Head of communications jobs

As Head of Partnerships & Income Development you will own the development and delivery of the SMF’s income generation strategy so that we can raise the funds and build the partnerships we need to meet our ambitions.

Location: Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester or Newcastle. We operate a hybrid model of work i.e. a combination of in-person and remote, with flexible days in the office depending on business need and your preferences. We would typically expect in-office attendance an average of one day per week.

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: We are looking for the right candidate and while we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) we are open to flexible working arrangements such as part-time, compressed hours, flexitime and job-shares. Occasional/frequent evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fundraising strategy and leadership

• Set and implement a robust income generation strategy to enable the SMF to achieve its strategic ambitions, setting targets, monitoring and reporting on income performance and supporting accurate forecasts and projections
• Lead a culture of excellent fundraising and relationship management across the SMF and ensure the right resources, systems and skills are in place to support all staff that hold funding relationships
• Represent the SMF externally with funders, partners and other stakeholders, seeking opportunities to increase our network and build our influence and reputation as an effective charity partner 
• Work with the Head of Finance and Operations to ensure strong processes to support income generation including income forecasts, budgets and partnership reports and records  

 2. Corporate Partnerships 

• Oversee the SMF’s portfolio of corporate partnerships including strategic partnerships and partnerships focused on enabling and enhancing our student programmes
• Manage individual high value corporate partnerships and ensure excellent stewardship of all our corporate partnerships
• Oversee the development of compelling cases for support and a robust new business pipeline for corporate partnerships 
• Oversee our corporate volunteering offer including employee volunteering with our student programmes and skilled volunteering/pro bono support

3. Business development 

• Oversee the delivery and development of the Social Mobility Employer Index  
• Oversee the design and development of other products and services for employers through which the SMF can earn income and influence workplace social mobility 

4. Trusts and foundations 

• Oversee the SMF’s relationships with trusts and foundations, building a strong long-term funding pipeline  
• Build and manage relationships with key trusts and foundations

5. Philanthropy and individual giving   

• Oversee the development of our supporter community and opportunities for individual giving and fundraising through challenge events 
• Identify opportunities to build philanthropic relationships with individual donors and supporters

6. Leadership and management 

• Manage, motivate and develop the team, setting team and individual goals and evaluating performance, coaching and motivating staff and supporting professional development and staff wellbeing 
• Lead across the organisation, fostering a collaborative and high performance culture and modelling the SMF’s leadership behaviours 
• Work with the CEO and the rest of the SMT to shape the SMF’s strategic priorities, set the annual business plan, budget and key projects, and monitor delivery and performance

Please see full job description attached for more details. 

Person Specification:

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below: 

1.  Leadership
2.  Communication
3.  Adaptability
4.  Professionalism 
5.  Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

• Experience in managing a significant funding portfolio, stewarding and developing partnerships and ensuring effective account management
• Experience in securing funding, including scoping opportunities and prospects, setting targets and building a pipeline, and shaping proposals 
• Confident in representing the SMF externally and engaging with senior stakeholders 
• Able to motivate, develop and inspire a team and ensure that high standards of performance and behaviours are maintained 
• Ability to develop and manage budgets and forecasts, team and individual income targets and monitor income performance 
• Familiar with using a CRM as a tool for partnership and income development

See attached job description for more detail on the person specification

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom. 
• Some travel will be required as part of this role to other offices and locations, as needed for events, work placements and meetings. 

Benefits

• 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website by 23:59, Tuesday 28th April 2026 and provide the following information:

1) A recent work history, detailing:
       i.     Job title
       ii.    Employer
       iii.   Dates of employment/Period in post

2) A cover letter detailing your skills and experience, with reference to the key responsibilities and person specification for the role (750 words max.)

3) Give an example of an important funding relationship you have secured or grown, and explain how you identified the opportunity, what you did, and what were the outcomes and benefits (800 words max.)

Who are Guts UK Charity?

Guts UK Charity is committed to a world where digestive conditions are better understood, better treated and everyone who lives with one gets the support they need. Too many people are suffering or dying in silence or alone. They don’t know where to turn for information or support, diagnosis takes too long for many, and treatment can often come too late.​

We are the only UK charity that covers the entire digestive system. We raise vital awareness of digestive conditions, fund life-saving research, and provide patients and loved ones with expert information and support – we are informed by evidence and expertise, our community, and the patient voice.​ 

Our mission is simple: to improve the lives of millions of people affected by digestive conditions 

The role of Interim Head of Fundraising

This is an exciting interim (9-12 month) opportunity for a strategic and people focused leader to head up our Fundraising team and help drive meaningful change for people affected by digestive conditions.

This role is primarily focused on strengthening and scaling voluntary income and leading our fundraising team and activities.  The postholder will also shape the future fundraising operating model and support a smooth transition to a permanent fundraising lead.

​You’ll be responsible for leading our small and growing fundraising team delivering exceptional supporter care, ensuring high quality service and operational delivery.  With our Chief Executive, you'll develop and implement strategies to support fundraising growth, team performance, and supporter engagement and satisfaction.  You'll work collaboratively across the charity. 

This is a hands-on role suited to a highly experienced fundraising lead who enjoys working with a growing and developing charity.

Hours & Salary range

We are looking for someone to work full-time, or a minimum of 4 days (or 30 hrs) per week. We will consider self-employed candidates for the role but this is subject to appropriate experience. Please stipulate clearly in your covering letter if you are applying on this basis.

Salary range is £65 - £68k (+£2k London weighting) to be calculated pro-rata for anyone looking to work reduced hours. Salary offers will be based on experience. 

Location

We have offices in London and Huddersfield, both of which are easily accessible by public transport or road. We support hybrid working but attendance in the chosen office is required for a minimum of 1 day per week.

Please see the attached detail job pack for further information and how to apply. 

PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be reviewed, and candidates invited to interview, on a rolling basis. We will close the advert once a suitable candidate has been identified. 

Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Their vision is a world where everyone has equal access to clean air, water, and energy; where the nature we love is protected, precious habitats are restored and communities are united by ambitious climate action.

The Key Relationships programme sits at the heart of Greenpeace UK’s fundraising, securing the philanthropic investment that powers its campaigning work. The team raises around £15–16 million annually from major donors, trusts and foundations, and legacies, contributing significantly to the organisation’s wider fundraising income of approximately £37 million.

The Individual Major Gifts programme is a core part of this, driving income from high-value supporters including high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. Sitting within a collaborative structure alongside trusts and foundations, it reflects the increasingly blended nature of donor giving.

We are now seeking a Head of Major Gifts (Individuals) to lead this important area. Reporting to the Deputy Fundraising Director, Key Relationships, you will jointly lead the major gifts function alongside the Head of Major Gifts (Trusts & Foundations), combining strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising. You will jointly lead a team of Major Gifts specialists while personally managing a portfolio of the organisation’s most significant donors, securing six- and seven-figure gifts. You will also lead Greenpeace UK’s contribution to a high-profile global capital campaign to raise €100 million, helping fund a pioneering fossil fuel–free ship and accelerate climate and biodiversity work.

As Head of Major Gifts (Individuals), you will:

• Develop and deliver the major gifts strategy, driving ambitious income growth aligned to UK and global priorities
• Lead Greenpeace UK’s contribution to the €100M Global Capital Campaign, translating global strategy into UK delivery
• Personally cultivate and secure transformational gifts from high-net-worth individuals
• Line manage the Major Gifts Manager and wider team alongside the Head of Trusts & Foundations, creating a high-performing, collaborative and values-led culture
• Oversee pipeline development, prospect research and donor stewardship to ensure sustainable growth
• Work across fundraising, campaigns and communications to develop compelling donor propositions
• Influence senior stakeholders, trustees and international colleagues to maximise major donor engagement
• Manage budgets, performance and reporting, ensuring delivery against ambitious financial targets
• Contribute to the leadership of the wider Key Relationships programme and organisational direction

Essential skills and experience:

• Significant experience in senior-level major gifts fundraising with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from U/HNWIs.
• Experience of leading fundraising strategy and delivering sustained income growth.
• Demonstrated experience of leading, developing, and motivating teams, with a proven track record of achieving high performance.
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders, trustees, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong understanding of international or capital campaign fundraising, with direct experience a distinct advantage.
• Experience of managing budgets and meeting ambitious financial targets.
• Knowledge of, or experience working in, the environmental, climate, or biodiversity sectors is a distinct advantage to enable credible and insightful engagement with expert colleagues, partners and donors

Diversity and Inclusion

Greenpeace UK recognise the value in having a diverse workforce, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunities for all. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from people of all backgrounds.

Applications are particularly encouraged from people of colour, disabled people, and people who identify as working class now or in the past.

Candidates will be selected based on how well they meet the criteria for the role and all applicants will be treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. To find out more, including the many ways that diversity and inclusion is encouraged and promoted at Greenpeace UK, please click here.

Anti-racism and inclusion commitments

Greenpeace UK wants its team to reflect the diversity of the communities it works alongside. It is committed to fairness, inclusion, and challenging discrimination and oppression in all its forms.

The environmental sector still has further to go when it comes to representation. Greenpeace UK has published ambitious race representation targets and, through its Anti Racism Plan, is working proactively to achieve stronger representation of people of colour, particularly within leadership positions.

As part of this commitment, a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) is being piloted. Greenpeace UK aims to offer an interview to everyone who opts into the scheme and meets the essential criteria. Guaranteed interview applications will be processed by QuarterFive and shared only with the Greenpeace UK recruiting manager and HR team.

If you identify as a person of colour and meet the essential criteria for the role, you can choose to opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme - see applicant pack for details.

Employee benefits

• 25 days annual leave for full-time staff, with additional leave accrued according to length of service up to a maximum of 32 days
• Once a month, all Greenpeace staff take an organisational ‘breather’ day where the office closes with no expectations of output on these days
• Office closure normally occurs between Christmas and new year and staff are not required to use annual leave to cover this period
• Employer pension contribution of 8.5% of basic salary, provided employees contribute at least 3%
• Interest free season ticket loan, or a tax efficient bicycle loan
• Life assurance scheme (4 x annual salary)
• Employee Assistance Programme that includes access to free confidential advice with a qualified counsellor

Head of Direct Dialogue
Location: Flexible / Home-based (with regular travel to London and nationwide)
Salary: £65,000
Contract: Permanent

Shelter is leading the movement to defend the right to a safe home, and to win this fight, they are expanding their award-winning income generation team. Shelter is now looking for a strategic and ambitious Head of Direct Dialogue to lead its high-impact face-to-face fundraising programme.

As Head of Direct Dialogue, you will set the vision and strategy for one of Shelter’s most vital acquisition channels. This is a senior leadership role within the Individual Giving team, responsible for managing a £4m investment budget to deliver sustainable, long-term growth across cause-led and lottery products.

Leading a hybrid model of in-house teams and external agencies, you will oversee the end-to-end delivery of campaigns that inspire thousands of new supporters. You will be a highly visible leader, spending time in the field to support non-desk-based teams while ensuring the highest standards of compliance, risk management, and supporter experience. This is an opportunity to innovate, using data-driven insights to optimise supporter journeys and embed direct dialogue expertise within the wider mobilisation plans.

Shelter is looking for a commercial and entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience in large-scale direct dialogue campaigns. You will bring:

• Strategic Expertise: A proven track record of leading complex fundraising programmes across in-house and agency channels.
• Contract Management: Experience managing high-value partnerships (£1.5m+) with the ability to negotiate and drive high performance.
• Analytical Thinking: A data-led approach to budget modelling, forecasting and scenario planning in evolving environments.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Code of Fundraising Practice and Gambling Commission regulations.
• Inclusive Leadership: A commitment to diversity and the ability to foster an equitable, high-performing team culture where people can be their authentic selves.

For further information on the role and how to apply, please download the Candidate Pack.
 

Closing date: Monday 4th May, 9am

12 Month Fixed Term Contract | Full Time | Circa £45,000+

Excellent Benefits

Location: London

Make a Difference Every Day

For more than 100 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting the RAF Family. We are a key partner in the Royal Air Force’s mission to look after its people during and after service, ensuring that this service is valued, recognised, and people are supported even when uniforms are eventually shed. We are a national charity with international reach, delivering emotional, financial and practical support wherever and whenever it is needed. Each year, our vital services and support continued to help those serving, families, veterans, and the bereaved, in 30 other countries and in 2024 more than 64,000 people benefitted from the charity’s work.

As an organisation, we encourage learning and development and there will be ample opportunity to learn more about the Royal Air Force, the broad impact of the Fund’s work as well as developing your own skillset. 

Do you want to play a part in what we do?

People are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we:

• Provide personalised support to members of the RAF Family – listening carefully, offering guidance, and tailoring our services to individual circumstances so no one is left behind.
• Improve quality of life for serving and former RAF personnel and their families through life-changing financial assistance, housing support, and help with essential living costs.
• Increase independence by enabling members of the RAF Family to live life on their own terms, whether through mobility equipment or housing adaptations.
• Enhance wellbeing for those who serve and have served, and their families, through mental health and emotional support, youth programmes, and restorative respite and holiday breaks.

About the Role

We are looking for a strategic and driven PR Manager who can lead the delivery of impactful, insight-led communications that raise the profile and reputation of the RAF Benevolent Fund. You will bring strong experience in developing and executing multi-channel PR campaigns, building media relationships, and delivering compelling storytelling that demonstrates real impact. Confident operating at both a strategic and operational level, you will work collaboratively across teams to align PR activity with fundraising, welfare, and organisational priorities, while managing reactive media, reputation, and crisis communications with sound judgement. With experience of reporting on performance and leading others, you will play a key role in strengthening our brand, driving engagement, and ensuring consistent, high-quality communications across all channels.

Additional Information

· Standard DBS check

· Must have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply
Click [here] to submit your CV and a cover letter explaining why you’re the perfect fit, including examples of how you meet the job profile.

Closing Date: Tuesday 28th April 2026, 5:00pm.

A copy of the Fund’s Candidate Privacy Notice can be found on our website. As an equal opportunities employer, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. The Fund takes safeguarding seriously, and appropriate background checks will be completed. You can find out more about our commitment to safeguarding on our website.

The RAF Benevolent Fund follows Safer Recruitment practices as it strives to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with the Fund will be protected from harm. The successful candidate for this role will need to be Standard DBS checked and prove they have the right to work in the UK. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Fund.

 

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is a Registered Charity (No. 1081009).

About us

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. 

The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.

About the role

We’re looking for a senior digital marketing manager – email to jointly lead our team as part of a job share to deliver high performing email campaigns and automations to support the charity’s activity. Working closely together with the other senior digital marketing manager – email, you’ll work across large email projects and campaigns, support the team’s workload and priorities, and create processes to best support their success.

Line managing 2 digital marketing officer email roles, you’ll support their development and contribute to our email strategy together with the head of digital engagement.

Working with the senior manager, marketing and communications planning and measurement (owned earned shared paid channels) you’ll be a key part of shaping and ensuring consistency across all our channels.

About you

You’ll have substantial email experience and knowledge, being confident creating and optimizing complex automations alongside managing relationships with email platforms.

You’ll be passionate about delivering the best experience and engagement with email and understand best practices and the importance of data and testing.

You’ll be well organised and have strong prioritisation and communication skills, working across the organization on a diverse range of campaigns and projects.

Job description and benefits

Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.

Location, hybrid working and salary range

This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 2.5 days per week at home, and 1 day in the office per week.

The salary range is:

£32,900 to £34,300 per annum based in London

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 contact the Breast Cancer Now recruitment team.

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 Tuesday 5 May 2026 9 am

Interview date week commencing 18 May 2026

Head of HR
Looking to give back to the community or step into a meaningful part‑time role as you approach retirement? We’re Herefordshire Mind your local mental health charity with around 50 staff, and we’re seeking an experienced Head of HR to provide supportive, hands‑on guidance in just 8 hours per week.

About the Role

• Lead HR advice for managers and the CEO
• Oversee policies, recruitment, onboarding, and ER matters
• Support wellbeing, culture and mental‑health‑informed practice
• Hybrid, flexible working

About You

• CIPD Level 5+ or equivalent HR experience
• Confident, compassionate, and able to work independently
• Passionate about making a positive community impact

Perfect for someone wanting to use their expertise in a rewarding, flexible role.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for more information.

Applications will close on the 8th of May. 
Interviews will take place in 18th of May.

The National Youth Orchestra is the UK’s leading organisation championing orchestral music as a powerful agent for teenage development.

We are a welcoming community where every teenager can play their part in shaping their world through extraordinary music. Every year we welcome over 10,000 teenagers of all backgrounds and different levels of musical ability into a national community to play and share orchestral music.

We are looking for a Head of NYO Schools to lead the development of NYO’s overall programme offer for schools, with an initial focus on Catalyst, our flagship new schools programme. This is a key strategic role within NYO’s Engagement team and will play a major part in shaping a scalable model that supports schools to create vibrant musical communities for teenagers. You will lead the design and delivery of activity including school residencies, teacher CPD, creative resources, alumni training and celebratory events, while helping shape the future direction of NYO’s wider schools offer.

This role will suit someone who combines strong programme development and leadership experience with excellent relationship-building skills, a thorough understanding of the mainstream secondary education sector, and a commitment to inclusion, youth-centred practice and safeguarding. You will be motivated by creating meaningful opportunities for young people, teachers and early career alumni through music, and able to translate strategic vision into high-quality delivery. 

At the National Youth Orchestra, you'll work as part of a supportive, friendly and adventurous staff team. Learning and personal growth are intrinsic to every role. Our offices near Holborn in central London are a hive of activity, a space for collaboration and ideas. Hybrid working is standard for most roles, with a flexible and supportive culture. NYO offers a season ticket loan scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, health cash plan, retail and entertainment discounts, and a 24/7 counselling and support helpline.

Deadline for applications: Monday 11 May 2026 at 10am.

Group Head of Finance
Eltham College Family of Schools | South East London
Salary circa £75,000 + excellent benefits

A rare opportunity to join one of London’s leading independent school groups at a genuinely exciting point of transformation and growth.

The Eltham College Family of Schools — comprising Eltham College Senior School, Eltham College Junior School and Blackheath Prep — is a high-performing, values-led organisation with an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and a rich co-curricular offering. Named London Independent School of the Year 2024 by The Sunday Times, the group continues to thrive despite wider sector challenges.

This is a pivotal appointment.

The newly created Group Head of Finance role offers the chance to step into a business that is not only successful, but evolving — with significant change underway across systems, structure and ways of working. For a commercially minded and hands-on finance leader, this is an opportunity to truly get your teeth stuck into something meaningful.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Bursar and working closely with the Executive Team, you will act as the senior finance professional across the group, providing both strategic leadership and operational oversight.

Crucially, you will join at a time of real momentum:

• A new finance system is being implemented across the group, requiring leadership to embed, optimise and enhance reporting capability
• The finance function is undergoing restructure, offering the opportunity to shape team design, capability and future direction
• There is a clear mandate to modernise processes, strengthen controls and drive efficiencies
• Senior stakeholders are engaged and open to fresh thinking and improvement

This is not a role where you simply maintain — this is a role where you build.

You will lead financial planning, reporting and governance across all three schools, supporting key strategic decisions including investment, estates development and long-term financial sustainability. Alongside this, you will remain close to the detail, ensuring operational excellence across the finance function.

The environment

Set across a stunning 70-acre campus in south-east London, Eltham College combines heritage with ambition. The group benefits from strong financial foundations, high demand, and a clear vision for continued success.

It is a collaborative and values-driven environment, underpinned by a commitment to education, development and community. Staff benefit from excellent facilities, strong leadership, and a culture that genuinely invests in people.

The person

We are looking for a qualified accountant with strong technical grounding and proven experience operating in a senior finance role.

You will bring:

• Experience of leading finance within a complex, multi-entity or multi-site environment
• A track record of improving systems, processes and controls
• The ability to lead through change and bring teams with you
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the credibility to influence at senior level
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to balance strategy and delivery

Experience within education or the independent school sector would be beneficial, but is not essential.

Why join?

This is an opportunity to join a thriving organisation that is not standing still — but actively investing in its future.

You will play a key role in shaping a modern, high-performing finance function, with the autonomy and support to make a real impact. For someone motivated by change, improvement and leadership, this role offers both challenge and reward in equal measure.

If interested do get in touch with Rosemary Pini from Allen Lane who is partnering with Eltham College with this vacancy.

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family-friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave
• Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Opportunities for hybrid working

More information about working at the School can be found on our jobs page.

About the role

Reporting to the Programme Director of the What Works Hub for Global Education, you will communicate the programme’s mission and findings to a range of audiences – from policymakers in target countries, to leading global academics and international organisations. This will involve overseeing and delivering the Hub’s communications strategy, managing the Hub’s website and social media channels, creating and disseminating content, and coordinating with implementation partners in country, as well as offering a range of hands-on support as part of a tight project team. The role will involve working closely with our strategic and consortium partners, to ensure that communications and engagement activities are targeted effectively to different audiences and country contexts.

You will be based within the What Works Hub at the Blavatnik School of Government, as part of the Hub’s central programme team.  You will also have strong links to the School’s corporate Communications and Events team, who will provide senior guidance and support on communications and engagement. You will be supported by, and line-manage, a Communications and Projects Officer.

This role is fixed-term until 30 June 2027.

Whilst the role is a Grade 8 position, we would be willing to consider candidates with less experience for which an appointment would be at Grade 7 (£39,424 - £47,779 p.a.) with the job title and responsibilities adjusted accordingly. This would be discussed with applicants at interview/appointment where appropriate.

About you

You will be a communications professional who wants to make a contribution on important global issues and is passionate about improving education outcomes. You proactively support broader team activities, stepping in where needed, while still ensuring you deliver on your core duties. You can get your head around research and policy ideas easily, and are comfortable working with academics. You are responsive enough to deliver fast on their priorities and win trust, but assured enough to offer ideas about more effective or efficient ways to deliver their objectives.

You must be a self-starter who is confident working in a matrix style, can cope with complexity and ambiguity, and can define, schedule and drive your own objectives and activities based on a strong understanding of the programme objectives. The role also demands excellent writing skills, digital fluency, and the ability to get to grips with complex concepts and networks.

You will be able to promote the Hub’s thinking, evidence and stories to a broad audience, including policymakers worldwide, working strategically with partners to build the Hub’s credibility as the go-to place for excellence on learning outcomes.

You will have excellent strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, experience of working with partners globally, experience of writing articles and copy for websites, and demonstrable editorial judgement. Strong project management and proven delivery skills, along with relevant work experience and demonstrable experience using social media in a professional communications capacity, are essential.

Application process

Please upload a supporting statement that outlines how you meet the selection criteria in your own words, along with your CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is at 12 noon (UK Time) on Friday 15 May 2026.

An exciting oppourtunity to lead compassionate, community-driven perinatal services that make a real difference to families every day. Shape how frontline support is delivered across our Baby Bank, Community Doula service, infant feeding support, and volunteer programmes in Birmingham. Ensuring safe, trauma-informed care reaches those who need it most.

As Head of Service at Elayos, you’ll turn strategy into meaningful action. You will lead staff and volunteers, strengthen safeguarding practice, embed reflective learning, and champion lived experience at the heart of everything we do. This is a rare opportunity to combine operational leadership with purpose, impact, and values-led service development in a growing organisation supporting mothers and birthing people, who find themselves disadvantaged, during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

Ready to lead a finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping an organisation’s future?

Head of Finance
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week
Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum
Location: Head Office - Newton Aycliffe, DL5

About Us

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face.

We deliver hundreds of locally led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people and adults into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.

About You and The Role

We are now seeking a strategic, forward thinking Head of Finance to lead our finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation.

Job Purpose

This is more than a finance role, it’s an opportunity to guide, influence and strengthen the financial sustainability of a charity creating meaningful, lasting change. We’re seeking someone with strong financial management experience, including statutory reporting and VAT. Experience of charity accounting and SORP is desirable, but candidates from the private sector with the ability to learn charity‑specific requirements are welcome, further requirements of the role are provided below.

As our Head of Finance, you will:

• Provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, and Senior Leaders.
• Lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial risk management.
• Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP), and oversee VAT, statutory requirements, and audits.
• Manage and motivate the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen financial systems, reporting, and automation to support operational efficiency.
• Support project managers with financial planning, grant management, and contract delivery.
• Drive improvements that support long term organisational sustainability.

This is a high impact role that blends hands on leadership with strategic influence.

We’re looking for an experienced and dynamic finance leader who brings:

Essential

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Experience delivering a wide range of finance duties, including management accounts, budgeting, strategic analysis, and year end processes.
• Experience managing finance teams.
• Outstanding analytical, organisational, and financial planning skills.
• Excellent communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to colleagues and trustees.
• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the values and mission of the charity.

Desirable

• Experience in community based or grant funded projects.
• Experience strengthening financial controls and supporting fundraising or contract bidding.
• Knowledge of procurement procedures or state aid regulations.
• Familiarity with Sage Intacct.

Closing Date: Thursday, 30th April 2026
Interview Details: To be confirmed after the closing date. 
Please note: should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application.

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.

This role is subject to an Standard Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Make yourself at home

We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role

At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

No agencies please.

The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is a family of 23 independent schools and two academies, united by a shared mission to help girls learn without limits, so they go on to lead lives without limits. As pioneers in girls’ education, we are proud of our heritage and ambitious for our future. To fulfil our public purpose of reaching as many girls as possible, we have an ambitious fundraising strategy, focused on transformational bursaries and innovative learning, enabling girls from a wide range of financial backgrounds to access a GDST education.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Philanthropy Operations to lead the systems, processes and insight that underpin philanthropic income generation and supporter engagement across the GDST and its family of schools.

This is a key leadership role within the Philanthropy and Partnerships team. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, you will provide strategic leadership for the operational infrastructure that enables fundraising and alumnae engagement to grow in a coordinated, compliant and sustainable way. You will play a central role in strengthening how data, systems and operational support are used to help colleagues across the Trust Office and schools deliver excellent fundraising and stewardship activity.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will lead the operational strategy that supports philanthropy and alumnae engagement across the GDST, ensuring the systems, processes and reporting that underpin fundraising are effective, compliant and built for sustainable growth. You will lead CRM, data and performance insight to strengthen decision-making, pipeline development, donor stewardship and long-term relationship management across the GDST network.

You will also oversee core fundraising operations, provide high-quality reporting to senior leaders and Trustees, and lead a small team to deliver strong operational support across the GDST. Alongside this, you will help equip colleagues across schools and the Trust Office with the tools, guidance and insight they need to strengthen fundraising and supporter engagement.

What skills and experience you’ll bring to the role

• Significant experience in philanthropy or fundraising operations leadership, with a strong track record of leading systems, processes and operational improvement in a complex organisation
• Substantial experience of CRM management, data analysis and fundraising reporting, with the ability to translate insight into clear strategic recommendations and practical action
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively while maintaining close attention to detail
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work closely with senior stakeholders, including executive leaders and Trustees, and to build trusted relationships across a network of schools and central teams
• Experience of leading and developing teams, alongside a good understanding of fundraising regulation, compliance and data protection
• A combination of strategic thinking and operational rigour, with a clear motivation to help create greater access, opportunity and impact through philanthropy at the GDST.

Why join us?

As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Competitive salaries and pay progression
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities
• Training grants for qualifications
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
• Generous pension schemes
• Free life assurance benefit
• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
• A Cycle to Work scheme
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment

There are many other good reasons to work with us. Each of our schools and our Trust Office has its own sense of community, and you’ll be part of it. You’ll be in the company of some of the best and brightest people in independent education. Most importantly, no matter what your role, you’ll be playing a major part in the highly regarded education we give our girls.

For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date: 30th April 2026 at 10:00 AM.

The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Now Hiring: Programmes Maestro!
 
Do you believe in the power of music to transform young lives? Can you keep a dozen plates spinning and still whistle a tune? We’re on the lookout for a brilliant Head of Programmes to orchestrate the smooth running of our school music activities across Yorkshire and the North East.
 
This is no ordinary desk job - you’ll be part conductor, part problem-solver, part people-whisperer. If you thrive on variety, love building partnerships, and want to see young people light up through music, then step into the spotlight!
 
What you’ll be doing (your set list):

• Leading the delivery of our Schools Music Programme and events across multiple schools and regions.
• Managing our delivery partners with the poise of a true collaborator.
• Striking up brilliant relationships with schools and stakeholders.
• Keeping the programme in tune - monitoring performance, reporting outcomes, and ensuring safeguarding is top priority.
• Overseeing contracts and compliance like a seasoned stage manager.

Who you are (your greatest hits):

• Experienced in running educational or arts programmes, including staff and contract management.
• A natural organiser and communicator who can lead with confidence.
• Comfortable juggling budgets, schedules, and a to-do list longer than a symphony.
• Passionate about music education and the difference it makes for young people.

Encore (why join us?):

• Be part of a team that genuinely changes lives through music.
• Work in a role where no two days are the same.
• Bring your leadership skills to a programme that’s growing, ambitious, and full of heart.

If this sounds like music to your ears, we’d love to hear from you.
 
Apply now and help us keep the beat going for young people.

REF-227 651