192 Group head of policy jobs

CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER

Head of External Affairs (Maternity cover) - January 2027 start

· Maternity cover

· Salary £62,388 per annum

· Full or part time (minimum 4 days a week)

· Flexible working options will be supported.

· Central London Office and Hybrid working (at least 6 days a month office attendance)

We offer a pension scheme with employer contribution up to 10%, in addition you’ll receive 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, 24-hour access to a comprehensive employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan scheme and other benefits.

Help shape the UK's response to an ageing society

The Centre for Ageing Better is looking for an experienced, politically astute and ambitious Head of External Affairs to join us on a maternity cover contract.

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the UK's most influential voices on ageing at a time of significant social, economic and political change. As Head of External Affairs, you will lead our communications, public affairs and campaigning work, helping us secure greater government attention, commitment and action on the opportunities and challenges of our ageing society.

Alongside leading a high-performing team, you will personally drive some of our most strategically important influencing priorities. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, you will lead high-profile programmes of work across our action areas of Work, Homes & Communities and Ageism & Inequality, helping to ensure that government, parliamentarians, local leaders and other decision-makers take meaningful action to improve the experience of ageing. These programmes will sit at the heart of our efforts to make ageing a mainstream political priority and secure practical policy change.

This is an ideal role for someone who combines outstanding strategic leadership with a track record of delivering high-impact public affairs, policy and communications programmes that have achieved real-world change.

About you

We're looking for someone who brings a blend of strategic leadership, political awareness and hands-on delivery experience.

You will have:

• Significant experience in public affairs, strategic communications, campaigning and policy influencing.
• A strong track record of securing policy, political or systems change through effective influencing and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of working successfully with Westminster, Whitehall and other senior decision-makers.
• Demonstrable experience of developing policy positions and translating evidence, research and evaluation into compelling content and influencing narratives.
• Experience of leading high-profile programmes, campaigns or initiatives that have attracted government attention and resulted in action from decision-makers.
• A track record of developing and delivering integrated communications and influencing strategies that achieve measurable impact.
• Excellent writing, stakeholder management and political influencing skills.
• Strong leadership and people management experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• The ability to think strategically while also delivering complex projects and responding to a fast-changing external environment.

About us

The Centre for Ageing Better is an independent centre of excellence on ageing and demographic change. We work with national and local government, industries, businesses and community organisations to improve how people experience ageing. Our work focuses on creating better workplaces, homes and communities, while tackling ageism and addressing inequality in later life.

The Centre for Ageing Better is a charitable foundation funded by The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and part of the government’s What Works Network. We are fortunate to have monies remaining from our endowment from the NLCF to fully fund us until 2029, and we will be looking for new funding opportunities to sustain activity beyond 2029.

We are striving to create an organisation that reflects our society and the communities we serve with a workplace where everyone feels empowered and where diversity of background and thought is celebrated. We know there is more work to be done and are committed to continuing to improve our practice around Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

We very much welcome applications from minority groups and those underrepresented in our workforce. This especially includes people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBT+ people, and Disabled people. 

We are a Positive Action employer, therefore in recruitment where two candidates are ‘as qualified as’ each other, we will favour a candidate from any group identified as currently underrepresented in our team based on protected characteristics as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

To Apply

To apply, please follow the link to complete an application form and Equality and Diversity form.

Please address in your supporting statement how you meet the person specification for the role as fully as possible to demonstrate why you should be shortlisted for an interview for this post.

Failure to do so will result in your application being automatically rejected.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace and the support that generative AI can offer. However, we would encourage you to write your supporting statement and complete your application without the use of AI and if you do use AI, to avoid copy and pasting and to consider the value it will add. We encourage you to showcase your experience and knowledge using your own unique voice.

The closing date for this role is 9am on Monday 28th September, with in- person interviews to take place during the week commencing 26th October with an expected W/C 4th January start date.

Reporting to the CEO and working as part of the senior management team, you will have overall responsibility for fundraising income performance, the development and delivery of LLST’s fundraising strategy, and the successful delivery and growth of our events portfolio. This includes the London Legal Walk, our flagship mass-participation fundraising event.

The role will lead and develop a team of three to four (direct reports), build strong relationships with supporters, corporate partners, sponsors and other stakeholders, and use performance data, KPIs and return on investment to inform decision-making and future development.

We are looking for someone with significant experience of fundraising and income-generating events, a strong track record of meeting targets, and experience of developing fundraising strategies, and plans. You will also have experience of leading and developing staff, delivering complex events, and building effective external relationships.

The successful candidate will be confident operating at both a strategic and practical level, able to work collaboratively across a small organisation, and comfortable representing LLST externally and reporting to senior colleagues and Trustees.

Experience of the legal, access to justice or related charity sector, and experience of Salesforce, would be desirable but are not essential.

Job description

The Young Ealing Foundation is a place-based charity based in Ealing, West London which brings together the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in the local area to increase and improve opportunities for children, young people and families.

The Young Ealing Foundation’s vision is to ensure all young people in Ealing can access the opportunities and support they need to grow up and lead happy and safe lives, fulfil their potential and become a valued and listened to part of the local community. We work towards this by working with and in the community to empower small, local charities to thrive and flourish.

The Young Ealing Foundation is seeking to appoint a Head of Youth Voice and Advocacy to join our small but impactful team. Youth Voice and co-production is an important and developing strand of YEF's work and this role would suit someone with strong experience of co-production and project development.

Main purpose of the role:

· Work alongside young people to develop the delivery framework for the Ealing Youth Voice Strategy including oversight of existing and new programmes.

· Work with high-level strategic partners and stakeholders to advocate for youth-led coproduction and develop partnerships to extend the reach of YEF’s youth voice activities.

· Develop a robust impact measurement framework to create a culture of learning and enable sharing of best practice.

· Identify and apply for appropriate grants, contracts and other income streams to deliver the ambitions set out in the strategy.

· Oversee people and processes to ensure services meet high standards of delivery and compliance.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an ambitious Head of Community Research & Impact to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.

Community-led research sits at the heart of how High Trees works. Our approach aims to rebalance the role and power that communities have in deciding how research is informed, delivered and used to improve lives for Lambeth residents. Over recent years we have built a strong foundation for this work and developed two flagship community research partnerships — the Lambeth Peer Action Collective and the Lambeth Community Research Network. We are now looking for someone to significantly expand this work: building local evidence of community need, working with communities to identify solutions and appropriate responses to local challenges, and advocating for change to policy and practice where needed.

This is a broad and varied leadership role. Alongside our direct research programmes, you will lead the development of infrastructure around community-led research in Lambeth, so that voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can access the training, resources and networks they need to design and deliver their own research. You will also lead our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Communications functions, ensuring the impact of everything we do is understood, evidenced and communicated well.

As part of High Trees’ senior management team, the Head of Community Research & Impact will not only oversee delivery in their service area, but also help shape organisational strategy, grow partnerships and income, and ensure we work as one High Trees — keeping our practice responsive, collaborative and always led by community need.

About High Trees

Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for nearly 30 years. We deliver community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.

About the role

As Head of Community Research & Impact, you will:

• Lead and inspire our Research & Impact team to deliver high-quality, community-led research that drives change.
• Shape and deliver High Trees’ strategic vision for community-led research, championing collaborative research practice across Lambeth.
• Take the lead on designing new research programmes, support with sourcing the funding to run them, and ensuring projects are completed to a high standard with high-quality outputs.
• Grow the infrastructure for community-led research locally, including through the Lambeth Community Research Network and the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.
• Support VCS organisations with community research training, resources and capacity building support.
• Lead and embed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Communications across High Trees and our partnership work.
• Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, ensuring a joined-up approach across all our services.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant professional experience in research and/or community settings, with a track record of leading research projects.
• Experience of qualitative and mixed methods research and a working knowledge of participatory research approaches.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing multiple projects and programmes at once.
• The ability to build trust and long-lasting relationships across community, academic, public sector and voluntary sector organisations.
• A strategic mindset, balancing day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
• A solid understanding of the context in which High Trees delivers its work

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will help set the standard for community-led research and system change, creating tools, resources and practices that benefit the wider sector — and be part of a collaborative team dedicated to creating lasting change.

Head of Policy and Communications

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

Head of Policy and Communications 

Location England

£58,212 per annum (pro rata for part time) 

Ref: 114REC 

Part Time - 21 hours per week – we are happy to talk flexible working 

Base: Home based/hybrid, in or commutable to London 

Contract: Maternity Cover 

Disclosure: Basic/Enhanced/ DBS is not required for this position as the post holder will not be working with school and community groups in the region. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Team: Strategy and Engagement/ Policy and Communications 

As the Head of Policy and Communications you will lead our policy, communications and influencing work in England, helping to increase support for walking, wheeling and cycling. As a key member of the Policy and Communications leadership team, you will raise the profile of Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, strengthen engagement with supporters and influence decision-makers to create positive change. 

Working closely with senior leaders, you will shape political strategy, develop clear and compelling messages, and build strong relationships with policymakers, partners and stakeholders. You will use evidence, insight and collaboration to influence national policy and help deliver our UK-wide goals. 

This is an exciting opportunity to drive real change by championing healthier, greener and more accessible journeys for everyone. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Lead our influencing work with the UK Government and coordinating that with our influencing work with the other three nations, government agencies, mayors and regional policymakers.

• Build trusted relationships with UK Government policymakers and partners who share our goals. 

• Provide strategic advice to the charity’s senior leaders on communications and political risks and opportunities. 

• Lead our UK-wide and England focused media and communications team, building and protecting the charity’s reputation. 

• Working with the Head of Brand and Marketing to plan and implement our supporter engagement campaigns. 

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading both communications and public affairs for a cause, working with others internally and externally to achieve positive change. 

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. 

• Extensive experience influencing the UK Government, and the ability to provide strategic advice to senior leaders on political and communications risks and opportunities. This is the most important experience to be successful in this role. 

• Experience working in coalition with other external partners to achieve policy and communications goals. 

• Ability to build positive profile in the media and protect reputation in a crisis. 

• Excellent communication and influencing skills. 

• Successful leader of a multi-disciplinary policy and communications team. 

• The ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk.

LIVING OUR VALUES 

At the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we’re a values‑driven organisation. We’re looking for people who are: 

Always Learning – curious, open‑minded and committed to continuous improvement. 

Championing Equity – inclusive, respectful and focused on ensuring everyone has a voice and fair opportunity to succeed. 

Taking Ownership – proactive, responsible and empowered to make things better. 

Delivering Together – collaborative, transparent and motivated by shared success. 

Through our values we make it possible for more people to walk, wheel and cycle safely, healthily and joyfully. 

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. 

WellbeingSupport 

• 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 

FinancialBenefits 

• Up to two extra days of paid leave (pro rata for part‑time colleagues) when travelling sustainably for holidays. 

• 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 

• London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 per annum, pro rata for all those living within a London Borough (32 local authority districts plus the City of London). 

• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary 

Family FriendlyPolicies 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay 

• Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday) 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Application deadline: 23:59, 13 September 2026 

• Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams during the week of 05 October 2026. To apply, please complete our online application form. 

• We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in our workforce, including people of colour and candidates with disabilities. Adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. 

• Adjustments are available throughout the application process. 

Are you looking for a rewarding role within an intersectional feminist organisation? We have an incredible opportunity for a Group Worker & Coordinator to join Solace Women’s Aid.

Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. We work to prevent violence and abuse and provide services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

Solace Women’s Aid provides a wide range of services to victims/survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Islington including a large advocacy and support service and specialist projects co-located in a number of services.

About the Role

You will coordinate and deliver a range of group sessions for survivors of domestic abuse, including Solace’s ARISE course (a healthy relationship course), peer support groups and wellbeing workshops.

You will also act as an external-facing ambassador for the Islington SASS team, working alongside other statutory and non-statutory agencies in the borough to help them identify appropriate referrals to the group.

About You

You will have a passion for working with survivors and a thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on survivors and their children. You will haveexperience of providing emotional support and practical advice to individuals who have experienced domestic abuse.

You will have the skills and experience to carry out an initial assessment of needs, manage any conflicts that may occur within a group setting, and organise and deliver various group sessions.

You should have an awareness of the effects of domestic abuse on women and children, in-depth knowledge of safeguarding, and confidence in managing risk and conflict.

Additional Information

This role will be split between various sites, depending on whether groups are running online, in person or between cohorts. The postholder will work at our Head Office in Camden, our Islington office and any other group session location as required.

The salary for this post is £5,877 - £6,134 (pro-rata of £29,385 - £30,671) (Unqualified)) or £6,134 - £6,669 (pro-rata of £30,671 - £33,348) (Qualified)).

This is a part-time post at 7.5 hours (one day) per week and is a fixed term contract to 31st December 2027.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

· Flexible working

· Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)

· Generous holiday entitlement

· Employer pension contribution

· Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay

· Access to Inclusion Networks

· Daily clinical debriefing

· Two paid wellbeing days

· Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice

· Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits, and savings

· Flow & Restore yoga classes

· Meditation sessions

· Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

· Values, Behaviours & Competencies

· Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences.

We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 applies. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies

A little bit about the role

Contract: Full time, fixed term
Salary: £87,632.09 (incl London Office Allowance) plus competitive pension
Location: Hybrid- 2 days per week in London Office

The Culture and Operations Director (COD) ensures Frontline is a high-performing, well-governed charity with a strong culture of freedom and responsibility - a place people can do their best work to achieve Frontline’s mission.

They have strategic responsibility for charity-wide planning to ensure Frontline’s operational functions, effectively support teams to navigate challenges whilst maximising new opportunities. The successful candidate will join Frontline at a pivotal moment and play a key role in driving the next exciting step of our growth.

The COD will ensure high-quality operational support is available to all teams. Working closely with Frontline’s Leadership Group (Heads and Directors), to make sure that the appropriate and timely information, tools and guidance (e.g. HR, IT and finance) are available to managers and teams as needed. This includes working alongside other members of SLT, to:

• Confidently support Frontline through a period of growth and structural change
• Embody the culture of freedom and responsibility, leading by example, and implementing strategies which improve efficiency and quality
• Maintain Executive oversight of Frontline’s finances, working  with Head of Finance and Finance Audit and Risk Committee (FARC) Chair to ensure budgeting and financial decision-making is robust and strategic, to support the ongoing stability of the charity
• Maintain clear communication across teams, ensuring a connected and informed workforce who collaborate effectively. Oversee the success of key events such as annual all-staff away days, monthly gatherings and leadership stocktakes
• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders including Frontline trustees, partner organisations and the Department for Education (DfE)
• Effectively lead teams to maintain Frontline's strong track-record of meeting legal/regulatory requirements, to minimise risk to the charity

Key Responsibilities

The COD will lead teams delivering on operational priorities in line with freedom and responsibility, to ensure we remain high performing:

Change management:

• Lead the coordination and project-management of an organisation-wide restructure, ensuing the charity is well-positioned to deliver on contractual obligations whilst diversifying to further amplify our impact and that teams are kept well-informed and feed into structural changes
• Support Frontline teams to work  collaboratively and deliver plans to broaden the scope of Frontline's work, extending activity beyond current areas of focus whilst maintaining a strong, shard commitment to Freedom and Responsibility.
• Develop and adhere to tracking and monitoring systems ensuring annual priorities remain on track to achieve Frontline's mission and long-term strategy.

People and Culture:

• Manage the Head of People to identify new and creative ways to further strengthen and embed our culture and grow personal accountability
• Support the Head of People to ensure excellent HR administration, support and use of data (e.g. staff turnover, sickness levels and performance reporting) to inform future planning and decision-making
• Ensure the team design and deliver high-quality staff induction and training which support staff to thrive (e.g. personal leadership, managing effectively and radical candour)
• Maintain awareness of trends and developing technologies to support efficiencies, e.g approaches to recruitment and support to managers.

Finance and Governance:

• Manage Head of Finance and Compliance to ensure sound budget management (£25m annually), financial controls and clear reporting mechanisms are in place
• Work with the Finance team to ensure FARC and the board have the necessary information and confidence in the financial leadership of Frontline.

Charity Quality and Efficiency:

• Manage and support IT and System leads across Frontline, ensuring they have the resources and compliance mechanisms to ensure robust systems are in place.
• Support Contract Governance teams to negotiate and implement significant government contracts, ensuring outcomes are achievable and effective governance and commercially sound contracts are in place.

About the role

We’re looking for a motivated and committed policy manager to join our policy, evidence and influencing team. In this role, you’ll help deliver change for people affected by breast cancer by leading our policy work on early diagnosis (including breast screening and cancer waiting times) as well as our work on improving services for people at increased risk of breast cancer. This role manages a senior policy officer. 

You’ll use insight from patients and healthcare professionals, data and research to develop evidence-based policy positions. And you’ll build strong relationships with external stakeholders to enable you to influence to deliver policy change. You’ll work with colleagues across the team and wider organisation to take our priorities to supporters, MPs, decision-makers and the media.

About you

With experience of working in relevant policy roles to deliver significant change, you’ll be an excellent communicator, well-organised and able to work under pressure to tight deadlines.  You’ll be confident working with a wide range of people and have experience of supervising or managing people. You’ll also have an excellent understanding of the policy and influencing landscape that Breast Cancer Now works in.

Job description and benefits

The job description and our attractive benefits are available for you to download.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.

£46,000 to £49,500 per annum London based

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement online. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria
If you’ve any immediate questions please email

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who
we support.

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Closing date Sunday 27 September 2026 11:59 pm

Interview date Wednesday 7, Thursday 8 October 2026

The role

 At Cruse, our strategy, sets out our charity’s plans to grow our income and build on our expertise and unique position in the sector. We provide expert bereavement and grief information and support, and our charity has been supporting people for over 65 years. We support adults, children and young people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, through our national services, over 80 local branches and online information about grief and bereavement.

 To lead and grow Cruse’s community fundraising and events programme, maximising income from existing activities/events while developing new fundraising opportunities. The postholder will take ownership of event planning and delivery, supporter engagement and volunteer and Branch fundraising coordination, helping to increase unrestricted income. This role is responsible for the planning and delivery of major events such as Cruse walks, whilst also creating new fundraising events for supporters to engage with us.

How to apply

Your application must consist of a CV and covering letter, which outlines your suitability for the role with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification and should be no longer than two pages. Please note that if you application does not include both a CV and covering letter, your application may not be considered. 

The closing date for applications is 2 October 2026 with interviews taking place week commencing 12 October 2026. We reserve the right to close the advert early, as interviews will be held as suitable candidates apply.

Please be advised that if you do not hear from us by 12 October 2026, unfortunately on this occasion you have not been shortlisted.

Cruse welcomes and encourages applications from all protected groups as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Appointment will be made on merit.

Criminal Record Checks

All staff are required to complete a Criminal Record check. Staff working directly with clients will be required to complete an enhanced check. We comply with the relevant codes of practice and they can be viewed online: 

· Applicants in England and Wales: DBS Code of Practice

· Applicants in Northern Ireland: AccessNI Code of Practice

Previous convictions will not prevent full consideration of your application to work with Cruse. Our Recruitment of Ex-offenders' Policy & Handling Criminal Record Check Data Policy are available on request by email.

We comply with all relevant data protection legislation and process your data fairly.   

• Provide strategic leadership for Governance across the Group
• Advise around governance matters, governance assurance and best practice

About Our Client

Founded in 2000, the Calico Group has grown from a small housing provider into an award-winning group of specialist companies and charities. More than 1000 staff have joined us on our journey, and together we work with a shared purpose: to make a real difference to people's lives.To do this, each part of The Calico Group has its own specialism and expertise. Together, we've established a track record across the North-West for providing a complete community service that includes housing, healthcare, support, employability, and construction.

Job Description

Head of Governance
North West England (Burnley)

Role:

• Provide strategic leadership for governance across The Calico Group, ensuring governance arrangements support organisational objectives, effective decision-making and strong accountability.
• Provide strategic advice to Board Members, Executive Directors and senior leaders on governance matters, governance assurance and best practice.
• Ensure appropriate governance support, oversight and assurance arrangements are in place across the Group, Calico Homes, Syncora and Ring Stones
• Provide strategic oversight of governance services delivered to Group Board, subsidiary Boards and Committees.
• Oversee Board effectiveness reviews, Board member recruitment, succession planning, induction, development and appraisal arrangements, ensuring continuous improvement in governance capability.
• Lead the development of governance assurance methodologies, standards and reporting frameworks used across the Group.
• Provide leadership, direction and professional development to the Governance Team.
• Actively contribute towards organisational decision-making, strategic planning, policy development, business improvement and the achievement of corporate objectives.
• Represent the Group on governance matters with regulators, external reviewers, governance networks, professional bodies and sector partners where appropriate.

The Successful Applicant
Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of managing Board and Committee meetings
• Strong working background within a senior governance or company secretarial role
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Demonstrable background of advising Senior Stakeholders around Corporate Governance matters
• Excellent governance experience from within a regulated sector
• Brilliant people management experience
• CGI Qualified, Legal, or similar

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the NHF Code of Governance, the Charity Code of Governance, and the Wates Principles.

What's on Offer

• Salary: £57,000 + benefits
• Location: Burnley
• Hybrid working: example 2 days per week in the office
• Advert close date: 23rd September

Interview Process:

• First stage interview: Wednesday 7th October 2026 (online)
• Second stage interview: Tuesday 13th October 2026 (face to face)

You will play a key role in organising and delivering a range hospice-led events, helping to maximise income, recruit participants and provide excellent supporter experiences. You will combine strong event organisation and project management with a clear focus on fundraising, ensuring our events are delivered safely, professionally and cost-effectively whilst providing excellent stewardship to event participants to develop a stronger relationship with Southern Hospice Group.

This is a flexible, relationship-led role for someone who loves being out in the community, opening doors, inspiring supporters and turning local goodwill into long-term income to support seriously ill children and their families.

We are looking for an ambitious, energetic and relationship-focused Regional Community Fundraiser to join our fundraising team and grow sustainable support across Surrey. Working from home and spending significant time within your region, you will act as the face of the charity locally, engaging individuals, community groups, schools, local businesses and volunteers.

We are seeking a talented Director of Programme Delivery and Operations (maternity cover), fully committed to our widening participation cause, to join the Senior Leadership Team in a pivotal role for a growing and ambitious charity. 

You will have responsibility for ensuring we are providing high quality programme delivery to young people across our centre network, that are centres are functioning effectively, and that targets are monitored and met. And of course, you will need to have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for working with young people and helping them achieve their ambitions.

The Director of Programme Delivery and Operations is a Senior Leadership Team position within the charity and reports into the Chief Operating Officer. The role is responsible for oversight of all centre programme delivery and performance across our network of 44 local learning centres (and growing).

Contract

This is a fixed-term, maternity cover role until at least end of November 2027. This role can be either full-time or part-time (0.8 FTE) - responsibilities will be adjusted proportionally for part-time candidates.

Start date
January 2027 (or as otherwise agreed)

Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30
We are a delivery organisation providing frontline educational services for young people. We are an organisation with team members at different stages of their career, including many in their first roles: We are committed to nurturing talent and providing a developmental culture for all. Our team works in-person 4 days per week (or 3 days for a 0.8 FTE staff member)
with 1 day working from home. 

Location

The role would be based at one of our IntoUniversity centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, London, Manchester or Nottingham, with regular travel across the network and to our Head Office in London. 

Salary

£62,500 (Plus additional London contribution of £2,800 for London-based candidates). Pro rata for part-time candidate.

Annual leave

This is the full-time staff entitlement and will be pro-rated for part-time staff.

33 days (inc bank & public holidays)
+ 3 closure days (two in December and one in July)
+ additional length of service entitlement
(one day per year of service, up to 5 days)
 

Staff benefits

• Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
• Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm 
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to medical and legal support 
• Life Assurance scheme with AIG including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
• Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000 
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
• Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year

Application deadline - 9am Monday 28th September 2026.

Interview Day (in-person at our Head Office in London) - Wednesday 7th October. Please ensure that you are available on this date.

Rural Refugee Network (RRN) is a small local charity in East Hampshire, Havant and Portsmouth, working alongside refugees and people seeking asylum through the work of six board members, thirty operational volunteers, one part-time permanent employee and a small bank of project staff and contractors. The charity is widely recognised by stakeholders and the local community for sensitively and effectively addressing the many challenges people arriving in the UK face as they strive to resettle and thrive in our community.

RRN is seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead its support for refugees and people seeking asylum. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small charity through a period of significant change, with overall operational responsibility for the charity, including partnerships, funding, coordination of delivery, safeguarding and compliance. 

Working directly with a range of stakeholders and beneficiaries, the ideal candidate for this complex and high trust role will be self-reliant, adaptable, and able to engage and influence through excellent face-to-face and online communication skills. This is a genuinely flexible role, with significant autonomy over when and where work is undertaken. There will be regular opportunities for in-person team management and relationship-building, alongside substantial flexibility in how the wider working week is structured and where work is carried out. We are looking for someone who is confident working independently, manages their own time effectively and values the trust and responsibility that come with this level of autonomy.

A candidate who is energised by working flexibly and sensitively with a small team will thrive in this role, which offers the opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Experience in the refugee sector is desirable.

Deadline: 5pm Monday 21 September

To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement of not more than 2 sides, explaining your motivation, reflecting on how you would approach being RRN’s only core employed leader, and demonstrating your fit against the specification below. Please use the email subject heading “Head of Operations Application”. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applications.

Job Description

Title: Rural Refugee Network Head of Operations

Reports to:  Board of Trustees

Hours:  Part-time (0.5 FTE, negotiable). Permanent contract.

Salary range: £40,000 - £45,000 FTE depending on experience.

Benefits: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata to hours agreed). 3% employer pension contribution.

Location and expectations: Flexible hybrid working with frequent travel to projects, events and stakeholder meetings in Portsmouth, Havant, Petersfield and the wider Hampshire area. Occasional evening and weekend in-person working required.

Purpose: To lead the day-to-day operation, development and sustainability of Rural Refugee Network, working with trustees, volunteers, funders and partner organisations to ensure refugees and asylum seekers receive practical support and RRN maintains compliance and operational sustainability.

About the role:. 

In this small charity, the Head of Operations combines operational coordination, programme oversight, partnership development and income generation, with delivery shared across volunteers, trustees and contracted staff.The role offers a high degree of autonomy and flexibility, alongside the opportunity to shape how the organisation works and develops. It requires strong judgement in balancing opportunities, risks and priorities within limited capacity, and the confidence to work independently while bringing others with you.

RRN is volunteer-led, and the Head of Operations is the organisation’s only permanent employee, holding overall coordination and accountability for day-to-day operations. This is therefore a broad, high-trust role: rather than delivering everything directly, you will enable and coordinate others, working closely with trustees, volunteers and contractors who deliver significant elements of the activity you lead.

The role will suit someone who enjoys variety, autonomy and a flexible working pattern, and who is comfortable taking ownership while knowing when to collaborate, delegate or seek support.

Key responsibilities:

Leadership, coordination and partnerships

• Deliver agreed strategic objectives and support trustees in developing future priorities.

• Prepare quarterly Board reports.

• Coordinate relationships with statutory, voluntary and community partners.

• With the support of trustees, represent the charity in local forums, develop opportunities for collaboration and promote RRN in the local community.

Programme and volunteer coordination

• Provide oversight of funded and core programmes.

• Recruit, train and manage project staff (currently two youth workers) and contracted/sessional staff.

• Recruit, train, support and retain volunteers.

• Oversee referral pathways and access.

• Support volunteer-led communications activity including website, newsletters, social media, impact reports and case studies.

Income development and funding

• Write grant applications and manage reporting requirements (with volunteer/trustee input).

• Maintain and develop funding pipeline and actively develop new funding streams.

• Support relationship-building with donors and community supporters.

Finance and compliance 

• Monitor programme budgets, working with the Treasurer.

• Support trustees in governance, reporting and compliance responsibilities.

• Maintain organisational policies and procedures.

• Lead safeguarding practice and reporting, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensuring policies are implemented by staff, volunteers, and contractors.

• Maintain oversight of organisational risk, compliance with Charity Commission, data protection, employment requirements and insurance arrangements.

• Ensure appropriate administrative systems are in place and followed, including maintaining up-to-date records in the CRM, Lamplight.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Substantial experience managing programmes or services in the charity/social impact sector, including line management, budgeting and financial oversight, and grant compliance/reporting.

• Strong partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience leading and recruiting volunteer teams. 

• Deep understanding of safeguarding and compliance and recent experience leading safeguarding practice and decision-making. Up to date on requirements and best practice.

• Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgement about what trustees need to know and when, and to prioritise effectively within limited capacity and competing demands.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, IT proficiency.

Desirable

• Experience working with refugees, asylum seekers or other vulnerable groups.

• Understanding of immigration, integration or resettlement issues.

• Successful fundraising and bid-writing experience. 

• Experience of local authority commissioning or grant funding.

• Comfort and experience in IT, data and/or CRMs.

RRN is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check, including a check of the relevant barred list, two satisfactory references, including your most recent employer, and safer recruitment practice including verification of employment history and a right to work check. RRN is unable to sponsor work visas, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.