Deputy service director jobs

For 30 years, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal has helped transform children’s healthcare in Bristol, funding pioneering treatment, facilities and research at Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital. By uniting philanthropy with world-class medicine, the charity enables clinicians to deliver exceptional care and improve outcomes for babies and children across the South West and beyond. Our long-standing partnership with Aardman underpins the charity’s national profile and reach, while initiatives such as Cots for Tots and Gromit Unleashed demonstrate the scale, creativity and impact of our work. As The Grand Appeal continues to grow in scale, complexity and long-term investment commitments, we are creating a new Group Financial Controller role to strengthen financial leadership across the organisation and its subsidiary activities. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the charity. The successful candidate will ensure that the organisation’s financial systems, commitments and reporting remain robust, transparent and capable of supporting ambitious future plans - from major capital projects to long-term programme investment. Working closely with senior leadership and external advisers, the Group Financial Controller will help ensure that donor funds are stewarded responsibly and that the charity remains financially resilient as it evolves and grows. The role also covers the charity’s significant commercial and retail activity delivered through its trading subsidiary, requiring clear financial visibility of trading performance, margins and income streams. You will ensure this activity is reflected confidently within group reporting, supporting disciplined growth and long-term financial resilience. We are looking for someone who combines strong technical financial expertise with a practical, hands-on approach and the confidence to operate at both operational and strategic levels. This role offers the opportunity to shape financial governance in a growing, high-impact charity where financial leadership directly enables better outcomes for children and families. If you are motivated by purpose, value, integrity and want your work to have real-world impact, we would love to hear from you

Help transform global care systems so children can grow up in safe, loving families, not institutions.
Join Lumos at a pivotal moment as we scale our global ambition to reform childcare systems and improve the lives of millions of children worldwide.

Lumos Foundation is an international NGO working to end the institutionalisation of children and support governments and partners to build sustainable, family-based care systems. Founded by J.K. Rowling, Lumos works across Europe, Africa, Latin America and beyond to drive lasting systemic change for children and families.

As our Senior Technical Advisor, you will play a critical global role providing expert leadership on child protection and childcare reform across Lumos programmes and partnerships. This is an opportunity for an experienced specialist to influence national reform processes, strengthen programme quality, and support governments and partners to deliver meaningful change at scale.

You will work closely with country teams, senior stakeholders and international partners, ensuring that Lumos’ programmes reflect global best practice while responding to local contexts.

What you will do

• Provide high-level technical expertise on child rights, child protection and care reform

• Support the design, implementation and evaluation of country and regional programmes

• Deliver technical advice and capacity building to governments, partners and Lumos teams

• Develop guidance, training materials and learning products

• Support evidence generation and knowledge sharing across programmes

• Contribute to donor proposals and programme reporting

• Represent Lumos in international technical networks and partnerships

About you

You are a collaborative and experienced professional with deep expertise in childcare reform or child protection programming and a strong commitment to children’s rights.

You will likely bring:

• Significant experience working in child protection, care reform or related international development programmes

• Experience working with governments or large institutional partners

• Strong analytical, facilitation and communication skills

• Experience developing training, technical guidance or policy materials

• Ability to work effectively across cultures and global teams

• Excellent written and spoken English

• Willingness to travel internationally when required

Additional languages and experience working across multiple countries are an advantage.

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience.
The advertised salary range applies to candidates based in the UK. For candidates exceptionally appointed in another Lumos country office (Colombia, Kenya, Moldova or Ukraine), salary will be benchmarked and aligned with local market conditions and Lumos’ country-specific salary framework.

Location

London (UK) preferred. Exceptional consideration may be given to candidates based in Lumos country offices in Kenya, Colombia, Moldova or Ukraine.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the country from which they apply.

Contract

Fixed-term until 31 December 2027, aligned with Lumos’ current strategy, with potential extension subject to funding.

Why join Lumos?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a bold global mission during a period of organisational growth and impact. You will work alongside passionate international colleagues committed to ensuring children grow up in families and supportive communities.

Benefits vary by location and include flexible working arrangements, generous leave provisions, learning and development opportunities, and wellbeing support.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

Lumos is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and operates a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation and harassment. Employment is subject to appropriate checks and references.

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

How to apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter through the application portal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.