Senior stories executive jobs in Willesden, greater london

Join Age UK Kensington and Chelsea at an exciting moment of growth as our new Fundraising Officer, where you’ll bring energy, creativity and initiative to a small team with big ambitions.

This is a varied and hands-on role within a small team. You will be confident building relationships with donors and supporters, supporting events and writing clear, persuasive fundraising content. You may already have experience across more than one fundraising area and will be keen to build your skills further in a broad fundraising role.

About us

We’re a vibrant, values-led local charity and proud partner of the Age UK network. Every day, we work alongside older people to design and deliver services that promote wellbeing, independence and dignity. From supporting people to manage their health, to tackling loneliness and influencing local policy, we put people and communities at the heart of everything we do.
As we look to the future, we’re focused on innovation, growth and lasting impact — building stronger partnerships, diversifying our income, and creating new ways to reach more people across our borough.

Take a look at the full job / person spec enclosed for a full breakdown of the role and responsibilities.

We will be interviewing on a rolling basis, so please avoid waiting until the advert closes before applying! We reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised.
Due to capacity we may not be able to respond to unsuccessful applications received. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most 

At Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow, we believe that childhood can’t wait. We’re a vibrant, community-rooted charity supporting families through the critical early years of parenting. Our volunteers and staff work side-by-side with families, offering emotional and practical support, building confidence, and creating lasting connections. 

We are now seeking an Impact and Operations Manager to join our passionate team and shape the future of our services. 

About the Role 

This is a unique opportunity to lead our impact and operations strategy, ensuring we have the insight, tools, and systems to deliver high-quality support to families. You’ll play a pivotal role in measuring and communicating our impact, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage data collection, evaluation, and reporting across all family support services 

• Develop tailored reports and insights for internal and external stakeholders 

• Collaborate on funding applications with the CEO and Head of Marketing & Fundraising 

• Oversee administrative systems and policies, including GDPR compliance and HR processes 

• Manage office operations, including tech support, premises, and general administration, and line manage operations and data & impact team 

• Contribute to strategic planning and service innovation using data and insight 

• Strengthen our presence across local and national networks in partnership with the Senior Management Team 

What You’ll Bring 

• Strong experience in managing and interpreting data to drive impact and inform strategy 

• Strategic thinking with the ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results 

• Confidence with technology and quick ability to learn new tools and systems 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships 

• A curious, analytical mindset and a passion for telling the story of our work 

Why Join Us? 

• A flexible, hybrid working model co-designed with our team 

• A supportive, inclusive, and values-driven culture 

• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of local families 

• Excellent pension and generous annual leave 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate and driven team where your work will make a real and measurable impact. In this role you’ll play a key part in making a measurable difference, building strong relationships, and contributing to the organisation’s wider goals.

You’ll be trusted to take ownership of your work, collaborate with a range of audiences and bring fresh ideas that help us grow and improve. We’re looking for someone who is motivated, value‑driven and eager to develop their skills in a supportive, forward‑thinking environment where initiative is encouraged and success is celebrated.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Fundraising & Income Generation

• Proactively develop, manage and grow a portfolio of community supporters, groups, schools, businesses and individuals across the London region
• Work with the Senior Community Fundraising Manager to identify and pursue new fundraising opportunities, taking a creative and proactive approach to growing income and engagement
• Support and motivate fundraisers to achieve their goals, providing excellent stewardship and a positive supporter experience
• Work towards agreed income and activity targets, monitoring progress and adapting plans as needed

Relationship Building & Engagement

• Build strong, long-term relationships with new and existing supporters, acting as a passionate ambassador for the charity
• Develop trusted relationships with our families, support them with their fundraising, and signpost them to other ways they can support the charity
• Build strong, effective working relationships with House teams across London, working closely together to ensure families’ best interests are at the heart of what we do and to maximise opportunities for income and engagement
• Build effective working relationships with the House teams across London
• Represent Ronald McDonald House Charities UK at events, meetings and fundraising activities across London, delivering presentations and ensuring we maximise PR opportunities
• Deliver clear, compelling messages about the charity’s impact, inspiring supporters to get involved

Working with others

• Interact with families supported by the charity in a sensitive, compassionate and appropriate manner, respecting confidentiality as needed
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Engagement, Family Services, and other teams to maximise impact
• Contribute ideas, insight and learning to support continuous improvement across the Engagement Directorate

Planning, Events & Administration

• Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring fundraising activity is well planned and cost-effective
• Maintain accurate records on the CRM database, including supporter interactions, income and activity reporting
• Produce regular reports on activity, income and KPIs against targets

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of achieving or exceeding six figure targets in a relationship‑led fundraising role
• Experience of working in a customer-facing, supporter-facing or community-facing role, building and managing positive relationships with a diverse range of people and groups
• Experience of developing and delivering plans and budgets, monitoring progress and reporting against objectives and financial targets
• Experience of using a database or CRM system to carry out day-to-day administrative and reporting duties
• Experience of organising events, campaigns or community activities
• Experience of working independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider team.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to positively persuade, motivate and inspire a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
• Confident in setting up, attending and following up meetings to secure engagement and support
• Confident in creating and delivering presentations in a range of settings
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and confidence using a CRM database
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities within agreed budgets and timeframes
• Self-starter, with a can-do attitude and the ability to manage own workload
• A collaborative, kind and adaptable approach when working with colleagues, supporters, volunteers and families
• Able to interact with families in a sensitive, compassionate and appropriate manner, recognising the emotional context of their experiences
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal working hour (evenings and weekends) travel across the wider UK as required

About us
The Microbiology Society is a membership charity for scientists interested in microbes, their effects, and their practical uses. It has a worldwide membership based in universities, industry, hospitals, research institutes, schools, and other organisations.

Our members have a unique depth and breadth of knowledge about the discipline. The Society’s role is to help unlock and harness the potential of that knowledge.

Our commitment to anyone who studies microbes is “whoever you are, wherever you are, we will amplify your voice”.

About you
The Head of Engagement and Storytelling will develop compelling content and channels for a wide range of audiences, to showcase the astonishing wonder of microbes, the transformative power of microbiology and the essential contribution of microbiologists.

This role reports to the Chief Communications Officer and will requires collaborative working with members of the Society's governance structure and the Heads of Scientific Programmes and Development Opportunities respectively, responsible for creating and delivering the society's overall communication strategy across all channels including social media and website, overseeing policy and membership engagement activities, promoting member expertise to policymakers in the UK and internationally and encourage member engagement through opportunities the Society's 'Get Involved' campaign.

The postholder will have experience working within science communication, displaying strong scientific knowledge while delivering high impact engagement campaigns. It is essential to have experience in People Management as this role oversees the different branches of the Engagement and Storytelling theme covering Communication, Policy and Membership.

Please note that the organisation operates a hybrid working policy.

For more information about the Society, please visit our website.

Our generous benefits package includes;
• Flexible working hours
• Highly competitive salaries with an annual cost of living increase
• 23 days holiday + eight bank holidays and three additional days over the Christmas break
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Life insurance including free (health and wellbeing) employee support services
• Enhanced maternity pay to include 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and 13 weeks of statutory maternity pay
• Enhanced Adoption pay to include 26 weeks of fully paid adoption leave and 13 weeks of statutory adoption pay
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• £50 contribution towards eye care

To Apply

Please attach your CV and Cover Letter.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interviews will be held in-person at the Microbiology Society Office.

Closing date: 8th May 2026

It is important that you DO NOT include your Personal Information i.e. name and contact details in your CV or Cover Letter. This is because the Microbiology Society is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We value, promote, and seek diversity.

The Society also takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Please note that due to limited resources, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted therefore, if you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

“We are interested in every candidate who is eligible to work in the United Kingdom. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.”

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time National Director of Operations to lead our delivery across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and emerging community settings, with an ambition to reach Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in scaling our impact and strengthening our presence across the criminal justice system and beyond.

As National Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our learning programmes in prisons and community settings. You will ensure high‑quality, consistent and accessible delivery, overseeing a team of six Regional Managers and a wider workforce of around 65 staff, volunteers and over 2,000 peer mentors trained each year.

Working closely with senior colleagues, partner organisations and national bodies such as HMPPS, you will drive programme excellence, innovation and partnership working. You will also play a key role in new business development, operational strategy, contractual delivery and ensuring we can reliably demonstrate the impact of our work.

The role requires an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage. You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and leading distributed teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working with statutory bodies or large public-sector partners (e.g. HMPPS).
• Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding, or alternative education environments (desirable).
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Shannon Trust’s values.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but will require travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. This role does require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews, which will be held online, are planned for the w/c 18th May.

Prisoners Abroad is a small but powerful organisation supporting people through some of the most isolating and traumatic experiences imaginable. Whether it’s someone surviving a prison sentence overseas, returning to the UK with nothing, or a family facing the distress of having a family member imprisoned abroad, your work here will have a direct and lasting impact.

A fantastic opportunity has opened up to manage and grow a well-established major donor programme, developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, craft compelling cases for support, and deliver thoughtful stewardship that makes donors feel truly valued and connected. You’ll also have the chance to shape how we grow our pipeline, with support from a team that values creativity, emotional intelligence and collaboration, so plenty of opportunities to get creative and make your mark.

With experience of securing 4–5 figure gifts and a flair for building meaningful relationships, you’ll be a confident communicator with strong writing skills, and you’ll enjoy using insight to create personal donor journeys that inspire generosity.

To apply for this position, please read the job pack which provides lots of information about the charity, the role and how to apply.

The deadline for applications is 10am Tuesday 5th May, however we will be reviewing applications as we receive them, so please apply when you are ready and you may be contacted about your application before the closing date. To ensure inclusivity, all applications received up to the closing date will be considered equally.

If you have any questions about the application or recruitment process, our contact details can be found in the job pack. 

We are seeking an experienced and driven Director of Programmes & Impact with essential third sector experience to lead and shape our global programme function.
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring that all funds raised are translated into effective delivery on the ground, supported by strong oversight, clear data, and credible impact.
You will own the full lifecycle of programme delivery — from partner management and implementation through to compliance oversight, data capture, and donor reporting. You will also play a key role in building the systems, processes, and structures that enable impact to be delivered and evidenced consistently as the organisation grows.
This role offers a high level of ownership and influence, with the opportunity to shape how The Zahra Trust delivers, measures, and communicates impact globally.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with their client on a fantastic Interim Internal Communications Officer role. This position plays a vital part in ensuring staff feel informed, engaged, and connected through engaging content and dynamic channels, supporting the organisation’s strategic goals during a crucial transitional period.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior team members to develop and implement internal communications strategies that foster engagement and clarity.
• Craft compelling, accessible content for a variety of channels including intranet, newsletters, emails, posters, digital screens, and online communities.
• Interview colleagues and shape initial inputs into polished stories and updates, ensuring clarity and impact.
• Create basic multimedia assets, including graphics and short videos, to enhance internal messages.
• Manage regular content cycles such as weekly intranet news or newsletters, maintaining high standards and deadlines.
• Lead the production of email updates for colleagues and line managers, ensuring timely delivery and relevance.
• Support the organisation and promotion of internal events, including webinars, town halls, and conferences, from invitation creation to post-event follow-up.
• Maintain and update intranet pages, offering guidance to other teams on content management.
• Monitor and evaluate internal communication effectiveness through data analysis, recommending improvements.
• Act as an initial point of contact for internal communications queries, advising colleagues on content sharing best practices.
• Assist with media monitoring and active participation in team meetings, workshops, and planning sessions.
• Support the preparation of progress updates for trustees, volunteers, and donors by repurposing content and tracking distribution timelines.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience creating and distributing internal communications via digital and face-to-face channels.
• Experience supporting or delivering organisational events, both online and in person.
• Ability to produce engaging stories by interviewing colleagues and shaping content effectively.
• Familiarity with digital tools such as Microsoft SharePoint, Teams, Canva, and basic video editing software.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with an eye for detail.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships across diverse teams.
• Organised, adaptable, and able to manage multiple deadlines with a collaborative approach.

What’s on Offer:

• Pay: £126.48 per day + £22.35 daily holiday
• Location: Hybrid – 2 days per week in Central London Office
• Contract: 4 month contract

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

At Bookmark, we have a simple vision: we want every child to read. We have seen significant growth over the past few years, building a network of engaged supporters and an effective Partnerships Board. As we pass the halfway mark of our three-year strategy, we are recruiting a major donor fundraiser to play a key role in the growth of our philanthropy programme, securing and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals that change the story for children. 

This individual will join a successful team, stewarding and cultivating existing supporters as well as managing a pipeline of prospects through their giving journey. You will work directly with the Head of Fundraising and be responsible for your own portfolio of major donors, trusts and family foundations. By August 2027 Bookmark aim to have reached 500,000 children with our literacy programmes, you could be part of that incredible goal.

Experience in philanthropy is welcome but not essential. We are equally interested in candidates with a strong track record of managing high-value relationships and delivering excellent stewardship in commercial or client-facing roles.

Job Description

Delivering the Philanthropy plan

• Work with the Director of Fundraising to grow the major donor portfolio within the wider strategy 
• Build and maintain a portfolio of existing and new major donors who give or can give £20,000 or more, ensuring a first-class cultivation and stewardship journey
• Line manage the Philanthropy Executive and support their professional development, providing direction, support and guidance
• Work with our Fundraising Research & Administration Intern to identify new potential Bookmark major donors, working with Trustees, senior stakeholders, and our wonderfully supportive Partnerships Board to secure introductions and make asks of prospective supporters
• Design and deliver creative events and activities to generate income, cultivate and steward donors
• Create compelling, relevant and tailored funding proposals, reports and collateral to inspire and inform donors, reflecting Bookmark’s strong brand. 
• Use Salesforce to manage the accurate recording, progression and forecasting of major donor relationships, enabling efficient reporting and KPI management

Work with the rest of the Fundraising team

• Work closely with the rest of the Fundraising team to ensure opportunities to maximise income for the fundraising team
• Devise and deliver annual plans, together with associated budgets, in line with the charity’s strategic objectives
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team, Chair of Trustees and colleagues across the charity to ensure major donor fundraising activity is aligned with the charity’s wider plans and objectives
• Ensure that all activity helps to build Bookmark’s brand and is always brand compliant
• Ensure Bookmark’s ethical fundraising policy is adhered to

Person Specification

Essential

• A successful track record in managing high-value relationships, including a proven track record of securing five-figure gifts
• Experience working towards and meeting, or exceeding, income targets
• Experience developing high value relationships through all stages of the giving cycle 
• A demonstrable ability to build internal relationships and use senior stakeholders (CEO, Trustees, Senior Leadership Team) to help progress major donor relationships
• Experience working on successful events that meet fundraising targets
• Great verbal communication skills, demonstrated by strong external and internal relationships. You will have the skills to influence, motivate and persuade people to donate
• Demonstrable experience of writing successful, inspiring, emotive, and technically accurate cases for support and proposals tailored to a high value audience
• Experience growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income
• An understanding and ability to build budgets and work with financials
• Experience using of Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience using Salesforce, or another fundraising database

Bonus Points

• Major donor and/or Trusts & Foundations experience 
• Line management experience
• Experience working with a fundraising board or high value committee
• Experience managing and developing a high value giving circle
• Experience running matching campaigns or large mailings

Location: Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office (London), with flexibility around home working for the remaining days.

Contract type: Permanent - Full Time / Part-time (0.8/4 days) will be considered.

Salary: £40,000 - £42,000 (0.8 FTE - £32,000 - £33,600)

Reporting to: Director of Fundraising 

Application deadline: 11th May at 10am, but please note that interim shortlisting will occur on 29th April at 10am.

Want to know more?

We will be running an online session for anyone wishing to understand more about the role on Wednesday 22nd April at 2pm.  Please find the link to sign up on the relevant job description on our website.

Equality and Diversity

Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunity for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.

Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

At Bookmark, we are a small but growing team of hard-workichang people, who care about what we do. We love to roll up our sleeves, try new ways of doing things, and support each other so that we can achieve our goals. If that sounds like you and you share our vision and values, we'd love to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment.  Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual to maintain, develop and continuously improve our systems. The role will be an integral part of the Living Wage Operations Team, providing strategic technical support and ensure the integrity of our systems, often overseeing development projects with external partners.

The Operations and Data Manager will need to be highly numerate and have great analytical skills to support our monitoring and evaluation functions, working with the Head of Operations and Insight on financial and budgeting management, reconciliation and forecasting for the Living Wage Foundation. The suitable candidate will be detail-oriented, be able to demonstrate their ability to seek out improvements and problem solve creatively and have experience working with Salesforce or equivalent CRM systems.

Are you driven to open doors for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and help them build the skills and confidence to thrive?

Head of Fundraising (Philanthropy & Major Gifts) The Talent Foundry | £45,000-£50,000 | Hybrid (London-based 2-3 days/month) | Permanent

The Talent Foundry is searching for an experienced Head of Fundraising to help us reach one million young people by 2030. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a philanthropy and major gifts function at a fast-growing, values-led charity with a powerful mission and an already impressive roster of long-term corporate partners.

About The Talent Foundry

Since 2009, we've helped nearly 700,000 young people aged 7-18 from underserved backgrounds discover their talents, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed in education and work. We do this through free, high-quality employability programmes delivered in over 600 schools each year, in long-term partnership with employers including Barclays LifeSkills, KPMG, M&G plc, Network Rail, ICAEW and the NHS.

We're ambitious, inclusive and inquisitive; and we're just getting started.

The role

This is a strategic and hands-on position, perfect for a fundraiser who loves building something new. You'll lead the development of new income streams, grow philanthropic and major gifts support, and work closely with senior leadership to strengthen the organisation's long-term financial sustainability.

You'll also line manage a newly formed team including a Fundraising Manager and a Marketing & Communications Manager, so experience of coaching and developing people is important.

About you

You'll have direct UK charity fundraising experience and a strong track record of securing six-figure income through trusts and foundations, major gifts or corporate foundations. You'll be an outstanding communicator, a collaborative colleague and someone who genuinely cares about social mobility.

Lived experience of the challenges faced by young people from underserved backgrounds is warmly welcomed, though not essential.

The details

• Hybrid: home-based with 2-3 days per month in London
  £45,000-£50,000 per annum
• 37.5 hours per week (0.8 FTE considered)
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• £500 learning & development budget, Employee Assistance Programme, cycle to work scheme, enhanced maternity package (after three years), pension, quarterly team days, and your birthday off

How to apply

Please send a copy of your CV or profile to Philippa Randle at Charity People as the first step.

If your experience aligns with what we're looking for, we'll share full details on how to complete your formal application.

If you need any adjustments to the application process, please let us know, we want every candidate to have a fair opportunity to shine.

A note on AI

We embrace innovative technology in our work, and you're welcome to use AI tools to help structure or refine your application. But we want to hear you; your voice, your experiences, your story. AI works best as an editor, not a ghostwriter.

Please don't ask AI to write your application from scratch or copy and paste generated answers. Beyond losing the chance to show us what makes you right for this role, we've found that AI-generated applications often contain inaccuracies and any incorrect information will result in your application being discounted.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Location: NSC, London SE1

Contract: Full time, 1-year Fixed Term One Year (initially)

Salary: £35k + PRP (Performance Related Pay)

Closing Date: 1st May 2026

Marine Society have an exciting new role! Help us to grow our rapidly expanding apprenticeships and adult skills programmes to meet growing industry demand. We’re looking for a confident, self-starter individual who can engage key stakeholders and employers in the maritime industry and increase our reach and reputation.

You’ll be expected to have a good understanding of the maritime sector training needs and have a demonstrable track record in sales and recruitment. A working knowledge of government funded training programmes is helpful but not essential.

This role could support a secondment for the right individual. Subject to success in the role, we hope to make this permanent after one year.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

About the role

This new role is to support the growth of Marine Society apprenticeship and adult skills provision. This is a strategic, outward-facing role requiring a confident astute individual who can engage key stakeholders and employers in the maritime industry to recruit new entrants and existing employees onto Marine Society programmes.

Responsibilities

· To grow the apprenticeship and adult skills provision in line with agreed annual recruitment and financial targets

· To develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective employers and learners, proactively identifying new apprenticeship and learning opportunities within the maritime industry. To secure repeat business with apprenticeship employers through cultivating long-term relationships.

· To work with the Director of Maritime Training and Development to devise a sales and marketing strategy to grow the apprenticeship and adult skills provision. To support the tendering process to ASF devolved areas and work with subcontractor partners.

· To collaborate with the Apprenticeship Operations Manager and Maritime Lead Trainer to convert identified leads and share industry intelligence.

· To assist the Digital Marketing Coordinator to write targeted social media posts and marketing campaigns, ensuring market visibility and lead generation. To build a library of promotional literature and good news stories.

· To maintain accurate records of business development leads and pipeline activity within the CRM system and to routinely report on these

· Attend relevant external boards, fora and industry bodies, as directed in order to promote maritime apprenticeships and training including; Maritime Skills Alliance, Workboat Association, MNTB apprenticeship committee and Port Skills and Safety

· To attend industry trade fairs and careers events to represent Marine Society. These include; National Apprenticeship Week, Seawork, International Boat Show

· To research and monitor market trends, employer needs and competitor activity to inform business development strategy

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a recruitment, sales or commercial role with a proven track record of achieving financial targets
• Knowledge of the maritime sector including roles, ranks and certifications in the near coastal sector
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with clients and stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to identify, grow and convert new business opportunities
• Experience using CRM systems to monitor and report on business leads
• Knowledge of CPD training or workforce development

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

We are looking for a Director of Communications (External Relations)

We are looking for a communications leader to help us transform Nesta’s impact, reach and influence. We're already an ambitious, award-winning, multidisciplinary team, and now we're looking for someone to help us elevate our work to the next level.

The UK information environment is changing rapidly and our team is midway through a period of reform and transformation to adapt. We want to be industry-leading in the way we communicate - on the cutting edge of testing and experimenting with new formats and tactics, constantly iterating our practice in response to an information environment that is being constantly reshaped by AI, changing political communications and new technology. This is where you come in.

This role offers the mandate to experiment with a suite of high-impact products that are ready for their next stage of growth. You will play a central role in developing our new podcast, expanding our collection of data-driven stories, and testing long-form video as a way to translate deep research into compelling visual narratives. We care about micro communities as much as the traditional broadcast tools, and you’ll lead a stable of products designed to reach policy audiences. Alongside this, you will help to spearhead the advocacy and influencing activity that will deliver success in our three missions, and work more broadly to support BIT and all other parts of the Nesta Group.

You will blend exceptional political acumen with a proven track record of delivering policy and advocacy campaigns that have a tangible impact. You will be a trusted advisor, adept at providing strategic counsel across multidisciplinary teams while fostering an empowering, best-in-class culture. Beyond managing projects and campaigns, you will invest in our people, ensuring our talented team has the support and clarity to perform at their best.

We are looking for a leader who isn't satisfied with the status quo and is ready to take our collective impact to the next level. Five years into our strategy, Nesta’s ideas are gaining significant influence - now we need you to raise our reach and profile to the same level.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the design and delivery of integrated campaigns with policy and advocacy objectives, using the right mix of channels, the highest standards of creative execution and the most effective messaging. Support the team to navigate the UK political and news agenda, identifying and securing the most effective moments for our work to exert influence.
• Lead the full range of policy communications across Nesta (working with and beyond the communications team with missions, units, subject specialists and senior leaders to bring coherence to our content and activity). Lead on policy-facing products, from blogs to policy briefings, podcasts to newsletters.
• Oversee delivery of broader communications activity, working across the organisation to form project teams, set priorities and tactics. Elevate the quality of our external output so all of our communications meet a consistently high bar for excellence. Ensure that all of our activity is delivered with the right mix of creativity, professionalism and speed to maximise success.
• Distil complex policy and research into powerful narratives, ensuring our strategic messaging resonates and persuades target audiences and that is used consistently and coherently across all of our activity. Manage our suite of editorial products and ensure our content is sharp, timely, and directly aligned with our advocacy objectives.
• Provide authoritative communications strategic counsel across teams, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex communication challenges and reputational issues
• Provide functional (direct) leadership of our policy communications, media relations and data journalism functions.

You will also work across all of the Communications department to:

• Drive forward new approaches to advocacy and influencing that organisations like Nesta need to adopt in response to the changing information environment
• Look across all activity being conducted and identify and act on opportunities for new content streams, activities or partnerships that support our strategic communications goals
• Spot opportunities to do more with our existing channels and campaigns, finding ways to extend their value and impact
• Troubleshoot and support where a project or campaign is at risk of failure, either because of differing views on execution, changing objectives, or missed deadlines
• Mentor and evolve a talented communications team, providing the leadership and vision necessary to take our collective impact to the next level.

What we’re looking for:

• Significant leadership experience in external affairs, communications, or press, specifically within an advocacy-focused environment.
• Exceptional strategic skills, with a history of delivering multi-channel campaigns that build genuine profile and influence.
• A deep understanding of the UK political and news agenda and wider information environment, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex policy landscapes.
• The ability to provide high-level strategic counsel, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex communication challenges and reputational issues.
• A genuine love of communications, with experience of exploring new approaches to advocacy and influencing that organisations like Nesta need to adopt in response to the changing information environment
• The ability to craft and embed strategic messaging that distills complex ideas into clear, authoritative narratives for diverse audiences.
• An accomplished writer who has successfully managed high-level editorial functions and maintained a high bar for content.
• Sharp media instincts and creative flair, with a proven ability to spot and shape stories that capture media interest.
• A grounded leader and people manager who knows how to motivate teams and cultivate a high-performing culture.

As with all members of the Nesta Group communications team, the postholder will also be at their best working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, have a flexible approach and an appetite for taking on new tasks and challenges. They will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to write for a range of different audiences.

What we offer:

Salary: £91,500 plus an array of benefits, including a generous pension scheme, private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, and more

Location: This role is based in Blackfriars, London, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office

Term: Permanent

Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.

Reports to: Group Executive Director of Communications

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and a cover letter that states three reasons why you are a great candidate for the role before 8:00am on the 27th of April 2026.

Interviews will take place w/c 4th of May 2026.

About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.

Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.

We work with partners across the public, private and third sectors to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design.

Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we are relentless in the pursuit of scale. We create and make the case for ambitious national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, spin out and support commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts to shape national narratives.

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help others to solve complex problems and achieve their missions. BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society.

Together, we are building a powerful ecosystem for innovation that delivers proven solutions to create lasting, positive change.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to develop the skills, knowledge, mindset, and connections to create a regenerative, equitable and just future.

Key info:

• Based in London, UK

• Full-time (4.5 days at placement & 1 half day training weekly)

• £27,010 per annum salary

• Programme dates: October 2026 - September 2027 (50 weeks)

• Apply by Monday 18th May, 9:00 am (BST).

About On Purpose:

On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.

Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.

Programme structure:

Two 6 month placements 

• Through work placements with organisations driving impactful change, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues 4.5 days of the week. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Great Yellow, BAFTA and VISA.

Weekly expert-led learning 

• Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves half a day, weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. The blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change. 

1:1 mentoring & coaching

• Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.

Join a supportive, impactful community

• You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of ~20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community with now 1000+ alumni, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.

Benefits:

• Earn a £27.01 k salary - On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs.

• Develop your ability to make an impact - Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. Our alumni are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.

• Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities - Our Associates have moved into a range of impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former music label business owner now the CEO of Hubbub, a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK and a former civil servant now Climate Lead at Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

• Standard UK holiday allowance

• A 3-day residential (expenses paid)

Who we’re looking for:

This programme is ideal for you if:

• You’re at a stage in your career where you’ve built solid professional experience and want to use your professional skills to create change in organisations, systems and beyond;

• you’re not currently in a career that aligns with your beliefs, but looking to transition into one;

• or you’re already in the impact sector and want to deepen your understanding of how systems and organisations work, develop the skills to lead transformational change, clarify your purpose and vision, and join a cohort and wider network of peers committed to putting purpose before profit.

Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:

• A minimum of three years full-time professional experience

• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme

• Fluency in English 

• Office environment experience 

• Skills including project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

• Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

How to apply:

• Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.

• Closing date for applications: Monday 18th May, 9:00 am (BST).

• Interviews will be held in mid-late June.