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Be part of something extraordinary at Sense.
We’re here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. As we start to develop and deliver an ambitious three-year plan for Sense’s future, we are looking for a chief strategy and governance officer – a senior leader with a strategic experience, inclusive values, and a commitment to impact.
About the role
As our chief strategy and governance officer, you’ll report directly to the chief executive and play a key leadership role as part of Sense’s chief officers’ group. You’ll lead business planning, performance, risk, governance, safeguarding, health and safety, internal audit and project management across the charity—ensuring strategy and delivery are aligned at every level.
You’ll also serve as company secretary and oversee our legal and regulatory compliance with the Charity commission and Companies house, while championing an inclusive approach to governance that empowers disabled people with complex needs. With a team of senior leaders reporting into you, you’ll shape culture, drive improvement, and model the leadership values that make Sense a truly people-centred organisation.
This is a hybrid role based from either Birmingham or London, with frequent travel.
What you'll do
- Lead the delivery of Sense’s strategy through robust business planning and performance frameworks.
- Oversee impact measurement and risk management, enabling evidence-led decision-making.
- Act as company secretary, ensure legal and regulatory compliance and high-quality support for our board of trustees and their committees.
- Provide executive leadership of safeguarding and health and safety, fostering a proactive culture of learning.
- Create an environment for project and programme management across Sense that enables clear oversight of delivery through a values-led Project management office.
- Manage internal audit via external providers, ensuring assurance and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate closely with the CEO and board of trustees, providing insight, coordination, and strategic guidance.
- Drive inclusion, equity and sustainability throughout the organisation’s leadership approach.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced, values-driven leader who is:
- Strategic and analytical, with senior-level experience in governance, performance or organisational leadership.
- Highly organised and insightful, with a strong grasp of business planning, impact reporting and risk.
- Experienced in governance leadership, ideally with charity or regulated services knowledge and company secretary experience.
- Confident working with senior stakeholders, including boards, executives, and regulatory bodies.
- Committed to inclusion and the social model of disability, with a track record of embedding equity and diverse perspectives in strategy and operations.
- Digitally confident, with strong understanding of data protection, information governance, and the role of technology in transformation.
About Sense
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close recruitment at any time.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of disabled children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people.
Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values
This is a new senior leadership role created through Inclusion North’s restructure. It is central to how we rebuild our strategic presence in Yorkshire and Humber while ensuring strong, joined-up working across the Northeast.
You will lead high-level engagement across both regions, with a particular focus on Yorkshire and Humber. In this region, you will help Inclusion North reconnect, build strategic partnerships, and become a visible and valued voice in system-level spaces.
You will take a lead in representing Inclusion North across a range of regional spaces, including Communities of Practice, local authority-led forums, and, where appropriate, ICB-related groups. This means helping shape change, influence commissioning, and ensure that the voices of people with a learning disability, autistic people, and family carers are heard where decisions are made. You will also be expected to challenge constructively when systems fall short of inclusion, equity, or lived experience leadership.
You will line manage the Innovation and Impact Manager and the Good Life Collaborative Programme Lead. This includes overseeing how our delivery connects to system priorities, responds to emerging opportunities, and contributes to our financial sustainability. You will also provide strategic insight to support planning, funding, and future direction.
This is a leadership role for someone who can build trust, speak with credibility, and stand firm in their values. You will need the insight to understand how systems work, and the confidence to push for change when they do not work for the people they are meant to serve.
The Cross-regional Strategic Lead holds senior responsibility for regional engagement, system influence, and delivery oversight at a strategic level.
The role is anchored in Yorkshire and Humber, where you will need to be well-connected and regularly present. You will also work across the Northeast as part of a joined-up, cross-regional team.
DO NOT send your CV. We will only consider applicants who have submitted an application form.
Who we are
Benslow Music, a thriving musical hub based on a campus in Hitchin, is seeking a Head of Music & Learning to lead the strategic development and delivery of its diverse programmes. We champion the life‑long benefits music brings through a programme of residential, day and online music courses, a concert series and an instrument loan scheme.
We’re rooted in a heritage that began in 1929 as the Rural Music Schools Association, growing into a lively campus with two recital halls, practice rooms, accommodation for around 50 people and an extensive music library. Today we offer around 150 short courses annually, welcoming adult musicians of all abilities, from late starters to early career professionals, across classical, jazz and folk genres. We host a regular concert series featuring emerging and acclaimed artists.
We are also home to the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme, holding a collection of over 1700 string and woodwind instruments lent to young musicians aged 7–25, ensuring access regardless of background.
About the role
As Head of Music & Learning, you will lead the delivery, strategic development and evaluation of Benslow Music’s core programmes: courses, concerts and the Instrument Loan Scheme. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you’ll shape an ever-evolving and balanced annual programme.
You’ll oversee and strategically develop diverse music education opportunities; cultivate relationships with tutors, artists and partner organisations; develop online activities; ensure excellent participant experiences and adherence to health and safety policies; manage programme budgets and monitor financial performance; monitor the quality of activities, gathering and acting on feedback from participants, tutors and stakeholders; lead and line‑manage a dedicated team to high standards; and contribute to strategic planning and partnerships that strengthen the organisation’s mission to unlock potential and share the lifelong benefits of music.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for a self‑starter with programme management experience, an eye for detail, flexibility and good judgement. You’ll be comfortable working autonomously and within a collaborative, supportive environment.
You’ll bring:
- Significant experience in programme and project management, particularly in music or music education contexts, including adult amateur music‑making.
- Breadth and depth of musical knowledge to be credible with a range of stakeholders.
- Proven senior management experience, contributing to strategic development.
- Exceptional people skills and communication abilities (written and verbal), including contract management and negotiation.
- Strong administrative, organisational, IT and budget management skills, including effective use of spreadsheets and familiarity with marketing, CRM and fundraising support.
- A deep understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; sensitivity to Benslow Music’s mission and ethos.
- Networks in the music/music education sector.
If you’re ready to lead a vital part of our community by unlocking musical wonder, enabling access and fuelling lifelong creativity, please get in touch with our consultants at Peridot Partners.