Education Jobs
Working at Koreo
Koreo is a learning consultancy dedicated to imagining and building a better world. We work across civil society to help everyone experience the transformative power of radical learning. Since 2004, we have become one of the UK's leading learning and development partners for organisations with a social purpose, working alongside leaders in communities, social change organisations of all sizes, and convening learning networks across sectors and industries.
Our work is made up of a combination of consultancy projects, from large scale culture change programmes to discrete strategy and people development projects, as well as through our own programmes developing emerging and existing talent across the social change sector.
You can learn more about what it’s like to work at Koreo by exploring our Company Toolkit at www.koreo.co/toolkit. You'll benefit from:
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25 days holiday (5 days of which are fixed in August and Christmas), plus bank and public holidays
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Enhanced sick pay and family leave policies, flexible working arrangements, workplace pension scheme
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Cycle to Work scheme
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Fully comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
The Job
The Learning Networks Portfolio Manager will:
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Report to the Managing Director
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Be employed on a permanent contract
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Be based remote or hybrid, with regular travel to London
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Be paid a pro rata full-time equivalent salary of £45,000-50,000
The Role In Brief
This position plays a central role in the delivery of Koreo’s work; responsible for a portfolio of the company’s biggest and most established programmes. It will be a varied role and will require someone to lead project teams in the design and delivery of high quality national learning programmes, while also playing a key role in the development of Koreo as an organisation
better able to build a just and regenerative future.
1. Responsible for the successful delivery and development of a portfolio of national learning programmes and projects. This portfolio of work is primarily focused on cross-sector learning programmes that bring cohorts of people together around learning missions. Examples include Civic Futures and the London Engagement Collaborative
with the GLA.
2. Responsible for sustaining and growing the portfolio, and with it Koreo’s profile, network, and income. This might be focused on developing the existing programmes in the portfolio, or could include wider writing, public speaking, pitching and networking
which support the distribution of the work.
3. An internal leadership role in developing a just and inclusive culture in which a diverse team can do its best work. This includes line management of one Project Coordinator, development of organisational practice and process, and work with the team on culture and development.
We’re looking for someone with the following skillset:
Commitment to Koreo Mission:
● An interest and motivation in driving social change through learning, and supporting people to create a more just and regenerative world through learning and development.
● An interest in understanding how social change happens in a complex world, and a commitment to supporting social change work that is consciously anti-oppressive, aware of power and agency, and committed to facing the big, messy challenges of the 21st century in a way that is both just and regenerative.
Strategic Leadership:
● Experience of a role with responsibility for the leadership of a team or portfolio of projects.
● Experience of strategy development and implementation, either at a programmatic or an organisational level.
Programme Management & Delivery:
● Experience of leading the design and delivery of learning programmes in an equivalent environment.
● Experience leading projects which required the effective management of a range of stakeholders through project and programme work. You will be able to demonstrate how you have engaged with those stakeholders to build their connection with and investment in the project, and how you managed that work.
● Experience of designing and facilitating learning/collaboration/experimentation spaces for individuals and groups, either in an organisational or programmatic context.
● Skills & Knowledge which enable you to design high quality programmes and learning spaces, to support individuals with their learning, and to facilitate group spaces.
● A familiarity with subjects relevant to Koreo’s work is essential. Successful candidates will likely be interested in subjects like collective impact, new approaches to power, working in and with complex systems, organisational design and psychology, participatory futures, activism and organising, multi-disciplinary practice, and much more that we don’t know about yet.
● An ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders, with excellent verbal and written skills.
Operational Excellence:
● Experience working in a role which required excellent project planning, management & reporting.
● Experience working in a role in which you were responsible for building and then delivering against project budgets.
● Experience working with a CRM to manage relationships and programmes of work.
● An ability to organise and manage yourself, to work and deliver at pace to a high standard across a number of projects, to spot and solve problems as part of a proactive attitude.
● An ability to cope well with competing demands and changing environments, demonstrating flexibility and an ability to work in different settings and with different people.
Development & External Influencing:
● An understanding of the landscape of social change work, with a particular focus on UK non-profit and public sectors and the needs of people, organisations and networks in this space.
● Experience of winning, and/or growing projects or programmes of work to deliver on a business development target. This may be through growing existing projects, writing proposals/tender responses, or by taking a new idea from concept to operational delivery. Experience of doing this in an equivalent context is desirable.
● An ability to influence externally, with a particular focus on the production of content (in the form of blogs, articles, reports, videos, infographics) that support campaigns and external influencing.
People & Culture
● An ability to building positive relationships in a small, busy and ambitious team, leading and able to hold relationships with colleagues and our wider community.
● A commitment to your own personal development and learning, and an understanding of how that development will be supported by your work at Koreo.
It’s desirable, but not essential that the person has:
● An understanding of Justice, EDI, and anti-oppression and how to apply that understanding into organisational development.
● Experience of designing and delivering cross sector learning networks.
● Experience of client and account management in a consultancy context.
● Experience of designing spaces for cross-sector groups.
● Familiarity with practices like coaching, action learning, or particular methods of group work.
● Experience using Asana or an equivalent.
● Experience using Hubspot.
● An existing network in a relevant sector.
● An existing practice (and examples) of sharing your thinking or practice with a wider audience.
● Experience of line management.
Further information about the role can be found in the job pack linked on our socials or Medium page.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) is recruiting a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager to provide expert support to two major programmes and also more broadly across PSI. This is an exciting new role which will concentrate on developing and embedding evaluation and learning practice within PSI’s activities, with significant opportunity to add value. It is anticipated that you will divide your time between three broad areas of work.
Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative (working title)
You will support the development and implementation of a MEL workplan for this initiative, based around the Theory of Change (ToC) and working closely with collaborators at Science for Africa Foundation in Nairobi.
The International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC)
You will lead on the design, implementation, delivery and continuous improvement of a MEL framework based on the ISARIC ToC model, using research and insight to inform developments. This will include defining and implementing cross-team data collection processes and tools, creating and championing a strategy for dissemination of and access to ISARIC outputs, and preparing reports.
PSI-wide activity
You will deliver guidance to other groups within PSI. This will include supporting researchers to articulate impact in grant applications and publications, and providing MEL expertise to ongoing projects. You may also be required to work with colleagues across the wider Department of Medicine to prepare material for the Research Excellence Framework 2028.
It is essential that you hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, alongside significant experience of planning and conducting monitoring and evaluation using different methodologies, gathering and analysing quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate reach and significance of research impact. You will have excellent diplomacy, interpersonal and listening skills with proven ability to relate well to staff at all levels. Familiarity with the UK Research Excellence Framework and experience in monitoring and evaluation of scientific, global health or policy research would be desirable.
Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.
This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 3 years and is funded by the Wellcome Trust, a donation from Mastercard Foundation, and from the Moh Family Foundation gift.
Only applications received before 12 midday on 3 June 2024 will be considered. Please quote 172616 on all correspondence.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The opportunity
University of the Arts London (UAL) is looking for an Event Manager to join our Development Events Team on a fixed term basis, covering a period of maternity leave.
Supported by an Events Officer, you will lead on the end-to-end planning and delivery of key events to support UAL’s first major fundraising campaign, launching this Autumn. Recently this has included a programme of bespoke cultivation events such as exhibition tours and Meet The Artist discussions, and annual flagship stewardship events such as the Scholars’ Celebration.
You will have the opportunity to help shape our future programming, working closely with the Head of Events to design creative and engaging events that expand our networks, delivering UAL’s strategic priorities and reflecting our world-leading credentials.
More broadly, you will be an advocate for best practice in event management at UAL, advising colleagues across the University as required. In this capacity, the team has recently taken on the project management of UAL’s Graduation ceremonies and all-staff Summer Party, the latter of which will be led by the Event Manager.
About you
This is an important role for a creative individual with experience of delivering cultivation and stewardship events for donor audiences.
With a passion for arts and culture, you will have excellent attention to detail and the ability to ensure an exceptional experience for all stakeholders and the efficient delivery of UAL events.
We are UAL
University of the Arts London (UAL) offers an extensive range of courses in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts. We are a collegiate University spread across London with six Colleges, four Institutes and five Research Centres. UAL also has two subsidiary companies, delivering specialist activities – UAL Short Courses Ltd, and UAL Arts Temps Ltd.
We’re made up of all types of people, coming together in London, the world’s creative capital. We are designers, artists, performers, thinkers, researchers and makers. Our students, staff and graduates form a global network of creatives, entrepreneurs and leaders. Together, our ideas change the world. Because the world needs creativity.
We are ranked highly across the board. We are ranked first for specialist art and design, second in the world for Art and Design in the 2023 QS World University Rankings (for the fifth year in a row), ranked fifth in sustainability and two of our colleges were rated in the top three fashion schools in the world.
To apply please click the apply button.
Closing date: 23:55, 15th May 2024.
Our culture
UAL is committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The essentials …
- Full-time (Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm)
- 8 – 10 month fixed term contract
- £40,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience)
What you’ll be doing …
Manage and administer the pilot project to develop a recognition arrangement (RA) framework for licensing Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status to professional bodies overseas, using the new framework to secure three RAs within the project period.
Overall responsibilities / requirements …
Systems and Process
- Setup systems and processes to manage new licensing framework and chartership applications.
- Setup systems and processes to manage quality control of applicants and assessments.
- Setup systems and processes to manage billing and data/records management and sharing.
- Setup Systems and processes to assess RA candidates for Chartership.
Support licensing application process
- Manage enquiries relating to licensing applications.
- Process applications for licensing including data entry and file management.
- Working with the Chartership Officer (CO) organise training for licensed organisation assessors.
- Support the CO to develop and manage the Society’s Chartership assessor’s training programme.
- Organise welcome packs & certificates and training materials.
- Ensure accurate record management and compliance with GDPR guidelines.
Provide effective support to Licensed organisations
- Ensure communications are handled in a prompt and professional manner.
- Ensure that Service delivery targets are maintained
- Ensure regular data collection from licensed organisations for their CGeol registrants.
- Organise invoicing and fee collections for licensing and associated fees.
- Organise periodic review of licensed organisations to ensure quality control.
Support Lead generation and promotional activities
- Working with the Head of Fellowship Services, develop and implement initiatives to promote and generate leads for potential partners for Licensing.
- Initiate and engage with potential partners for licensing.
- Working with the Head of Fellowship Services develop and maintain a licensed organisation engagement programme.
- Review and update web pages in relation to licensing.
Other responsibilities and expectations
- Adhere to stated policies and procedures relating to health and safety, and quality management.
- Adhere to procedures relating to the proper use and care of equipment and materials for which the role has responsibility.
- To be proactive in identifying areas for potential improvement in systems
- Communicate and provide information by relevant methods internally and externally to assist and enable organisational operations and effective service to connect groups
- To ensure that positive working relationships are created with other departments at GSL.
- Undertake other tasks consistent with the role as reasonably required by the Head of Fellowship Services
- To provide cover for other roles within the department as required
What we’re looking for …
Candidates for this role will be required to demonstrate a range of skills, competencies, and abilities for the role. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
ESSENTIAL
- Project management experience
- At least three years’ experience of professional accreditations management and or Earth Science background
- Degree level academic qualifications
- Good records and process management skills essential
- Good organisational and administration skills essential
- Good interpersonal and communications skills
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft office suite
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
- Good problem-solving ability.
- Attention to detail.
- Flexible working approach
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
DESIRABLE
- Chartered Geologist or Chartered Scientist qualification
- Experience of Microsoft Dynamics
- Experience of government funded projects
A bit about us …
The Geological Society is a registered charity and employs just over 50 staff at its offices in London and Bath. Our London office is situated in the beautiful London hotspot of Piccadilly in Burlington House, just next door to The Royal Academy.
As an employee conscious company, we invest in our staff by emphasising training, growth and progression in every role. We firmly believe in a positive work/life balance and offer a flexible approach to working from home as well as 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) when you start with the option to add 2 extra days per year.
The Society is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a harmonious inclusive environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members visitors and staff are respected. We are an equal opportunities employer and the post-holder will be expected to adhere to and support the Society’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
To apply for this position, please forward a copy of your CV together with a short cover letter (500 words maximum). Please ensure that your cover letter highlights your experience.
We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are actively recruiting for an interim HR Advisor for an initial fixed term contract of 5 months for a large education organisation. You will be working with our HR Business Partners on Employee Relations cases, providing day to day generalist advice, reviewing some of our policies as well providing support on restructures.
This is a full time role that offer hybrid working of 3 days on site - location South London.
Ideally an ASAP start
This is a newly created role and there is a great deal of untapped potential here for a proactive leader to support the CEO and SLT to create efficiencies in how we manage our internal infrastructure (IT Systems and processes), Finance and charity Governance, and HR/people to ensure we maintain and develop a thriving and nurturing working environment. The individual will have significant involvement in the strategic vision of the organisation as a whole. With a broad portfolio, the role combines both operational and strategic elements and must be able to flex up and down accordingly.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Senior Finance Executive
Duration: 3-Months Temporary
Working Hours: 9am-5pm (35 per week)
Hybrid: 1 day per week in the office, due to upcoming office move, there will be weeks this role will be full remote.
Location: Fenchurch Street
Start: ASAP
Pay: £20 per hour plus £2.41 per hour holiday pay (Equivalent to annual salary of £36,400 FTE plus holiday pay)
Charity People are delighted to be working with a leading professional body. They provide globally recognised qualifications and training. Due to a busy period, there is an opportunity to join the Finance Team for a period of 3 months.
As a Senior Finance Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial records during the year-end audit preparation process. This position requires strong analytical skills and strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
Key Responsibilities:
* Prepare reconciliation schedules for accruals and pre-payments; reconciling deferred income; undertaking balance reconciliations and cash-flow forecasting.
* Reconcile the financial ledgers and ensure all accounting records are accurate and up to date.
* Assist with monthly bank reconciliations.
* Reconcile data between Sage 200 and other sources of information.
* Prepare supporting schedules in preparation for the year-end audit so that a first draft of the annual accounts can be prepared and reviewed with the Financial Controller.
* Prepare P11D's and PAYE Settlement Agreements, ensuring that the correct expenses are recorded and making payments where necessary to ensure compliance with HMRC regulations.
* Work closely with Finance Executive, Finance Assistant, and Finance Manager.
* Assist in additional tasks given by the Financial Controller.
Knowledge and Skills:
* The post holder must be part qualified accountant.
* Be proficient in the use of financial software packages (ideally Sage 200), customer relationship management databases, and Office.
* The post holder must be particularly skilled in the use of Excel - Vlookups, pivot tables, formulae including conditional formatting, tables, what if analysis, cell formatting.
* Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Have excellent organisational and time management skills and be able to prioritise effectively.
* Have an analytical mindset with the ability to identify and resolve complex issues.
* Have a strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy in the work output.
* Have a strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, and audit procedures (ideally experience of preparation of year-end supporting documents).
* Ideally, the post holder will have experience of preparing VAT returns for partially exempt organisations.
How to Apply
Please note we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible.
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We match charity needs with the 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 do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.
Safeguarding is of fundamental importance to the work of the RSCM at every level, so this is a vital role which involves working collaboratively with staff and volunteers across the UK to ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented and kept under review, keeping up to date with legislation and best practice.
You will act as the RSCM's Lead Recruiter through 31:8 for processing DBS applications, receiving updates and deciding levels of clearance required for staff and volunteers including for events and courses.
Thee will be a high degree of liaison with Trustees, management and staff as well as the need to network with other agencies as appropriate.
For a full job description see the attachment.
RSCM works to positively promote the importance of effective safeguarding, holding to the Christian belief of valuing each person as someone who bears the image of God and is loved equally by God, and therefore should be protected from harm.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our vision is for an environmentally engaged society with better connections to nature.
Our mission is to improve life chances of children and young people through a range of Outdoor Learning experiences, enabling them to learn from nature, empowering them to have a positive impact on the environment. We do this through grant support, direct delivery, research and advocacy.
The Role
In this new role as a Development Surveyor at the Trust, you'll play an important part in advancing our Property Strategy, taking forward capital projects, in support of extending our charitable impact and growing our income to do so. Working closely with the Property Director, you'll lead multiple capital projects of differing scales and varying timelines, focusing on the redevelopment of rural assets, brownfield sites, and new developments focused on rural land and property.
Your expertise will be instrumental in managing relationships with partners, planning authorities, consultants and influential stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes. You'll be part of the Head Office-based Property team, with occasional travel to our rural landholdings across England.
Main Accountabilities:
- Assess and manage the Trust's portfolio of capital projects with a focus on maximising value and impact.
- Lead the development process from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with the Trust's strategic objectives and values.
- Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders and potential partners to advance developmentprojects.
- Serve as a Trust ambassador, representing our interests in various forums and engagements.
- Provide expertise in financial and development appraisals to guide decision-making.
- Provide regular progress updates to the Property Director, addressing risks and opportunities.
- Oversee local consultations and stakeholder engagement to ensure project alignment.
- Manage contracts and negotiations to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
- Co-ordinate design team meetings and liaise with professionals to drive project success.
- Conduct post-completion evaluations to capture feedback and improve future processes.
Person Specification:
Specific Requirements
- Proven track record in managing development projects, with a focus on rural property.
- Understanding of rural property characteristics and relevant legal frameworks.
- Proficiency in Health & Safety laws and regulations.
- Strong grasp of technical and contractual aspects of project development.
- Experience in financial modelling and analysis.
- Skilled in co-ordinating multiple external consultants, contractors, and planners.
- Ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and findings.
Personal Qualities
- Motivated and results-driven with a commitment to excellence.
- Confident leadership skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to thrive under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Collaborative mindset with a focus on cross-organisational alignment.
- Comfortable navigating complex contracts and commercial environments under time constraints.
Skills and Knowledge
- Degree or equivalent qualification or experience in surveying, property management or development, pre-construction project management (client side), or related field.
- Membership in a relevant professional body (eg, RICS, PMI).
- Proficiency in MS Office suite and development-specific software.
- Experience with GIS mapping software is desirable.
How to Apply
In the first instance, please download, complete and save the Application Form available via The Ernest Cook Trust website and then Upload your completed application form to our recruitment portal (The link is posted on the job description on our website).
(CVs will not be accepted)
Closing Date
Monday 13 May 2024 at 17:00.
1st Interviews
Monday 3 June 2024 at Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4JH.
2nd Interviews
Monday 17 June 2024 at Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4JH.
Find more information about The Ernest Cook Trust on our website.
We look forward to hearing from you.
ABOUT US
As a landowning educational charity, the Trust is uniquely placed to share its woodlands, farms and natural habitats to inspire a greater love and understanding of the natural world, farming and sustainability. We do this for children, young people, their families and communities, particularly those who face barriers to accessing and participating in the outdoors.
We are part of an impressive community of networks and organisations across the UK, working to help create a more environmentally engaged society. Our work is increasingly done in collaborations and partnerships with like-minded organisations, particularly with our funding partners, whose contribution significantly boosts the scale and reach of our work.
The Trust’s Estates
The Trust owns and manages over 9,000 hectares of land and property made up of mainly let farmland but also 584 hectares of woodland, houses, cottages and a growing commercial portfolio. Land is owned in six counties: Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire. These rural landholdings are managed for income return and capital growth, whilst seeking ways to improve the environment and important habitats, evolving and protecting the landscapes.
Active management dictates that we are constantly looking for new opportunities and ways to evolve and improve our income stream in support of the Trust’s overall charitable object, which is education. These already include long-term housing development proposals, natural capital and carbon, and biodiversity net gain projects alongside other long-term ambitious plans.
OUR VALUES
The unique spirit of The Ernest Cook Trust is best expressed through our values:
Cultivating Connections
At the heart of our work lies the belief that meaningful and lasting change happens through the cultivation of connections. We value the relationships we build with the people and communities we serve, as well as each other and the partnerships we form with like-minded organisations. We understand that these connections create the conditions for people and places to flourish.
Freedom to Try
We embrace a culture of innovation and resilience, where both our team members and the individuals we serve have the freedom to try new things. This value encourages a dynamic and adaptable approach, nurturing trust and courage in ourselves and others.
Progressive Stewardship
We believe in responsible, forward-thinking management of our outdoor resources, as places where diversity can thrive. By actively caring for the environment, we ensure that the beauty and benefits of the outdoors are accessible to all, changing lives through individual and shared positive experiences.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Join our growing team at the Trust for a friendly and rewarding experience. We offer competitive salaries, a range of benefits plus a training budget for your personal growth.
We currently have around 45 members of staff based either at our Gloucestershire Head Office, across our UK landholdings and in our regional hubs (Gloucestershire, Cumbria/Lancashire, Leicestershire) or working hybridly.
Enjoy our generous benefits:
- 10% employer pension contribution (5% from employees)
- 27 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays.
- Life Assurance.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme, providing 24/7 support for health, mental wellbeing, and more.
- Dynamic, creative, and welcoming work environment.
Working for us will involve wellies, because we firmly believe that everything is better outdoors!
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Embracing diversity is an essential part of the work of The Ernest Cook Trust. We are committed to treating everyone as a unique individual, fairly and with respect, irrespective of race, disability, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. We are committed to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all, and prioritising the wellbeing of the children, young people and vulnerable adults we support. Our safeguarding policy can be found here.
The appointment will be subject to satisfactory background checks including Disclosure and Barring Service and relevant online searches to comply with best practices in Safeguarding, and proof of the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We help charities find people who share their purpose, faster, easier and fairly.
The Task Ahead: Finance Manager
As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.
As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
Areas of Responsibility
The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:
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Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.
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Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.
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Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.
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Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.
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Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.
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Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.
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Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
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Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.
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Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.
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Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.
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Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.
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Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences:
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Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.
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Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.
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Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.
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Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself.
Why Work for The Difference?
Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children.
Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.
Our Organisation
The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.
The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.
Our Values
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High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves. We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis.
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Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.
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Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/
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Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them. We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.
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Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions.
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Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.
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Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.
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Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times.
How To Apply
To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.
First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.
If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.
Recommended Reading
If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:
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The research which underpins our organisation.
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Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
University of Manchester Students’ Union
Associate Director of Student Engagement (Maternity Cover)
Salary: £40,950 - £47,250 (plus a cost of living award will be added from August)
Location: University of Manchester Students' Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR
Contract: Fixed-Term, ending on 31st July 2025
Hours: Full-Time, 35 hours per week (open to part time working requests of 0.6 FTE)
Do you love developing managers and leaders? Do you ask great questions and create space and safety for people to figure things out? Are you comfortable managing people who are more expert in things than you? Do you enjoy solving organisational/people puzzles and helping to guide and navigate teams to do the same? Do you value and seek co-leadership with beneficiaries (in our case, students)? If yes, this is the role for you!
About the Students’ Union
The Students’ Union is a registered charity and is independent from the University (although we work closely together). We are a student-led organisation and exist to help students make the most of their time at Manchester and get the best for their future. We’re the home of societies, volunteering, student media, advice, campaigns, student democracy and events.
About the role
We’re looking for an Associate Director to provide senior leadership to student facing teams in the students’ union. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a competent team and provide cross-organisational stewardship with a team of senior leaders. You’ll be getting up to speed with our culture, organisational approaches in your first month or so alongside the person going on maternity leave. You’ll have a clear roadmap of what’s coming up and be given the freedom to make good decisions to respond to the context as it changes. There is good support around our senior leaders from the director team, external coaching is available to anyone who requests it, and there are well developed people, finance and compliance functions. We have requisite knowledge around the role to make this suitable for someone with transferrable skills from outside Students’ Unions and if you’re from Students’ Unions, you’ll be working alongside great people to bounce ideas and thoughts off.
As an organisation, we’ve got a clear strategic framework, insight, people and values frameworks so your contribution will be to role model great behaviours and maintain excellent cross-directorate working. You’ll need to be able to pull different threads together and ensure our work is aligned to our strategy and values. You’ll be providing political advice to the elected student officers so being able to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and navigate others through it is important.
You do not have to have worked in education, Students’ Unions or the third sector before. The person specification is clear we’re looking for leadership development skills and a navigating complex environments orientation. This is because there is a lot of interest and scrutiny on what our organisation does, our influencing environment, relationships with the university and programmes develop and evolve quickly.
We recognise that we are looking for an experienced person (albeit without a sector knowledge requirement). If you have additional skills to bring to the role, we’d love to hear them. We’re open to discussing whether you want to work part time (minimum 0.6 FTE) alongside other freelancing work, so long as the outcomes and expectations are delivered to the required standard. We have a brilliant range of benefits which makes University of Manchester Students’ Union a very attractive place to work.
Key Dates:
Closing Date: 3pm on Monday 27th May 2024
Interviews: Tuesday 11th June 2024
How to Apply
Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Job Description and Person Specification and find details of how to apply.
For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact Anh Ly from Atkinson HR Consulting.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Schoolreaders:
Schoolreaders was launched ten years ago in Bedfordshire with the aim of recruiting volunteers to provide one-to-one reading support for children in primary schools across the country. Over 22,000 children in over 1000 schools are receiving weekly reading sessions from a Schoolreaders volunteer. One in four children are leaving primary school unable to read to the expected Government standard. Our service is needed more than ever before with 1 in 6 primary schools across the country asking Schoolreaders for reading volunteers. Building on past successes, we have ambitious plans to expand our provision, focussing on areas of deprivation in which children need our support the most.
Role Description:
We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced Head of Fundraising to lead our small, dynamic Schoolreaders fundraising team and help grow income in line with the Charity's ambitious and exciting plans. This is the ideal opportunity for someone hoping to achieve great results within a rapidly growing charity which is impacting the lives of thousands of children every week.
What you can expect:
A highly rewarding, senior fundraising role where you can develop your own skills whilst making your mark on a fast growing national children's charity. Schoolreaders is a highly professional charity which values every team member's contribution to our team efforts. We offer a generous holiday allowance, enhanced sick pay, an employee assistance programme, plus training and development opportunities. If you want to lead a great team in a fast moving, welcoming environment whilst making a huge impact on children's literacy across the country, this could be the perfect role for you!
Applications will be reviewed, and interviews offered, on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the closing date should a suitable applicant be found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Schoolreaders is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a basic disclosure check of unspent criminal convictions.
Schoolreaders is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales (1159157)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Educational Grants & Relationships Manager
The Merchant Taylors' Company is looking for an exceptional person to lead on its educational grant-making and its education-related relationships. The grant-making is delivered primarily through the Merchant Taylors' Foundation. It’s partly about schools but also potentially any setting in which education improves lives – for example, offender rehabilitation, or our Early Years joint programme with the Leathersellers’ Company.
You’ll sustain vibrant relationships between the Company and schools throughout England and Northern Ireland with which it has close links. Some are state-maintained, some in the independent sector, and you’ll love both types.
You’ll lead on education-related volunteering opportunities for the Company’s membership, a vibrant community of people whose birth decades span the early 2000s back to the 1930s.
You’ll also lead on relationships with all the stakeholders affecting our education-related work. You’ll ensure those relationships are flourishing and mutually advantageous, and you’ll lead on identifying and building new ones to increase our impact.
You’ll support fundraising work for the Foundation, for example through creating compelling pieces for social media and hard copy publications.
You’re a fast learner and clearly very able. You are clever, proactive, pragmatic and financially astute. Your influencing and diplomatic skills are strong. Your social skills are brilliant with people of all ages and walks of life. Your oral and written communication skills are excellent, and you’ll need them for working with Merchant Taylors’ boards and committees and communicating with the Company’s membership. You’re not afraid of taking responsibility, or being accountable. You are a strategic thinker. You’re great on the big picture as well as the detail. You’re confident with figures and financial information. You’re also confident with IT and, given we’re a small team, you’ll love using IT applications to help us work efficiently.
You don’t need a professional background in education. The qualities above are much more important. This job could suit someone with great potential who is looking for the next step up, or someone who can already demonstrate experience of everything from their career to date. Either way, the selection process may include skills tests.
For more information including how to submit a valid application, please see the instructions in the Candidate Information Pack.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
- Excellent benefits package
- Agile working
About Our Client
Harper Adams University is a highly respected educational institution based in Newport, Shropshire. As a not for profit entity, they focus on providing outstanding learning experiences for students and fostering an environment of academic excellence. The institution is medium-sized, with a dedicated team of professionals committed to making a difference in the education sector.
A Payroll and Pensions Manager is required to oversee the processing of payroll and pensions for the University. The successful candidate will bring a wealth of experience to the role, coupled with a strong understanding of financial regulations.
This is a unique opportunity to work in a stimulating environment, completing and managing complex payroll processes and ensuring the efficient operation of pension schemes.
Job Description
- Manage and oversee the processing of the company payroll and pensions of around 650 employees.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable financial and tax regulations.
- Work closely with HR and Finance Departments to ensure accurate record-keeping.
- Handle any payroll and pensions related queries from staff.
- Implement improvements to the payroll and pensions processes.
- Prepare and present reports to senior management.
- Assist in the preparation of end of year accounts.
- Keep up-to-date with changes in financial regulations and legislation.
- Leadership and Team Management
The Successful Applicant
A successful Payroll and Pensions Manager should have:
- Actively studying towards or qualified in CIPP (QBE is also considered).
- Comprehensive knowledge of payroll and pensions processing.
- Excellent understanding of tax and financial regulations.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in payroll software and MS Office applications.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities.
What's on Offer
- A competitive salary in the range of £38,000-£43,000 per year.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunity to work in the not for profit sector.
- 22 days holiday + bank holidays + 8 closure days
- Agile and flexible working
- Free parking
- CIPP qualification support
We encourage all interested candidates, who meet the above criteria and are eager to make a difference in the not for profit sector, to apply for this exciting opportunity in Newport, Shropshire. If you're interested in applying for this role or want an informal chat, please reach out to Katie Paine at Page Personnel.
Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Page Personnel.