62 Grants compliance officer jobs in London, Greater London

Brief role description:

The Head of International Growth is a new strategic leadership role that will enable parkrun to unlock dynamic, sustainable growth across some of key geographies — currently Europe, Africa, and America, though these may evolve over time. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Global Heads of Commercial, Legal and Governance and Event Delivery and Volunteering, the successful candidate will lead the development and execution of parkrun’s international growth strategy. They will support country managers and regional teams to build scalable, values-led operations that drive participation, social impact, and revenue, while ensuring alignment with parkrun’s global purpose and compliance standards. The role will also oversee market analysis, prioritisation, and partnership development, with accountability for growth KPIs, budget oversight, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver measurable impact across existing and new countries.

This role will:

• Work with country and regional managers to build parkrun’s international strategy, identifying opportunities to grow parkrun both within our existing footprint and also into new countries.

• Develop parkrun’s strategic connectivity and brand awareness in key countries, building advocacy for our vision and purpose.

• Enable sustainable commercial growth by building and delivering revenue strategies tailored to the regional opportunities and overseeing budgets

• Provide inspirational leadership to Country and Regional Managers and advocate for their needs to the Global leadership team. 

• Be an expert at strong relationship building including via virtual channels and be prepared to work flexibly to manage a broad geographic remit.  This will include some travel but much of the work will need to be conducted virtually.

About parkrun

parkrun is a health and wellbeing charity and our vision is to create a healthier and happier planet.

Since our conception in 2004, parkrun has evolved into a global social movement with a vibrant and inclusive community at its core. Our mission is to transform lives by empowering people to be active, together, outdoors in their local community. Each and every weekend, we deliver free, weekly timed events that people of all ages and backgrounds can join in. By tackling barriers to participation, we encourage communities to come together and embrace regular physical activity.

In 2026 we celebrated our 1 millionth event and regularly have 500,000 people participating in parkrun each weekend.  parkrun spans over 3000 locations in 23 countries with more than 12 million people registered, and counting. 

And we have really only just begun.

Main responsibilities:

• Strategic Influence & Stature: Drive the overall presence, reputation, and stature of parkrun across North America, Europe and Africa. Champion Parkrun's mission to break down barriers to physical activity, establishing the brand as a recognised and respected leader in community health and wellbeing.

• Strategic Partnerships & Coalitions: Cultivate and secure strategic relationships across commercial, governmental and participation based stakeholders, creating a network of advocates for parkrun’s vision and ambition aligned to strategic aims.

• Revenue Generation & Sustainability: Working with the Global Commercial team, design and execute commercial revenue strategies tailored to North America, Europe and Africa. Identify, negotiate, and secure sustainable funding streams, corporate sponsorships, and grants and foundations which ensure regional financial self-sustainability and fund future international expansion. 

• Participation Growth: Support local teams to hit country participation growth targets and explore approaches to accelerate growth, using data‑driven decision‑making and insight generation to evaluate performance and continuously refine growth approaches across all regions, working closely with the Head of Event Delivery.

• SLT Advocacy & Cross-Functional Alignment: Act as the strategic voice for international growth to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Make compelling cases for support for central resource allocation (e.g., technology, communications, operational support) to enable regional success. 

• People Leadership & Staff Performance: Line manage, mentor, and hold  Country Managers and Regional Managers accountable across target countries. Foster a culture of high performance, professional growth, and strategic and values alignment across remote international teams.

• Budget Ownership & Governance: Oversee regional financial health, budget creation, and resource allocation in collaboration with global finance. Maintain strict governance and multi-jurisdictional legal and regulatory compliance across all operating countries within the portfolio.

Desirable experience requirements:    

• Executive Presence: Skilled at developing a clear strategy and advocating for its successful implementation to country boards, Global colleagues and key external stakeholders.

• Senior Strategic & Commercial Leadership: Proven track record of expanding  organisational footprints, stature, and/or brand influence across complex international regions (ideally within Europe, North America and/or Africa).

• High-Level Relationship Management: Extensive experience building strategic, peer-level partnerships with corporate executives, government bodies, media or national sporting organisations.

• Securing Commercial Revenue: Demonstrated success in personally identifying, structuring, and closing revenue-generating partnerships.

• Senior Line Management: Substantial experience in direct line management, creating a cohesive team in spite of being geographically dispersed.

• Financial & Budgetary Oversight: Proven expertise in managing multi-currency operational budgets, resource allocation, and long-term financial sustainability models.

Most relevant skills:

• Strategic Influence & Diplomacy: Outstanding capability to negotiate, persuade, and build high-level alliances across commercial, government, and sport / mass participation sectors.

• Commercial Strategy & Deal Making: Sharp business acumen to turn brand presence into long-term commercial, sponsorship, and grant funding revenue streams.

• Executive Advocacy & Communication: Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills, able to articulate regional priorities persuasively to SLT / Board and to external partners.

• People & Performance Leadership: Strong coaching and management skills to motivate regional leads, set clear targets, and elevate staff performance.

• Financial Management & Accountability: Rigorous budget oversight, forecasting capability, and financial discipline.

• Cultural Intelligence & Flexibility: Deep cultural awareness and adaptability to navigate political environments and diverse operating landscapes across different geographies.

Please contact Elizabeth Duggan, Global CEO, if you would like to find out more about the role.

Working with colleagues across the Academy, Marketing and Communications, and wider teams, this new role is responsible for growing and nurturing engaged Academy audiences across online communities, social media, email and other channels. The role will plan, draft and publish approved content; moderate and manage online groups in line with community guidelines; and support the promotion of Academy learning opportunities through case studies, testimonials, photography and video content.

By monitoring audience growth, engagement and retention, maintaining accurate records and ensuring use of content is compliant with Battersea privacy and retention policies, the role will help demonstrate the impact of the Academy and support its ambition to reach, engage and benefit more organisations, individuals and animals.

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. If you would like to talk more about this, please contact us. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: Sunday 13th September 2026, 11.59pm

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s): Friday 18th September 2026

For more information about the role, please download our Recruitment pack.

To apply for the role, please click the "Apply" button below.

Lewisham Parochial & Almshouse Charities is looking for a Clerk to the Trustees: an experienced, independent-minded governance professional to support our board on governance, finance and administration.

We are a small group of four historic charities, amalgamated by Charity Commission scheme in 1990 but with roots reaching back over 400 years in the ancient parish of Lewisham. We run the Lloyd Court almshouse in Ladywell, providing independent housing for older residents, and award small grants across the parish. Our staff team is small — a House Manager and a Premises Manager on site — supported by a board of volunteer trustees.

What you'll do:

• clerk the board and its committees, including agendas, papers, minutes and follow-up;
• maintain the three-year budget and prepare the annual accounts for audit and filing with the Charity Commission;
• keep statutory and operational records, policies and compliance in good order;
• advise trustees on charity law, regulation and good practice;
• and work with the House Manager so trustees stay sighted on day-to-day operations.

What you'll need:

• demonstrable experience of clerking, company secretarial or equivalent governance support to a charity board;
• sound knowledge of charity governance and Charity Commission requirements;
• financial acumen across budgets, management accounts and annual accounts;
• excellent minute taking and clear written English

Experience in the almshouse sector, social housing or sheltered accommodation is desirable, as is familiarity with the Almshouse Association's Standards of Almshouse Management.

This is a contract for services rather than an employed post. You would be engaged as a self-employed individual or through your own company, responsible for your own tax, National Insurance and professional indemnity insurance.

If you love keeping things running smoothly and creating a space where everyone feels at home, this role is for you. As our Office and Services Coordinator, you’ll be the friendly first point of contact for children, young people, families, staff, tenants, and visitors. You’ll bring warmth, professionalism, and great organisation to the front desk and the everyday life of our buildings.

You’ll take charge of room hire bookings, ensuring every customer has a seamless experience. You’ll keep our spaces stocked, safe, and functioning beautifully by managing supplies, equipment, maintenance oversight, and health & safety compliance. You’ll handle queries, calls, and correspondence with confidence and care.

This is a role for someone proactive, organised, and people‑focused — someone who enjoys being at the centre of a busy, community‑driven environment. Your work helps create a welcoming, efficient space where everyone feels supported and valued.

If you’re ready to make a real impact in a vibrant community hub, we’d love to hear from you.

Help build the operational backbone of a multi-award winning charity that's ready to grow further, with a clear path to becoming our COO.

For seven years, one exceptional leader has held impact, organisational development and much of YUAF's operations, building the processes, funder relationships and team support that became part of the spine of how we grew. As they move on, we're not just replacing them. We're rethinking and widening the role.

This post exists to hold the organisation steady and take operational responsibility off the Chief Executive's plate, freeing her to focus on strategy, key donors and the funding pipeline.

What you'll hold

You'll report to the Chief Executive and sit on the Senior Management Team, owning income generation, impact and evidence, business planning, governance, performance management and the systems underneath them all. You'll line-manage four people: the Pathways Lead, Marketing Lead, Project Manager and Futures Lead.

Where the role is going

From month seven, this role is intended to move to full time with deeper ownership of income and strategy. As YUAF grows, and subject to income generation, we want this post to develop into our Chief Operating Officer role. We'd rather appoint someone who outgrows this description than someone who fits it exactly.

How you'll start

The first six months are a settling period at 30 hours per week. You'll learn how the organisation actually works, get embedded in the culture, and understand the programmes by spending real time with young people and the people who deliver them.

You'll build relationships across the team, with funders and with partners, and by month three, we want people to naturally come to you as a trusted point of contact.

We also want you to look at YUAF with fresh eyes. Where are the gaps? What's held together by one person's memory alone? Where does delivery quality drop, and why? What would make life easier for the staff doing the hardest work? Bring us both the diagnosis and the solutions.

The timing is on your side: November to February is our quietest season, when the Studio Bus is largely off the road. Delivery picks up again in March 2027, so the role builds in stages rather than coming to you all at once.

How to apply

In addition to providing your CV and cover letter, it is a requirement of the application process that you complete our Head of Operations Questionnaire. A link for this can be found on the attached job description. 

Note

We recognise that AI is a useful tool, however, we will be assessing applications, cover letters and running through AI to ensure that it was written by yourself as part of our shortlisting process. So please take the time to write your own application, this is a serious role that requires critical and independent thinking.

Director of Finance: £80,000 - £85,000 + Benefits | Hybrid | London

For a small (but mighty) international NGO undergoing significant organisational change and transformation, we are recruiting their new Director of Finance on a contract to permanent basis. Reporting to Deputy Executive Director, this pivotal role will lead the Finance team through this change, as well as contributing significantly to the change underway. This role will support the Regional offices, providing hands-on finance support to staff while contributing to a strategic and operational context in transition. The Finance Director will embed new practices and ways of working and build the team to produce deliverables for the long-term.

Main Duties:

• Plan, execute, and deliver global operating budget for 2027 strengthening budget monitoring, reporting, and cash-flow forecasting
• Present management accounts, financial forecasting, and remodelling to the Board
• Oversee the implementation of the Finance Systems plan
• Produce financial modelling and costings for Executive team to evaluate organisational change options
• Lead the International Grant Accounting team to provide first-rate business partnering support, and compliance with donor requirements
• Lead the Finance team to transition to a smooth month-end reporting schedule and monthly and quarterly management accounts
• Implement financial policies to ensure compliance and identify and close gaps in controls
• Ensure compliance with statutory, legal and taxation requirements across the UK, Netherlands, US and Canada including charity commission and companies house
• Review and strengthen all controls and accounting processes
• Support the Project, Donor and Global audits

Person Specification:

• CCAB qualified with strong finance senior management / leadership experience within an international, multi-donor organisation
• Proven ability to deliver accurate and timely financial reporting
• Proved ability to implement, improve, and manage financial systems and controls, during periods of transition and change
• Proven delivery of statutory audits and UK compliance (ideally including US/Canada/EU)
• Strong experience of grant management, and cost allocation
• Leadership skills, including financial and operational staff, and those in remote locations
• Available at short-notice and able to commit to at least 6-months, ideally with a desire to move into a permanent role

________

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

AFRIL is recruiting for our next Casework Manager, following the advancement of the current post holder into another role within the organisation. We are looking for a hard working and dynamic person who can balance the operational demands of casework and managing frontline services, with excellent HR skills and a keen interest in policy and developing partnerships. This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team at AFRIL, which would be ideal for a highly experienced caseworker or solicitor seeking to gain leadership experience in a community led organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a team of 3 Caseworkers (as well as a team of volunteers) in the delivery of AQS casework in the areas of housing, asylum support, welfare benefits and community care, and the provision of Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 advice. The post holder will also hold key funder and partner relationships, oversee compliance, safeguarding and support the Executive Director with AFRIL's external policy work. 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role

As Community Impact Manager, you'll:

• Be at the heart of our community-led approach, building trusted relationships, strengthening organisations and helping communities access the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Work closely with charities, community organisations, local partners and stakeholders to support community-led change. Building strong local relationships, you'll help organisations grow stronger, connect people and resources, and identify opportunities that lead to meaningful outcomes for communities.
• Manage a portfolio of funded organisations, broker partnerships, gather local insight and ensure community voices help shape our programmes and investment. Acting as a trusted representative of the Foundation, you'll bring people together across sectors, unlock opportunities for collaboration and help ensure our funding delivers real and lasting impact.

About You

We're looking for a relationship-builder who is passionate about communities and committed to creating positive social change. You will have experience working alongside communities, charities or community-focused organisations, helping them build confidence, capability and long-term resilience.

You'll be skilled at building partnerships, bringing people together and influencing a wide range of stakeholders. Comfortable working independently, you'll be proactive, organised and able to navigate complex environments with confidence and sound judgement.

Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to equity, inclusion and community-led approaches, with the ability to listen, build trust and turn ideas into meaningful action and outcomes.

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Redirect to Recruiter' to be redirected to our careers site, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Optional Q & A: Monday 7 September 2026, 15:00 – 16:00

Closing Date: Monday 14 September 2026, 09:00 

First Interviews: Tuesday 22 September 2026 (online)

Second Interviews:  Wednesday 30 September 2026 (in person)

#Community Impact Manager #Community Engagement #Community Development #Community Partnerships #Stakeholder Engagement #Relationship Management #Commmunity Social Impact #Community Led Change #Community Grant Making

We are seeking a proactive, forward-thinking, part-qualified or qualified accountant to lead the development of an efficient, AI-assisted finance function for the charity. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be part of Home-Start Southwark and Lewisham's senior leadership team, in the only finance-focussed role within the team, taking ownership of the organisation's financial systems, reporting, and compliance — and critically, you will have the opportunity to strategically shape how finance operates over the next 6–12 months.

This is a growth opportunity for someone who has an interest and belief in our work supporting local families and combines strong technical finance skills with curiosity about technology, a willingness to challenge existing ways of working, and the confidence to work at Board level. You will implement cloud-based accounting with AI-enabled features, design meaningful management reporting, and ensure the charity is fully compliant with SORP 2026 and Charity Commission requirements — all while keeping the CEO's time focused on leading the organisation, not managing the books.

Why this role matters now

This is not a maintenance role. We are looking for someone who wants to build something — to design and embed a finance function that is fit for a growing charity. You will have the rare opportunity to shape the tools, processes, and reporting frameworks from the ground up, working directly with the CEO to make finance a strategic enabler rather than an administrative burden.

We are looking for a person with an understanding of working with a values-driven team of people, in the charity or not-for-profit sector.

The person appointed will have an appreciation of the aims and values of the Sustain alliance and be excited by supporting our organisation in effective ways of working, whilst freeing up senior leaders and spokespeople to undertake influencing, communication, partnership development and fundraising activities.

The Operations and People Manager will help Sustain function effectively as an organisation and be a great place to work. This is a senior, trusted role working closely with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Senior Management Team (SMT), line managers and Trustees to strengthen our people, operational and governance systems.

The post-holder will lead practical improvements in HR, people processes, line management standards, staff development, onboarding, offboarding, organisational culture and compliance. They will combine sound judgement, strong systems thinking and a people-centred approach, helping Sustain keep processes clear, proportionate and well-managed, while supporting colleagues to focus on effective delivery.

The mission of the Sustain alliance is to catalyse systemic change in the UK’s food and farming system – securing a healthy, fair, and sustainable future for all people, nature and a stable climate. Working in collaboration with our alliance members and others, we run a range of advocacy work, projects and campaigns to achieve permanent changes in policy and practice; and to engage more people, organisations and communities in being food system change-makers.

As with all senior roles at Sustain, the person appointed to this role will work mainly at the Sustain office in London during their probationary period, and thereafter at least half of working hours at our office, whilst benefiting from the flexibility offered to all colleagues. This is part of senior role-modelling of the creativity, support, engagement and well-being benefits that in-person working cultivates between colleagues. This will be managed in coordination with other senior colleagues to enable good in-person coverage and connectivity across the week and across common holiday periods.

Role and responsibilities
•Strengthen Sustain’s people, HR, operational and governance systems so that the charity works effectively, fairly and well.
•Help Sustain be a great place to work, with clear standards, supportive line management, good staff development and a positive, inclusive culture.
•Lead on high standards and practical improvements in recruitment; induction; probation; appraisals; people and HR processes; line management skills, knowledge and tools; staff consultation; and organisational policies and practices.
•Support senior leaders, line managers and Trustees with clear advice, reliable processes, good records and proportionate and effective risk management.
•Develop and maintain systems that are simple, useful and appropriate for Sustain’s size, values, resources and legal responsibilities
 

Tasks and responsibilities:

Organisational operations and systems
•Lead on managing and developing the charity’s operational activities.
•Ensure that senior management actions that support operational effectiveness are managed and carried out in a timely way, via an accessible and accountable process.
•Lead and/or participate in a range of internal groups that support operational effectiveness.
•Support the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and other relevant staff with governance matters, including:
oReporting to the Council of Trustees on operational and people matters;
oPerformance of the ‘Company Secretary’ role on behalf of Trustees;
oTrustee recruitment, induction and management of necessary information and processes;
oAppropriate compliance with the Charity Governance Code.
•Working with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Council of Trustees, help prepare and coordinate the agendas and the running of the quarterly board meeting and occasional (at least annual) staff and Trustees strategy day, as well as the Sustain AGM, Annual Report and Trustee elections (annual), as one of the key links in communication with and between Sustain’s Council of Trustees.
•Lead on development and implementation of one or more relevant chapter of Sustain’s Organisation Development Plan (ODP).

•Support the planning and running of events, working with Sustain team leads, partners, venues and contributors.
•Work with the Head of Finance, Head of Digital and Design and external suppliers to help ensure office, IT and operational arrangements are appropriate and support effective working.
 

People, HR and employment processes
•Lead development and implementation of HR processes, practical actions and transactions, using external HR and/or legal advisors for authoritative support and advice where needed.
•Lead on full lifecycle support for Sustain staff including:
oEffective and inclusive recruitment, onboarding and offboarding – implementing Sustain’s commitment to recruitment for diversity – working with SMT, finance and admin leads;
oCreating, grading, reviewing and updating job descriptions, working with line managers and the senior leadership team;
oManaging employment contract variances; funding precarity; end-of-contract and risk-of-redundancy processes, working with senior managers, line managers, affected employees and HR/legal advisors;
oCreating or supporting a range of opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and identities to get involved.
•Act as first point of contact for HR queries, taking ownership of policies and process, culture and employee relations; informed by HR advice, consultation and annual staff survey, including overseeing an action plan to embed areas of good practice, and to pursue improvements in an accountable way.
•Regular review of job descriptions, grades, progression and staff benefits within Sustain to ensure we remain competitive within the sector.
•Provide or commission sector benchmarking data, analysis and recommendations to inform decision-making, using a methodology agreed with Trustee oversight, on matters such financial and non-financial staff benefits.
•Maintain and improve the Staff Handbook, Recruitment Handbook, and related policies, guidance, advice and other support.

Line management standards, learning and staff development
•Lead the development and implementation of clear, practical standards for line management at Sustain, working with SLT, SMT, the Line Managers Forum and external advisers where appropriate.

•Develop and oversee implementation of key processes such as annual appraisals, annual planning and objective-setting, and a suitable performance management process.
•Help ensure objective-setting, personal development and progression conversations are undertaken routinely, and that these and performance management are handled consistently, fairly and in line with Sustain’s values and legal responsibilities.
•Support line managers to run effective 1-to-1s, probation reviews, appraisals, workload conversations, development conversations, and difficult conversations where needed.
•Ensure suitable and sufficient ongoing learning opportunities and training for the staff team and the Line Managers group, driving the charity’s approach to consistent standards, personal development and career progression.
•Maintain and improve the Line Managers Handbook and related tools, templates and guidance.
Culture, EDI, staff voice and union liaison
•Manage and develop Sustain as a great place to work, with a working culture and practices that support effective delivery, as well as health, wellbeing and personal development.
•Serve as an active member of the Diversity Group, to implement and innovate on equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, and to gather data to measure and report on impact and progress.
•Working with the CEO, provide a route for requests and suggestions from the Health and Wellbeing Group to be properly considered and actioned as appropriate.
•Develop and support ways for staff voices to be heard and influence policies, practices and organisational culture, and for staff to be able to raise ideas and concerns confidently and see actions taken as a result.
•Support structured staff consultation and union liaison processes, helping ensure they are well-organised, transparent, well-documented and conducted in line with Sustain's policies and recognition arrangements.

Governance, compliance and risk management
•Develop and update key resources, contributing to useful reference sets such as the Staff Handbook, Recruitment Handbook and Line Managers Handbook, including overseeing production, maintenance and updating of all policies, procedures and guidance relevant to operations and people.
•Ensure Sustain complies with all employment, health and safety, data protection, charity legislation and statutory guidance including filing at Companies House and maintaining organisational records with the Charity Commission, and managing the risk register and internal policies tracker.

•Ensure adherence to health, safety, diversity and safeguarding procedures in the office, in hybrid working and for events and activities; undertaking comprehensive risk assessments for events and activities; and ensuring appropriate risk mitigation, staff communication and updates to guidance.
Other
•Potential for this role to line-manage one or more member of staff, volunteer, paid intern and/or external consultant, offering 1-to-1 support for objective-setting, work delivery, coaching and pastoral matters.
•Any other reasonable tasks and duties, agreed with the Chief Executive, consistent with the nature and level of the role.

Person specification / What we’re looking for:

Qualifications and requirements
•Significant experience operating at a senior level in a people, HR, operations or an organisation development role, including responsibility for organisational systems and staff management. [E]
•Experience of working in a charity, not-for-profit, campaigning, membership, alliance or other values-led organisation. [D]
•Demonstrable commitment to the operations and people role through a relevant qualification, training or other continuing professional development (CPD). [D]
 

Experience
•Significant experience leading organisational, people or operational improvement and advising senior decision-makers. [E]
•Developing skills and learning plans, and commissioning and/or delivering learning opportunities including training, workshops, facilitation and/or coaching. [E]
•Managing employment contracts to improve employee information and job security, especially where funding is short-term and project-based, with insights into good practice. [D]
•Delivering training and/or guidance to improve people-related functions to be delivered by line managers. [D]
•Working in a unionised organisation. [D]
Skills, abilities and attitudes
•Confidence and experience to take a leadership role on operational and people matters, working with the Chief Executive, Trustees and senior managers. [E]
•Strong problem-solving skills, and negotiation skills and the ability and confidence to provide insightful and constructive proposals and advice. [E]
•Excellent project management skills. [E]
•Aptitude for managing financial information and budgets. [D]
•Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in writing and verbally, including on complex, confidential or contentious matters. [E]
•Proficiency with computer software and records management. [E]

Knowledge
•Knowledge and experience of end-to-end management of staff team members and their development: recruitment, induction and probation; learning experiences, skills and training; personal and career development; performance management; support for health and wellbeing; and HR processes. [E]
•Sound knowledge of UK HR and employment rules and statutory guidance, and their implementation in good practice. [E]
•Knowledge of IT, online and practical systems for improving processes and efficiency. [D]
 

Attitudes and personal qualities
•Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to work flexibly, independently and meet deadlines; whilst having the judgment to know when and who to consult before proceeding. [E]
•High integrity, with a professional, diplomatic, values-led, solutions-focused and collaborative approach to working with individuals and a wider team. [E]
•Commitment and ability to work at our office in East London regularly. [E]
•Demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and racial justice. [E]
•Commitment to the mission and values of Sustain, and an interest in healthy and sustainable food and farming. [D]

Application closing date: Monday 14 September at 5pm (BST)

First stage interviews will take place (via Zoom) on: Wednesday 23 September 2026

Second stage interviews to take place in-person (London office) on: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Early applications are encouraged.

For any queries, please contact our recruitment team.

Head of Finance

Salary£80,000.00 per annum

LocationLondon/Hybrid (with 1 to 2 days a week in the office)

Weekly Hours35

The Vacancy

Job Title: Head of Finance

Location: London/Hybrid (with 1 to 2 days a week in the office)

Salary: £80,000.00 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1228366

About Us

Founded in 1844, YMCA is a global movement and the world's largest youth-focused charity.  In England and Wales, YMCAs are based in over 700 communities across 168 local authorities supporting young people and communities to reach their potential. The turnover of YMCA in 2025-26 was £386m. YMCA England & Wales is a £23 million organisation of more than 400 colleagues, supporting a Federation of 80 local YMCAs to deliver vital services which positively impact young lives across the country. As we grow our income and impact, we are seeking an established and inspirational Head of Finance to take on one of the most pivotal roles in our organisation.

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership appointment, reporting to the Director of Resources and leading a Finance team of around nine, including the payroll function. You will act as our lead on all matters of finance, liaising with our Federation members where necessary, providing expert support to our Income Generation Directorate (Fundraising and Retail) and other internal Directorates, embedding financial insight into revenue-generation strategy and working in close collaborative partnership with senior colleagues both within those teams but also across the Federation. Beyond this, you will oversee statutory reporting, investments, VAT and taxation compliance, and provide expert counsel to our Board of Trustees and Finance and Audit Committee.

Why You

Perhaps you have already established an excellent track record within a charity with significant fundraising and retail operations and are ready for the scale and influence this role commands. Or perhaps this is your first move into a charity; you are a seasoned accountant whose clients have included charitable organisations, and you now plan to apply that expertise where it matters most. Either way, this is a genuine opportunity to shape the financial future of a movement with over 180 years of heritage as we continue to embed strong financial practices whilst delivering our strategic ambition

What We're Looking For

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA) with senior management experience leading finance in an organisation of comparable scale, ideally with charity reporting and SORP knowledge. Strong business partnering skills, gravitas with trustees and committees, and genuine collaborative leadership are essential to succeed in this crucial role.

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check

Job role: Head of Finance
Salary: circa £60,000 per annum
Location: Central London / Hybrid (two days per weekonsite)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week

Lead a finance function ready for its next chapter

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance leader to join a well-established charity at a pivotal stage in its development. Reporting to the Finance Director and sitting on the Senior Leadership Group, you will lead the finance function, providing the financial leadership, insight and accountability needed to support organisational performance and future growth. The organisation has identified the need for stronger financial leadership, improved communication, more consistent reporting and greater accountability across finance, creating an opportunity for someone to make a lasting impact.


As the Head of Finance, you will:

• Lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring efficient and effective financial operations.
• Manage month-end processes and produce accurate, insightful management accounts.
• Partner with budget holders and senior stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Monitor cash flow, financial performance and organisational resources.
• Oversee grant reporting and ensure compliance with funder requirements.
• Support budgeting, financial planning, governance and audit activities.
• Lead, support and develop the Finance Manager and wider finance team.
• Improve communication, accountability and service delivery across the finance function.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience of line management working within charity finance.
• Professional accountancy qualification e.g. CIMA or ACCA
• Experience producing management accounts and leading month-end close processes.
• Experience of grant management and other statutory funding agreements
• Strong financial management and finance operations expertise.
• Experience partnering with stakeholders across an organisation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead and improve a broad and varied finance function.
• Influence organisational performance and future direction.
• Manage and develop an established finance team.
• Join a charity with a positive, values-led culture.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

This role leads two of the most consequential shifts in our 2026–2028 strategy. First, our move from a narrative-based to an evidence-based organisation: designing our impact measurement framework, leading the rollout and adoption of the Impact Hub (our custom CRM and data platform), and embedding data-driven decision-making across every team. Second, the community around our programmes: the trusted community and education referral partnerships that bring young people to us, and the structured alumni community that keeps them connected, supported and contributing after they complete our programmes.

WHAT YOU OWN

• Impact framework : the organisation's impact measurement framework, metrics and indicators.

• The Impact Hub (CRM) : the platform, its roadmap, adoption and supplier relationship.

• Data governance : data quality standards, validation protocols and UK GDPR compliance.

• Evaluation methodology : how programmes and services are evaluated, including external evaluation partnerships.

• Referral partnerships : the community and education referral partnership model and its members.

• Alumni strategy : the alumni engagement model, tiered support structure and Advisory Council.

• Organisational reporting : impact reporting to the board, funders and the public.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Impact Measurement & Evidence ~ Develop and own the organisation's impact measurement framework, defining metrics and indicators that reflect outcomes and effectiveness rather than interest or activity alone.

2. Organisational Insight & Foresight ~ Act as the organisation's insight lead: translate quantitative and qualitative data into organisational insight that shapes strategy, programme design and resource allocation.

3. The Impact Hub ~ Lead the delivery, rollout and adoption of the Impact Hub, including migration from Upshot, in line with the phased plan in the Data & Digital strategy : and own its roadmap as the organisation's insight platform thereafter.

4. Stakeholder Engagement Framework (Governance) ~ Act as guardian of the unified stakeholder engagement framework, defining the standards, data capture requirements and reporting consistency that all teams apply across our five stakeholder groups.

5. Community & Education Partnerships (Referral Pipeline) ~ Design and deliver the structured referral partnership model set out in the Talent & Engagement strategy, piloting quarterly cohorts of university, faith-group and community-organisation partners with clear MOUs, shared objectives and referral tracking through the Impact Hub.

6. Alumni Community & Engagement ~ Design and deliver a structured 12-month alumni engagement calendar with audience-segmented communications, supported by Impact Hub data.

7. Reporting & Funder Evidence ~ Produce evidence-based impact reporting for the board, funders, partners and public communications, supporting grant bids, corporate stewardship and the annual report.

8. Team Leadership ~ Line-manage the Data Administrator, Progression coaches and any future team members, providing guidance, training and performance oversight.

9. Organisational Leadership ~ Contribute to organisational strategy, annual planning and budgeting as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Read the full Job Description attached to see the full Key repsonsibilites, Person specification and 12 month success metrics.

Join BrainWaves at an exciting stage of growth and help build the sustainable income behind our ambitious plans to improve young people’s mental health.

This is a rare opportunity for a proactive fundraiser to take real ownership of a growing fundraising programme, working with experienced specialists while broadening your expertise across trusts, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving.

About BrainWaves Research

BrainWaves Research is a charity working to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing through research, education and collaboration.

We bring together scientists, educators, schools and young people to build a stronger understanding of adolescent mental health and translate evidence into practical support. Our work combines a major longitudinal research study with evidence-based educational resources for schools.

BrainWaves is a long-term collaboration involving the University of Oxford, Swansea University and The Day News & Media. We are entering an exciting stage of growth and are looking for a proactive and versatile Fundraising Manager to help secure the sustainable income needed to achieve our ambitions.

The opportunity

You will lead the day-to-day delivery of fundraising across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving, developing new opportunities as well as managing and growing existing relationships.

The role may particularly suit someone with strong experience in one area – most likely trusts and foundations or high-value giving – who is ready to broaden their expertise across a mixed portfolio.

You will work particularly closely with our fractional Fundraising Director, who will provide strategic direction and support, as well as experienced specialists in major gifts and events, senior volunteers and colleagues across BrainWaves.

This is a hands-on role with significant autonomy. We are looking for someone proactive, ambitious and organised who enjoys turning strategy into action, building relationships, improving systems and hitting targets. Above all, you will be passionate about our mission to improve young people’s mental health.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income growth

• Work with the Fundraising Director and COO to deliver BrainWaves’ fundraising strategy and annual income plan.

• Manage and grow a pipeline across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates and individual giving.

• Research and develop new prospects, partnerships and sustainable income opportunities.

• Prepare compelling cases for support, grant applications, proposals, presentations and donor communications.

• Take ownership of agreed income targets, deadlines and activity plans, monitoring performance and forecasting income.

• Manage funder and supporter relationships from initial approach through to reporting and stewardship.

Major donors, corporates and supporters

• Work with the Fundraising Director, trustees, senior volunteers and specialist advisers to identify, cultivate and steward high-value prospects.

• Build relationships with companies whose values and interests align with BrainWaves and develop appropriate partnership opportunities.

• Help develop our individual-giving programme, including appeals, regular giving and supporter journeys.

• Manage and improve our use of JustGiving and other digital fundraising platforms.

• Support donor and cultivation events, including prospect identification, communications and follow-up.

CRM, data and fundraising operations

• Take day-to-day ownership of BrainWaves’ CRM, ensuring supporter, prospect, donation and relationship records are accurate and up to date.

• Improve how the CRM is used for pipeline management, reporting, segmentation, stewardship and task management.

• Establish clear and consistent processes for recording and using fundraising information.

• Produce regular pipeline, income and forecasting reports and use data to identify opportunities, gaps and risks.

• Ensure information from JustGiving and other platforms is captured and followed up appropriately.

• Maintain high standards of data protection, fundraising compliance and data quality.

Collaborative working

• Work closely with the Fundraising Director and experienced freelance specialists in fundraising strategy, major gifts and events.

• Collaborate with colleagues across communications, research and operations to develop strong fundraising propositions and materials.

• Support trustees and senior volunteers in their fundraising activity.

• Attend occasional meetings and events, primarily in Oxford and London.

About you

You will be a confident and proactive fundraiser with strong experience in at least one income stream and an appetite to broaden your expertise.

You will be a persuasive communicator and excellent relationship builder, comfortable managing multiple prospects, deadlines and priorities. You will enjoy working in a small, evolving organisation where initiative is valued and will be effective working independently from home while staying closely connected to the wider team.

Most importantly, you will be motivated by ambitious targets and genuinely excited by BrainWaves’ mission.

Essential experience and skills

• Experience of securing income within a charity, university, research institution or other purpose-led organisation.

• Strong experience in at least one fundraising stream, such as trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates or individual giving.

• Evidence of meeting fundraising targets or contributing significantly to income growth.

• Experience of managing prospects from research and qualification through to solicitation and stewardship.

• Excellent written skills, including producing persuasive applications, proposals and donor communications.

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.

• Ability to understand complex information and turn it into a clear and compelling case for support.

• Experience of using a fundraising CRM to manage pipelines, records and reporting.

• Excellent organisation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• A proactive, resourceful and collaborative approach.

• A genuine commitment to BrainWaves’ purpose.

Desirable experience

• Experience across more than one fundraising income stream.

• Trusts and foundations and/or major donor fundraising experience.

• Experience of corporate partnerships.

• Experience of using and improving a CRM, particularly Beacon or a similar system.

• Experience of JustGiving or similar digital fundraising platforms.

• Experience of fundraising for mental health, young people, education, science, health or research.

• Knowledge of fundraising regulation and data protection.

• Experience of donor cultivation or fundraising events.

What we offer

• The opportunity to shape and grow fundraising within an ambitious charity.

• Close working with an experienced Fundraising Director and senior fundraising specialists.

• Significant autonomy and the opportunity to broaden your fundraising experience.

• Meaningful work supporting research and education focused on adolescent mental health.

• A flexible, predominantly home-based role.

• 25 days’ annual leave pro rata.

• Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme after successful completion of a three-month probation period.

• Reasonable travel expenses for required meetings and events.