About Impetus
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get the right support to succeed in school, in work and in life.
We find, fund and build the most promising organisations working with these young people, providing core funding and working shoulder-to-shoulder with their leaders over the long term to help them become stronger.
At Impetus we focus on the critical factors that influence the education and employment outcomes for disadvantaged young people in the UK, working with organisations that have the potential for impact at scale, helping their leaders to deliver lifechanging, benchmark beating, sustained outcomes.
We provide them with the funding and the tools to grow and deliver on their promises to the young people they serve. We also seek to influence government and the wider sector to back effective support for young people and invest with other like-minded organisations to tackle the most difficult and under-supported challenges.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
About the team
This is an important role based in a busy Operations team which covers office management, information technology, finance and human resources. The team play a key role in supporting the organisation to achieve its mission of supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed.
The Operations team comprises the Director of Finance and Operations, HR and Learning Manager, Head of Finance, HR Officer, Finance and Operations Assistant and a part time Administrator. Payroll and IT support are outsourced.
About this role
The Executive Assistant (EA) to the Chief Executive at Impetus plays a vital role in providing high-level administrative and project management support to the Chief Executive and ensuring the smooth operating of the Senior Management Team (SMT). The EA acts as a key liaison between the Chief Executive and internal/external stakeholders, managing sensitive information and handling a wide range of administrative and executive support tasks.
This dynamic position requires the ability to anticipate needs, think critically, and offer creative solutions to problems with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Key responsibilities
Executive Support:
- Provide sophisticated calendar management for the Chief Executive.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on all matters pertaining to the Chief Executive, including those of a highly confidential or critical nature.
- Prioritise and determine the appropriate course of action, referral, or response, exercising judgement to reflect the Chief Executive’s style and organisational policy.
- Prioritise inquiries and requests while troubleshooting conflicts; make judgements and recommendations to ensure smooth day-to-day engagements.
- Anticipate the Chief Executive’s needs (e.g. travel bookings, briefings, preparation time) in advance of meetings, conferences, etc.
- Coordinate all SMT meetings and offsites and assist with staff meetings and events as needed.
- Work closely with the Chief Executive to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately.
- Act as a "barometer," having a sense for the issues taking place in the environment and keeping the Chief Executive updated.
- Provide a "gatekeeper" and "gateway" role, providing a bridge for smooth communication between the Chief Executive and staff, demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust and support with the senior management team.
- Complete a broad variety of administrative tasks that facilitate the CEO’s ability to effectively lead the organisation including: assisting with special projects; designing and producing complex documents, reports, and presentations; collecting and preparing information for meetings with staff and outside parties; composing and preparing correspondence; maintaining contact lists; making travel arrangements; and completing expenses.
Governance:
- Act as a liaison and provide support to the Board of Directors.
- Arrange and handle all logistics for Board meetings, sub committees and events: schedule meetings; draft agendas; develop, compile, and distribute presentation materials and record meeting minutes.
Operations Support:
- Support a professional and effective office/remote working environment for Impetus staff.
- Assist the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) with any ad hoc Operations duties and projects, such as an office move, health and safety reviews, optimising remote and agile working.
- Assist the HR and Learning Manager with HR administration, including straightforward queries, recruitment support and ad hoc projects where needed.
Person specification
Essential:
Qualifications and Experience
- Significant executive support experience, acting as a trusted advisor and support to senior colleague/s (ideally within the charity or not for profit sector).
- Good business acumen and a keen interest and understanding of operations support.
- Excellent technical skills. Experience utilising CRM systems effectively; expert proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to design and edit graphic presentations and materials.
- Exceptional organisational skills and impeccable attention to detail.
- Ability to react with appropriate levels of urgency to situations and events that require quick response or turnaround.
- Ability to complete a high volume of tasks and projects with little or no guidance.
- Excellent judgement and problem solving; with the ability to make appropriate, informed decisions regarding priorities and available time.
- Excellent project management and planning skills, including effective contingency planning and responsibility for managing actions, people and priorities.
People and Communication skills
- High degree of proactive professionalism in dealing with diverse groups of people, including Board members, senior executives, staff, charity partners, donors, and other external stakeholders.
- Work flexibly, collaboratively and creatively, with the ability to adapt to change, and work effectively as part of a team, remain calm under pressure and support others where required.
- Commitment to a continual focus on improving service to stakeholders, both internal and external.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience of writing in a variety of formats and communicating complex and sensitive information in a clear, correct, coherent and professional manner.
- Ability to influence and negotiate, presenting arguments or proposals with skill and confidence.
- Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information, dealing with sensitive issues and managing conflict.
Commitment to Impetus’ mission and values
- Ability to act as an ambassador for the organisation.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion with the ability to execute work with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
Desirable
- Experience working in the charity or not for profit sector.
- Experience working with a not for profit Board.
- A keen interest in youth and/or education sector.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. 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 work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time 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.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
How to apply
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
The deadline for applications is 9am Monday 14th July 2025.
Interviews
First round interviews will take place: 21st July 2025.
Second round interviews will take place: 28th July 2025.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Personal Data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.
Thank you!
IIED Director of People
Hybrid (within the UK) with regular travel to the London or Edinburgh office
About Us
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a not-for-profit policy research and influence organisation, and a globally recognised force for social and environmental justice. Our mission is to build a fairer, more sustainable world, using evidence, action and influence in partnership with others. We work with an unparalleled global network to reshape policies, funding mechanisms and governance at all levels. For more than 50 years, IIED has acted alongside marginalised communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America to bring lived experience, expertise and evidence from those regions to global attention. Our people are central to this purpose, and we currently have almost 200 people across more than 16 countries, with office bases in London and Edinburgh.
As IIED navigates challenges common across the sector, the Director of People will play a pivotal role in delivering and embedding our new organisational model as well as a programme of work designed to enhance efficiency and achieve essential savings.
Shaping and leading an ambitious, people focused agenda that champions justice, equity, anti-racism, inclusion, and wellbeing, you will deliver meaningful impact across our globally connected organisation.
This is a full time (35 hours per week), permanent role, with flexibility to support work life balance. It’s an unmissable opportunity for a senior people-centred leader with a strong track record in inclusive, values–led strategy to join our mission driven organisation.
The Role
As a key member of IIED’s Strategy and Leadership Council (SLC), the Director of People will play a critical role in driving organisational transformation, embedding our values and supporting a collaborative, high performing culture across our globally distributed team. Working in partnership with leaders and teams across the Institute, the role will lead a team of dedicated Human Resources and Organisational Development professionals supporting the organisation to make progress against our ambitious strategy - Manifesto for a Thriving World.
This senior leadership position combines strategic vision with HR operational excellence. You will lead the development of people-centred strategies, workforce planning and change management initiatives that drive organisational performance and promote inclusion and wellbeing.
Other responsibilities include
-Providing strategic leadership across all areas of people and culture, aligned with IIED’s values and Manifesto
-Being a trusted advisor on all people matters
-Delivering KPIs related to people, culture, equity and wellbeing using evidence and analytics to drive continuous improvement
-Ensuring legal compliance and excellence across all People operations, including recruitment, employee relations, and reward management
-Working in partnership with the union on strategic organisational change and development
About You
To be considered as our Director of People, you will need:
-Demonstrable senior level HR leadership experience with outstanding leadership, coaching and relationship building capabilities
-A strong track record of delivering inclusive and values-led HR practices
-Proven experience leading and embedding wellbeing and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
-Experience supporting and embedding cultural and behavioural change within complex, ideally international, organisations
-In depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices, ideally combined with knowledge of international legislative frameworks
-Successful experience of translating strategy into practice, led by people-centred design and grounded in the experience of diverse stakeholders
-A sound understanding of HR Information Systems and the use of people data/analytics
The Benefits
-Salary of £78,715-£91,102 per annum
-25 days' annual leave per year plus bank holidays and additional leave over Christmas
-7.5% employer pension contributions
-Flexible hybrid working options
-Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
-Cycle-to-work scheme
-Employee protection scheme (life, critical illness, income protection)
Please note you are likely to be working from home most of the time. As such, you will need a suitable place to work and a reliable, fast internet connection.
Interview Process – Key Dates
Applicants are advised that the selection process for this role is expected to follow the timeline below:
-Initial discussion with the Executive Director: 21 July 2025
-First formal interviews: between 23 and 30 July 2025
-Informal meeting with the People Team: 31 July 2025
-Final stage interviews: 7 August 2025
(All interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please let us know if you are unavailable for any of these dates)
Closing date for applications 13th July 2025.
This role is subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with our safeguarding and safer recruitment commitments. A criminal record will not automatically bar you from employment; any disclosed information will be considered fairly and confidentially, in accordance with our recruitment procedures and the nature of the role.
IIED is a Global organisation that serves the Global Majority. We are committed to equity of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in IIED’s workforce including members of minority groups and those with lived experience of the work we do. Even if you don't satisfy all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply, as we will offer training and development to upskill the right candidate for the role.
If you're ready to lead meaningful people-focused change in a dynamic, complex environment and take the next step in your career as our Director of People, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteering Matters
Who we are
At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.
What we do
We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. We work with local people.
How we do this
We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.
· We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.
· We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.
· We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.
· We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.
· We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.
Our promise to volunteers
We are always looking for new ways for volunteers to make a difference. We bring people together across generations and backgrounds to learn from each other and create change. At the same time, we make sure that all our volunteers are trained, supported, and valued, so they feel confident in what they do.
It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re evolving, growing our impact, and shaping a future where everyone can take part and feel they belong.
Volunteering Matters works with around 5,000 volunteers, 7,500 beneficiaries and 60 projects throughout England, Scotland and Wales each year. At present, records are locally managed, relying on project-based IT solutions to record and report on activities. To improve our efficiency in this area, we will be introducing a new digital platform for use across our work. In spring 2025, we will be inviting potential providers to tender, asking them to tell us how they can work with us to develop an organisational-wide digital management tool that helps us manage our volunteers and activities more effectively.
In this role, you will operationally manage the activities and tasks outlined in the CRM project plan, working closely with the Head of Volunteering & Engagement, the CRM Strategic group and the CRM Working group. The project plan includes four stages: (1) Understanding/prioritising our organisational needs, (2) Mapping potential providers, (3) Commissioning and deciding on a provider, (4) Implementation of a new system. We are currently at Stage 2, moving into Stage 3.
This is a fixed term role with a two-year commitment (18 month contract) and delivery plan. You will work closely with the National Volunteer Engagement Manager to help embed the new VMS or CRM across our delivery team, working practically and equitably with colleagues to understand any individual challenges or needs and finding appropriate ways to support them.
We’re looking for a highly organised and proactive CRM Project Manager to lead the next phase of our CRM development project.
You’ll operationally manage the delivery of our CRM plan, support the commissioning of a new system, and develop and drive forward a clear implementation strategy. You’ll work closely with internal teams and external providers to ensure smooth delivery, while coordinating training, ensuring compliance, and embedding inclusive practices.
If you’re experienced in project management, stakeholder engagement, and system implementation — and you're passionate about making a difference — we’d love to hear from you.
The post will require occasional travel to various locations in the UK.Please refer to the full job description for further details.
DBS/ PVG
This role requires full DBS/ PVG clearance.
Our Values & Way of Working:
In all that we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.
Diversity & Inclusion
Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments:
We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter.
Benefits
Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer.
· Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work)
· Unlimited Annual Leave
· Employee Pension scheme
· Life Assurance
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Season Ticket Loan
· Employee Assistance Programme
· Enhanced sick and family leave.
· Lifestyle Discount Scheme
We are also open to discussing job share applications.
GDPR Statement
If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months. We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.
Policy on AI-Generated Applications
Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI.
To Apply
Please send a updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.
Please note that all applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to progress applications that don’t meet this requirement.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We turn local knowledge into action by working with volunteers and partners across the UK to build stronger communities for all.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.