Head of research and development jobs

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. 

Location: The role is national, managing teams in Northern Ireland, Wales and across England. You will need to be able to work at one of our BookTrust offices in London, Leeds, Belfast or Cardiff for an average of 8 days per month whilst some of these collaboration days may be worked in partner locations, at events or stakeholder meetings in any part of the country. The position will require regular travel to BookTrust office bases and to visit and engage as needed.

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

This is a new role within the organisation and the postholder will be responsible for defining aspects of the role, building relationships and processes that will enhance our ways of working as part of wider organisational processes. 

You will be an excellent communicator who manages up effectively and who is comfortable working across a matrixed managed team. You will work closely with the Director of Partnerships in building relationships, systems and processes that support our delivery across regions and countries as well as working closely with key role holders such as but not confined to the Head of Partnerships Development, and Head of Programme for Vulnerable Children.

The Head of Partnerships Delivery will lead and coordinate our early years scaled programme delivery as well as ensuring activities to support delivery and development of our vulnerable children’s work are catered or within team processes and relationship building with strategic and local stakeholders.

This work spans the organisation – and will have a close working relationships with key stakeholders in operations on aspects of the work as well as to research and impact, design and innovation, growth planning, communications, profile-raising and income generation – and requires strong collaborative working to draw on skills and capacity in all these areas. 

To apply, please complete the application along with a copy of your CV.

Want to join us? To find out more about who we are please go to our website. 

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and communities. 

Please note that this advert may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details can be found on our website). 

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

Location: The role is national, managing teams in Northern Ireland, Wales and across England. You will need to be able to work at one of our BookTrust offices in London, Leeds, Belfast or Cardiff for an average of 8 days per month whilst some of these collaboration days may be worked in partner locations, at events or stakeholder meetings in any part of the country. The position will require regular travel to BookTrust office bases and to visit and engage as needed.

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

This is a new role within the organisation and the new role holder will have a chance to shape and build the role over time.  You will be a strong leader with great people skills -experience of working with and leading teams working in geographically dispersed locations is advantageous. 

You will have a clear experience the public sector landscape with a track record of relationships building, and an understanding of the local government policy landscape. With a collaborative approach to working across interconnecting complex work areas, you will be comfortable working within a matrix style of management for your won direct reports and those of other teams. 

You may have charity or statutory setting experience, and will have the ability to set out a strategic direction for partnerships team members as well as being hands on in developing new relationships to support our work as well as being able to produce high quality written materials, analyse complex data and respond dynamically to a changing external landscape.

You will be an excellent communicator who manages up effectively and who is comfortable working across a matrixed managed team. You will have the ability to work closely with the Director of Partnerships in building relationships, and developing and delivering on strategies that support impact in our early years programmes by guiding the work of our partnerships team.  You will be working closely with key role holders such as but not confined to the Head of Partnerships Delivery, and Head of Programme for Vulnerable Children.

The Head of Partnerships Development will ensure increasingly effective pathways to families by setting out ways of working that ensure delivery teams can access these routes, influence decision makers and develop and build the right relationships for greatest impact. Along with the Director of partnerships the role holder will aim to both influence and respond to central, local and regional policy initiatives in the sector to support BookTrust’s mission to get all children reading, especially those from low income and vulnerable family backgrounds.
The role holder will ensure internal stakeholders are briefed on the local government landscape and that risks and opportunities are clearly articulated.

This work spans the organisation – from within our partnerships team to our research and impact, communications and external affairs, design and innovation, growth planning, communications, profile-raising and income generation – and requires strong collaborative working to draw on skills and capacity in all these areas. 

The role will work internally and externally to ensure the right inputs to ensure success for our scaled programmes, supporting everything from design to upskilling our team and relationship building across the local government and regional and country landscape.

To apply, please complete the application along with a copy of your CV.

Want to join us? To find out more about who we are please go to our website. 

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and communities,

Please note that this advert may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details are available on our website).

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

Interim Head of Data and Evidence
£60,250 to £65,500 per year
Fixed term 12 months, full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office

What the job involves
This is a brilliant opportunity to lead our Data and Evidence Team on an interim basis while the postholder is on parental leave. You’ll help us understand and use the evidence that shapes our work, from clinical and real-world data to screening, Black health equity and wider health improvement priorities.

Working closely with teams across the charity, you’ll turn complex evidence into clear insight that supports our strategy, communications and programme delivery. You’ll also guide research and analysis across the four UK nations, helping us stay focused on the biggest opportunities to improve outcomes for men and their families.

What we want from you
We’re looking for an experienced evidence and data leader who can quickly build confidence, relationships and momentum. You’ll bring a background in health epidemiology, data science or biomedical science, with strong experience of working with healthcare data and real-world evidence.

You’ll be confident analysing and interpreting complex information, and just as confident explaining what it means to different audiences. You’ll also be a supportive, inclusive people leader who brings curiosity, judgement and an equity lens to your work. 

Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.

Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.

We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.

How and where we work
Colleagues attend the office at least four days per month (pro rata for part-time colleagues) to collaborate, build relationships, and support projects and decision-making. You can choose where to work the rest of the time. Travel to the office is a commute, so we pay our own travel costs.

Additional in-person attendance will be required during your first few months for induction and training, to support you to learn the role and get to know colleagues.

We trust colleagues to work flexibly while balancing personal commitments with the needs of the charity, and we are committed to making reasonable adjustments for colleagues with a disability, neurodiversity, or a long-term physical or mental health condition. 

How to Apply
Visit our Prostate Cancer UK Careers page to learn more about this role and the benefits we offer. On the vacancy advert, you’ll find everything you need to know about the role, how to apply, and what to include in your application.

You can also download a copy of the job description and access the link to our careers portal to submit your application by visiting the website via the apply button.

The closing date is Sunday 12th July 2026.  Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.
Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of Monday 3rd August 2026.

Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.

The Head of Performance and Improvement is a new role that will lead our work to drive excellence in our grant making in England. They will play a critical role in ensuring our grant making is not only delivered, but understood, improved, and aligned with our purpose. This team helps us answer key questions about our grant making:

Are we doing what we said we would? How well are we doing it? What have we learned? And what should we do next? 

The Head of Performance and Improvement ensures our grant making is evidence-informed, insight-driven, and continuously evolving.

Partnering with the Head of England Operations and working closely with senior leaders, you will ensure performance insight informs improvements to our grant making as well as feeding into decision-making, and strategic direction. It’s a role that connects information and delivery, helping us fund with confidence and learn with purpose.

Key responsibilities may include: 

• Funding Development and Delivery 
• Directorate coordination of improvements to our grant making
• Performance Management & Management Information
• Learning & Continuous Improvement
• Grant making Risks & Issue Spotting
• Audit, Oversight & Compliance
• Leadership Collaboration & Strategic Alignment 

Interview details:

• Date: Week Commencing 20 July 2026
• Format: Online
• Location: UK-Wide 

We have a hybrid approach to working. Work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be based at any of our UK offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Newtown. 

We will be hosting a briefing session on Monday 6th July, 12pm. To register for the session or for any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.

How to apply: 

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application. 

Essential Criteria: 

• Experience of leading a multi-disciplinary team. 
• Experience of embedding and establishing performance management frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of the funding cycle and implementing grant making best practice.
• Extensive experience of engaging effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with an ability to communicate complex information to all levels of the business.
• Ability to build strong relationships, influence a range of stakeholders and build buy in to bring about changes for users and customers.
• Strong planning, priority setting and organisational skills within a complex environment.
• Forward-thinking and solutions-focused, able to balance immediate operational needs with long-term strategic goals. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ​

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

SCIENCE PROGRAMME LEAD - RESEARCH
Thetford
Full time, Permanent
£65,907 per annum + 11% employer pension contribution

We are seeking a dynamic individual with strong people skills and ecological research background to provide leadership across BTO’s research programme, and to work as a small team of senior science leads to support the Director of Science leading BTO’s Science Department. The post will oversee the line management of a number of existing science heads of team, and work collaboratively with many others to achieve strategic and operational goals. The role requires demonstrable experience in supporting, motivating, and leading experienced teams and excellent people management and influencing skills. It will also require experience in developing strategic vision, setting measures of success, securing funding, and ensuring delivery of multiple and often complex projects. The post holder will need skills in, and a passion for, communicating internally and externally; and a background in leading ecological research. Although primarily a management role, there will be opportunities to oversee project development, management and delivery of ecological research projects, and particularly to use the postholder's technical skills to provide strategic and cross-cutting leadership to relevant areas across the BTO. The postholder will be responsible overall for teams comprising over 40 staff  and directly line manage the Head of Terrestrial Ecology, Head of Wetland and Marine, Head of Dispersed Threats and Head of Statistical teams. Ideally, the postholder will be based out of the BTO HQ in Thetford, but we would, for the right candidate, consider staff working out of the BTO offices in Stirling, Bangor or Lisburn, near Belfast. You will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regime and flexible start and finish times can also be accommodated to ensure a good work-life balance. 

You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under 'supporting documents' in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail. Please note that, if you are the successful candidate, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHAT WE OFFER

• £65,907 per annum
• Annual Leave: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with service
• Paid 'journey days' (up to 2 days)
• Annual team away days
• Life assurance 
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced sick pay and family leave
• Health cash plan
• Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
• Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm and Opticron
• Free access to BTO training courses
• Flexible working
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
• Free car parking
• Effective job evaluation policy 
• Coaching and mentoring scheme
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment and sustainability

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23:59, 9 July 2026 and Interviews will be held on 24 and 27 July in Thetford.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment could be made. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy. We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic background, you'll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

In cases where we receive a very high volume of applications, we may need to limit the number of Guaranteed Interview Scheme candidates progressing to interview.

Charity No. 216652 (E&W); SC039193 (Scotland)

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to uniting for a life unlimited for everyone affected by cystic fibrosis. We're working towards a brighter future for everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF) by funding cutting-edge research, driving up standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones every step of the way.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to lead and manage a highly motivated and passionate team within the Research and Healthcare Data Directorate and be part of the internationally recognised UK CF Registry

You will be proven leader, with experience of working with large datasets in a healthcare or equivalent setting, with a good understanding of data governance and security. 

You will be leading and implementing projects to maintain and develop the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of the UK CF Registry, and supporting the delivery of external  projects which maximise the impact of the Registry data to improve care and health outcomes for all people with CF in the UK.

As the Registry enters a period of strategic evolution, you will play a critical role in managing relationships across a range of stakeholders, including clinical teams and some commercial partners, all of which are essential to the ongoing success of the UK CF Registry, and the delivery of high-quality programmes of work which benefit people with CF.

* If London office based, you will be required to attend London Head Office 40% of weekly working hours. If home based, you will be required to attend the London Head Office for business needs as required. 

Please note this is a UK-based role and candidates will need to be based in the UK. This role will require some travel across the UK and occasional international travel.

This role requires a satisfactory Basic DBS check prior to commencing employment with us.

In addition, you will need to have the Right to Work in the UK before starting work with us and we will check this. We do not hold a Home Office Sponsorship Licence and therefore cannot offer visa sponsorship for our roles.

We offer a range of employee benefits including:

• Flexible working
• 30 days annual leave plus recognised bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan covering dental, optical, 24/7 GP service 
• Employee assistance programme
• Opportunities for learning and development

Closing date and interview date

Closing date for completed applications is 11:59pm on Monday 20 July 2026. 

First interviews will be held Thursday 30 July 2026. 

Second interviews will be held week commencing 10th or 17th August and preferably in person at our London office.

We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date or extend if necessary. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, please submit your application as early as possible.

How to apply

Before applying, please ensure you read the job description (which also contains the person specification) for more information about the role. 

Applications should be made through our recruitment portal Hireful and to apply, please select ‘Apply Now.’

No agencies or media please.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace

Cystic Fibrosis Trust aims to be an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, can be themselves and achieve their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; particularly people who have cystic fibrosis, people who identify as being from an ethnic minority group, as LGBTQ and people with disabilities. 

It is our policy not to discriminate against any person because of their age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability (physical and mental), race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation or union membership.

REF-229 408

Endometriosis UK is looking for a Head of Finance to help shape the next stage of our development as a charity with growing ambition, increasing complexity and a powerful mission. This is an exciting new role for the charity, and is core to ensuring our ongoing success.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with the Chief Executive, senior colleagues and Trustees to shape organisational direction, strengthen financial planning and ensure resources are aligned with impact. You will provide strategic financial insight, constructive challenge and practical support across the organisation.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, statutory reporting, audit, financial governance, risk, reserves and controls. You will also support business cases, financial models, capital project oversight, trading activity and commercial decision-making.

We are looking for a qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience, ideally gained in a charity or similarly complex organisation. You will bring strong technical finance skills, sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to communicate clearly with non-finance colleagues. Just as importantly, you will be collaborative, values-led and motivated by the opportunity to use finance as an enabler of delivering impact.

This role will suit someone who combines strategic leadership with a practical, hands-on approach, and who enjoys helping colleagues build financial confidence, accountability and discipline.

Location:  Hybrid working - Part London office-based (E14) and part home working. The post holder will work a minimum of one day a week in the office. 

Salary: £56,875 per annum 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date:  Wednesday 1 July 2026 midnight 

Interview date: Wednesday 15 July 2026 in person in our London office 

This is a permanent role. 

Who we are looking for 

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Head of Finance to help us ensure the finance function is fit for purpose so that we can deliver our ambitious 10-year strategy.

Reporting to the Director of Finance & IT, this is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for the day–to–day management of the finance function, responsible for monthly financial reporting including quarterly reforecasts and co ordinating the annual budget as well as partnering with senior stakeholders across the organisation.You will also lead on the annual accounts and external audit. 

Managing a team of 3 (2.2 FTE), you will ensure the organisation continues to deliver robust financial control, insightful charity reporting and effective support to operational teams.  

Experience required 

You’ll be/have: 

• CCAB qualified financial professional (or finalist) 

• Experience working for a charity in a senior finance role with fundraised income of £1m or more 

• Strong business partnering skills and experience working closely with senior operational leaders. 

• Strong financial reporting, controls and systems confidence 

• Ability to work both strategically and hands–on 

• Familiar with the charity SORP 

• Strong people management and leadership skills with the ability to develop and motivate teams 

• Excellent accounting, analytical, and communication skills allied with a pragmatic and solution focused approach. 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.

The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
• Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis  translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
• Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
• Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence  including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
• Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
• Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
• Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network

About The Difference

• Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.

About You

Essential

• Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
• Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
• Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
• Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
• Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
• Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
• Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people

Desired

• Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
• Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
• Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
• Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
• Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations

Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.

Who We Are

The Race Equality Foundation is a national charity working to tackle systemic racism and create the conditions for everyone to live healthy, secure and fulfilling lives and we are looking to appoint a Head of Operations. 

We combine evidence, co-production and practical action to address the root causes of racial inequality. Our work focuses not only on identifying inequality, but on challenging the structural racism, discrimination and unequal distribution of power that drive them. We work alongside communities, practitioners, policymakers and institutions to develop evidence-informed solutions that improve services, strengthen communities and promote racial justice.

Today, our work spans health and care, employment, housing and community wellbeing. Through partnerships, research, training and policy influence, we continue to demonstrate what meaningful anti-racist systems change can look like in practice. 

We are based in London but have a national remit.

Job description

We are entering a period of organisational growth and staff restructure, and the Head of Operations will be a new post at REF. The postholder will be ready to get stuck in, helping us to identify and address operational challenges before they become problems and reduce unnecessary demands on managers and senior leaders. We are looking for an effective communicator to ensure that people, systems, and resources support the Foundation's mission and enable staff to do their best work. We are not looking for someone who believes every challenge requires a new process. We are looking for someone who can exercise sound judgement, introduce structure where it adds value and help create the conditions in which staff and managers can focus on delivering impact. 

The postholder will be expected to bring a strong commitment to anti-racism, equity and inclusion in the way they approach organisational development and operational leadership. 

See Job Description document for full details of the role and responsibilties.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Several years' experience in a senior operational, organisational development or business management role in a charity or voluntary sector organisation. 

• Proven track record of driving operational improvements, such as overseeing or changing workflow systems, maintaining good governance and compliance policies, or implementing strong CRM systems. 

• Proven track record of managing HR procedures, demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills, and effective people management including maintaining working relationships with colleagues at all levels. 

• Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. 

• Strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and the ability to apply these principles in practice. 

• Experience of working in an environment that requires flexibility, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities. 

• Experience of managing external suppliers, advisers or contractors. 

Desirable 

• Experience of working in a time and resource limited small or start up organisation. 

• Experience of working with boards, trustees or governance structures. 

• Experience of working in an organisation committed to equality, anti-racism or social justice.

• Knowledge of organisational development or change management approaches. 

Pay and Conditions of Service

This post is permanent and full-time.

The annual full-time salary for this role is between £47,911 and £53,890, inclusive of London Weighting. 

There is a probationary period of six months for this post. 

Full-time staff are entitled to 25 days holiday leave per annum with additional days for long service. The timing of holidays must fit in with the needs of the Foundation and must be agreed in advance. In addition to annual holidays there is paid time off for national holidays. 

The post will be based in the London office at Unit 17 Deane House Studios, 27 Greenwood Place, London NW5 1LB. Staff currently work two to three days a week in the office. 

The normal working week is 35 hours for full-time posts, seven hours per day, Monday to Friday. Standard office hours are 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.

Application Process

Applications will only be accepted via the portal on our website. We will require the submission of an application form and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should be 2-3 pages max, 12 point font. We will not accept applications via CV. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation, details will be shared in advance.

Please note that we are only able to appoint people who are eligible to work in the UK. 

Do you believe in the power of the arts to build community and transform lives? At Pimlico Musical Foundation, we work with a diverse community, providing a broad range of opportunities for both children and adults, and free musical education to local children, many of whom face considerable challenges. We bring people together, provide opportunities for young talent, and support the local community's engagement with the arts. We achieve this through various programmes, in partnership with local schools and organisations such as Westminster School, Oxford University, Opera Holland Park, the Rodolfus Foundation, and Future Academies.

We are seeking an experienced and driven fundraiser to take strategic ownership of our income generation across all income streams, leading the next phase of our growth. As Head of Fundraising, you will own and develop the fundraising strategy while continuing to deliver hands-on where needed, supported by an engaged board and CEO. Most of all, we are seeking someone who wants to make a difference, contributing to a community and improving access to the arts for everyone, regardless of their background.

Clinical Research Manager

 

The Clinical Research Manager will play a key role in advancing ARUK’s drug prioritisation activities as part of the Clinical Accelerator Programme. Working closely with the Senior Clinical Research Manager, this role will drive the identification, evaluation, and progression of high-potential drug candidates toward clinical trials, delivering tangible impact for people affected by dementia.

This role is vital in advancing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research objectives and organisational strategy and will be key to delivering impact for people affected by dementia. The Clinical Research Manager will manage the planning and delivery of ARUK’s drug prioritisation activities working collaboratively with external stakeholders and various departments across the organisation, including the wider Research, Fundraising and Policy, Communications and Involvement Teams to develop the programme and ensure successful delivery and measurable impact.

This role sits within the Clinical Research team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, proactive and growing team that is driving forward initiatives to bring more clinical trials to the UK for people living with or likely to develop dementia. With the first generation of disease modifying treatments recently approved, this is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with strong research experience who understands the clinical research environment in the UK, to contribute to groundbreaking work in dementia research, aligning with and advancing on the Government's new investment initiatives in the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

1. ARUK Drug Prioritisation Programme Delivery and Development

 

· Lead on the identification of therapies with the potential to be prioritised for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia through literature search and communication with the clinical research community and key external partners, with support from the Senior Clinical Research Manager.

· Lead the development and drafting of high-quality scientific dossiers that directly inform prioritisation decisions and progression of drug candidates.

· Lead the translation of recommendations from external advisory panels into actionable next steps.

· Work with the Senior Clinical Research Manager and the Senior Clinical Programmes Operations Officer to plan drug prioritisation activities, including meeting logistics, panel engagement, feedback and to track and evaluate progress.

· Identify, evaluate, and drive forward high-impact opportunities for drug prioritisation and clinical development in consultation with Partnerships, Evidence and Funding teams.

· Design and embed scalable processes to proactively monitor the global drug development landscape, utilising databases, conference intelligence, and literature to curate a dynamic intelligence log that tracks therapeutic candidates, development progress, and emerging opportunities across industry and academia.

2. Driving the advancement of the Clinical Accelerator Programme and delivery of key components of its strategy

 

· Drive planning and implementation of new activities as relevant to continually develop and advance the clinical research strategy

· Collaborate in mapping the clinical research ecosystem, identifying gaps in research and recommending actions to address them.

· Keep abreast of developments and trends in dementia clinical research to influence ARUK's strategies and decisions.

· Support and continuously strengthen internal reporting mechanisms, ensuring timely, high-quality updates to Senior Leadership and relevant boards that enable effective governance, informed decision-making, and strong organisational coordination

· Work closely with the Research Involvement Manager to integrate best practices in involvement and co-production to ensure our research is relevant for and supported by people affected by dementia

· Ensure effective information-sharing across internal stakeholders, including Research, Fundraising, Finance, Policy, Communications and Involvement teams, to maximise the visibility, uptake and strategic use of Clinical Accelerator Programme outputs.

· Aid in the planning, production, and communication of clinical research-related content with the ARUK Communications and Fundraising teams.

3. Strengthening Relationships with External Stakeholders

 

· Foster and nurture relationships with clinical leaders and research funders in the UK to build the profile of ARUK’s clinical research and help us to accelerate research towards a cure.

· Work closely with our Research Partnerships manager to maintain and build partnerships that further our clinical research objectives.

· Support the Senior Clinical Research Manager and Head of Clinical Research in enhancing ARUK’s external profile through active participation in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders.

 

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

· PhD in a relevant biomedical field or equivalent experience in clinical or scientific research

· Strong ability to critically interpret and evaluate pre-clinical and clinical data

· Familiarity with the drug development process of taking a therapy from pre-clinical studies to regulatory approval.

· Excellent stakeholder management skills.

· Demonstrable commitment to collaborative and inclusive working.

· Proven experience in project management with the ability to adhere to deadlines and prioritise tasks.

· Understanding of research programme management.

· Experience or understanding of preparing scientific dossiers or evidence summaries to inform research prioritisation, funding, or strategic decision-making.

· Understanding of dementia research and funding landscapes.

· Experience working with biotech and pharmaceutical companies

· Exceptional scientific communication skills (written and verbal).

· Detail oriented

· Good IT skills.

· Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values.

· Values the involvement of people with lived experience in research.

· Highly self-motivated with the ability to work across different teams and departments.

· Solution-focussed with the ability to problem solve creatively.

· Able to work independently.

· Collaborative approach with ability to build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders.

· Good communicator with the ability to tailor communications to a range of audiences.

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

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

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

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

Salary: Circa £46,000 per annum, plus benefits.

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

The closing date for applications is the 28th June 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

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

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

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

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

The Head of Programming & Creative Producing is a new senior role, working with the Chief Executive to shape and deliver the artistic output of the Philharmonia.

The postholder works hand-in-hand with the Head of Artistic Planning, and members of the Executive team to programme and artistically shape traditional concert programmes at various scales and in various contexts, as well as learning and digital projects and pre- or post-concert activities. The postholder also leads on the development and producing of new performance formats for own-promoted concerts.

A first-rate creative thinker, you will be passionate about working with conductors, artists and agents to create world-class concert programmes, residencies and series, and will be able to draw on your deep knowledge and understanding of orchestral repertoire, artists, and the wider cultural context, as well as an established network of industry relationships to turn your ideas into reality.

Your artistic interests, however, will range beyond the traditional core, and you will be driven by a personal mission to engage different and new audiences with orchestral music, whether that is through music for films or games, cross-artform and cross-genre collaborations, pre-performance debates, schools performances, VR installations, or different performance formats. You will take a producing approach to new performance formats, keenly appreciative of the importance of staging, narrative and flow for contemporary audiences. 

You know the importance of equality and diversity on stage in building a future for classical music, and are an active champion of creative projects which demonstrate this. Discovering new artists and musical voices will be second nature to you, just as you will be sensitive to the needs of established artists and composers in shaping a project. While your focus is on the quality of the artistic output, you will maintain in-the-round awareness of the complex jigsaw of sometimes competing priorities and restrictions into which any project has to be delivered, including box office and audience development targets.

An important member of the HODs Team with a close relationship to the Philharmonia Orchestra Artistic Committee, this role suits a collaborative and inclusive emerging leader who acts with integrity, and who can manage complex systems and personalities in line with the Philharmonia’s mission to create the orchestral experience of the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Research and identify future featured artists, composers and guest conductors proactively

• Research and develop ideas and concepts for season themes and series

• Create mainstage programmes in line with the artistic strategy of the Philharmonia Orchestra in close consultation with the Chief Executive and conductors

Leadership and Management

• Lead on chamber music programming, including liaison with players over proposals

• Lead on the development of wrap-around activity on concert days

• Lead on opportunities for commissioning and co-commissioning of new works, negotiating commission fees and contracts. Liaison with publishers.

• Lead on programming Philharmonia Residency venues, taking both box office and logistical considerations into account

• Lead on Philharmonia Records, developing and overseeing the recordings strategy and identifying and planning recording projects for own-label release

• Initiate and develop non-standard orchestral projects for own promotions, such as film or games music formats, formats using visuals, cross-artform or cross-genre collaborations, and performances in non-traditional venues

• Artistically and operationally produce all non-standard orchestral projects, including shaping narrative, stage presentation, and close working with the venue technical staff, supported by relevant project managers

Key tasks

• Develop repertoire ideas and ensure timely registration on clash-diary, with support from Co-ordinator 

• Collaborate with Director of Tours and Project Development and partners to develop programmes for foreign touring and commercial projects, while considering market and budget limitations

• Collaborate with the Learning and Engagement Department on programming for education and learning performance formats, including Artist in Residence Programme and Orchestra Unwrapped, leading as required

• Collaborate with the Development Department on funding approaches to support programming, and work with them on programming fundraising performances and events

• Collaborate with Head of Digital Product and Experience on repertoire and project development for PO Virtual Orchestra

• Join the Artistic Committee discussions re future plans as required

• Listen to recordings to assess suitability for release, and discussing in-house recordings with Artistic Committee.

Other

• Work as part of the HODs team on developing future business plan and strategies built around the Orchestra’s mission, vision and values 

• Be in regular contact with Marketing colleagues to help shape season narrative and proof-read key documents.

• Act as artistic liaison with external promoters and project partners as required

• Attend rehearsals and performances at Southbank Centre and at venues out of London and overseas as required, in order to meet artists and monitor artistic performance and quality

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent track record of working in artistic planning or artist management (min 5-7 years)

• First-class knowledge of orchestral repertoire and artists, as well as the work of the Philharmonia Orchestra

• Demonstrable creative programming experience at an advanced level

• Demonstrable entrepreneurial mindset with a successful history of creating new projects

• Current experience of development of UK and international markets for orchestras

• First class communications, influencing, and negotiation skills – and the ability to make the case effectively and enthusiastically

• A collaborative team player able to develop excellent working relationships across the organisation 

• Flexible and positive attitude, as well as the ability to think laterally and creatively to overcome obstacles 

• High level of professionalism, self-motivation and organisation, and an ability to manage complex issues effectively. 

• Ability to regularly work out of hours and travel, as required. 

• Diplomatic and capable of being an excellent ambassador for the Philharmonia Orchestra