Director of development jobs

For 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families to build successful civilian careers. We provide life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities - regardless of rank, service length, or circumstances.

We’re looking for a Youth Employment Mentor to join our team and provide progression mentoring and employability support.

The role

You’ll manage a diverse caseload of young people affected by military life, specifically civilian children aged 16-24 of a serving or veteran parent/guardian. You’ll support by helping them overcome barriers, raise aspirations, and take confident steps into education, training, or work. This means:

• Mentoring young people 1:1 and in groups to build confidence, CVs, and life skills.
• Designing and delivering workshops that inspire and engage.
• Building partnerships with schools, youth services, and employers to generate referrals and opportunities.
• Keeping on track - managing your caseload, recording progress on our CRM, and meeting KPIs to show the difference you’re making.
   

Why this role matters

Young people from Military families often face challenges such as frequent moves, caring responsibilities, or gaps in opportunities and attainment. You’ll champion their strengths, support them with employability and links to work experience, and help them unlock their potential.

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Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check out our website

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Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description attached.

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What’s in it for you? Check out the Benefits sheet attached.

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Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date Tuesday, 30 September 2025

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Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

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We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

This newly established role sits within the Talent and Learning team and reports into the Director, Talent and Learning. The Volunteer Manager role will be responsible for enhancing and expanding Provide's volunteering initiatives.

This includes significantly growing volunteer engagement, fostering strong relationships with staff, implementing strategic development plans and creating meaningful opportunities for volunteers and will play a crucial part in enriching the services we provide and enhancing the overall patient experience within our communities.

The main duties of the Volunteer Manager include:

• Developing a long-term vision for volunteer engagement across the organisation
• Contribute to and deliver the Volunteer Strategy
• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies across the organisation
• Design and deliver induction, training and mentorship programs to maximise volunteer engagement
• Monitor volunteer attendance and maintain quality experiences
• Co-ordinate cross functional teams to optimise volunteer engagement
• Develop partnerships with external organisations and manage strategic relationships
• Manage volunteer budgets and expenses

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.

Location: Lift Unity City, Middlesbrough (please note the role will require regular travel to Hull, Barnsley and Sheffield offices)

Hybrid working: 3 days in the office(s) and 2 days at home

Hours: 37 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per year

Salary: £29,000 - £34,000 + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Contract: Permanent 

At Lift Schools, our mission is simple yet ambitious: every child receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day. To achieve this, we need colleagues who are highly organised, collaborative, and committed to making a difference.

We are seeking a Regional Officer based in our regional office, to play a pivotal role in supporting our Regional Education Director (RED) and across our regional schools. The North region of schools consists of 15 primary (12) and secondary (3) schools, the largest region within Lift Schools. Being a Regional Officer provides a diverse and fast paced work flow, acting as the ‘glue’ across the region, you will ensure effective communication, strong governance, and smooth administration, helping to create a culture of collaboration and excellence.

As a Regional Officer, you will:

Provide high-quality administrative and governance support to the RED. 
Support the smooth running of the regional office, ensuring it is an effective and professional hub.
Enable effective local governance by working closely with Academy Councils, helping elevate the voices of parents, carers, colleagues, and communities.

Organise and clerk review panels for suspensions, exclusions and complaints (once trained).
Play an active part in regional operations, safeguarding monitoring, and compliance with trust-wide policies.
Represent Lift Schools with professionalism and integrity, ensuring all colleagues, visitors, and partners experience our values in action.

This role is central to ensuring that school leaders, Academy Councils, and central teams work in partnership, so that every school in the region is supported to thrive.

What we’re looking for

Essential skills & experience:

• Experience in a similar/ transferrable role demonstrating strong administrative and communication skills.
• Excellent IT, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Highly organised, with the ability to work at scale, prioritise workloads and support others to do the same.
• Experience of arranging and clerking meetings or conferences.
• Calm, professional, and able to listen and assess information with care.
• Strong team player, flexible and reliable, with a keen eye for detail.
• Professional foresight and able to think and plan ahead.
• Absolute discretion and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• A UK driving licence (travel across the schools within the region and central offices will be essential for this role - we provide the use of a hire car for travel as and when required)

Desirable qualifications & experience:

• Level 3 qualifications or above (A levels or equivalent).
• Governance training.
• Recognised secretarial/administration qualifications.
• Health & Safety training (e.g. First Aid, Fire Marshal).
• IT literacy with Google Workspace.

If you're ready to impact young people's lives positively, we encourage you to apply.
 

Who is Lift Schools?

We’re a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools.  As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they’ve ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

The role is due to commence: September/October 2025 

Closing date: 12th September 

If you would like to discuss the role further please contact us.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Are you an experienced manager with a passion for delivering high quality services to people with learning disabilities? Are you committed to working in collaboration with service users, maximising independence, self-confidence and integration in the community? If so, you may be just the person we are looking for to take the lead on developing our newly awarded supported living service based in the Harrow and Wembley area.

Based across two properties, you and your team will be supporting ten adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities, as well as additional mental and physical health needs.

You will play a pivotal ambassadorial role, continuing Centre’s 404 service expansion into the London Brough of Brent and bringing our expertise, vision and values to families in need.

This varied and dynamic role will lead on the set up, coordination and provision of excellent person-centred care and support to service users, enabling them to live independently in their home and be supported in all aspects of day-to-day living. As Project Manager, you will oversee the development and implementation of care plans designed to provide meaningful choice and a range of activities and support to meet individual needs. You will also contribute to the development of the team and be responsible for encouraging a culture based on respect and dignity for those in need of care and support, providing supervision and clear management to a team of support workers.

The ideal candidate will have experience of leading and coaching a team supporting people with learning disabilities or another vulnerable client group. Experience of supporting people with high and complex support needs would be an advantage. In return, we offer a supportive environment in which people are encouraged to develop their skills, as part of a well-established and experienced team of managers.

Do you have a progressive, forward-thinking perspective on social care services? Are you committed to ensuring the highest quality of work for children, young people, and families every time?

We are looking for a new Programme Manager to join our team and oversee our Family Group Conference services throughout the London Boroughs of Bromley and Hackney.

ABOUT US

We are a leading UK charity delivering Family Group Conferences (FGC). Building on over 25 years of experience, we are now exploring new and innovative ways of working alongside families and communities. We are doing this at a time when the Government has set out a clear vision for Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) to become a central offer to families experiencing challenges and engaging with Children’s and Families Services. This is a pivotal moment to join our organisation and help shape the future of this work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role could suit two types of candidates:

• A practitioner with experience of working with children and families who wants to use their practice experience in a programme management role, or;
• An experienced programme manager with strong public sector and/or charity sector experience, who is confident working with data and is relational and collaborative with colleagues and partners.

It would be an advantage, though not essential, to have experience of Family Group Decision Making, solution-focused practice, or the children’s social care sector.

Whilst this role is a managerial role, and not day-to-day family-facing we do make space for our Programme Managers to hold a limited number of referrals each year to nurture skills and practice experience. Full practitioner training is provided for all Daybreak employees.

The role is home based with regular travel into Bromley and Hackney Local Authority offices. A successful candidate would also need to actively work in person with commissioners, external partners, and communities in and around Bromley and Hackney on a regular basis, depending on service needs. Willingness to travel to other areas, depending on service need and growth is needed.

What does a week look like for a Daybreak Programme Manager?

No two weeks are the same, but as a Programme Manager you can expect to balance a mix of operational oversight, supporting your freelancer team, and stakeholder engagement. Typical activities include:

Ensuring a quality service for families, and delivering on contract aims

• Reviewing and triaging referrals, including case discussions with referrers.
• Quality-assuring referrals and Family Plans, ensuring procedures are followed and records are kept up to date in our case management system.
• Monitoring case records to make sure Family Group Conferences are progressing appropriately, and accurate records are being kept.
• Collating and analysing performance data (KPIs), using MS Excel and other tools.
• Writing quarterly reports for commissioners, analysing service delivery, providing narratives and identifying areas for development.

Working with your freelancer team of Coordinators

• Allocating new referrals to our team of freelance Independent Coordinators.
• Engaging Coordinators in best practice discussions, providing guidance to overcoming barriers or issues.
• Acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, reviewing incident reports and escalating when required.
• Hosting in-person and online Practice Development Groups to share key messages and facilitate best practice discussions.
• Recruiting, inducting, and supporting new Coordinators - from advertising and interviews to observing practice.
• Reviewing and signing off invoices from freelance Coordinators.

Working with external stakeholders and referrers

• Building relationships with referrers such as Social Workers, through consultations and attending team meetings.
• Promoting our services to commissioners and senior managers in children’s social care, ensuring referrals are high quality whilst also raising awareness of the value of FGCs and our service.

Contributing to the wider Charity aims

• Attending Programme Manager and staff team meetings.
• Contributing ideas and expertise to strengthen processes, improve service delivery, expand our offer to families, and support Daybreak’s wider charitable goals.

DETAILS

• Salary: £36,000 - £39,000 per annum pro rata, depending on experience
• Location: The role is home based with regular travel into Bromley and Hackney Local Authority offices. There is also occasionally travel to Southampton (Head Office) for meetings and other areas, based on operational need.
• Working pattern: 30 hours per week; to discuss schedule with the successful candidate.
• We are committed to safeguarding and all posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, two satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK.

APPLICATIONS

To apply, please download the recruitment pack and application form, below, and return to our head office email address. If you need any help with your application or have any questions about the role, please contact us via email or or phone.

CLOSING DATE: 28 SEPTEMBER 2025INTERVIEWS: 9 OCTOBER 2025, in London (1 Bow Churchyard, London EC4M 9DQ)

Join Our Team!

We have an exciting opportunity to join us as our IBD Project Manager. You will lead and coordinate the redesign and relaunch of the IBD UK Alliance programme, to improve the quality and standards of health services for people affected by Crohn's and Colitis across the UK.

You'll be working closely with the Director of Services & Evidence and Head of Health Services to support the charity's leadership of the IBD UK Alliance.

Download our recruitment pack from our website containing full details of the job description and person specification.

About you

You will need to have:

• Experience of developing and delivering successful health service quality improvement projects and programmes.
• Knowledge and experience of working in UK health services or a health or medical charity.
• Experience of successful development of operational performance metrics, strategies and objectives.
• Evidence of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders, including senior clinicians and NHS business managers.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by one day per year up to 30 days
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme
• Flexible working options
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity pay
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing programme
• Interest free loan for season tickets
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking and secure bike locks
• Training and development financial support and/or study leave
• Performance review and development scheme

Our location

We are based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, so we are easily accessible by road and rail. In this role there is plenty of scope for working from home, although there will be occasions when you will need to attend 2 directorate days and conferences/events. In addition, the charity meets four times a year at the office in Hatfield for its 'All Staff Together' days, at which attendance is mandatory.

Full Time – 35 hours per week

Fixed term post for 12 months

(although it is hoped to be able to extend for a further 2 years, subject to funding).

Salary: £31,071

The Diocese of Chester is seeking to recruit a Net Zero Carbon Project Officer who will have proven practical experience in the management, development and conservation of the built environment with a focus on sustainability. An understanding of, and commitment to, working with a range of building types, including clergy houses, churches and halls to improve their energy efficiency and work towards Net Zero Carbon will be needed.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable and passionate about environmental issues and climate change. They may be at the beginning of a career or more experienced.

For informal conversation, contact Sheena Wilson, Lead Officer for Buildings and Environment - contact details in the attached documents or via the apply/redirect to recruiter button. 

The job description, person specification and application form can be downloaded from the Diocesan website: Please see website address in the attached documents or via the apply/redirect to recruiter button. 

Completed application forms should be returned preferably by email -contact details in the attached documents or via the apply/redirect to recruiter button. 

Closing date:  Wednesday 24 September 2025

Interviews: Monday 10th October 2025

At Bluesci, we believe that everyone deserves good mental health and wellbeing. Our staff and volunteers, many of whom have experienced our services, collaborate with individuals and their communities to help them achieve their aspirations and wellness.  

We are dedicated to improving lives through social prescribing and community-based support. As our organisation enters a new chapter—with founding directors stepping back—we’re looking for a Finance Administrator to help us build stronger, more efficient financial systems and support our mission to promote mental wellbeing.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a keen eye for detail and a passion for finance to make a real impact. You’ll be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting reporting and budgeting, and helping us improve our finance administration processes.

The Senior Accounts Technician plays a key role within the financial accounts team, working in partnership with the Director of Finance and Governace to ensure the smooth operation of financial systems and processes.

Location: UK based – Hybrid to any UK office with national travel 

Ref PDR-251

Closing date: 9.00 am on 29 September 2025

St Giles Trust is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented People Data and Reward Manager to lead our data, reward, and payroll functions. This is a key role in shaping how we use people data to drive inclusive, high-performing workplaces.

About the Role

You’ll lead a small team to deliver effective, compliant, and customer-focused people services. Working closely with senior leaders, you’ll ensure our HR and payroll systems support organisational goals, and that our reward practices are fair, transparent, and aligned with our values.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the People Data and Reward team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight.

• Manage and enhance our integrated HR and payroll systems, including configuration and optimisation.

• Act as the data protection lead for People, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.

• Provide expert guidance to the Executive Director of People and Internal Operations on risks, issues, and opportunities.

• Support the development of inclusive reward strategies and data-driven decision-making.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has strong experience in HR data, payroll, and reward management.

• Is confident using HRIS platforms and Excel to analyse and report on people data.

• Understands how data supports equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.

• Is proactive, collaborative, and committed to creating a great place to work.

• Can lead with integrity and inspire others through inclusive practice.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

To Apply

For further information and to apply visit our website via the apply button. 

• Application Deadline: 9.00 am on 29 September 2025

• Interview Date: 10 October 2025

Please note: as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to a basic DBS check. 

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment. 

We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.

The Careers & Enterprise Company is a great place to work. We operate within a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We are brought together by one thing: our passion to ensure young people get the best possible start in life and are supported to find their best next step.

Do you want to be part of a mission-driven team focused on transforming young people’s lives? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Role Summary

As the HR Advisor at The Careers & Enterprise Company, you will report to the HR Manager and play a crucial role in supporting the business and wider HR team in a diverse HR generalist role that offers a great opportunity to grow and develop across a range of HR functions. You will cover a range of duties including providing HR advice and support to the business including line managers and employees, proactively helping to manage timely responses to internal and external enquiries to the HR shared inboxes, managing the monthly payroll and supporting with a range of administrative and reporting duties. You will also get to work directly with the HR Manager on the wider HR strategy including employee engagement, recruitment, systems and data analysis.

We are looking for a qualified HR Advisor or an HR professional that aligns with our company mission, who is ambitious and looking to progress their career in a new role. You will be pro-active and highly motivated, with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills that is comfortable interacting with staff at all levels. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role and will be able to hit the ground running in this rewarding, busy and varied role.

We are a friendly team of three people that reports into the Director of HR and Operations and are looking for a true team player that has strong ethics, understands the confidential nature of working in an HR team coupled with a good understanding of HR processes and procedures.

Location: Central London/hybrid working with attendance in the office required 2 days per week.

Contract: Full-time, fixed term for one year.

Our organisation has a privileged opportunity to make a difference to the lives of millions of young people, helping to inspire and prepare them for the fast-changing world of work, and we want you to help us make it happen.

To apply, please visit our website via the apply button, complete the application form and cover letter and upload an anonymised version of your CV.

Please describe in your cover letter: 

• How do you meet the experience, skills and competency criteria detailed in the job profile?  
• Are you CIPD or part CIPD qualified or working towards a HR qualification?

Closing date: Midnight on 30th September 2025.

It is our policy to review all applications within two weeks from the closing date. If you do not hear from us within three weeks following the closing date, then your application has unfortunately not been successful on this occasion. We are unable to provide feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted and attended an interview.

The Philharmonia is looking to appoint an experienced and inspiring Head of Education & Community Engagement to lead on the day to day running of learning projects, with a firm focus on developing and growing this work. With a proven track record of creative leadership, innovation and producing high quality music education and community projects, successful applicants will be led by a passionate belief in the power of orchestral music to transform lives, whether as audiences or participants.

Centred around our ambition to deepen our engagement in our residencies in and out of London, this role will be responsible for the creative and strategic development and execution of both our long-established programmes (like Hear and Now, and Orchestra Unwrapped), as well as co-creating and developing new, innovative projects addressing real needs in schools and community settings. The role will have a strong direct connection with our Community Boards, the advisory bodies in our residency areas, and the Music Hubs, as partners and co-creators. Candidates should have a progressive and well-informed approach to place-based and grassroots music-making and project creation, and a strong understanding of the latest developments in the music education landscape. 

Combining a keen grasp of participant needs, with sound understanding of commissioner and funder requirements, as well as a can-do, entrepreneurial attitude, this is a great opportunity for a senior manager to progress to the next level of leadership within the sector and shape the education and community engagement programmes of a leading orchestra.

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Planning:

• Undertake research and mapping as required to ensure that projects and programmes respond to local and regional needs and is distinctive and complementary in the context of other providers.

• Keep abreast of educational policy and practice at national and regional governmental level, ensuring that project development is aligned with current thinking and strategy.

• Develop new bespoke and innovative education and community projects in strategic partnership with local and national bodies, allied to the core work of the Orchestra.

Leadership and Management:

• Provide creative leadership and direction for the Learning and Engagement Department, reflecting and clearly articulating the Philharmonia’s vision, mission and values

• Develop and motivate the members of the Learning and Engagement Team, and as required, manage the Learning & Engagement team’s support staff, such as freelance Project Managers, animateurs and musicians

• Sustain and strengthen existing partnerships for funding and delivery with key stakeholders including other NPOs, Local Authorities, Music Education Hubs, community groups, arts organisations and venues, private and public development agencies and schools, colleges and universities.

• Represent the Orchestra on the Strategic Boards of appropriate bodies in London and residencies (for example, music hubs)

• Ensure that key national and regional stakeholders have a detailed understanding of the Orchestra’s Learning and Engagement work, as well as ensuring effective and constructive communication with artists and musicians engaged in the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Learning and Engagement Programme

• Represent the Philharmonia Orchestra at external meetings and conferences, as required, acting as an advocate and ambassador for the Orchestra. 

• Lead and manage the Safeguarding for the Orchestra, ensure that the Philharmonia Orchestra’s safeguarding policy and procedure is up to date and effectively implemented, including taking responsibility as the Philharmonia’s Designated Safeguarding Officer; ensure that all relevant staff and freelance practitioners have current DBS checks. 

Programme Management and Delivery:

• Oversee evaluations of all projects to share outcomes with stakeholders and partners and to learn lessons for developing and delivering future projects. 

• Agree and manage budgets for the Learning and Engagement Department

• Commission and oversee production of project-specific marketing materials. 

• Help to develop and support the Orchestra’s Audience Development Strategy, in close partnership with the Marketing Director. 

• Oversee all aspects of project management, planning and production of the various projects and workshops which make up the Philharmonia’s Learning Programme

• Deputise for the Director of L&E as required

Skills and Qualifications

Essential:

• Minimum five years’ experience in a relevant role

• Knowledge of the education and community learning landscape

• Experience with managing and monitoring budgets

• Experience with producing and devising large scale, education, community or participation projects

• Excellent communication skills, with a personable and approachable style

• Experience of reporting tools and data visualisation, ideally for funders

• Passion and interest for music and the arts, with an excellent understanding of orchestras and classical music repertoire

• Ability to read music and orchestral scores

• Ability to lead, mentor and train a team

• Willingness to have a hands-on attitude 

• Willingness to work unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends – must want to attend concerts and learning projects

Desirable:

• An education or community learning qualification or degree

• Experience of creating external reports and evaluations 

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Head of Change – Children’s Services  

Reports to: Assistant Director for Change – Children’s Services, Neighbourhoods & the Youth Sector

Salary: £67,900

Contract: 2 year fixed-term – potential to extend. Open to 0.8FTE for the right candidate

Location: Central London, Hybrid*  

Closing date:12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025

About the Youth Endowment Fund

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. 

Last year, 244 people in England and Wales tragically died after being assaulted with a knife. Of these, 32 were children. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.

The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build an exceptional body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed. We then need to work with the right people that can make change happen, across systems, policies and practice, to have a real impact on reducing violence affecting children’s lives.

Key Responsibilities 

We build demand and interest in evidence across the Children’s Services sector 

This will include: 

• Running events, speaking at conferences and curating webinars to bring evidence to life for practitioners 
• We have great relationships with the people who can make change happen.  

This will include:

• Developing great relationships with senior policy makers, sector leaders and experts, including representing YEF in external meetings and speaking at events.
• Managing a Strategic Advisory Board of leading experts across the children’s services sector and keep members onside and excited about our work.

We deliver our children’s services system recommendations. 

This will include:

• Helping to identify the right recommendations at a system level (such as changes in policy, regulation, inspection, funding, or guidance) that make it more likely highly vulnerable children get access to the right support at the right time. 
• Work out the best way to make our system recommendations happen (due for publication in December 2026) and then do it – persuading the key people to make changes that make a difference.
• Tracking progress carefully, being thoughtful and creative about when and how to change the plan.

We work out the most effective ways to connect people with the evidence, then make those things happen. 

This will include:

• Helping children’s services leaders change how they plan or provide services to better protect children from violence, based on the YEF Children’s Services Practice Guidance – due for publication in May 2026. 
• Creating a plan to get people to follow our guidance, using what we know about how they think and behave. 
• Creating practical tools and resources that help leaders put evidence into action 
• Continuously testing and improving our approach to get better results. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results, and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You

You are this sort of person: 

• You know how to make change happen. You combine analytical sharpness with emotional intelligence and real-world experience. You understand why people resist change – and how to move them through it. You’re curious about human behaviour and what drives decision-making. 

• You bring deep experience of the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services – potentially commissioning support for young people at risk of or involved in violence. You understand how Directors of Children’s Services and other senior leaders think and know how to navigate and influence within the system. 

• You communicate complex ideas clearly. Whether speaking or writing, you break down complicated concepts in ways that make sense to different audiences – without oversimplifying. You bring clarity where others bring jargon. 

• You get things done. You’re organised, delivery-focused, and produce high-quality work, even under pressure. You work independently and to a high standard. 

• You build trust and connect with people. From government ministers to social workers, CEOs to 15-year-olds – you know how to listen, build rapport, and make people feel heard. You’ve led meetings, made strong introductions, and bring people with you. 

• You think big and adapt fast. You’re a strategic thinker who can see the big picture without losing sight of the detail. You’re logical, creative, and open to challenge – always testing and refining your ideas.  

• You understand young people. You get what life can be like for vulnerable young people and you understand the systems and organisations around them. Ideally, you’ve seen this first-hand, whether professionally or personally. 

• You’re committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Not just in theory – but in how you work, who you listen to, and what you prioritise. 

You must have this sort of experience. 

• Delivering concrete change in practice or systems that improved children’s lives. You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within a children’s services setting. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.  
• Leadership experience in the children’s services system. You’ve worked at a senior level in or with children’s services - especially local authority children's services, commissioning and/or children's social care policy, and you understand how to navigate and influence within these complex systems.

• Firsthand knowledge of the system that supports highly vulnerable children, particularly those at risk of or involved in violence. You understand the barriers these children face and what it takes to get them the right support.

While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.   

It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.   

Hybrid Working Details 

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office for a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.     

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage. 

To Apply

To apply, please send a CV, your answers to the three questions below and complete the monitoring form by clicking on "Apply for this" button by 12pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:   

Improving practice or systems 
1. Can you describe a time when you successfully supported children’s services leaders to improve practice or systems? Please include the scale and context of your experience. (maximum 500 words) 

 Developing strategy 
2. Please provide an example of a strategy you developed from scratch and implemented independently. What did you do, what was the impact, what did you learn? (maximum 500 words) 

 Personal and professional experiences in violence prevention 
3. What personal and professional experiences have shaped your understanding of the children’s services sector’s role in preventing violence? (maximum 500 words) 

Interview Process 

This will be a 2-stage interview process. The first stage interview will take place on 9 and 10 October 2025

The second stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 13 October 2025. 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support • Volunteering days - 4 half days per year

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans

• Employer contributed pension of 5% 

Personal Data   

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.