Lead progression coach jobs

Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.

You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.

You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team. 

Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.

Team:Research and Development

Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location

Duration:Permanent

Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)

Main Purpose

The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).

While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.

They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
• Line management of senior and mid-level staff
• Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate

Income

• Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
• Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
• Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners

Impact

• Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
• Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
• Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them. 

Delivery

• Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
• Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
• Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team

Person Specification

Experience

Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential

Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential

Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential

Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential

Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable 

Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable 

Skills

Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential

Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable 

Clear and direct written communication style - Essential

Knowledge

Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential

Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential

Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -Desirable 

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.

Assessment Centre: 4th of March in-person at our South London Centre

We currently have a few Youth Development Lead (YDL) roles available, so please check out those adverts too. You will only need to submit one application, even if you are interested in multiple YDL opportunities. 

Let's make every day a chance to create a brighter future for the next generation!

Would you like to be part of the coolest team in town, collaborating with our Outreach and Marketing legends and our friendly customer service team here at The King's Trust? Together, we'll ensure that our young people get onboarded and engaged in our programmes safely and with style.

Dive deep to uncover any barriers that stand in their way, helping to remove those barriers to enable them to shine and propelling them on their journey towards amazing outcomes. Responsible for a group of young people, for one-on-one support and guidance or just gently pointing them in the right direction. You'll be on a mission to assist with travel expenses and find clever ways to handle their other commitments. You'll champion their support and learning needs with employers, and you'll be the ultimate liaison, working alongside partners like the job centre to ensure that nothing stands in the way of their success!

You’ll also be the guiding light for our delivery partners and service providers as we want them to deliver the best experience and outcomes for our young people. High-fives all around! Roll up your sleeves and deliver employability sessions directly to our incredible young people. You'll also help our Delivery Partners and volunteers do the same, both in person and virtually through our trusty MS Teams. When we're doing things face-to-face, you’ll need to hit the road and be there in person to help with programme delivery or programme visits to make sure all is running as smoothly as possible.

And if that’s not enough to keep you busy, you’ll also be keeping meticulous records of information and data on our young people, volunteers, and partners. It's all about making sure every step of their journey is accurately reflected in our systems so that it complies with our funding contracts.

We are a massive advocate of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion so it would be amazing if you could lead the charge in creating an environment where everyone feels seen, by implementing a local action plan that supports our big-picture EDI goals. Let's make positive change happen!

Be ready for anything and everything. Alongside all these fantastic responsibilities, you might find yourself wearing different hats and rocking them like a pro, this could even include deputising when the need arises.

Join the King's Trust Team and let’s make magic happen!

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable 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 Youth Development Leads? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with every three in four moving into a positive outcome for either work, education or training. Youth Development Leads play a crucial role in supporting young people, no matter the young person's background or current circumstances, to fulfil their full potential. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Youth Development Leads! 

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! Unless the location of the role is remote, the Youth Development Lead role requires a combination of office days and working from home. 
• 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 
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

Fat Macy's is looking for a Head of Programmes to lead the development and delivery of our programmes as the charity grows in response to increasing need for our services and a changing external landscape. This is a key role at a time of significant organisational development, offering the opportunity to shape how we work and how we support our beneficiaries in a truly meaningful way.

About Fat Macy's

Fat Macy's is a charity and social enterprise which supports individuals experiencing homelessness towards lasting and secure employment, resettlement, and overall better personal wellbeing. We deliver on this mission through our Milestone Programme, a 200-hours hospitality based skills and training initiative which consists of the Training Academy (50 hours) and real-life work experience (150 hours). On graduation from the Milestone Programme, beneficiaries receive access to a £1,500 Housing Deposit Award enabling a safe and sustainable transition into the private rental sector, and long-term, tailored employability, resettlement, and wellbeing support.

About The Role

As a new role within our organisation’s structure, the Head of Programmes position will be varied and evolving, with a strong focus on the line management and support of our front-line team, ensuring high-quality, consistent delivery across programmes. This role will line manage our Senior Employability & Engagement Officer and Programme Support Officer, and eventually lead on the recruitment and management of a dedicated Resettlement Officer role as funding allows. In the meantime, the Head of Programmes will provide our front-line resettlement support to beneficiaries.

Alongside this, the Head of Programmes will play a central role in driving continuous improvement, supporting growth, and contributing to the overall strategic development of the charity as it navigates change. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work directly with the Managing Director to ensure the charity is fulfilling its mission and achieving a high-level of impact.

Please see the recruitment pack for further information on duties and responsibilities.

Person Specification

We know there are great candidates who will not fit every criteria outlined or who have important skills we have not mentioned. If your experience looks different to what we have described below but you believe it is relevant to the role, please do not hesitate to apply.

Essential Criteria:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the public or charity sectors, ideally in front-line service provision/support work and/or homelessness.
• Successful line-management experience, leading high-performing teams and embedding a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and accountability.
• Track record of leading a programme of work and meeting key impact KPIs, metrics, and outcomes, including ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong communication and team-working skills coupled with solid organisation and attention to detail.
• Resilience and adaptability with the capability to work in a dynamic and agile environment involving significant contact with individuals living in temporary accommodation.
• Sound IT skills including confident use of Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and/or CRM systems/other databases.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of providing front-line resettlement support.
• Good working knowledge of relevant policy, legislation, and best practice  - benefits system, supported accommodation, safeguarding etc.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements 
• 40 days paid leave per year: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 3 days between Christmas and New Year and 4 wellbeing days
• Strong commitment to professional development with a dedicated training budget
• Annual performance and pay progression reviews
• Up to 5% pension contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering access to free therapy
• Work phone and laptop
• A supportive and inclusive culture with regular team social events
• Scope to take real ownership in a fast-growing charity   

Personal development programme: 

• You will have a line manager dedicated to growing your strengths and supporting your professional skills development 
• You can work with your manager to set your own objectives within the scope of the job description 
• You will have a dedicated buddy within the team 
• You will take part in external and internal training to help grow your knowledge and skills

Please note that care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our team and we encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. We are dedicated to being a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where diversity is celebrated. In our last staff survey, 95% said they feel a sense of belonging at Settle. Please see our website for more information on our approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

We’re on the hunt for a Programme Manager to join us at this exciting stage of Settle’s development. Over the next few years, we hope to grow the number of young people we are working with and develop new services to support young people with a range of support needs.

The Programme Manager will report to our COO. You’ll be managing a team of Settle Coaches working on the frontline, delivering one-to-one sessions with care-experienced young people across London. You’ll use your skills to ensure that the Settle Programme is the best it can be, coach our frontline teams and ensure high quality delivery is maintained for the young people we work with.

You will work with our COO and wider Programme Management team to deliver and develop our safeguarding practice and ensure that the frontline perspective and young people’s experiences are embedded across the organisation. You’ll manage existing referral partnerships and help develop new partnerships as and when needed, as well as share best practice with the partners you manage. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects across the organisation.

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives.   

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our teams apply these daily offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.    

 We are looking for a passionate and experienced professional to lead the development of our Affected Others service, supporting children, young people (CYP), and families impacted by familial substance misuse. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow a service that makes a real difference in breaking cycles of harm and building resilience.

Where: Buckinghamshire (Countywide)

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £32,002.35- £34,214.20*

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours. 

Responsibilities

About the Role
As the lead for this specialist area, you will:

• Drive the design and delivery of innovative interventions for children, young people and families affected by substance misuse.
• Develop group programmes, resources, and training to strengthen whole-family approaches.
• Build strong partnerships with key stakeholder such as adult substance misuse services, schools, children’s services, and health professionals to ensure seamless referral pathways.
• Develop and deliver training and consultation to external partners and stakeholders on the issues facing young people affected by substance misuse of others. 
• Champion safeguarding and best practice across the service.
• Hold a caseload of complex and high-risk cases involving children, young people, and families, delivering whole-family support, including parenting programmes and harm reduction strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate service impact, ensuring continuous improvement.

About You
We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in working with families facing multiple risk factors, including parental substance misuse.
• Skilled in delivering 1:1 and group interventions and developing new programmes.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Qualified to Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• A strong communicator and collaborator, able to influence and lead within multi-agency settings.
• You will need to work flexibly countywide across Buckinghamshire so must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car.

 What we Offer 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• Opportunity to lead and shape a vital service alongside a friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Closing Date

19/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

At Outside the Box we make a real difference, positively changing the lives of the people with learning disabilities/autism. To build on our success, we are now looking for someone special to lead our ‘day’ services (OTB Choices).

OTB Choices provides a dynamic portfolio of education, skills, creative and work experience opportunities, from cooking, art and craft to printing, computing, music and customer service, and much more. We are at an exciting stage in our delivery and development and are seeking an exceptional person to lead and manage our services, ensuring consistently high quality provision that really does make a difference.

You will play a pivotal role in our work, proactively leading a diverse team and multi-site operations to achieve targets and outcomes. You will be solution-focused, have the strength, vision and evidenced track record of an experienced manager and shared passion for enabling and empowering people with learning disabilities and/or autism to have their best lives.

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.

Are you passionate about supporting young people and shaping education-based interventions? We are looking for a Senior Practitioner – Education & Partnerships to lead strategic engagement with schools, colleges, and community partners across Buckinghamshire. This is a unique opportunity to combine frontline expertise with leadership in developing targeted education programmes and partnership work.

Where: Buckinghamshire (Countywide)

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £32,002.35- £34,214.20*

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours. 

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a practice lead within our Children & Young People’s Service, working with young people with complex needs.
• Drive the development and delivery of substance misuse prevention and early intervention programmes in educational settings.
• Build strong relationships with schools, PRUs, youth services, and voluntary organisations.
• Represent the service at education forums, safeguarding panels, and partnership boards.
• Line manage the Targeted Intervention Coordinator and oversee the Youth Ambassadors programme.
• Provide training and consultation to professionals on issues facing young people around substance misuse.
• Deliver high-quality interventions for young people with complex needs, including assessments, care planning, and psychosocial support.
• Lead education-focused initiatives such as targeted ter 2 workshops and interventions.
• Develop resources and toolkits for schools and youth settings.
• Ensure accurate data collection and reporting for educational interventions.
• Support the Team Leader with case management, audits, and service development.
• Champion safeguarding and trauma-informed practice across all activities.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in multi-agency working and building strong partnerships.
• Knowledgeable about young people’s substance misuse, safeguarding, and harm reduction.
• Skilled in delivering education programmes and managing staff or volunteers.
• Qualified to Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent). 
• You will need to work flexibly countywide across Buckinghamshire so must hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car.

 What we Offer 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• Opportunity to lead and shape a vital service alongside a friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy. 

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Closing Date

19/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Be the consistent, trusted presence who helps young people grow in confidence, leadership and belief in what’s possible.

YouthBuild Ventures UK (YBVUK) works alongside young people aged 16–25 who are furthest from opportunity. We combine leadership development, employability, wellbeing support and community action to create real pathways into work and long-term progress.

Our culture is rooted in Love, Accountability, Collaboration, Diversity and Leadership. These values shape how we hold boundaries, build trust and maintain high expectations every day.

We are now recruiting a Youth Development Officer to join our frontline programme team.

As a Youth Development Officer, you will build professional, trusting relationships with young people and deliver structured group sessions and mentoring that support personal growth, resilience and readiness for progression.

The Youth Development Officer plays a vital role in shaping positive programme culture — modelling consistency, safeguarding practice and values-led behaviour across all activity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver structured workshops and group sessions aligned to programme plans

• Provide 1:1 mentoring using strengths-based and restorative approaches

• Create inclusive, emotionally safe learning environments

• Uphold safeguarding procedures and trauma-informed practice

• Maintain accurate attendance, case notes and outcome tracking

• Contribute to programme events, team reflection and continuous improvement

We’re looking for a Youth Development Officer who believes deeply in young people, communicates clearly, maintains strong professional boundaries and thrives in community-based environments.

Full Job Description and Person Specification attached. Please review before applying.

#YouthDevelopmentOfficer #YouthWork #YouthEngagement #TraumaInformedPractice #YouthSector #LondonJobs

Be the visible connector who brings young people into opportunity and shares their stories with authenticity and care.

YouthBuild Ventures UK (YBVUK) works alongside young people aged 16–25 who are furthest from opportunity, supporting them to build skills, confidence and direction. Our programmes combine vocational training, leadership development and wellbeing support to create real pathways into work.

Our culture is rooted in Love, Accountability, Collaboration, Diversity and Leadership. These values shape how we engage with young people, how we communicate externally and how we build partnerships in our communities.

We are recruiting an Outreach & Communications Officer to sit at the intersection of programme delivery, recruitment and community engagement.

As an Outreach & Communications Officer, you will maintain a visible presence within YouthBuild programmes while leading relationship-based outreach and authentic communications. This role is grounded in proximity to delivery — ensuring recruitment messaging and storytelling reflect real lived experience, not assumptions.

The Outreach & Communications Officer plays a key role in building referral networks, engaging young people directly and amplifying youth voice across digital and community spaces.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead learner recruitment through in-person, relationship-based outreach

• Build and maintain strong referral partnerships across schools, colleges and community organisations

• Maintain consistent programme presence to build trust and insight

• Capture and create ethical, youth-centred content aligned to safeguarding guidance

• Manage digital channels and recruitment communications

• Represent YBVUK at community and sector events

We’re looking for an Outreach & Communications Officer who thrives in community spaces, builds trust easily, communicates clearly and believes deeply in the potential of young people.

Full Job Description and Person Specification attached. Please review before applying.

#OutreachOfficer #CommunicationsOfficer #YouthOutreach #CommunityEngagement #YouthRecruitment #LondonJobs

About the role 

This vacancy is for a University Access Officer to work in two of our schools in Hornsey and East Finchley, London. If there is a possibility to extend contract beyond the fixed term, this may include a move to a different school/programme.

The University Access Officer works with school staff at all levels, volunteer tutors and coaches, and with the rest of The Access Project’s team to ensure that the delivery of our programmes is optimised.
 

About the organisation 
 
The Access Project is an education charity; we believe that every young person can make the most of education, unlocking their potential and creating a fairer society. 
 
Our mission is to support students from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities, through a unique combination of tuition and in-school mentoring. We work with them to make good applications, get the grades and transition to university. 
 
The programme combats educational inequality and improves social mobility by raising students’ grades and supporting them to understand the pathway to a top university. Young people on our programme are 50% more likely to place at a top university compared to statistically similar students.

Role responsibilities

• Work directly with students, mentoring in a professional and safe manner. 
• Engage with school staff, your Programme Manager, and students in school to ensure that you have fully enrolled cohorts across both programmes. 
• Assess student progress towards being able to make successful Key Stage 5 and university applications. 
• Upload information onto the Salesforce database in a timely manner (training is provided). 
• Work with school staff to ensure their cooperation and timely completion of activities contributing to the smooth running of the programmes. 
• Present at termly school meetings with Senior Management to report on our programmes progress. 
• Support the wider team by attending university site visits which take place on occasional Saturdays and weekday evenings (paid time off is provided). 
• Any other responsibilities reasonably deemed necessary by The Access Project’s Programme Managers or Director 

Schools with tuition and coaching in their model: 

• All the above responsibilities, with the addition of: 
• Match students with volunteer tutors. 
• Monitor student attendance to tutorials and/or coaching sessions and devise innovative solutions to encourage attendance. 
• Manage volunteer tutor attendance to tutorials through weekly monitoring systems. 
• Monitor the impact of tutorials and intervene as appropriate. 
• Build and manage relationships with volunteer tutors to ensure they have a positive experience of the programme. 
• Manage students’ relationships with volunteer tutors through monitoring of systems, emailing and making phone calls.
• Work with the volunteering team to co-ordinate the effective delivery of our coaching programme. 

 Person specification 

• Demonstrable skills in mentoring groups of people and 1:1. 
• Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to deliver multiple programmes and projects at pace and manage administration accurately.
• Able to communicate and influence with impact at all levels. 
• Resilient and adaptable. 
• Able to work towards and meet deadlines with a problem-solving mindset. 
• Able to effectively time manage and actively prioritise. 
• Able to work independently with an ownership mindset. 
• Skilled in building and maintaining excellent relationships
• Able to manage upwards and advocate for own needs. 
• Able to lead and manage change.
• Good sense of attention to detail
• Can demonstrate an ability to take action to keep young people safe and raise concerns. 

Training and Development

You will be provided with regular monthly training so that you can develop your skills and succeed in the role. There is support from your line manager (Programme Manager), as well as guidance from more senior University Access Officers and the wider University Access Officer team across The Access Project. There are opportunities for progression, including several additional responsibility roles which are available for University Access Officers to apply for once they have completed their probationary period successfully. 

The purpose of this role is to deliver a high quality, flexible Human Resources service, responsive to the needs of the organisation, and in line with legislative requirements and good practice, to our Clinic and Animal Behaviour teams in London and to our Battersea Old Windsor and Battersea Brands Hatch sites. The postholder will provide expert HR advice and support to line managers and staff, coaching and empowering managers to lead on people matters with support and guidance where required.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. 

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 26th February 2026
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s):
First interview (online, via Teams): To be confirmed
Second interview (if necessary, in person): To be confirmed

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

Head of People

Location: Hybrid working based at one of our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kinross or Balloch, with Scotland-wide travel
Salary: £68,805 - £77,145 per annum (pro rata)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full time, 35 hours per week
Closing Date: 23/02/2026 23:59

The Vacancy

Are you ready to shape the people experience at CHAS, ensuring our teams are supported, inspired and equipped to make a meaningful impact for children and families during the most challenging moments of their lives?

Join CHAS as our Head of People and play a pivotal leadership role in supporting our teams across Scotland. If you are driven by purpose, energised by organisational development, and passionate about creating an exceptional workplace culture, this is your opportunity to make a profound impact.

Reporting to the Director of People and Strategy, you will provide strategic leadership, vision and direction for the People function (HR and Learning & Organisational Development) across CHAS. You will ensure our People Strategy, policies and practices enable delivery of the CHAS Plan and support our people to thrive

You will act as a key influencer and professional lead, advising senior leaders and managers on workforce planning, employment law, organisational change, employee engagement, governance and best practice in people management, while promoting a positive, inclusive and values-led culture.

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the People function, ensuring effective delivery of HR, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, employee relations, learning and organisational development.
• Lead development and evaluation of the CHAS People Strategy to ensure it remains fit for purpose and aligned to organisational objectives.
• Act as a senior business partner to the Senior Leadership Team, influencing and coaching leaders to deliver excellent people management practice.
• Lead organisational change initiatives, workforce modernisation and culture development to enhance employee experience and service delivery.
• Ensure robust governance across HR policy, employment legislation, data protection, job evaluation, pay and reward, and employee wellbeing.
• Oversee effective people data, systems and reporting to support decision making, planning and performance.
• Manage and develop the People team, including HR Business Partnering, Learning and Organisational Development and Talent Acquisition, fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement.

About You

• You will bring extensive senior-level HR leadership experience, ideally within a multi-site or complex organisation, alongside the credibility and confidence to influence at the highest level.
• You will be a CIPD Chartered Fellow with deep expertise in employment law, HR strategy, organisational development and employee relations.
• You will demonstrate strong analytical, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to handle complex and sensitive situations with professionalism, compassion and integrity.
• You will share CHAS values and bring a collaborative, inclusive leadership style with a commitment to supporting staff and volunteers.

People Team Structure

Reporting to the Director of People and Strategy, you will lead a function that includes HR, Learning and Organisational Development, Talent Acquisition and People Systems.

Why CHAS?

At CHAS, we support families when they need us most – offering care, comfort and compassion during the hardest moments of their lives. We are driven by a bold ambition: to reach every family in Scotland whose child is dying and provide the support they deserve.

We Offer

• Flexible Working: our teams work flexibly and in a hybrid manner with time split between home and onsite in Edinburgh, Balloch, Glasgow or Kinross
• Development Opportunities: Lead and shape the People Strategy during a period of organisational growth and transformation.
• Professional Growth: Work with industry leaders in a high-performing team where you will be encouraged and supported to excel and develop your skills.
• Supportive Leadership: you’ll have the backing of a collaborative leadership team that empowers you to drive progress, innovate, and lead with creativity
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including generous annual leave and pension, incremental salary progression, access to Blue Light discounts, a health cash plan and health and wellbeing support.

Further Information and How to Apply

If this sounds like you, we would love you to apply! Follow the link to answer a couple of questions and upload your CV or complete our full application form.

If you would like more information about the role, please contact CHAS to arrange an informal chat with Morven MacLean (Director of People & Strategy).

Interviews are provisionally planned for Wednesday 4th March 2026 at Rachel House, Kinross.

This role requires membership of the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) scheme in relation to working with children. CHAS will organise and fund the PVG application.

What if you don’t meet all the job requirements?
At CHAS we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued. We celebrate diversity and inclusion, recognising that everyone’s journey is unique. We believe in the power of transferable skills, so if you don’t have the exact qualifications listed but believe your experience and skills are a great fit, we encourage you to apply. Feel free to reach out to Morven or the HR team to explore how you could be a great addition to our team

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. 

We're excited to welcome an opportunity for a dedicated Young Persons Resilience Worker to our Newham service! 

Our Young Person Resilience Workers play an integral role within Change Grow Live, engaging young people in a range of interventions, using a young person-centred approach, and empowering our young service users to reduce risk, increase resilience and lead a safe, happy, and healthy lives.

Where: Newham

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £27,861.26- £32,002.35*

Allowance: £4,133.14 Inner London Weighting, pro rata 

* Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the role: 

• Supporting young people from the point of entry into the service and through their treatment/recovery journey
• Providing screening, assessment, psychosocial interventions, integrated care planning, post-treatment support, including transfer of care
• Identifying and responding effectively to potential safeguarding issues
• Reducing drug and alcohol related harm to young people and the wider community
• Identifying and responding to young people and children impacted by parental or familial use (Hidden Harm) and providing screening, assessment, psychosocial interventions, integrated care planning, post-treatment support, including transfer of care
• Promoting carer, service user and community involvement
• Providing advocacy for access to partnership services
• Working with young people to support positive, holistic outcomes in relation to their health and wellbeing, enabling them to lead safe, healthy, and purposeful lives: reducing risk and increasing resilience
• Working flexibly across sites where required 

About you: 

• Experience of working with young people and knowledge of the issues they face
• Knowledge of safeguarding concerns in relation to children and young people and the Fraser Competence framework
• Have an excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working
• within a related field
• Knowledge of working with evidence-based practice around young people’s substance misuse treatment services and methods, including relevant best practice guidance
• An accomplished communicator, both verbal and written with a high degree of personal IT competency
• Be able to accurately update and maintain records and to work to deadlines for the submission of information, e.g., reports
• Have excellent team working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a highly cooperative
• approach to supporting colleagues in delivering service objectives 

 What we will give to you: 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

Inner London Weighting (£4,133.14)

Closing Date

22/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Purpose

The Head of People & Culture ensures that Citizens UK has the people, organisational capacity and enabling culture required to deliver its mission of building people power and strengthening civil society. The role plays a central part in securing a workforce that is capable, motivated and aligned with Citizens UK’s values, enabling the organisation to build strong alliances, support local leadership and achieve lasting social change.

Working as part of the senior leadership team, and under the direction of the Executive Director, Finance & Operations, the role strengthens organisational effectiveness by embedding fair, inclusive and well-governed people practices. Through sound employment frameworks, statutory compliance and a culture that supports engagement, performance and wellbeing, the Head of People & Culture safeguards Citizens UK’s resilience, reputation and ability to deliver impact at scale.

Main Responsibilities

Working as the Head of People & Culture for Citizens UK, reporting to the Executive Director, Finance & Operations, your main responsibilities will include:

People & Culture Strategy

Ensure Citizens UK has the people, capability and organisational shape required to deliver its mission and sustain impact over time.

· Analyse organisational strategy, change priorities and external context to identify their implications for people, capability, structure and ways of working.

· Carry out workforce planning to assess current and future capacity and capability, identifying gaps, risks and realistic options to address them.

· Develop, maintain and refresh the People & Culture strategy so it responds directly to organisational needs and provides clear priorities for action.

· Provide expert people and culture advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board, informing strategic discussions, trade-offs and decisions.

Talent Management

Develop and implement talent management processes that ensure Citizens UK attracts, retains and sustains the people needed to deliver its work.

· Lead recruitment, selection and onboarding to bring in people who can perform effectively in their roles and are aligned with Citizens UK’s values.

· Develop and maintain retention approaches focused on the key drivers of retention, including meaningful work, effective management, development opportunities, wellbeing, inclusion and fair treatment.

· Identify critical roles and critical talent and put in place practical succession and risk-mitigation plans, including knowledge transfer, handover planning and interim cover where needed.

· Monitor employee experience across the employment lifecycle, using insight from feedback and people data to improve people practices and ways of working.

Performance, Leadership & Capability

Strengthen organisational effectiveness by enabling teams to perform well, grow in capability and contribute consistently to shared goals.

· Maintain and operate performance management processes, including objective setting, regular feedback and reviews, ensuring that staff are clear on expectations and accountable for results.

· Support managers to address performance issues constructively by clarifying expectations, strengthening feedback, building capability and resolving barriers to effective performance.

· Coordinate and deliver learning and development activity that supports managers and staff to build skills, leadership capability and confidence in their roles.

Organisational Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing

Foster a working environment where people feel engaged, supported and able to do their best work together.

· Promote Citizens UK’s values in everyday people practices, supporting managers to translate values into consistent behaviours, decision-making and ways of working.

· Design and operate staff engagement and feedback mechanisms, ensuring staff voice is heard, themes are analysed, and practical actions are taken in response.

· Develop and maintain wellbeing approaches that support psychological safety, healthy workload management, early resolution of concerns and sustainable working practices.

· Support constructive relationships with the Trade Union and enable effective consultation and dialogue on people-related matters. 

EDI & Safeguarding

Ensure Citizens UK is equitable, inclusive and safe for all by embedding fairness, care and accountability into how the organisation operates.

· Develop and implement Equity, Diversity and Inclusion priorities, using clear measures to monitor progress, identify gaps and support accountability across the organisation.

· Embed EDI considerations into recruitment, progression, policy development and everyday people decisions, working closely with relevant colleagues to ensure consistency in practice.

· Act as the People & Culture lead for safeguarding, ensuring responsibilities are clear, processes are understood, and concerns are handled appropriately, sensitively and in line with agreed procedures.

· Support managers and leaders to recognise and address inclusion or safeguarding issues early, escalating concerns where required and ensuring appropriate follow-up.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Ensure Citizens UK has a clear, effective and trusted people governance framework that supports lawful decision-making, fair treatment and organisational confidence.

· Develop, review and maintain People & Culture policies and procedures, ensuring they are legally compliant, values-aligned and understood by managers and staff.

· Provide day-to-day advice and guidance on people-related risk and compliance, identifying emerging issues early and supporting proportionate, lawful responses.

· Manage disciplinary, grievance and other formal employment processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, appropriate documentation and timely resolution.

Systems & HR Operations

Ensure the efficient, reliable and compliant administration of people processes and systems.

· Operate and maintain HR systems, payroll processes and core people administration, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance with organisational and legal requirements.

· Review and improve people processes to reduce duplication, minimise manual work and improve efficiency, making best use of available technology and automation.

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date people records and data, ensuring information is accessible, secure and fit for reporting, audit and operational needs.

Functional Leadership & Resource Management

Build and manage CUK’s People & Culture function, ensuring that staff and resources contribute effectively to achievement of CUK’s mission.

· Plan, prioritise and sequence People & Culture work to ensure available capacity is focused on the organisation’s most important people risks and priorities.

· Manage the People & Culture budget, including payroll, monitoring spend and applying value-for-money principles in line with organisational policies.

· Manage People & Culture staff and outsourced service providers utilising an engaging leadership style to support effective delivery of expectations.

Personal Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Qualifications

· (E) CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent senior-level professional experience in People / HR leadership

· (D) Degree or equivalent qualification in human resources, organisational development, management or a related field

Experience

· (E) Significant experience in a senior People / HR role, ideally within a charity, not-for-profit or values-driven organisation

· (E) Experience of leading and delivering people and culture priorities in complex, mission-led organisations

· (E) Experience of advising Executive and Board-level stakeholders on people, culture, governance and risk matters

· (E) Experience of operating as a senior, hands-on HR generalist, covering strategy, policy, employee relations and operational delivery

· (E) Experience of workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and organisational change

· (D) Experience of working with trade unions or staff representative bodies

Key skills and knowledge

· (E) Strong generalist HR expertise across employment law, compliance, safeguarding, performance management and people governance

· (E) Proven ability to design and implement practical people processes that support performance, inclusion and wellbeing

· (E) Strong coaching capability, with the ability to support managers to address performance, capability and behavioural issues constructively

· (E) Ability to manage complex employee relations matters with judgement, fairness and confidence

· (E) Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clear advice and recommendations to senior leaders and boards

· (D) Knowledge of HR systems, people data and process improvement to support efficient delivery

Personal qualities & values

· (E) Strong commitment to social justice, inclusion and the values and mission of Citizens UK

· (E) Values-led and relational leadership style, combining empathy, integrity and pragmatism

· (E) Resilient and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment

· (E) Comfortable working within an accountable team culture, open to feedback, reflective practice and continuous improvement

· (D) Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when required to support organisational priorities