108 Business strategy and governance officer jobs

Are you passionate about creating lasting change in communities?

We are seeking an inspiring, compassionate and strategic leader to become our next Chief Executive Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a well-established charity that is committed to improving lives, empowering communities and creating opportunities for people to thrive. As our CEO, you will work alongside a dedicated Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, partners and local communities to shape the future of the organisation, ensuring we continue to deliver meaningful impact while remaining financially sustainable and true to our values.

We're looking for someone who believes in the power of communities, values collaboration and inclusion, and can inspire others to help us achieve our purpose.

About the Role

As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide visionary leadership and be responsible for the overall strategic direction, governance and operational management of the charity.

You will:

• Lead the delivery of our vision, purpose and values, ensuring everything we do reflects our commitment to the communities we serve.
• Develop and deliver an ambitious strategy that responds to local need while building a sustainable future for the charity.
• Champion community voice and lived experience, ensuring the people we support are at the heart of decision-making.
• Inspire, support and develop our staff and volunteers, creating an inclusive, positive and empowering culture.
• Build trusted relationships with funders, commissioners, partners and local stakeholders, acting as an ambassador for the charity.
• Lead fundraising and income generation, securing grants, contracts and new opportunities that enable our work to grow and flourish.
• Ensure excellent governance, financial stewardship, risk management and compliance with charity law and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership for safeguarding, ensuring robust policies, procedures, training, and reporting arrangements are in place and that the organisation maintains a strong culture of safeguarding and wellbeing.
• Oversee the effective delivery and evaluation of our programmes, ensuring we continue to demonstrate meaningful outcomes and impact.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees to support good governance, strategic planning and organisational development.
• Providing appropriate oversight of CLP’s trading subsidiary, CLP Homes, ensuring effective governance, financial management and alignment with the charity’s objectives.

About You

You will be an experienced and values-led leader with a genuine commitment to social justice, equality and community development.

You will bring:

• Experience of leading within the charity, voluntary, community or social enterprise sector (or significant transferable experience with a strong commitment to the sector).
• A successful track record of strategic leadership and organisational development.
• Experience of securing income through grants, contracts, fundraising or partnership development.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to motivate, support and develop teams.
• An understanding of charity governance, safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Sound financial awareness and experience of budget oversight.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to represent the charity externally.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach.
• A collaborative leadership style that empowers others and promotes inclusion, innovation and continuous learning.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to make a lasting difference.

You'll lead a passionate team that believes in the power of people and communities. Together, you'll help shape services that respond to local need, influence positive change and create opportunities for individuals and families to reach their full potential.

If you are motivated by purpose, inspired by partnership working and excited by the opportunity to lead a charity with ambition, we'd love to hear from you.

We Are Survivors is a survivor-focused voluntary sector organisation that aims to create and facilitate safe spaces for male (including trans and non-binary individuals) survivors of sexual harms across Greater Manchester, providing access to quality-assured support. Our work is focused on developing ways for individuals to empower themselves to work through personal and sometimes painful issues, guided and supported by our trauma-informed team, following the trauma and recovery model.

Our vision is to have “A society where NO male survivor is left behind”

We are looking for an Executive Assistant who can work closely with our CEO and help them make the best use of their time, relationships and influence.

At the heart of this role is our ambition that no male survivor is left behind. You will support the CEO to keep that ambition visible in their day-to-day work, helping them stay focused on the conversations and opportunities that can create meaningful change for male survivors.

This is more than an administrative role. You will help the CEO manage their priorities and prepare for important meetings. You will keep track of commitments, follow up on agreed actions, and ensure the right information is available when needed. There will be times when plans change quickly, so you will need to be comfortable using your judgement and adapting your approach.

You will also help We Are Survivors engage and influence at the local, regional, and national levels. This could involve supporting contact with commissioners or government departments, preparing briefings for meetings, coordinating events and helping the CEO maintain strong relationships across the sector. Your work will help ensure that the experiences of male survivors are heard in the places where decisions are made.

As someone working closely with the CEO, you will often be a first point of contact for people inside and outside the organisation. You will need to be approachable while understanding the importance of confidentiality. You should feel confident managing sensitive information and recognising when something needs the CEO’s immediate attention.

We are looking for someone who is organised and able to take initiative. You will share our commitment to male survivors and understand the difference that thoughtful executive support can make. You do not need to know everything from day one, but you should be curious about our work and motivated by the opportunity to help We Are Survivors extend its reach and impact.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Contract Type: 21 hours per week. Initial 12-month fixed term contract with the potential for extension and/or a permanent position at the end of the term.

Salary: £27,00 - £30,000 per annum dependent on relevant experience (£45,00 - £50,000 FTE)

Base: Remote/Hybrid

About us

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you want to work with like-minded professionals in a great team?

Rees seeks to support those who have, at some stage in their lives, been in foster care or residential care, including those with custodial experience. The charity understands the importance of having a lifelong support network. Our aim is to help care experienced people thrive in all aspects of their lives at any age. We seek to listen; and offer help and advice about any aspect they may have.

Rees delivers its services and products to public and voluntary sector commissioners, businesses, other agencies, and professionals.

Role Purpose

The Head of Commercial Income is a senior leadership role and a member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

The postholder will lead the Charity's commercial income function, with responsibility for growing sustainable income through commissioned and commercial services, training, Ask Jan membership and other opportunities.

This is a strategic, commercially focused and hands-on role. The postholder will be a visible face of the Charity, building strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners, public sector organisations, businesses and other partners. They will identify opportunities, understand customer and commissioner needs, develop compelling propositions and secure sustainable business.

A particular focus will be growing the Charity's position within the statutory sector. The postholder will develop a strong understanding of local authority priorities, commissioning, procurement and purchasing processes and use this insight to anticipate emerging needs and create opportunities for the Charity to provide innovative and valuable solutions.

The postholder will lead and develop the Commercial Income function, with the Business Development Manager and Training & Commercial Services Co-ordinator reporting directly to them. They will set direction, priorities and targets while maintaining an active role in developing relationships, identifying opportunities, progressing bids and supporting commercial negotiations.

Working across the Charity, the postholder will ensure commercial opportunities are translated into high-quality, financially sustainable services that deliver positive outcomes for care experienced people.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Provide strategic and commercial leadership for the Charity's commissioned and commercial services, training portfolio and Ask Jan membership offer.
• Lead and develop the Commercial Income function, line managing the Business Development Manager and Training & Commercial Services Co-ordinator.
• Set clear commercial priorities, targets and performance expectations and ensure the team has a strong focus on growth and results.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the leadership, planning and future development of the Charity.
• Develop a proactive, creative and customer-focused commercial culture across the function.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Income and Development, Head of Service Delivery and wider Leadership Team to maximise income and impact.
• Balance strategic leadership with direct involvement in key commercial relationships, opportunities and negotiations.

Strategic Partnerships and Business Development

· Provide strategic leadership to the Charity's relationships with local authorities, commissioners and key partners, building senior-level relationships and positioning the Charity as a trusted partner.

· Oversee the commercial services pipeline, providing direction and support to the Business Development Manager to identify, prioritise and progress opportunities for growth.

· Develop approaches to securing new commissioned and commercial opportunities, working with Service Development and Service Delivery colleagues to shape services in response to market and beneficiary needs.

· Provide senior leadership and input on key bids, tenders and commissioned service proposals.

· Represent the Charity at strategic commissioning forums, partnership meetings and senior stakeholder events, promoting its expertise, services and impact.

· Monitor developments in commissioning, procurement, public policy and relevant markets, using this insight to identify emerging opportunities and potential challenges.

Commissioned and Commercial Services

• Provide overall strategic oversight of the Charity's commissioned and commercial services portfolio, ensuring services meet contractual obligations, quality standards, agreed outcomes and financial targets.
• Work with operational and service development colleagues to ensure services respond effectively to commissioner and customer needs.
• Identify opportunities to develop, improve and expand existing services and create new commercial offers.
• Ensure commercial propositions are viable, deliverable, competitive and aligned with the Charity's mission.
• Monitor market, commissioning and policy developments and identify their implications for the Charity's services and commercial opportunities.

Training and Ask Jan

• Provide strategic leadership for the continued growth and development of the Charity's training offer and Ask Jan membership service.
• Ensure training and membership propositions remain relevant, innovative and responsive to customer and sector needs.
• Identify opportunities to develop new training, membership and other commercial products and services.
• Work with colleagues to ensure these offers are effectively positioned, developed and brought to market.

Financial and Operational Management

• Provide strategic oversight of the financial performance and sustainability of the commercial income portfolio.
• Set and monitor income, growth and performance targets and report progress to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Oversee the commercial pipeline, income forecasting, contract performance and retention.
• Ensure commercial services are delivered within agreed budgets and provide value for money.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, pricing, sustainability and long-term income.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring, reporting and evaluation arrangements are in place for commercial activity.
• Ensure commercial activities comply with contractual, legal, regulatory and organisational requirements.

General

• Work collaboratively across all departments to maximise impact for care experienced people.
• Maintain an awareness of developments in local government, commissioning, procurement, children's services, social care and the wider charity sector.
• Promote the Charity's expertise, services and impact and protect its reputation through high-quality commercial relationships.
• Ensure the Charity's commercial activity remains consistent with its values, purpose and commitment to care experienced people.
• Contribute to organisational planning, continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role.

Essential

• Significant experience of leading and growing commercial income, commissioned services, business development, sales or other income-generating activity.
• Proven track record of securing new business, growing existing contracts and generating sustainable income.
• Experience of building strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners, public sector organisations and other senior stakeholders.
• Experience of leading or overseeing successful tenders, procurements, bids or commissioned service proposals.
• Understanding of public sector commissioning, procurement and purchasing processes, ideally with experience of local authorities and the statutory sector.
• Experience of identifying customer or commissioner needs and developing services, products or propositions in response.
• Strong commercial and business development approach, with the ability to build relationships, influence decision-makers, negotiate and secure business.
• Experience of managing and developing staff within a commercial, business development, sales or income-generation function.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic awareness.
• Ability to combine strategic leadership with an active role in business development and income generation.
• Creative, proactive and opportunity-focused, with excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the Rees Foundation.

Desirable

• Experience of working with local authority children's services, social care, leaving care, corporate parenting or related statutory services.
• Knowledge of the care experienced and/or social care sectors.
• Experience of developing and selling services to local authorities or other public sector organisations.
• Experience of managing training, membership or subscription-based services.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, GDPR, charity governance and relevant regulatory requirements.

Application Process

The closing date for this position is Friday 18th September 2026 at 5pm. Please note that we reserve the right to close applications before the advertised closing date or extend the application window at our discretion.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and welcome applications from those who are care leavers.

Lead the next chapter for liver health in the UK

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and financially stable health charity at a pivotal moment of transformation.
Following a successful merger, the organisation has proudly just completed a full rebrand to Liver UK, bringing together services, information and advocacy across all ages. With a clear, trustee-approved strategy for 2026–2032 already in place, the next Chief Executive will focus on delivery, growth and national influence.

A strong platform and a planned transition

This role comes at a natural and positive point within a planned leadership transition.Our current Chief Executive has provided long-standing, successful leadership and is excited to hand over the rebranded charity for it to be led into its next phase of strategic development, sustainability and growth.
The incoming CEO will inherit a well-led organisation with strong governance, a clear strategic direction, and real momentum.

About the role

As Chief Executive, you will lead delivery of an established strategy, ensuring the organisation continues to grow its reach, impact and income.You will work closely with an engaged and supportive Board of Trustees to maintain high standards of governance, regulatory compliance and risk management, while strengthening the charity’s voice in national policy and public affairs.
This is a role that balances external influence with internal leadership, ensuring both impact and organisational resilience.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver a trustee-approved long-term strategy, refining priorities as needed
• Ensure robust governance, legal and regulatory compliance
• Lead policy, public affairs and national influencing activity
• Maintain financial sustainability and drive income growth
• Lead and develop a high-performing Senior Management Team
• Oversee delivery of high-quality services and information

About you

You are a credible and values-driven leader with senior experience in the charity, health or related sectors.
You will bring:

• Proven senior leadership experience at Director or Chief Executive Officer level
• Strong understanding of governance, finance and regulatory compliance
• Experience influencing policy and working with senior stakeholders
• A track record of delivering organisational growth and impact
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

You will be confident working with a Board of Trustees, able to build strong relationships, provide clear advice, and operate effectively in a governance-led environment. 

You will be motivated by improving health outcomes and confident leading an organisation with both national influence and strong operational delivery.

Why join us?

• A clear, trustee-approved strategy ready for delivery
• Strong governance, financial stability and organisational foundations
• A positive and well-managed leadership transition
• The opportunity to shape a newly unified, UK-wide charity
• A chance to make a meaningful difference in an under-recognised area of health
• A strong, engaged and motivated Board

A competitive salary will be offered, reflecting the experience, skills and leadership qualities of the successful candidate.

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Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement.

A defining feature of our approach is our network of more than 100 Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) across Essex. These community-based organisations are at the heart of our delivery model, providing trusted relationships, local insight and direct support within the communities they serve. Working closely with our LTO network enables us to reach those who may be least likely to engage with traditional services and ensure support is tailored to local needs.

Through partnerships with our LTOs, we deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. This role will play a key part in developing and strengthening these relationships, helping our LTO network to maximise its impact and deliver positive outcomes for young people and communities across Essex.

Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

Active Essex Foundation works to improve life chances for young people and communities across Essex by focusing on three core areas: mental health, youth crime prevention, and strengthening communities. Through our programme structure, we co-design community-led initiatives that use physical activity and positive engagement as tools to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

The Sport for Development Officer will play a key role in supporting the delivery and growth of these programmes. Working closely with our programme leads, locally trusted organisations (LTOs), and community stakeholders, the postholder will help strengthen organisational capability, and ensure high-quality delivery across our mental health, youth crime prevention and community strengthening work. The role will also contribute to the leadership of workstreams aligned with our strategic Outcomes, supporting the Foundation’s mission.

The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. They should demonstrate a track record of delivering impactful projects or initiatives at local or county level, applying a systems approach to complex community issues, and using strengths-based methods to build resilience and capacity within local organisations.

The post holder will work with AEF staff across the business to deliver the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• Senior finance leadership role at the heart of policing
• Help shape the future of finance across South Yorkshire Police

About Our Client

South Yorkshire Police serves a diverse and vibrant region covering approximately 600 square miles and a population of almost 1.4 million people. With an annual budget in excess of £380 million and a workforce of over 5,000 officers and staff, the organisation plays a vital role in protecting communities and delivering essential public services across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. At its core, the Force exists to prevent crime and disorder, protect vulnerable people and target those who cause the greatest harm. It is already a high-performing organisation, with clear ambitions to continue improving services, embracing innovation and delivering the best possible outcomes for the public it serves. Finance is central to achieving those ambitions. Beyond stewardship and governance, the function plays a key role in providing insight, challenge and support to senior leaders, enabling informed decisions in an increasingly complex and financially demanding environment. Significant investment has already been made in systems, infrastructure and capability, creating strong foundations for the future. The focus now is on strengthening financial leadership, enhancing business partnering, driving continuous improvement and ensuring finance remains a trusted adviser across the organisation. Joining at this stage offers a genuine opportunity to influence the future direction of finance within South Yorkshire Police and contribute to the delivery of safer communities across the region.

Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, you will provide leadership across the Finance function whilst supporting the fulfilment of statutory responsibilities as Deputy S151 Officer. Leading a multidisciplinary team of approximately 40 finance professionals, you will oversee a broad portfolio that includes financial business partnering, management accounting, financial accounting, payroll, pensions, exchequer services, insurance and organisational infrastructure.Working closely with the Chief Officer Team and senior stakeholders across the Force, you will provide expert financial advice on complex organisational decisions, support long-term financial sustainability and help ensure resources are deployed effectively to deliver the greatest possible impact for communities across South Yorkshire.Key responsibilities
 

• Deputise for the Chief Finance Officer and undertake Deputy S151 responsibilities.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary finance team of circa 40 colleagues.
• Provide strategic financial advice to Chief Officers and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure effective financial planning, reporting and governance arrangements.
• Drive value for money, continuous improvement and organisational performance.
• Oversee business partnering, financial accounts, payroll, pensions and exchequer services.
• Support delivery of the medium-term financial strategy and capital programme.
• Build strong relationships across the Force, SYMCA and external partners.

The Successful Applicant
We are seeking an accomplished and values-led finance professional who combines strong technical credibility with exceptional leadership and relationship-building skills.

You will be comfortable operating within a complex, high-profile and publicly accountable environment, balancing strategic thinking with effective operational delivery. 

You will bring:

• A recognised CCAB professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant senior finance experience within a large, complex public sector organisation
• Experience of leading and developing large high-performing teams
• Strong influencing, negotiating and stakeholder management skills
• A track record of driving change, continuous improvement and organisational performance
• Experience of developing effective partnerships to deliver robust financial management and value for money
• The ability to communicate complex financial issues clearly and credibly to a wide range of audiences
• Resilience, sound judgement and the ability to operate effectively within a demanding environment

Most importantly, you will be a collaborative leader who can build trust, bring people together and provide the insight and challenge needed to support effective decision-making at the highest levels of the organisation.

Whilst experience within policing is not essential, candidates must be able to demonstrate significant senior finance leadership experience within the public sector and a strong understanding of the governance, accountability and stakeholder landscape in which public services operate. 

What's on Offer

• Salary - £87,500 - £95,000 depending on experience. Please note that a pay award is currently pending and the salary for this role is expected to increase upon confirmation.
• Excellent benefits including access to the LGPS pension scheme with an employer contribution of 11.6%
• Hybrid working - 3 days a week in the office

Process and Key Dates:

• CV Application Deadline: Wednesday 30th September
• First Stage Interviews: 13th and 20th October
• Final Stage Interviews: 27th October

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and shortlisted candidates may be contacted before the closing date. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Head of Finance and Business Support
Are you an experienced finance leader looking for an opportunity to make a real impact? YMCA St Helens is seeking a strategic and values-driven Head of Finance and Business Support to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This pivotal role will provide leadership across finance, administration, HR, IT, governance, compliance and risk management, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of our organisation. Working closely with the CEO, Board and senior colleagues, you will lead financial planning, oversee corporate support services and act as the organisation's Data Protection Officer (DPO).

We're looking for someone with:

• Significant senior leadership experience in finance and corporate services.
• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or substantial equivalent experience.
• Proven experience of strategic financial planning and management.
• Strong knowledge of governance, compliance, risk management and data protection.
• Experience leading and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, analytical and influencing skills.

Why join YMCA St Helens?
This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a respected and ambitious charity that supports people and communities across St Helens. You'll help shape organisational strategy, drive continuous improvement and contribute to delivering lasting social impact.

Closing date: 19-09-2026

The Sports Development Officer role develops, leads and coordinates sports activity programmes that increase participation and use sport to improve health, reduce crime and build social inclusion - working to the Selby Trust’s ‘Selby Active Sports Strategy’. 

In this role you will: 

• Grow and diversify Selby Active's sports portfolio while sustaining existing relationships (i.e. charities, the NHS, local authorities (Haringey Council and Enfield Council), funders (Including Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board and Middlesex in the Community), schools and colleges and sport national governing bodies (NGBs).

• Build and maintain partnerships with strategic and local stakeholders

• Focus delivery on under-represented groups — young people, women, older and disabled people, and ethnically diverse communities

• Address issues of health, crime, and social inclusion

The role requires flexible work, including some evenings and weekends, to achieve the best possible outcome within available resources.

Principal accountabilities

• Recruit, supervise, train and manage Selby Active coaches, staff, volunteers and instructors, ensuring high-quality service delivery.

• Lead project coordination, planning, ongoing development and budget management, setting high-quality standards; work with the Partnerships and Funding Manager on sports bids.

• Identify sport, recreation and health initiatives, overseeing strategic planning and implementation.

• Coordinate, deliver and promote activities, classes and events - particularly for under-represented groups - working with internal colleagues and Haringey and Enfield Councils to develop a varied programme for the new Selby Centre.

• Engage informal and registered sports groups, especially those in our community, ensuring they are aware of the activities available to them.

• Represent Selby Trust and build effective relationships with sports users, volunteers, local sports groups, local authorities and awarding/professional bodies, including at local, regional and national meetings, seminars and conferences.

• Lead engagement with sports partners and proactively reach out to local clubs, delivering against KPIs and drawing on their collective expertise.

• Support capacity-building for small sports organisations, including identifying organisations for Selby's GLA-supported business support programme.

• Organising workshops, accredited courses and mentoring programmes.

• Monitor and evaluate our on-site activities and services, interpreting data to produce high-quality reports and presentations for funders and stakeholders (including the Board of Trustees and local authorities).

• Identify, apply for and provide information on sports grants and sponsorship, working with the Partnerships and Funding Manager.

• Co-lead the capture of stories, case studies and content for Selby Trust's digital channels.

• Work with Pre- and Post-16 initiatives to encourage sports participation and parental involvement.

• Check venues and manage facilities.

• Develop a community membership scheme.

• Work within relevant guidelines, including equal opportunities, health and safety, and safeguarding and child protection.

Requirements and skills: Essential

• Passion for sport

• A relevant qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience in sports development, coaching or community engagement

• Experience in community sports groups/club engagement and organising effective outreach & events

• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, and in producing reports and delivering presentations

• Strong and effective written/verbal communication skills

• Proven ability to engage and communicate with people from a wide range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds – including older and disabled people –and openness listening to and reflecting diverse views

• Stakeholder management and network building

• Good organisational skills – able to prioritise workload, manage time and meet deadlines, working both on own initiative and as part of a team

• Good level of working knowledge in Office 365 – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint

Requirements and skills: Desirable

• Understanding of social justice issues, particularly in relation to community empowerment

• Familiarity using HR systems, I.e. Bright HR

• Knowledge of local community and statutory and non-governmental organisations locally

• Knowledge of working with a CRM system and/or Project management system such as Salesforce

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees

Make a difference every day by helping a growing autism charity deliver the very best support for autistic people and their families.

Space4Autism is looking for an experienced, organised and people-focused Business & Operations Manager to help drive our organisation forward and ensure everything behind the scenes runs effectively.

Space4Autism has been a lifeline for autistic individuals and their families across Cheshire East since 2005. What started as a parent-founded, volunteer-run charity has grown into an organisation delivering over 4,000 activities a year - social clubs for children and young people, parent and carer support, services for autistic adults, an autism-friendly community café, a charity shop offering work experience for autistic adults, training and workshops, and space for private hire. Everything we do is guided by one simple promise: we listen, we help, we care. 

Now, as we grow, we need someone who can help us grow well - a Business & Operations Manager who will work hand-in-hand with our CEO to keep the organisation running smoothly, sustainably, and with the same care we bring to every family we support. 

The opportunity…

This is a hands-on senior leadership role for a pragmatic, confident operator who's just as comfortable in a budget spreadsheet as they are supporting a team, and who genuinely wants their work to change lives. You'll be a trusted partner to the CEO, taking ownership of the day-to-day so that strategy turns into action - across business planning, finance, funding, people, operations, and governance.

You'll report directly to the CEO and line manage the whole Space4Autism team, giving you real influence over how the charity runs and grows.

What you'll be doing…

Business planning & strategy: help shape, implement, and monitor our business plan, turn strategic goals into clear action plans, and keep leadership priorities, projects, and timelines on track. You'll attend Trustee Board meetings and bring your insight, challenges, and ideas to the table.

Budgets & finance: support budget planning, monitoring, and reporting, and keep a close eye on spend so we stay financially sustainable, working alongside our finance team and external accountants.

Funding & income: help drive our funding strategy and income diversification, track grant requirements and deadlines, and coordinate funding applications and stakeholder communications.

Operations: own the smooth running of the organisation day to day: improving systems and processes, spotting operational risks before they become problems, and supporting governance and compliance.

People Management & Leadership: line manage the whole team, lead on recruitment, and support onboarding, performance, and development, building a working culture that's positive, collaborative, and accountable.

Policy & governance: develop and maintain our policies and procedures, keeping us compliant with legislation and best practice, and supporting our wider governance and compliance reporting.

What we're looking for…

· Strong business management and operational leadership experience

· Proven financial and budget management capability

· Experience managing people, teams, and organisational processes

· Sound knowledge of governance and compliance, including regulatory frameworks, safeguarding, and best practice

· Somebody who is able to occasionally attend off-site fundraisers and other events outside of core working hours

· A track record of supporting organisational growth — scaling services, managing change, building capacity

· A confident, pragmatic decision maker with sharp problem-solving skills

· Excellent organisational skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities

· A hands-on style that works both strategically and operationally

· Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

It would also be great if you have…

· Experience building strategic relationships and partnerships

· A background in the charity, healthcare, or NHS sectors

· Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, or regulatory frameworks

· An understanding of autism services or neurodiversity-informed practice

· Experience working in a growing organisation or service environment

You'll fit right in if you're…

Proactive and solutions-focused, calm under pressure, a collaborative leader with a strong sense of accountability and integrity and genuinely passionate about improving outcomes for autistic individuals and their families.

What you’ll get in return…

 

· Salary of £38,000 - £42,000 DOE

· Enrollment into employee pension scheme

· 31 days holidays including bank holidays

· Wellbeing social days

· Charity discount scheme

Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know…

 

Please submit your most up to date CV via this advert. It is highly desirable that you also attach a cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and motivations for wanting to join Space4Autism.

Suitable candidates will be contacted for an initial telephone discussion prior to final shortlisting. Those shortlisted will be invited to attend a competency-based interview where you will also be tasked with preparing a short presentation.

If you are successful in the competency-based interview, you will be invited to attend a final meeting with the CEO to ensure you align and to answer any questions you may have about the role and the charity.

We are anticipating a high volume of applications for this role and while we will endeavor to respond to all applications, if you have not been contacted prior to the closing date, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.

Disability Confident Employer

Space4Autism is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (reg no. DCS021234). We guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria for this role, as set out in the job specification.

If you'd like to apply under this scheme, please let us know by stating this clearly on your CV / covering letter and telling us that you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme. You're welcome to share as much or as little detail about your disability as you're comfortable with, we only need enough information to confirm you meet the criteria.

If you're invited to interview, please also let us know of any reasonable adjustments you'd need to take part. For example, accessible interview arrangements, extra time, alternative formats for materials, or a different interview format. You can tell us this at the same time as applying, or at any point once you've been invited, and it won't affect your application in any way.

#BusinessandOperationsManager

#BusinessandOperations

#OperationsManager

Job titleChief Executive

ContractPermanent / Full time (35 hours a week)

Location London / hybrid (regular London presence)

Salary£95,000 - £100,000

Benefits Up to 6.5% matched pension, total contributions of 13%.
28 days annual leave per year plus public holidays.
Enhanced sick leave cover of up to 5 years.
Death in service benefit of 2x annual salary.
Employee Assistance scheme.
Working from home allowance.
Annual wellbeing allowance.

Reports to Chair and Board of Trustees

Direct reportsDirector of Finance and Operations
Director of Evidence and Improvement
Policy and Communications Manager
People and Business Partner

Background information

About us:

National Voices is the leading coalition of health and social care charities in England. We have more than 200 members covering a diverse range of health conditions and communities, connecting us with the experiences of millions of people. We work together to strengthen the voice of patients, people with Lived Experience, unpaid carers, their families and the voluntary organisations that work for them.

Our mission:

We advocate for a more equitable and person-centred health and care, shaped by the people who use and need it the most.

We do this by:

- Understanding and advocating for what matters to people, especially those living with health conditions and groups who experience inequalities

- Finding common cause across communities and conditions by working with member charities and those they support

- Connecting and convening charities, decisions makers and citizens to work together to change health and care for good.

Our five-year strategy:

In September 2024 we published a new five-year strategy that was co-produced with our staff, our member charities, our Lived Experience Partners and our key stakeholders. This set out three clear goals:

- End unequal access
By addressing the barriers experienced by those facing the worst outcomes, we will find solutions that improve care for all.

- Transfer power to people and communities
As a leader in co-production, we will help communities to work with system leaders at national and neighbourhood level to make big decisions together. This will maximise the skills and capabilities of patients, ensuring care is truly person-centred.

- Shift the measures of success
By campaigning for better patient experience and outcomes metrics, we can ensure that what matters to people becomes the key measure of success for the NHS.

In the first two years of the strategy we have already made big strides. For example, our work encouraging the Government to focus on “getting the basics right” has seen major policy initiatives designed to fix access to primary care and the 8am rush. Similarly, our work on the experience of waiting for elective care has seen the introduction of the first ever set of minimum standards for waiting.

Our work on the 10 Year Plan, and on the Quality Strategy, has also seen both patient experience and outcome measures given much greater prominence in how the NHS judges success and National Voices has now been commissioned by NHS England to help design the future of patient feedback mechanisms.

We have also successfully campaigned for funding formulas to be revised to enable the NHS to directly address the inverse care law and tackle the impact of health inequalities head on.

But there are challenges ahead, not least the role patients and communities play directly in co-producing improvement. With ICBs under huge financial pressures, and so much change in the health and care system, we need to make sure every piece of work we deliver is of the highest quality and adds real value. This is the only way to help others across the sector understand the value that people with Lived Experience offer to problem solving processes and creating better and more inclusive solutions.

PLEASE SEE RECRUITMENT PACK FOR FULL DETAILS AND APPLICATION GUIDANCE

About HCL:

 Open 51 weeks a year, HCL provides accommodation for a Nursery, a professional kitchen and community Café and a flexible space with rooms to hire for a range of activities providing educational and health and social activities such as hosting community meetings and refugee services, a venue for blood transfusion services and a polling station, ESOL and adult learning and social events, bingo and lunch clubs and dancing classes all aimed at combating social isolation, loneliness and anxiety.

Strategic Leadership

• To create a deliverable strategic plan, identify and respond to major external issues.
• Translate our vision into clear operational goals, ensuring long-term growth and stability.

Financial & Governance Oversight

• Stabilise HCL Financially.
• Rebuild relationships with external partners through collaborative working.
• Develop a funding plan for future stability.
• Seek to negotiate Heads of Terms on the lease of the building from Salford Diocese by 2030 or have developed a relocation plan or closure of the centre.

Team Management

• Lead, inspire, and support the management team.
• improve staffing wellbeing, motivation and esteem,
• Implement a plan of continuous professional development.

Partnerships

• Advocacy: Represent HCL publicly, raising awareness of our cause with media, stakeholders, and the community
• Represent HCL at key meetings with existing and potential funders and stakeholders.
• To develop a partnership collaborative strategy across the local voluntary sector, building networks, reducing duplication of and creating effective efficient well governed services for the betterment of the lives of our community.

Core duties are:

• Work closely with and support the Board in the overall strategic, financial and organisational development to secure its long-term sustainability.
• Financial planning, management and reporting.
• Identify funding opportunities and deliver bid development.
• Support Board development in line with modernising effective board Governance.

Organisational Management

• Lead the delivery of new projects and contracts once funding and contracts have been secured, ensuring the provision of all appropriate monitoring information.
• Work with the Senior Management Team to plan the effective delivery of services to ensure the highest possible standards are achieved.
• Ensure the effective delivery of services, by the deployment of staff and volunteers, which is value for money.
• Lead a whole company approach to promoting and publicising the range of activities and services available to the local community.

Operational Management

• Be responsible for HCL's day-to-day operation including, health & safety, safeguarding policies and procedures, customer service and the relationship with our landlord.
• Ensure that all HCL's relevant legal obligations are met.
• Support the use of IT and digital media across HCL's work by ensuring IT systems are secure, well maintained and managed with a development plan to meet HCL's needs.

People

• Co-ordinate and contribute to staff recruitment, selection processes and contracting.
• Conduct regular performance reviews of staff, identifying, organising and supporting team and individuals' training and learning and development opportunities.
• Lead and manage HCL's equality, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and equal opportunities strategies and practices.
• Promote and ensure good practice and compliance with relevant employment law and health & safety regulations in HCL's building and any external sites where staff are working.

Legal and contracting

• Be responsible for legal compliance and good practice across HCLs business processes in line with charity and company law.
• Monitor HCL's funding agreements ensuring accurate and timely reporting to funders.

Please see the Job Description for full details of the role and responsibilities.

Information about Headway Gloucestershire:-

Headway Gloucestershire was established in 1987 and since then has been working to make a positive difference to the lives of people over 18 with an acquired brain injury.  We provide specialist recovery support and respite through the following services

• OurCommunity Links Service provides outreach information, specialist brain injury recoveryadvice for people with an acquired brain injury and their families and supports them as they come toterms with the changed circumstances brought about by brain injury. The service includes benefits advice and collaborative working with other organisations such as Adult Social Services, Housing Providers and other VCSE organisations
   
• Our Enablement Service is centre based and open every weekday offering activities that focus on the five elements of rehabilitation: emotional functioning; cognitive functioning; learning; social interaction and behaviour. This takes the form of a structured timetable so that those with an acquired brain injury can select the activities thathelp them work towards their goals.We work one to one and also employ a group format to harness theunique recovery benefits of peer contact and support. 
   
• OurCarer Support Groups provide a relaxed environment withinthe community where people with an acquired brain injury and their families can meet new people, share experiences and support each other.We provide training events, social events and facilitate familysupport groups. 
   
• Our Peer Support Groups provide an opportunity once a month in different locations for people with an acquired brain injury to discuss topics of interest and to share challenges, tips and provide positive support.
   
• Our Community Hubs are delivered in locations around the county in community venues and are tailored to the needs of the group for up to 3 hours. They include physical exercise sessions, focussed discussion groups, advice and support related to acquired brain injury and the opportunity to develop a local support network
   
• Our Hospital Liaison service is where we attend the Gloucester Royal Hospital once every two weeks at an agreed time to offer support to individuals and their family during the early stages of rehabilitation.

Headway Gloucestershire is a busy, growing charity providing services to people with an acquired brain injury and their families and carers.  Every year we are challenged to raise funds to help deliver our services.

CEO Role

You will lead and motivate a small team of staff and volunteers and work with them to provide a person centred, enabling and outcome focused support service to people over 18 with an acquired brain injury.  You will seek opportunities for planned development and growth and build on the success of our existing services to increase our offer.

You will act as principal spokesperson and advocate for the charity, demonstrating integrity and commitment to key stakeholders, partners and donors to ensure the best outcomes for people affected by brain injury in the Gloucestershire area.

You will be joining at an exciting time as we work together with health and social care partners to monitor and understand the needs of people with brain injury in Gloucestershire and influence the pathway for rehabilitation and longer-term support.

The ideal candidate will have experience of managing a small organisation in the charity or care sector, developing strategy and business plans, a track record of securing funding in a tough financial climate, excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and develop a team of staff and volunteers.

Headway Gloucestershire is an equal opportunity employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will need to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

Salary
£50,000 - £52,000 (Pro Rata) with a possible bonus for meeting agreed fundraising targets

Based at
Headway House, Gloucester

Hours
37.5 hours per week with the option of some flexibility depending on business need

Contract
Permanent

Responsible to
The Board of Trustees

To find out more about this role, please email us.

To apply for this position please send your CV and maximum of a two-page personal statement outlining how you meet the requirements for the role.

The Head of Operations will provide strategic leadership and oversight of HEY Smile Foundation’s governance arrangements, organisational systems and infrastructure, human resources and culture, and buildings and facilities. The role will ensure Smile has the people, processes, controls and resources to deliver its purpose reliably and respond confidently to future opportunities. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the postholder will translate organisational strategy into a clear operational plan, strengthen accountability and lead improvements across the charity. They will provide the CEO and trustees with timely information, assurance and practical recommendations on operational performance, capacity and risk.

This is a senior leadership role combining strategic oversight with the ability to secure delivery through colleagues, managers and specialist providers. The postholder will establish clear responsibilities, standards and reporting, intervening directly where necessary and building capacity so that routine delivery does not depend on the CEO.