Contract jobs

Hybrid - Farringdon, London/Home-based
Closing Date: 23 March 2026
Ref 7330

Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and influential individual with extensive financial business partnering and complex financial modelling experience to join us as our Finance Business Partner.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with our UK Impact division, partnering with senior leadership teams to drive strategic decision making, strengthen financial performance, deliver high-quality reporting and analysis, and ensure best value for money and ultimately drive better impact for children.

Please note, this is a maternity cover contract for approximately 12-months.

About Us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

About the role

As Finance Business Partner, you will provide strategic financial insight, analysis and decision support to assigned teams, enabling strong financial performance and informed investment decisions. Acting as a trusted partner to Senior Leadership Teams, you will support financial planning, reporting, business case development, and performance management, ensuring robust controls, compliance and alignment with organisational strategy.

In this role, you will:

• Provide high-quality financial analysis, insight and reporting to support strategic and operational decision making within assigned teams and leadership groups.
• Lead and support financial planning processes including budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Develop and apply complex financial models (including ROI, NPV, IRR and profitability analysis) to inform investment decisions and business cases.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to challenge assumptions, appraise investment proposals and ensure best value for money.
• Contribute to consolidated reporting for senior governance forums, including leadership teams, committees and the Board.
• Support period and year-end close processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting, appropriate accounting treatment, and strong internal controls in collaboration with Central Finance.
• Promote financial compliance, risk management and safeguarding standards in line with organisational policies and values.

About you

To be successful, it is important that you have:

• Professional accounting qualification (or equivalent experience) with strong technical accounting knowledge and understanding of external audit processes.
• Significant experience in financial planning, forecasting, budgeting and producing consolidated financial analysis for senior stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong experience in complex financial modelling, including familiarity with building and using product and/ or marketing channel 
profitability models to derive comparative ROI metrics such as NPV, IRR and payback periods 
• Ability to analyse complex data and translate insights into clear, influential reports and presentations for senior audiences.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to challenge constructively and influence decision making across teams and functions, as well as ability to develop awareness of broader financial issues facing the sector.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high volumes of complex work to tight deadlines.
• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values, including safeguarding and effective risk management.

What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day. 

Healthwatch Brent, Westminster and RBKC

Healthwatch was set up in 2013 to champion the rights of health and social care users, and hold the health and social care system to account for how well it engages with the public. During 2026/27 these services are preparing for transition while continuing to build on their legacy.

Healthwatch’s remit covers all publicly funded health and social care services for adults and children.

Healthwatch Brent, Healthwatch Westminster and Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea are three of 152 local Healthwatch organisations. The Advocacy Project Hosts three services. We’re building on the important work that’s been done to date,  planning for the future while bringing new insights from the voices of seldom heard and hard to hear groups.

About the role

Are you an accomplished Health and Social care manager looking for a new exciting challenge?  Are you adept at managing teams and services through change? Passionate about the role of independent voice and the value of lived experience in the NHS?  The Healthwatch senior manager role is for you.

As Healthwatch senior manager for The Advocacy Project you will play a central role in shaping the strategic and operational management of our Healthwatch services. This includes direct support to Healthwatch managers in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Brent, ensuring that the services are inclusive, effective, and of high quality.

Key responsibilities

• To Provide strategic management for effective, inclusive and high quality local Healthwatch.
• Supporting the 3 advisory boards to be at their most effective during this period.
• Working with the CEO to engage with the ICB and other stakeholders to plan for next steps
• Make sure the work of HW Westminster (HWW), HW Kensington & Chelsea (HWRBKC) and HW Brent (HWB) conforms to all required principles, objectives and statutory obligations, and meets all contractual requirements between The Advocacy Project (as host organisation) and the local authorities.
• Line management of HW managers in each borough.
• Provide leadership to make sure the patient and public voice is heard across health, social care, in a continuously changing external environment.
• Working with managers in each borough, make sure HWB, HWW and HWRBKC involve the local community, particularly seldom heard groups, in influencing local and national policy and are responsive and sensitive to the needs of community groups with protected characteristics.
• Be available to represent The Advocacy project, HWB, HWW and HWRBKC at all strategic governance and external meetings with key stakeholders, liaising with nominated Board leads regularly.
• Support local managers to develop the services to respond to emerging trends and needs, while keeping abreast of Healthwatch England best practice to continually enhance the quality of the service.
• Develop effective partnerships with key staff in health and social care services.
• Work with local managers in each borough to ensure all projects are informed and influenced by local communities and strategic partners.
• Support the effective planning and resourcing of project work, working to Healthwatch England best practice guidance.
• Ensure that project plans and intended outcomes are clearly communicated to key stakeholders.
• Work with the shared Insight and Outcomes Analyst to make sure quality systems are effective and used to demonstrate the Healthwatch service is achieving outcomes and impact,and meeting key performance indicators.
• Ensure that lived experience and service user involvement is embedded in all evaluation.
• Provide reports to key stakeholders, including The Advocacy Project Trustees,  Commissioners, Advisory Boards, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Healthwatch England demonstrating our impact.
• dentify funding opportunities and work with The Head of Business Development to support funding bids.
• Work with the borough Communications leads to make sure all relevant internal and external stakeholders receive relevant, timely and up-to-date communication about all Healthwatch projects.
• Keep up to date with current trends in health policy, service provision, current practice and matters concerning people as citizens, by reading, attending courses and networking.

General responsibilities

• Participate in team meetings, training and organisational development.
• Contribute to monitoring reports.
• Keep to our policies, including health & safety, safeguarding and risk regulations.
• Work to our mission, vision, and values.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, in line with the changing local and national landscape and carry out other projects and tasks as needed.

Person specification

Essential

• Excellent knowledge of and experience of working at a high strategic level with the health and social care system and the voluntary and community sector, in particular Healthwatch.
• Thorough understanding of user engagement, community development, user involvement, and co-production principles and practice.
• Comfortable and capable of engaging with senior leaders in Health and Social Care both on a one-to-one basis and at strategic meetings such as scrutiny boards.
• Experience of managing through periods of change and uncertainty
• Experience working with diverse communities and tackling discrimination and inequality.
• Relevant experience in project delivery and evaluation, including data gathering and analysis, or training in research methods, statistics, or data analysis.
• Significant leadership or line Management experience including managing, developing and motivating a staff team.
• Experience in contract management and compliance.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. Effective in working with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from trustees, commissioners, partners, colleagues, and local residents.  
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to work on own initiative and plan and prioritize own workload.
• Experience managing a budget.
• Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project and Healthwatch code of conduct, equality and safeguarding policies.
• Willingness to attend further training as appropriate and to adopt new procedures.
• Willingness to promote Healthwatch and The Advocacy Project in line with our mission, vision and values.

Desirable

• Experience working with volunteer boards and high caliber volunteers.
• Evidence of ongoing personal development and training related to the role.
• Detailed knowledge of NHS systems
• Understanding the public health challenges in Westminster, RBKC, and Brent.
• Experience working with senior managers in public sector bodies.

Benefits of working for us

We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff.

Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan.

All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.

Role Purpose

To provide steady financial leadership, ensuring stability, compliance, and continuity during a period of transition. The postholder will maintain strong financial control and reporting, support delivery of agreed structural changes to the finance team and ensure a smooth handover to the incoming post holder.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership and Control

• Maintain strong financial control, reporting and cashflow management.

• Advise CEO and Treasurer on financial stability, risk and reserves.

• Oversee fund management, compliance and key external relationships (auditors, banks, suppliers).

• Responsibility for managing and reviewing financial policies, procedures, standards, systems and processes to guide the charity’s financial decision-making.

• Oversight and administration of the payments & banking process & addressing queries as necessary. Including management of the bank mandate. 

Team Leadership and Development

• Line manage and mentor the Assistant Accountant, maintaining morale, clarity, and professional standards during change. 

Business Planning and Reporting

• Lead the preparation of the FY2026-27 budget, with a focus on three year financial planning. 

• Lead quarterly reforecasting and scenario planning to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and maintain at least three months’ free reserves.

• Prepare clear financial analysis and documentation to support a smooth transition and effective handover. 

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure financial obligations are met on time.

• Maintain documentation to support due diligence, risk management and compliance assurance to the Treasurer. 

Person Specification Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent). Strong record of senior charity or not-for-profit financial management.

• Proven hands-on ability in safeguarding and maintaining financial control, and compliance during organisational change.

• Understanding of SORP, restricted funding, and grant reporting.

• Calm, credible, and pragmatic, able to command confidence of trustees and senior colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience in environmental, research, or education sectors.

• Familiarity with Sage or similar finance systems.

• Experience in change management and business improvement, ideally within a not-for-profit setting. 

Values and Approach

The successful candidate will combine technical strength with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach, ensuring continuity, supporting staff through transition, and handing over a stable, well-functioning Finance team to their successor.

About Spear

We launched the award-winning Spear Programme over 20 years ago, and there are now 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in the workplace.

Spear operates a joint venture model with churches across the UK to run our Spear Centres. Some Centres operate in collaboration with independent charitable trusts, while others are run directly with the local church (both referred to below as ‘Spear Church Partners’ or ‘Church Partners’).

About the role

We’re looking for a new Church Partnerships Manager to join us for this northern based role, with travel across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving national growth by developing and nurturing partnerships with churches across the North of England. You will be at the forefront of developing new relationships with potential early-stage partners, inspiring churches to engage with our mission, and supporting them through the pipeline, and helping to establish a diverse and thriving network of church partnerships.

We are looking for a confident relationship-builder who can engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, particularly church leaders, and who is comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Key information:

• Salary: £37,000
• Location: Northern Regional Hub (Leeds) with regional travel in the North
• Full-time, 12-14month Fixed Term Contract, with the possibility of extension
• Closing date: Friday 10th April, 09.00am (we interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Strong leadership ability with the confidence to make effective decisions
• Outstanding people skills and emotional intelligence, capable of quickly winning trust and confidence, as well as network, influence and negotiate with church leaders and a range of audiences, internally and externally
• An understanding of the needs and workings of churches and their leaders, and the ability to innovate, build our growth strategy and generate new partnerships
• An excellent communicator (both written and verbal)
• Excellent initiative and a self-starter, with the ability to operate flexibly in a changing and dynamic environment and in response to the support needs of each partner
• Strong organisational skills including the ability to establish appropriate processes and structures and to manage multiple priorities to meet targets and deadlines
• Strong quantitative skills including ability to work with and interpret impact data, fundraising pipelines and basic financial information
• Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint competent and experience of/ability to use databases

Job Title: Skill Mill Supervisor 
Location: Cheshire
Contract: 2-year Fixed Term
Salary: £29,000 – £34,000 (annual increments, subject to performance & probation)
Reporting to: Operational Manager
Closing date: 4 April 2026
 

The Role 

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake one of the most crucial roles within the organisation. The Skill Mill Supervisor supports disadvantaged young people 16+ within the Justice System into work: 

• promoting learning and developing skills and pro-social behaviours 

• building relationships and establishing a work ethic  

• developing employability and practical skills  

• supporting the young people to overcome the barriers that can result in them failing to obtain or sustain opportunities that lead to sustainable training and employment. 
   

As the local Supervisor, you will be responsible for managing and working alongside a group of young people as they undertake assigned tasks that involve manual work / gaining a trade in addition to liaising with local partners to provide the team with opportunities to develop employment skills. 

The successful candidate will be expected to: 

• propose and develop innovative and effective plans to promote the Skill Mill locally,  

• risk assess and risk manage 

• cost and plan small works,  

• identify and source paid and unpaid work opportunities,  

• uphold health and safety requirements  

• and provide progress reports to customers and the Skill Mill management team. 

To be considered for this position it is essential that you have experience of direct work with young people who are considered to be at risk. This will include those who are at risk of crime, anti-social behaviour, previously been unemployed and may have had adverse childhood experiences.

You will possess previous experience of direct work with young people as well as experience of site / small scale construction / environmental / horticulture works and health and safety at work regulations. 
 

Key Responsibilities

Managing a team of young people and ensuring that you: 

• Establish positive, supportive, and trustworthy relationships with the young people to understand their needs and aspirations.  

• Provide emotional support, act as a listening ear, offer guidance on life skills, and encourage personal, social, and emotional development.  

• Work with young people to identify, set, and achieve personal and social goals, while also recording and tracking their progress.  

• Help young people discover and develop their skills, talents, interests, and aspirations, potentially through new opportunities and experiences.  

• Support young people in exploring positive pathways in education, training, and employment by encouraging positive choices and building resilience.  

• Uphold responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people you interact with.  

• Liaise with partners such as schools, social workers, and other services to ensure effective holistic support and signpost to specialist interventions.  

• Maintain accurate and professional case notes and records of interactions and outcomes, adhering to organisational policies and data collection requirements.  

• Assist with the day-to-day administration of the program, which may include database management, reporting, and communication.  

Undertaking environmental and construction jobs and tasks and duties as determined by partners and other contractors of The Skill Mill. These could include: 

• Landscaping and fencing works 

• Maintenance of gardens, parks, bridleways, and similar public areas 

• Clearance of debris and blockages that are associated with site management, flood risk and environmental damage 

• ground works potentially associated with flood risk management site maintenance and habitat development 

• Remedial shrubbery and foliage activity and banks work that are associated with flood risk invasive species clearance and habitat development 

• building, repairing and maintenance of culverts, conduits, pipework and other built areas that are associated with flood risk, watercourses and habitats 

• improvement and maintenance of habitats, including planting activity associated with  sustainable wildlife 

• Maintaining the safety of self and others in the workplace completing Risk Assessments and Method Statements where appropriate. 

• Participating in the training associated with the post 

Person Specification 
Essential Requirements: 

• experience of working with young people and helping them develop and achieve their potential. 

• Ability to apply best practice when working with young people to enable them to meet their objectives. 

• To communicate effectively with colleagues and partners to promote opportunities for young people. 

• Ability to work effectively with key partner organisations including criminal justice and businesses 

• Knowledge of industry/trade with a strong understanding of Health and Safety. 

• Clean Driving Licence as role is expected to transport young people to and from identified work experience provisions. 

• Enhanced DBS check is required 
   

What We Offer 

• A chance to make a real difference in a growing social enterprise. 

• A supportive and collaborative team environment. 

• Flexible working arrangements to suit your lifestyle. 

• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays. 

• Opportunities for professional development and training. 
   

How to Apply 

To apply please send a CV and cover letter setting out your experience, qualifications and how you meet the requirements of the person specification. 
 

About The Skill Mill 

The Skill Mill is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background. 
The Skill Mill is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and communities. We provide employment opportunities for young people with criminal convictions, equipping them with skills and experience through delivering high-quality environmental services, such as grounds maintenance, horticulture, and flood prevention. Our mission is to reduce reoffending, enhance employability, and create sustainable social and environmental impact. 

Within commuting distance of our Birmingham, Blackburn, Bradford or Doncaster campus

Fixed term | Part-time - 22 hours per week

£28,598 FTE | £17,159 actual salary + benefits

About us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education, and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.

Our programmes are designed by teachers and leaders who understand the joys and pressures of school life. We work in collaboration with schools across the country, ensuring that findings from our research benefits all schools, teachers and leaders.

About the role

We’re seeking a proactive Finance Assistant to join our friendly finance team on a short-term basis, providing extra support during a busy period. You’ll play a key role in keeping our day-to-day financial operations running smoothly, raising and issuing purchase orders, processing invoices accurately, and responding to queries from suppliers and colleagues. With a sharp eye for detail and an organised approach, you’ll help us maintain clear, up-to-date records and support the National Institute of Teaching’s mission through high-quality financial administration. 

At the National Institute of Teaching, we believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility, and this role helps ensure the financial foundations at the Institute enable our work to support teachers and school leaders.

Key Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays).
• Flexible Working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
• Pension - Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
• Lifestyle Benefits – We offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
• Parenthood Leave – We offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
• Working Environment – We have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.
• Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• Development: We fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have high level of continuous professional development.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

If you have any queries about this role, please contact our recruitment team.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 4.00pm on Friday, 27 March 2026.

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

This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.

Job Title: Regional Operations Manager 
Location: North of England (flexible – with travel across delivery areas)
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer  
Contract Type: 2 years fixed term contract, Full-Time
Salary: £40,000 pa
Start Date:  March / April 2026 
 

Role Purpose 
The Regional Operations Manager will be responsible for the effective day-to-day delivery of The Skill Mill programmes, ensuring seamless coordination between The Skill Mill Supervisors, local Youth Justice Services, Pathways Advisors, and the Commercial Sales Manager. The role will focus on operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and the smooth running of activities that contribute to The Skill Mill’s social impact. 
 

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Coordination 

- Oversee and support The Skill Mill Supervisors to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, and impactful work programmes. 
- Act as the central point of contact between Supervisors, Youth Justice Services, Pathways Advisors, and the Commercial Sales Manager. 
- Monitor daily operations and resolve any operational challenges quickly and effectively. 
- Ensure all work complies with organisational policies, procedures, and health & safety regulations. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management:

- Build strong, collaborative relationships with local Youth Justice Services and Pathways Advisors to support young people’s progression. 
- Work closely with the Commercial Sales Manager to align operational delivery with commercial project requirements and client expectations. 
- Represent The Skill Mill at operational and partnership meetings. 

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

- Track and monitor project progress, ensuring that targets for social outcomes and commercial delivery are met. 
- Prepare and present operational performance reports to the Senior Management Team. 
- Implement systems to measure quality, efficiency, and impact. 
 

Team Support & Development 

- Support and mentor Supervisors to maintain high standards of practice and delivery. 
- Identify training needs and facilitate professional development opportunities. 
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture. 
 

Person Specification:

Essential 

- Experience in operational or project management, ideally in a social enterprise, youth justice, or community development setting. 
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. 
- Proven ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and workstreams. 
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work under pressure. 
- Knowledge of safeguarding, youth justice, and/or working with vulnerable young people. 
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and project management tools. 
- Commitment to The Skill Mill’s mission and values. 

Desirable 

- Experience managing commercial contracts or community-based service delivery. 
- Understanding of outcomes-based commissioning. 
- Health & Safety qualification or equivalent experience. 
 

Key Relationships 

- The Skill Mill Supervisors 
- Youth Justice Services 
- Pathways Advisors 
- Commercial Sales Manager 
- Senior Management Team 
- External partners and clients 

Job Title: Regional Operations Manager 
Location: Midlands (flexible – with travel across delivery areas)
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer  
Contract Type: 2 years fixed term contract, Full-Time
Salary: £40,000 pa
Start Date:  March / April 2026 
 

Role Purpose 
The Regional Operations Manager will be responsible for the effective day-to-day delivery of The Skill Mill programmes, ensuring seamless coordination between The Skill Mill Supervisors, local Youth Justice Services, Pathways Advisors, and the Commercial Sales Manager. The role will focus on operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and the smooth running of activities that contribute to The Skill Mill’s social impact. 
 

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Coordination 

- Oversee and support The Skill Mill Supervisors to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, and impactful work programmes. 
- Act as the central point of contact between Supervisors, Youth Justice Services, Pathways Advisors, and the Commercial Sales Manager. 
- Monitor daily operations and resolve any operational challenges quickly and effectively. 
- Ensure all work complies with organisational policies, procedures, and health & safety regulations. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management:

- Build strong, collaborative relationships with local Youth Justice Services and Pathways Advisors to support young people’s progression. 
- Work closely with the Commercial Sales Manager to align operational delivery with commercial project requirements and client expectations. 
- Represent The Skill Mill at operational and partnership meetings. 

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

- Track and monitor project progress, ensuring that targets for social outcomes and commercial delivery are met. 
- Prepare and present operational performance reports to the Senior Management Team. 
- Implement systems to measure quality, efficiency, and impact. 
 

Team Support & Development 

- Support and mentor Supervisors to maintain high standards of practice and delivery. 
- Identify training needs and facilitate professional development opportunities. 
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture. 
 

Person Specification:
Essential 

- Experience in operational or project management, ideally in a social enterprise, youth justice, or community development setting. 
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. 
- Proven ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and workstreams. 
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work under pressure. 
- Knowledge of safeguarding, youth justice, and/or working with vulnerable young people. 
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and project management tools. 
- Commitment to The Skill Mill’s mission and values. 

Desirable 

- Experience managing commercial contracts or community-based service delivery. 
- Understanding of outcomes-based commissioning. 
- Health & Safety qualification or equivalent experience. 

Key Relationships 

- The Skill Mill Supervisors 
- Youth Justice Services 
- Pathways Advisors 
- Commercial Sales Manager 
- Senior Management Team 
- External partners and clients 
 

About The Skill Mill:

The Skill Mill is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.

The Skill Mill is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and communities. We provide employment opportunities for young people with criminal convictions, equipping them with skills and experience through delivering high-quality environmental services, such as grounds maintenance, horticulture, and flood prevention. Our mission is to reduce reoffending, enhance employability, and create sustainable social and environmental impact.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Organisation: The Skill Mill
Location: Remote, with expectations to travel to Gateshead and occasional travel to other UK locations
Salary: £45,000 pa 
Contract Type: 2 years fixed term contract, Full-Time
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Job Purpose:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a pivotal role in driving the operational success of The Skill Mill. Working closely with the CEO, the COO will oversee day-to-day operations through line-management of the 3 regional Operations Managers, will ensure the delivery of exceptional services, and will support the growth of our social enterprise model across the UK and beyond. This is a strategic leadership position, requiring a dynamic individual with a passion for social impact, operational excellence, and business development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all operational functions, including service delivery, project management, and workforce coordination, ensuring high standards and client satisfaction.

• Strategic Growth: Collaborate with the CEO to develop and implement expansion plans, identifying new partnerships, contracts, and opportunities to scale The Skill Mill’s impact, ensuring operational readiness and quality as the organisation scales.

• Team Management: Lead, motivate, and develop The Skill Mill’s operational delivery teams (see attached structure chart), including the Operations Managers, the Pathway Advisors, and the Supervisors, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement. Lead workforce planning, staff development and wellbeing to ensure a sustainable, motivated and resilient workforce.

• Financial Oversight: Work with the finance team to manage budgets, monitor performance against targets, and ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining quality.

• Governance: Supporting organisation and partnership governance by contributing to papers, risk registers and performance reports, engaging in solution-focused discussion at relevant forums, and ensuring feedback loops with operational delivery teams.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, commercial clients, criminal justice partners, and community organisations.

• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all activities comply with legal, regulatory, and health and safety standards, mitigating risks effectively and escalating through appropriate organisational and legal pathways where necessary.

• Safeguarding: Act as senior lead and an initial escalation point for safeguarding, ensuring robust policies, training, reporting and continuous improvement.

• Impact:

         - Measurement: Monitor and report on social and environmental outcomes, ensuring alignment with The Skill Mill’s mission and funding requirements.

         - Performance: Work alongside partners, including Social Outcomes, evaluation and funding partners to drive performance in line with key success milestones, and engage in collaborative problem-solving to improve the offer and overcome challenges.

         - Quality Assurance: Contribute to organisational quality assurance processes by providing operational insight to support effective monitoring and review. Facilitate and support quality assurance audits, reviews and continuous improvement practices across operational delivery, working closely with operational delivery teams and relevant partners to ensure learning is embedded and service standards are consistently met.

• Innovation: Drive operational efficiencies and explore innovative approaches to service delivery and trainee support.
   

Person Specification:
Experience:

• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, working with vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.

Skills and Abilities:

• A values-led approach to strategy, with the ability to balance social impact, quality, and financial sustainability in strategic and operational decision-making.

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a collaborative and empowering approach.

• Confident in using insights from performance data and information to drive continuous improvement

• A clear, confident and inclusive communication style, with the ability to engage, motivate and align within the organisation and externally

• A collaborative approach to partnership working, with the ability to navigate differing priorities and build trusted relationships across sectors/ stakeholders.

• Proficiency in working with digital tools that support operational efficiency (e.g., CRMs, project management software, Microsoft Office/Google Suite)

• Ability to translate organisational strategy into actionable operational plans
  ​

Personal Attributes:​

• Passionate about social justice, youth development, and environmental sustainability

• Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

• Commitment to The Skill Mill’s values of opportunity, integrity, and excellence.
  ​

What We Offer:​

• The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people and the environment.

• A supportive and purpose-driven work environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth as part of a growing social enterprise.
   

Essential Requirements:

Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience in managing operations, ideally within criminal justice or a social enterprise, charity, or environmental services sector.

• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage complex operational delivery in multiple geographical areas, ensuring quality and consistency across teams.

• Demonstrable success in growing an organisation or enhancing service delivery, including securing contracts and partnerships.

• Experience managing diverse teams in a hybrid work environment

• Experience of working effectively with external partners, including commissioners, criminal justice agencies and/or commercial organisations.
   

Skills and Abilities:

• Analytical mindset with experience in budgeting, performance monitoring, and process improvement.
   

Qualifications and Certifications:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification (e.g., business management, operations, or social enterprise leadership) is preferred but not essential.

• Enhanced DBS check is required.

About The Skill Mill:

The Skill Mill is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.

The Skill Mill is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and communities. We provide employment opportunities for young people with criminal convictions, equipping them with skills and experience through delivering high-quality environmental services, such as grounds maintenance, horticulture, and flood prevention. Our mission is to reduce reoffending, enhance employability, and create sustainable social and environmental impact.

It's an exciting time to join Victim Support, as we prepare to begin delivery of the Witness Service from April 2026. We look forward to welcoming current Witness Service staff and volunteers to Victim Support  -  and we're also now beginning recruitment for several new roles and to fill vacant positions. 

Victim Support is seeking a committed and detail-focused Team Leader to help coordinate and maintain excellent support for witnesses within the busy Court environment at Medway Magistrates Court. You will play a vital role in supporting the Team Leader, volunteers, and wider service ensuring witnesses receive timely, compassionate, and effective support throughout their justice journey.

This role to provide maternity cover for up to 1 year working 30 hours per week covering Medway Magistrates Court .

Are you an organised, proactive individual with a passion for supporting victims and witnesses as they navigate the justice system? Do you enjoy working collaboratively, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and supporting others to perform at their best?

If you thrive in fast-paced environments, have strong communication and data-handling skills, and are motivated by service excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Global Climate & Agriculture Market Analyst to connect environmental science with agricultural economics. In this role, you will lead the development of climate-focused funding strategies and provide guidance on how carbon markets align with Tearfund's goals. You will be the go-to expert on trends in climate finance, changes in regulations, and the financial tools used to support projects that reduce emissions and help communities adapt to climate change.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Provide global strategic leadership in finance for nature-based projects, focusing on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), agri-businesses, and climate adaptation.
• Climate & Market Analysis: Analyze the impact of climate change on crop yields and track economic trends in agribusiness and carbon markets.
• Capacity Building: Design and deliver global training curricula to transform regional advisors into technical experts in green entrepreneurship and climate finance.
• Quality Assurance: Develop thematic standards for climate agri-markets and ensure rigorous Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV).
• Global Representation: Act as the lead technical voice in global forums, building strategic partnerships with institutional donors and climate investors.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Education: A degree in Agricultural Economics, Environmental Science, or Business Administration (Master's degree preferred).
• Experience: Substantial expertise in climate finance, carbon monitoring, green businesses, or agri-tech. You should have experience in community development or humanitarian response in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East.
• Skills: Strong strategic thinking with the ability to analyze complex market data and carbon pricing. You must be fluent in English, with additional proficiency in French, Swahili, or Arabic being highly desirable.
• Personal Qualities: A committed Christian with a personal relationship with God, who is fully committed to Tearfund's mission, values, and beliefs.

If you are a highly skilled professional ready to make a profound difference, we encourage you to apply.

Hybrid working for UK candidates: This role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from the Tearfund Teddington office and from your home by agreement with the line manager. 

Contract: This is a 2 year, full time fixed term contract and salary will be market related and based on location.

All applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs.

The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding issues. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure.

Are you a professional Accountant passionate about ending poverty? 

Tearfund's Global Finance team is a key part of that vision - we provide high quality support to the  Global Influencing & Programme Group (GIPG) including:

• finance business partnering, 
• financial planning and reporting
• financial control and audit management;
• business process improvement

We are looking to recruit a proactive and dedicated Senior Finance Business Partner responsible for Institutional Income and supporting the central GIPG teams. You will be part of a dynamic and supportive team and will have the  add value to Tearfund's work and mission.

The successful candidate will have a professional Accountancy Qualification with strong financial analysis and advanced spreadsheet experience. They will be adaptable, solution-focused and enjoy being part of a dynamic team. Experience with consortium projects and commercial contracts within an INGO would be a distinct advantage.

We are looking for a self-starter with great communication and teamworking skills. If you think your skills match the above we'd love to hear from you!

Hybrid working: This role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from Teddington's Tearfund office and from your home by agreement with the line manager.

Please note: This is a full time (35 hours per week), 9 month fixed term maternity cover contract.

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund.

All applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs.

The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure. 

Tearfund is looking for a part time Enquiries Officer on a fixed term basis for 12 months from June 2026 who is enthusiastic about serving those living in poverty by providing excellent customer service to our supporters. 

The successful candidate will be working on one of Tearfund's front lines providing a personal link and building relationships between our supporters and ourselves. You'll spend most of the day answering telephone calls from supporters, and also answering supporter queries by email, letter and on social media.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a desire to serve our supporters with professional excellence in a busy environment. They will set themselves high standards of working with speed and accuracy as they record information on our supporter database.

We are looking for:

• an excellent communicator
• a flexible team player
• quick to learn
• possess good organisational skills
• able to juggle competing priorities

Are you ready to help Tearfund maintain our reputation as one of the industry's best organisations for customer service? Then this could be the role for you!

Please note: This role is a fixed-term, part-time (4 days per week, 28 hours) contract starting in June 2026.  The full-time salary is £32,041 per annum, with the pro-rated part-time salary being £25,633 per annum.

Hybrid working: This role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from the Teddington Tearfund office and from your home by agreement with the line manager. The working pattern will be agreed with the line manager, but ideally would include Fridays.

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund.

Applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs.

The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding issues. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure.

Social Media Manager - FTC until 6 April 2028

Are you a social media professional looking for a new challenge?  

We are looking for a proactive, energetic and creative Social Media Manager to join our busy media team on a fixed term basis. 

You will be part of a team bringing to life the story of National Lottery funding, telling impactful stories of how our grant funding supports amazing community-led projects that strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.

As our social media manager, you will be responsible for our social media channel strategies and footprint across the UK.  You will work closely with colleagues across the media, communications strategy and marketing teams and the wider Fund, to ensure the delivery of powerful storytelling, engaging content and integrated campaigns across our social media channels.  You will provide expert advice to colleagues and senior leaders across the Fund, advising on outputs, trends and insights.

You will have a strong understanding of current and emerging social media platforms, with sound knowledge of good practice trends in content creation and distribution.  You will be a strong storyteller and a skilled content creator, with experience of delivering multi-channel social media campaigns.

You will be well-versed in using analytics and social listening tools to assess and continuously improve performance of our content and to ensure we are reaching our target audiences effectively. You will have experience of working in a matrix organisation, and of building relationships to deliver projects. 

We have a hybrid approach to working. Work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be partly based at any of our UK offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Newtown.

Our teams are based across the UK and reasonably regular travel will be required to attend meetings or spend time with Fund colleagues.

Interview details:

• Date: w/c 27th April 2026 (tbc)
• Format: Virtual

We will be hosting a briefing session on: Friday 27th March at 13:00 – 13:45pm. To register or ask any questions, please email us.

For any other questions about the recruitment process contact us.

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.

Essential Criteria:

• Deep understanding of social media platforms with demonstrable knowledge of good practice and trends in content creation and distribution.
• Proven experience in planning and executing multi-channel campaigns aligned to organisational strategy, ideally in the public sector.
• Strong content creation and storytelling skills in digital-first formats.
• Demonstrable success in using social media analytics and audience insight to drive engagement.
• Experience of people management.
• Project management skills – confident working in a matrixed organisation with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of continuous professional development.

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)