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This is an exciting opportunity to work on the frontline of policy advocacy and development in child health. As Head of Policy and Research you'll be responsible for overseeing the development of our policy positions and all related outputs, as well as the research that underpins our campaigns and advocacy, across England, Scotland and abroad. You will be an integral thought partner to the Director of Strategy & Delivery and wider leadership team on the development of pioneering research concepts that will drive the child health agenda forward. You will be our internal technical expert on food policy, ensuring all of our work is evidence-based and impactful, as well as being our external representative, liaising with leading policy and research experts across academia, civil society, and government agencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Research
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Work with the Director of Strategy & Delivery and Research Manager to plan research projects and support their delivery, ensuring they support policy calls and reflect young peoples’ experiences.
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Lead the translation of Bite Back’s research into high quality outputs including reports, briefings and submissions.
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Work with campaigns, communications and content teams to turn research findings into high impact creative communications for a range of audiences.
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Serve as a primary spokesperson for our research including in media placements, speaking slots and government evidence sessions.
Policy development
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Lead on the development of Bite Back’s policy positions in key and emerging areas, ensuring young peoples’ views and experiences are fed in at every stage.
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Lead the development of all policy outputs including submissions, consultation responses and briefings, ensuring they are evidence-based and reflect young peoples’ voices.
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Lead the technical policy liaison with stakeholders and experts in the field to gather evidence and critically assess the Bite Back’s positions.
Evidence
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Keep abreast of new evidence on key areas relating to nutrition, climate and health and consider the implications for Bite Back’s policy and relevant activity.
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Collaborate internally to provide knowledge and advice on policy and evidence issues with colleagues and the youth board.
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Review and sign off key outputs to ensure they reflect the latest evidence and data.
Stakeholder engagement
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Build and maintain relationships with a range of external stakeholders to support Bite Back’s influencing agenda, including with senior government policymakers, academia, WHO and other charities in England, Scotland, and abroad.
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Represent Bite Back on a range of alliances, coalitions and partnerships.
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Deputise for the Director of Strategy & Delivery when needed.
Leadership
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Line management of Research Manager and Impact & Evaluation manager, with a dotted line to the Policy & Engagement Executive and Senior Programmes & Policy Manager for Scotland.
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Operate as a member of the extended leadership team, collaborating with other Heads and the Directors to ensure research and policy considerations are embedded seamlessly into campaigns, communications and programmes.
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Lead the policy and research strategy development for Bite Back in new geographies, providing visionary technical leadership in how we expand to new countries across the UK and abroad.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
We will be looking for applications that demonstrate experience in at least some of these areas, and evidence of capacity to build skills in others. Please don’t be put off applying for one of our jobs because you can’t demonstrate every skill. If you're passionate and excited about working for us, and possess the main skills and experience we are looking for, go ahead and apply. You could be just what we are looking for!
Required:
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Significant experience of managing food policy work, which has informed and influenced national and local food policy in England.
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In depth knowledge of the breadth of the food, nutrition and obesity public health landscape and the key challenges faced in the policy environment.
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Deep technical expertise in food policy research, development, and communication - with a strong focus on commercial determinants of health.
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Strong analytical skills, including a good understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including creative implementation research techniques. and experience with commissioning external research.
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Ability to synthesise and utilise evidence to support policy development and influencing.
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Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate complex issues.
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Calmness under pressure, with ability to prioritise multiple projects to agreed objectives and deadlines.
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Line management experience.
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A passion for our mission and a commitment to our values: Fresh, Resilient, Respectful, Energetic, Real.
Desired:
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Strong policy and research networks in the UK across academic, civil society, and government agencies. A trusted technical voice.
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Post graduate experience in public health or nutrition and/or evidence of continuing professional development of relevant knowledge and skills in the field.
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Experience in working with young people.
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Experience with designing creative, outside the box research with fresh ways of influencing food policy change.
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Understanding and some experiencing working on food policy across devolved nations (Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland), and within other global contexts.
You must follow the instructions on How to Apply in the application pack. Applicants who do not answer the three questions as part of their supporting statement will not be considered
OUR MISSION IS TO CHANGE THE WAY UNHEALTHY FOOD IS MADE, MARKETED AND SOLD, ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Head of Strategic Communications will lead strategic communications at ECU, building on our track record of shaping media narratives around the economy and working across multiple campaigns and programmes.
As our Head of Strategic Communications, you will devise and deliver impactful communications strategies to shape the way the UK media covers economic policy. You’ll help ensure that UK media debates are grounded in robust and innovative economic thinking and rise to the scale and urgency of current societal challenges.
If you believe that media and public debate on economics could be improved - and if you have the strategic communications track record to make that happen - then we would like to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Circa £53,000 per annum
Permanent
Part home/Part office (London) based
UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.
This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as a Senior Policy Adviser – Education.
The role provides strategic leadership on UK education policy across the organisation, with a current focus on early childhood learning and development. The role shapes and delivers rights-based policy influencing strategies, research, and analysis, working closely with colleagues in campaigns and political affairs to drive change for children in the UK.
The role requires expertise in UK education policy, clear experience leading advocacy-oriented research, and a history of influencing UK Government. You will bring a strong understanding of UK policy-making processes and a commitment to children’s rights.
Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.
Closing date: 9am, Thursday 14 May 2026.
Interview date: Wednesday 27 May 2026.
In return, we offer:
· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)
· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role
· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.
· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world
Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.
We anticipate most colleagues will work two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home. We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, and disabled candidates, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.
UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.
We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.
If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.
If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.
Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), a charity funded by supporters, raising funds for UNICEF’s work for children.

Join Our Team: Head of Culture and Inclusion
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive
Our Head of Culture and Inclusion will join our team with a specific lens on cultural transformation which is key in relation to supporting our Trust vision and strategy. This role reports directly into the People Director and will be a member of the People Leadership team having one direct report (Inclusion & Diversity Manager)
Working Hours & Travel
This role follows 37 hours, 5 days a week, work pattern.This is a home‑based role, with UK wide travel to key sites.
Role Overview
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for turning strategy into delivered outcomes through evidence-led programmes, strong governance, and clear accountability across leaders and teams. You will measurably strengthen an inclusive, high trust culture that enables performance and wellbeing; to increase colleague voice and engagement; and to ensure your Inclusion & Diversity ambitions translate into sustained behavioural change and business impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of a clear Culture & Inclusion strategy that embeds inclusion, belonging and fairness across the organisation.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring inclusive behaviours, practices and decisions are actively reviewed, measured and evolved
- Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior leaders, Boards and key stakeholders to influence inclusive leadership and organisational change.
- Partner across the organisation to ensure culture and inclusion priorities are integrated into resourcing, talent, learning, performance and reward frameworks.
- Operate credibly across fast paced, complex environments, balancing strategic focus with pragmatic delivery under pressure.
- Champion inclusive, values led behaviours at all levels, adapting communication and influence to engage diverse audiences and workforce groups.
- Use insight, data and qualitative feedback to assess cultural health and inclusion outcomes, translating findings into actionable improvement plans.
- Ensure strong governance, planning and prioritisation of Culture & Inclusion initiatives to deliver impact with pace and consistency.
- Act as a visible advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion, supporting leaders and teams to role‑model inclusive practices and decision-making.
About You
You are an experienced culture transformation lead with demonstrable proven outcomes which have driven cultural change and made significant business impact. Confident influencing at all levels, you combine commercial awareness with a passion for belonging, fairness and continuous improvement.
Experience and Skill
- Demonstrable evidence of building and delivering multi-year culture and inclusion and diversity roadmaps with measurable outcomes in complex organisations.
- Demonstrated mastery of listening and insight methodologies, including survey design, driver analysis, segmentation and workforce lifecycle analytics, translating insight into clear, actionable priorities.
- Deep expertise in inclusive leadership and systemic inclusion levers across policy, process, behaviours and environment, with a strong bias toward practical education, habit change and sustainable impact.
- Proven experience designing governance frameworks, KPIs and benefits realisation measures, with regular reporting and assurance to Executive teams and Boards.
- Confident and compelling communicator, able to craft simple, engaging narratives from complex data and influence effectively across senior stakeholders.
- Strong credibility and lived experience working in partnership with colleague networks and communities, ensuring authentic representation, trust and meaningful engagement.
Contact & Application
If you would like more information or a briefing pack, please get in touch with the recruitment team. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
This is a middle manager role with a package commensurate.
Canal & River Trust is the UK's largest canal charity, caring for a 2,000-mile network of stunning canals and navigable rivers.
We are a not-for-profit organisation committed to increasing the diversity and numbers of young people entering engineering and technology to meet the future workforce needs, as well as promoting roles that help us work towards net zero and drive environmental sustainability.
Are you looking for a role in a dynamic and busy policy and public affairs team operating in the education and skills policy arena? Are you interested in a role that will provide you with the opportunity to use your research skills and work with a range of stakeholders on developing impactful policy? Then this is your opportunity. EngineeringUK is looking for a temporary Policy Manager ready to lead on the development of some of our organisational policy priorities and positions to ensure that government policy addresses EngineeringUK’s concerns in relation to for example apprenticeships and the ‘growth and skills levy’, Skills England, diversity in engineering & technology pathways and STEM teacher shortages.
It is an exciting time to work in policy and if you have excellent verbal and written communication skills, experience in drafting policy reports and recommendations and a good understanding of how to sell these to policymakers, we want to hear from you.
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and working closely with colleagues across EngineeringUK as well as our partners, you will be instrumental to the delivery of our policy and public affairs programme.
You will lead on policy projects and on developing organisational policy positions, producing reports and responses to government consultations (with a focus on education and skills). You will be working with the Public Affairs Advisor and other colleagues to communicate these messages to government. You will also be responsible for engaging with stakeholders, internally and externally, requiring you to be an excellent team player and collaborator. You will have a good understanding of how to use research and data to identify trends and support policy development and be a confident and persuasive communicator. You need to be able to work independently and be adept at managing multiple tasks in a deadline driven environment.
The role is London based at our office at 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN and may involve some travel in the UK. We believe that hybrid working has many benefits and are pleased to offer flexible working with a minimum of 2 days (or 40%) a week in the office and the option for a flexible start and end to the working day in our vibrant central London office overlooking the Thames. Further details on our flexible working practices can be discussed at interview or you can reach out to a member of our HR team.
Further details of the role can be found in the job description and person specification.
About EngineeringUK
Our purpose is to drive change so more young people choose engineering and technology careers.
Our vision is that the UK has the diverse workforce needed for engineering and technology to thrive and drive economic prosperity, improve sustainability and to achieve net zero.
Our mission is to enable more young people from all backgrounds to be informed, inspired and progress into engineering and technology.
In the UK, we don’t have enough engineers and demand is going up. So, we need more young people to realise there could be a future for them in engineering and technology. To really thrive, we need a stronger, more diverse and representative workforce and for that we have to do things differently to make engineering more appealing.
We are a not-for-profit working with hundreds of organisations across business, education, professional institutions and the third sector so we can all grow the future talent pool together. We drive that collective effort through research and evidence, leadership, activities for schools and advocacy, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
We guided by a series of values that we apply to all our activity:
- We are inclusive and care about diversity. We understand that we have different needs and create opportunities for everyone's voice to be heard
- We are collaborative. We listen, share and work in partnership to achieve our vision
- We are curious and keen to learn. We challenge ourselves and others to innovate and experiment
- We are insightful. We evaluate what we do and draw on research to make decisions and to improve our collective understanding
- We are driven by a strong sense of purpose. We are determined to make an impact and achieve our goals
About you
Essential Skills / Competencies
- Demonstrable experience of developing organisational policy positions, policy responses and report writing as well as leading on impactful policy engagement with government stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of using government and other datasets to support policy development.
- Demonstrable experience managing policy projects including relevant stakeholder management that leads to lasting partnerships. Proven ability to lead a project and take people – internal and external to the organisation - with you.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including a proven ability to simplify complex research and policy message, and to write confidently and concisely for a variety of audiences.
- Good understanding of the education and skills landscape, as well as the political environment surrounding it.
- Proven ability to work independently and prioritise in response to many competing demands and time, but also take direction, be flexible and work collaboratively with others, contributing to team decisions and facilitating cross-organisational working. Pro-active approach to working.
- Commitment to our mission and values, in particular, you will be able work in a way that supports our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Commitment to our mission and values, you will be able to engage with our values and work in a way that supports our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Desirable Skills / Competencies
- An existing network of contacts across the education, skills and/ or the engineering sector in and outside of government.
Education / level of experience
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, or similar ability gained through work experience relevant to the role.
- Expected level of work experience – minimum 3 to 5 years in a similar role.
EngineeringUK is committed to being an inclusive workplace, where everyone feels they belong. This is supported by the dedicated work we are doing to ensure our policies and practices are inclusive and that our staff are trained to be able to fulfil this commitment.
We value the benefits of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. Our recruitment process is designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible and to ensure people are individually assessed regardless of their backgrounds or characteristics.
We are an equal opportunities employer and are open to flexible working, including job share.
Applying for this role
Applications
If you would like to request to submit your application in an alternative format to support accessibility, please let us know.
We want to hear your voice and experience in your application. We acknowledge that you may use AI tools to polish a response, but your application should reflect your experience and voice. All applications are reviewed and scored by our human hiring team. Our system flags responses that it judges to be AI generated and your application may be disregarded if we feel it has been completely AI generated.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 4th May 2026
The role would be available for someone to take up from mid-June 2026.
Interviews
Applications will be assessed against the requirements for the post as set out in the job description and in the ‘about you’ section above.
We are a Disability Confident committed employer. We guarantee an interview to any disabled people who meet the minimum requirements of the role. Additionally, if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to make this process easier for you then we are happy to do so. Just complete the relevant sections of the online application form.
We aim to notify candidates who have been shortlisted on Friday 8th May 2026 .If you have not heard from us after this date, please assume that you have not been successful.
First interviews will be held on 13th and 14th May 2026.
What can we offer you?
- Competitive salary
- 28 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), in addition we normally close for the Christmas week
- Competitive pension (10% employer contribution)
- Annual bonus opportunity
- Flexible working
- A vibrant office with terrace overlooking the Thames embankment and Tower Bridge
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life Insurance (4 x salary)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Long term illness/incapacity insurance cover (permanent health insurance or PHI)
- Annual private health check for employees
- Discounted gym membership
- Yearly flu vaccination
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Head of Operations
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Hybrid (40% office-based)
Full-time (35 hours)
Permanent
£46,200
Start: ASAP
Lead and shape services supporting victims of stalking and abuse
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is seeking a Head of Operations to provide strategic leadership across our services, ensuring they are safe, effective, compliant, and sustainable.
This is a senior leadership role, responsible for overseeing service performance, infrastructure, and delivery at an organisational level. You will play a key role in shaping strategy, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring our services meet the needs of victims and funders alike.
About the role
You will:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across all services, ensuring high-quality and compliant delivery
- Lead on organisational performance, including KPIs, quality standards, and reporting frameworks
- Oversee contract and grant delivery, ensuring all obligations and compliance requirements are met
- Hold senior relationships with commissioners, funders, and external stakeholders
- Lead service development, mobilisation of new contracts, and organisational change
- Ensure effective systems, infrastructure, and processes are in place to support delivery
- Provide leadership across safeguarding, risk, and organisational compliance
- Work as part of the Senior Management Team to shape and deliver organisational strategy
This role focuses on service infrastructure, performance, and strategic oversight, rather than direct frontline management
About you
You will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in operational and strategic service delivery within a safeguarding or related environment.
You will have:
- Significant experience leading multiple frontline services within a safeguarding or VAWG-related sector
- Experience operating at senior leadership level, contributing to organisational strategy
- Strong experience of performance management, KPIs, and quality assurance frameworks
- Experience managing statutory contracts or grant-funded services
- Proven ability to lead organisational change, service mobilisation, or transformation
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, compliance, and information governance
- Experience working with commissioners and senior external stakeholders
Desirable:
- Experience within stalking, domestic abuse, or VAWG services
- Experience in a charity or commissioned service environment
- Experience in organisational restructuring, service redesign, or systems implementation
Why join us
- Lead and shape services that support victims of stalking and abuse
- Join a collaborative and mission-driven senior leadership team
- Play a critical role in organisational strategy, growth and impact
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria detailed within the person specification.
Applications will not be considered without a supporting statement
Additional information
- This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CEO
To reduce the risk and prevalence of abuse, aggression and violence - with a specific focus on stalking and harassment
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to change the world for vulnerable children?
The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies UK (CVAA) aims to improve adoption policy and practice across the UK for the benefit of children, challenging the adoption system to deliver for children and work in their best interests. Alongside advocating for system change, CVAA works to support our member voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) across the four nations of the UK, stimulating innovation and ensuring they stay at the leading edge of practice. The active engagement of members and the building of collaborative alliances with others who seek positive change for children are essential to the effectiveness of our work.
The Head of Policy is a vital member of the small CVAA team, working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to champion the voluntary adoption sector and put children at the heart of everything we do. Due to maternity leave we have an exceptional and unique opportunity for someone who shares our passion to change the world for children, to gain valuable experience working at national level with senior stakeholders to contribute to system change, advocating for the power of adoption to change lives.
You will need strong people skills, experience of developing policy in consultation with stakeholders and using data to transform services and strengthen lobbying work. Most of all you need a cast iron commitment to change the world for vulnerable children.
CVAA works to challenge discrimination and disadvantage and welcomes applications from all communities, particularly those who are underrepresented in our sector, which includes but is not limited to people from Global Majority backgrounds, adoptees, men and those who identify as LGBTQ.
Key information
- Maternity Cover 1 year from July 2026
- Location - remote contract with occasional travel
- £40 – 45K depending on experience
- An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
Applications
Please send a CV and letter of application, outlining your motivation for applying and the skills you offer, to Satwinder Sandhu (CEO) by 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026.
Both Satwinder (CEO) and Alice (Director of Strategy and Policy) are happy to have an informal chat about the role. Please email to arrange a convenient time to speak.
Initial online interviews via Microsoft Teams will be on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May, with final in-person interviews scheduled for Thursday 28th May 2026 in London. Please let us know whether you cannot make any of these dates in your application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role/Job Title: Head of Kent Services
Location: Pembury, with travel between services as required
Contracted Hours Full time -37 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum FTE
Application Deadline Date: Friday 24th May 2026 / Interviews to take place at Cornford Lane site (Pembury) on Wednesday 10th June
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.
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.
We provide support and care to children, families and adults across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Surrey and the London Borough of Bexley. Our services include registered care homes; supported living; community outreach; day services, including pathways to employment; children and young people’s groups and support; specialist support; and free online support for families and carers across the South-East.
About the role:
This is a tremendously exciting time to join Aspens. With our new Chief Operating Officer in place, we are actively shaping how we work to ensure we deliver the very best for the people we support. Her focus and ambition are centred on establishing consistent, high-quality practice across the organisation and ensuring that everything we do enhances, in a meaningful and measurable way, the lives of those we support.
The Head of Kent Services is a leadership role responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial oversight of services within Kent, currently residential services for adults with autism and/or learning disabilities, supported living services, and services for children and families across Kent.
The postholder will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centred care and support that promotes autonomy, dignity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for individuals and families. The Head of Kent Services will lead and develop a small team of locality managers ensuring regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement across the portfolio.
The Head of Kent Services will be a member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team, working in collaboration with other leaders to drive the best outcomes for the People we Support and the Charity.
Knowledge and Experience:
We’re looking for someone who brings a combination of the following experiences, whether gained through formal roles, lived experience, volunteering or other pathways. We value diverse routes into leadership and welcome applications from individuals who may not have followed traditional career paths.
Essential Experience:
- Significant senior management experience in health and social care.
- Proven leadership experience managing CQC Registered Managers.
- Strong knowledge of autism and learning disability support models.
- Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
- Demonstrable experience of regulatory compliance and inspection processes.
- Experience working with commissioners and local authorities.
- Experience managing large-scale change programmes.
- Significant experience in building team capability and managing complex employee relations.
Essential Skills & Competencies:
- Strategic thinking and operational delivery capability.
- Strong financial acumen.
- Experience overseeing impactful, outcomes-driven services at a strategic level.
- Strong project and programme management skills.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills.
- High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to manage complexity and drive change.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
- Ability to build and sustain relationships, with trust and integrity
Desirable:
- Relevant professional qualification in health or social care (Level 5 or above).
- Experience overseeing multiple residential and/or supported living services.
- Experience in service mobilisation or turnaround.
- Experience with Positive Behaviour Support at strategic level.
Core Values & Leadership Expectations:
- Commitment to person-centred, rights-based and autonomy approaches.
- Passion for inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.
- Dedication to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Evidence-informed decision-making.
- High levels of integrity, resilience, and accountability.
- Reflective, open to feedback and committed to continuous learning
- Brings authenticity, empathy and a collaborative spirit
What we can offer you:
- An exciting and rewarding role that you can really make your own
- An opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment, with formal and informal training and development initiatives.
- Member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team.
- Hybrid working
- Adjusted Hours or compressed working weeks
- Fantastic paid training and career progression opportunities (including recognised qualifications in health and social care)
- Paid DBS
- Annual Leave / Pro rata dependent on hours. Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
- Nest Pension and Death in Service Benefit
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Access to Mental Health First Aiders
- Aspens High Street Stores -20% discount on all items for Aspens’ staff
- Bluebell cafe- Discounted staff menu available
- Refer a Friend scheme, so you can earn up to £250 for every person you refer to work for Aspens
- Recognition schemes, including ‘Employee of the Month’
- Wellbeing initiatives such as: no email/meeting Fridays, no meetings over lunchtime to ensure people can take a break, encouraged not to read or reply to emails outside of working hours, and access to counselling
If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need.
Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.
Head of Safeguarding
Circa £55,000 pa
Location: UK – flexible
Flexible working arrangements considered
WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU?
Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets. Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
With projects currently in the UK, India and Tanzania we work to ensure every child can thrive away from a life on the streets.
Safeguarding is pivotal to all that we do.We are proud of our safeguarding culture and the highest standards of practice that we have developed across the Railway Children Group.We are looking for a leader who is as passionate about the safety and well-being of children as we are to help us to sustain, but also to grow and develop our safeguarding culture and practice to even higher standards.
The role
In this role you will provide strategic leadership and governance of a transparent safeguarding culture across all the Railway Children Group’s operations and support services. Overseeing all areas of safeguarding across our work, you will support colleagues to fully embed effective and robust safeguarding practice and compliance into our work.
About you
With your extensive experience of leading on and working with safeguarding and child protection systems and a proven track-record of implementing safeguarding strategy, policy and practice you will recognise that your values-led management style will lead to the embedding of a safeguarding culture across all our work.
For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience.
Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed.
Closing date: 27 April 2026.
First interviews will take place on Thursday 7th May 2026, with second interviews scheduled for Thursday 14th May 2026.
A world where every child can thrive away from a life on the streets.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Details
Position:Head of Community Support and Operations
Location:Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Hours:30 hours to be taken flexibly over Monday – Friday; 1 day wfh allowance
Salary: £50,562 FTE (£40,996 pro rata)
Contract type:Permanent
Reportable to: CEO
Direct reports: Volunteer Development Co-ordinator, Charity Advisor and Partnership Coordinator and any relevant roles that develop
Job Purpose
The Head of Community Support and Operations is a pivotal new role being introduced to the executive team at Barnsley CVS. This person will be a key role in the growth and development of the executive team. You will play an exciting part in the delivery and development of the recently developed 4-year strategy and theory of change. Your role will drive intention and focus on developing our support to the sector in a meaningful way to high standards, whilst ensuring our own internal operations reflect best practice. You will need a strong knowledge of charity set up, management and governance along with a passion for what the VCSE sector does. You will be confident in people management and development; have the ability to work inclusively with a wide range of people and backgrounds and the skill to see gaps and opportunities for service development.
You will work closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships to identify gaps and opportunities to develop our offer of support to the sector whether through direct services, training, brokerage agreements or membership offers. As you identify these opportunities, you will work collaboratively with the Head of Business Development to explore commercial income options that are also in line with our mission and vision.
Using your excellent people skills, you will act as the first point of contact for HR matters within the charity, overseeing the general management of our online HR system, policies and procedures. You will work in collaboration with the CEO in any areas that need significant development or management.
You will keep up to date with new initiatives and ideas in the wider infrastructure sector, relevant legislation and modern thinking in relation to charity management best practice.
Benefits:
- 33 days annual leave increasing with years of service + annual leave given between Christmas and New Year that doesn't count against your annual leave
- Sick leave entitlement increases with years of service
- 5% pension contribution
- Paid leave to complete voluntary activity for up to 5 days pro rata
- Discount on local gym membership
- Flexible working with TOIL given for any additional hours worked
We provide leadership, support and coordination to the vibrant VCSE sector in Barnsley to create a positive drive that impacts communities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Rotherham
Mentored by: Chief Operations Officer
Type of Employment: Full-time
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week
Days of work: Monday-Friday
Pay Level: £58,000-£65,000
The Really NEET Project is seeking an exceptional, driven Regional Head to lead and inspire our work across Barnsley, Rotherham and the North.
This is a unique opportunity for a passionate leader to help develop our future of alternative education, champion young people, and empower dedicated teams to deliver life-changing outcomes.
As Regional Head, you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence, and inspirational direction, ensuring our centres consistently deliver outstanding support to young people who need it most.
Some of the key areas include:
- Provide strong and supportive line management to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Coordinator, SENDCo and Change Leader.
- Lead the ongoing development and delivery of high standards across SEND, education, youth work and risk management, including safeguarding and health and safety.
- Advocate confidently for yourself, staff, young people, and their families within an inclusive practice.
- Foster a culture of psychological safety, vulnerability-based trust, and shared purpose within teams.
- Fulfil the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role and make effective safeguarding decisions at local, regional and national levels.
Our Benefits:
- 10 weeks paid holiday per year (during school holidays)
- Vitality Health package (with no employee excess to pay on claims)
- Royal London Pension Scheme
- Job valuations to ensure competitive salaries
- 45p per mile for any work related journeys
- Annual 2 night staff Getaway
- Christmas spending voucher
- Regular social activities
- Annual Employee Wellbeing budget
- Occupational Health Offer
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies
- Foster & Kinship Policy – time off for training
- Time of for fertility/IVF treatments & appointments
- Bespoke CDP Opportunities
What to expect from the recruitment process:
- Application form submitted and reviewed by the panel
- Shortlisted candidates invited to a first stage interview
- Candidates who are successful at the first stage interview will be invited for a second stage assessment which may consist of an in tray task, scenario presentation or microteach along with time with the learners and a tour of the workplace.
- Candidate selection – the panel will review any applications and a selection decision made
- Recruitment Manager will make contact with applicants to let them know the outcome of their interviews
All applications must be submitted by 20th April 2026 with interviews being held the following 2 weeks. All candidates should be notified of the outcome of interviews within 3 working days. (subject to change)
For more information on this role and our organization please visit our website
Please note that we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners and expect all those who work with us to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undertake a DBS Enhanced Clearance check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and complete a Self Disclosure.
Please review the Job Pack and Description and then complete and return the Application form to Katy Middleton-Groom, the Business Support Lead.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Really NEET Project is seeking an exceptional, driven Regional Head to lead and inspire our work across Telford and the Midlands.
This is a unique opportunity for a passionate leader to help develop our future of alternative education, champion young people, and empower dedicated teams to deliver life-changing outcomes.
As Regional Head, you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence, and inspirational direction, ensuring our centres consistently deliver outstanding support to young people who need it most.
Some of the key areas include:
- Provide strong and supportive line management to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Coordinator, SENDCo and Change Leader.
- Lead the ongoing development and delivery of high standards across SEND, education, youth work and risk management, including safeguarding and health and safety.
- Advocate confidently for yourself, staff, young people, and their families within an inclusive practice.
- Foster a culture of psychological safety, vulnerability-based trust, and shared purpose within teams.
- Fulfil the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role and make effective safeguarding decisions at local, regional and national levels.
Our Benefits:
- 10 weeks paid holiday per year (during school holidays)
- Vitality Health package (with no employee excess to pay on claims)
- Royal London Pension Scheme
- Job valuations to ensure competitive salaries
- 45p per mile for any work related journeys
- Annual 2 night staff Getaway
- Christmas spending voucher
- Regular social activities
- Annual Employee Wellbeing budget
- Occupational Health Offer
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies
- Foster & Kinship Policy – time off for training
- Time of for fertility/IVF treatments & appointments
- Bespoke CDP Opportunities
What to expect from the recruitment process:
- Application form submitted and reviewed by the panel
- Shortlisted candidates invited to a first stage interview
- Candidates who are successful at the first stage interview will be invited for a second stage assessment which may consist of an in tray task, scenario presentation or microteach along with time with the learners and a tour of the workplace.
- Candidate selection – the panel will review any applications and a selection decision made
- Recruitment Manager will make contact with applicants to let them know the outcome of their interviews
All applications must be submitted by 20th April 2026 with interviews being held the following 2 weeks. All candidates should be notified of the outcome of interviews within 3 working days. (subject to change)
For more information on this role and our organization please visit our website
Please note that we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners and expect all those who work with us to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undertake a DBS Enhanced Clearance check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and complete a Self Disclosure.
Please review the Job Pack and Description and complete the Application form.
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!
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Head of Evidence and Insights for a maternity cover contract. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for a move into the women’s sector or someone who has great practical and leadership experience as a manager who is ready to step up into a strategic, senior role.
Salary: £52,000 - £62,000 (paid on a pro-rata basis)
Location: Hammersmith with up to 3 days home working per week
Hours: 35 Hours per week
Contract: Start at the beginning of July for a fixed term contract for 9 months with a possibility of extension
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory DBS check. This role is also subject to Prison vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
This role is responsible for leading our Evidence and Insights team to ensure that we measure the effectiveness and impact of our services and communicate this to internal and external stakeholders in engaging ways. You will deliver on Advance’s strategic priorities with regards to service contracts, data, monitoring and evaluation, as well as organisational evidence to build strategy, policies and practices that focus on the organisation’s development, effectiveness and efficiencies. Working strategically with the team you will turn the data collected by Advance into actionable insights, so that we can better support the women accessing our services.
About You:
You are an experienced leader, who can set strategic direction and enable others to use evidence and learning to full effect across the organisation. You are aware of the wider ‘evidence gaps’ in the women’s sector and lead on the development and external dissemination of Advance’s impact data in order to influence policy and practice. You have the gravitas, credibility and influence to engage and galvanise your colleagues and wider sector peers and stakeholders in new ways of working, innovative data methodology and critical thinking based on evidence and insights.
How to apply:
Please submit your up to date CV along with a covering letter via our applicant tracking system
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Closing Date for Applications: 6th May 2026
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Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis
*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
Join our team and enjoy a range of exciting benefits designed to support your growth and wellbeing!
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A 35-hour working week
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An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
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Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
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Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
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Pension scheme
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Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
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Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
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Employee eye-care scheme
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Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
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Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
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Organisation wide away days
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One-week paid carers’ s leave
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Career development pathways
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Our vision is a world in which women and children lead safe, equal, violence-free lives so that they can flourish and actively contribute to society.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Circa £70,000 per annum
Permanent
Part home/Part office (London) based
UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.
This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as Head of the Portfolio Management Office (PMO).
In this pivotal leadership role, you will provide strategic direction, governance and oversight of UNICEF UK’s portfolio, ensuring our most important initiatives are prioritised, sequenced and delivered effectively. Sitting within the Strategy Directorate, the PMO acts as the organisation’s centre of excellence for portfolio management, strategic delivery, governance, assurance and financial oversight, working closely with Directors and senior leaders to enable informed decision making and successful delivery of our strategy.
We are looking for an experienced portfolio or PMO leader with a strong track record of operating at senior level in complex organisations, bringing confidence in governance, prioritisation, delivery oversight and change leadership. You will be an excellent relationship builder, comfortable influencing executive stakeholders, and able to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery discipline. Experience of leading teams, embedding standards, and improving confidence, visibility and accountability across a portfolio is essential.
Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.
Closing date: 5pm, Monday 4 May 2026.
Interview dates: Week commencing 18 May 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams).
In return, we offer:
· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)
· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role
· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.
· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world
Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.
We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home. We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.
UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.
We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.
If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.
If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.
Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), a charity funded by supporters, raising funds for UNICEF’s work for children.

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!
Age UK Westminster (AUKW) is the leading charity for older people in the City of Westminster supporting the over 50s in aspects of later life including, loneliness, isolation or poverty, by delivering vital advice, befriending, group activities, digital inclusion and practical services to thousands of older people.
Join our senior management team at Age UK Westminster as the Head of Services. We seek a dynamic and innovative leader to further our progress in supporting older people.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in strategic planning and service development, as well as fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, including statutory bodies.
Essential qualifications include strong staff management and project development experience, knowledge of older people’s services, adeptness in external liaison and quality assurance, and excellent communication skills.
If you are passionate about making a difference and have the experience we need, we would love to hear from you.
Due to the large number of applicants, we regret we shall not be able to write personally to applicants who are not shortlisted. Therefore, if you have not heard from us, please presume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.
Age UK Westminster is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.