Community jobs in Hertfordshire

At Special Olympics GB, we're changing the way people think about intellectual disability.

Every day, our athletes challenge expectations, inspire communities and demonstrate what's possible when people are given the opportunity to thrive.

Corporate and commercial partnerships are fundamental to making that happen. They enable us not only to generate sustainable income, but to create opportunities for our athletes through volunteering, employment, leadership, education, inclusion and powerful brand collaborations.

As we build towards the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile and continue to grow our national movement, we're looking for an exceptional partnership professional to lead and evolve this work.

This isn't a traditional charity partnerships role. We're looking for someone who combines exceptional stewardship with commercial curiosity, entrepreneurial thinking and creativity. Someone who enjoys spotting opportunities, challenging conventional approaches and designing partnerships that create genuine shared value.

You'll inherit an exciting portfolio of national partners (Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Toyota GB, Fuller’s pubs, Ocean Outdoor, Mitsubishi Electric UK and others), lead a small but ambitious team, and work alongside the Director of Development to shape the future of one of the UK's most exciting purpose-led partnership programmes.

We are looking for an administrator to support Age UK Wandsworth's Home Together Coordinator to facilitate our Home Together Service. 

The Home Together Service sits within our Age Well Together Service, which offers a range of assistance to support clients at home and in their local community to prevent decline; maintain independence; reduce social isolation; and promote health and wellbeing with care, friendship and understanding. This includes our befriending services, an online shopping service and a Handyperson service.

Who should apply?

This role would be suitable for someone:

- wishing to begin a career in Wandsworth or in the Charity sector

- wishing to make a difference to the lives of older people

- who would like meaningful contact with clients

- who wants to become part of a hard-working, caring, compassionate and supportive staff team

Previous administrative experience may be beneficial but the role will include a comprehensive induction and full training for the role will be provided.

What we can offer you:

You'll be joining a vibrant workplace where no two days are the same, working as part of a small, supportive team that is committed to making a positive difference in the community. You'll benefit from an experienced leadership team, collaborate with kind and caring colleagues who genuinely work together, and even have the company of a friendly hypo-allergenic office dog.

Due to the nature of the work that we carry out, our staff work from our office, day centre and in the community. Therefore, please note that unless it is otherwise stated, all roles advertised will require the successful candidate to work on-site.

Employee benefits:

• 5% employer’s pension contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee shopping benefits scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• Employee recognition and reward programme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities

Major Giving at Friends of the Earth is looking for a new Trusts and Grants Manager, to set the strategic direction of the team and give dynamic and thoughtful leadership to the trusts and foundations portfolio.

The Trusts team is well-established and experienced, and this is great time to take the team forward and take ownership of a varied pipeline of funders. We want someone who is creative, enthusiastic and aligned to our mission – if you dream of making a difference in the climate justice movement, this could be the role for you.

As the team manager, you will be responsible for:

• Setting the direction of the team and leading by example in exceptional account management
• Collaborating with teams across the organisation to bring our work to life for funders
• Communicating the importance of trusts and foundation funding to internal and external stakeholders
• Inspiring the team to seek out new opportunities and build meaningful long-term relationships

Key Skills and Attributes:

• Proven track record of securing and managing five and six-figure, multi-year grants and delivering first-class donor cultivation and stewardship
• Experience in leading strategy development and delivery
• Evidence of a dynamic and innovative approach to presenting a range of funding options and scenarios
• The ability to proactively build and manage both internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to support strong bid and proposal development and reporting
• Strong leadership skills to support and coach team members ensuring continuous improvement and a sustainable work/life integration
• Good understanding of, and proficiency in, fundraising databases

The team: 

The Major Giving team is made up of corporate partnerships, philanthropy and trusts and raises £6 million a year from our partners, funders and donors. It is part of the Income Generation directorate, which includes Individual Giving, Organisational Insight and Supporter Relations.

Working closely with all areas of the organisation, we match high-net-worth individuals, funders and partners to our projects and campaigns and motivate them to give significant gifts to Friends of the Earth.

The Major Giving team is ambitious, well-established, dynamic, and collaborative, with each income stream working closely on projects, events and proposals to ensure donors are stewarded in the most effective ways.

For more information please read the job description.

Closing date: Monday 10th August 2026 (23:59)

Hours: Full time (30 hours over 4 days)

Location: Flexible across England, Wales and Northern Ireland 

(London salary applicable to candidates who live in London or are based in the London office a minimum of two days a week)

Please note we only accept applications via the Friends of the Earth Application System.

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance including a 4-day working week with no loss of pay, excellent learning and development opportunities and a vibrant organisational culture. 

Our staff body is currently under-representative of People of Colour, LGBTQIA+ people and people with long term conditions or impairments. We are committed to eroding these historic barriers, so as to create a movement in which people from all walks of life see themselves in, and so we particularly encourage you to apply if you belong to one of these groups or sit at multiple intersections of disadvantage. We are committed to the Disability Confident standard and will guarantee an interview to any candidates who declare a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Friends of the Earth staff who publicly represent Friends of the Earth (including all campaigners) are not allowed to also represent a political party. This is to ensure that there can be no confusion in the minds of the public about Friends of the Earth's party-political independence. Affected staff should also seek permission from the Senior Management Team if they wish to hold a non-public facing official role in a political party. If this is an issue, please do raise this with us as soon as possible.

Friends of the Earth is an international community dedicated to protecting the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We lead campaigns, provide resources and information, and drive real solutions to the environmental problems facing us all. 

Location: hybrid - a minium of two days in the Aldgate, London office per week

Annual leave: 33 days (plus eight bank holidays)

Benefits:

• enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental pay
• family-friendly policies
• 8% employer pension contribution (Aviva) 
• three x basic salary life assurance cover
• free health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
• 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
  free, confidential employee assistance programme (Medicash)
• access to a wellbeing app
• flexible working options including hybrid working, flexible working patterns such as part-time, compressed hours, and more*
• learning and development opportunities including bespoke training and access to LinkedIn Learning)
• commitment to employee health and wellbeing.
• we have a Menopause Friendly accreditation and are a Disability Confident employer

Due to an internal promotion, Dementia UK has an exciting opportunity to join the Mass Participation team, where you will help to coordinate a portfolio of virtual events expected to raise over £4.7 million and bring in over 34,000 participants to the charity in the next year.

The virtual events portfolio at Dementia UK consist of a series of month-long challenges that bring our supporters together online across the UK. Participants receive a free incentive to take on a motivating challenge, from clocking up 60 miles in October to walking 1km a day in February, spending the month moving, connecting and fundraising for Dementia UK. Familiarise yourself with our Virtual Events portfolio here. 

As a Mass Participation Executive, you will be responsible for the end to end management of our virtual challenges, delivering marketing plans in collaboration with agency support and stewarding supporters to ensure participation. Using project management tools and a pro-active can-do approach, you will ensure smooth event delivery, continuously analyse, and develop the virtual events portfolio. You will work closely with teams across Fundraising, Data, Marketing & Communications to drive income, collaborate and achieve high levels of engagement across the virtual events portfolio. 

We’re looking for someone with previous fundraising experience. A background in areas such as individual giving, community fundraising, or challenge events would bring strong transferable skills to this role. If you have an understanding of effective marketing channels to drive participation in fundraising and effective stewardship techniques, we would love to hear from you.

This is also a fantastic chance for someone who has a proven track-record delivering against fundraising KPIs and who is motivated by its potential to bring people together, strengthen engagement, and create a lasting impact for Dementia UK. 

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to find out more about the role, or have any queries, please get in touch with us.

This role will be subject to a Basic DBS check.

Our culture

In addition to a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, we truly value our people. It’s important for us to create a working environment that looks after our workforce to support them in achieving their full potential. You will become part of a diverse and dedicated team who are supported to use and develop their skills. We recognise and value the key role you will play in delivering our strategic plans for the benefit of those living with dementia.

Our staff have a voice. Representatives from different roles and levels across the organisation positively contribute to and lead on our working groups around health and wellbeing, menopause, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

Dementia UK is proud to welcome everyone. We aim for a truly inclusive culture with talented, diverse teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We celebrate difference and individuality and encourage everyone to join us and be their whole selves always.

Dementia UK is a Disability Confident Employer. If you’d like support to make an application, contact us.

By applying to join Dementia UK, you acknowledge that in the event you are successful for the role, any offer and your ongoing employment will be conditional on you having or obtaining the right to work in the UK.

*Please note that any decision on flexible working is based on business needs 

When you apply for a job at Dementia UK, we will collect certain information about you to process your application and assess your suitability for the role. Further details can be found in our privacy notice.

Circa £60,984 per annum 

Fixed term (6 month cover starting January 2027) 

Part home/Part office (London) based 

At the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), we work alongside partners and communities to help realise children’s rights and build a better world for every child. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive – connected by shared values, a sense of purpose and a collective commitment to making childhood unstoppable. 

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as our Senior Creative Producer (Film & Photography), the creative lead responsible for defining and championing UNICEF UK’s approach to visual storytelling. Leading a talented team of filmmakers and photographers, you will set the vision, standards and creative direction for film and photography across the organisation, creating powerful, audience-led content that inspires action and strengthens our impact for children. 

Working across the organisation, you will provide strategic creative leadership, oversee complex UK and international productions, and champion innovation, safeguarding and inclusive storytelling.

We are looking for an experienced creative leader with a strong track record of developing and delivering outstanding film and photography content in an agency or in-house environment. You will bring excellent creative judgement, experience leading creative teams, and a deep understanding of visual storytelling, audience engagement and content production. 

You will be passionate about inclusive storytelling and ethical content creation, with the ability to translate insight, strategy, and organisational objectives into compelling creative work. Experience of leading international productions, managing external partners and driving creative innovation is essential. 

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.  

Closing date: 9am, Monday 27 July 2026. 

Interview date: Week Commencing 17 August 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams). 

In return, we offer: 

• excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools) 

• outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role 

• impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 

• an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

• the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world 

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process. 

We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, and the rest of the time from home.We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances. 

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children. 

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. 

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit. 

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences. 

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours. 

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. 

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland) 

Two positions:

• 1 x Greater Manchester
• 1 x Barking & Dagenham

We have recently been awarded a transformative multi-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund  as part of its Health Inequities: Structural Racism and Discrimination Partnership. We are one of ten national partners working alongside The National Lottery Community Fund and will take a leading role in shaping how the partnership operates, including building evidence, influencing policy and practice, supporting the design of new national funding programmes, and facilitating collective learning across the partnership.​

Alongside this, the centrepiece of our participation will be the delivery of three Anti-Racism Collaboratives (ARCs), each based in a specific locality and rooted in communities experiencing the sharpest health inequities. The initial locations are Greater Manchester, the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.. ARCs will bring together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE), faith organisations, people with lived experience, primary and secondary care providers, local authorities, public health and social care partners. Each ARC will convene a Co-Production Panel (CPP) of people from minoritised ethnic communities to identify where structural racism produces inequitable health outcomes, and to co-produce evidence-led solutions that improve health and tackle the wider determinants of health.​

We are recruiting two Changemakers, one each for Greater Manchester and for Barking & Dagenham. As a Changemaker, you will establish and support an ARC within one of our pilot localities, bringing together stakeholders, providing strategic advice and knowledge of research methods and policy opportunities. You will support the design and implementation of health intervention programmes decided on by the ARC that have the power to influence policy, practice and systems.

Working as part of a national team of Changemakers, you will also contribute to the Foundation's evidence, influencing and systems change work, connecting learning from your locality to national policy, while bringing national developments back into local action. Together, the team will develop a replicable model for tackling racial health inequities.​

We are looking for an experienced systems change practitioner who is passionate about tackling structural racism and improving health equity. This highly collaborative leadership role requires someone equally comfortable working alongside people with lived experience, senior leaders across health and local government, and colleagues from the voluntary and community sector. Success will depend on your ability to build trusted partnerships, work strategically in complex environments, translate evidence into action, and create the conditions for lasting systems change.

Person Specification​

Essential​

• Demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-agency change involving communities, VCSE organisations and statutory partners. ​

• Strong understanding of how systemic racism operates within health and wider public systems

• Experience of identifying opportunities to redesign policy, commissioning, organisational practice or partnerships to reduce racial inequities. ​

• Experience of leading or facilitating programmes that sought to tackle systemic racism through systems or organisational change. ​

• Ability to build trusted relationships across organisations with different priorities and levels of influence, exercising sound judgement in complex and politically sensitive environments. ​

• Significant experience of working alongside communities experiencing racial inequities to co-produce evidence-led solutions that influence policy, organisational practice or systems. ​

• A commitment to trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches that recognise community knowledge as equal to professional expertise. ​

• Experience of synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence and translating it into practical recommendations that influence policy, commissioning, organisational practice or wider systems change.​

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience of using evidence and partnership working to shape policy, commissioning or organisational practice.​

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences. ​

• Ability to work strategically while maintaining oversight of programme delivery. ​

• Ability to work confidently in ambiguity, adapting approaches in response to evidence, community insight and changing organisational contexts. ​

• Commitment to equity, anti-racism and the values of the Race Equality Foundation. ​

Desirable​

• Experience of working within health and care systems. ​

• Experience of analysing ethnicity-disaggregated data or wider health inequalities evidence. ​

• Experience of Action Learning, organisational development or other systems change methodologies. ​

• Knowledge of the VCSE, statutory and community landscape within the locality. ​

• Experience of organisational improvement or quality frameworks such as REMI.

For the full job description see attachment.

Applications will only be accepted via application form on our portal. We will not accept any applications via CV.

Please note, we can only accept applications from those already eligible to work in the UK.

Digital Skills and Learning Manager

Power to Connect is looking for an experienced, community-focused Digital Skills and Learning Manager to lead and strengthen our digital skills and digital inclusion offer in Wandsworth.

Salary: £18,000 per year (£30,000 full-time equivalent)
Hours: 0.6 FTE (3 days per week)
Contract: Fixed-term for 1 year
Location: Hybrid, with home working, one day per week in a shared co-working space in Wandsworth, and additional attendance at service delivery sessions and networking events across the borough

Power to Connect is dedicated to bridging the digital divide in Wandsworth. Since launching in 2020, we have supported more than 7,000 individuals and families through device redistribution, digital skills training and ongoing support.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in tackling digital exclusion locally. You will shape and deliver accessible, high-quality learning opportunities that help residents build digital confidence, access services, improve employability and participate more fully in everyday life.

Working closely with the CEO, you will lead our digital skills and learning offer, line manage two Digital Tutors, support a team of volunteer Digital Champions, and help strengthen partnerships and progression opportunities across the borough. You will also help ensure learners can build confidence in using emerging technologies, including AI, safely and practically in everyday life and work.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development and delivery of digital skills and digital inclusion programmes
• Develop engaging, accessible learning materials and progression pathways
• Deliver around four hours of teaching each week
• Support learner engagement and inclusive community outreach
• Build partnerships with local organisations, employers and other stakeholders
• Line manage two Digital Tutors and support volunteer Digital Champions
• Monitor outcomes, evaluate impact and use learning to improve services

We're looking for someone with

• Experience of designing and delivering digital skills, digital inclusion or community learning programmes for adults
• A strong understanding of digital exclusion and the barriers faced by underserved communities
• Experience of programme coordination, partnership working and learner engagement
• Experience of supporting or line managing staff, tutors, volunteers or community champions
• Strong communication, organisational and relationship-building skills
• Confidence using digital tools and awareness of emerging technologies, including AI
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to the power of learning to improve lives

Why join us?

• Make a real difference by helping residents build digital confidence, access essential services and improve employability
• Play a leading role in shaping and growing a trusted local digital inclusion programme
• Enjoy autonomy and the opportunity to influence strategy while staying connected to communities through hands-on delivery
• Join a supportive and collaborative team
• 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays, pro rata
• Workplace pension with a 5% employer contribution
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development

How to apply

Please see the full job description and person specification for full details of the role, key responsibilities, person requirements and application process.

Application deadline: Wednesday 29 July at 11.59pm

We are looking for a supportive and motivating Progression Coach to join our established and respected Step Up programme and help people with a wide range of mental health issues progress towards their goals. These can include volunteering, training or paid employment.

Step Up has been running successfully in Hackney since 2015 and works in partnership with statutory and voluntary mental health services. We work with people living with a rage of conditions including, but not limited to: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Through workshops, training and individual coaching, people are supported to gain confidence, independence, vocational skills and resilience with a reduction in social isolation. The role involves carrying out careful assessments of each person’s needs and interests, to create pesonalised journey plans that include interesting and relevant volunteering positions. These are with local charities and community organisations who are given ongoing support and guidance to help these be a rewarding and worthwhile experience.

We are seeking a candidate who has a real understanding of the barriers faced by people who have extensive mental health support needs, and by people who may have never worked in a paid role, to progress towards life goals. You will join a supportive environment with strong values of enabling people to progress in their lives. We offer flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance, monthly group therapeutic supervision and the opportunity to receive ongoing mentoring and training as you need. At VCH, all staff work closely together to tackle challenges. You will receive ongoing support and be given flexibility and creativity to develop your own working style, with the support of your manager and colleagues.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead IRMO’s Advice programme. As our Senior Advice Programme Manager, you’ll manage a dedicated team and oversee a range of initiatives that provide high-quality information and advice services to respond to the changing needs of our community.

The Advice programme provides trusted information, resources, advice and casework in Spanish and Portuguese on key areas of need, including immigration, welfare entitlements, housing and homelessness prevention. IRMO is accredited by the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3. We are also members of Advice UK and receive second-tier support from Southwark Law Centre.

Alongside this, the programme works with local health boards to run initiatives designed to improve access to health services, such as HIV testing, sexual health and family planning advice and Chagas disease testing. You will also oversee IRMO’s Community Support service, which manages community enquiries daily at our Brixton centre and through our helpline, provides emergency crisis support and coordinates our Community Interpreting service, as well as connects service users with internal or external support.

These initiatives support people facing difficulties and help them build the skills and confidence to navigate complex systems. All of our work is shaped by the views of our beneficiaries, keeping our services relevant and responsive.

As Senior Advice Programme Manager, you’ll lead the strategic development of the Advice programme, ensuring our work is high-quality, impactful and responsive to the needs of our community. You’ll help grow the programme by strengthening existing partnerships and developing new ones.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring solid experience as both a project and line manager, with a track record of overseeing multiple initiatives, delivering against KPIs and communicating impact clearly. You’ll be confident in managing people and priorities, with a leadership style that brings out the best in your team.

You’ll also have a strong understanding of the barriers Latin Americans face in accessing immigration, welfare, housing, health and other essential services in the UK, and a genuine passion for advancing the rights and welfare of migrants and refugees.

For more information please find the Job Description on our website

Programme Coordinator

The Race Equality Foundation has been awarded a transformative multi-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) as part of its Health Inequities: Structural Racism and Discrimination Partnership. The programme will establish three Anti-Racism Collaboratives (ARCs), each bringing together voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, people with lived experience, health and care organisations, local authorities and other partners to tackle the structural causes of ethnic health inequities through co-production, evidence and collective action.

As Programme Coordinator, you will play a central role in enabling the successful delivery of this ambitious programme. Working closely with the Lead Changemaker, Changemakers and colleagues across the Foundation, you will ensure the programme has the systems, coordination and administrative support needed to deliver high-quality partnership working and meaningful co-production across the three ARCs. ​

This is a varied role requiring excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities. You will coordinate meetings and events, maintain programme systems and records, support communications, and ensure partners and community members are well supported to participate in programme activities. By enabling the smooth day-to-day operation of the programme, you will help create the conditions for partners and communities to work together to tackle structural racism and reduce health inequities.

Person Specification​

Essential​

• An understanding of structural racism, health inequities and the Race Equality Foundation's commitment to anti-racist practice.​

• At least 12 months' experience in programme or project coordination, administration or a similar role.​

• Experience of maintaining records and managing information using spreadsheets, databases or other digital systems.​

• Experience of organising meetings, events or activities involving multiple stakeholders.​

• Experience of responding professionally to enquiries by email and telephone.​

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.​

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work accurately to deadlines.​

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.​

• Ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues, community organisations and external partners.​

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.​

• A proactive approach to problem solving, with good attention to detail.​

• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to supporting accessible and inclusive ways of working.​

Desirable​

• Experience of working in the health, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE), or public sector.​

• Experience of supporting community engagement, co-production or partnership working.​

• Experience of supporting research projects, monitoring or evaluation activities.​

• Experience of maintaining website content or using content management systems such as WordPress.​

• Experience of using digital collaboration or project management tools such as Trello, Monday, Basecamp or similar platforms.​

• Experience of using design or communications software such as Canva.

For the full job description see attachment.

Applications will only be accepted via application form on our portal. We will not accept any applications via CV.

Please note, we can only accept applications from those already eligible to work in the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive fundraiser who enjoys both bid writing and relationship building.

Working closely with the Fundraising Manager, you will play a key role in securing income from trusts and foundations, supporting donor stewardship, and helping to grow community fundraising activity. You will contribute directly to the financial sustainability of the charity while helping more children gain access to books of their own.

The role is ideally suited to someone who is highly organised, a strong writer, and confident managing multiple fundraising activities simultaneously.

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

This role will also work closely alongside the Living Wage Foundation communications function. The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011. Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting over 475,000 people and winning over £4bn of better wages for people who need it most. 

Purpose 

At Citizens UK, our staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. 

1. Content & Marketing Officer role:

Main responsibilities

• Create engaging written, graphic and video content.

• Deliver integrated marketing campaigns across digital channels.

• Support website, email marketing, SEO/PPC and media activity.

• Produce creative assets and support fundraising and internal communications.

• Use audience insight and AI to improve communications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree/training in communications, marketing, media or community organising (D)

Experience

• Communications, marketing or digital content (E)

• Managing multiple priorities (E)

• Campaign experience (D)

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong communication skills (E)

• Digital communications and marketing knowledge (E)

• Adapt content for different audiences (E)

• Organisation and attention to detail (E)

• Data insight (D)

• Creative tools (D)

Personal Qualities

• Proactive and takes initiative (E)

• Commitment to Citizens UK's values (E)

• Passion for storytelling (E)

• Strong relationship-building skills (E)

• Adaptable and responsive to feedback (E)

2. Digital Communications Officer role:

Main responsibilities

• Lead social media and digital communications.

• Create engaging digital content and campaigns.

• Manage website and email communications.

• Grow audiences through digital engagement.

• Monitor performance and support colleagues with digital communications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree/training in communications, marketing, media or community organising (D)

Experience

• Digital marketing campaigns (E)

• Digital content creation (E)

• Social media management (E)

• Marketing, design or filming (D)

• Crisis communications (D)

Skills & Knowledge

• Digital storytelling (E)

• Social media platforms and scheduling (E)

• Website CMS/UX (E)

• Excellent communication (E)

• Project management (E)

• Paid media (D)

• Photography/video/design software (D)

• Fundraising communications (D)

Personal Qualities

• Adaptable and takes initiative (E)

• Commitment to Citizens UK's values (E)

• Passion for community organising (E)

• Strong relationship-building skills (E)

• Willingness to travel (D)

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.   

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role and requirements.

At Shoreditch Trust we offer personalised one to one support, groups, courses and drop-in activities to clients and the local community.The We Connect Coordinator will cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages individual self-management, peer support and volunteering.

The We Connect Coordinator plays a key role in delivering Shoreditch Trust’s community wellbeing activities and combines practical group facilitation with the ability to facilitate engaging, inclusive and enjoyable group sessions, creating welcoming community spaces where people can connect, learn new skills, improve their wellbeing and build relationships. 

Working alongside the We Connect team, volunteers and community partners, the role will support participants from diverse backgrounds to take part in activities and shared meals, while promoting independence and community participation. 

The role has a strong focus on:

• Individual assessment of need and case load management 
• Group design and facilitation 
• Community Navigation -supported referral and sign posting 
• Reporting