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As Head of Impact, Communications & Research you will lead a small but skilled team, delivering across our community research, impact and evaluation, and communications functions. The team works across multiple workstreams and projects, responsible for some of the organisations core functions, coordinating two of our key partnerships and leading our community research work across the borough.

You will bring an understanding of how work and projects should be designed, delivered and evaluated to ensure they continue to respond to community needs and priorities. You will also instinctively understand the challenges faced by VCS organisations and communities alike, whether gained from a track record of working in the sector or a related field. High Trees’ work aims to create tangible benefits for all those we work with, and you will be excited to ensure High Trees continues to set the standard for community-led research and system change while creating tools, resources and practices that benefit the wider sector.

You will also lead the development of infrastructure around community-led research in Lambeth. Through the Lambeth Community Research Network, voluntary and community organisations will be able to access training, resources and networking opportunities that will enable them to build their capacity in developing and delivering new community-led research projects. The network will also create new opportunities for research collaborations between academics, public sector bodies and voluntary and community sector organisations.

As Head of Service, another key function of your role is the leadership and oversight of High Trees’ Monitoring & Evaluation and Communications, including for our partnerships. This allows us to ensure we continue to deliver services that have the impact we intend, and that this impact is evidenced and communicated to our key stakeholders.

You will take a leading role in shaping and delivering our strategic vision for community-led research. Our approach to research aims to rebalance the role and power that communities have in deciding how research is informed, delivered and used to improve lives for Lambeth residents. This role will champion collaborative research practices, foster meaningful partnerships, and ensure our work drives tangible, positive change for the communities we serve.

To be successful in this role you will need to be able to develop new research projects which incorporate meaningful community involvement and have the potential to lead to positive change. You will take the lead on the design of new research programmes, support with sourcing funding to run these programmes and ensuring research projects are completed to a high standard, including the production of high-quality research outputs.

At High Trees, our local community is at the heart of everything we do. You’ll bring significant professional experience working in research and/or community settings, demonstrating your ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and develop initiatives that reflect and respond to local priorities. This role is an opportunity to drive meaningful change, expand our impact, and strengthen the role of community research in shaping a fairer, more inclusive future.

Employee benefits

• 35 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and 3 Christmas days) rising by 1 day each year after 2 years’ service (capped at an additional 8 days)
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave after 2 years’ service
• Save money off a new bike with the Cycle to Work scheme
• Up to 7% contribution to the staff pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Support Line
• Clear pay structure with yearly increments (based on performance)
• Annual staff away day
• Premium eye-care vouchers through Specsavers and season ticket loans
• Regular team lunches and generous supplies of office breakfast and snacks!