Head of research and development jobs

 Job Title: Research and Impact Lead

Contract type: Full time, 12 months maternity cover with the potential to extend

Salary: £46-£53,000 per year (depending on experience) 

Location: Hybrid with a minimum of 8 office days per month in either our London or Leeds office. The post will require some UK travel for project work and events, particularly around the North of England

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. Each year we reach over 1.4 million children and families across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with every local authority, delivering evidence-informed programmes that make a measurable difference to children’s reading behaviours. Our work is rooted in the belief that every child, especially those from low income or vulnerable family backgrounds, deserves the chance to enjoy reading and all the lifelong benefits it brings.  

Job Summary

The Research and Impact Lead role brings scope for collaboration and creativity working closely with BookTrust colleagues, our partners and families, as part of a team of research and impact specialists. In this role we are looking for an experienced and motivated mixed methods researcher and evaluator, with excellent partnership, collaboration and communication skills. The role is likely to suit someone with experience of taking overall accountability for delivery of research and evaluation projects. We are seeking candidates with previous experience of place-based learning and evaluation or strong skills that would be transferable to this context, alongside a strong interest in developing expertise in place-based learning and evaluation.

We will provide excellent opportunities for the postholder to further develop their research, leadership and partnership skills in support of a fast changing, purpose driven national charity. We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and provide on-the-job learning and formal training.

Application

Please apply using the BookTrust Vacancies website, where you can attach a copy of your CV along with a covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role. Your covering letter should not be longer than two sides. Please also answer this question in your cover letter:

BookTrust is setting up a new place-based pilot to develop a sustainable, place-led model for support which seeks to deepen impact and reach families in greatest need within a particular community. What are some of the principles of good place-based learning and evaluation that BookTrust should incorporate into this work?

Please also attach one or two examples of research, evaluation or learning outputs (reports, presentations etc) you have produced and also specify if you are applying to be based from our Leeds of London office.

Closing date: 14th November

Interviews: Interviews will be in two stages - 1st stage interviews will be on w/c 24th November, via Teams   

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 to discuss your requirements further.

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.

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to drive the growth of our community fundraising programme. You’ll lead a high-performing team, develop innovative fundraising initiatives, and work collaboratively across the Charity. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference for people affected by cancer, working alongside passionate colleagues and dedicated supporters.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and grow the Charity’s community fundraising programme, supporting world-class cancer research and care.
• Play an active role in the leadership and operational management of the Charity.
• Manage and develop a high-performing Community Fundraising team, championing our values and supporting learning and development.
• Oversee our flagship fundraising event, The Banham Marsden March, and a diverse portfolio of mass participation events.
• Support the team to build long term relationships with our community supporters, raising up to six figure sums.
• Collaborate across Public Fundraising and Philanthropy & Partnerships to optimise supporter journeys and maximise income opportunities.
• Optimise the performance of the Community Fundraising product portfolio, developing new initiatives to reach new audiences and deliver sustainable income growth.
• Ensure the team are fully informed and compliant with all existing and future changes to fundraising regulation and legislation and embed best practice processes. 

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience leading and managing high-performing Community Fundraising or Events team, driving performance and embedding change.
• Demonstrable success in developing and delivering fundraising strategies to meet or exceed ambitious financial targets.
• Extensive experience delivering a diverse range of community fundraising activities, including large-scale mass participation events.
• Experience setting and managing budgets.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with a variety of stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, with the ability to embed inclusive principles across the team and supporter engagement.
• Ability to respond sensitively to emotional circumstances, including distressed or bereaved donors.

What we offer:

• Hybrid working between home and Sutton with occasional travel to Chelsea.
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am to 4pm
• 27 days annual leave rising with length of service
• Up to 6% employer contributions subject to matched contribution from you (increasing with length of service)
• Training, support and development opportunities
• Access to the blue light discount scheme and other discounts opportunities
• Access to subsidised staff restaurants, on-site yoga and wellbeing classes, staff choir and much more
• Range of wellbeing initiatives including access to an employee assistance programme designed to save money and improve your physical, financial and mental health and wellbeing, access to free online GP appointments and free eye tests and contribution towards any glasses required for work purposes

Inclusion Matters

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an experienced and passionate Head of Children, Young People & Families (CYPF) to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a wide-ranging CYPF service that directly supports over 400 children and young people each year, and many more through partnerships. You will lead the newly redeveloped Tulse Hill Adventure Playground, ensuring it thrives as a hub for children, young people and families, alongside a portfolio of impactful programmes including school-based mentoring, young leaders’ programmes, family stay-and-play, and peer-led social action.

Supported by our Adventure Playground Manager and a team of youth and play workers, this is an incredibly exciting time for the service – the newly built structures, alongside a small animal area and a growing area, are ready to build an ambitious service around that meets the needs and interests of local children and families.

High Trees is also the lead partner in Building Young Brixton (BYB) – a consortium of 10 youth organisations working with 2,000 young people across Lambeth – which you will coordinate, alongside contributing to the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.

Our Head of CYPF plays a key leadership role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on involvement. You will bring significant experience in youth or community work, with the skills to manage multifaceted services, lead teams, and build strong partnerships with local organisations, schools and statutory bodies. By working closely with our team and partners, you will help ensure that children and young people in Lambeth have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.

Our incredible interim Head of Service will be happy to arrange an informal chat with interested candidates to discuss the day to day responsibilities of the role.

About High Trees

Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for over 27 years. We delivery 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 Children, Young People and Families, you will:

• Lead and inspire our Children, Young People and Families team to deliver high-impact, community-led work.
• Oversee a portfolio of projects and contracts, ensuring they are delivered to time, budget, and quality.
• Build and strengthen partnerships across the sector to support children, young people and families in Lambeth.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for CYPF services and partnerships.
• Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, helping shape organisational strategy and drive our ambitions across all service areas.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant experience in working with Children, Young People and Families.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing complex projects.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills across diverse stakeholders.
• A strategic but practical approach with the ability to balance day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
• A passion for place-based working, collaboration, and advocating for the needs of children and young people.

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 play a pivotal role in shaping CYPF services and ensuring that children and young people in Lambeth have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking a collaborative and organised Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) Coordinator to play a pivotal role in the growth and coordination of a borough-wide partnership driving change in how research is designed and delivered. 

This is an exciting opportunity to support a dynamic, cross-sector network that connects community organisations, researchers, and public institutions to ensure that research in Lambeth is fairer, more inclusive, and community-led. 

You’ll help coordinate the network’s programme of events and projects, strengthen member engagement, and lead on communications that celebrate and share learning. Working within High Trees’ Research and Impact team, you’ll ensure the LCRN continues to thrive as a collaborative and well-connected space that champions community voice and knowledge. 

If you’re a strong communicator with excellent organisational skills and a passion for community-led research, partnership working, and social impact –  we’d love to hear from you. 

About High Trees 

High Trees Community Development Trust has been rooted in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, for over 27 years. We deliver services in education and training, employment, youth and family work, community action, and research and capacity building, working alongside local people and organisations to create meaningful change. 

We are recognised for our collaborative and place-based approach, our long-term partnerships, and our commitment to equity, participation, and community leadership. 

At High Trees, you’ll join a supportive, values-driven organisation that places community at the heart of decision-making. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative and meaningful work that strengthens the influence of communities in shaping research, policy, and practice across Lambeth and beyond. 

About the Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) 

The Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN), hosted and led by High Trees, brings together community organisations, research institutions, funders and public bodies to create a more equitable research ecosystem. 

The network aims to rebalance power in research, ensuring that communities – particularly those often underrepresented –  have genuine ownership and influence over how research is designed, delivered and used. 

Through collaboration, learning, and shared accountability, LCRN members are shaping a model for community-led research that leads to stronger insights, better decisions and more equitable outcomes for Lambeth residents.

Purpose

The Fundraising Development Officer supports the delivery of our individual giving programme, helping to nurture current supporters and attract new ones.

You will be responsible for building our regular giving support, implementing supporter journeys and co-ordinating our annual appeals. You will also work closely with the Head of Fundraising in developing our major donor plans, and support with other individual giving channels, including in-memory giving and legacy giving.

We are looking for someone who has great communication and relationship management skills, and a collaborative approach. You will be a self-motivated, proactive and analytical individual with the ability to build, manage and develop relationships across teams.

While a background in fundraising is desirable, it is not essential. If you bring the right skills and are willing to learn, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities and duties

• Manage our ‘Friends of Charlie Waller’ regular giving scheme, building the supporter numbers and engagement with the charity.
• Deliver exceptional supporter care to our regular supporters, recognising opportunities for deeper engagement and potential for further support.
• Implement the supporter journeys for regular and one-off donors, creating communications to engage them with the cause and understand the impact.
• Co-ordinate and deliver our appeals cycle, working closely with colleagues across the charity to collate appeal content, including case studies, statistics and images.
• Support the delivery and development of our major donor plans, identifying prospects within our supporter base and assisting with stewardship plans.
• Support the delivery and development of our plans for building in-memory and legacy giving, including the administering of gifts, stewardship of supporters and contributing to cultivation events.
• Provide regular updates on progress against agreed objectives and contribute to wider departmental fundraising reports as required.
• Attend CWT events as appropriate to establish new contacts, develop existing relationships, and raise the profile of CWT with potential supporters.
• Ensure that systems and processes are effective, and that our database is being updated and utilised as the central source of information.
• Ensure compliance to data protection, safeguarding, confidentiality and relevant organisational policies and procedures. 
• Routine call handling as part of the wider office administrative team.
• Other duties as may be reasonably prescribed by the trust, appropriate to the grade and responsibilities of the post.

To apply

If you would like an informal discussion about the role with our Head of Fundraising, this can be arranged via email to recruitment(at)charliewaller(dot)org 

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 24th November 2025.

Please submit via your chosen job website, or send your CV and a supporting statement to recruitment(at)charliewaller(dot)org. We ask that you structure your supporting statement, by providing relevant information under person specification bullet points (combining these if multiple points are effectively responded to by one experience). Please try to keep your supporting statement to a maximum of 800 words, excluding headers. Applications will not be considered without a supporting statement.

You will hear back from us by Friday 28th November, if not before and should you be shortlisted, an interview will take place w/c 1st December and will involve a competency interview along with a short written task relevant to the role.

We will provide details about the task 24 hours in advance to allow candidates time to prepare and we will also provide 50% of the interview questions in advance so that all candidates can perform at their best.

Please see the attached job description for our person specification.

This role is essential in our drive for evidencing the impact of the work we do. You will lead and manage a large-scale, multi-organisation piece of research aiming to highlight the impact of our programmes. You will play a key role in ensuring the main research project and any supplementary research projects are delivered efficiently and ethically. You will use data and evidence to inform practice and work closely with the Programme Specialist for Pilots and the wider Quality and Impact Team as required.  Additionally, you will project manage additional cross-organisational projects as required in support of our growing charity. 

This is role is a fixed-term contract for 18 months. 

Travel throughout the UK may be required.   

You will report to the Head of Quality and Impact. 

Key Responsibilities 

· You will be accountable for the oversight of the main research and any supplementary research projects from initiation to completion.

· You will collaborate with the Programme Specialist for Pilots and the Associate Director of Business Development to ensure delivery of the research and ensure alignment and fidelity to the research plan.

· You will work with the Head of Quality and Impact and Finance Team to ensure that the project/s meet agreed objectives, timelines and budgets. 

· You will support the development of project documentation. 

· You will deliver reports and presentations as required both internally and externally from DFN Project SEARCH to share information regarding the research project. 

· You will be accountable for collecting, analysing and reporting on data that is relevant to the organisation. 

Starting Salary: £54,269 - £59,422 (including LW)  

Contract: Permanent  

Location: Romero House, London - Hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of your time in the London head Office

Job Profile

CAFOD has an ambition to be digital first in our marketing and communications, to stay ahead of emerging trends and make the most of what digital technology can offer to strengthen our relationships with our supporters and in our ways of working across the organisation. Digital technology has already transformed our communications and will continue to do so. This senior communications and marketing role will be responsible for steering the ongoing digital transformation of CAFODs work, primarily in the supporter programme and also across the wider organisation.

This role encompasses overall responsibility for the brand, digital marketing, messaging, proactive and reactive media relations, with a core focus on digital transformation across all platforms. This post will play a key role in guiding our digital shop fronts and marketing efforts, evolving supporter journeys, steering our email programme and leading on the digital infrastructure to enable delivery of our supporter programme. It will ensure that digital engagement and conversion is embedded and an integral part of our communications planning. 

This role will drive innovation and data-informed insight across the full spectrum of communications and wider organisation functions. It will embed a digital-first approach across teams and guide and accompany the wider organisation on harnessing opportunities of new technologies, making digital engagement integral to communications planning. 

This role will drive brand awareness, brand advocacy and action across our programmes to ensure CAFOD is top of mind amongst the Catholic Community of England and Wales, helping to grow support from our constituency. You will bring proven senior-level experience in digital communications and marketing, ideally within the charity sector. With a strong understanding of communications at a senior level with expert knowledge of digital channels, audience engagement, and online conversion, you also have a strategic grasp of how digital integrates into broader communications and supporter strategies. Your leadership style is collaborative and visionary, and you have the gravitas and expertise to set the digital marketing direction for a large organisation, while bringing all teams along with your vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development, direction setting and delivery of an ambitious, insight-led digital-first communications strategy that enhances supporter journeys, increases engagement and drives measurable growth in support of our supporter programme, especially our parishioner-first fundraising strategy. 

• Act as CAFODs senior expert on communications, advising the Executive team, across departments and influencing strategic decision-making, including on digital direction and development, at the highest level. 

• Lead complex cross-organisational projects that improve our digital supporter experience, from acquisition to long-term engagement and conversion, ensuring timeliness and consistency with supporter programme priorities, especially the parishioner-first fundraising strategy and approach. 

• Provide leadership and overall oversight of external communications and messaging, including brand consistency and press/media engagement, ensuring consistency between our fundraising efforts, our campaigning work and profiling our international work to supporters and key stakeholders.

• Lead and oversee the digital teams - email marketing programme, social media engagement, digital developments, campaigns and the website, to ensure user experience is optimised and platforms support our supporter programme and broader organisational strategic objectives and ambitions. 

• Lead the media team to explore and encourage new approaches including how we further maximise the digital media landscape.

• Line manage senior specialists across digital marketing, website, and media and PR, ensuring high performance and professional growth. 

• Work closely with IT, data and external agencies to ensure agile, secure and effective digital delivery across platforms. 

• Represent the organisation externally where appropriate, with a focus on digital thought leadership. 
• Develop and manage the communications budget effectively, aligning resources to priority areas and demonstrating clear impact. Agree and ensure accountability for objectives and KPIs as part of the wider supporter strategy, fostering a culture of ongoing learning, adaptation and improvement.  

Safeguarding 

All CAFOD staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

Person Specification 

• Extensive experience in a senior digital communications and marketing leadership role, with demonstrable success in developing and delivering integrated and audience-led multi-channel communications and marketing strategies. 
• Strong experience of overseeing development of supporter journeys and objectives, website development, CRM integration and email engagement and conversion. 
• Passionate about digital innovation and technologies, with deep knowledge of platforms, formats, and trends. 
• Committed to insight-led and data-driven approaches with skills to use digital tools, platforms and analytics to shape decisions and measure impact. 
• Excellent leadership, inter-personal and team management skills, with the ability to develop and motivate multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Strong cross-functional project management ability, with experience leading organisational change in digital capability. 
• Understanding of broader communications and marketing disciplines, with the ability to ensure alignment and brand consistency and also oversee media and PR work, including reputational risk and crisis communications. 
• Understanding of the Catholic church in England and Wales and knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching. 
• A track record of strong written and spoken communication skills. 
• Highly organised, able to manage a busy workload and consistently meet deadlines. 

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults 

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures. 

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Research & Operations Manager to work as part of our Fundraising Team.

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

The Fundraising team is a dynamic group of fundraisers who are passionately committed to raising money for our life-changing work in the mental health and mental illness space. We have a diverse portfolio of income streams spanning Events, Community, Individual Giving, Legacies, In-Memoriam, Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants and Partnerships.

Trusts & Grants have a strong track record at Rethink Mental Illness and a growing portfolio of supporters at Mental Health UK. The team is well-positioned to develop innovative funding propositions that support the future ambitions of both charities, working to achieve both in-year cornerstone grants and long-term, transformational funding. As a newly established programme, Philanthropy demonstrates exciting potential for both Rethink and MHUK, with initiatives spanning major donor and mid-value engagement. Corporate Partnerships have launched several exciting partnerships across both charities and that portfolio and team continue to grow.

How you will make a difference

We are looking for a Research and Operations Manager to join our passionate fundraising team. You will play a pivotal role in driving high-value fundraising outcomes across Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK by delivering a strategic, insight-led approach to prospect research and portfolio management.

Managing the Senior Philanthropy and Research Officer you will oversee the identification, qualification and prioritisation of prospects across Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants and Corporate Partnerships. You will lead on due diligence processes, prospect pipeline management, connection mapping and the development of systems and tools that enable data-driven decision-making. Working closely with senior fundraisers and the Interim Head of Trusts and Philanthropy, you will ensure teams have the intelligence and insights needed to build strong, meaningful donor relationships.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here. 

About the role ofHead of Principal Donors

As Head of Principal Donors, you will lead and manage the Foundation’s philanthropy programme, working closely with our senior leadership team and our founder to personally cultivate and steward the Foundation’s principal donors. This includes overseeing our recently formed Accelerate Circle – a select group of visionary philanthropists who help drive the Foundation’s fundraising through their networks.

In this role you will:

• Develop and deliver the Foundation’s philanthropy strategy, playing an active
  leadership role in the successful delivery of income growth from UHNWI and
  HNWIs
• Develop the Accelerate Circle of patrons and deliver a solicitation strategy to
  expand membership and grow our community of donors and supporters
• Provide exceptional stewardship to existing donors and cultivate new donors
• Work closely with our founder and their office to design, plan and deliver highROI engagement such as income-generating dinners or paid speeches
• With the Director Fundraising and Communications, develop annual plans and
  budgets, along with longer term forecasts for income from individuals
• Work proactively with our Communications and Programmes teams to identify
  and create funded or high-return opportunities to gain visibility in key markets
• Support staff to deliver and, where appropriate, lead on fundraising and
  cultivation events and donor trips
• In consultation with the Director, lead on financial reporting for philanthropy
  income, advising on risks and opportunities, producing regular reports of
  income against plans and forecasts, and monitoring day to day income tracking

Our ideal candidate is: 

• Experienced in cultivating and stewarding high-net-worth individual donors – with a proven track record of securing six or seven figure donations
• Capable of developing and delivering a successful philanthropy strategy
• Comfortable and experienced working with high profile individuals and senior volunteers including managing development boards, giving circles or other forms of peer-to-peer fundraising approaches
• Excellent at managing relationships and able to successfully influence people at all levels with clear and persuasive communication

The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Head of Research to lead our UK Research team.

Deadline: 5pm on Sunday 30th November
Location: Glasgow OR London
Salary: Starting at £52,166 rising to £58,687, plus London weighting of £4,000 where applicable
Hours: Full-time (32 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent

This is an exciting new role with the UK’s leading public mental health charity. The Head of Research role is a fantastic opportunity to lead our UK research team to achieve social change. We are looking for research and management expertise, strategic thinking, operational delivery, and the ability to collaborate and communicate with a range of stakeholders including media, academics, policymakers and communities. You will be part of an outstanding leadership team committed to delivering change across the UK. The role will deliver our UK-wide research, reporting to the Director of Research & Lived Experience.

What does the role involve?

• Support the Director of Research & Lived Experience to develop and deliver a 5-year research strategy
• Lead our UK research team to deliver and commission studies and reviews to a high standard at pace
• Present research clearly and persuasively to media, governments, academics, funders and communities

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Excellent research skills, experience and credibility in health or social research
• Strategic thinker who can also effectively manage teams and projects
• Proven communication skills to different audiences

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

How to apply

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application via our website. Please ensure you attach an up-to-date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 5pm on Sunday 30th November and we are unable to accept late applications. Interviews are planned for week commencing 8th December.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing). We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.

We look forward to hearing from you!

THE JOB (IN A NUTSHELL)

An amazing opportunity to be part of a UK charity with a bold social purpose - helping young people and early careers professionals discover more in themselves than they ever thought possible. 

We’re looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to grow and develop new long-term partnerships with employers across the UK, focusing on Apprentices, Graduates, and Future Leaders. You’ll be helping businesses invest in the next generation of talent by connecting them with Outward Bound’s experiential learning programmes that accelerate personal growth, resilience, teamwork, and leadership in early careers cohorts. 

Your focus will be on building strong relationships, understanding workforce development needs, and positioning Outward Bound as the partner of choice for early talent development. 

Occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work will be required as part of the role, including attending client visits, taster sessions, and visits to our Outward Bound Centres. 

WHO WERE LOOKING FOR

You’ll be a creative, results-driven team player with a strong understanding of early careers development and how experiential learning supports the transition from education to work. 

You’ll have a proven business development background and experience in selling or promoting professional development solutions, graduate or apprenticeship training, or corporate learning programmes. 

You’ll thrive on networking and building relationships with HR, L&D, and talent development professionals, and you’ll be excited by the idea of helping organisations future-proof their workforce through impactful outdoor learning experiences. You are someone who perseveres, never accepting silence or a lack of response as the end of the conversation.

You’ll also have a passion for the outdoors and be aligned to Outward Bound’s values of courage, integrity, and belief in young people’s potential. 

YOUR EXPERIENCE

• Excellent communications skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external professionals.  A strong understanding of the apprenticeship and graduate development programmes, and talent pipelines. 

• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail, able to manage multiple projects and maintain consistent follow-up.

• Confident in presenting to clients, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences (HR, L&D, operational teams, senior leadership). 

• Good negotiation and influencing skills. 

• Experienced in LinkedIn / LinkedIn Sales Navigator for prospecting and building connections within early careers networks. 

• Proficient in Microsoft systems and CRM tools. 

• Knowledge of or interest in experiential learning, leadership development, and outdoor education is an advantage. 

 AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Secure mainly new and some key repeat business to meet personal, and team, quarterly and annual targets. 
• Lead on developing new partnerships within key industry sectors for Apprentice, Graduate, and Emerging Leader programmes. 
• Undertake client learning needs analysis to understand early career development goals and challenges. 
• Produce compelling proposals that align Outward Bound programmes with organisational objectives. 
• Represent Outward Bound at early careers events, conferences, and employer network sessions. 
• Maintain accurate client records via our CRM system and ensure timely follow-up and reporting. 
• Liaise with internal delivery and marketing teams to ensure client needs are met and opportunities are maximised. 
• Drive new business through research, networking, referrals, and sector insights. 
• Contribute ideas to help shape Outward Bound’s early careers strategy and offer to stay relevant in a fast-changing employment landscape.

Salary: £32,000 – £40,000, salary depending on experience

HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

REPORTING TO: Head of Early Careers Business Development

LOCATION: Home-based with extensive travel to centres and Head Office

Settling in period

There is a 3-month settling in period from contract start date.

 The closing date is 21st November 2025 with first interviews taking place on 1st December 2025.

This role exists to support Theatre Royal’s mission and strategy by contributing your skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver excellent outcomes for the organisation and our audiences.

Key responsibilities of the role are outlined below. We value flexibility and ask all colleagues to be willing to undertake reasonable duties within their skills and experience to help achieve our shared goals. You’ll also work in line with our policies, procedures, and legal requirements, including health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection.

The Head of Development will be responsible for the creation and implementation of the Development Strategy to deliver the Trust’s external fundraising engagement and hands on delivery of raised income. They will generate sustained income from a range of different sources including sponsorship, local businesses, membership schemes as well as major donors and individual giving. They will work closely with colleagues and consultants to lever grants from trusts and foundations and public grant sources. They will develop audience loyalty, increase membership and grow general donations and legacy income.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
Lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s Development strategy in alignment with the strategic plan, in collaboration with Trustees, senior leadership, and external consultants such as TRG Arts.

Donor & Sponsor Development
Identify, recruit, and cultivate high-net-worth individuals, sponsors and other funding partners. Build trusted relationships and lead on prospect research, cultivation plans, and solicitation strategies.

Trust & Foundations

Build and maintain strong relationships with trusts and foundations, ensuring well-researched and compelling funding proposals. Track funding deadlines and reporting requirements, ensuring high-quality submissions and stewardship.

Revenue Generation & Innovation
Proactively explore and develop new income streams, sponsorship opportunities, and innovative fundraising models, ensuring alignment with the trust’s mission and strategy.

Events & Engagement
Plan and deliver a comprehensive programme of fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and advocacy events to engage donors and stakeholders.

Communications & Advocacy
Act as a key advocate and ambassador for the trust, ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment across fundraising communications, including oversight of the Annual Review.

Data, Reporting & Compliance

Oversee the fundraising database, manage financial reporting, track pledges, and ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting standards.

Responsibilities for a Head of Department

• Develop and deliver departmental plans aligned with organisational strategy.
• Lead and support teams to achieve high standards of performance and creativity.
• Manage budgets, resources, and reporting within your area.
• Maintain oversight of compliance within your department, ensuring policies and procedures are followed, including health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection.
• Lead on implementing and monitoring statutory obligations and best practice in your area.
• Contribute to organisational decision-making and collaborative projects.
• Support a culture of learning, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Data & Research Manager plays a key role in Youth Futures Foundation’s Impact and Evidence team, helping us understand and address youth unemployment in England.

The postholder will lead on managing our data infrastructure including our flagship youth labour market dashboard and contribute to the design, commissioning, and delivery of high-quality quantitative research and analysis.

They will combine strong technical skills with the ability to communicate data-driven insights clearly to internal and external audiences, influencing policy and practice to improve employment outcomes for young people.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Managing the design, commissioning and delivery of economic, quantitative social research and data analysis projects using a wide range of methods, including primary and secondary data analysis, and evidence reviews
• Critically reviewing research proposals, manage contracts and budgets, and ensure high quality outputs
• Developing evidence tools, gap maps and frameworks to address youth unemployment, and identify and prioritise evidence gaps to meet stakeholder needs
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with a range of external partners.

For a full role description and person spec, please download our recruitment pack.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

Head of Development

International Institute for Management Development (IMD)

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Competitive salary plus excellent benefits

An independent academic institution with Swiss roots and a global reach, IMD is a pioneer in executive education. 

Through our research, teaching and publications, and with our close ties to business, we equip leaders and organizations to transform themselves and society for the better. With a faculty recognized for thought leadership and real-world impact, and a global network of alumni and partners, IMD is uniquely positioned to shape the future of leadership education.

IMD is investing in our Alumni & Development efforts and we are seeking a major gifts specialist to join us in a newly created Head of Development role.  By leading a growing development team and working with key stakeholders across the institute, you could  expand our capacity to deliver on our mission of transforming organizations and developing responsible leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

As the Head of Development, you will work in lock-step with the Chief Alumni & Development Officer, and be responsible for shaping and implementing IMD’s development strategy.  You will also work closely with the Head of Alumni Relations, and build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni and partners, and secure philanthropic support for key institutional priorities. As a trusted member of the Faculty and Senior Staff team, you will play a central part in advancing IMD’s long-term vision and ensuring our continued global leadership.

It will therefore be critical that you bring a proven track record of major gifts fundraising, and experience of managing high-performing development practitioners.  Experience of working with donors internationally, particularly across Europe, will be important, as is your ability to successfully navigate and work through areas of ambiguity or “the new” as we create a step change in our fundraising programs to match our ambitions.  In return, you will be joining a committed team and enjoy the support of key colleagues and senior volunteers across the institute.

We are partnering with Richmond Associates, a specialist executive search firm on this recruitment.  To learn more about this opportunity or to download a detailed information pack, please contact Richmond Associates.

Closing date for applications is  09:00 GMT on Monday, 10 November 2025