Head of member relations jobs in Leeds
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Make a difference every day with PDSA
About Us
Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.
We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.
If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced Employee Relations Advisor to join our HR Operations team, working remotely to support leaders across our UK-wide Pet Hospitals, retail stores, and support functions. You’ll play a key role in delivering a balanced, values‑driven employee relations advisory service, managing a diverse caseload and providing expert guidance across the full employee and volunteer lifecycle. Confident in coaching and influencing leaders at all levels, you’ll ensure outcomes that are fair, commercially sound, and aligned with organisational policies, legislation, and PDSA values. You’ll prioritise cases to meet SLA requirements, maintain accurate and compliant records and escalate risks or emerging trends when needed.
You’ll bring strong ER knowledge, solid case management experience and the confidence to challenge constructively. Working autonomously, you’ll manage your own workload while helping to build consistency across the organisation by supporting and coaching the wider team and contributing to the continuous improvement of HR policies and processes. Staying up to date with legislative changes and industry developments will be essential, enabling you to provide informed, high‑quality advice that supports both people and organisational success.
This is a part‑time position working 28 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, with some flexibility required when needed. Occasional travel to our Telford Head Office will be necessary for meetings.
Rewards, support and benefits
We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
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Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
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25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days.
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Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
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Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
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Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
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AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support
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Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
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Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
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15% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a passionate and creative Head of Brand, Communications & Marketing to lead the next stage of our journey.
This is an exciting, strategic and hands‑on leadership role for someone who can confidently amplify our brand in the public sphere, drive meaningful engagement, and increase both supporter and beneficiary acquisition.
What You’ll Do
Reporting to the Director of Income Generation & Marketing and leading a small, high‑performing team, you will:
Brand, Communications & PR
- Lead and evolve Life’s brand strategy, ensuring clarity and consistency across all channels.
- Raise Life’s visibility with powerful campaigns that engage beneficiaries, supporters, volunteers and the public.
- Oversee media relations, PR activity, reputation management and crisis communications.
- Support and strengthen internal communications across the organisation.
Marketing Leadership
- Develop innovative marketing strategies that grow reach, impact and sustainability.
- Drive supporter and beneficiary acquisition through targeted, insight‑led campaigns.
- Use data, analytics and performance metrics to continuously improve marketing effectiveness.
- Provide inspiring leadership and development to the Marketing & Comms Team.
Digital Strategy
- Lead Life’s digital marketing approach, including SEO, paid social, PPC, email, content and inbound marketing.
- Create effective user journeys and optimise conversion rates through testing and analytics.
- Oversee engaging social media content and paid advertising campaigns.
- Ensure high‑quality digital design, content, and brand guardianship.
Website & Content
- Support the development of Life’s website, focusing on optimisation, content quality and user experience.
- Oversee high‑quality storytelling that reflects Life’s values and mission.
About You
You’ll be a confident, creative and strategic leader who brings:
- At least 5 years’ experience in digital marketing, communications or brand roles (charity sector experience desirable).
- Proven experience developing and delivering brand, digital and communications strategies.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing trends, analytics and audience insight.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing budgets and leading a team.
- A warm, values‑driven approach aligned with Life’s mission of humanity, solidarity, community and compassion.
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £40,000 – £44,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (part time considered)
Location: Remote
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We offer more than just a career, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal development.
We are delighted to be recruiting for Head of Northern Ireland to be the senior ambassador and strategic leader for Mary’s Meals across Northern Ireland. This role is remote however we require candidates to be based in Northern Ireland.
While playing a key role within the wider Development Directorate, you will guide how Mary’s Meals is seen, understood, and felt in Northern Ireland – shaping our public profile, driving sustained income growth, and building the partnerships and grassroots energy needed to grow our movement.
Key responsibilities include:
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Working cross-directorate to create and deliver a fundraising growth strategy for Northern Ireland, rooted in regional insight, cultural understanding, and community needs, and aligned with the global and national strategy.
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Working with the Communications team, shape a clear and compelling narrative, respecting the nation’s strong identity.
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Identify emerging opportunities across Northern Ireland, including diocesan networks, local relationships, and regional giving patterns, adjusting plans quickly to drive maximum impact.
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Serve as the senior MMUK representative in Northern Ireland, ensuring activity aligns with the national organisational strategy.
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Act as the leading spokesperson for Mary’s Meals in Northern Ireland, representing the charity to churches, schools, local authorities, individuals, universities, and community or business networks.
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Spend focused time externally; networking, nurturing partnerships and driving growth through representing the charity at events, meetings, faith gatherings, conferences, and civic forums.
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Proactively cultivate, pursue, and develop fundraising opportunities via networking and outreach with the aim of securing support for our school feeding programme.
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Develop and maintain a robust national growth pipeline, ensuring proactive identification, cultivation, conversion, and stewardship of opportunities.
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Significant focus on the growth and development of new Volunteer Fundraising Groups in counties across Northern Ireland.
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Line manage and coach a Regional Development Officer, enabling them to become a confident, high‑performing fundraiser.
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Serve as a trusted media spokesperson for press, broadcast, and faith media when required.
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Work closely with the Communications team to provide compelling local supporter stories, impactful moments, and local activity to showcase.
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Shape national to local messaging so that campaigns resonate with audiences across Northern Ireland.
To apply for the role of Head of Northern Ireland based at Mary’s Meals UK, please follow instructions on Charity Job.
Applicants must hold full right to work in the UK.
We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse charity providing a supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.
Closing date for applications is Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
Interviews will commence week commencing 30th March 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (the Trust) is looking for a part-time (0.7 FTE) Head of Outreach.
Our vision is for a world where bumblebees are thriving and valued by everyone.
This role will:
- Lead on the development and implementation of an Outreach Strategy that inspires people and organisations, including policy makers, to take action for bumblebees. (Aim 2 of the Trust’s strategy)
- Lead on behaviour change impact reporting, ensuring data collection methods and tools are fit for purpose, and staff and volunteers have the necessary training and support to confidently report on the impact of face-to-face outreach activities.
- Lead on project development activities and work with the fundraising team to generate income to fund the sustainable growth of the Trust’s outreach activities across the UK.
You will be an excellent communicator and problem solver with experience in managing change and leading and motivating staff and volunteers. You will have a proven track record in securing grant funding and building strong partnerships with third party organisations, as well as experience in monitoring and evaluating the impact of public engagement and volunteering activities, including social and wellbeing impacts and behaviour change.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for more details of the role.
This is a part-time post for 24 hours per week. Some overtime work may be required and a flexitime system is in place.
This post will be employed on a permanent basis and can be based at the Trust’s office in Stirling, home-based, or hybrid between the Trust’s office in Stirling and home-working.
The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. This means that whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status.
At the Trust, we have a clear goal: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on reaching for our vision, through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.
The closing date is 5 p.m. 13 April 2026. Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
The interview date is 28th April 2026. Interviews will be held online.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Us
We are Global Dialogue, an international philanthropy support organisation partnering with independent funders to advance rights, equity, and diversity. Independent in status and global in reach, we provide funder networks, collaboratives, and partners with the practical support and technical expertise they need to create lasting, systemic change.
The Role
We’re looking for a conscientious People & Administration Assistant to play a key role in delivering an exceptional HR service across Global Dialogue.
You’ll support the Head of People and our core team, ensuring our HR systems run smoothly, our data is accurate, and our people processes are well‑coordinated, compassionate, and efficient. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on organisation, values fairness and inclusion, and is ready to develop their HR career within an impact‑driven organisation.
The day to day of the role will be broad and varied and you will carry out tasks such as maintaining accurate employee records, posting vacancies and coordinating interviews in support of recruitment, keeping track of the employee lifecycle and providing broad team and administrative support. As part of this exciting role, you will also get the chance to observe and contribute to business partnering and wider employee relations tasks.
About You
The right candidate will hold CIPD Level 3 or possess a willingness to work towards it (Global Dialogue could support that study), and hold strong professionalism, discretion, and care when handling confidential information. Experience working with an HR system is essential; it would be advantageous if it were BreatheHR or Remote). You will also be confident with Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, and thrive in delivering excellent attention to detail and accuracy in your work.
The role would suit candidates who are comfortable working in a fast-paced organisation, and who hold some awareness of the pressures the HR team may face, given the organisation's vital work in a national and international human rights setting.
How to Apply
We are partnering with Doing Good Recruitment for this campaign. Please click ‘Apply’ to find out more, see the full JD and learn how to submit.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to the employment and career development of people with disabilities. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require anything if you are invited to interview. If you need this information in another format or if there are additional options you’d like to request, please contact Tristan at Doing Good Recruitment.
We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To help us monitor how we’re doing and identify any barriers in our recruitment process, we invite all applicants to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form found on Doing Good Recruitment's application page.
Global Dialogue is an international philanthropy support organisation partnering with funders to advance rights, equity and diversity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking an exceptional leader who can act as a credible spokesperson and ambassador for the Catholic Union, building trusted relationships across the Church, parliament and wider society and helping to grow the Catholic Union’s influence and engagement in the years ahead.
Founded in 1870, the Catholic Union of Great Britain brings Catholic laity and Catholic social teaching to the public square across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, MPs, MSPs, MSs, peers and Catholic organisations, our vision is of a society in which Catholic laity are informed, equipped and encouraged to engage in public life.
Our work is shaped by three key themes: engagement, education and encouragement. Through these we foster informed participation in public debate, help Catholics and the wider public understand contemporary social and political issues through a Catholic lens, and inspire greater confidence for Catholics to contribute to civic and community life.
In recent years the Catholic Union has developed from being largely volunteer-led into a more professional and strategically focused organisation, strengthening relationships across the Church and wider society. Our Weekly Briefing, now read by around 6,500 people each week, has become a key channel for parliamentary reporting, Catholic news and reflection.
As Director, you will lead the Catholic Union at an exciting moment in its development. You will represent the Catholic Union publicly, strengthening relationships with bishops, diocesan leaders, parliamentarians and Catholic organisations. You will act as a trusted ambassador for the Union, grow our channels of influence and engagement, and work with Trustees, Council and a small experienced team to support the organisation’s continued development.
If you are inspired by the opportunity to serve as a public voice for a respected Catholic organisation and help foster thoughtful dialogue and engagement in public life, we would love to hear from you.
For more information, please see the job pack attached. Closing date 10th April.
Hours: A minimum of three days per week up to full time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based with occasional travel to our office in Vauxhall, London (approximately four times per year), occasional travel to visit projects and approximately two overnight stays per year
Reports to: Head of Marketing, Communications and Fundraising.
About Housing Justice
Housing Justice brings together communities and finds solutions to homelessness by building personal connections, a sense of belonging, and creating justice in the housing system. We train and support volunteers to offer various accommodation options while building a network of local support. This includes providing personalised assistance to help individuals access relevant local services and address their other needs. Through compassionate, courageous, and collaborative action, we implement innovative solutions to tackle housing injustice, enhance the quality of housing, and elevate the voices and experiences of groups affected by housing injustice to both local and national governments. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and recognise the value of lived experience of homelessness.
About your role
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled Fundraising Co-ordinator to join the Marketing, Communications and Fundraising team at Housing Justice.As Fundraising Co-ordinator, you will identify both statutory and grant funding opportunities to fund our projects, and craft compelling bids and proposals that clearly articulate our vision, services, and value to commissioners and funders. You will also be responsible for applying for relevant accreditations to support your applications and will have experience of building corporate partnerships.
Please note that we do not accept CVs or applications that are not submitted using our standard application form..
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Purpose of the Role
The Clinical & Research Lead role provides senior clinical leadership across Together for Short Lives’ most complex and high-profile programmes. The role leads the design and delivery of national clinical initiatives, strengthens clinical governance and safeguarding oversight, and builds the organisation’s research and evidence capability.
Working closely with the Head of Services & Impact, the postholder ensures programmes are credible, evidence-informed and deliver measurable impact for children, families and the wider sector. The role will lead work that strengthens professional practice, improves outcomes for families, and supports national sector development. The role involves significant external representation, national stakeholder engagement, programme planning, research and data oversight, and leadership of internal and external events.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
· Represent Together for Short Lives in national clinical, policy and professional forums, contributing to the organisation’s credibility and influence across the children’s palliative care sector.
· Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of internally hosted stakeholder meetings, including the Leaders of Care Forum and other professional engagement events.
· Provide professional and reflective input into complex organisational decisions relating to clinical practice, programme design and ethical engagement.
· Build strong relationships with practitioners across health, social care, education and voluntary-sector partners to support implementation of clinical programmes and foster collaboration.
· Engage with Integrated Care Boards, Strategic Clinical Networks, and children’s palliative care providers to ensure our work aligns with national priorities and regional needs.
Programme Leadership & Project Oversight
· Provide senior leadership for the planning, development and delivery of clinical and service-improvement projects, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy.
· Oversee the development of project briefs, initiation documents, outcome measures, risk registers, evaluation plans and implementation timelines.
· Hold responsibility for monitoring progress, quality assurance, and risk management, escalating concerns to the Head of Services & Impact as required.
· Coordinate cross-functional project teams and ensure effective collaboration with external organisations, hospices, NHS partners and charitable funders.
· Ensure projects are delivered within agreed scope, timelines and budgets.
· Support the development of robust programme models, theories of change and outcomes frameworks that strengthen the organisation’s ability to secure external funding.
· Contribute to the development of cases for support and programme proposals in collaboration with fundraising colleagues.
Research, Evidence & Insight
- Lead the organisation’s research prioritisation programme and support development of a national children’s palliative care research agenda.
- Build and maintain relationships with academic partners, research institutions and clinical leaders to strengthen the evidence base for children’s palliative care.
- Support development of evaluation frameworks that demonstrate impact, learning and outcomes across programmes.
- Contribute to the organisation’s longer-term ambition to develop a ‘Centre of Impact’, positioning Together for Short Lives as a national authority on evidence and insight in children’s palliative care.
- Ensure research and evaluation activity is ethically robust, appropriately governed and aligned with sector priorities.
Data, Impact & Reporting
· Provide oversight and leadership for data collection, monitoring and reporting processes across the Services & Impact portfolio.
· Line manage the Data & Impact Officer, ensuring robust reporting systems, high-quality data, and meaningful evaluation of programmes.
· Ensure outputs are translated into insights that demonstrate effectiveness, equity, reach and learning - supporting fundraising, influencing and strategic decision-making.
· Support development of improved feedback mechanisms from families and professionals to evidence the impact of support offers and clinical programmes.
Professional Support, Education & Sector Development
· Contribute to the development and dissemination of clinical resources, guidance, toolkits and training for professionals working with children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
· Support national programmes of work, including definitions of children’s palliative care, categories of need, standards, workforce development and professional education.
· Facilitate knowledge exchange and best-practice sharing across the sector through networks, events, workshops and targeted professional engagement.
· Deliver presentations, training sessions and clinical briefings to a wide range of audiences.
Family and Service Engagement
· Work with colleagues across the Services & Impact team and external partners to ensure projects reflect the lived experiences and priorities of children and families.
· Support co-production activities and ensure family voice is meaningfully incorporated into project design and evaluation.
· Promote and signpost to the Family Support Hub and relevant offers, ensuring clear and consistent messaging about available support.
Governance, Quality & Reporting
· Provide additional clinical oversight and challenge across the organisation’s work relating to safeguarding, ethical engagement and complex family situations.
· Contribute to strengthening organisational clinical governance processes and risk management.
· Provide expert advice to colleagues on safeguarding, ethical engagement with families, and complex clinical issues arising from programme work. Contribute to internal reporting cycles, board updates, quarterly programme reviews and funder reports.
· Maintain accurate project documentation, data dashboards and risk logs.
· Provide expert advice to colleagues and stakeholders on clinical considerations and best practice in children’s palliative care.
General Responsibilities
· Provide effective line management, supervision and support to allocated staff.
· Attend team meetings, leadership meetings and organisational events as required.
· Commit to continuous professional development and reflective practice.
· Undertake other duties relevant to the role as required by the Head of Services & Impact.
Please apply using the Application form attached to this advert
We exist to ensure every seriously ill child and their family gets the high-quality children’s palliative and end of life care



We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.
As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.
You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
- Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
- Support organisational business planning and future growth.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
- Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
- Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.
Service Quality & Client Experience
- Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
- Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
- Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.
Operational Leadership
- Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
- Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
- Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.
Financial & Asset Management
- Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
- Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
- Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
- Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
- Support staff development and performance.
Partnership Management
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
- Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.
About you:
Essential
- CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
- Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
- Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
- Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
- Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
- Budget management and financial performance experience
- Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- UK driving licence and access to a car
Desirable
- Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
- Charity/third sector leadership experience
- Experience securing funding or development partnerships
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £45,750 per annum
Hours: 32 hours per week
Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a home-based role, working Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Applications are welcome from candidates based outside Belfast, provided they are resident in Northern Ireland and able to commute to the Belfast office if required.
The External Affairs Manager plays a pivotal role in empowering people with sight loss to live the life they choose. This position leads the development of policy and campaigns within the country, aligning with Guide Dogs’ strategic objectives. Working collaboratively with the central policy, public affairs, and campaigns team, as well as the country leadership team, the role builds strategic partnerships with government bodies, local authorities, societies, and other key organisations. This ensures Guide Dogs remains informed and influential on all policy initiatives affecting the organisation and its stakeholders.
The post holder will be responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership, management and oversight of a team.
The post-holder is responsible for shaping policy positions, drafting responses to consultations from councils, combined authorities, and devolved governments, and driving impactful campaigns at a regional level. A key focus is increasing the involvement of blind and partially sighted people in advocacy and campaigning.
Additionally, the role leads the implementation of Guide Dogs’ regional marketing and communications strategy across the Devolved Nations. This includes raising brand awareness, engaging diverse audiences—service users, families, volunteers, donors, and the public—and delivering integrated communications plans that strengthen Guide Dogs’ presence and impact.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Development
- Lead the creation of country-specific policy and position papers, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy.
- Prepare responses to consultation papers from devolved administrations, local government, and regional bodies.
- Represent Guide Dogs on committees, working groups, and forums, staying informed on policy issues impacting the organisation and its service users.
Public Affairs
- Build and influence relationships with key stakeholders, including elected representatives and senior officials.
- Represent Guide Dogs at Government Scrutiny Committees and cross-party groups.
- Act as the primary liaison with local government and statutory agencies.
Campaigns & Influence
- Strategically lead and coordinate campaigns at a country level, ensuring alignment with devolved policy priorities.
- Develop and deliver campaigns addressing local needs of the visually impaired community.
- Foster partnerships within the Third Sector to build consensus and amplify Guide Dogs’ strategic aims.
Leadership & People Management
- Provide strong leadership to local staff and volunteers, promoting best practice and knowledge-sharing.
- Oversee recruitment, performance management, and compliance with safeguarding policies.
- Ensure high levels of engagement through effective communication and leadership.
Financial Accountability
- Support fundraising initiatives and monitor operational budgets to ensure efficiency and compliance.
Diversity & Inclusion
- Champion Guide Dogs’ diversity agenda, ensuring services are inclusive and accessible.
- Work with external partners to create a more inclusive environment for people with sight loss.
How to apply
Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via this page.
If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help.
As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions as part of this application process, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.
If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.
Safeguarding
Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.
At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the offense, its relevance to the role, and the time that has passed since the incident. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.
Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.
For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.