross organisational planning forums that enable decisions.

What we are looking for:

· Significant experience leading multi-channel marketing or communications planning across multiple teams or functions.

· Strong understanding and experience of marketing planning frameworks, campaign cycles, and processes that support integrated delivery.

· Experience developing and implementing planning tools such as calendars, tiering frameworks, briefing processes, and governance systems.

· Demonstrable project management and organisational skills, with proven ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

· Experience of facilitating cross-functional collaboration and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

· Experience managing complex workloads and bringing clarity and structure in fast-paced environments

· Highly organised, able to create systems and processes that others can easily adopt.

· Strong communication skills — able to translate strategic direction into clear, actionable plans.

· Able to build strong relationships across teams and foster a collaborative approach.

· Confident in leading meetings, workshops, and cross-team discussions.

· A proactive problem-solver who anticipates risks and identifies solutions early.

· Comfortable holding others to account for agreed ways of working, timelines, and processes.

· Attention to detail with the ability to step back and see the bigger picture.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £53,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 11th January 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK

Employer: Community Rail Network 

Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time 

Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield 

We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.  
  

About us 

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role 

This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.

As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.

 
Main responsibilities 

• Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice; 

• Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport; 

• Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared; 

• Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;

• Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport; 

• Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement; 

• Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact; 

• Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR; 

• Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact; 

• Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;

• Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement. 

 
Skills and competencies 

1. Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management; 
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels; 
3. An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights; 
4. Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas; 
5. Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels; 
6. Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels; 
7. A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments; 
8. Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level; 
9. Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks; 
10. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so; 
11. IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media; 
12. Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Other information

As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.   

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.   

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.  

Workspace and Executive Assistant

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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.