Head of communications jobs
The Organisation
Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. We exist to end the pain and suffering and loss of life among people affected by eating disorders:
- We help them to understand their illness, support them to get treatment and help them towards recovery.
- We help families and carers know how best to support a loved one into, through and out of treatment.
- And we train teachers, health professionals and other key individuals to spot when someone is showing the early signs of an eating disorder, how to talk to them and how to encourage them to seek and get treatment as quickly as possible.
We use our experience to campaign for better government policy and health service practice that addresses the challenges faced by people with eating disorders, always guided by the experience of our beneficiaries and the expertise of clinicians. We work both nationally and locally, focusing on three priority areas: early intervention, family empowerment and prevention & cure.
The Role
We are seeking a strategic, experienced, and inspiring leader to join Beat as our next Director of Finance and Resources. This is a rare opportunity to help lead a fast-growing, mission-driven organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey. You will join a truly collaborative Executive team where decisions are made collectively, ideas are shared openly, and every Director plays a vital role in shaping Beat’s strategy and future. Together, we will guide the organisation as we launch our new five-year strategy, ensuring that we can continue to build financial resilience, grow our reach, strengthen our impact, and remain a sustainable charity.
In this role, you will not only oversee the financial health of the charity, but also shape the systems, people strategy, and resources that underpin everything we do. Your leadership will be instrumental in embedding robust and transparent financial management, driving operational excellence, and ensuring that our people and infrastructure are fully equipped to deliver our ambitious goals.
You will lead a multi-disciplinary team covering finance, HR, IT, and facilities, providing clear direction and supportive leadership. With direct line management of the Finance Manager, HR & Governance Manager, and Senior Project Manager and Evaluation Lead, you will ensure that all areas of Finance and Resources operate efficiently, sustainably, and in close partnership with colleagues across the charity.
The Person
This role will suit someone who thrives on collaboration, innovation, and impact. You may already be working at Director level, or you may be ready to step up from leading a senior finance, HR, or operations function in a larger organisation. Either way, you will bring the vision and experience to strengthen Beat’s foundations and the drive to help us reach new heights.
- Proven experience working as part of an Executive Team to lead an organisation, shaping strategy and delivering results through cross-functional collaboration.
- Significant experience leading organisation-wide HR strategy and operations, with a proven ability to build an inclusive, high-performing culture. CIPD qualification desirable but not essential.
- Proven experience leading finance in a complex organisation, ideally in the charity or not-for-profit sector to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Qualified accountant (CCAB-recognised body: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or equivalent senior-level financial management experience.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence colleagues, Trustees, and external partners.
- Sound understanding of governance, compliance, and risk management in a regulated environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to Beat’s mission, values, and to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
Further Information
For extended information about Beat, the role responsibilities and the person specification, please download the Candidate Information Pack.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this brilliant opportunity, please provide the following with your application:
- An up to date CV with details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
- A supporting statement which addresses how you meet the criteria for the role and highlights your motivations for applying.
- You will be asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.
Next Steps
The closing date for applications: Wednesday 17th September 2025
Preliminary interviews with Russam: 18th – 23rd September 2025 (online)
First stage interviews with Beat: 2nd-8th October (London)
Second stage interviews: 13th-14th October (Norwich)
Travel expenses can be covered for in-person interviews.
Thank you!
You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re an award-winning charity that runs local learning centres in the heart of communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide an innovative education programme which includes practical learning support and motivational and confidence-building activities for children and young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to inspire students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to broaden their horizons and achieve their full potential.
As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping thousands of young people each year. We have forty-four centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, with ambitious plans to scale-up our provision further over the coming years.
We are looking for individuals who will thrive in a fast-paced, rewarding role helping to change the lives of young people by taking up a permanent role as a part-time Programme Support Tutor. You will work closely with our existing team, supporting the delivery and organisation of the IntoUniversity programme in the centre.
The main duties of the role
To deliver the IntoUniversity programme effectively to children and young people in different settings, including schools-based workshops, Academic Support sessions and educational visits. This includes positive behaviour management and adherence to the IntoUniversity safeguarding policy.
- To assist with the organisation and delivery of the Academic Support, FOCUS and Mentoring Programmes.
- To assist the IntoUniversity Centre Leader in liaising with schools and other partner bodies, in organising the classroom and resources and in planning project delivery.
- To update and maintain IntoUniversity displays, publicity and resources.
- To work with the IntoUniversity Centre Leader to recruit children and young people to the programme, including after-school Academic Support and FOCUS Weeks.
- To develop educational resources and worksheets for use across all IntoUniversity programmes.
- To ensure compliance with all necessary regulations and legal requirements, including the Children’s Act, Children and Young People (Scotland) Act, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, and legislation and policies related to Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety.
- To champion diversity and inclusion in your role at all times, referring to the Diversity and Inclusion Staff Responsibilities Guide.
- To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.
Contract
Permanent, part-time
Start date
As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate
Working hours
- 15 or 16 hours per week (please see job description for further information).
Salary
Starting salary is £28,250 (pro-rata).
Pro-rated salary is £10,885 per annum for 16 hours per week.
Pro-rated salary is £10,205 per annum for 15 hours per week.
Location
IntoUniversity Clacton
Staff benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support
- Life Assurance scheme with AIG including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
- Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year
- Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
- Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
- Employer pension contributions of 6%
- Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year
Registered Charity
101 - 500
IntoUniversity provides local learning centres where young people are inspired to achieve.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.