Volunteering support officer jobs

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The role of Marketing and Communications Coordinator is to provide support in ensuring the
local community is kept informed about Matrix and its projects, as well as engaged in
supporting us. We expect you to be creative, enthusiastic about our cause and an effective
communicator. In this role you will work independently, but in close liaison with the CEO,
Wider Leadership Team and the wider Matrix team.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
External Communication
● In collaboration with the CEO, write, edit and coordinate the production and delivery of
all postal and electronic newsletters.
● Plan, prepare and coordinate communication with Matrix donors, supporter Churches
and the wider public.
● Create, plan and schedule posts across all Matrix social media channels.
● Develop original copy for social media platforms, websites, broadcast and printed
advertising materials.
● In collaboration with the Data Coordinator, simplifying complex data into a user-friendly
format such as graphs, charts and other visual aids.
● Ensure Matrix team understand and use the correct branding for internal and external
communications.
● Understand brand guidelines and consistently implement the brand voice across all
channels and marketing materials and encourage the wider team to do the same.
● Collaborate closely with the Data Coordinator and Head of Operations to ensure our
supporters database meets GDPR and Fundraising Regulation requirements.
● In liaison with the CEO, write and submit press releases as required.
Income Generation and Networking
● Participate in the Fundraising Working Group, working with the Income Generation
Strategy to enhance our income.
● Attend Matrix fundraising events, taking photographs and supporting with appropriate
creative tasks.
● Support the Head of Operations in producing written funding applications, as required.
● Represent Matrix at networking events alongside the Leadership Team.

Support to Executive Team
● Under the direction of the Head of Operations, collaborate closely with the Operations
Team.
● Undertake a variety of creative administrative tasks for the CEO and Head of
Operations as required.
● Under the direction of the Head of Operations, provide additional administrative
support to the wider Leadership Team.
● Work within our wider Organisational Strategy and Communications Strategy.

What we expect from you:
Matrix is a small, established, but evolving and growing charity. There is therefore an
expectation on all staff to be proactive and a team player, supporting others in their busier
seasons and the charity as a whole across the year.
All staff are expected to:
● Fit in with our values: positive, relational, innovative, collaborative and fun.
● To work from within the Christian ethos.
● Be committed to and passionate about the mission to catalyse change in young
people’s lives.
● Be a pro-active member of the Matrix team and get involved in projects which benefit
the mission of Matrix (e.g.: fundraising activities/events or reflective spaces).
● Work across agencies and Matrix teams.
Due to the nature of the work you may be expected to work some evenings and occasional
weekends. All hours will be based at the Matrix office, unless previously agreed. Any specific
changes to your working week will be cleared through your Matrix line manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
● A confident and professional written communicator, with a high standard of written
English.
● A confident and professional verbal communicator, both on the phone and face-to-face.
● Highly organised, with an eye for detail, and able to work to tight deadlines.
● Comfortable working within a fast-paced environment, able to prioritise and deliver on
multiple projects concurrently.
● Confident in being creative and using own initiative; working independently as
required.
● Excellent IT skills.
● Familiar with and confident using a breadth of social media platforms.
● Approachable and able to relate to staff, volunteers and other Matrix stakeholders in a
friendly and professional manner.
● Educated to A Level (or equivalent), with a minimum of grade C in English and Maths GCSE

● Passionate about the mission of the Matrix Trust.
● Agrees with, and is able to support the ethos of the Matrix Trust.

DESIRABLE
● Familiar with the GDPR.
● Educated to degree level, preferably in a related field.
● Comfortable developing new processes, as required.
● Experience of copywriting, marketing or public relations.
● Experience of working with young people, in a youth work or educational setting.
● A proven ability to present complex information in an accessible format to a variety of
audiences.

The Sussex Beacon is at a pivotal moment in its history as we move to re-instate our clinical care and evolving our hospice offer to become the first LGBTQ+ Hospice with a specialism in HIV palliative care.

 As Finance Manager at The Sussex Beacon, you will be joining a small but agile senior management team helping us to drive forwards our strategy and business planning.

 We’re looking for a Finance Manager with strong experience in financial management, analysis, and reporting to ensure our day-to-day finances and budgets run smoothly while supporting effective long-term decision-making. You’ll bring insight, structure, and clarity, turning data into decisions that make every penny count for the communities we serve.

You will report directly to the CEO and work closely with our volunteer Finance Director to ensure that we meet regulatory requirements and provide accurate information to our Board of trustees.

Join Us as our Operations Coordinator 

BeSpace is a small but growing Christian charity with a big vision to see a future where every child has space to develop personal tools to pray, reflect and grow spiritually throughout their lives, helping churches, schools and communities to flourish.

We have seen incredible impact through developing prayer and reflections spaces in schools across Oxfordshire. Since 2010, over 65,000 children have experienced prayer and reflection spaces led by local churches, trained and resourced by us. Currently 60 schools a year have one. Now, we’re building on this momentum to reach over 115 schools in the next three years and are preparing to grow nationally with developing contemplative retreats for schools.

About the Role

We are looking for an Operations Coordinator to cover adoption leave, likely for one year. This is a vital role in keeping BeSpace running smoothly and enabling our small but growing team to thrive. You will also, where needed, play a hands-on role in supporting churches and schools in our work. 

In this role, you will:

• Take responsibility for key operational processes including recruitment, HR, and volunteer management systems — not only maintaining them effectively but actively seeking ways to innovate and strengthen them, with guidance and support from senior leaders. 
• Manage finance administration, including donations, CRM (Beacon), and Gift Aid claims.
• Project manage BeSpace events and provide admin support to the team.
• Develop and maintain systems for impact tracking, GDPR compliance, and volunteer management.
• Provide communications and social media support.
• Where needed, support on-the-ground delivery of retreats and prayer and reflection spaces in schools.
• This role would suit someone with strong organisational and administrative skills, a passion for children’s spiritual development, and a willingness to get stuck into a wide variety of tasks.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Exceptionally organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Confident using IT systems and willing to learn how to use a CRM (Beacon).
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Flexible, adaptable, and willing to work occasional evenings/weekends.
• Personally committed to BeSpace’s vision, with a strong Christian faith and a desire to see children flourish spiritually.

Experience in HR, finance, events, or charity administration would be an advantage, but we’re open to applicants with transferable skills.

Role Details

• Position: Operations Coordinator
• Location: Hybrid, travel required for in person team days 3 - 6 times a year and approximately 1 day a week into Oxford.
• Hours of work: PT 4 days a week. (28 hours) Flexible for the right candidate.
• Salary: £22,000 – £25,000 (pro rata) depending on experience. 
• Start Date: Monday 11th May 2026 

Why work for BeSpace?

We are intentional about developing an excellent team culture and an environment through which you will thrive, grow and succeed in your role. 

Your benefits include: 

·Generous annual leave – 25 days (pus bank holidays) per year, pro rata

·Additional time off between Christmas and New Year.

Reporting to: Community & Challenge Events Manager

Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday, normal office hours are 9:00 to 5:00, 37.5 hours per week.  Flexibility is available around start and finish times.

Location: Hybrid working – Minimum 40% of working time to be spent in the office based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Includes occasional local, regional and national travel.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious fundraiser with a track-record in income generation. This role forms an integral part of the Community & Challenge team, a small team that works with supporters including individuals, local businesses, schools, our beneficiaries, and community groups.

Job purpose

• To develop community fundraising activity and campaigns to support Willow’s strategic income goals.
• To work across Community and Challenge Events to deliver agreed financial and non-financial targets.
• To proactively develop relationships within the community including companies, schools, groups and organisations to raise income and awareness.
• Develop innovative fundraising initiatives with the Senior Community Fundraiser informed by sector insights and trends.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of Community, Challenge, and wider Fundraising Team targets.

Main duties/responsibilities

• To support and deliver the Community Fundraising strategy within agreed budgets to achieve financial and non-financial targets.
• To raise awareness of our work and to inspire support through the following activities:
• To steward our network of fundraising supporters to maintain engagement and build loyalty, by providing a highly personalised approach to supporting Willow’s fundraisers ensuring our supporters receive a positive experience throughout their fundraising activity, including sending thank you communications and ongoing stewardship. 25%
• To develop proactive relationships with various organisations within the community setting, including, schools, societies, community groups and companies. 25%
• To deliver presentations to a variety of community audiences. 5%
• To organise and deliver a calendar of fundraising activity that creates opportunities for supporters to help Willow. Ensure participation and income targets are achieved.  10%
• To develop the charity’s social media fundraising activity in collaboration with the wider team.10%
• Collaborate closely with the Communications Team, to help plan and develop multi-channel campaigns including on and offline activity that inspire and engage people. 5%
• To work with the Communications Team to produce campaign materials, share interesting stories and fundraising updates. Prepare content for newsletters, website, and social media. 5%
• To develop a team of volunteers to support fundraising activity. This could include delivering talks, attending events, and promoting Willow at community events. 10%
• To foster relationships with Willow’s network of charity shops and explore collaborative opportunities to mutually support each other's initiatives. 5%
• To ensure accurate recording of supporter information and reporting on activity through:
• Updating the charity’s database, Raisers Edge (RE) recording all donor contact and fundraising activity.
• Using RE as a tool to aid fundraising using data insight and reporting
• To prepare end of campaign reports to improve results for future campaigns and capture learnings.
• To prepare regular income reports and updates as required.
• To keep up- to- date and comply with the rules as set by the Fundraising Regulator, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and other relevant legislation and codes of practice and good practice.
• To keep up to date with changes and trends in the UK fundraising environment
• To undertake any other tasks required

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in Community Fundraising.
• Proven record of accomplishment in delivering and meeting targets
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
• Well organised with attention to detail
• Ability to inspire and influence others to support Willow
• Ability to develop, motivate and manage individuals and groups of individuals
• Ability to manage several projects and tasks simultaneously and skilled at prioritising
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Effective negotiating and influencing skills
• Strong numeracy skills
• Decisive problem solver with the ability to adapt easily to change
• Innovative outlook and a willingness to suggest new ideas.

Desirable

• Experience of producing fundraising reports for activity and outcomes
• Experience in delivering fundraising campaigns and initiatives
• Fundraising database experience – preferably Raiser’s Edge
• Experience of working in the charity / fundraising sector.

Other

• Regular travel across the county (occasional national travel) will be required. Willing to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Full driving license and access to a car

Special Conditions

Essential

• Able to work irregular (unsociable) hours and weekends where necessary.

General

We offer the following competitive benefits package:

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week in the office in Welwyn Garden City
• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service, plus bank holidays and discretionary Christmas leave
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Stakeholder pension with matching contributions up to 5%
• Occupational sick pay
• Life Assurance cover of 3 x salary
• Flexible working patterns where appropriate for the role
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to financial advice and employee discounts

You will be part of a small energetic and committed team supporting the delivery of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s philanthropy and income generation ambitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will help grow and steward support from individuals, corporate, charitable and statutory donors, with a lead responsibility for a defined portfolio of relationships and initiatives.

Fundraising and relationship building happen across the charity, and you will manage your own portfolio of donors and partners and work with the Chief Executive and wider team to co-ordinate activity, share insight and maximise opportunities for place based philanthropy in Northamptonshire.

You will need confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to plan and deliver projects as part of a highly collaborative team. You will be comfortable cultivating, stewarding and sometimes soliciting charitable donations yourself, as well as creating opportunities for the Chief Executive to engage with donors and prospective supporters.

Funders In Good was founded to support Muslim donors in the UK who want to achieve strategic, long-term impact but lack the capacity, connections, or expertise to give effectively. We provide tailored financial grants and strategic support to social ventures serving Islam and Muslims, helping them scale, strengthen systems, and increase long-term impact. Our focus is on ventures and leaders contributing to a society where commitment to God flourishes.

Since 2021, we have grown from nine seed funders to over 130 members in our invitation-only Funder Network. Members contribute financially and through skills, receive quarterly progress reports, access events, and connect with other funders. This network is part of our wider community, which includes our team and the ventures we back.

As Funder Development Manager, you will shape this network by developing a compelling value proposition, building acquisition pipelines, nurturing funders, and curating engagement programs that deepen alignment with our mission. Success relies on both fundraising expertise and emotional intelligence: you will build trust with a diverse range of donors and philanthropists, navigating conversations about values, faith, impact, and community with warmth and confidence.

This senior, outward-facing role carries responsibility for income generation, stewardship, and relationship-building.

Please read the JD to find out more, application deadline is midnight 8th March 2026.

This senior leadership role oversees a portfolio of 13 high-performing, award-winning retail shops generating over £3.5m in annual sales. The role is responsible for maintaining and growing this performance through strong leadership of paid staff and volunteers, working closely with the central trading team and hospice colleagues.

The post holder balances commercial focus with creativity, accountability and strong people skills, supported by a genuine passion for retail excellence. Retail is a vital part of the hospice’s long-term success and sustainability.

The Hospice of St Francis provides free care across West Hertfordshire and South Buckinghamshire. Over 80% of its income comes from trading and fundraising. Our retail operation is one of the strongest in the sector, with innovative shop formats, committed volunteers and teams delivering excellent customer service.

Experience:
Extensive senior retail management experience across multiple sites or channels, ideally within a charity or values-led organisation. Demonstrated success in increasing sales income and net profit while maintaining strong cost control.

Growth & E-commerce:
Proven experience developing and growing online or e-commerce sales, alongside identifying and delivering new business opportunities, including expansion of shop portfolios.

Leadership:
Strong, inspirational leader with a track record of developing high-performing teams of staff and volunteers. Experienced in collaborative working with marketing and wider support teams.

Skills:
Highly commercially astute with strong analytical capability and a solid understanding of profit and loss. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

Other:
Full UK driving licence and access to transport. Flexible approach to working hours, including weekends.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Harris Hill are delighted to be working with Stella Maris to recruit for the Head of Individual Giving role in order to lead and grow the charity individual fundraising programme at an exciting time of organisational growth. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal role in recruiting, retaining and developing individual donors, ensuring Stella Maris has the sustainable income needed to deliver its mission.

You will lead our Individual Giving team and oversee national appeals, including the flagship Sea Sunday Appeal, engaging Catholic parishes across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This is a senior, strategic role for a motivated fundraiser who combines leadership, creativity and strong analytical skills with a passion for making a difference.

About Stella Maris

Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting network in the world, supporting seafarers, fishers and their families across more than 350 ports in over 50 countries. Formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea, we have been serving the People of the Sea for over 100 years, offering practical, pastoral and spiritual support regardless of creed, gender or ethnicity.

Stella Maris UK works closely with chaplains, volunteers, parishes, maritime charities and industry partners to uphold the dignity, rights and wellbeing of those who live and work at sea.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the Individual Giving strategy in collaboration with the CEO and senior leadership team
• Lead national fundraising appeals, including Sea Sunday and seasonal campaigns
• Recruit, retain and steward individual supporters through effective donor journeys
• Grow income through regular giving, legacies, volunteering and other giving products
• Manage and develop the Individual Giving team
• Oversee Salesforce CRM usage, data quality, reporting and compliance
• Manage budgets, income forecasting and campaign analysis
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, fundraising regulations and charity best practice
• Work closely with chaplains, communications, finance and philanthropy teams

About You

You will bring:

• Significant experience in direct marketing fundraising (ideally in the charity sector)
• Proven experience of managing national fundraising campaigns
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Experience using charity CRMs (e.g. Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge)
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire support
• Confidence working with data to inform strategy and decision making
• A resilient, proactive and collaborative approach

Desirable:

• Experience fundraising in a faith based setting
• Knowledge of the Catholic Church
• Experience managing volunteers and external agencies
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising

Salary of £54,000 per annum

Location: London, hybrid working, minimum 2 day a week in the office

Contract type: permanent, full- time, Flexible working patterns will be considered.

Closing date: Wednesday 5th March at 8am

Interview: 19th March

Recruitment process: Cv and Supporting Statement to

If this sounds like you, then please do get in touch ASAP!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

You’ll help create and coordinate the charity’s communications about Parkinson’s research. As the leading European funder of Parkinson’s research it is vital that we are communicating about the research we are funding. 

You’ll work with colleagues, researchers and volunteers, to produce compelling research content for a wide range of audiences and channels.

You’ll help answer people’s research questions and help more people to understand what’s happening in Parkinson’s research, inspiring them to get involved in the charity’s work to accelerate breakthroughs.

This role is offered as a 12 month fixed term contract covering secondment. 

What you’ll do

• Create and share content about Parkinson’s research through various channels, including digital marketing. 

• Provide timely, clear and informative responses to internal and external enquiries about Parkinson’s research via phone and email.

• Support colleagues across the charity to feature research in their communications in an accurate and moderate way. 

• Help deliver talks across the UK to update the Parkinson’s community on the progress being made  in research. 

What you’ll bring

• A passion for research, with a degree of equivalent in the life sciences. With an understanding and enthusiasm to expand your knowledge of Parkinson’s. 

• Empathy and customer care to work sensitively with the Parkinson’s community and to answer enquiries appropriately. 

• Strong written and oral communication skills to effectively communicate about Parkisnon’s research through a range of channels.

• Experience working using digital tools and with a range of stakeholders with skills to stay on top of a busy and varied workload. 

This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK and we would love you to join us!

Please apply by sending us your CV, together with a detailed supporting statement which will fully demonstrate how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description.

Please be aware; This role is hybrid, and the in person/office attendance expectation for this role is 1 day per week in the London office. 

Interviews will be held on Monday 16 March, in person. 

Anyone can get Parkinson’s. It’s vital that the people who work for Parkinson’s UK are representative of our diverse community. We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

In this pivotal role as Prospect Research Manager at Diabetes UK, you will lead on managing prospect research, pipeline development, and adhere to best practice across income streams with a clear strategy that focuses on sourcing prospective high value donors to fund key strategic ambitions. One in 15 of us is now living with diabetes. Together, we have the opportunity to change this for the next generation. We are looking for someone who is a strategic thinker, analytical, organised in their approach and who can demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in their work.   Join us and be part of something truly transformational as we change the narrative around diabetes and create a more inclusive world.

Can you help support new dads when it really matters?

We’re looking for a Dad Matters Coordinator to help us reach more families across Brent. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who understands the emotional ups and downs of becoming a dad and wants to support fathers at a crucial point in their parenting journey.

New dads can face real mental health challenges — often quietly. In this role, you’ll help dads feel listened to, supported and confident, strengthening attachment and helping them access the right support.

What you’ll be doing

• Offering coaching and advice to new dads and dads-to-be

• Having honest conversations about mental health, bonding and wellbeing

• Getting out into the community, approaching dads and building trust

• Developing and running group sessions and workshops

• Working closely with health professionals and local services so dads are included and supported

• Helping grow and support our Dad Matters volunteers

This is a hands-on, community-based role, so you’ll need to be regularly out and about in Brent, building visibility and relationships.

About you

You don’t need formal qualifications in healthcare or mental health. What matters is that you:

• Understand the mental health challenges new dads can face

• Are confident talking to people and putting them at ease

• Have experience in a community, support or people-facing role

• Can lead groups, deliver sessions or training

• Are proactive, approachable and genuinely care about supporting families

Parenting experience and lived experience of key issues are both really valued.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a supportive organisation doing meaningful work, with the chance to shape and grow Dad Matters in Brent and see the impact of your work first-hand.

Not sure if it’s for you?
We’d still love to hear from you — get in touch for an informal chat.

Note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 due to the nature of our work

We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.

As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.

You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
• Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
• Support organisational business planning and future growth.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
• Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
• Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.

Service Quality & Client Experience

• Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
• Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
• Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.

Operational Leadership

• Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
• Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
• Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.

Financial & Asset Management

• Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
• Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
• Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
• Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
• Support staff development and performance.

Partnership Management

• Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
• Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.

About you:

Essential

• CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
• Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
• Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
• Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
• Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
• Budget management and financial performance experience
• Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
• Strong safeguarding knowledge
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
• UK driving licence and access to a car

Desirable

• Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
• Charity/third sector leadership experience
• Experience securing funding or development partnerships

About Life: 

Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish. 

Our services include:  

• Supported housing and community support   
• Counselling and skilled listening   
• Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies  

Our values :

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values: 

• Humanity – All people are special and equal 
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you 
• Community – We’re better together 
• Charity – Doing good for one another 
• Common good – Building a better world 

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description. 

Salary: £45,750 per annum

Hours: 32 hours per week

Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Additional annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.  

Director of Finance & Operations

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week 
• Location: Oxford
• Salary: £85,000 per annum
• Closing date: 26th March 2026 at 12 noon 

Join Helen & Douglas House as our next Director of Finance & Operations

Help to shape the future of the world’s first children’s hospice and make a profound difference to the lives of local families.

Helen & Douglas House has been supporting children living with life‑limiting conditions and their families for more than 40 years. We are a place of compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment — and now, we are searching for an exceptional Director of Finance & Operations to help ensure we build upon our unique legacy of innovative and impactful care and support.

A role with purpose. A role with impact.

As a key member of our Executive Team and working closely with our CEO and Board of Trustees, you will be at the heart of strategic decision making — ensuring our resources, systems and operations are effective, efficient, and aligned with the needs of the children and families we serve. This is an opportunity to influence the long-term sustainability of a truly special organisation at an important and exciting time for the hospice sector.

What you’ll lead

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across Finance, Estates & Operations, Information Systems, Data & Governance, Risk, Health & Safety and our Project Management Office.

• Providing insightful financial leadership to help shape our strategic plans.
• Oversee the annual corporate planning and budget cycle.
• Ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk management.
• Lead our Estates & Facilities strategy, ensuring our buildings and environments remain safe, high quality and fit for purpose.
• Guide the development of an effective organisational information systems strategy.
• Support and empower a talented cohort of Heads of Department — fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence.
• Act as a trusted ambassador to regulators, partners, advisors and donors.

Who we’re looking for

You will be:

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).
• A strategic and inspirational leader with experience overseeing diverse operational functions.
• Skilled at navigating complexity, shaping strategy and driving organisational performance.
• An exceptional communicator, able to build trust and confidence with stakeholders at every level.
• Passionate about making a meaningful difference through high quality, sustainable charitable services.

Experience in the non‑profit or healthcare sector is welcome but not essential — what matters most is your leadership, values and ability to deliver impact.

Why join us?

At Helen & Douglas House, every decision you make directly supports children and families facing life-limiting conditions. You will join a committed, values driven Executive Team and help to lead an organisation with a powerful mission and deep community roots. If you’re motivated by our purpose and ready to bring your expertise to an organisation where your leadership will truly matter, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us secure an impactful and sustainable future for Helen & Douglas House and the families we serve.

Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.

Context:
Kinship provides direct support to, raises awareness of and campaigns for the rights of kinship carers across the UK. Kinship carers are navigating complex family relationships, trauma, poverty, discrimination. The children that they care for have frequently experienced abuse or are at risk of harm. Safeguarding concerns can be disclosed by kinship carers at all contact points with Kinship. 

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility and requires a safeguarding approach that is aligned to statutory frameworks, is professional, consistent, trauma-informed and proportionate to level of risk.

The designated safeguarding officer holds organisational responsibility for Kinship’s safeguarding framework and actions. The role works collaboratively with a team including a Safeguarding Trustee and a group of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads drawn from key service areas across the charity.

The role provides expertise, professional guidance and clear direction across the organisation, supporting staff and volunteers to make sound safeguarding decisions within a framework.

Purpose of the role:
The Designated Safeguarding Manager works closely with all teams across Kinship to embed proactive, person-centred, and partnership-driven safeguarding practice to protect children and adults at risk of harm.

The role provides professional oversight to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads through individual and group reflective practice and supports high-quality and defensible safeguarding decision-making. The role drives contextual safeguarding approaches, promote professional curiosity, continual professional development and ensures safeguarding responses are informed by lived experience and the realities of kinship care.

At Kinship safeguarding concerns come from risks of harm to adults and children often with risks of harm to multiple people in the same family context.

This requires careful, trauma-informed decision-making and support for staff responding to complex safeguarding situations.

How the role works:
Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Designated Safeguarding Manager holds responsibility for safeguarding practice across the organisation and provides expert oversight and organisational assurance ensuring safeguarding is embedded consistently, proportionately and in line with best practice.

This role will require flexibility for occasional travel in England and Wales.

Key responsibilities:

Organisational safeguarding accountability and assurance

• Act as Kinship’s Designated Safeguarding Officer, holding organisational authority for safeguarding decision-making and escalation.
• Hold organisational accountability for safeguarding practice, ensuring responsibilities are well defined, understood and embedded across the organisation.
• Maintain and assure a robust safeguarding framework, including defined roles, escalation routes, decision-making thresholds and accountability arrangements and balance safeguarding rigour with compassion and proportionality.
• Provide safeguarding oversight and assurance during service development, mobilisation and organisational change to ensure risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.

Trauma-informed safeguarding practice and oversight

• Embed trauma-informed safeguarding practice, ensuring all decisions, interventions, and organisational processes:
  • Recognise the impact of past and ongoing trauma on children, kinship carers, and families.
  • Prioritise emotional and psychological safety while balancing protection, autonomy, and empowerment.
  • Integrate trauma-awareness into risk assessments, safety planning, case management, policies, and service design.
• Support staff through reflective supervision, guidance, and training to respond effectively.
• Provide professional oversight and reflective practice support to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation to staff and managers, supporting the assessment of concerns, threshold decisions, appropriate escalation, and proportionate, trauma-informed decision-making.
• Quality-assure safeguarding practice and decision-making to ensure actions are proportionate, person-centred, trauma-informed, and defensible.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of safeguarding records, risk assessments, and safety planning.

 Policy, compliance and organisational assurance

• Develop, review and maintain safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance in line with legislation, statutory guidance and Charity Commission expectations.
• Ensure safeguarding systems, processes and recording arrangements are robust, accessible and consistently applied.
• Provide regular safeguarding assurance, analysis and learning reports to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Culture, capability and continuous improvement

• Embed trauma-informed, contextual and culturally responsive safeguarding practice across the organisation.
• Promote professional curiosity and reflective practice, supporting staff to exercise sound professional judgement and avoid overly procedural responses.
• Design and deliver safeguarding training and guidance for staff and volunteers, building organisational capability and confidence.
• Lead learning reviews following safeguarding incidents or near misses, ensuring learning informs service and practice improvement.

Equity, inclusion and anti-racist safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding practice actively considers how race, ethnicity, racism and intersecting inequalities shape risk, vulnerability and access to support.
• Support teams to identify and challenge bias and assumptions through reflective practice, supervision and learning.
• Embed equity, inclusion and anti-racist principles within safeguarding frameworks, policies, training and quality assurance processes.

Partnership working and external accountability

• Work collaboratively with statutory partners and external agencies to support effective safeguarding responses.
• Represent Kinship in multi-agency safeguarding forums, reviews or regulatory engagement as required.

Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience in adult and child safeguarding practice, including oversight of complex, high-risk, and multi-agency safeguarding situations.
• Experience providing professional oversight, reflective supervision, and structured learning support to safeguarding practitioners or leads, without direct line management responsibility.
• Experience embedding contextual safeguarding approaches and promoting professional curiosity in decision-making.
• Experience of working confidently with complexity, challenging constructively and supporting teams to do the right thing in difficult situations.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and embedding safeguarding policies, procedures, training, and learning frameworks.
• Substantial experience working with dispersed or multi-disciplinary teams, supporting wellbeing, professional development, and reflective practice.
• Experience working in voluntary sector, community-based, or service delivery organisations, particularly where safeguarding concerns arise through multiple routes.

Knowledge (Essential)

• Strong working knowledge of adult and child safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and recognised safeguarding frameworks, with the ability to apply them proportionately in practice.
• Up-to-date knowledge of children’s and adult social care systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based practice in work with adults, children, and families.
• Awareness of how racism, inequality, and structural disadvantage can increase risk and shape safeguarding experiences, particularly for Black and minoritised communities.
• Understanding of organisational safeguarding governance, including accountability, assurance, escalation, and risk management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities within the voluntary and community sector, including Charity Commission expectations, trustee duties, and regulatory requirements

Skills and abilities (Essential)

• Strong professional judgement, with confidence in making and defending complex safeguarding decisions.
• Calm, credible, and reflective approach in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to support and challenge colleagues constructively through reflective discussion, learning, and coaching rather than directive management.
• Clear, compassionate, and adaptable communicator, able to translate safeguarding complexity for diverse audiences, including operational and service delivery teams.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple safeguarding priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across wide-ranging professional teams and external partners.
• Values-led, with a demonstrable commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racist practice, and culturally responsive safeguarding.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, health, or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding children and adults.
• Permission to work in the UK.

Attributes and general characteristics (Essential)

• Commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of Kinship.
• Respectful, empathetic approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexible and willing to travel across England as required.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Lived experience of kinship care.
• Experience using Salesforce, Asana, Notion, and/or general AI tools for case management, project management, or documentation.
• Experience in innovation and continuous improvement within safeguarding practice or organisational culture.

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Designated Safeguarding Manager by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 5 questions below in the online application process. Please read the guidance notes in the job pack. 

Closing date is 9am on Mon 2 March, with a first interview (30 mins online) that week and a second interview in person on Tues 10 March 2026. 

For all questions, please provide a maximum of 250 words per answer.

1.Alignment with Kinship: Why do you want to work for Kinship, and why does this Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead) role matter to you at this point in your career?  Please refer to Kinship’s work and services in your answer, and explain what specifically about this role you are drawn to. 

2.Trauma informed practice: Describe a specific example where you have led or overseen a safeguarding concern using a trauma-informed approach.

3. Contextual safeguarding and professional curiosity: Tell us about a time you applied contextual safeguarding or professional curiosity to a situation where the initial concern did not tell the full story. What did you notice, what questions did you ask, and how did this change the safeguarding response? 

4. Reflective practice and supporting others: Give an example of how you have supported others to improve safeguarding decision-making through reflective practice (for example group reflection or one-to-one discussion). What was the issue and what changed? 

5. Equity, racism and safeguarding: Describe a situation where race, ethnicity or structural inequality affected safeguarding risk or decision-making. How did you recognise this and what did you do to ensure a fair and proportionate response? 

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts.