Non executive director jobs in London

Help shape the future of volunteering at Samaritans.

At Samaritans, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. As the needs of communities evolve, we need to rethink how people connect, contribute and make a difference. We’re looking for a Volunteering Innovation Advisor to help us explore, test and embed new approaches to volunteering for the years ahead.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is curious about emerging trends and motivated to find ways to reach people who do not currently volunteer with Samaritans. You’ll help develop new and more flexible models of volunteering—looking beyond our existing approaches to remove barriers, engage different audiences, and create opportunities that are both meaningful and sustainable.

This role is focused on developing new ways of attracting volunteers, with an emphasis on reaching new audiences and exploring different approaches.

Contract

• £30,000–£33,000 per annum plus benefits
• Full time (35 hours per week)
• Permanent
• Hybrid working with travel to Ewell office
• In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We ask you to work in person around 2 days or more per month.
• We are passionate about flexible working—talk to us about your preferences

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll bring ideas to life by exploring how volunteering needs to evolve. You’ll research emerging trends and changing expectations to help shape new roles, opportunities and approaches to volunteering—particularly focused on attracting and engaging new volunteers to Samaritans.

You’ll use insight to design and test new ways of reaching different audiences, removing barriers to involvement, and creating more flexible and inclusive opportunities. This isn’t about refining what already exists—it’s about developing and trying new approaches that will help us grow and diversify our volunteer community.

You’ll help answer questions like:
• How can Samaritans offer more flexible and inclusive opportunities?
• What motivates volunteers today, and how is that changing?
• How do we ensure our volunteering reflects the diversity of the communities we support?

From gathering and interpreting insight to shaping ideas, planning projects and working with colleagues and volunteers, your role will be to turn thinking into action—helping to build a more inclusive, future-focused approach to volunteering across the organisation.

What You’ll Bring

• Curiosity and openness to innovation, with experience of exploring new ways of working
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people, including staff and volunteers
• Ability to use research and insight to inform decisions and shape new approaches
• Experience of contributing to change, improvement or innovation projects
• Experience in a volunteering-focused organisation, with an understanding of volunteer engagement, including how to reach and involve different audiences

Full Job Description and Person Specification below

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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 below. 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. 

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Apply now

You will be asked to complete short application questions and submit your CV. Please note the application questions have a 300word limit for each answer.

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. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar. 

​Applications close: midnight on Sunday 7th June

In person interviews: w/c 15th June (KT17 2AF)

Are you passionate about building relationships to drive meaningful change to make a real difference in people’s lives? Samaritans is the UK and Ireland’s leading suicide prevention charity. While we are best known for listening to those who need us, we also work to influence change through our advocacy campaigning and relationships with political stakeholders.​

We are looking for a Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer to join our team and help influence decision makers and mobilise our campaigners to achieve our vision of fewer lives lost to suicide. You’ll play a pivotal role in delivering inspiring public affairs and advocacy campaign activity that help achieve our policy and influencing aims, resulting in lasting system change.​

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About the Role

As Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, you will lead on the development and delivery of impactful advocacy campaigns and public affairs activity, managing supporter journeys and mobilisation, as well as political engagement. It involves building strong relationships with parliamentarians, Samaritans branches and people with lived experience, while producing high‑quality campaign actions, briefings, events, and intelligence to influence change.

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Contract

£30,000-£33,000 per annum plus benefits

Full Time (35hrs per week)

Permanent

Hybrid working with link to Ewell office

In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days per month. This role will also involve regular travel to Westminster.

We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences 

​

What You’ll Do

• Develop and deliver effective advocacy campaign actions.
• Manage campaign data, mailing lists and inboxes.
• Support strategy development for campaigns and lead community mobilisation.
• Promote our campaigning work internally and externally.
• Build and maintain public affairs relationships, particularly with parliamentarians.
• Monitor parliamentary developments and identify opportunities for influencing.
• Coordinate political engagement events.
• Provide secretariat support to relevant APPGs.

​

What You’ll Bring

• Strong experience designing impactful advocacy campaigns.
• Solid understanding of public affairs and the Westminster environment.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship‑building skills.
• Highly organised, proactive and adaptable, with strong project and time‑management skills.
• (Desirable) Knowledge of suicide prevention and mental health policy, local and regional political structures, and experience within complex service‑delivery charities.​

Full Job Description and Person Specification attached

​​

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 some answer short application questions (please keep your answers to max 300 words) and to upload your CV.​

Applications close: 09:00am on Tuesday 2nd June* 

Interviews: We will be interviewing throughout the application period.

*We reserve the right to close applications early if a suitable candidate is identified. 

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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.

At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every day, our volunteers and staff provide life-saving emotional support to people in distress, and behind that work is a culture built on compassion, inclusion, learning and human connection.

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We’re looking for an enthusiastic and organised Events Fundraising Assistant to join our Community & Events Fundraising team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, delivering great supporter experiences and being part of events that raise vital funds and awareness for Samaritans.​

​

​Contract​

• £25,500-£28,000 per annum plus benefits
• Full Time (35hrs per week)
• Permanent
• Hybrid working - Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. This role is linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with a blend of home working and option to work out of our London office as required.
• In-person working - expectation of a minimum of 2 office days per month. We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences

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About the role​

​As Events Fundraising Assistant you’ll support the recruitment, care and stewardship of event participants making sure their fundraising experience across a diverse programme of mass participation and challenge events with Samaritans is exceptional.

You will build long lasting relationships with supporters while developing valuable experience in charity events fundraising.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across External Engagement, other central teams, and our incredible network of branch volunteers.​

​

What you’ll do​

• Support the recruitment and stewardship of participants taking part in events and challenges
• Create engaging content for webpages, social media, fundraising materials and participant communications
• Deliver participant care plans that inspire fundraising and build lasting relationships with Samaritans
• Track and respond to participant enquiries via inboxes and other communication channels
• Maintain accurate participant records on our fundraising database
• Refresh and update events content on the Samaritans website and intranet
• Attend and represent Samaritans at fundraising events and social gatherings when required
• Help identify external trends in community and events fundraising

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About you​

​You’re someone who thrives in a busy, people‑focused environment and enjoys juggling multiple priorities. You take pride in producing high‑quality work and bring a positive, adaptable attitude to everything you do. You’re comfortable communicating with a wide range of people and feel motivated by work that has real social impact.

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What you will bring:​

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and great attention to detail
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• A customer‑focused, supportive approach
• A genuine interest in community and social events
• Confidence building relationships and working as part of a team​

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​Full outline in the Job description below​

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Why Samaritans?

​

At Samaritans, people matter deeply. We know that meaningful impact starts with how we support each other.

​

We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and flexible workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity of thought, background and lived experience, and we actively encourage applications from people from all communities.

​​

Every person at Samaritans plays a role in helping fewer people die by suicide. If you are motivated by purpose, compassion and the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.​

​

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available below. 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. 

​​​

To Apply

​

Please complete the application questions including those outlined below, and submit your CV.

Please note the following questions have a 300word limit for each answer.​

Q1 What interests you about working in community and events fundraising, and why do you want to work for Samaritans in particular?​

Q2 Please describe a time when you communicated with members of the public, supporters or stakeholders as part of an event, campaign or project. How did you ensure your communication was clear, supportive and appropriate, and how did you ensure they had a positive experience?​

Q3 This role involves managing multiple tasks such as participant enquiries, communications and record‑keeping.Please give an example of a time when you were responsible for organising multiple tasks or activities with competing deadlines. How did you plan your work, stay organised, and maintain attention to detail?​

Q4 How would you contribute positively as part of a team supporting community and social events? Please include an example of working collaboratively or supporting others.

​

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. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar. 

​

Applications close at 9am Monday 1 June​

All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application, at the appropriate time.

​

Interviews​

Online interviews: 8 & 9 June

Position: Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours a per-week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home Based in Scotland
Salary: Starting from £26,384 per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity
You will start at our entry point salary of £26,384 per annum, increasing to £28,033 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £29,682 after a further 6 months.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus. 

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information. 

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and talented policy and public affairs professional to join our team. You should have experience of working to develop policy and have the ability to communicate our position to a wide range of audiences across Scotland.

In this exciting role you will work with the MS community to influence change in public policy, continuing to make the case for improvements in the treatment, care and support of people affected by MS.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who understands the political and policy environment in Scotland, who has experience in external facing influencing roles, who is outcome-focused and delivers tangible results. The successful candidate will work closely with the MS community, the Scottish Policy and Communications team as well as key external partners such as MSPs and their teams.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 1st of June

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

You will provide clinical direction and maintain oversight of elop’s counselling services, bringing understanding and experience of delivering trauma-informed approaches to support the emotional health and psychological wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people.

You will oversee and contribute to clinical operational responsibilities, service coordination and delivery, ensuring a professional, safe, smooth running, efficient and well managed service is maintained.   You will work alongside the senior leadership team across both strategic and clinical operational levels ensuring lead responsibilities for our counselling teams and services. Working collaboratively with the senior leadership team, implementing clinical delivery decisions, ensuring the counselling service effectively maintains ethical and professional standards of practice and communication across key staff, other agencies and service users. 

You will proactively contribute to building a robust and compelling evidence base that continues to demonstrate impact, improved wellbeing, and increased resilience, and have a key role in monitoring, evaluation, and supporting the wider counselling team with reporting and using data to drive operations, and evidence-based best practice. 

Your role will also include overseeing referrals and allocation of clients; undertaking client assessments; providing role-management, and clinical support and supervision to trainee and sessional counsellors; line-management of key service personnel; some clinical support work with more complex or acute needs clients; recruiting, inducting and training key staff and volunteers; and liaising with the clinical supervision team. 

Full Time: 37 hours per week

There will be one regular evening/ week, and occasional other evening and weekend working required. 

Salary: £34,000 inclusive London Weighting

Closing deadline for submission of application: 10.00am Monday 1 June 2026

Initial Interviews: taking place Wednesday 10 June between 9.00am – 3.00pm

N.B. at this current time all elop services are operating via a mix of in-person and remotely via online platforms, whilst we await completion of building works and relocation to new premises.