Finance team leader jobs

Ambition Aspire Achieve is seeking an exceptional, values-led Chief Executive to lead our much-loved children and young people’s charity into its next chapter.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a practical, relationship-based and strongly rooted Newham charity that makes a real difference to children, young people and families facing disadvantage, vulnerability, SEND, disability or risk.

Founded in 2016 by Kevin Jenkins OBE, Ambition Aspire Achieve has grown from a small number of projects at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park into a well-established charity working across Newham. Today, AAA supports nearly 1,000 children and young people each year through its hubs, with many more reached through outreach, schools-based work and community programmes.

Our work is grounded in the belief that every child and young person should be able to enjoy their childhood, overcome barriers, build confidence and develop the skills and self-belief to achieve positive futures. We deliver a broad programme of support including after-school clubs, holiday programmes, youth clubs, SEND activities, mentoring, outdoor learning, sports, family days, residentials, detached youth work, schools-based youth safety work, community events and targeted family support.

This is an exciting and important moment in AAA’s journey. Following a period of growth, the charity is now focused on consolidation, quality and long-term sustainability. We are financially stable, well regarded and deeply rooted locally, with strong relationships across funders, schools, corporate partners, local agencies and community organisations.

The next Chief Executive will provide clear, steady and values-led leadership, working closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees. They will lead and support the staff team, strengthen organisational sustainability, maintain and develop partnerships, champion safeguarding and inclusion, and ensure children and young people remain at the heart of every decision.

As AAA does not currently have a dedicated senior fundraising post, the Chief Executive will also play a central role in securing and maintaining the income needed to sustain and develop the charity’s work. This will include trusts and foundations, statutory funding, corporate partnerships, individual donors, appeals and wider supporter engagement.

We are looking for someone who can combine strategic leadership with practical operational understanding. You may already be a Chief Executive, or you may be an experienced senior leader ready to step into your first Chief Executive role. What matters most is your ability to lead with clarity, care and resilience; build trusted relationships; secure income; uphold strong governance; and keep AAA’s values at the centre of how the charity works.

AAA’s values are Committed, Caring, Collaborative and Creative. We are looking for a leader who can live these values, promote a positive and inclusive culture, and help ensure AAA remains strong, responsive and ambitious for the children, young people and families who need us most.

This is not a turnaround role, but it is a significant leadership opportunity. The successful candidate will inherit a respected and impactful charity with strong foundations, while also leading it through a more challenging external funding environment and into its next phase of development.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Chief Executive to assume overall responsibility for the management of HMC. The purpose of this senior leadership role is to lead the organisation in fulfilling its purpose of supporting migrants in Hackney and the wider London community, ensuring they can access their rights and overcome injustices in the immigration and social welfare system.

Thames Reach is one of London’s leading homelessness charities, working to end street homelessness and help the people we support to find and sustain a decent home, build supportive relationships and lead a fulfilling life.

We are seeking a Director of Operations to take on a new senior strategic leadership role that will play a key part in the future direction and long-term sustainability of the organisation.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will work collectively with the Chief Executive and Director of Services to provide organisational leadership, contributing to strategic direction and operational effectiveness.

You will be accountable for ensuring the organisation has effective infrastructure, people and financial sustainability. You will oversee and provide integration across all non-service operational areas, holding overall responsibility for Finance, People, Data, IT, Property & Facilities, and Thames Reach Housing, our Registered Provider subsidiary.

You will act as a primary point of organisational assurance to the Chief Executive, SMT and Board on operational sustainability, risk and compliance.

Key priorities include providing organisational stewardship of finance, overseeing the transformation and effective operation of digital, data and technology systems, and championing continuous improvement in organisational capability, leadership and ways of working.

Director of Operations Thames Reach
Salary: circa £92,000 per annum
Directorate: Central Operations

About you
We are seeking a leader with a strong collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to collective responsibility and organisational leadership. You will bring:

• Senior strategic leadership experience in a complex organisation, with responsibility for multiple operational and enabling functions.
• Strong financial acumen, including the ability to oversee budgets, interpret financial data and communicate financial matters clearly to senior leaders and Trustees.
• Experience of organisational change, transformation and continuous improvement.
• Experience of governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to operate credibly at Board and Committee level.
• Ability to operate effectively within a regulated environment, including building an understanding of the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Extensive experience of managing multiple projects and critical decision making.

Crucially, you will demonstrate a clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and to furthering our mission of ending street homelessness.

How to Apply
For further information, to access the appointment brief and to apply to this role, please click on the Redirect button.

Recruitment timeline
Application deadline: 9th August
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 24th August & w/c 31st August
Interviews with Thames Reach: 18th September

If you want to work with wonderful people and make a positive impact on our woodlands and wood culture, then being Woodland Heritage’s Chief Executive is the perfect opportunity for you!

Woodland Heritage’s Chief Executive is an inspirational leader, who leverages impact against the charity’s mission to derive strategy, underpin governance, deliver operations, generate income and make working at and supporting the charity a highly rewarding and motivating experience.

This role will be a core part of how Woodland Heritage achieves its mission and will be an incredibly rewarding and varied experience for someone with the right skills, experience and approach to their work.

About the role
● The role is 37.5 hours per week with occasional planned evening and weekend working as required.
● Options for flexible and hybrid working, with an average of 1 day per month at the Whitney Sawmills office
● 25 days plus Bank/Public holidays as paid leave (pro rata)
● £50 - 70k dependant on experience
● Permanent contract
● You will report to the Co Chairs and the Culture Action Group (Co Chairs, Past Chair, Treasurer)
● You will line manage the Engagement Manager, Project Manager, a seconded AOD administrator, work closely with a group of freelance fundraising, finance and operational support and lead a wider team of 3. In addition you will have key relationships with the sawmill manager, directors and team. An organisational chart will be provided to shortlisted candidates
● Lead on the charity’s relationship with Whitney Sawmills and their Directors, a business owned by Woodland Heritage
● Employer contribution to Nest Pensions.
All other terms and conditions will be as per your contract. More details are available via our staff handbook which can be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Person Specification
Qualification
● Degree level education or equivalent experience

Essential Experience and Knowledge
● Experience of leading excellent teams
● Proven experience of signifi cant income generation and leading on fundraising
● Experience infl uencing change with stakeholders
● A strong comprehension of charity governance and compliance
● Expert at managing shifting priorities
● A deep well of financial and commercial literacy
● Experience of delivering impact through hybrid working, including leading a diverse and dispersed team and stakeholders
● Demonstrable success in a senior management role
● Proven experience delivering strategy and leading impact against mission

A full job description is available on our website vacancies page.

How to apply

Please apply using the Application Form on our website. 
Your covering letter should be no more than two pages.
Through your CV and Covering letter please demonstrate how you meet sections 3 and 4 of the job description, in doing so communicate what makes you the best person for this role.

• Closing date for applications is 19th August 2026

• We will respond to candidates about a potential interview on 24th August 2026

• We may not be able to provide feedback to everyone that applies

• First round interviews will be held online at 28th August 2026

• Second round interviews will be held in person at Whitney Sawmills, Herefordshire on the 7th September 2026. There will be a task to prepare prior to this interview.

The interview will be conducted by a panel of charity staff and trustees.

We reserve the right to close the advertised positions early if we receive a high volume of high quality applications. We may also extend the deadline if necessary. We will provide feedback to candidates who are shortlisted for interview. 

ABOUT US

We are SPEAR, a charity working tirelessly to end homelessness across South West London and beyond. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we work every day to make that a reality. Our services include street outreach, assessment hubs, supported accommodation, and tenancy support, helping people move off the streets and into safe, secure housing. We take a person-centred, trauma-informed approach, building trust and supporting people to achieve long-term stability and independence.

ABOUT YOU

Working side-by-side with people who are homeless or at risk of it, you'll help them take charge of their journey — setting goals, building skills, and securing the stability of a tenancy they can call their own. Your day-to-day will span everything from crisis intervention and welfare benefits support to leading case reviews with partner agencies, all while managing a caseload with care and accuracy. You'll build the kind of trusting relationships that tackle isolation and exclusion head-on, working creatively and with emotional resilience to overcome whatever challenges arise. If you're driven by making a tangible, lasting difference in people's lives, this is a role where your impact will be felt every single day.

YOUR BENEFITS

- Generous holiday – 26 days plus public holidays, rising to 31 days with length of service
- Wellbeing & EAP – 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with free counselling, money and legal advice
- Health support – Occupational health service and free annual eye test (with contribution towards glasses if required)
- Cycle to Work – Save on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice
- Season ticket loan – Interest-free loan for annual travel passes
- Moving house day – Extra day of leave when you move home
- Financial security – Life assurance (4x salary) and interest-free emergency staff loan
- Family-friendly policies – Enhanced maternity and adoption pay, plus flexible working options
- Career development – Ongoing training, learning and progression opportunities
- Blue Light Card – Discounts across a wide range of shops, restaurants and services

Could this be your next role? Read the full Job Description now!

Lead one of the world's oldest and most influential human rights organisations

Chief Executive

Salary: £93,600 per annum
London | Hybrid working

Our client is one of the world's oldest human rights organisations. For almost 200 years, it has worked to end slavery in all its forms, partnering with survivors, civil society, governments and businesses to influence laws, policy and practice that create lasting systemic change.

As our client enters an exciting new chapter, they are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the organisation through its next phase of impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an internationally respected organisation at a pivotal point in its journey. With a renewed strategic direction, a committed Board and an experienced senior leadership team, the successful candidate will build on strong foundations to strengthen organisational capability, foster a high-performing culture and maximise the organisation's impact in an increasingly complex global environment.

Working closely with the Board, staff, partners and supporters, you will provide strategic, financial and organisational leadership while acting as a compelling ambassador for the organisation. You will build trusted relationships across government, philanthropy, civil society and business, ensuring the organisation continues to influence policy, practice and public understanding of modern slavery.

We are interested in hearing from leaders who bring:

• Significant executive leadership experience, with responsibility for organisational strategy, people, finance and fundraising.
• A track record of leading organisational development, building high-performing teams and leading positive cultural change.
• The ability to build trusted relationships, influence senior stakeholders and represent an organisation with credibility and impact.
• Experience of securing sustainable income and developing strong funding partnerships.
• Strong financial and strategic judgement, balancing long-term ambition with effective operational delivery.
• A commitment to the organisation's mission and the leadership qualities to inspire people, build confidence and deliver lasting impact.

Whilst an understanding of the organisation's mission is important, our client is first and foremost seeking an exceptional organisational leader. Applications are welcomed from candidates both within and beyond the modern slavery sector who can demonstrate the leadership capability to guide the organisation through its next chapter.

This is an opportunity to lead an organisation with a remarkable history, work alongside exceptional colleagues and partners, and help shape a future where everyone can live free from slavery.

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please view the appointment brief located below the advert on the Prospectus website.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline for applications: Sunday 23rd August
Prospectus interviews: Weeks commencing 17th August and 24th August
Engagement calls with the Interim CEO: 7th and 8th September
Board panel interviews (in person): Monday 14th September

Oriau: 28awr yr wythnos (0.8 Cyfwerth â Llawn Amser) | Cyfnod penodol: Blwyddyn o’r penodiad

Gradd B: £25,178 – £27,241 (pro-rata)

Dyddiad cau ar gyfer gwneud cais: hanner nos ddydd Sul 23 Awst

Dyma gyfle cyffrous i chwarae rhan hollbwysig o ran gyrru Cymdeithas Ddysgedig Cymru yn ei blaen: sicrhau ein bod yn gweithredu hyd gorau ein gallu – fel sefydliad effeithiol a phroffesiynol sy’n cael ei reoli’n dda – fel y gallwn gyflawni ein strategaeth uchelgeisiol er budd Cymru. Bydd ein Cynorthwyydd Gweithrediadau yn darparu cymorth amhrisiadwy i’r tîm Gweithrediadau, Cyllid a Llywodraethu i sicrhau bod ein sefydliad yn cael ei redeg yn ddidrafferth.

Byddai’r swydd hon yn addas ar gyfer unigolyn rhagweithiol, trefnus sy’n rhoi sylw i fanylion ac a fyddai’n mwynhau swydd amrywiol yn cefnogi tîm deinamig, a bod yn rhan ohono. Ar gyfer rôl lefel Cynorthwyydd, nid ydym yn disgwyl i chi fod â phrofiad sylweddol o waith blaenorol, ond rydym yn chwilio am rywun sy’n gallu ysgogi ei hun, sydd ag awydd i ddysgu, ac mae agwedd ragweithiol wrth gynorthwyo pobl eraill a dod o hyd i ddatrysiadau yn hanfodol.

Mae CDdC yn cefnogi unigolion sydd wrthi’n dysgu Cymraeg. Nid yw bod yn rhugl yn y Gymraeg yn ofynnol ar gyfer y swydd hon, ond mae’r gallu i gyfathrebu yn y Gymraeg yn ddymunol, a’r parodrwydd i ddysgu yn hanfodol.

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Hours: 0.8FTE (28hrs per week) | Fixed term: 1 year from appointment

Salary: Grade B: £25,178 – £27,241 (pro-rata)

Application deadline: midnight on Sunday 23 August

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in taking the Learned Society of Wales forward: ensuring we are operating at our very best – as an effective, well-governed and professional organisation – so that we can deliver our ambitious strategy to benefit Wales.  Our Operations Assistant will provide invaluable support to the Operations, Finance and Governance team to ensure the smooth running of our organisation.

This post would suit a proactive, organised and detail-focussed person who would enjoy a varied role supporting, and being part of, a dynamic team. For an Assistant-level role we do not expect you to have substantial previous work experience, but we are looking for a self-starter with a keenness to learn, and a proactive attitude to assisting others and finding solutions is essential.

LSW supports active Welsh learners at all levels. Fluency in Welsh is not a requirement of this post, but the ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable and a willingness to learn is essential.

Passionate about democracy, education and young people? 

Young Citizens is a national citizenship education charity with nearly 40 years' experience inspiring active citizenship among children and young people. 

As curriculum and policy change accelerates, including Votes for 16 reshaping how young people engage in civic life – we're focused on ensuring active citizenship sits at the heart of how the next generation is prepared to participate in and protect a thriving democracy. 

About the role 

We're looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Corporate Partnerships Manager to lead our corporate partnerships and drive the income that powers our work. This is more than a corporate partnerships role—it's your opportunity to lead income generation for a growing national charity. You'll shape our fundraising strategy, influence our future business model and broaden your expertise across corporate partnerships, trusts and grant funding, and organisational growth. 

Working closely with the CEO, Senior Finance Manager and colleagues across the organisation, you'll identify and secure new funding opportunities, build strategic partnerships with corporates, trusts and foundations, develop compelling funding propositions, and create sustainable income that enables more children and young people to become active citizens. This role is hands on, managing all elements of the partnership and income process, ensuring the charity builds on our existing income and works with senior leadership to develop new opporutnities. 

If you have a track record of securing funding, driving forward a busy pipeline, building senior stakeholder relationships and turning opportunities into sustainable partnerships, we'd love to hear from you. 

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a critical organisational function, broaden your fundraising and business development portfolio, and play a leading role in the growth of an ambitious national charity. 

We're looking for someone who brings:  

• Drive that delivers quality results   

• Comfort with intensive and high-volume delivery of memberships, programmes and/or relationships  

• Enthusiasm for problem-solving, in a team and proactively in your role  

• An ability to learn fast and self-teach, from databases to how we communicate internally  

• A desire to develop your skills as a well-rounded member of a social impact organisation  

Why Join Us? 

This is a high-impact role with real scope to shape how Young Citizens grows its income, partnerships and long-term sustainability. You will work closely with senior leadership, take ownership of a key organisational function, and directly contribute to scaling our impact over the coming years.  

You will join a purpose-led, ambitious and collaborative team committed to strengthening democracy by equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to participate actively in society. 

We are a growing, agile organisation with a strong focus on learning and development. We invest in our people and provide real opportunities to build expertise, take ownership and grow alongside the organisation as we scale over the next three years.  

We combine a results-driven culture with flexibility in how we work. Our benefits include 28+ days of annual leave (plus 8 bank holidays), volunteering days, office closure over the Christmas period, full pension contributions on the first 8%, and enhanced leave packages. 

As a relatively small yet national team, you will have the opportunity to work across the organisation and closely with the CEO, influencing how we improve our programmes, and see the direct impact of your work on our mission. 

If you're looking for a role where you can develop your career, take on real responsibility, and help strengthen democracy through education, we'd love to hear from you. 

Download the full recruitment pack for more information about the role, progression with Young Citizens and how to apply. 

A Few Useful Notes When Applying  

If you are excited by the opportunity to build partnerships that help more young people become active citizens, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the application questions in the full job pack, which also contains further details on the application process. 

Additional Information 

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

• Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references. 

• We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. 

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Help grow partnerships that bring joy to seriously ill children.

Rays of Sunshine is looking for a confident, ambitious and relationship-led Corporate Partnerships Manager to help manage and grow a portfolio of valued corporate supporters.

This is an exciting opportunity to join us at a time of growth and transformation, as we deliver our new five-year strategy and continue to build long-term partnerships that make a real difference to seriously ill children and their families.

As our Corporate Partnerships Manager, you will be responsible for delivering exceptional stewardship across a portfolio of established and strategic corporate partnerships. You will develop tailored partnership plans, deepen engagement, increase income and secure sustainable, multi-year support.

The role will be approximately 70% focused on managing and growing existing partnerships and 30% focused on developing new business opportunities through warm introductions, established pipelines and collaboration with colleagues. You will work closely with the Head of Fundraising, wider Fundraising Team, Communications, Services and Events colleagues to ensure partners receive an excellent experience and feel connected to the impact of their support.

You will lead on partnership stewardship, employee fundraising, volunteering, sponsorship opportunities, impact reporting, renewal conversations and partnership growth. You will also help identify opportunities for corporate partners to engage with challenge events, special events, public fundraising campaigns and Wish Community experiences.

We are looking for someone with strong relationship management skills, experience achieving fundraising or commercial income targets, and the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels. You will be organised, proactive and confident managing multiple priorities, with excellent communication skills and a passion for creating meaningful partnerships.

Rays of Sunshine has recently been recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, reflecting our positive, values-led culture and commitment to supporting our people.

York Travellers Trust (YTT) is seeking an inspiring, values-led Chief Executive to lead our organisation through its next stage of development.

We work alongside the vibrant and resourceful Gypsy and Traveller communities of York and the surrounding area. We challenge discrimination and inequality, increase opportunities and life chances, and build bridges that promote understanding and community cohesion.

As Chief Executive, you will provide strategic leadership and hold overall responsibility for YTT’s performance, financial sustainability, governance, safeguarding and organisational development.

Working closely with our Board, staff and community members, you will:

• shape and deliver YTT’s strategic direction;
• strengthen our financial sustainability and develop new income opportunities;
• ensure our services remain effective, safe and responsive;
• build influential relationships with communities, funders, partners and policymakers;
• champion the rights, needs and aspirations of Gypsy and Traveller communities; and
• embed sociocratic and democratic ways of working so that community voices genuinely shape our decisions.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong commitment to equality, social justice and community empowerment. You will have experience of leading in a charity, community organisation, public service or another values-led environment.

You will understand the strengths, needs and systemic barriers experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities, gained through direct work with these communities or substantial experience alongside other marginalised groups.

You will combine strategic thinking with a collaborative, authentic and hands-on leadership style. You will also bring experience of managing people, working with a Board, overseeing finances, securing income and representing an organisation externally.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a trusted community organisation at an important point in its development. If you share our ambition for an inclusive, community-led and sustainable future, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We are very interested to hear from the Gypsy and Traveller Community and applications will be most welcome.

If you aer interested in the role but would like less hours than 37 then please let us know in your application.

Are you an exceptional governance professional who thrives working in a fast-paced environment?  

We are looking for a highly capable Governance and Executive Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of our charity. Working closely with the CEO, Trustees and Executive, you will help ensure the organisation is governed to the highest standards while driving forward key strategic priorities including EDI and ESG.

This is a rare opportunity to combine your governance expertise with meaningful strategic impact in a dynamic and values-led organisation.

As our Governance and Executive Manager, you will be the trusted adviser and primary point of contact for our Board of Trustees, supporting effective decision-making and ensuring compliance with charity and company law.

You will lead the delivery of high-quality governance processes, oversee Board and Committee administration, support regulatory compliance and help develop policies and frameworks that strengthen our organisation.

Alongside this, you will provide executive-level support to the CEO, helping to coordinate priorities, prepare reports and contribute to organisational success.

Full Time – 35 hours per week

The Diocese of Chester is seeking to recruit a Diocesan Secretary who will be:

1) A senior member of the Bishop of Chester's core staff team,

2) The chief officer of the charitable business that undergirds the Diocese of Chester, and

3) The most senior, 'lay' officer of the Diocese of Chester.

The role is complex as well as important. You will need an open heart and deep courage, patience, kindness, humility, determination, and constantly reflective practice. We value competence founded on transparent good character, grounded deeply in Christian faith. You will need to be able to see over the horizon without missing the personal needs of team members, enabling both with persistent grace and strategic focus.

The successful candidate will be inspirational, humble, skilled and experienced in leadership in both ‘first-’ and ‘second-chairs’, a change manager, relational and the technical ability to fulfil the role.

This role is based in Church House, Daresbury, Warrington which is a key operational centre for the life of the Diocese.

For informal conversation, contact the Bishop of Chester - contact details in the attached documents or via the apply/redirect to recruiter button. 

The recruitment pack, including job description, person specification and application form can be downloaded from the Diocesan website: Please see website address in the attached documents or via the apply/redirect to recruiter button.

Completed application forms should be returned by email - contact details in the attached documents or via the apply/redirect to recruiter button 

Closing date:  Sunday 23rd August 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 8th September 2026

The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.

An Occupational Requirement exists for the postholder to be a practising Christian, in accordance with the Equality Act, 2010.

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Living Wage Foundation

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting half a million people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most. 

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies. We are a non-partisan organisation and work with partners across the political spectrum to advance our mission.

Purpose

The Living Wage Foundation is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Media and Communications Manager to join our team for a 12-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive communications professional with a strong background in media relations, public messaging, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will be experienced and confident in working to tight deadlines, responding to last-minute changes, and prioritising competing demands in a high-profile environment. They will be motivated to amplify the Living Wage Foundation’s mission of tackling low pay and insecure work.

The postholder will lead all media, messaging, and external affairs work, developing and implementing a proactive media strategy that supports our mission and key campaigns, such as Living Wage Week and the annual Rates announcement. As a skilled media professional, you will oversee all communications outputs, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment, while delivering media training and refining key messaging to maximise reach and impact. 

In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing our political engagement efforts, building cross-party support and working with political leaders, mayoral teams, and other key stakeholders to promote our initiatives. You’ll manage two direct reports (Events Manager and Media Manager) who each hold line management responsibilities, and you will play a critical role within our Senior Management Team, collaborating closely with the Head of Communications to shape the overall direction of our communications work. This role will work closely with Citizens UK colleagues, including the Citizens UK communications team on cross-organisational priorities.  You will report to the Head of Communications.

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for managing and allocating part of the communications team budget, expanding team capacity, and driving the team’s effectiveness. In collaboration with other senior managers, you will help foster a culture that values creativity, innovation, and strategic impact.

Main Responsibilities

Contribute to CUK mission and its strategic objectives:

• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s media strategy, ensuring it aligns with broader organisational, communications, and campaign goals, and establish clear processes for evaluating its success.

• Work alongside other Senior Managers across Citizens UK on cross-organisational activity including through the Senior Management Group

• Support the Living Wage Foundation’s Political Engagement Strategy by building and sustaining cross-party support for the organisation’s mission and objectives.

Situational awareness and research:

• Lead regular updates on key audiences, tracking positions on issues of interest and ensuring the team is fully informed.

• Guide the team in proactive media monitoring, enabling timely responses to significant developments.

• Collaborate with the Senior Research Manager to conduct and commission impactful research, driving media campaigns that effectively reach and engage target audiences.

Strategy development:

• Work alongside other Senior Managers in the Communications Team to shape and guide the overall communications strategy.

Lead on all media and messaging outputs, including developing high-quality materials, coordinating media events, and delivering media training.

Reputational & risk management:

• Develop and manage the organisation’s risk register, offering strategic oversight and serving as a primary contact for crisis communications.

• Manage and respond to reactive media enquiries promptly, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s values and objectives.

• Draft key messages and FAQs for media interviews and public responses, and advise senior leadership on sensitive media or reputational issues.

• Represent the Living Wage Foundation effectively in senior stakeholder interactions and participate in out-of-hours press duties when needed.

Materials development and dissemination:

• Oversee the Media Team in producing engaging press releases, blogs, opinion pieces, and media briefings to elevate the Living Wage Foundation’s profile and the voices of workers and employers within the Living Wage movement.

• Ensure media outputs and communications reflect the organisation’s values and uphold a consistent voice.

• Create and refine key messaging for public communications, including FAQs and response guides.

Social media and website

• Ensure consistency in messaging and alignment across all media and digital platforms in collaboration with the wider communications team.

External relationships (including media and press)

• Lead employer case study development, identifying and preparing Living Wage employers to speak to media and champion a real Living Wage.

• Drive stakeholder engagement efforts, cultivating valuable relationships with Living Wage employers, campaign partners, and media contacts.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists across print, digital, and broadcast media to secure quality coverage.

• Collaborate with the Public Engagement Team to draft emails, speeches, speaker notes, briefings, and press notices for political engagements.

• Strengthen and maintain broad cross-party support for the Living Wage agenda.

Campaign & events management

• Provide a link between Events team and Senior Leadership Team to ensure efficient decision-making around key events.

• Lead on media and messaging elements of agreed comms-led campaigns.

Internal comms & knowledge management

• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive press database, mapping key media contacts and publications in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s objectives.

Internal relationships

• Work closely with the Senior Digital and Communications Manager to guide and oversee team initiatives.

• Provide line management and development support to the Media Manager and Events Manager.

Learning, expertise & DEI

• Lead media training sessions for LWF staff and Living Wage employers, enhancing their confidence and effectiveness in media engagements.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the LWF and Citizens UK, including communications and DEI teams, to develop and implement ethical storytelling practices, ensuring lived experience is represented responsibly, inclusively, and in line with organisational guidance.

• Contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.

• Ensure accessibility is embedded across communications and events, working with relevant teams to implement best practice and organisational guidance.

Person Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Experience

· Proven experience and a strong understanding of the UK media landscape, with experience building relationships with journalists and securing high-quality media coverage. (E)

· Experience in line managing and leading a team. (E)

· Demonstrated experience in managing sensitive reputational issues, including risk assessment and crisis communications. (E)

· Skilled in leveraging real-life stories and case studies to drive engagement, including experience in leading media training for spokespeople. (E)

· Strong track record in designing and executing high-impact communications strategies that achieve measurable results. (E)

· Experience of working collaboratively across teams and influencing senior stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. (E)

· Experience of working with a range of voices and perspectives, including community, worker or lived experience storytelling. (D)

Key skills and knowledge

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce and edit clear, engaging content suitable for media, digital and public audiences. (E)

• Competence in using social media platforms to engage audiences effectively, understanding their role in broader media strategies. (D)

• Proficiency in evaluating campaigns and media outputs, with the ability to derive insights that inform future strategies. (E)

• Strong interpersonal skills for building effective relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, including political audiences. (E)

• Solid understanding of the political landscape and public affairs, with experience engaging cross-party stakeholders (E).

Personal qualities & values

• An enthusiasm for media and communications, coupled with a strong commitment to the mission of the Living Wage Foundation. (E)

• Ability to lead, support and develop high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment. (E)

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to communicate responsibly and ethically about lived experience. (E)

About the application process

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be held 17th and 18th August.

ID: 1826 Service Manager

Service: Wigan Crisis Space

Salary: Starting at £37,211 and rising to £41,518 FTE per annum

Location: Wigan Crisis Space

Hours: 37 hours per week (full-time) – flexible across the week, hours will include some weekend and evening work

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the service delivery our Wigan Crisis Space that operates in Wigan town centre. The service operates from 3pm – 10pm , 7 days per week. There is an expectation that the post holder will work flexibly to meet the needs of the service. Please see Job Description for additional information.

The Wigan Crisis Space forms part of the Greater Manchester VCSE crisis pathway, we are non- clinical alternative to A&E. The focus of our work is to offer timely support to adults who are experiencing mental and emotional distress and suicide ideation. The Crisis Space is an out of hours service that creates a safe space for adults to access timely compassionate support from trained recovery workers.

The Service Manager will have responsibility to line manage two Team Leaders, and overall leadership for the staff team working within the service. We are looking for a values driven leader who can work closely with the Operational Manager to support and develop the service to increase our reach to adults who are experiencing a MH crisis.

Main Responsibilities:

· working within the Wigan Crisis Space to provide leadership and management to the staff team to ensure the delivery of a safe, effective and appropriate service to adults living within the Borough of Wigan

· ensuring that the service is integrated, comprehensive and makes a difference to people using it, with clear focus on improving mental and emotional health and wellbeing and social outcomes meaning that people will be healthier, safer, happier, more resilient, more independent and better able to enjoy life opportunities.

· Facilitating opportunities for staff, volunteers and people who use the service to contribute to the ongoing development of the Crisis Space by sharing learning, listening and sharing and responding to feedback and by using the feedback from this to create and implement a continuous development plan

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Experience of managing and leading teams within health, social care, voluntary sector or community-based services, including supervision, performance management and staff development.

· Experience of working with adults experiencing mental health challenges, including safeguarding, risk management, partnership working and achieving positive service outcomes

· Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence and ability to present and communicate information effectively both in person and using a range of mediums to internal and external stakeholders, adults, children, young people and funders.

·Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays / of 30 working days plus bank holiday pro rata

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· Click the “Redirect to Recruiter” link above and fill out our digital application form

· Closing Date: 7th August 2026 at 5pm

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email Rita Croome.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community / particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.

All candidates with a disability are welcome to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and request priority consideration for an interview, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. 

To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person. 

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.