Chief operating officer jobs

Hillside Clubhouse is recruiting an IPS Employment Specialist to join our dynamic Islington team, supporting people with mental health conditions to gain and retain employment.  The IPS Employment Specialists within the Islington IPS Service work within the nationally recognised IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model within NHS secondary and primary care mental health teams, based in the heart of Islington.

Who We Are: 

Hillside Clubhouse is a co-produced mental health employment support charity working across Islington. We support people with mental health conditions into training, volunteering, and employment opportunities. People can access our services via our Clubhouse, where they can share their skills and expertise with others and support the running of the charity.  Alternatively, they can receive support out in the community from one of our Employment Specialists based within NHS mental health teams.

The Role: 

We are recruiting for one IPS Employment Specialist role within our Islington IPS Service. This position will be based within the North London NHS Foundation Trust mental health services in the borough of Islington.

As an IPS Employment Specialist, you’ll play an important role in supporting people with lived mental health experience on their recovery journey by supporting them back into paid employment. This is an opportunity to offer ongoing support, to motivate and provide people with hope, while developing the tools and skills required to recover – ultimately transforming their lives.

A variety of skills are needed in this post including but not limited to: a strong ability to develop empathy and rapport with clients; a determined approach to seeking out job opportunities; a person centric-approach to working with people; strong communications skills to motivate clients; strong administrative capabilities and an attention to detail engage with prospective employers via business development and face-to-face meetings, as well as to be able to challenge some perceptions around mental health. 

The postholder will be directly employed by Hillside Clubhouse but work under an Honorary Contract from the North London NHS Foundation Trust.  They will be managed directly by the IPS Operations Manager but work as team member within the clinical team. The role is dynamic and involves being integrated in a clinical team, working within the community, and we operate a flexible working policy where working from home is also permitted up to two days per week.

Overall Aim: 

To enable people with mental health issues to gain and sustain competitive employment by working within the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.

Duties: 

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification attached for a full description.

Application Instructions:
We are a Disability Confident employer and actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health conditions.

Hillside Clubhouse is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage applications from those who experience discrimination and / or prejudice based on their race, ethnicity or immigration status, women, new parents, people with disabilities and LGBTQI+ people.

All job offers are dependent on satisfactory references and a DBS check. The successful candidate will also be required to attend mandatory Safeguarding Adults, Children & Young People training.

The recruitment process will be an assessment centre approach, including a task, role play and individual interview. We envision the whole process lasting no more than 90 minutes.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. 

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 9 July 2026

Iterview Dates: 15 and 16 July 2026

This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.

The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
• Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis  translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
• Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
• Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence  including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
• Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
• Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
• Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network

About The Difference

• Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.

About You

Essential

• Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
• Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
• Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
• Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
• Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
• Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
• Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people

Desired

• Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
• Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
• Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
• Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
• Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations

Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.

Icon, the Institute of Conservation, is a charity and professional membership organisation dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage and championing the value of conservation. As a key member of our small, dedicated team, you will be instrumental in delivering the accurate, timely and compliant administration of Icon’s membership services.

The Membership Administrator is a core operational role responsible for delivering the accurate, timely and compliant administration of Icon’s membership services, whilst ensuring a consistently high standard of customer service to members and stakeholders.

About the Role

The post-holder will oversee day-to-day membership processing, maintain CRM integrity, administer subscription cycles, coordinate diaries and meetings relating to membership governance and committees, and ensure consistent, high-quality administrative support across the organisation. They will act as a key point of contact for member enquiries, demonstrating a proactive, helpful and solutions-focused approach to deliver a positive membership experience.

This role is based at Icon’s office in Clerkenwell, London. Icon operates a hybrid working policy, which requires staff to be in the office at least two days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely for the remainder.

The post-holder will report directly to the Marketing and Membership Manager.

Frimley Health Charity is ready for its next chapter. Join us to build visibility, unlock opportunity and create lasting impact across one of the UK's largest NHS Trusts.

Location: Frimley, Surrey (with travel across sites, including community sites), minimum 3 days on site
Applications close: 9 a.m. Wednesday 15th July 2026

Who we are

Frimley Health Charity is part of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, working in collaboration to enhance care, improve patient and staff experiences and support innovation across our hospitals and local communities.

While core services are funded through the NHS, the charity enables us to go further, funding projects, equipment, wellbeing initiatives and improvements that make a tangible difference to patients, families and staff.

We are now entering an exciting new chapter, with significant untapped potential. With a refreshed strategy and clear ambition for the future, we are now looking for a leader who can help us realise it. This is a rare opportunity to shape what comes next, building visibility, engagement and sustainable growth while making a lasting difference to patients, staff and communities.

About the role

As Director of Charity, you will lead the next phase of the charity's development. Working closely with the Trust's senior leadership teams, Board members and staff, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across fundraising, governance, charitable expenditure, partnerships and supporter engagement.

This is not simply a fundraising role. Success will depend on your ability to build relationships, raise the charity's profile, strengthen ways of working and create momentum across the organisation.

Leading a small and high-performing team, you will balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery. You will be comfortable rolling up your sleeves to develop new processes, drive projects forward and support day-to-day operations, ensuring the charity is well run, highly visible and positioned for sustainable growth.

You will help shape future opportunities, develop new partnerships and ensure charitable funds are invested where they can make the greatest impact. This is a role for someone who enjoys building, influencing and making things happen. 

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced and values-led leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will bring experience of leading people, developing income, partnerships or services, and working confidently with a wide range of stakeholders. You will be comfortable operating in a complex environment and able to balance long-term ambition with day-to-day delivery.

You will be an excellent relationship builder, capable of engaging clinicians, staff, volunteers, donors, trustees and community partners. Commercial awareness, sound judgement and the ability to identify opportunities for growth will be important.

Most importantly, you will combine confidence with humility. You will be collaborative, emotionally intelligent and able to bring people with you while creating positive change.

Experience within healthcare or NHS charities would be beneficial, but we are equally interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate the leadership, relationship-building and organisational development skills needed to succeed in this unique role.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find further information and details of how to apply.

 Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 15th July 2026.

Lead a vibrant community hub where every day makes a difference. Help shape a safe, welcoming space that brings people together and generates real impact.

We’re looking for a dynamic and hands-on Community Centre Manager to take the lead in running a thriving, multi-use community facility. This is not just a management role – it’s an opportunity to build relationships, create opportunities, and play a central role in the life of a diverse and growing community.

As the driving force behind the centre, you’ll oversee day-to-day operations, lead a dedicated team, and ensure the space delivers high-quality services while remaining financially sustainable. You’ll have the autonomy to identify new income opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and continuously improve how the centre serves its users.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety – from managing facilities, budgets, and compliance, to engaging with local residents, tenants, and stakeholders. No two days will be the same, and your impact will be visible across everything from the condition of the building to the experiences of the people who use it.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and supporting a small  team, creating a positive and high-performing working environment
• Managing the day-to-day running of the centre, ensuring it is welcoming, safe, and efficient
• Driving income through room hire, bookings, and identifying new opportunities
• Overseeing facilities, maintenance, and contractor relationships
• Taking ownership of health & safety, safeguarding, and compliance across the site
• Managing budgets, monitoring performance, and ensuring value for money
• Building strong relationships with tenants, partners, and the wider community

Why this role stands out

• A genuine opportunity to shape and influence a vital community asset
• A varied role combining leadership, operations, and community engagement
• The chance to make a visible difference to people’s lives locally
• A supportive environment with scope to introduce new ideas and improvements

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience managing a community facility, public building, or similar environment
• Brings strong leadership skills and enjoys developing and motivating teams
• Is confident managing operations, compliance, and competing priorities
• Understands how to balance community impact with financial sustainability
• Builds relationships easily and thrives in a people-focused role

If you’re looking for a role where you can lead, influence, and make a meaningful impact every day, we’d love to hear from you.

*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: Basingstoke

Salary: £26,805.75 - £27,464.70

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type:Permanent 

Reference Number: STOPDA850

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:

The work will focus on preventing domestic abuse and breaking the cycle of abuse by providing support for children and young people in the refuge and in the community and supporting children and young people to keep safe.

• Providing support, advice and assistance to women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse and are staying in the refuge.
• Empowering and supporting women to make positive choices.
• Establishing resettlement services to support women to move on from refuge accommodation.
• The post-holder work as part of the refuge team, with clients who live in the refuge after being referred via the Front Door Service

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.

BLCF is a leading local grantmaker, striving to be a catalyst for positive change in the community. The Foundation distributes millions of pounds locally each year and is establishing a national reputation for an innovative, community-focused and strategic approach.

BLCF is currently recruiting for an experienced Head of Grants to lead our expanding grants team and join our Senior Leadership Team to steer the future direction of the Foundation.

Applicants will need to have significant previous and relevant experience in a grants management role, and possess excellent leadership, team and programme management skills. Excellent communication and IT skills are also essential.

To apply, please submit a concise covering letter (no more than two pages) outlining your suitability for the role against the job description and a completed application form

Closing date for applications is 12noon on Monday 13th July 2026.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free, accessible veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain their unbreakable bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 500 vet and nurse volunteers in 23 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016 the charity has treated nearly 3,500 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

About the role

Duration: Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Marketing & Fundraising

Key Contacts: Colleagues, volunteers, external stakeholders, corporate partners, donors, prospects and other supporters

Location: Fully remote, with regular UK travel including evenings and weekends

Hours: 37.5 work week (flexible working available)

Holiday: 25 days per year plus national holidays

Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Fundraising Manager to join our team. The role will report to the Head of Marketing and Fundraising and will be responsible for developing and implementing the fundraising strategy, driving forward all aspects of fundraising, including building corporate charity of the year partnerships, individual giving, major donors,
trusts and foundations, legacies and community fundraising.

The successful candidate will be a core member of the Central Team, working closely with the Marketing Team to develop and deliver income for the charity.

 
This role will have budgetary responsibility to achieving a revenue target in financial year 26/27 of £1.5 million, whilst building a sustainable income stream for the long-term with Yr on Yr growth. Key priorities include increasing the Individual Giving and Regular Giving donor database, donor and fundraiser stewardship, organising fundraising events, and securing grants and sponsorships.

For more information about the role, please see attached job description.

Closing Date: Close of business Thursday 16th July 2026 (applications may close earlier depending on response).

Bowel Research UK is looking for a permanent Research and Grants Manager to coordinate and evaluate the management of the charity’s research activities. This role covers all aspects of pre- and post-award research management, impact reporting, grant finance management and governance, co-ordination of the Charity’s scientific committees and shaping external scientific communications to supporters and other stakeholders. Additionally, you will foster and maintain strong relationships with researchers, serving as the primary point of contact for engaging with the research community. 

Bowel Research UK are bringing this permanent role following time spent with an interim postholder in position to create a solid foundation and understanding of what the role needs.

This is an opportunity to work with the UK’s leading specialist bowel cancer and bowel disease research charity. Bowel Research UK believe that a cure for bowel cancer and effective treatments to mitigate, or entirely eradicate, other bowel diseases is possible – but only if vital research is funded and investment made into the scientific and medical communities today, to see the benefits tomorrow. 

Bowel Research UK are a flexible employer, for this post they are looking for someone to be comfortable with joining the team in the London office once a month. If the post holder would prefer to work more regularly from an office base, the charity has office space at Royal College of Surgeons in central London. Most team members work from here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

For further information and to apply please follow the guidance in the Candidate Pack to arrange a conversation about your suitability for the role and next steps.

Closing date: midnight Wednesday 22nd July

The selection process will involve a two-stage interview process.

The Pepper Foundation is a local charity funding children’s hospice care at home, specialised play and family days for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Community Fundraiser will be joining Pepper at an exciting time as we launch our new three-year fundraising strategy. Backed by committed investment and with full Board approval, we are delighted to be growing the charity to deliver sustainable income that directly supports local children and families with hospice care in the comfort of their own homes. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced relationship-builder to lead and grow community fundraising and challenge events activity, helping to raise vital income for The Pepper Foundation.

You will take ownership of a varied portfolio of community fundraising activity, building and developing relationships with volunteers, schools, clubs, local businesses and community groups, while also nurturing existing supporters and creating an excellent experience for everyone who engages with us. You will lead the day-to-day delivery of our community fundraising and challenge events activity, proactively identifying new opportunities, developing a strong pipeline of support and managing your portfolio to grow income and deepen engagement with The Pepper Foundation.

Hours: 30 hours per week (37.5hrs FTE) working from home - applicants must live within Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire (or surrounding counties)

Salary: £25,600 pro-rata (£32,000 FTE)

Key Responsibilities:

Financial

• Deliver or exceed agreed income targets across community and challenge event  fundraising activities.
• Manage agreed budgets for community fundraising activities and challenge events, monitoring income and expenditure and ensuring activity is delivered in line with agreed targets and plans.
• Ensure activities are delivered as cost-effectively as possible, monitoring expenditure and helping to maximise return on investment.
• Develop and refine fundraising products, activities and supporter experiences that put supporters at the centre of what we do and encourage long-term engagement.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of community fundraising opportunities, identifying prospects, converting enquiries and building repeat support from individuals, groups and local organisations.
• Help convert one-off supporters and new enquiries into repeat fundraising relationships through strong stewardship, follow-up and tailored engagement.

Communication
• Build and develop strong long-term relationships with community groups, schools, clubs and individuals to increase awareness, support and donated income.
• Support and manage key fundraising volunteers to help deliver income and activities.
• Work with the Head of Fundraising and marketing partners to ensure community and challenge fundraising activities are promoted effectively through suitable online and offline channels.
• Confidently communicate the work of The Pepper Foundation and inspire support through a variety of channels, including informal conversations, networking, presentations, written materials, newsletters and website copy.
• Deliver a high standard of donor and supporter care to maximise fundraising potential and encourage long-term support.
• Contribute ideas and content for promotional materials within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to broaden participation in community fundraising and increase supporter engagement across the region.
• Proactively identify, develop and secure new community fundraising opportunities with local schools, groups, businesses and supporters to grow income and broaden engagement.
• Ensure relevant staff and volunteers are well briefed on community fundraising activities.
• Always represent The Pepper Foundation positively and professionally.
• Communicate confidently with a wide range of supporters and stakeholders, handling queries and resolving issues in a calm and professional way.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the fundraising team to ensure community fundraising activity is aligned with the wider fundraising strategy and income goals.

Management

• Recruit, train, support and motivate fundraising volunteers to help deliver community fundraising activities and events.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and partners, such as venues and event providers, to support successful delivery.

Planning and Organisation
• Develop and deliver activity, stewardship and campaign plans for community and challenge event fundraising within agreed priorities, budgets and income targets.
• Deliver high-quality fundraising events that raise awareness of The Pepper Foundation across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
• Use Donorfy, our fundraising CRM, to administer and manage fundraising activity accurately and effectively, working with the Database Volunteer as needed.
• Produce post-event evaluations and recommendations in line with agreed requirements.
• Use insight, pipeline information and performance data to review results, identify trends and recommend improvements to future activity.
• Manage the day-to-day planning and delivery of key events and campaigns, making decisions within agreed plans, budgets and fundraising procedures.

• Take responsibility for health and safety in community fundraising activities, ensuring appropriate risk assessments are completed and relevant fundraising and safety procedures are followed.
• Respond appropriately to unexpected incidents at community fundraising events, following agreed procedures and escalating where needed.
• Take an active role in setting up and clearing down events and community fundraising activities, including periods of standing and occasional unsocial hours.
• Arrange appropriate Pepper Foundation attendance at local community events when needed.
• Manage resources effectively, including volunteer support, to maximise reach, income and engagement.

Reporting

• Produce regular reports on pipeline, activity, outcomes, income performance and learning for the Head of Fundraising, highlighting opportunities, risks and recommendations.

How to apply: For further details about the role, please download our recruitment pack. Please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you would make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description. 

Closing date: Monday 13th July 2026 at 5pm

Interview dates: First-round interviews on 22nd and 23rd July with second-round interviews on 29th July 2026.

Interviews will take place at our office in Berkhamsted. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

If appointed, an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Clean Slate is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Head of Programmes on a maternity cover basis.

This is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing the delivery of impactful services across all operational departments, ensuring our programmes continue to improve the financial wellbeing, resilience and life opportunities of people on low incomes.

As Head of Programmes, you will provide leadership to managers across the organisation, maintain strong relationships with funders and commissioners, oversee organisational performance and reporting, support business development and programme growth, and ensure that our services remain safe, compliant, effective and sustainable.

This role will suit an experienced leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational management skills and who is passionate about creating meaningful change for people facing financial hardship.

About Clean Slate

At Clean Slate, we believe everyone should be able to provide for themselves and their family without paying the extra costs associated with poverty.

Our mission is to create meaningful, measurable change for people on low incomes, helping them become better off financially and more in control of their lives through money guidance, employment support and digital inclusion.

Role Overview

As Head of Programmes, you will oversee the successful delivery, performance and development of Clean Slate's services nationally. Working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to organisational strategy, support business growth and ensure programmes achieve both their social impact and financial objectives.

You will provide leadership and support to departmental managers, oversee organisational reporting and performance monitoring, maintain relationships with key funders and stakeholders, and ensure that systems, processes and compliance arrangements support high-quality service delivery.

A key element of the role will be identifying opportunities for growth, supporting funding and commissioning opportunities, and ensuring services continue to evolve to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.

• Lead the implementation of organisational objectives across all programme delivery functions.

• Champion continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and organisational systems.

Programme Oversight & Operational Management

• Oversee the delivery of all services and programmes, ensuring quality, compliance and impact.

• Support managers to achieve contractual targets, performance objectives and growth ambitions.

• Monitor programme performance, budgets and operational risks.

• Ensure sufficient staffing capacity and effective workforce planning across departments.

• Drive consistency, quality assurance and best practice across all service areas.

Leadership & People Management

• Line manage senior managers and support effective leadership throughout the organisation.

• Promote accountability, performance management and staff development.

• Support managers to identify training needs and implement development plans.

• Foster a positive culture that prioritises staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional growth.

Reporting, Data & Systems

• Oversee organisational performance monitoring and impact measurement.

• Lead reporting for commissioners, funders, trustees and senior leadership.

• Ensure the organisation's CRM and reporting systems are effectively managed and utilised to support performance, compliance and decision-making.

• Use data and insight to inform continuous improvement and organisational development.

Business Development & Partnerships

• Support the development of new programmes, services and funding opportunities.

• Work closely with the Managing Director and fundraising teams on commissioning opportunities, funding applications and growth initiatives.

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with funders, commissioners and strategic partners.

• Represent Clean Slate at external meetings, partnership forums and networking events.

• Support the organisation's reputation as a leading voice on financial wellbeing and poverty reduction.

Governance, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and cyber security requirements.

• Oversee risk management processes and contribute to organisational governance.

• Ensure services operate in line with contractual, regulatory and quality standards.

• Promote a culture of accountability, safeguarding and continuous learning.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with experience managing complex services, leading managers and driving organisational performance.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading programmes, services or operational teams.

• Experience managing managers and supporting organisational growth.

• Strong strategic planning and organisational development skills.

• Experience working with funders, commissioners and external stakeholders.

• A track record of delivering impactful services and achieving performance targets.

• Experience overseeing reporting, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance processes.

• Strong understanding of performance management, compliance and risk management.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.

• Experience using CRM and reporting systems to support operational delivery and organisational performance.

• A commitment to Clean Slate's mission and values.

Desirable

• Experience within financial inclusion, employability, community development or related sectors.

• Knowledge of commissioning, fundraising or business development.

• Understanding of issues affecting people on low incomes, including financial exclusion and the poverty premium.

Why Join Clean Slate?

This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing organisation that is changing lives across the UK.

You'll help shape strategy, support talented teams, strengthen partnerships and ensure our programmes continue to deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the people and communities we serve.

Head of Communications (Job Share)

Location: Remote

Salary: £19,160 - £21,424 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent

2–3 days per week (flexible, subject to agreement)

Please note that the salary has been calculated on a pro-rata basis, reflecting the role's two-day-per-week working pattern.

Join us - transform lives, change minds

We are a leading social justice charity supporting people to recover from addiction and leave behind crime - helping them move on in life with family, friends, jobs, homes, and a sense of belonging. Working in over 80 prison and community settings across England and Wales, we support more than 40,000 people each year to achieve lasting, transformational change.

Alongside frontline local delivery, we are driving change nationally - challenging stigma, influencing policy, and creating a society that believes in second chances and long-term recovery.

The opportunity

We are looking for an exceptional communications leader to join us in a job share Head of Communications role, working alongside an experienced colleague to shape and deliver a high-impact, organisation-wide communications strategy.

This is a unique opportunity to lead high-profile national campaigns, strengthen our voice across the media and digital landscape, and ensure our people - over 900 staff across the country, many with lived experience - remain connected, engaged, and inspired by our mission.

What you’ll lead

You will play a central role in amplifying our impact and growing our influence, including:

• • National campaigns and public engagement — including our flagship Taking Action on Addiction campaign and Addiction Awareness Week, supported by our Royal Patron, HRH Princess of Wales, reaching millions each year
  • Media and profile-building — securing high-quality coverage, managing relationships with press, ambassadors, and influencers, including Lily Allen, Alasdair Campbell and many others
  • Audience growth and supporter engagement — expanding our network of donors, partners, and advocates
  • Digital and content strategy — driving a multi-platform approach that positions us as a thought leader in our field and also helps us reach the people who most need our support
  • Internal communications and culture — ensuring our 900+ staff feel informed, connected, and part of a shared purpose
  • Team leadership — jointly leading a skilled communications team and working closely with senior leaders, including our Chair, Tony Adams OBE, the CEO and Executive Team and Trustees.

Why this role matters

This role sits at the heart of how we influence change - shaping how we tell our story, how we reach people who need support, and how we mobilise public and political will.

You’ll help ensure our communications are not only compelling, but impactful - supporting service delivery, influencing systems, and ultimately helping more people rebuild their lives.

Who we’re looking for

We want a dynamic, values-driven communications professional who can operate both strategically and ‘hands-on’. You will:

• Bring a strong track record across PR, campaigns, digital, and internal communications
• Be confident leading complex, multi-channel communications activity
• Experience navigating complex organisational environments with diverse operational and service functions.
• Have experience translating organisational mission into clear, engaging messaging for diverse audiences
• Be a collaborative leader, comfortable working in a job share arrangement and across senior teams
• Combine creativity with delivery—able to move from strategy to execution at pace
• Bring a strategic and pragmatic approach to marketing, with strong attention to brand consistency and discipline.
• Be passionate about social justice and motivated by real-world impact

What we offer

• A high-profile, purpose-driven leadership role
• Flexibility through a supportive job share model
• The opportunity to shape national conversations and influence change
• A collaborative and ambitious organisation committed to growth and innovation
• A generous benefits package

If you’re ready to use your communications expertise to drive real social change, we’d love to hear from you.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Overview of role

The UK Casework Lead is responsible both for a personal caseload and for the supervision, output, quality and revenue performance of RLS's UK legal team of three frontline caseworkers. We are looking for a qualified solicitor who is also IAAS accredited at Supervising Senior Caseworker level, qualifying ideally to supervise both the Immigration and Asylum and the Public Law contracts. The post holder will also hold the role of authorised litigator.

The postholder will be expected to generate legal aid income at a level that covers their own gross salary cost, and to lead the team's growth in legal aid billings against an agreed annual target. 

We are looking for someone with a positive, can-do approach and a strategic, ambitious, big-picture view of the team and the work. We want someone who will set direction for the UK team, grow the LAA contract in line with RLS’ strategic objectives, and support caseworkers and operational colleagues to become confident, self-supporting practitioners on a day-to-day basis, working in a trusting collegiate environment. 

Why work for RLS 

You will have autonomy to shape the UK casework team’s direction and grow the LAA contract.

We also offer: 

• Generous annual leave (28 days) plus bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown period, so you can properly switch off
• The chance to work in a small, dynamic team with an international footprint -  operating across the UK, northern France and Greece.
• Flexible working 
• Fantastic offices in London Fields, with free Climpson’s coffee

Key responsibilities 

Legal aid income generation 

• Lead the growth of RLS's legal aid income and maintain a personal legal aid caseload sized to generate billings covering the postholder's own gross salary costs. 

• Design and oversee caseload allocation across the team so that caseworkers develop skills and expertise, progressing swiftly in their professional development, legal aid revenue grows in line with the strategic target of 10–15% year-on-year, while preserving quality of advice and client care. 

Personal casework 

• Carry a legal aid caseload in immigration and asylum / public law, including controlled and licensed work as appropriate. 

• Provide high-quality legal advice and representation to clients throughout the application procedure, on appeal and in related judicial review claims where applicable. 

• Maintain client files and records to LAA, SQM, and SRA standards, and in line with GDPR and RLS's internal procedures. 

Supervision and team leadership 

• Supervise three frontline caseworkers (currently covering refugee family reunion and asylum) - including regulatory compliance, file reviews, technical supervision, casework allocation, performance managementand professional development. 

• Set and keep under quarterly review, ambitious-but-achievable case targets across the team in consultation with caseworkers, and monitor progress against them. 

• Help to supervise pro bono volunteer lawyers and trainees through three established pro bono partnerships

• Deliver internal and external training

• Foster a supportive, learning-oriented team culture 

Legal aid contract and regulatory compliance 

• Act as the LAA Supervisor for both RLS Immigration & Asylum and Public Law legal aid contracts 

• Manage the LAA contract end-to-end: compliance with the contract specification, oversight of controlled and licensed billing, exceptional case funding applications and billing of ECF files, and audit (LAA, SQM)readiness. 

• Act as the LAA authorised Litigator, the RLS's Quality Representative for the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM); manage Peer Review readiness and oversee actions arising from LAA and SQM audits, reviews or visits. 

• Ensure full compliance with IAA, SRA (where applicable) and SQM standards and record keeping across the UK casework team. 

• Maintain accurate financial records and information as required. 

• Provide half yearly reports to the RLS ED and Trustee Board on RLS audit readiness, and confirmation of progress to monthly and annual record keeping being up to date.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting 

• Lead monitoring and evaluation of the legal team's outputs: case numbers, client outcomes, billing performance and quality indicators. 

• Report against targets internally (to the ED) and to funders where required. 

• Use case management system data and other evidence to inform team development, fundraising proposals and external impact reporting. 

General duties 

• Keep abreast of developments in immigration and asylum law and practice 

• Deliver training internally for caseworkers, trainees and pro bono volunteers 

• Adhere to all RLS policies and procedures, including safeguarding. 

• Undertake other duties within the scope of the post as agreed with the Executive Director. 

Person specification 

Essential criteria 

Candidates must meet all the following: 

• Qualification and accreditation: Solicitor qualified in England & Wales and IAAS accredited at Supervising Senior Caseworker level, qualified ideally to supervise both the Immigration and Asylum and the Public Law contracts. If only currently qualified to supervise the Immigration and Asylum contract, willing to work towards eligibility to supervise the Public Law contract as swiftly as possible.

• Casework experience: At least five years' (or equivalent) experience of running a caseload of complex asylum, immigration and human rights cases in a legal aid environment (including appeals and judicial review). 

• Billing track record: Demonstrable experience of meeting personal and/or team legal aid billing targets, and a clear understanding of how cost-billable work is generated and managed in practice. 

• Supervision experience: Experience of supervising caseworkers working in an LAA environment, including SQM and Immigration Specification compliance, file review, technical supervision and performance management. 

• LAA contract knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of LAA contract and specification provisions in the immigration and asylum, and public law categories, including controlled and licensed work, exceptional case funding,

• Tribunal experience: Experience of litigation in the Immigration Tribunals and the Administrative Court.

• Working style: Strong organisational skills; able to prioritise and meet deadlines; comfortable working autonomously in a small team and balancing personal casework with supervisory responsibility (anticipatedratio 75:25) 

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; able to deal effectively with clients, colleagues, commercial pro bono partners and external stakeholders. 

• Values: A strong commitment to the protection of the rights of people who migrate, and to access to justice through high-quality, client-centred legal services. 

• Right to work: Right to reside and work in the UK. Successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (RLS covers the cost). 

Desirable criteria

• Lived experience of migration systems. 

• Experience of working in a small charity or non-profit legal services setting. 

• Experience of working on pro bono partnerships with commercial law firms. 

• Experience of training and supervising trainees, volunteers or paralegals. 

• Knowledge of languages other than English relevant to RLS's client base (e.g. Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Tigrinya, Pashto). 

Terms and conditions 

• Salary: c. £50,000 per year, depending on experience. Pay scales are reviewed annually. 

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE). Flexible working arrangements considered. 

• Annual leave: 28 days per year plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown period.

• Pension: Employer pension contribution of 3% (postholder contribution as per auto-enrolment). 

• Location: Hybrid working from London. Minimum two days per week in-person, including for confidential client meetings and team gatherings. 

• Probation: Six months. 

• DBS: Successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate. RLS covers the cost. 

We will be conducting interviews w/c 20 July 2026. 

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network. The initiative supports inclusive recruitment of people with lived experience of the UK asylum or immigration system. If this is your experience, you can find useful resources on their website.