Health programmes director jobs

About the role

The Academy runs some of the most valued grant schemes and development programmes in UK biomedical and health research. Springboard Awards help researchers establish their independence. Starter Grants keep talented clinicians in research alongside their clinical work. Leadership programmes like FLIER develop people who can work across academia, healthcare and industry to tackle real-world challenges, and alongside these sit opportunities to spend time working in industry, the NHS or government. Moving between sectors should be a normal part of a medical research career (it is not yet), and much of our work is built with that belief: a more connected and mobile workforce is better able to turn discovery into benefit. Between them, these schemes change the course of people's careers, and the research they enable reaches patients across the UK and beyond.

This role leads that portfolio. The heart of the job is excellent delivery: schemes that are well designed and well run, and that make a real difference to the people they reach. You will work closely with the Fellowship, whose expertise and generosity run through the whole portfolio, and you will make sure the schemes serve the whole of the medical sciences community (across the devolved nations and the regions, in industry as much as academia), not just those already inside the most established institutions. And science is global, so this work is too: the portfolio draws on evidence and partnerships from around the world, and the mentoring and networks around the people we support reach well beyond the UK.

Today much of the portfolio's focus is research talent and careers. That will always be a substantial part of the portfolio, but over time we plan to expand it further. That expansion could go in several directions, and what matters is that we are taking an evidence-based approach to ensure that our efforts are responding to what the medical sciences sector needs. Whatever we launch next, the same principles apply; good design, sound funding, proper governance and solid evaluation, with our effort concentrated where it delivers the most impact. So, the job is twofold: run today's portfolio brilliantly and build the future portfolio. It is a role where you can see your work land in people's lives, with real scope to shape what comes next. And none of it stands alone: what we learn from the people we fund sharpens our policy voice, the community our programmes build strengthens our engagement and public trust work, and insight flows back the other way to shape what we design next.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will share in the leadership of the Academy as a whole, working closely with the other directors: the Chief Operating Officer and the Directors of Policy, Communications and Engagement, and Translation and Enterprise. The relationship with Translation and Enterprise matters especially. That team will shape new partnerships and initiatives that your team is best placed to deliver, so the two of you will work in very close partnership.

What we are looking for

These are the six areas we will explore with candidates. They match the six parts of the role above, so you can read straight across — and your supporting statement can follow the same structure if that helps. We do not expect anyone to arrive with every part fully formed, but the strongest candidates will be convincing across most of them.

1. Excellent delivery

A strong track record of running grant schemes or of significant programmatic delivery. Much of this is operational: holding an annual cycle to time and budget, catching problems early and getting stuck things moving again. It is also about making sure the portfolio adds up to a coherent whole rather than a collection of separate schemes, with the governance discipline — sound contracts, clean compliance, rigorous oversight — that sits behind delivery done well.

2. Building partnerships and negotiating well

A track record of building and sustaining partnerships with funders, delivery organisations and industry, and the skill and pace to turn them into agreements where appropriate. We will want to hear how you have handled a complex negotiation and brought it to a close. The Chief Operating Officer leads the Academy’s income strategy, so we will also explore how you develop partners in concert with colleagues.

3. Range and credibility across the community

This role runs from Fellows (some of the most eminent scientists in the country) to researchers at the very start of their careers, and from government and funders to industry partners. We are looking for someone with the range to work well across all of them, and the credibility to be taken seriously at every level. We will also explore how you have widened access and drawn talent in from beyond the usual places.

4. A focus on impact

A commitment to looking at what difference the portfolio you lead makes. We are looking for someone who treats evaluation as a source of learning and uses what it shows to decide what the Academy should do next, keeping sight of the people and patients the work is for.

5. Leading and empowering people

A brilliant leader of people: someone who gets the best from a talented team by giving them space and ownership, backing them with real support and coaching, and building a culture where people thrive and develop.

6. Collective leadership

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you would share responsibility for the Academy as a whole, not only your own directorate. We want someone who takes that seriously, brings challenge where it is needed, backs colleagues when it counts, and helps make the Academy a brilliant place to work.

Benefits

We offer a competitive and evolving benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development and work–life balance, including:

• Competitive salary and pension
• 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell annual leave 
• Additional paid closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Health, wellbeing and employee support programmes
• Cycle-to-work scheme and everyday benefits
• Structured learning and development
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Enhanced occupational sick pay

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date for completed applications: Midday on Monday 17 August 2026.

First interviews will be held 25-26 August 2026 with the CEO, Roz Campion, and the COO, James Lawrence, and focused on two competencies – leadership and delivery.

Second interviews will be held on 1 September 2026 with an external panel.

Health & Wellbeing Lead - Love Barton

Are you a Christian leader passionate about supporting adults to thrive in the face of challenging circumstances?

At Love Barton, our mission is simple: to see people and families in Barton flourish, whatever their circumstances. Together, we're working towards fewer people facing food insecurity and poor mental health, young people with the self-esteem to make good decisions, and parents and carers with the confidence to see their children thrive.

What we do - and why it's great to work here

Barton is a council estate on the outskirts of Oxford with a tough reputation, but we see something different: a community brimming with talent, kindness and resilience. As a Christian charity established in 2022, we work in close partnership with Barton Community Church to tackle the deep-rooted obstacles - poverty, family breakdown, poor mental health, low self-esteem - that stop people here reaching their potential.

We already run a listening service, a twice-weekly emergency foodbank, and a family food pantry, supporting hundreds of adults and children each year. We're a small, close-knit team, and every person who joins us gets to see the direct impact of their work on real lives in the community.

The role and its impact

As Health & Wellbeing Lead, you'll head up an exciting set of projects on the Barton estate - leading volunteers and managing programmes that meet the health and wellbeing needs of the local community. You'll manage and grow our existing services, and work with the Charity Director to spot new opportunities and support fundraising.

Key details

• Position: Health & Wellbeing Lead
• Reporting to: Charity Director
• Location: Barton, Headington, Oxford (OX3)
• Hours: 18 hours a week (2.5 days, ideally Monday–Wednesday)
• Salary: £28,000 pro rata
• Contract: One-year fixed term, with potential to extend
• Start date: September 2026 (a later date may be agreed for the right person)
• Closing date: Wednesday 12th August, 12pm
• Interviews: Week commencing 17th August

What you'll be working on

• Hear4You listening service — recruit, train and support volunteer listeners, and develop the referral system (from GP and self-referrals) so more people can be supported. You'll also help grow our new Hear4You creative coffee morning for adults facing loneliness, family challenges or poor mental health.
• Emergency Foodbank — recruit, train and support the volunteer team running our twice-weekly sessions with Community Emergency Foodbank, ensuring everything runs safely and to Food Hygiene Standards.
• Family Food Pantry — in partnership with Mercy In Action, recruit, train and support volunteers to keep our weekly food pantry running smoothly for local families on low incomes.
• You'll also network with other providers and stakeholders, represent Love Barton at Health & Wellbeing partnership meetings, offer pastoral care and support to those experiencing hardship, help deliver seasonal projects like Christmas hampers and school holiday activities, manage project budgets and reporting, and work with the Charity Director and trustees on funding.

This job is for you if...

• you're a committed Christian, passionate about alleviating poverty and seeing people thrive
• you're a leader who can inspire and motivate others, but you're also a team player
• you're compassionate and empathetic, with a genuine understanding of the needs of a disadvantaged community
• you build authentic relationships easily - with community members, funders and service providers alike
• you communicate well with people of all ages and backgrounds
• you have experience managing people, particularly volunteers
• you have experience in one or more of: mental health support, family support, community work, or pastoral care
• you're organised, self-motivated and manage your time well
• you're committed to your own self-care and ongoing personal development

Essential: there is a genuine occupational requirement for this post to be filled by a practising Christian. You'll also need the right to work in the UK, and the post requires an enhanced DBS check.

Senior Programme Manager

Contract: 18 Months FTC
Salary: £61,680.83- £73,378.91
Closing Date: Monday 3rd August 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 10th August

Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead the delivery of one of the most significant transformation programmes in our organisation's history.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations, you'll play a pivotal role in driving our Big Change Programme (BCP), ensuring complex projects are delivered successfully, organisational change is embedded, and our investment in digital transformation delivers lasting benefits across Centrepoint.

About us

We help vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. Centrepoint provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills to help them move into education, training and employment. Our ambition is to end youth homelessness by 2037.

Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people every year.

The Big Change Programme is transforming the way Centrepoint works. Through new systems, improved processes and modern digital ways of working, we're building a more efficient organisation that allows our colleagues to spend more time focusing on what matters most - supporting young people.

Centrepoint operates a hybrid working model. The requirement is a minimum of 50% of your working week in the office. For most full-time colleagues, this means attending the office for five days over a two-week period (e.g. two days one week and three days the next). For colleagues on different contracts, this will be adjusted accordingly.

About you

You'll be an experienced programme leader with a proven track record of delivering large-scale organisational transformation and complex change programmes. You'll thrive in fast-paced environments, be comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and know how to bring people together around a shared vision.

You'll have:

• Significant experience leading complex business transformation or digital change programmes.
• A recognised project or programme management qualification (such as PRINCE2, APM or equivalent).
• Experience managing multiple workstreams, budgets, risks and programme governance.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, external partners and suppliers.
• Experience implementing organisational change that improves systems, processes and ways of working.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging updates for a range of audiences.
• A collaborative leadership style and a passion for continuous improvement.

What you'll be doing

As Senior Programme Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership for Centrepoint's Big Change Programme, ensuring projects remain aligned to organisational priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.

You'll:

• Lead the planning, delivery and governance of a complex portfolio of transformation projects.
• Manage the programme budget, timeline, risks and resource planning. Ensure there is an appropriate structure for overseeing individual project management of budget and delivery to time.
• Develop and maintain programme reporting for senior leadership, trustees and governance boards.
• Drive high-quality programme management standards, ensuring appropriate controls, business cases and change management processes are in place.
• Work closely with project managers, suppliers and technology partners to deliver successful system implementations.
• Build strong relationships across Centrepoint, ensuring colleagues are engaged and supported throughout change.
• Help shape future digital and organisational transformation, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
• Champion collaboration, learning and best practice across project delivery.
• Ensure the BCP is connected to wider change initiatives across Centrepoint.

Why join Centrepoint?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK's leading charities. You'll join an ambitious organisation committed to improving the lives of young people while helping transform how we operate.

In return for your efforts you'll receive a competitive salary, excellent learning and development opportunities and a fantastic range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days with service
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Private Medical Insurance
• Income Protection
• Employer pension contribution of 5%
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan

At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness, and we are just as committed to fairness and equality within Centrepoint itself. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background, identity or lived experience.

Our approach to applications

We recognise that candidates may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support their applications. While this is absolutely fine, all examples and statements included must be truthful, accurate and based on your own experience.

We're keen to understand your individual skills, experience and motivations, so please ensure your application reflects your own voice.

Don't miss this opportunity to lead one of Centrepoint's most exciting transformation programmes and make a lasting impact for young people. Click 'Apply' today.

Post Title: Director of Development

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £38,750 - £43,750

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (matchdays, evenings and weekends as required)

Location: AESSEAL New York Stadium

Closing date: Monday 3 August 2026

About this role: This is an exciting opportunity to join Rotherham United Community Trust’s Executive Team and lead the ‘Strengthen and Grow’ theme within the Trust’s United for Change strategy. The Director of Development will drive sustainable growth by strengthening programmes, increasing income, developing strategic partnerships and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation. You will work closely with the CEO, Board and senior leaders to maximise the Trust’s impact while ensuring operational excellence and long-term sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programmes and Interventions

• Support department leads and ensure effective delivery of national/regional and local programmes.
• Oversee programme monitoring and evaluation systems.

2. Income Generation

• Develop a business plan with KPIs for year-on-year income growth.
• Innovate and refine fundraising approaches (donors, foundations, corporates, digital).
• Design and market income-generating products/programmes.
• Develop and nurture relationships with new and existing partners including businesses and charities.

3. Operational Management

• Manage financial and physical resources, including budgeting.
• Deliver services that generate income.
• Report to the Trust Board and attend and present at Board/sub-committee meetings.

4. Continuous Improvement

• With reference to the Capability Code of Practice, lead the design and delivery of a continuous improvement plan for internal operations.
• Introduce systems and tools to improve efficiency, staff experience, and service delivery.
• Monitor internal performance metrics and work with team leads to address underperformance.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision making and accountability.

5. Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Exhibit and promote the Trust’s values and vision.
• Contribute to strategic planning as part of the Executive Team.
• Provide leadership, direction and line management to designated managers and teams.
• Contribute to Trust strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Work collaboratively across departments to align resource planning with organisational goals.
• Lead Trust Business Development, EDI and Sustainability action plans.

6. Miscellaneous

• Additional duties as assigned by the CEO.
• Comply with Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies.
• Demonstrate commitment to inclusive and safe working practices.
• Demonstrate high levels of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Person Specification: Director of Development

1. Relevant Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior leadership or management role.
• Developing and delivering strategic plans that achieve organisational objectives.
• Business development, income generation and securing new opportunities for growth.
• Building and managing effective partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Leading and developing managers and teams.
• Driving organisational improvement, change or transformation initiatives.
• Developing new products, services or programmes.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity, sport, education, health or community sectors.
• Experience of leading cross-organisational projects involving multiple stakeholders.

2. Education and Training

Essential

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in leadership, management, business development or a related field.

3. Knowledge

• Understanding of the sport, physical activity and community development sectors.
• Knowledge of business development, fundraising and partnership development.
• Understanding of organisational performance management and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and barriers to participation.

4. Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate ideas into action.
• Ability to identify opportunities for growth, innovation and improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use data and evidence to inform decision-making.
• Effective leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results through others.
• Ability to challenge constructively and drive positive change.

5. Additional Factors

• Commitment to the values and purpose of Rotherham United Community Trust
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Ability to travel independently for meetings and events.

Hybrid – within commuting distance of one of our campuses in Beckenham, Blackburn, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Doncaster or Redcar

Help attract and develop the teachers and leaders who will shape the future of education!

About us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.

About the role

At the National Institute of Teaching, we are working to improve the quality of teacher and leader development at a system level. We believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility, and we are looking for a Senior Programmes Recruitment & Marketing Manager who can help us reach, engage and recruit the teachers and leaders who will make the greatest difference for children.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead national recruitment and marketing activity across our programmes, ensuring that our approach is ambitious, inclusive, evidence-informed and responsive to the needs of schools. You will oversee recruitment pipelines from initial interest through to programme commencement, using data and insight to improve performance, support regional teams, and ensure that the NIoT meets its recruitment targets across the country.

Working closely with the Director of Recruitment and Marketing, Programme faculties, Regional Principals, Associate Colleges and our Research and Best Practice function, you will play a key role in strengthening our national reach. You will lead strategic recruitment and marketing plans, support intervention in areas of need, champion inclusive and equitable recruitment practice, and ensure our messaging reflects the realities of schools, teachers and leaders.

We are looking for someone who combines strong strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will bring experience of leading recruitment, sales or income generation activity, designing and implementing strategy, working towards ambitious targets, and using data to drive improvement. You will also be an excellent communicator, confident working across teams and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving national organisation.

This is a hybrid role, with an expectation that the postholder will work from the office at least once a fortnight, and more frequently where required to meet business needs. The role also involves national travel, which may include overnight stays.

Key benefits

• Generous annual leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
• Flexible working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
• Pension – entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
• Lifestyle benefits – we offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
• Parenthood leave – we offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
• Working environment – we have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of like-minded professionals.
• Support – our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• Development – we fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have a high level of continuous professional development.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 31 July 2026.
Interview dates: 10 and 11 August 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

As a condition of employment, this post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and an Occupational Health Check.

Salary: £70,124 per annum plus excellent benefits

Contract type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week. All staff are required to work in person for a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. The post-holder may be required to undertake some work outside normal working hours.

About the Health Foundation 

Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity and helps build a stronger society. Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK, and health and care services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care.

The Health Foundation is an independent charitable organisation with a mission to build a healthier UK. We work to achieve this by generating high quality research and analysis; developing practical solutions to the biggest problems in health and health services; engaging, convening and building coalitions to build understanding, inform debate and drive action; and developing the long-term capability needed to transform health and care.

Our values

We expect everyone who works with us to be committed to our values and to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. Our values are impact, evidence, integrity, and collaboration. You can read more about them in our five-year strategy. We also expect everyone to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation and to help deliver our EDI strategy.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Strategic Communications Manager to lead strategic communications activity, increasing the reach, influence and impact of the Health Foundation’s work.

You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to develop clear, evidence-informed communications strategies and plans for some of our most important programmes and priorities. Bringing together media relations, digital communications, stakeholder engagement, events and internal communications, you will ensure our work reaches the right audiences and influence debate and action on health and care.

You will also lead and develop the Strategic Communications team, provide strategic advice to senior colleagues, and help ensure our communications are well planned, coordinated and prioritised.

In this role you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of integrated communications strategies for thematic programmes and organisational priorities.
• Provide strategic communications advice and support to programme directors, senior leaders and colleagues across the Foundation.
• Plan and coordinate communications activity across multiple programmes and priorities to maximise impact and ensure work is effectively prioritised.
• Build understanding of key audiences and stakeholders, developing approaches to increase the reach, influence and impact of our work.
• Lead, support and develop a team of Strategic Communications Managers, creating an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Use evaluation, insight and learning to improve communications activity and drive continuous improvement across the team.

How to apply

Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and invite you to find out more. 

To apply, please submit your CV, and answer the application questions below. Your supporting statement, covering all three questions, should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum 11-point font). Please be concise and focus on the most relevant examples and outcomes.

• Describe an integrated communications strategy you have led for a complex programme, policy area or organisational priority. What were you trying to achieve, how did you use evidence, insight and audience understanding to shape your approach, and what impact did it have?
• Describe a time when you worked with senior leaders and managed competing priorities to maximise impact. How did you influence decisions, prioritise activity and bring together different communications disciplines and stakeholders to deliver impact?
• Describe your experience of line managing, leading and developing a team of communications professionals. How have you built an inclusive, high-performing team and strengthened strategic communications within your organisation?

Our commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each opportunity on merit.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.

We have identified three key areas to improving diversity. Our aim to achieve a more balanced representation across our organisation, with a particular focus on increasing the number of women in leadership, enhancing the representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and welcoming more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from these groups.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a more diverse and inclusive workplace together.

If you require any support through this process, please contact us. Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.

Closing date: Thursday, 30 July 2026

Interview / Contact date: Tuesday, 18 August 2026, and Wednesday 19 August 2026. 

About Us

We are an environmental charity with science at our heart. We help people to take action to protect the nature around them; by connecting them with it and giving them the tools they need to do so. We passionately believe in citizen science and are leaders in it. Our current focus areas include helping to create nature-friendly urban spaces, growing the impact of internationally known citizen science programmes such as Freshwater Watch, developing early career scientists and sharing learning internationally, and working with partners to advance the science, tools and thinking behind citizen science.

What we are looking for

Earthwatch Europe is recruiting a Director of Science and Impact. We are looking for someone with a deep understanding of the pressures facing our natural world and how citizen science and community action can help address these challenges, using high quality data, knowledge and practical demonstration to influence governments and corporations.

You will have a background in citizen science and an in depth understanding of current and future environmental policy trends and priorities.  You will be an experienced leader with excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of successful relationship and partnership development at all levels. You will have strong project and budget management experience, and you will be an exceptional strategic thinker with the ability to create and deliver effective strategies and action plans

Please see the full job description attached.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications. 

Earthwatch is committed to making any adjustments we can for short-listed candidates, to facilitate participation in our interview process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check and other due diligence checks, given the nature of this position within the charity.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. 

Location: National Support Centre, London SE1

Contract: Full time, permanent

Salary: £32,000 - £35,000 gross per annum, depending on experience.

Closing Date: 29 July 2026 

Marine Society have an exciting new role! Help us to manage our rapidly expanding marine apprenticeships and adult skills programmes to meet growing industry demand. We’re looking for someone who has coordinated apprenticeship programmes and is passionate about developing a high-quality experience for apprentices.

You’ll be expected in using learner management systems, reporting and process improvements to strengthen compliance, improve apprentice support and increase progression and retention.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

We are currently looking for an Apprenticeship Programmes Officer to join our team.

About the role

This new role is to support the growth of Marine Society apprenticeship and adult skills provision. The postholder will work with the Apprenticeship Operations Manager to deliver high quality apprenticeship programmes through providing coordination, monitoring, compliance and support for all learners.

Responsibilities

• Support the Apprenticeship Operations Manager to coordinate delivery of all apprenticeship and adult skills programmes ensuring learners achieve maximum progression and achievement.
• Monitor apprentices’ progress, off the job training and attendance and provided individual support to overcome issues and barriers to learning.
• Implement the new learner management system to provide accurate data and improve visibility of apprenticeship performance. Assist the Lead Maritime Trainer with developing the Google Classroom online portfolio and electronic training record books.
• Assist the Lead Maritime Trainer to prepare for and record online teaching sessions and apprentice progress reviews.
• Plan a programme of personal development and enrichment opportunities for apprentices. Work with external agencies such as the Association of Apprentices to access benefits for apprentices.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties and responsibilities reasonably requested by management as may be required.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a college or training provider within a curriculum or learner support role
• Experience using VLE/LMS systems within apprenticeship training programmes
• Experience of planning work-based learning programmes within a team
• Good knowledge of levy-funded apprenticeship programmes and associated funding rules

For further information, please download the . If you are interested in this role, please apply now!

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

Date posted: Monday 6 July 2026

Salary: £94,592 per annum with excellent benefits

Contract type: Permanent, full time or part time

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week. All staff are required to work in person for a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. The post-holder may be required to undertake some work outside normal working hours.

About the Health Foundation

Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity and helps build a stronger society. Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK, and health and care services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care.

The Health Foundation is an independent charitable organisation with a mission to build a healthier UK. We work to achieve this by generating high quality research and analysis; developing practical solutions to the biggest problems in health and health services; engaging, convening and building coalitions to build understanding, inform debate and drive action; and developing the long-term capability needed to transform health and care.

Our values

We expect everyone who works with us to be committed to our values and to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. Our values are impact, evidence, integrity, and collaboration. You can read more about them in our five-year strategy. We also expect everyone to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation and to help deliver our EDI Strategy.

About the role

This role is one of three key Deputy Directors in the Health and Care Policy team. The team focuses on shaping the future of the health and care system in the UK to ensure the best care for all, by supporting more evidence-informed policy and decision-making.

You will work alongside the Director of Policy and Research and other senior staff to oversee and manage our large portfolio of work on health and care policy. This will include leading high-quality research and analysis and using evidence to inform policy and decision-making – including through direct engagement with policymakers, events and convening. You will also be directly responsible for overseeing our thematic programme of work on health system reform and neighbourhood health, working with staff in the Health and Care Policy team and other teams across the Foundation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working with the Director of Policy and Research and other senior members of staff to oversee and lead the health and care policy team’s work
• Lead the development and delivery of high quality research and analysis, and communicate our messages to external audiences
• Lead the delivery of our thematic programme of work on health system reform and neighbourhood health
• Build and maintain strong networks with relevant health and social care policy stakeholders
• Be a visible and credible senior leader for our work on health and care policy, setting high standards for the quality, rigour, and impact of our work, and supporting others to meet them

How to apply

Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and invite you to find out more.

If you would like to apply, please submit your CV, and a supporting statement that answers the following application questions:

• Why are you well suited to this role? What leadership skills and experience would you bring to the Senior Leadership Team of the Health Foundation? (max. 300 words)
• What skills and experience do you have in generating and using high quality research and analysis to influence and inform national policy? What experience do you have in leading teams to do this effectively? (max. 400 words)
• Based on your experience, what are some of the key ingredients for effectively using research and analysis to influence policy decisions? (max. 400 words)

Our commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each opportunity on merit.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.

We have identified three key areas to improving diversity. Our aim to achieve a more balanced representation across our organisation, with a particular focus on increasing the number of women in leadership, enhancing the representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and welcoming more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from these groups.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a more diverse and inclusive workplace together.

If you require any support through this process, please contact us. Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.
 

Closing date: Friday 24th July 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 17th August 2026

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England as part of the Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) department.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

The Purpose of the Role

The Programme Finance Manager leads financial management for the IRC UK RAI programme, acting as the programme team’s day-to-day finance partner — embedding financial thinking into programme decisions rather than just reporting on them after the fact. The postholder drives high-quality financial processes across the full programme cycle — from contract reviews and budget proposals through to financial planning, reforecasting, reporting, performance monitoring, risk management and compliance.

The postholder line manages the Programme Finance Officer and is responsible for building the capacity of the wider programme team on finance processes. They bring curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring how AI tools can improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of financial management in day-to-day work.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy, Planning and Finance Business Partnering (30%)

• Contribute to the IRC UK RAI annual planning cycle, working alongside the Director of Programmes UK to develop financially sound programme strategies and multi-year budget frameworks.

• Provide strategic financial insight and analysis to inform programme decisions, including scenario modelling, cost-benefit analysis and funding gap assessments.

• Act as a trusted finance partner to programme leads, translating financial data into clear, actionable insight and embedding finance into programme design, delivery and decision-making from the outset.

• Develop multi-year financial models and funding scenarios to support the sustainability, growth and diversification of the RAI UK portfolio.

• Partner with programme leads to shape new business and funding strategies, advising on financial viability, pricing and resource allocation.

Budget Monitoring and Planning (25%)

• Lead on the preparation of project budgets to support timely, accurate and complete proposals to donors, ensuring compliance with all donor guidelines.

• Coordinate with IRC’s global headquarters on updating and maintaining the operating budget and reforecasts.

• Prepare budget guidelines and scenario plans to assist programme managers in formulating budgets and spending plans.

• Provide programme and senior management staff with monthly Budget vs Actual reports for all grants, contracts and unrestricted funds; identify risks and mitigation measures.

• Prepare monthly management accounts and present at senior management review meetings.

Grants and Contracts (20%)

• Lead on Grant Opening, Review and Closure Meetings to ensure sound financial management throughout the grant cycle.

• Review funding opportunities to assess financial risk and viability; advise programme leadership on whether to pursue or decline opportunities.

• Support programme design to ensure financial viability and adherence to contract terms.

• Analyse reporting terms, provide timely advice and ensure conditions are met throughout the grant or contract period.

• Attend external stakeholder meetings and lead financial presentations.

• Provide capacity-building support to implementing partners on financial management and compliance.

• Review partner budgets, due diligence and pricing; provide recommendations and advise on potential risks, KPIs and payment terms.

• Assess reporting requirements, carry out financial reviews and approvals, and ensure appropriate and timely payments to partners.

Accounting, Risk, Audit and Internal Controls (10%)

• Maintain and enforce internal financial controls across the RAI UK programme, always ensuring adherence to IRC UK policies and donor regulations.

• Identify and implement improvements to financial controls and risk management processes on an ongoing basis.

• Prepare and maintain a programme-level financial risk register; identify, escalate and actively manage financial risks in close collaboration with programme and senior management teams.

• Lead on audit readiness, ensuring that all financial documentation is complete, accurate and appropriately filed in advance of internal and external audits.

• Act as the primary finance contact for any donor or statutory audits, coordinating responses and providing supporting documentation as required.

• Maintain the integrity of IRC accounts through timely reviews, correction journals and reconciliations, with appropriate supporting documentation.

• Prepare monthly salary allocation splits in line with timesheets and approved budgets.

• Prepare invoices, post into the accounting system and manage aged debt and receivables.

• Support smooth monthly financial closings in close collaboration with the UK Finance team.

Line Management (10%)

• Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and development support to the Programme Finance Officer.

• Set clear objectives, conduct regular one-to-ones and carry out annual performance reviews for direct report.

• Support the professional development of the Programme Finance Officer, identifying training opportunities and building their technical skills.

• Manage workload distribution within the team to ensure deadlines are met and quality is maintained.

Capacity Building and General (5%)

• Create and lead finance training for non-finance colleagues on required processes, including step-by-step guidance notes.

• Ensure completeness of grant financial documentation in the centralised filing system.

• Proactively seek out and implement process improvements.

• Complete all other tasks as required by the Financial Controller, Director of Programmes UK and Regional Finance Deputy Director.

Scope and Authority

Authority:

Operates with a high degree of autonomy, reporting to the Director of Programmes UK. Authorised to review, verify and approve programme-related financial documents and payment requests; to represent the finance unit at internal and external stakeholder meetings; and to manage the Programme Finance Officer.

Responsibility for Resources:

Oversees programme financial transactions, budget monitoring, donor reporting and partner financial management; is accountable for the accuracy and integrity of project budgets within their portfolio, though not a budget holder. Maintains accurate financial records in line with data protection requirements, and directly line manages the Programme Finance Officer, with broader responsibility for building financial capability across programme staff and implementing partners.

Key Working Relationships

• Director of Programmes UK – Direct supervisor

• Programme Finance Officer – Direct report

• Deputy Director of Finance RAI Europe – Regional financial advisor

• Financial Controller (UK) – UK financial advisor

• Programme Managers – Partnering

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Qualified Accountant (CCAB or equivalent).

• A strong understanding of charity finance including detailed knowledge of financial management and reporting, desirably including experience with contract pricing and local authority funding.

• Confident using Excel for budgeting, financial modelling and data analysis (e.g. pivot tables, lookup functions, multi-tab workbooks).

• Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to non-finance audiences.

• Organised and detail-oriented, with a data-driven approach to your work.

• Comfortable working independently with limited supervision and productively in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to build strong working relationships with staff at different levels, functions and locations.

• Comfortable working with multi-currency budgets.

• Interest in integrating AI tools into day-to-day financial work (e.g. for analysis, reporting, modelling or process improvement).

Experience:

• In financial management and monitoring, specifically supporting programmes.

• Budgeting, reforecasting and donor financial reporting.

• Contributing to strategic financial planning or multi-year budget development.

• In grants and contract management for donor-funded projects.

• line managing or supervising staff.

• Contributing to audit processes and maintaining audit-ready financial records.

This is an exciting opportunity to join WellChild and lead an established, ambitious Challenge Events programme. From
major international marathons to high-profile UK mass participation events, you will play a key role in delivering a
successful fundraising programme that generates vital income for seriously ill children and their families.

Purpose of the Role:
Working alongside the Director of Fundraising and managing a team of 2 x Challenge Event coordinators, the
Challenge Events Programme Manager will be responsible for driving the growth, development and success of the
programme, ensuring participants receive an exceptional experience while maximising fundraising income and
supporter engagement.

What we are looking for:
We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised and confident fundraising or events professional who is passionate about
developing opportunities, building strong relationships and inspiring supporters to raise funds for WellChild.

What you will do:
You will lead the planning, delivery and growth of WellChild’s Challenge Events programme, ensuring every participant
enjoys a positive and rewarding fundraising journey.

If you are motivated by creating inspiring events, building meaningful relationships and delivering real impact, we’d love
to hear from you!

For the full role details please see enclosed advert and Job description documents and contact details fo ran infomal chat about the role - We will be reviewing applications as they come in for this role and may close it early should we receive sufficient applications.

Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader who is passionate about delivering lasting impact for people with disabilities and other marginalised communities. As our new Director of Programme Impact, you will shape the strategic direction and development of our programme portfolio, ensuring our partner-led work continues to grow in reach, quality, effectiveness, and impact.
You will bring strong programme leadership, people management expertise, and a commitment to partnership-based approaches that support locally led development. As a member of CBM UK’s Leadership Team (LT), you will contribute to the overall strategic direction of the organisation while leading and motivating a committed Programmes Team. You will play a key role in strengthening CBM UK’s contribution to the CBM Global federation, working closely with country teams, technical specialists, and partners to maximise our collective impact.
An experienced leader, you will provide strategic oversight across a diverse portfolio of programmes, partnerships, and funding opportunities. Overseeing an annual budget of around £4million, you will have a strong track record of delivering impactful programme strategies, building and developing high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an established senior leader who is ready to take the next step into their first Director-level position, as well as those with existing director-level experience.
Forward-thinking and adaptable, you will be excited by the opportunities and challenges facing the international development sector. You will play an instrumental role in exploring the changing role of UK INGOs within the localisation agenda and will work closely with the CEO and Leadership Team to develop new approaches and business models that respond to an evolving global context. You will also bring experience of securing and growing institutional and strategic funding opportunities, alongside the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to a wide range of audiences.
Above all, you will share our commitment to inclusion, equity, and disability rights and be motivated by the opportunity to help create a world in which all people can enjoy their rights and fulfil their potential. You will be inspired by the chance to shape both organisational strategy and sector-wide conversations, ensuring that people with disabilities remain at the heart of international development and humanitarian action.

Key Responsibilities
Programmes Leadership & Management (70%)
1. Lead the strategic and financial development and oversight of CBM UK’s international programme portfolio, ensuring the organisation delivers its programme strategy with maximum impact and effectiveness in alignment with CBM Global’s strategy. Support and line manage the team to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans to ensure excellence in programme funding, development and delivery.
2. Drive quality and effectiveness within CBM UK projects and across CBM Global by
a) ensuring effective coordination of tasks, forward planning of key activities and events, and providing space for collaboration, problem-solving, escalation and innovation across the portfolio.
b) identifying and improving policies and procedures that ensure proportional programmatic oversight and support complex institutional funding management.
c) supporting Programmes staff to work with country teams to pursue a localised approach to programming, drawing on the CBM Global localisation roadmap.
3. Work with Programme Funding colleagues to lead and oversee the development of strategic partnerships and packaging of programme approaches that secure institutional funding for CBM UK’s programmes, including by strengthening intelligence on donor trends and funder priorities, developing immediate responses to new opportunities as they arise in line with CBM UK’s mission.
4. Work closely with CBM UK finance, fundraising, communication teams and other CBM Global Members in creating and responding to opportunities for funding, driving growth, and promoting effective use of CBM UK’s voluntary income to leverage match funding.
5. Together with the Board and LT, actively manage programme risks based on CBMUK’s overall risk management framework.
6. Demonstrate leadership in maintaining an environment free from harm for project participants, CBM UK and partner staff by overseeing the management of safeguarding concerns arising in CBM UK supported projects, including reporting to the Board and Charity Commission where appropriate.
7. Promote within the Programmes Department a culture of learning, reflection and continuous improvement which only results in an improved programmatic approach but also informs and supports our advocacy, advisory, and evidence and learning work.

8. Liaise closely with CBM UK colleagues to ensure coordination and effective integration of programme activities into opportunities for fundraising, including contributing to the innovation in business models to diversify CBM UK’s funding base, including exploring sustainable funding approaches to enhance programme delivery and reduce dependency on the charitable model (in conjunction with the CEO and Director of Fundraising, Impact and Communications).

Organisational leadership (20%)
1. Contribute to the overall leadership and strategic direction of CBM UK through the Leadership Team, and in collaboration with the CEO, including contributing to Board meetings.
2. As part of the Leadership Team, take shared leadership responsibility for the wider CBM UK team of staff and volunteers, supporting effective collaboration and organisational cohesion, and taking on cross-functional responsibilities where appropriate.
3. Encourage and promote a culture of ambition, learning and excellence across the CBM UK team.
4. Be responsible for producing and initiating regular reports, briefing papers and other relevant programmes information for the CEO and Board Programmes Committee as appropriate.
5. Lead on supporting the Board Programmes Committee, working closely with the Committee Chair to ensure members are provided with the information necessary to permit strategic oversight and robust risk management.
6. Lead UK’s engagement with CBM Global's programmatic leadership, in particular Directors of Programmes in other CBM Member Teams (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland), CBM Global Secretariat, and Technical Directors, working towards greater alignment, escalation of issues, and collaboration to advance CBM UK’s approach to localisation.

Representation and advocacy (10%)
1. Represent the organisation at the highest levels, including deputising for the CEO where required. Act as a key spokesperson for CBM UK with a range of external audiences, including institutional and statutory donors and strategic partners, media, policy and decision makers and other international and national non-government organisations. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key geographic stakeholders, including diplomatic representatives, ensuring effective engagement and alignment with CBM UK’s programme priorities.
2. In alignment with Advocacy and with Advisory colleagues, contribute to best practice in the UK disability and development sector by forging good relationships with UK-based and international NGO and disability sector networks to advocate for the adoption of inclusive development policies and practices, and champion innovative inclusive programmatic approaches.

For full details please download the Recruitment Pack.

37.5 hours per week

We are recruiting for an Assistant Programme Manager - A Fairer Start

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. 

About the Mission

In our A Fairer Start mission, we want every child to have the fairest possible start in life, so they can thrive and realise their potential.

Children born into disadvantage are far more likely to experience poor health, lower earnings, shorter life expectancy and lower levels of happiness than their peers. Closing the gap through targeted support at crucial moments of development is not just good policy, it is good economics: such interventions and system shifts are easily paid for by the long-term benefits of higher economic productivity and lower social costs.

The AFS mission works to develop innovative, scalable solutions to the factors that prevent children from disadvantaged backgrounds from thriving. We work on a range of projects, from applied innovation through to policy design, across the domains of parenting support, early childhood education and care, family income, integrated family support and funding.

The Role

This role supports the work of Nesta’s A Fairer Start mission. You will work closely with the Programme Manager, as well as the Mission Director, Deputy Directors and Project Leads to support the day to day running of the Mission and its projects, and to help the team function effectively.

Alongside your core duties, you will have the opportunity to support the mission more

broadly, either through supporting overall delivery of projects, and/or through working as a mission representative for critical organisational priorities such as Nesta’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

This role is also a part of Nesta’s community of Programme and Project Managers who work together to design and manage Nesta's processes and ways of working around how we plan, deliver and manage our programmes and projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working with the Programme Manager to oversee and track project delivery and key milestones, both narrative and financial, to ensure we are accurately delivering against project schedules
• Supporting the Mission Leadership Team to balance and sequence the Mission’s projects and team’s resources, taking advantage of dependencies where possible, to optimise delivery
• Supporting project leads to accurately plan and implement their projects, for example by helping to create budgets and project plans
• Supporting the Programme Manager to deliver continuous improvement projects within the Programme Management Office and/or Mission team.
• Designing and implementing resources and tools to support project leads and teams to improve the way they work
• Overseeing the team calendar, arranging logistics for meetings events and away days, and coordinating the taking of minutes where required
• Acting as first point of contact for the team for Nesta staff and external stakeholders, responding to inquiries or directing them to the right people
• Collaborating with the operations, financial, legal and communications teams when required and helping to translate their requirements to the other members of the A Fairer Start team.
• Supporting administrative processes within the team where needed and encourage and foster self sufficiency across the team around managing their own individual administrative tasks
• Being an active member of Nesta’s community of programme and project managers, contributing to or owning the development of Nesta’s programme and project management processes and ways of working.

The Person

Essential

• Outstanding administrative, organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously
• Proactive problem solver who is willing to work both independently and as part of the team
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Balancing competing priorities for your time effectively and being responsive to the changing needs of the team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Good working knowledge of digital tools such as Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar
• Experience managing or supporting small scale projects or programmes of work
• Experience coordinating the efforts of others to achieve a goal

Desirable

• Experience or training in agile project management
• Experience using specific management software to support coordination of projects and programmes (i.e. Asana, Salesforce, Slack)
• Experience managing or tracking budgets
• Experience working in a relevant sector, such as a charity / not-for-profit, or in a subject area related to Nesta’s missions

What we offer

Salary: Circa £40,000 plus array of benefits, including private medical insurance, health cash plans, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more

Location: This role is based in Blackfriars, Central London, hybrid working arrangement. Nesta’s policy is for staff to spend a minimum of two days a week in the office with the remaining days at your discretion.

Term: Permanent

Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.

Reports to: Programme Manager (AFS), Programme Management Office

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit your application by 3rd August at 8am.

We will aim for interviews to take place on the week commencing 10th August.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

About the roles

Last year we launched our most ambitious strategy yet - Change Happens Now. To deliver on its promise, we have identified a phased and prioritised pipeline of cross-cutting strategic programmes that will move us closer to a future where, by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives - and is supported to live well.

We’re now looking for 2 Strategic Programme Leads to help deliver our strategy. You’ll work in our Strategy, Planning & Innovation (SPI) team, which is responsible for strategic change programmes, planning, innovation and involvement.

Both posts share the same job description and grade and will work flexibly across SPI’s full portfolio. However, each role has a distinct focus area and differs in contract type:

• Role 1 - Health Systems and Improvement – Permanent: This role focus is in health systems and improvement, which will include leading place-based programmes, stewarding UK-wide health-improvement standards, and building the external relationships needed to deliver system-level change.
• Role 2 - Engagement at Scale – 2 year fixed term. This role focus is in ‘engagement at scale’ programmes, in its first year, it will include programme leadership of our universal offer, an organisation-wide programme aimed at delivering an accessible support offer for everyone affected by breast cancer. It will also include providing strategic partnership for other large-scale programmes, such as healthcare professional engagement initiatives and behaviour change.

While each role has a primary focus area, we expect both post-holders to be flexible and adaptable. Priorities change, and you'll need to be equally comfortable working across specialisms, seeing the focus areas as a starting point which will evolve with organisational priorities.

About you

Whilst both roles are the same, given the specialisms, for role 1, we're particularly interested in candidates with experience of external connectivity across the UK health system landscape and a working knowledge of NHS structures, integrated care systems, clinical pathways and health inequalities. For role 2, we're particularly interested in candidates with experience of scaled engagement work, such as leading public engagement, support or community programmes.

For both roles, you’ll be able to get into the detail when it matters, including the design and sequencing of the programme itself. On some programmes you'll be the strategic lead, owning the work from start to finish and being the trusted strategic advisor to expert leaders. On others you'll partner an expert team, bringing the wider organisation in behind their delivery and working through the barriers that hold progress back.

You'll be confident leading, designing and running pilots and prototypes, with clear measures of success and an evidence-led approach to learning and improvement, ensuring you keep lived experience of breast cancer at the heart of your work. You'll be comfortable with ambiguity, making progress at pace without losing rigour, and you'll bring an innovation mindset, creating the conditions, methods and permission for teams to test, scale and embed new ways of working.

Most importantly, you'll be able to be flexible in your workload, and motivated by the chance to lead change in an organisation that wants to be brave, determined and ambitious - one that backs innovation, challenges the status quo when it needs to, and is willing to commit to the big, multi-year work that real impact requires.

Job description and benefits

The job descriptions and our attractive benefits are available for you to download.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

These roles can be based in our London, Sheffield or Cardiff offices. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.   

The salary range is:

£49,000 to £53,000 per annum if Cardiff or Sheffield based

£53,000 to £57,000 per annum if London based

How to apply

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement online.

As there are 2 roles, you can either submit your application for 1 or both roles. To do this, please confirm in your application the role you’re applying for: Role 1, Role 2 or Both.

To help with your application, please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification of the job description/s and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who
we support.

Closing date Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11:59pm

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Interview date: Friday 14 August and Monday 17 August 2026