Head of programme jobs

We’re seeking a Programme Manager to lead our Women Off to Work employability programme. Since 2017, this project has supported hundreds of women to boost their employability and wellbeing through training, advice, work placements and more.

About Us 

The Abbey Community Association is a charity on a mission to support the communities of south Westminster to improve their quality of life by providing the space, services and opportunities to the people who need it most. Our vision? A community that feels healthier, happier and able to access the support it needs, when it needs it.

From our central London community hub, we offer a wide range of activities, services and courses to help address the needs of local people in South Westminster across 4 key areas: physical health, mental health, poverty and reducing isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly. Our programme includes exercise and dance classes, training and employment support, arts and social activities, and more. 

About Women Off to Work

We are delighted to have been awarded funding by the National Lottery to deliver a third phase of our incredibly popular Women off to Work (WoW) programme. Since 2017, WoW has supported hundreds of local women from predominantly Global Majority communities through holistic training and pathways into work programme.

WoW delivers a blend of life and vocational skills training, promoting general employability and improved wellbeing through work experience placements, internships, job brokerage, practical advice on self-employment and micro-businesses, ESOL classes and more. The programme provides women with opportunities to gain formal and accredited training qualifications and provide support with tailored into-work action plans. 

About the Role

The Programme Manager will play a crucial role in continuing the successful delivery of this vital programme, managing and motivating a team to ensure that WoW hits key performance targets.

We would love to see an application from you if you have: 

• Demonstrable project management experience 
• The ability to lead a team to success 
• An understanding of the needs of women who are marginalised within the world of work 
• Experience of co-design and embedding service user voice/experience into delivery models 

 Staff benefits for working at The Abbey Centre: 

• Subsidised lunch 
• Interest-free season ticket loan/ bicycle loan scheme 
• 23 days annual leave (plus public & statutory holidays) – pro-rata 
• Contributions of 6% of salary into stakeholder pension scheme, when matched by 3% personal contributions. 

At over 200 acres, Crystal Palace Park is far larger than most urban parks. Beloved as a ‘back garden’ to many people in the surrounding neighbourhoods, it is also of national and international significance due to its design as the grounds to the Victorian architectural masterpiece, The Crystal Palace, and its rich, unique heritage, including the 170-year-old world-famous dinosaurs. Today, circa one million people visit the park every year; to relax and meet friends and family, take part in sports and physical exercise, enjoy world-class acts during summer festivals, or simply have a moment of peace and enjoyment of nature.

The Head of Commercial & Visitor Experience role offers the opportunity to join a young and growing registered charity at an exciting point in its evolution, and to help lead on establishing Crystal Palace Park as an exemplar in urban park management, community-led regeneration and cultural and heritage programming whilst restoring its position as one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions.

We are looking for an experienced commercial and visitor experience professional to join our friendly team in the new post of Head of Commercial and Visitor Experience, reporting into our trading board, Crystal Palace Park Events Ltd (CPPEL), and line managed by the Director of Park Management.

Responsible for achieving ambitious income targets, you will lead the  management, development and growth of key revenue generating activities including concessions, leases, retail, licensing, catering, markets and car parking activity (and excluding events and venue hire). Alongside this you will oversee the smooth running of the park as a visitor attraction, ensuring an excellent visitor experience and an accessible, warm welcome to all. 

You will be a creative and entrepreneurial team player with experience working in a visitor attraction, cultural, heritage or park setting and a proven track record in business development and income generation.

How to apply:

Please submit the required documents to jobs @ crystalpalaceparktrust .org with the subject ‘Role: Head of Commercial & Visitor Experience

Applications must be received by 2 June 2025 @ 10am

First round interviews will be held w/c 9 June 2025

Second round interviews to be confirmed.

All applicants must submit an Equal Opportunities Form

Crystal Palace Park Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We believe that our staff should represent the communities, organisations, and individuals that we work with and support. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality.

We thank all applicants for their interest.

Join us to support people-led change across the UK.

The Churchill Fellowship is a community of changemakers whose mission is to learn from the world and transform lives across the UK.

We support outstanding individuals pursuing their own vision for change in an issue where they have first-hand experience. They are driven by a personal commitment to tackle today’s key issues, to develop new solutions for their communities and sectors, and to exchange ideas throughout the UK and beyond. They work across all of today’s most pressing challenges, from protecting the environment to preventing domestic abuse, from increasing youth employment to enriching urban spaces and much more.

Collectively, they create change that reaches across the country. Every year we select over 100 new Fellows and fund them to spend up to two months discovering new approaches around the world for practical issues they care passionately about. Fellowships cover every aspect of UK life because our approach is universal, responsive and inclusive. We respond to emerging trends and challenges and our Fellowships are open to all UK adults regardless of qualifications, background or age. Fellows propose their own programmes of research and action and bring their lived or learned experience of their chosen subject.

We believe in the power and potential of individuals and prioritise people and topics that would not be funded elsewhere.

This inclusive approach gives the Fellowship a unique range and authority and has created a powerful model for change, based on real needs, frontline insight and personal dedication. It offers dynamic individuals the recognition, funding and support to pursue what is often their mission of a lifetime.

The Fellowship was created by public subscription in 1965 as the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. Since then we have made almost 6000 grants to inspiring individuals who possess the passion and commitment to make a real difference. Many Fellows become knowledge leaders and influencers for the long term and continue to feel the beneficial effects of the Fellowship decades after being awarded.

The Churchill Fellowship is a community of changemakers whose mission is to learn from the world and transform lives across the UK.

The Activate Fund:

For 60 years, the Churchill Fellowship has been supporting remarkable individuals to source solutions from around the world to tackle critical issues affecting communities in the UK. The Activate Fund is an extension of the Fellowship which provides further funding and support to Fellows on their return to the UK to turn their ideas into action and achieve real and lasting change.

Purpose of the role:

This is a new role which sits within the Fellowship team and will be responsible for the re-opening of the Activate Fund in June 2026, following completion of a successful pilot. The Head of Activate will lead on all aspects of the application and award cycle and on the development of additional forms of support to enhance Fellows’ impact on society. The role will be supported by the Activate Manager, work closely with the Salesforce and Engagement teams, and alongside colleagues managing the annual Fellowship selection process.

This is a new role which is being recruited with sufficient lead-in time for the Head of Activate to be inducted into the existing processes to deliver the first year of awards, with scope to introduce new ideas to enhance the Fund’s impact from Year 2.

Key responsibilities:

Delivery of Activate

• Lead on the re-introduction of the Activate Fund; responsible for ensuring that potential applicants and relevant stakeholders understand the purpose, scope and criteria of the Fund and that all systems and processes are in place for applications to open in June 2026.
• Lead on the selection process from pre-applicant support to application, assessment and award, supported by the Activate Manager, working closely with the Salesforce team and the Comms team, and ensuring the process is aligned with TCF’s EDI values and strategic priorities.
• Lead on the iterative improvement of application and award documentation, throughout the lifetime of the Fund, working closely with the Salesforce team to ensure that any process changes are agreed with sufficient planning time to be implemented ahead of the next cycle.
• Oversee and participate in the longlisting and shortlisting of applications to the Fund, alongside other Fellowship staff and external assessors, where required.
• Responsible for establishing and convening (an) award panel(s) for the Activate Fund and working with the Chief Executive and Engagement team to identify panel members, likely to be drawn from the Fellowship’s Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, expert working groups and/or previous Activate grantees.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate due diligence is conducted on applicants and where relevant, host organisations, to ensure that Activate grants are awarded in line with TCF’s charitable objectives and for a purpose that benefits individuals and communities in the UK.
• Attend and play a key role in the Activate selection interviews, including supporting Panel decision making according to agreed selection criteria, grant-setting and providing feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
• Oversee the award, payment and reporting of Activate grants, including the development of appropriate terms and conditions, and reporting requirements.
• Manage the Activate annual budget, ensuring that grants awarded are in line with the annual budgetary allocation for the Fund and report as required to the SLT.
• In collaboration with the Development team and Salesforce team, set up appropriate reporting mechanisms so that funding partners contributing to the Fund are informed of relevant Activate awards and updated on progress, as required.

Safeguarding and EDI

• Work with the Fellowship’s safeguarding lead and with the Fellowship Director to identify safeguarding risks and develop appropriate processes that are specific to the Activate Fund, for example where Fellows are working with children and adults at risk.
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of the Fellowship’s approach to Fellows’ wellbeing, particularly when awarding grants to Fellows with lived experience of the issues they are addressing in their project. 
• Work closely with the Fellowship’s EDI lead to ensure a proactive and consistent approach to EDI in the delivery of the Fund; in particular, that the Activate Fund’s selection processes are accessible to all Fellows eligible to apply, that EDI is core to the development of pre-application and non-financial support, and that the Fund’s messaging is inclusive and representative of the diversity of Churchill Fellows.

Enhancing Fellows’ capacity to achieve UK impact

• Building on learning from the Activate pilot, work closely with the Activate Manager to develop a support offer for Activate grantees that enhances their capacity to deliver their funded project and create change in their chosen sector or community; this could include 1:1 support such as mentoring and coaching and/or peer learning, convening and networking opportunities with the wider Fellowship community.
• Working closely with the Fellowship Director and Head of Fellowship, explore if there might be opportunities for scaling support which has been tried and tested with Activate grantees, to Fellows at different stages in their Fellowship journey.
• In collaboration with the Engagement team, support Fellows to develop relationships with individuals and organisations in relevant sectors that will amplify the impact of their Activate project and proactively explore opportunities for Knowledge Partners to contribute time, expertise and networking support to Activate grantees.  

Evaluation and Learning

• Working closely with the Engagement Director, to develop an approach for evaluating how the Activate Fund enhances Fellows’ capacity to create change in the UK.  
• Apply lessons learned from stakeholder feedback to improve the experience of Activate applicants and grantees through changes to the selection process, development of new forms of support and extension of networking opportunities with the wider Fellowship community.
• Working closely with the Fellowship Director to undertake a strategic review of the impact of the Fund from the end of Year 3.
• Keep up to date with new thinking and research around supporting and developing individuals and good practice in grant making, including developing relationships with relevant individuals and organisations.

Fellowship team

• Attend quarterly leadership meetings, where appropriate and, in particular, to contribute to thinking about TCF’s role in supporting Fellows to achieve change in the UK.
• Attend Fellow-led events as appropriate and utilise knowledge of Fellows’ activation of their Fellowship learning to contribute to the design and delivery of Fellowship events, such as Connect & Inspire, as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent transferable skills

Skills & Experience

• 10 years’ experience in grant making, with at least 3 years in a senior grant making role with responsibility for designing and delivering an end-to-end grant making process.
• Experience of managing a multi-year grant making or support programme and balancing ongoing delivery with innovation and improvement.
• Experience of working with and supporting individuals to create change whether through grant making, learning and facilitation or movement building. 
• Demonstrable knowledge of different grant making practices and a commitment to trying out new approaches to remove barriers to those furthest away from funding.
• Experience of convening and managing relationships with multiple stakeholders to deliver time-sensitive projects or programmes and confident in liaising and negotiating with busy people in senior positions.
• Previous line management experience. 
• Experience in safeguarding and or risk management. 
• Experience in analysing and interpreting data for the purpose of monitoring, evaluation and improvement.
• Experience using and interacting with Salesforce (or similar CRM) and of working collaboratively with a data management/systems team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for communicating face-to-face, in writing and by telephone with individuals at all levels.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Office and comfort with facilitating meetings via video conferencing platforms.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Evidence of managing a team and contributing to the creation of inclusive and collaborative working environments.
• Experience of liaising with, negotiating and managing relationships with external organisations, teams, and individuals. 

Personality Characteristics 

• A confident and reflective leader, with the ability to inspire and support a new team and to contribute to a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Ability to balance an appetite for innovation and improvement with a pragmatic approach to working within an annual grants cycle. 
• Ability to work with good humour, a positive attitude, tact, and diplomacy and to maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to meet deadlines, and to work under pressure when required.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive and able to work well independently as well as part of a team.
• Passionate about achieving excellence through personal development and continual learning.
• Self-motivated and a great team player with a pro-active, confident, and positive approach and the ability to contribute to a culture of collaborative working.
• To have a genuine commitment to the values and ethos of the Churchill Fellowship and an interest in the social impact and the work of the TCF Fellows.

Working for The Churchill Fellowship

Detailed package, benefits and wellbeing package:

• Salary c. £50-£55,000 per annum (5 days per week / 36.5 hours)
• Hybrid working policy (minimum of 1-2 days per week in the office)
• 5 weeks holiday a year, with additional paid leave when the office closes over the Christmas Break
• 1 weeks paid leave for volunteering
• Non-contributory pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance
• Bike purchase salary sacrifice scheme (Cycle2Work)
• Personal Development Budget for training

Standard working hours are 36.5 hours a week 9.30am until 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday and from 9.30am until 4.00pm on Friday, including a paid lunch break of one hour.

We have embraced the benefits of working from home and at the same time, we value the contribution of face-to-face contact in building teamwork, collaborating with your colleagues, exchanging ideas and know-how, and for work efficiency. We therefore operate a hybrid working policy, where staff can work from home if they wish, however everyone is required to work in the office a minimum of 1 to 2 days a week with Tuesdays as the core day for regular whole team meetings, and Thursdays as an additional core day for Senior Leaders.

Note: unfortunately, we are not currently in a position to offer sponsorship for visas and all applicants will need to have, and be able to prove, the right to work in the UK.

How to apply

Please use your CV and cover letter as an opportunity to tell us a bit more about who you are as a person. We want to understand how you as an individual are going to be a great fit for this role.

We will be scheduling first round interviews as candidates apply, we will then complete a round of second interviews with a shortlist of candidates once the advertising has closed, with the view to appointing the role as soon as possible after that.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are core to the values and ethos of the charity’s work across all activities. The Churchill Fellowship is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.  Our office accommodation is accessible. 

The Head of Research and Policy is a key role within the Trust, overseeing its programme of policy-focused research on social mobility and educational inequalities. The Trust has published over 300 pieces of research since 1997, including many highly influential reports which have achieved widespread media coverage and attention among policy makers. This is an exciting opportunity to play a meaningful part in effecting change for disadvantaged young people, in a rapidly evolving policy landscape

The role sits within our integrated Communications, Research and Policy team, where we see communications and advocacy working hand in hand with generating robust evidence. As Head you will oversee a small research team producing original research internally, as well as commissioning work from external researchers and organisations. You will develop proposals and design research projects, as well as recommendations for policy and practice.

We are looking for someone with a deep interest in issues of educational equity, social mobility and increasing opportunity. You will combine a commitment to methodologically robust research with a passion for clear, impactful communication of findings and an eye for practical learnings.

Main duties
Research

• Leading the Trust’s portfolio of research, with the Director of Research and Policy, ensuring a regular and varied programme of policy-relevant research, including responsibility for its quality and accuracy.
• Overseeing colleagues and external organisations responsible for individual reports.
• Ensuring that Sutton Trust reports are accessible to practitioners and policy makers; editing and preparing reports for publication.
• Developing new ideas for research in consultation with the Director, as well as other Sutton Trust colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Authoring one or more original data-rich research reports each year, where appropriate
• Managing the day-to-day work of two Research and Policy Managers, including pastoral support. Management of other team members as appropriate, and recruitment where relevant.
• Working with the Development team to identify possible funders and develop fundraising proposals and secure funding for the team’s work.
• Management of the research budget, ensuring value for money.

Policy and impact

• Working with the Director of Research and Policy and colleagues, as well as external experts, to develop credible recommendations and policy proposals that help advance the Trust’s social mobility agenda.
• Working with Communications and Public Affairs team members to develop messaging and content for disseminating and publicising the Trust’s research findings and policy recommendations.
• Working with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs and other colleagues to support the advocacy work of the Trust, including responding to government consultations.
• Undertaking advocacy work, as required, with MPs’ staff, civil servants, special advisers and other policy makers.
• Representing the Trust externally at events, conferences, and with donors and other supporters, as well as through news media - both broadcast appearances and thought leadership articles.
• Working with colleagues in the Programmes team to ensure exchange of knowledge and expertise across teams

Other

• Reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustee Board, where required.
• Other duties as necessary from time to time

Person Specification

We welcome applications from individuals who have:

• Significant experience designing and delivering impactful original research which is robust and policy relevant
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of research methods, particularly quantitative research, and is fluent in data analysis software such as R/SPSS/Stata/Python.
• Experience leading, managing or commissioning research delivered by others
• Experience securing funding for research projects
• A qualification in a numerate discipline, including education, economics, statistics, or similar discipline in the social or natural sciences, either at degree or postgraduate level, or comparable experience.
• An understanding of the British educational system and issues related to social mobility and inequality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills
• Line management experience
• High degree of initiative and the ability to lead a programme of work
• Excellent attention to detail
• Personable, flexible and discreet; able to fit into a small team in a fast-paced environment

We are also looking for an individual who:

• Is sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and its mission to address educational disadvantage
• Has knowledge and experience of the higher education and/or education sectors, as well as government and the public policy environment
• Has experience communicating research in the media
• Has first-class interpersonal skills - a natural ambassador able to represent the Sutton Trust in a range of settings
• Is eligible to work in the UK (see here for information about right to work)

Terms of Appointment

• Salary: £56,000-£64,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Contract: Full time, Permanent
• Working location: Minimum of 2 office days per week
• Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and may also be required to attend events / meetings outside of their normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends
• DBS check may be required
• Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP. Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.

Interviews

Applications should reach us by 10am, Wednesday 21st May , with first round interviews held on Thursday, 29th May and Friday 30th May, and second round interviews held on Tuesday, 10th June and Wednesday, 11th June. Both interview rounds will be held at our London offices.

Safeguarding statement

The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

Contextual recruitment

The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role. As such we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout our recruitment process and during employment.

We also operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website.

Programmes Lead (Maternity Cover)

Salary: £31,625 - £34,106 pro-rata (depending on experience)

Contract: 12 months fixed-term contract (Maternity Cover- might be potentially extended)

Start Date: Date to be agreed (potentially July)

Location: This is currently a blended-working role with two in-office days (Tuesday-Thursday) during term time and the flexibility to work from home during school holidays. Occasional travel to schools and events will be required. 

We are currently based at Resource for London near Holloway Road station, however, our office will be moving to another location in London in the coming months. 

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Our core hours are 09:30 - 16:00 from Monday to Friday. 

Benefits of working for Challenge Partners

• Work-life balance

• Annual leave

• Employer pension contributions

• Health and wellbeing support

• Training and development

• Family-friendly policies

• Connection and celebration

About the role

The Programmes Lead will play a key role in leading and implementing the delivery of a range of programmes which at present includes Growing the Top, the SEND Developmental Peer Review and the Trust Leaders’ Network (subject to change based on organisational need). 

Established in 2011, Challenge Partners is a well-respected nationwide network of practitioners who engage in hard-edged collaboration and mutual accountability to ensure every school community can benefit from the combined wisdom of the education system. 

The Programmes Lead will build and manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and hold responsibility for the quality and consistency of school leaders’ experience of the programmes. They will work closely with the Programmes Manager and Partnership Coordinators to ensure excellent delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Programmes Manager the Programme Lead will have the following key areas of responsibility and will be expected to undertake other responsibilities commensurate with the role as requested:

Programme Delivery and Development

• Lead on the operational delivery of programmes: Growing the Top, the SEND Developmental Peer Review and the Trust Leaders’ Network

• Manage key stakeholder relationships with programme participants and facilitators

• Manage correspondence involved in programme delivery, including responding to daily queries and setting up automated processes

• Monitor visit day/event quality and delivery, including dealing with and escalating issues to ensure positive solutions are reached

• Monitor risks and mitigate/escalate as appropriate

• Monitor programme spending and signing off invoices within agreed budgets, as directed by the Programmes Manager

• Work with the Programmes Manager on the development of strategies to support efficiency and scale the delivery of programmes, including and not limited to the engagement of new technologies, processes and ways of working

• Lead on the implementation of new strategies for delivery in your areas of responsibility with Partnership Coordinators

Data Management and Systems 

• Ensure programme data is accurately recorded on Salesforce (our CRM system) and work closely with the digital team to improve systems and processes

• Responsibility for ongoing monitoring of programme delivery feedback data to ensure quality and oversee escalation of issues if/when they arise

Event Planning and Organisation

• Lead on the planning, logistics and delivery of in-person and virtual programme events, working closely with the Programmes Manager and Executive Sponsors to agree event design

• Liaise with speakers, venues and suppliers to ensure high quality delivery of events

• Coordinate the team effectively to ensure excellent event delivery

• Work closely with the marketing team to create a social media plan to showcase programme events 

Matrix Management

At Challenge Partners, we work in a matrix structure which means that individuals collaborate across different work streams and are, at times, task managed by colleagues who are not their direct line manager

• Provide consistent and high quality task management to all Partnership Coordinators involved in the delivery of these programmes

• Collaborate effectively with other task managers, line managers and teams to support Partnership Coordinators to provide excellent delivery across all Challenge Partners activities and meet key organisational priorities

Person Specification

Specific skills and attitudes we are looking for in an applicant are as follows:

• As one of our cadre of leads, you will be a role model for our values at all times and a cultural lead within the team.

• Strong project management and organisational skills (a ‘completer-finisher’).

• Ability to prioritise effectively to meet competing demands and work under pressure, through excellent organisation and time management.

• Outstanding attention to detail, and pride in your work.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to deal with people diplomatically and appropriately, building rapport with those at varying levels of seniority.

• Positivity, optimism and agility - we are a small organisation and all staff are expected to contribute across the organisation (and sometimes beyond their specific job role) to ensure our success and sustainability. 

• High computer literacy - confidence and competence in using GSuite, Microsoft programmes and Salesforce (or similar CRM system) would be an advantage

• A willingness to learn and give and receive feedback

• A passion for education, and a desire to make a difference

How to apply

Please submit your application on BeApplied by 10am on Thursday 22nd May 2025. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer five competency and scenario-based application questions.

• First round of interviews (remote)- 29th & 30th May 2025

• Second round of interviews (face-to-face)- 10th June 2025

A note on AI 

At Challenge Partners, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process. We don’t use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for recruitment - applications are reviewed by members of the team and we use blind shortlisting to mitigate potential bias and ensure all candidates are considered on merit.

Whilst we recognise that AI can be a useful tool for tasks like proofreading, we encourage you to share genuine examples from your own experience so we can better understand your unique skills and perspective. Authenticity is important to us and we want to hear your voice throughout the application process.

DEI Statement

Challenge Partners is committed to further enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our team and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. 

Safeguarding Statement

Challenge Partners is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, beneficiaries and staff. We expect all employees, consultants and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment or contracts with us are subject to a satisfactory DBS check and references. 

No agencies please.

DFN Project SEARCH offer an evidence-based supported internship model which takes place entirely in the workplace.  The programmes provide continuous support to young adults with a learning disability, and autistic people who are aged between 16 – 24 with an Education Health and Care Plan, or equivalent, in their final year of education.

You will be required to identify opportunities to develop and grow DFN Project SEARCH programmes across a geographical area with the aim of supporting the organisation to ensure that as many people as need it have access to DFN Project SEARCH programmes.

In addition, you will be required to develop strategies to ensure that the operational programmes in your area are achieving at least the average outcomes expected for young people in our programmes and so you must be committed to continuous improvement.

You will be specifically required to develop strong partnerships and train and support colleagues within your area. You may also be required to support colleagues promoting DFN Project SEARCH in other areas, further European projects as required and contribute to the development of relevant UK focussed materials.

As a Programme Specialist you will be expected to:

• Demonstrate effective project planning and preparation so that each project delivers achieves the highest quality programme possible and outstanding employment outcomes for the interns.
• Establish effective working relationships with schools, colleges, local authorities, employers and the project professional staff to promote the building of excellent, high quality partnerships at each site to ensure the effective running of programmes and promote sustainability in a volatile environment.
• Take an active part in decision making, planning and audit processes of each project
• Ensure that you implement DFN Project SEARCH policy and have a clear understanding of required quality standards and criteria which constitute effective teaching and learning
   

The Forest of Avon is one of England’s Community Forests and a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The Forest of Avon was established in 1992 as one of the first England’s Community Forests and became a charity in 2008. The Forest of Avon hosts several programmes including the multi-million pound Trees for Climate and the Western Forest, delivering woodland creation and restoration across the region as well as our expert-led Nature and Health work. The charity has a growing team and an actively engaged Board of Trustees.

The Head of Finance (HoF) is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the Forest of Avon Trust which now includes Western Forest, England’s first new national forest in 30 years covering Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the West of England (including North Somerset).

Our new HoF will manage the charity’s financial systems, preparing accounts, supporting audits, reporting to the Board of Trustees and overseeing and reporting on the financial elements of key programmes such as the Trees for Climate grant scheme and the Western Forest. The HoF also works closely with the team and external stakeholders to expand the charity’s financial capacity, ensuring transparency and effectiveness in all financial activities.

Role Description

Post: Head of Finance, Forest of Avon (including Western Forest)
Salary: £46,305-51,146, with annual pay review  
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, flexible work hours

Line manager: CEO, Forest of Avon / reporting to Finance Sub-Group of Board.

Contract: Permanent

(Forest of Avon are also open to considering an Interim contract whilst recruitment for a permanent role is underway – please contact Solutions for HR as soon as possible)
Location: Central Bristol. Mainly office based with the option for some home working, as agreed.

Benefits include: Staff pension, Employee Assistance package, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, volunteering days and staff training and social events.

Some key duties of the role include (but are not limited to):

• Prepare the annual accounts and financial statements in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Work with the charity’s auditors to ensure the successful completion of the annual audit process.
• Provide monthly and quarterly financial reporting, including budget setting, forecasts, and projections to ensure the Trust’s financial health is consistently monitored, including projects such as Trees for Climate and Western Forest.
• Present financial reports to the Board of Trustees and Western Forest Boards, providing insight and recommendations on financial strategies and growth opportunities. 
• Ensure accurate recording of grant agreements, claims processing, and reconciliation of funds in line with grant terms.
• Oversee end-of-year financial reconciliation and reporting for all funding programmes, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and financial policies.
• Provide financial input and support for the management of restricted funds, ensuring all are appropriately allocated and tracked.

The successful candidate will have/be:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with extensive experience in financial management within a charity or non-profit sector.
• Strong experience in preparing accounts, managing audits, and financial reporting.
• Experience with grant management, including financial administration, claims processing, and reporting in relation to large-scale funding programmes.
• Strong financial analysis and reporting skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide clear insights to the Board and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and advise both internal teams and external partners on financial matters.
• Strong organisational skills, with an ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in financial software and IT systems, including bookkeeping and accounting platforms.

Forest of Avon are an equal opportunity employer and applications will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, veteran status or age. The Forest of Avon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment. We seek to challenge the status quo with the power of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We encourage different perspectives and seek to support our team and partners to share and implement new ideas, to continue improving and to realise our full potential. 

To apply for this role please submit your CV detailing your relevant experience together with a covering letter (cover letter to be no more than 2 A4 pages) to the recruitment team.

The closing date for this role is 5pm on Monday 2nd June 2025. Interviews are likely to be held w/c 9th June 2025.

About CXK

CXK is an award-winning charity committed to empowering young people, adults, and communities across the South of England to maximise their potential. From providing groundbreaking careers information, advice and guidance and employability training to offering targeted support for those at risk, CXK’s services inspire positive change and long-term growth in individuals and communities alike.

“The CXK Way” embodies the following core values:

Ø  Ethical – We work with professionalism, honesty and integrity

Ø  Passionate – We reach out enthusiastically to all who need out support

Ø  Innovative – We inspire, enhance and improve

Ø  Collaborative – We engage, support and share with others

You can click here to learn more about us

About the role

It’s an exciting time to join CXK as we continue to expand our reach and launch our new 5-year strategy.

We are searching for a Head of Bids, Grants and Tenders to work within our Development and Partnerships Team. This exciting new role will be responsible for writing and submitting compelling bids and proposals that clearly align to CXK’s strategic and operational vision, meeting the needs of our commissioners and funders.

The role will drive income generation and growth for the charity, creating high-quality tender responses on a regular basis, developing a pipeline of current and potential opportunities and proactively ensuring that all business development systems and processes are fully implemented.

As part of our Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Bids, Grants and Tenders will contribute to the strategic development of CXK, working closely with the Director of Development and Partnerships, our service leads, and the wider Senior Leadership Team.

Who we are looking for

This role will require exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and compelling content aligned to a specification, with a proven track record of successfully responding to complex tender opportunities, and grant submissions. 

The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of public or the not-for-profit sector and the areas impacting our work, such as education, employability, skills, rehabilitation and justice.  This will be supported by proven experience of managing end-to-end tender processes and the achievement of financial targets.

If you can deliver results in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment and you’re ready to bring energy, expertise, and a commitment to CXK’s mission, we’d love to hear from you.

You can read more via person specification here.

Benefits of working with us

Our employee benefits include:

Ø  30-33 days holiday, plus bank holidays

Ø  Defined contribution pension scheme (matched by CXK up to 10% depending on length of service criteria)

Ø  Benenden private healthcare cover

Ø  Flexible working

Ø  Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Ø  Training and development programmes and opportunities

Ø  Mental and physical healthcare initiatives

and more

Recruitment Timeline

Vacancy closing date: 26th May 2025

Application review date: 27th May 2025

Interviews dates: 10th June 2025

Useful Information

If you have any questions or wish to have an informal conversation before submitting your application, please contact the Recruitment Team.

Please note: Applicants will need to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide references before any offer of employment is made.

Right now, millions of people across the UK are struggling to make ends meet. Whether it’s skipping meals, choosing between heating and rent, or facing unexpected expenses without a safety net — financial insecurity is a daily reality for far too many. At Turn2us, we’re here to change that. We support people in financial crisis to access the help they need and to build long-term financial security.

Every year, we reach millions through our practical tools like our Benefits Calculator and Grants Search, and we provide direct support through our Helpline and grant programmes. We work alongside people with lived experience of poverty to influence policy, shift public narratives, and tackle the root causes of financial insecurity.

Data is central to this mission. It helps us understand where the need is greatest, how our services are making a difference, and what more we must do. That’s why we’re excited to recruit a Head of Data — a role that will be key to our success as a learning, evidence-led and values-driven organisation.

In this role, you’ll lead the delivery of our data maturity roadmap, helping Turn2us grow into a truly data-driven organisation. You’ll develop a data-led culture, embed best practice in data governance, and ensure our data is both ethically managed and compliant with GDPR. You’ll also work closely with colleagues in IT, Insight and Impact, and Digital and Design to build a well-managed, joined-up data ecosystem that underpins everything from our day-to-day operations to our long-term strategy.

We’re looking for a values-led leader with strong expertise in data architecture, data management and governance. You’ll have experience leading and implementing data strategies and frameworks, and a passion for using data to create positive social change. Knowledge of financial insecurity and the issues facing people in poverty is useful, but not essential.

What matters most is your commitment to our mission and your ability to make data work for people. We’re not looking for a particular CV or background. We know that Turn2us will benefit from fresh thinking and new perspectives, so we actively welcome applications from people with diverse experiences and transferable skills. You’ll join a warm, committed and ambitious team.

At Turn2us, we care deeply about equity and inclusion, and we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of financial insecurity, whether from the charity or private sector.

If you’re driven by the power of data to help people and influence change and want to be part of a mission that really matters, we’d love to hear from you.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. Applications should include a CV and covering letter. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley or Annie Regan-Tighe at Tall Roots.

This full-time role focuses on children and families, leading the development and delivery of our Creative Outreach Programme and supporting all child and beneficiary engagement. The successful applicant will also help develop and expand our Arts Hub activities; working closely with young people, freelance creatives, and our small, dedicated team to offer meaningful, high-quality creative experiences.

Candidates should be:

· A confident drama teacher/facilitator

· Enthusiastic and passionate about engaging children in arts activities

· Highly motivated, organised and efficient

· A good team player with an ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages and backgrounds

The Children’s Programme Lead is responsible for:

· Developing and delivering our Creative Outreach Programme for children aged 7+

· Supporting all child and beneficiary engagement at Scene & Heard

· Developing new activities under our Arts Hub initiative

· Collaborating with freelance artists and facilitators to co-deliver workshops

· Safeguarding and monitoring child wellbeing during all activities

· Representing Scene & Heard with families, schools, and external partners

· Leading on impact measurement and reporting for children’s programmes

· Supporting our wider creative and organisational work as part of a small, integrated team

· Working evenings/weekends as required for courses, productions and events

The Children’s Programme Lead reports to the CEO & Artistic Director and collaborates closely with all members of the staff team.

To reflect and celebrate the rich variety of heritages, backgrounds, and orientations represented in London and beyond, we strive to build and maintain a staff team and volunteer base that is as diverse as the communities we serve.

Are you a fundraising team leader, experienced across a range of funding sources with a passion for wildlife? Have you inspired support for a cause from a wide range of people and able to help our organisation grow in delivering our strategy to 2030?

Avon Wildlife Trust has exciting plans for nature’s recovery in the former Avon region. We want to create and restore habitats, enable people to take action for wildlife, and secure more land for nature in our local area.

We are looking for a Head of Fundraising to cover maternity leave, who can galvanise support for our work from funders, members, corporates and donors, help with continuing to develop a high-performing fundraising team, and support colleagues in developing fundable projects towards nature’s recovery  engaging people and bringing wildlife back. If this is you, we want to hear from you.

Avon Wildlife Trust is a charity dedicated to working with local people for local wildlife, covering the West of England region (former county of Avon). It is supported by more than 17,500 members, manages over 30 nature reserves and is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts in the UK. We want to see nature restored on a grand scale across the Avon region, with one in four people taking action for wildlife.

The Wildlife Trusts value diversity. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. We also have robust child safeguarding policies, and this role requires two work references.

Join the leading national charity dedicated to supporting babies, families and neonatal healthcare professionals. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and proactive programme lead to make a real difference to the lives of babies in neonatal care.

Role Summary 

One in seven babies is born premature or sick and needing care on a neonatal unit – this isn’t what most parents expect for their baby.

Bliss is the UK’s leading national charity for babies born premature or sick, and we are looking for a Baby Charter Programme Lead to join our enthusiastic and passionate team.
 

• Location: Hybrid, with a minimum of 1 day per week worked in our London Bridge office
• Salary: £38,910 FTE (£26,681 per annum actual salary)

• Terms: 24 hours per week, 12 month fixed term.

Role Details

We are looking for someone with a passion to improve healthcare for babies born premature or sick, through the leadership of Bliss’ major practice improvement programme, the Bliss Baby Charter.

The Baby Charter is a national accreditation programme being undertaken by most neonatal units in the UK. It aims to improve outcomes for babies born premature or sick by encouraging neonatal healthcare professionals to involve parents in the care of their baby. This is known as Family Integrated Care, or FICare.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience: 

•Strong experience of planning and delivery of services for clients, customers, service-users or beneficiaries.
•Strong understanding of supportive line management, helping direct reports to achieve their objectives, to learn and develop in their roles
•Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and the ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
•Strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion in the context of service delivery
•Ability to work using own initiative, to work cooperatively as part of a team, and collaboratively across teams

How to apply

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents

• Your CV (please ensure this does not include your age, gender or any other personal characteristics)
• Supporting statement explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification. This should address the essential points of the person specification and is expected to be no more than 1000-1500 words long

This information is used when shortlisting candidates for interview. Please note this role has been re-posted, previous applicants need not apply.

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

It is Bliss’ policy not to contact applicants who have not been invited for an interview so if you have not heard from us three weeks after the closing deadline, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Recruitment Timeline 

• The deadline for applications is 9am Wednesday 14 May 2025.
• First round interviews will be held virtually on w/c 19 May

• Second round interviews will be in person at our London Bridge offices on w/c 26 May

Our client is a national charity tackling financial insecurity and its structural causes. They work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.  Prospectus are proud to be supporting this amazing organisation in the search for a Head of Information Programmes.

This role leads the planning, delivery and evaluation of the organisation's Information Programmes which through the design and promotion of effective digital tools support the improvement of people’s financial security.  Aligning the delivery and development of information services through partners, integrated programmes and the charity's established channels you will lead on implementing the strategic vision of this vital work to be digital first, while ensuring that anyone who needs support can find it at the right time and in a way that meets their needs.

An ambassador and conduit for many different areas and partners, you will continue to drive continual improvement of the information offering, from a user experience perspective.  The successful candidate will have experience of bringing together digital and user perspectives with a goal to make products easily accessible, useable and effective for clients at all levels of technical ability.

Experience of leading on user experience within a digital environment is key, and an understanding of the charity sector and the multiple audiences that are likely to use products is important. You will also hold the following:

• Experience of developing, and managing outcomes focused information programmes across digital and non-digital channels that deliver real change and benefits for large audiences of users
• Experience of developing and managing tenders for outsourcing large scale technology-driven services, creating targets and OKR’s and managing their delivering at a senior level
• Working knowledge and experience of content management systems, customer relationship management (CRM), multi-channelled operations and relevant digital information systems
• Experience of leading on cross sector partnerships
• Experience of product delivery through co-production
• Experience of managing an expenditure budget of £1.5m
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data accurately and concisely in easily readable materials and reports

If you are interested, please apply with just your CV in the first instance (in Microsoft Word format). We are reviewing CVs on an ongoing basis, so it is highly recommended to submit your application as soon as possible.

Turn2us offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 1 days per week.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at the charity.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to the organisation from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus is committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invests in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children, and young people who are life-limited or life-threatened. When time is short, every moment is precious. Acorns helps children and families fill the time they have together with love, fun, and laughter to create lasting memories.

Palliative care for children aged 0-18 is delivered at Acorns’ hospices in Birmingham, Worcester, and Walsall, as well as in family homes or elsewhere in the community. Their holistic, tailored approach meets each child’s clinical, emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual needs. Supporting over 750 children and nearly 1,000 families annually, Acorns is a vital lifeline for families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire during unimaginably difficult times.

This is a brilliant opportunity to take on a high-performing team at a time when Acorns is really moving forward. Supported by strong internal resources, the Head of Public Fundraising will drive growth across Individual Giving, Legacy, In-Memoriam, Digital and Prize-led Giving in the context of a highly collaborative, whole-organisation approach to fundraising.

The immediate focus will be on making the most of existing programmes, strengthening audience insight, and getting the team ready to play a major part in the organisation-wide appeal launching in 2025.

Growing Individual Giving income from £1.6 million to £2 million over the next two years will be a central priority, alongside expanding digital and prize-led fundraising and sharpening supporter journeys across the board.

As Head of Public Fundraising, you will: 

• Develop and implement a data-driven strategy for all areas of public fundraising to meet growth targets.

• Lead the Individual Giving portfolio, ensuring growth across direct mail, face-to-face acquisition, mid-value development, and telemarketing.

• Oversee the successful delivery of cash appeals, ensuring they meet both income and ROI targets.

• Drive the expansion of digital fundraising and prize-led giving, including managing the growing digital fundraising portfolio and prize-led initiatives.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing & Communications, to ensure campaigns are well integrated and aligned with the overall fundraising strategy.

• Manage and develop a high-performing team, providing leadership, coaching, and clear performance metrics.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and internal stakeholders to drive the strategic direction of public fundraising.

About you

The role needs someone who’s as comfortable setting long-term plans as they are getting hands-on when needed, whether that’s developing appeals, working with agencies or supporting new product ideas. Collaboration across fundraising, care and supporter engagement teams will be essential to making this happen and building an even stronger supporter-first culture at Acorns.

If you’re a senior Individual Giving expert who’s ambitious for supporters and income, this is a chance to take ownership of a strong portfolio, drive innovation, and make a real impact on Acorns’ future.

You will have:

• Extensive experience in Individual Giving (substantial direct marketing experience is essential)

• A history of successfully leading fundraising teams and delivering significant income growth.

• Strong strategic vision, with the ability to adapt and innovate based on data insights and audience understanding.

• Experience in working collaboratively across teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Excellent communication and networking skills, with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.

Hybrid working

This is a mostly home-based role, with c.2 days per week in the (Birmingham) office. If you require flexibility around this, please don't hesitate to apply - we can discuss options during the briefing call. 

Employee benefits

Benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 3 years’ service
• 7.5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance scheme (2 x annual salary)
• Retail discounts (including the Blue Light card)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to expert financial health and wellbeing support