228 Head of programmes and impact jobs

Independent Age is the national charity working towards ending financial hardship in later life. 

Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free information and advice to older people without enough money to live on, while our external training equips professionals with the information they need to support older people on low incomes. Through our grants programme, we fund and support hundreds of local charities working with older people across the UK.  We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change. 

We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life. We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

As Head of Services Development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Independent Age’s services and maximising our impact for older people facing financial hardship. Reporting to the Director of Services, you will lead service development, innovation, quality, evaluation and strategic change across our service provision (information, advice and external training) ensuring they remain effective, evidence-led and responsive to changing needs. Working closely with colleagues across the charity and external partners, you will translate strategy into practical improvements, develop new opportunities for impact and collaboration, and embed a culture of continuous learning, improvement and innovation.

We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.

We're looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with experience of leading complex projects, organisational change and service improvement programmes. 

You will be skilled at turning strategy into delivery, bringing together people from different teams and disciplines to develop practical solutions that improve outcomes. You will be comfortable using data, insight and evidence to drive decision-making and have a track record of stakeholder engagement and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth. 

You will also bring experience of impact measurement, evaluation, quality assurance or performance frameworks, with the ability to use evidence to demonstrate value and improve services. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, alongside the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and work across organisational boundaries. An understanding of the needs of older people, the wider ageing sector and the role that data, learning and collaboration play in delivering social impact would be advantageous.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9 day fortnight. 

 

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

With an employee engagement score of 98%, colleagues say Independent Age is a great place to work. You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age on the careers page of our website.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by visiting our jobs website.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you require any specific arrangements or adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the recruitment process, such as having the job description in a larger text format or to apply in an alternative format, please get in touch with us via the email address on the ‘Contact Us’ page on our jobs site. 

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Please don’t include your name, photo, or any information that could indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement, and don’t include your name in the title of any documents that you upload. However, please do include all dates of employment.  

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require a minimum of two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A BASIC DBS check will be carried out for the successful candidate.

Closing Date: Friday 25 September at 11:59pm

Interview Dates: Monday 12 October at our London office, 18 Avonmore Road W14 8RR

We are seeking a talented Director of Programme Delivery and Operations (maternity cover), fully committed to our widening participation cause, to join the Senior Leadership Team in a pivotal role for a growing and ambitious charity. 

You will have responsibility for ensuring we are providing high quality programme delivery to young people across our centre network, that are centres are functioning effectively, and that targets are monitored and met. And of course, you will need to have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for working with young people and helping them achieve their ambitions.

The Director of Programme Delivery and Operations is a Senior Leadership Team position within the charity and reports into the Chief Operating Officer. The role is responsible for oversight of all centre programme delivery and performance across our network of 44 local learning centres (and growing).

Contract

This is a fixed-term, maternity cover role until at least end of November 2027. This role can be either full-time or part-time (0.8 FTE) - responsibilities will be adjusted proportionally for part-time candidates.

Start date
January 2027 (or as otherwise agreed)

Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30
We are a delivery organisation providing frontline educational services for young people. We are an organisation with team members at different stages of their career, including many in their first roles: We are committed to nurturing talent and providing a developmental culture for all. Our team works in-person 4 days per week (or 3 days for a 0.8 FTE staff member)
with 1 day working from home. 

Location

The role would be based at one of our IntoUniversity centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, London, Manchester or Nottingham, with regular travel across the network and to our Head Office in London. 

Salary

£62,500 (Plus additional London contribution of £2,800 for London-based candidates). Pro rata for part-time candidate.

Annual leave

This is the full-time staff entitlement and will be pro-rated for part-time staff.

33 days (inc bank & public holidays)
+ 3 closure days (two in December and one in July)
+ additional length of service entitlement
(one day per year of service, up to 5 days)
 

Staff benefits

• Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
• Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm 
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to medical and legal support 
• Life Assurance scheme with AIG including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
• Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000 
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
• Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year

Application deadline - 9am Monday 28th September 2026.

Interview Day (in-person at our Head Office in London) - Wednesday 7th October. Please ensure that you are available on this date.

About us

Greyhound Rescue Wales (GRW) is Wales’ leading charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming greyhounds and lurchers. Founded in 1993, we have spent more than three decades championing the welfare of sighthounds and working towards our vision: a Wales without greyhound racing, where every greyhound and lurcher has a home and receives the best possible care.

In April 2026, after 25 years of determined campaigning to improve welfare and regulation within the racing industry, legislation to ban greyhound racing in Wales was finally passed. This landmark achievement marks the beginning of a new chapter for GRW as we expand our reach and capacity across the UK to ensure every greyhound leaving the racing industry has a rescue space, medical support and rehabilitation on the journey towards their forever home.

To help us grow sustainably and strengthen our long‑term impact, we are now seeking to develop our fundraising team with the creation of a Head of Fundraising role. You will lead and work closely with the Trusts & Foundations Officer, Sponsorship & Individual Giving Officer and Community & Events Fundraiser to deliver an annual income target of £400K+.

Role

The Head of Fundraising is a senior leadership role with overall accountability for the strategic development, operational effectiveness and performance of all fundraising activity at Greyhound Rescue Wales (GRW).

The role will drive, lead and grow our fundraising strategy and has responsibility for developing diverse, sustainable income streams and building strong relationships with supporters, partners, and funders.

The role holds end‑to‑end accountability for income delivery across trusts and foundations, community and event fundraising, and sponsorship and individual giving.

The Head of Fundraising provides clear leadership to the fundraising team and has line management responsibility for:

• Trusts and Foundations Officer
• Community and Events Fundraising Officer
• Sponsorship & Individual Giving Officer

Please see attached the full job description and person specification

Help Shape a Brighter Future for Bedford

Do you have the vision to turn great ideas into impactful programmes? Are you committed to creating opportunities for children and young people, and helping communities to thrive?

The Harpur Trust is a charitable organisation that operates four leading independent schools, delivers a substantial community grants programme and sponsors the Heart Academies Trust. With more than 1,200 employees, we invest in education, community development and initiatives that improve life chances across Bedford Borough.

We are also a founding partner and host of Bedford Giving, a movement of businesses, charities and other partners, who have all come together to form Bedford Giving to help create a brighter future for the next generation in Bedford.

We're looking for a dynamic Programmes and Grants Manager to play a central role in delivering these missions. This is a unique opportunity to join a respected local charity and help shape the future of Bedford Giving.

About the Role

As Programmes and Grants Manager, you will lead the development, commissioning and management of high-impact programmes and partnerships across The Harpur Trust and Bedford Giving.

You'll take ideas from concept to delivery, identifying community needs, researching solutions, commissioning services, managing partnerships and ensuring programmes achieve meaningful outcomes.

This is a varied and rewarding role combining strategy, programme development, stakeholder engagement, grant-making and contract management.

You'll work closely with senior leaders, trustees, community organisations and delivery partners, helping to ensure that every pound invested delivers maximum impact.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong project or programme management skills with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and communities.

You will bring:

• Experience of programme development, commissioning, grant-making or service delivery within the charitable, public or voluntary sector.

• Strong project and contract management skills.

• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement abilities.

• Confidence managing multiple priorities and delivering work to a high standard.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and a willingness to take initiative.

• A passion for creating positive social impact.

Why Join Us?

At The Harpur Trust, you'll be part of an organisation with a long history of investing in people and communities.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary up to £40,000.

• The opportunity to influence programmes that improve lives across Bedford.

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

• Professional development and learning opportunities.

• Generous pension and employee benefits.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where appropriate.

• The chance to work with inspiring partners across the charity, education and community sectors.

Interested?

Find out more by viewing the full job description and click on apply to find out where to send your CV and covering letter.

£70,000-£78,000 | Permanent | Hybrid (Head Office based in London) 

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting our client in the search for a new Director of Programmes. The organisation believes that science should be relevant, representative and connected to society. Through nationally recognised science programmes, the charity creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with, influence and benefit from science and research.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished senior leader to join the Executive Team and take strategic ownership of a significant and diverse programme portfolio spanning education, community engagement, festivals and grant-making. Reporting to the CEO and leading three experienced Heads of Department, you will play a key role in shaping organisational strategy, driving operational excellence and ensuring programmes deliver sustainable impact at scale.

You will be a strategic and operational leader with experience of overseeing complex programmes, portfolios or services within a multi-stakeholder environment.

You may come from the charity, education, public engagement, cultural, research, consulting or wider not-for-profit sectors, and although a background in science is not essential, you will have a demonstrable track record of successfully balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading and developing complex programme portfolios, services or organisational functions.
• A proven ability to translate strategy into successful operational delivery within complex or evolving environments.
• Strong financial and operational capability, including responsibility for budgets, contracts, financial planning and resource management.
• Demonstrable experience of contract management and oversight of complex funding or grant agreements.
• Experience leading, developing and supporting high-performing teams, including through periods of growth, change or transformation.
• A track record of securing funding, building strategic partnerships and developing sustainable income opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior funders, partners, trustees or boards.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to apply evidence, evaluation and insight to drive decision-making and organisational improvement.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and a leadership style that creates an inclusive and supportive working environment.
• A genuine enthusiasm for the charity's mission and a belief that science should be accessible and relevant to everyone.

Most importantly, you will be someone who enjoys working across multiple priorities, is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy, and is motivated by the opportunity to shape the future direction of a respected and ambitious national charity.

As Director of Programmes, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership across the charity's programme portfolio, including Education, Community Engagement and Festivals.
• Lead and support three Heads of Department, ensuring effective delivery, collaboration and alignment with organisational objectives.
• Oversee key funder relationships, including major strategic partnerships and contracts with organisations such as UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).
• Take responsibility for contract management, reporting, governance requirements, risk management and organisational compliance.
• Lead annual budgeting and financial planning processes across the Programmes Directorate, working closely with colleagues across finance and the wider Senior Management Team.
• Play a central role in fundraising, partnership development, bid development and the creation of new programmes and income opportunities.
• Support the ongoing growth and development of flagship initiatives, including opportunities for international expansion and commercial development.
• Act as a senior organisational leader, contributing to strategy development, operational effectiveness, safeguarding oversight and continuous improvement.
• Represent the charity externally and act as an ambassador for its mission, programmes and partnerships.

To Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align with the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you require assistance with your application, please contact Shannon Sanderson, the lead consultant for this role. 

Please note that applications and CVs sent directly by email cannot be accepted and must be submitted through the application link to ensure they are properly recorded and considered. 

Note: This post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, and is open to female applicants only, due to the nature of the role. Subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Head of Youth Programmes sits in our Senior Leadership Team and holds overall operational responsibility for our frontline youth programmes across three pillars: Prevention, Intervention and Healing. The postholder leads and line manages the delivery team, and carries DSL responsibility for the organisation.

You'll lead delivery, expansion and impact evaluation across all three pillars, line manage the Education Lead, IDVA Team and Creative Projects leads, and work closely with the CEO to consolidate our delivery models. You'll hold responsibility as our Designated Safeguarding Lead, manage operational budgets, and build multi-agency partnerships across Barnet and neighbouring boroughs.

It's an opportunity to bring fresh energy and strategic leadership to a small, values-driven charity that trusts its team to do meaningful, creative work with the young people we support.

Essential criteria

• Experience as an IDVA, ISVA or in a comparable frontline advocacy role supporting young women and girls affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or other forms of harm.
• A strong understanding of VAWG, domestic abuse and youth harm, grounded in survivor-centred and harm-prevention approaches.
• Experience of overseeing and responding to complex safeguarding through multi-agency working.
• At least Level 3 safeguarding training. Designated Safeguarding Lead training is desirable, or a willingness to complete this within an agreed timeframe.

We have highlighted the essentials above. The rest of the person specification, in the attached recruitment pack, is a guide to what we are looking for in a strong candidate, rather than a checklist. Your experience may not meet all of it, but if you have the essential experience we would encourage you to apply. We are just as interested in transferable experience as in a conventional career path.

Benefits

• Regular clinical supervision with an external practitioner 
• Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, including a 24/7 helpline, counselling and a wellbeing app
• Free on-site parking in Colindale and funded travel between delivery sites

Details

£38,000 to £40,000 pro rata. 28 hours per week (four day working week). Permanent. Barnet, London / Hybrid.

Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2026. Interviews: w/c Monday 26th October 2026.

Build Up aims to build the power of young people to shape where they live and to change who can make decisions about London. We are recruiting a Head of Income Generation to shape and lead an ambitious fundraising vision to grow our impact across London.

The Role

This is an exciting new position in our team, created to help build our case for investment, tell our story and harness the support of new audiences. You will develop and deliver a 3-year fundraising strategy that unlocks new opportunities, diversifies income and builds lasting funder relationships. With consultancy support on communications and evaluation, you’ll have the tools to make a powerful case for our work.

Candidates are welcome to discuss the role with our Director before applying - contact details are in the job description.

Who You Are

You’ll have a proven track record in leading fundraising strategy, securing charitable investment and writing successful grants. Alongside trusts and foundations, you’ll bring experience across other income streams (like corporates or major donors). You’ll balance strategy with delivery, thrive under pressure, and be excited by funding young people’s ideas. Our approach is innovative and we are looking for someone that can create clear, inspiring narratives that unlock new opportunities.

About Build Up

Build Up works to build the power of young people to shape where they live, and to change who can make decisions about London. Regeneration leaves young people behind. We support young people to take action by advocating for, designing and building local spaces to meet their needs.

Our approach is unique – and it works. Young people gain skills, leadership and power over decisions that affect them, while local communities benefit from genuinely inclusive spaces designed by and for local residents.

Why Join Us

At Build Up your work has a visible, lasting and personal impact - your ideas will genuinely shape our development. We’re a small, collaborative and passionate team with a flexible approach to work - we welcome proposals for non standard work patterns.

Key Details

This role is available on a 4 OR 5 day a week contract, subject to candidate preference.

Salary: £50,000 - 54,000 (pro rata) + 8% employer pension contribution
Full / part-time: 4 days (30 hrs) or 5 days (37.5 hrs) per week
Holiday: 32 days plus public holidays (pro rata)
Work pattern: Flexible
Location: Hybrid – at least 1 day per week in our Elephant & Castle office
Contract: Permanent

To Apply

For more information and to apply, please see the job description.

Applications close Sunday 20th September 2026.

#Fundraising #FundraisingManager #HeadOfFundraising #FundraisingLead #FundraisingDirector #DirectorOfFundraising #Fundraiser #YouthFundraising #GrantFundraising #UnrestrictedFundraising #FundraisingStrategy

Head of Health and Wellbeing Programmes
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for improving health, wellbeing and life opportunities within local communities? YMCA St Helens is seeking an ambitious and innovative Head of Health and Wellbeing Programmes to join our Senior Leadership Team and lead the development of a growing portfolio of community-based services.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead the design, development and delivery of programmes that respond to community need, including adult mental health services, healthy eating initiatives, social supermarket provision, and education and training opportunities for people aged 16+. Working closely with local communities, the NHS, VCSE partners and other stakeholders, you will drive innovation, impact and sustainable growth across our community programmes.

We're looking for someone with:

• Significant leadership experience within community, health, VCSE, education or related sectors.
• Experience designing and delivering community-based programmes, including mental health provision.
• Experience leading education, training or skills-based programmes.
• Strong understanding of health inequalities and community development.
• Experience building effective partnerships across the NHS, VCSE, education and public sectors.
• Experience of co-production and working alongside communities.
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to think strategically while maintaining operational oversight.

Why join YMCA St Helens?
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow innovative programmes that improve lives and strengthen communities. You'll join an ambitious leadership team committed to tackling inequalities, promoting wellbeing and creating opportunities for people to flourish.

Closing date 20-09-2026

Research Programmes Manager

 

We have established a number of high-profile strategic initiatives to help us advance our work towards a cure. We now have an exciting opportunity for a Research Programme Manager to support the successful ongoing delivery of two of our major initiatives, the Drug Discovery Alliance and Brains for Dementia Research, and collaborate across the organisation and externally to maximise their impact. Where required, the successful candidate will also support the ongoing delivery of our other major initiatives, working collaboratively across the organisation to maximise their impact both internally and externally.

This role sits within the Strategic Programmes team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, supportive and friendly team that funds the best research to transform the lives of people affected by all forms of dementia. We’re looking for someone with strong programme management experience, a good eye for detail and who is excited by the opportunities in the dementia research landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the delivery of two of ARUK’s major initiatives, Drug Discovery Alliance (DDA) and Brains for Dementia Research (BDR), and other initiatives as required:

· Develop a deep understanding of the programmes, acting as a point of knowledge and expertise

· Implement robust and proportionate review processes to oversee delivery of objectives and manage risks

· Ensure finances are effectively reported on and managed, working with the Research Funding and Finance teams

· Lead the preparation of papers and briefings for meetings, and support the Research Officer to ensure minutes and actions are captured and followed up on

 

Monitor and disseminate the impact of the DDA and BDR, to effectively tell the story of the initiatives and identify gaps:

· Monitor key programme progress, scientific developments and major outputs

· Work with the Impact team to ensure data gathered from the programme meets the needs of the wider organisation in terms of communicating progress and impact

· Work with the Public Involvement team to ensure the initiatives are reflective of the needs of people with lived experience

 

Stakeholder management

· Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the initiatives to identify opportunities to maximise their impact and value.

· Collaborate with the Head of Strategic Programmes and colleagues across the Research Directorate and wider ARUK to identify opportunities to strengthen programme objectives, provide updates on progress, and promote achievements.

· Act as a key point of contact and subject matter expert for the initiatives, both internally and externally.

· Support development of the strategic programme team’s strategy:

· Contribute to internal meetings, including discussions and content on strategic programmes and new initiatives

· Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the dementia research field

· Attend meetings and events to build relationships and promote our strategic programmes

· Support the Research Leadership team to enhance ARUK’s external profile through active participation in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders

 

Line Management Responsibilities:

· Line management of a Research Officer, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives

· Help to promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

· Degree in Biomedical Science, or equivalent relevant knowledge and experience.

· Experience and/or in-depth knowledge in early-stage drug discovery, ideally in dementia

· Proven experience managing large programmes of work, preferably in the healthcare, research or charity sector

· Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple priorities, overseeing budgets and identifying risks

· Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including external partners and suppliers

· Experience defining programme requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements

· Experience of managing staff and/or leading the delivery of work through others.

· Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values

· Good analytical skills demonstrated by a structured and methodical approach

· Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement

· Strong communication skills both oral and written with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences

· Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task, prioritise competing demands

· Demonstrated stakeholder management (internal & external), and problem-solving skills

· Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines

· Ability to use own initiative, with a proactive and problem-solving attitude

· Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £44,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 20th September 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

This role leads two of the most consequential shifts in our 2026–2028 strategy. First, our move from a narrative-based to an evidence-based organisation: designing our impact measurement framework, leading the rollout and adoption of the Impact Hub (our custom CRM and data platform), and embedding data-driven decision-making across every team. Second, the community around our programmes: the trusted community and education referral partnerships that bring young people to us, and the structured alumni community that keeps them connected, supported and contributing after they complete our programmes.

WHAT YOU OWN

• Impact framework : the organisation's impact measurement framework, metrics and indicators.

• The Impact Hub (CRM) : the platform, its roadmap, adoption and supplier relationship.

• Data governance : data quality standards, validation protocols and UK GDPR compliance.

• Evaluation methodology : how programmes and services are evaluated, including external evaluation partnerships.

• Referral partnerships : the community and education referral partnership model and its members.

• Alumni strategy : the alumni engagement model, tiered support structure and Advisory Council.

• Organisational reporting : impact reporting to the board, funders and the public.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Impact Measurement & Evidence ~ Develop and own the organisation's impact measurement framework, defining metrics and indicators that reflect outcomes and effectiveness rather than interest or activity alone.

2. Organisational Insight & Foresight ~ Act as the organisation's insight lead: translate quantitative and qualitative data into organisational insight that shapes strategy, programme design and resource allocation.

3. The Impact Hub ~ Lead the delivery, rollout and adoption of the Impact Hub, including migration from Upshot, in line with the phased plan in the Data & Digital strategy : and own its roadmap as the organisation's insight platform thereafter.

4. Stakeholder Engagement Framework (Governance) ~ Act as guardian of the unified stakeholder engagement framework, defining the standards, data capture requirements and reporting consistency that all teams apply across our five stakeholder groups.

5. Community & Education Partnerships (Referral Pipeline) ~ Design and deliver the structured referral partnership model set out in the Talent & Engagement strategy, piloting quarterly cohorts of university, faith-group and community-organisation partners with clear MOUs, shared objectives and referral tracking through the Impact Hub.

6. Alumni Community & Engagement ~ Design and deliver a structured 12-month alumni engagement calendar with audience-segmented communications, supported by Impact Hub data.

7. Reporting & Funder Evidence ~ Produce evidence-based impact reporting for the board, funders, partners and public communications, supporting grant bids, corporate stewardship and the annual report.

8. Team Leadership ~ Line-manage the Data Administrator, Progression coaches and any future team members, providing guidance, training and performance oversight.

9. Organisational Leadership ~ Contribute to organisational strategy, annual planning and budgeting as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Read the full Job Description attached to see the full Key repsonsibilites, Person specification and 12 month success metrics.

Westway Trust is seeking a dedicated Head of Operations with a minimum of 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.

In this newly created role, you will act as a key advisor, reporting directly into the CEO, and will have responsibility of key areas of the Trust’s operational functions, ensuring the smooth and effective running and delivery of services. You will directly manage the leads of HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement, supporting them to deliver high-quality work and develop professionally.

If you are a values-led operational leader who is committed to community transformation and organisational excellence, and thrives on steering strategic decisions, this role is for you!

Key responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:

• Oversight and line management of the HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement functions of the Trust.
• Oversight of key projects essential to the delivery of the Horizon (strategic) Plan 2025-2028 as agreed with the CEO.
• Be a key part of the Executive Team, chaired by the CEO.
• Maintain an overview of all projects and programmes of activity, outputs and outcomes within the role and ensure reports are written and submitted on time.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership across teams, driving high performance, alignment with values, and maintaining individual, personal & team wellbeing.
• Develop and implement planning processes and performance management tools to ensure effective delivery of goals.
• Develop, drive and maintain the data gathering and analysis for the Westway Trust, that enables the Social Impact Framework and to play a key role in the organisation’s progress towards creating a strong narrative in respect of achievement.
• Attend People Committee Meetings and the Board as requested, and contribute to the preparation of meeting papers as necessary in line with agenda requirements.
• Provide upward reporting and insight to the CEO including written briefings, performance dashboards, and recommendations.
• Attend internal and external meetings, including those that require representing the Trust publicly, in line with agreed strategies and perspectives.
• Monitor, update and ensure compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements (e.g. safeguarding, employment, health & safety, data protection) to build a positive work culture.
• Champion collaboration and integration across departments, ensuring consistent implementation of work priorities that align with community needs and objectives.
• Support a values-based culture that centres equity, sustainability, openness, courage, and integrity.
• Contribute to organisational development and support the process of communicating and managing change effectively at the Trust in line with agreed policies and frameworks.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Minimum 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.
• Proven ability to lead, guide and motivate diverse teams and to support the professional growth of those who report to you as a line manager.
• Demonstrable experience of good practice approaches to conflict resolution, working in collaboration with others and encouraging honesty, transparency and open ways of working across teams that benefit the organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency.
• Excellent planning, organisation and performance management skills.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills, including the ability to summarise complex data and issues for decision-makers.
• Experience in researching, developing and managing departmental budgets.
• Ability to analyse information, and formulate practical and reasoned operational plans that can be easily understood and monitored.
• Strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills – able to offer both moral and professional support to teams.
• Experience of supporting organisational change, transition, or transformation programmes.
• Experience of embedding inclusive and equitable practices across teams.
• Demonstrable alignment with the Trust’s values and commitment to anti-racism and community power.

Desirable Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Previous experience overseeing HR or education/community programmes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with communications/marketing functions is a plus but not essential.
• Degree-level education together with a recognised professional qualification in any of the fields this role covers – or equivalent lived/professional experience – is highly desirable.

The application deadline is 5 pm on Sunday, 27 September, when applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview. However, we reserve the right to close the application early. An early application is strongly recommended.

About us
The Microbiology Society is a membership charity for scientists interested in microbes, their effects, and their practical uses. It has a worldwide membership based in universities, industry, hospitals, research institutes, schools, and other organisations.

Our members have a unique depth and breadth of knowledge about the discipline. The Society’s role is to help unlock and harness the potential of that knowledge.

Our commitment to anyone who studies microbes is “whoever you are, wherever you are, we will amplify your voice”.

About you
The Head of Engagement and Storytelling leads communications and engagement across the organisation.                      This role involves working with members and colleagues to develop and curate scientific content designed for impact across our wide-ranging audiences, including members, the wider scientific community, the media, influential stakeholders and the public in order to achieve the Society’s ambitious vision of a world in which the science of microbiology provides maximum benefit to society.

The postholder will have experience working within science communication, displaying strong scientific knowledge while delivering high impact engagement campaigns. It is essential to have experience in People Management as this role oversees the different branches of the Engagement and Storytelling theme covering Communication, Policy and Membership.

Please note that the organisation operates a hybrid working policy.

For more information about the Society, please visit our website.

Our generous benefits package includes;
• Flexible working hours
• Highly competitive salaries with an annual cost of living increase
• 23 days holiday + eight bank holidays and three additional days over the Christmas break
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Life insurance including free (health and wellbeing) employee support services
• Enhanced maternity pay to include 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and 13 weeks of statutory maternity pay
• Enhanced Adoption pay to include 26 weeks of fully paid adoption leave and 13 weeks of statutory adoption pay
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• £50 contribution towards eye care

To Apply

Please attach your CV and Cover Letter.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interviews will be held in-person at the Microbiology Society Office.

Closing date: 25th September 2026

It is important that you DO NOT include your Personal Information i.e. name and contact details in your CV or Cover Letter. This is because the Microbiology Society is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We value, promote, and seek diversity.

The Society also takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Please note that due to limited resources, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted therefore, if you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

“We are interested in every candidate who is eligible to work in the United Kingdom. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.”

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background” - Shereen El-Shennawy, CEO, Inspire.

Are you driven by a passion for enhancing social mobility and supporting the futures of young people?

Do you have a practical understanding of work experience placements with a background leading teams and managing and developing services?

Hire Purpose is proud to lead the search to appoint a Head of Work Experience who will join Inspire in an established position that will positively impact the lives of thousands of young people across London.

And creating ‘impact’ is central to how Inspire deliver their programmes. Between 2024-25 alone, the charity enabled nearly 5,000 in person Work Experience placements, working with over 1,000 employers across their business partner network.

You can take a full look at their 2024-25 Impact Report here.

Salary: £33,438 (£41,797.40 FTE)

Start date: October / November 2026

Reporting to: Head of Programmes & Impact

Contract: Permanent. Part-time (0.8), spread across 4 or 5 days

Hybrid: Minimum 2 days pw at E15 2NH, 3 days remote.

As a key member of Inspire’s Senior Management Team you will be responsible for leading the delivery and continued development of their Work Experience service, ensuring high-quality, financially well-managed and compliant services that respond to the needs of young people, schools, employers and partners.

Crucially, this role requires an experienced people manager with excellent skills across stakeholder engagement, decision making, and attention to detail.

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing service performance, resources and employer engagement to ensure programmes are well-run, compliant and responsive to young people and partners.
• Leading, developing, and supporting an experienced and capable Work Experience team, ensuring their accountable and high-performing culture continues to thrive.
• Representing Inspire externally, building productive, lasting relationships with key stakeholders including employers, schools, local authorities, funders and community partners, while also managing expectations and resolving issues swiftly.
• Leading the delivery of safe, inclusive and high-quality Work Experience programmes that build young people’s skills, confidence and employability.
• Managing budgets, as well as income and expenditure to ensure programmes are financially sustainable and deliver a return on investment.
• Fulfilling all duties in accordance with Inspire’s policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Equality, GDPR and financial controls.

A full list of duties can be found within the Job Description via Hire Purpose's careers page.

This is a highly rewarding opportunity to shape Inspire’s wider strategic direction, drive continuous improvements across the Work Experience service, and identify opportunities to expand and strengthen the provision of services and how customer relationships are developed.

Therefore, the Head of Work Experience must have:

• Practical understanding of Work Experience programmes and services for young people, alongside a genuine commitment to improving their opportunities and outcomes.
• Proven experience of leading, supporting and developing teams, creating clear expectations while ensuring consistently high standards.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills, with an ability to build productive partnerships with employers and other external organisations.
• Experience of managing services, programmes or contracts, including budgets, performance information and delivery against agreed standards and deadlines.
• Robust knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, as well as the sound judgement and attention to detail needed to deliver safe and compliant services.

We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, underpinned by a sharp focus on process and data-informed decision-making, and who will importantly keep up to date with legislative and policy change.

Hire Purpose champions inclusive recruitment.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We uphold equal opportunity principles and challenge bias at every stage, partnering only with organisations that share our commitment to integrity, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Hire Purpose is also proud to be an active member of The TEAM Network, the UK’s largest recruitment community of independently owned recruitment businesses.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an ambitious Head of Community Research & Impact to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.

Community-led research sits at the heart of how High Trees works. Our approach aims to rebalance the role and power that communities have in deciding how research is informed, delivered and used to improve lives for Lambeth residents. Over recent years we have built a strong foundation for this work and developed two flagship community research partnerships — the Lambeth Peer Action Collective and the Lambeth Community Research Network. We are now looking for someone to significantly expand this work: building local evidence of community need, working with communities to identify solutions and appropriate responses to local challenges, and advocating for change to policy and practice where needed.

This is a broad and varied leadership role. Alongside our direct research programmes, you will lead the development of infrastructure around community-led research in Lambeth, so that voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can access the training, resources and networks they need to design and deliver their own research. You will also lead our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Communications functions, ensuring the impact of everything we do is understood, evidenced and communicated well.

As part of High Trees’ senior management team, the Head of Community Research & Impact will not only oversee delivery in their service area, but also help shape organisational strategy, grow partnerships and income, and ensure we work as one High Trees — keeping our practice responsive, collaborative and always led by community need.

About High Trees

Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for nearly 30 years. We deliver community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.

About the role

As Head of Community Research & Impact, you will:

• Lead and inspire our Research & Impact team to deliver high-quality, community-led research that drives change.
• Shape and deliver High Trees’ strategic vision for community-led research, championing collaborative research practice across Lambeth.
• Take the lead on designing new research programmes, support with sourcing the funding to run them, and ensuring projects are completed to a high standard with high-quality outputs.
• Grow the infrastructure for community-led research locally, including through the Lambeth Community Research Network and the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.
• Support VCS organisations with community research training, resources and capacity building support.
• Lead and embed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Communications across High Trees and our partnership work.
• Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, ensuring a joined-up approach across all our services.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant professional experience in research and/or community settings, with a track record of leading research projects.
• Experience of qualitative and mixed methods research and a working knowledge of participatory research approaches.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing multiple projects and programmes at once.
• The ability to build trust and long-lasting relationships across community, academic, public sector and voluntary sector organisations.
• A strategic mindset, balancing day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
• A solid understanding of the context in which High Trees delivers its work

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will help set the standard for community-led research and system change, creating tools, resources and practices that benefit the wider sector — and be part of a collaborative team dedicated to creating lasting change.