Independent Age is the national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life. We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life.
Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free, practical support to older people without enough money to live on. Through our grants programme, we support hundreds of local organisations working with older people across the UK.
We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.
We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.
Responsibilities and Person Specification:
This is a critical and influential role at Independent Age, reporting to the Head of Governance. The post holder will provide high-quality support across a broad and impactful portfolio, including risk management, procurement and contracts, governance, safeguarding and business continuity, helping to build a culture where accountability, learning and continuous improvement drive meaningful change.
Working closely with senior leaders and the Board, you will play an important role in enabling effective and confident decision-making across every level of the charity. This is an opportunity to contribute across a wide range of areas and to see the direct impact of your work on how the organisation functions and delivers its mission.
We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for risk management, alongside a strong understanding of not-for-profit governance best practice. You will also bring experience in at least one of the following areas: procurement, contracts management, third party contract risk, business continuity planning, policy management or safeguarding.
You will be an excellent communicator, confident working with senior stakeholders, with strong attention to detail and a proactive, can-do approach. Above all, you will take pride in getting things done efficiently and to a high standard and be motivated by the opportunity to work for a values-led organisation making a meaningful difference to older people.
This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight.
If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the above criteria but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.
What it’s like to work at Independent Age:
We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included. In line with this, our office has many inclusive features, and there is no dress code.
We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.
We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all, but if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. Those contracted to work in the office are required to attend the office a minimum of 4 days per month. This role supports Board and committee meetings which may be held online or in the office, meaning availability to support with this is required.
You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age on the Careers page on our website.
Application Process:
To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).
To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name.
Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A Basic DBS check will be carried out for the successful candidate.
Closing Date: Tuesday 14 July, 23:59
1st Interview Dates: Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 July, online via Microsoft Teams
2nd Interview Dates: Wednesday 29 July, in person at our London Office (Avonmore Road)
Independent Age is the national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Woodland Trust is looking for an Outreach Manager to join our South West team. The Outreach Manager leads the Trust’s outreach work in Southwest England, providing expert advice on woodland creation, management and restoration to landowners, organisations and stakeholders across the region, in support if the Woodland Trust’s conservation aims. They lead, inspire and manage the South West Outreach Team, ensuring advice is appropriate, effective and focused for delivering impact and strategic goals.
A company vehicle will be provided for this role. Please note that out Company Vehicle Policy is also under review as part of our Job Families and Contract Review project, so the eligibility criteria therein are subject to change in due course.
The Role:
- Lead and support Regional Leads and the Regional Director to deliver strategic priorities aligned with the Woodland Trust’s vision, values and objectives.
- Provide effective leadership and day-to-day management of the South West Outreach team, ensuring delivery is prioritised, on time and within budget.
- Build, manage and strengthen strategic partnerships with landowners, stakeholders, volunteers, delivery partners and suppliers to maximise regional impact.
- Promote and deliver the Trust’s landowner offers through compelling proposals and business cases, influencing action and securing engagement.
- Act as an ambassador for the Woodland Trust, representing outreach work internally and externally, including with media and key partners.
- Provide strategic leadership for temperate rainforest recovery, driving regional priorities, collaboration and long-term ecosystem restoration planning.
- Work closely with fundraising teams to secure and maximise funding opportunities, develop partnerships and support high-value agreements.
- Oversee regional resources, including budget management, reporting, communications, and the development of case studies to showcase impact and best practice.
- This is a homebased role, requiring regular travel to locations within the South West landscape and wider England, sometimes to remote locations. You would be expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of your area of responsibility. Occasional travel to regional offices and overnight stays will be required.
The Candidate:
- Capable of leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams, with a strong understanding of health & safety requirements.
- Understanding of the forestry or environmental land-based sector, with a track record of delivering impactful outcomes.
- Expertise in managing landscape-scale programmes and complex, multi-partner projects to successful delivery.
- Strong networking and influencing skills, with the ability to build relationships and drive outcomes with key stakeholders and partners.
- Capability of shaping and implementing strategic plans, managing large budgets and reporting on performance and outputs.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence to engage professionally and positively across a wide range of audiences and situations.
- Ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload, ensuring efficient delivery, value for money and maximum impact.
- Strong technical knowledge, including woodland creation and restoration, temperate rainforest recovery, forestry incentives and landowner drivers, supported by a relevant qualification (HND/Degree or equivalent) and a full driving licence.
Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
- Enhanced Employer Pension
- Life Assurance
- Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
- Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
- Enhanced Parental Pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and we do not ask for your CV at application.
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.
Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
Interviews will take place on August 14th 2026.
Are you an inspirational leader looking for your next challenge? Would you like the opportunity to lead a respected charity dedicated to helping people live well with sight loss and shape the future of accessible, inclusive support across York and beyond?
MySight York is an independent local charity supporting people to live independently, confidently and without barriers. Through a wide range of practical, emotional and social support services, including advice, counselling, befriending, digital inclusion, assistive technology support and its award-winning Eye Care Support Pathway, MySight York empowers people to make informed choices and live well with sight loss.
Driven by a vision of a York where people with sight loss can live independently, equally and without barriers, MySight York works tirelessly to champion accessibility, inclusion and equality. The charity supports around 1,700 people every year and is recognised nationally for its innovation, partnerships and leadership within the sight loss sector.
We now have a fantastic opportunity for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead MySight York into its next chapter, building on strong foundations while delivering an ambitious strategy that will expand the charity's reach, influence and impact.
The Role
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer will provide strategic leadership, vision and direction for MySight York, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, delivers high-quality services and continues to amplify the voices of people living with sight loss.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Providing strategic leadership to deliver the organisation's vision, mission and strategic priorities.
- Working closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure strong governance, compliance and organisational sustainability.
- Leading, motivating and developing a committed team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Ensuring the charity's long-term financial sustainability through effective financial management, fundraising and income diversification.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with funders, NHS partners, local authorities, community organisations and other key stakeholders.
- Acting as the principal ambassador and spokesperson for MySight York, championing accessibility, inclusion and the rights of people with sight loss.
- Driving innovation, digital development and service improvement to ensure support remains responsive to changing needs.
The Person
We are seeking an inclusive, compassionate and strategic leader who is passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of people with sight loss.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, public, voluntary or private sector.
- A strong track record of developing and delivering organisational strategy and leading change.
- Experience of working effectively with Boards of Trustees or equivalent governance structures
- Strong financial and operational management experience, with the ability to ensure long-term sustainability
- Excellent partnership-building, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Outstanding communication and leadership abilities, with the credibility to inspire staff, volunteers, trustees and external partners.
- An understanding of the disability, health or social care sectors and a genuine passion for MySight York's mission.
Why Join MySight York?
This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and ambitious charity at a significant point in its development. You will have the chance to:
- Deliver an ambitious organisational strategy and shape the future of support for people with sight loss.
- Lead a highly regarded organisation with a strong reputation.
- Influence policy, service development and accessibility initiatives locally and nationally.
- Build new partnerships and opportunities for growth.
- Work alongside a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and trustees who are committed to creating a more inclusive society.
- Make a lasting difference to the lives of people affected by sight loss.
If you believe you have the experience and leadership qualities to lead MySight York through its next phase of development, we would be delighted to hear from you.
If this sounds like the opportunity for the next phase of your career you can download the recruitment pack (attached) for more information. To apply please send your CV.
Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format such as audio or video upload, or require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us, please contact either Jen or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.
Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.
Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.
To lead charity recruitment because we’re the best at supporting individuals and organisations to achieve their ambitions and drive positive change

