Director of programme development jobs in Belfast

The Organisation

LawCare is the mental health charity for the legal sector, providing free, confidential emotional support and information to people working in law across the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. While our primary focus is on direct support services, we also play a leading role in advocating for improved mental health practices within legal workplaces and driving cultural transformation through education, training, and research.

Established in 1997, we have spent almost 30 years supporting legal professionals by offering a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk, whether individuals are experiencing day-to-day pressures or more complex, enduring challenges. Our team of Champions, over 100 volunteers, and staff bring lived experience of the legal sector, enabling us to provide informed, empathetic support grounded in a deep understanding of the profession’s unique demands.

We serve all branches of the legal community, including barristers, solicitors, in-house teams, chartered legal executives, and business and support staff. From early-career professionals facing bullying or imposter syndrome to senior leaders managing risk, regulatory pressures, or professional  isolation, we are a trusted and independent source of support.

In addition to our direct support services - including helpline, live online chat, and email support - we provide peer support and maintain a substantial, regularly updated online library of resources, including articles, personal stories, research, and multimedia content designed to promote mental health awareness and resilience across the sector. We also deliver training on mental wellbeing, management and supervision, vicarious trauma, and the new SRA workplace behaviour standards, and offer online sessions for legal workplaces and organisations to explain the support we provide.

By combining frontline service delivery with sector-wide advocacy, LawCare is uniquely positioned at the intersection of individual wellbeing and organisational cultural change. We are supported by a strong, capable team and a committed Board of Trustees, enabling us to continue making a meaningful impact across the legal profession.

The Role

LawCare is seeking an inspiring and values-led Chief Executive to lead the charity into its next phase of development at a pivotal moment for the legal profession. As the public face and strategic leader of the organisation, the Chief Executive will champion LawCare’s mission - ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential support services while strengthening its voice and influence across a rapidly evolving and increasingly commercial mental health landscape.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on strong foundations, guiding a respected and independent charity through a period of significant sector change. Working closely with staff, volunteers, funders and partners, the Chief Executive will drive sustainable growth, deepen impact, and help shape a more compassionate and mentally healthy legal culture for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Lead delivery of LawCare’s forthcoming strategy (2026 onwards), translating vision into measurable impact.
• Ensure LawCare sharpens its positioning and messaging in a crowded mental health marketplace.
• Balance direct support services, research, education and influencing work to maximise impact.
• Identify what the charity should prioritise and where it should collaborate rather than deliver directly.

External Relations & Sector Influence

• Act as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for LawCare across the legal sector in the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with:
  • Professional bodies
  • Regulators
  • Law firms and chambers
  • Legal educators
  • Funders and charitable trusts
• Speak regularly at conferences, sector events, roundtables and award ceremonies. These are primarily London based, however, there will be occasions where representation is required across England, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Build alliances to influence policy, regulation and workplace practice around mental health and wellbeing.
• Position LawCare as the authoritative, evidence-informed voice on mental health in law.

Service Oversight & Quality

• Ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential helpline and peer support services.
• Maintain robust safeguarding, confidentiality and data governance practices.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, training and engagement.
• Ensure services evolve in response to emerging issues (e.g., stress, anxiety, workplace conflict, regulatory pressure, AI-related disruption).

Financial Sustainability & Governance

• Lead financial planning and sustainability, working closely with the Treasurer and Board.
• Manage relationships with core professional body funders and diversify income streams.
• Develop compelling funding cases and annual pitches to key stakeholders.
• Strengthen reserves and long-term financial resilience.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and risk management.
• Support and work closely with the incoming Chair and a refreshed Board.

Research, Education & Prevention

• Build on the impact of the Life in the Law research programme.
• Promote preventative approaches for firms and educators.
• Strengthen LawCare’s role in vocational education and regulatory conversations.
• Ensure research informs policy influence and funding opportunities.

Organisational Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a small, experienced and fully remote team.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, wellbeing and accountability.
• Provide clarity and reassurance during a period of leadership transition and financial strengthening.
• Ensure operational efficiency and effective use of technology in a remote environment.

The Person

LawCare is seeking a credible, strategic and values-driven leader with a deep understanding of the legal profession and the pressures shaping it today. You will bring senior leadership experience, strong commercial and financial acumen, and the ability to balance operational excellence with sector-wide influence.

An authentic and compelling ambassador for mental health and wellbeing, you will be an exceptional communicator who builds trust with ease. Emotionally intelligent, resilient and grounded, you will combine empathy with clarity and conviction, guiding the organisation confidently while remaining steadfast in your commitment to improving mental health across the legal community.

Essential

Professional Background

• Prior professional experience in the legal sector is required. Experience working in a qualified or regulated professional role is desirable.
• Deep, intrinsic understanding of the culture, pressures and structural dynamics of the profession.
• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for strategy, people and budgets.

Leadership & Influence

• Credible, visible and compelling leader with presence.
• Exceptional communicator - confident public speaker and strong writer.
• Knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Able to influence senior stakeholders and bring sceptical audiences “on the journey.”
• A credible ambassador for mental health and wellbeing - knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Comfortable operating at Board level.

Organisational Capacity

• Experience managing and motivating high-performing teams (ideally remote).
• Financial acumen, including budget oversight and income generation.
• Fundraising experience, particularly with trusts, foundations or membership bodies.
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic influence.
• Skilled at prioritisation in resource-constrained environments.

Personal Qualities

• Authentic commitment to mental health and wellbeing.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and values-driven.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to navigate sensitive conversations with discretion and diplomacy.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience working with regulators or professional bodies.
• Understanding of research commissioning or evidence-led advocacy.

Further information

For further information about LawCare, the scope of the role and the person specification, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up to date CV, with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification, along with your motivation for applying for the role.

Closing date for applications: Monday 30th March 2026
Preliminary interviews with Russam: Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th April 2026
Interviews with LawCare: Week commencing 20th April 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

About Play for Progress 

Play for Progress is a small but mighty London-based charity dedicated to improving the lives of young unaccompanied refugees and asylum seekers. We provide a safe, welcoming environment where young people aged 14-25 can access practical support, education, wellbeing programmes, and a genuine sense of community. Our work is driven by a deep belief that every young person — regardless of where they come from — deserves the chance to thrive. 

We are a close-knit team with a flat structure, a strong values-led culture, and a real commitment to involving the young people we serve in everything we do. 

The Role 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a central role in the sustainable growth of our charity. As Finance Manager, you will be the financial heartbeat of the organisation — ensuring robust financial management, supporting our fundraising and grant compliance, and providing the Executive Director and Board with the financial insight they need to make good decisions. 

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who is comfortable working across all aspects of charity finance in a small team, and who brings both technical skill and a genuine commitment to our mission. 

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting 

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records using accounting software (currently Xero ) 

• Prepare clear and insightful monthly management accounts for the ED and Board of Trustees 

• Monitor cash flow, manage banking, and provide regular financial forecasts 

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the ED and programme leads 

• Help Budget leads to manage devolved targets through reports and Quarterly Review 

• Prepare year-end statutory accounts and liaise with the external independent examiners or auditors 

• Ensure financial systems, processes and controls are fit for purpose and continuously improved 

Grant & Fund Management 

• Maintain accurate tracking of all restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring full compliance with funder terms and conditions 

• Prepare timely and accurate financial reports for statutory, trust and individual funders 

• Support the ED and fundraiser with budget development for grant applications 

• Monitor programme spend against budgets and proactively flag underspends, overspends or risks 

• Support due diligence processes for new funders and partnerships 

Payroll & HR Finance 

• Manage monthly payroll for employees, including PAYE, National Insurance and auto-enrolment pension 

• Process staff expense claims and ensure adherence to the expenses policy 

• Maintain accurate staff financial records and support HR administration as needed

Governance & Compliance 

• Ensure the charity operates in compliance with Charity Commission regulations, SORP and relevant financial legislation 

• Prepare and submit annual returns to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

• Complete all required Company secretarial duties

• Review, maintain and implement financial policies and procedures

• Support the Board meetings, including preparing papers, attending meetings and responding to trustee queries 

General & Organisational 

• Process purchase invoices, supplier payments and income receipts in a timely manner 

• Support the wider team with financial queries, guidance and informal training

• Contribute to organisational planning, risk management and strategy as part of the senior team 

• Carry out any other duties reasonably requested by the ED 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or qualified by significant relevant experience 

• Demonstrable experience in a finance management role, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector 

• Strong working knowledge of charity accounting, fund accounting and the Charities SORP 

• Proven experience managing restricted and unrestricted grant funds 

• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks or Sage) and Microsoft Excel 

• Experience preparing management accounts, year-end accounts and budgets 

• Experience managing payroll (in-house or via an external provider) 

• Excellent attention to detail and high degree of accuracy 

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and trustees 

• Self-motivated and able to work independently and prioritise effectively in a small team 

• A genuine commitment to the rights, dignity and potential of young refugees and asylum seekers 

Desirable 

• Experience working in a refugee, asylum, migration or broader human rights context 

• Familiarity with funding from Trusts and Foundations and complex funder reporting requirements 

• Experience supporting Board-level governance, including Finance Sub-Committees 

• Experience of working in an organisation going through a period of growth or change 

What We Offer 

• A flexible, supportive and genuinely values-led working environment 

• The opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people who have overcome extraordinary challenges 

• 20 days annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays 

• Employer pension contribution of 3% 

• Remote and flexible working arrangements 

• Regular supervision, an open-door culture, and access to professional development 

• A diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve 

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

Play for Progress is an equal opportunities employer. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, and those with lived experience of the refugee or asylum journey. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and heard. 

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Public Affairs Manager to take lead responsibility for managing the Woodland Trust. Northern Ireland’s (WTNI) relationship with the NI Executive , Government, relevant statutory agencies, and key NI, ROI and UK political audiences; to advocate and campaign for changes in legislation, policies, incentives, strategies and plans which reflect the Trust’s priorities in NI and the Island of Ireland; and to lead on local development plan consultations and the Trust’s relationship with local councils and the wider eNGO sector.

The Role:
• In the context of our Corporate Strategy, UK policies and position statements and Northern Ireland Plan, to define our Northern Ireland Public Affairs and campaigning goals and to develop and manage a prioritised programme of policy and advocacy work to achieve them.
• Provide technical and expert support, advice, and briefings to the Northern Ireland Director, and other colleagues where relevant, on policy and advocacy matters and enable them to be effective policy advocates. 
• Lead Public Affairs in the Northern Ireland team, and any consultants as appropriate, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our staff and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust.
• Oversee, and where relevant lead, the development and management of relationships with NI Government including Ministers, MLAs, researchers, advisors and civil servants, as well as local government, statutory bodies and other influential organisations across farming, forestry and business in line with the NI Public Affairs plan.
• Represent the Trust and our policy and advocacy priorities externally, including negotiating consensus positions within external coalitions including NI Environment Link, with key stakeholders and potential partners.
• Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of NI policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Evaluate future threats and opportunities facing the Trust’s cause in NI, brief colleagues and steer our advocacy messaging accordingly.
• Work closely with other teams and departments, especially Comms & Engagement, UK Campaigns and Conservation and External Affairs, to coordinate and integrate political advocacy and campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans. 
• Contribute to ensuring appropriate and efficient use of Woodland Trust funds, including setting and managing the NI Public Affairs budget.
• This is a fixed term contract for 6 months.
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our regional office in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Head office attendance would be required no more than once a month on average. Occasional travel to other offices and remote locations may also be required.

The Candidate:
• You’ll be experienced in building strong relationships and have a proven record of delivery in partnership with local councils.
• You’ll have a proven track record in public affairs and policy delivery and experience of working with the environmental/voluntary sector.
• You’ll be experienced with relationship management - a developer of relationships with exceptional networking ability; able to spot opportunities and connections, evaluate them and act on them, both internally and externally.
• You’ll be experienced setting clear goals and priorities and taking responsibility for their delivery.
• You’ll need a working knowledge of current affairs, and the processes through which legislation and policies are developed and delivered.
• You’ll need to understand the current environmental policies, conservation and land management issues facing Northern Ireland and the wider UK.
• You’ll need knowledge of the Northern Ireland Executive and Government and the ability to use that knowledge to achieve results.
• You’ll need strong communication skills through both written and oral, as well as research and analytical skills.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant areas or proven extensive experience.
• Full UK driving licence would be an advantage.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic Background Check as part of our pre-employment screening.

Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.  
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply. 
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.

Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. 
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. 

Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.