Groups and volunteering development manager jobs

Job Title: Programme Lead

Reporting to: Senior Programme Lead

Location: North West

Salary: £23,500

Contract: Permanent, term-time only, full-time

Annual Leave: 50 days paid holiday each year which must be taken during school holiday

 

“The facilitator is a friend and teacher mixed into one… she gets the reasoning from the teacher and the understanding bit from the friend.” - Power2 Rediscover Young Person

 

Power2 is a fast growing and energetic children and young people's charity that has supported 27,000 young people since 2001. We are based in the North West of England and London and deliver early-intervention asset-based programmes to children and young people who have mental wellbeing challenges and are disengaged from school and more widely. We are well-known for our accredited Teens and Toddlers programme and are supporting young people via Power2 Rediscover, an intensive 1:1 crisis response programme.

With our support, children and young people who are experiencing vulnerabilities and disadvantages improve their wellbeing, re-engage with school and learning, build networks and access opportunities.

We’re committed to equality and operate within a culture and structure that recognises diversity and strives to be fair. We live by our values of Brave, Expert and Passionate and we aim to have an entrepreneurial and flexible approach to work.

We are looking for new Programme Leads to deliver our programmes so that all children and young people, regardless of their needs, feel they belong and can prosper.

Our new Programme Leads will be trained to deliver all our programmes and will primarily work in schools to support young people, their families, and school staff to ensure that at-risk pupils make the most of their education and improve their life chances. Work will include 1:1 support based in a school or in the community and delivery of Power2’s group programmes. The successful candidates could be based in one school or travel between multiple schools.

The relationships you cultivate with the young people you work with are at the heart of our success – so recruiting the right people is paramount. Our facilitators work with significant autonomy and authority and must embrace responsibility and be accountable for their work. They work collaboratively alongside young people, operating as a mentor as they empower young people to develop self-esteem, become resilient and engage with school and their own future. They give each young person the time, the confidence and skills to engage with their education and their future life plans.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check (child workforce) and provide details of two referees.

Candidates are encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description for this role. Your experience, skills and passion will set you apart so tell us your achievements, irrespective of whether they are personal or work-related and how this has shaped you, including things you’ve learnt along the way.

We are specifically interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of the issues we seek to address (childhood experience of having low family income, being disengaged with school and learning, experiencing poor wellbeing/mental health, being care-experienced, involved in gangs and violence). It is also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

Please apply online with a CV and a personal statement. In your personal statement please describe how your skills and experience match the role description and provide your notice period. Your CV and personal statement are submitted on the second page of the application process. Applications without a personal statement will not be considered.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Power2 strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can ALL be ourselves. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We work to ensure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. If we can make the application process more accessible to you, please let us know.

Safeguarding

Power2 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS certificate (child workforce) in place. We may undertake an online search if you are shortlisted.

Assistant Producer

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

£35,242 - £36,959 pa

City of London E1 8QS and we are a hybrid working organisation

Please note this is a hybrid role based on the successful candidate working at least two days a week in our London office. Remote contracts would not be considered for this role.

Purpose of Role

As an Assistant Producer at Comic Relief, you’ll help bring bold stories and creative ideas to life across various platforms and outputs. With a background in celebrity, comedy or branded content, you’ll help captivate audiences and drive engagement, largely focusing on the entertainment portion of our brand, but with opportunities in factual storytelling.

With a hands-on approach and sitting at the heart of our Creative Services team, you’ll transform briefs into reality, producing high impact, engaging content that resonates with our audiences. One week you might be developing a social-first YouTube format or editing social video content, the next, supporting on a livestream, producing corporate partner communications, or helping to plan a photoshoot.

You will combine creativity with smart production processes, sparking original ideas and new approaches to how we work. By championing inclusive storytelling and amplifying diverse voices both in front of and behind the camera, you’ll help ensure Comic Relief stays bold, relevant, and truly reflective of the audiences we serve.

Key responsibilities:

· Creative innovation – strategically respond to briefs with creativity, drawing on expertise, industry and pop culture knowledge to develop bold ideas that resonate with intended audiences, drive engagement and generate income.

· Sell the vision – craft treatments, pitch decks, and creative documents to bring ideas to life and secure buy-in from stakeholders across the organisation.

· Run productions end-to-end – from research and creative ideation to shoot production, post-production, and delivery. Create schedules, manage budgets, and keep projects moving by facilitating key meetings and aligning stakeholders.

· Collaborate creatively – work closely with a diverse range of producers, writers, designers, editors, and other partners (internal and external) to develop and deliver content that meets strategic briefs.

· Support on shoots with confidence – assisting with the set up and management of production days, briefing teams and freelancers, and when necessary, camera operating and directing talent/contributors to capture the best possible content.

· Champion best practice – work with Production Management to ensure productions meet safeguarding, consent, health & safety, risk management, and legal requirements, in partnership with Production Management colleagues.

· Drive efficiency – follow operational processes to make sure resources are used smartly and projects are delivered on time and within budget.

· Champion inclusive creativity – ensure diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of our work, both in front of and behind the lens.

· Stay culture-savvy – keep up to date on trends, platforms, and production best practice, sharing expertise across the team.

Person specification

Essential criteria

· Creative experience – you’ve helped produce entertainment or branded content for established brands, charities, or channels.

· Video production skills – confident ideating and creating engaging, relevant short-form video content from planning through to delivery.

· Shooting experience – used to arranging and contributing on shoots, including camera operating, interviewing, and supporting senior creatives.

· Editing experience – Adobe Premiere editing skills and experience edit-producing, leading video post-production for a range of outlets, particularly social media.

· Social media knowledge – experience across major platforms with an understanding of best practice, and curiosity for new trends and audience habits.

· Production know-how – attention to detail, strong editorial judgement, and ability to follow established processes and workflows.

· Multi-tasking – proven ability to manage multiple projects in dynamic environments, keeping organised and making clear editorial decisions.

· Communication skills – you can express your ideas clearly and confidently to gain stakeholder buy-in on suggested creative approaches.

Desirable criteria 

· Fundraising campaign experience – you know the difference between fundraising content and awareness content, and how to approach each.

· Innovation mindset – interest in experimenting with new creative formats, platforms, or technologies.

· Income generation – experience in creating content that has a proven ability to generate income or creates new revenue streams.

· Motion graphics – ability to create own graphic elements, such as animated logos, endboards, lower-thirds, in Adobe After Effects a plus.

· Relationship building – evidence of maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders, freelancers, and external partners. 

Perks and benefits:

· Flexible working hours

· Work from home option

· Life Insurance

· Wellness programs

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Paid emergency leave

· Sabbatical Opportunities

· Professional development

· Mentoring/coaching

· Paid volunteer days

· Payroll giving

· Salary sacrifice

· Team social events

· Extracurricular clubs

· Cycle to work scheme

· Free fruit

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Comic Relief reserves the right to close the role early if a large number of applications are received.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about our employee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London,

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work.

Disability Confident Employer

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV and application questions.

We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email us via our website to discuss further. Please do not email CV's/cover letters.

Head of philanthropy

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.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Philanthropy to lead and transform our major donor programme. This role is full time, based at our King’s Cross office in London, with hybrid working in place. The successful candidate will work 2–3 days per week on site and meeting donors, with the remainder worked remotely.

This is a critical senior leadership role responsible for developing and delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy that builds a sustainable pipeline of five, six and seven-figure, multi-year gifts from high-net-worth individuals.

You will shape and grow a sector-leading major donor programme – strengthening stewardship, building influential networks and inspiring transformational support for people with complex disabilities.

What You’ll Lead

Strategic Income Growth

• Develop and deliver an ambitious philanthropy strategy.
• Build and manage a sustainable, multi-year pipeline of five, six and seven-figure gifts.
• Review and enhance stewardship journeys and relationship management standards.
• Expand and develop mid-level giving programmes to grow supporter volume and value.
• Identify, engage and steward key ambassadors and networks.
• Deliver high-impact events that generate strong return on investment.
• Develop compelling, emotionally engaging proposals and presentations.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing philanthropy team.
• Coach and empower managers to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Model inclusive, values-led leadership.
• Partner with senior leaders across the organisation to align strategy and propositions.
• Embed collaboration and co-production across fundraising activity.

Performance & Governance

• Take full accountability for budgets, KPIs and income targets.
• Monitor and forecast income performance, taking corrective action where needed.
• Lead cross-team strategic initiatives that strengthen capability and shared learning.
• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Regulator Code of Conduct, GDPR and data protection requirements.

About You

We are looking for a strategic, relationship-led fundraising leader with a proven track record of securing transformational support from high-net-worth individuals.

You will bring:

• Demonstrable experience of transforming a major donor programme.
• Proven success securing and stewarding multi-year, five and six-figure gifts (and above).
• Significant leadership experience within the not-for-profit sector.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis.
• Data-driven decision-making skills (ideally with experience of Power BI, MS Dynamics or similar).
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• A values-led approach that authentically includes people with lived experience.
• The ability to operate confidently within a large and complex organisation.

You will also be willing to travel within the UK and attend occasional evening and weekend events.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. 

The Youth Endowment Fund

Head of Digital Communications

Reports to: Director of External Affairs and Youth Understanding

Salary: £67,800

Location:  Central London or Hybrid*(see below)

Contract: 2-year fixed term contract

Closing date for applications: 12pm, Tuesday 7th April 2026

Interview dates: Week commencing 20th April 2026

 

About the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF)

All of us will experience violence at some point in our lives. For many children, it is a daily reality. Each year, tens of children are killed, hundreds are hospitalised, 1 in 5 teenage children are victims and the majority admit to feeling afraid of violence. It scares them when they travel home from school, prevents them from going out and makes the most vulnerable feel like they don’t matter. It is taking lives, traumatising families and dividing communities. It robs potential, progress and hope. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

The Youth Endowment Fund believes that no child should be affected by violence. We research violence to understand it; we find, fund and test what works to prevent it; and we are building a movement to end it.

Communications at YEF

The Communications team, within the External Affairs and Youth Understanding directorate, is a critical arm of the organisation. We can only reduce violence if people hear about what works and put it into practice. Change is hard and it only happens if people trust where it comes from and want to engage with what we are communicating. We can only make change at scale if we’re smart about using digital tools to reach a growing, diverse audience across society.

We need professionals working across our sectors — youth-workers, police officers, social workers, policymakers, headteachers, and more — to find out about and be part of our movement. To do this, we must communicate with humility, authenticity and clarity.

We need politicians, commissioners and funders to follow our guidance and use our products. To do this, we must secure a seat at the table, communicate with intellectual rigour and persuade using the evidence.

We also need to connect with wider society, helping anyone who cares about making Britain safer for the next generation to understand what we do, what works and how they can support our cause. To do this, our brand must be accessible and inspiring, leveraging robust research alongside human storytelling.

As the Head of Digital Communications, you will be essential to achieving our mission. You will join the YEF at an exciting time. We are entering a crucial phase of increasing our policy influence at the top of government, changing things for the better across our sectors — education, youth justice, youth sector, children’s services, policing, health — and mobilising a movement to keep children and young people safe.

Your job is to make sure that the right people are drawn to our website and our digital communications, that they discover and engage with our content — from quoting our data, to using our Toolkit and evidence, to following practical recommendations in our guidance, to watching videos about the latest trends and conversations in violence prevention  — and trust what we have to say.

You will support the Director of External Affairs and Youth Understanding to plan, build and execute a digital campaign to make all of this happen. You will help to lead the Communications team to hold the attention of our priority audiences and making them act.

Key Responsibilities

• The core of your job is to ensure that YEF's audience grows rapidly and strategically in size, that people working in our sectors gain awareness and confidence in our brand and that decision-makers engage with our work via our digital channels: our website, social media, newsletters, search, long- and short-form videos and the Safe podcast.
   
• You will further develop YEF’s existing digital marketing strategy into a national campaign across 2026-2029 for mobilising the evidence to prevent violence affecting children and young people.
   
• You will provide leadership to YEF generally and the Communications team specifically - managing the Senior Digital Marketing Manager and Digital Marketing and Communications Officer – to develop internal collaboration for boosting organisation-wide digital activity, such as call-to-actions via social media and video content.
   
• You will execute a strategy for moving to a more segmented, sector-specific communication strategy that engages each audience (whether teachers, youth workers, police officers etc.) to use of YEF’s products whether our Toolkit, our Guidance on what works and self-assessment tools for each sector.
   
• To commission and develop compelling, eye-catching video content that authentically showcases case studies of our work, drives our audiences towards our channels and products and significantly boosts widespread engagement — views, likes, comments and shares — online.
   
• To help secure and convert high-profile digital communications opportunities for the team in representing YEF’s work, including podcast and video placements.
   
• To develop and leverage relevant agency relationships, and use data analytics, to optimise our SEO positioning for online searches related to youth violence, advise on investment in paid advertising to drive traffic to our website and products, and generally boost our digital engagement.

About You

You are this sort of person:

 

• You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon.
   
• You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard.
   
• You are skilled at designing and delivering digital comms and audience journeys for different segments of an organisation’s audience. You know how to build up a clear picture of audience members, develop their customer journey and turn them from unaware to aware, to a user and then an advocate.
   
• You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.
   
• You care about the detail. You like getting a system working well, planning a campaign and getting the detail right, organizing who is doing what and seeing it all happen.
   
• You pay attention to what is happening in the world. You’re plugged into current affairs, technological trends and media conversations, particularly when it comes to British society.
   
• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, backgrounds and values.

 

You have:

• A track record of driving digital communications to hundreds of thousands of people at a regional or national scale. You have led, planned and executed campaigns that bring about measurable outcomes online and practical change in the real world.
   
• Experience working with a mission-driven charity, organisation or business. You care about using your extensive digital skills to drive the work of an organisation striving to achieve social change.
   
• Experience within a leadership or management position. You have led people to drive bold, transformative communications for an organisation, company or business.
   
• Expertise in using technical tools and data analytics to target audiences online. You know how to segment and target digital audiences, transform SEO performance, develop high quality websites, increase newsletter engagement and bring new technical tools to solve problems.
   
• You have experience of commissioning creative partners - like consultants, videographers and designers - to produce compelling digital outputs and developing narrative-led content about urgent social issues that draws people in.
   
• A track record of producing video – such as case studies, explainers or podcasts - to increase positive regard, brand awareness and audience engagement on LinkedIn, Instagram Reels, YouTube, TikTok and X.

You may have the following, but they are not necessary:

• A qualification in digital marketing.
• Past experience of using Salesforce for marketing campaigns.
• Experience of working in or close to one or more of our priority sectors: education, youth justice, youth sector, children’s services, policing and health.
• Knowledge of using Artificial Intelligence to ethically and effectively boost digital performance at an organisation

While it’s not a criteria, we are especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.

It’s important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

This position will require a DBS check to be performed, but a record is not a block to performing this role.

Hybrid Working Details 

The office is based in Central London, but you don’t have to be. Those living in London and within the 32 London Boroughs are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month. As part of our commitment to flexible working, we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage. 

To Apply 

To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter answering the specific questions below, along with the completed monitoring form, by clicking the "Apply for this" button by 12pm, Tuesday 7th April 2026.

Application Questions  

• Why are you drawn to work at the Youth Endowment Fund and why do you care about our mission? (400 words max)
• Tell us about your experience of leading a digital communications team? (400 words max)
• Tell us about your experience of creating and implementing a digital strategy within an organisation to engage a large audience. Please be clear about how you measured your success? (400 words max)

Interview Process

Shortlisted candidates will be sent a technical task to complete before the interview. Interviews will take place from the week commencing 20th April 2026

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Benefits Include

• £1,000 professional development budget annually
• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support
• Volunteering days - 4 half days per year
• Death in service - 4 times annual salary
• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm
• Financial support including travel and hardship loans
• Employer contributed pension of 5%.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful, and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

The Talent Set is delighted to be partnering with The Urology Foundation to recruit to a brand new Director of Philanthropy role, leading on an exciting new campaign and driving growth of income from HWNI supporters.

Director of Philanthropy
Salary - £60,000 - £70,000 dependent on experience
Location: London (hybrid working)

Over the past few years, The Urology Foundation has experienced an exciting period of growth, enabling them to strategically broaden their research portfolio and focus on driving greater impact. 

In 2024, they launched a bold new research strategy, co-created with a brilliant and diverse group of researchers. To fuel this vision, the charity are launching a £5m major appeal (with a significant proportion of this already committed) and as such, require a Director of Philanthropy to strategically lead and engage a newly established Development Board to maximise network opportunities and secure significant gifts from HNWI supporters. 

As Director of Philanthropy you will lead, shape and accelerate this appeal with a long-term vision of building a sustainable major giving function for the organisation. The Urology Foundation is a small organisation with big ambitions and a powerful team behind it to enable the success of the appeal - they're looking for a skilled philanthropy fundraiser who is energised by uncovering networks, strategising for the long term and eager to build committed relationships. 

You may already be a Director of Philanthropy, or a Deputy looking for your first senior step. Either way, you'll be relationship led and driven to spot opportunities, building trust with senior clinicians, board members and high value supporters. A background in health/medical research is certainly desirable but isn't essential - what matters more is that you understand how to navigate networks, work with major donor prospects and turn conversations into commitments. 

As Director of Philanthropy you will:

• Provide strategic direction and hands-on support to secure major gifts, collaborating closely with internal colleagues and senior stakeholders (including the CEO, Development Board and senior clinicians) to maximise network opportunities.
• Take ownership of the new appeal, driving strategy, momentum and donor engagement to develop a strong pipeline of new prospects and leads. 
• Oversee the creation of new cases for support, briefings and donor resources to ensure the organisational narrative remains compelling and evidence-driven. 
• Personally establish and manage a portfolio of HNWI supporters, ensuring tailored cultivation plans and stewardship. 
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications to produce compelling fundraising assets that elevate the profile of the organisation and encourage high-value support. 
• With the support of the Events Manager, establish and co-ordinate a variety of events to support the appeal, engaging with HNW prospects and supporters. 

The role would best suit:

• A senior philanthropy fundraiser, with proven success in establishing pipelines of HNWI supporters and securing major gifts. 
• An individual with experience of campaign fundraising/working closely with senior volunteers/trustees and senior stakeholders to establish new network opportunities. 
• A strategic thinker with the ability to create long-term engagement plans that consider opportunities for support beyond the immediate appeal. 
• Someone who is happy to be both strategic and hands-on - you'll be comfortable with strategically shaping propositions and guiding senior leadership with HNWI engagements, but equally happy to meet prospects and handle day-to-day stewardship of your own portfolio. 

Please get in touch as soon as possible to express an initial interest, the deadline for applications (CV and Application Questions) is Thursday 9th April with first stage interviews scheduled to take place virtually on Wednesday 15th April.  

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

What if you could launch your finance career at one of the UK's leading charities, gaining hands-on experience across financial planning, analysis and business partnering, all while working towards a professional qualification? As part of our Finance & Assurance team, you'll provide the financial insight that drives smarter decisions and helps maximise our impact for people affected by dementia.

About the opportunity

As a Financial Partnering, Planning and Analysis (FPPA) Assistant, you'll join our Finance & Assurance directorate in a developmental, rotational role. Through structured rotations across financial partnering, financial planning and financial analysis, you'll build a broad foundation of skills and experience that few early-career finance roles can offer.

Day to day, you'll support the delivery of financial reports, forecasts and insight, working alongside Finance Business Partners and analysts. You'll help colleagues across the organisation make sense of financial information, turning numbers into clear, actionable stories that support confident decision-making.

This is an entry-level role designed for recent graduates, those with early career experience, and career changers. We're looking for people who are ambitious to grow. The expectation is that successful candidates will undertake relevant training and professional qualifications (such as AAT, CIMA or ACCA), with protected study time, and progress within the finance function over time.

We're looking for someone who exemplifies our values: Determined to make a difference when and where it matters most, a Trusted Expert who believes in working Better Together and demonstrates true Compassion.

About you

You enjoy working with data, solving problems and picking up new skills. You're organised, proactive and just as comfortable working independently as you are collaborating with others. Most importantly, you're motivated to build a career in finance and genuinely curious about how financial insight drives better decisions and outcomes.

You'll have

- 3 x A Levels or equivalent (a degree, apprenticeship or equivalent experience would be advantageous).
- A strong interest in developing a career in finance.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly to different audiences.
- Effective organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Confidence working with data, numbers or spreadsheets.
- A proactive mindset and willingness to learn new systems, tools and processes.
- The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across teams.

Desirable:

- Level 2 AAT qualification (or equivalent).
- Some work experience in a finance function.

What you'll focus on

- Supporting the preparation of financial reports, forecasts and analysis for directorates and teams.
- Assisting with budgeting and forecasting cycles, including data collection and validation.
- Analysing financial data to identify trends, insights and areas for improvement.
- Supporting financial modelling and scenario analysis to inform decision-making.
- Translating financial information into clear, accessible formats for non-finance colleagues.
- Maintaining accurate financial records, files and documentation.
- Contributing to clear, engaging finance communications, including guidance, templates and internal materials.
- Contributing to improvements in financial processes and ways of working.

Important Dates

- Advert closes: Sunday 5th April
- Task issued to shortlisted candidates: Wednesday 16th April
- Interview invitations issued by: Wednesday 23rd April
- Interviews take place: Week commencing 27th April

Please note that this post be subject to a satisfactory Basic Criminal Records Check, from either the Disclosure and Barring Service (England & Wales), Disclosure Scotland Check (Scotland) or AccessNI (Northern Ireland). If you require further information regarding Criminal Records Check, then please contact: [email protected].

About Alzheimer's Society

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

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JOB TITLE:                         Centre Based Assistance Dog Instructor (Maternity Cover) 

LOCATION:                        Based at our Centre in Milton Keynes, with travel up to 3 hours 

SALARY BAND:                 £26K - £32K per annum, depending on experience. Line management experience desirable.

JOB TYPE:                          Full time and Part time applicants considered. Fixed Term of 12-18 months 

REPORTS TO:                    Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme 

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives. 

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist innovative field. 

The Role 

We are looking for a passionate and driven person who has previous proven experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. The role will also include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing up to an hour from our centre in Milton Keynes.  

Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:  

• Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.

• Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets. 

• To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.  

• Regularly monitor progress of any young dogs and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme.

• To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.

• Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pretraining, placement training and aftercare visits.

• Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this standard throughout the life of the partnership.

• To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.

Responsibilities  

• To escalate issues and problems to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme as appropriate.

• To carry out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the rest of the Instructing Team.

• To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
• Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
• Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
• To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for e.g. public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
• To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
• To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
• Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
• To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
• To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
• To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
• To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards.  This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
• To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pretraining to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
• To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
• To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
• To liaise with Independent Contractors as relevant.
• To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
• To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public.  This will include on-going research and development of the project.
• As required, to liaise and provide support for Volunteers of the Charity.

Other 

• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.

• Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
• Experience of running puppy classes, carrying out public access training and recall sessions
• Able to develop training plans for any dogs in training under your care
• High level of self-motivation and planning
• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life-threatening conditions
• Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary
• Willing to be on call for partnerships as and when required
• Willing to stay away from home in local accommodation when client locations are too far to travel back home
• Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training reside in your home
• Good team player, but equally able to work independently
• Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
• Flexible

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 

Essential 

• Previous Assistance Dog Instructing and Dog Training experience
• Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
• Law in relation to dogs 
• Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age
• Knowledge of dog and human psychology
• Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
• Previous experience of teaching and instructing
• Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
• IT literacy and report writing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and SharePoint
• Full UK driving licence
• Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children

Preferable  

• Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating
• Previous knowledge of odour/scent training
• Previous line management experience 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES ​

• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills 

• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions 

• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself

• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as being able to motivate yourself.
• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem-solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to: 

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence 

• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK. 

• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 

• Work some evenings and weekends 

• Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes