Head of supporter retention and development jobs

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Organisation: Happy Days
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Calderdale

Role Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across all frontline services, accommodation provision, organisational infrastructure, and compliance functions within the charity.

The COO is responsible for ensuring safe, trauma-informed, financially sustainable, and outcomes-focused delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, health exclusion, addiction, and crisis.

The role leads operations across the charity’s accommodation portfolio, including winter shelter provision, general needs accommodation, supported accommodation, and intensively supported housing. The COO also oversees the operational platform of the charity’s support programmes, including a community café, community supermarket, crisis drop-in provision, and integrated health clinics.

Working collaboratively with the CEO, Board, statutory agencies, housing provider partners, and wider stakeholders, the COO plays a key leadership role in shaping organisational strategy, strengthening operational systems, embedding trauma-informed practice, and developing innovative models of support that improve long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage.

The COO provides executive oversight of, operational risk, health and safety, HR, operational systems, and service compliance, ensuring the organisation maintains robust standards of governance, accountability, and person-centred care across all services.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide executive operational leadership across services and organisational functions
• Lead the delivery, development, and continuous operational improvement of:
  • Supported and temporary accommodation services (68+ properties)
  • Crisis and drop-in provision
  • Food programme and social supermarket
  • Winter shelter provision
• Translate organisational strategy into effective operational delivery plans
• Drive organisational improvement, innovation, and sustainable service growth
• Lead operational responses to emerging community need, organisational risk, and system pressures
• Support strategic planning, organisational development, and long-term sustainability
• Lead operational capital development initiatives across the organisation

Housing, Property & Supported Accommodation Executive Oversight of:

• Operational management, legal compliance, health and safety, quality assurance across all accommodation services
• Lead strategic partnerships with housing providers
• Manage delegated housing arrangements and supported housing pathways
• Maximise occupancy, sustainment, and positive move-on outcomes
• Oversee property-related risk management, maintenance coordination, and accommodation standards
• Lead the transformation and redevelopment of The Gathering Place, including partnership working with architects, infrastructure planning, and service design
• Oversee operational development planning for the Bramwell Booth building to support future service delivery and organisational growth

Safeguarding Operational Platform

• Lead organisational safeguarding strategy and systems
• Ensure SOP’s are in place to enable staff to respond effectively to complex needs including:
  • addiction
  • mental ill-health and physical health needs
  • dual diagnosis
  • homelessness
  • domestic abuse
  • offending histories
  • health exclusion
• Oversee serious incidents, risk management, and quality assurance processes
• Promote reflective practice, professional accountability, and safe service delivery
• Lead continuous safeguarding improvement and organisational assurance processes
• Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised safeguarding quality and excellence standards

Health Inclusion & Community Services

• Support development of innovative approaches addressing homelessness, substance use, poverty, and social exclusion
• Contribute to wider system responses focused on prevention, health equity, and community resilience

Corporate Governance, Compliance & Organisational Infrastructure

• Provide executive oversight of organisational governance, operational compliance, and corporate infrastructure
• Lead organisational responsibility for:
  • Human Resources
  • Health & Safety
  • Insurance and organisational risk
  • Operational systems and digital infrastructure
• Ensure robust organisational policies, procedures, and assurance frameworks are developed, implemented, and maintained
• Oversee compliance with employment legislation, health & safety standards, and contractual obligations
• Lead organisational risk management processes, incident oversight, and business continuity planning
• Ensure effective management of organisational insurance provision, liability protection, and risk mitigation
• Support governance reporting, operational assurance, and organisational accountability
• Develop quarterly Trustee and governance reporting packs in conjunction with Heads of Department and the CEO

Systems Development & Digital Transformation

• Lead the development and implementation of operational systems, reporting frameworks, and service infrastructure
• Design and embed systems that improve operational efficiency, safeguarding oversight, housing management, and service coordination
• Use data, insight, and performance analysis to improve outcomes and organisational effectiveness
• Support digital transformation, service modernisation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop monitoring, evaluation, and impact reporting systems to support organisational learning and strategic decision-making

Leadership, Workforce & Organisational Culture

• Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, supervision, and staff development
• Promote staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and psychologically safe leadership
• Provide leadership oversight and strategic direction for volunteer services and volunteer programme development
• Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised volunteer quality standards, including the VSI Volunteer Excellence Award

Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Represent the organisation within strategic partnerships and multi-agency forums
• Work collaboratively with commissioners, funders, housing providers, and community partners

Financial Oversight & Sustainability

• Budget development and financial planning in conjunction with the CEO and Finance Team
• Support organisational sustainability through efficient service delivery
• Monitor operational performance, quality standards, and service outcomes
• Ensure effective governance, accountability, and operational compliance across all services

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within homelessness, housing, health, social care, community, or voluntary sector services
• Extensive operational leadership experience across complex, multi-service environments
• Experience leading services supporting individuals with multiple disadvantage and complex needs
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and organisational risk management
• Experience managing accommodation-based and community support services
• Experience overseeing HR, compliance, governance, and organisational systems
• Experience leading quality assurance, risk, and compliance frameworks
• Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills across statutory and voluntary sectors
• Experience managing operational budgets, compliance frameworks, and performance systems

Desirable

• Experience working within homelessness, substance use, or health inclusion services
• Experience working within housing such as a registered housing provider
• Understanding of public health approaches and health inequalities
• Knowledge of housing legislation, supported housing models, and safeguarding frameworks
• Experience with digital transformation, systems implementation, and organisational modernisation

Key Attributes

• Values-driven and strongly committed to social justice and health equity
• Strategic thinker with strong operational leadership capability
• Calm, resilient, and decisive in complex and high-pressure environments
• Compassionate and emotionally intelligent leader
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence across systems and sectors
• Innovative, solutions-focused, and collaborative
• Committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and inclusive leadership

Come help place membership at the heart of a profession that changes lives.

Location: London Bridge, London (hybrid working with an expectation of two days per week in the office)

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 25th June 2026

About us

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for over 24,000 speech and language therapists, support workers and students across the UK. As we begin developing our next organisational strategy, we are creating a stronger, member-centred, and impactful approach to membership, communications, engagement, and digital content. We are seeking an exceptional and strategic leader to join our executive team. You will help shape the future of our membership and communications, while strengthening our influence across the health and care landscape.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, this newly configured executive team role brings together membership, communications, digital products, content and events engagement within a single directorate. Membership sits at the heart of our future ambitions. We have recently brought together a previously fragmented membership function and are building a dedicated membership and communications team to strengthen how we engage, support and retain members throughout their careers. You will play a central role in shaping our next strategic plan and ensuring that member insight, experience and value remain at the centre of organisational decision-making.

Working alongside a strong team of communications and engagement, digital, and membership, you will:

• Lead the development of an integrated membership and communications strategy.
• Strengthen the member value proposition and member journey.
• Drive member engagement, retention and growth.
• Bring membership, communications and digital teams together around shared objectives.
• Oversee communications, media and reputation management activity.
• Ensure RCSLT remains an influential voice across the health and care sector.
• Contribute as a key member of a collaborative and ambitious executive team.

 About you

You will bring substantial experience from a membership body, professional association, Royal College, charity or similarly complex organisation. Most importantly, you will understand how to build meaningful relationships with members and create a compelling membership experience. You may already be operating at Director level, or you may be a senior Head of Membership, Engagement, Communications or a related function looking for your first Executive Team appointment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong experience of membership strategy, engagement and growth.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience overseeing communications, marketing, digital or engagement functions.
• The ability to lead organisational change and bring teams together.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with practical delivery.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and belonging.
• Experience within healthcare, professional regulation or a related sector would be beneficial.

This is a rare opportunity to join RCSLT at a pivotal moment. You will help shape our next organisational strategy from the outset, lead a newly integrated directorate, and play a key role in strengthening the experience of our members while supporting a profession that improves lives every day.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 25th June 2026.

Transforming Lives Through Learning

Due to exciting growth and expansion of our King's Trust Programme, we are looking for five passionate, energetic, and inspiring individuals to join our King’s Trust Team Programme within the college. The available roles are Team Leader (x3),  Asisstant Team Leader, and Curriculum Manager, details of each role can be found on our website.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a life-changing programme that supports young people to build confidence, develop employability skills, improve wellbeing, and create positive futures either within the college or in a community setting.

If you believe in second chances, inclusive education, and helping young people realise their potential, we would love to hear from you.

We will be holding an Information Event on 10th June 6:00pm - 7.30pm at our City Campus. This is a drop in event and staff will be on hand to answer any questions and talk to you about the college and the King's Trust. Please email us for more information and to register your interest.

About the King’s Trust Team Programme

The King’s Trust Team Programme is a 12-week personal development programme designed to support young people aged 16–25 who may be:

• disengaged from education or employment
• lacking confidence or direction
• facing barriers to learning
• experiencing social, emotional, or personal challenges
  looking to improve their future opportunities

The programme combines:

• team-building activities
• community projects
• employability and enterprise skills
• work experience opportunities
• residential experiences
• confidence and wellbeing development
• English and maths support
• progression planning
• At the heart of the programme is the belief that every young person has potential.

About the Role

3x positions available

As part of the college team, you will work directly with young people within community and college settings to deliver engaging, supportive, and meaningful learning experiences.

You will motivate learners, build positive relationships, and help young people overcome barriers while supporting them towards education, employment, training, or volunteering opportunities.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and expand provision within the local community while being part of a supportive and forward-thinking college environment.

Key Responsibilities
 

• Planning for the weeks ahead – setting out what team members want to achieve and finding out how to get qualifications 

• Planning for a week away/Residential 

• Community projects 

• Work placements 

• Planning for the future (CVs, interview skills and job applications) 

• Final presentation of the programme to an invited audience. 

Duties of the role also  include:

• Deliver the required number of “Teams” which comply with the prescribed 12 week programme 

• Recruit a range of young people across targeted groups 

• Progress young people through the programme in line with College budgets, achieving a range of Performance Indicator targets, including the number of young people recruited; their retention on the programme and the qualifications and positive outcomes achieved 

• Contribute to team review  as complied by Princes Trust and College staff and ensure agreed actions to improve the quality of the programme are followed up 

• Maintain accurate and up to date records, both paper and electronic, as required by the College and the Trust. 

•  Negotiate residential and community project activities with local providers under the guidance of the Head of Department 

• Assess, verify and report student achievement through the College Exams department. 

• Implement action plans to address issues identified in Team Review 

• Attend all necessary internal/external training courses/ management and steering group meetings as required 

• Carry out related duties as may be reasonably required by the College and by the Trust. 

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking enthusiastic individuals who are:

• passionate about transforming lives
• committed to inclusion and equality of opportunity
• positive, adaptable, and resilient
• able to inspire and motivate young people
• experienced in working with young people or vulnerable learners
• confident delivering group activities and community projects
• strong communicators with excellent interpersonal skills
• organised and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience within education, youth work, employability, SEND,
• community work, coaching, or mentoring would be highly valued.

What we can offer you 

As the successful candidate, you will be offered a salary of between £28,760 - £33,563 per annum based upon a combination of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to the role. 

Our benefits  

• Enhanced Pension contributions scheme with SYPA 
• Annual leave - 30 Days (222 hours) + 8 Bank Holidays (59.2 hours)- this includes a discretionary Christmas closure period 
• Health and wellbeing, we offer
  • Employee assistance programme through Bupa
  • Occupational Health through PAM
  • Free eye tests for VDU users
• Free Parking is available at the majority of our campuses

Further information can be found on our Benefits andCareer Developmentpages.

Disability Confident 

We are a Disability Confidentemployer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee. Please review our Recruitment Guidelines for Disabled Candidates which provides further information on reasonable adjustments and how the Disability Confident scheme works in practice.If you require any reasonable adjustments or any support at any point throughout the process, please contact us.

Armed Forces Covenant  

As part of our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant,we’re pledged to support the Armed Forces Community. Recognising the value Personnel, Veterans and military families contribute to our community and country. 

Safeguarding  

We are an employer who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures.  Further details on our safer recruiting procedures, including the employment of ex-offenders can be found here Safeguarding 

Next Steps: 

To apply:Click apply online and follow the links to complete the online application. For queries regarding the application process, please contact us. CVs are currently not accepted. 

As a Leader in Diversity employer, we encourage applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.   

Closing date: 21st June 2026

Please be aware – If we have a high number of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy earlier. 

Welcome to Ada!

At Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent. Through the quality of education we deliver, the depth of our industry partnerships and focus on diversity, we are changing the face of the tech sector, expanding the talent pipeline and transforming lives.

We are a specialist Further Education college, where every 16-19 student takes Computer Science and all of our diverse Higher Level and Degree Apprentices work in skills shortage disciplines in innovative, blue-chip companies.

The digital skills gap is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year in lost GDP. Ada seeks to fill this skills gap by equipping young with the skills industry actually needs.

Ada was announced by the Prime Minister in December 2014; England’s first new FE College since 1993 and since then we’ve gone from strength to strength including a Good with Outstanding features in our first Ofsted Inspection.

16-19 Provision:

As of 2024, we have 187 16-19 students enrolled. Our most recent results are outstanding; 39% of A level results at A*- B and 74% achieving at least one Distinction or better in their externally assessed Computing BTEC. This makes us the best education institution in the country for this BTEC.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Across our London Victoria and Manchester Ancoats campus, we have 363 apprentices currently enrolled on our Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships. We specialise in five disciplines at present: software development, data analytics, tech consultancy, cyber security and business analysis, working with a wide range of SMEs and corporate organisations such as PwC, Bank of America, Deloitte, Clearscore, Just Eat, Capita, MHRA, Booking,com and Salesforce.

At present 38% of our learners are female, 51% are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 50% come from low-income households compared to national averages of c. 20%.

This is an exciting time to join Ada with our new state-of-the-art campuses in Victoria, London and Ancoats, Manchester. We’re passionate about building a supportive, values driven environment for both our students and staff.

Post Title: Learner Experience and Inclusion Officer

Nature of the Role: Full-time, Permanent

Reporting to: Assistant Principal- Head of Learner Services

Annual Salary: £28,000- £31,000 (DOE)

Pension: Aviva Pension Scheme

Holidays: Largely in line with local authority term dates (October Half term- 2 weeks)

Location: London Campus- Victoria

KEY ASPECTS OF THE ROLE & MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. Learner Experience and Inclusion

●Lead student voice and engagement initiatives, delivering a dynamic programme of assemblies, enrichment activities and student-led opportunities.

●Coordinate weekly enrichment clubs and lunchtime activities to enhance student participation and wellbeing.

●Build positive relationships with students, parents and carers to create an inclusive and supportive college environment.

●Support the implementation of the college’s inclusion strategy, ensuring high standards of student support and participation.

●Facilitate student forums, surveys and focus groups, working closely with curriculum teams to strengthen learner engagement.

II. Student Finance and Administration

●Administer student bursaries and financial support, providing guidance to students and responding to learner and parent enquiries.

●Work with Finance and Attendance teams to manage student finance processes through Applica and ensure timely bursary payments linked to attendance.

●Maintain accurate records of support interventions and financial assistance on college systems.

●Promote financial wellbeing and literacy through assemblies and enrichment activities.

III. Attendance and Engagement

●Support the college’s attendance and engagement strategy, identifying and responding to persistent absence and disengagement.

●Monitor attendance and punctuality, escalating concerns to relevant staff and leaders where appropriate.

●Collaborate with pastoral and attendance teams to improve punctuality and student engagement, including parent/carer meetings where required.

IV. Pastoral Support and Personal Development

●Provide pastoral support, advice and guidance to students, helping them overcome barriers to success.

●Contribute to safeguarding processes, reporting concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Welfare team.

●Monitor the progress and wellbeing of assigned students, implementing interventions to support achievement and retention.

●Support Sixth Form induction, enrolment and behaviour management processes.

●Develop and deliver diverse enrichment and personal development opportunities, including community projects and student-led initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education/Qualifications

●GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

●Level 3 qualification in Education, Youth Work, Social Care, Student Services, Business Administration, or a related subject.

●Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to attendance or learner support.

DESIRABLE

●Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas, education, youth and community work, sociology, health and social care.

●Level 4 or 5 qualification in Advice and Guidance, Safeguarding, Inclusion, or Education and Training.

●Mental Health First Aid qualification.

●Safeguarding Level 2 or 3 training.

KNOWLEDGE

●Student finance/bursary processes for vulnerable learner support funding.

●Attendance monitoring and intervention strategies.

●Inclusion and widening participation.

●Safeguarding and well-being practices.

●Personal development.

●Behaviour and Attitudes.

●Using student record systems or MIS platforms (Desirable Knowledge)

EXPERIENCE

●Minimum of 1 year’s experience of working with children and young people who my face barriers to learning or engagement

●Ability to build positive professional relationships with learners/parents, carers and external agencies

●Understanding of digital learners and industry culture (Desirable)

Skills and Abilities

●Good written and verbal communication skills

●Ability to work independently

●Positive communication and listening skills

●Patience, tolerance and sensitivity

●A mature and non-judgemental outlook Enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of humour

SAFEGUARDING

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If there is anything in this regard that you would like to discuss in relation to your application please contact .

SPONSORSHIP

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role, so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

Thank you for your interest in Ada, the National College for Digital Skills.

CLOSING DATE: 17th June 2026 Candidates' applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, early applications are advised.

Good Luck with your application!