Chief executive officer (ceo) jobs

As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will play a critical role in shaping the operational future of Mermaids. Working closely with the CEO and wider team, you will lead the development and delivery of robust finance, people, income generation and operational strategies that ensure we are well equipped to meet the needs of the communities we exist to serve. Mermaids is a charity with deep meaning and purpose for our beneficiaries, and the work we do has never been more important.

We are looking for someone with a track record of delivering meaningful transformation across finance and operational functions, ideally in a charity or values-driven setting. You will bring a collaborative and strategic mindset, with the ability to lead teams through change while maintaining focus on care, impact and accountability.

This role is fully remote, full time with a four day working week (32 hours).

Mermaids is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from those with lived experiences (directly or indirectly) and/or close ties to the LGBTQ+ community. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us and shape what we do. We are particularly keen to receive applications from BPOC (black and people of colour) and/or disabled and trans candidates.

Role Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to shape Shine’s strategic direction while managing the operational delivery of our services for children, young people, and families aged 0–25. Building on the success of our Little Stars/Ser Bach programme for members aged 0–12 and the development and extension of the FIRE (Friendship, Independence, Resilience, Empowerment) programme for those aged 13–25, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our support for children, young people and their families.

Working across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you will lead the delivery of an established, evidence-based programme that improves health, social, and emotional outcomes for those living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and associated conditions.

You’ll lead a passionate team and work closely with Shine’s Adult Services Team (25+), Health Team, Wales and Northern Ireland Managers and wider colleagues across the organisation to ensure work is coordinated, complementary, and beneficial to members. At the same time, you’ll forge strong partnerships with NHS professionals, statutory services, and voluntary organisations—driving collaboration that will support our vision of providing consistent, high-quality support for children, young people and families nationwide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Management
• Programme Development & Delivery
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
• Member Support & Engagement

Please see the full Job Description & Person Specification below and on our website. 

Benefits to working at Shine:

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027
• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)  
• 3% pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year
• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Broadband allowance for home-based roles
• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment  
• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders 
• Support to learn and develop 

How to apply 

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job. 

If you would like to discuss the role with our Deputy CEO, Gill Valentine, please contact Shine to arrange a convenient time for a call. 

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria. 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications. 

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

Closing date: Thursday 16th April 2026 at 11pm 

Interviews:  Monday 27th April 2026  

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible. 

Operations and Finance Officer

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance
18 hours per week | £16–£17 per hour
12-month contract (with potential to extend)
Flexible / Remote working

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a user-led national charity supporting people with muscle-weakening conditions. We provide peer support, advocacy, research and campaigning to improve quality of life and drive systemic change.

We are now recruiting an Operations and Finance Officer to strengthen our internal systems and help ensure the smooth and sustainable running of the organisation.

About the Role

This is a key Officer-level role supporting financial administration, governance processes, HR coordination and organisational systems. You will work closely with the CEO and support the trustee board.

You will not hold financial sign-off authority, but you will be responsible for ensuring processes are accurate, organised and compliant.

Key Responsibilities

• Setting up supplier payments for CEO approval

• Importing and reconciling bank statements in accounting software

• Supporting budget tracking and financial record keeping

• Inputting payroll data and liaising with payroll providers

• Collating and submitting DBS applications

• Tracking HR processes (supervisions, appraisals, probation reviews)

• Organising trustee and staff meetings

• Maintaining policy review schedules and compliance deadlines

• Improving and documenting internal systems and processes

About You

We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of neuromuscular conditions or other long-term disabilities. Reasonable adjustments will be provided throughout the recruitment process and in the role.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in administration, finance or operations

• Is highly organised and detail-oriented

• Is comfortable using spreadsheets and digital systems

• Can manage multiple deadlines and confidential information

• Is confident escalating queries where needed

• Shares our commitment to equity, co-production and inclusion

Experience in the charity sector is welcome but not essential.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements

• A supportive, values-driven team

• The opportunity to shape and strengthen a growing national charity

• A genuine commitment to lived experience leadership

To apply, please submit your CV and a short covering statement outlining why you are interested and how you meet each criteria.

Interviews will be held on Monday 13th April

Are you an experienced fundraiser, skilled in crafting persuasive appeals and telling moving stories of impact and change? We have a fabulous opportunity for you to use your creative and organisational skills to make a difference to families in South London and East Surrey.

Our programmes include individual family support, domestic abuse recovery and a range of parenting and group work programmes to enable families to thrive.

The core of your role will be in generating funds from trusts, foundations and grant making trusts.

• Identify and research prospective funders aligned with Welcare’s priorities.
• Develop tailored, high-quality grant applications, expressions of interest, and monitoring reports.
• Manage a rolling pipeline of small, medium, and large grant opportunities.
• Lead on multi-year and restricted funding applications where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate tracking of deadlines and submissions using eTapestry (Blackbaud’s CRM/Supporter Management System)
• Work closely with CEO, Head of Practice and Business Manager to gather data, case studies, and outcomes.

• Translate impact data into compelling narratives aligned with funder priorities.
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to strengthen future bids.

Salary:  £41,771 FTE (pro-rata £25,062)

Fully remote working

Generous Annual Leave allowance

Longlisted candidates will be required to complete a full application form prior to interview.

Application closing date: 6 April 2026

Interview date: rolling interview

*This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. 

Stop Domestic Abuse is a trauma informed organisation; the work we do to support those effected by domestic abuse may be triggering for those with past trauma. Please only apply if you are living free from abuse. If you’d like to talk to us about this, please get in touch.

Location: Havant

Salary: £36,547 - £39,372

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Full Time/Permanent 

Reference Number: STOPDA847

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:

Prepare compelling responses to grant applications, support the Business Development Director and wider leadership team with responses to complex tenders and high-value funding applications.

Ensure all policies, procedures and practice are reviewed in line with designated timescales and meet the quality assurance requirements of the national outcomes framework and service standards for VAWG, SafeLives, Women’s Aid NQS, RESPECT accreditation principles and any additional frameworks agreed by the CEO.

Lead, monitor and evaluate projects as designated by the Business Development Director e.g. project management of website redevelopment, collaborating with external contractors and our IT Manager to convey our organisational vision.

Support operational activities which inform whole-organisation improvement e.g. gather and analyse staff survey feedback data, possess a natural curiosity for data analysis and identification of trends which draw meaningful conclusions from qualitative and quantitative data.

Manage (and delegate where appropriate) and quality assure all subject access requests, complaints and data queries in line with Data Protection and GDPR legislation, working with, and supported by the Business Development Director (DPO) on complex cases.

What We Offer:

Time off and Flexibility:

- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (Increasing with service)

- Birthday day off

- Child’s first day of school off

- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ leave per year

- Flexible and hybrid working

- Protected time of up to one hour each month

Family-Friendly Benefits:

- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave

- IVF Leave

Health and Wellbeing:

- Westfield Health Healthcare Cashback Plan (after probation)

- Westfield Health Personal Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Eye care vouchers

- Cycle to Work Scheme

About Stop Domestic Abuse:

Stop Domestic Abuse is a proud women-led organisation supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Portsmouth and Hampshire. Our vision is a world without domestic abuse, and we work to ensure that it’s ‘everyone’s business.’

We provide refuge and community-based support, delivering in a trauma-informed way for adults, children and young people, tailored to individual needs. Our 19 refuges offer safe, welcoming homes, and across our services we provide one-to-one support and group activities to help improve their safety and to meet others with similar experiences. We support children process their experiences and help regain a sense of safety.

Our UP2U programmes support those seeking to change abusive behaviours, and we also offer specialist support for victims of stalking. We also deliver training to professionals, including the hair and beauty industry, to recognise domestic abuse and connect people to specialist support services.

Our Values:

Equality, Openness, Honesty, Respect for individual dignity and diversity, Empowering women and children, and Care and Compassion – are at the heart of everything we do. By committing to these values, we aim to significantly improve the lives of those we support and work towards our vision of a world without domestic abuse.

Head of Operations

A senior leadership role where your decisions will directly improve young people’s lives.

The Jack Hazeldine Foundation (JHF) is a small, ambitious youth charity with a big mission: to transform the lives of young people through high‑quality 1:1 mentoring, tutoring and personalised support.

We are now seeking a Head of Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping how our charity runs – strengthening our systems, supporting our people, and ensuring we are sustainable, compliant and impact‑driven as we grow.

This is a genuinely senior role, working closely with the CEO and Trustees, where your judgement will be trusted and your impact will be visible every day.

About the role

As Head of Operations, you will lead JHF’s operational strategy and oversee delivery across operations, finance, people, systems, programmes and compliance.

You will line manage a small, committed team and deputise for the CEO when required.

This is a role for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery, and who thrives in a small organisation where leadership is visible and change is possible.

Why join JHF?

• A senior leadership role with real influence over how the organisation operates
• The opportunity to shape and improve systems
• Close working relationships with the CEO and Trustees
• A manageable team size that allows for thoughtful, people‑centred leadership
• Clear, visible impact where your work directly supports better outcomes for young people
• A values‑driven culture rooted in integrity, collaboration and ambition for impact
• A supportive organisation that values learning, wellbeing and sustainable ways of working

We have strong operational foundations in place and have been awarded a CAF Resilience Grant to further strengthen our financial and operational sustainability – a key focus for this role.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and implement JHF’s operational strategy alongside the CEO and Trustees
• Oversee day‑to‑day operations across programmes, finance, HR and administration
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, reporting and controls
• Act as senior lead for governance, risk, GDPR and information security
• Own and develop our bespoke database to improve efficiency, reporting and impact measurement
• Provide high‑quality operational insight and data to inform Board decision‑making
• Support programme delivery to balance impact, quality, compliance and sustainability
• Lead and support staff development, wellbeing and inclusive practice

About you

You will bring:

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally in a charity, youth, education or people‑centred organisation
• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting and reporting
• Experience leading small, multi‑disciplinary teams
• Confidence overseeing service delivery, compliance and risk
• Experience owning or leading organisational systems or digital change
• A values‑driven, collaborative approach and strong commitment to safeguarding young people

We recognise that no candidate will meet every requirement. If you bring relevant experience and a strong commitment to our mission, we would love to hear from you.

#Head of Operations #Operations #Strategic Operations #Head of Operations

Social Finance is an ambitious non-profit that designs, funds and scales solutions to complex social problems. Our vision is a fairer world where together we unleash the potential of people and communities. We work with governments, funders, communities and the social sector to tackle some of the most persistent challenges facing society in the UK.

Our multidisciplinary team brings together experience from the public, private and charity sectors. We are known for our collaborative and intellectually curious culture and for delivering systems change, improving how entire systems operate so they produce better, lasting outcomes.

One of our most significant initiatives is IPS Grow, which supports the national expansion of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services across England. IPS is an evidence-based approach that helps people experiencing severe mental illness, addiction and other health challenges find and sustain competitive employment with tailored support.

IPS Grow works with commissioners, healthcare providers and delivery partners to expand high-quality IPS services, improve quality and learning across the system, and ensure the data and evidence behind IPS continue to demonstrate its impact. Scaling IPS has been a priority for Social Finance since 2015 and continues to be an integral part of our work today.

With IPS Grow transitioning from a fast‑growing initiative to a mature organisation with expanding reach and influence, we are now looking for an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join the IPS Grow and Social Finance Senior Leadership Team.

The COO will provide strategic leadership across IPS Grow’s operational infrastructure, ensuring the organisation has the systems, processes and capabilities required to deliver impact at scale. You will strengthen financial oversight, resource planning and risk management while helping develop IPS Grow’s data and digital capability. The role will also help shape the organisational structures and culture needed to support sustainable growth.

We are looking for a senior operational leader with experience in finance and the non-profit or publicly funded sectors, ideally with a track record of helping organisations scale. You will bring strong financial literacy, sound strategic judgement and the ability to build effective operational frameworks in complex environments.

You will be a collaborative partner across IPS Grow and the wider Social Finance organisation, building trusted relationships, bringing clarity to operational challenges and fostering a strong “one team” culture across a distributed team.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of IPS Grow’s development. If this resonates with you, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots.

Applications should include a CV and covering letter responding to the following questions:

1. What is motivating you to become our new Chief Operating Officer for IPS Grow? (200 words)
2. Given what you have read about us so far, what do you believe would make an effective Chief Operating Officer for IPS Grow? (200 words)
3. Please describe your experience ensuring an organisation had the right systems, processes or capabilities in place to use data effectively. What was your role and what difference did this make? (250 words)
4. Please tell us about a time when you built strong partnerships across teams or organisations to deliver a shared goal. What approach did you take and what was the outcome? (250 words)

HopeWorks is a community‑focused charity dedicated to improving the lives of the homeless, those in our supported accommodation, and those seeking resettlement in the UK. We are passionate about delivering high‑impact support and ensuring every pound we receive makes a meaningful difference. 

As our Finance Officer, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth financial running of the organisation. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting budget planning, managing day‑to‑day transactions, and helping produce financial reports that support strategic decision-making. This role is perfect for someone who has finance experience in the charity sector, is highly organised, confident with IT packages, numbers and financial analysis, and motivated by the vision and values of HopeWorks.

The Finance and Business Operations Director will lead VAST’s financial and operational strategy, ensuring robust financial management, effective HR and IT systems, compliance with Health and Safety, and the efficient running of The Dudson Centre.

The postholder will act as Company Secretary, overseeing governance and compliance, and also serve as the organisation’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role contributes to strategic planning and organisational development, as well as supporting VAST’s day-to-day delivery.

What we're looking for

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc.)
• Significant experience in financial management and business operations in the VCSE sector.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills
• Knowledge of charity finance, governance, and compliance.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to travel locally and work occasional evenings/weekends.

About us

 10 Windsor Walk (10WW) is a Community Interest Company established by local therapists concerned to address the provision of intensive psychological services for those most in need.

We support psychoanalysts, psychotherapists and the local community by providing psychotherapy treatment rooms and space for training and events related to developing psychological services.

More than this, we are a hub where therapists and psychoanalysts can meet, work together and exchange ideas on developing the practice as a whole.

Our work includes:

Affordable treatment – We run low- and no-fee psychotherapy for those in need in the local community, alongside trainees from the Institute of Psychoanalysis who offer low-fee psychoanalysis.

Community programmes – We run a weekly therapeutic playgroup for parents and toddlers seeking sanctuary in South London, alongside public events such as the Psychoanalytic Film Club and Maudsley Lectures.

Education and training – We host lectures, seminars and specialist training for psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, NHS staff and the wider public.

About the role:

We are seeking a part-time Finance Officer to support the financial management of the organisation and strengthen our internal financial systems.

Working closely with the Programme Manager and Finance Sub-Committee, the Finance Officer will maintain accurate financial records, support grant reporting and provide financial information to support organisational planning and governance.

This role is particularly suited to someone with strong bookkeeping experience who enjoys working in a small mission-driven organisation and contributing to the development of robust financial systems.

Summary of tasks:

·Day-to-day bookkeeping and maintenance of Xero

·Managing payments

·Reconciling bank transactions and maintaining accurate financial records

·Maintaining clear financial records and audit trails to support internal controls and financial transparency

·Producing and releasing sales invoices

·Submitting monthly payroll info to accountant, including HMRC and pension submissions

·Preparing and posting monthly journals ahead of review by the Programme Manager and Finance Sub-Committee

·Maintaining prepayments and accruals

·Tracking and monitoring grant income and expenditure, and preparing financial reports and information for existing and future funders

·Updating and maintaining cashflow forecasts

·Supporting year-end accounts and liaising with external accountants

·Maintaining the fixed assets register and depreciation schedules

·Support the review of the Reserves Policy

·Monitoring liquidity and key financial indicators and reporting concerns to the Programme Manager and Finance Sub-Committee

·Monitoring service contracts and ensuring value for money

·Supporting the financial aspects of the transition from CIC to charity

·Assistance in the preparation of project budgets

·Supporting lease and grant subsidy administration 

·Supporting the development and implementation of financial policies

Working relationships

The postholder will work closely with the Programme Manager and Finance Sub-Committee, providing specialist financial oversight and strengthening internal controls, rather than undertaking general management responsibilities.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

·Has experience of bookkeeping and financial administration

·Is confident using accounting software such as Xero

·Is highly organised with strong attention to detail

·Can manage financial information clearly and accurately

·Is comfortable working collaboratively within a small organisation

·Has strong communication skills and the ability to explain financial information clearly

·Is interested in supporting a mission-driven organisation working in the field of mental health and community support

This job description outlines the main duties of the role. It is not an exhaustive list, and the postholder will be expected to undertake additional responsibilities appropriate to the role as organisational needs evolve. The role involves working closely with colleagues across programmes, operations and governance in a small and collaborative organisation.

How to apply:
 
Interested candidates are invited to submit a (1 page max) cover letter along with a CV.
 
The closing date for applications is Monday the 13th April 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place the week of 27th April and/or 4th May 2026. A short assessment task will be shared with shortlisted applicants.
 

The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and references will be required.
 
Accessibility:
 
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this.
 
Equal Opportunities Statement:
 
10 Windsor Walk Community Interest Company complies with the Equality Act 2010. We believe in fair treatment of all our employees and commit to promoting diversity in our employment practices. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, marital
status, medical history, parental status or genetic information. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.

Are you passionate about global women’s rights and would love to contribute to the cause? Are you organised, efficient and enjoy supporting colleagues in the smooth running of an organisation?

This is an exciting time to join The Circle as we take the organisation to the next level and the Team Co-ordinator will play a pivotal role ensuring smooth daily functioning by managing administration, CRM, IT, and HR support. This role is key in facilitating team collaboration, supporting onboarding, managing office systems, and handling financial tasks like invoices, working collaboratively to boost team efficiency.

We are open to different levels of experience – whether you are a seasoned hand in operations and team support or at the early stage of your career. The successful candidate will bring high levels of organisation, elbow grease, passion and commitment.

Job Description

• Administration & Systems Management

Managing supplies, equipment, and maintaining filing systems, records, and CRM database. Engage with and support running The Circle’s current operational systems, including Beacon CRM, Quickbooks, 1Password, Breathe HR, Microsoft 365 (including Microsoft Teams & SharePoint), FreshPay, Stripe, PayPal, Mailchimp, Wordpress, etc. Continue to develop and update systems.

• HR & Volunteer Support

Assisting with staff onboarding/offboarding, managing recruitment; Lead on health & safety, including having staff undertake regular risk assessments for home working and electronic device safety; ·

• Finance Support

Processing invoices, expenses, donations, and assisting with budget tracking. Management of monthly reconciliation with QuickBooks. Submission of Gift Aid claims and donation tracking using Beacon CRM

• Meeting, Event & Travel Support

Organizing team meetings, Board meetings, away days, overseas travel and coordinating event logistics.

• Communication & Compliance

Assisting with internal communication and ensuring Health & Safety, GDPR, and safeguarding compliance.

• CEO, Board and Governance Support

Support the Chief Executive and Board Secretary with quarterly Board meetings, sub-committee meetings; Manage policy renewal timelines, support on updating existing policy and drafting new policy where necessary, alongside the CEO & Board

Person Specification

Essential

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Some experience of finance systems, including supporting on reconciliation, budgets, and gift aid
• Good data management skills to support monitoring and evaluation work.
• Excellent Microsoft Office suite skills including Excel, SharePoint, and knowledge of other IT solutions to support effective operations.
• Proactivity: Strong "can-do" attitude, willing to take initiative and solve problems.
• Previous experience in administration, operations, or a, supportive, team-focused role

Desirable 

• Experience managing a CRM.
• Experience coordinating events, ideally both online and in person.
• A strong understanding of, and passion for, women's and girls' rights.
• Knowledge of specific systems used at The Circle: WordPress CMS systems, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Beacon CRM, Breathe HR.
• Understanding of use of social media to engage with different audiences.
• Ability to represent The Circle to external audiences.
• Some experience of working with high profile names
• Experience supporting on policy writing
• Experience of providing basic HR support

Personal Characteristics

• Extremely organised and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail.
• An entrepreneurial and enterprising approach to work.
• Efficient, reliable, flexible and collaborative working style.
• A self-starter with the ability to anticipate requirements and act to provide workable solutions with limited budget.
• Team player who enjoys working collaboratively and flexibly to achieve outcomes.
• Keen to add value to the organisation’s culture and ethos.
• Interest in global women’s rights.

This role is vital to the growth of our charity and represents an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join our small but dynamic team.

You will work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Events Manager on events, corporate, trusts and foundations, community, and individual fundraising efforts.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience in a fast-paced fundraising environment. 

The successful candidate will be motivated to improve life for autistic people - joining a team that is passionate about delivering impact. They will be a strong advocate for ensuring that all opinions are heard and respected and will have the ability to communicate with people of all backgrounds and with different communication styles and support needs.

Main duties and responsibilities

As Fundraising Officer, you will:

• Develop and maintain positive relationships internally with colleagues and externally with stakeholders, donors, and funders. 
• Create marketing materials, including content for social media and our website. 
• Work with the Director of Fundraising and Events Manager, to deliver a series of high-quality, high-profile fundraising events, including assisting with logistics and supporter engagement. 
• Take initiative to explore new areas of fundraising and contribute to innovation. 
• Own and manage delegated tasks or parts of projects, ensuring successful and timely delivery of work. 
• Provide administrative support to the fundraising team, including sending fundraising packs, processing donations and fulfilling orders from our e-shop. 
• Respond to supporter queries via phone, email, and web with professionalism and empathy. 
• Maintain accurate supporter data in the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. 
• Create quarterly Gift Aid claims reports via the CRM system and liaise with the finance team to ensure timely submission to HMRC.
• Prepare thank-you letters, certificates, and merchandise to support fundraisers and events. 
• Manage incoming post for fundraising and donors, process Gift Aid declarations, and maintain stock levels for shop and event materials. 
• Produce monthly reports on income, donor activity, and progress against target. 

Person specification (who are we looking for?)

Essential

Qualifications

• While there are no specific essential qualifications, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate a good standard of numeracy and literacy and proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Experience

• Knowledge of and/or personal interest in autism and current issues relating to autism and community preferences.
• At least one year’s experience in a similar role within a charity or nonprofit organisation.
• Experience in using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems.
• Track record of managing multiple tasks autonomously and meeting deadlines.
• Experience in building strong relationships, managing expectations and engaging confidently with a range of stakeholders.

Skills

• Organisational and administrative skills, including the ability to manage your own time and multiple priorities to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Ability to maintain systems for data management and keep accurate records of fundraising activities and donor interactions.
• Confident communicator, able to explain ideas clearly in writing and in conversation.
• A reliable team player who can prioritise work effectively and manage tasks under pressure. 
• Good numeracy skills and the ability to work on simple budgets. 
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to contribute to team discussions and work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Demonstrate an awareness of, and commitment to, inclusion, equality, and diversity.
• A good working knowledge of MS Office 365 and ability and willingness to learn new IT systems (with support/training where needed).

Desirable (please still apply even if you do not have these)

Experience

• Knowledge of data protection and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance for handling donor information. 
• Experience of process mapping and CRM migration projects.
• Experience of digital content creation and donor engagement.
• Experience of remote and/or hybrid working.

Skills

• Able to apply basic marketing skills across different channels, such as emails, social media posts, or printed materials.
• A proactive learner with a passion for exploring new areas of fundraising and developing professionally. 

We are aware that the skills required for this role may be interpreted differently by different people. Our selection process will focus on the desired outcomes, and we are open to different ways of achieving them.

This is not a “keep things ticking over” role.

This is a build, grow, and lead role.

We are looking for someone who sees opportunity everywhere. Someone who doesn’t wait for funding rounds to open—but creates them. Someone who can turn a powerful mission into compelling investment cases that unlock serious income.

If that’s you, keep reading.

About Us

The Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre (MDSC) is a specialist charity transforming access to physical therapies for people with muscular dystrophy across the Midlands.

Founded by people with lived experience, we now support 700+ individuals through long-term therapy and community support—something almost no one else in the UK provides at this scale.

We’re ambitious. We’re growing. And we’re ready to take our income generation to the next level.

The Opportunity

This is a brand-new senior role, created to drive our next phase of growth.

You’ll work directly with the CEO to:

• Build a bold, multi-year income strategy
• Secure unrestricted and multi-year funding
• Open up new income streams (corporate, major donors, partnerships)
• Shape the story of MDSC so it lands powerfully with funders
• Build relationships and keep them for the support of our long term journey

Right now, fundraising is full of potential.
With the right person in post—it becomes transformational.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Strategy & Leadership

• Design and deliver a 3-year income generation strategy
• Build a strong, diverse funding pipeline
• Spot and secure high-value opportunities
• Work with the CEO to influence and report to the Board

Income Generation

• Lead on trusts & foundations, corporate partnerships, and major donors
• Develop new fundraising models and propositions
• Create compelling cases for support and funding bids
• Build long-term, strategic partnerships

Relationships & Impact

• Own supporter stewardship—make funders feel like true partners
• Lead on impact reporting and storytelling
• Ensure everything we communicate shows real, measurable change

Systems & Performance

• Strengthen internal fundraising systems and CRM use
• Track pipeline, performance, and return on investment
• Ensure compliance (GDPR, best practice, etc.)

Growth

This role is designed to grow.
You won’t just deliver income—you’ll help build the future fundraising team and structure.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll likely bring:

Experience

• A strong track record of securing funding (£££)
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategy
• Success with multi-year and unrestricted income
• Confidence working across multiple income streams

Skills

• A brilliant storyteller—you can make people care, fast
• Commercial mindset—you think in terms of investment and return
• Strong organisation—you can manage pipeline, priorities, and pressure
• Financial confidence—budgets, forecasts, funding models

Mindset

• Proactive. You don’t wait—you make things happen
• Creative. You see opportunities others miss
• Tenacious. You follow through until it lands
• Collaborative. You bring people with you
• Values-led. You care deeply about impact

Why This Role

· You’ll work directly with the CEO—high influence, high visibility

· You’ll shape a function from the ground up

· You’ll have real freedom to innovate and build

· You’ll see the direct impact of your work on people’s lives

This is the kind of role people look back on and say:
 “That’s where everything changed.”

Our Offer

• Salary: £42–45k per annum – reviewed annually
• Pension contribution (3%)
• 22 days annual leave + bank holidays (+ increases with service)
• Discretionary organisation Christmas Shutdown 
• Generous training & development budget
• Real opportunities for rapid progression and growth
• Supportive, ambitious, and purpose-driven team

As Director of External Affairs across the Bild Group of four small charities (with collective turnover of approx. £3m/yr), you will have a deep commitment to human rights and improving people’s lives.

You will provide strategic direction and leadership to the External Relations function across all four charities in the group, taking overall responsibility for and providing thought-leadership on our strategic approach to policy, influencing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement. 

You will play a lead role in planning, developing, and implementing the communication and external relations and wider engagement strategic plan to grow awareness and profile of Bild, Respond, Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and ACT.

By sharing the impact of our work and programmes in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and /or mental health conditions, you will support Bild in becoming the sector leading provider of organisational and workforce development (and RRN in becoming the leading charity in reducing restrictive practices globally – and Respond as leaders in trauma informed therapy).

You will champion Bild and RRN’s brand, vision, mission and values acting as an ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally to partners, stakeholders and media.

Key Responsibilities and Duties: 

Strategic Leadership:  

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and external relations strategy across the four charities in the group to raise our profile and to influence change which positively impacts on our beneficiaries, aligning media, campaigning, and public affairs with the charity’s mission and strategic priorities 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team including Membership and Events Officer, Resources Coordinator and comms team as required 

Comms & Marketing:

• Plan, develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans to maximise awareness of the Bild Group of charities across the broad spectrum of communications disciplines including media relations, stakeholder management, influencer engagement, ethical (impact focused) marketing, social and new media and the production of new materials and resources 

• Write, develop and produce materials such as infographics, press releases, briefing documents, media statements and online information suitable for stakeholders, including people with lived experience

• Ensure effective marketing across all four charities focusing on impact and including ensuring we attend a range of external events and that all four websites are best practice. 

Influencing & Public Affairs:  

• Working with the CEO, you will drive policy change by developing strategies to influence key decision makers through building relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, and sector stakeholders to ensure the charity's policy agenda is impactful 

• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, calls and requests for information in order to capitalise on suitable opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of all four charities

• Build our credibility as a thought leader in the sector 

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:  

• Build and sustain strategic alliances with senior civil servants, civil society groups, and community partners to increase the organization's influence and impact 

• Develop effective stakeholder relationship management processes that ensure partnerships of all levels are provided with a rich, immersive engagement experience with the organisation and the work that we do 

• Identify, liaise with and ensure positive relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external including media, government departments, partners, charities, providers, customers, other relevant parties to secure maximum impact for all four charities and their beneficiaries

Reputation, Brand Management & Marketing:  

• Champion the Bild group brands, promoting the mission, values and impact of the organisation and ensuring consistent, engaging narratives and high-quality storytelling across all external channels

• Shaping the charity's profile and protecting its reputation through media relations, digital engagement, and consistent key messaging and building our credibility as thought leaders in sector. 

Membership, Events & Communities:  

• By ensuring appropriate, effective and engaging communications to all relevant audiences and stakeholders, your role will support the growth and development of our membership, Communities of Practice and the event programme (including webinars and conferences).

• Effectively plan, manage and lead a range of events for the Bild group of charities and associated marketing and communications

• Develop framework for Communities of Practice and strategy for engagement and growth 

• Supporting Bild and RRN spokespeople with PR and media outreach

• Keep abreast of communications and engagement activity within the sector and demonstrate an awareness of the impact these may have on existing and future communications activity

General Responsibilities 

• Contribute to evaluation and assessment of results against KPIs and tracking activity

• Allocate, manage and evaluate budget spend

• Identify resource requirements for activity across Bild group

• Develop and maintain systems, databases and procedures to support Bild group communication activities

• Plan, monitor, appraise and report progress of activity regularly with an innate understanding of how this supports activity across the Bild group

• Plan, manage and oversee budgetary spend related to outsourcing specialist activities such as video editing and design

• Ensure communications and marketing work complies with data protection and other legal, professional and agency requirements, standards and policies

• Support the senior leadership team on any activity as required. 

Personal Development  

• Be part of a culture of quality in all areas of communications, PR and marketing

• Participate and contribute to individual performance appraisal and supervision sessions

• Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within the adult health and social care, education & disability sector and the wider communications / engagement profession

• Undertake relevant training, as necessary including accessing new systems and software as required to support the role.

Organisational Responsibilities: 

• Access and work within Bild’s policies and procedures.  

• Attend internal cycle of team meetings relevant to this role.  

• Engage with line management, supervision (where appropriate) and appraisal process.  

• Comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that information on clients, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders remains confidential.  

• Take responsibility for personal learning and development with support from line manager.  

• Work in a manner that facilitates equal opportunities and inclusion for all.  

• Remain professional and respectful at all times, promoting positive relations with all those we encounter in our work.  

• Maintain health and safety and risk awareness for self and others across the organisation.  

• Undertake any other duties that Bild may require within the remit of this role.  

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review with the postholder at their annual appraisal.  

Person Specification  

Job Title 

Director of External Relations 

• Exceptional copy writing and verbal communication skills

• Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships

• The ability to work effectively within a small team

• Ability to work under pressure, and plan, manage, and adapt own workload

• A flexible, proactive and problem-solving approach to work

• A motivated attitude and ability to work on own initiative 

• A commitment to human rights and modelling accessibility and inclusion throughout activity

• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post

• Fit to undertake the duties of the post. 

Experience/Skills/Competencies 

Essential 

• Significant experience working in communications, policy and PR with demonstrable success

• PR and media management experience, including both online and traditional PR

• Experience of managing and implementing social media plans, including post development, scheduling, evaluation and monitoring feedback

• Experience of overseeing the design and production of print and electronic publications, including website management and development

• Experience of managing CRM systems and ensuring effective data capture and utilising data to inform decision making

• Ability to analyse data and shape results into reports that inform decision making

• Ability to build effective relationships and networks and establish credibility for Bild, RRN, Respond and Bild ACT 

• Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with colleagues, members and wider stakeholders

• Demonstrated digital comms / social media skills and understanding of emerging digital marketing tools and platforms

• Ability to use a variety of IT packages/databases including CRM systems.

• Experience managing budgets and associated reporting

• Ability to work remotely and regularly travel to in person events

• Time management skills and ability to prioritise workload under pressure as part of a small but vibrant team

• Strong awareness and interest in news/current affairs/politics and the broader third sector, social care and education sector. 

Desirable 

• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, preferably in another disability and/or membership charity

• Strong understanding of education, health, social care, disability and not for profit environment

• Strong media contacts within relevant trade sector publications

• Ability to use externally managed media databases (such as Agility etc.)

• Experience with conferences, webinars and hybrid events. 

• Experience supporting and manging a remote team

Education and Qualifications: 

Other Requirements: 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities and able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.  

• Regular travel to attend meetings and events. 

• Occasional evening meetings.  

Legal requirements: 

• Enhanced DBS check.