People and change lead jobs in Manchester

Role Purpose

The Deputy Support Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day leadership of frontline support services, ensuring a consistently warm, inclusive, and professional experience for everyone engaging with Mustard Tree.

This role plays a critical part in delivering a “Mustard Tree Welcome” – a trauma-informed, non-judgemental, and person-centred approach that ensures every individual feels seen, heard, valued, and safe from their first point of contact.

You will lead a proactive and positive team to deliver exceptional client care across both in-person and digital channels (including phone, email, and internal systems), ensuring services are accessible, responsive, and delivered with dignity.

Through strong leadership, clear communication, and effective management, you will ensure the reception environment runs smoothly, maintains high standards of safeguarding and service delivery, and contributes meaningfully to Mustard Tree’s mission to support people facing poverty and crisis.

Key Competencies

World Class Welcome and Customer Service

· Deliver and role model a “Mustard Tree Welcome” that is compassionate, trauma-informed, inclusive, and non-judgemental.

· Ensure all individuals are greeted in a way that promotes dignity, respect, and belonging.

· Maintain a rota that provides reception and support coverage from 8am–4pm, ensuring accessibility for staff, volunteers, and members at all times.

· Lead the team to provide a high-quality, consistent welcome across all channels, including face-to-face, telephone and email and digital systems

· Ensure digital communication is timely, professional, and empathetic, with accurate information recorded on TreeSalt.

· Support individuals to access services confidently through clear communication, reassurance, and effective signposting.

Proactive in Living and Sharing our Culture, Values and Behaviours

· Take ownership of maintaining a professional, organised, and calm reception environment at all times.

· Ensure the reception environment is welcoming, safe, and accessible.

· Mentor and support Freedom volunteers, ensuring they are confident, capable, and aligned with service standards.

Courage in Problem Solving and Embracing Change to Meet Needs

· Identify areas for improvement and proactively implement solutions to enhance service delivery.

· Take ownership of operational decision-making within the reception area, including rota management, workflow prioritisation, and service adjustments.

· Ensure systems and processes are used effectively to maintain a smooth, efficient service.

Confident in Safeguarding and Incident Management

· Act as a safeguarding lead within the reception environment, ensuring all concerns are recognised, recorded, and escalated appropriately.

· Maintain a strong awareness of risk, responding calmly and effectively to challenging or complex situations, supporting to minimise incidents.

· Support individuals in distress with empathy and professionalism, ensuring appropriate boundaries and escalation.

· Ensure confidentiality and data protection standards are upheld at all times.

· Demonstrate resilience, maintaining professionalism, positivity, and emotional awareness in a fast-paced and challenging environment.

Skilled in Analysing Impact and Reporting

· Oversee and monitor registrations, identifying trends and ensuring fair access to services such as the Community Shop.

· Deliver a minimum of 20 weekly support appointments, ensuring timely access and reducing waiting times for individuals in need.

· Collect a minimum of 2 case studies per month to evidence impact and inform service development.

· Conduct monthly audits with the Service Manager to ensure high standards across:

•  Data input and use of TreeSalt
•  Paperwork accuracy and compliance
•  Quality and consistency of the welcome experience

Positive Management of Stakeholders, Partners and Supporters

· Support case management processes alongside the Service Manager, ensuring coordinated and effective support for individuals.

· Develop and maintain relationships with other services, ensuring clear navigation and warm handover for clients.

· Support individuals to access services confidently through clear communication, reassurance, and effective signposting.

· Regularly review feedback from comments books and satisfaction surveys, embedding learning into service improvements.

Insight in Finances and Expenditure

· Support effective use of resources, identifying efficiencies and ensuring services are delivered within agreed budgets where applicable.

· Work with operational teams to manage stock given using the 40% gifting model in the community shop.

· Monitor the use of the hardship fund from reception, providing small grants to people in crisis via existing processes.

Developing Accountability and Inspiring our Teams

· Lead, supervise, and motivate the Support teams, including volunteers.

· Act as the central coordination point for reception, ensuring alignment between services, teams, and daily operations

· Conduct regular 1:1s, setting clear expectations, supporting wellbeing, and addressing performance proactively.

· Ensure all data input is completed by the support staff time within expected guidelines, including communication of risk and safeguarding.

· Identify skills gaps and ensure appropriate training and development, including:

• Motivational interviewing
• Trauma-informed practice

· Deliver consistent communication through:

• Daily morning briefing.
• Monthly team meetings and updates

· Delegate tasks effectively while maintaining overall accountability for team performance.

General Work Duties

· Support Freedom trainees to develop skills and behaviours and feel part of the community.

· Work within health and safety guidelines and Mustard Tree policies and procedures

· Supporting other staff and departments and provide practical relief cover for workstreams.

· Take responsibility for professional development, attending training courses as required.

· Leading by example, embodying Mustard Tree values and represent the charity as required.

· Contribute towards being an environmentally responsible organisation as part of day-to-day activities including recycling and supporting ‘paper-lite’ practices.

· Other tasks and duties relevant to the role as required by the organisation.

Context and Background

The NSPCC’s purpose is to prevent cruelty to children across the UK and Channel Islands. The Policy and Social Change (PSC) and Strategy and Transformation (S&T) Directorates exist to help shape the world around us – and what the NSPCC does – so it reflects our evidence and learning about what works to ensure babies, children and young people are safe from abuse. 

The Directorates are responsible for:

-influencing public policies, laws and social change through research, policy and campaigning; and 

-leading the development of our organisational strategy, developing innovative services and managing our knowledge and information. 

Job purpose

The Executive Assistant provides proactive, high‑quality administrative and organisational support to the Directors of Policy and Social Change and Strategy and Transformation.. The role exists to:

·Provide effective support to Directors, ensuring the Directorates work at their best.

·Deliver high-quality customer care to both internal and external stakeholders.

·Develop, manage, and review administrative and information systems to keep processes smooth and reliable.

·Work with colleagues to solve challenges and improve systems and processes. 

By enabling effective leadership and upholding NSPCC values and safeguarding standards, the postholder plays a key role in supporting the Directorates’ work to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

Key relationships - Internal

•Reports to the Director of Policy and Social Change as well as the Director of Strategy and Transformation, works closely with their respective Senior Management Team and attends SMT meetings.

•Builds and maintains working relationships with the other Executive Assistants, administrative and support staff, and all Directorates staff to enable the provision of high-quality administrative support and information.

Key relationships - External

•Maintains and builds relationship with NSPCC stakeholders, such as professional partners of the directorates, suppliers and other service providers.

Main duties and responsibilities

•To provide administrative support to the Director of Policy and Social Change and the Director of Strategy and Transformation, including but not limited to, diary management, travel bookings, meetings support and forward planning.

•To assist with the Directors’ cost centres and financial responsibilities (including raising purchase orders, handling supplier processes and contract set up), and holder of the Directorates’ purchasing card.

•To ensure information and material about the Directorates on internal communication channels are clear and up to date (including on Directorate Teams’ channels, on The Green and the Volunteer Hub).

•To be a source of expertise and support to the Directors on recruitment and onboarding of new colleagues.

•To organise regular Senior Management Teams and Directorate-wide meetings for each Director as required – including being responsible for agendas, notes and action logs. 

•To be an accessible and approachable member of the two Directorates, proactively sharing information when necessary and developing an excellent knowledge of NSPCC processes and procedures. 

•To coordinate and support projects relevant to the Directorates’ work, including projects on child sexual abuse, child safety online, strategy reviews and NSPCC Learning Services.

•To co-organise and facilitate internal lunch and learn sessions for colleagues across the Directorates.

•To act as a trusted member of the Executive Assistants forum.

Responsibilities for all Staff within Policy and Social Change and Strategy and Transformation

There are a set of responsibilities for all staff within each directorate. 

·To comply with all relevant NSPCC safeguarding policies 

·A commitment to applying NSPCC Values and Behaviours to all aspects of work 

·To maintain an awareness of own and other’s health and safety and comply with NSPCC’s Health and Safety procedures 

·A sound understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 

·To comply with NSPCC Diversity and Equality policies and practices and work in a manner which facilitates inclusion. 

·To maintain and develop competence in the use of IT systems. 

·To manage confidential and/or sensitive information in accordance with NSPCC policies and Data Protection and GDPR regulations 

A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people

Person specification

1.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to deal professionally with a range of internal and external stakeholders and colleagues.

2.Excellent written communication skills and the ability to understand, interpret and present complex information in a clear and accurate way for a range of audiences.

3.Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to balance multiple demands and prioritise, anticipate needs and forward plan accordingly.

4.Demonstrable experience of running meetings (both virtual and in person), including arranging, facilitating, minuting, organising action logs and necessary follow ups.

5.Strong problem-solving skills including the ability to think quickly under pressure to resolve unexpected issues alongside ability to research, analyse and present effective solutions to operational challenges.

6.Discretion and the ability to deal with confidential information sensitively and appropriately.

7.In depth experience of using Microsoft software packages (including Teams, Word, Outlook and Excel) 

8.​Demonstrable commitment to the NSPCC’s mission to prevent cruelty and stop child abuse and neglect.​ 

Safer Recruitment

As an organisation, we are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. 

Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with our children and adults.

The recruitment and selection of our people will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. 

Our principles: 

•Always seek to recruit the best candidate for the role based on merit including their skills, experience, motivation and competencies. Our robust recruitment and selection process should ensure the identification of the person best suited to the role and the organisation. 

•Committed to diversity and equality of opportunity and will interview all applicants (internal and external) who self-declare at application as having a disability and who meet the minimum requirements in the person specification of the vacancy they are applying for.

•We will make reasonable adjustments at all stages of the recruitment process in order to enable successful candidates who declare disabilities to start working or volunteering their time with us.

•Any current member of staff or volunteer who wishes to apply for vacancies and is suitably qualified will be considered and addressed fairly and objectively based on their merit.

•As an organisation committed to safeguarding, we will ensure all under 18’s joining the organisation will have ongoing risk assessments to ensure their role and activities are safe and appropriate.

•All documentation relating to candidates will be treated confidentially in accordance with the GDPR legislation.

Help shape the future of a national charity making a difference across the UK 

At Volunteering Matters, we believe stronger communities start with people. Every day, we bring people together through volunteering to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing and create lasting social change in communities across the UK. 

As we deliver an ambitious new five-year strategy, we are looking for an exceptional Director of Financial Assurance with significant senior finance leadership experience to help shape our future sustainability, strengthen financial resilience and provide the strategic insight that enables confident, impactful decision-making. 

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership role with genuine influence across a national charity at a pivotal point in its journey. 

A strategic leadership role with real impact 

This new role is about providing the organisation with a clear, forward-looking financial picture, strengthening financial assurance, improving forecasting and helping ensure long-term sustainability in an increasingly complex funding environment. 

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Finance & Audit Committee, you will play a central role in helping the organisation navigate growth, investment, risk and opportunity. 

This role line manages the Finance Manager, ensuring strong operational finance while maintaining clear separation between operational delivery and independent oversight. 

Most importantly, you will be excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of a national charity that creates real impact in communities every day.   A

Why join Volunteering Matters? 

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with a clear social purpose, ambitious plans and a culture built around flexibility, inclusion and collaboration. 

We offer: 

• Flexible home-based working across the UK

• A senior leadership role with genuine strategic influence

• The chance to shape organisational sustainability and future growth

• A supportive and values-led culture

• Meaningful work that positively impacts communities across the UK

Our Values  

Everything we do is guided by our values: 

Empowering | Inclusive | Compassionate | Positive | Straightforward 

Disability Confident 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. 

 Diversity & Inclusion   

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.   

Benefits   

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer: 

• Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work)  

• Unlimited Annual Leave  

• Employee Pension scheme  

• Life Assurance  

• Cycle to Work Scheme  

• Season Ticket Loan  

• Employee Assistance Programme  

• Enhanced sick and family leave.   

• Lifestyle Discount Scheme   

We are also open to discussing job share applications.   

 GDPR Statement   

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.       

Policy on AI-Generated Applications  

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI.   

Interested? 

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.   

Right to Work in the UK 
Please note that while we hold a license to sponsor employees on a skilled worker visa, the number of applications we can make each year is very limited. Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship, therefore, you must already have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. 

The International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC), a learned society, is a charity and company limited by guarantee and registered in the UK. ISAC is a federation of Member Societies and delivers education via a number of different modalities including an in-person congress, peer reviewed journals and an online academy. Further information may be found at https://www.isac.world

Over recent months, ISAC carried out a strategy review and is now progressing priority strategic objectives. As a result, an opportunity has arisen for a Communications Officer to advance a number of priorities under a general “communication” heading.

The Communications Officer will initially be employed part time (0.6 FTE) on a temporary basis (12 months). They will be line managed by the ISAC CEO and must be able to work within a pre-existing team. Principle duties and responsibilities will be to assist the Trustees and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the areas of Member Society and Industry engagement. Additional duties will include helping to develop SOPs to operationalise  ISAC’s Communication Strategy, populate ISAC’s social media accounts, contribute to the redesign of ISAC’s website and provide cover for the CEO and Executive Officer, as required.

Salary: Will depend on qualifications and experience.

Enquiries should be directed to Dr Fiona MacKenzie, CEO.

Application for the role should be made by sending a cover letter and CV to by 30 June 2026.

Outline Job Description

The ISAC Communications Officer will project manage the following areas of activity under the supervision of the CEO and in liaison with the Executive Officer. 

1.1 Member Societies 

The Communications Officer will:

1.1.1 Work with ISAC’s Member Society Engagement Group which is a sub group of the society’s Executive Committee, to realise their strategic objectives.

1.1.2 Make contact with each of the Society’s Member Societies (currently 107).

1.1.3 Undertake research if contact details are out of date to make the initial contact.

1.1.4 Open a dialogue with the Member Societies.

1.1.5 Request updated contact details and society information as required.

1.1.6 Produce a paper summarising the different areas of activity undertaken by ISAC’s Member Societies.

1.1.7 At the request of the CEO, send the Member Societies regular newsletters and updates about the Society and the benefits of membership.

1.1.8 Create a template for the member societies to complete as details change.

1.1.9 Diarise AGMs or key annual / biennial meetings for when member society key personnel may change and proactively request updated information as these take place.

1.1.10 Undertake a membership survey, if required.

1.1.11 Engage with membership through online media (social media, websites, online journal).

1.1.12  Take overall responsibility for Member Societies under the guidance and supervision of the CEO.

1.2 Liaison with Commercial Companies

The Communications Officer will:

1.2.1 Work with ISAC’s Industry Liaison Group which is a sub group of the society’s Executive Committee, to realise their strategic objectives.

1.2.2 Update the details in ISAC’s industry database.

1.2.3 Identify commercial companies (pharmaceutical / diagnostic) to add to ISAC’s industry database.

1.2.4 Aid ISAC’s Industry Liaison Group to complete an industry review and produce a strategy document to identify opportunities to increase commercial support for both the Society itself (if required) and for the biennial International Conference of Chemotherapy and Infection (ICC). 

1.2.5 Identify key prospects.

1.2.6 Develop tailored approaches to these companies.

1.2.7 Make these approaches.

1.2.8 Facilitate discussions and negotiations as they develop.

1.2.9 Maintain the relationship and engagement with corporate partners and other supporters.

1.2.10 Fulfil contracts and ensure appropriate representation at the ICC and other meetings.

1.2.11 Ensure corporate partner programme and sponsorship and exhibition offerings at the ICC and other meetings are complementary.

1.3 Communication

The Communications Officer will:

1.3.1 Establish an internal communication / reporting structure and plan with the CEO during the handover phase.

1.3.2 Produce an external communications plan for the Society to include all aspects of communication if required to include a strategy (24 month cycle) for the newsletter.

1.3.3 Produce and maintain a database of E-mail addresses and ensure compliance with data protection requirements.

1.3.4 Design, construct and disseminate a regular newsletter under the guidance of the CEO.

1.3.5 Take overall responsibility for communication under the guidance and supervision of the CEO.

1.4 Website

The Communications Officer will:

1.4.1 Provide recommendations on redesign and usability of ISAC’s current website.

1.4.2 Be responsible for updating the design and content under the guidance and supervision of the CEO / Executive Officer.

1.4.3 Work with the CEO / Executive Officer to establish requirements and access.

1.4.4 Act as the Society’s webmaster to update content as requested.

1.4.5 Proactively update the content on Member Societies, Scientific and Educational Meetings and Archives.

Prerequisites and qualifications:

• Education to degree level.
• Previous experience in a communications role is essential.
• Previous experience working in international organisations is an advantage.
• Previous experience working with a professional society or with pharmaceutical / diagnostic companies is an advantage.
• Must have excellent communications skills (communicating in English in a professional, business style).
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with people from different nationalities, disciplines and backgrounds.
• Ability to grasp new tasks and adapt to new challenges quickly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams), content management systems, social media.
• Team player, but also able to work autonomously.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Must be able to work from home or a pre-existing office as ISAC does not have office premises.
• Ability to travel to meetings (including to CEO’s base in Aberdeen UK).