ABOUT US
Women at the Well is a support service for women based in the King’s Cross area of central London. We provide practical support and advocacy to women facing a wide range of disadvantages, and we have a specialism in working with women whose lives have been affected by prostitution and/or sexual exploitation. We are trauma informed, holistic and woman-centred. We deliver our mission through three interconnected services:
1. A women only drop-in service
2. An advocacy service
3. An outreach service
We take referrals from many external partners and while we have a hub-centre in Kings Cross we are a pan-London service. Read more about our work in our impact report.
Women at the Well has supported thousands of women over more than twenty years work in London. We see the complex ways in which women’s inequality, racism, disability and poor health, educational disadvantage, trauma in childhood, migration and the hostile immigration environment can all lead to significant social and economic disadvantages and harm. In our work we meet women who have experienced repeated and extensive abuse, and who are often homeless, living with addictions and/or mental health issues, and in poverty. We see how these women are at high risk of a range of sexually exploitative behaviours including prostitution. As well as providing tailored support, we aim to speak up for the rights of women to live lives free from abuse.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Head of Fundraising & Partnerships will lead the development and delivery of Women at The Well’s fundraising strategy, ensuring we build the sustainable and diverse income base needed to continue supporting women facing extraordinary disadvantage, exploitation and harm. As a senior, hands-on fundraiser, the postholder will take responsibility for income generation across trusts and foundations, individual philanthropy, corporate partnerships and community fundraising, while building the systems, relationships and communications that underpin long-term growth.
Working closely with the CEO—an experienced trusts fundraiser—the postholder will identify opportunities, cultivate relationships, steward supporters, craft compelling cases for support, and drive forward multi-stream fundraising with clarity and purpose. They will coordinate the CEO’s involvement in major fundraising opportunities and act as a strategic partner, ensuring the organisation’s leadership has what they need to secure transformational funding.
This role sits at the heart of a small, values-driven team committed to trauma-informed, women-centred work. The postholder must bring emotional resilience, sound judgement and a deep respect for the dignity and lived experiences of the women who use our service. Regular presence in our King’s Cross centre is important for relationship-building and grounding fundraising work in the mission, though we offer flexibility in working patterns for the right candidate.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Organisation
Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity supporting low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
We help thousands of families every year with essential grants, services and practical support. But we do much more than that. We champion families’ voices, challenge inequality and help shape the conversation on disability, childhood illness and disadvantage.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how Family Fund connects with people across the UK. As a newly created role, it offers real scope to define and develop the function, while playing a central role in strengthening the organisation’s voice and influence.
We are looking for a bold, creative Group Director of External Affairs to join our Senior Leadership Team. At a time when families need us more than ever, you will raise Family Fund’s national profile and influence, positioning the organisation as a trusted, evidence led voice on childhood disability, serious illness and the broader challenges facing low-income families. You will build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, funders, and the public ensuring the organisation secures the visibility, support, and resources needed to drive lasting change for the families we serve.
You will lead an energetic, specialist team spanning communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research, bringing these areas together through a joined up external engagement strategy that delivers real impact.
Some key responsibilities include:
- Lead our communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research teams
- Raise Family Fund’s profile as a trusted national voice
- Build strong relationships with policymakers, media, funders and partners
- Help drive real change for families through influence and insight
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for an experienced leader who loves the power of communication, influence and connection.
Key attributes will include:
- Senior experience in external affairs, communications or public affairs
- A strong track record of influencing policy and engaging senior stakeholders
- Experience leading teams and working at senior level
- A warm, confident communication style and great relationship skills
- A real passion for Family Fund’s mission and social justice
This is an exciting, high impact role with the chance to make a genuine difference to families across the UK.
Candidate Briefing Pack
For comprehensive information about Family Fund, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:
- An up-to-date CV
- A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your experience, motivations and suitability for the role.
All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Russam. All applications should be uploaded via the Russam website.
If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter - Managing Partner, Charities at Russam.
Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd February 2026
Initial interviews with Russam: 17th and 18th February 2026
Interviews with Family Fund: 4th, 5th and 6th March 2026
Flexibility will be provided if needed - do let us know as soon as possible if you are unavailable on these dates.
We commit to inclusion, equality and diversity and we welcome applications from all parts of the community. Family Fund is a Disability Confident Leader. We will invite to interview all disabled applicants who meet the requirements for the role. If you have a disability, and are happy to let us know, please highlight this in your covering letter. We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and we welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.
Overview of post:
This is a 12-month paid internship starting in March 2026, supported by the Jack Petchey Internship
Programme. The successful candidate must be available to take up the post by Monday 23rd
March 2026. This internship is designed to provide a structured learning and development
opportunity for someone interested in building a career in the youth, charity, and/or community
sector. The post-holder will gain specialist knowledge working with unpaid Carers and their
families, as well as exposure to how the broader health, social care, and education sectors
operate.
The post-holder will support the delivery of activities and breaks for Young Carers (YCs) and
Young Adult Carers (YACs), including social, educational, and wellbeing groups, groups which
support YC and YAC personal development, create opportunities to build friendships and peer
support networks as well as provide time out from caring roles.
They will help raise awareness of Young Carers by attending e.g. outreach events and school
assemblies alongside staff, will contribute to identifying new YCs, and undertake a specific
project focused on engaging more YACs aged 18–25. This project will involve researching their
needs and preferences and piloting activities to meet these.
Through Sutton Carers Centre’s support and the additional opportunities provided by the Jack
Petchey Internship Programme, this internship offers a high-quality, developmental experience
for someone starting out in the sector. It could be particularly rewarding for someone who has
lived experience of caring and/or wants to develop specialist knowledge and skills in this area.
Principal Tasks
Activity Delivery
• Support the planning, organisation, and delivery of creative, educational, therapeutic
and/or social group activities, workshops, and trips for YCs and YACs.
• Attend school assemblies and other outreach events with colleagues to raise awareness
of Young Carers and help identify new referrals.
• Encourage YCs/YACs to participate in the planning and shaping of activities, including
through forums and feedback.
• Contribute to creating safe, inclusive, and positive environments where YCs/YACs feel
valued and supported.
Young Adult Carers Project
• Lead a time-limited project to engage YACs (18–25), engaging with currently identified
YACs about their interests and barriers to participation.
• Design and pilot a programme of activities and breaks based on findings, with support
from colleagues.
• Contribute ideas of how we can identify and support more YACs.
• Share learning and recommendations with the wider team to inform future service
delivery.
Learning and Development
• Take part in regular supervision, induction and a structured training programme,
including safeguarding, project planning, group work, and communication skills.
• Shadow colleagues across Sutton Carers Centre to build knowledge of Carer support
and wider health and social care systems.
• Receive mentoring to support professional and personal development.
Partnerships and Networking
• Work alongside staff to liaise with schools, colleges, and other community organisations,
as well as colleagues in social care and health settings.
• Build relationships with external partners, providing opportunities to network with other
organisations and potential employers.
• Help promote SCC’s activities through newsletters, social media, and events.
Monitoring and Evaluation
• Support the collection of feedback and monitoring data from activities and events.
• Assist with record keeping, reporting, and communications.
Policies & Procedures:
• Carry out the above duties with due regard at all times to the Equality, Diversity &
Inclusion, Data Protection & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Environmental, Business
Continuity, Health & Safety and all other policies and procedures of Sutton Carers
Centre.
Other Duties
• To attend and take advantage of managerial and/or peer supervision, team/staff
meetings and undertake appropriate training and any other professional or personal
development.
• To develop and maintain current and accurate personal knowledge of unpaid Carers’
issues and any statutory or legislative changes.
• To participate in staff meetings, staff forums and training events.
• To be flexible with your availability for working hours, as the role will include very
occasional, weekend and evening work, for which you will receive TOIL.
• To work as part of an overall team, contributing to the development of the Centre and
participating in activities, fundraising and promotional events.
• To undertake other duties as appropriate to the post, as agreed with your Line
Manager.
Developmental Opportunities
As part of the Jack Petchey Internship Programme, (information here) the post-holder will also
benefit from:
• An individual £1,000 training budget.
• A dedicated professional mentor for independent advice and guidance.
• Four personal development workshops during the year.
• The opportunity to be part of a peer support network of interns across London and
Essex.
• Participation in Action Learning Sets with other interns.
• Attendance at a programme launch conference and an end-of-programme
celebration.
In addition, the intern will:
• Gain experience of working directly with YCs and YACs.
• Benefit from working within a passionate, ambitious and supportive team environment as
well as a wider community of Sutton organisations determined to effect positive change
for young people and their families.
• Develop skills in activity planning, delivery, and evaluation.
• Learn about safeguarding, equality, and inclusive practice.
• Build competencies that will form a portfolio of evidence for future roles in the youth,
charity and health and social care sectors.
This Job Description is not prescriptive; it outlines the key tasks of the post-holder and
is subject to change in consultation with the post-holder.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.