Development director jobs

About the Role

Headway East London is looking for a creative and values-driven Communications Officer to support and develop the voice of Headway East London – working with our community of brain injury survivors, volunteers, and staff to co-produce content that shares our stories, increases awareness and broadens our reach.

You’ll play a central role in promoting our services, supporting income generation, and amplifying the voices of our members through a range of marketing and communications activity. You’ll balance digital know-how with a collaborative approach, developing accessible, engaging content across channels including our website, social media, e- newsletters, and print materials.

If you’re passionate about inclusion and creativity and are interested in working collaboratively to ensure our communications reflect the unique identity, voices, and values of our organisation, then this is your role.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Marketing & Communications Delivery

• Deliver and support the implementation of our communications and marketing strategy across all channels (digital and print).
• Support a regular calendar of activity across social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube) to maintain and grow a network of online supporters.
• Support on maintaining and developing content for the Headway East London website (using WordPress and Elementor), including blog posts, service pages and events.
• Create engaging, relevant and accessible content including copy, video, photography, audio and graphics (using Canva), in line with brand guidelines and accessibility principles.
• Co-ordinate monthly e-newsletters and other communications using Mailchimp to a variety of audiences.

Community & Co-Production

• Work with our members(services users - people with brain injury),volunteers and staff to co-create content that reflects their voices and experiences.
• Ensure accessibility is embedded in all communications, including use of plain English, inclusive visuals, and a variety of formats.
• Engage the wider Headway East London community in developing campaigns, storytelling, and communications planning.

Campaigns, Partnerships & Income Generation

• Support fundraising and development teams to plan and deliver digital campaigns that increase donations, engagement and awareness.
• Explore opportunities for brand development, partnerships and earned media that align with our values and strategic priorities.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with local and national media outlets and stakeholders.

Internal Communications

• Support internal communication needs across the organisation, helping teams stay informed and connected across multiple sites.
• Help develop internal resources and templates that enable teams to produce consistent, values-led communications.

Key Relationships - Internal and External

Internal: Members (service users), Volunteers, Day Service Co-Ordinators,
Service Leads of Departments, Director of Fundraising.

External: Public Audiences, Partner Organisations, Contractors e.g. Website
Developers, Graphic Designers, Press.

Other

Apply the Headway East London values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times.

Protect and enhance the interests and reputation of Headway East London internally and externally.

Commit to the organisational principles of: coproduction equity, diversity and inclusion sustainability.

Headway East London is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to ensuring that all staff are motivated, skilled and rewarded by their work. We welcome applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected status as required by law. We promote and protect human rights; they are the foundation of what we do. We want to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and contribute their unique strengths and perspectives. We are focused on equality and believe that all the fascinating characteristics that make us different, make us more able to deliver our life-changing work with passion and creativity.

This new role at Young Sounds UK will lead on securing grant income from and coordinating relationships with Trusts and Foundations. This will include identifying and researching funders, submitting compelling applications and completing timely and accurate reports.

You'll need to be comfortable with managing budgets, using CRMs, and demonstrating our impact through writing case studies that bring our work to life. You'll also need to have excellent communication and relationship building skills, and be organised, flexible and with a great attention to detail.

We're looking for someone who has at least three years experience of fundraising in a charity, especially if they’ve focused on fundraising from Trusts and Foundations, and who is looking for an opportunity to take the next step in their career.

For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

The closing date for applications is Monday 19 January 2026 at 12 noon.

About Young Sounds UK 

Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:

• We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help 
• We support music education through training, advocacy and research.

Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are: 

• Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential 
• Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
• Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
• Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development

Circa £58,000 per annum

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Part home/Part office (London) based

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as a Senior Innovation Manager on a 12-month Fixed-Term Contract, covering Early Moments Leave.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced innovator to become a key member of our Innovation team. In this pivotal role, you will help shape the future of our fundraising product portfolio by leading cross-functional teams to deeply understand the needs of our supporters and partners, in order to develop and launch new products that align with UNICEFs strategic objectives.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 1 February 2026.

Interview dates:

First stage: 12 February 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams).

Second stage: 18 February 2026 in person.

Our offices are on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and we anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office and the rest of the time from home.  We are happy to discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of 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 are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

World Land Trust

Summary 

World Land Trust (WLT) is at the forefront of international conservation efforts through our programme of land purchase and land acquisition in collaboration with our international partners, including the development of carbon and other payments for ecosystem services projects. WLT is seeking a Technical Officer whose role will be to support our Conservation Programmes team, working closely with the Senior Technical Officer and Director of Conservation for the development and monitoring of conservation projects and communication of the organisation’s conservation impact. 

Working with World Land Trust 

WLT is based in the UK and is unique within the conservation world. Reaching beyond its 30th year of operation, the Trust has grown from small beginnings saving critically threatened forest in Belize, to become an internationally respected conservation organisation with a proven track record. Working with more than 52 overseas conservation NGOs, WLT supports the protection of threatened habitats worldwide. Throughout its growth, WLT has developed its approach without compromising its vision, integrity or transparency.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for applicants with an excellent knowledge of spatial and ecological data analyses, and monitoring and GIS will be essential for this role. Our preference is for a candidate with experience in fieldwork and biodiversity conservation. You will have good communication skills, be able to work independently as well as in close collaboration with colleagues and be able to translate technical reports and assessments to a wide range of audiences. You will be passionate about wildlife conservation and committed to furthering the mission and ethos of WLT.

This post is available full-time (35 hours per week). Whilst our offices are located in Halesworth, Suffolk, we know that our staff have valued the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance. We build flexibility into the way we work from day one, encouraging early conversations around options for hybrid working to enable remote connection and collaboration. We believe that this supports our staff to achieve their full potential at work and to maintain a healthy work-life balance to do the things that are important to them whilst still ensuring we have some face-to-face interaction. 

We recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce, bringing new perspectives and different experiences into the workplace. Our aim is to be an inclusive employer, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all staff, where staff can be the best they can be. We recognise that we are underrepresented in some groups, so welcome and encourage applications from minority ethnicities, those with disabilities, and all gender identities. What’s important to us in this process is your skills, knowledge and experience to enable you to do the job and that is where our focus will be to find our next new team member! 

Applications 

For the full application pack including job description and person specification, along with details of how to apply, please follow the link to our website. Note that this is a UK-based role and all applicants will need to be eligible to work in the UK. Closing date: 09:00 am on Monday 02 February 2026. Interviews are expected to be held on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 February 2026. Please note that the closing date given is a guide.  We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.

The Director of Communications is an exciting new leadership role with ambitious charity that is working to tackle the challenge of physical inactivity and inequalities in access to options to be active. You will be contributing to improving the health outcomes and lives of the people of Lincolnshire.

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, this role will lead our strategic communications approach - shaping powerful narratives that articulate impact, influence system-level change and champion the role of physical activity in tackling inequalities across Lincolnshire.

The role has the following core purpose:

• Set and lead the organisation’s strategic communications approach, ensuring audiences are clearly defined, understood, and engaged.
• Shape and govern the organisation and sector narrative, using communications to articulate impact and create advocacy for inclusive systemic change around physical activity.
• Develop and oversee system-wide communications strategies, fostering collaboration and change at scale through cross-sector partnerships.
• Lead strategic stakeholder stewardship, building and maintaining long-term relationships that influence system-level change and galvanise system partners around a shared narrative.
• Drive monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for communications, using data and insights to demonstrate impact and inform future direction.
• Provide inclusive leadership, inspiring and developing the communications team, being a senior leader in the organisation, embedding a values-driven, learning culture.

The role will enhance the positioning of the organisation and the wider impact of physical activity, through clear and compelling messages and storytelling.

You will need an exceptional ability to translate complex insight into clear strategic messaging, identify opportunities for influence, and create system-wide approaches to communications that drive meaningful change. You will be proactive, innovative and able to respond quickly and appropriately in a shifting environment.

You will bring extensive experience in senior level stakeholder engagement and stewardship, nurturing and developing relationships that enable Active Lincolnshire to further influence opportunities to shift the system and make a difference in tackling the inequalities that exist.

You will have the ability to influence and advocate. Using your excellent communication skills, combined with insight you will create deep and meaningful narratives championing the physical activity sector, the benefits of being active and the contribution it makes to wider community and economic opportunities and to promote the options to be active in the county.

An outcome focused approach is key, ensuring there are robust measures in place to understand and evaluate the impact of our work.

Reward Package:

• Circa. £50,000 per annum depending on experience
• 25 days annual leave, plus all bank holidays and 3 days during the Christmas week (Total c.36 days per annum).
• ‘Celebration day’; additional day for an occasion / birthday / event (subject to annual review)
• Westfield Health private healthcare
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible working approach
• Time to be active in the working week
• Team away days
• Personal development and training opportunities
• Time in the working week to volunteer
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Employee wellbeing policy
• Contribution to making a difference to the lives of people in Lincolnshire

Deadline for applications is Sunday 18 January 2026
Interviews will be held at the Active Lincolnshire office in Lincoln the week commencing Monday 26 January.

About The Role

As a key part of our new organisational strategy there is a new structure in the Fundraising Directorate, designed to support significant income growth. An important part of the new leadership team would be   an exceptional Head of Acquisition and Development to take on one of the most wide-reaching and influential leadership roles at Royal British Legion. This is a big, complex role with real visibility, offering the chance to shape how we attract, engage and build long-term relationships with supporters at a time of significant change.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

This role sits at the heart of how we grow and sustain our supporter base. You’ll be accountable for the strategic direction of supporter acquisition and development, owning the full journey from first engagement through to long-term value. With significant scope and autonomy, you’ll set clear direction, make confident decisions and ensure our approach is coherent, ambitious and built for scale.

Change and transformation are central to this role. You’ll lead the embedding of new processes, ways of working and decision-making frameworks across teams, bringing structure, pace and clarity in a complex environment. Working at senior level, you’ll influence across the organisation, lead our approach to creative, manage competing priorities and ensure delivery remains strong while our fundraising approach evolves.

We’re looking for a senior fundraising or marketing leader who can strategically think and engage with the challenges we face, to create the right solutions and sell them in across the organisation. Successful candidates will have  deep, hands-on experience of leading large-scale acquisition and development in a complex organisation. You’ll be comfortable operating at leadership level, accountable for performance, and confident leading teams through change. If you’re motivated by scale, influence and the opportunity to shape the future of mass fundraising at a large and well recognised national charity, this role offers a rare and career-defining challenge.

You will be contracted to our Haig House London hub with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub and flexibility for working remotely/at home when not on site.

Employee benefits include -

- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Private Healthcare
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. Our shortlisting is performed on the evidence provided in your application against the Essential and Desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

Interview Dates:       
First-stage interviews: 29 January – 2 February

- Interviews will last 90 minutes
- Candidates will be asked to complete a task as part of the interview

Second-stage interviews: TBC

- Successful candidates will be invited to a one-hour interview with an executive director

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Director of Finance and IT
London (Camden) | Hybrid working
Salary £90,000
Full time (37.5 hours) or 4 days per week considered

Thomson Foundation is an independent, globally respected organisation with over 60 years’ experience supporting free, ethical and trusted journalism around the world. At a time when reliable information has never mattered more, Thomson’s work is both impactful and deeply values-driven.

They are now seeking a Director of Finance and IT to join the senior leadership team at an exciting point in the organisation’s evolution.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior finance leader who enjoys combining strategic leadership while also being able to provide hands on support. You will work closely with the CEO, Board and senior colleagues to shape future strategy, while also getting into the detail to understand how things work today and where they can be improved tomorrow.

You will thrive in this role if you enjoy making your mark: strengthening systems, improving automation, streamlining processes and building robust, proportionate controls that suit a small, international organisation. This is not a role where you sit at arm’s length from the detail – you will be curious, practical and comfortable rolling up your sleeves, whether that’s reviewing processes, posting journals, improving reporting or driving smarter use of technology.

Alongside financial leadership, you will oversee IT, risk, compliance and governance across the Thomson Group, working with outsourced providers and internal colleagues to ensure systems are secure, efficient and fit for purpose. You will play a key role in delivering the Finance and Technology Transformation Plan, helping the organisation operate more effectively and sustainably as it continues to grow and adapt.

Thomson has a small, welcoming team and a collaborative, non-hierarchical culture. You will be joining an organisation where people are trusted, ideas are welcomed and impact really matters. The role is based in Camden, with hybrid working two days per week in the office.

This role will suit someone who is:
• equally comfortable thinking strategically and working hands on
• motivated by improving systems, automation and ways of working
• curious, detail-oriented and happy to implement change
• values-led and excited by working in a mission-driven, international charity

If you are looking for a senior leadership role where you can genuinely influence, improve and help shape the future of a highly respected organisation, this is an outstanding opportunity.

How to Apply

For more information, please contact Rosemary Pini at Allen Lane who is supporting on this role and happy to answer any questions.

Please apply by sending CV and supporting statement before 1st February

About Reading Students’ Union

We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy on LinkedIn!

The Role: Director of Membership Services

Are you ready to make a big impact? We’re looking for an energetic, strategic leader to steer our Membership Engagement Directorate through an exciting period of organisational change.

This is your chance to shape student life, lead passionate teams, and ensure our student-facing services and systems for student democracy are sector leading.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Set the Direction: Provide clear strategic and operational guidance to managers and teams, aligning priorities with organisational goals

• Drive Collaboration: Foster a culture of teamwork across departments and with elected officers to deliver joined-up services

• Champion Innovation: Identify opportunities to enhance student engagement through data driven creative campaigns, digital platforms, and inclusive activities

• Measure Success: Monitor performance, track KPIs, and report on progress to ensure continuous improvement

• Influence Outcomes: Represent the Membership Engagement Directorate in key meetings, shaping decisions that affect thousands of students

• Build strategic partnerships: Work with the University and external stakeholders to enhance student experience. Raise our profile externally to promote our good work

• Drive membership engagement: Oversee sector leading activities that meet the evolving needs of students

People

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering growth, accountability, and innovation

• Offer practical support for Sabbatical Officers, acting as their key point of contact to help them succeed in their roles, particularly as political leaders

Project Delivery

• Drive equality, inclusivity, relevance, and engagement by overseeing campaigns, projects and events

Compliance & Risk Management

• Operate within charity law, regulatory requirements, and organisational policies

• Safeguard Governance Standards and uphold principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability

• Ensure teams operate safely and within SOPs

• Oversee compliance for activities, societies, communications, and elections

• Act as escalation point for safeguarding or risk concerns

• Monitor systems for governance and student democracy and drive student engagement

About You

Essential

• Senior management experience

• A true innovator and challenger of the status quo

• Strong leadership and people management skills

• Passionate about using data to drive transformation and innovation

• Has significant experience of governance, democracy, free speech and student representation

• Can create high quality strategic and operational plans and lead teams to implement

• Budget management experience

• Expert decision maker

• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

• Experience in a charity, education, or student-focused environment

• Expert stakeholder management skills and ability to communicate effectively at all levels with diverse audiences

Desirable

• SU sector experience

Why Join Us?

• Inclusive and supportive team culture

• Flexible working options

• 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days

• Professional development opportunities

• Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today and help us bring our ambitious data strategy to life and transform student life!

Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability — building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.

The Organisation

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity supporting low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

We help thousands of families every year with essential grants, services and practical support. But we do much more than that. We champion families’ voices, challenge inequality and help shape the conversation on disability, childhood illness and disadvantage. 

The Role 

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how Family Fund connects with people across the UK. As a newly created role, it offers real scope to define and develop the function, while playing a central role in strengthening the organisation’s voice and influence.

We are looking for a bold, creative Group Director of External Affairs to join our Senior Leadership Team. At a time when families need us more than ever, you will raise Family Fund’s national profile and influence, positioning the organisation as a trusted, evidence led voice on childhood disability, serious illness and the broader challenges facing low-income families. You will build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, funders, and the public ensuring the organisation secures the visibility, support, and resources needed to drive lasting change for the families we serve.

You will lead an energetic, specialist team spanning communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research, bringing these areas together through a joined up external engagement strategy that delivers real impact.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Lead our communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research teams
• Raise Family Fund’s profile as a trusted national voice 
• Build strong relationships with policymakers, media, funders and partners 
• Help drive real change for families through influence and insight

Who we’re looking for 

We are looking for an experienced leader who loves the power of communication, influence and connection.

Key attributes will include:

• Senior experience in external affairs, communications or public affairs 
• A strong track record of influencing policy and engaging senior stakeholders 
• Experience leading teams and working at senior level 
• A warm, confident communication style and great relationship skills 
• A real passion for Family Fund’s mission and social justice

This is an exciting, high impact role with the chance to make a genuine difference to families across the UK. 

Candidate Briefing Pack

For comprehensive information about Family Fund, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up-to-date CV
• A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your experience, motivations and suitability for the role.

All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Russam. All applications should be uploaded via the Russam website.

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter - Managing Partner, Charities at Russam.

Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd February 2026
Initial interviews with Russam: 17th and 18th February 2026
Interviews with Family Fund: 4th, 5th and 6th March 2026

Flexibility will be provided if needed - do let us know as soon as possible if you are unavailable on these dates.

We commit to inclusion, equality and diversity and we welcome applications from all parts of the community. Family Fund is a Disability Confident Leader. We will invite to interview all disabled applicants who meet the requirements for the role. If you have a disability, and are happy to let us know, please highlight this in your covering letter. We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and we welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community. 

Evaluation Manager (2 posts)

£46,000 per annum + benefits
Full-time, permanent 
Central London (hybrid working, minimum one day per week in the office​)

​Education Endowment Foundation

Our client, Education Endowment Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and education achievement. They do this by supporting schools, nurseries and colleges to improve teaching and learning for two-to 19-year-olds through better use of evidence.​

​Roles:
​
We’re looking for two Evaluation Managers to commission and oversee robust, cost-effective evaluations of promising projects, manage a portfolio of studies, and contribute to the development of methodological best practice at the heart of the EEF’s work.

As an Evaluation Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in commissioning and managing high-quality, cost-effective evaluations of EEF -funded projects. You’ll oversee a portfolio of studies from design to delivery, working closely with external evaluators and programme teams to ensure rigorous, practical evaluations and clear communication of findings. This is a chance to shape influential research, strengthen the evidence base on what works in education, and contribute to the EEF’s wider strategic work.

You’ll join one of two closely connected teams at the heart of the EEF’s evidence-generation work, offering distinct but complementary opportunities.

One role sits in the Evaluation Team, a large, expert team responsible for commissioning and managing EEF’s major independent evaluations, including large-scale randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental evaluations, and for supporting external research teams to deliver rigorous, high-quality studies across the portfolio.This will suit someone with a quantitative leaning with a strong understanding of trials and experimental design.

The second role sits in the Programme Development and Scale-up Team, a smaller, highly cross-functional team working at the earlier and later stages of the evidence pipeline. This team leads pilots, early-stage and scale-up evaluations, with a stronger focus on implementation and process evaluation, and on developing and testing innovative evaluation approaches to support effective scale-up.This will suit someone with a mixed methods background and a more qualitative skillset.

Both roles work closely together and across the organisation to ensure EEF’s evidence is rigorous, relevant, and has real impact in the system.

In these roles you will:

• Commission evaluations in our priority areas, including critically reviewing evaluation proposals to ensure proposed designs are high quality and cost-effective and that the most suitable external evaluators are matched with projects.​
• Manage a portfolio of evaluation projects once external evaluators are appointed and being the primary point of contact for evaluators.
• Liaise between the evaluator and the delivery team (that is delivering the intervention) and chairing meetings to ensure the evaluation project is set up effectively with a high-quality design (working closely with colleagues in EEF’s Programmes team).
• Work closely with the evaluator and delivery team to understand the practical issues involved in delivering evaluations, mitigating risks, and providing support when problems arise.
• Manage evaluation contracts and budgets, and monitoring delivery of evaluation plans.
• Conduct technical reviews of protocols, study plans, statistical analysis plans and evaluation reports.
• Work closely with other teams to ensure that published reports are of high quality and effectively communicate findings to an audience of practitioners, academics, policymakers and the general public.
• Draw on expertise from across EEF to shape and apply innovative evaluation approaches, working collaboratively to strengthen evaluation design, learning and the use of evidence.
• Develop, improve and monitor implementation of evaluation guidance and resources to clarify best practice and build the capacity of evaluators to conduct high quality research.

​Candidate:

You'll be able to demonstrate:

• A commitment to the aims of the EEF and a genuine interest in the education sector in England.
• An understanding of technical aspects of evaluation methodologies (implementation and process evaluations, randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, choice of outcome measurement, etc.) and an ability to identify high quality evaluation plans and reports.
• Experience in delivering or commissioning rigorous evaluation projects in education, health, or another related field
• Strong relationship management skills, including managing stakeholder performance and differences in opinion.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences including practitioners, academics, and policymakers.
• An organised and methodical approach, with excellent project management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• The ability to work independently with strong attention to detail and a commitment to fact checking own work, as well as the ability to work closely and collaboratively across teams.
• A proactive, flexible, and pragmatic approach to evaluation, with an ability to balance a commitment to rigour with accessibility and impact.
• A degree with substantial research methodological training, or equivalent research experience.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring these principles are upheld in all aspects of their work.

In addition, there are a few desirable skills for this role which could help you to stand out. Great if you already have them, but we don’t expect any candidate to have them all, and will provide training as required for the right candidate:

• Experience in delivering or commissioning quasi-experimental evaluations (for the role in the Evaluation team).
• Experience in delivering or commissioning qualitative, mixed-methods and theory-based research and implementation and process evaluations (for the role in the Programme Development and Scale Up team).
• Experience or familiarity with working on programmes as they develop and scale, and an understanding of how evaluation and evidence can inform decisions about programme design, adaptation and readiness for scale-up (for the role in the Programme Development and Scale Up Team).
• A PhD or Masters with training in quantitative methods and/or mixed methods.
• Experience conducting relevant statistical analysis and/or qualitative analysis.​​

Apply:

Please send (via the "Redirect to recruiter" button above) your CV together with a personal statement addressing the following:

• Why you want to work as an Evaluation Manager at the Education Endowment Foundation including how the role aligns with your interests and career aspirations. (250 words)
• What experience do you have of undertaking and/or supporting evaluations. This may include experience with randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs (particularly relevant for the Evaluation Team), and/or qualitative, mixed-methods or theory-based research and implementation and process evaluations, including how evaluation evidence has informed programme development, adaptation or scale-up (particularly relevant for the Programme Development and Scale-Up Team). (300 words)

If you have a preference for working in the Evaluation Team or the Programme Development and Scale-Up Team, please state it when applying.

Closing date: Monday 26 Jan (23.00)
First stage interviews: w/c 2 Feb 2026
Second stage interviews: w/c 9 Feb 2026

As specialist recruiters we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community.​

Head of Water Safety and Education

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week, Monday to Friday)
ORGANISATION: Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)
DEPARTMENT: Membership and Education
LOCATION: Hybrid working, with three days a week at RLSS UK Headquarters, Worcester.
*This is negotiable, depending on the travel time of the successful candidate.
REPORTS TO: Director of Membership and Education
REPORTS: Education Manager
SALARY: £43,997.00 (Grade A)

JOB PURPOSE
To develop, lead, and oversee the delivery of RLSS UK’s Education Strategy, and represent the charity at strategic stakeholder meetings/events.

ROLE OVERVIEW
Early intervention and education is considered critical in the development and resilience of young people to encourage safe experiences. Water plays a vital role in the way we live our lives but it can also result in devastation if not treated with caution. Providing young people with the knowledge and skills to make safe decisions around water is empowering, profound and life-saving.

You will be a passionate and ambitious leader with the skills, knowledge and experience to drive forward this area of work in collaboration with RLSS UK team members across the organisation. You will have a dynamic approach with the ability to combine relationship management, stakeholder engagement, project management and operational oversight to ensure our work in this area aligns with our purpose, mission and vision and enables us to achieve our strategy.

In 2025 the Department for Education (DfE) agreed for the Water Safety Code to be integrated into the newly released Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance for schools in England. RLSS UK were part of a collaboration of various organisations, who campaigned for this important change which is due to be embedded into the curriculum from September 2026. This role will be pivotal to ensuring that RLSS UK’s voice and expertise is maintained in this educational delivery as well as putting in place robust KPIs to allow us to assess its ongoing impact.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Water Safety and Education
• Lead on the development of an ‘Education Strategy’ for RLSS UK that ensures that more young people have access to high quality water safety education
• Represent RLSS UK at wider forums and groups as our water safety and education expert and identify opportunities to increase our impact further
• Work with the Education Manager to develop and deliver education pilots and interventions that are informed by the ‘Education Strategy’
• Work closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to ensure that policy work blends seamlessly and consistently into our educational delivery
• Plan research and evaluation to inform future developments of RLSS UK’s education packages, ensuring that they are impactful and inclusive
• Extend the capability of the community to deliver water safety education, training volunteers, partners, and members to standardise the delivery of our education
• Work with the Education Manager to lead the growth of our education workforce so that RLSS UK is more visible in schools and youth settings across the UK and Ireland
• Work collaboratively with RLSS UK teams to raise awareness of our water safety and education offering and our impact
• Build relationships with those developing similar work in the education space to network and elicit best practices
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by complying with internal information governance policies and maintaining up to date records as part of RLSS UK’s compliance programme

Other Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead on and support ad hoc projects, as required
• Manage, mentor, and support the Education Manager
• Contribute to the successful operation of the charity by undertaking such other tasks as may from time to time be required, including all other duties associated with your role, as directed by your Line Manager
• To always demonstrate and uphold the Society’s values and behavioural standards
• Proactively participate in the Society’s equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and training, and to promote a culture of respect and inclusion for all staff and customers

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Relevant Experience, Skills and/or Aptitudes
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience of working in water safety and education
• Significant experience of working in a leadership role, ideally in a water safety or education organisation
• Experience of collecting research and insight to inform continued development
• Demonstrable experience of contribution to delivery of education strategy and policy
• Dynamic and proactive with the ability to generate innovative ideas and solve problems
• The capacity to lead groups, as well as be a participative member of them
• The ability to relate to, motivate and emphasise with a range of people from different backgrounds
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude
• Excellent at building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Excellent team player who works well under pressure and to deadlines
• Experience in line management, including developing and supporting direct reports to deliver the organisation’s objectives
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate persuasively to a wide range of audiences
• High levels of emotional intelligence
• Proficiency in MS Office applications
• Willingness and ability to travel as required for the role including occasional evenings and weekends

Desirable Relevant Experience, Skills and/or Aptitudes
• Knowledge and understanding of RLSS UK and its work in water safety education
• An understanding of the lifesaving, lifeguarding and water safety sector/communities

WHAT RLSS UK CAN OFFER YOU
RLSS UK is a national Charity based in Worcester, and we offer great staff benefits including -

• Annual Leave based on 27 days + Bank Holidays + a discretionary day off for your birthday
• Private Medical Scheme*
• Enhanced Society Sick Pay*
• Eye Care*
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Howdens Sports Benefits/Perks at Work
• Free RLSS UK Membership
• Free tea and coffee when working from HQ, including access to our wonderful Coffee Machine
• Free on-site parking when working from HQ
• Company Events and more!

*Subject to eligibility criteria

YOUR APPLICATION
Please send your CV and a Cover Letter outlining why you should join our Membership and Education team
Closing Date – 11.59pm, Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview Date – Monday 16th February 2026, at our Worcester Head Office (subject to change)

Should you wish to discuss the role, any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process, or have any questions, please get in touch where a member of the RLSS UK HR Department will be happy to help.

RLSS UK are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.

​​We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the East Anglia region.​

As the Community Fundraiser covering East Anglia you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.  Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk?
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​

If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack which is attached in this advert.​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome 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.​

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.

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About Us

VAST is a registered charity dedicated to supporting and empowering the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Stoke-on-Trent. We aim to foster strong local networks, strengthen community engagement, and build the capacity of local community groups.

The Role

As Finance & Business Operations Director, you will lead VAST’s financial and operational strategy, ensuring robust financial management, effective HR and IT systems, and compliance with Health & Safety. You will oversee the efficient running and management of The Dudson Centre (a Grade II listed building), act as Company Secretary, and serve as the organisation’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer.

This is a senior leadership role, contributing to strategic planning and organisational development while supporting VAST’s day-to-day delivery. It’s an exciting opportunity for someone who combines financial expertise with operational leadership and a commitment to community impact.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc)
  Significant experience in financial management and business operations in the VCSE sector.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills
  Knowledge of charity finance, governance, and compliance.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to travel locally and work occasional evenings/weekends.

Why join us

At VAST, we offer more than just a job. You’ll be part of a team committed to helping communities thrive. We believe in equal opportunities and strive to create an inclusive work environment where everyone can succeed.

You will also have access to a range of wellbeing perks, including:

• Mortgage and pension advice.
• Virtual GP appointments and second medical opinions.
• Comprehensive mental health support
• Wellbeing programmes to support a healthy lifestyle.

To apply

Applications are accepted by CV and covering lettter only. 

Closing date for applications is Midnight on Friday 30th January 2026.

Interviews will be held during February 2026

VAST is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

Our mission is to foster community-led green space management through collaboration, advocacy, and education.  We believe that green open spaces can be better sustained by empowering communities and our existing network numbers 150 plus members throughout Birmingham. As our Operations Director, you will direct and control the ongoing operations of Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF), to achieve the strategic and business performance objectives required by the Trustees.