Acting support worker jobs

Help shape the future of dance.

Some fundraising roles support great organisations. This one helps shape an art form.

Sadler's Wells is one of the world's leading dance organisations; commissioning, producing and presenting more dance than anywhere else. From contemporary to hip hop, ballet to Bollywood, their work reaches millions of people across the UK and internationally while creating opportunities for artists and communities to thrive.

As they continue an exciting new chapter following the opening of Sadler's Wells East, they're looking for an exceptional fundraising leader to join them as Deputy Director of Philanthropy.

This newly created role offers a rare opportunity to build transformational relationships with philanthropists who believe in the power of dance to inspire, connect and create lasting change.

The opportunity

Working closely with the Director of Development, you'll lead the Major Gifts team, driving strategy and personally securing significant support from high-net-worth individuals. You'll develop and grow a portfolio of major, principal and transformational donors, creating compelling opportunities for investment that enable artists to take creative risks, new work to be commissioned and audiences around the world to experience extraordinary dance.

Alongside leading fundraising activity, you'll play a key role in shaping the future direction of philanthropy at Sadler's Wells, collaborating across the organisation, working alongside senior leadership, Trustees and influential supporters whilst helping build an ambitious culture of philanthropy.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has a strong track record of securing six and seven-figure gifts from individual philanthropists.
• Builds authentic, long-term relationships with high-level donors and stakeholders.
• Is a strategic fundraising leader who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with hands-on fundraising.
• Can inspire, develop and lead high-performing teams.
• Has experience working within arts, culture or similarly complex relationship-led fundraising environments.
• Is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of one of the world's most influential cultural organisations.

Experience of international philanthropy, US fundraising or legacy giving would be welcomed but isn't essential.

Why Sadler's Wells?

This is much more than a fundraising role.

You'll join an organisation driven by creativity, inclusion, collaboration and innovation, where philanthropy directly enables artists to create bold new work and ensures dance remains accessible to audiences and communities.

Alongside a salary of £60,000–£70,000, you'll benefit from:

• Hybrid and flexible working.
• 25 days annual leave plus additional service leave.
• Pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Interest-free season ticket loan and Cycle to Work scheme.
• Staff ticket opportunities and café discounts.
• A genuinely inclusive workplace committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Application

Sadler's Wells welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from individuals whose experiences and perspectives will strengthen the diversity of the organisation.

At Valued Recruitment, we're proud to be partnering exclusively with Sadler's Wells on this appointment. We believe recruitment should be inclusive, transparent and human. If you'd benefit from any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Sunday 2nd August
1st Stage Interviews (virtual): 10th and 11th August  
2nd Stage Interviews (in person): 18th & 20th August

Job Title: Head of People

Department: People Team 

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer 

Responsible for:  

• Senior Manager – Recruitment and Training

• People Advisor 

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 (Dependent on Experience) 

Closing date: 2nd August 

Interviews w/c: 10th August 

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust 

With community work spanning three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all walks of life. 

As an independent charity working in partnership with Brentford Football Club, the Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, health, sports participation and community engagement. The Trust has won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and now employs more than 100 members of staff.

Inclusion Statement 

Brentford FCCST is an organisation which values and is passionate about diversity and inclusivity. We welcome and encourage applications from qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups such as those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, those from the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities. Should you require any workplace accommodations (also known as ‘reasonable adjustments), you will have the opportunity to let us know at the appropriate points in the hiring process. 

Safeguarding Statement  

Brentford FCCST is committed to equality, the safeguarding and welfare of all children and adults at risk. This responsibility is shared by all staff and volunteers at the club, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Staff will be required to undertake regular safeguarding training to enable and reinforce a proactive approach to safeguarding. This role requires the post holder to apply all relevant policies and uphold the club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people to ensure a safe environment for all. This includes the timely reporting of any safeguarding concern to the safeguarding team. We remind those barred from regulated activity that it is an offence to apply for such positions. 

Role Summary 

The Head of People will be responsible for delivering an efficient, compliant and people-focused HR service across the Community Trust, supporting approximately 78 permanent employees and 125 casual workers. 

This is a hands-on operational role with a strong focus on employee relations, HR processes and compliance, payroll coordination and finalisation, and providing practical people support to managers across the organisation. 

The role will directly manage the People Advisor and the Senior Manager - Recruitment & Training Manager, ensuring the effective delivery of recruitment, onboarding, training, compliance, and employee relations. Collaborating closely with departmental leaders, Finance, and safeguarding teams, the People Lead will ensure that people practices, foster a positive employee experience, and promote a culture aligned with the Trust’s values. 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership and Team Management 

• Provide effective day-to-day leadership and management of the People Advisor and Recruitment & Training Manager. 

• Set priorities, allocate workloads and ensure the People team delivers a high-quality, responsive service across the Trust. 

• Support the development and performance of direct reports through regular coaching, feedback and development planning. 

• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused and solutions-oriented approach within the People team. 

Employee Relations 

• Lead and manage employee relations casework, providing advice and guidance on disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance, probation and capability matters. 

• Support managers in resolving people issues in a timely, fair and consistent manner, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and internal policies. 

• Liaise with external employment law advisers where required on complex cases and organisational matters. 

• Maintain accurate case management records and identify trends requiring organisational intervention or support. 

• Support organisational change initiatives and workforce planning activity where required. 

HR Operations and Compliance 

• Oversee and deliver the day-to-day delivery of HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, contract management, employee changes and offboarding. 

• Maintain and continually improve HR policies, procedures and systems to ensure compliance, consistency and operational efficiency. 

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, safer recruitment practices and safeguarding requirements. 

• Lead HR compliance activity, including supporting external audits and managing safeguarding-related people processes. 

• Prepare and coordinate workforce data, people metrics and management information for senior leadership and Trustees. 

• Ensure employee records and HR systems are maintained accurately and confidentially. 

Payroll and Benefits Safeguarding 

• Lead the monthly payroll process, ensuring all payroll changes are accurately reviewed, authorised and submitted within agreed deadlines. 

• Take responsibility for payroll finalisation and sign-off, working closely with Finance and payroll providers to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. 

• Coordinate pension administration, employee benefits and life assurance arrangements. 

• Conduct regular audits of payroll and people data to ensure accuracy, compliance and effective record keeping. 

• Act as the key point of contact for payroll and benefits queries. 

Safeguarding 

• Build a strong working relationship with the Safeguarding team, ensuring Safeguarding is continually embedded within the Trust. 

• Work with the Head of Safeguarding on Safeguarding and people initiatives to promote a Safeguarding culture throughout the Trust. 

• Responsible for Safer Recruitment practices and compliance, including internal and external audits. 

Employee Engagement and Wellbeing 

• Lead employee engagement activities, including staff surveys, pulse surveys and wellbeing initiatives. 

• Analyse employee feedback and recommend actions that enhance engagement, retention and culture. 

• Champion wellbeing initiatives and support the delivery of programmes that promote positive mental health and employee wellbeing. 

• Promote inclusive practices that support a positive, respectful and high-performing workplace culture. 

EDI 

• People Lead for the EDI Strategy group, ensuring that EDI strategic objectives are met and taken forward.

• Collaborate with the Senior Manager – Recruitment and Training and the EDI Manager (Club) to ensure EDI training is aligned with Trust values and fosters inclusion across the Trust. 

Governance and Stakeholder Management 

• Work closely with Finance to ensure effective establishment control, headcount management and approval processes. 

• Produce people-related reports, updates and recommendations for senior leadership teams and Trustees. 

• People Lead for the People and Culture Subgroup, reporting to the People and Culture (Trustee) Chair, responsible for preparation and presentation of reports, papers and recommendations. 

• Build strong working relationships with managers across the organisation and with Trustees,and act as a trusted advisor on people matters. 

Direct Reports 

• People Advisor 

• Senior Manager - Recruitment & Training Manager 

Key Relationships  

Internal 

• CEO & COO 

• Heads of Departments and Senior Managers

• Safeguarding Teams

• Trustees

External

• Brentford Football Club: People Team, EDI, Safeguarding 

• Third Party Providers: Payroll and Benefits Providers

Person Specification 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Proven experience in a generalist HR or People role with significant exposure to employee relations case management. 

• Experience of advising and supporting managers on disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance, probation and capability matters. 

• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice. 

• Experience of managing and improving HR processes across the employee lifecycle. 

• Experience of coordinating and finalising payroll, working closely with finance teams and external payroll providers. 

• Experience of producing HR reports, workforce data and management information. 

• Experience of managing or supervising team members. 

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels. 

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 

• High levels of discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information. 

• Strong communication and influencing skills with a practical and solution-focused approach. 

Desirable Experience and Knowledge 

• Experience working within a charity, community trust, not-for-profit or social impact organisation. 

• Understanding of the governance, funding and compliance requirements associated with charitable organisations. 

• Experience supporting safeguarding-related people processes. 

• Experience supporting organisational change and workforce planning initiatives. 

• Experience of using Workday HRIS or a comparable HR system. 

• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) desirable; CIPD Level 7 advantageous. 

Key Focus Areas 

• Employee Relations 

• Payroll Coordination and Finalisation 

• HR Operations and Compliance 

• Recruitment and Onboarding Oversight 

• People Team Leadership 

• Workforce Reporting and Governance 

• Employee Engagement and Wellbeing 

• Safeguarding Compliance 

• Continuous Improvement of People Processes 

General Trust Accountabilities 

• To ensure compliance with all relevant policies, including health and safety and safeguarding policies 

• To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements 

• To ensure compliance with the Trust’s Code of Conduct.

• To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally, maintaining a professional image at all times when representing Brentford FC Community Sports Trust 

• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Trust and its personnel 

• To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times