181 Head of research and development jobs

The Role

This is an exciting time to join Starlight. We already have considerable expertise across influence, insight and communications and a strong platform from which to build. Recent opportunities with broadcasters, parliamentarians and other influential audiences demonstrate the potential to take Starlight's voice further. The Head of Influence, Insight and Communications will bring these strands together, working with talented colleagues to spot, shape and amplify opportunities that advance our ambition to end preventable trauma in children's healthcare.

As we enter the next phase of Starlight's development, with our new strategy to end preventable trauma for children in healthcare, our focus is on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of our influencing work. Our aim is to build on our strong existing capability, bringing together complementary specialist teams to create greater strategic impact, stronger external influence and an even more integrated approach to delivering our mission.

This new Influence, Insight and Communications role brings together the existing influencing, insight and communications teams, recognising the significant overlap between strategic communications, public affairs, campaigns, insight and organisational influence. The role will provide strategic leadership across these disciplines, enabling Starlight to connect research, lived experience, policy engagement and communications around organisational priorities, and maximise our external impact.

The role will sit within the Play in Healthcare team, reflecting the shift in emphasis of our communications and marketing activity towards influencing, campaigning and systems change. It plays a critical part in making children's experiences visible, amplifying the voices of children and families, and building understanding of why emotionally safe healthcare matters.

Reporting to the Director of Play in Healthcare, and working closely with the Director of Income Generation & Engagement, the postholder will bring together Starlight's existing expertise in influence, insight and communications to translate evidence and lived experience into compelling narratives, policy positions, thought leadership and strategic communications that strengthen Starlight's reputation, influence decision-makers and support organisational growth. The postholder will identify, shape and amplify opportunities to position Starlight as a trusted voice on children's healthcare experiences and the role of play in supporting children's wellbeing, development and emotional safety.

About Starlight

Starlight is the national charity for children's play in healthcare.

We believe that healthcare should be a more humane and child-centred experience for every child. We work across the UK to champion the importance of play during treatment, care and recovery, supporting children, parents and carers, and healthcare professionals.

Our ambition is to end preventable trauma in children's healthcare.

As the UK’s independent policing think tank the Police Foundation is the only independent body in the UK dedicated to researching, promoting, and improving policing for the benefit of the public. Through rigorous evidence, innovative ideas, and trusted partnerships, we bridge the gap between police, government, academia, and communities to deliver better policing and a safer society.

As we grow our impact, we are creating a new senior leadership role to elevate our external presence, scale our events and partnerships, and boost our engagement.

Location: London (Hybrid – 3 days per week in our central London office)

Salary: Competitive: Up to £65,000 per annum depending on experience, plus excellent benefits including 32 days paid leave, flexible working and annual 4-week work from anywhere entitlement.

Contract: Permanent, full-time (or option for fractional part-time; 3 or 4 days a week).

The opportunity

This is a brand-new, high-visibility role at the heart of our organisation. You will lead and shape our external affairs function, overseeing events, marketing, and partner/sponsor relations. Reporting to the Director, you will play a pivotal role in raising the profile of the Police Foundation, building strategic relationships, and ensuring our evidence and ideas reach the widest possible audience of policymakers, police leaders, funders, and the public.

This is an exciting time to join a respected, independent think tank with ambitious plans for growth. You will have significant autonomy to design and deliver high-impact strategies, where your work directly contributes to safer communities and better policing.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy covering engagement, marketing, strategic communications, public and private events, and partnership development.
• Lead the planning and delivery of a portfolio of high-profile events, from intimate discussion dinners and policy roundtables to major national conferences and residential summits.
• Drive marketing initiatives to amplify our research, reports, and thought leadership across digital, print, and media channels.
• Build and nurture a strong network of sponsors, partners, and funders, securing sustainable support for our work.
• Work alongside our Head of Research to manage other staff and foster a collaborative and creative culture.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team to align external activities with organisational strategy and impact goals.

Work arrangements

• Hybrid working: This is a hybrid role. We believe performance is optimised with a blend of in-office time and remote working. The role requires a minimum 3 days per week in our London office (Victoria), with flexibility for the remaining time (subject to organisational needs).
• Flexible working benefits: We support flexible hours and patterns to help you balance work with personal commitments. Many of us, including the Director, have school age children and/or elderly relatives and we work hard to be a genuinely family friendly employer. We offer up to 4 weeks each year of ‘work from anywhere’ entitlement and three ‘remote reading weeks’ per year for hybrid employees.
• Irregular hours commitment: Our standard hours are 9.30am-5.30pm but regular attendance at breakfast or evening functions and occasional weekend events once or twice a year are required, with time off in lieu provided.
• Other entitlements – Our office is closed between Christmas and New Year every year. We offer a 5% employer pension contribution, and a supportive, innovative culture where training and development opportunities are encouraged.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Significant senior-level experience in external affairs, communications, marketing, events, or partnership development – ideally in a think tank, charity, public sector, or related mission-driven organisation.
• Proven track record of successfully planning and delivering high-profile events and marketing campaigns that achieve measurable impact.
• Strong experience in building and managing strategic partnerships and sponsorship relationships, with a demonstrable ability to secure funding or support and to develop and maintain good supporter relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, including police leaders, civil servants, policymakers, and media.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute integrated external affairs plans and develop innovative new events and partnership opportunities.
• Highly organised, with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and a busy events schedule.
• Commitment to the values of independent research, the virtues of democratic policing, and the mission to improve policing for the benefit of the public. The Police Foundation is a registered charity and is non-partisan.

Desirable criteria

• Recent experience of curating impactful events and developing compelling marketing materials.
• Experience working in or with the policing, criminal justice, or public policy sectors in the UK.
• Knowledge of the UK political and media landscape, particularly as it relates to crime and policing.
• Experience of line management and team development.
• Digital marketing expertise, including social media strategy, content creation, and analytics.
• Existing networks in relevant sectors (policing, justice, government, philanthropy, or media).

We welcome applications from mid-career professionals with over 10 years’ experience, and those with transferable experience from related sectors such as charities, think tanks, public affairs agencies, police staff associations, government communications, or corporate partners.

This role offers genuine autonomy, intellectual stimulation, and the chance to make a real difference. Join us in shaping the future of policing.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum 2 sides) by email explaining how you meet the essential criteria and why you are excited about this opportunity at the Police Foundation. Please include ROLE APPLICATION in the subject line.

Closing date: 6pm BST 30 September. Interviews are expected to take place in October. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if a sufficient number of applications are received. 

Applications from agencies will not be accepted.

The Police Foundation is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Only those with the right to work in the UK are invited to apply.

Join one of the South West's most ambitious and community-focused theatres.

At The Roses Theatre, we believe that great theatre can transform lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to connect, participate and thrive. As a charity, accessibility, creativity, inclusion and community impact are at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for a Development Manager to help grow fundraising income, strengthen supporter relationships and secure investment in our artistic, participation and community programmes.

Working closely with the CEO, trustees, Marketing Manager and colleagues across the organisation, you'll lead our individual giving and donor development activity while helping to grow support from trusts, foundations, corporate partners and major supporters. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious fundraising professional looking to take the next step in their development career.

Whether you're currently working as a Development Officer, Fundraising Officer or Development Executive, or you've built experience in individual giving, corporate fundraising or trusts and foundations fundraising, this role offers the opportunity to broaden your skills and make a significant impact within a supportive and ambitious organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the growth of individual giving, patron schemes and donor development initiatives.
• Build, steward and maintain strong relationships with supporters, donors and corporate partners.
• Research, develop and manage applications to trusts and foundations.
• Identify and develop new fundraising opportunities and income streams.
• Work with colleagues and trustees to deliver successful fundraising campaigns and events.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on fundraising activity and supporter engagement.

We're looking for someone who is an excellent relationship-builder, organised, proactive and passionate about connecting people to meaningful causes. Experience in fundraising, development, donor stewardship, philanthropy, corporate partnerships or trusts and foundations work would be valuable, but we're equally interested in people with transferable skills and the drive to learn and grow.

If you're motivated by helping a charity deliver creative, community-focused work and want to play a key role in shaping the future of a thriving regional theatre, we'd love to hear from you.

Salary: £27,000-£30,000 FTE
Hours: 0.8-1.0 FTE (4-5 days per week)
Location: The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, with flexible and hybrid working available
Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)
Job Share: Applications for job share arrangements are welcome
Start Date: ASAP / Autumn 2026

The Roses Theatre is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Keywords: #DevelopmentManager #Fundraising #CharityJobs #IndividualGiving #DonorDevelopment #Philanthropy #TrustsAndFoundations #CorporatePartnerships #ArtsFundraising #ThirdSectorJobs #FundraisingJobs #CharityFundraising

The National Biodiversity Network Trust is the UK charity dedicated to making biodiversity data accessible and useful. We co-ordinate the National Biodiversity Network, develop the NBN Atlas, support iNaturalistUK and are developing the NBN Record Manager. Our work connects biological recording, digital infrastructure and better decisions for nature across the UK. 

Our vision is Nature thriving everywhere, in all its diversity.
Our mission is Making data work for nature.

We are looking for an experienced leader to undertake a newly-created Head of Data & Digital role reporting to the Chief Executive Officer on a full-time fixed-term contract of 24 months.
 

Purpose of Job
 

• Lead the NBN Trust’s data and digital function, providing strategic and functional leadership across the NBN Atlas, related digital products and services, and the Trust’s wider data and digital portfolio.

• Line manages the Trust’s data and technical team managers, ensuring clear priorities, strong performance, proportionate governance, and effective delivery across business as usual, funded projects, and strategic development.

• Ensure the Trust’s data and digital work is led in a way that is inclusive, accessible, and supportive of a diverse range of staff, partners, and users.

• Deliver the Trust’s 2-year National Lottery Heritage Fund’s organisational sustainability project, “Building a Sustainable Future for the UK’s Biodiversity Data Heritage”, including the development and testing of value-added data and digital services, hosted products, and support offers that strengthen financial resilience without compromising the Trust’s public good role.

• Support the strategic direction, stewardship, and future sustainability of the NBN Atlas, related digital products and services, and the Trust’s wider technical delivery, ensuring that risks, opportunities, and investment choices are well managed.

•  Play an active role in the NBN Trust’s Executive Team, contributing to organisational planning, funding development, cross Trust collaboration, and external engagement where this supports delivery and the Trust’s wider strategic objectives.

• The role provides strategic and functional leadership across the Trust’s data and digital work, working closely with the Principal Software Engineer as the Trust’s senior software engineering lead. 

Main Responsibilities
 

Strategic Leadership and Function Management
 

·   Lead the Trust’s data and digital function, aligning work with organisational priorities, the NBN Atlas strategy, and the wider Operating Plan.

·   Provide strategic advice to the CEO and senior colleagues on delivery priorities, service development, digital risk, technical resilience, and future investment needs.

·   Translate complex technical, delivery, and service development issues into clear options, trade-offs, and recommendations for the CEO, Executive Team, Board, and relevant committees.

·   Lead, line manage, and develop the Trust’s data and technical managers, and relevant technical project staff, ensuring clear objectives, strong management practice, accountability, wellbeing support, and effective performance management.

·   Build leadership capacity within the function, supporting managers to develop their teams, handle performance issues well, and contribute positively to the Trust’s culture and ways of working.

·   Assess capacity, sequencing, and resource pressures across the data and digital portfolio, working with team managers to identify priorities, trade-offs, and resourcing needs and advise the CEO accordingly.

·   Work across the Trust to improve prioritisation, sequencing, decision making, and resource allocation across data and digital activity.

·      Champion inclusive leadership and equality, diversity and inclusion in team management, service design, recruitment, and ways of working, helping ensure the Trust’s data and digital function is accessible, supportive, and well-led.

Data Infrastructure, Services, and Innovation
 

·    Provide strategic leadership for the stewardship, prioritisation, development, and continuous improvement of the NBN Atlas and related data and digital products and services, working with the relevant data, technical, and programme leads.

·    Ensure data and digital activity support the long-term accessibility, usability, quality, and public value of biodiversity records and related digital services.

·    Lead diagnostic work, market testing, and service development to identify viable value-added data and digital offers, working with relevant data, technical, programme, and commercial colleagues to shape propositions.

·    Oversee the selection, development, and testing of pilot services, hosted products, training, or support offers, working with the relevant delivery leads and refining propositions in light of evidence, demand, legal advice, licensing constraints, and delivery capacity.

Governance, Risk and Project Delivery
 

·    Lead delivery of the organisational resilience project within agreed scope, time, and budget, with support from colleagues and external consultants as required.

·    Ensure major data and digital programmes have proportionate project governance, reporting, stakeholder, and advisory arrangements in place, working with relevant programme and project leads and identifying additional project support where required.

·     Commission and manage consultants and contractors, ensuring briefs are clear, outputs are practical, and learning is embedded in delivery, working with relevant technical or data leads where specialist assessment or oversight is required.

·     Act as the senior staff lead for the Data and Technology Committee, working in partnership with its Trustee Chair and relevant data and technical leads to support effective oversight of the Trust’s data and digital infrastructure, strategic development, risk, and associated governance.

·     Oversee function-level risks relating to data and digital resilience, data governance, licensing, delivery capacity, and service sustainability, working with the relevant technical and data leads to ensure specialist risks are identified, managed, and escalated appropriately.

·     Balance governance, assurance, and innovation so that data and digital systems support delivery, resilience, and public value without creating unnecessary burden.

·      Work with finance and programme colleagues to ensure accurate budgeting, reporting, monitoring, and evidence of impact.

Partnerships, Income Development and External Engagement
 

·   Build and manage relationships with key partners, data providers, heritage and conservation organisations, public bodies, consultancies, funders, and prospective service users.

·   Help shape and test future income opportunities, including service offers, hosted portals, training, funded programmes, and strategic partnerships.

·    Develop and support fundable and deliverable future propositions arising from the work, ensuring the Trust is better positioned for long term resilience.

·    Act as the Trust’s UK Node Manager for GBIF, leading relationships, coordination, and representation linked to the UK Node function, and ensuring this role supports the Trust’s wider strategic, technical, and partnership objectives.

·    Represent the Trust externally on biodiversity data infrastructure, digital leadership, service development, standards, and innovation, working alongside relevant technical and data leads where specialist expertise is required

Trust Wide Contribution
 

·    Play an active role in the Executive Team, contributing to organisational planning, business improvement, and wider strategic discussions.

·    Keep the wider NBN Trust team up to date with, and involved in, relevant data and digital activity as appropriate.

·    Contribute to Trust wide initiatives, events, business planning, and other activities as needed.

·    Share ideas, lessons learned, and opportunities openly to improve organisational performance.

General Responsibilities  
 

• Attend any required learning and development opportunities. 
• Collaborate effectively with other departments.  
• Contribute to a respectful and inclusive working environment. 
• Ensure commitment to continuous professional development. 
• Follow organisational policies including Health & Safety, Cybersecurity, IT, Finance, and EDI.  

The ability to travel occasionally is required, including international travel. Candidates must also be based in and have the right to work in the UK, and be able to work effectively from home. 

These are the criteria we will be looking for in your application. If you don't meet all of them in full, but can offer something else that would help you excel in the role, we'd still encourage you to apply.

Essential Experience and Qualities
 

·   Strong leadership experience in data, digital, technical, product, or programme roles, ideally with responsibility for teams, delivery, and strategic planning.

·   Ability to operate at both strategic and practical levels, moving between organisational leadership, service design, risk management, and delivery oversight.
·   Experience of commissioning and managing consultants, contractors, or specialist external support to deliver clear and practical outputs.
·   Experience of developing partnerships, shaping propositions, or securing income through funded programmes, service offers, or strategic collaboration.
·   Good judgement, with the ability to assess trade-offs, challenge assumptions, and make proportionate decisions in a resource-constrained environment.
·   Strong communication and relationship management skills, including confidence with senior stakeholders, funders, partners, and technical specialists.

·   Knowledge of biodiversity data infrastructure, environmental data, heritage data, or closely related fields would be beneficial, but is not essential if the candidate can learn quickly and lead credibly.

·   Experience of working with Boards, committees, or governance groups, including presenting complex issues clearly and supporting effective decision-making.

 

Remote/London (must be able to attend the London office at least twice per month if remote working)

Permanent | Part-time (4 days / 28 hours per week)

£44,358 (London-based) / £39,587 (non-London-based) FTE + excellent benefits

Join our Research & Outcomes team at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and help shape the future of speech and language therapy. You’ll plan, deliver and evaluate projects that strengthen research capacity, capability and culture across the profession, champion evidence-based practice, and support members in making the most of outcomes, health informatics and data.

Who we are

The RCSLT is the professional body for speech and language therapists across the UK. The RCSLT has over 24,000 members and employs around 65 staff predominately based in a London office. The RCSLT also has offices in Belfast, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with communication and swallowing needs by facilitating and promoting research, producing guidance, holding events, and influencing government. We aim to promote better education and training for speech and language therapists and provide information to our members and the public about speech and language therapy.

The role

As a Research & Outcomes Officer, you’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering the RCSLT’s research and outcomes work, helping to strengthen research culture, champion evidence-based practice and support the profession to make better use of evidence and data.

You’ll take operational responsibility for a varied portfolio of projects and initiatives, from research priority setting and engagement, to collecting and analysing data, supporting evidence synthesis and monitoring impact. You’ll also help bring this work to life through engaging communications across RCSLT research channels, as well as presentations, webinars, conferences and events.

Working closely with RCSLT members, colleagues and external stakeholders, you’ll provide expert, evidence-based advice on research, outcomes, clinical and professional issues, while responding to enquiries and supporting teams across the organisation to identify, understand and apply research evidence.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys combining research, project delivery, data, communication and stakeholder engagement, and who wants to make a tangible difference to the future of speech and language therapy.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist and current RCSLT member with strong clinical and professional knowledge and a passion for research and evidence-based practice. You’ll have experience of literature searching, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis, alongside knowledge of research, evaluation, outcome measures and data analysis.

You’ll be confident turning complex evidence and data into clear, accessible insights and communicating these effectively to a range of audiences.

You’ll be highly organised, analytical and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities. A collaborative approach is essential, as you’ll work with members, colleagues and external stakeholders to provide expert guidance and support. Above all, you’ll be committed to using research and evidence to improve practice and outcomes, championing equality, diversity and inclusion, and contributing positively to the RCSLT’s aims and values.

What we can offer you

• A competitive starting salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent staff training and development opportunities
• Supportive and flexible working environment including, hybrid working arrangements
• Generous Pension scheme
• Life insurance cover
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• Eye care voucher scheme
• Family friendly employer including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and more!

How to apply

For more information and to apply, please visit our careers portal.

Closing date: 9.00am on Monday, 19 October 2026.

Interview date: w/c Monday 2 November 2026 (held virtually).

There may be a task that will be needed to be completed as part of the interview process.

We are committed to a fair, transparent, and inclusive recruitment process. All applications are handled with strict confidentiality to protect your privacy and encourage openness throughout the process.

The RCSLT is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. We aim to embed equity, diversity, and belonging practices throughout our recruitment and selection procedures. We strive to ensure everyone is valued equally for their contribution, experience, knowledge, and skills. We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds.

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

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

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

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

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

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

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

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

Application Process:

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

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

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

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

Closing Date: Friday 25 September at 11:59pm

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

CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER

Head of External Affairs (Maternity cover) - January 2027 start

· Maternity cover

· Salary £62,388 per annum

· Full or part time (minimum 4 days a week)

· Flexible working options will be supported.

· Central London Office and Hybrid working (at least 6 days a month office attendance)

We offer a pension scheme with employer contribution up to 10%, in addition you’ll receive 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, 24-hour access to a comprehensive employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan scheme and other benefits.

Help shape the UK's response to an ageing society

The Centre for Ageing Better is looking for an experienced, politically astute and ambitious Head of External Affairs to join us on a maternity cover contract.

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the UK's most influential voices on ageing at a time of significant social, economic and political change. As Head of External Affairs, you will lead our communications, public affairs and campaigning work, helping us secure greater government attention, commitment and action on the opportunities and challenges of our ageing society.

Alongside leading a high-performing team, you will personally drive some of our most strategically important influencing priorities. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, you will lead high-profile programmes of work across our action areas of Work, Homes & Communities and Ageism & Inequality, helping to ensure that government, parliamentarians, local leaders and other decision-makers take meaningful action to improve the experience of ageing. These programmes will sit at the heart of our efforts to make ageing a mainstream political priority and secure practical policy change.

This is an ideal role for someone who combines outstanding strategic leadership with a track record of delivering high-impact public affairs, policy and communications programmes that have achieved real-world change.

About you

We're looking for someone who brings a blend of strategic leadership, political awareness and hands-on delivery experience.

You will have:

• Significant experience in public affairs, strategic communications, campaigning and policy influencing.
• A strong track record of securing policy, political or systems change through effective influencing and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of working successfully with Westminster, Whitehall and other senior decision-makers.
• Demonstrable experience of developing policy positions and translating evidence, research and evaluation into compelling content and influencing narratives.
• Experience of leading high-profile programmes, campaigns or initiatives that have attracted government attention and resulted in action from decision-makers.
• A track record of developing and delivering integrated communications and influencing strategies that achieve measurable impact.
• Excellent writing, stakeholder management and political influencing skills.
• Strong leadership and people management experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• The ability to think strategically while also delivering complex projects and responding to a fast-changing external environment.

About us

The Centre for Ageing Better is an independent centre of excellence on ageing and demographic change. We work with national and local government, industries, businesses and community organisations to improve how people experience ageing. Our work focuses on creating better workplaces, homes and communities, while tackling ageism and addressing inequality in later life.

The Centre for Ageing Better is a charitable foundation funded by The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and part of the government’s What Works Network. We are fortunate to have monies remaining from our endowment from the NLCF to fully fund us until 2029, and we will be looking for new funding opportunities to sustain activity beyond 2029.

We are striving to create an organisation that reflects our society and the communities we serve with a workplace where everyone feels empowered and where diversity of background and thought is celebrated. We know there is more work to be done and are committed to continuing to improve our practice around Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

We very much welcome applications from minority groups and those underrepresented in our workforce. This especially includes people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBT+ people, and Disabled people. 

We are a Positive Action employer, therefore in recruitment where two candidates are ‘as qualified as’ each other, we will favour a candidate from any group identified as currently underrepresented in our team based on protected characteristics as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

To Apply

To apply, please follow the link to complete an application form and Equality and Diversity form.

Please address in your supporting statement how you meet the person specification for the role as fully as possible to demonstrate why you should be shortlisted for an interview for this post.

Failure to do so will result in your application being automatically rejected.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace and the support that generative AI can offer. However, we would encourage you to write your supporting statement and complete your application without the use of AI and if you do use AI, to avoid copy and pasting and to consider the value it will add. We encourage you to showcase your experience and knowledge using your own unique voice.

The closing date for this role is 9am on Monday 28th September, with in- person interviews to take place during the week commencing 26th October with an expected W/C 4th January start date.

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

The Role

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

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

Who You Are

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

About Build Up

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

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

Why Join Us

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

Key Details

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

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

To Apply

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

Applications close Sunday 20th September 2026.

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

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

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

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

About High Trees

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

About the role

As Head of Community Research & Impact, you will:

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

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

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

Why join us?

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

To identify new prospects (trusts, foundations, philanthropists, corporates) to support the development and strategic objectives of The Christie Charity.

To manage post-award impact and reporting requirements of The Christie Charity and work closely with the Grants Manager, who will focus primarily on the pre-award stage of the grant life cycle.

To source and share industry information across the Charity.

The role will be instrumental in both developing and expanding our prospect pipeline, identifying new opportunities and providing high-quality research materials to support our fundraising efforts.

WHY THE CHRISTIE CHARITY?

If you want to make a real difference to cancer patients and are ready to rise to the challenge of working for one of the most successful charities in the Northwest, this role could be for you.

The Christie Charity is a vibrant, fast moving, energetic organisation with a passionate team and a fantastic reputation. This is an exciting time to join The Christie Charity as we embark on a period of transformational growth with the launch of key capital appeals enabling us to see a real step change in our income. We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our successful fundraising team at this exciting time.

We are an independent charity and everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie hospital to ensure that cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology. We provide enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds.

The Christie Charity operates from the same campus as The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Role 

Bowel Research UK are looking for a manager with experience across either philanthropy, corporate partnerships or both to join their Fundraising team in a new role.

This role will lead and manage the corporate and philanthropy income streams, building on existing successes, spotting opportunities to engage new partners and donors, and nurture green shoots. 

This role, with support from the Head of Fundraising and Communications, will develop, embed and lead the corporate and philanthropy strategy. As such, Bowel Research UK needs an experienced corporate and/or philanthropy fundraiser with well-developed relationship management skills. Someone who is excited by the opportunity of shaping, developing and elevating these important supporters for the charity.

This role will manage two direct reports across community fundraising, challenge events, supporter care and data. Experience managing staff or volunteers would be helpful, but Bowel Research UK are open to applications from candidates for whom this would be a development area.

Equally, Bowel Research UK are open to applications from those looking to develop their expertise and will be fully supported, should they not have equal experience in corporate partnerships and philanthropy. The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate experience across areas such as prospecting, pitching and account management. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment at organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the deadline for expressions of interest.

If you need assistance with downloading the pack or any reasonable adjustments to ensure you can engage with the selection process, please contact THINK Recruitment and our team will support you.

Deadline for expressions of interest: EOD Friday 2nd October 

Closing date for full applications: Midnight Monday 5th October 

Interviews are expected to be two stages, with Stage 1 being virtual via Teams and Stage 2 in person in London.

Sightsavers is looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Major Donor Fundraising to lead the next phase of growth for our high value individual giving programme. This role can be worked full time or part time, with a minimum of four days per week, and is UK based with regular travel to our Haywards Heath office.

As part of the Fundraising and Marketing directorate, you will develop and deliver a long-term major donor strategy, lead a specialist team and personally manage a focused portfolio of high value donors and prospects. The role will focus on supporters giving £10,000 or more per year, while also strengthening nurture and loyalty programmes that help build a sustainable future pipeline of philanthropic support.

Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, technical leadership, programme delivery, finance, planning and senior leadership, you will identify compelling funding opportunities and help build strong cases for support. You will also represent Sightsavers externally with donors, prospects, philanthropy advisers, wealth advisers and sector networks.

We would like to hear from confident and collaborative senior fundraisers with experience of leading or managing a high value fundraising programme. You will bring a strong track record of securing, cultivating and stewarding significant gifts, including six-figure prospects, alongside the ability to use data and insight to manage pipelines, forecast income and support decision-making. You will also bring the relationship-building skills to work effectively with trustees, senior leaders, high net worth individuals and external advisers.

Application and interview process
To apply, please complete an application through our recruitment portal by uploading an up-to-date CV and answering the job-specific questions. We are particularly interested in understanding your motivation for applying. We anticipate a two-stage interview process, with first interviews from w/c 12 October and second-round interviews expected w/c 19 or 26 October 2026. The process will include a role-specific presentation task at first interview stage, and one interview will be held in person at our Haywards Heath office. We would like the successful candidate to start by the end of January 2027.

Sightsavers is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences and are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

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

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

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

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

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

Please note that the organisation operates a hybrid working policy.

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

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

To Apply

Please attach your CV and Cover Letter.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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

Closing date: 25th September 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:

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

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes:

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

Desirable Experience, Skills and Attributes:

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

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