40 Head of finance and central services jobs

An exciting opportunity!

This is a rare and genuinely exciting opportunity to lead the UK's only dedicated charity supporting children, adults and families affected by MPS, Fabry disease and related lysosomal storage disorders. Following the current Chief Executive's planned move to become Managing Director of Rare Disease Research Partners (RDRP) in January 2027, the incoming CEO will take the helm of an organisation with over forty years of history, a trusted national reputation and a growing role on the international rare disease stage. The successful candidate will shape the strategic vision for more than 1,800 families, oversee the close partnership between the Society and its research subsidiary RDRP, and champion the patient and family ethos that sits at the heart of the organisation's work. It is an opportunity to combine ambitious strategic leadership with deeply meaningful, human impact, working alongside a committed Board, Senior Leadership Team and wider community of clinicians, researchers and pharmaceutical partners.

As our next Chief Executive, you will

• Define and deliver the MPS Society’s strategic vision.
• Provide confident oversight of governance, finance, compliance and reporting.
• Effectively manage the operational alignment between the MPS Society and RDRP.
• Always keep the members and family voice at the heart of strategy, service design and decision-making.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with statutory bodies, government agencies, pharmaceutical partners, clinical expert centres and other key stakeholders to support the Society’s objectives, influence policy and practice, and protect its professional reputation.
• Act as a visible and credible public voice to raise awareness, improve visibility, support, treatment access and outcomes for people affected by MPS, Fabry disease and related conditions.
• Collaborate with other rare disease bodies, patient organisations and other key audiences.
• Lead and empower the senior leadership team through effective delegation, early involvement in strategic discussions, clear accountability and support for individuals to flourish.
• Encourage an open, supportive work environment allowing creativity and building staff confidence.
• Help shape the future of the MPS Society.

About you

•  Self-motivated, with the drive to lead the organisation through a period of change and transition.
• Unquestionable probity and personal integrity, given the trust placed in the CEO by families, trustees and partners.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex scientific and clinical information to audiences ranging from clinicians to families with no prior knowledge of MPS disorders.
• Strong self-awareness, with insight into their own leadership style and impact on others.
• Emotional resilience, able to sustain performance while supporting a community facing life limiting conditions.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style, able to build trust, delegate effectively and help individuals across the organisation flourish.
• Genuine passion for the Society's mission, with a family and member-first ethos.
• Confidence to build relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, from beneficiaries and Trustees to politicians, media and pharmaceutical partners.
• A proactive, positive approach, comfortable reacting to change and organising their own work to meet deadlines.
• Confidence speaking publicly on behalf of the organisation and the people it represents.

Why join us?

A close-knit, values-led culture. With just over thirty staff across the Society and RDRP combined, this is a place where the CEO can know the team personally, work closely with families day-to-day, and see the direct results of decisions rather than managing at a distance through layers of bureaucracy.

• Genuine autonomy to shape direction. The Board is explicitly looking to the new CEO to bring fresh thinking on technology, AI, and digital tools, and to give real freedom to modernise fundraising, services, and engagement rather than simply maintaining what already exists.
• A stable foundation to build from over forty years of track record, trusted relationships and a strong national reputation mean the incoming CEO can focus energy on vision and growth rather than firefighting or rebuilding credibility from scratch.
• Proximity to cutting-edge science: the Society's close relationship with RDRP gives the CEO regular exposure to advances in rare disease research and treatment access, while day-to-day research leadership sits with the RDRP Managing Director, allowing the CEO to focus on strategy, people and sustainability.
• A high-visibility, high-influence platform. Regular contact with government, pharmaceutical companies, clinicians and international rare disease bodies offers strong opportunities to build a public profile and personal network well beyond the charity sector.
• A team that already shares the mission. Staff are described as passionate about the Society's aims, and as having a family-first ethos, so the new CEO inherits a culture to lead and empower rather than one that needs to be built from the ground up.
• Work with a different kind of return. Beyond salary and career progression, this role offers the less tangible reward of knowing that strategic and financial decisions translate, into better support for families facing some of the rarest conditions in the country.

Benefits

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Contributory pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

The main duties, responsibilities and requirements of this role can be viewed in the job description on our website.

Salary to be agreed depending on experience and will be pro-rata for part time hours.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This senior role requires flexibility in working hours and location.  It is primarily offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham, Buckinghamshire, office each week. As part of the role, UK and overseas travel is necessary, which may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked over the weekend are fairly compensated through TOIL.

This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) details of which can be found in the job description.

For an informal discussion about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Dr Fiona Stewart.  Contact details can be found on the full job description. Kindly note, meetings with other relevant people will be available to shortlisted candidates at interview stage.  

Help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.

Suicide can be prevented but urgent action is needed. We are looking for an experienced Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager to lead our work to mobilise our campaigners and maximise our political relationships to push for action to prevent suicide.

Samaritans is the UK and Ireland’s leading suicide prevention charity. While we are best known for listening to those who need us, we also work to influence change through our policy, advocacy campaigning and relationships with political stakeholders.

The Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns team of five works alongside people with lived experience, our campaigners, supporters and volunteers to push for the public policy and legal changes that will help us achieve our vision. We work to achieve system change through our work with the Westminster parliament, UK Government departments, policy makers and service leads, alongside our offices in the nations. We're looking for a Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager to lead this area of work.

We know that to make a real difference to those who are affected by suicide, we need to drive meaningful change in UK legislation and policy, funding and research.

If you're a strategic thinker with a track record of successfully influencing for change, we'd love to hear from you.

Contract terms:

• £42,000 - £44,000 per annum, plus benefits
• Permanent
• 35 hours per week (full-time)
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
• Hybrid, linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office
• We value meeting in person and working collaboratively. We work in person around 2 days or more per month. This role will also involve regular travel to Westminster.
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

What you'll be doing:

You'll lead our public affairs and advocacy campaigns work focused on influencing decision-makers and driving advocacy campaigns.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing our advocacy campaigning activity across England and line managing the Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, ensuring that our advocacy campaigns are rooted in lived experience, and that our supporters have a positive ongoing experience. 
• Leading the implementation of our public affairs and campaign strategies to achieve change on Samaritan’s key influencing priorities
• Identifying, creating, and evaluating opportunities and mechanisms to increase political engagement and persuade decision makers to take positive action on suicide prevention 
• Identifying, cultivating and maintaining excellent relationships across the UK parliament and key political decision makers. 
• Working across the charity to connect all of our relevant work to Parliamentary audiences, including support for Samaritans branches and volunteers on public affairs activities
• You’ll play a pivotal role in leading our efforts to drive meaningful change to help prevent suicide. 

What you’ll bring:

• Great people skills with the ability to turn contacts into action
• Proven experience in successfully influencing within the UK Parliament
• Experience of leading effective advocacy campaigns and trialling new and exciting campaign tactics
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively
• A passion for involving people with lived experience in your campaigns and public affairs work

For full details, please see the Job Description and Person Specification

Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission. You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We offer flexible hybrid working, great benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. To find out more about Samaritans, please read our recruitment brochure.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the people we support and who support us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, at all levels of the organisation.

Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love for you to apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Applications close: 20th September 2026

Interviews: w/c 28th September

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do. 

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team. 

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar.   

We are looking for a senior partnerships officer who will ensure our vital work to address the
environmental crisis is well funded, working to secure new partnerships and stewarding existing
funder relationships.

This multifaceted role works across teams to coordinate and deliver Green Alliance’s fundraising
activities and grant management. Collaborating with the organisation’s policy and political
experts, you support the creation of creative and impactful new project proposals that address
environmental problems and support the organisation’s strategy. You will identify funders for this
through prospecting and relationship building and will guide proposals through processes to
secure funds. You will monitor the organisation’s progress against fundraising targets and lead on
management of our funding pipeline.

Stewardship of existing funding relationships is a significant part of this role which means
ensuring we have excellent communication with our funders, making sure they receive high
quality reports on Green Alliance’s impact and supporting the team to see our funders as partners.
You will manage our Business Circle and maintain relationships with its members and support
efforts to recruit new business members into Green Alliance Task Forces.

Excellent communication skills are at the heart of this role, both written and verbal. You will be
confident, efficient, and resourceful; calm under pressure and enjoy building strong relationships
with a variety of senior stakeholders, as well as working independently. Strong skills in relation to
organisation, administration and prioritisation are essential.

You will need to understand, or be willing to learn about, the political and environmental policy
contexts we work in.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early and interview suitable candidates as applications are received. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Lumos is looking for an experienced and solutions-focused Senior Programme Manager to coordinate the successful delivery of complex, multi-country programmes, including a major, multi-country and multi-year programme. 

This is a pivotal role for an accomplished programme-management professional who can bring people, plans, budgets and evidence together to keep ambitious projects moving forward. Working across countries, disciplines and organisational functions, you will help ensure that our programmes are delivered to a high standard, on time, within budget and in accordance with donor requirements. 

You do not need to be a specialist in childcare reform. What matters most is your strong track record of managing large, restricted-funded international programmes and your ability to navigate complexity with clarity, sound judgement and a collaborative approach. 

About Lumos 

Lumos works to realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is a world in which all children grow up in safe and loving families, supported by their communities. 

Working alongside governments, civil society organisations and young people with lived experience, we help families stay together or reunite and support the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care. 

Over the next 10 years, Lumos aims to enable 500,000 children in care to return to family-based care and help prevent 10 million children from experiencing family breakdown and separation. Achieving this ambition requires pace, collaboration and excellent programme delivery—and this role will make an important contribution. 

The role 

Reporting to the Director of Programme Delivery, you will provide day-to-day coordination, monitoring and support across a portfolio of international projects. 

Your principal focus will be coordinating a major multi-country, multi-year programme across multiple participating countries. You will work closely with Country Directors, project teams, technical and MEAL colleagues, Fundraising, Finance and People teams, as well as donors and delivery partners. 

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Coordinating multi-country project delivery against agreed workplans, budgets, results frameworks and donor requirements
• Maintaining clear project plans, risk registers, dashboards, logframes and delivery trackers
• Identifying risks, delays and bottlenecks early and helping teams find practical solutions
• Managing budgets, forecasts and expenditure, including donor financial reporting and budget realignments
• Supporting country teams and partners to strengthen their project and financial-management capacity
• Managing or matrix-managing project colleagues across different countries and disciplines
• Coordinating monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities, ensuring that reliable evidence informs delivery
• Supporting high-quality narrative and results reporting in collaboration with grant-management colleagues
• Monitoring sub-awards, sub-grants and partner compliance
• Supporting donor monitoring visits, audits, procurement and grant-compliance processes
• Contributing to proposals and concept notes for future institutional funding
• Ensuring safeguarding is embedded effectively across the projects you coordinate
• Travelling internationally when required to support programme delivery

As projects begin, evolve and close, you will work flexibly across the wider portfolio, providing dependable coordination wherever it is most needed. 

About you

You will bring significant experience coordinating large, restricted-funded international programmes, ideally valued at more than £1 million per year. This may have been gained within international development, child protection, education, health, WASH or another related field. 

You will also bring: 

• A recognised project-management qualification and strong practical expertise in work planning, risk management and multi-stakeholder coordination
• Experience delivering single- or multi-country projects funded by institutional donors such as USAID, FCDO, the Dutch Government or major foundations
• Strong financial-management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, expenditure monitoring and donor compliance
• Experience of complex institutional-donor grant requirements, or the ability to apply closely related experience
• Experience managing or matrix-managing multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams
• Strong knowledge of results frameworks, indicators, monitoring and donor reporting
• Experience overseeing sub-awards, sub-grants, consortium partners or other delivery partners
• Excellent organisation, analysis and problem-solving skills
• The ability to remain calm, make sound decisions and manage competing priorities
• Excellent written and spoken English; Spanish, Romanian, Ukrainian or Arabic would be an advantage
• A genuine commitment to children’s rights and to Lumos’ mission and values

You will be a collaborative and culturally sensitive communicator who builds trusted relationships across teams, countries and professional disciplines.

You will combine close attention to detail with the ability to see the wider picture and will be comfortable creating structure and momentum in a complex international environment. 

Why join Lumos? 

This is an opportunity to apply your programme-management expertise to work with meaningful, lasting impact. You will collaborate with committed colleagues and partners around the world, helping to strengthen programmes designed to ensure that children can grow up in safe, loving families. 

Closing date: 11 October 2026 

Interview dates: week commencing 19 October 2026 

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted  

Lumos is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to complete safeguarding checks appropriate to the role, including references from previous employers and a relevant DBS check. 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. 

Northern Ballet is looking for an organised, proactive and detail-focused Development Executive to join our friendly and ambitious fundraising team.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is a confident communicator, with experience in administration, fundraising or customer service who is looking to develop their career in arts fundraising. You’ll play an important role in growing support for Northern Ballet, nurturing relationships with our supporters and helping the Development team run smoothly.

What you’ll do

• Support the growth and administration of our Patron and individual giving programmes

• Help deliver engaging supporter stewardship

• Support donor and corporate events in Leeds and across the UK.

• Maintain accurate supporter and donor information within our Spektrix CRM database

• Support fundraising campaigns, appeals, trust and foundation applications, research and reporting

• Coordinate meetings, donor visits, backstage experiences, rehearsals and other supporter activities
• Provide high-quality administrative support and contribute to improving systems and supporter experience
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and support performances and events, including some evening and weekend work.

Why join Northern Ballet?

You’ll be part of a small, collaborative and purpose-driven team where your contribution really matters. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow and make a meaningful impact through the work of one of the UK’s leading ballet companies.

Northern Ballet is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Farm Discovery Programme Manager

Salary: £40,170 | Home-based | 35 hours per week | Permanent

This is a varied senior role combining programme leadership, team and contract management, quality assurance, safeguarding, data and financial oversight, partnership development and programme improvement.

You’ll ensure our Farm Discovery team has the clarity, support and resources they need to deliver consistently high-quality educational experiences for children from disadvantaged communities. You’ll also use data, feedback and evaluation to improve the programme, develop partnerships and contribute to its future growth and development.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong track record in programme management and leading complex delivery
• Is outstanding at enabling and leading educators and dispersed teams
• Understands the primary education context in England
• Can build strong relationships with schools, farmers, funders and partners
• Has experience of quality, safeguarding, health and safety and risk management
• Is confident using data, managing budgets and improving systems and processes
• Can communicate effectively and work collaboratively across an organisation
• Shares our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for children experiencing disadvantage

The role is home-based, with regular travel across England and North Wales, including overnight stays, an essential part of the role. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses are covered.

Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements considered, including slightly reduced or compressed hours for the right candidate.

Closing date: Thursday 8 October 2026, midday.
CVs not accepted for this role. Please see our website for more information.

PR Officer

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a PR Officer, to join our Marketing and Communications Team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in public relations, media communications or a related field, or similar professional level of experience of at least two years?
• Do you have experience of working in a newsroom?
• Are you able to prioritise and meet deadlines whilst remaining adaptable to a fast-moving news agenda?

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack below. 

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application. We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

Closing Date: 02nd October 2026

PR Officer (Research and Campaigning) 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a PR Officer (Research and Campaigning), to join our Marketing and Communications team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in public relations, media communications or a related field, or similar professional level of experience of at least two years?
• Are you experienced in working in a science communications and/or policy communications role?
• Have you got a demonstrable track record of generating impactful PR coverage?

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack below. 

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application. We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

Closing Date: 02nd October 2026

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

Julie’s Bicycle is seeking a visionary, collaborative and values-led Chief Executive to lead the organisation into its next chapter.

About Julie’s Bicycle

Julie’s Bicycle is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation mobilising the arts and culture sectors to take action on the climate crisis. For nearly two decades, we have been at the forefront of the creative climate movement, working to put culture and creativity at the heart of climate action. We believe culture has the power to challenge, inspire and move people; to shape how we think, feel and act; and to help transform our future now.

Our work brings together cultural and environmental expertise to support practical action, build leadership, inform policy and strengthen collective impact. Through our programmes, tools, training, consultancy, campaigns and partnerships, we support artists, creative organisations, policymakers and changemakers to respond to the climate, nature and justice crises with confidence, imagination and purpose. To date, Julie’s Bicycle has worked with thousands of organisations and individuals, in the UK and globally, helping to equip people, places and policies with the knowledge and power to drive sustainable change.

Why this opportunity has arisen

This is a defining moment for Julie’s Bicycle. After 19 years of inspirational founding leadership, our Founder and Chief Executive, Alison Tickell, is stepping down from the role. As we approach our 20th anniversary, Julie’s Bicycle is renewing its strategy and theory of change. The climate, nature and justice crises continue to evolve, and so too must the leadership, partnerships and solutions needed to create meaningful change. This creates a significant opportunity for a new Chief Executive to honour a powerful legacy while shaping a bold, clear and ambitious next chapter for the organisation.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an exceptional Chief Executive who can provide strategic and organisational leadership, strengthen Julie’s Bicycle’s voice and influence, and ensure the organisation continues to deliver impact at the intersection of culture and climate. The successful candidate will work closely with an experienced Board and dedicated staff team to refine and deliver our next phase of strategy, sharpen our priorities, build sustainable income and communicate our distinctive value with clarity and conviction.

This is both an outward-facing and deeply organisational role. Externally, our next Chief Executive will be a visible and credible advocate across culture, climate and environmental networks, able to build partnerships, engage funders and policymakers, convene people around shared purpose, and speak persuasively about the role of arts and culture in responding to the climate crisis. Internally, they will inspire, empower and support a talented and values-led team, strengthening leadership capability, systems, decision-making and accountability while protecting the inclusive, creative and collaborative culture that makes Julie’s Bicycle special.

We are keen to hear from experienced senior leaders with a track record of organisational and people leadership, strategic development, partnership building and income generation. We expect our CEO to demonstrate a strong understanding of the relationship between culture, climate and wider social and environmental change, and to bring a deep knowledge and experience of the UK cultural landscape and key institutions and stakeholders, and/or a deep knowledge and experience of national and international climate policy and advocacy environments. However, we are also keen to hear from you if you are passionate about the intersection of culture and climate/environmental issues, but would benefit from a period of phased support to fully immerse yourself in the breadth of issues, sectors and contexts in which JB operates.  

This is an opportunity to lead a pioneering organisation with purpose and ambition: protecting what makes Julie’s Bicycle distinctive, strengthening the foundations that will help it thrive, and turning the power of culture into meaningful and lasting climate action.

To learn more about the opportunity and how to apply, please download the full appointment brief.

Closing Date:  18 October 2026

People Beyond Profit Conversations:  22 October2026 - 5 November 2026

JB Interviews:

First stage:  12 November 2026

Second stage:  19 November 2026