Hr director jobs in birmingham, west midlands
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to help diversify the environmental sector by scaling a Black-led nature organisation to be able to demonstrate leadership on a national scale and promote and serve the interests and needs of ethnically marginalized communities in accessing nature.
Our Ambition
We’re on an exciting journey of growth. Our vision is to become a nationally recognised, well-resourced Black institution for learning about and caring for nature.
We aim to:
- Be the go-to resource for people of colour learning about the natural world and accessing outdoor spaces with confidence.
- Be the go-to resource for mainstream environmental organisations seeking to understand Black and Brown perspectives on nature.
- Strengthen networks and community among POC-led nature organisations across the UK.
Our operating income for 2025-2026 is £230,000. Our ambition is to generate an income of over £1 million by 2027-2028, growing to a 15+ staff team.
How the COO will support our vision
The role of Chief Operating Officer is central to helping us achieve our ambitions, ensuring that Wild in the City has the resources, infrastructure and working environment to achieve its annual plans, long term aims and deliver high-quality programmes.
We are not expecting the COO to implement the key areas of operations alone, we will work together to prioritise and generate the resources to build a team to cover the functionality required for steady growth. We are also motivated to ensure that the role’s salary is reviewed to meet market expectations as the role grows, dependent on funding.
This role needs an exceptional candidate who enjoys making a role their own, who is motivated by turning strategy into impactful action and who finds fulfilment in supporting others to achieve.
The COO will ensure that;
- We secure ongoing, long term financial resources, creating stability and underpinning growth, and scaling into operations in multiple regions, nationally
- We grow our staffing to provide a steady infrastructure and achieve our strategic objectives, including creating operations, fundraising, communications and research teams, and increasing our field team.
- We retain our relational, open, authentic, personable, dynamic, collaborative, innovative culture as we grow.
Who We're Looking For
We are looking for a dynamic and dependable Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help realise our vision.
We’re seeking an emotionally intelligent, commercially competent, and values-driven leader who can bring clarity, stability, and energy in a fast-paced and mission-led environment. You will thrive in turning strategy into action and impact, and in driving Wild in the City forward in scaling our delivery and leadership on a national scale.
You will bring:
- Proven experience in operational and strategic leadership
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including income generation, budgeting, and long-term planning
- A successful track record of managing people, partnerships, and multi-disciplinary teams
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across staff, volunteers, partners, and board members
- Emotional resilience, sound judgement, and a calm, authentic presence
- A genuine connection to our mission and values
We welcome people from all backgrounds to fulfill the role of COO. We are mindful of the lack of diversity within senior leadership in the environmental field and encourage those from Global Majority backgrounds to apply.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting time to join Wild in the City, we hope that you will make an application. As COO, you’ll play a central role in shaping the next chapter of our development - growing our influence, supporting Black leadership in nature, and helping transform access to the natural world for communities of colour.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Youth Endowment Fund
Head of Change – Health
Reports to: Director of Change, Youth Endowment Fund
Salary: £67,900 per annum
Location: Central London or remote
Contract: 2-year fixed term – potential to extend. Open to 0.8 FTE for the right candidate
About the Youth Endowment Fund
We’re here to prevent children from becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to change things.
In recent years, violent crime involving children has increased. This is a tragedy. Every child is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them.
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) is a charity with a £200m endowment that exists to prevent children from becoming involved in violence. We will achieve this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. A big part of the movement that we need to build is in the world of health. We need to inspire and connect with health leaders across Integrated Care Services (ICBs), Local Health Boards (LHBs), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and other relevant parts of the system. We need to spread what works and make our country safer for some of our most vulnerable children. We are looking for someone to lead on making this happen.
Key Responsibilities
We are making progress building the evidence of what works within and around health services to reduce violence. But the big risk is that nothing changes. That’s where you come in. Your role is to identify the best way to make change happen within relevant health services. Your main responsibilities will be ensuring that:
We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.
This will include:
- Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
- Build a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the health sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.
- Manage excellent Strategic Advisory Group meetings. You can read more about our Education Strategic Advisory Group here.
We deliver the health system recommendations.
This will include:
- Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time.
- Creating and delivering a plan to deliver the health system reforms, working closely with leaders to make the change happen.
- Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan.
We work out the most effective ways to connect people with the evidence, then making those things happen.
This will include:
- Helping health leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on our Practice Guidance.
- You can read our first guidance for school, college, and alternative provision leaders here.
- Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave.
- Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results.
As a senior member of staff in the organisation you also:
- Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
- Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results, and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.
About You
You are this sort of person:
- You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making.
- You bring deep experience of the health system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with health services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how ICSs, LHBs, CAMHS and other health leaders think, and know how to navigate and influence within the system.
- You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon.
- You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard.
- You build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to youth workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you.
- You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.
- You understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally.
- You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise.
You must have this sort of experience.
- Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives.
- Leadership experience in the health system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with health services – potentially in commissioning – and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.
First-hand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. This includes children with conditions such as conduct disorder, psychosis, substance use disorder, ADHD, developmental language disorder, and traumatic brain injury. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.
While it’s not a criterion, we are especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of violence affecting young people.
It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.
All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Hybrid Working
The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month. 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 the interview stage.
To Apply
Please click on the "Apply for this" button and submit your CV, your completed monitoring form and cover letter, which must answer the following three questions below. Please submit your application by 9am Friday 27th June 2025.
Application Questions
Improving practice or systems
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported health leaders to improve practice or systems (e.g., regulation, funding, guidance)? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words)
Developing strategy
2. Please provide an example of a strategy you developed from scratch and implemented independently. What did you do, what was the impact, what did you learn? (maximum 500 words)
Personal and professional experiences in violence prevention
3. What personal and professional experiences have shaped your understanding of the health sector’s role in preventing violence? (maximum 500 words)
Interview Process
This will be a two-stage panel interview process. Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 7th July 2025. Second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 21st July.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Benefits Include
- £1000 professional development budget annually
- 28 days holiday plus Bank holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme - 24hour phone line for free confidential support
- Volunteering days - 4 half days per year
- Death in service - 4 times annual salary Flexible hours.
- Core office hours 10am – 4pm
- Financial support including travel and hardship loans
- Employer contributed pension of 5%.
Your 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.
We exist to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Rainy Day Trust is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead our small but mighty charity as we enter an exciting new strategic planning cycle. If you’re an enthusiastic, dynamic leader ready to roll up your sleeves and drive real change for those who’ve worked in the home-improvement sector, this is your opportunity to steer an 182-year-old charity into its next decade.
About Us
The Rainy Day Trust provides practical, financial and emotional support to people who work - or have worked - in the home-improvement and enhancement industries (builders’ merchants, DIY, garden centres, tradespeople and related sectors). We deliver grants, debt relief, apprenticeship funding, fuel-poverty assistance, legal advice, counselling and e-learning, partnering with industry peers to tackle poverty through both direct intervention and prevention. We pride ourselves on punching above our weight to ensure every beneficiary lives with dignity.
The Role
As CEO, you will work in partnership with the Board to finalise and own our new five-year business plan, ensuring its successful delivery. You’ll combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership. overseeing service delivery, fundraising, financial stewardship and regulatory compliance, while modelling our core values of transparency, fairness, energy, inclusivity and compassion.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Co-create, implement and evaluate the new five-year strategy, business plan and budgets.
- Operational Management: Lead a small core team and manage partner relationships (e.g. Maximus for casework). Ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery and robust risk controls.
- Income Generation: Devise and deliver a diversified fundraising strategy (corporate partnerships, events, digital campaigns) to secure financial stability in a demanding climate.
- Governance & Compliance: Act as Nominated Individual to the Charity Commission; support the Board in trustee recruitment, training and governance best practice.
- External Relations: Serve as chief spokesperson; build and sustain partnerships across the home-improvement sector to raise awareness and influence.
- Culture & Values: Foster an organisational culture of learning, innovation, professionalism and integrity that reflects our values at every level.
Key Details
- Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
- Salary: circa £70,000 per annum
- Contract: Permanent, full-time (evenings and occasional weekends; UK travel required)
- Location: Head office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, with travel across the UK
Person Specification
Essential
- Graduate or equivalent vocational qualification.
- At least 10 years’ senior-management experience in a comparable organisation (charity, social enterprise or commercial).
- Proven track record of income generation across varied channels.
- Experience of strategic planning, budget management and regulatory compliance (Charity Commission, SORP).
- Strong leadership skills: able to inspire small teams and foster collaborative partnerships.
- Excellent communicator, both orally and in writing; adept at presenting complex issues succinctly.
- Financially literate: able to interpret spreadsheets, set forecasts and manage risk.
Desirable
- Experience in the home-improvement, construction or retail sectors.
- Familiarity with mental-health or preventative-welfare work.
- Background in formal collaborations/joint ventures.
Attributes
- Values-driven, demonstrating integrity, empathy and inclusivity.
- Strategic thinker with a results-oriented, commercial mindset.
- Resilient under pressure, well organised and adaptable to changing priorities.
- Curious and innovative: open to new ideas and continuous learning.
If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this role with details on how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills via the apply button. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with suitable times to speak.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 30th June 2025
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the senior
leadership team, responsible for overseeing the operational and
financial management of the charity.
As a Chartered Accountant, the COO will bring strong financial
expertise and strategic insight to ensure the charity’s resources
are efficiently and effectively used to deliver its mission.
This includes managing the day-to-day operations, ensuring
financial health and compliance, driving operational efficiency,
and working closely with the CEO and Board to implement the
charity’s strategic vision.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
LOCATION - Remote
Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding role in 2025? Apply for the Corporate Partnerships Manager role at homelessness charity Emmaus UK.
About Emmaus
Emmaus is a secular organisation supporting homeless and socially excluded people by providing a home for as long as it is needed, meaningful work experience in a social enterprise and a sense of belonging and community. There are currently 29 Emmaus communities in the UK stretching from Glasgow to Dover and Norfolk to South Wales, collectively supporting more than 850 people. There are also 3 Emmaus groups working towards the development of services in their areas. We understand that a home is more than just a roof over your head; it’s somewhere to belong, where you feel part of a community, and that’s what Emmaus offers.
About the role
A key role in the Emmaus UK fundraising team, the Corporate Partnerships Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining a portfolio of corporate relationships that will support Emmaus’s continued growth across the UK. Our partnerships are multi-faceted, combining financial support with pro bono skill sharing, gift in kind support and volunteering opportunities to deliver genuine impact across the Emmaus federation.
Who are we looking for?
The Corporate Partnerships Manager will line manage the Partnerships Fundraising Officer, working together with them to deliver engaging activation opportunities for partner organisations.
Working within the Fundraising and Influence directorate, reporting to the High Value Partnerships Lead, the role will be central to the delivery of the strategic objectives of the fundraising team. By working collaboratively with an experienced, passionate team of fundraisers, you will develop innovative opportunities to bring supporters closer to our work, resulting in engaged, lasting partnerships that deliver the income we need to meet the consistently high demand for all of our services.
What we offer
· £38,950 per annum
· Working hours: 5 days per week, Monday to Friday
· Contract: Permanent
· Pension: Stakeholder pension with 6% employer contribution
· Annual leave: 25 days + Bank Holidays + 3 concessionary days leave
· Training & development: Ongoing training and development
· Volunteering: 2 days allowance each year
· Employee assistance: 24/7 employee assistance scheme is available
· Wellbeing: Weekly wellbeing hour to promote personal wellbeing
· Flexible working: Options available, subject to the requirements of the role
· Life assurance: Death in service lump sum of 3 x salary
To apply
To apply for the role, please complete our application form and equal opportunities monitoring form and email us by 5pm on Sunday 29 June 2025
Please ensure you download the job pack and refer to the job description and person specification when completing your application form.
Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview conducted via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 09, or Thursday 10 July, with any second round interviews taking place week commencing 29 July.
If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please email us.
Equal Opportunities
Emmaus UK provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination. We are dedicated to an inclusive culture, and we strive to create a workplace where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristic, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together. We welcome applications from all individuals irrespective of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, marital status or parental responsibilities.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for our roles, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed so that shortlisting is based solely upon the suitability of the candidate’s experience.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.