Directorate support officer jobs in City of london, england

Thames Reach is one of London’s leading homelessness charities, working to end street homelessness and help the people we support to find and sustain a decent home, build supportive relationships and lead a fulfilling life.

We are seeking a Director of Operations to take on a new senior strategic leadership role that will play a key part in the future direction and long-term sustainability of the organisation.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will work collectively with the Chief Executive and Director of Services to provide organisational leadership, contributing to strategic direction and operational effectiveness.

You will be accountable for ensuring the organisation has effective infrastructure, people and financial sustainability. You will oversee and provide integration across all non-service operational areas, holding overall responsibility for Finance, People, Data, IT, Property & Facilities, and Thames Reach Housing, our Registered Provider subsidiary.

You will act as a primary point of organisational assurance to the Chief Executive, SMT and Board on operational sustainability, risk and compliance.

Key priorities include providing organisational stewardship of finance, overseeing the transformation and effective operation of digital, data and technology systems, and championing continuous improvement in organisational capability, leadership and ways of working.

Director of Operations Thames Reach
Salary: circa £92,000 per annum
Directorate: Central Operations

About you
We are seeking a leader with a strong collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to collective responsibility and organisational leadership. You will bring:

• Senior strategic leadership experience in a complex organisation, with responsibility for multiple operational and enabling functions.
• Strong financial acumen, including the ability to oversee budgets, interpret financial data and communicate financial matters clearly to senior leaders and Trustees.
• Experience of organisational change, transformation and continuous improvement.
• Experience of governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to operate credibly at Board and Committee level.
• Ability to operate effectively within a regulated environment, including building an understanding of the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Extensive experience of managing multiple projects and critical decision making.

Crucially, you will demonstrate a clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and to furthering our mission of ending street homelessness.

How to Apply
For further information, to access the appointment brief and to apply to this role, please click on the Redirect button.

Recruitment timeline
Application deadline: 9th August
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 24th August & w/c 31st August
Interviews with Thames Reach: 18th September

Position: Head of Research
Hours: Part-time, 14 hours a week – job share
Contract: Permanent
Location: Office-based in London N4, with flexibility for hybrid working
Salary: £66,421 per annum FTE (£26,568 per annum, actual for 14 hours per week) plus excellent benefits
Salary Band: Band 4

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

The Head of Research enables successful delivery of the organisation’s ground-breaking Research Strategy. They will provide vital leadership, strategic direction and day to day management of the MS Society’s research programme as well as leadership of the Research Team.

This varied and exciting role also involves developing and maintaining strategically relevant partnerships, annual grant round, new research strategy and acting as a spokesperson for the MS Society as well as being a key ambassador – inspiring internal teams about the MS Society’s research programme.

Please note this is a part-time 14 hours per week position. This could be worked across either 2 or 3 days.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Tuesday 21 July 2026

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled people and or people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our recruitment and selection process 

• The first round of our recruitment and selection process includes an interview with competency-based questions.
• Our recruitment and selection process might also include extra tasks. For example, a written or Microsoft Excel test or making a presentation.  
• We’ll let you know what the selection process will include when we invite you to interview. You can ask for any more reasonable adjustments for the interview as part of the invitation.
• You might also be invited for a second interview. We’ll let you know about this during the selection process.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 39 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Job Title: Building Compliance Advisor (Maternity Cover)

Location: London-based. Site visits / Homeworking with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London)
Salary: £39,565 per annum (Inclusive of £3000 London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term (12-14 Months Maternity Cover)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm

Join Refuge and help keep our homes, workplaces and services safe and compliant.

Please note, This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies.p

Refuge is the UK's largest specialist provider of services for survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence. We are looking for a knowledgeable and proactive Building Compliance Adviser to join our Property Services Team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a property professional with experience of building safety, statutory compliance and property management to play a key role in ensuring our diverse property portfolio remains safe, secure and compliant.

Working closely with operational teams, senior leaders, contractors, regulators and external partners, you will act as Refuge's in-house compliance expert, providing technical advice and ensuring the organisation remains informed and compliant with changing legislation, regulations and industry standards.

About the role

As Building Compliance Adviser, you will lead on building safety and property compliance across Refuge's portfolio. You will monitor statutory and regulatory requirements, maintain compliance data and certifications, update policies, deliver training and provide expert advice to colleagues across the organisation.

You will also support the management of property agreements, oversee compliance reporting and returns, liaise with insurers and regulators, and help ensure robust governance arrangements are in place.

The role combines technical expertise, stakeholder engagement and practical problem-solving, making it ideal for someone who enjoys variety and wants to make a meaningful difference.

Key responsibilities

Building Safety and Property Compliance

• Act as Refuge's corporate lead for building safety, fire risk assessment (FRA) compliance and wider property compliance matters.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and industry developments and advise the organisation on emerging requirements.
• Update and develop property policies to ensure ongoing compliance and best practice.
• Deliver training and guidance to colleagues on building safety and compliance requirements.
• Support services to develop effective local compliance arrangements.
• Undertake property inspections and produce reports, recommendations and action plans.
• Maintain oversight of compliance certifications, records and documentation.
• Monitor compliance performance and provide assurance through reporting and quality checks.
• Provide technical advice and support on property-related issues across the organisation.

Property Management

• Maintain and develop Refuge's property database.
• Ensure property agreements are centrally stored and effectively managed.
• Monitor key contractual dates and obligations and support proactive compliance with lease and agreement requirements.

Supply Chain and Contractor Management

• Support or lead the procurement of consultants and contractors.
• Develop briefs, specifications and project requirements.
• Agree costs, programmes and contract terms.
• Monitor contractor performance and maintain effective supplier relationships.
• Support service teams with property-related projects and deliveries.

Reporting and Governance

• Prepare reports for senior leaders, boards and other stakeholders.
• Complete property compliance and regulatory returns, including the annual NROSH return.
• Act as a key contact for insurers, providing property and compliance information as required.
• Collect, analyse and present compliance data to demonstrate statutory and regulatory compliance.

Customer Service and Teamwork

• Provide a responsive and professional property support service to colleagues.
• Build positive working relationships across the organisation.
• Provide team cover where required and participate in out-of-hours emergency response arrangements.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of building safety, compliance, property management or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of statutory and regulatory property compliance requirements.
• Experience interpreting legislation and translating requirements into policies, procedures or operational practice.
• Experience managing compliance data, certifications and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload independently.
• Experience working with contractors, consultants and external stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• The ability to travel across London and surrounding areas as required.

Why work for Refuge?

At Refuge, every role contributes to supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. In return, we offer a rewarding and supportive environment where you can develop your career while making a genuine difference to people's lives.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equality and supports the wellbeing and professional development of our colleagues.

Additional Information

Closing Date: 09:00am 27 July 2026

Interview Date: 5 - 6 August 2026

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

About the roles

Last year we launched our most ambitious strategy yet - Change Happens Now. To deliver on its promise, we have identified a phased and prioritised pipeline of cross-cutting strategic programmes that will move us closer to a future where, by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives - and is supported to live well.

We’re now looking for 2 Strategic Programme Leads to help deliver our strategy. You’ll work in our Strategy, Planning & Innovation (SPI) team, which is responsible for strategic change programmes, planning, innovation and involvement.

Both posts share the same job description and grade and will work flexibly across SPI’s full portfolio. However, each role has a distinct focus area and differs in contract type:

• Role 1 - Health Systems and Improvement – Permanent: This role focus is in health systems and improvement, which will include leading place-based programmes, stewarding UK-wide health-improvement standards, and building the external relationships needed to deliver system-level change.
• Role 2 - Engagement at Scale – 2 year fixed term. This role focus is in ‘engagement at scale’ programmes, in its first year, it will include programme leadership of our universal offer, an organisation-wide programme aimed at delivering an accessible support offer for everyone affected by breast cancer. It will also include providing strategic partnership for other large-scale programmes, such as healthcare professional engagement initiatives and behaviour change.

While each role has a primary focus area, we expect both post-holders to be flexible and adaptable. Priorities change, and you'll need to be equally comfortable working across specialisms, seeing the focus areas as a starting point which will evolve with organisational priorities.

About you

Whilst both roles are the same, given the specialisms, for role 1, we're particularly interested in candidates with experience of external connectivity across the UK health system landscape and a working knowledge of NHS structures, integrated care systems, clinical pathways and health inequalities. For role 2, we're particularly interested in candidates with experience of scaled engagement work, such as leading public engagement, support or community programmes.

For both roles, you’ll be able to get into the detail when it matters, including the design and sequencing of the programme itself. On some programmes you'll be the strategic lead, owning the work from start to finish and being the trusted strategic advisor to expert leaders. On others you'll partner an expert team, bringing the wider organisation in behind their delivery and working through the barriers that hold progress back.

You'll be confident leading, designing and running pilots and prototypes, with clear measures of success and an evidence-led approach to learning and improvement, ensuring you keep lived experience of breast cancer at the heart of your work. You'll be comfortable with ambiguity, making progress at pace without losing rigour, and you'll bring an innovation mindset, creating the conditions, methods and permission for teams to test, scale and embed new ways of working.

Most importantly, you'll be able to be flexible in your workload, and motivated by the chance to lead change in an organisation that wants to be brave, determined and ambitious - one that backs innovation, challenges the status quo when it needs to, and is willing to commit to the big, multi-year work that real impact requires.

Job description and benefits

The job descriptions and our attractive benefits are available for you to download.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

These roles can be based in our London, Sheffield or Cardiff offices. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.   

The salary range is:

£49,000 to £53,000 per annum if Cardiff or Sheffield based

£53,000 to £57,000 per annum if London based

How to apply

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement online.

As there are 2 roles, you can either submit your application for 1 or both roles. To do this, please confirm in your application the role you’re applying for: Role 1, Role 2 or Both.

To help with your application, please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification of the job description/s and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who
we support.

Closing date Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11:59pm

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Interview date: Friday 14 August and Monday 17 August 2026

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum, Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. 

For further infomation regarding the role, please view our downloadable job pack. 

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 29 July 2026

Interview Date: 17 and 18 August 2026

Organisational Wellbeing Lead (Maternity Cover 12 Months)

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Hours: 28 hours per week (would consider a minimum of 21 hours per week for the suitable candidate)

Contract: Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Cover 12 months

Location: London, Finsbury Park (Office based role)

Starting Salary:  £ 37,479 per annum for 28 hours (FTE £46,849 per annum).

Closing Date:  2nd August 2026

Expected Date of Interviews:  In person in Finsbury Park on 2 September 2026

Job Ref: VA794
 

Would you like to join our award-winning organisation?Freedom from Torture is the Winner of the Overall Award for Excellence and the top prize for Campaigns and Advocacy at the 2023 Charity Awards.Our powerful campaigns have delivered real impact for survivors of torture across the UK.

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We have an exciting opportunity for an Organisational Well Being Lead to join our charity as we embark on our 4 years’ strategy 2026-2030 with a strong commitment to embed a dynamic wellbeing approach that celebrates and supports our committed teams and is co-created and co-owned by all of us.
 

About the Role
 

Over the past two and a half years, the wellbeing provision at Freedom from Torture has evolved considerably through the adoption of a systemic, trauma-informed approach. This approach recognises wellbeing as a shared organisational and individual responsibility, taking into account the complex interplay of systems, relationships, and environmental factors that shape wellbeing.

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The post holder will help lead on the development of all aspects of Freedom from Torture’s wellbeing strategy. It will range from advising senior leaders on organisational decisions impacting wellbeing, designing and recommending service delivery initiatives, creating training products and systematically evaluating the efficacy of the wellbeing approach.

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Freedom from Torture’s external presence in the wellbeing sphere, amongst refugee sector organisations, is growing from strength to strength. The postholder will need to keep the momentum, sharing best practice across the sector.

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About You​

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The successful candidate will have experience in leading wellbeing initiatives effectively, have a strong understanding of how wellbeing fits in with a Human Rights organisation and possess knowledge of what excellent wellbeing practice includes within organisations directly supporting traumatised individuals and families.

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They will demonstrate confidence in driving organisation-wide engagement with wellbeing initiatives, fostering open dialogue on sensitive issues, and translating emerging research and best practice into meaningful action across a multidisciplinary environment.

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If you are passionate about Human Rights, this is an exciting time to join Freedom from Torture and to really make a difference as it has just launched its 2026-2030 strategy, with survivors and its peopleat the heart of it.
 

In return, we offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day (pro rata) annual leave entitlement, 6% employer pension contribution (minimum 1% employee contribution), and flexible working opportunities.
 

Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles, in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality.

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Our policy is that all appointments will be at the start of the salary range, but successful candidates will have the opportunity to move up the scale over time. The progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to affordability. For this role, the salary range is £ 37,479 - £43,476 per annum for 28 hours.

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To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please kindly find the attached file.​​

Please note a CV and a cover letter addressing the job description and person specification of the role are mandatory to be considered for the position.
 

Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally; we fight to hold torturing states to account, and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK.
 

We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.
 

Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
 

This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.
 

Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
 

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

No agencies please.

Job Title: Duty Independent Gender Violence Advocate (Duty IGVA)

Location: Lambeth, London
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract (Until March 2027)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota. Operating hours of the service 8am- 6pm Monday- Friday with the expectation to work on some days 8- 4pm or 10- 6pm to cover duty shifts.

We are recruiting for a Duty Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) who will be working closely with survivors of domestic, and other gender-based abuse to provide high quality independent support, guidance and advice to survivors across all risk levels and their children.

In this role the Duty IGVA is a part of a busy team. The Duty IGVA will be the first point of contact for survivors who have been referred to the Gaia Centre by other professionals. The Duty IGVA also will be responsible for processing any self-referrals of individuals contacting the service and wishing to access support. The Duty IGVA will be responsible for responding to daily enquiries from partnership agencies, public and impacted individuals over the phone and email.

In some circumstances the Duty IGVA will be contacting survivors directly to assess their level of risk and needs to ensure eligibility. The Duty IGVA will be responsible for carrying out and implementing safety plans and needs assessments. The Duty IGVA will ensure an effective handover of the case to the relevant team for ongoing support.

The Duty IGVA will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. The Duty IGVA will ensure that survivors are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options. The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors.

The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal and practical options that might increase their safety. The jobalso  involves working in a fast-paced environment.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 21 July 2026

Interview Date: 30 and 31 July 2026

Job Title: Director of Examinations 

Reports to: Chief Executive

Line reports: Examinations Manager (x2) 

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with over 4,750 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

Job Purpose 

The Director of Examinations plays an important role within the College, providing strategic leadership, oversight and delivery of our exam function in the UK and overseas, at the same time as ensuring alignment with best practice and GMC standards.

This role has responsibility for a budget of £2M+ and for the delivery of exams to around 3,000 candidates each year. The postholder is also responsible for leading a team of six members of staff and forms a key part of our Senior Leadership Team, taking corporate responsibility for the overall direction and operational management of the College.

Main responsibilities 

1. To oversee the strategic direction and delivery of exams 

• Provide strategic leadership for the College's examination function, ensuring all examinations are designed, delivered and continuously improved in accordance with the College's strategic objectives, regulatory requirements, obligations and recognised best practice 

• Develop and implement the long-term exams strategy, anticipating future developments in medical education, assessment, AI technology and regulation to identify opportunities, manage risks and ensure the continued relevance and sustainability of the College's examinations 

• Ensure the College's examinations meet the standards required by the General Medical Council (GMC) and other relevant regulatory bodies, maintaining robust governance, quality assurance and standard-setting processes that demonstrate examinations are valid, reliable and fit for purpose 

• Lead the strategic planning, financial management and performance of the examinations function, ensuring delivery within agreed budgets while maintaining high-quality services and identifying opportunities for innovation and operational efficiency 

• Champion an outstanding candidate and stakeholder experience by ensuring examinations are delivered to consistently high standards of customer service, accessibility, fairness and professionalism, with particular regard to equity, diversity and inclusion, confidentiality and information security 

• Provide executive leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of policies, assessment methodologies and quality assurance frameworks, ensuring alignment with developments in medical assessment and educational best practice. 

• Oversee governance arrangements for examination appeals, reasonable adjustments, examination security and risk management, ensuring robust, transparent and legally compliant decision-making processes 

• Ensure comprehensive monitoring and analysis of examination performance, assessment outcomes and equality data, using evidence and statistical analysis to inform continuous improvement, maintain standards and provide assurance to the College's governance structures and external regulators 

• Drive the development and implementation of digital solutions, leading business change to improve resilience, efficiency, data quality and the candidate experience 

• Lead the strategic development and expansion of the College's international examination portfolio, identifying opportunities for growth while ensuring consistent quality, governance and candidate experience across the UK and overseas in a financially sustainable way 

• Ensure appropriate governance, oversight and maintenance of systems, policies, guidance and digital resources, including candidate communications and public-facing information 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and evidence-based practice across the examinations function, ensuring emerging risks, operational issues and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively. 

2. To foster close and constructive relationships with key stakeholders 

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with examiners, psychometricians, clinical leaders, regulators and international delivery partners, fostering collaboration to ensure the consistent delivery, quality and integrity of the College's examinations across the UK and internationally 

• Provide strategic oversight of the recruitment, development and performance of the College's volunteer examiner workforce, ensuring examiners are appropriately trained, supported and calibrated to deliver assessments in accordance with regulatory requirements and recognised best practice 

• Serve as the executive lead for the College's Examinations Committee and its subcommittee structure, providing strategic advice, governance support and assurance to enable effective oversight of the examination function and its ongoing development 

• Lead the College's relationship with the GMC, acting as the principal point of engagement on examination matters. Ensure timely and robust regulatory reporting, represent the College in formal discussions, and provide assurance that examinations continue to meet all applicable regulatory standards 

• Build and maintain productive relationships with key UK stakeholders, including the Postgraduate Dean for Ophthalmology, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), NHS partners and other professional bodies, influencing developments in postgraduate medical assessment and promoting collaboration across the sector 

• Lead the College's engagement with international partners, including examination delivery organisations, host institutions and the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COESCA), supporting the strategic growth, quality assurance and sustainable development of the College's international examination portfolio 

• Represent the College externally on matters relating to examinations and assessment, acting as a trusted advisor to senior clinical leaders, regulators and partner organisations, and enhancing the College's reputation as a leader in postgraduate medical assessment. 

3. To lead the directorate 

• Provide executive leadership of the team, creating a high-performing, collaborative and customer-focused culture that enables colleagues to deliver excellent outcomes 

• Lead, develop and empower the team through effective coaching, succession planning and identification of professional development opportunities, building capacity and resilience

• Establish clear individual and team objectives aligned to the College's strategic priorities, monitoring performance, fostering accountability and supporting the successful delivery of agreed outcomes

• Promote effective communication and collaboration across the team, ensuring colleagues are informed, motivated and connected to the College's strategic direction, while championing the team's achievements across the organisation 

• Ensure robust financial stewardship, including strategic financial planning, budget management and long-term forecasting, contributing to the College's sustainability and value for money 

• Provide strategic advice, analysis and assurance to the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee, reporting on performance, risks, financial position and progress against objectives 

• Establish effective governance and programme management arrangements to deliver strategic initiatives, foster cross-College collaboration and drive continuous improvement. 

4. To contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) 

• Play a full and active role as a member of the SLT, contributing to the development and delivery of the College's strategy and organisational priorities 

• Provide visible organisational leadership, promoting collaboration across teams and embedding a one-College approach that delivers consistently high standards of service and performance 

• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of College-wide policies, governance arrangements and organisational processes, ensuring effective and consistent application across the organisation 

• Share collective corporate responsibility for decisions taken by the SLT and Board of Trustees, supporting their successful implementation and promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement 

• Lead and contribute to cross-organisational change programmes and strategic projects, ensuring effective engagement with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver sustainable improvement 

• Champion and role model the College's values, behaviours and leadership expectations, fostering an inclusive, respectful and high-performing organisational culture. 

5. To undertake other duties as required:  

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Chief Executive

• Extensive travel in the UK and overseas is required, alongside working outside normal hours from time to time during exam sittings. 

Person Specification 

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience 

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification 

• Significant senior leadership experience in examinations, education, assessment or a professional membership organisation 

• Experience of leading high-stakes assessment or examination services, including quality assurance and regulatory compliance 

• Experience of strategic planning, budget management and organisational performance 

• Experience of leading, developing and motivating high-performing teams 

• Experience of working with Boards, committees, regulators and senior stakeholders 

• Experience of leading organisational or digital change programmes 

Skills and Abilities 

• Strategic leadership with strong planning, analytical and decision-making skills 

• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship management skills 

• Financial and commercial awareness with the ability to manage resources effectively 

• Ability to lead change, manage risk and deliver continuous improvement 

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results 

Personal Qualities (Attributes) 

• Collaborative, inclusive and values-driven leader who demonstrates integrity, professionalism and sound judgement 

• Resilient, adaptable and committed to innovation, continuous improvement and customer excellence 

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and to continuing professional development 

Other requirements

Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally and work occasional evenings or weekends during examination periods