45 Associate director of delivery jobs

Head of Service – Reddo

Reddo is looking for an ambitious and entrepreneurial Head of Service to lead our next stage of growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced children’s services leader who can combine strong operational management with a commercial and entrepreneurial mindset.

You will work closely with the Managing Director and leadership team to:

• Lead and strengthen day-to-day service delivery

• Develop our team, systems and processes

• Drive quality, safeguarding and performance

• Build strong relationships with local authority commissioners

• Support new business and the mobilisation of new contracts

• Help shape Reddo’s future growth and development

We are looking for someone with experience in children’s social care and local authority commissioning, strong leadership and commercial awareness, and a genuine passion for building and improving services.

If you are ready to make a real impact and help shape the next chapter of Reddo, we would love to hear from you.

Please see the attached job description for full details.

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to drive our mission to respect, protect and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights across the UK.

As Director, you will lead our talented team in delivering the organisation’s strategy, strengthening our influence and increasing our impact as the UK’s leading voice on human rights, poverty and inequality.

We are looking for someone with senior leadership experience, a strong track record in fundraising and influencing change, excellent relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to human rights and social justice.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected national organisation at the forefront of advancing rights across the UK.

As our Associate Director of Children’s Services, you have a key role to play in the leadership, operational management, and strategic direction of Chestnut Tree House. We are looking for an individual who shares our passion for excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. Whether through clinical leadership, service development, strengthening quality standards or supporting our workforce, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to our future.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to kindness, respect, integrity and collaboration. We want every colleague to feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their full potential while delivering the very best outcomes for those in our care.

As a leader within Southern Hospice Group, you will:

• Lead the planning, performance and delivery of Children’s services, holding accountability for quality, patient outcomes, financial control, income and contract compliance.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with commissioners and system partners, developing and negotiating proposals that expand service reach and impact.
• Lead service improvement and innovation and share learning across the organisation.
• Provide visible, values-led people leadership, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across all teams.

You'll be

• Passionate advocate for babies, children and young people
• Child and family centred
• Significant experience in children's palliative/end of life care or children with complex care needs
• Compassionate but accountable leader
• Strategic but operationally grounded
• Professional curiosity, always seeing ways to innovate and improve
• Track record of effective performance management across quality, workforce, operations and finance
• Effective communicator, able to influence and build strong teams
• Experience of leading and supporting teams through change
• Builds effective relationships with key stakeholders across the group and externally
• Confidence in financial leadership, including budget management, income generation and commercial decision making.
• Proven ability to influence and partner with commissioners and system stakeholders
• Highly developed people leadership skills, with the ability to engage, motivate and develop the workforce and build strong teams.

Headway UK developed the Approved Provider Scheme in 2011, which is a voluntary standards-based accreditation, for rehabilitation and residential units for people with a brain injury and we are looking for a new part time team member.

• Location: Preference for Midlands based, either home based or in Headway UK’s office in Nottingham.
• Salary: £35,000 FTE (pro rata for 21 hours per week) (days are flexible)

Brief overview

Are you a professional with experience supporting brain injury survivors?

Are you passionate about improving standards or care, for brain injury survivors?

Would you be good at conducting assessments and supporting residentials care units to improve the care that they provide?

Headway UK developed the Approved Provider Scheme in 2011, which is a voluntary standards-based accreditation, for rehabilitation and residential units for people with a brain injury and we are looking for a new part time team member.

By participating in the scheme Approved Provider units affirm their dedication to excellent care, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. The accreditation of units is then published for families, individuals and professionals to help inform their choices when identifying suitable provision for brain injury survivors. Our accreditation process is designed to be collaborative and supportive, guiding units through every step towards achieving and maintaining exemplary service standards.

The role will involve, conducting and writing assessments and working with the Approved Provider and Training Manager to manage Lead Assessors, who are based around the UK and the Service User Perspective Assessors, who are either brain injury survivors, or family members/ carers.

Embrace Headway’s mission of Improving Life After Brain Injury. Join us to ensure the highest quality care for ABI survivors throughout their journey to recovery.

What you will do:

• Conduct Approved Provider assessments, which includes going into brain injury residential units and assessing the services they provide and making recommendations, to improve practice against the framework.
• Writing and reviewing reports for Approved Provider units, following assessments, that clearly highlight strengths and areas for development.
• Contributing to the development and growth of Headway UK’s Approved Provider scheme, by continuing to drive forward standards and onboarding new units.
• Working with freelance Lead Assessors and Service User Perspective Assessors (who are brain injury survivors or family members) who are based around the UK, to organise assessments and ensure the schemes standards are upheld.

About you

We’re open-minded and welcome all applicants who believe they can succeed. Though ideally, you will have:

• Prior experience of working in the field of acquired brain injury.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, social work).
• Ability to write and moderate written reports of high quality and clarity, to provide accurate and accessible feedback.
• Very good IT skills, including be proficient in the Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams).
• Ability to gain the trust, confidence, and respect at all levels within external organisations and staff groups.
• Be an excellent communicator, with new and existing Approved Provider units.

Benefits

As a staff member at Headway UK you’ll have access the following range of benefits;

Financial Security 

• Competitive Salaries
• Pension - You’ll be automatically be enrolled into the Pensions People with Headway contributing between 5 – 8%
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme – Increasing with length of service.
• Death in Service Benefit - You’ll have the security of knowing if anything happens to you your loved ones will be provided for

Flexible Working

• Remote working – For the majority of our roles we can facilitate fully remote or hybrid working.
• We understand that a healthy work-life balance is essential for our team to thrive. Headway UK offers flexible working arrangements, promoting well-being and ensuring you can take care of yourself while you care for others.

Wellbeing

• You’ll benefit from a fully comprehensive 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme including access to counselling services.
• Eye Test Vouchers
• Mental Health First Aiders

Holidays and leave

• You’ll get 25 days leave incrementally increasing to 30 days based on service plus Bank Holidays.
• Birthday leave

Benefits

• You’ll have access to a range of shopping and lifestyle benefits and discounts through our IMHR Plus Privilege membership.

About us

Headway UK plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals and families affected by brain injuries. Our comprehensive services encompass rehabilitation, counselling, and practical assistance to help survivors regain independence and improve their quality of life. Headway UK is at the forefront of raising awareness about the challenges faced by those with brain injuries and advocates for their rights, ensuring they receive the care and understanding they deserve. Through a combination of educational initiatives, community outreach, and personalised support, Headway UK strives to rebuild lives, offering a lifeline to those navigating the complexities of brain injury recovery.

Embark on a fulfilling career with Headway UK and join our compassionate team and contribute to our mission of rebuilding lives after brain injury. Make a meaningful impact with Headway UK, where every role plays a crucial part in empowering those on the path to recovery.

Safeguarding

At Headway UK we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of vulnerable adults. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow best practice as set out within the Care Act 2014. All successful applicants will be subject to safer recruiting procedures and will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks including a criminal background check and two satisfactory references.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

We recognise, value and champion diversity and inclusion. We want to ensure are staff population reflect the diverse service users that we support. For us diversity and inclusion is about building happy teams, full of people that want to learn and be inspired by each other, by our different experiences and backgrounds. Inclusion means providing the people we recruit with opportunities and valuing everyone’s contributions and perspectives.

We are also committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need support with the application or you would like a chat about what it’s like to work with us.

Thank you for your interest in Headway UK and we look forward to getting to know you!

Location: Global Lumos role based in the UK 

Location type: Hybrid

Reporting to: Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer

Annual salary: £90,000 – £100,000 GBP

Closing date: Monday, 12th October, 9:00 am CET

Background

Lumos Foundation works to realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is a world in which all children grow up in safe and loving families within supported communities.

Founded in 2005 by author J.K. Rowling, Lumos partners with governments, civil society and young people with lived experience to transform care systems globally and advocate for family-based solutions that help children thrive. We ensure that families receive the support they need to stay together or reunite, and that children grow up in family-based settings such as foster or kinship care, not institutions.

Despite clear evidence of the harms of institutionalisation, more than five million children worldwide continue to live in institutions. And a much larger number of children are at risk of family breakdown and separation – those living in poverty, experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and living in countries affected by conflict.

We are ambitious for children’s safety. In the next ten years, Lumos will enable 500K children in care to return to family-based care, while preventing ten million more children from experiencing family breakdown and separation – so that they can thrive in their own families. Working with local, national, and global partners, Lumos supports government-led transformation of childcare systems across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America- driving systemic and sustainable change.

Lumos’ ambition for children is significant and will require the organisation and its partners to work in new ways – with a pace, drive and urgency that this moment demands – and that children everywhere deserve.

Lumos’ success will continue to be based not just on what we do, but on how we do it – our values. We embrace collaboration. We strive for excellence. We show respect. We always care. And we are passionate. We are Lumos.

Purpose of role

We are looking for an exceptional programme leader to help us achieve our ten-year ambition. The Director of Programme Delivery leads Lumos' global programme portfolio, ensuring the organisation delivers high-quality and impactful programmes that contribute to sustainable systems change for children and families. The role is responsible for translating organisational strategy into effective delivery, strengthening programme quality and performance, and supporting Country Directors in achieving measurable results.

The postholder will also lead the continued evolution of Lumos' programme delivery model, strengthening localisation and national leadership, building organisational learning and evidence, and developing innovative approaches that extend Lumos' impact and influence beyond traditional country office structures. 

Reporting to the Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer, the role provides strategic and operational leadership across Lumos' global programme portfolio.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

Deliver a high-performing global programme portfolio

• Lead the continued translation of Lumos’ Ten-Year Ambition into clear programme and country priorities, plans, budgets and delivery approaches.
• Lead the global programme portfolio, ensuring high-quality implementation, measurable results and clear accountability for performance, financial stewardship and donor commitments.
• Maintain clear oversight of performance, organisational health and risk, and ensure ambition is matched by the people, as well as the funding and organisational capacity required to deliver it.

Continuing to strengthen our country leadership

• Lead, coach and develop Lumos’ Country Directors, strengthening national leadership and building clear accountability for programme, financial, people and organisational performance.
• Help country teams evolve into influential national and regional centres of expertise in care reform and systems change.
• Develop pathways towards greater national ownership, autonomy and localisation, while strengthening collaboration and learning across countries and regions.

Evolve how Lumos delivers impact at scale

• Lead the continued evolution of Lumos’ programme delivery model, turning strategic ambition into practical approaches, clear accountabilities and effective ways of working.
• Develop models combining sustained country engagement, nationally led partnerships and other approaches capable of supporting sustainable systems reform.
• Help Lumos increase its impact and geographical reach without relying solely on establishing traditional country-office structures.

Make evidence central to how we work

• Hold senior accountability for programme quality, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning across the global portfolio.
• Continue to strengthen Lumos’ ability to demonstrate system-level change, using credible evidence and data to understand what works and how successful approaches can be adapted or scaled.
• Ensure evidence and learning from delivery, inform programme strategy, advocacy, partnerships, fundraising and future investment.

Lead across the organisation and beyond

• Work closely with Finance, People & Operations, Safeguarding, Safety & Security and other specialist functions to ensure programmes are effectively supported, responsibly managed and delivered safely.
• Champion meaningful participation and leadership of children, young people and people with lived experience across programme design, delivery and learning.
• Act as a senior organisational leader and member of the Executive Team, working closely with the Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer, representing Lumos with governments, partners and funders, and contributing programme and country perspectives to wider organisational decisions.

What success looks like

• Exceptional delivery - a high-quality global portfolio delivering measurable results with strong financial, organisational and donor accountability.
• Strong country leadership - confident and accountable Country Directors with the authority, capability and support to lead effectively.
• A delivery model built for scale – stronger, locally led approaches and new ways of working that enable greater impact and geographical reach.
• Countries as centres of expertise - national teams increasingly leading systems change, generating evidence and sharing expertise across regions.
• Evidence that drives impact - credible learning about what works, informing programme improvement, influence, investment and future growth.

Profile

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups. 

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within an international organisation.
• Experience overseeing complex multi-country programmes.
• Experience leading senior programme or country leaders.
• Experience translating strategy into delivery and measurable results.
• Experience managing donor-funded programmes, grants and significant budgets.
• Experience leading programme or organisational change.
• Experience operating in international development, humanitarian or related sectors.
• Experience overseeing programmes delivered through different organisational and partnership models desired.
• Experience managing major institutional grants, such as those funded by government or multilateral donors desired.
• Experience supporting localisation or the transition of country operations towards greater national leadership and ownership desired.
• Experience coaching senior leaders desired.

Skills and qualifications

• Expert knowledge of programme management and programme delivery.
• Strong understanding of programme cycle management, including financial management, risk management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Knowledge of donor-funded programme management, compliance and reporting.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership while maintaining strong operational oversight and accountability.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Knowledge of systems change and approaches to achieving sustainable impact at scale desired.
• Understanding of different international delivery models, including country offices, national organisations and programmes co-created with local partners desired.
• Knowledge of the international funding environment and major institutional donor requirements desired.
• Understanding of children’s rights, care reform or a related field desired.

Personal traits desired

• Strategic thinker with strong delivery focus.
• Collaborative and empowering leadership style.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Credibility and authority to influence and direct senior leaders.
• Emotionally intelligent and able to build relationships.
• Commitment to Lumos' mission and values.
• Curious and open to testing new delivery models and ways of working desired.

Additional Information

Alongside the opportunity to contribute to a truly life-changing mission, you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, a supportive and inclusive culture, and a genuine commitment to your personal and professional development. Some of the benefits we offer include

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. 
• Enhanced family-friendly leave (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental) and enhanced sick pay. 
• Hybrid and flexible working. 
• Competitive employer pension scheme. 
• Learning and development opportunities. 
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support and advice. 

Safeguarding Statement

Lumos is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and expects all staff, associates and volunteers to uphold our safeguarding and PSEA standards. We have zero tolerance for abuse, bullying, harassment and sexual exploitation, and all appointments are subject to appropriate screening, checks and references.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Lumos is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating a workplace where everyone is valued, respected and able to contribute. We celebrate the diversity of our global teams and are committed to challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion in everything we do.

Our Values

• We embrace collaboration. 
• We strive for excellence.
• We show respect.
• We always care.
• We are passionate.

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR, applications via email will not be accepted.

·The deadline for applications is Monday 12th October, 9:00 am CET ·

Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Lead safeguarding. Shape culture. Enable safer churches.

The Diocese of London is seeking an exceptional safeguarding leader to serve as our first Director of Safeguarding.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of the Church of England’s largest and most diverse diocese, driving a culture that is preventative, accountable, transparent and focused on learning and improvement.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for safeguarding across the Diocese, oversee governance and assurance, lead a skilled safeguarding team, and champion the voices of victims and survivors.

We are looking for a credible and experienced professional with significant safeguarding expertise, strong professional judgement, and a passion for enabling safer churches.

Join us in shaping the future of safeguarding in London. We would be delighted to hear from you.

The postholder will have an enhanced DBS check.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 20 September at 5pm. The selection day will take place in-person on Thursday, 22 October. 

Please refer to the Candidate Information pack for the full details of the Role, Responsibilities and Person Specification.

Permanent | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Service to join our senior management team.

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead eight services with nine direct reports, spanning substance use and services for children and young people. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, significant senior leadership experience within substance use services is essential, including experience of leading CQC-regulated provision and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance. 

You will also need a strong understanding of safeguarding and the governance required to deliver safe and effective services for children and young people. Direct operational experience of Children & Young People services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong safeguarding and CYP governance experience alongside substantial substance use leadership. 

This permanent appointment offers the opportunity to provide long-term leadership to a significant portfolio and help shape the future development of Cranstoun’s services. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Development Director (New Business) provides strategic leadership for Impetus’ new business development, prospect pipeline and high-value funding opportunities. The postholder will have responsibility for identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate, trust and foundation, and high-net-worth donor relationships, as well as continued relationship management for key, established relationships.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in probono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus' growth ambitions, helping to increase philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear new business priorities, pipeline plans and prospect engagement approaches, ensuring a strong flow of qualified opportunities and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure prospects and strategic funding opportunities, while overseeing the stewardship and retention of current partners. 

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor acquisition, pipeline development, prospect conversion and stewardship, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

New Business, Pipeline & Conversion

• Personally lead on six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers, and networks to unlock introductions and new opportunities, providing clear support and follow-up to maximise success.
• Evolve Impetus’ new business strategy, driving the identification, cultivation, and conversion of new high-value donor and partner relationships.
• Translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base, and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for new audiences and sectors.

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth 

• Own and oversee select donor relationships at six and seven-figure levels within the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Ensure your donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Development and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

Research, Insight & Pipeline Development

• Provide strategic leadership for the Research & Insights function, ensuring prospect research, donor intelligence and market insight inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and organisational planning.
• Lead the strategic development of fundraising pipelines, ensuring focus on opportunities with the greatest potential for long-term income growth, impact and strategic fit.
• Ensure donor intelligence and prospect research are used effectively to identify, qualify and prioritise new funding opportunities.
• Maintain oversight of gift acceptance, due diligence and fundraising compliance in relation to fundraising opportunities, ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
• Identify and escalate strategic, reputational or compliance risks associated with donors and partners.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Development, providing strategic direction, coaching and performance oversight.
• Establish the Head of Development as the operational lead on new business, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across the wider team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for new business growth, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing team culture that balances pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising capability across your team through leadership, coaching and consistent, fair, and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen strategic partnerships and support long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insights inform decision making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic or reputational risks associated with prospective partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are leveraged and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Back Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Philanthropy team.

Strategic leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring new business delivers against organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of annual forecasting, budgeting, pipeline performance and resource planning, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support strategic relationship building and new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen organisational fundraising performance and capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the Philanthropy team, modelling Impetus' values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

Join SafeLives and help transform the response to domestic abuse across the UK

As our Lead Trainer and Assessor, you will play a key role in equipping professionals across policing, health, social care, housing, education, the specialist domestic abuse sector and beyond with the skills, knowledge and confidence to provide effective responses to domestic abuse. Through the development and delivery of high-quality training programmes, you will help ensure that victims, survivors and their families receive the right support at the right time.

Working closely with colleagues across the Training and Development Team, associate trainers, commissioners and external partners, you will lead on the delivery, assessment and quality assurance of accredited and non-accredited training programmes. You will develop engaging training materials that place lived experience at the heart of learning, support the development of new training offers in response to emerging sector needs, and contribute to SafeLives' reputation as a leader in domestic abuse training and professional development.

We're looking for someone with excellent facilitation, communication and relationship-building skills, alongside strong knowledge of domestic abuse and experience of working with victims, survivors and their families. You'll be confident delivering training to a range of audiences, committed to creating engaging learner experiences, and motivated by the opportunity to improve practice and outcomes for those affected by domestic abuse.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and values-led organisation where bravery, inclusivity, rigour and humanity are at the heart of everything we do. An understanding of the complexities of domestic abuse, multi-agency working, and the importance of placing survivor voice and lived experience at the centre of our work is essential.

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone, for good.

We work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. We want what you would want for your best friend. We listen to survivors, putting their voices at the heart of our thinking. We look at the whole picture for each individual and family to get the right help at the right time to make families everywhere safe and well. And we challenge perpetrators to change, asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ rather than ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ This applies whatever the gender of the victim or perpetrator and whatever the nature of their relationship.

Last year alone, we delivered more than 700 sessions to over 15,000 learners across the UK in policing, health, housing, justice, education and the specialist sector. And we have reached 90,000 adult and 100,000 child survivors through programmes designed and delivered with partners.

In the last 9 years, close to 7,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change through flagship interventions developed by our Drive Partnership and the programme continues to expand year on year.

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

Benefits

• 34 days holiday inc. public holidays
• Paid annual wellbeing day
• Cycle 2 Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Length of service award
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced family leave Policies
• Holiday purchase scheme - buy up to an additional 5 days

How to apply

If you believe you have the qualities we have described, please look over the full job description and submit your CV and cover letter by 9am on 5th October. As part of our commitment to become a Disability Confident Committed employer we are happy to accept alternative applications such as video, voice note etc.

Help transform healthcare for patients across Bristol, Weston and beyond

At Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, we do great things for everyone. From first breaths to final goodbyes, our work touches over 1.75 million patients across our hospitals. Together with our supporters, NHS colleagues and partners, we fund projects that bring comfort, hope and innovation to patients and their families.

We're looking for an experienced and strategic finance leader to join our Senior Management Team during an exciting period of delivery and growth following our recent merger with Southmead Hospital Charity.

This is a rare opportunity to use your expertise to help improve healthcare for patients, families and NHS staff across the region. Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the charity's future, ensuring strong financial stewardship, effective governance and operational excellence across the organisation so that together we can create the greatest possible impact.

About the role

As Director of Finance & Operations, you'll provide strategic leadership across finance, operations, governance, risk management and charitable grant-making. You'll work closely with the CEO, Trustees and senior colleagues, helping guide key decisions that support the charity's long-term sustainability and impact.

No two days will be the same. One moment you could be presenting financial insights to the Board, the next working alongside NHS colleagues to identify where charitable funding can make the greatest difference for patients, families and staff. You might be leading an operational improvement project, overseeing risk and governance, supporting investment decisions, or helping develop our people and culture. You'll also have opportunities to meet the incredible supporters, donors and fundraisers whose generosity makes our work possible, giving you a direct connection to the impact of the charity and the communities we serve.

You'll lead and support a talented team, including our Financial Controller, Head of Grants and Head of Operations, creating an environment where people can thrive and continue delivering outstanding results.

About you

We're looking for a qualified accountant with significant senior leadership experience in the charity sector and a track record of providing strategic financial leadership at executive or director level.

You'll bring:

• Strong experience presenting to boards and trustees and influencing decision-making.
• Expertise in financial strategy, budgeting, cashflow management, reporting and audit.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to make complex financial information clear and accessible.
• Experience of charity governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• A collaborative leadership style and a talent for building trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience leading operational, digital or systems improvement initiatives.

Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to improving healthcare and making a lasting difference for patients and communities across Bristol, Weston and beyond.

Please note we are looking for the successful candidate to start in early to mid October to ensure a handover period with the substantive Director of Finance & Operations before she goes on maternity leave.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to use your financial and operational expertise for a cause that matters. You'll join a passionate and supportive team and play a key role in helping the charity deliver extraordinary impact in our hospitals every day. In addition, you'll enjoy: 

• 27 days annual holiday entitlement plus an additional day off on your birthday and a wellbeing day. Plus, an additional two days leave after five years of service.

• Commitment to hybrid and flexible working. 

• Competitive pension scheme. We'll match employee pension contributions up to 8% (minimum 5%). 

• Additional support via our enhanced Employee Assistance Programme, including up to eight sessions with a licensed counsellor. 

• Life assurance cover - 4x annual salary 

• Commitment to training and development with budget set aside 

• Medicash health plan - claim cash towards a range of medical costs 

• Free Blue Light Card that allows access to hundreds of discounts at major retailers. 

If you're an experienced charity finance leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, we'd love to hear from you.

1st stage interviews: 23/24th September.2nd stage interviews: 29/30th September.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

We are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process and use anonymised recruitment, removing personal details such as names and email addresses during shortlisting.

As a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the eseential criteria for the role. If you wish to share information about a disability or long-term condition and would like us to consider any adjustments, please let us know in your application.

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Development Director (Philanthropy) provides strategic leadership across Impetus’ philanthropy and stewardship portfolio, with responsibility for relationship management, renewal, growth and selected new business activity. The postholder will work with high-value funders, including corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in pro bono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus’ growth ambitions, supporting the increase in philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear stewardship, renewal, relationship-growth and selected new business plans, ensuring strong donor retention, high-quality engagement and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will oversee the donor lifecycle across the philanthropy portfolio, with particular focus on strategic stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and the effective transition of selected prospects into long-term donor relationships. They will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure donor relationships and selected funding opportunities, while working with colleagues to ensure the philanthropy pipeline, stewardship plans and account management disciplines are strong.

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and selected donor acquisition, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth

• Own and oversee strategically significant donor and partner relationships at six and seven-figure levels, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Set and embed best practice stewardship standards, ensuring donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Philanthropy and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

New Business: Pipeline & Conversion 

• Personally lead on select six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers and networks to support warm introductions, relationship development and follow-up, in line with agreed new business and stewardship priorities.
• Work with colleagues to translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for donors, prospects and priority audiences.

Performance and KPI Reporting

• Accountable for ensuring effective implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of fundraising performance frameworks, KPIs and reporting disciplines.
• Use performance data and insight to improve team effectiveness, inform portfolio planning and resource recommendations, and identify opportunities for retention, renewal and growth.
• Oversee philanthropy portfolio data quality, reporting and forecasting, ensuring robust systems and processes.
• Ensure robust systems, processes and performance disciplines are in place to support delivery of agreed philanthropy portfolio objectives and wider fundraising goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and evidence-led decision-making across the philanthropy portfolio and direct team.

Donor Communications

• Provide strategic oversight of donor communications for the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, timely and aligned to Impetus’ voice, values and evidence base.
• Work with Communications and Philanthropy colleagues to design and continuously improve philanthropic communications, including cases for support, proposals, pitches, stewardship materials and donor updates.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Philanthropy, providing direction, coaching and performance oversight within agreed strategy and priorities.
• Develop the Head of Philanthropy as the operational lead for stewardship, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across their team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and portfolio delivery, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, balancing pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising and stewardship capability across the team through coaching and consistent, fair and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen donor relationships, partnership value and long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure philanthropy and selected new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate philanthropy pipeline reporting, forecasting and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insight informs portfolio planning and decision-making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic, financial or reputational risks associated with donors, prospects and partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are well managed and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Model Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across the philanthropy portfolio.

Strategic Leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring stewardship, renewal and relationship growth contribute to organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of philanthropy portfolio forecasting, budgeting input, pipeline performance and resource recommendations, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and escalated proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support donor stewardship, relationship growth and selected new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen philanthropy portfolio performance and wider fundraising capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, modelling Impetus’ values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

We are looking for a highly organised, experienced Finance, HR and Office Manager to cover a range of responsibilities for our charity.

This is a varied role and will include processing the day to day finance transactions, processing invoices and making payments and overseeing all the Human Resources functions and recruitment including volunteers and trustees. The role will also cover facilities management, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for the team.

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, ERIC offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 25 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays per year), rising one day per year as a long service reward up to a max of 5 days.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to wellbeing resources
• 3% Employer Pension contribution
• Living Wage Accredited Employer

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital training programmes and other training as required by the role.

For the full job description and person specification please view in the advert.

The Philanthropy, Engagement and Partnerships (PEP) Manager - Regional Ambassadors and Direct Fundraising will advance UWC Atlantic College’s fundraising ambitions by championing an approach grounded in partnerships and volunteering. This role bridges strategic direct fundraising with volunteer network leadership to drive philanthropic growth, long-term engagement, and tangible support for our educational mission.

Acting as the primary staff partner for a well-supported cohort of volunteer Regional Ambassadors, the post holder is responsible for developing a clear Ambassador identification, engagement, and retention plan that fosters solid peer-to-peer connections aligned with institutional goals.

Additionally, the role is accountable for establishing program metrics and objective reporting, effectively identifying and transitioning appropriate prospects into major or transformational strategies with other fundraising colleagues, and achieving agreed personal portfolio activity and annual income objectives.

If you think this sounds like something you would love to do, we would like to hear from you!

Please go to our website to see the full job description, person specification and application form.

Please note that the only method of application we accept is a completed UWCA Application form - we do not accept CV’s.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Monday 21st September, 12pm

Interviews for this role will take place on Monday 28th September.

This specific role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship or Accommodation

UWC Atlantic is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity Number: 525761