Join a movement transforming how communities create lasting change. This isn't a typical charity role—it's a chance to shape the future of place-based working across the UK and help lead a growing organisation.
Place Matters is a small, entrepreneurial charity punching above its weight. We work at the intersection of communities, public services, funders, and policymakers to tackle the root causes of inequality and create changes that communities want to see. Our approach? Empower communities to lead change in their own places, learn from what works, and influence the systems that hold them back.
Why this role matters
This is a senior position on our Executive team, reporting directly to a co-CEO. You'll play a leadership role in developing our organisation—shaping strategy, building our team, and deepening partnerships. We're looking for someone colleagues and Trustees trust to make sound decisions on behalf of our mission.
Learning and practice development is at the heart of everything we do. You'll design and lead learning partnerships that build the capabilities of communities and organisations to work differently. You'll capture insights from the ground and turn them into accessible tools, frameworks, and resources that make place-based working more effective for everyone.
You need to be a team player, confident and with strong opinions, but low ego and collegiate
What you'll do
- Lead the development and delivery of Learning and Practice Development Partnerships
- Initiate, convene and participate in ‘field-building’ efforts that aim to influence the broader place-based change sector, bringing together community organisations, public sector organisations, policy makers, foundations and businesses to build broader support for community centred place-based change
- Develop Place Matters thought and practice leadership
- Draw together the themes and patterns from learning into regular blogs and publications to make the learning as widely accessible as possible and influence key policy makers and funders
- Initiate and convene field-building efforts to influence the broader place-based change sector
- Build a wide network of place-based practitioners from all sectors
- Play a key role in business development, securing new partnerships, fundraising, and improving organisational efficiency
See job description (JD) for full details
What makes this role special
- Executive leadership: Part of the leadership team shaping organisational direction
- Real autonomy: Lead your own projects, design new partnerships, represent Place Matters externally
- Learning culture: We practice what we preach—continuous learning and innovation are built in
- Flexible working: Hybrid arrangement, negotiable location, with UK travel (up to 50 days annually)
- Competitive salary: £65,000-£75,000 (negotiable based on experience)
Practical details
Ideally 37.5 hours per week (flexible) but we'll consider part-time. UK travel required, including occasional overnight stays and some evening/weekend work.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from disabled people and people from diverse backgrounds.
We'll conduct interviews on 19th and 21st January.
Submit a CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Woman’s Trust is a leading, specialist mental health charity supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we stand at a powerful moment of growth and transformation. Each year, our trauma-informed, women-led services provide life-changing counselling, therapeutic support and advocacy to women and children across London. Our ambition is to scale this work to reach many more nationally. With a dedicated team of 45 staff, a strong financial foundation and annual income of £1.3m and a deeply committed Board of Trustees, we are poised to shape an ambitious new strategy for the years ahead.
We are now seeking an inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead Woman’s Trust into this next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected organisation whose work is not only transformative but often life-saving. The CEO will steer our strategic and operational development, strengthen and expand partnerships, grow sustainable income, and champion our voice across policy, public campaigns and mental health advocacy. Alongside a dedicated and collaborative team and Board, you will play a vital role in delivering and developing innovative services—supporting women and children, survivors navigating the justice system, and peer-led support groups—ensuring we remain responsive to the needs and experiences of those we serve.
We are seeking an inspirational and experienced people leader who combines strategic thinking with the ambition needed to position Woman’s Trust for growth. Confident in representing your organisation at a policy and advocacy level, you will act as a powerful ambassador for survivors’ mental health, influencing systems, shaping debate and strengthening our public voice. With strong financial and governance insight and the ability to build trusted, values-driven relationships across sectors, you will model a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. Above all, you will uphold our feminist, inclusive and survivor-centred values, nurturing an empowering and equitable culture for our staff, volunteers, partners, and—most importantly—the women and children we serve.
To read more about the opportunity and our work, including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief.
If you have the passion, clarity and commitment to champion the mental health and wellbeing of women and children survivors—and the leadership to guide Woman’s Trust into a bold new era—we would be delighted to hear from you.
Closing Date: 21 December 2025
People Beyond Profit Screening Conversations: 22 December - 6 January 2026
Woman’s Trust Panel Interviews:
· First Stage (online): 13 & 14 January 2026
· Second Stage (in-person): 22 January 2026
Please note:
This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Job Title: Refuge Worker
Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £15,859.03 per annum
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent
Hours: 23 hours per week
This is an exciting opportunity to join Refuge as a domestic abuse refuge worker, providing high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children living in our refuge accommodation in Warwickshire.
The post holder will work closely with survivors from the point of crisis and admission to the refuge, through to move on from the emergency accommodation. This involves providing a personalised, holistic support and safety plan, enabling survivors to access housing, welfare, benefits and legal advice.
You will also work in partnership with both statutory and voluntary sector partners to ensure that the whole range of survivors’ needs are met.
A key requirement is to ensure that survivors are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles.
As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.
This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
Closing Date: 09:00am 12 January 2026
Interview Date: 20 January 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

