Head of human resources jobs in Leeds

Interviews to be held early August

Do you have experience partnering with senior leaders to deliver people-focused solutions that support organisational success? Are you passionate about helping teams navigate change, build capability and create inclusive, high-performing cultures? Then join Shelter as an HR Business Partner and play a key role in helping us deliver our mission to defend the right to a safe home. If this sounds like you, please get in touch, expect robust interview questions as we want the best HR partnering for our charity and the most competent ER knowledge. In return will offer a supportive team environment, working from home, competitive salary and very generous staff benefits.

About the role

As part of Shelter’s HR Business Partnering team, you will work closely with directorate leadership teams to understand business priorities and translate these into effective people plans that support organisational objectives. You will provide strategic HR advice and coaching, lead on organisational change initiatives, and ensure people considerations are embedded into decision-making across your client areas.

You will build strong and influential relationships with leaders, helping them develop capability, manage performance, navigate employee relations matters and create positive workplace cultures. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the wider People Directorate, you will support the delivery of organisational development initiatives, workforce planning and cultural change programmes that enable Shelter to achieve its strategic ambitions.

Role specifics

As our HR Business Partner, you will be an experienced HR professional with strong business partnering and employee relations expertise. You will have a proven ability to work with senior stakeholders, providing both support and constructive challenge to help drive business performance and people outcomes. You will be confident leading on organisational change projects, interpreting employment legislation and applying HR best practice in a complex and geographically dispersed organisation.

You’ll act as the HR lead on change initiatives and transformational programmes, ensuring change is delivered effectively and with consideration for colleagues impacted. You’ll use HR data and insights to support decision-making, help leadership teams identify workforce priorities and champion a high-performance culture across your directorates.

You will also work closely with Trade Union representatives and internal stakeholders, supporting positive employee relations and helping ensure that organisational policies and practices are applied fairly, consistently and in line with Shelter’s values.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave (+ bank holidays), enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The HR Business Partnering Team provides the strategic lead on people management and organisational development at Shelter. We aim to enable the organisation to have the right Culture, Capacity and Capability to achieve its purpose. We do this through providing Employee Relations and Business Partnering support, partnering with specific directorates within the organisation to understand business needs and advise on people initiatives which support the delivery of directorate objectives. Working with colleagues within the wide people directorate to delivery cultural and structural change management initiatives tailored to the needs of the business. Supporting the Head of HR Business Partnering in the continued development and delivery of the wider people plan.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions ofpeople are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in thefundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health,wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm,abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards ofbehaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Job Purpose: 

The International HR Operations Administrator provides pro-active, generalist HR operations support to all staff. This role involves supporting all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, on-boarding and orientation, performance management, learning and development, monthly payroll, benefits administration, as well as assisting with HR administration and the HR system. 

Key to this role is the ability to be efficient and well-organised, as well as to build strong working relationships, and manage HR-related issues in a professional and timely manner. 

Scope and Limits of Authority: 

The post holder is expected to organise their own day-to-day activities according to the overall priorities and timescales set. 

● This role does not have line management responsibility 

● Assisting with contracting and managing consultants and interpreters 

● Processing personal and confidential staff data 

Key Responsibilities: 

HR Strategy, Planning & Budgets 

● Processing HR activity invoices, ensuring accurate reporting in line with agreed budget criteria 

HR Policies & Processes 

● Supporting staff to understand and comply with HR policies and procedures as needed and raising any concerns to line managers. 

Global Resourcing & Payroll 

● Assisting with all recruitment activity, including finalising job descriptions, planning recruitment activity, placing adverts, support with selection and appointment processes, and scheduling interviews 

● Assisting with the monthly payroll for all staff globally, including providing relevant information to outsourced employment (EOR) and payroll only providers, processing invoices and maintaining relevant records; tracking payroll changes for all staff 

● Assisting with administration related to cost of living reviews (e.g. writing letters, updating the HR system) 

● Assisting with the management of all benefit administration including pension, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance etc. 

● Assisting with the effective on-boarding of new starters and managing the orientation process 

● Assisting with termination / end of employment processes 

● Assisting with consultant due diligence processes as needed 

Staff Engagement & Employee Relations 

● Assisting with employee engagement activities such as staff surveys and employee wellbeing activities. 

● Assisting with staff communication activities as needed andensuring the HR section of the Secretariat Space is accurate 

Talent Management 

● Assisting with the performance management process to ensure reviews are completed on time and documented effectively 

● Assisting with L&D activities by identifying and monitoring training opportunities for staff 

HR Administration & Reporting 

● Draft offer letters, contracts, employee correspondence and paperwork covering the whole employee life cycle e.g: Maternity / new starts / Leavers etc 

● Provide administrative support in various tasks including meeting notes, booking meetings 

● Effectively monitoring the HR team’s shared email accounts 

● Keeping the HR system up to date, supporting staff to use it effectively 

● Maintaining HR records, in line with data protection regulations 

● Contribute to the life and work of the wider Resources team, helping out administratively where necessary 

Cross Team & Cross Secretariat Responsibilities 

● Building, maintaining and developing relationships with colleagues across all teams in the Secretariat, contributing to the delivery of the Alliance mission and Family for Every Child’s strategy 

● Contributing to cross-team work as needed and cross Secretariat project teams 

● Establishing and maintaining efficient administration systems, including digital filing 

● Undertaking any other reasonable duties or projects as required to support the work of the Secretariat 

Self-Management 

● Working in a results focused, open and collaborative way with agility, flexibility and a ‘can do’ mentality, enabling colleagues to thrive in a remote working environment 

● Keep up to date professionally and take responsibility for own professional development 

Person Specification: 

Education, qualifications, knowledge and experience 

Essential: 

● Educated to UK A Level (International level 3) or equivalent qualification or experience 

● Relevant and recent experience working in generalist/operational HR at a similar level 

● Knowledge of HR best practices (UK & International) 

● Experience of working in a fast paced environment 

● Experience of supporting multi-disciplinary teams 

● Experience of remote working 

● Experience of working in a multicultural environment 

● Experience of effective communication at all levels across an organisation 

Desirable: 

● Degree in a relevant discipline 

● Professional qualification in HR

● CIPD membership 

● Experience of embedding HR policy and process 

● Experience of working within a network organisation 

● Experience of working with Google suite 

● Good understanding of charity sector/international development and/or international membership organisations 

● Experience of working with an HR management system 

Skills, personal attributes and behaviours 

Role specific skills 

● Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality in relation to a range of information 

● Ability to be responsive to multiple requests 

● Ability to establish rapport with a variety of stakeholders 

● Strong interpersonal skills 

● High level of accuracy and attention to detail 

● Proactive approach to problem solving 

● Ability to prioritise work and work to deadlines within a changing environment. 

The following skills and personal attributes are expected of all staff 

● Flexible and adaptable; willing to contribute to other streams of work and across teams 

● Highly skilled communicator, in different formats, and capable of working across languages and cultures (using translation and interpretation support as relevant) ● Flexibility to work outside typical working hours and across time zones, especially in relation to line management responsibilities and to support cross team working ● Highly organised and self-motivated, able to manage and deliver on multiple concurrent tasks 

● Competent IT proficiency across a range of packages, able to learn quickly and troubleshoot problems independently 

● Ability to use initiative and work without close supervision, working both as part of a team and as an individual 

● Excellent command of English (oral and written) is a must, but working knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or French is appreciated to broaden the range of language skills within the Secretariat 

Due to the urgency of this role, we’ll be reviewing applications and holding interviews as soon as strong CVs are received. We’re ideally looking for someone who can start immediately, as our superstar currently in the role will be heading off to new adventures on 15 July. Candidates who are available to begin straight away will be prioritised.

As we anticipate a high level of interest, we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. If you haven’t heard from us by 10 July, please consider your application unsuccessful. We truly appreciate your interest in joining Family for Every Child and thank you warmly in advance for taking the time to apply.

Please note that only candidates with the Right to Work in the UK should apply. We carry out full RTW checks and are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Location: The role is national, managing teams in Northern Ireland, Wales and across England. You will need to be able to work at one of our BookTrust offices in London, Leeds, Belfast or Cardiff for an average of 8 days per month whilst some of these collaboration days may be worked in partner locations, at events or stakeholder meetings in any part of the country. The position will require regular travel to BookTrust office bases and to visit and engage as needed.

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

This is a new role within the organisation and the postholder will be responsible for defining aspects of the role, building relationships and processes that will enhance our ways of working as part of wider organisational processes. 

You will be an excellent communicator who manages up effectively and who is comfortable working across a matrixed managed team. You will work closely with the Director of Partnerships in building relationships, systems and processes that support our delivery across regions and countries as well as working closely with key role holders such as but not confined to the Head of Partnerships Development, and Head of Programme for Vulnerable Children.

The Head of Partnerships Delivery will lead and coordinate our early years scaled programme delivery as well as ensuring activities to support delivery and development of our vulnerable children’s work are catered or within team processes and relationship building with strategic and local stakeholders.

This work spans the organisation – and will have a close working relationships with key stakeholders in operations on aspects of the work as well as to research and impact, design and innovation, growth planning, communications, profile-raising and income generation – and requires strong collaborative working to draw on skills and capacity in all these areas. 

To apply, please complete the application along with a copy of your CV.

Want to join us? To find out more about who we are please go to our website. 

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and communities. 

Please note that this advert may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details can be found on our website). 

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting a global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. We are recruiting for a permanent, full time Head of Finance and Operations to be based remotely within the UK.

The Head of Finance and Operations is a core member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and provides comprehensive operational and financial leadership across the organisation, responsible for maintaining long-term financial sustainability through robust budgeting and financial control, while safeguarding the charity’s assets and regulatory compliance. Other responsibilities include accountability for the full employee lifecycle and for driving organisational culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and continuous learning, while enabling seamless cross-departmental alignment and collaboration. This senior leadership position blends high-level strategy with hands-on operational delivery, collaborating closely with Trustees, donors, colleagues, and external providers to optimise operational functions and systems.

The successful candidate will have strong finance experience having managed a finance function previously. You will bring some experience relating to HR and HR process and be keen to develop any of those other areas operations areas in the role. You will bring line management experience having managed and motivated teams. Our client is open to considering candidates who are fully accountancy qualified or qualified by experience.

To apply please follow the link to the Prospectus website and submit your CV only in the first instance. You may also be asked to complete a supporting statement if you do progress further in the recruitment process.

Please note: Application review and interviews for this vacancy will be on a rolling basis therefore we encourage candidates to apply ASAP. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the advertised closing date

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invests in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Job Description

The Head of Delivery & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the 
successful implementation, quality of outcomes, and retention of DFN Project SEARCH programmes 
across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Iberia, in line with our franchise agreement from Project 
SEARCH . This role leads the Delivery & Partnerships team, ensuring strategic alignment, excellence 
of delivery, and sustained impactful partnerships.
You will play a pivotal role in driving programme quality, ensuring retention, maintaining model 
fidelity, and ensuring high-quality outcomes for interns. Additionally, you will oversee the growth of 
our number of programmes, in line with our strategic regional and national plans. You will also 
contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation, working closely with cross-functional teams 
to maximise DFN Project SEARCH’s impact.
Regular travel throughout the UK will be required, with occasional travel to other areas of our delivery. 
In addition, occasional international travel may be required, for example to the annual conference in 
the United States.

Essential Experience and Skills
• A passion for changing the lives of young people with learning disabilities and / or who are 
autistic 
• Educated to degree level or relevant Professional Qualification 
• Highly motivated and organised self-starters with the ability to work under your own initiative 
• Strong understanding of supported employment, education, and local authority partnerships.
• Experience in project management, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Experience using data systems and performance management tools.
• Experience delivering training and speaking at events or conferences.
• Understanding of SEND provision and funding arrangements in the UK (e.g., EHCPs, DWP, local 
authorities).
• Experience working with senior stakeholders via formal reporting mechanisms.
• Leadership experience managing people/teams.
• Financial literacy and experience managing budgets.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications
• Experience working with DFN Project SEARCH programmes or similar supported internship 
models.
• Experience in selling services or products and effective account management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety in programme delivery.
• Knowledge and experience of using the Microsoft suite, in particular Outlook and Excel 
• Experience of using a CRM for administrative and reporting purposes

DFN Project SEARCH are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young 
people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject 
to an enhanced DBS disclosure. 

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ 
candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the 
representation of these groups at this level at DFN Project SEARCH.

-Interviews will take place on:
  1st round July 23rd and July 24th
  2nd and final round: July 31st
  Closing date: Sunday July 12th

-Start date - Asap

This role offers a unique opportunity to make this role your own and take the charity to the next level, with the full support of a dedicated, experienced team.

The successful candidate will ensure that the charity remains resilient and able to deliver on its commitment to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the people we serve.

The role is a mix of operational activity, day to day management and strategic thinking; with the continuous building and nurturing of external relationships with our NHS, public sector and not-for-profit stakeholders.

Working alongside a committed trustee board, skilled staff and volunteers, you will bring drive, experience and passion to the team. You’ll get terrific support from the outgoing postholder as needed, with the space to act and bring your own ideas to the forefront.

VIDERE

Videre is an award-winning, UK-registered NGO that exposes human rights abuses and holds perpetrators to account. We work directly with communities in stressed environments, equipping networks of activists and community leaders with the technology and training necessary to safely capture visual documentation of political violence, human rights violations, and other systemic abuses. Our aim is to ensure that the concerns and knowledge of affected communities drive advocacy, policy, and legal action.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a critical senior role in the organisation, reporting to the Senior Director-Programming. The role is responsible for managing the organisation’s programmes across 2 locations in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia, line managing three people. The position provides leadership on direct programming for community-led investigations and evidence gathering as well as our CSO partnership programme in two geographies. The Head of Programmes works closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT) on critical areas including fundraising and strategic development.   

The priority for this role is the safe and high quality performance of projects. The balance between ‘doing’ and ‘managing’ in this role varies depending on available resources for each project, and the ability to create competent teams to delegate to.

Location: UK, France, Nairobi or Thailand preferred. Remote applicants considered.

Package: Pay is dependent on location.  The UK salary of £62,000 plus pension contribution will be converted using ICSC scales. All locations receive 28 days annual leave, counselling support and annual wellbeing days.

Start date: 1st September

Duration: 7 months with possibility of extension

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Leadership and Delivery

• Working closely with the Senior Director- Programming, lead the development and implementation of programme strategy and annual plans, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and priorities.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Project Teams for both direct investigations and local CSO partnerships, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, effectively and to a high standard.
• Act as a member of the Management Team, contributing to organisational planning, decision-making, continuous improvement and cross-organisational initiatives. 
• Work closely with the Senior Director – Programming and other colleagues to identify organisational risks, opportunities and areas for improvement. 
• Work closely with the Head of Development and SMT to contribute to proposal development, programme design and concept note drafting in support of organisational fundraising efforts.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with donors and programme partners throughout the project lifecycle, supporting effective communication, reporting and programme delivery.
• Ensure all aspects of programme design and delivery promote diversity, equity, inclusion and responsible partnership practices.

Civil Society Partnerships and Capacity Strengthening

• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s civil society partnership portfolio and approach in two geographic areas.
• Oversee staff responsible for partnership implementation to design, implement and continuously improve partnership and capacity strengthening activities, ensuring they have the guidance, resources and support required to deliver high-quality work.
• Ensure partnership activities are aligned with programme objectives, organisational strategy and donor commitments.
• Contribute to the development of organisational methodologies, learning and good practice relating to partnership working and capacity strengthening.

People Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture.
• Provide ongoing management, coaching and mentoring to direct reports, including through annual performance reviews and regular development conversations.
• Support staff wellbeing and duty of care, ensuring teams have access to appropriate support and resources.
• Work with managers and staff to identify and facilitate learning and professional development opportunities.

Financial Management

• Oversee programme budgets and spending strategies, ensuring resources are managed effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
• Monitor programme expenditure and forecasts, ensuring appropriate financial oversight and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with organisational financial procedures, procurement requirements and donor regulations.
• Support the development of programme budgets for new funding proposals and organisational planning processes.

Security, Risk and Compliance

• Contribute actively to organisational security and risk management processes.
• Ensure programme activities are delivered in accordance with organisational policies, security procedures and compliance requirements.
• Support teams to identify, assess and manage operational, programmatic and security risks.
• Maintain oversight of security considerations affecting staff, investigators, partners and programme participants.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness, responsible decision-making and proactive risk management.
• Ensure the safety and quality of operational practices, including data collection, information management, secure data storage and transfer.

Skills, Experience and Characteristics

Essential

• Professional writing and speaking in either English or French, with at least effective operational efficiency in the other language (B2 or above).
• Experience managing teams or individuals across multiple international locations
• An understanding of risk management methodologies and experience applying them
• An understanding of human rights and a strong belief in their indivisibility and interdependence
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the ability to respond to changing priorities and requirements.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Preferred

• Experience with human rights research, investigations or legal cases
• Experience with filming or documentary making
• Strong technology / IT skills and/or aptitude
• Experience with fundraising or confidence in public speaking and presenting

Application Process & Timeline

• Please submit your CV (maximum two pages) and a cover letter (maximum 400 words) describing your suitability for this position.
• Applications will close on Tuesday 7th July
• Interviews will be conducted remotely.
• We intend to complete the recruitment process by 31st July
• The successful candidate should be available to start work on Tuesday 1st September.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in the human rights sector and we are committed to doing what we can to correct this. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities that we serve. Therefore, we are particularly keen to receive applications from people who identify with minority and/or underrepresented groups (whether on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status). We also value diversity in terms of personal and professional experience; believing that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create stronger and more creative working environments.

Location: The role is national, managing teams in Northern Ireland, Wales and across England. You will need to be able to work at one of our BookTrust offices in London, Leeds, Belfast or Cardiff for an average of 8 days per month whilst some of these collaboration days may be worked in partner locations, at events or stakeholder meetings in any part of the country. The position will require regular travel to BookTrust office bases and to visit and engage as needed.

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

This is a new role within the organisation and the new role holder will have a chance to shape and build the role over time.  You will be a strong leader with great people skills -experience of working with and leading teams working in geographically dispersed locations is advantageous. 

You will have a clear experience the public sector landscape with a track record of relationships building, and an understanding of the local government policy landscape. With a collaborative approach to working across interconnecting complex work areas, you will be comfortable working within a matrix style of management for your won direct reports and those of other teams. 

You may have charity or statutory setting experience, and will have the ability to set out a strategic direction for partnerships team members as well as being hands on in developing new relationships to support our work as well as being able to produce high quality written materials, analyse complex data and respond dynamically to a changing external landscape.

You will be an excellent communicator who manages up effectively and who is comfortable working across a matrixed managed team. You will have the ability to work closely with the Director of Partnerships in building relationships, and developing and delivering on strategies that support impact in our early years programmes by guiding the work of our partnerships team.  You will be working closely with key role holders such as but not confined to the Head of Partnerships Delivery, and Head of Programme for Vulnerable Children.

The Head of Partnerships Development will ensure increasingly effective pathways to families by setting out ways of working that ensure delivery teams can access these routes, influence decision makers and develop and build the right relationships for greatest impact. Along with the Director of partnerships the role holder will aim to both influence and respond to central, local and regional policy initiatives in the sector to support BookTrust’s mission to get all children reading, especially those from low income and vulnerable family backgrounds.
The role holder will ensure internal stakeholders are briefed on the local government landscape and that risks and opportunities are clearly articulated.

This work spans the organisation – from within our partnerships team to our research and impact, communications and external affairs, design and innovation, growth planning, communications, profile-raising and income generation – and requires strong collaborative working to draw on skills and capacity in all these areas. 

The role will work internally and externally to ensure the right inputs to ensure success for our scaled programmes, supporting everything from design to upskilling our team and relationship building across the local government and regional and country landscape.

To apply, please complete the application along with a copy of your CV.

Want to join us? To find out more about who we are please go to our website. 

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and communities,

Please note that this advert may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details are available on our website).

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

 The Procurement Lead is responsible for developing and delivering a robust procurement and commercial strategy that ensures value for money, compliance with Procurement Act 2023 regulations in line with AHS being primarily public funded and supports AHS study and operational objectives. The role will lead on sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and commercial governance, ensuring ethical, transparent, and efficient use of public funds.

Main responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a procurement and commercial strategy aligned with organisational goals and funding requirements.
• Lead procurement planning across research programmes, operations, and corporate services.
• Act as a subject matter expert on public procurement policy and best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and capability.

Tendering and Contract Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes including tendering, evaluation, and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with UK public procurement regulations (e.g., Procurement Act and associated guidance).
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including research, clinical, and grant-related agreements.
• Manage contract lifecycle including performance monitoring, renewals, and extensions.

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure all procurement activities meet audit, transparency, and reporting requirements for public funding.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across supplier engagements.
• Support internal and external audit processes.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, ensuring high performance and innovation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (research teams, finance, legal) to understand needs and deliver value-driven procurement solutions.
• Work with external stakeholders including funders, partners and strategic advisors to develop optimum outcomes
• Provide commercial advice and guidance to senior leadership and project teams.
• Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Financial & Value Management

• Deliver value for money through effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Monitor procurement spend and identify cost-saving or efficiency opportunities.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure funding is used appropriately, ethically and in line with public funding requirements.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

1. Professional qualification in procurement or supply chain e.g., CIPS Level 5 or equivalent
2. Degree or comparable experience in business, finance, law, or related field.
3. Proven track record of managing complex procurement exercises and contracts.
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within regulated procurement environments, specifically those classed as a public authority
5. Strong understanding of UK public procurement regulations and best practice.
6. Commercial acumen with strong negotiation and contract management skills.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Knowledge of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
9. Strong experience in supplier and stakeholder management.
10. Excellent analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities.
11. Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
12. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.

Desirable

1. CIPS Level 6 or equivalent
2. Membership of a professional body (e.g., MCIPS or FCIPS).
3. Experience managing high-value and complex contracts, including collaborative or partnership agreements
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within charity and/or research sectors
5. Detailed understanding of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
6. Detailed knowledge of the UK Procurement Act (or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 historically) and transitions between them.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Understanding of subsidy control, state aid, or funding compliance frameworks.
9. Ability to analyse procurement data and generate insights using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar.
10. Experience leading organisational change or transformation programmes in procurement.
11. Ability to build procurement capability across a non-procurement stakeholder base.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job.

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 12th July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Engineering Manager

Remote (UK-based) | Full-time | Salary: £82,409 + benefits including 4.5 day week and 11% employer pension contribution

Do your best work, for the right reasons.

Oak is a fully remote, mission-driven organisation offering high levels of flexibility, autonomy, and purpose. We’re a national not-for-profit working in partnership with teachers to create the highest-quality, sequenced curriculum and lesson resources for pupils across all subjects and age groups.

We’re looking for an experienced Software Engineering Manager to join our Product and Engineering Team to help us build beautifully simple, high-impact digital products that support teachers and improve outcomes for pupils across the UK.

Our culture has been independently recognised through:

• Flexa verified (93% overall score, including 95% for working hours and 97% for role modelling)

• Escape the City's Top 1% Employers – based on anonymous colleague reviews of culture, development, and impact

• Investors in People Gold - through external accreditation and colleague feedback

�� About the Role

Oak provides school teachers and pupils with the highest-quality curriculum and lesson resources across all subjects and age groups.

In this role, you will join our engineering leadership team to manage engineers across our product squads and platform teams, supporting them to thrive and grow. You will work closely with product and platform colleagues to enable effective delivery and continuous improvement, and you will contribute to hiring a diverse mix of permanent colleagues and freelancers to ensure we have the capability needed to deliver our ambitious goals.

Our engineers work in cross-functional product squads alongside designers, researchers, and education experts, regularly releasing new features and improvements that provide teachers and pupils with quick and easy access to high-quality learning resources.

�� What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and manage a high performing team 

• Lead the continuous improvement of software engineering practices and processes

• Working with product managers, manage the engineering backlog ensuring that important tasks are prioritised alongside bugs and product features

• Prioritise the hiring and retention of a diverse, engaged and collaborative team of engineers

• As a member of the Oak Team, contribute to the planning and culture of the organisation.

• Work in cross-functional and product-oriented squads with colleagues from across the organisation, as required.

• Deputise for the Head of Engineering and take on other general responsibilities as required.

�� What We’re Looking For

• 2+ years experience leading the continuous improvement of an engineering team’s processes and practices

• Experience of recruiting, developing and managing a high performing engineering team

• Substantial experience working in cross functional teams or squads

• Can demonstrate an understanding of how modern web applications work

• Extensive knowledge of the software product development lifecycle and how it influences the success of a product and a team

• You will be comfortable working at pace, with a range of digital systems (including proprietary ones as required) and you will continuously look at ways that the team can keep getting better. You will be excellent at working as part of a remote team, building relationships and managing your time effectively.

If this sounds like what you’d love to be doing, we'd like to hear from you. If you’re not sure that you exactly fit the above criteria, get in touch anyway. Ability and attitude are just as important as experience!

�� Our Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus one extra day for each year of service (up to 28)

• Additional Oak closure days over Christmas/New Year

• 11% employer pension contribution (with no minimum employee contribution)

• A 36-hour working week, with half-days on Fridays or every other Friday off

• Fully remote working — we’ll support your home set-up and offer coworking options if preferred

• Twice-yearly in-person offsites to collaborate, connect, and have fun

• A culture that genuinely supports flexibility, autonomy, and trust

�� Inclusion and Belonging

We believe diverse teams build better products. We warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in the tech and education sectors. 

If you're from an underrepresented group, there's a good chance you're discounting yourself before you've even started. That's more common than you'd think, and it means we may miss out on brilliant people. If you're excited by this role but don't meet every requirement, please apply anyway.

We use the Applied platform to help reduce bias in our hiring process. Answers are anonymised and reviewed by a panel of humans.

�� Key Info

• Location: Remote, but you must be based in the UK with the legal right to work here

• Sponsorship: Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time

• Closing date: We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the role early

If this sounds like the kind of role and team where you could do your life’s best work, we’d love to hear from you.

Next steps

You’ll answer a few admin questions followed by some questions related to your day-to-day job. Your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised, and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers (real humans), so it's your thinking that gets assessed and not your C.V.

If you're shortlisted, we'll invite you to interview. We give everyone feedback at the end of the process.

Interview dates:

Interview 1: Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Interview 2: Monday, 3 August 2026

If this sounds like somewhere you could do your life's best work, we'd love to hear from you.

We love giving feedback, so at the end of the application process, we'll share how well you performed.

We are receiving excellent responses to our job advertisements. This may lead us to close the role early, so if you are considering applying, then please get your application in early to avoid missing out.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Part-funded by a generous donation from Backstage Trust, this is a new and pivotal role designed to transform Theatre Centre's fundraising capacity by strengthening systems, increasing income diversity, and building long-term financial resilience. The postholder will play a key role in helping the organisation capitalise on its artistic impact and case for support, while building momentum towards its 75th anniversary in 2028.

This role will keep us focused on our development strategy and will have support from across the whole company: the Board, Executive and the core TC team. We have been steadily building our foundations and have some good funding relationships in place, committed individual givers, a strong, evidenced case for support, some incredible stats and feedback and above all an inspiring and exciting programme of work to offer for young people, artists and teachers across the country.

Our Development Manager will help us to bring in resources so that we can continue share our high-quality, specialist work as far as we can. We see development as a collaborative effort and we understand the need for the whole team to support development, that effective fundraising needs to be resourced with realistic timelines and expectations.

About the Role

Contract type: Fixed term to March 2028

Hours: 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE) - we're happy to discuss flexible working patterns that work best for you.

Salary: £24,000 per year (based on £30,000 per year pro rata)

Location: This role can be hybrid or predominantly home based, with some time spent working with colleagues in the office. Theatre Centre is based near Three Bridges station at Unit 4 Crawley Business Centre, Stevenson Way, Crawley, RH10 1TN.

Job Requirements

• A strong affinity with Theatre Centre's mission and a passion for creating opportunities for young people through the arts.
• A values-driven approach, with commitment to equity, inclusion, social justice and environmental responsibility.
• Collaborative, open and transparent working style.
• Comfortable working in a changing environment.
• Proven experience of fundraising within an arts organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking skills.
• Good written communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling cases for support and reports.
• Good understanding of the financial context of this work.
• Experience of building and managing relationships with funders, donors and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, including data management.
• Experience of monitoring and reporting to demonstrate impact.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work flexibly under pressure, and meet deadlines.

Job Responsibilities

The Development Manager will lead delivery of a phased fundraising strategy:

Phase 1 - Foundation: Build on our strong systems and processes and give us consistency in fundraising delivery, including building a robust pipeline of Trusts & Foundations and developing place-based income in Crawley and the Gatwick area.

Phase 2 - Private Phase: Expand individual giving by deepening relationships, developing major donors, and securing multi-year funding partnerships.

Phase 3 - Public Bring together all strategic and fundraising priorities in our 75th year, amplifying them into a public campaign that advocates for our change-making work.

If you'd like more information you're welcome to visit our website and download the job pack.

Location: Remote (based in England, Scotland and Wales with occasional travel).

Salary: £25,360 - £28,665 pro rata (£20,288 - £22,932 actual)

Hours of work: 28 hours a week (4 days)

Contract type: Permanent

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities. Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Support & Training Coordinator role involves:

• Managing onboarding processes for new facilitators attending training, ensuring clear communication of expectations and timelines, including safeguarding checks
• Supporting the Support Coaches by coordinating essential ongoing facilitator engagement: including group calls, follow up sessions, communication touchpoints and additional resources
• Coordinating the logistics of monthly facilitator training sessions, including placing orders, liaising with suppliers, monitoring stock levels and order numbers, and overseeing communications and systems
• Developing and maintaining systems that monitor and support the full facilitator journey — from onboarding through to ongoing support

About you

Do you have strong organisational and administrative skills? Can you work confidently with systems, databases, and digital tools? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

How to Apply

You can apply for the Support & Training Coordinator position by completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is 13th July at 9am. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you have any questions, please refer to our recruitment FAQs document. If you would like any application and interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).