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Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Who we are
We are OUTpatients, the UK’s LGBTIQ+ cancer charity. Proudly led by and for our community, we are here to shake up the system, advocate for equity, and stand up for every LGBTIQ+ person affected by cancer. Our passion to support others is born out of personal experience; we understand what it’s like to not see yourself reflected in the services you use, and feel like you are left in the margins at a time when you most need personalised support. That is why we host peer support, educate healthcare professionals and help to shape national policy so that nobody has to go through cancer alone.
The position
The Chief Operating Officer is one of three new senior leadership roles we're creating alongside our CEO, the first time OUTpatients has built a leadership team of this kind. It's a genuine opportunity to shape how a fast-growing charity operates, not simply maintain what already exists.
You'll be the CEO's key partner in turning our five-year strategy into a well-run, sustainable organisation: leading a team of six, taking ownership of our finances, risk and governance, and building the systems and structures that let our small, passionate team deliver more, safely and well.
Working closely with our incoming Head of Fundraising & Business Development and Chief Medical Officer, and deputising for the CEO when needed, your work will directly shape how many more LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer we're able to reach.
To learn more about the role, please read the attached Job Description.
We exist to improve the experiences and outcomes of LGBTIQ+ people living with and beyond cancer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are recruiting for a Philanthropy Manager to join our team in London; the scope on this job involves….
Job Title: Philanthropy Manager
Location: Hybrid working with the requirement to work from our Head Office and to attend meetings, events and networking opportunities in London and other locations as required.
Salary: £45,529.83 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5
This is an exciting time to join Refuge, as we grow our philanthropy programme and expand support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. As Philanthropy Manager, you'll lead relationships with major donors and trusts and foundations, securing significant funding that directly supports life-changing services and campaigns. With flexible hybrid working, a genuinely collaborative culture and ambitious plans for growth, this is an opportunity to make a real impact while developing your career.
You'll manage and grow a portfolio of high-value supporters, develop compelling funding proposals and reports, identify new funding opportunities, and contribute to a growing programme of supporter engagement opportunities. We're looking for an experienced fundraiser with a track record of securing high-value gifts, excellent relationship-building skills, and the confidence to spot opportunities and turn them into long-term partnerships.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape a growing area of fundraising within one of the UK's leading charities. You'll benefit from genuine flexibility, exposure to senior stakeholders, excellent development opportunities, and the chance to see the direct impact of your work while helping to create a future free from domestic abuse.
Closing Date: 9.00am on 21 September 2026
Interview Date:
Stage one: 29 September 2026 (Virtual)
Stage two: 5 October (in person at our Head Office, in Vauxhall, London)
Benefits
Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Based: Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Hours: Full-time
Contract: One-year fixed-term contract
Salary: £30,000 - £47,395 gross per annum. Plunkett UK operates broad salary bands that accommodate roles at different levels of experience and responsibility. Starting salary will be determined according to the successful candidate's skills, experience and fit for the role.
About Us
Plunkett UK is a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run successful community-owned businesses. These businesses, from shops and pubs to woodlands and farms, provide vital services, create local jobs, strengthen rural economies and bring people together. We've championed community ownership for over 100 years because it delivers thriving, inclusive and resilient places.
About the Role
Plunkett UK is looking for a Corporate Partnerships Manager to help grow our corporate partnerships programme and generate income that supports resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities across the UK.
Working closely with and reporting to the Corporate Partnerships Lead, you'll support the development of corporate partnerships, sponsorships and business relationships, helping to identify new opportunities, develop proposals and manage partner relationships. You'll help maintain a strong pipeline of prospects and ensure partners receive excellent support throughout their relationship with Plunkett.
This role is ideal for someone with experience or a strong interest in partnerships, fundraising, account management, sales or business development. You'll be organised, proactive and confident building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
The successful candidate should have the following experience:
Join Plunkett UK and help develop partnerships that strengthen community-owned businesses and create lasting impact in rural communities.
Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 12 October
Interview date: w/c 19 October at our offices in Woodstock
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and our approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and we believe that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into account. Additionally, the makeup of the rural communities we work with leads to their own particular diversity and exclusion challenges and opportunities compared to urban areas. Our commitment to EDI, both internally and externally, has been tailored to Plunkett and the communities we serve.
No agencies please.
Saferworld is seeking an experienced Programme Development Manager to join our Funding & Programme Development Team. The Programme Development Manager will support a portfolio of Saferworld’s teams in co-designing and mobilising funding for peace, security and justice programmes alongside Saferworld’s partners. The successful applicant will have a focus of 3-4 countries, which will be decided based on the candidate’s experience and preference. Working closely with Regional Directors, Country Managers, and programme and grant management colleagues, the post-holder will lead on: coordinating and facilitating programme co-design processes (including taking the lead in facilitating co-design, processes, drafting high quality concept notes and proposals, theories of change, logical models, risk matrixes and budgets); developing and supporting the implementation of long-term country funding strategies; and supporting new donor engagement and sustaining relationships with current donors. The post-holder will be responsible for managing funding portfolios across institutional and non-institutional donors in our programmes.
The post-holder will have a successful track record in developing programmes and leading new business development efforts with institutional donors such as Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the European Union (EU), UN agencies and European Governments such as Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Additional experience in mobilising resource from trusts and foundations and other non-traditional funding mechanisms is desirable.
Strong applicants will have proven programme experience, such as in project management or programme support, which equips them to lead and inform high-quality programme design. They will be skilled in coordinating complex processes, facilitating participatory co-creation with partners, and ensuring proposals are robust, contextually relevant, and strategically aligned.
Preventing Violent Conflict, Building Safer Lives



Hours: Part Time, 21 hours per week
Interviews: 14th & 15th October 2026
Employer: King's Trust International (not The King's Trust)
Help to shape programmes that create brighter futures for young people around the world. The King’s Trust International is looking for an inspiring Head of Programme Development to lead the creation of high-quality, evidence-informed and scalable programme models that help young people learn, earn and thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to support our programme design and content team in translating ambitious long-term strategy into practical programme models, curricula, tools and guidance that can make an impact across diverse global contexts. You will lead a talented team of specialists and work across the organisation to champion innovation, inclusion, safeguarding and impact. This permanent, part-time role is 21 hours per week and is London-based, with hybrid working and an expectation that at least 50% of contracted hours are spent in the office.
What you will do
What we are looking for
You will bring strong programme development expertise, sound judgement and a track record of turning strategy into practical, adaptable approaches. You will understand how evidence, safeguarding and inclusion shape excellent programme design, you will be confident working across both online and offline delivery and you will be able to evidence significant experience working with partners across international or multi-country contexts. With a strong track record of leading and developing teams, you will create clarity, build alignment and enable others to do their best work. Above all, you will share our commitment to putting young people at the centre and creating meaningful, sustainable impact.
Perks for working at The King’s Trust International:
We believe that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or the challenges they are facing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Leprosy Mission Great Britain (TLMGB) is the world's largest leprosy-focused charity, working across nine countries across Africa and Asia to defeat leprosy and transform lives. TLMGB's vision is “leprosy defeated, lives transformed” meaning a world with zero transmission, zero disability and zero discrimination.
We are looking for a relationship-driven Senior Partnerships Executive to join TLMGB's Fundraising Team. Reporting to the Partnerships Manager, you'll build meaningful relationships with major donors, create compelling proposals and stewardship plans, and inspire supporters to deepen their engagement with TLMGB's mission and impact.
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a Christ-centred, welcoming and supportive team that genuinely enjoys working together. TLMGB has a strong culture of learning, development and collaboration, offering extensive training in fundraising and international development to help colleagues grow and thrive. The charity is proud of its award-winning levels of staff engagement and has been recognised with Charity Times and Third Sector awards, reflecting its commitment to both its people and its mission.
Why work for The Leprosy Mission Great Britain?
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and a Work Health Questionnaire.
For further details please have a look at the candidate pack.
For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement.
Location: Hybrid – Peterborough office 2 days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday), up to 3 days home working with travel nationally and abroad
Closing date: Sunday 20th September
Applications are being reviewed on receipt and initial interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Final in-person interviews in Peterborough: Friday 2nd October
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practising Christian.
About the role
In this busy role, you’ll assist in the delivery of legacy marketing campaigns
channels across a range of channels, including digital, telemarketing, legacy events and direct mail, and help to promote gifts in wills to internal audiences too. You’ll be allocated your own campaigns to project manage and you’ll monitor income, expenditure and KPI’s for all activity.
You’ll provide support for the administration of gifts in wills, including managing both legacy enquiries and legacy notifications, ensuring these are handled efficiently and to agreed timescales. This is a great role within a growing legacy program that will build your legacy and direct marketing skills and give you plenty of opportunity for development.
With combined individual giving income growing strongly and expected to reach £31 million in 2026-27, this is the perfect time to join an experienced and effective individual giving team.
About you
You’ll have some experience of working in a similar environment such as fundraising, marketing, sales or customer services, or have experience of managing your own projects.
You enjoy the variety of working on campaigns across a range of channels seeing
the results of your work. As a well-organised person with great communication
skills, you’ll be at ease liaising with external suppliers and in-house stakeholders across the charity to support the delivery of legacy marketing campaigns. Your close attention to detail will ensure accuracy with campaign reports, record keeping and invoice processing. And you’ll be able to use your excellent writing skills to craft copy that inspires both internal and external audiences about gifts in wills.
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.
The salary range is:
£26,936 to £28,000 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. 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 Wednesday 30 September 2026 11:59 pm
Interview date Week commencing12 October 2026
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Contract: Permanent, Full Time (40 hours per week) or 0.8 FTE
Location: Cobham, Surrey (2-3 days per week onsite)
Closing date: 12th October
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, generous pension contribution (13.5% employer contribution), free school lunches during term time, health cash plan and wellbeing support.
We have a great opportunity for a Grants Manager (Trusts and Foundations) working for a classical music school in Surrey, one of the world's leading specialist music schools, dedicated to nurturing exceptionally talented young musicians from around the globe. The School ensures that places are awarded based on talent, potential and passion rather than financial means. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, this is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a well-established trusts and foundations programme and play a key role in securing the long-term sustainability of an internationally respected organisation.
As part of this exciting role, you will lead on the full grants lifecycle, from prospect research and identifying new funding opportunities through to proposal writing, stewardship and reporting. You will manage relationships with a portfolio of trusts and foundations, develop compelling cases for support, contribute to the School's fundraising strategy, and work closely with colleagues across the organisation to identify and package fundable projects. The role offers the opportunity to secure significant multi-year funding partnerships and support transformational initiatives, including the School's future development plans and campaigns.
To be successful as the Grants Manager (Trusts and Foundations), you will need:
If you would like to discuss this role with us please email your CV or contact us and quote the reference 3098HB.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Are you a proactive and detail-oriented finance professional, with experience of charity accounting and a customer-focused approach? Do you take pride in ensuring income is accurately recorded and reported and enjoy working with data? The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is seeking a Finance Officer (Income) to play a key role within our Finance team, helping to ensure the Charity's income is managed accurately and efficiently.
About the Role: The Finance Officer (Income) is a vital member of the Finance team, responsible for the accurate accounting, reconciliation, and reporting of the Charity's diverse income streams. You will manage the monthly income reconciliation process, prepare income journals, support Gift Aid accounting, and work closely with colleagues across Finance, Data and Fundraising teams to ensure income is recorded correctly and allocated to the appropriate funds and appeals.
The role offers the opportunity to gain broad experience across charity finance, including income accounting, fund accounting, Gift Aid, audit support, and financial controls. You will contribute to maintaining robust financial processes and help ensure the Charity can maximise the impact of every donation received.
Why Join Us? The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supports one of the world’s leading cancer centres, funding ground-breaking research, cutting-edge equipment, and extraordinary patient care. We’ve exceeded our fundraising goals in recent years and aim to raise at least £215 million during our current five-year strategic period.
This is an exciting opportunity to further strengthen and develop the Finance function so it is well positioned to support the Charity through its five-year strategy, while playing a meaningful role in improving the lives of people living with cancer.
Ideal Candidate: You will have experience working within a finance team and be working towards a finance qualification, with strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail. You will be comfortable working with large volumes of financial data, performing reconciliations, and investigating discrepancies.
You will bring strong Excel skills, a proactive and collaborative approach, and the ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines. Experience supporting audit or year-end processes and working with financial systems is essential. Above all, you will be committed to RMCC's purpose and values and motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
What We Offer
· 27 days annual leave + bank holidays
· Generous pension scheme with up to 6% employer contribution (increasing to 8% after two years of employment)
· Flexible working options
· Study support for accountancy exams
· Life insurance, employee assistance programme, shopping and other discount schemes and more
· Bright, modern offices in Chelsea and Sutton with subsidised canteens
Inclusion Matters
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life.
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter of no more than 2 pages via CharityJob.
Closing date: Monday 21st September 2026 (11.30pm)
Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Spear
Spear is a national youth employment charity. The award-winning Spear Programme was launched over 20 years ago, and is now running in 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in work and life.
Please see the 'Work with us’ pack for more information.
About the role
We're looking for an ambitious, proactive and relationship-driven individual who excels at securing strategic, long-term corporate partnerships that drive the growth and impact of Spear. Joining our dynamic and growing Corporate Partnerships team, you will play a key role in developing and stewarding high-value partnerships that generate significant income and enable Spear to reach more young people facing barriers to employment.
This role is ideal for someone with strong business development and relationship management skills, who enjoys working both strategically and hands-on to generate income, develop compelling partnership opportunities and build lasting relationships with corporate supporters.
Key Information
If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.
Person Specification
Faith Expressions
Spear is a Christian charity, working in a range of settings, in partnership with people from all faiths and none. Although the Spear programme itself has no faith element, Our Christian faith underpins everything we do; it motivates and sustains us and is core to our mission. Prayer and worship are embedded into our daily working practises, and all staff are required to lead a team prayer meeting from time to time. As such, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for our team to be practising Christians – our team share a belief in a triune God and we welcome applications from people of all denominations and expressions of Christianity.
Spear is a dynamic, growing youth employment charity that coaches young people to overcome barriers and thrive in work and life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re looking for an experienced fundraiser to join World Cities Culture Forum as a key senior leader in the team. You will build strong momentum and lead income generation from international foundations, philanthropic partnerships, and corporate sponsorship. You will work collaboratively to expand existing initiatives and develop new offerings.
This is an exciting opportunity for a self-starter who thrives on building relationships with international funders, shaping strategy for a growing charity, and representing the World Cities Culture Forum externally across our global network of 50 cities.
World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network of over 40 creative cities, placing culture at the heart of city planning and investment.
Senior Individual Giving & Campaigns Manager (Maternity Cover)
YoungMinds
Hybrid, London Bridge (1-2 days per week)
£50,898 - £56,554 per annum
Fixed-term, full-time contract: October 2026 to October 2027 (35 hours pw)
Every day, thousands of young people across the UK struggle with their mental health. Too many are left waiting for support until they reach crisis point.
At YoungMinds, we're leading the movement to change that. We amplify young people's voices, provide practical support and campaign for a future where no young person feels alone with their mental health. This work is only possible because of the incredible community of supporters who stand alongside us.
We're now looking for an experienced and ambitious fundraising leader to join us as Senior Individual Giving & Campaigns Manager on a maternity cover contract and help drive the next stage of growth in our flagship mass market and individual giving activity.
The opportunity
This is an exciting leadership role at the heart of our Public Fundraising team.
You'll lead and inspire a talented team responsible for growing income through mass market fundraising, individual giving and high-profile campaigns, including our flagship campaign, #HelloYellow which engages thousands of individuals, schools, communities and organisations across the UK to raise funds and wear yellow in solidarity for young people's mental health.
You'll develop and deliver strategies that attract new supporters, deepen engagement, increase donor loyalty and grow sustainable income. Combining creativity with a data-led approach, you'll identify new opportunities, test innovative fundraising products, and ensure every supporter enjoys an exceptional experience as part of the YoungMinds movement.
This is a role for someone who thrives on growth, innovation and impact.
What you'll be doing
About you
You'll bring significant experience of leading successful individual giving, direct marketing or public fundraising programmes and a track record of delivering growth.
We're particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate:
Working effectively and collaboratively as part of cross-functional project teams
Why join YoungMinds?
This is a chance to join one of the UK's most influential charities and play a key role in helping young people get the mental health support they need. With 1-5 young people experiencing a probably mental health condition in the UK today, there has never been a more important time to lend your experience and skills to a cause that matters to so many.
You'll be part of an experienced, multi disciplined, fundraising team that is friendly, supportive and collaborative, with a strong commitment to working together to achieve impact. We work hard but like to have fun while we do it.
You'll also be joining a values-led organisation that puts young people's voices at the centre of everything it does, encourages innovation, supports flexible working and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
And at YoungMinds, we believe every young person deserves mental health support when they need it - no matter what. But not all young people have equal access to help. That's why (AJEDI) Anti-Racism, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is central to everything we do. It guides how we operate, support our people, and serve young people. We are committed to anti discriminatory policies and practices. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Apply now
If you're an experienced individual giving expert with the vision, creativity and ambition to grow income and supporter engagement at scale, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to Philippa at Charity People.
You will also be asked to complete an anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion task as part of your application.
Key Dates
Closing date: 9am Monday 21 September
Interviews: in person Tues 29 September
Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background including age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
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.
For more information, please download the Information Pack. For an informal conversation about the role, please email recruitment in
the first instance.
To Apply:
Please email recruitment with your CV and a written statement explaining how you meet the person specification and what you will bring to Thrive.
Closing date for applications: Friday 25 September 2026.
First Stage Interviews: Tuesday 6 October. Second Interviews will be scheduled for the following week.
About School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.
The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.
90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.
Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.
We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.
“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”
- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO
The Role
The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.
Strategy and Direction
● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador
● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team
● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals
● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan
Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact
● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people
● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention
● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement
Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations
● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events
● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile
Leading People, Culture and Operations
● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team
● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values
● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence
Governance and the Board
● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees
● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting
● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements
About You
Essential
● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees
● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative
● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams
● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors
● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level
● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery
● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable
● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds
● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience
● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape
● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities
Personal Attributes
● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage
● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks
● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it
Terms of Appointment
Contract type
Full-time, permanent
Location
Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff
Salary
£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP
Reports to
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Direct reports
Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations
Travel
Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events
Trustee meetings
Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.