Head of programmes jobs in london, greater london

We're looking for a Head of Fundraising with a focus on Trusts and Foundations to help take our income generation to the next level. The person in this role will lead and grow our income from major trusts and foundations, overseeing our existing portfolio while actively developing new, strategic opportunities.

This is a key leadership role in a small but ambitious fundraising team, with a focus on securing large-scale, multi-year grants. You'll write compelling bids and proposals, steward relationships with funders and senior stakeholders, and work closely with colleagues across the organisation to shape exciting, fundable projects.

You’ll line manage our Trusts and Reporting Officer and help create a clear, sustainable pathway for future growth – with a particular emphasis on building our capacity to operate at a medium-sized charity level.

You’ll report to the Director of Fundraising and play a vital part in a team that fuels the mission and vision of XLP.

The Head of Individual Giving will be responsible for the strategic development of the NT’s individual giving programmes. This includes the overall management of memberships (£84 - £600), Patron programmes (£1,500 - £12,000), audience appeals, legacies, and special events.

The post holder will manage a team of seven ambitious fundraisers and actively solicit gifts themselves, often working with volunteers, to generate in excess of £5m p.a. from individual donors. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the visibility and success of the National Theatre’s public fundraising and will create a strategy for delivering ambitious growth in this area.

The successful candidate will have the following: 

• Successful and personal fundraising track record in securing five-figure gifts from individuals
• Excellent communication skills, including experience of writing powerful copy
• Demonstrable experience of budget setting and monitoring
• Experience of staff recruitment, management and appraising
• A track record in identifying and maintaining senior level internal and external relationships
• Knowledge of Gift Aid and other tax effective giving mechanisms

If that sounds like you, this may be the role for you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Monday 21st July 2025 at 9:00am

What we're looking for

• Experience of leading in a service delivery role at a senior level in a collaborative organisation
• The ability to forge, maintain and develop strong working relationships with Commissioners, funders, statutory and voluntary agencies, and Parent Carer Forums
• Strong communication skills – the ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• Excellent people management skills and the ability to develop and maintain a high performing team and culture
• Experience of leading a portfolio of services, delivering on time and within budget
• Experience of working with parent carers of disabled children or similar relevant experience
• Knowledge of the issues affecting disabled children and their families.
• Financial literacy – ability to create and monitor budgets
• A practical working knowledge and experience of effective safeguarding policies and practice.
• An understanding of the principles of monitoring and evaluation and impact measurement
• Strong writing skills, in particular for funding applications and reports for statutory commissioners, corporate and grant funders

Bamboo Fundraising Recruitment are partnered with Renaissance Foundation, a specialist youth charity supporting young carers and young people with life-limiting illnesses. They aim to inspire and empower these hard-to-reach groups, helping them overcome social, educational, and emotional challenges through our three-year programme focused on inspiration, creative learning, and vocational development.

Job Title: Head of Fundraising

Salary: Up to £55k per annum (depending on experience)

Location: London, Aldgate (2/3 days in the office)

Contract: Full-time (4 days considered), Permanent

The charity is based in London, with a small but dedicated team, currently supporting around 70 young people. They have ambitious growth plans to expand their reach and impact.

As the Head of Fundraising, you will be a key player in driving their strategy for income generation. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a bold and effective philanthropy programme, focusing on trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and major donors. Your work will be pivotal in securing the resources needed to expand our impact and help even more young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy
• Manage relationships with major donors, securing five- and six-figure gifts
• Build and maintain partnerships with corporate sponsors and foundations
• Write compelling funding applications and reports
• Lead new fundraising initiatives and events
• Develop and nurture the fundraising team
• Attend key networking events and manage budgets in line with the charity’s strategy

We are looking for a dynamic individual with a proven track record in senior fundraising roles, particularly with trusts, foundations, major donors, or corporate partnerships. You will be a strategic thinker, capable of building meaningful relationships, and have a passion for helping young people facing significant challenges.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Experience in a senior fundraising role
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage deadlines
• Excellent communication skills across various mediums
• Proven ability to develop high-value relationships with donors and partners
• Leadership qualities with a collaborative, team-oriented approach

How to apply:

If you think the above sounds like a good fit, please click apply with your CV and I will reach out to book in a call. Due to the urgency of the role, we will be reviewing on a rolling basis. 

The Commonwealth Foundation is mandated by its Member States to advance the interests of Commonwealth civil society. The Foundation seeks to nurture the growth of vibrant and free societies: championing the active and constructive participation of people in all aspects of governance. 

The Advocacy and Creative Programme is central to our mission. While advocacy and creativity are two distinct strands of our work, this new programme signifies our commitment to integrating the arts into our advocacy and vice versa. 

As Senior Manager, Advocacy and Creative Programme, you will have overall responsibility for the Advocacy and Creative Programme. Leading a diverse team of professionals, you will engage with policymakers, build partnerships with national and international entities, connect with storytellers and artists from around the world and play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and overseeing events and engagements that will take you and your work to the global stage.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Strategic planning: Developing programme work plans for the advocacy and creative programme around the Foundation’s key thematic areas – climate justice, health justice and freedom of expression – and ensuring that our advocacy and creative work is intertwined.
• Project management: Overseeing advocacy and creative initiatives, including planning, budgeting, execution, and learning.
• Stakeholder engagement: Building and maintaining effective working relationships with civil society leaders, senior government officials, diplomats, storytellers and creative practitioners, and other relevant partners.
• Convening civil society: Designing, convening, and nurturing spaces and platforms – both online and in-person – for civil society and artists to amplify their voice and work, discuss, debate and make recommendations for change.
• Cross-programme collaboration: Collaborate with the wider-Foundation, particularly in harmonising our advocacy and creative work with the Foundation’s expanded programme of grants to Commonwealth civil society.
• Event management: Designing and leading impactful platforms and events where civil society can come together and influence policymakers.
• Team leadership: Managing a team of diverse, dedicated professionals, providing guidance and coaching, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Working with the wider team to track performance against our progress markers and collect evidence so that we can tell our story of change.
• Reporting: Preparing reports for our board of governors and communicating programme progress and impact to our stakeholders.
• Representing the Foundation: Attending and participating in meetings and events nationally and internationally.

We seek an individual with strong knowledge of international development and diplomacy, extensive experience in programme leadership and event management, and a demonstrated capacity to lead a high-performing team. An understanding of the power of art and creative expression is essential, preferably with experience of how the arts can bring about social change. Excellent communication and strategic thinking skills are essential, along with a highly practical, solutions-based mindset. Appropriate tertiary qualifications or additional experience in lieu of such qualifications are required.

The Foundation is proud of our welcoming and accommodating working environment. We strive to be a great place to work.

We offer generous holidays (almost seven weeks a year excluding public holidays). Fifteen percent of your salary is payable tax-free at stipulated periods in lieu of a formal superannuation scheme.

Foundation staff have access to our private health scheme, including dental cover.

We are based in Marlborough House, Pall Mall, central London. We are currently operating a flexible working policy which requires all staff to work from the office at least five days per fortnight including every Wednesday, and applicants must be able to affirm their capacity and willingness to work within this policy.

The Foundation celebrates diversity, and we are proud of our diverse and welcoming team. All qualified applicants already eligible to work in the UK will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status or pregnancy.

Leukaemia UK – Our Charity

We are a ‘small but mighty’ charity with one big ambition: to stop leukaemia devastating lives. Over the next 10 years we want to help save and improve the lives of more people with leukaemia through finding and funding life-changing research and campaigning for change.

Despite progress in recent decades, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 16 minutes and survival rates are among some of the worst of any cancer.  And the physical and psychological impact can be lifelong. 

Our current 5 year strategy outlines our plan to increase our investment into ground-breaking world class research and policy development focused on improving access to kinder, more effective diagnosis, treatment and care for leukaemia and other blood cancers. To do this, we have embarked on a period of significant growth, investing strategically to grow our income, profile, influence, and engagement and impact.

We are seeking an experienced, driven and passionate Head of Public Fundraising to lead the mass fundraising team to achieve sustainable income growth over the coming years. We are looking for someone with energy and ambition, who can demonstrate strategic leadership to maximise fundraising opportunities across Community, Challenge Events, Regular Giving, Legacy and In Memory audiences, to grow our supporter networks and optimise supporter engagement and experience. The remit of this role also extends to include oversight of our CRM Database Manager and Supporter Care.

Team  

We are a close-knit team, who are all passionate about Leukaemia UK and putting those affected by the disease at the heart of everything we do.  We are all focused on “keeping it real” with pragmatic, practical solutions, as well as ensuring that our charity maximises voluntary income to invest in invest in more life-changing research, so that we can continue to have impact for those with a leukaemia diagnosis.

From us you can expect all the laughter you can handle, as well as great challenge and support. We are all about delivering exceptional supporter experience and making a real difference to people’s lives.

You will be part of an ambitious fundraising team driving growth across the portfolio, so we can fund more leukemia research and save more lives from this devastating disease. You will report to the Director of Fundraising, working alongside the Head of Philanthropy, and collaborating across the wider organisation to ensure mass fundraising aligns with our organisational priorities and values (Bold, Collaborative, Curious) and feels insight-driven, strategic and competitive in a crowded market place.

Leukaemia UK and You 

We have recently invested in growing our fundraising team so that we can fund more life-changing research to increase our understanding of leukemia as a disease, and accelerate the development of kinder, more effective treatments. This includes investment to grow the public fundraising team, develop new fundraising products, recruit new supporters, and increase legacy giving through targeted campaigns. 

We are also in the process of developing our new 5-year fundraising strategy, so you will be instrumental in creating an ambitious new plan to develop a diverse and sustainable mass fundraising portfolio, covering the key areas of donor acquisition, retention, and growth, with a focus on maximising our Challenge and Community events portfolio, and increasing Legacy, In Memory and Regular giving.  You will be responsible for developing and delivering a portfolio of products to grow voluntary income, whilst leading a newly expanded and ambitious team. And you will help shape our data strategy, working with the Head of Digital and other colleagues across the organisation to develop our digital fundraising strategy; embed usage of our CRM and ensure GDPR compliance. 

You will be results-driven with an appetite to innovate and drive continuous improvement, leading to increased conversions, deepened relationships, and long-term support.

Requirements - Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of strategic leadership and oversight of a mass fundraising product portfolio.
• Proven experience of managing an engaging Community and Challenge Events fundraising portfolio.
• Proven experience of driving Legacy and In Memory giving to create a robust long-term pipeline. Experience of successfully developing and implementing legacy marketing strategies.
• Proven experience of applying the principles and techniques of Individual Giving / Direct Marketing within a multichannel, multi-discipline environment to deliver significant returns and supporter satisfaction, especially through supporter recruitment channels. 
• Experience of fully integrating a CRM database as a tool in the day-to-day work and running of a charity. 
• Demonstrable experience of managing a high performing team, focussing on creating a culture where people thrive as individuals and can be their best selves.
• Experience of managing multi-channel media campaigns by utilising print and digital channels including social media and email.
• Good experience of building effective relationships with internal and external partners, including creative freelancers, media and direct marketing agencies.
• Experience of working with, negotiating with, and managing outputs of external agencies and internal departments, including contractual obligations.
• Strong project-management experience, including managing budgets, schedules, creative development, and supplier relationships for fundraising direct marketing campaigns.
• Experience of setting and managing annual budgets, monitoring, and reconciling results and financial performance in income and expenditure. Providing associated narratives and monthly reforecasts.
• Proven experience of driving effective stewardship programmes to maximising supporter experience.

Requirements - Knowledge

• Excellent specialist knowledge of the principals and methods of Public Fundraising, including Challenge Events, Community, Legacy, In Memory and Individual Giving.
• Understanding of the effective development and use of supporter contact strategies, turning analysis and insight into high performance activity.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current digital fundraising trends, including social media marketing.
• High Level knowledge of Salesforce CRM databases and how best to utilise to steward supporters.
• Knowledge and experience of marketing processes and techniques across varied channels.
• High Level knowledge of legacy administration. 
• High Level knowledge and understanding of charity law in relation to legacy fundraising, GDPR, PECR, data protection and other relevant fundraising regulation.

Role specifics & Benefits       

• Hours: Full time hours are 37.5 Monday to Friday
• Location: We are very flexible! Our hybrid working policy is a minimum of two days per month in our London office unless it’s a role requirement to be in more frequently. Typically, we would expect the role holder to be in the office once a week, and certain roles within the team have this as a minimum requirement.
• Salary range £55,000 - £65,000 (FTE)
• We are proud of our benefits – see a summary on our website Work with us - Leukaemia UK 

How to apply

If you feel you have the passion for our work and the right mix of experience, skills, energy, and flair to embrace this broad and challenging leadership role and enable our strategy to fly, then we would love you to apply. Please also see the full job description attached. Please apply via the CharityJob website with your CV and covering letter. To minimise unconscious bias, we use anonymous recruitment and are unable to consider direct applications.

• First interviews will be held via Teams on between 29th and 31st July
• Second interviews will held at our London Office on 13th and 14th August (26 Great Queen St, WC2B 5BL)

Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 20th July 2025

I look forward to hearing from you! 

Holly Hastings-Payne

Director of Fundraising

Leukaemia UK 

An exciting position has arisen for a Head of Finance to join an excellent Community Foundation on a permanent basis. The postholder will be reporting directly to the CEO and will be part of the executive team, leading a team of 7.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and improve the Trust’s finance function and provide accurate, timely and relevant financial reports as required by the CEO
• Be the Executive Lead of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring timely papers to the CEO and to the Committee and Board as required
• Ensure the provision and reporting of financial accounts, forecasting and large-scale project/programme budgets
• Oversight of the legal and financial statutory processes in line with the Charity Commission and Companies House requirements, including the annual audit
• Allocating tasks for timely responses and keeping all colleagues abreast of progress
• Monitor, cash flow, reserves, analysis of performance against the organisation’s annual business plan and dashboard as it relates to the finance function
• Contribute to the overall leadership of the Trust and to the Trust’s future strategic and operational planning
• Direct line management of 3 staff, indirectly manage 7
• Ensuring an excellent service to all budget managers, enabling them to make effective use of all systems and monitor and manage their income and expenditure
• To attend the Executive Team meetings and provide reports

Successful candidate profile:

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA)
• Significant track record in a Head of Finance / FD role for a Charity
• Experience of implementing enhanced reporting tools
• Experience of cost-effective procurement in line with policy
• Extensive staff management experience

Salary: up to £80,000 per annum + excellent benefits

Working pattern:  on site

Hours: 35 per week

Location: West London

Duration: Permanent

Agency Reference Number: J81925

This vacancy will be actively shortlisted so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.

Spark Inside runs coaching programmes in prisons across London and the South East, to encourage rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. 

We are one of the first organisations to take life coaching to people living and working in prison and to use systems coaching to bring together staff and prisoners in UK prisons. Our expert coaches are qualified and trained professionals. In addition to developing and delivering innovative coaching programmes, we are also committed to working with parliamentarians and government officials to influence criminal justice policy, and shift the perception of people in prison, platforming their voices and highlighting their unlocked potential.

To achieve our ambitious strategy, Spark Inside is seeking a Communications Manager to help raise the charity’s public profile, build influence with policymakers, attract funders and commissioners, and ensure the lived experience of young people in the justice system shapes our messaging, campaigns and strategy.

You will work with the Head of Communications and Advocacy to deliver a programme of compelling external communications activities through digital, print, press and events in order to increase Spark Inside’s visibility and ensure our key messages are wide-reaching and impactful.

You will report to the Head of Communications & Advocacy and work closely alongside our Participation and Engagement Manager and Policy Lead, with line management responsibility for a part-time Communications Officer. You will also work with a range of external freelancers on design, film and print. You will build and maintain good relationships with colleagues across the whole Spark Inside team, offering support and advice as well as drawing on their expertise and insights to make our communications impactful and engaging.

While target-driven, you will have a supportive style and work in a highly collaborative way with colleagues across the organisation.

You will share a passion for our cause, and a commitment to high standards. You will be highly organized, enthusiastic and motivated, with a talent for building relationships and networking. You will be up to date on the latest digital tools and trends and able to harness them to take Spark Inside’s communications to the next level.

To find out more information about the responsibilities of the role and required experience, and how to apply, please see attached job description.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We are a small but mighty team, with huge ambitions to transform more lives of those who live with an intellectual disability, through the power of sport.

If you are just looking for a job, then we are probably not for you. However, if you are an experienced finance and business operations professional able to demonstrate strategic and operational ability around financial planning and processes as well as delivering cost effective, efficient and fit-for-purpose business services, then we would like to hear from you.  Charity finance experience and experience in a similarly broad role covering other areas of business operations including IT, risk management, data protection & data management and health & safety is a must.

We continue to be focused on our vision to create an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We are a small, but growing, team with huge ambitions, and applicants must be comfortable operating in an environment where working under your own initiative is expected and encouraged.

We are looking for people who are passionate about Special Olympics and are completely aligned with our values. We are authentic. We act with honesty, integrity and respect. We are creative and innovative. We love to embrace difference and doing things differently. We are brave, courageous, resilient and determined. We listen and are led by the voice of our athletes. We are always kind. We are Inclusion in Action.

We are continuing to build a high-performing team who care for each other and care about our cause. Our athletes are incredibly inspirational, courageous and insightful people, and they deserve a team who are equally committed and passionate about our mission.

This is a permanent, home-based role. There will be the requirement to attend internal and external meetings or events which will involve travel away from home and working outside of normal hours.     

The role is both strategic and operational in nature and represents a fantastic chance to join an amazing charity at an exciting time of growth.

For job role specifics please see the Job Description.

What We Can Offer 

· Competitive salary circa £33,000 (£55K FTE) per annum depending on experience. 

· 15 days holiday on appointment plus pro rata bank holidays and one extra day for your Birthday. 

· Stakeholder Pension Scheme from appointment. 

· Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for out of hours work. 

· Flexible working. 

· Health Cash Plan

How to Apply

To apply, please send a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you wish to work for Special Olympics GB. It is important that all prospective employees understand our mission and are driven by our cause. Please be specific about how your skills and experience will help you undertake this role and how they match the requirements of the Job Description and Person Specification. Generic letters and agency approaches will not be considered. Please also include your CV.

First stage interviews will be held week commencing 28th July 2025.

Safer Recruitment 

Special Olympics Great Britain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. The successful candidate will be required to complete regular safeguarding training and undertake a DBS/PVG check relevant to the requirements of the role. For this role that will involve a Basic Disclosure. 

Equal Opportunities

Special Olympics GB is committed to equality and diversity and encourages all sections of the community, particularly those living with a disability, who meet the job requirements to apply.

Other

The job holder will need to provide evidence of their ability to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a basic DBS check.

We will only contact those who have been selected for interview.

We request no contact from agencies.

Salary: £61,126-£64,340 (Including ILWA)
Contract: Permanent
Location: London Hybrid - 1-2 days per week in Old Street
Closing date: Friday 27^th June
Benefits: Flexible working hours, 28 days annual leave (including 3 Christmas closure day) plus Bank Holidays, Perkbox discounts scheme

We’re thrilled to be working with the wonderful Speech and Language UK to as they search for a Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to join their team. Speech and Language UK does incredible work supporting young people who face challenges with talking and understanding words. They fund a variety of programmes from tools and training for teachers to use in the classroom, to resources and guidance for young people and their families, to public campaigning and awareness-building work.

The Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will lead across Trusts & Statutory, Corporate Partnerships and Major Donors income streams, supporting the team in securing income and building relationships with institutional and philanthropic funders.

To be successful as the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, you will need:

• Significant experience securing 5- & 6-figure gifts from Trusts and Statutory Funders.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with high-value donors and developing new major funding propositions.
• A track record of devising, implementing and monitoring successful fundraising strategies.
• Experience with leading a team, supporting individual members on their professional development and working collaboratively to achieve income targets.

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please call Ashby Jenkins Recruitment and ask to speak to Harry.

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.

We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.

If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
 

About the role

The National Churches Trust awards grants to help keep churches of all denominations well maintained, open and in use. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Grants Manager to join our Church Engagement team and oversee our grants programmes, ensuring the funding is delivered to best-practice standards and in a way that supports our vision to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities.

The future of church buildings is our biggest heritage challenge; we are looking for someone who can help us to ensure our grants are effective and delivered in a way that is transparent, inclusive and impactful and makes a positive difference.

About the National Churches Trust

As an integral part of the UK’s heritage, we want to keep the UK’s wonderful collection of church buildings well maintained, valued and in use. Working on the ground in all four nations, we support churches of all denominations with the challenges and opportunities they face. Our vision is to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities.

Our mission

• We Speak Up: churches are valued and supported
• We Build Up: churches are well maintained, adaptable and in good repair
• We Open Up: churches are sustainable, open and welcoming support

Our values

• Being straightforward in responding to others’ needs
• Providing support that makes a difference
• Joining forces to achieve greater impact
• Driving change that brings our vision closer

To find out more about the role and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Midnight on Thursday, 10 July 2025.
Interview dates: Wednesday, 6 / Thursday, 7 / Friday, 8 August 2025 in Westminster, London.

London Youth Gateway is a sector leading service supporting 18-25 year-olds facing homelessness or rough sleeping across the capital. Our mission is to make sure young Londoners bounce back quickly and safely in times of crisis and to prevent or solve their homelessness for good. You will be playing a leading role in helping to shape the work of the partnership, its collaborative processes as well as its connections with each of the London local authorities.

This is a key role in our organisation, and we are looking for someone with demonstrable experience in partnership and stakeholder engagement who knows how to get and keep people on board to meet mutual or differing needs. The ideal candidate will be a confident communicator and persuasive negotiator with an eye for detail. You will be able to facilitate multi-agency meetings and collaboration, hold responsibility for regular reporting to the commissioner, and contribute to our broader policy and influencing work. We have big ambitions for an organisation our size, so we are on the look-out for someone who can work at their own initiative, support our different teams, and is not afraid to get hand-on with administrative tasks, while tuning into partner priorities and sniffing out great opportunities to connect.

 

About the role:

Are you a strategic fundraising leader with a passion for building meaningful donor relationships and driving philanthropic impact? Imperial College London is seeking an exceptional individual to lead our Regular Giving and Legacy Giving programmes as we prepare for an ambitious new campaign.

What you would be doing:

As Head of Regular Giving and Legacy Giving, you will shape and deliver sector-leading programmes that inspire gifts up to £50,000 and legacy contributions from alumni and supporters. You’ll lead a talented team and oversee multi-channel fundraising campaigns, donor journeys, and stewardship initiatives that support Imperial’s world-class research and education.

You’ll play a pivotal role in:

• Developing and executing innovative fundraising strategies.
• Growing donor acquisition, retention, and income.
• Leading a high-performing team and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Collaborating across Advancement and the wider College to embed giving into the Imperial experience.
• Managing a portfolio of mid-level donors and legacy pledgers.

What we are looking for:

We’re seeking a dynamic and experienced fundraising professional who brings:

• A strong track record in mass fundraising, digital campaigns, and donor stewardship.
• Experience managing successful legacy giving programmes.
• Strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
• A passion for higher education and making a lasting impact.

What we can offer you:

At Imperial, you’ll be part of a vibrant, inclusive community at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of philanthropy at one of the world’s leading universities, with access to professional development, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.

Further Information

This is a full-time, open ended role based at White City Campus.

Closing date: 29 July 2025

Interim Head of Finance & Operations

Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.

We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.

You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.

The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.

You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.

Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.

Main responsibilities and accountabilities

· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people. 

· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.

· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.

· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.

· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.

· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis. 

· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)

· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)

· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity. 

· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets. 

· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.

· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings. 

· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise. 

· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.

· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.

· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.

· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.

· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.

· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

•  Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
• Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
• Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
• Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
• Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
• Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
• Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
• Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
• Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
• Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
• Attention to detail
• Ability to present financial information to various audiences
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
• Honest and dependable

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
• Line management experience
• Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
• Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
• Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
• Degree in financial management or accounting

Full details are provided in the candidate pack

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)

28-35 hours per week.  Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.

Permanent and remote.  Travel to London required on an occasional basis

You will be rewarded with the following benefits:

· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.

· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.

· Flexible working

· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.

We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check. 

Timetable

Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025 

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.