Entry level jobs

Do you want to join a growing and dynamic children's charity and make a real difference?  This varied and rewarding role could be for you!

A little about us 

We are one of the largest providers of mental health services to schools in London. We also provide early years education and family support, including offering emergency assistance for families in crisis. This work makes a real difference to thousands of children and families each year.

Our values

We work with children and families of all backgrounds and of all faiths and none; our sole aim is to help those in greatest need so they can overcome the challenges they face and achieve their potential. Our work is underpinned by our core values of integrity, compassion, inclusion and partnership. 

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly team and use your fundraising experience to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families. As Fundraising Manager, your role will focus on developing relationships and generating income from charitable trusts, statutory sources and individuals. 

This is a diverse and rewarding role where you can work closely with our project teams and see the direct impact of your efforts. The fundraising team is also actively involved in service delivery.  This role will be instrumental in helping to distribute gifts and food to hundreds of disadvantaged families at Christmas, as well as helping families in crisis by assessing Crisis Fund applications and approving grants.

As a proactive and creative fundraiser, you will also help to shape the department’s overall fundraising strategy and play an important role in ensuring that many more disadvantaged children and families can access the support they need and have hope of a better future. 

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with strong fundraising experience who is keen to use their skills to help CCS grow our income. A proactive and flexible approach is also a must! The successful candidate will have:

• At least three years’ experience or working as a charity fundraiser
• A proven track record of personally securing income in excess of £200,000 p.a.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and supporters.

What you will get in return

• Generous annual leave allowance of 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Access to a staff Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Funding to undertake a Diploma in Fundraising with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising after one year.
• The opportunity to wake up each morning and feel you are making a positive difference!

Hours

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week.  However, we are open to considering candidates who wish to work part-time but require a minimum commitment of 21 hours per week.  Please state if you wish to be considered for a part-time role in your cover letter.  

Location

Lovely office at 73 St Charles Square, London. W10 6EJ (private off-street parking is available for staff). Hybrid working options considered, with the expectation staff attend the office at least two or three days per week.

Application process

We are actively interviewing for this role so please submit your CV and covering letter as soon as possible.

Please ensure you include a concise cover letter that clearly sets out why your skills and experience make you suitable for this role and what motivated you to apply.

Further information

CCS is an inclusive employer and we aim to have a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we service. There is no requirement for our staff to be Catholic and we encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to safer recruitment and maintaining a strong and positive safeguarding culture.  This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.  References from current/past employers will also be sought once an offer has been made.

Charity No. 210920

You will lead, with support, on the development and delivery of an exciting new Women at Risk (WaR) project seeking to support women at risk of rough sleeping, homelessness and exploitation. Working across key areas of Enfield and Haringey you will, through a combination of nighttime outreach and daytime service development, support a coordinated response across multiple agencies already engaged in this work.

You will coordinate and lead a minimum twice weekly nighttime outreach, support additional services and existing outreach provision and develop a daytime offer that meets the needs of women engaged through outreach and identified as at high risk of harm and homelessness.   

You will have management responsibility of a small staff team, take overall lead on case management, coordinate outreach and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to support women to access and engage with a range of services to meet their needs through effective and professional communication.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a passionate, high performing team and develop a service which is meeting identified gaps in local provision.

HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS & DEVELOPMENT

About Us

Portobello Business Centre (PBC) is a not-for-profit organisation that helps people start, grow and scale successful businesses. 

For 30 years, we have been committed to social mobility, inclusion and entrepreneurship and have supported thousands of businesses. Alumni include household names such as Charlie Bigham’s, Innocent Drinks and Karen Millen, as well as countless sole traders and early-stage founders.

We are a small, ambitious, growing team working to deliver a new organisational strategy and expand our impact.

About You & The Role

You are a natural builder who enjoys closing deals, developing relationships and creating meaningful social impact. You will shape and lead PBC’s first dedicated fundraising function, building a portfolio from the ground up with limited existing donor relationships.

The role focuses on securing six-figure corporate partnerships and cultivating high-net-worth individual donors, alongside a smaller trusts and foundations portfolio. You thrive in a strategic, relationship-led role and are comfortable using a broad range of fundraising approaches.

Working closely with the leadership team, you will secure funding to support long-term sustainability and expand PBC’s impact across London and beyond. Initially the sole fundraiser, you will have the opportunity to develop and lead a team as the function grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy Delivery: Take ownership of multi-year fundraising strategy working closely with the CEO and Board to diversify and increase revenue streams that support PBC’s service expansion and reach

• Relationship Management: Research, identify and cultivate funding opportunities from companies and high-net-worth individuals, alongside trusts and foundations

• Trusts & Foundations: Oversee the grant pipeline, with external support for high-value applications and build relationships with decision-makers

• Develop Compelling Fundraising Material: Collaborate with CEO and wider team to evidence, quantify and articulate PBC’s social value using data and storytelling to position PBC as a high-impact partner for donors and partners

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Track and evaluate fundraising performance against financial and operational targets. Provide regular updates to the CEO and Board, ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations, sector and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising best practices

• Proactive Self Starter: Though collaborative, you are motivated to build and maintain momentum, identify and create opportunities and take full ownership of projects from initial idea to delivery

• Commercial Development: Support development, sales and delivery of commercial income strategy, specifically helping to grow the paid membership scheme and securing sponsorship for commercial programmes and offers

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 21 days’ paid annual leave, plus UK public and bank holidays.

• Christmas Closure: Additional 10–14 days of paid leave as the office closes between Christmas and New Year.

• Season Ticket Loan: Interest-free season ticket loan available to support travel costs.

• Training & Professional Development: Access to relevant fundraising, partnerships and leadership training, including external courses, sector events and conferences.

• Supportive working environment: A small, collaborative and ambitious team.

#Fundraising #HeadOfDevelopment #Partnerships #CorporateFundraising #CorporatePartnerships 
#SeniorFundraising #SocialImpact #London

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Operations Manager to play a vital role at the heart of our organisation. This is a hands-on post that combines oversight with day-to-day delivery across all core operational functions - including HR, governance, IT and data, finance administration, and internal systems.. Reporting to the Chief Executive  and working closely with the senior leadership team, you’ll ensure the smooth delivery of the systems and processes that enable our frontline work and support our future growth. The role involves both direct delivery and coordination - particularly through co-ordinating relationships with key external service providers in IT and HR. You’ll help ensure these partnerships are effective, responsive, and aligned with the organisation’s needs. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on problem-solving, values good systems, and wants to help build a resilient and well-run organisation from the inside out.

We are taking rolling applications so please apply as soon as possible. To apply, please complete our application form.  The completed form is the only information we will use in consideration of your application, so please ensure that you complete it fully, with particular attention to your personal statement detailing how you meet the required specifications for the role.

As part of an ambitious Business Development team, you’ll work closely with partners from the commercial, not-for-profit and government sectors to plan and implement activities that enable people to report crime without fear.

Reporting to the Head of Business Development, you will work collaboratively, whilst showing initiative and proactivity. Much of the work we do is cutting-edge for the sector and as such, we welcome creativity, curiosity and a solutions-based approach. 

The Account Manager position is very varied – liaising closely with Operations, MarComms and our Data teams and of course, at all times, overseeing and meeting partners, producing reports and writing evaluations. 

You'll find the job pack below, and you can apply via our careers page via the link.

Please note that you must submit both a CV and a covering letter to be considered for this role.

Please ensure that your application reflects your genuine voice and experiences that demonstrate your suitability for this role.

Salary: £26,227.50 per annum, pro-rated

Location: Leeds city centre – Shelter shop

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Part time, 21 hours per week

Closing date: Wednesday 18th February at 11:30pm

We're looking for an inspirational people person to join us as a Assistant Shop Manager in our brand-new flagship Shelter Shop in Leeds City Centre opening in spring of 2026. This is an exciting opportunity, and we'd like you to join us to help raise vital funds for homeless and badly housed people.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Shelter opening their newest shop. You will work closely with the Shop Manager to ensure the shop looks welcoming, visually appealing and the team of volunteers are motivated and keen to engage with customers and maximise sales

About the role

You will assist the Shop Manager in the recruitment, support and development of a strong community focused shop team and empower them to maximise Shelter's income. Representing Shelter in your local community, ensuring that you and your team share your knowledge of Shelter's cause with customers, volunteers, donors and potential Shelter clients will also be important aspects of the role. You will always ensure a safe, clean, bright and happy environment for your team to work in and for your customers to shop in, in turn attracting potential donors and volunteers.

About you

You are a naturally energetic person with an enthusiasm for managing and empowering people. You know how to recruit and develop a team of volunteers, and your extraordinary motivational skills will enable you to inspire your team to increase sales and control costs. Above all, you are ready to take on a new challenge and have a keen interest in Shelter's cause.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. Please provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria in the 'About you' section of this advert, following the STAR format, and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:

· We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything,

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Our vision is to bring hope to every one of our patients across London, when they need us most, where they need us most. Our mission is to use everything we know, our specialist skills and unmatched experience to save lives and ensure the best outcomes for every one of our patients and their families. We’re a charity that works alongside the NHS and our life-saving service is made possible by our supporters. 

This is an exciting time to join London’s Air Ambulance Charity. In early 2025, we launched our new 15-year strategy, setting the direction for the service to our 50th anniversary in 2039. This strategy gives us the opportunity to tell the unique story of the service – we see more incidents requiring life-saving care at the scene than any other air ambulance service. London brings unique challenges and our new strategy requires us to tell a broader story of what we do and the impact we have. 

Alongside this, we’ve developed an ambitious Engagement Strategy to put the people of London at the heart of our fundraising and marketing. This is an incredible opportunity for a supporter experience expert to develop and oversee our approach to supporter experience, supporter care, and fundraising compliance and risk. 

The Head of Supporter Experience will lead the early-stage delivery of our supporter experience strategy, ensuring every interaction with the charity is meaningful, consistent and inspiring. This role will oversee supporter care, fundraising compliance, Gift Aid management and directorate risk management, embedding a culture of excellence and supporter-centricity across the organisation. 

We’re at the very early stages of embedding a culture of supporter experience and in a period of change – transitioning to a new CRM (Dynamics) and implementing Customer Insights Journeys. We have a major opportunity to improve how we do things as a result of this investment in technology, and this role has a real chance to make their mark on setting the foundations for how we deliver supporter experience. 

As a member of the Fundraising and Marketing Management Team, you'll champion the supporter perspective, ensuring that our processes, systems and communications deliver exceptional experiences that deepen loyalty, retention and lifetime value. 

You’ll be a strategic and passionate leader who can see the big picture and inspire others to deliver it. You’ll combine a clear vision for exceptional supporter experience with determination and process thinking to make it a reality, ensuring every interaction strengthens our supporters’ connection to the charity. With a collaborative and innovative mindset, you’ll champion insight-led approaches, embedding a culture where supporters are at the heart of everything we do. This is a role for someone who thrives on driving change, influencing at all levels and delivering measurable impact - helping us achieve our mission to bring hope to every one of our patients. 

Our vision is to bring hope to every one of our patients across London, when they need us most, where they need us most. Our mission is to use everything we know, our specialist skills and unmatched experience to save lives and ensure the best outcomes for every one of our patients and their families. We’re a charity that works alongside the NHS and our life-saving service is made possible by our supporters. 

In this role you’ll work to meet the digital needs of London’s Air Ambulance’s frontline clinical and operational teams.

This post sits within the Clinical and Operational Data team and will be responsible for our operational digital solutions, acting as an internal product owner. London’s Air Ambulance has been on its digital transformation journey for several years and you’ll be helping to build on current progress and further develop the organisation’s digital maturity. You’ll be overseeing existing digital solutions for clinical and operational functions, as well as meeting new requirements and driving innovation. You’ll also be working with the IT team, external partners and vendors to onboard and maintain infrastructure for the future. You’ll be responsible for line-managing a Power Platform developer. You’ll also work closely with users of our data and digital artefacts of clinical care, balancing complex and competing stakeholder requirements.

You’ll have the chance to work closely with frontline clinical and operational teams in the NHS and London’s Air Ambulance Charity, assessing requirements and finding solutions that ultimately make a difference to our patients.

We're looking for someone with experience in building digital capacity within an organisation, who can help drive innovation and digital transformation. The Clinical and Operational Digital Lead will show the ability to gather requirements and lead on infrastructure choices for digital needs. This role will work closely with NHS partners (including their Information Technology and Information Governance functions) and with vendors, assessing requirements and managing external and internal stakeholders.

NEON is a not- for profit Organtision 

Our Mission is to remove structural barriers within the arts and creative industries by creating equitable access to training, space, professional experience and paid work.

We centre children, young people and emerging creatives from underrepresented and underprivileged communities, ensuring talent is supported not only creatively, but economically and professionally.

We are seeking to expand our team capacity to deliver transformational growth across our creative programming. The Business Development Manager will  transition NEON from project-based delivery to sustainable, recurring programmes while scaling our impact within the creative industries and local community.

Job Description

You will work closely with both our external cross-sector funders, clients and internal delivery partners and teams to provide a service that exceeds expectations by  monitoring progress and continually adapting and improving effectiveness to meet changing needs

The postholder will:

• Expand income generation through studio hires, memberships, events, and trading

• Securing sponsorships, multi-year funding, and philanthropic donations

• Develop contracts and partnerships with schools, local authorities, and corporate entities

• Strengthening impact reporting and financial reporting and management

• Supporting the Founder and Artistic Director to build a resilient business model across our sites in Vauxhall from 2026. 

Role Profile - Essential Experience and Skills 

• 5 years plus demonstrable experience of income generation  and management, delivering on time and within budget 

• Demonstrable experience of budget management - strong financial literacy, commercial awareness and analytical 

• You enjoy working in an entrepreneurial and creative, start-up environment - understanding that this may mean doing what is needed to get the outcome, even if not within one’s own role

• You have resilience to change course and adapt priorities as needed by the business

• You are as comfortable working independently as you are as part of a team

• You enjoy working with a small team and contributing to the broader ambition of the whole organisation and being an ambassador for our work

• Willing to be based in our studio in Vauxhall

• Substantial experience of relationship building and collaborative partnership with people from all sectors and backgrounds - especially at senior management/executive level e.g. stakeholders, funders and delivery partners

• Demonstrable track record of managing and monitoring performance to meet objectives and delivery of targets 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and present ideas clearly, coherently and persuasively in the written format as well as verbally 

• Ability to think, act and communicate strategically and creatively

• Ability to be self-servicing including proficient use of Microsoft IT and Google Suite package

Desirable

• Knowledge and/or experience of the arts and creative industries, in a startup or with creative entrepreneurs is desirable though not essential. We would still like to hear from you if you have experience leading and delivering high-profile projects and are committed to making a difference.

• You are passionate about the arts and creative sectors, wanting to use your abilities to nurture the talents of others and increase diversity within these sectors

Are you a dynamic and results-driven professional with a passion for retail management? We are seeking an experienced Area Manager to oversee (12 – 14) stores across West Midlands, Shropshire and North Wales.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have excellent leadership skills, and a keen eye for business development, this role is for you!

This is a field based to role, therefore willingness to travel to various sites and a full UK driving licence is essential.

What does this role involve:

The Area Manager will work closely with the Regional Manager and fellow Area Managers of both facias to ensure BHF values are upheld, and our ambitious targets are met.

You will need your combined skills of strategic leadership, team management and operational excellence to succeed:

• Drive commercial awareness throughout your area to maximize sales and profit
• Maximise performance by leading diverse teams, ensuring everyone lives by and demonstrates our values
• Ensure commercial performance is maintained within your area

What we are looking for:

• Experience in retail management, preferably overseeing multiple stores.
• The ability to motivate and guide teams toward achieving goals.
• A strong understanding of retail operations, financial metrics, and market trends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A proactive approach to addressing challenges and finding solutions.
• The willingness to travel within the designated area.

What’s important to us?

At the British Heart Foundation (BHF) we offer a huge range of new and used quality furniture, clothing, jewellery and more, available in store and online.

In addition to raising funds for the BHF, we connect with our local communities and help reduce clothing and furniture waste across the UK. With over 700 stores we make a huge environmental impact by preventing around 70,000 tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill every year. We receive 1.6 million items donated to our home stores and 9.8 million bags of donated items and we will continue to build upon our reuse agenda in the years to come.

Everything we do comes back to funding lifesaving research for all heart and circulatory conditions. We are more ambitious and determined than ever – because the cures and treatments we need are in sight. You could be part of getting us there sooner! 

Why join the BHF?

We have a strong culture of internal progression and will actively support you to develop your career.

Our generous staff benefits include:

• 38 days annual leave (plus the option to buy and sell leave)
• Holistic support leave of up to 10 additional days off each year
• Enhanced family policies (maternity, paternity and adoption leave)
• 25% staff discount
• Health cash plan (Dental, Optical, Therapies, etc)
• Access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Pension with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym memberships
• Discounts with a wide range of retailers

The Talent Set is delighted to be partnering with our sector leading client in their search for a proactive and ambitious Senior Philanthropy Manager to join their high-performing fundraising team. The philanthropy programme has doubled in size recently, and this role is pivotal in driving the next phase of growth.

The Role

You will balance your time between managing a warm portfolio of existing donors and strategically building a new pipeline of support. Key responsibilities include:

• Cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors giving five and six-figure gifts.
• Building a pipeline of new major donor opportunities at the £50k+ level
• Working with senior leadership and Board members to inspire a culture of philanthropy across the organisation.
• Providing supportive and inspiring line management to a Philanthropy Manager.

About You

We are looking for a "go-getter" who is comfortable in a fast-paced but supportive environment and dedicated to providing first-class donor stewardship. To be successful, you will need:

• Proven experience personally soliciting of five figure (at least £50,000) donations from high-net-worth individuals.
• A track record of identifying and delivering new support opportunities at the £50k+ level.
• The ability to work with senior volunteers and influencers to leverage peer connections.
• Experience managing complex projects and developing compelling, strategically aligned funding propositions. 

What’s on Offer

• Salary: Circa £53,000
• 2 days a week in the office
• Flexible working-part time/compressed working considered
• Generous holiday allowance plus an excellent range of benefits 

Interview Dates:

First stage interviews via Teams week commencing 23rd February

2nd stage interviews in person week commencing 2nd March

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Contract: 8-month fixed term maternity cover, full time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary:  £25,787 - £27,886 per annum

Location: Southampton, SO30 2HL

Closing date: Wednesday 18th February 2026

Interview date: Thursday 26th February 2026 

We’re looking for a passionate and driven Assistant Manager – Client Services to join our team at the Southampton rehoming centre and help lead our work supporting people and pets. If you have a talent for delivering outstanding customer service, strong people management skills, and a genuine love for animal welfare, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact. This is a fixed term role until 30th September 2026.

More about the role

Our Southampton rehoming centre plays a vital role in supporting animals and their people, with on-site kennels and a cattery providing direct care and rehoming services. As part of a compassionate and dedicated team, you’ll help oversee day-to-day operations, support our clients, and ensure we’re making a positive difference in the lives of pets and their owners every day.

As Assistant Manager – Client Services, you’ll be at the forefront of this work. You’ll:

· Lead and line manage the client services team to deliver exceptional care from first enquiry through to adoption or other support

· Work closely with the team to assess and admit pets, match them with the right adopters, and guide clients through every step of their journey

· Use data and insights to shape services and continuously improve client experience

· Collaborate with the local leadership team to meet targets and drive pet welfare outcomes

· Be hands-on with day-to-day operations including managing enquiries, prioritising admissions and promoting pets in our care

This is an 8-month maternity cover position until 30th September, working full time at 37.5 hours per week on a rota that includes 1 in 3 weekends and bank holidays. The working day is from 8.30am to 5.00pm.

At our Southampton rehoming centre, we provide onsite accommodation for pets in our care 24/7.  Overnight shifts are usually undertaken by team members who live on site.  Occasionally you will be expected to carry out night checks when the resident team members are either not working or away for a period of time.

About you

You understand what it takes to match pets with new homes and are passionate about delivering an outstanding client experience. With a sharp eye for detail and a drive for improvement, you know how to assess what’s working – and what’s not.

As a people manager, you're confident in leading by example, setting expectations, and ensuring your team has the support they need to succeed.

A natural leader, you bring out the best in your team, supporting and coaching them to grow. You're calm under pressure, thrive in busy environments, and communicate clearly with people from all walks of life.

Your resilience and empathy shine through in emotional situations, helping you build trust, handle challenges with care, and create a compassionate, high-performing team.

Knowledge, skills, and experience

· Significant experience of managing a team.

· Experience in delivering high level customer service.

· Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.

· High standard of verbal and written communication.

· Proven decision-making ability.

· Current full driving license.

· The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross Values 

It would be great (but not essential) if you also had: 

· Performance management and improvement experience.

· Understanding of safeguarding issues.

· Experience of admission and adoption processes in a rescue environment. 

Want to know more detail? Great! We have attached the job description which hopefully gives you everything you need. 

How to apply 

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date Wednesday 18th February.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

Blue Cross benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.

Our generous benefits package includes:  

· Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 30 days plus bank holidays   

· Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution

· Health cash plan 

· Life assurance

· Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme 

· Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support 

· Free access to GP via MetLife 

· Recognition scheme Annual volunteer days

· Claim for professional fees 

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website. 

Senior Policy Officer

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.  

We currently have around 95 staff based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to grow our staff team to deliver our ambitious strategy, On a mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

Senior Policy Officer Job Description

Do you want your policy work to genuinely change lives? As a Senior Policy Officer, you’ll lead a defined area of our UK-wide policy work, shaping evidence-based positions that influence decisions across health systems and government. You’ll have the autonomy to own your brief, the space to think strategically, and the support of an expert, collaborative team who care deeply about impact. Your work will directly affect people living with bowel cancer.

This role is ideal if you’re an experienced policy professional who enjoys tackling complex problems, building trusted relationships, and turning evidence into action. You’ll work closely with policymakers, clinicians and sector partners, represent us in high-level forums, and help steer how we respond to fast-moving health policy developments. In return, we offer flexibility, trust, and a strong values-led culture and the chance to be part of a growing organisation delivering an ambitious strategy at a critical moment.

If you’re motivated by purpose, confident in your judgement, and ready to step into a role with real responsibility and influence, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Salary: £38,346 -£42,544 per annum (depending on experience and skill level)

Contract length: Permanent

Location: Remote/ Hybrid – Oxfordshire preferable but open to other locations within catchment area, flexible working.

Responsible to: Programme Manager Catchment Partnerships, or directly to Assistant Head of Improving Rivers / Head of Improving Rivers

About Thames21

Thames21 is an environmental charity which works across London and the Thames Basin to deliver high-impact nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers, whilst also connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces and inspiring long-term stewardship of them. 

Diversity at Thames21

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.

 Purpose of the job

To drive forward Thames21’s ‘Thames Valley’ (broadly Oxfordshire/ Buckinghamshire/ Berkshire) catchment areas programme in line with our 5-year plan and future strategies ensuring appropriate integration across Thames21 and partner organisations. This includes building and sustaining a team to reduce diffuse pollution, increase biodiversity, improve water quality, and support agricultural businesses to deliver environmental improvement works and nature friendly farming practices.

The postholder requires operational experience and knowledge at catchment scale as well as project and people management experience. They will take a strategic overview of the programme and guide our growth in the thematical and geographical area, with a particular focus on the following outcomes.

• Work with 20 farmers each year to reduce diffuse pollution at source and flood risk.
• Offer advice on nature-based solutions and grant funding to farmers and landowners.
• Plant 30,000 trees annually.
• Input and support the achievement of other applicable 5-year plan targets. i.e. River restoration and catchment scale monitoring.
• Increase Thames21 presence in the Thames Valley, identifying opportunities, supporting, and complimenting the work of other NGOs and regional Rivers Trusts.

The role is a relatively new area of work for Thames21 and may consist of supporting a range of projects and programmes including Catchment Partnerships, Farm Clusters and Natural Flood Management.

Finally, the postholder will take a lead in progressing Thames21’s resilience strategy i.e. working closely with the Fundraising Team, the Catchment Partnership Team, and partner organisations to increase private and public investment to deliver healthy resilient rivers and catchments.

Additional requirements may include supporting other Thames21 projects and funding applications, as the need arises.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

You will oversee and manage the delivery of diverse projects. You will also develop your team’s scope, strategy and action plan in order to grow the team to deliver 5-year plan targets work closely with expert (e.g. statutory bodies, authorities, NGOs and academics) and non-expert (e.g. community groups and volunteers) stakeholders to develop, fund and deliver projects within the catchments, and oversee their management.  You will also work closely with the Assistant/ Head of Improving Rivers and other members of the Thames21 team to develop funding applications and steer the direction of the catchment areas.

Tasks include:

 · Programme Development & Integration

Develop and expand the Thames Valley catchment programme in line with Thames21’s 5-year strategy, ensuring integration with other teams.

 · Funding & Financial Management

Secure diverse funding sources and manage project budgets, including financial reporting and cost tracking to meet objectives.

· Project & Risk Management

Lead project delivery, monitor progress, and identify risk mitigation strategies to ensure continued success.

· Team Leadership & Staff Development

Manage and support staff through training, appraisals, workload balancing, and adherence to health and safety requirements.

 · Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with internal teams, funding bodies, landowners and other external stakeholders.

 · Technical & Farm Advisory Support

Provide farm advice, generate reports (including GIS mapping), and maintain a database of visits and environmental opportunities.

· Catchment-Based Approach Advocacy

Promote and apply catchment-based principles internally and externally in water and land management.

 · Health, Safety & Compliance

Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and broader regulatory requirements across all projects.

 · Information & Data Management

Maintain accurate documentation and project data systems, supporting transparency and accountability.

· Promotion & Communications

Support production of publicity materials and represent Thames21’s work to broader audiences.

 Other Duties

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within Thames21. At various times the post-holder will be directed to carry out other reasonable duties in support of other Thames21 activities that are consistent with those in this Job Description.