Head of communications jobs

Lead a respected counselling charity and help shape the future of mental health support in our community.

If you're an inspiring leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, this is an opportunity to make a lasting difference. As our new Head of Centre, you'll lead an established, BACP-accredited charity with an excellent reputation for delivering affordable, high-quality counselling and professional training across West Kent and East Sussex.

For almost 40 years, The Counselling Centre has been committed to ensuring that everyone can access professional counselling, regardless of their financial circumstances. We are now looking for an exceptional leader to build on this legacy, strengthening our financial sustainability, developing new partnerships and expanding our impact to meet the growing demand for mental health support.

Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across the organisation. You'll work closely with our dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees to ensure we continue to deliver outstanding counselling, training and community services while identifying opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied and rewarding leadership role. You'll oversee the day-to-day running of the charity, lead financial planning and income generation, develop relationships with funders, commissioners, businesses and community partners, and act as an ambassador for The Counselling Centre across the local area. You'll also champion our values, nurture a positive organisational culture and ensure we continue to meet the highest standards of governance and professional practice.

We're looking for someone who brings senior leadership experience, commercial awareness and a genuine commitment to improving mental health. You'll be an excellent relationship builder with experience of developing partnerships, generating income and leading organisational change. Most importantly, you'll be motivated by our mission and excited by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of our organisation.

Why join us?

• Lead a respected charity with an outstanding reputation built over almost 40 years.

• Make a genuine difference to the lives of people in your local community.

• Work alongside a committed Board of Trustees, experienced staff and dedicated volunteers.

• Help shape the future direction and growth of an ambitious organisation.

• Enjoy a flexible part-time role (21 hours per week) with hybrid working.

• Competitive salary of circa £50,000–£55,000 per annum pro rata, contributory pension, 25 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, and Christmas closure.

If you're looking for a leadership role where your strategic vision, commercial skills and passion for community impact can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced charity operations and finance professional to join as our inaugural Head of Operations and Finance. As we continue to grow our impact, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Operations and Finance to work closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Chair to help strengthen our operations and oversee our finances.

This is a pivotal leadership position combining strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery. You will, support our Chief Executive and Executive Chair todevelop and implement organisational strategy while ensuring our people,systems, governance and finances support the effective delivery of our mission.You will join a close-knit team that punches above its weight, with real influence on policy affecting millions of babies worldwide.

If you're an experienced charity operations and finance professional looking for your next big challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Main purpose

The Head of People leads Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE)'s HR team directing and overseeing all staff-related activity and holding responsibility for developing and delivering the charity’s People Strategy. The role is a strategic partner to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). 

Working alongside SLT in an advisory and partnering capacity, the Head of People helps ensure organisational decisions are informed by workforce insight and that CSE has the people, capability and culture needed to deliver its strategic objectives. The role works with line managers across the organisation to build people management capability and ensure that wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and people-related legal and policy requirements are consistently applied. 

The role spans the full breadth of the People function, including strategic business partnering, employee relations, recruitment, learning and development, wellbeing, EDI, people operations and digital transformation. The Head of People leads and develops the HR team, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, proactive and people-centred service while building on the good practice that already exists within the charity and driving continuous improvement for the benefit of the charity and its employees. 

As the senior People professional at CSE, the role balances strategic leadership with practical operational delivery across the full breadth of the People function, requiring the successful candidate to move confidently between strategic thinking and hands-on implementation. The Head of People provides expert advice on complex people matters, develops and implements people policies, frameworks and processes, supports organisational change and improvement, and translates organisational priorities, values and culture into practical people initiatives that support both staff and the wider organisation. 

This role is likely to appeal to someone who enjoys building, improving and embedding great people practice and who is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with operational delivery across a broad and varied remit. The role requires curiosity, pragmatism and a genuine interest in understanding organisational challenges and delivering practical, lasting improvements.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs inbox. Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification and job description.

For more information and to apply, please visit CSE Jobs website. 

About the Role

As we scale, we are looking for a Head of Operations to provide operational leadership to ensure the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably in line with its mission and ethos. Working closely with the CEO, you will support the translation of the vision into reality by building strong foundations, enabling effective delivery, and supporting the scaling of the organisational from a regional base to a nationally impactful charity.

This is a pivotal role shaping how BeSpace grows. You will lead on strengthening systems, people, governance and operational delivery embedding accountability, and continuous improvement.

In this role, you will:

Strengthen governance, risk and compliance

· Develop and maintain robust governance frameworks and ensure legal and regulatory compliance

· Embed effective risk management processes

· Oversee key compliance areas including safeguarding, GDPR and reporting

Build operational systems and infrastructure

· Develop and implement scalable systems, processes and internal controls

· Improve data management (including CRM) and strengthen reporting

· Contribute to ensuring operational readiness to support national growth

· Work with external providers on IT and financial system integration

Lead people, culture and organisational development

· Oversee recruitment, onboarding and retention of a high-performing team

· Strengthen performance management and accountability frameworks

· Support and foster a values-led, healthy team culture aligned with BeSpace’s mission

Enable delivery, impact and growth

· Strengthen operational support for programme delivery and expansion

· Support the translation of strategic ambitions into practical systems and ways of working

· Improve data insight to inform decision-making

· Support development of fundraising infrastructure.

Contribute to wider organisational life

· Work collaboratively across the team to support evolving priorities

· Act as an ambassador for BeSpace’s values and Christian ethos

About You

We are looking for someone who:

· Has experience in operations, programme or an organisational role with increasing responsibility or has had operational leadership, ideally within a growing or changing organisation

· Has good experience in developing systems, processes and organisational infrastructure

· Can work closely with a CEO to translate vision into operational delivery

· Has excellent organisational and project management skills

· Is proactive, collaborative and relational leader who builds strong teams and culture

 It would be a bonus if you:

 · Are an experienced operational leader motivated by impact, flexibility, and supporting the growth of a mission-led organisation

· Have significantly enabled the scaling of a regional organisation to national growth operationally.

· Have experience in fundraising systems or donor management

Make Your Numbers Matter!

We’re looking for a Head of Finance to help drive our mission of supporting mental health in Herefordshire. If you’re a skilled finance professional who wants to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you

The Role

You’ll lead all aspects of our finance function, working closely with the CEO and senior team to:

• Lead day-to-day finance, payroll, and reporting
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Ensure strong governance and compliance
• Deliver clear insights to support decision-making
• Line-manage the Finance Officer
• Develop future state planning and insight

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years financial management experience.
• Strong accounting, reporting, and budgeting skills with ACCA qualifications.
• Knowledge of charity finance (SORP desirable)
• Great organisation and communication skills
• A passion for making a difference

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful, community-focused work
• Supportive and friendly team
• Flexible, part-time hours based in central Hereford

Closing Date: Monday 3rd of August 2026

This post will require an Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Please note: This vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Our client is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to appoint a Head of Finance on a permanent basis. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity within an ambitious, internationally focused charity at an exciting stage of growth.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing, mission-driven organisation at a transformative stage in its journey. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with Trustees, Board Members and senior stakeholders, the Head of Finance will play a central role in shaping financial strategy, strengthening operational maturity and supporting ambitious international growth plans.

The role

• Lead the development of the organisation's long-term financial strategy, supporting its next phase of growth and international expansion.
• Partner closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, Board Members and leadership team, providing strategic financial insight to support organisational decision-making, programme investment and fundraising activity.
• Oversee all aspects of financial management across multiple international entities, ensuring robust financial controls, governance and compliance frameworks are in place.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and scenario modelling processes, supporting both operational delivery and long-term strategic planning.
• Build strong relationships across fundraising, research and programme teams, supporting complex grant funding, restricted income management and commercial partnership activity.
• Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, statutory reporting, audit processes and regulatory submissions across multiple entities.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, reporting processes and operational efficiency as the organisation continues to scale.
• Provide leadership and development support to a small finance team, helping to build capability within the function.
• Act as a trusted advisor across the organisation, balancing hands-on operational delivery with strategic leadership.
• Represent finance confidently at Board and leadership level, communicating complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

The organisation

Our client exists to deliver meaningful impact through innovation, collaboration and investment in research. It brings together experts, funders and partners from across the sector to challenge conventional thinking and accelerate progress towards its ambitious mission.

With income, activity and organisational complexity expected to grow significantly over the coming years, the charity is entering an exciting new phase of development. It combines the pace and agility of a scaling organisation with the credibility and influence of an internationally recognised charity.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative leadership team committed to building an organisation capable of delivering lasting impact. Alongside the opportunity to play a pivotal role within a purpose-driven organisation, the role offers flexible hybrid working, genuine work-life balance, professional development opportunities, private medical insurance, life insurance, pension contributions and generous annual leave.

Essential criteria

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
• Strong experience in a senior finance leadership role within the charity sector.
• Proven experience managing financial operations, reporting, budgeting and forecasting within a growing organisation.
• Experience operating across complex stakeholder environments, with the confidence to influence and challenge senior leaders and Boards.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, controls, compliance and risk management.
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insight.
• Hands-on and adaptable approach, comfortable operating strategically while remaining close to operational detail.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with high levels of emotional intelligence and credibility.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving organisation.
• Experience working across multiple entities, funding streams or international operations would be highly advantageous.

If you are a strategic and hands-on finance leader looking to play a meaningful role within a high-growth charitable organisation, we would love to hear from you.

This role is based in London with an expectation of two days per week in the office.

An exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team supporting young people to build resilience and thrive.  We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated leader to manage programmes and daily operations at our Hereford farm.  Set in the stunning Golden Valley on the Welsh border, Jamie’s Farm Hereford offers young people the chance to take part in real, meaningful farm life in a nurturing and purposeful environment.  You will play a key role in ensuring our young people have a meaningful, inclusive, and memorable experience, feeling the positive impact long after their visit.

What is Jamie’s Farm?  Jamie’s Farm is a charity that supports young people by combining therapeutic work, farming, and purposeful activities to help them thrive. Through residential visits to our working farms, we provide a nurturing environment where young people can reflect, build confidence, and develop the resilience they need to overcome personal challenges.

Known internally as ‘Head of Farm’

More about the role:  As Head of Farm, you will lead the delivery of our programme at Jamie’s Farm Hereford, working alongside and managing a values-driven team to deliver an impactful programme. Your responsibilities will include leading up to four visits per month, ensuring the smooth delivery of residential visits, representing Jamie’s Farm with partner organisations, funders, volunteers and other stakeholders; and fostering a culture of empowerment and collaboration within the team. You will help achieve key performance goals including high visitor retention and staff satisfaction rates, while also leading professional development and team-building activities for your team.

You will participate in all aspects of farm life - leading walks, guiding young people through meaningful output-based jobs like gardening or log chopping, and creating meaningful connections during shared meals and evening programmes. You will also contribute to broader Jamie’s Farm strategy as a key member of the Leadership team.

About you:  We are looking for an experienced and passionate leader who embodies Jamie’s Farm core values of positivity, passion, generosity, collaboration, and professionalism. You will have experience in relational leadership and practice with young people. Prior management experience is preferred, showing your ability to support and motivate teams effectively. You will bring exceptional communication, teamwork, and organisational skills to the role.

You will excel at developing meaningful relationships with diverse individuals and organisations, using positivity and empathy to inspire and motivate others. Your dedication to helping young people thrive, especially those in challenging circumstances, will drive the success of your team and the programme.

Please see the full job description, desired experience and employee benefits by exploring our recruitment pack below.  Don’t meet every single requirement? We’d still love to hear from you – your unique skills and experience could be just what we’re looking for.

Senior Head of Operations

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

ORGANISATION: Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

DIRECTORATE: Corporate Services

LOCATION: RLSS UK HQ, Worcester/Hybrid (3 days per week at HQ)

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

DIRECT REPORTS: HR Manager, Interim Head of Compliance, Head of Business Systems and IT

SALARY: £48,000 to £52,000 per annum

ABOUT RLSS UK

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the national charity supporting communities of all backgrounds to enjoy water safely and be free from drowning. Our vision is to have ‘Communities free from drowning’ and our strategic framework 2025-2030 details our goals over this period.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Head of Operations will play a central leadership role within RLSS UK, ensuring the charity operates effectively and efficiently. The successful candidate will lead and support the RLSS UK HR, Business Systems and IT, and Compliance departments and provide high quality decision support to senior managers on areas within this portfolio. This is a strategic and hands-on operational role overseeing key areas of the corporate services directorate.

Our current Regulatory bodies are:

• The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, Ofqual in England.
• The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment, CCEA in Northern Ireland.
• Qualifications Wales, QW in Wales.
   

Maintaining and exceeding the standards, policies and procedures of these bodies are essential for ensuring our Awarding Organisation and Awarding Body status with the respective Regulators, enabling us to offer regulated qualifications. We also maintain compliance with the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Fundraising Regulator.

Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will help manage the organisation’s systems and culture needed to support high-quality delivery across a growing water safety education charity.

The role will suit someone who thrives in dynamic organisations, enjoys problem solving and optimising systems, understanding and making sense of complexity, and is motivated by supporting teams to deliver meaningful impact and achieving the organisation’s purpose ‘To prevent drowning, so everyone can enjoy water safely’.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Organisational Leadership & Operations

• Lead and oversee day-to-day organisational operations across the HR, Business Systems and IT, and Compliance functions
• Develop and improve internal systems, processes, and operational procedures
• Support organisational planning and delivery
• Work closely with the CEO and senior managers to support organisational growth and resilience
• Contribute to organisational decision-making and leadership culture
• Attend Board meetings and committees where required, and any other such Leadership Team functions where necessary
• Build effective relations across departments to support organisational excellence
• Always demonstrate and uphold the Society’s values and behavioural standards.
   

People & HR Management

• Ensure effective, legally compliant policies and procedures are in place to support the recruitment, development, and retention of a high performing workforce
• Support the development and implementation of HR initiatives that build and underpin equality, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, wellbeing, and employee engagement
• Lead on the development and presentation of recommendations for annual pay and benefits review
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and staff development processes
• Help foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture
• Support managers with operational people-management matters
   

Compliance

• Ensure that standards, policies, and procedures meet and exceed the regulatory requirements set by our regulatory bodies
• Ensure compliance with RLSS UK regulators
• Oversee organisational risk management systems
• Ensure appropriate insurance, contracts, and compliance frameworks are in place
• Lead on operational health and safety systems and organisational compliance
   

Organisational Systems

• Support organisational budgeting and financial monitoring alongside the finance and Senior Leadership teams
• Oversee operational procurement and contract management systems
• Support implementation and optimisation of organisational systems, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and IT systems including cyber security
• Improve internal reporting and programme coordination systems
   

Programme & Delivery Support

• Support operational coordination across RLSS UK programmes and projects
• Help ensure teams are appropriately resourced and supported
• Improve organisational project management systems and workflows
• Support efficient collaboration across delivery teams
• Contribute to organisational development opportunities and partnerships
   

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• All other duties reasonably associated with your role, as directed by the Line Manager
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by complying with internal information governance policies and maintaining up-to-date documentation as part of RLSS UK’s compliance programme
• To help create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday actions ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality

 This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Relevant Experience, Skills, and/or Aptitudes

• Significant experience in operational management, organisational leadership or business management
• Experience developing and improving organisational systems and processes
• Strong understanding of HR, Compliance and organisational Risk Management, and Business Systems & IT
• Demonstrable experience supporting HR and people-management processes
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work strategically while also being comfortable with operational detail
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of integrity and dependability
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and multi-tasking skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines, and pick up new information and apply at pace
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and organisational software systems
  
   

Desirable Relevant Experience, Skills, and/or Aptitudes

• Experience working within the charity sector
• Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments
• Experience supporting organisational growth and change management
• Familiarity with CRM systems and operational databases
• Understanding of health and safety systems
   

We are looking for someone who:

• Is highly organised, proactive, and solutions-focused
• Enjoys enabling others to succeed
• Can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery
• Is calm and adaptable in a growing organisation
• Has a positive, can-do attitude and demonstrates RLSS UK values
• Has strong emotional intelligence and leadership skills

YOUR APPLICATION
Please send your CV and a Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the post

Closing Date – 11.59pm, Thursday 23 July 2026

Interview Date – Thursday 30 July 2026 at our Worcester Head Office (subject to change)

WHAT RLSS UK CAN OFFER YOU

• Annual Leave based on 27 days + Bank Holidays + a discretionary day off for your birthday
• Private Healthcare Plan*
• Enhanced Society Sick Pay*
• Eye Care*
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme*
• Discounts available including high street brands, entertainment, eating out and more
• Free RLSS UK Membership
• Free tea and coffee when working from HQ, including access to our wonderful Coffee Machine
• Free on-site parking when working from HQ
• Company events and socials

*Subject to eligibility criteria

Should you wish to discuss the role, any adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process, or have any questions, please get in touch where a member of the RLSS UK HR Department will be happy to help.

RLSS UK are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.

This is an exciting time to join us. As we grow our international efforts and sharpen our strategic focus, we are creating a new Head of Research & Grants role to lead our combined research and grant-making function. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be our senior operational and strategic leader for how we identify, fund and learn from the work that gives babies the best start in life.

The grants and research effort of the Foundation is focussed on the ‘So What?’. You will make sure every piece of ground breaking research and every charity grant adds to our global advocacy for babies, informing and educating policy makers across the world about the 1001 Critical Days and how they can help parents and carers give their babies the best start in life.

To apply, please click the redirect to recruiter button. Please note that interviews will take place on Tuesday 11 August. 

Interim Head of Finance

Minimum 6-Month Contract

An established and highly respected charitable organisation is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Finance to lead its finance function through an exciting period of change and continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on finance leader who enjoys balancing strategic input with operational delivery. Reporting into the Director of Finance, you will lead and develop a finance team of eight, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality finance service while driving improvements in financial reporting, controls and processes.

The Role

As Interim Head of Finance, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the finance function and play a key role in supporting the wider organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, managing and developing a finance team of eight across multiple finance disciplines.
• Delivering accurate and timely monthly management accounts, budgeting and forecasting.
• Overseeing statutory accounts, year-end audit and financial reporting.
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance and compliance.
• Managing cash flow and treasury activities.
• Business partnering with senior leaders, providing financial insight to support strategic decision-making.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to finance processes, systems and reporting.
• Supporting finance projects and wider organisational change initiatives.

About You

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a proven track record of leading finance teams within complex organisations.

You will bring:

• Experience operating at Head of Finance or Financial Controller level.
• Strong people management skills with experience of leading and developing sizeable finance teams.
• Excellent technical accounting knowledge, including statutory reporting and audit.
• The ability to quickly assess existing processes and implement improvements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence senior leaders.
• Previous charity or not-for-profit sector experience would be advantageous but is not essential.

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation where you can make an immediate impact. You'll inherit an established finance team of eight, providing leadership, support and development while helping to shape the future direction of the finance function.

The initial contract is for a minimum of six months, with the possibility of extension depending on business needs.

Job Title:  Head of Finance and Income Operations
Hours:  Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract:  Permanent
Salary:  £45,000 per annum
Location:  Home-based in the UK, with occasional travel for team meetings and events
Role profile: A detailed role profile can be found in the 'supporting documents' for this advert

About the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN)

The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a farmer-led organisation helping farmers restore the balance between farming and nature. We support farmers by sharing knowledge, resources and case studies that help boost food production, protect wildlife, and build climate resilience.

We influence policy to secure fair rewards for farmers who care for nature, and we connect like-minded farmers across the UK.

Our network is open to all: farmers, the public and partner organisations.

About the Role

We are looking for a Head of Finance and Income Operations to lead NFFN’s finance function and help strengthen the systems, controls and reporting that will support the organisation’s next stage of growth.

This is a senior leadership role at the heart of a small, ambitious and mission-led organisation. You will oversee day-to-day financial management, budgeting, management accounts, restricted funds, funder reporting and income operations. You will also help improve how finance works across NFFN, giving budget holders clearer information and helping the organisation make confident, well-informed decisions.

The role is about more than keeping the numbers moving. We are looking for someone who can help build a stronger finance function, improve internal systems, support funder confidence, and help NFFN manage a more complex mix of grants, donations, restricted funding and revenue-based delivery work.

Depending on your background, this may suit someone with strong charity finance experience, or someone from a finance, grants, funding operations or mission-led commercial background who wants to use their skills in a values-led organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• leading day-to-day financial management, controls and reporting

• preparing budgets, forecasts, management accounts and financial updates

• supporting budget holders with clear, practical financial information

• improving finance systems, processes, approvals and reporting tools

• overseeing restricted funds, grant conditions, funder reporting and income tracking

• supporting funding applications with budgets, financial information and reporting structures

• helping NFFN manage VAT, full cost recovery and different types of income as the organisation grows

• working with the CEO, CSO, Head of Fundraising, SLT, Board and external advisers

• providing line management to the Head of Fundraising and potential future roles within the finance and income operations function 

This role will suit someone who combines financial rigour with practical judgement. You will need to be comfortable working independently in a remote organisation, explaining finance clearly to non-finance colleagues, and improving systems in a way that is proportionate and realistic for a small non profit organisation.

We know this is a broad role, and we are not expecting one person to have done everything before. We are looking for someone with strong financial experience, good judgement, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in helping NFFN build the financial infrastructure it needs for the future.

This is a fully home-based role, with flexibility in how work is managed and occasional travel for team meetings and events. You will be joining a collaborative, values-led team working to support farmers, nature and a more resilient food system.

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.

Context and Background

The Public Engagement team is responsible for developing and delivering the strategy that will drive significant, long-term income growth by inspiring and engaging public audiences to support the work of the NSPCC. 

This will be achieved through integrated, audience-led, multi-channel marketing approaches, including; mass participation, individual giving, and campaigns that generate sustainable funding aligned to the NSPCC’s strategic priorities. 

Alongside income generation, the team plays a vital role in increasing public understanding of abuse and neglect and building advocacy. 

The team will foster a high-performing, results-driven culture that values collaboration, innovation, and integration. By focusing on excellent supporter relationship management and purposeful engagement, it will deliver long-term, sustainable impact to support the NSPCC’s mission. 

Job purpose

The Associate Head of Engagement Delivery will lead the planning, delivery, and optimisation of engagement and fundraising activity to key agreed audiences, ensuring alignment with the audience engagement strategy and campaign plan. 

· Take accountability for Engagement Delivery team outputs, ensuring high-quality execution across creative, campaigns and channels 

· Provide direct line management and coaching to diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, building capability, confidence and high performance across the full channel mix, while fostering an inclusive and supportive culture 

· Ensure engagement and fundraising activity is insight-led and audience-focused, delivering effective engagement across a range of channels, with a strong focus on both warm/loyalty channels such as direct mail, email and telemarketing, and broader cold acquisition channels including DRTV, door drop, press, digital and integrated campaigns 

· Take accountability for continuous improvement in campaign performance, working collaboratively with peers across the Engagement and Fundraising directorate to maximise impact and supporter value 

· Work with the Public Engagement SLT to champion operational excellence and innovation, ensuring the team has the capacity, tools and processes to deliver integrated, responsive and supporter-centric campaigns 

Key relationships – Internal

●        Reporting into the Head of Engagement Delivery, this role sits alongside three peer Associate Heads within the Engagement Delivery function: the second Associate Head of Engagement Delivery (leading the complementary campaign delivery squads), the Associate Head of Digital Engagement, and the Associate Head of Direct Fundraising. 

●       Line management of a team of 8: Engagement Delivery Managers, Senior Officers and Officer 

●       Member of Public Engagement Leadership Team 

●        Collaborates closely with other Associate Heads within Engagement and Fundraising directorate, as well as Brand, Marketing and Communications, to create integrated strategies for public engagement and fundraising. 

●        Pro-actively works closely with managers and staff in other NSPCC functions to further fundraising relationships and opportunities for cross departmental working. 

Key relationships – External

· External Agencies and Suppliers – including Creative and Media Agencies.

· External peers and networks in the charity sector, regularly attending groups in the UK charity sector to ensure the NSPCC is at the forefront of the sector trends.

· Professionals / Trading Bodies / Organisations that are at the forefront of fundraising and marketing

Main duties and responsibilities

·       Campaign Planning and Delivery 

o   Accountable for the planning and operational delivery of engagement and fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, email and telemarketing to current supporter and DRTV, digital acquisition supporting integrated charity-wide campaigns, and advocacy activity. 

o Oversee direct line management of campaign delivery teams, coaching and developing individuals to build capability, confidence and high performance across the full channel mix, while fostering an inclusive and supportive culture 

o   Oversee campaign briefing, scheduling, and performance tracking, ensuring campaigns are delivered in line with audience strategy and organisational priorities. 

o   Adjust campaign strategies as required to respond to performance, changing supporter behaviours, market conditions, and organisational priorities. 

o    Lead the formation, leadership and allocation of high-performing campaign delivery squads, ensuring teams are effectively structured, supported and empowered to deliver, ensuring each team is equipped with the necessary skills and expertise to successfully execute their campaigns, allocating resources based on audience insight and projected impact. 

o   Monitor and report on campaign performance, embedding structured feedback loops and squad retrospectives to capture learning and drive continuous improvement, using data to inform improvements and strategic decisions. 

o   Collaborate with colleagues across Engagement and Fundraising to ensure campaigns are insight-led and supporter-centric. 

o   Work with the Engagement Delivery Management Team ensuring that all activities are aligned with Digital Engagement and Direct Fundraising teams to ensure seamless execution and optimisation of campaigns to achieve the overarching objectives for the Public Engagement Directorate. 

o   Champion delivery standards, processes, and best practice within your portfolio, ensuring alignment with the organisation-wide Engagement Delivery standards set by the Head of Engagement Delivery. 

·       Strategic Leadership and Integration 

o   Working in partnership with peers to ensure that all channels are effectively utilised to deliver both standalone activity and integrated charity-wide campaigns, including collaboration with audience strategy, supporter experience, product, and insight teams, driving innovations across the income streams. 

o   Act as a subject matter expert within the organisation, providing expert guidance on campaign execution, creative development, and audience engagement. 

o   Maintain awareness of sector trends and developments in campaign delivery, bringing insight back into the team to inform delivery approaches and continuous improvement. 

o   Lead strategic relationships with external partners, including creative and media agencies and suppliers, ensuring they deliver high-quality, insight-led work aligned to organisational goals 

o   Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Engagement Delivery. 

·       Financial Management and Supplier Oversight 

o   Develop and manage comprehensive budgets for all campaigns, closely monitoring income and expenditure to ensure alignment with agreed ROI targets, and taking timely corrective action where necessary. 

o   Maintain oversight and senior level relationships with external suppliers, ensuring quality, compliance, and performance. 

·       Team Leadership and Development 

o   Lead, support and develop a high-performing, inclusive team, providing clear direction, coaching and feedback to build capability, confidence and accountability 

o   Foster a culture that prioritises wellbeing, continuous learning and high performance, ensuring individuals feel supported to succeed 

o    Develop T-shaped skills across the team to increase flexibility and cross-channel capability 

Responsibilities for all Staff within Engagement and Fundraising Directorate 

· To actively participate in regular team meetings and department meetings, contributing to discussions and decisions which will be beneficial to the NSPCC’s development of fundraising activities.

· To behave at all times in a manner consistent with the NSPCC’s Values.

· To ensure data used in relevant systems is current, accurate and reliable.

· To maintain an awareness of own and others Health and Safety and comply with the NSPCC’s Health and Safety policy and procedures.

·  A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Person specification

1.             Significant experience in strategic, integrated engagement and fundraising - developing and delivering multi-channel campaigns (direct mail, email and telemarketing, DRTV, door drop, press, digital and charity wide integrated campaigns) across the full marketing funnel, from brand awareness to direct response, in a non-profit or similar environment. 

2.             Up-to-date knowledge of direct and digital marketing theory and practice, including individual giving trends, regulations, and best practice, with a proven ability to optimise campaign performance and return on investment. 

3.             Strong track record of financial planning and budget management at scale, including setting and reporting on income and expenditure targets, and providing clear performance updates to the Engagement and Fundraising SLT. 

4.             Proficient in using data, analytics, CRMs, and business systems to generate insights, drive decision-making, and support continuous improvement across supporter engagement and fundraising activity. 

5.             Excellent strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with sound judgement, the ability to operate under pressure, and a creative, solution-focused approach to systems and process development. 

6.             Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with experience coaching and developing diverse teams, building capability, confidence, wellbeing and sustained high performance to deliver complex campaigns. 

7.             Deep understanding of audience and supporter experience across every touchpoint, with a focus on growing engagement, retention, loyalty, and long-term value. 

8.             Effective cross-organisational collaborator, skilled in aligning stakeholders, leading cross-functional delivery, and navigating complex environments with influence and confidence. 

9.           Excellent planning and workload management skills, able to balance strategic priorities and operational delivery across multiple projects in fast-paced, agile environments, delivering high-quality outputs at pace and responding effectively to changing performance, insight and organisational priorities 

10.        Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the credibility to present to and influence stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally including creative and media agencies and suppliers, to deliver high-quality campaign outcomes 

Safer Recruitment

As an organisation, we are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk.

Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with our children and adults.

The recruitment and selection of our people will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.

Our principles:

· Always seek to recruit the best candidate for the role based on merit including their skills, experience, motivation and competencies. Our robust recruitment and selection process should ensure the identification of the person best suited to the role and the organisation.

· Committed to diversity and equality of opportunity and will interview all applicants (internal and external) who self-declare at application as having a disability and who meet the minimum requirements in the person specification of the vacancy they are applying for.

· We will make reasonable adjustments at all stages of the recruitment process in order to enable successful candidates who declare disabilities to start working or volunteering their time with us.

· Any current member of staff or volunteer who wishes to apply for vacancies and is suitably qualified will be considered and addressed fairly and objectively based on their merit.

· As an organisation committed to safeguarding, we will ensure all under 18’s joining the organisation will have ongoing risk assessments to ensure their role and activities are safe and appropriate.

· All documentation relating to candidates will be treated confidentially in accordance with the GDPR legislation.

This is a new role to stabilise, diversify and grow income in a financially constrained environment, reducing reliance on statutory funding, increasing unrestricted income, and strengthening Catalyst Support’s credibility with all sources of non statutory funding, including trusts, foundations, corporates, individuals and communities. The postholder holds clear accountability for income performance, return on investment and risk management, and plays a critical role in the organisation’s financial recovery and long-term sustainability. The role is designed as a strategic investment, with the expectation that income generated will move the function towards break-even and net contribution over time, supported by clear targets and Board oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Income Delivery

• Lead and deliver a multi-year income and engagement strategy covering trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraising and individual giving.
• Take ownership of income targets, pipelines and forecasts, including break-even requirements and risk exposure.
• Actively manage income risk, developing scenario plans and mitigation actions where delivery falls below expectation.
• Work with the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to align income activity with organisational strategy and service priorities.

Funding Applications & Grant Management

• Provide strategic oversight, delivery and quality assurance of all high-value bids, tenders and funding applications.
• Ensure bids are evidence-led, outcome-focused, accurately costed and aligned to service capacity.
• Taking direct responsibility for bid and tender preparation and submission.
• Maintain strong relationships with funders, and foundations, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and effective stewardship.
• Maintain strong relationships with funders, and foundations, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and effective stewardship.
• Contribute approximately 20% of working time towards partner applications and collaborative projects with key partners, supporting joint funding and shared objectives.

Communications, Marketing & Engagement

• Lead communications and engagement functions to directly support income generation, funder confidence and organisational reputation.
• Ensure all external messaging demonstrates impact, value for money and strategic coherence.
• Grow individual giving, community fundraising and supporter engagement where there is clear return on investment.
• Oversee brand consistency and visibility across digital and offline channels.

Internal Collaboration & Income Culture

• Work closely with service and enabling teams to strengthen funding evidence, case studies and impact data.
• Build organisational understanding that income generation is a shared responsibility.
• Working with services and enabling teams to develop compelling cases for support.
• Equip teams with clarity on how funding, impact and delivery are connected.

Performance, Impact & Governance

• Establish and monitor KPIs covering income performance, ROI, cost-per-£ raised, engagement metrics and pipeline health.
• Report regularly to the Executive team and Trustees, providing transparent assessment of progress, risks and corrective action.
• Support Board assurance through disciplined performance monitoring and review points.

Team Leadership

• Provide line management, development and performance oversight for income generation and communications staff. Head of Income Generation Feb 2026
• Recruit, develop and retain high-quality team capability aligned to organisational needs.

Leadership Contribution

• Contribute as a senior operational leader to organisational planning, change and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Director of Services on future service design, positioning and sustainability.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the seniority of the role and Catalyst Support’s mission.
• Strengthen partnership development with Mary Frances Trust to enhance county-wide support, with particular emphasis on provision for mental health services across both East and West regions.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience securing trust, grant and philanthropic income at scale, with clear evidence of income conversion and delivery.
• Track record of leading income strategies that generate net financial contribution, including roles where income targets were explicitly expected to cover or exceed post costs or programme investment.
• Experience operating in financially constrained, recovery-focused or turnaround environments, with responsibility for balancing income ambition against organisational risk.
• Experience of Board-level reporting, accountability and scrutiny, including transparent reporting of income performance against targets.
• Demonstrated ability to build senior relationships with funders, partners and individuals that translate into sustained or repeat income.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in mental health, wellbeing or community services.
• Experience overseeing communications and marketing functions.
• Experience operating within multi-stream or system-based service environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Commercially and financially astute.
• Strong analytical, forecasting and risk-management capability, including income pipeline assessment and contribution modelling.
• Confident influencer with credibility at senior and external levels. • Strategic thinker with a strong bias towards delivery, outcomes and financial impact.
• Resilient, solutions-focused and adaptable in high-pressure, performance-driven environments.

Values & Behaviours

• Commitment to Catalyst Support’s values: Kindness, Integrity and Commitment.
• Collaborative, inclusive and trauma-informed approach.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and lived-experience leadership

Equal Opportunities Statement

We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Catalyst employees, volunteers and clients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems.