Head of operations and programmes jobs in Manchester

Location: Home based within commuting distance of either Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast 

Salary: £32,750 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Monday 19 May 2026 at midnight 

Interview date: week commencing 25 May 2026 over video with possible second stage in person week commencing 1 June 2026 

This is a full time fixed-term position for one year (with possible extension subject to funding). 

Who we are looking for  

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer – Devolved Nations to help us build on this momentum. 

The role of the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer - Devolved Nations is vital to achieving our UK-wide advocacy mission: to reduce health inequalities in type 1 diabetes, to widen access to type 1 diabetes treatments and technologies and to ensure that people with type 1 get access to emerging new treatments and future cures in the devolved nations.  

You will lead on projects with key stakeholders and high-level Parliamentarians, such as our access to treatments and early detection work, as well as people with type 1 diabetes, policy makers and researchers. You will help to deliver Breakthrough T1D’s influencing plans, improving access to and choice of type 1 diabetes treatments and technology in the devolved nations.  

Experience required 

• Experience of working successfully with politicians, their offices, Government departments, and other public affairs audiences to influence policy and to influence public/stakeholder discourse  

• Experience of leading public affairs delivery in one of more of the devolved nations  

• Experience in analysing Government policy in-depth and creating policy briefings   

• Experience of drafting briefings, reports and policy submissions   

• Experience of communicating across a range of parliamentary and professional stakeholders at all levels  

• Demonstrable knowledge, interest and experience of working in a public affairs and policy-based environment  

• Experience of organising stakeholder events  

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

About Spear

We launched the award-winning Spear Programme over 20 years ago, and there are now 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in the workplace.

Spear operates a joint venture model with churches across the UK to run our Spear Centres. Some Centres operate in collaboration with independent charitable trusts, while others are run directly with the local church (both referred to below as ‘Spear Church Partners’ or ‘Church Partners’).

About the role

We’re looking for a new Church Partnerships Manager to join us for this northern based role, with travel across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving national growth by developing and nurturing partnerships with churches across the North of England. You will be at the forefront of developing new relationships with potential early-stage partners, inspiring churches to engage with our mission, and supporting them through the pipeline, and helping to establish a diverse and thriving network of church partnerships.

We are looking for a confident relationship-builder who can engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, particularly church leaders, and who is comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Key information:

• Salary: £37,000
• Location: Remote with once a month travel to London for team meetings and regular travel in the North of England
• Full-time, 12-14month Fixed Term Contract, with the possibility of extension
• Closing date: We interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Strong leadership ability with the confidence to make effective decisions
• Outstanding people skills and emotional intelligence, capable of quickly winning trust and confidence, as well as network, influence and negotiate with church leaders and a range of audiences, internally and externally
• An understanding of the needs and workings of churches and their leaders, and the ability to innovate, build our growth strategy and generate new partnerships
• An excellent communicator (both written and verbal)
• Excellent initiative and a self-starter, with the ability to operate flexibly in a changing and dynamic environment and in response to the support needs of each partner
• Strong organisational skills including the ability to establish appropriate processes and structures and to manage multiple priorities to meet targets and deadlines
• Strong quantitative skills including ability to work with and interpret impact data, fundraising pipelines and basic financial information
• Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint competent and experience of/ability to use databases

Work with us

For pregnancy, parents and progress.

At NCT, what we do every day has a real impact on people’s lives.

We’re the UK’s charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. For nearly 70 years, we’ve been alongside women and parents, offering trusted information, practical support and building communities.

Today, we reach hundreds of thousands of new and expectant parents every year. We provide antenatal and postnatal education, local and national support for infant feeding and mental health, and we campaign for fairer, safer maternity care. We listen to parents’ experiences and act on them - tackling health inequalities, challenging systems that don’t work, and pressing for progress.

About the role

Join our passionate team and contribute to the meaningful work that transforms the lives of parents and families. Your role will include:

• Create high-quality, engaging and accessible content across multiple formats, including video, social media, email, web and other campaign assets, ensuring alignment to NCT’s brand, tone of voice and messaging.
• Actively monitoring social channels, media, trends and the external environment to identify relevant conversations, risks and opportunities for NCT.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Marketing, Communications and Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships to ensure content supports the objectives of integrated campaigns.
• Managing own workload effectively within the Content Studio, balancing deadlines and planned vs reactive activity.

About you

• You’ll have experience creating engaging and creative content across multiple digital and physical formats.  
• You’ll have a strong understanding of brand and tone of voice, and how to apply these consistently.  
• You’ll have solid understanding of digital marketing platforms and tools including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Canva etc.
• You’re proactive, organised and motivated to use marketing to drive growth and change brand perceptions.

Why work at NCT? 

Whether you’re supporting services, shaping policy, delivering programmes, raising funds, running operations or telling our story, you’ll be contributing to something bigger: 
a society where everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected and safe. 

People join NCT because they want to make a difference - and stay because they believe in how we do it. 

How we work 

We’re guided by a simple principle: no judgement, no exception. That shows up in how we support parents - and how we work with each other. 

At NCT we are: 

• Welcoming: We are always welcoming, creating connections and building communities. 
• Collaborative: We achieve better outcomes by working together. 
• Inclusive: We ensure equity and inclusion are core to who we are and what we do. 
• Bold: We are bold, brave, and progressive 
• Trusted: We provide trusted, high-quality, evidence-based information, support, and services. 

We deal with complex issues, make tough decisions, and work in environments that can be challenging. But we do it with honesty, care and a shared sense of purpose. 

When you work at NCT you’ll get fantastic benefits to support your well-being and professional growth: 

• 30 days annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays)
• Pension matched up to 5%
• Flexible working options to suite your lifestyle
• Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 GP access, personalised counselling, legal advice and more
• Life Assurance for peace of mind
• Free eye test for all staff, with further discounts
• Blue Light discount card

Join us 

At NCT, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within your role, please let us know - we’re here to support you. If you want your work to contribute to lasting change - for generations of parents to come - we’d love to hear from you. 

Together, we are NCT. 

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

At NCT, we believe everyone should be able to shape their own journey - as parents, and as colleagues. 

We are taking positive action to increase diversity across our organisation, at all levels, and to nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging for all our people and for the parents and families we support. You can read more about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action. 

We are committed to zero discrimination, both internally and externally. This commitment applies regardless of visible or invisible difference, including (but not limited to): sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, impairment, learning difference or long‑term condition, religion or belief, gender identity, economic class, marital or civil partnership status, family status (including single parents), socio‑economic background, pregnancy and maternity. 

We actively welcome applications from people from communities who are under‑represented in our organisation and the charity sector more widely. 

The Pepper Foundation is a local charity funding children’s hospice care at home, specialised play and family days for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. 

The Trusts & Foundations Fundraiser will be joining Pepper at an exciting time as we launch our new three-year fundraising strategy. Backed by committed investment and with full Board approval, we are delighted to be growing the charity to deliver sustainable income that directly supports local children and families with hospice care in the comfort of their own homes.

Working closely with the Head of Trusts & Foundations, you will play a pivotal role in increasing income from trusts and foundations by developing and managing a strong pipeline of funders, securing new grants, and building long-term relationships that lead to increased and multi-year support. You will research and prepare compelling applications to both new and existing funders, alongside producing timely, engaging reports that clearly demonstrate impact.

This role requires a highly organised and motivated individual with a passion for writing, strong attention to detail, and the ability to deliver exceptional cultivation, stewardship and relationship management of trusts and foundations aligned with our mission.

Your work will directly support hospice at home care, specialist play services, and meaningful family days out for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions – making a tangible difference to families during the most difficult of times.

Hours: 22.5 hours per week working from home – applicants must live within Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire (or surrounding counties)

Salary: £19,800 per annum for 22.5 hours per week (£33,000 FTE per annum)

Key requirements:

• Work with the Head of Trusts & Foundations to agreed income targets and growth.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of small and medium trusts and foundations (giving up to £10,000).
• Produce high-quality, tailored applications to prospective funders aligned with agreed criteria.
• Prepare meaningful update reports, demonstrating the impact of a funder’s support, whilst ensuring all reporting requirements and deadlines are met.
• Deliver excellent relationship management and stewardship through regular reporting and tailored communications.
• Conduct prospect research to identify and prioritise new trust funding opportunities aligned with The Pepper Foundation’s work.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all communications on the Donorfy CRM database whilst keeping abreast of GDPR.
• Stay up to date with current trends in trust fundraising.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, including the Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice, and internal Safeguarding Policies.
• Represent The Pepper Foundation at events as required.

How to apply: For further details about the role, please download our recruitment pack. Please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you would make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description. 

Closing date: 1st June 2026 at 5pm

Interview dates: First-round interviews on 10th and 11th June and second-round interviews on 15th June 2026.

Interviews will take place at our office in Berkhamsted. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

If appointed, an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Work with us

For pregnancy, parents and progress.

At NCT, what we do every day has a real impact on people’s lives.

We’re the UK’s charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. For nearly 70 years, we’ve been alongside women and parents, offering trusted information, practical support and building communities.

Today, we reach hundreds of thousands of new and expectant parents every year. We provide antenatal and postnatal education, local and national support for infant feeding and mental health, and we campaign for fairer, safer maternity care. We listen to parents’ experiences and act on them - tackling health inequalities, challenging systems that don’t work, and pressing for progress.

About the role

Join our passionate team and contribute to the meaningful work that transforms the lives of parents and families. Your role will include:

• Create high-quality, engaging and accessible content across multiple formats, including video, social media, email, web and other campaign assets, ensuring alignment to NCT’s brand, tone of voice and messaging.
• Actively monitoring social channels, media, trends and the external environment to identify relevant conversations, risks and opportunities for NCT.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Marketing, Communications and Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships to ensure content supports the objectives of integrated campaigns.
• Managing own workload effectively within the Content Studio, balancing deadlines and planned vs reactive activity.

About you

• You’ll have experience creating engaging and creative content across multiple digital and physical formats.  
• You’ll have a strong understanding of brand and tone of voice, and how to apply these consistently.  
• You’ll have solid understanding of digital marketing platforms and tools including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Canva etc.
• You’re proactive, organised and motivated to use marketing to drive growth and change brand perceptions.

Why work at NCT? 

Whether you’re supporting services, shaping policy, delivering programmes, raising funds, running operations or telling our story, you’ll be contributing to something bigger: 
a society where everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected and safe. 

People join NCT because they want to make a difference - and stay because they believe in how we do it. 

How we work 

We’re guided by a simple principle: no judgement, no exception. That shows up in how we support parents - and how we work with each other. 

At NCT we are: 

• Welcoming: We are always welcoming, creating connections and building communities. 
• Collaborative: We achieve better outcomes by working together. 
• Inclusive: We ensure equity and inclusion are core to who we are and what we do. 
• Bold: We are bold, brave, and progressive 
• Trusted: We provide trusted, high-quality, evidence-based information, support, and services. 

We deal with complex issues, make tough decisions, and work in environments that can be challenging. But we do it with honesty, care and a shared sense of purpose. 

When you work at NCT you’ll get fantastic benefits to support your well-being and professional growth: 

• 30 days annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays)
• Pension matched up to 5%
• Flexible working options to suite your lifestyle
• Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 GP access, personalised counselling, legal advice and more
• Life Assurance for peace of mind
• Free eye test for all staff, with further discounts
• Blue Light discount card

Join us 

At NCT, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within your role, please let us know - we’re here to support you. If you want your work to contribute to lasting change - for generations of parents to come - we’d love to hear from you. 

Together, we are NCT. 

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

At NCT, we believe everyone should be able to shape their own journey - as parents, and as colleagues. 

We are taking positive action to increase diversity across our organisation, at all levels, and to nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging for all our people and for the parents and families we support. You can read more about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action. 

We are committed to zero discrimination, both internally and externally. This commitment applies regardless of visible or invisible difference, including (but not limited to): sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, impairment, learning difference or long‑term condition, religion or belief, gender identity, economic class, marital or civil partnership status, family status (including single parents), socio‑economic background, pregnancy and maternity. 

We actively welcome applications from people from communities who are under‑represented in our organisation and the charity sector more widely. 

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Regional Public Affairs Manager 

Starting Salary: £50,582 (if based outside London); £53,777 (if based in London) 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about different ways of working - so please ask) 

Location: Remote role - can be based anywhere in England or Wales with an expectation of frequent travel across England and Wales 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of impactful public affairs and influencing activity, strengthening regional voice and national impact. 

As Regional Public Affairs Manager, you will work closely with colleagues to support influencing activity across England and Wales, helping to build confidence, capability, and effectiveness. You will support engagement with decision-makers, campaigns, and partnerships, ensuring activity is aligned and impactful. 

You will play a key role in connecting local insight to national influencing, identifying emerging themes and helping to shape wider organisational priorities. You will also build relationships with external stakeholders, supporting activity that raises the Foundation’s profile and impact. 

About You

We’re looking for someone with experience in public affairs, policy, or influencing, particularly at local or regional level. You will have experience of supporting or delivering influencing activity and working with a range of stakeholders. 

You will be a strong relationship builder who combines practical delivery with the ability to use insight and evidence to inform work. A good understanding of the UK political landscape and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Friday 22nd May 2026 

Second Interview: Wednesday 3rd June 2026