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Are you passionate about creating positive opportunities for children and young people? Do you enjoy organising activities, building partnerships and helping families access the support they need?

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is seeking a dedicated and highly organised Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator to join our award-winning Bright Futures Children and Young People's Programme.

In this rewarding role, you will plan and coordinate engaging and inclusive educational, recreational and enrichment activities that help refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing and feel connected to their local community.

Location: We have offices in Kingston Upon Thames, greater London.

Hours: 14 hours per week – 2 days a week* (including paid half-hour lunch break).

Salary:  £12,740 (FTE £31,850) for 2 years.

Leave: 26 days per annum Pro Rata plus bank holidays.

Starting Date October 2026.

Responsible to Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager.

*The peak activity periods for this role happen during school half-terms, which means extra hours will be required during these times. In return, we offer full flexibility with Time Off in Lieu (TOIL), allowing you to reclaim your time outside of busy half-term periods. Afterschool club is currently on Wednesdays and you will be expected to attend in person until 6pm. 

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator will play a key role in planning, coordinating, delivering and monitoring educational, recreational and enrichment activities as part of our award-winning Bright Futures Children’s and Young People’s Programme. Working closely with the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager, Primary Teacher, external partners and volunteers, the post holder will ensure the provision of engaging, inclusive and memorable opportunities. In addition, they will support the delivery of RAK Bright Futures After School Club and Supplementary School and contribute to education-related casework for children and young people and monitoring and evaluation of all above activity.

All staff are expected to adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy of RAK at all times.

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is a well-established charity dedicated to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum from anywhere in the world who find themselves in the Royal Borough of Kingston and neighbouring boroughs. Since its foundation in 1991, RAK has been the main provider of direct services to refugees and people seeking asylum as well as promoting refugee rights.

RAK aims to support refugees through the process from their initial reception in the borough through to final integration into the local community in order to enable them to live a fulfilling life and become accepted and active participants in our local communities.  We achieve this by accomplishing a variety of outcomes for refugee and asylum-seeking families through delivering a holistic service including advice, information, counselling, education, training, and assistance to access mainstream services and employment opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.

What we can offer you

· Work in a highly respected organisation punching above its weight – providing quality support to around 1300 individuals and families a year.

· A friendly and supportive environment, with an experienced team of professional teachers, counsellors, solicitors and advisers working to quality standards.

· Flexible working.

· A committed community in South West London that supports RAK through volunteering, sharing information about our work, and donations.

· Generous annual leave.

· Paid 30 minute lunch break if working 6 or more hours per day.

Our values 

• Empathy: we put ourselves in the shoes of those we work with. 

• Enterprise: we are innovative and resourceful in our approach to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. 

• Empowerment: we strive to empower our clients, helping them achieve their aspirations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Research, plan and coordinate holiday activities, trips and workshops that promote learning, wellbeing, community engagement and social inclusion.
• Develop and maintain relationships with activity providers, venues, schools, community organisations, cultural institutions and other partners to secure and coordinate activities, trips and enrichment opportunities.
• Manage invitations and registrations. Communicate with families regarding activities, permissions, travel arrangements and other relevant information.
• Organise the provision of lunches and refreshments through partnerships with local organisations and suppliers. Ensuring compliance with relevant food hygiene standards.
• Track project expenditure, process invoices, reconcile activity-related expenses, and maintain accurate budget records.
• Maintain records of attendance and activities. Administer questionnaires to monitor outcomes and obtain feedback to support evaluation and project reporting requirements.
• Take photos and prepare short commentary for social media whilst prioritising online safety of children and young people and ensuring all necessary permissions are in place.
• Deal sensitively with children, young people and families, identifying needs and making referrals to appropriate RAK services, external organisations and community opportunities. 
• Keep up to date with local community activities and services and ensure youth activities notice boards are regularly updated.
• Promote the welfare and safety of children and young people at all times.
• Adhere to RAK’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments and ensure health and safety requirements are met for activities and trips.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Support Duties

• Support the delivery of RAK’s After School Club and Supplementary School programmes.
• Provide support to the Head of Services/ Family Support and Supplementary School Manager and Primary Teacher with education-related enquiries and casework.
• Support and work alongside volunteers involved in the delivery of Bright Futures.
• Ensure client details and case records are accurate, confidential and recorded on the RAK database and other relevant platforms.

Other duties and shared responsibilities

• Attend team meetings, training and other activities required to support the successful delivery of the programme.
• Represent RAK professionally with partners, stakeholders and the wider community.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager that are consistent with the nature of the role.
• Undertake other duties such as implementing cleanliness procedures, and assisting in fire practices.
• Implement Refugee Action Kingston’s Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and other policies in all areas of work.

Please note the duties outlined in this Job Description may be reviewed and amended from time to time.

Person specification

•  Experience of organising activity and enrichment programmes and events for children and young people.
•  Experience of working with children and young people at risk of violence or exploitation.
•  Experience of managing administrative processes and maintaining accurate records.
•  Experience of monitoring budgets and handling financial administration.
•  Experience of working with volunteers.
•  Digital proficiency – experience of working with database systems, Microsoft 365, Canva.
•  Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, families and partner organisations.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly.
• Available to work during school half term holidays.
• A commitment to the aims and objectives of Refugee Action Kingston and an understanding of the challenges faced by people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK.

Desirable criteria

• Spoken competency in one or more key client language groups.
• Lived or learned experience of the challenges faced by children and young people affected by displacement, disruption to education, youth violence or exploitation.

Our workplace

We want RAK to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought. Our values are clearly set out in our strategy RAK Strategy 2023-28 which is available on our website.

RAK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to recruiting staff, trustees and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve and the wider community of London where we live and work. We particularly welcome applications from people: from Black, Asian and other minority-ethnic communities; refugee and migrant backgrounds; LGBTQ+ communities; with disabilities; and neurodiverse communities.

Asking for adjustments - RAK is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making changes for neurodiverse people, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview, or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please contact us.

RAK is obliged to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act (1996), and this requires certain documents to be presented by candidates before an offer of employment can be made. If you are invited to interview, we will ask you to bring these documents with you. For jobs which involve, for example, working with, or having access to children and/or vulnerable adults and their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and need to have information from you regarding any previous, existing, or pending convictions or cautions. This will form part of the recruitment process if you are successful after interview.

Interviews will take place w/c 21 September 2026.

Salary: £53,500 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing date: 30 September 2026 at 12pm

Interview date: Week commencing 12 and 19 October 2026

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

At CARE International UK, we're committed to creating lasting change in the fight against poverty and inequality around the world. Behind that impact is a community of talented, passionate people who bring expertise, collaboration and purpose to everything they do.

We're committed to fostering a workplace where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to contribute their best. As part of our People & Organisational Development team, you'll have the opportunity to shape how people experience working at CARE, influence organisation-wide initiatives, and help build an environment where individuals and teams can flourish.

This is a chance to use your expertise in a role that combines strategic influence with meaningful, people-centred work, all within an organisation driven by a clear social purpose.

About the role

Working closely with leaders across the organisation, you'll take the lead on talent management and learning and development initiatives that help colleagues build rewarding careers and reach their full potential. From leadership development and succession planning to career pathways and organisational capability, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring CARE has the talent, skills and leadership needed to achieve its ambitions now and in the future.

You'll develop and deliver initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, support professional growth and contribute to a positive organisational culture. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, you'll help ensure colleagues have the tools, skills and experiences needed to reach their full potential and make their greatest contribution to CARE's mission.

You'll be instrumental in helping the organisation navigate change, strengthen communication and foster a shared sense of direction and purpose. Combining insight, creativity and practical delivery, you'll identify opportunities to improve how we support our people and continuously enhance the experience of our colleagues.

This is a varied and influential role for someone who enjoys building relationships, turning ideas into action and making a visible contribution to organisational success.

About you

You'll be an experienced people professional with a strong track record of delivering talent, learning, engagement and culture initiatives that drive organisational performance and improve employee experience. Combining both a strategic and pragmatic approach, you’ll be able to identify opportunities for improvement and find practical solutions.

Alongside your ability to build strong relationships, you’ll be able to influence and challenge constructively while maintaining credibility and trust. Experience within the charity, international development or wider values-led sector would be highly desirable, as would experience managing external consultants. Above all, you are collaborative, curious and solutions-focused, committed to continuous learning and passionate about creating an environment where people can thrive and do their best work.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit the UK Government's guidance on right to work.

Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be found here.

Safeguarding 

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse or sexual harassment or exploitation of people in crisis by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding the communities we work with is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to: 

·   Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in theInter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here).In line with this Scheme, we willrequest information from successful applicants’ previous employersabout any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment,or incidents under investigationwhen the applicant left employment.

·  Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We are a Disability Confident Employer and particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities. We guarantee interviews to applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to the HR Team.

We also encourage people from minoritised communities to apply for roles at CARE International UK.

Please note that in compliance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all job offers at Care International UK are conditional on eligibility to work in the UK.

CARE’s EDI Vision Statement

We are guided by the communities we serve and grounded by our values which are: women-centred, inclusive, collaborative and quality. We share power responsibly and transparently, we earn trust and are accountable to each other, and we create supportive spaces for collaboration so that everyone is empowered to share ideas. Equity, diversity and inclusion are embedded in all we do - creating ways for everyone to be heard, respected and to thrive.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Commercial Fundraising Team as the Corporate (New Business) Development Manager. As an integral member of Street League’s Fundraising team, you will play a key role in bringing in new corporate partners, working closely with the Head of Corporate Partnerships.

The Role:

You will be responsible for leading on the development and delivery of a targeted corporate new business strategy for Street League, the country’s leading sport for employment charity. You will research, cultivate, and secure a range of high value new business partnerships to support the on–going work and expansion of the charity.

Your passion, determination and talent will give young people living in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities a brighter future through secure employment. This role sits within the Commercial Fundraising Team that currently manages an impressive portfolio of corporate partnerships including many household brands and FTSE 100 companies supporting Street League with funding, volunteering, awareness, and pro–bono advice.

Street League values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, including those who have lived experience.

You don’t need any formal qualifications to do this role; what’s important are the skills and experiences you bring.

Key Details:

Salary: £40,016 - £42,178 depending on experience

Location: Hybrid with 1-2 days per week in our London office.

Work pattern: 36.25 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

Contract: Permanent

Don't miss this chance to be a part of our mission and help change the game for young people in the UK.

To apply for this role, please submit your application via our online application site by clicking the link below where you will also find the Job Description and Person Specification.

Please note that all Street League roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks.

Closing date for applications is Friday 25th September 2026. We reserve the right to close the application process earlier if necessary.

Citizens Advice Milton Keynes is a local charity that helps people to resolve their legal, money and personal problems. We have been providing free, confidential, and impartial advice since 1972 and helped over 8000 local people last year.

As a Specialist Adviser within the Macmillan Money & More SWS Service, you will provide high-quality, confidential information, advice and support to people affected by cancer and their families across a region spanning from Milton Keynes to Cornwall. Working as part of a coordinated team of advisers across multiple Citizens Advice locations, you will take a person-centred approach to understand each client’s individual circumstances and provide tailored guidance on welfare benefits, financial support, debt, energy costs, employment issues and other practical challenges arising from a cancer diagnosis. You will help clients navigate complex systems, access available support, and improve their financial wellbeing during a difficult and often overwhelming time. Through compassionate and holistic advice, you will empower people affected by cancer to make informed decisions, build confidence, and feel supported throughout their cancer journey.

The ideal candidate will provide advice and support in person, via telephone, email and video call to patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Macmillan Project Caseworkers will assist clients with complex welfare benefits and housing enquiries. This requires a good foundation knowledge of each advice area, so competence in these subjects is desirable, but full and ongoing training will be provided to support successful candidates in their professional development.

This is a challenging role, managing a demanding caseload and working with people at every stage of their cancer journey. All our advice work is carried out to the strictest quality standards, and we are committed to ensuring that all our advice work complements the wider services provided by both Citizens Advice and Macmillan Cancer Care.

Applicants need to be:

• Computer-literate, although training on our case recording systems will be given.
• Confident in working to performance targets.
• Able to show good communications skills, both written and verbal. These are essential in the role, as are excellent customer service skills with a non-judgemental approach.
• Prepared to work independently, sometimes remotely and also from a variety of community-based locations.

A minimum of 12 months’ experience in an advice agency or similar setting is desirable.

The successful Applicant/s will be asked to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Closing date:Sunday 20th September 2026

Responsibilities

People and Team Leadership

• Line manage the Fundraising Manager, providing regular supervision, support, and performance development

• Lead the planning and delivery of all-hands meetings and team development programmes, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture

• Maintain oversight of team resource mapping, ensuring capacity is well-managed across the organisation

Impact and Evaluation

• Lead the design and ongoing development of Routes' impact evaluation framework, ensuring it captures meaningful data about the difference our work makes

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of impact data throughout the year, using findings to inform programme development and organisational decision-making

• Write and produce Routes' annual impact report, communicating our work and outcomes compellingly to funders, partners, and the wider sector

Income Generation

• Support the Fundraising Manager with grant applications, funder relationships, and income generation activity as needed

• Manage the sales pipeline for the mentoring programme, including prospecting, relationship development, and conversion of corporate and organisational clients

• Source and manage CSR partnerships, building relationships with corporate partners and ensuring existing partnerships are well-stewarded

Operations

• Lead on the creation, review, and approval of organisational policies, ensuring Routes' policies are up to date, legally compliant, and reflective of our values

• Oversee day-to-day office administration and organisational housekeeping

• Manage organisational insurance, ensuring appropriate cover is maintained and reviewed annually

• Oversee staff IT, laptops, phones, and software subscriptions, including troubleshooting and managing supplier relationships

• Draft and manage organisational contracts, including supplier, partner, and service agreements

• Lead on the conversion of Routes from a CIC to a CIO, working with legal advisors, the board, and relevant statutory bodies to manage the process

Strategy

• Contribute to the development and delivery of Routes' organisational strategy, bringing insight from your areas of responsibility

• Lead on the development and implementation of Routes' income generation strategy, working closely with the Fundraising Manager and Co-CEO

Communications

• Write thought leadership pieces for the Routes blog, contributing to Routes' voice and visibility in the sector

Leadership Development and Learning

• Take ownership of your own professional development, using the annual training budget to attend relevant training, events, and sector learning opportunities that strengthen your contribution to Routes and the wider sector

There are some areas of responsibility that sit under the other Co-CEO, but we would expect the person in this role to maintain some oversight or involvement in to enable smooth co-working between the roles. These are:

• Safeguarding: Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when required, ensuring Routes meets its safeguarding obligations and that staff and volunteers are appropriately supported

• Finance: Attend and contribute to monthly finance meetings, planned by other Co-CEO, maintaining a clear understanding of the organisation's financial position and flagging any concerns to the Co-CEO and board

• Governance: Attend board meetings, providing updates on areas of responsibility and supporting the board to fulfil its governance function

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in a senior leadership role within the charity, social enterprise, or public sector

• Demonstrable experience of managing and developing staff, with a coaching and supportive leadership style

• Experience of income generation in a charity or social enterprise context, including either grant fundraising, corporate partnerships, or programme sales

• Experience of designing or overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks and producing reports that communicate impact clearly

• Experience of managing operational and governance responsibilities, including policy development and working with a board

• Experience leading teams in challenging, fast-changing and resource-constrained environments 

• Experience of working with or for communities facing marginalisation, discrimination, or structural disadvantage, and a deep understanding of the barriers refugee and asylum seeking women face in the UK

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to balance day to day operational oversight with long term strategic planning, ensuring that Routes’ work remains in line with values and objectives whilst responding to the changing needs of participants and the external landscape

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to write compellingly for different audiences

• Financially literate, with the ability to read and engage meaningfully with management accounts and budgets

• Highly organised, with the ability to manage a broad and varied portfolio without dropping the ball

• Comfortable working with data, both quantitative and qualitative, and using it to draw meaningful conclusions

• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust quickly with a wide range of stakeholders including funders, corporate partners, board members, and colleagues

• Sound understanding of CIC/charity governance and good practice, and the ability to make confident decisions independently while knowing when to consult

Values and Approach

• Deep personal commitment to gender equality, racial justice, and the rights of refugees and asylum seeking people

• Understanding of the importance of implementing trauma informed practices and a commitment to accessible working practices for all

• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, shares power, and brings out the best in others

• Comfortable with ambiguity and change, able to hold complexity without becoming overwhelmed by it

• Honest, transparent, and accountable, someone who says what they mean and follows through on commitments

• Energised by working in a small, values-led organisation where everyone mucks in

Additionally, it would be desirable for you to be trained as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, but training on this can be provided.

A Note on Experience

We know that leadership experience takes many forms, and that people from marginalised communities,  including those with lived experience of the asylum system, are often underrepresented at senior levels in the charity sector despite having exactly the qualities and understanding this role requires. We warmly encourage applications from people who may not follow a conventional career trajectory but who can demonstrate the skills, values, and commitment we are looking for. If you are unsure whether your experience is the right fit, please do get in touch before applying,  we would rather have that conversation than miss out on the right person.

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Development Director (New Business) provides strategic leadership for Impetus’ new business development, prospect pipeline and high-value funding opportunities. The postholder will have responsibility for identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate, trust and foundation, and high-net-worth donor relationships, as well as continued relationship management for key, established relationships.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in probono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus' growth ambitions, helping to increase philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear new business priorities, pipeline plans and prospect engagement approaches, ensuring a strong flow of qualified opportunities and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure prospects and strategic funding opportunities, while overseeing the stewardship and retention of current partners. 

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor acquisition, pipeline development, prospect conversion and stewardship, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

New Business, Pipeline & Conversion

• Personally lead on six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers, and networks to unlock introductions and new opportunities, providing clear support and follow-up to maximise success.
• Evolve Impetus’ new business strategy, driving the identification, cultivation, and conversion of new high-value donor and partner relationships.
• Translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base, and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for new audiences and sectors.

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth 

• Own and oversee select donor relationships at six and seven-figure levels within the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Ensure your donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Development and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

Research, Insight & Pipeline Development

• Provide strategic leadership for the Research & Insights function, ensuring prospect research, donor intelligence and market insight inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and organisational planning.
• Lead the strategic development of fundraising pipelines, ensuring focus on opportunities with the greatest potential for long-term income growth, impact and strategic fit.
• Ensure donor intelligence and prospect research are used effectively to identify, qualify and prioritise new funding opportunities.
• Maintain oversight of gift acceptance, due diligence and fundraising compliance in relation to fundraising opportunities, ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
• Identify and escalate strategic, reputational or compliance risks associated with donors and partners.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Development, providing strategic direction, coaching and performance oversight.
• Establish the Head of Development as the operational lead on new business, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across the wider team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for new business growth, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing team culture that balances pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising capability across your team through leadership, coaching and consistent, fair, and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen strategic partnerships and support long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insights inform decision making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic or reputational risks associated with prospective partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are leveraged and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Back Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Philanthropy team.

Strategic leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring new business delivers against organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of annual forecasting, budgeting, pipeline performance and resource planning, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support strategic relationship building and new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen organisational fundraising performance and capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the Philanthropy team, modelling Impetus' values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

This is a unique opportunity to lead fundraising for a charity at the cusp of substantial growth, with an exceptional track record of recent fundraising success, an engaged base of supporters and significant untapped potential across multiple channels.

Overview
As Director of Fundraising and Development for Plum Village UK, you will provide strategic leadership of the charity’s fundraising at this critical juncture. Building on the successful campaigns that brought our new Being Peace Practice Centre into being, you will lead the development of a sustainable, diversified fundraising operation across donor stewardship, trusts and foundations, regular giving, legacies, and partnerships, to deepen relationships of trust and gratitude with our supporters.

This role is ideal for a fundraising leader, whether from a career fundraising background or another field, who brings strategic capability alongside deep alignment with the Plum Village tradition, where fundraising itself becomes a form of engaged practice in service of mindfulness and community transformation.

Fundraising in the Plum Village tradition is fundamentally relational. It is not a matter of extracting income from a base of supporters, but of deepening the relationships of trust, gratitude and shared purpose with those who make our work possible, in ways that embody the values of the tradition. Done well, fundraising is itself a form of engaged practice. The Director will be expected to lead the function in this spirit.

The role comes with a high level of strategic ownership. An initial fundraising strategy has been developed and shared with trustees, providing a framework of priority channels, governance arrangements and resourcing for the next phase. The new Director will inherit this as a starting frame, and will then be empowered and expected to develop, refine and bring forward a fundraising strategy on their own authority, working closely with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising and presenting proposals to the board as appropriate. The role also carries operational ownership of the fundraising mechanics, including the choice and management of supporting systems, databases and tools.
 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership of fundraising

• Lead PVUK's fundraising strategy, developing and refining the strategic direction, and presenting proposals to the Board for approval and resourcing.

• Set, monitor, and report on fundraising targets across all income channels, in agreement with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising and the Board.

• Provide regular substantive updates on fundraising at quarterly board meetings, working with the Lead Trustee on the preparation of board-level reporting.

• Bring forward analysis and proposals to support the Board in setting wider strategic priorities, including realistic income potential by channel and the investment required to secure it.

• Identify and manage risk in the fundraising portfolio, including channel concentration, donor over-reliance, and the sustainability of resourcing.

Donor stewardship and relationship development

• Lead the stewardship of PVUK’s existing donors, lenders, and supporters with the depth of care that this base deserves, recognising it as the most precious resource of the fundraising function.

• Cultivate and deepen relationships with major donors, including through personal contact, site visits, and tailored communication of impact.

• Work with the Chair of Trustees, the Centre Director, and other senior figures on key relationships that require their involvement.

• Steward the friendly lender base throughout the lifetime of their loans, maintaining trust and keeping them informed of the charity’s progress.

• Build and maintain a culture of gratitude and recognition that appropriately honours the contributions of all supporters.

Income channel development

• Lead delivery and growth across PVUK’s priority fundraising channels: donor stewardship, trust and foundation fundraising, regular giving, legacies and Gifts in Wills, and partnerships with values-aligned organisations and networks.

• Develop trust and foundation fundraising as a substantial new income stream, including scoping aligned funders, building peer-to-peer introductions, constructing tailored funding propositions, and overseeing high-quality application writing and reporting.

• Design and grow a regular giving programme that converts members, retreatants and supporters into ongoing monthly donors.

• Develop a structured legacy and Gifts in Wills programme that normalises legacy giving across PVUK’s communications and supports those who wish to leave a Gift in their Will.

• Develop partnerships with values-aligned organisations and networks where these support both income generation and the wider reach of PVUK’s work, in close consultation with monastics and trustees.

Operations, systems and budget ownership

• Own the operational mechanics of fundraising for PVUK, including the choice, configuration and ongoing management of databases, donor management systems, online giving platforms, and integration with communications tools.

• Manage the fundraising budget, including a discretionary supplementary budget for consultancy, training, materials creation, contracted support and light administrative resource, deployed at the Director’s judgement to develop the function effectively.

• Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant supporter records and ensure sound data practices throughout the fundraising operation.

• Provide accurate financial reporting on fundraising performance, working with PVUK’s finance function and external accountants as required.

• Make the case for additional resourcing where evidence of need supports it, including the possible recruitment of a Fundraising Officer in due course.

Communications and storytelling

• Lead the development of compelling fundraising narratives that authentically convey the work of PVUK and the Being Peace Centre to multiple audiences, including major donors, institutional funders, individual supporters and the wider public.

• Work closely with the PVUK Communications team on the integration of fundraising communications with the wider communications strategy.

• Commission and oversee the production of fundraising materials, including written content, graphic design, video and digital assets, drawing on contracted specialists where appropriate.

• Ensure that all fundraising messaging about the Being Peace Practice Centre is agreed with the Centre Director before publication.

Working partnerships across PVUK

• Work in close partnership with the Centre Director on all matters relating to Being Peace, with agreed ways of working on messaging, external representation, and any programming commitments made to funders.

• Work with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising as primary day-to-day point of contact at board level, supporting the Lead Trustee to hold strategic oversight of fundraising on behalf of the Board.

• Work with colleagues across PVUK’s communications, dharma programming, sangha-building and partnership functions, with these working relationships developing naturally in the first months of the role.

• Draw on external advisors and specialists as needed for support and assurance, both in technical fundraising disciplines and in sector-specific knowledge.

• Engage volunteer capacity from within the community where this can valuably supplement the fundraising operation.

Residential & Commercial Property Manager

Hours: Minimum of 37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the role the working pattern may occasionally change to include evenings, weekends and Public Holidays, with reasonable notice provided or by prior agreement. This may be to support property inspections, tenant matters, or other operational requirements for example. TOIL will be provided for additional planned evening or weekend working in accordance with departmental arrangements.

Normal start and finish times may be reasonably adjusted with reasonable notice to meet operational requirements.

The role requires regular travel across the property portfolio and occasional travel to St James's Place, London, and other locations as required.

The Role

The Property Department is responsible for the facilities management and maintenance of the historic, residential and commercial properties belonging to the Rothschild Foundation and National Trust, including Waddesdon Manor, The Stables, Windmill Hill, the Five Arrows Hotel, The Bow, The Dairy, commercial and residential properties and various other smaller outbuildings, staff houses and general infrastructure.

The department is led by the Head of Property & Facilities Management, supported by the Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Residential & Commercial Property Manager and a team of skilled trade technicians, general facilities & maintenance operatives, grounds assistants and administrative and data support staff.

The Residential & Commercial Property Manager is responsible for the effective management, performance and development of the Rothschild Foundation's residential and commercial property portfolio, working within the strategic direction set by the Head of Property & Facilities Management.

What you will do

The role is responsible for maintaining high standards of landlord and property management, supporting optimal occupancy and rental income, ensuring appropriate legal and regulatory compliance, and providing a professional and responsive service to tenants and internal stakeholders.

The postholder line manages the Lettings Administrator and works closely with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Facilities & Maintenance Administrator, Property & Systems Data Lead, Finance and HR to ensure the effective management of the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Portfolio Management & Strategy

• Work with the Head of Property & Facilities Management to develop and deliver the long-term strategy for the residential and commercial property portfolio.
• Manage the day-to-day performance of the residential and commercial portfolio, ensuring properties are managed effectively, professionally and in accordance with organisational objectives.
• Maintain oversight of occupancy, voids, rental performance and emerging portfolio risks, providing regular information and recommendations to the Head of Property & Facilities Management.
• Identify opportunities to improve the performance, condition, use and value of the portfolio and make recommendations for investment or improvement.
• Support property acquisitions, disposals, lease renewals and other portfolio changes as required, working with appropriate professional advisers.
• Prepare and contribute to relevant budgets, forecasts and longer-term property plans and monitor expenditure and income against agreed targets.

Residential Lettings & Tenancy Management

• Provide management oversight of the full residential lettings and tenancy lifecycle, ensuring properties are marketed, let and managed efficiently and in accordance with organisational policy and legal requirements.
• Line manage the Lettings Administrator, providing clear direction, regular one-to-one meetings, performance management, development support and appropriate oversight of workload and priorities.
• Ensure appropriate processes are in place for marketing, viewings, referencing, tenancy documentation, inventories, rent reviews, renewals, tenancy changes and check-out arrangements.
• Review recommendations relating to prospective tenants, rental values and tenancy arrangements and approve or escalate decisions in accordance with delegated authority.
• Maintain oversight of rent collection and arrears, working closely with Finance and ensuring concerns are identified and escalated promptly.
• Ensure tenant queries, complaints and tenancy-management matters are handled promptly, professionally and consistently.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of void properties and coordinate with Facilities & Maintenance colleagues to agree required works and support timely re-letting.

Staff Accommodation

• Provide property-management oversight of the organisation's staff accommodation portfolio, working closely with the Director of People and HR Department.
• Ensure the Lettings Administrator provides effective administration of staff accommodation, including Manor flats, National Trust Key Representative housing, Pathways Programme accommodation and other short-term or emergency accommodation.
• Ensure property, landlord, occupancy and compliance requirements relating to staff accommodation are appropriately managed.
• Work with the Director of People and/or Head of Property & Facilities Management on staff accommodation matters, recognising that employment-related eligibility, approvals, rental concessions and associated policy decisions sit outside the Lettings Administrator role and are determined in accordance with organisational policy.

Commercial Property Management

• Manage the day-to-day administration and performance of the commercial property portfolio, maintaining appropriate records of leases, licences, rent reviews, renewals and other key dates.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with commercial tenants and occupiers and act as a key point of contact for property-management matters.
• Coordinate lease events, rent reviews and other commercial property matters with external agents, valuers, solicitors and other professional advisers as required.
• Monitor rental performance, arrears, lease compliance and emerging risks and make recommendations to the Head of Property & Facilities Management.
• Support the effective management of commercial properties including the Five Arrows Hotel and The Bow where relevant to the landlord/property-management responsibilities of the Foundation.

Property Maintenance & Condition

• Work in close partnership with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager to agree priorities, capacity and workflows for planned and reactive works across the residential and commercial portfolio, balancing property and tenant requirements with available Facilities & Maintenance resources and wider departmental priorities.
• Agree appropriate timescales for works with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager before commitments are made to tenants or other stakeholders, and ensure priorities are reviewed where operational demands or available capacity change.
• Provide the Facilities & Maintenance Manager with relevant property, tenancy and access information to support effective planning and allocation of work.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of outstanding residential and commercial property works, working with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager and Facilities & Maintenance Administrator to ensure progress is communicated effectively to tenants and other stakeholders.
• Monitor property condition and identify emerging repair, investment or compliance requirements, escalating significant issues to the Head of Property & Facilities Management.
• Support property inspections, condition reviews and programmes of improvement as required.
• Escalate competing priorities, significant capacity constraints or unresolved issues to the Head of Property & Facilities Management where agreement cannot reasonably be reached.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensure the residential and commercial portfolio is managed in accordance with applicable landlord, property, housing and tenancy legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain oversight of relevant property and tenancy compliance records, working closely with the Property & Systems Data Lead and Facilities & Maintenance colleagues to ensure information is accurate and up to date.
• Ensure appropriate processes are maintained for statutory and landlord requirements, including relevant safety certification, tenancy documentation, deposit and occupancy requirements where applicable.
• Keep abreast of changes in residential and commercial property legislation and good practice and advise the Head of Property & Facilities Management on implications for the portfolio.
• Identify, assess and escalate property-management risks and support the implementation of appropriate controls and mitigations.
• Work with the Facilities & Maintenance Manager and Health & Safety Manager to ensure responsibilities for property compliance, maintenance compliance and health and safety are clearly coordinated.

Stakeholder & Professional Relationships

• Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with residential and commercial tenants, prospective tenants and occupiers.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Property & Facilities Management, Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Facilities & Maintenance Administrator, Property & Systems Data Lead, Finance, HR and other internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with external agents, valuers, solicitors, local authorities, contractors and other professional advisers.
• Represent the Rothschild Foundation professionally in property-management discussions and negotiations within the authority delegated to the role.
• Prepare reports, updates and property information for the Head of Property & Facilities Management and other stakeholders as required.
• Undertake occasional travel to St James's Place, London, and other locations as required in connection with the responsibilities of the role.

You will be a great fit if:

You’re a confident communicator and supportive manager who uses their judgement to identify risks and know when to seek advice or escalate issues. You’re an experienced residential property professional who enjoys managing lettings and tenancies, and navigating property legislation and compliance with confidence. You’re commercially minded and organised, with a good understanding of property maintenance, budgets and rental performance.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role: 

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of residential property management and the management of lettings and tenancies.
• Strong working knowledge of residential landlord and tenancy requirements and relevant property legislation.
• Experience of managing a varied property workload, including tenant relationships, rent reviews, compliance and property-management processes.
• Experience of supervising or line managing others.
• Good understanding of property maintenance and experience of working collaboratively with maintenance or facilities professionals to prioritise and coordinate works.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including the ability to monitor rental performance, budgets and value for money.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines and a varied workload.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with tenants, colleagues, contractors and professional advisers.
• Good judgement and the ability to identify risk, make recommendations and escalate matters appropriately.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using property-management systems and standard business applications.
• A full UK driving licence is essential.

Desirable

• Experience of commercial property management, including leases, licences, rent reviews and lease events.
• Experience of managing a mixed residential and commercial property portfolio.
• Experience within a rural estate, heritage, charity or similarly complex multi-use environment.
• A relevant professional property qualification or membership, for example ARLA Propertymark, RICS or equivalent.
• Experience of staff, tied or other employer-provided accommodation.
• Experience of working with historic or listed properties.

Your role

We are seeking a Finance & Operations Leader to lead Design for Good’s finance, operations and organisational effectiveness, combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director (MD), you will lead the organisation’s core finance, operational and enabling functions, ensuring we have the financial and operational infrastructure, people systems and governance frameworks needed to deliver our mission.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role, suited to someone who is both strategically minded and operationally confident — a collaborative leader who can lead suppliers, strengthen systems and financial processes, and take ownership of day-to-day operational delivery in a growing global charity.

Key Responsibilities

Financial leadership, planning and sustainability

● Support the MD in developing the annual organisational budget and take overall responsibility for financial performance, controls and processes.

● Work closely with the external accountants to ensure timely and accurate management accounts, annual accounts, financial reports, forecasts reporting for the MD, Board and Finance Committee.

● Take ownership of cash-flow forecasting, reserves management, financial planning and financial controls to support the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.

● Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, Companies House requirements (for any trading subsidiary) and charity SORP accounting standards.

● Lead the annual independent examination process and manage relationships with external auditors/examiners and other financial advisers.

● Oversee payroll, pensions, VAT returns and day-to-day financial administration, working closely with the external accounts team.

● Oversee restricted fund accounting, ensuring accurate tracking of grant expenditure, compliance with funder requirements and timely financial reporting.

Operations, systems and organisational effectiveness

● Lead and strengthen the organisation’s operational infrastructure, ensuring systems, processes and ways of working are effective, efficient and fit for purpose.

● Maintain an overall organisational plan, coordinating priorities, timelines and dependencies across the organisation.

● Identify and implement opportunities to improve organisational systems, operational processes and internal coordination to strengthen effectiveness and support sustainable growth.

● Oversee the day-to-day running of the organisation, including office management, IT systems, supplier contracts and operational compliance.

● Ensure the organisation’s IT and digital systems effectively support current and future organisational needs, including identifying and implementing opportunities for AI to improve efficiency and support organisational goals.

● Lead procurement and contract management, ensuring value for money, appropriate controls and effective supplier relationships.

● Lead financial and operational planning for key organisational activities, including the logistics and delivery of major events.

● Oversee joiner and leaver processes, ensuring a consistent, compliant and effective experience and that all required processes are correctly followed.

Governance, risk & compliance

● Lead the management, monitoring and reporting of the organisational risk register, ensuring key risks are actively managed and appropriately reported to the Board and relevant sub-committees.

● Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including employment law, GDPR, health and safety and charity law.

● Act as the organisational lead for data protection, ensuring effective and compliant data protection practices across the organisation.

● Provide the Company Secretary function, including preparing Board papers and minutes, supporting the administration of the Finance and Risk Committees, and maintaining statutory registers and records.

● Work closely with the Chairs of the Finance and Risk Committees to support effective Board oversight of financial, operational and organisational risks.

● Ensure organisational policies are kept up to date, appropriately reviewed and approved by the Trustees.

Key Requirements

● Demonstrable experience in a senior finance and operations leadership role within a charity, not-for-profit, public or values-led organisation.

● Strong experience leading organisational operations and enabling functions, including finance, governance, compliance, IT and organisational infrastructure.

● Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, financial controls, audit processes and financial planning.

● Experience contributing to organisational strategy, operational planning and decision-making as part of a senior leadership team.

● Good understanding of governance, organisational risk management and regulatory compliance within a charity or not-for-profit environment.

● Experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities, complexity and operational risk while maintaining a high standard of delivery.

Preferred Skills and qualifications

● At least 5 years’ experience in a managerial finance and/or operations role.

● Ability to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, balancing long-term organisational planning with hands-on delivery and problem-solving.

● Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret, present and communicate financial information clearly to non-finance audiences, including Boards and senior leadership teams.

● Ability to influence, advise and support decision-making at senior leadership and Board level.

● Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to strengthen systems, improve operational processes and enhance organisational effectiveness.

● Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.

● Strong IT and digital systems skills, including experience with finance systems, CRM platforms and organisational technology tools.

● Ability to navigate complexity, manage organisational risk, exercise sound judgement and make sound decisions in a values-led environment.

● Excellent time-management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing demands and deliver to deadlines.

Knowledge & Understanding

● Good understanding of charity finance, governance and regulatory compliance, including charity SORP and restricted and unrestricted fund management.

● Good understanding of people administration, employment legislation, organisational risk and operational compliance, including safeguarding responsibilities.

● Understanding of how financial management, operational infrastructure and people practices contribute to organisational effectiveness and the delivery of mission and impact.

We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Community Connector to join our GP Integrated Mental Health Service and Mental Health Integrated Community Service in Surrey Heath.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local communities, supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing by helping them access the right support at the right time. Working alongside GPs, mental health practitioners, partner agencies and community organisations, you will provide timely assessments, brief psychosocial interventions and practical support that helps people build on their strengths, overcome barriers and connect with services, activities and networks that promote independence and recovery.

As part of Catalyst Support, you will be joining a Surrey charity committed to supporting wellness together through kindness, integrity and commitment. We are looking for someone who is confident working with people experiencing mental health challenges, able to build positive relationships with professionals and community partners, and passionate about making support more accessible, joined-up and person-centred.

Location: Surrey Heath
Salary: £30,280
Hours: 35 hours across Monday to Friday
Contract type: Permanent

Key responsibilities:

To work jointly with the Mental Health Practitioner in conducting assessments, including risk assessment, and to work with patients to support them in identifying their socially determined needs and goals, provide self-management tools and facilitate the development of personal support plans

• To provide a range of motivational and structured psychosocial interventions
• To promote independence through an enabling asset-based approach that draws on individuals’ strengths, preferences and ‘natural’ support networks
• To establish effective working relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate a ‘joined up’ approach to support plans
• To liaise with, develop and maintain good relations with GPs, practice managers and other health practitioners across mental health and physical health pathways and wider support networks
• To provide continuity throughout recovery; engaging the patient with key services such as Safe Havens, accessing CMHRS, and providing support for those engaged with and leaving CMHRS, and linking into local wellbeing services and activities
• To co-ordinate and support patients to access a range of community services such as wellbeing services, housing providers, family and carer support services, debt and employer advisors where appropriate
• To assist with community resource mapping exercises and maintain a database of community resources; map where there are gaps in provision across the PCN and wider geography and work with other VCS organisations to develop resources where most needed
• To promote and support (where necessary) advised follow up actions from physical health checks for people with serious mental illness
• To support patients to engage with local peer support workers and volunteering services
• To support and supervise any peer support workers linked to PCN
• To work with the service to identify opportunities to expand provision particularly in local communities where there is a lack of service provision identified
• To broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services
• To develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies
• To complete locally agreed quality outcome measures, with patients and to undertake regular reviews
• You may be required to cover duties not listed within this job description.

About the organisation

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

 About you

Essential:

• A diploma or degree in an appropriate subject, e.g. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, or Health and Social Care Level 3; and/or a minimum of two years’ community experience in drug, alcohol or mental health work.
• Understanding and ability to work to confidentiality, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies within an integrated service.
• Good communication and written skills, with a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping.
• Ability to interact effectively with the client group, colleagues and other professionals while maintaining clear boundaries.
• Ability to break down stigma and barriers associated with working with the client group.
• Understanding of the issues and needs of the client group.
• Knowledge and understanding of community working and lone working, with the ability to maintain safety while working in the community.
• Ability to work to all policies, procedures and standards of the service and joint-working arrangements with key partners.
• Good understanding of personal limitations, with the ability to identify when to seek advice and support and deal with emotionally challenging issues objectively and professionally.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the service.
• Demonstrates Catalyst’s values of kindness, commitment and integrity.
• Ability to maintain equal opportunity standards at all times.
• Ability to be resilient when working with the client group, while demonstrating compassion and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Ability to maintain respect for the client group, peers and partners.
• Adaptable to change.
• Dynamic and self-motivated.
• Proactive, motivated and energetic.
• Ability to work calmly in a challenging environment.
• Capacity to innovate and work flexibly on own initiative as well as part of a team.
• Commitment to developing skills and knowledge through ongoing learning and development.
• Ability to work flexibly across operational hours.
• Ability to work to the policies, procedures and standards of the charity.

Desirable

• If holding a professional qualification, maintain up-to-date professional registration, e.g. BACP, HCPC, BPS or recognised equivalent.

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to a basic DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

UK Youth has launched an ambitious new strategy to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. At the heart of that strategy is a clear commitment: We Back Youth Work Leaders.

As our new Head of Network Development, you will turn that commitment into action.

You will lead the development and delivery of a powerful national offer that equips youth work leaders with the investment, support, relationships and connections they need to thrive. This includes leading our Grants+ approach—combining significant, multi-year grant funding with tailored organisational-development support—and developing partnerships that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

This role is about much more than managing a network. We are evolving towards a more relational way of working: listening deeply to youth-work leaders, understanding the realities they face, involving them in shaping our work and building relationships founded on trust, respect and shared purpose. You will ensure organisations can access the right support, expertise and opportunities—and that their insight continually shapes UK Youth’s work.

You will have the opportunity to lead the delivery of the £13 million UK Youth Fund, strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of grassroots youth organisations, and help create a more connected and equitable system of support for the wider sector.

We are looking for someone with deep knowledge and experience of youth work and the youth sector—someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk with youth organisation leaders. You will bring substantial experience of the youth work sector and infrastructure, organisational development and capacity building, alongside the strategic and operational leadership needed to deliver significant grant-making activity and complex partnerships.

You will be an inclusive and credible leader who can turn ambitious strategy into excellent delivery, bring people and organisations together, and remain focused on what youth work leaders need to succeed.

Across the country, youth workers are changing—and often saving—young lives. This is your opportunity to ensure the people and organisations doing that vital work have the investment, infrastructure and support they deserve.

Purpose of the job

The Head of Network Development will lead the operationalisation of UK Youth’s new We Back Youth Work Leaders strategic pillar. The role will turn our ambition to equip youth-work leaders with the skills, networks and confidence to deliver exceptional support into a coherent network development offer—leading our Grants+ approach of multi-year funding alongside tailored organisational development, and strengthening youth-sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

Central to the role will be embedding UK Youth’s increasingly relational approach to its network: building trusted, mutually beneficial relationships with youth-work leaders; listening to and understanding their needs; involving them in shaping our support and connecting organisations to the right opportunities, expertise and infrastructure. Reporting to the Director of Network Delivery, the postholder will be responsible for translating this strategic ambition into high-quality, well-governed delivery, while ensuring that learning and insight from the network continually improve our work and contribute to securing sustainable investment in youth work and outdoor learning.

Why work at UK Youth?

Every young person deserves a youth worker. UK Youth exists to make that a reality. Our vision is a society that backs every young person - through each spark, struggle and success.

As the UK’s national infrastructure body for youth work, we strengthen and champion a diverse network of youth organisations, unlock investment, shape policy and build the evidence base for what works. At a time of growing need and inequality of access, our work has never been more important.

We are entering an exciting new phase of our strategy - focused on long-term resilience, income diversification and a transformational Capital Appeal to develop Avon Tyrrell as a national centre of excellence for outdoor learning. Joining UK Youth means being part of an ambitious, impact-driven organisation committed to strengthening youth work for generations to come.

Key responsibilities

 Portfolio leadership and delivery

• Lead the strategic and operational delivery of UK Youth’s network development portfolio, translating organisational strategy and funded commitments into clear plans, outcomes, budgets, milestones and accountabilities.

• Ensure programmes and services are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget, with effective governance, performance management, risk control and escalation to the Director of Network Delivery.

• Mobilise new initiatives and partnerships, establishing proportionate delivery models, systems, teams and governance arrangements.

• Lead continuous improvement across the portfolio, responding effectively to evidence, partner feedback, changing needs and the external environment.

• Be a champion of UK Youth’s network across all of UK Youth’s work.

Grant making and organisational development

• Lead the delivery of UK Youth’s significant, multi-year grant-making portfolio, including the £13 million UK Youth Fund, ensuring responsible stewardship of charitable and restricted funds.

• Ensure effective management of the full grant lifecycle, including programme design, application and assessment, due diligence, decision-making, contracting, payments, monitoring, reporting, complaints and closure.

• Maintain robust and proportionate grant governance, financial controls, safeguarding assurance, risk management, data quality and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements.

• Lead an integrated organisational development offer alongside grant funding, enabling smaller youth and outdoor learning organisations to strengthen their financial sustainability, leadership, governance, workforce and resilience.

• Embed open, trusting, accessible and equitable grant-making practice, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining appropriate accountability.

Network and sector infrastructure support

• Develop and deliver UK Youth’s approach to engaging, connecting and supporting our national network, informed by the needs and experiences of youth work leaders and organisations.

• Create opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to relevant support across the network.

• Lead major initiatives that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and nationally, working with partners to improve the consistency, coordination and accessibility of support.

• Support regional and national partners to understand need, develop shared plans and approaches, and deliver locally relevant infrastructure and organisational support.

• Work with the Communications Team and relevant colleagues to ensure network communications are timely, accessible, coordinated and purposeful.

Experience we're after

• Substantial leadership experience within the youth sector, grounded in an in-depth understanding of youth work practice, youth work leadership and the realities facing youth organisations and their leaders.

• Experience of leading a complex, multi-year network development or comparable portfolio, translating strategy and funded commitments into successful delivery and managing significant budgets and risks.

• Experience of leading substantial grant making or onward funding activity, including governance, due diligence, financial oversight, risk and accountability.

• Substantial organisational development and capacity building experience, including diagnosing organisational needs and designing practical support that strengthens leadership, governance, financial sustainability, workforce and resilience.

• Experience of developing networks, partnerships or infrastructure across multiple organisations, regions or systems, with demonstrable credibility among youth organisation leaders.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 29th September 2026 at 09:00

Provisional First Stage Interview Dates: 5th & 6th October 2026

Provisional Final Stage Interview Dates (in person): 9th October 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Please note CVs will be reviewed as the first stage of the recruitment process. Candidates who are shortlisted following the CV review will then have their sift questions assessed. Only candidates who meet the requirements at both stages will progress further in the recruitment process.

Research Programme Manager – Mental Health Advert

Contract: Fixed-term contract for 2 years (with the possibility of extension of up to a further 12 months)

Hours: 28 hours per week (FTE is 35 hours per week)

Location: London (hybrid), with occasional travel within the UK)

Salary: £52,467 (FTE £65,584)

Closing date: 23rdSeptember 2026

Interview Dates: Week Commencing 28th September (London Office)

Freedom from Torture has an exciting opportunity for a Research Programme Manager to join our team and play a central role in delivering an innovative international mental health research programme funded by a major UK research funder. The programme will explore whether artificial intelligence can safely and effectively support survivors of torture with managing distressing memories. Survivor co-design is central to the programme, ensuring that people with lived experience across diverse cultures, languages and backgrounds meaningfully shape innovation in mental health.

About us

Freedom from Torture is an established charity that has been supporting survivors of torture for over 35 years and has a dedicated donor base. We are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based interventions for people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, medically document torture, and offer legal and welfare support. Our clinical model has been co-designed with survivors of torture and includes a range of interventions, including trauma-focused therapy, psychotherapy, family and couple systemic psychotherapy, group work, pain management and health assessment.

In addition to our treatment services, we expose torture globally, campaign for the rights of survivors and work to hold torturing states to account. We use evidence from our services and survivor voices to influence national and international change, placing survivors at the centre of everything we do.

Our current strategy seeks to increase access to rehabilitation services for survivors of torture, strengthen our clinical excellence through research, and explore innovative models of service delivery that enable us to reach more people in need. This includes developing research partnerships and innovation opportunities that advance knowledge, improve practice and create meaningful impact for survivors. We undertake our work under our four core values of Hope, Compassion, Empowerment and Resolve. This is an exciting time to join Freedom from Torture and make a meaningful contribution to our future development.

We offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement (pro rata), 6% employer pension contribution, and flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

About the role

This is a senior research programme management role supporting the delivery of a major externally funded health research programme involving multiple organisations, international collaborators and diverse stakeholder groups. The programme includes research involving human participants and brings together expertise from universities, charities, clinicians, researchers, technologists and people with lived experience.

A defining feature of this programme is its commitment to survivor leadership and co-design. Survivors of torture will play an active role in shaping, informing and governing the research throughout its lifecycle. The successful candidate will therefore work closely with survivor advisors, co-design groups and governance structures to support meaningful participation and ensure that lived experience perspectives are incorporated into programme decision-making, research development and delivery. This commitment to participation is central to the ethos, methodology and success of the programme.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Programme Manager will act as the central coordination point across the consortium and will be responsible for leading programme planning, coordinating international partners, supporting governance structures, managing funder reporting and compliance, coordinating financial oversight, supporting research governance and ethics, monitoring programme risks and preparing high-quality reports and briefings for funders, governance bodies and senior stakeholders.

The successful candidate will work closely with Freedom Fron Torture colleagues across clinical services, survivor leadership and empowerment, fundraising, finance, research partners and organisational leadership to ensure successful delivery of programme objectives. This role offers a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of health research, innovation, survivor involvement and international collaboration.

About you

You will be an experienced programme or project management professional with a track record of delivering complex health research programmes. You will have experience of managing externally funded research programmes, working with major research funders, coordinating activity across multiple organisations, supporting governance structures, managing risk and assurance processes, and contributing to financial monitoring and reporting.

You will understand the importance of meaningful involvement of people with lived experience in research and service development. You will have experience of supporting inclusive engagement, co-design, consultation or participation activities and be committed to ensuring that diverse voices influence decision-making, governance and programme delivery.

You will bring excellent communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to work confidently with academics, clinicians, funders, people with lived experience, senior organisational leaders and colleagues across different professional backgrounds. You will be organised, proactive and able to exercise sound judgement in a complex and fast-moving programme environment.

This role would particularly suit candidates from university or health providers research management, major health research funders, and mental or physical health clinicians with substantial research management experience.

In Return

In return, we offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement, and 6% employer pension contribution (minimum 1% employee contribution).

Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles, in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality.

Our policy is that all appointments will be at the start of the salary range but successful candidates will have the opportunity to move up the scale over time. The progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to affordability. For this role, the salary range is £52,467 per annum to £60,861 per annum (FTE £65,584 to 76,077).

To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please click here 

Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally, we fight to hold torturing states to account and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK.

We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.

Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS/PVG disclosure, as well as a full employment history and up-to-date employment references.

Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that a CV and a cover letter addressing the Job Description and Person Specification are mandatory to be considered for this position.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

No agencies please.

Westway Trust is seeking a dedicated Head of Operations with a minimum of 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.

In this newly created role, you will act as a key advisor, reporting directly into the CEO, and will have responsibility of key areas of the Trust’s operational functions, ensuring the smooth and effective running and delivery of services. You will directly manage the leads of HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement, supporting them to deliver high-quality work and develop professionally.

If you are a values-led operational leader who is committed to community transformation and organisational excellence, and thrives on steering strategic decisions, this role is for you!

Key responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:

• Oversight and line management of the HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement functions of the Trust.
• Oversight of key projects essential to the delivery of the Horizon (strategic) Plan 2025-2028 as agreed with the CEO.
• Be a key part of the Executive Team, chaired by the CEO.
• Maintain an overview of all projects and programmes of activity, outputs and outcomes within the role and ensure reports are written and submitted on time.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership across teams, driving high performance, alignment with values, and maintaining individual, personal & team wellbeing.
• Develop and implement planning processes and performance management tools to ensure effective delivery of goals.
• Develop, drive and maintain the data gathering and analysis for the Westway Trust, that enables the Social Impact Framework and to play a key role in the organisation’s progress towards creating a strong narrative in respect of achievement.
• Attend People Committee Meetings and the Board as requested, and contribute to the preparation of meeting papers as necessary in line with agenda requirements.
• Provide upward reporting and insight to the CEO including written briefings, performance dashboards, and recommendations.
• Attend internal and external meetings, including those that require representing the Trust publicly, in line with agreed strategies and perspectives.
• Monitor, update and ensure compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements (e.g. safeguarding, employment, health & safety, data protection) to build a positive work culture.
• Champion collaboration and integration across departments, ensuring consistent implementation of work priorities that align with community needs and objectives.
• Support a values-based culture that centres equity, sustainability, openness, courage, and integrity.
• Contribute to organisational development and support the process of communicating and managing change effectively at the Trust in line with agreed policies and frameworks.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Minimum 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.
• Proven ability to lead, guide and motivate diverse teams and to support the professional growth of those who report to you as a line manager.
• Demonstrable experience of good practice approaches to conflict resolution, working in collaboration with others and encouraging honesty, transparency and open ways of working across teams that benefit the organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency.
• Excellent planning, organisation and performance management skills.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills, including the ability to summarise complex data and issues for decision-makers.
• Experience in researching, developing and managing departmental budgets.
• Ability to analyse information, and formulate practical and reasoned operational plans that can be easily understood and monitored.
• Strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills – able to offer both moral and professional support to teams.
• Experience of supporting organisational change, transition, or transformation programmes.
• Experience of embedding inclusive and equitable practices across teams.
• Demonstrable alignment with the Trust’s values and commitment to anti-racism and community power.

Desirable Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Previous experience overseeing HR or education/community programmes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with communications/marketing functions is a plus but not essential.
• Degree-level education together with a recognised professional qualification in any of the fields this role covers – or equivalent lived/professional experience – is highly desirable.

The application deadline is 5 pm on Sunday, 27 September, when applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview. However, we reserve the right to close the application early. An early application is strongly recommended.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an ambitious Head of Community Research & Impact to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.

Community-led research sits at the heart of how High Trees works. Our approach aims to rebalance the role and power that communities have in deciding how research is informed, delivered and used to improve lives for Lambeth residents. Over recent years we have built a strong foundation for this work and developed two flagship community research partnerships — the Lambeth Peer Action Collective and the Lambeth Community Research Network. We are now looking for someone to significantly expand this work: building local evidence of community need, working with communities to identify solutions and appropriate responses to local challenges, and advocating for change to policy and practice where needed.

This is a broad and varied leadership role. Alongside our direct research programmes, you will lead the development of infrastructure around community-led research in Lambeth, so that voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can access the training, resources and networks they need to design and deliver their own research. You will also lead our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Communications functions, ensuring the impact of everything we do is understood, evidenced and communicated well.

As part of High Trees’ senior management team, the Head of Community Research & Impact will not only oversee delivery in their service area, but also help shape organisational strategy, grow partnerships and income, and ensure we work as one High Trees — keeping our practice responsive, collaborative and always led by community need.

About High Trees

Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for nearly 30 years. We deliver community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.

About the role

As Head of Community Research & Impact, you will:

• Lead and inspire our Research & Impact team to deliver high-quality, community-led research that drives change.
• Shape and deliver High Trees’ strategic vision for community-led research, championing collaborative research practice across Lambeth.
• Take the lead on designing new research programmes, support with sourcing the funding to run them, and ensuring projects are completed to a high standard with high-quality outputs.
• Grow the infrastructure for community-led research locally, including through the Lambeth Community Research Network and the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.
• Support VCS organisations with community research training, resources and capacity building support.
• Lead and embed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Communications across High Trees and our partnership work.
• Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, ensuring a joined-up approach across all our services.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant professional experience in research and/or community settings, with a track record of leading research projects.
• Experience of qualitative and mixed methods research and a working knowledge of participatory research approaches.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing multiple projects and programmes at once.
• The ability to build trust and long-lasting relationships across community, academic, public sector and voluntary sector organisations.
• A strategic mindset, balancing day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
• A solid understanding of the context in which High Trees delivers its work

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will help set the standard for community-led research and system change, creating tools, resources and practices that benefit the wider sector — and be part of a collaborative team dedicated to creating lasting change.