Community fundraising and operations officer jobs

Job title: Head of Finance & Business Services

Reports to: Director of Operations

Salary:  In the region of £39,000. Flexible based on experience and qualifications

Location: Hybrid

Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours over 5 days

Objective:

2wish exists to provide support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under.

Aims:

• Ensure every Emergency Department and Critical Care unit has a suitable bereavement suite
• Ensure that bereavement boxes are available at each of these hospitals
• Ensure that immediate bereavement support is available for all affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide a professional counselling service and other therapies for those affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide support to individuals who witness the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide support and training to professionals from any sector who may be affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• To advocate and campaign on behalf of suddenly bereaved families

2wish Cymru and 2wish:

2wish has been established since 2012 and has since grown from strength to strength. During this time, we have worked tirelessly to embed our service and ensure that the offer of support is made at the point of death.

We offer an immediate, consistent, high-quality and compassionate service to all individuals affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under. We work in partnership with professionals who refer into the charity on behalf of families, so they don’t have to trawl through the internet for an organisation who may, or may not, be able to support. We provide immediate, and ongoing, support and are here for as long as our families need us.

We were founded as a Welsh organisation providing immediate casework support, as well as ongoing aftercare services including counselling, alternative therapies, play therapy, support groups, support events and a respite cottage.

In January 2024, we expanded into ‘phase one’ England, namely Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Somerset. And in July 2025 we expanded into ‘phase two’ England, namely Merseyside, Devon and Cornwall, Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Context of role:

The Headof Finance & Business Services will be a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for ensuring the charity is financially sustainable, legally compliant and operationally efficient.

This role provides strategic oversight of finance, governance, HR, IT, facilities, risk management, and business administration, enabling the charity to deliver its mission effectively and responsibly.

Line management responsibilities, including Business Services Officer and Finance and Administration Officer.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a senior advisor to the CEO and Board of Trustees on financial strategy, organisational performance, risk, and governance.
• Lead on the development and implementation of long-term financial plans, budgets, and business services strategies.
• Contribute to organisational planning, change management, and culture-building across the charity.

Financial Management

• Oversee all aspects of financial management, including grants and foundations, forecasting, management accounts, statutory accounts, and cashflow.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting in compliance within the Charity SORP, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Lead on financial risk management, reserve’s policy, investment planning, and financial controls.
• Oversee payroll, pension administration, procurement, and contract management.
• Support fundraising colleagues with financial modelling, grant budgets, and reporting to funders.

Business Services Oversight

• Lead and develop the business services function, which include IT, facilities, data protection and health & safety.
• Oversee HR policies, employee relations, recruitment processes, and wellbeing initiatives with the support of our HR consultants.
• Ensure reliable IT systems, digital security, and effective use of Microsoft 365 and organisational software with the support of our IT consultants ITCS.
• Manage the Business Services Officer who oversees office facilities, leases, equipment, and supplier relationships.
• Hold line management responsibilities for our Business Services Officer and Finance and Administration Officer.

Leadership and People Management

• Provide inspirational leadership to finance and business services staff.
• Support a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, compassion, and teamwork.
• Champion organisational values, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of operations

General:

• To be responsible for organising own work agenda, time management and administration.
• To adhere to all company policies and procedures including Safeguarding, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and Lone Working; and to be proactive in implementing new safe working practices as appropriate.
• To attend weekend and evening community events in support of the charity as necessary.
• Participate as and when required in team meetings and one-to-one meetings, and undertake, as appropriate, courses/training/other developmental activities, which is relevant to the role.

It is the nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are in may circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasks, which are not specifically covered in their job description may have to be undertaken.

You will be subject to performance review, which will incorporate a review of the above duties and performance over the period.

This role is subject to a DBS check.

Person specification:

Essential

• Fully or part qualified in accountancy or qualified by experience (QBE).
• Proven financial leadership experience within the third sector or a, challenging values-driven organisation.
• Strong understanding of charity finance, including SORP, restricted/unrestricted, designated funds, grant applications and reporting.
• Experience of managing governance, risk, compliance, and business administrative functions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively whilst providing strong challenge and professional insight.
• Demonstrable commitment to the mission and values of 2wish.
• Assist with compliance of the Equality Act, Employment Rights Act / Bill & General Data Protection Regulations.

Desirable

• Experience supporting or working alongside a Board of Trustees.
• Experience leading digital transformation or implementing new systems.
• Understanding bereavement-support environments

What we do for you:

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Normal office hours are 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, although alternative hours may be worked with line manager agreement. Work outside office hours may sometimes be necessary and will be compensated for by time off in lieu.

Annual leave: 28 days plus bank holidays. Annual leave steadily increases after five years of service. Annual leave and statutory holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis where applicable.

Pension: 2wish operate a contributory pension scheme. 2wish will auto-enrol you into the scheme in accordance with it’s auto-enrolment obligations. Full details of the scheme will be provided to you once you are enrolled, including the minimum level of contributions that you will be required to make during your membership (current contributions – employer 3% and employee 5%).

Mileage: A fixed rate allowance is payable for agreed mileage undertaken on 2wish business in a private vehicle, over and above your usual journey to your workplace/s.

Additional benefits for our employees:

• An ‘Employee Assistance Programme, ‘ including wellbeing support
• Free parking on 2wish premises
• Free branded 2wish clothing
• An extra annual leave day on your birthday
• Incremental increase in holiday entitlement based on length of service
• Paid sick leave
• Discounts for personal purchases on 2wish Merchandise
• Discounted tickets to UK 2wish events for staff and family
• Extra holiday entitlement when taking part in 2wish overseas events
• Company mobile phone for performance of duties
• Tools/equipment required for the performance of duties
• Reimbursement of work expenses
• Bright Exchange employee discounts
• Auto-enrolment into company contributory pension scheme after 3 months service

How to apply:

Please return a CV and covering letter, or a CV and two-minute video,.

Closing date: Friday 3rd April 2026

Thank you very much for your interest in the role. Please note, if you do not hear from us within ten working days of the closing date, you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Location: Remote
Hours: Part Time (21 hours per week)
Contract: Fixed term to end of January 2028.
Salary: £26,100 – £28,200 pro rata (£43,500 - £47,000 FTE)
 
This is an important project working in partnership with Government, the NHS, partners and affected communities as part of national memorial activities to reflect on the impact of Covid-19 for people across the UK.
 
The contract is linked to the anticipated development and delivery timeline of the Reflection Spaces project, which is the primary focus of the role.
 
Key Relationships: Programme Leads, COO, Director of Strategic Engagement, AD Finance and Operations, Trustees, External Partners
 
Overall Purpose
 
The Project Manager will work with NHS member charities and key stakeholders to design, lead and manage a high-profile programme of activity alongside key partners and those with lived experience to create memorial reflection spaces for communities most impacted by COVID-19. This is referred to in this document at the ‘Reflection Spaces’ project.
 
You will bring a dynamic, can do approach to support the design and delivery of the Reflection Spaces project, ensuring collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders, including our identified NHS Member Charities, voluntary sector organisations, funders, evaluators and government officials to create beautiful high quality and reflective spaces supportive of those experiencing bereavement with creative elements to mark their significance.
 
It involves working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including our member charities, NHS trusts, funders, evaluators, and government officials, and ensuring initiatives are delivered successfully.
 
Overall Objectives
 
To support the design and implementation of new sensory reflection spaces that create a living memory and legacy for communities of those lost during the pandemic. The new COVID-19 memorials will be created across the country that reflect the importance of green spaces to the nation during the pandemic for health and wellbeing, and to bring people together in remembrance and commemoration to those who have experienced loss.
 
To convene and engage stakeholders to inform the national elements of the project including development of the creative brief, ensuring a golden thread that brings all of the locally funded projects together.
 
You will coordinate teams, stakeholders and partners to ensure high quality delivery, excellent interpretation and relevance through codesign to represent the user needs from established steering and engagement groups to ensure quality and impact.
 
You may also be required to oversee other NHS Charities Together initiatives successfully so they deliver on their objectives, managing stakeholders, and are delivered on time and to budget - in particular the Green Communities project, which is an existing grant programme with NHS Charities to create and improve green spaces and help improve the nation’s health.
 
Key Responsibilities
 
Project Design and Development

• Work with the Programme Leads and SRO to develop the Reflection Spaces project from design to implementation considering sustainability and legacy of local project design and implementation with NHS charity members.
• Managing high profile stakeholder relationships and partners across government, horticultural partners and bereavement organisations to codesign the programme of activity and/or high level design brief to guide local project delivery.
• Establish evaluation requirements for the programme and projects delivered at a local level and in line with partners involved, leading processes to convene, capture and share evidence, data and insight to support knowledge of impact for users of the spaces. Commission and manage external evaluations where appropriate, ensuring quality and alignment with project aims.
• Plan funding aspects of the programme allocating awards to chosen NHS Charities able to support the requirements of the spaces as per brief.
• Develop project plans with clear objectives, timelines, milestones and manage and monitor associated budget, ensuring that projects are financially sustainable and cover our costs.

 
Delivery and Management

• Lead initiatives, in particular the Reflection Spaces project, to ensure they are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
• Establish and oversee robust project governance, risk management, and reporting processes, maintaining strong administration and compliance throughout
• Regularly review and monitor impact against the goals of the programme, ensuring the benefits and impact we seek are being achieved
• Provide line management of staff where required, such as the Senior Projects Officer working across our other related greening projects
• Manage project resources and staff effectively, fostering a collaborative team culture and supporting and ensuring team members are empowered
• Support or lead the process of securing appropriate partnership propositions, selecting service contracts or grant arrangements where appropriate, with regard to considerations such as control and VAT efficiency. Where multiple potential partners exist, ensure we have effective decision making to select the most appropriate partnerships in line with our strategic criteria, either through procurement or application assessments and establish appropriate tender processes for artistic commissioning.
• Manage contracts or grant arrangements with external partners, including evaluators and delivery organisations, delegating as required; lead or support negotiations as needed and ensure partners meet their obligations.
• Oversee and manage the delivery of the Greener Communities project to completion.

 
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Convene and engage stakeholders, including member charities, NHS trusts and employees, funders and evaluators, to co-produce and steer projects collaboratively.
• Facilitating and supporting engagement to harness lived experience voice to inform the design and delivery of locally delivered projects to ensure relevance and suitability of spaces and also to support national commemoration events such as the National Day of Reflection.
• Manage stakeholder relationships throughout the lifecycle of each project, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
• Provide support and guidance to member charities through the projects we fund, enabling high quality spaces and user experience and outcomes.
• Represent the organisation externally, acting as a champion for NHS Charities Together and NHS charities
• Form professional and beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders – including at a senior level, representing the department internally and externally and bringing your experience of greening for health.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the organisation to plan commemorative events around the National Day of Reflection and to support the design of communication plans.

 
Creative Arts Installation

• Lead the creative arts commissioning aspects of the Reflection Spaces project in collaboration with partners to ensure spaces have interpretation and recognition around their purpose and also any installation artwork featuring across all sites acting as the golden thread for the programme.
• Identify and build effective relationships with new stakeholders and funders who are required for the artistic aspects of the Reflection Spaces project to support ambition, working collaboratively to secure income such Arts Council applications or equivalent for the devolved nations such as Creative Scotland.
• Establish creative steering groups that help to codesign artistic aspects that will establish interpretation of the spaces and create a ‘golden thread’ unifying the spaces

 
Other duties

• Visibly live NHS Charities Togethers values of Human, Collaborative and Pioneering, including our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Carrying out the duties of post in accordance with NHS Charities Togethers policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.
• Working flexibly, prioritising workload, and working effectively as part of a team. Demonstrating an ability to work calmly and effectively when under pressure of tight deadlines, to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Work with organisational systems to capture and share stakeholder interactions in a timely manner
• Adhere to relevant legislation, best practice, policies, and processes including, but not limited to charity law, the fundraising regulator, GDPR and professional codes and standards.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of duties. The need for flexibility is required, and the post holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.
 
REF-227 012

Mercy Ships UK is looking for a People Engagement and Development Partner to help cultivate a thriving, supportive and purpose-driven workplace where our people can flourish.

Mercy Ships is an international charity that provides free life-changing surgeries and healthcare to people in need, using hospital ships staffed by volunteers from around the world. Behind this mission is a dedicated team of staff who enable this work to happen and we believe investing in our people is essential to achieving our impact.

This role plays a key part in shaping the employee experience at Mercy Ships UK, strengthening engagement, supporting managers and helping develop a healthy and effective organisational culture.

Working closely with leaders across the organisation, you will support initiatives that encourage staff wellbeing, development and strong collaboration, ensuring our people feel valued, connected and equipped to contribute to the mission.

Key responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of employee engagement initiatives across Mercy Ships UK

• Partner with managers to strengthen team culture, communication and staff wellbeing

• Help coordinate learning and development opportunities that enable staff to grow and thrive

• Provide guidance and support on people-related matters, helping to build confident and capable managers

• Contribute to organisational initiatives that strengthen culture, values and employee experience

• Support internal communications and activities that foster connection, collaboration and engagement across teams

About you

You will be someone who is passionate about people and organisational culture, with the ability to build trusted relationships across teams.

You will bring:

• Experience working in a people, HR or organisational development role

• A strong interest in employee engagement, culture and learning

• The ability to support and coach managers in developing healthy teams

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• A collaborative and proactive approach to supporting organisational initiatives

• Alignment with the values and mission of Mercy Ships

Why join Mercy Ships?

At Mercy Ships UK, you will be part of a team committed to making a global difference. This role offers the opportunity to help shape the environment where our people work, grow and contribute to a life-changing mission.

This role has an Occupational Requirement for the post holder to be a practicing Christian in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010

Join our dedicated Reproduction Team and bring your veterinary expertise to a programme built on ethics, compassion and exceptional welfare standards. This is your chance to play a vital role in ensuring every puppy begins life with the very best foundations.

As our Canine Reproduction Specialist, you’ll work hand‑in‑hand with our Veterinary Surgeon to support successful, welfare‑focused breeding outcomes. Your insight and care will help maximise conception rates and litter sizes, while safeguarding the physical and emotional wellbeing of every breeding dog.

You’ll champion best‑practice reproductive care, influence high‑quality decision‑making, and help ensure that long‑term comfort, health and happiness remain at the heart of every breeding choice we make.

Based at our National Breeding Centre near Leamington Spa, you’ll work 35 hours per week between 8am and 6pm, Monday–Friday. You’ll also participate in a 1 in 4 weekend rota, ensuring continuous, outstanding care for our dogs.

If you’re passionate about canine welfare and want your work to have a lasting, positive impact, we’d love to hear from you!

What You’ll Do

• Carry out key reproductive duties, including cytology, progesterone testing and supervising matings, ensuring the highest standards of welfare and outcomes.
• Support clinical care for breeding dogs, applying your knowledge of canine anatomy, physiology and behaviour.
• Maintain accurate records, analyse reproductive data and contribute to continuous improvement across the breeding programme.
• Develop skills in ultrasound and reproductive techniques, including artificial insemination, under veterinary direction (full training provided).
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and external partners, representing the breeding programme professionally.

What You’ll Bring

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Significant experience working in a veterinary practice.
• At least one year’s experience in a scientific or laboratory setting, with the ability and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of canine anatomy and reproduction, gained through academic study and/or practical experience.
• Strong understanding of canine behaviour, temperament and reproductive health.
• Good understanding of laboratory processes and equipment.
• Confident dog‑handling skills.
• Physical dexterity to safely supervise matings.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.

What We Offer

No two people with sight loss are the same — and none of our people are either. That’s why we’re proud to offer a range of person‑centred benefits designed to support each member of staff in the ways that matter most.

Our flexible benefits package includes a generous holiday allowance, a matched contributory pension scheme and access to discounts and cashback, giving you the freedom to choose the options that work best for you. It’s our way of showing how much our people mean to us and helping you feel supported both in and outside of work.

About Us

How to apply 

Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via this page.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help.

As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions as part of this application process, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.

If you want to know more about the teams who work at Guide Dogs, you can find it on our Careers Page

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.

If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the offense, its relevance to the role, and the time that has passed since the incident. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.

For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.