Director of programmes and deputy chief executive jobs
First Give
First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.
Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.
Corporate Parnterships Manager
We are seeking a self-motivated and driven Corporate Partnerships Manager to lead on growing and stewarding First Give’s portfolio of high-value funders. This role will focus on developing corporate partnerships and will also support our Campaign Board and major donor activity.
First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable setting up new systems and processes. You will play a pivotal role in shaping First Give’s income growth, working closely with our Head of Philanthropy and the Director. This role will also support key engagement activities, including hosting donors at student-led Final events and facilitating employee volunteering at schools.
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident fundraiser and communicator looking for the next step in their career. Someone who thrives on strategy, storytelling, and social impact.
Contract: Full-time, 35 hours per week. Permanent.
Salary: £40K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)
Location: The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events for two days per week on average. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.
Reporting to: Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships
The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we. We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.
Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.
Creating opportunities where young people are inspired and empowered to give their time, money or skills to charities and causes that they care about


Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
* This role is predominantly remote but you will be asked to come to our Brighton office few times a year
JOIN US ON THE FRONTLINE
About the role
A key role leading the risk, performance and legal functions within Frontline AIDS. The role embeds a risk management approach across all organisation functions, ensures best practice in compliance, contractual management and data protection. Works closely with others to ensure consistent and effective programme delivery practice. The role spearheads business continuity planning and security management.
We are looking for an inspirational manager who will bring significant experience and a track-record of delivering risk management plans in large complex organisations. You will be passionate about driving forward improvements in the system of internal controls, risk management and governance across the organisation. With strong analytical skills and proven experience of risk management leadership, you will lead and develop our response to anti-corruption, safeguarding, security, health & safety, and other concerns.
As an experienced leader, you will be effective at developing strong relationships with teams across the organisation. You are committed to fostering a high performance culture, and will delegate thoughtfully to give colleagues real accountability and authority.
Who we are
We’ve been on the frontline of the world’s response to HIV and AIDS for over 25 years, working with marginalised people who are denied HIV prevention and treatment simply because of who they are and where they live.
Set up in 1993 to work with community groups in the countries most affected by the global AIDS epidemic, we’ve continually adapted our approach, looking for innovative ways to break down the barriers that marginalise people living with, or at risk of acquiring, HIV. All with one goal in mind – a future free from AIDS for everyone, everywhere.
Everything we do is rooted in our two key beliefs:
- That the lives of all human beings are of equal value.
- That everyone has the right to access the HIV information and services they need for a healthy life.
Today, we work with communities in more than 40 countries, taking local, national and global action on HIV, health and human rights.
As a global partnership that is open to everyone, we can only do what we do – and achieve what we want to achieve – by working with partners from grassroots community groups to national governments. Our partners drive change where it matters, shaking up the status quo and making a noise on issues the world often chooses to ignore.
Are you the Frontliner we’re looking for?
We are looking for someone who has:
- Qualified to degree level in a relevant field to risk management and compliance.
- Post-graduate and/or professional qualification in a relevant field, including accounting, law, audit, or risk
- Extensive experience of working in a risk management/compliance/assurance function within a sizeable organisation, with strategic and operational accountability.
- Experience of managing and maintaining a risk case management system to ensure appropriate management of issues.
- Experience in developing and managing programme oversight and governance mechanisms that drive consistent approaches and strong performance.
- Experience of rolling out dedicated risk management and compliance training and supporting and guiding staff in developing risk registers and appropriate mitigating actions for risks.
- Experience of contract review and drafting of new clauses for contracts
- Experience of working with international donor rules and requirements and supporting/guiding project teams in managing projects in accordance with these rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of best practice in process review and improvement.
- Senior Experience in setting, reviewing, simplifying organisational policies and procedures and encouraging compliance.
How to apply
Find out more by downloading the full job description and person specification. If you are excited by this opportunity and think it’s right for you, we’d love to hear from you so apply using the button at the top of this page and upload your CV along with a covering letter outlining why you are a great match for this role.
Closing Date : Sunday 22nd February 2026
We have transitioned to a hybrid model of working. We are currently working from home but you will also be required to spend time working alongside your team as appropriate. The successful applicant will need to hold the right to work in the UK and /or South Africa.
Interview Date is: tbc
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Frontline AIDS operates a rigorous recruitment and selection process that reflects our commitment to child protection. The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy can be downloaded here
Frontline AIDS is committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring approach. We welcome applications from Black people, and other people of colour, people with disabilities, people living with HIV and LGBTIQ+ and non-binary individuals.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and a criminal records check. Having a criminal conviction and/or any other information divulged on the DBS/PVG or country equivalent check would not necessarily prevent you from working for the charity, but any recruitment decision will be dependent on the nature of the position sought and the circumstances and background of the offence(s).
We want a future free from AIDS for everyone, everywhere.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Stag operates through a low-risk hall-hire business model. It is not allowed to promote its own shows – it provides the professional facilities for others to hire space and put on shows.
Reporting to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the CEO leads a small, professional and dedicated team (currently 20 employees (17.8 FTE)) boosted with part-time casuals in the box office plus a team of volunteers at events. The CEO will ensure the charity fulfils its mission and achieves its charitable objectives whilst maintaining the strong financial sustainability it now enjoys.
The role requires the CEO to a be a BIIAB personal licence holder and to act as Designated Premises Supervisor as well as being the Company Secretary. More details from The Stag's website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.
You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.
You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team.
Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.
Team:Research and Development
Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location
Duration:Permanent
Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)
Main Purpose
The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).
While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.
They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and management
- Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
- Line management of senior and mid-level staff
- Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate
Income
- Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
- Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
- Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners
Impact
- Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
- Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
- Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them.
Delivery
- Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
- Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
- Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team
Person Specification
Experience
Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential
Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential
Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential
Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential
Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable
Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable
Skills
Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential
Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable
Clear and direct written communication style - Essential
Knowledge
Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential
Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential
Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -Desirable
Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Creative Director and Joint CEO
We are seeking a visionary Creative Director who will also act as joint CEO to lead the artistic and strategic direction of the charity.
For over 40 years, the organisation has used creative practice as a catalyst for social change, promoting inclusion and empowering diverse communities across the North West. The mission and vision is to co-create inclusive, artistic opportunities with diverse communities that enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage.
If this is something you are passionate about, then we would love to hear from you!
Position: Creative Director/Joint CEO
Location: Rochdale /Hybrid (in person 2-3 days per week, one of which must be a Wednesday)
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £45,000 plus a 7.5% employer pension contribution
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Tuesday 24 February at 5pm
Interview Date: Thursday 12 March in person in Heywood
The Role
The Creative Director (Joint CEO) is responsible for the artistic vision, creative, entrepreneurial and strategic leadership of the charity. You will work as an equal partner with the Managing Director (MD/ Joint CEO), both reporting directly to the Board of Trustees to ensure that the organisation achieves its project objectives and strategic targets, while providing quality assurance of the work of the company.
Principal tasks and responsibilities include:
- Strategic Development
- Artistic Leadership
- Advocacy and Relationships
- Finance & Fundraising
- Company & Governance
- Management and leadership
About You
We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record in securing funding, overseeing complex budgets, and fostering productive relationships with a Board of Trustees, other partners and stakeholders. You will have a creative and cultural leadership style and with experience of programming that reaches diverse communities.
About the Organisation
Join a dynamic participatory arts charity based in Rochdale, dedicated to using creative practice as a catalyst for social change. For over 40 years the organisation has co-created inclusive, artistic opportunities with diverse communities that enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage. We call this Art for a Reason. Through a range of initiatives from Art for Wellbeing to community-led festivals, the team provide opportunities for people to explore their heritage, find their voice, and experience the transformative power of the arts. The vision is for a world where everyone has access and opportunities to create, participate and belong.
We particularly encourage applications from individuals who live in Rochdale and/or identify as being of the global majority, disabled, neurodiverse and/or LGBTQ+/and or non-binary communities. The successful candidate will be offered the post subject to an enhanced DBS check and references.
You may also have experience in areas such as Programme Coordinator/manager, Learning and Engagement, Director, Creative Director, Operations Director, CEO, Director of Creative, Joint CEO, Deputy CEO, Assistant CEO, Chief Exec, Assistant Chief Exec, Deputy Chief Exec. #INDNFP
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent strategic, analytical and leadership skills to join Impetus as an Investment Director and support us in our mission to transform the lives of young people.
The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy.
Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
About the Investment Team
The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.
The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.
The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.
The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.
The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.
The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.
Key responsibilities
Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio
- Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment
- Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, to assess and build partnership foundations with potential partners – covering leadership and governance, and their impact, scale, and partnership potential;
- Modelling from first contact of origination, our approach to engaged and trust-based investment management support;
- Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.
Managing partnerships with portfolio partners
- Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs
- Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, including appropriate annual investment milestones to allow for a clear assessment of re-investment potential at end of phase
- Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks against milestones and making evidence-based recommendations on progression or exit to Leads, Portfolio Director and the Investment Committee
- Escalating key risks on performance, leadership and safeguarding
- Conducting annual partnership review with Sector Leads and partner CEOs
- Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments, in line with Service Funding Agreements.
Supporting portfolio partners
- Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, using a mix of at least monthly one-to-one meetings and group facilitation to:
- clarify theory of change,
- define long term ambition,
- develop growth strategy
- achieve a step change in the delivery and performance management of outcomes,
- strengthen leadership (individual and collective) and governance capabilities,
- develop path to scale,
- build financial resilience;
- Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity-building projects (in addition to providing direct management support). Ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and contribute to charity progression;
- Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners that are aligned with the partner’s activities and do not distract or undermine their core work;
- Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities for portfolio partners, enhancing their ability to deliver impact at scale;
- Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner that is managed by an Investment Director.
Support to Impetus
- Developing expertise about “what works” in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement as well as investigation into key research and evaluative literature;
- Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus’ strategy, model and delivery;
- Contributing to internal priorities and working groups (e.g. team strategy discussions, digital improvement initiatives, or equity, diversity, and inclusion)
- Contribute towards Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, donor reports and fundraising events
- Sharing the learning from our work across the team, across the organisation and externally working within Impetus strategy and agreed forums
- Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, and engage portfolio partners appropriately in these events.
- Where appropriate, line-managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team to grow and develop, and achieve their project, role and team objectives.
Person specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
- Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
- A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
- Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
- Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
- Tenacity and initiative.
- Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
- Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback.
- Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
- Strong planning and time management skills.
- Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.
Desirable
- Experience in the non-profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
- Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
- Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
- Board experience in private, public or third sector.
- Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.

*This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Stop Domestic Abuse is a trauma informed organisation; the work we do to support those effected by domestic abuse may be triggering for those with past trauma. Please only apply if you are living free from abuse. If you’d like to talk to us about this, please get in touch.
Location: Havant
Salary: £36,547 - £39,372
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Full Time/Permanent
Reference Number: STOPDA847
Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:
Prepare compelling responses to grant applications, support the Business Development Director and wider leadership team with responses to complex tenders and high-value funding applications.
Ensure all policies, procedures and practice are reviewed in line with designated timescales and meet the quality assurance requirements of the national outcomes framework and service standards for VAWG, SafeLives, Women’s Aid NQS, RESPECT accreditation principles and any additional frameworks agreed by the CEO.
Lead, monitor and evaluate projects as designated by the Business Development Director e.g. project management of website redevelopment, collaborating with external contractors and our IT Manager to convey our organisational vision.
Support operational activities which inform whole-organisation improvement e.g. gather and analyse staff survey feedback data, possess a natural curiosity for data analysis and identification of trends which draw meaningful conclusions from qualitative and quantitative data.
Manage (and delegate where appropriate) and quality assure all subject access requests, complaints and data queries in line with Data Protection and GDPR legislation, working with, and supported by the Business Development Director (DPO) on complex cases.
What We Offer:
Time off and Flexibility:
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (Increasing with service)
- Birthday day off
- Child’s first day of school off
- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ leave per year
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Protected time of up to one hour each month
Family-Friendly Benefits:
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave
- IVF Leave
Health and Wellbeing:
- Westfield Health Healthcare Cashback Plan (after probation)
- Westfield Health Personal Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Eye care vouchers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
About Stop Domestic Abuse:
Stop Domestic Abuse is a proud women-led organisation supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Portsmouth and Hampshire. Our vision is a world without domestic abuse, and we work to ensure that it’s ‘everyone’s business.’
We provide refuge and community-based support, delivering in a trauma-informed way for adults, children and young people, tailored to individual needs. Our 19 refuges offer safe, welcoming homes, and across our services we provide one-to-one support and group activities to help improve their safety and to meet others with similar experiences. We support children process their experiences and help regain a sense of safety.
Our UP2U programmes support those seeking to change abusive behaviours, and we also offer specialist support for victims of stalking. We also deliver training to professionals, including the hair and beauty industry, to recognise domestic abuse and connect people to specialist support services.
Our Values:
Equality, Openness, Honesty, Respect for individual dignity and diversity, Empowering women and children, and Care and Compassion – are at the heart of everything we do. By committing to these values, we aim to significantly improve the lives of those we support and work towards our vision of a world without domestic abuse.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Head of Corporate Partnerships
Location: North London (3 days per week in the office)
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £50,000 to £55,000 per annum
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising
Term: Permanent
Aquilas is delighted to be partnering witth a much loved children's charity to recruit a Head of Corporate Partnerships to join their successful fundraising team.
About the role:
In this role, you will work closely with the Director of Fundraising & Communications to develop and enhance their Corporate and Special Events Programme. This is very much a hands-on role of team leadership and direct account management. This includes six figure partners.
The post-holder has a key role in the management of their Philanthropy & Corporate Board, which bring together industry leader to help move both these programmes forward. There is great freedom to innovate and a healthy pool of local business with an affinity to our cause. The post-holder takes a key leadership role across fundraising and marketing, working with their peers and Director to take strategic decisions for wider benefit of the department.
Line managing a small team of two you will play a key role in building and maintaining relationships with existing and prospective partners of the charity. You will ensure our partners have the best possible experience, making them feel engaged and motivated, valued and informed about the impact of their involvement and help them achieve their organisation’s objectives.
About you:
You will be an inspiring Corporate Fundraising Head, excellentcommunicator and a natural relationship builder. You will have demonstrative experience in people management within Partnerships and ideally a strong, broad background in corporate fundraising or commerical sales. Excellent donor stewardship skills in terms of account management of existing supports
To Apply:
To receive a candidate pack or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact:
Kieran McGorrian, Head of Not for Profit Appointments, Aquilas
Arvon, the UK's most renowned creative writing charity, is looking for an experienced and dynamic Management Accountant (Maternity Cover) to work closely with its CFO on the preparation of management accounts, budgeting and forecasting processes, as well as other key finance tasks. Arvon has been delivering courses from its three beautiful houses for over 57 years, and you would be joining a dedicated and spirited national team, all of whom are passionately committed to delivering on Arvon's transformational charitable mission.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable.
Leading national policy strategy
As Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you will work closely with the CEO to develop and execute a four-year influencing plan. Together we’ll aim to shift local and national incentives on inclusion by 2030, which see the national trend of rising suspension and absence begin to fall.
You will hold relationships with the Department for Education and Ofsted and advise on policy priorities ahead, such as:
-
Widening the definition of inclusion beyond special needs, recognising the needs of those young people historically or currently interacting with social services
-
Reducing perverse incentives for schools to alter their school roll through admissions and pupil exits
-
Expectations for multi-academy trusts in capturing and analysing data on lost learning, including how it disproportionately affects different groups
-
Improving local alternative provision eco-systems, to improve outcomes for young people
-
National standards for inclusive school practice, at a universal and targeted level
-
Professional development standards for school inclusion
Developing implementation expertise in the middle tier
In your first six months, you will advise on the internal development of a new programme for middle tier policy actors: multi-academy trust and local authority leaders. You will support the Programme team in its design, to plan strategically for the recruitment of trusts and local authorities, and you will plan the research and influencing work which will seek to share their success nationally.
Building the evidence base
In your second six months, you will work with the CEO to build out our research function. Your influencing plan will include how The Difference can learn from the work across our multi-academy trust, local authority and internal AP pioneer partners over the next four years, to develop influential publications. Research work ahead will include publishing sector-facing publications of The Difference’s own research, carried out by our research lead and associates; alongside managing external contractors and internal colleagues to bid for and deliver aligned research disseminating our ideas.
Raising your voice
This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to inclusive policy change. The Difference has always punched above our weight in national and sector press reach. In post, you will publish blogs and comment pieces, disseminating our shared ideas. You will be a prominent voice on inclusion.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Head of Policy and Public Affairs you will:
Design and execute an impactful influencing plan
-
Design an influencing plan - Identify via horizon scanning opportunities to influence national policy using open policy windows, or by nudging/creating new ones.
-
Execute an influencing plan - Utilise own assets and assets across the organisation, including the Director team, to deliver against the influencing plan.
-
Relationship building - Build highly credible and impactful relationships with a variety of stakeholders who hold power. This will include policy makers in national governments, local government officials, politicians, other third sector organisations and think tanks.
-
Leadership - Play a significant role internally and externally in communicating the organisation’s policy position, raising organisational and own brand.
Build policy capacity and credibility across the organisation
-
Policy positions and solutions- Use the concepts, work and experience of The Difference’s programmes to develop new, and refine existing, national policy positions to shift incentives.
-
Thought leadership - Be the organisation’s education policy and political expert.
-
Generating income - Use own and team’s expertise and credibility to generate income via speaking engagements and consultancy to support the organisation’s financial sustainability.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, experience and skills, though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
-
Deep expertise in education policy, particularly on the topic of lost learning and the various policy and political debates, including areas of controversy, surrounding this policy topic.
-
Strategic thinker with a proven track record in identifying policy windows and designing activities that lead to meaningful national policy change.
-
Excellent relationship builder, who brings with them their own network of influential stakeholders and has a plan for building new relationships. Adept at navigating tricky situations and explaining complex, sometimes difficult, messages.
-
Expert convener with a strong knowledge of the education sector, including which schools, trusts and local authorities are influential and experience in bringing a variety of perspectives together to generate consensus.
-
Persuasive and clear writing style for publication, including reports, press, blogs and ghost writing for members of the senior leadership team, often based on consensus positions, and designed to communicate key messages for impact.
-
Confidence and credibility in communicating nuanced messages in a contentious landscape, in writing, verbally and in public (e.g. on panels), to raise the profile of The Difference.
-
Strong project manager who can design systems and processes to keep self, team and other stakeholders on task and on time. Experience of designing programmes of work and monitoring their effectiveness. Flexible project management style that can adapt to a changing environment. Confidence in managing a variety of stakeholders and supporting them to deliver on time.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following:
-
Familiarity with The Difference’s programmatic work, theory and practice.
-
Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people (e.g. those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, exclusion, and racism).
We know that some people, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution, we warmly encourage you to apply.
We actively welcome applications from people whose backgrounds are under-represented in the charity sector, including but not limited to: people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the case system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Food Ethics Council's mission is to put people, animals and planet at the heart of every food decision. We're looking for a part-time Communications lead to take the lead on designing and delivering communications that support us to engage with our key audiences and tell strong authentic stories about the work we do in the food system.
Duties: include supporting the Executive Director in developing and delivering the communications strategy, providing strategic input on framing and language of our work, using social media to develop communities of interest, website management, designing social media assets, liaising with comms teams in organisations we partner with, writing and coordinating blogs and/ or video content. See job description for list of main duties.
Employee benefits: We offer flexible working. We will pay a pension contribution of 4% of your basic pay per month (minimum employee contributions required in line with pensions law, unless you choose to opt out). Annual leave - 25 days per year + public holidays FTE
#Communications Lead #Flexible Working #Remote Working #Engagement #Storytelling #Digital
Our mission is to put people, animals and the planet at the heart of every food decision


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: People Development Manager (Job Share)
Location: Homeworking with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London)
Salary: £23,036 per annum, pro rata based on an FTE salary of £57,590 per annum. (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Part Time, Fixed Term (1 year)
Hours: 15 hours per week (Wednesday's and Friday's as part of a job share)
We are now seeking a People Development Manager (Job Share) to join our People & Culture team and help us strengthen learning, development, and organisational capability across Refuge.
As People Development Manager, you will play a key role in delivering effective, compliant, and customer-focused People services that help colleagues perform at their best and support Refuge’s strategic objectives.
Working collaboratively with managers and your job-share partner, you will shape and deliver an organisation-wide training and learning offer that meets diverse needs, supports professional growth, and enhances our inclusive culture.
You will lead on the development of our newly implemented learning system, our evaluation framework and monitoring and developing our apprenticeship scheme. Alongside your job share partner and the Deputy Director of People & Culture, you will help develop our new learning strategy.
You will be part of a supportive People & Culture team committed to positive change and continuous improvement. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to shape meaningful development initiatives that help colleagues grow and ensure Refuge remains a great place to work.
Closing Date: 09:00 am 12 February 2026
Interview Date: 19 February 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £37,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Closing Date: 12th February 2026
Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice periods
Do you have the vision, leadership and compassion to transform the futures of women experiencing homelessness?
Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and South West of England.
We are now seeking an exceptional Women’s Homelessness Lead (Surrey) to shape and lead our specialist women’s homelessness service at Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline leadership, strategic development, and church and community partnership building in a role with real depth, influence and impact.
About the Role
- This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic responsibility. You will:
- Provide leadership and line management to the Deputy Manager, Senior Administrator and a skilled team of support workers
- Lead the delivery of trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred support
- Develop strong partnership networks across local authorities, charities, housing providers and churches
- Shape the future of Keychange’s women’s homelessness strategy across Surrey
- Represent Keychange externally and explore opportunities for future service growth
At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to co-production, dignity, recovery, community and belonging.
Who We’re Looking For
You will bring:
- Substantial experience supporting or managing services for vulnerable individuals
- A strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, risk and recovery-based practice
- Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across multiple stakeholders
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Confidence engaging with churches and Christian networks across traditions
- A values-led approach aligned with Keychange’s Christian ethos
Desirable experience includes:
- Managing accommodation-based services
- Existing Church partnerships across Surrey
What We Offer
- Salary of £37,000 – £41,000
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
- Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
- Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
- Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
- A supportive, faith-centered, values-driven culture
For more information about the opportunity and for details on how to contact us informally to discuss the role in greater detail before applying, please see the job pack attached to this advert.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Recruitment Timeline
- Deadline for submitting your application: 12 February 2026
- First screening interviews, remotely: 16 February 2026
- Full interviews in person in central London: 23 February 2026
- Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice periods
To focus on developing and encouraging community for vulnerable adults by seeking to address the risks in society of increased loneliness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Key Responsibilities
As our Website Lead, you will:
- Oversee daily management, development and optimisation of the ICR’s main website — including content, SEO/AEO and technical improvements
- Work closely with internal partners to develop new pages, sections and features
- Lead a programme of ongoing content review and user training across the organisation
- Produce regular website analytics reports and deliver insight-driven recommendations
- Ensure consistent branding, accessibility and outstanding user experience
- Manage a Digital Communications Officer (job share, 1.2 FTE) and help recruit and line-manage a new Website Developer
- Plan and prioritise technical projects with our Digital Services (IT) team
About You
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who combines technical understanding with creativity, editorial judgement and a passion for delivering exceptional digital experiences.
You’ll bring:
- Strong experience managing and publishing content within a CMS (Sitefinity experience is a bonus)
- A solid understanding of HTML and confidence working with developers and IT colleagues
- Experience overseeing the day-to-day running of a large website
- Skills in analysing website performance using tools like GA4, Google Tag Manager or Matomo
- Excellent organisational ability and the skills to manage multiple concurrent projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience managing or mentoring others (highly desirable)
- A proactive, collaborative approach to working across teams
- Optional but advantageous: experience with Adobe Creative Cloud tools, editorial content review, and training non-technical users
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


