Head of public sector partnerships jobs

Lead a respected counselling charity and help shape the future of mental health support in our community.

If you're an inspiring leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, this is an opportunity to make a lasting difference. As our new Head of Centre, you'll lead an established, BACP-accredited charity with an excellent reputation for delivering affordable, high-quality counselling and professional training across West Kent and East Sussex.

For almost 40 years, The Counselling Centre has been committed to ensuring that everyone can access professional counselling, regardless of their financial circumstances. We are now looking for an exceptional leader to build on this legacy, strengthening our financial sustainability, developing new partnerships and expanding our impact to meet the growing demand for mental health support.

Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across the organisation. You'll work closely with our dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees to ensure we continue to deliver outstanding counselling, training and community services while identifying opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied and rewarding leadership role. You'll oversee the day-to-day running of the charity, lead financial planning and income generation, develop relationships with funders, commissioners, businesses and community partners, and act as an ambassador for The Counselling Centre across the local area. You'll also champion our values, nurture a positive organisational culture and ensure we continue to meet the highest standards of governance and professional practice.

We're looking for someone who brings senior leadership experience, commercial awareness and a genuine commitment to improving mental health. You'll be an excellent relationship builder with experience of developing partnerships, generating income and leading organisational change. Most importantly, you'll be motivated by our mission and excited by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of our organisation.

Why join us?

• Lead a respected charity with an outstanding reputation built over almost 40 years.

• Make a genuine difference to the lives of people in your local community.

• Work alongside a committed Board of Trustees, experienced staff and dedicated volunteers.

• Help shape the future direction and growth of an ambitious organisation.

• Enjoy a flexible part-time role (21 hours per week) with hybrid working.

• Competitive salary of circa £50,000–£55,000 per annum pro rata, contributory pension, 25 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, and Christmas closure.

If you're looking for a leadership role where your strategic vision, commercial skills and passion for community impact can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Could you lead a talented team to deliver compelling, audience‑led campaigns that accelerate progress for everyone affected by ovarian cancer?  

We are looking for an Interim Head of Marketing and Communications to lead this function during an exciting period of transition and growth. This role will play a pivotal part in delivering our communications and brand strategy, supporting the rollout of our new organisational strategy, and maintaining momentum across high‑profile campaigns and projects.  

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising and Engagement, you’ll oversee marketing and communications across the organisation, line managing a team of specialists and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team. You’ll provide strategic leadership, clear direction and hands‑on support, ensuring activity is well planned, insight‑driven and aligned to our wider organisational objectives.  

This role is ideal for an experienced marketing and communications leader, ideally from the charity sector, who can combine strategic thinking with strong delivery, and who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.  

We are an ambitious charity, building on our achievements and targeting what’s important to stop ovarian cancer devastating lives - symptoms awareness, early diagnosis, better treatments and support for all. It’s an exciting time to be joining Target Ovarian Cancer as we move into our ambitious new strategy.   

Join us and together we'll fight for a world where everyone with ovarian cancer lives.  

 The role 

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term position to July 2027. 

We operate a hybrid working model. You will usually work remotely but will be expected to attend meetings at our office near London Bridge when required. Please note that travel costs to the office are not covered. 

If you would like more information about expected office attendance, please refer to the recruitment pack. 

How to apply 

You will be asked to submit your CV and answer two application questions (maximum 250 words each) as part of the process. You will also be asked to complete an equalities monitoring form. 

Applications without responses to the application questions may not be considered. 

Key dates 

• Closing date: 22 July 2026 

• First interview Monday 27 July, second interview Friday 31 July 

If you are invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments. 

Additional information 

Target Ovarian Cancer does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot sponsor visas. 

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require support with your application, please refer to the guidance provided in the recruitment pack.

Are you an experienced public affairs professional who wants to help shape policy that improves the lives of seriously ill children and their families?

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is building a new policy and advocacy function, and we're looking for a Senior Public Affairs Manager to play a central role in its development.

Working alongside our recently appointed Head of Policy, you'll help establish how we influence government, Parliament and the wider health system building relationships, shaping campaigns and ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are heard where it matters most. 

This is a unique opportunity to help define a new role within an evolving team. You'll have the freedom to shape our approach, influence organisational priorities and build strong partnerships across Westminster, government, the health sector and the charity community. If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely make your mark, we'd love to hear from you.
 

Salary

The salary for this role is £50,534 per annum and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.
 

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead GOSH Charity's parliamentary affairs activity, building trusted relationships with MPs, Peers, APPGs and parliamentary committees to progress our policy priorities.
• Develop and deliver public affairs strategies that influence policy and improve outcomes for seriously ill children and their families. 
• Build productive relationships with senior stakeholders across government, arm's-length bodies, charities and the health sector. 
• Lead the development of high-quality parliamentary briefings, consultation responses and policy engagement materials.
• Work across fundraising, communications and marketing teams to deliver campaigns that engage supporters and strengthen our policy influence. 
• Represent GOSH Charity externally, building our profile and ensuring our voice is heard in key policy discussions. 
• Help shape and develop our new policy function, identifying opportunities to strengthen our influencing approach as the team grows. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Significant experience delivering successful public affairs or parliamentary engagement programmes.
• Strong understanding of how Parliament, government and policy-making processes work, with experience influencing at different stages of policy development. 
• Experience developing policy campaigns and engaging supporters or external stakeholders to influence change. 
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with senior political, governmental and sector stakeholders. 
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including producing high-quality briefings for senior audiences. 
• Strong strategic thinking and political judgement, with the ability to identify opportunities and navigate complex stakeholder environments. 
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to influence across teams and bring people together around shared objectives.

Location: Any of our King's Trust office's (flexible working - minimum of 2 days in the office)

Interviews: 3rd & 4th August 2026

This is a high-impact leadership role at the centre of building large-scale corporate employment partnerships that directly change young people’s futures. As Head of Business Development – Employment Partnerships, you will lead the strategy and delivery of new, high-value partnerships that create sustainable job opportunities, working across sectors and in close collaboration with design, delivery and fundraising teams. You will own a significant income target (£600k+), shape a 24-month pipeline, and play a key role in positioning the organisation as a leader in employment-focused partnerships.

We are looking for a commercially minded, relationship-driven leader who understands the challenges employers face in attracting and developing entry-level talent. You'll have a proven track record of securing six-figure partnerships through a consultative approach, working with senior decision-makers to design solutions that create value for both employers and young people. With extensive experience across the entry-level employment landscape, you'll bring a deep understanding of apprenticeships, early careers, recruitment and workforce trends, alongside the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and translate insight into compelling partnership propositions.

This role will suit someone who thrives on building something meaningful at scale,  combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, and leadership with collaboration. You will be motivated by creating real opportunities for young people, and comfortable leading a team while navigating a matrix environment to drive results.

You will stand out if you bring:

• Significant experience helping employers solve recruitment, workforce or early careers challenges through strategic partnerships.
• A consultative business development approach, with experience engaging senior leaders including CHROs, Talent Directors, Recruitment Leaders, Early Careers teams and DE&I leaders.
• A strong track record of winning complex, high-value partnerships by understanding organisational needs and designing impactful solutions.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing multiple stakeholders within complex organisations.
• A background in recruitment, workforce solutions, HR services, SaaS, apprenticeships, consulting or a related commercial environment where you've sold strategic solutions rather than products.

This is an opportunity to redefine how employers engage with young talent, bringing together commercial expertise, strategic partnerships and social impact to create sustainable employment opportunities at a national scale. You'll be engaging with senior HR and talent leaders from some of the UK's largest employers, helping them tackle real workforce challenges while creating life-changing opportunities for young people.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Head of Business Development - Employment Partnershipss? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Head of Business Development - Employment Partnershipss! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)

The Marketing Projects & Partnerships Lead will play a pivotal role within the Bikeability Trust's Strategy team, supporting both the Marketing & Communications team and Fundraising team to achieve their 5-year strategic goals – namely income generation and dynamic behavioural change programmes.

This is a project management focused marketing role, spanning marketing project delivery, partnership activation, and stakeholder engagement. The role requires an exceptionally organised individual who can manage and prioritise multiple concurrent projects, ensuring activity is planned, aligned, and delivered on time. 

You will be responsible for keeping complex workstreams moving—coordinating internal teams and external partners—while bringing a solid understanding of marketing channels and approaches to support effective delivery. 

The Difference is seeking a Director of Engagement and School Partnerships to grow our traded relationships with schools and sector partners, and build the systems and team to deepen impact at scale.

This senior role ensures partnerships, delivery and learning work as one coherent cycle from first contact to long-term partnership.

Key Responsibilities

• Grow traded relationships : build and convert a pipeline of trusts and LAs into our programmes
• Build a sequenced pipeline :turn engagements from press and events into a journey towards deeper work
• Design the partner journey :map and improve from first contact through onboarding and renewal
• Develop CRM and systems :track relationships and income with discipline
• Org-wide leadership :senior ambassador and leadership team member

About The Difference Every day, 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their NEET likelihood by 24. The Difference tackles this through whole school inclusion  training leaders, researching what works and turning insights into policy. Our vision: lost learning falling nationally by 2030.

About You: Essential

• Shared values and commitment to the children most affected by lost learning
• Credibility with schools, trusts and local authorities
• Experience designing end-to-end partner journeys
• Hitting income targets while staying honest about quality
• Knowledge of school improvement or inclusion to work with programme experts
• Building routines that help a team deliver consistently
• CRM or pipeline experience to drive decisions
• Managing relationships :expectations, risks and progression
• Strategic judgement :balancing delivery against long-term value
• Managing people and building a culture of clarity, care and accountability
• Critical friend in a senior team

Desired

• Background in partnerships, engagement, account management or business development
• Experience scaling a programme while protecting quality
• Experience building business cases for school-sector audiences
• Experience designing renewal or progression models
• Experience with schools, trusts, LAs or education charities
• Insight into children affected by exclusion, poverty or SEN

Please see the attached Job Description for full details. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage applications from under-represented groups. All applications assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced international advocacy professional to lead our global engagement strategy as our inaugural Head of Advocacy. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment on our mission as we continue to develop and implement our international engagement strategy and launch a new Global Institute for the 1001 Critical Days. As our Head of Advocacy you will elevate our influence on the global stage. You will work with our senior team to drive international advocacy and engagement with policymakers, parliamentarians, international organisations, and strategic partners. Your work will help us to position babies – and the 1,001 critical days – at the heart of global policy agendas.

To apply please click on the redirect to recruiter button. 

Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser
£29,687 - £30,839 per annum WTE
37 hours per week
Farnham

Help us make a difference through meaningful business partnerships!

We are looking for a proactive and relationship-focused fundraiser to join our Corporate Partnerships team at Phyllis Tuckwell. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing and managing partnerships with a wide range of businesses across our local community and beyond.

In this varied and rewarding role, you will manage a portfolio of corporate partners while also identifying and developing new partnership opportunities. You will work closely with businesses to help them understand the impact of their support, creating engaging opportunities across fundraising, volunteering, sponsorship and events.

You’ll bring creativity and energy to developing partnerships that are mutually beneficial, ensuring our supporters feel valued and inspired while helping to generate vital income for hospice care. It’s a varied role where no two weeks are the same!

Why join us?

It’s a fantastic time to join Phyllis Tuckwell. We have recently moved into our new state-of-the-art hospice in Farnham, and this role offers the opportunity to help shape and grow our corporate partnerships programme at an exciting point in our journey.

You will be part of a collaborative and supportive fundraising team, with the opportunity to develop your skills, build meaningful relationships and make a genuine impact in your local community.

The Role

A successful Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser will:

• Manage and develop a portfolio of corporate partners, delivering excellent relationship management and stewardship
• Support the growth of income by identifying and securing new corporate partnerships
• Develop tailored proposals, pitches and partnership plans for prospective supporters
• Work with corporate partners to deliver engaging fundraising, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities
•  Act as an ambassador for Phyllis Tuckwell within corporate partnership settings, including meetings, networking events and partner engagements
• Work collaboratively across the organisation to maximise partnership opportunities 

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in corporate fundraising, partnerships, or a commercial business development/account management role
• Is confident building relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels
• Has strong communication and presentation skills
• Is organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
• Enjoys working both independently and as part of a supportive team
• Is motivated by making a difference and delivering excellent supporter experience

A full driving licence and access to a car is required for this role. The position involves occasional evening and weekend work.

For a full list of essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification document.

About Us

We are based in Farnham and Guildford, and provide bespoke, compassionate, palliative and end of life care for people living with an advanced or terminal illness, across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire.

Phyllis Tuckwell is a very special place to work.  Our staff make a real difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones, providing outstanding care at a time that really matters.  Our Income Generation team members are pivotal in helping to raise funds to deliver our vital services, ensuring ‘every day is precious’ for our patients. 

The impact of our services on the lives of our patients and their families can be read about under patient stories on our website.

Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, with the principles of fairness and equality at its core.  We are an equal opportunities employer, who values and respects our employees’ unique knowledge, skills and experiences.  We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community.  All appointments are made following a fair and equitable process, based on merit, job requirements and business need.  

We Offer:
Excellent Benefits

• Six weeks paid holiday plus public holidays
• Phyllis Tuckwell Group Personal Pension Plan (matched contributions up to 7.5%)
• Health Cash Plan Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff Benefit Scheme
• Blue Light Discount Card

Excellent Career Development

• Skill Development and Training
• Internal Mobility and Career Progression
• Professional Growth
• Upskilling

A Great Place to Work

• Equal Opportunities employer
• Flexible hours and flexible working
• Supportive colleagues
• 97% of our staff are proud to work for Phyllis Tuckwell*

*Phyllis Tuckwell Birdsong Hospice staff survey 2023

For further information regarding the role or to arrange an informal visit please contact Eleanor Stanley, Corporate Partnerships Manager.  If you are unable to apply on-line or have any questions about the recruitment process, contact HR at Phyllis Tuckwell.
 

Closing date for receipt of applications: Sunday 2nd August 2026

Interviews to be held: Wednesday 12th or Thursday 13th August 2026

We reserve the right to close the role ahead of the closing date should sufficient applications by received. Your early response is therefore encouraged.  Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and therefore are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

NO MEDIA OR AGENCIES

Salary: £62,415 - £64,058 (if UK based) / Competitive Birches rated salary for the
local market if based outside of the UK
Location - London, United Kingdom or the following Start Network countries of operation: DRC · Pakistan · India · Somalia · · South Sudan · Philippines · Kenya · Bangladesh
Team - Communications
Line Manager - Director of Impact and Change
Line Reports - Manage the Communications team, including line management of, Communications Manager and Digital Communications Manager.
Hours - 35 hours per week
Contract - Permanent

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Head of Communications is a senior role responsible for shaping and delivering Start Network’s communications strategy—externally and internally—to strengthen organisational influence, impact and coherence across all audiences. The role provides leadership to a global hybrid and remote working communications team, including direct line management responsibilities.

The role is responsible for ensuring an integrated, audience-led approach to communications that effectively engages key stakeholders and advances organisational priorities. The role will also oversee the delivery of key publications and act as our brand champion, ensuring that our outputs, messaging and communications are consistently on-brand, clear, compelling and aligned with our values and strategic objectives.

As part of the Impact and Change Directorate, the role will work with colleagues across Policy, Advocacy and External Affairs, Evidence and Learning, and Systems Innovation and Change in positioning Start Network as a leading agent of change, translating evidence and learning into compelling communications that influence policy, practice and funding across the humanitarian system.

The role plays a critical part in strengthening Start Network’s profile, influence and thought leadership across the global humanitarian system.

WHAT IS START NETWORK?

Our purpose is to be a catalyst for system-level change that improves the efficiency, effectiveness and ethics of humanitarian action. We do this by working as a network to develop, test & spread new ways of collaborating and resourcing locally-led crisis response and anticipation.

Our current membership is made up of nearly 145 local, national and international NGOs based all around the world. We also support 10 national and regional hubs made up of civil society organisations and NGOs as our vehicle for devolving power, resources and accountability.

OUR VALUES

WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST: Communities come first in our decision-making and programming.

WE ARE BRAVE: We have great ambition and are willing to explore new things and take risks to achieve it

WE OPERATE COLLECTIVELY: We leverage the value of working as a network, sharing risk and resources, and learning together.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE: We see the value in diverse perspectives and work to remove the barriers that prevent voices from being heard.

WE ARE OPEN: We work transparently and with integrity, building mutual trust in all levels of our work, from governance to programming.

WE ARE ETHICAL: We behave and operate based on key principles of anti-racism, non-discrimination, and anti-colonialism. This is a work in progress.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Being a part of a network involved in bringing change to the humanitarian sector.
• Hybrid working with options to work from home and remotely to support your work/life balance
• Employee Assistance Programme through Smart Health (depends on the country based)
• Family friendly policies, e.g., flexible working, maternity policy, parental leave and more!
• 25 days’ holiday (if UK based) plus 2 company days over the End of Year period for all staff (depends on the country based)

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Our roles are open to discussion about flexible working. For part-time working and job-shares, please get in touch with us before putting in an application.

Start Network is committed to protecting people, particularly children, at-risk adults and affected populations from any harm. We are also committed to safeguarding staff from any forms of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power as outlined in the Dignity at Work policy. Start Network embraces diversity, promotes equality of opportunity and eliminates unlawful discrimination. We are an equal opportunities employer and treat every application on merit alone. We particularly encourage applications from disabled, BAME, LGBTQ+ and non-binary candidates. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our essential selection criteria set out in the Person Profile.

APPLICATION

Please contact the People and Culture Team if you have any questions or need support with your application. 

We use Recruitment+ IRIS Cascade as our online recruitment platform. Recruitment+ IRIS Cascade allows you to demonstrate your skills and abilities through blind-review by our team to reduce bias.

 Closing date: 26th July 2026

Date for 1st Interview: 18th August (Subject to change)

Date for 2nd Interview: 25th August (Subject to change)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications and we may review candidates on an ongoing basis, so please apply early where possible to avoid disappointment.

Any offer of employment will be conditional subject to relevant checks. Please refer to our privacy candidate privacy notice regarding treatment of your data. Start Network also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. The core of the scheme is that participating organisations share information about safeguarding-related misconduct (i.e., sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment) that a candidate has been found to have committed during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. For more information regarding this scheme, please visit their website.

The Company

Start Network is made up of more than 90 non-governmental organisations across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to local and national NGOs. Our programmes allow members to deliver humanitarian action around the world.

Our mission is to create a new era of humanitarian action that will save even more lives. We aren’t driven by media headlines or political will, we’re here for the communities affected by and at risk of crises.

We are an organisation committed to doing things differently. For some roles, we need more technical humanitarian expertise, but for other roles, we are looking for relevant transferable skills, the right attitude, and a passion to bring change.

Main purpose

The Head of People leads Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE)'s HR team directing and overseeing all staff-related activity and holding responsibility for developing and delivering the charity’s People Strategy. The role is a strategic partner to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). 

Working alongside SLT in an advisory and partnering capacity, the Head of People helps ensure organisational decisions are informed by workforce insight and that CSE has the people, capability and culture needed to deliver its strategic objectives. The role works with line managers across the organisation to build people management capability and ensure that wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and people-related legal and policy requirements are consistently applied. 

The role spans the full breadth of the People function, including strategic business partnering, employee relations, recruitment, learning and development, wellbeing, EDI, people operations and digital transformation. The Head of People leads and develops the HR team, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, proactive and people-centred service while building on the good practice that already exists within the charity and driving continuous improvement for the benefit of the charity and its employees. 

As the senior People professional at CSE, the role balances strategic leadership with practical operational delivery across the full breadth of the People function, requiring the successful candidate to move confidently between strategic thinking and hands-on implementation. The Head of People provides expert advice on complex people matters, develops and implements people policies, frameworks and processes, supports organisational change and improvement, and translates organisational priorities, values and culture into practical people initiatives that support both staff and the wider organisation. 

This role is likely to appeal to someone who enjoys building, improving and embedding great people practice and who is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with operational delivery across a broad and varied remit. The role requires curiosity, pragmatism and a genuine interest in understanding organisational challenges and delivering practical, lasting improvements.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs inbox. Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification and job description.

For more information and to apply, please visit CSE Jobs website. 

Title:  Head of Campaigns

Salary:        £60,000

Contract:      Temporary

Hours:  37.5 per week (Monday to Friday) 

Holiday:  25 days per year plus bank holidays 

Location:  Home based with regular across the UK

Probationary Period:  3 months

Reports to:  Chief Executive

Benefits:  An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year

Flexitime policy

5% pension contribution

Anticipated contract duration:  9th November 2026 - February 2028 

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue the UK’s rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater. 

We are a talented team of positive disrupters and stakeholder mobilisers delivering our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of communities, rivers and wildlife.

Our rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.

Who we are looking for

We're looking for an exceptional campaigner to lead an ambitious environmental campaigning  programme for just over a year to cover maternity leave. This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring leader who can develop bold, strategic campaigns that shift public debate, influence decision-makers and deliver tangible environmental outcomes.

You'll be an experienced campaign strategist who understands that lasting change rarely comes from a single tactic. You'll know how to bring together compelling communications, evidence and investigations, grassroots mobilisation, political engagement, legal interventions and partnerships into integrated campaigns capable of changing policy, behaviour and corporate practice.

We're looking for someone who combines strategic vision with practical delivery. Someone who is comfortable making decisions in a fast-moving environment, spotting opportunities as they emerge and adapting campaigns to maximise impact.

Experience in environmental campaigning would be highly valuable, but above all we're looking for someone with an outstanding track record of leading successful campaigns that have shifted opinion, influenced policy or held powerful institutions to account.

We’re looking for someone who brings energy, creativity and courageous leadership. Someone who is excited by building campaigns that challenge the status quo, comfortable navigating complexity and able to combine bold thinking with sound judgement. You'll know when to disrupt, when to collaborate and how to inspire others to believe that together we can restore the UK’s rivers. 

If you're motivated by creating change, thrive in a dynamic environment and want to lead campaigns that make a genuine difference to one of the UK's greatest environmental challenges, we'd love to hear from you. 

What you’ll be doing:

As Head of Campaigns, you will be developing and delivering bold, integrated campaigns that drive lasting change for the UK's rivers. You'll lead and inspire a talented team of campaigners, helping them to develop innovative, impactful campaigns while fostering a collaborative, ambitious and supportive culture. You'll work closely with colleagues across communications, policy, legal, fundraising and research, ensuring our work is strategically aligned and greater than the sum of its parts.

Leading River Action's Campaigns Team, you will shape the organisation's campaigning strategy, ensuring our work is innovative, evidence-led and designed to influence public opinion, hold polluters to account and secure meaningful political and systemic change. You'll create campaigns that connect compelling storytelling with community mobilisation, strategic communications, political advocacy, legal action and partnerships, ensuring every part of our work contributes towards our mission to rescue the UK’s rivers.

You'll provide strategic leadership across the full campaign lifecycle, overseeing campaign planning, delivery, budgeting, resourcing and evaluation. You'll ensure our campaigns are informed by robust evidence, guided by clear objectives and measured against meaningful outcomes, using insight and learning to continually strengthen our impact.

You will lead River Action's communications and public profile, ensuring our campaigns cut through the national conversation, inspire public action and strengthen our reputation as one of the UK's leading environmental campaigning organisations. You’ll oversee media, messaging and campaign communications that amplify our voice and build public support for change.

Internally, you'll work in close partnership with the Head of Public Affairs to ensure our public campaigns reinforce and accelerate our political influencing work, while ensuring community campaigns and grassroots action inform our national priorities. You'll also work alongside the Head of Legal to develop campaigns involving strategic litigation to achieve change within and outside of court and legal processes, using legal action as a catalyst for wider public awareness, policy change and industry accountability.

As a member of River Action's Senior Management Team, you'll help shape the strategic direction of the organisation and contribute to organisational leadership beyond your own department. You'll work alongside the CEO and fellow Heads of Department to deliver our organisational strategy, embedding collaboration, innovation and impact across all areas of our work.

You'll also play a key role in securing the resources needed to deliver our ambitions. Working with the Head of Development, you'll help develop compelling funding proposals, inspire funders with our vision and demonstrate the impact of our work through robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Working with the Finance and Operations Manager, you'll oversee campaign budgets, ensuring resources are managed effectively and strategically.

Main Duties 

• Provide strategic leadership as a member of the Senior Management Team, supporting the CEO to deliver River Action's organisational strategy, theory of change and long-term vision.

• Lead the development and delivery of River Action's integrated campaigning strategy, ensuring our public campaigns drive measurable environmental, political and societal change.

• Develop and oversee a portfolio of ambitious national campaigns, identifying opportunities to influence public opinion, policy, regulation and industry practice through innovative and impactful campaigning.

• Lead River Action's communications, media and public engagement strategy, ensuring compelling storytelling, strong brand visibility and effective use of traditional, digital and social media to grow our influence and supporter base.

• Lead the planning and delivery of River Action’s creative interventions and actions, from polling, petitions and shareholder actions to public protests and high-profile actions.

• Serve as a senior public representative and spokesperson for River Action, building the organisation's profile and influence through media engagement, public speaking, stakeholder engagement and high-profile external events.

• Oversee River Action's digital campaigning platforms, including the strategic development of our website and digital engagement tools.

• Work closely with the Head of Public Affairs  to ensure campaigns and political advocacy are fully integrated, maximising opportunities to influence government, regulators and decision-makers.

• Work closely with the Head of Public Affairs to ensure grassroots action informs national campaigns, and national campaigns empower and amplify community action.

• Work with the Head of Legal to identify, develop and deliver strategic legal interventions that strengthen campaigns, increase accountability and drive systemic change beyond the courtroom.

• Build and maintain influential relationships with campaign partners, coalitions, NGOs, academics, community organisations, funders and other key stakeholders to maximise collective impact.

• Lead campaign planning, governance and delivery, ensuring campaigns are effectively resourced, managed and evaluated against agreed objectives, budgets and monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) frameworks.

• Lead, inspire and develop the Campaigns Team, fostering a collaborative, creative and high-performing culture that enables colleagues to thrive and deliver exceptional work.

• Work with the CEO, Head of Development and senior colleagues to secure funding for campaign activities, contributing to funding proposals, donor engagement and impact reporting.

• Work with the Finance and Operations Manager to develop, monitor and manage campaign budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively and strategically.

• Support organisational reporting by contributing to Board papers, quarterly and annual reports, organisational planning and performance monitoring.

Other Duties & Responsibilities 

• Adopt a positive approach to personal and professional development; engaging in one to one meetings and relevant training.

• Be aware of, and act on, relevant health and safety responsibilities as an employee of River Action and adhere to these wherever you are working.

• To maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.

• UK travel will be required. Training & operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case standard River Action procedures apply.

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to creating an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace and a positive organisational culture.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our ethos and mission.

What you’ll bring

The position will suit a strategic, well organised, energetic, passionate and dedicated person. The ideal person will be an excellent leader, a people person, and thrive within a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The person will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and hold those responsible for environmental destruction to account.

• Ability to think strategically to deliver campaigns that are positively disruptive and meet River Action values.

• Line management experience of highly experienced professionals, bringing out the best in your team.

• Creative attitude and skills for solving problems and raising awareness of problems and solutions.

• A head for organisation and excellent time management, bringing others along with you in planning and delivering interventions and projects at short notice and under pressure.

• Experience in public and/or political campaigning either within or outside the environmental sector.

• Experience and contacts in communications and PR. 

• An understanding of the issues that are impacting our rivers, and their solutions.

• The ability to establish and maintain effective contacts and relationships with senior and influential external individuals and bodies.

• The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of people both verbally and in writing including the media, community groups, other NGO representatives, government, industry leaders, supporters and followers on social media.

• Exceptional IT literacy and a head for figures and budgeting.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative to solve problems.

• Ability to work flexible hours as necessary.

• A good team player with a willingness to muck in as and where required.

• Ability to think clearly even when working under pressure.

• A passion for River Action’s mission and vision.

Diversity and Inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we would still like to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this or other roles. 

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Head of Campaigns’’:

• your CV (2 pages max), 

• a cover letter (2 pages max) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and 

• a written submission (2 pages) as described below. 

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format. 

Written submission

River Action is looking to develop a campaign around water security in the UK to launch in 2027. Please put together a campaign brief setting out the challenges faced, how we would develop and deliver this campaign including campaign asks; campaign outcomes; public, political and legal tactics; routes for funding and resource requirements.

Your campaign brief should be no longer than 2 sides of A4. 

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 23:59 on 19th July.

Should your application be shortlisted, the next stage will involve an initial 30 minute interview on 28th July via video conference. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel on 3rd August. 

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews on these dates.

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.

This is an exciting time to join us. As we grow our international efforts and sharpen our strategic focus, we are creating a new Head of Research & Grants role to lead our combined research and grant-making function. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be our senior operational and strategic leader for how we identify, fund and learn from the work that gives babies the best start in life.

The grants and research effort of the Foundation is focussed on the ‘So What?’. You will make sure every piece of ground breaking research and every charity grant adds to our global advocacy for babies, informing and educating policy makers across the world about the 1001 Critical Days and how they can help parents and carers give their babies the best start in life.

To apply, please click the redirect to recruiter button. 

Main Purpose of the Role

The Head of Partnerships and Networks provides senior leadership for EHCVS’s partnerships, networks, and income development. Reporting to the CEO, the post-holder strengthens the voice and connectivity of the local voluntary and community sector (VCS) and develops new, sustainable income for the organisation and the wider sector.

The role focuses on growing corporate funding and business partnerships, developing Hounslow Giving (the borough’s place-based giving scheme) in partnership with the Head of Volunteering, and encouraging collaboration and consortium bids across the VCS.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Funding and Income Development

• Lead the development of corporate funding, sponsorship, and business partnerships to generate sustainable income for EHCVS and the wider sector.

• Build relationships with local businesses, major employers (such as Heathrow), and corporate funders, developing clear cases for support.

• Identify corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community investment opportunities and help diversify income.

Developing Hounslow Giving (Place-Based Giving)

• Work with the Head of Volunteering to develop Hounslow Giving, the borough’s place-based giving scheme, as part of the London Giving network.

• Bring together business, philanthropic, public, and community partners to grow local giving and connect funds to local need.

• Support donation, fundraising, and volunteering routes that engage both individuals and businesses.

Partnerships, Networks and Consortium Development

• Coordinate and facilitate EHCVS networks and forums across both boroughs, encouraging partnerships and collaboration within the VCS.

• Develop consortium bids with VCS partners, brokering relationships to pursue joint funding opportunities.

• Represent EHCVS and the VCS at strategic boards and sector events, and maintain relationships with statutory partners (local authorities, NHS, Integrated Care Board).

Leadership and Team

• Provide senior leadership for partnerships, networks, and income development, contributing to the senior leadership team and deputising for the CEO as required.

• Line manages relevant staff, providing supervision and development support.

Monitoring, Reporting and Governance

• Capture engagement, income, and outcomes, and contribute to internal and funder reporting.

• Ensure activity complies with relevant policies (safeguarding, GDPR, equality and diversity) and with fundraising good practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• Senior experience of developing partnerships, networks, or income in the VCSE, public, or social enterprise sector.

• Proven track record of securing corporate funding, sponsorship, or business partnerships.

• Experience in developing consortium or partnership bids and brokering collaboration.

• Experience of, or strong understanding of, place-based giving, community foundations, or philanthropy.

• Strong relationship-building, facilitation, and communication skills across sectors.

• Experience in managing staff and leading delivery.

• Commitment to the values of the voluntary and community sector and to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the VCSE and funding environment in Ealing and Hounslow.

• Experience of developing or launching a place-based giving scheme or similar initiative.

• Familiarity with the London Giving network and London Funders.

• Experience working in a local infrastructure or second-tier organisation.

Why this role matters
Good ideas, strong evidence and inspiring stories only create change if the right people understand and act on them. This role exists to ensure that the case for physical activity reaches the right people, in the right way, at the right time, and that it moves them to act. You’ll develop compelling narratives grounded in insight, evidence, and behavioural science, helping partners across the system create greater impact and supporting Yorkshire  Sport Foundation in leading and influencing far beyond its own boundaries.

Responsibilities
Strategic comms leadership
• Develop and lead a long-term strategic marketing andcommunications approach aligned to our Active Partnership role
and Sport England priorities
• Use behavioural science, audience insight and evidence to shapehow the system understands physical activity and inequality
• Identify the beliefs, motivations and barriers of key audiences anddesign communications that influence action
• Ensure all communications activities support YSF to influencestrategic stakeholders
• Advise the organisation on how messaging can support policy, investment and system change
• Develop Yorkshire Sport Foundation’s reputation as a trusted strategic voice

Influence & stakeholder engagement
• Shape communications that influence policy, investment and practice across local authorities, health and education systems
• Support senior leaders to land key messages with senior stakeholders
• Equip partners with messaging that helps them to demonstrate and amplify the impact they make
• Translate complex insight and evaluation into clear narratives and messages
Insight-led communications
• Embed audience insight and behavioural science into messaging
• Combine data, evaluation and lived experience to demonstrate impact whilst ensuring communications reflect communities
authentically
• Build a learning approach to testing, adapting and improving messaging effectiveness

Organisational leadership
• Lead and develop the strategic marketing and communications function
• Set standards for when communications activity should, and should not, happen
• Maintain humility while strengthening clarity of impact and purpose

Channels & delivery
• Plan and deliver integrated marketing and communications campaigns across digital, media, content and internal channels, ensuring activity aligns with organisational objectives and brand standards
• Produce and oversee high-quality content (copy, press materials, web, social, email and collateral) while coordinating agencies, suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Monitor performance using analytics and insight, report on outcomes and continuously optimise campaigns and messaging to improve engagement and reach.
Other
• To lead on YSF public affairs and policy work in partnership with the CEO
• Strategic comms planning with the Active Partnership National Organisation and other leading Active Partnerships ensuring consistency of messaging across England
• To support the marketing of events across Yorkshire
• To work flexibly to respond to changing organisational requirements and carry out any other duties which may arise from
time to time
• To follow policies and procedures in relation to other matters, e.g.Health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR, financial procedures, etc.

What we’re looking for
We know great candidates rarely tick every box. If you have strongskills across most of the areas below and believe you can add value, we’d love to hear from you.
• Skills in both operational and strategic marketing and communications
• Ability to influence policy, investment or organisational behaviours
• Ability to design and deliver communications strategies that change decisions
• Skills in translating evidence and insight into persuasive narratives
• Understanding of behavioural science and audience-centred communications
• Able to operate with credibility and humility in partnership environments
• Comfortable working where success means others receive recognition
• Strategic thinker who challenges activities that lack purpose
• Commitment to reducing inequalities
• Strategic narrative and messaging development skills
• Senior stakeholder influencing and facilitation skills
• Ability to simplify complex evidence and communicate in engaging ways
• Leadership and team development skills

Other
• Ability to travel independently around West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
• Ability and willingness to work to our organisational values

Please make sure you demonstrate your ability to meet therequirements of the job by giving clear, concise examples of how you meet each of the requirements in the What We’re Looking For section of the job description.

We recognise and welcome our responsibility to remove any barriers in our Recruitment and Selection process for disabled people. We have tried to do this, but if you have a disability and identify any barriers in the job description or employee specification, please tell us of these in your application. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments
to the job wherever possible and it would help us to know your needs to do this.