First Step Trust is a charity and social enterprise with over 30 years’ experience supporting people who are furthest from the labour market to gain skills, confidence and move into employment.
We combine social impact with commercial enterprise, delivering training programmes, social enterprises and innovative virtual reality learning tools that create real opportunities for disadvantaged learners.
We are now looking for a Head of Commercial to lead the next stage of our growth.
This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for driving commercial income across our social enterprises and developing new revenue streams, including the commercial licensing of our virtual reality training products.
You will oversee a portfolio of social enterprise businesses, supporting project managers to increase sales, improve performance and ensure the businesses are operating effectively. Alongside this, you will identify and develop new commercial opportunities, partnerships and routes to market.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in shaping the organisation’s strategy and helping us achieve our ambition that 60% of our income will come from commercial activity by 2030.
We are looking for someone who brings strong commercial acumen and a proven track record of generating income, alongside the ability to lead and develop teams. You will be comfortable working at both a strategic and operational level, with the confidence to drive growth while maintaining a clear focus on social impact.
This is an exciting opportunity to take on a leadership role where you can shape commercial strategy, grow innovative services and make a real difference to people’s lives.
For full details of the role and how to apply, please see the recruitment pack.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Are you passionate about the Samaritans’ mission and eager for a new challenge?
We’re looking for a part-time Executive Assistant (20 hours per week) to support our Executive Leaders and help Samaritans continue to be there for people when it matters most.
As an Executive Assistant, you’ll be highly organised and a great communicator. You’ll be responsible for providing highly efficient and effective support across all administrative and organisational activities. Working in a responsive team you will be one of the first points of contact for the Executive Leadership Team and will assist with administration and organisation of diaries for meetings and travel arrangements, preparing briefs and drafting a range of communications. You’ll attend key meetings in a supporting role and ensure efficiency and timely support to the Leadership team.
You’ll also assist with front-line reception administration services in the Ewell (Surrey) Office as required.
Contract terms:
£32,000 - £34,000 per annum, plus benefits (£18,285 - £19,428 pro-rata for 20 hours)
Permanent
Part-time, 20 hours per week
Predominately office Based in Ewell (Surrey), with occasional opportunity to work from home
Some occasional out of hours and weekend attendance at events/meetings.
We are passionate about flexible working. Talk to us about your preferences.
What you'll do:
- Manage the diaries of our Executive Leadership Team, prioritising demands where required
- Coordinate travel, accommodation and other logistical arrangements
- Prepare, check and administer paperwork for meetings, ensuring deadlines are communicated and met
- Provide coordination support to our Senior Leadership Team for key meetings and activities
- Draft correspondence for the Executive Directors and monitor responses
- Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of reports and documentation
- Liaise with key stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team, building and maintaining positive relationships
- Provide reception cover when required
What you’ll bring:
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
- Knowledge of general office administrational functions
- Excellent organisation skills with proven ability to prioritise competing deadlines and demands
- Ability to produce clear documentation
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience of working with sensitive and confidential information
- Ability to maintain a professional approach, even when working under pressure
- Experience of working within the charity sector, and project support or project management is desirable.
See full Job Description and Person Specification
Why Samaritans?
At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.
You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
Apply now
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to one application question and to upload your CV and cover letter.
Applications close: 09:00am on Monday 13th April 2026
Interviews will be held at our office in Ewell (Surrey) w/c 20th April
At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.
We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We prevent suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.