501 External communications lead jobs

About the Role

This Youth Development Mentor for young men is part of Bright Futures, our mentoring and employability support programme for young Gypsy and Traveller people aged 15-25. You will build trusted, consistent 1-1 mentoring relationships with young men, supporting them to grow in confidence, work out what they want, and build the skills to get there.

You will deliver the programme's set mentoring offer, adapting your approach to individuals as needed, alongside group sessions on skills and personal development. Many of the young men we work with have had negative experiences of school or other services and are often not in education, employment or training (NEET). The role is about helping the young men move forward at a pace that works for them, towards something they've chosen and can stick with, rather than pushing them down a set route. You will keep detailed records of progress and milestones reached.

You will also play a role in outreach and community engagement – building relationships with families and community members. This includes keeping up good working relationships with colleges, training providers and employers, and making sure young people's voices are heard, both within Bright Futures and externally.

This role is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

About You

This role is for someone who wants to make a real difference in young people's lives – someone committed to supporting young men from marginalised and underserved communities to get equitable access to opportunities, and to helping bring about wider change for those communities.

You will enjoy the challenge of working with young men who may take time to trust and engage, and see that as part of what makes the role rewarding.

The role is ideal for someone with experience of mentoring, youth work or a similar community-based role working with young men (paid or voluntary). Someone patient, non-judgemental and comfortable adapting support to suit the person in front of you. You will be just as comfortable speaking to family members as with college staff or social services.

We don't expect you to already have all the answers – what matters most is your commitment and ability to build genuine, trusting relationships and to keep going with young people who may take time to open up. We will support your development through supervision, training and a small, collaborative team environment.

We know not everyone will meet every requirement in the job description below, but if you feel you have what it takes, please apply and tell us how your experience and skills make you suitable.

If you are not sure what the work looks like or you want to ask questions before applying, we are happy to chat with you about the role. Please contact Mini Ravi (Programme Lead) by calling our office phone.

About LGT and Bright Futures

London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT) challenges social exclusion and discrimination, working for change in partnership with Gypsy and Traveller communities living on council caravan sites, roadside camps, in flats and houses, and those experiencing homelessness.

Bright Futures supports Gypsy and Traveller young men and women aged 15–25 through mentoring, skills development, employability and wellbeing support. The programme helps young people build confidence, develop practical skills and identify realistic pathways into training and employment, working at their own pace and around their needs and interests. The programme is shaped by a deep understanding of the Gypsy and Traveller culture, and designed to empower young people to engage with wider society with pride, motivation and confidence.

Our services also include accommodation advice and advocacy, family support, community development, research, policy work and campaigns, and we support hundreds of individuals and families each year.

We are a small, committed and supportive team who seek to live our organisational values throughout our work: Collaboration, Courage, Empowerment, Inclusivity, Equity, Community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and workforce diversity. We strongly encourage applications from Gypsy and Traveller communities.
 

To Apply

Review the responsibilities and person specification in the job description enclosed.

Using the ‘Apply Now’ button, please submit your CV

Instead of a cover letter, please submit answers to the following 3 questions in the space provided when you apply.

1. Briefly tell us about your experience of working with young men/people. What did you do and what kind of support did you provide?

2. What is one of the barriers young men from vulnerable or marginalised backgrounds face around education, training and work? Why?

3. Why are you interested in this role and working with London Gypsies & Travellers?

250-300 word answers for each question is enough, but you are welcome to write more.

There is no right answer and we are not interested in perfect responses. We want to know about you and the knowledge, skills, and experience your will bring to the role.

Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 14th October (stage 1, in person), Thursday 22nd October (stage 2, online)

Please check you are available on these dates before applying, in case you are shortlisted for interviews.

Please note: An enhanced DBS check is required for the role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

Cure Parkinson’s is looking for an experienced events professional to join our Research Team and take charge of our programme of research workshops and conferences, both for the scientific community and for lay/patient supporters of the charity. This is an exciting time to join the team as we restructure our event offering and grow our programme of activity.

As our Scientific Programmes Manager you will have a degree in life sciences, with experience in neuroscience an advantage. You will have significant experience in planning, co-ordinating and delivering scientific programmes events, meetings and conferences (in-person, hybrid and virtual). You will be adept at liaising with and growing a research community and be skilled at speaking to and writing for both lay and scientific audiences.

Alpha International is seeking a strategic and relationship-focused Fundraising Manager to lead our Donor Growth Programme, driving supporter engagement and growing income from donors giving up to £10,000 annually.

In this pivotal role, you will develop and deliver fundraising campaigns, donor journeys and stewardship programmes that attract, engage, retain and inspire supporters. Using data and insight, you will identify opportunities to grow giving, strengthen donor relationships and build a pipeline of future major donors.

Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Lead the strategy and delivery of Alpha’s Donor Growth Programme.
• Develop and optimise donor journeys, ensuring excellent supporter experiences.
• Plan and deliver multi-channel fundraising and engagement campaigns.
• Manage and steward a portfolio of current and prospective donors.
• Monitor performance, analyse data and use insight to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Fund Development, Communications, Operations and the wider HTB Group to deliver fundraising objectives.

The Ideal Candidate

• Committed to the vision, mission and values of Alpha.
• Familiarity with Alpha – experience in attending, serving or leading an Alpha course.
• Experience of managing mid-level donor or regular giving programmes, including activity to upgrade donors and identify future major donor prospects.
• Experience using a fundraising CRM or donor database to manage relationships, segment audiences, track activity and report on performance.
• Good financial awareness, including the ability to track income, monitor campaign performance and contribute to budget planning and operational budget monitoring.
• Experience working with fundraising suppliers, agencies or external partners where appropriate.

About the role

We’re looking for a motivated and committed policy manager to join our policy, evidence and influencing team. In this role, you’ll help deliver change for people affected by breast cancer by leading our policy work on early diagnosis (including breast screening and cancer waiting times) as well as our work on improving services for people at increased risk of breast cancer. This role manages a senior policy officer. 

You’ll use insight from patients and healthcare professionals, data and research to develop evidence-based policy positions. And you’ll build strong relationships with external stakeholders to enable you to influence to deliver policy change. You’ll work with colleagues across the team and wider organisation to take our priorities to supporters, MPs, decision-makers and the media.

About you

With experience of working in relevant policy roles to deliver significant change, you’ll be an excellent communicator, well-organised and able to work under pressure to tight deadlines.  You’ll be confident working with a wide range of people and have experience of supervising or managing people. You’ll also have an excellent understanding of the policy and influencing landscape that Breast Cancer Now works in.

Job description and benefits

The job description and our attractive benefits are available for you to download.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.

£46,000 to £49,500 per annum London based

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement online. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria
If you’ve any immediate questions please email

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who
we support.

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Closing date Sunday 27 September 2026 11:59 pm

Interview date Wednesday 7, Thursday 8 October 2026

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background” - Shereen El-Shennawy, CEO, Inspire.

Are you driven by a passion for enhancing social mobility and supporting the futures of young people?

Do you have a practical understanding of work experience placements with a background leading teams and managing and developing services?

Hire Purpose is proud to lead the search to appoint a Head of Work Experience who will join Inspire in an established position that will positively impact the lives of thousands of young people across London.

And creating ‘impact’ is central to how Inspire deliver their programmes. Between 2024-25 alone, the charity enabled nearly 5,000 in person Work Experience placements, working with over 1,000 employers across their business partner network.

You can take a full look at their 2024-25 Impact Report here.

Salary: £33,438 (£41,797.40 FTE)

Start date: October / November 2026

Reporting to: Head of Programmes & Impact

Contract: Permanent. Part-time (0.8), spread across 4 or 5 days

Hybrid: Minimum 2 days pw at E15 2NH, 3 days remote.

As a key member of Inspire’s Senior Management Team you will be responsible for leading the delivery and continued development of their Work Experience service, ensuring high-quality, financially well-managed and compliant services that respond to the needs of young people, schools, employers and partners.

Crucially, this role requires an experienced people manager with excellent skills across stakeholder engagement, decision making, and attention to detail.

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing service performance, resources and employer engagement to ensure programmes are well-run, compliant and responsive to young people and partners.
• Leading, developing, and supporting an experienced and capable Work Experience team, ensuring their accountable and high-performing culture continues to thrive.
• Representing Inspire externally, building productive, lasting relationships with key stakeholders including employers, schools, local authorities, funders and community partners, while also managing expectations and resolving issues swiftly.
• Leading the delivery of safe, inclusive and high-quality Work Experience programmes that build young people’s skills, confidence and employability.
• Managing budgets, as well as income and expenditure to ensure programmes are financially sustainable and deliver a return on investment.
• Fulfilling all duties in accordance with Inspire’s policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Equality, GDPR and financial controls.

A full list of duties can be found within the Job Description via Hire Purpose's careers page.

This is a highly rewarding opportunity to shape Inspire’s wider strategic direction, drive continuous improvements across the Work Experience service, and identify opportunities to expand and strengthen the provision of services and how customer relationships are developed.

Therefore, the Head of Work Experience must have:

• Practical understanding of Work Experience programmes and services for young people, alongside a genuine commitment to improving their opportunities and outcomes.
• Proven experience of leading, supporting and developing teams, creating clear expectations while ensuring consistently high standards.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills, with an ability to build productive partnerships with employers and other external organisations.
• Experience of managing services, programmes or contracts, including budgets, performance information and delivery against agreed standards and deadlines.
• Robust knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, as well as the sound judgement and attention to detail needed to deliver safe and compliant services.

We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, underpinned by a sharp focus on process and data-informed decision-making, and who will importantly keep up to date with legislative and policy change.

Hire Purpose champions inclusive recruitment.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We uphold equal opportunity principles and challenge bias at every stage, partnering only with organisations that share our commitment to integrity, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Hire Purpose is also proud to be an active member of The TEAM Network, the UK’s largest recruitment community of independently owned recruitment businesses.

Dean Farm Trust is seeking an experienced and compassionate Sanctuary Operations Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and operational management of our 32-acre animal sanctuary near Chepstow.

Home to 200 rescued animals, including pigs, cows, sheep, goats, equines and birds, Dean Farm Trust provides a home for life to animals in need. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with animal welfare at its heart.

The Sanctuary Operations Manager will lead our on-site team, working through our Team Leaders to ensure the Sanctuary operates safely, effectively and to the highest standards of animal welfare. The role will oversee staffing and rotas, volunteer development, recruitment and training, budgets and resources, facilities and maintenance, land and pasture management, health and safety, compliance, contractors, projects and the operational delivery of Sanctuary events and activities.

We are looking for someone with strong leadership and people-management experience who is confident managing a busy operational environment and developing both staff and volunteers. You will need to be organised, practical and able to balance the immediate demands of running a sanctuary with longer-term planning and improvement.

This is an important appointment for Dean Farm Trust as we strengthen our operational structure and build a sustainable future for the Sanctuary. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director and Trustees while taking real ownership of Sanctuary operations and providing strong, consistent on-site leadership.

A genuine commitment to animal welfare and to the values of Dean Farm Trust is essential.

Please read our full Candidate Pack before applying. It includes the complete Job Description, information about Dean Farm Trust and further background on why we are recruiting for this role now.

Are you passionate about building brands that make a genuine difference?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-known national charity at a time of significant ambition and growth. Working within a collaborative marketing team, you'll play a key role in shaping how the organisation is seen, understood and experienced by a wide range of audiences.

As Brand & Insight Manager, you'll be responsible for driving brand excellence across the organisation, ensuring every campaign, communication and touchpoint reflects a clear and consistent identity. You'll champion best practice, support teams across the business and help bring the brand to life in a way that inspires action, builds trust and deepens engagement.

Alongside brand management, you'll lead on audience insight, helping colleagues better understand their audiences and use insight to make smarter, more effective decisions. From developing brand assets and guidance to influencing strategic campaigns and supporting creative development, you'll be at the heart of some of the organisation's most important marketing activity.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys combining creativity with strategic thinking and is passionate about creating meaningful connections between organisations and their audiences.

What you'll be doing

• Acting as the guardian of a respected national brand, ensuring consistency across all channels and communications
• Supporting the ongoing development and evolution of the brand
• Building strong relationships with teams across the organisation to embed brand best practice
• Leading audience insight initiatives and championing data-led decision making
• Developing and maintaining brand assets, templates and guidelines
• Supporting the delivery of multi-channel campaigns and brand marketing activity
• Working closely with internal stakeholders, agencies and creative partners
• Leading brand reviews and identifying opportunities to strengthen impact and engagement
• Helping develop a culture of confident brand ambassadors across the organisation

You'll bring:

• Experience in brand management and brand marketing
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities
• Outstanding written communication and proofreading skills
• Experience working with agencies and external suppliers
• A strong understanding of audience insight and how it can drive better marketing outcomes
• Excellent attention to detail and a passion for maintaining high brand standards
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to influence and advise colleagues at all levels

Closing date: 23rd September

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Job description

The Young Ealing Foundation is a place-based charity based in Ealing, West London which brings together the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in the local area to increase and improve opportunities for children, young people and families.

The Young Ealing Foundation’s vision is to ensure all young people in Ealing can access the opportunities and support they need to grow up and lead happy and safe lives, fulfil their potential and become a valued and listened to part of the local community. We work towards this by working with and in the community to empower small, local charities to thrive and flourish.

The Young Ealing Foundation is seeking to appoint a Head of Youth Voice and Advocacy to join our small but impactful team. Youth Voice and co-production is an important and developing strand of YEF's work and this role would suit someone with strong experience of co-production and project development.

Main purpose of the role:

· Work alongside young people to develop the delivery framework for the Ealing Youth Voice Strategy including oversight of existing and new programmes.

· Work with high-level strategic partners and stakeholders to advocate for youth-led coproduction and develop partnerships to extend the reach of YEF’s youth voice activities.

· Develop a robust impact measurement framework to create a culture of learning and enable sharing of best practice.

· Identify and apply for appropriate grants, contracts and other income streams to deliver the ambitions set out in the strategy.

· Oversee people and processes to ensure services meet high standards of delivery and compliance.

About the role:

For women facing multiple disadvantage, the right support can be the difference between remaining trapped by systems and beginning to rebuild safety, choice and control. As our Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Worker at Grace House, you’ll provide skilled, persistent and compassionate support to women whose experiences may include homelessness, domestic abuse, trauma, substance use, poor mental health and contact with the criminal justice system.

Using a gender and trauma-informed approach, you’ll build trusting relationships and work alongside women at their own pace. You’ll manage complex casework, advocate firmly on their behalf and help navigate services and systems that can often feel fragmented or difficult to access. You’ll use creativity, professional judgement and tenacity to challenge barriers and help women move forward on their own terms.

You’ll also bring your expertise into multi-agency discussions, ensuring women’s voices, experiences and priorities remain central to the decisions made about their support. Working closely with colleagues and external partners, you’ll help shape responsive, coordinated support and contribute to the continued development of practice across Grace House.

This is an opportunity to deepen your specialist skills, take real ownership of your work and make a visible difference in women’s lives. You’ll be supported by an experienced team, reflective practice and ongoing learning and development at Single Homeless Project (SHP), giving you the tools and confidence to grow while delivering support that genuinely changes lives.

*For genuine occupational requirement reasons, we are seeking applications from women only for this post (exemption under the Equality Act 2010; Schedule 9 Part 1). 

About you:

• You know how to build trust with women who may have been let down by services before, working with patience, honesty and consistency.
• You bring strong experience of supporting women facing multiple disadvantage and understand how trauma, abuse, homelessness, poor mental health and substance use can overlap.
• You stay calm when situations are complex, using sound judgement to assess risk, make decisions and keep support moving forward.
• You are a determined advocate who will challenge barriers, bring partners together and keep pushing when systems are not responding.
• You are reflective, curious and ready to deepen your specialist practice, with support, supervision and development opportunities at SHP.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Applications will be reviewed and suitable candidates invited to interview online as they are received. Therefore, please submit your application as soon as possible to be considered. We reserve the right to close the vacancy as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. 

Please note there will be a second stage interview in service in Camden for suitable candidates. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

Harris Hill is delighted to be working on behalf of National Parks Partnerships (NPP) to recruit a People Manager. NPP is a small and entrepreneurial organisation that identifies, secures and manages commercial and strategic partnerships for the UK’s 15 National Parks, helping to grow their impact, resources and influence while supporting action on the climate and biodiversity crises. As NPP continues to grow, this is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of its people function and play a key role in supporting the organisation’s development.

The role is offered on a salary of £40,135 FTE (non-negotiable) and is available on a full-time basis, with the possibility of working four days per week. This is a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension, and is fully remote, with occasional UK travel required.

Sitting within the Operations team and reporting to the Head of Operations, the People Manager will lead NPP’s day-to-day HR function as a largely standalone HR professional. You will develop and implement HR strategies, policies and processes across the employee lifecycle, providing trusted advice to the CEO, Head of Operations, SLT and line managers. You will lead recruitment activity, support managers with performance, probation and employee relations processes, oversee annual leave and absence, payroll administration and pay awards, and ensure NPP continues to meet its employment, health and safety and data protection obligations. You will also play an important role in developing organisational culture, embedding NPP’s Manifesto, competency framework and behaviours, and ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion remain central to its people practices. Alongside the core HR remit, you will support the wider Operations team with external agencies, suppliers and procurement activity, including maintaining supplier relationships, supporting purchasing processes and ensuring compliance with relevant procurement requirements.

We are looking for an experienced People & Culture professional with a strong track record of developing and implementing HR policies and strategies, managing HR projects, and supporting organisational change, as well as experience leading recruitment processes from job design through to shortlisting and interviewing. You will be a clear thinker, confident decision-maker and excellent communicator who can build strong relationships across an organisation and with external partners. Experience of payroll, EDI, health and safety, procurement or working within a purpose-led organisation or public authority would be advantageous.

To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV by 27 September at 23:59. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a tailored cover letter after reviewing the full job description.

Please note that only applicants with an unrestricted right to work in the UK will be considered for this position.

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

This exciting role will support on the delivery of income from a range of high-value donors within our philanthropy and corporate income streams. This position is key for both Helen Bamber Foundation and Asylum Aid and the postholder will work closely with the fundraising team, enabling the Senior Corporate and Philanthropy Executive and the Group Director of Fundraising to build successful funding partnerships.

We’re looking for a someone who is an effective communicator with a flair for writing, who is results-focused and organised. This role best suits someone who is eager to learn and work as part of a tight-knit and successful team, and who can respond creatively and consistently to our current and future donors’ requests.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to begin their career in charity fundraising. The candidate will preferably have some experience working or volunteering in the charity sector, and we welcome applications from candidates with transferrable experience, such as working in a client-facing role, in communications, copywriting or in event planning. 

HOW TO APPLY

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 10:00 am on Monday 28th Sep 2026. 

The website form will ask you to: 

• Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.
• Upload your current CV 
• Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

TIMELINE

Closing date: Monday 28th Sep 2026 at 10:00am 

Preliminary interviews (online): 6th Oct 2026

Final panel interviews (in person): 13th Oct 2026 

ELIGIBILITY 

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do 
not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).
(Full details available on the Job Description) 

ADJUSTMENTS 

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll 
always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application 
form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please 
get in touch with us.

EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE SUPPORT

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network , which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network.

This is a varied and rewarding leadership role that combines operational management, people leadership, and business development. You'll play a key part in growing our impact by developing new partnerships, building strong relationships with stakeholders, and expanding both our on-site and outreach programmes.

To succeed in this role, you'll be a confident and adaptable manager who can balance day-to-day operational demands with strategic thinking and creativity. You'll enjoy problem-solving, prioritising competing demands, and managing a diverse workload where no two days are the same.

We're looking for someone who:
• Has strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Can foster positive collaboration across teams and functions
• Has experience building and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Brings commercial awareness and business development experience
• Has experience working in the charity, social care, health, or related sectors

We're looking for someone who:
• Has strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Can foster positive collaboration across teams and functions
• Has experience building and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Brings commercial awareness and business development experience
• Has experience working in the charity, social care, health, or related sectors

In return, Thrive offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, working with a values-driven charity that transforms lives through gardening and nature. In addition, you’ll be working in a collaborative and supportive organisation at our National Office, set in 3 acres of beautiful grounds.

Help Shape a Brighter Future for Bedford

Do you have the vision to turn great ideas into impactful programmes? Are you committed to creating opportunities for children and young people, and helping communities to thrive?

The Harpur Trust is a charitable organisation that operates four leading independent schools, delivers a substantial community grants programme and sponsors the Heart Academies Trust. With more than 1,200 employees, we invest in education, community development and initiatives that improve life chances across Bedford Borough.

We are also a founding partner and host of Bedford Giving, a movement of businesses, charities and other partners, who have all come together to form Bedford Giving to help create a brighter future for the next generation in Bedford.

We're looking for a dynamic Programmes and Grants Manager to play a central role in delivering these missions. This is a unique opportunity to join a respected local charity and help shape the future of Bedford Giving.

About the Role

As Programmes and Grants Manager, you will lead the development, commissioning and management of high-impact programmes and partnerships across The Harpur Trust and Bedford Giving.

You'll take ideas from concept to delivery, identifying community needs, researching solutions, commissioning services, managing partnerships and ensuring programmes achieve meaningful outcomes.

This is a varied and rewarding role combining strategy, programme development, stakeholder engagement, grant-making and contract management.

You'll work closely with senior leaders, trustees, community organisations and delivery partners, helping to ensure that every pound invested delivers maximum impact.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong project or programme management skills with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and communities.

You will bring:

• Experience of programme development, commissioning, grant-making or service delivery within the charitable, public or voluntary sector.

• Strong project and contract management skills.

• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement abilities.

• Confidence managing multiple priorities and delivering work to a high standard.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and a willingness to take initiative.

• A passion for creating positive social impact.

Why Join Us?

At The Harpur Trust, you'll be part of an organisation with a long history of investing in people and communities.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary up to £40,000.

• The opportunity to influence programmes that improve lives across Bedford.

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

• Professional development and learning opportunities.

• Generous pension and employee benefits.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where appropriate.

• The chance to work with inspiring partners across the charity, education and community sectors.

Interested?

Find out more by viewing the full job description and click on apply to find out where to send your CV and covering letter.

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.