Head of hr jobs in central london, greater london

Location: UK based – Hybrid to any UK office with national travel 

Closing date: Monday 29th September 2025 at 9:00am

Ref: HPOD-251

St Giles Trust is seeking a strategic, values-driven leader to join our People Team as Head of People and Organisational Development. This is a pivotal role in shaping our organisational culture, developing our people, and driving forward our strategic priorities.

About the Role

As Head of People and Organisational Development, you will lead a small but high-impact team to deliver inclusive, responsive, and customer-focused people services. You’ll work closely with senior leaders to embed a culture of high performance, wellbeing, and continuous development across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the People & Organisational Development function, providing strategic direction and operational excellence.

• Develop and deliver a learning and development strategy that supports internal progression and value for money.

• Design and implement an employee wellbeing strategy aligned to the employee lifecycle.

• Drive employee engagement and internal communications, ensuring alignment with our EDI commitments.

• Provide expert guidance to the Executive Director of People and Internal Operations on risks, issues, and strategic opportunities.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience in organisational and people development, internal communications and leadership.

• Is passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Can lead and inspire teams to deliver impactful people services.

• Brings fresh thinking and a collaborative approach to change and transformation.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

To Apply

For further information and to apply visit our website via the apply button. 

• Application Deadline:9.00 am on 29 September 2025

• Interview Date: 9 October 2025

Please note: as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to a basic DBS check. 

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment. 

Are you an ambitious senior HR professional who is keen to shape the future of a world-class sports organisation.

At Commonwealth Sport, they are more than just a sporting body, they’re a global movement. They aim to deliver their ten-year vision to become a truly world-class organisation, and are looking for a forward thinking Head of People to help lead the charge in creating an inclusive, high-performing culture where people feel valued, involved and respected.

This is a pivotal, end-to-end role that owns the full employee experience for a passionate, multicultural team of around 35 staff, who are mainly based in London. They also have regional colleagues across five continents so it would be very beneficial to have international HR experience. The Head of People will play a strategic and hands-on role, championing everything from wellbeing and inclusion to recruitment, development, engagement, and compliance.

The Head of People role is a full time role paying around £70,000 per annum and will require the post holder to attend the office 2-3 days per week. Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:

• Partnering with the Senior Leadership Team to design and deliver a People Strategy that aligns with their organisational goals and culture.
• Monitoring and improving the People Experience through initiatives such as annual culture surveys, wellbeing plans, and their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Reviewing and managing people policies, ensuring consistency, compliance and cultural alignment, while offering trusted support on all people-related matters.
• Leading the end-to-end hiring process, from advertising to interviews and onboarding, to ensure a welcoming and efficient experience for all new team members.
• Overseeing their Talent Management System, support line managers with performance reviews and development plans, and identify learning and training needs across the team.
• Advising leadership on structural changes, resourcing plans and future skills needed as the organisation evolves.
• Managing payroll and benefits for both UK and international staff, and make sure it’s always aligned with employment law, data protection, and health & safety.
• Being a vital point of contact for HR and people support during Games deployments, ensuring smooth operations and quick resolutions when needed.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident, experienced people professional with a strong generalist background ideally in the sports, events or the arts sector. You’re strategic yet hands-on, approachable, and inclusive, with great communication and problem-solving skills. Ideally CIPD-qualified (or working towards it), you’re passionate about people, purpose-led work, and the power of sport to bring communities together. You’ll also need a solid understanding of employment law and HR best practice.

The interview process will consist of a two stages, the second being held in person at their office.

Apply now and be part of something big and exciting.

Location: Hybrid role, within commuting distance of our London, Birmingham or Bristol, campuses.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a People and Culture Administrator to join the National Institute of Teaching. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to develop your HR skills and gain valuable experience in a supportive environment.

About Us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high quality, evidence-informed teacher education, and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.

Our programmes are designed by teachers and leaders who understand the joys and pressures of school life. We work in collaboration with schools across the country, ensuring that findings from our research benefits all schools, teachers and leaders.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a People and Culture Administrator to join the National Institute of Teaching. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to develop your HR skills and gain valuable experience in a supportive environment.

This role plays a crucial part in shaping the future of our workforce and ensuring a positive employee experience. Key areas of responsibility are supporting the recruitment process by placing job adverts, arranging interviews, onboarding new employees, payroll administration, and supporting the Head of People and People Officer by ensuring that all People and Culture processes run smoothly and effectively.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record of providing administrative support, who can follow and track different administrative processes. Excellent organisational skills are essential as is being proactive and self-motivated, with a positive approach to work.

The role will be based at either our Bristol Campus (BS10 5PY), Birmingham Campus (B15 2HU) or London Campus (BR3 1QP) so you should be within commutable distance. The role is hybrid with the need to be on site at least once a fortnight. This role does involve travel once a month to one of our other sites across the country and travel expenses will be paid.

Previous HR experience is not essential; however, an interest in HR practises and learning more about employment law is a must. If you are passionate about people and eager to make a difference, we would love to hear from you.

Further information about the role, our benefits, and application details can be found on our website via the Apply button.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 22 September 2025.

Interviews are scheduled for 1 and 2 October 2025.

Please note that we may close the role early depending on the number of applications received.

We're looking for a driven, proactive and resilient Talent Partner to join our People Team at our Head Office in Islington.

£29,785.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're in control of your carer? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service

• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

As a Talent Partner you will provide proactive customer-focused administrative support across Recruitment, HR, and Learning & Development. You will drive process improvements and ensure efficient service delivery.

The starting salary for this role is £29,784.51, increasing to £30,784.51 after successfully passing probation.

The shift pattern for this role is Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm, including hybrid working with a minimum of two days in the office.

This is a fixed term contract until 1st April 2026.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

About you:

• Organised, responsive, and customer focused
• Strong communicator with a collaborative mindset
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, and resilient under pressure
• Team Player who shares workload and learning with the team and builds a positive team culture
• Decisive and able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
• Keen interest in HR and L&D career development

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Experience in recruitment or Learning and Development environments
• Strong administrative and IT skills and experience
• Confident in delivering training and attending recruitment events
• Excellent communication and customer service

Desirable:

• Familiarity with iTrent and Learning Pool

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

EarthPercent is growing and we're looking for a dynamic Head of Finance & Operations to join our small, passionate, and high-performing team. This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in an organisation that’s inspired hundreds of artists to take meaningful action on the climate crisis. As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we need someone who can help us scale our impact by building smart systems, strengthening our internal operations, and driving financial and organisational efficiency.

This is a pivotal leadership role at a critical moment for EarthPercent. You’ll be responsible for rapidly developing our internal infrastructure, supporting a growing portfolio of revenue and fundraising streams, and ensuring we continue to operate with excellence, transparency, and care - for our mission and for our people.

Your role will also be responsible for ensuring that we operate within UK legal & regulatory frameworks and stay up to date with changes in relevant legislation. This will sometimes include an international scope as EarthPercent operates in other territories too. 

Are you an experienced L&D professional seeking a new opportunity? Would you like to manage the delivery of the L&D programme for Membership within a leading UK Charity? We would like to hear from you!

We have the opportunity for a Learning and Development Manager to join our People and Organisational Development team to manage, design and deliver the Membership Learning and Development programme at RBL.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

This exciting role will see you managing a small team and working collaboratively to provide quality assurance to all learning material and learning events for our Membership programme.

You will be working directly with our member volunteers across RBL, providing an outstanding level of customer service, whilst collaborating on the development activities to support the wider strategic and operational needs of the Membership Branch and County Network. In addition, you will be supporting and guiding the Country Training Officers on the development of their learning material and learning events.

Reporting to the Head of Learning and Development, key responsibilities will include:

- Lead, design, develop and deliver the Membership L&D Program, offering virtual, in-person, and blended learning interventions
- Establish a structured learning, coaching, and mentoring program to support County Training Officers (CTOs)
- Develop and manage a quality framework to collect relevant quantitative and qualitative management data to assess impact, identify areas for improvement, and capture lessons learned, supporting informed decision-making and continuous learning
- Manage and lead a team of L&D Specialists and an L&D Coordinator
- Collaborate with Membership Services and stakeholders to identify County and Branch development needs, recommending targeted solutions and interventions
- Lead the delivery of exceptional customer service to members by actively listening to their needs and ensuring enquiries are handled promptly and efficiently

This role requires regular travel, weekend and evening work, and overnight stays across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to deliver learning interventions to meet the needs of colleagues. The expectation is two to three times a month on average and there is also a requirement to attend our London, Haig House office regularly for team meetings and to build relationships with colleagues outside of delivering training.

You will be contracted to your home address, where you will be expected to work when not travelling or at our London office.

Employee benefits include –

- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 14%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

Interview Dates: Thee stage interview process, with first stage virtual (Teams) interviews 13th and 14th October 2025

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Battersea has recently approved a new 5-year organisational strategy to deliver an even greater impact for dogs and cats through our Prevent, Support and Care activity. This, alongside Battersea’s significant growth in recent years, means that we now require greater coordination and structure to support how we prioritise and manage key organisational activity and manage our resources effectively.

To support the delivery of the new strategy and its respective programme of works, we are now seeking a new role of Head of Project and Strategic Planning to play a central role in shaping how we deliver our priorities across the organisation, supporting the leadership team, directors and strategic project leads in the delivery of our objectives, and ensuring there is effective management and oversight of projects and programmes which facilitates sound decision making and governance principles.

To support a significant CRM implementation programme, the programme has incorporated some formal governance structures and processes to support effective change management and decision making. We are now looking to embed and expand on those and ensure we have fit for purpose mechanisms for overseeing all key activity across the charity.

This role will therefore be responsible for developing, embedding, and leading a fit for purpose and effective Project Management Office (PMO), shaping delivery practices, building project management capability, and improve organisational alignment and performance in a way that supports dynamic cross-organisational decision making and innovation. As this is a new position, and will result in changes to our ways of working, the Head of Project and Strategic Planning will also be required to play a leading role in supporting and enabling organisational change, ensuring there is a clear understanding of change impacts associated with projects and programmes, strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills are applied, and clear transparent communication of the roadmap, including risks and benefits, is shared to bring people on the journey and enable us to embed best practice methodology.

What we can offer you:

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

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

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

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

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

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

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:

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

Acceptable use of AI:

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

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

Closing date: 28th September 2025
Interview date(s): 9th/10th October 2025

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack. All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

We believe in the importance and value of our colleagues. Our Colleague Experience Manager is a vital role at Starlight, prioritising our colleagues, their experience at work, their wellbeing, health & safety, and aspirations. We listen carefully to our colleagues to understand what matters to them at work and are committed to developing and growing the environment that will enable our colleagues to be their best. You will thrive on responsibilities from policy, process and administration to supporting Learning & Development and our Moments That Matter people strategy.

About Us

The City of London Corporation manages 11,000 acres of land in and around London, welcoming millions of visitors annually.  The North London Open Spaces (NLOS) section oversees c. 1,000 acres of that portfolio and includes some of the UK's most iconic urban greenspaces, including:

• Hampstead Heath (including Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Fields, and Heath Extension)
• Highgate Wood
• Queen’s Park
• West Ham Park

These beloved green spaces boast spectacular landscapes and vistas, ancient woodland, diverse wildlife, world class sporting and athletics facilities, and heritage assets.  We work closely with local communities and stakeholders to preserve and enhance these natural assets, helping to make London one of the most liveable large cities in the world.

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role at North London Open Spaces, and directly contribute to and make a meaningful impact in the conservation and protection of these cherished green spaces. 

As a member of the senior management team, the successful candidate will serve as the primary subject matter expert at NLOS for nature conservation, conceiving and leading on initiatives, advising colleagues, and working collaboratively both internally and externally.  They will have responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day management of most of Hampstead Heath and all of Highgate Wood, and will also oversee a number of services that function across and support the four open spaces (eg, arboriculture and tree management, waste and recycling, conservation, and ecology).  

For the better performance of their duties, the Head of Conservation will be required to reside in accommodation that is provided on site and will be scheduled onto an on-call and duty manager rota with other colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for nature conservation at Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Park, and West Ham Park
• Oversee the day-to-day management of Highgate Wood and most of Hampstead Heath
• Oversee arboriculture / tree management, waste management, conservation, habitat creation/restoration and management, wildlife management, water body management, and climate change adaptation across North London Open Spaces
• Lead and motivate a team of 25-30 multi-skilled professionals committed to the conservation of these four sites
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, including environmental protection, climate change, nature recovery, wildlife protection, flood risk management, and health and safety.

About You

We are looking for a high-energy and innovative leader with a strong background in nature conservation, open space management, and team leadership. 

The successful candidate will bring:

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex public open spaces.
• Comprehensive experience developing and delivering biodiversity and land management programmes and projects in a range of habitats, ideally within an urban setting.

• Significant experience managing complex conservation work and projects across varied landscapes
• Significant knowledge of biodiversity and wildlife management, including land and water management.

• Strong experience managing a diverse team of professionals in an operational environment. 

• Experience of implementing legislation and policy relevant to biodiversity conservation, planning guidance, and site designation for wildlife conservation and species status designations.
• A highly creative, entrepreneurial and ‘can do’ approach to problem solving, with the ability to remain resilient in the face of challenges. 
• Strong quantitative skills and comfort interrogating and analysing data and budgets.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to join a prestigious organisation that protects some of London’s most treasured landscapes.
• Lead through a high-impact role with the opportunity to shape the future of these iconic spaces.
• Work within a supportive and collaborative team that is committed to conservation and community engagement.
• Work across multiple iconic sites.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
  

How to Apply

If you are excited about the opportunity to play a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing London’s most cherished green spaces, we’d love to hear from you.

Provisional Interview dates: W/C 6th October & 13th October 2025

Closing date: 12 Noon on Monday 22nd September 2025

To apply please click the Apply button.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. 

We reserve the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications. 

Because our roles are so varied, we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ policy for workplace attendance. How many days a week you’ll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the requirements of your role. It’s important that you understand the requirements before applying to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies and business needs. 

For more information on our categories for workplace attendance, please view our guide.

We will be reviewing this policy and approach at regular intervals to ensure we’re meeting our attendance needs. 

The Freedom Fund

The Freedom Fund is a global non-profit dedicated to ending modern slavery. Since 2014, we’ve invested over $100 million into frontline organisations and coalitions, helping to shift power to local actors and create lasting systems change. Our new strategy doubles down on this commitment, investing in anti-slavery movements, fostering collaboration, and working as a trusted partner to the incredible people and organisations driving this work forward. 

Research and Impact Data

This is a key role in the Freedom Fund’s Research & Evaluation team, playing a key role in measuring the real-world impact of anti-slavery initiatives across the globe. You’ll also contribute to research and evaluation projects that deepen understanding and improve the ways we work to prevent and address modern slavery.

In this role, you’ll manage the digital backbone of our data systems, ensuring that impact is measured consistently and meaningfully. You’ll provide colleagues and partners with the tools and training they need to monitor progress and address challenges. Through engaging dashboards and innovative visualisations, you’ll turn complex data into accessible insights for a wide range of audiences: from grassroots partners to the Freedom Fund’s senior leadership.

You’ll report to the Head of Research & Evaluation and work alongside Research & Evaluation team members based globally. The role will involve one to two international trips per year. This position offers excellent opportunities to advance your professional skills and the chance to influence how impact is measured and communicated across the anti-slavery movement.

Interview process:

2 stage interview process: week commencing 29th September 2025.

Please see the job description for all details.

We are recruiting for a dynamic individual with experience and knowledge of leading and developing community projects, to come and lead the team at Hilldrop Area Community Association (HACA) and manage our vibrant community centre.

If you thrive on making a difference, enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and are a strong team player then you will be both inspired and enthused by this role. You will have good attention to detail, be highly organised with a quick thinking, problem-solving attitude, and you will be confident and experienced in fundraising, managing staff, working with communities, finance and HR. 

HACA is committed to providing a friendly and accessible Centre, open and welcoming to all. Our Community Centre is situated at the heart of our diverse and vibrant community, providing a range of services and events that respond to the needs and interests

The Head of Centre will work closely with the Trustees, ensuring the smooth running of the centre with a strong supportive staff team. The position also provides you with an opportunity to expand your skill level, as working in a Community Centre requires many areas of expertise and there will be ample opportunity to get involved in many areas of work as required

People Manager – Permanent, Remote

Full-time (35 hrs) – Open to part-time

Are you ready to take the lead on shaping people strategy and culture in a mission-driven organisation? MLC Partners are recruiting for an experienced People Manager to play a central role in modernising HR systems, embedding best practice, and creating a workplace where people feel supported, included, and able to thrive.

The opportunity

This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Head of People and Governance. You’ll be responsible for managing a small HR team while also influencing senior stakeholders and working closely with staff representatives. The role will combine strategic input with hands-on delivery, ensuring the organisation not only meets its legal obligations but develops as an innovative and inclusive workplace.

Key responsibilities:

• HR leadership: Oversee recruitment, retention, payroll, benefits and workforce planning, ensuring the organisation is effectively resourced.
• Modernising policies: Lead the review and update of policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law and alignment with organisational values.
• Employee relations: Act as a trusted advisor to managers, supporting them to handle disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability issues with confidence and fairness.
• Change and culture: Partner with managers, unions and staff to deliver organisational change, embedding inclusive and people-focused practices at every level.
• Data and reporting: Use analytics to identify workforce trends and provide insights that shape decision-making.
• Learning and development: Drive the implementation of performance management frameworks, development plans, and training initiatives.
• Team management: Line manage two senior HR professionals as well as providing oversight to a small staff team, fostering collaboration and high performance.

About you:

We’re looking for someone with the confidence and credibility to lead a people function in a complex, unionised environment. You’ll need to be:

• Qualified: CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) with significant HR management experience.
• Experienced: Skilled in employee relations, organisational change, and managing union negotiations. Background in the not-for-profit, public sector, or membership organisations is highly valued.
• Knowledgeable: Up to date with UK employment law, HR systems, and best practice in people management.
• Influential: Strong communicator and relationship-builder, able to engage and influence at all levels.
• Values-driven: Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in people practices.

Why join?

This is an exciting chance to step into a role where you can make a visible and lasting impact. You’ll have the scope to reshape policies, implement new systems, and guide leaders through meaningful organisational change. If you’re motivated by modernising HR, supporting people to succeed, and working in a collaborative and purpose-led environment, please apply now.

We welcome applications from underrepresented communities, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Applicants are under constant review, and the role may be filled prior to the ad closing. For a further confidential discussion about this role and to discuss your career search, please reach out to Annabelle Stuart at MLC Partners.

National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) is looking for a new Director to lead our national network and champion rural arts across the UK. We’re seeking an inspiring leader with a collaborative approach to advocate for our members and sector, to strengthen partnerships and support a vibrant network that ensures creativity and culture thrive in every community.

About NRTF

NRTF is an Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) within Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio. As a national membership and strategic organisation, we unite and champion the diverse parts of the rural touring sector. We advocate on behalf of our members, offering up-to-date information, advice, guidance, professional development and networking opportunities. By sharing news, stories and opportunities, supporting rural touring-focused projects and initiatives, and through our Annual National Rural Touring Conference, we raise the profile of rural touring, embedding its value in the wider cultural landscape. We celebrate the work and achievements of the volunteer promoters, professional artists and organisations who make culture accessible for rural communities. This is an exciting moment to join NRTF as we enter our third decade as an organisation and continue building the profile and impact of rural touring across the UK, while supporting the passionate and committed members at the heart of our network.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Director is the strategic and operational lead of NRTF, responsible for the organisation’s vision, management, performance, and long-term sustainability. They ensure delivery against NRTF’s mission and business plan, champion rural touring at a national level, and act as the primary liaison with Arts Council England, stakeholders, and the wider sector. Working closely with a proactive Board of Trustees, the Director provides leadership on governance and compliance in line with UK Charity Law and NRTF’s Articles of Association, ensuring the organisation operates with transparency, accountability and good practice. The Director is a visible ambassador for rural touring, building strong relationships across the cultural sector, advocating for members, and promoting the role of rural touring in ensuring that creativity and culture thrive in every community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

● Lead and implement NRTF’s Business Plan and strategic objectives.

● Oversee the delivery and evaluation of all funded programmes and initiatives.

● Develop and sustain relationships with our members, including the rural touring schemes, national and regional stakeholders, funders, and policy-makers.

● Ensure alignment with ACE’s Investment Principles and “Let’s Create” strategy.

● Ensure long-term sustainability through innovation, partnerships, and appropriate diversification, ensuring the organisation remains relevant and forward-thinking.

Finance and Fundraising

● Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Finance Officer and Treasurer.

● Ensure ACE and funder reporting is accurate and timely.

● Lead on developing new funding opportunities, working with colleagues and freelance support to secure income from trusts, foundations and diversification streams.

Membership and Sector Support

● Foster strong relationships with membership, particularly scheme members.

● Understand and respond to member needs, ensuring services and benefits are relevant.

● Foster a strong member community through events, forums, and networking opportunities.

● Together with the NRTF team, design and deliver initiatives to grow, engage, and retain members.

● Represent NRTF and advocate for member interests at national and international events, conferences, and sector forums.

Project and Event Delivery

● Provide strategic oversight of all NRTF projects, ensuring they are well-managed, impactful and aligned with the business plan.

● Lead and represent NRTF at the Annual National Rural Touring Conference and other national events, with project managers and freelance teams responsible for delivery.

● Foster partnerships with schemes and sector organisations to co-create and deliver events and projects that serve members and raise the profile of rural touring.

Communications and Advocacy

● Provide strategic leadership for NRTF’s communications and advocacy, ensuring consistency of voice and alignment with the business plan.

● Lead sector advocacy and act as spokesperson and ambassador for rural touring.

● Maintain and develop national visibility for rural touring through partnerships, media opportunities and press engagement (with support from NRTF’s freelance press agency).

● Oversee delivery of marketing and communications, working with the Marketing & Digital Coordinator to manage campaigns, content and social media.

● Build strategic partnerships with other organisations, funders, and influencers.

HR and Operations

● Lead on recruitment, contracting, staff management, and HR policy implementation.

● Line-manage employed staff, ensuring fair and effective working conditions.

● Manage Contracts for Services for freelance teams and contractors

● Maintain organisational infrastructure, including IT, office resources.

Governance and Legal

● Support and develop the Board of Trustees, ensuring sound governance practices.

● Organise and service Board meetings, the AGM, and working groups.

● Act as Company Secretary: ensure compliance with charity and company law, maintain registers, and submit returns.

Person Specification

Essential

● Proven senior leadership within arts or cultural organisations.

● Commitment to rural/community engagement.

● Strong understanding of the UK arts funding landscape, especially ACE.

● Demonstrable experience in finance, HR, governance, and fundraising.

● Experience in project delivery.

● Strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills.

● Experience of working and engaging with key stakeholders.

● Experience working with or supporting a Board of Trustees.

● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

● Evidence of original thinking, idea making and bold ambition.

● Caring and positive leadership style.

Desirable

● Awareness of the ethos, principles and practice of rural touring.

● Knowledge of community arts and engagement, and/or cultural networks.

● Experience in legal compliance and company secretary responsibilities.

● Understanding of contemporary cultural policy and advocacy.

● Experience in digital communications, social media, and PR.

● Experience in event management and programming.

If you are excited by this role but are not sure if you fully meet the person specification, we encourage you to reach out to our Interim Head of Operations, Jo Purseglove to discuss further.

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Head of Change – Children’s Services  

Reports to: Assistant Director for Change – Children’s Services, Neighbourhoods & the Youth Sector

Salary: £67,900

Contract: 2 year fixed-term – potential to extend. Open to 0.8FTE for the right candidate

Location: Central London, Hybrid*  

Closing date:12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025

About the Youth Endowment Fund

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. 

Last year, 244 people in England and Wales tragically died after being assaulted with a knife. Of these, 32 were children. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.

The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build an exceptional body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed. We then need to work with the right people that can make change happen, across systems, policies and practice, to have a real impact on reducing violence affecting children’s lives.

   

Key Responsibilities 

We build demand and interest in evidence across the Children’s Services sector 

This will include: 

• Running events, speaking at conferences and curating webinars to bring evidence to life for practitioners 
• We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.  

This will include:

• Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
• Managing a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the children’s services sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.

We deliver our children’s services system recommendations. 

This will include:

• Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time. 
• Work out the best way to make our system recommendations happen (due for publication in December 2026) and then do it – persuading the key people to make changes that make a difference.
• Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan.

We work out the most effective ways to connect people with the evidence, then make those things happen. 

This will include:

• Helping children’s services leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on the YEF Children’s Services Practice Guidance – due for publication in May 2026. 
• Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave. 
• Creating practical tools and resources that help leaders put evidence into action 
• Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results, and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You

You are this sort of person: 

• You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making. 

• You bring deep experience of the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how Directors of Children’s Services and other senior leaders think and know how to navigate and influence within the system. 

• 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 build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to social workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you. 

• 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 understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally. 

• You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise. 

You must have this sort of experience. 

• Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives. You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within a children’s services setting. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.  
• Leadership experience in the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services - especially local authority children's services, commissioning and/or children's social care policy, and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.

• Firsthand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.

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

It’s 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.   

   

Hybrid Working Details 

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office for 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, your answers to the three questions below and complete the monitoring form by clicking on "Apply for this" button by 12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:   

Improving practice or systems 
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported children’s services leaders to improve practice or systems? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words) 

 Developing strategy 
2. Please provide an example of a strategy you developed from scratch and implemented independently. What did you do, what was the impact, what did you learn? (maximum 500 words) 

 Personal and professional experiences in violence prevention 
3. What personal and professional experiences have shaped your understanding of the children’s services sector’s role in preventing violence? (maximum 500 words) 

Interview Process 

This will be a 2-stage interview process. The first stage interview will take place on 9 and 10 October 2025

The second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 13 October 2025. 

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.