Senior fundraising events executive jobs

About Woman's Trust

The charity was established in 1996 to meet the gap in specialist mental health services. Woman’s Trust is led by and for women and aims to ensure that women affected by domestic abuse can live a life free from further harm and abuse. Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centred, empowering survivors on their journey to recovery from the trauma. We are committed to a positive, inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, service users and volunteers.

Alongside delivering our existing 1-1 counselling, self-development workshops and therapeutic support groups for women who have experienced domestic abuse, we are focused on developing our innovative mental health services for young women and girls, delivering new peer-led support groups and providing therapeutic groups to children and their mothers. We are also committed to developing further awareness-raising workshops and training for professionals, building on our research and policy to improve systems nationally.

About the role

The Policy and Public Affairs Manager will establish and lead Woman’s Trust’s policy and public affairs function. She will grow the organisation’s influence with UK and London government, Parliament, NHS systems, commissioners and sector partners so that the voices and experiences of women and children affected by domestic abuse shape policy, commissioning and practice.

The postholder will develop and deliver an evidence-led influencing strategy; own a focused portfolio of policy priorities; build and manage senior stakeholder relationships; produce high-quality analysis, briefings and consultation responses; and provide timely political and public affairs advice to the CEO, Chair, trustees and senior colleagues.

Working across services, data, communications and fundraising, she will ensure Woman’s Trust’s external positions are grounded in frontline expertise, robust evidence and appropriately supported survivor involvement. She will identify opportunities for the organisation to influence debate and policy at the intersection of domestic abuse, women’s mental health, health inequalities and public services.

Hours: 35 hours per week. A four-day/0.8 FTE arrangement will be considered.

In return, we can offer:

• 25 days' holiday + 3 days at Christmas + Public holidays (pro rata for part-time working)
• Hybrid & flexible working - office based with minimum of 50% of working hours in Woman’s Trust London office, we also support mutually agreed flexible working arrangements
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Mandatory job-related training
• Individual staff professional development budget
• A caring, committed and highly collaborative environment
• Several social events/lunches per year
• Friendly, all women team

To find out more and apply with your CV, please visit our website via the apply button.  

Please note, CVs and cover letters should be sent in Word format.

Closing date: Monday, 7th September 2026.

First stage interviews: Friday, 11th September 2026.

Second stage interviews: Wednesday, 16th September 2026.

Please note, this post is open to female applicants only – Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1 applies.

Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.

Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.

Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock. 

To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.

The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30. 

This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters. 

Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraiser or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate project or product management skills, an enthusiasm for fundraising, familiarity with supporter journeys, creative thinking and will have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.

This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To express interest, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes. Following your call we will share the info needed to submit a full application. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.

Deadline for expressions of interest: Midnight Sunday 13th September

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 14th September

This role leads two of the most consequential shifts in our 2026–2028 strategy. First, our move from a narrative-based to an evidence-based organisation: designing our impact measurement framework, leading the rollout and adoption of the Impact Hub (our custom CRM and data platform), and embedding data-driven decision-making across every team. Second, the community around our programmes: the trusted community and education referral partnerships that bring young people to us, and the structured alumni community that keeps them connected, supported and contributing after they complete our programmes.

WHAT YOU OWN

• Impact framework : the organisation's impact measurement framework, metrics and indicators.

• The Impact Hub (CRM) : the platform, its roadmap, adoption and supplier relationship.

• Data governance : data quality standards, validation protocols and UK GDPR compliance.

• Evaluation methodology : how programmes and services are evaluated, including external evaluation partnerships.

• Referral partnerships : the community and education referral partnership model and its members.

• Alumni strategy : the alumni engagement model, tiered support structure and Advisory Council.

• Organisational reporting : impact reporting to the board, funders and the public.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Impact Measurement & Evidence ~ Develop and own the organisation's impact measurement framework, defining metrics and indicators that reflect outcomes and effectiveness rather than interest or activity alone.

2. Organisational Insight & Foresight ~ Act as the organisation's insight lead: translate quantitative and qualitative data into organisational insight that shapes strategy, programme design and resource allocation.

3. The Impact Hub ~ Lead the delivery, rollout and adoption of the Impact Hub, including migration from Upshot, in line with the phased plan in the Data & Digital strategy : and own its roadmap as the organisation's insight platform thereafter.

4. Stakeholder Engagement Framework (Governance) ~ Act as guardian of the unified stakeholder engagement framework, defining the standards, data capture requirements and reporting consistency that all teams apply across our five stakeholder groups.

5. Community & Education Partnerships (Referral Pipeline) ~ Design and deliver the structured referral partnership model set out in the Talent & Engagement strategy, piloting quarterly cohorts of university, faith-group and community-organisation partners with clear MOUs, shared objectives and referral tracking through the Impact Hub.

6. Alumni Community & Engagement ~ Design and deliver a structured 12-month alumni engagement calendar with audience-segmented communications, supported by Impact Hub data.

7. Reporting & Funder Evidence ~ Produce evidence-based impact reporting for the board, funders, partners and public communications, supporting grant bids, corporate stewardship and the annual report.

8. Team Leadership ~ Line-manage the Data Administrator, Progression coaches and any future team members, providing guidance, training and performance oversight.

9. Organisational Leadership ~ Contribute to organisational strategy, annual planning and budgeting as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Read the full Job Description attached to see the full Key repsonsibilites, Person specification and 12 month success metrics.

Director of Development and Alumnae Relations

Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire - with potential for flexible/hybrid working

A highly attractive renumeration package including a salary in the region of £95,000pa

 Cheltenham Ladies’ College (CLC) is one of the world’s leading schools, located on a beautiful 36-acre dispersed estate in the historic spa town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It is one of the largest school communities of boarding and day girls in Europe, with a warm and inclusive pupil body of approximately 820 (aged 11-18), representing over 40 countries worldwide. Founded in 1853 to redefine what girls’ education could be, CLC has been a pioneer in girls' education for nearly 175 years.

 We are seeking to appoint an experienced Director of Development and Alumnae Relations to provide strategic direction and inspired leadership for College’s fundraising and alumnae engagement activities. College has recently undertaken an external review of philanthropy, identifying clear opportunities to grow fundraising and engagement outcomes. Reporting directly to the Executive Principal, this is a pivotal leadership role which, as a member of the Leadership Team, will be instrumental in driving a step change in philanthropic giving to College. With the full backing of the Executive Principal, Council and the broader CLC community, the new Director will be ideally placed to shape and implement a strategic roadmap for the next decade.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding development professional whose experience has been gained within the education sector or a transferable context. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of working closely with senior volunteers and boards, playing a key role in shaping and executing effective philanthropic strategies. Your leadership experience will include developing and expanding a development team, underpinned by a collaborative and inspiring approach. Importantly, you will have a demonstrated ability to deliver results in major gift programmes and capital campaigns, with a clear focus on long-term impact and engagement. Your credibility, resilience and ability to show good judgement, will inspire those around you and enable you to take the team’s activity to the next level.

We are looking for an articulate, persuasive and credible ambassador for Cheltenham Ladies’ College, both here in the UK and internationally. You will be a first-class relationship builder with strong cultural awareness and a good knowledge of (or inherent feel for) the independent educational landscape. Crucially, you will share a passion for the power of education and the transformative impact of bursaries.

If you have the skills, aptitude and commitment to take on this role at CLC with drive and ambition, and are committed to College’s values and aims, we would love to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation about this exceptional opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners at Richmond Associates. For further information, key dates, and how to apply, please click apply.

 Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to help you in your application or with our recruitment process.

 International candidates who are interested in relocating to the UK will be considered as visa support is available for this position.

Cheltenham Ladies’ College promotes the values of mutual respect and integrity at every level in the organisation and is an equal opportunities employer. 

Cheltenham Ladies’ College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. 

Closing date for applications is 09:00 on Friday 11th September 2026

Why apply?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected local charity at a pivotal moment in its development. You will have the opportunity to shape the organisation's future, strengthen its long-term sustainability and make a meaningful difference to the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum. 

We offer flexible working arrangements where appropriate, professional development opportunities and a supportive and committed Board of Trustees.

The role would suit someone with senior management experience who wants meaningful, flexible, part-time work;  someone looking for a stepping-stone into a more senior charity management role; and/or someone who wants a hands-on role in a small organisation where they will have autonomy and their contribution will be visible. 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.

Post outline

Location: Hybrid post. Part home-based, part at two locations in Rossendale
Salary: £35,900 pro-rata

Hours: 0.4 FTE  (flexible but must regulary include Tuesday and/or Wednesday mornings). We are seeking funding to increase this to 0.5 FTE

Duration of Contract: Initially 12 months.  Likely to  be extended for at least 12 months, depending on funding.

Closing Date: 2nd September.Interview date: 9th September.

About Us

Rossendale Refugee Support Group is a small, community-based charity committed to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum to rebuild their lives in safety . We provide practical advice, advocacy, support and opportunities for social contact to individuals and families living in Rossendale.  We currently have a single employee who leads service delivery, and over 20 highly committed volunteers.

We provide two weekly Drop-in sessions for clients, one at Haslingden Link on Wednesdaymornings (offering casework and social opportunities) and one at Bacup Maden Centre on Tuesday mornings (offering casework only).

We are a small charity entering a significant stage in our development. Having established a strong reputation locally we have recently secured a Local Authority contract for delivering refugee advice services.  We are now seeking a Director who can lead the charity at a time of transformation, capitalising on our increased financial security to improve our offer, develop strategic direction, and establish the charity on a more sustainable footing.  There is more information on our website.

Key Responsibilities

· Strategic Leadership.  Work with Trustees to develop and implement future direction of the organisation.

· Partnership development. Represent RRSG and build partnerships with funders, community organisations, national bodies, and other stakeholders.

· Fundraising. Lead the development and delivery of the organisation's fundraising strategy, identifying funding sources, preparing high-quality funding applications and reports, diversifying and strengthening income streams.

· Operational management. Provide overall leadership and management of the charity's services, ensuring services are high-quality and responsive to clients’ needs.

· Line management. Responsible for the Service Delivery Lead postholder.

· Financial management. In partnership with the Treasurer and finance group, oversee financial management.

· Information systems. Oversee the management of organisational records and information systems, ensuring data security, accurate collection, analysis and reporting, to support quality improvement and decision-making.

· Website. Ensure website is kept up to date and developed according to needs.

· Governance. Oversee organisational policies, procedures and risk management, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, funders’ requirements and organisational policies.

· Casework. Provide input into casework service, normally a maximum one session/week, plus cover for absence of the Service Delivery Lead.

· Attending monthly board meeting to report back on service performance.

· Support to the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its responsibilities.

About You

We are looking for someone committed to our aims,  able to work autonomously,  excited to help shape our future with proven capacity to do so.

You will have:

· Strong commitment to the wellbeing of refugees and people seeking asylum

· Significant experience in a senior leadership or management role

· Experience in all aspects of management including finance, monitoring and evaluation, data systems, and people management

· Strong strategic planning, organisational development and project management skills.

· Excellent report writing, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.

· Understanding of safeguarding and data protection requirements

· Willingness to work flexibly according to the charity’s needs

· Ablility to work on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as needed.

Desirable characteristics:

· A successful track record of securing and managing funding

· Knowledge of the refugee and asylum sector.

· Experience of working within the refugee sector.

· Experience of working with trustees and charity governance.

· Experience of leading organisational change.

· Experience of managing externally funded projects.

· Personal experience of forced migration.

· Ability to speak relevant languages other than English

We are seeking an organised, proactive, and people-focused Business Support and Grant Manager to join our growing charity. This new full time role has been created to support increasing demand and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to projects that deliver lasting community impact. The position is offered on a two-year fixed-term contract, with the intention of becoming permanent. Some UK travel, including occasional overnight stays, will be required.

Reports To: CEO

Contract: Full Time Fixed Term (2 years) with the intention of becoming permanent

Location: Within commuting distance of Milton Keynes, with UK travel and occasional overnight stays. Hybrid working from home will be optional following an induction period of at least two months at the head office. 

Purpose of the Role: To provide effective business support and development assistance to the charity while managing community grants from application through to award, monitoring and reporting. The postholder will support organisational growth, stakeholder engagement, tendering for new contracts, and the delivery of grant funding that creates positive community and social impact.

Probation Period: Four Months

Key Responsibilities:

Business Support

· Support the day-to-day operational effectiveness of the charity.

· Coordinate, prepare and submit tenders and business proposals.

· Gather and collate information from internal and external stakeholders to support submissions.

· Ensure all submissions are completed accurately and within deadlines.

· Support the CEO and Grant Director with reports and presentations.

· Maintain accurate records, databases and organisational documentation.

Grant Management

· Administer grant programmes from application to project completion.

· Review and assess funding applications against agreed criteria.

· Undertake due diligence and eligibility checks.

· Attend community benefit fund Advisory Panel Meetings.

· Monitor grant expenditure and funded project progress.

· Review monitoring reports and evaluate project outcomes.

· Ensure compliance with governance, funding conditions and reporting requirements.

· Maintain accurate grant records and audit trails.

Stakeholder Engagement

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with funders, applicants, community groups and partners.

· Provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the grant process.

· Support the onboarding of new clients.

· Represent the charity at meetings and events and public consultations.

· Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders and grant recipients.

Community Benefit Funds

· Support the development and delivery of community benefit funds.

· Assist with planning, governance, assessment and reporting activities.

· Support research and community engagement initiatives.

· Contribute to ensuring funds deliver measurable and lasting community outcomes.

General

· Uphold the values, policies and procedures of the charity.

· Work collaboratively across the organisation.

· Undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Experience

· Experience of preparing tenders, funding bids or funding applications.

· Experience of stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

· Experience of managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

· Experience of producing reports and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge

· Understanding of grant-making processes and funding assessment principles.

· Knowledge of governance, compliance and accountability requirements.

· Understanding of community-focused or charitable activities.

Skills & Abilities

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong organisational and project management skills.

· Ability to assess information objectively and make evidence-based recommendations.

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

· Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

· Competent in Microsoft Office applications and database management.

· Ability to work independently and use initiative.

Personal Attributes

· Proactive and self-motivated.

· Professional and trustworthy.

· Strong commitment to fairness, transparency and integrity.

· Adaptable and solutions-focused.

· Passionate about supporting communities and delivering positive impact.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

· Experience working within a charity, community organisation, social enterprise or funding body.

· Experience managing community benefit funds.

· Experience of contract management or project delivery.

· Experience supporting senior leaders or board-level governance activities.

Knowledge

· Understanding of social value and community wealth-building principles.

· Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments.

Qualifications

· Degree-level qualification or relevant professional experience.

· Relevant qualification in business administration, project management, fundraising, grant management or a related discipline.

Other Requirements

· Willingness to travel across the UK.

· Ability to undertake occasional overnight stays.

· Right to work in the UK

· UK Driving License

Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.

Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.

Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock. 

To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.

The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30. 

This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters. 

Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraiser or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate project or product management skills, an enthusiasm for fundraising, familiarity with supporter journeys, creative thinking and will have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.

This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To express interest, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes. Following your call we will share the info needed to submit a full application. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.

Deadline for expressions of interest: Midnight Sunday 13th September

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 14th September

Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, or London - must be within a commutable distance to one of these centres and be in the office 2-3 days a week

1st stage interviews: 16/09 and 17/09 over MS Teams

2nd stage interviews: 25/09 in our Birmingham Centre

At The King's Trust, everything we do is focused on helping young people build the confidence and skills they need to succeed. As Legal Counsel, you'll play a vital role in making that possible. By providing expert legal advice, managing risk and supporting strong governance across the Trust, you'll help ensure our programmes, partnerships and fundraising activities can continue to create life-changing opportunities for thousands of young people.

This is a broad and influential in-house role where you'll work closely with colleagues across the organisation, advising on contracts, charity law, data protection, intellectual property and governance matters. You'll be a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions that balance risk, opportunity and impact.

We're keen to hear from qualified solicitors or barristers who may have gained experience in:

• An in-house legal team within the charity, public or commercial sectors
• Private practice, particularly advising charities or not-for-profits
• Contract negotiation (including private and public sector funding agreements), charity law, governance, data protection and/or intellectual property matters

To hit the ground running, you'll be:

• A pragmatic and solutions-focused legal professional
• Confident working independently and managing a varied workload
• Skilled at translating complex legal issues into clear, practical advice
• Comfortable building relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• Motivated by the opportunity to use your expertise to support a mission-driven organisation

This is an opportunity to combine high-quality legal work with genuine social impact, helping The King's Trust operate with confidence so that more young people can thrive.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Legal Counsels? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training.The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Legal Counsels! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events, etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

Head of Youth Work and Mission

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oxygen

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. This role requires flexible working, including some evenings, occasional Saturdays/Sundays, and weekends when running residentials for young people, plus regular shifts at the Oxygen shop.

Salary: £36,000 – £39,000 per annum, plus pension and life cover and cycle to work scheme.

Location: Kingston upon Thames, South West London, with travel across the Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond

Why Join Oxygen?

Oxygen is a well established and respected Charity known for its ability to reach and engage young people in creative and innovative ways.  You will have the opportunity to shape and lead youth work strategy, be part of a dynamic and committed team who love to see young people overcome barriers to their development and discover who they are and who they want to become.

● Membership of the Senior Management Team

● The chance to develop innovative programmes tackling issues such as knife crime, mental health and youth unemployment

● Working within a well-established Christian charity making a tangible difference to young people's lives

Working for Oxygen is fulfilling and rewarding. It gives you experience of working collaboratively with a range of partners, and in a variety of contexts, that will be invaluable to anyone wanting to develop and progress in a career working with young people.

About Oxygen

Oxygen is a dynamic youth organisation based in Kingston upon Thames, South West London. Oxygen began as the vision of a group of young people who wanted to reach out to others to demonstrate their faith and meet their needs. We are supported by over thirty churches across the Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond, and staffed by a team of full and part time employees, volunteers and young apprentices.

We work in partnership with local churches, voluntary agencies and statutory bodies to give young people the support they need to overcome the challenges they face. Through a range of engaging and fun activities, we help young people discover their strengths, values and beliefs, understand their potential and aspirations for the future, and find opportunities to contribute to society through volunteering and serving others. 

Oxygen is a Christian charity which works with young people of all faiths and of none. Oxygen is recognised as a key provider of targeted support for young people, with a strong reputation for reaching those in need and making a real difference in their lives. We start where a young person is at, seeking to understand the world from their perspective and to discover their skills, talents and character. We help them look past immediate challenges towards a more hopeful future, raising aspirations and motivating them to move forward.  We seek to demonstrate that they are cared for and valued and to demonstrate the impact the Christian faith can have upon people’s lives.

We continue to develop engaging and inclusive programmes that promote a sense of belonging to a community which give young people purpose and direction.  We respond to the issues affecting young people today, including mental health, knife crime, youth unemployment, digital youth work, mentoring and youth enterprise, alongside our charity shop on New Malden High Street. This role will give Oxygen the capacity and depth needed to innovate and develop projects that have a proven, positive impact on young people's lives.

Job Summary

As Head of Youth Work and Mission, you will be responsible for the delivery and management of Oxygen's youth work programme, implementing key projects to support young people's development. You will be part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and will promote the mission, values and Christian faith of Oxygen in all aspects of your work.

Christian Faith — Genuine Occupational Requirement

Because this post leads and promotes Oxygen's Christian mission and outreach to young people, and contributes to maintaining the Christian ethos and culture of the organisation, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

Safeguarding

Oxygen is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and satisfactory references.

See JD for more infomation 

Rural Refugee Network (RRN) is a small local charity in East Hampshire, Havant and Portsmouth, working alongside refugees and people seeking asylum through the work of six board members, thirty operational volunteers, one part-time permanent employee and a small bank of project staff and contractors. The charity is widely recognised by stakeholders and the local community for sensitively and effectively addressing the many challenges people arriving in the UK face as they strive to resettle and thrive in our community.

RRN is seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead its support for refugees and people seeking asylum. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small charity through a period of significant change, with overall operational responsibility for the charity, including partnerships, funding, coordination of delivery, safeguarding and compliance. 

Working directly with a range of stakeholders and beneficiaries, the ideal candidate for this complex and high trust role will be self-reliant, adaptable, and able to engage and influence through excellent face-to-face and online communication skills. This is a genuinely flexible role, with significant autonomy over when and where work is undertaken. There will be regular opportunities for in-person team management and relationship-building, alongside substantial flexibility in how the wider working week is structured and where work is carried out. We are looking for someone who is confident working independently, manages their own time effectively and values the trust and responsibility that come with this level of autonomy.

A candidate who is energised by working flexibly and sensitively with a small team will thrive in this role, which offers the opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Experience in the refugee sector is desirable.

Deadline: 5pm Monday 21 September

To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement of not more than 2 sides, explaining your motivation, reflecting on how you would approach being RRN’s only core employed leader, and demonstrating your fit against the specification below. Please use the email subject heading “Head of Operations Application”. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applications.

Job Description

Title: Rural Refugee Network Head of Operations

Reports to:  Board of Trustees

Hours:  Part-time (0.5 FTE, negotiable). Permanent contract.

Salary range: £40,000 - £45,000 FTE depending on experience.

Benefits: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata to hours agreed). 3% employer pension contribution.

Location and expectations: Flexible hybrid working with frequent travel to projects, events and stakeholder meetings in Portsmouth, Havant, Petersfield and the wider Hampshire area. Occasional evening and weekend in-person working required.

Purpose: To lead the day-to-day operation, development and sustainability of Rural Refugee Network, working with trustees, volunteers, funders and partner organisations to ensure refugees and asylum seekers receive practical support and RRN maintains compliance and operational sustainability.

About the role:. 

In this small charity, the Head of Operations combines operational coordination, programme oversight, partnership development and income generation, with delivery shared across volunteers, trustees and contracted staff.The role offers a high degree of autonomy and flexibility, alongside the opportunity to shape how the organisation works and develops. It requires strong judgement in balancing opportunities, risks and priorities within limited capacity, and the confidence to work independently while bringing others with you.

RRN is volunteer-led, and the Head of Operations is the organisation’s only permanent employee, holding overall coordination and accountability for day-to-day operations. This is therefore a broad, high-trust role: rather than delivering everything directly, you will enable and coordinate others, working closely with trustees, volunteers and contractors who deliver significant elements of the activity you lead.

The role will suit someone who enjoys variety, autonomy and a flexible working pattern, and who is comfortable taking ownership while knowing when to collaborate, delegate or seek support.

Key responsibilities:

Leadership, coordination and partnerships

• Deliver agreed strategic objectives and support trustees in developing future priorities.

• Prepare quarterly Board reports.

• Coordinate relationships with statutory, voluntary and community partners.

• With the support of trustees, represent the charity in local forums, develop opportunities for collaboration and promote RRN in the local community.

Programme and volunteer coordination

• Provide oversight of funded and core programmes.

• Recruit, train and manage project staff (currently two youth workers) and contracted/sessional staff.

• Recruit, train, support and retain volunteers.

• Oversee referral pathways and access.

• Support volunteer-led communications activity including website, newsletters, social media, impact reports and case studies.

Income development and funding

• Write grant applications and manage reporting requirements (with volunteer/trustee input).

• Maintain and develop funding pipeline and actively develop new funding streams.

• Support relationship-building with donors and community supporters.

Finance and compliance 

• Monitor programme budgets, working with the Treasurer.

• Support trustees in governance, reporting and compliance responsibilities.

• Maintain organisational policies and procedures.

• Lead safeguarding practice and reporting, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensuring policies are implemented by staff, volunteers, and contractors.

• Maintain oversight of organisational risk, compliance with Charity Commission, data protection, employment requirements and insurance arrangements.

• Ensure appropriate administrative systems are in place and followed, including maintaining up-to-date records in the CRM, Lamplight.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Substantial experience managing programmes or services in the charity/social impact sector, including line management, budgeting and financial oversight, and grant compliance/reporting.

• Strong partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience leading and recruiting volunteer teams. 

• Deep understanding of safeguarding and compliance and recent experience leading safeguarding practice and decision-making. Up to date on requirements and best practice.

• Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgement about what trustees need to know and when, and to prioritise effectively within limited capacity and competing demands.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, IT proficiency.

Desirable

• Experience working with refugees, asylum seekers or other vulnerable groups.

• Understanding of immigration, integration or resettlement issues.

• Successful fundraising and bid-writing experience. 

• Experience of local authority commissioning or grant funding.

• Comfort and experience in IT, data and/or CRMs.

RRN is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check, including a check of the relevant barred list, two satisfactory references, including your most recent employer, and safer recruitment practice including verification of employment history and a right to work check. RRN is unable to sponsor work visas, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

We are entering a period of unprecedented opportunity. Advances in treatment, increasing recognition of the condition, and growing awareness of healthcare inequalities provide a unique chance to strengthen our impact and expand our reach across the UK. Our ambition is bold: to engage and support at least 50% of the UK myasthenia community as members within the next five years, creating a movement that is representative, influential and impossible to ignore.

The successful candidate will lead the development of a thriving national community of people affected by myasthenia, ensuring that individuals and families feel connected, represented and empowered. They will transform community insight into meaningful campaigns, influence policy and healthcare decision-making, and position myaware as the authoritative voice for everyone affected by the condition.

Success in this role will be measured not only by influence and campaigning outcomes, but by the growth, engagement and mobilisation of our community. The Director will play a central role in delivering our ambition to reach, engage and retain 50% of the UK's myasthenia population as members and active supporters within five years, creating a change-maker movement that is representative of our goals.

Key Responsibilities

Community Growth and Engagement

• Contribute towards the development and delivery of a comprehensive membership growth strategy aimed at engaging at least 50% of the UK myasthenia community within five years.
• Build a deep understanding of the patient journey and identify opportunities to connect with people from diagnosis onwards.
• Lead the development of services, programmes and engagement approaches that increase membership recruitment, retention and participation.
• Ensure that people affected by myasthenia are at the heart of all organisational decisions, campaigns and strategic priorities.
• Create pathways for members, volunteers, supporters and ambassadors to actively contribute to myaware's work.
• Use data, insight and market intelligence to measure community reach, identify underserved groups and drive continuous improvement.

Campaigning, Policy and Influence

• Develop and implement a national campaigning and influencing strategy focused on awareness, equity of care, access to treatment and service improvement.
• Position myaware as a leading voice within healthcare, policy and rare disease discussions across the UK.
• Build strategic relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, NHS organisations, Integrated Care Boards, NICE, clinicians, researchers, industry partners and allied charities.
• Lead public affairs activity, including consultation responses, parliamentary engagement, policy briefings and stakeholder events.
• Ensure lived experience evidence informs policy development, healthcare decision-making and treatment access discussions.

Organisational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to organisational strategy and performance.
• Foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, collaboration and measurable impact.
• Work closely with fundraising, communications, partnerships, and service delivery colleagues to maximise organisational reach and effectiveness.

Awareness and Public Engagement

• Increase awareness and understanding of myasthenia among healthcare professionals, policymakers, media and the public.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen myaware's visibility, reputation and influence.
• Support the development of compelling campaigns, media activity and storytelling that inspire engagement and drive action.
• To be the spokesperson for myaware.

What Success Looks Like

Within five years, the postholder will have:

• Led significant growth in membership, progressing towards engaging at least 50% of the UK's myasthenia community.
• Increased participation in surveys, campaigns, events, volunteering and lived-experience activities.
• Established myaware as the recognised national voice for people affected by myasthenia.
• Secured meaningful influence in policy, healthcare and treatment access discussions.
• Generated evidence of improvements in awareness, service delivery, treatment access and patient representation.
• Built a highly engaged and empowered community capable of driving change at local, national and system levels.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, healthcare, membership, public affairs or advocacy sectors.
• Proven success in growing and engaging communities, memberships, movements or supporter bases at scale.
• Experience developing and delivering campaigning, influencing or public affairs strategies that have achieved measurable outcomes.
• Strong track record of building relationships with senior external stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Experience using data, insight and lived experience to shape organisational priorities and influence strategy.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Outstanding strategic thinking and leadership abilities.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong understanding of community mobilisation, supporter engagement and membership growth.
• Ability to translate complex healthcare and policy issues into compelling public narratives and calls to action.
• Strong analytical and performance management skills.
• Commitment to inclusion, co-production and patient-centred approaches.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Ambitious about building one of the UK's most engaged rare disease communities.
• Passionate about amplifying the voices of people with lived experience.
• Collaborative and inspiring.
• Politically astute and credible with senior stakeholders.
• Resilient, innovative and outcomes focused.
• Motivated by creating lasting change for people living with long-term health conditions.

Why Join Us?

myaware is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to the care and support of people affected by myasthenia. 

This is a rare opportunity to build a community movement capable of transforming lives. You will lead the growth of a national membership community, shape policy and healthcare conversations, and help ensure that every person affected by myasthenia feels informed, supported, represented and connected.

Together, we aim to ensure that within five years, at least half of everyone living with myasthenia in the UK knows, trusts and actively engages with myaware as their community, their advocate and their voice.

We are working hard to raise awareness of myasthenia, as it is a little-known condition. We provide support for people with myasthenia and their families, whilst offering advice and tips for living with the condition. 

We also fund the research that brings us closer to finding a cure as well as funding specialists nurses and advisors. 

Members of myaware have full access to a wide range of support services and events including our specialist benefits and welfare advisor. 

myaware supports people with myasthenia and their families.  We campaign for better medical services for people with myasthenia and work to inform medical professionals. 

The myasthenias are a group of neuromuscular conditions. They are rare but also manageable and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or nationality. Myasthenia gravis, ocular myasthenia and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome are autoimmune conditions whereas congenital myasthenic syndrome is caused by an inherited genetic fault. It is thought that there are approximately 20,000 people currently living with myasthenia in the UK. 

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance
• Perkbox account (global benefits and rewards platform)
• Group Life Assurance after 6 months of service 
• NEST workplace pension scheme
• Free inhouse staff benefits and welfare advice 
• Investment in your personal and professional development
• Annual salary review

Application instructions

Candidates should submit their CV and tailored covering letter by: 11:30pm on Friday.4th September

Provisional interview dates will be week commencing: 28.9.26

Interviews will be held over Microsoft Teams.

Applications submitted without a tailored cover letter will not be considered.

This post, due to its nature, duties and responsibilities, will be subject to an enhanced check by the DBS. This is funded by myaware.

This organisation supports anonymous recruitment. That means hiding your personal identifying information, removing bias from the hiring process.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

VISION AND MISSION Waverley Abbey is a new spiritual home for a rising generation, based in one of England’s oldest places of Christian prayer, mission and justice. Today, we fire up believers and tool up leaders to play their part in the renewal of faith in the nation and around the world. We are a house of prayer, providing practical education, exceptional hospitality and sparking innovative enterprise. From the first Cistercian monastery in England to the global ministry of Every Day with Jesus, Waverley Abbey has been a place of Christian prayer, mission and justice for over 1,300 years. Now, in partnership with 24-7 Prayer, we are building a new kind of Abbey: a new spiritual home for the nation and a hub that awakens a generation to transform the story of our times through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

VALUES & CULTURE Our team really is something special. Our people are gold. Our people come from all different walks of life, and it’s this mix of brilliant personalities, experiences and insights that gives us that warm, open and friendly culture you can feel as soon as you meet us. But, however wonderfully different we all are, there are five things we’ve got in common, and they are the Waverley Abbey values. Our values are the key to what makes our culture so unique; they’re a reflection of who each of us is and they’re embedded in everything we do. OUR VALUES Integrity Compassion Selflessness Transformational Celebration SO WE EMPLOY AUTHENTIC, SELFLESS, COMPASSIONATE, TRANSFORMATIONAL AND FUN PEOPLE!

JOB PURPOSE This is an exciting senior leadership role with the opportunity to shape how Waverley Abbey tells its story, grows its reach and engages people with its vision. The Head of Marketing and Communications will provide strategic, creative and inspiring leadership across all aspects of marketing, communications, brand and digital engagement. Working across the breadth of Waverley Abbey — including the college, house, House of Prayer, events, hospitality, fundraising and the wider estate — the postholder will develop clear and compelling communication that strengthen our brand trust, reach new audiences and support sustainable revenue growth. This role will ensure that our communications reflect the quality, warmth and bold ambition of Waverley Abbey. You will be a talented and experienced marketing professional, an exceptional leader who mines the gold in others, and an experienced AI champion with a bold vision to play your part to see the Gospel of Jesus transform a generation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Marketing Leadership

> Develop and lead an ambitious, integrated marketing and communications strategy to support and supercharge Waverley Abbey’s vision, organisational priorities and income objectives.

> Translate organisational strategy into clear annual marketing plans, campaigns, priorities and measurable outcomes, and deliver those plans on time every time.

> Work closely with leaders across the college, House of Prayer, house and estate, hospitality, events, fundraising and other areas to understand their audiences and develop effective marketing responses.

> Significantly grow market share by connecting and building brand trust with new audiences, markets and opportunities to extend Waverley Abbey’s reach and influence.

> Champion and implement AI effectively and wisely to at least 10x our marketing output.

> Ensure marketing activity is focused, coordinated and capable of delivering both immediate results and long-term brand growth. Brand Leadership and Storytelling

> Deliver daily brand and individual stories above the line to build Waverley Abbey awareness, authority and trust. Champion excellent storytelling that communicates the impact of Waverley Abbey through the lives, experiences and communities impacted by our work.

> Lead and be principle guardian of the Waverley Abbey brand and sub-brands.

> Develop a clear, compelling and consistent brand story that captures the heritage, vision, breadth and future direction of Waverley Abbey.

> Ensure the brand is expressed consistently across all communications, campaigns, publications, digital platforms, signage and visitor touchpoints.

> Oversee the development and implementation of brand guidelines and support colleagues to apply them consistently and confidently.

> Protect and strengthen the reputation of Waverley Abbey; identifying, proactively managing and responding appropriately to potential risks. Campaigns, Audience Growth and Engagement

> Lead integrated fundraising campaigns that increase awareness, engagement, participation and income from core and new audiences.

> Develop targeted approaches for student recruitment that increase our HE student enrolments year on year on year, and provide a significantly growing ‘front door’ of non-HE students and trainees via a ‘digital university’.

> Significantly grow house, event and retreat guests to maximum capacity.

> Ensure campaigns are creative, audience-focused, aspirational and informed by meaningful data.

> Establish a clear annual marketing and communications plan aligned with organisational priorities — and deliver on time, every time.

> Strengthen the organisation’s ability to acquire new audiences while deepening engagement with existing supporters, students, guests, customers and partners. Digital Marketing and Content >Deliver the effective and wise use of AI to 10x our marketing output.

> Provide leadership for Waverley Abbey’s websites, social media channels, email communications and wider digital presence.

> Effectively be able to spin-up world class UX websites and apps in short timescales.

>Develop a digital-first approach that makes maximum use of content, video, photography, social media, search, email and emerging platforms.

>Oversee the planning and production of high-quality content that is engaging, market-leading and consistent with the Waverley Abbey voice.

> Ensure the best UX on all websites and that digital platforms are accurate, accessible, engaging, easy to navigate and optimised for search.

>Use analytics and audience insight to improve campaigns and tactics.

>Always be exploring new digital opportunities that could significantly increase Waverley Abbey’s reach and impact. Communications and Public Relations

> Lead Waverley Abbey’s external communications, media relations and public relations activity.

>Develop proactive opportunities to raise the profile of Waverley Abbey locally, nationally and within relevant Christian, educational and hospitality networks.

>Oversee press releases, media statements, articles, briefing materials and external announcements.

>Build strong and constructive relationships with journalists, media partners, influencers and other key stakeholders.

> Lead communications planning during sensitive or high-profile situations, working closely with the CEO and relevant senior leaders.

> Ensure Waverley Abbey communicates with clarity, confidence and integrity. Fundraising and Partnership Communications

> Work in close partnership with fundraising colleagues to develop compelling cases for support, campaigns and supporter communications.

> Ensure fundraising materials communicate Waverley Abbey’s vision, need and impact with clarity.

> Support the development of strategic partnerships that increase the organisation’s profile, influence and reach.

> Create high-quality communications resources for funders, donors, partners, churches and other key stakeholders. Team Leadership and Development

> Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing Marketing and Communications team in collaboration with the Senior Marketing Manager.

> Create a collaborative, creative and supportive culture in which team members are trusted, equipped and accountable.

> Set clear objectives and priorities for the team, ensuring workloads and resources are managed effectively.

> Provide regular one-to-ones, feedback, coaching, development conversations and performance reviews.

> Support the personal and professional development of direct reports, identifying opportunities for growth and increased responsibility.

> Commission and manage freelancers, agencies and specialist suppliers where appropriate.

> Build positive and productive relationships across the organisation, enabling the Marketing and Communications team to operate as a trusted strategic partner. Planning, Budgets and Performance

> Manage the Marketing and Communications budget responsibly, ensuring effective use of resources and demonstrable value — always within budget.

> Establish clear measures of success across brand awareness, audience growth, engagement, recruitment, conversion and income.

> Provide regular performance reports, insight and recommendations to the CEO and Executive Team.

> Use data, audience research and market insight to inform decisions and continually improve performance.

> Manage multiple projects and priorities effectively, ensuring high quality work is delivered on time and within budget. Data and Compliance

> Ensure marketing communications comply with UK GDPR, data protection, consent and privacy requirements.

> Maintain professional, ethical and legally compliant standards across all communications activity. Leadership and Organisational Contribution As a senior Executive member at Waverley Abbey, the postholder will:

> Contribute actively to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.

> Build strong relationships across all areas of Waverley Abbey and work generously across organisational boundaries.

> Model leadership that is clear, courageous, compassionate and accountable.

> Champion a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

> Embody Waverley Abbey’s values of Integrity, Compassion, Selflessness, Transformation and Celebration.

> Act as an ambassador for Waverley Abbey, representing the organisation externally and internally confidently and professionally.

> Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION Experience — Essential

> Significant senior-level experience in marketing, communications or brand.

> A strong track record of developing and delivering successful marketing and communications strategies.

> Experience of leading integrated campaigns across digital and traditional channels.

> Demonstrable success in growing audiences, increasing engagement and delivering measurable organisational outcomes.

> Experience of leading, managing and developing a marketing or communications team.

> Strong experience of AI, digital marketing, content strategy, social media, websites, email marketing and audience analytics.

> Experience of working effectively with senior leaders and providing trusted strategic advice.

> Experience of managing budgets, agencies, suppliers and multiple projects.

> Experience of using data insight to evaluate performance and make decisions.

Experience — Desirable

> Experience within a complex, multi-product environment — charity, Christian organisation, education provider or hospitality organisation.

> Experience of student recruitment, fundraising communications, events marketing or customer acquisition.

> Experience of working across an organisation with several distinct audiences, services or brands.

Knowledge and Skills — Essential

> Excellent strategic thinking, with the ability to translate vision into focused and achievable plans.

> Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

> Strong creative judgement and the ability to recognise and develop compelling stories.

> A sophisticated understanding of brand, audience development and customer journeys.

> Excellent leadership and people-management skills.

> Strong project-management and organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic leadership and practical delivery. > Commercial awareness and an understanding of how marketing supports organisational growth and income generation.

> Confidence in analysing data, measuring impact and presenting clear recommendations.

Knowledge and Skills — Desirable

> A relevant degree or professional marketing qualification.

> Membership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

> Working knowledge of content management systems, customer relationship management systems, email marketing tools and creative software.

> Understanding of the UK higher education landscape.

Personal Qualities The successful candidate will be:

> An imaginative and ambitious leader who is excited by the opportunity to build something significant.

> A gifted storyteller who communicates with clarity, warmth and authenticity.

> Strategic and creative, while also able to bring structure, focus and delivery.

> Collaborative, generous and able to work effectively with colleagues holding different responsibilities and perspectives.

> Emotionally intelligent and confident in navigating complexity.

> Proactive, resourceful and comfortable taking appropriate initiative.

> Committed to excellence without losing warmth, humanity or perspective.

> Resilient, adaptable and able to respond positively to change.

> Personally aligned with the Christian vision and values of Waverley Abbey. Occupational Requirement There is an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practising Christian. The successful candidate will be expected to affirm Waverley Abbey’s Statement of Faith, participate in the prayer life of the organisation and conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with its Christian ethos and values. This requirement is applied in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. Additional Requirements

> Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of significant events, campaigns or organisational activity. > Willingness to travel occasionally for meetings, events and partnership activity.

> This job description reflects the current requirements of the role. It may be reviewed as Waverley Abbey develops, following consultation with the postholder. 

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Are you passionate about racial justice and supporting young Black people to thrive?

Our Youth Employment Manager role is an exciting new opportunity to lead on Poetic Unity’s innovative Employment programmes, which makes up one of our three priority areas: Mental Health, Employment and Education. This role, forming part of our Senior Leadership Team, will play a critical role in supporting thousands of Black young people across the UK to access safe, inclusive and empowering employment opportunities - changing culture and reshaping systems.

Key responsbilities 

- Be responsible for the development and management of the Chief Operations Officer Senior Leadership Training (COO SLT) - an innovative training programme for 10 Black young people to achieve the skills required to thrive in positions of senior leadership

- Be directly responsible for the management of the annual Cultural Leaders programme - a 12 month employment programme for 5 Black young people each year, working across different areas of Poetic Unity and with partners across the sector to develop transferable skills.

- Design, implement and manage The Blueprint - a national framework of best practice for the employment of Black young people in creative organisations

- Ensure all Employment programmes are effectively meeting the needs of the target demographic and are aligned with Poetic Unity’s strategic Vision

- Ensure all Employment programmes are effectively meeting the objectives and funding goals as outlined in associated funding requirements

- Be responsible for the effective monitoring and evaluation of all Employment programmes

- Be responsible for programme budget and finance management, working in line with awarded funding allocations and following all documentation protocols. 

Person specification 

- At least 2 years experience in leadership, people and project management roles, preferably within the charity sector

- Proven track record of effectively managing programmes and services, including programme development, implementation, and evaluation. To hold the knowledge, skills and confidence to bring programmes to life, oversee and manage their efficiency and deliver against outlined project goals and funding requirements

- Experience in project finance management, including keeping to budgets, managing over or underspend, and maintaining required evidence for efficient fund management

- Strong background in operational management - programme impact and evaluation, risk management and programme development

- Experience in stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and advocacy, with the ability to represent Poetic Unity effectively at various levels and build strong, sustainable partnerships to support the programme goals and our strategic vision. 

About us

Poetic Unity is a Black-led charity committed to addressing systemic racism and its impacts on children and young people’s mental health, education and employment. We use poetry and social action to cultivate joy, connection and empowerment across our communities. Based in Brixton and founded in 2015, we have since worked with over 60,000 young people across the UK in communities, education, cultural spaces and prisons. 

As a Black-led charity working towards racial justice, we strongly welcome applications from people with lived experience of racism. We are also particularly interested in applications from women and people from and/or with knowledge of our local Brixton community.

If this role sounds of interest to you please read full job description below with more details and how you can apply