Head of procurement and contracts jobs

Join the Cardinal Hume Centre and use your estates expertise to help create a safe, welcoming and well-managed environment for young people, children and families facing homelessness and poverty. This is a rare opportunity to lead both the long-term stewardship of a significant Central London site and the day-to-day delivery of facilities, compliance and improvement works that directly support life-changing services.

Working closely with the CEO, Head of HR and Operations and Board of Trustees, you will shape future plans for the Centre’s estate while ensuring the building remains safe, compliant, efficient and fit for purpose. If you are a strategic and practical estates professional who wants their work to make a tangible social impact, we would like to hear from you.

What you’ll do

· Lead long-term estate planning, capital works and building improvements – you’ll support our master planning for the site

· Oversee day-to-day maintenance, facilities management and contractor performance to keep the Centre running effectively

· Take organisational responsibility for health and safety, fire safety and statutory compliance

· Manage budgets, procurement and reporting, delivering value for money while supporting excellent services

· Support sustainability and environmental improvements that strengthen the Centre for the future

What we’re looking for

· A skilled estates, facilities or property professional with strong experience in building compliance, maintenance and project delivery

· A confident communicator who can work effectively with senior leaders, trustees, contractors and colleagues across the organisation

· Someone who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational oversight

· A values-led individual who is motivated by the opportunity to support a charity tackling youth and family homelessness

Charity People is delighted to be partnering once again with Maudsley Charity to recruit an External Affairs and Influencing Manager.

A hugely exciting new role within the Communications team at the charity, the postholder will work across media, external affairs and influencing to engage with key stakeholders, boost the charity's profile, and promote learning and adoption of the solutions the organisation funds. You will be responsible for sharing evidence and learning in order to influence the people who fund, adopt and commission mental health care and services, and will work closely with the CEO to increase engagement with policy work which the Maudsley Charity undertakes through it's work in coalitions.

External Affairs and Influencing Manager
Contract: Full time, permanent role
Salary: £48,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid role between home and London office, with two days per week in the Denmark Hill office
Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 28th July

First round interviews will be held remotely on: Thursday 13th August
Second round interviews will be held in person on: Thursday 20th and Friday 21st August

About Maudsley Charity

Maudsley Charity funds and supports clinical, academic, and community partners to ensure that everyone experiencing mental illness can access the right care, while using insights from their work to drive wider improvements across the UK.

Recognising the profound impact of mental illness and the inequalities in access, experience, and outcomes - particularly those linked to social deprivation and racism - the organisation focusses on addressing gaps in care.

With an approach that combines evidence, lived experience, and a commitment to equity, the organisation backs impactful, evidence-based solutions, ensuring services are shaped by real-world insight, and prioritising support for those most underserved to drive improvements that benefit all.

About the role

This is a core role within the organisation's influencing strategy, and your primary responsibilities will include:

External Affairs & Influencing:

• Develop and deliver influencing plans to promote adoption of effective mental health care initiatives being funded by the charity
• Develop productive relationships with key stakeholders (journalists, NHS trust leaders, ICBs, ICSs, VCSE orgs) to gather intelligence and shape strategy to inform the charity's positioning
• Lead the charity's thought leadership development providing strategic advice to senior leadership on political, NHS and mental health policy developments
• Strengthen the charity's role in mental health policy and advocacy coalitions, by contributing to collaborative advocacy, media and communications outputs
• Lead the charity's response to government mental health care consultations and calls for evidence
• Monitor funder sector trends and conversations, and actively seek out opportunities for the charity to strategically engage and influence by sharing learning from its grant making practice

Media management

• Develop and implement integrated external affairs campaigns that support the charity's influencing work
• Create persuasive materials, including press releases, op-eds, spokespeople briefings, comment pieces, and digital content and pitch to relevant outlets
• Maintain and grow relationships with journalists, broadcasters and sector media to secure relevant high-quality coverage of the charity's activities, grant holders and their projects
• Act as first point of contact for media enquiries, managing proactive and reactive press activity
• This role is expected to grow and develop and the postholder will be fully supported from across the organisation as the position evolves, within an organisation that offers a friendly, values led culture.

We would love to hear from individuals with the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable track record of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies in the mental health sector
• Experience of stakeholder management within mental health care, including NHS Trust leaders, Integrated Care Boards, commissioners and senior clinicians, and with academics and researchers
• Strong experience in media relations, including briefing senior spokespeople, drafting press releases, media handling, and securing media coverage with a good understanding of the needs and expectations of different outlets and publications
• Keen understanding of the NHS, mental health policy landscape, and the related environment, key stakeholders and sector drivers
• Understanding of the key components and considerations of successful external affairs media and influencing
• Understanding of the sensitivities around mental illness, including working in an empathetic manner with people with lived experience
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles and a commitment to apply them in your work and as an organisation
• Influencing skills including confidence and credibility in working with stakeholders,
• Communication skills and the ability to produce clear and effective communications and the ability to confidently and accurately represent the organisation externally
• Written and editorial skills including the ability to craft narratives for different external audiences and communicate the charity's work in press releases, articles, policy briefs

How to apply

Maudsley Charity is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented backgrounds. We welcome applications from non-graduates.

Applications are managed via Charity People and involve a structured, anonymised process focusing on your experience and potential. Please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance.

Please see full job pack and job description attached.

There is also an optional 'Ask Us Anything' Webinar via Zoom on Thursday 16th July at 12.30pm where the Maudsley staff will answer questions. Please get in touch with Reception at Charity People if you'd like to register for this and they will send you the link. Please submit questions in advance to reception at Charity People before 9am on Wednesday 15th July 2026 in order that we can ensure all of your queries are answered.

Equal Opportunities monitoring

We ask that applicants complete our DEI monitoring form when submitting their CV for this role.

Maudsley Charity is an equal opportunities employer, and makes no discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex. Specifically, we will also oppose unfair discrimination of those with mental health issues.

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 e.g. 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.

Goodman Masson are partnered with a highly respected, award-winning Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) in North London to find a skilled and proactive Finance Manager.

Educating over 2,500 pupils across a close-knit family of primary and secondary schools, our client is dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities within vibrant, diverse communities. Recently recognised nationally for their exceptional educational outcomes and community outreach, they provide a highly collaborative and supportive central services team environment where your work directly impacts the success of young people.

As the Finance Manager, you will support the monitoring and control of Trust spend, working closely with the Finance Director to successfully manage budgets and incoming resources, whilst delivering the highest standards of customer service to the academies in the Trust and other stakeholders.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day finance transactions, including banking, management accounts review and reconciliation, debtor management and reporting, and the administration and development of the finance system. This includes close working with the Accounts Payable team to ensure robust financial control, compliance and efficiency across all academies within the Trust.

You will provide a stable, flexible and resilient service that supports leadership in delivering value for money and strong financial stewardship across all income streams received by the Trust. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Control & Accounting: Lead month-end close procedures, balance sheet reconciliations, and correction journals. Maintain the fixed asset register and calculate annual depreciation in line with academy financial reporting standards.
• Budgeting & Income Management: Partner with the Finance Director to advise academy budget holders, manage self-generated income streams (including debt management/reporting), and oversee compliance for the 6th form bursary payment process.
• Cash & Compliance: Direct daily banking reconciliations, cash-flow forecasting, and monthly VAT 126 return submissions to HMRC.
• Systems & Operational Support: Act as the super-user and administrator for the Trust’s finance system—providing training to staff and stepping in to support the Accounts Payable team during peak periods.
• Procurement: Oversee the Trust’s centralised contract register to support timely renewals, compliance with procurement policy, and value-for-money principles.
• Audit & Governance: Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts and support the internal scrutiny and external annual audit processes by providing clean evidence.
• Academy Partnering: Spend time out at the local academy sites to assist with school trip costings, build visibility, and strengthen financial understanding across the school. 

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Sector Experience: Prior finance experience within an educational setting, academy trust, local authority, or the wider public/not-for-profit sector is highly desirable but not essential.
• Technical Strength: A strong foundation in management accounts preparation, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial control frameworks.
• System Savvy: Excellent IT skills, particularly with modern finance software/ERP systems, and the ability to train/support other users.
• Communication Skills: The ability to explain complex financial matters clearly to academic leaders and senior trustees who may not have a finance background.
• Flexibility: A collaborative mindset with a willingness to travel to different academy locations in North London as required.

The Salary range is £45,000 - £53,000 + Excellent benefits including Local Government Pension Scheme. 

You will be predominately based in the trusts Head Office (Edmonton / Enfield area) with some travel to the academy sites which are local to the office. 

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, therefore please apply ASAP with your CV to ensure you are considered. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a values-led and dynamic leader to become CEO of Rochdale and District Mind and guide us in our mission to make a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of our communities.

About us

Rochdale and District Mind is an independent mental health charity that supports people facing mental health and wellbeing challenges. A part of the national Mind Federation and the Mind in Greater Manchester partnership, our goal is to ensure that individuals do not face mental health issues alone and can live free from stigma and discrimination.

About the role

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an empathetic leader to shape our strategy and cultivate a culture of continuous learning, inclusion, and support, fostering a spirit of celebration for achievements across all teams.

Your leadership will both shape our strategic vision and deliver our operational plans, ensuring robust governance and championing diversity and inclusivity. You will also spearhead the efficient, effective, and safe management of our organisation, in line with our mission, strategy and values.

Committed to mental health advocacy, you will elevate our impact for service users through meaningful co-production of services and by your ability to build effective relationships with partners and commissioners.

Collaborating closely with our dedicated Board of Trustees and experienced Senior Leadership team, you will oversee resource management, finances, and operations, upholding the highest standards throughout and ensuring our growth and long term sustainability.

About you

• Experienced as a CEO/senior leader in a similar sized (or larger) voluntary organisation or an organisation delivering services into the sector or working closely with the voluntary sector.
• Passionate about our mission of ensuring that people do not face mental health and emotional wellbeing issues alone and are free from stigma and discrimination.
• Demonstrable experience as a values-led, resilient and people-centred leader.
• Experience of supporting teams through change.
• Strong financial acumen, able to develop and monitor/evaluate financial plans, budgets management accounts etc.
• Experience of building a culture that promotes continuous learning, inclusion, collaboration, and accountability.
• Proven track record of successful business development/fundraising.
• Able to balance strategic oversight with operational grip.
• Experience of the demands of governance and compliance, including working with Boards of Trustees/NEDs.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Understanding of challenges affecting the voluntary sector.

Benefits:

• Auto-enrolment Pension scheme with 3% contribution from the organisation
• Opportunities for hybrid working after an initial embedding period
• Training and development opportunities
• Our commitment to providing wellbeing opportunities in support of staff, including an Employee Assistance Programme

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Rochdale and District Mind in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter. You are welcome to send your cover letter in writing, or as a video or audio clip, alongside your CV.

Please respond to the following areas in your cover letter:

• Your familiarity with mental health and wellbeing challenges and how this resonates for you
• Your experience/knowledge in relation to the Person Specification.

Please note that we will focus on your demonstrable experience and potential in the areas listed under the Person Specification and do not expect candidates to have experience in all responsibilities outlined in the Job Description.

We would discourage you from deselecting yourself if you are in doubt about meeting all the criteria.

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday July 27 2026, and our candidate assessment schedule is anticipated as follows:

• Eastside People longlisting interviews will be held throughout the advertising phase up to and immediately after the above closing date – online
• First Interviews with Rochdale and District Mind will be held on Friday August 7 or August 14 in-person at their offices
• Final interviews with the Board are planned for Friday August 14 or, week commencing August 24 2026 - online

We would like to encourage candidates to apply early for the role where possible.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application/interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

REF-229 627

Department: People, Culture and Leadership Hub (PCL) Hub 

Contract type:12 month Fixed Term Contract or secondment 

Salary Level:  Circa £46,453 per annum

Location:Home Based (UK wide travel as required) 

Reports To:Programme Manager 

The fire and rescue sector is undergoing a major transformation in how it defines, develops and assures professional competence. This role sits at the heart of that change. 

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated Competence Co‑ordinator to support delivery of the NFCC Competence Reform Programme—helping ensure that people across the sector have the right knowledge, skills and behaviours to keep communities safe. 

About this role 

Working closely with the NFCC Competence Programme Manager, you will play a critical role in coordinating and supporting the development of national competence frameworks, tools and guidance. 

You will collaborate with NFCC Hubs, fire and rescue services, and subject matter experts to translate the NFCC Model of Competence into practical, consistent and high‑quality outputs that can be used across the sector. 

This is a varied and hands‑on role combining programme coordination, stakeholder engagement and content development. 

Key Responsibilities 

Programme coordination & governance 

• Support planning and delivery of the Competence Reform Programme 

• Maintain programme documentation (plans, trackers, risk logs, action logs) 

• Coordinate meetings, agendas, minutes and follow‑up actions 

• Prepare reports and updates for boards, committees and governance groups 

Competence framework development 

• Support NFCC Hubs to design, test and refine competence frameworks 

• Coordinate subject matter expert input and feedback processes 

• Ensure frameworks align with the NFCC Model of Competence 

• Maintain version control, development records and publication readiness 

Training tools & guidance 

• Contribute to the development of:

• Training materials 

• Learning resources 

• Implementation guidance 

• Templates and toolkits 

• Translate technical content into clear, practical guidance 

• Support creation of slide decks, FAQs and facilitator notes 

Stakeholder engagement & implementation 

• Support engagement with fire and rescue services and national stakeholders 

• Maintain accurate records of consultation and feedback 

• Assist with communications, briefings and presentations 

• Support implementation and adoption of competence frameworks 

About you 

You are a highly organised and collaborative individual with strong communication skills and experience supporting structured programmes or content development projects. 

Essential experience 

• Developing frameworks, guidance, training materials or similar products 

• Working with subject matter experts to produce clear written outputs 

• Managing documentation such as plans, trackers, logs or reports 

• Supporting meetings, governance processes and stakeholder engagement 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

• Excellent organisational and IT skills (Microsoft Office and collaboration tools) 

Desirable experience 

• Learning & development, HR, organisational development or workforce planning 

• Competence frameworks or professional standards development 

• Programme or project delivery in complex environments 

• Experience in the fire and rescue sector or other public/emergency services 

• Knowledge of UK fire sector governance or national standards 

Qualifications (desirable) 

• CIPD Level 3 / 5 or equivalent experience 

• Project or programme management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, AgilePM) 

What you’ll bring 

• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities 

• Confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders 

• Analytical thinking and ability to synthesise complex information 

• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

• A proactive, collaborative and improvement‑focused mindset

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in; please have a look at the Job Description and apply. 

How to apply: 

Please complete the application form via the ‘apply now’ button below. CV’s will NOT be accepted for this position. 

Closing Date:31st July 2026

Interviews & Exercise:Week commencing 24 August 2026 (via Microsoft Teams) 

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post. 

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive. 

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment.