Community and events assistant jobs

Location: Hybrid role working in North East England (primarily home-based with significant regional travel)

Base region: Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear

Coverage: This is a home-based role that requires regular weekly travel to schools and colleges across the North East. You will be expected to work extensively throughout Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear, with specific current activity hubs in Cramlington, Walkergate, Hartlepool, Stanley and Redcar. Regional location throughout the North East will change according to programme demand.

Applicants must hold a full, clean driving licence and have the ability and willingness to travel regularly across the region.

Reporting to: National Programmes Manager

Application Deadline: Wednesday 8th July at 9AM. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.

1st Stage Interviews: Week commencing 13th July (online)

2nd Stage Interviews: Wednesday 22nd July (in-person)

About The Girls’ Network:

The Girls' Network is a national charity with a mission to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a network of professional women role models and volunteer mentors. We believe no girl should have her future limited by her gender, ethnicity, background, or parental income. Our vision is a future where all girls are supported to realise their ambitions, discover their self-worth, and shape their own futures.

We partner with secondary schools and colleges across multiple regions in England, including London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands. We match girls aged 14–19 with trained volunteer mentors for one-to-one support. In addition to this core mentoring, workshops, and access to an Ambassador Community that provides continued opportunities for development, career support, and connection.

Role Summary

The Regional Programme Lead is responsible for delivering The Girls’ Network’s suite of programmes in schools and colleges, including facilitating engaging and impactful workshops for girls aged 14–19 from disadvantaged backgrounds. The post-holder also leads on the recruitment, induction, training, matching, supervision and support of volunteers and will appropriately match mentors with young people. You will steer local partnerships and oversee programme administration to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of our mission.

This role combines hands-on programme delivery with operational coordination, ensuring that The Girls’ Network’s regional programmes achieve their intended outcomes and contribute to national KPI achievement.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Applicants must hold a full, clean driving licence and have the ability and willingness to travel regularly across the region.

• Understanding of equal opportunities and inclusion in youth work. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of its application in youth work in the charity and/or education sector. We welcome applications from outreach youth workers and/or teachers/teaching assistants or equivalent roles.

• A genuine understanding and passion for addressing the challenges faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Experience and/or willingness to learn delivering high quality workshops or training sessions to groups of young people, aged 14-19.

• Proven ability to build and independently manage multiple relationships with key stakeholders, including young people, volunteers, education providers and local partner organisations.

• Excellent organisational, prioritisation and time-management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines in a target-driven environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.

• Experience of developing resources for programmatic delivery, including volunteer training and workshops for young people.

• Project or programme coordination experience, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities effectively.

• Target-oriented, with experience of achieving KPIs and contributing to performance monitoring.

• Practical knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child protection working practices.

• Competence in using digital tools, including Salesforce or other CRM platforms, with attention to accuracy and the ability to maintain high-quality records for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage deadlines, adapt to change, and work effectively both independently and as part of a geographically dispersed team.

• Commitment to The Girls’ Network mission and keeping young people at the centre of all work.

• Ability to travel and work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a charity, youth, or education setting.

• Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds.

• Experience of safer recruitment in volunteering.

• A mentoring or coaching qualification, or equivalent experience.

• Experience working remotely, demonstrating initiative and the ability to work proactively with minimal supervision.

• Flexible and adaptable approach, with an understanding of the time and resource limitations typical in small organisations.

• Specific knowledge of mentoring programmes and/or youth/education services.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. If you believe you have relevant experience and the potential to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every single criterion listed.

How to apply

Please apply as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete your application by submitting your CV and answering a few application questions.

Appointees are subject to a DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK to apply.

The deadline to submit your application is Wednesday 8th July at 9AM. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Diversity at our core

The Girls' Network is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination. In line with the Equality Act 2010, if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you with any stage of this recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment Team.

Our Benefits

• 27 holiday days per year, plus public holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)

• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave every year

• Gifted birthday leave

• 3 days volunteering leave per year

• Extended and comprehensive sick pay policy

• Enhanced Family Leave pay policy

• Pension scheme

• Annual professional development fund to help you grow

• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support

• Benefit from flexible, remote working options with home office equipment.

• A dedicated Girls’ Network buddy, available beyond the induction period for ongoing support

Asylum Matters is looking for a dynamic campaigner & policy manager committed to upholding the rights of people seeking asylum in Yorkshire & Humber and across the UK at a critical time.

Asylum Matters plays a significant role in working towards positive change for refugees and people seeking asylum. We are a small team based around the UK, working locally and nationally with an extensive network of partners to advocate for progressive change in the asylum system. We work with frontline organisations and people with lived experience across the UK on a range of issues that affect people in the asylum system. The Yorkshire & Humber Campaigns & Policy Manager will work with the grass roots organisations and established Asylum, Refugee and Migrants rights organisations across Yorkshire and Humber, and the amazing lived experience campaigners to drive change locally. They will also provide specialist policy resource to Asylum Matters nationally, sitting across our four national campaigns around asylum justice, accommodation, asylum support and working rights. Helping us respond to government policy proposals and develop and support our sectors approach to a progressive asylum system.

We are a facilitator of collaboration and joint action. Our work helps strengthen collective advocacy on asylum reform and ensures it is informed by the reality on the ground. We are rooted in communities and committed to playing our full part in shifting the narrative around asylum, and helping our communities develop their resilience and solidarity with people seeking asylum at the forefront of our work.

The successful candidate will work in partnership with local organisations and networks in Yorkshire & Humber to develop and implement strategies for achieving change locally and nationally. They will have experience of developing and delivering impactful campaigns that have achieved change. They will hold extensive experience in analysing and shaping asylum policy and support the policy work of Asylum Matters Nationally. They will be an effective communicator, able to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with partners. They will be proactive, able to spot influencing opportunities and quickly mobilise support to respond to them. They will have a commitment to the vision of a fairer and more effective asylum system, and to empowering and working with those with direct experience of it.

We are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of the UK asylum system, anyone with lived experience who meets the essential criteria will be granted an interview.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Application Instructions

Please submit your current CV, plus a supporting statement that details how you have the experience to meet the essential criteria within the Job Pack attached. Please note we don’t accept general covering letters, failure to submit a supporting statement that details how you meet each of the 8 essential criteria will disqualify your application.

Job Title: Carers Manchester Contact Point Helpline Worker
Responsible to: Carers Manchester Contact Point Co-ordinator
Accountable to: Assistant Head of Operations
Reporting to: Carers Manchester Contact Point Co-ordinator
Salary: £24,900 per annum
Hours: 35 Hours
Location: Hybrid working from home/ Greenfish, Oldham Street, Manchester. Dependant on the service requirements.

Context 

At Gaddum, we treat everyone as individuals. We really get to know those we help, understanding their world to offer a range of support that’s right for them. Our promise of tailored support is made possible by our breadth and depth of knowledge, through our unwavering commitment to the local people of Greater Manchester. 

Our experience listening to generation after generation, for nearly 200 years, has taught us the importance of considering not just the individual but also the relationships around them. Our innovative approach means we can, not only build resilience, but identify further risks and offer preventive support now and in the future. At Gaddum, we believe that by supporting individuals, we ultimately help support entire communities. 

Our aim is to empower and enhance the lives of people in Greater Manchester. We currently work in five Greater Manchester authorities, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford and Stockport. 

Job Purpose

Carers Manchester Contact Point (CMCP) is the first point of contact for unpaid carers seeking information, advice and support to help them with their caring role.

The service delivers a free confidential helpline for carers Monday to Friday. Helpline opening times are subject to change, based on the needs and requirements of carers using the service.

The aim of this role is to be part of a team providing a comprehensive information, advice and support to carers in Manchester. The post holder will work alongside colleagues from Gaddum and potentially other organisations to be the first contact in a busy service providing advice via a telephone advice line and managing referrals made through digital sources. They will provide information and advice and refer more complex issues to the appropriate agencies delivering the Manchester Carers Pathway.

Key responsibilities 

Advice giving

· Answering telephone calls into a central helpline offering support and guidance to unpaid carers in Manchester.

· Provide relevant and meaningful support and information to unpaid carers utilising internal and external resources.

· Inform carers about carers assessments and refer where necessary.

· Inform carers about emergency grants available and refer where necessary.

· Ensure all advice and support given is delivered in a timely manner to suit the needs of carers calling the helpline whilst balancing waiting callers.

Follow-up support

· Refer unpaid carers to local services to access local and culturally appropriate support in their area.

· Refer carers to Adult Social Care for Carers Assessments to discuss and improve their caring situation.

· Signpost carers to relevant services in Manchester suited to their individual need.

· Complete relevant grant applications for carers using the service where needed.

· Use Carers Manchester Contact Point and other reliable and accurate resources to find, interpret and communicate relevant information to carers

· Research and explore options and implications so that carers can make informed decisions.

· Write and maintain detailed case records for all casework completed.

· Collect required data for statistical monitoring and report preparation.

· Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

The post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks as reasonably directed by the CMCP Coordinator, which will usually be commensurate with the skills and experience of the post-holder.

All staff are expected to work within all of Gaddum’s policies and procedures as they relate to delivery of the CMCP.

Location: Fully remote with flexible working arrangements
Salary: £39,742 per year FTE, dependent on experience
Contract: We are open to this role being part time (0.8FTE minimum preferred) or full time. We offer fully flexible working.
Closing date for applications: 12th July

Due to high numbers of applications, prior to interview we plan to carry out initial screening calls with prospective candidates before selection for interview. We will be asking about your reasons for applying and how you think your skills and experiences align to the role.

First interviews: w/c 22nd July
Start Date: ASAP

About the Warm Welcome Campaign

Founded in 2022, the Warm Welcome Campaign wants everyone in the UK to find a place of belonging and reconnection at a Warm Welcome Space near their home. We have a bold purpose to enable a more deeply connected society where we all have free access to welcoming community spaces.

We resource, connect and champion a network of over 6,300 Warm Welcome Spaces and bring together a growing coalition of local, regional and national partners representing the worlds of charity, faith, business, government and philanthropy. By working together, we can unlock the power of community spaces made by and for everyone, creating a thriving network of hope and reconnection fuelled by human warmth.

We’re working hard to reach everyone with the message that a Warm Welcome is waiting for them just around the corner, all through the year.

Throughout all our work and within our team we live out our values of being inclusive, collaborative and courageous and our personality that is friendly, adventurous and uplifting.

It’s an important moment for us - we have launched a five-year strategy, our 100% Pledge Campaign and an established programme of corporate events. We have also successfully delivered Warm Welcome Week for two years in collaboration with a wide range of partners and are looking forward to continuing to build on this success.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and creative Communications and Brand Manager (Partnerships) to join a small, friendly and ambitious team in a varied role with genuine opportunity for development and impact. The Communications and Brand Manager (Partnerships) is primarily fundraising focused, delivering compelling communications strategies to support individual giving, fundraising events and our growing number of Corporate Partnerships, including Sky, Co-op, National Grid, OVO, Cadent, UKPN, Barratt Redrow and SGN. The role will specialise in maximising brand impact and income-raising potential.

The role sits within the growing Communications Team, which is led by the Director of Communications and includes the Communications Manager and Communications Assistant. 

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the postholder will play a key role in telling the Warm Welcome Story for positive change, raising awareness to grow the brand and creating campaign strategies to support income generation. 

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, agile and collaborative, whilst bringing creativity and initiative to their work. Relationship building will be key, working with a wide variety of high-profile corporate partners, stakeholders and ambassadors. You will be an excellent brand champion with the skills to develop stand out creative ideas for partnership campaigns, awareness campaigns and activations. While the role is primarily fundraising focused, you will support the delivery of the wider Warm Welcome Communications Strategy.

In this role, you will work across all aspects of communications strategy including, PR, events, brand asset development, storytelling, digital marketing, and campaigns.

• Act as the primary communications adviser for the fundraising team, including the Corporate Partnerships Manager and corporate partners, identifying communications opportunities and advising on strategic messaging, content, PR and tactics.
   

• Manage the development and execution of communications strategies for Warm Welcome’s flagship partnerships, specialising in maximising brand impact and income-raising potential.
   

• Deliver communications strategies to inspire audiences and support organisational goals, working closely with colleagues across the Communications and Fundraising, and with external partners.

• Develop stand out creative ideas for campaigns and activations to shape and deliver integrated activities that cut through, including Warm Welcome Week. 

• Act as a brand ambassador, advising and supporting the team to deliver brand-aligned messaging and content. Plus, crafting messaging and designing brand assets, marketing materials, presentations and resources.
   

• Create content to show the impact of Warm Welcome Spaces, including delivering hard-hitting press releases and impact reports.
   

• Create content for social media channels, website and digital newsletters.

• Develop case studies and organise photoshoots to tell the Warm Welcome story for positive change.
   

• Support the delivery of the Patrons and Ambassadors Strategy.

• Help manage the systems and processes needed for effective partnership and stakeholder management, including CRM use, reporting and tracking.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Warm Welcome Campaign to connect partners with Warm Welcome Spaces and activities across the UK.

• Contribute to wider communications activity and team objectives.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience designing and executing high-impact brand or corporate partnership communications plans, ideally for a non-profit organisation.
   

• Strong track record of developing and delivering integrated communications campaigns across multiple channels, targeting a range of audiences.
   

• Highly collaborative and able to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
   

• Proven experience of crafting messages and stories. 

• Experience creating brand assets using Canva or similar tools.

• Experience of crafting compelling content for press releases and liaising with journalists.

• Strong track record of delivering content for digital media channels.

• Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Experience of monitoring and evaluating communications impact, using data and insights.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using CRMs or databases for relationship management and reporting.

• Experience working within the charity, community or social impact sector.

• Experience of delivering patrons and ambassadors programmes.

• Experience of developing new brands.

Abilities and Understanding

• Ability to brief, critique and develop creative work constructively, with a good eye for brand, design, film and photography.

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

• Ability to communicate confidently and professionally with a range of audiences.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Understanding the importance of accurate record keeping and effective systems.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a small and fast-moving team.

• Confident using Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Competencies and behaviours in our team

The core competence of everyone in our team is the ability to build trusted relationships among people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We are looking for people who are:

• Committed to the power of relationships to facilitate social change 

• Collaborative, inclusive, ambitious, aligning with our core values 

• Self-starter with high level of commitment, energy and motivation 

• Curious and show initiative, with problem-solving skills and an ability to learn quickly and adapt to a rapidly changing context 

• Calm under pressure, and can adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment 

• Willing to pitch in to help other team members if needed 

• Organised with effective time management skills. 

Working Arrangements 

• Current members of the team are based across the UK, with some in London, Reading, Bristol, Manchester, York and Northern Ireland. Applicants must be able to travel to Bristol once a month for a Tuesday full team meeting. Given the nature of this role we would also expect the applicant to carry out a reasonable amount of travel to both Warm Welcome Spaces and partners across the UK. 

• This role is fully remote, with flexible working arrangements. 

• All employees, volunteers, partners, suppliers and consultants working with GFP are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. GFP’s commitment to safeguarding means we seek to ensure that no harm comes to people as a result of contact with the organisation’s programmes, operations or people.

• You will need to have the right to work in the UK.

For full details on how to apply, please view the attached role description. 

Pathway Manager

Apply today to step into a role where your leadership will drive real, measurable impact—empowering teams, shaping inclusive services, and making a lasting difference in people’s lives every day.

Location: Lambeth - Lambeth YP Assessment Time Out

Salary: £43,632 per annum

Closing date: 12 July, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Lead the delivery of a high-impact, person-centred service as a Pathway Manager, where your leadership will directly shape outcomes for individuals and communities. You’ll drive performance, quality, and continuous improvement across a multidisciplinary pathway, building strong partnerships and using insight and data to inform confident, effective decisions.

We’re looking for a proactive, values-driven leader who thrives in complex environments. You’ll bring strong operational oversight, team leadership, and stakeholder management skills, alongside a commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and excellence. If you’re action-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about delivering meaningful change, this is your opportunity to make a real difference in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours a week), permanent role.

Key Deliverables

• You will be committed to working in and maintaining an environment that supports the safeguarding of young people as the Safeguarding Lead for the service

• You will be adept in managing the service and its partnerships

• You will manage, monitor, evaluate and continuously improve the service and its operation within Lambeth’s developing approach

• You will comply with quality inspection and assessment procedures

• You will ensure effective support, learning or family support plans (as applicable) for young people are in place and regularly reviewed

• You will maintain a safe and secure environment, that has appropriate risk assessment processes and systems in place that are regularly reviewed and monitored;

• You will ensure young people are a major part in shaping service delivery

• You will ensure effective delivery of Depaul UK’s approved life skills training and work closely with Participation and Volunteering leads.

• At the end of this programme, you will develop an evidence based report, that will enable us to embed what was done well, share learning internally and externally

• To be successful in this role you will be expected to go the extra mile by being flexible with the hours you work always bearing in mind the needs of the business.

• You will undertake full line management of the Team Leader and ETE worker

• Any other duties commensurate with the role

Health and Safety:

• To ensure a safe and secure environment and maintain high standards within the services. This includes risk assessments, health and safety checks and the cleaning and preparation of rooms for new residents.

• To involve service users in developing an awareness of their own personal and building health and safety, through information sessions, key working and support planning and resident meetings.

• To ensure that the project is clean and safe and to encourage residents to take some responsibility in the cleaning of their communal areas and their room.

• To work for a proportion of the time as a lone worker and as part of the wider team.

• Undertake appropriate risk assessments for lone working.

Administration:

• To maintain written records and monitoring information as appropriate and input and retrieve data on the Inform system.

• To prepare reports, statistical data and other information that maybe requested by the Asst. Area Director.

• To ensure that any repairs and maintenance issues are reported in a timely manner in order to ensure the health and safety and security of the building environment.

• Any other administrative tasks that will ensure the smooth running of the service.

Finance:

• With the support of the Area. Director devise effective, safe and timely methods for the collection of accommodation and service charges from residents, and to maintain auditable records of payment.

• Ensure that arrears management procedures are adhered to.

• To take responsibility for petty cash and record all transactions in line with policy.

General:

• To contribute to a high quality and effective delivery of service.

• To participate in internal/external meetings as required and attend training, events, conferences and other functions as necessary.

• To participate in regular supervision and IDP and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.

• To contribute to and be supportive of young people’s involvement in our services and in all levels of decision making throughout the organization.

• To ensure that all Depaul policies and procedures are adhered to.

• To be successful in this role you will expected to go the extra mile by being flexible with the hours you work always bearing in mind the needs of the business.

• Any other duties commensurate with the role.

What we are looking for from you

When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.

• A commitment to the ethos and values of Depaul including the organisation’s policies and procedures

• Demonstrable experience of working with young and vulnerable people and young families with multiple and complex needs.

• Experience and understanding of challenges and barriers faced by young people in securing accommodation and sustainable education and training.

• Experience of leading a team, establishing processes and relationships.

• Negotiating skills

• Coordinating and organising skills

• Able to work on own initiative but at same time able to exercise sound judgment in knowing when to consult or delegate tasks.

• Able to work flexibly and develop positive working relationships at a range of different levels including staff, volunteers, managers, young people and stakeholders to set and deliver organisational goals and resolve conflicts of interest professionally.

• A clear understanding and ability to implement risk management, information sharing and data security arrangements.

• Awareness of and commitment to equal opportunity and diversity practice. Ability to promote and implement diversity practice and policies and generally treat colleagues and young people fairly and with respect.

• Demonstrate ability to use IT to a level which will enable high quality reporting to be carried out. This should include an ability to use data capture systems including running queries and reports.

• Expertise to manage a medium sized team of staff with responsibility for multiple projects/ services, a range of which of which operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

• The ability to provide cover Monday to Friday with occasional management support at weekends.

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

· Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

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.