Learning and development manager jobs

Help shape homes that change lives

This isn’t just a job in housing. It’s a chance to be part of something that matters.

At Zetetick Housing, we provide supported living for adults with learning disabilities, autism and other needs. We work with care providers to make sure our tenants feel safe, respected, and at home.

We’re looking for a Housing Officer who doesn’t just tick boxes, but genuinely cares. Someone who notices the small things. Someone who wants to be part of a team that quietly gets on with doing things properly.

You’ll be helping people move into homes where they can finally settle. You’ll sort out repairs that actually get done. And you’ll build relationships with care providers, social workers and landlords so everyone’s pulling in the same direction.

What you’ll be doing

• Visiting properties and talking with tenants

• Helping people settle into their new home

• Sorting out safety checks and making sure they’re followed up

• Noticing what’s missing and putting it right

• Keeping records tidy and up to date

• Supporting the wider team so nothing gets missed

This is hands-on work with real variety. Some days you’ll be out on site, others catching up on systems or sorting logistics. You’ll see the direct impact of what you do.

You’ll fit right in if you…

• Have housing or care experience and understand how the two connect

• Know your way around benefits and tenancy paperwork

• Can stay calm under pressure and get things done without fuss

• Are practical, observant and good with people

• Have a driving licence and are happy to travel between sites

If you’ve worked in supported housing or with people with learning disabilities, great. If not, we’ll help you learn. What matters is your attitude and your care for people.

Why join Zetetick

We’re a small charity with strong values. We believe that the way we do things matters just as much as what we do. Our team looks out for each other and we always try to do right by our tenants.

This role isn’t about targets or ticking off lists. It’s about helping people live well, in homes that feel like their own. You’ll have a clear purpose, a supportive manager, and space to grow.

How to apply

Send us your CV and a short statement about why this role speaks to you. We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so don’t wait.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need anything adjusted during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Human Resource Manager
Location: Remote-first, with occasional travel to London
Salary: £35,000–£40,000 FTE
Hours: Full-time (35hrs) or Part-time (28hrs), flexible within core hours
Contract: Permanent

Are you a people-first HR professional who thrives in a purpose-driven environment?
MLC Partners are exclusively recruiting for a dynamic HR Manager to join a small charitable organisation making a big difference in people’s quality of life. If you're passionate about creating inclusive workplaces, influencing positive culture, and supporting staff to thrive — this could be the role for you.

About the Role:

As HR Manager, you’ll be the go-to person for all things people-related, working closely with their Head of Finance & People. You’ll lead on HR operations, manage the employee lifecycle, drive policy improvements, and help shape their People and Culture strategy.

You’ll also play a key role in:

• Supporting managers and staff with clear, proactive HR guidance
• Maintaining and improving our HR systems and processes
• Leading on internal communications and coordinating staff engagement days
• Embedding inclusive practices and wellbeing initiatives
• Ensuring legal compliance across HR and Health & Safety

About you:

• CIPD Level 5 qualified, or Level 3 with extensive HR experience
• An experienced generalist with 3+ years in HR, ideally within the charity sector
• Skilled in employment law, policy development, and people management
• Tech-savvy, especially with HR systems and Microsoft Office tools
• A proactive, organised, and empathetic communicator

Highlighted benefits:

• 23 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays (rising annually for up to 5 years)
• Flexible working within core hours (8am–6pm) to fit your life
• Dedicated L&D budget for personal and team development – including conferences, training, apprenticeships, and internal/external events
• A Core L&D programme plus in-progress individual learning plans

If the above role is of interest, please apply now with your most recent CV and a brief cover letter addressing your relevant experience to the position. Alternatively, please reach out to Annabelle at MLC Partners to confidentially discuss your search and the role further.
Deadline for applications: Mon, 14th July 2025

Purpose of the Job

UK Youth is seeking an exceptional Project and Events Manager to drive the logistical planning, launch and delivery of the Joined Up Institute. Building on the success of the Joined Up Summit, the Joined Up Institute will be a groundbreaking year-round learning opportunity for practitioners across the youth, education, employment, health, social care, youth justice, business, government, and civil society sectors united by a common mission: to transform opportunities and outcomes for young people through cross-sector collaboration and evidence-based solutions. 

Reporting to the Network Development Consultant, you will be responsible for providing the technical and operational expertise to ensure the successful delivery of key convening events that form part of the Joined Up Institute learning journey. You will work closely with the Director of Network Delivery and a cross functional project team to coordinate all aspects of project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the events and providing wider project management support as needed. The role requires a highly organised, detail-oriented, and proactive individual with strong project management skills and experience delivering complex, innovative large-scale events.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management, Planning and Co-ordination 

• Stakeholder Management and Communication 

• Event Management and Logistics 

• Budget and Resource Management

Experience we're after

• Proven experience in project management, with a track record of delivering complex, large-scale projects

• Proven experience in successfully planning, delivering and managing large, complex or an ongoing series of events (e.g. a professional development programme)

• Experience of working with young people/ youth sector and understand the challenges they face 

• Experience of connecting cross sector networks and understand the challenges and opportunities in this space 

• Experience of using digital platforms (CRM/stakeholder management systems) to engage networks and communities

• Monitoring and evaluation experience and an understanding of the importance of data in decision making

Who we are

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes.

UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. To find more about us and how we make an impact, please visit UK Youth Website.

Why work at UK Youth?

We are a value-based, passionate and committed organisation offering a friendly working environment with lots of opportunities for professional development and socialising (even for those working remotely!) from lunch and learn sessions, staff quizzes to virtual coffee meet ups.

UK Youth prides itself on being an Equal Opportunity employer and we would particularly welcome applications for this role from those who identify under one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

We value the differences that a diverse workforce brings and are committed to inclusivity, and to employing and supporting a diverse workforce. Our selection procedures ensure that people are treated on the basis of their relevant merits, experience, skills and abilities and that no individual receives more or less favourable treatment.

We welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in our organisation including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We are also currently underrepresented by men, and so are seeking applications from different backgrounds, cultures, age, experience and identity to bring a wide range of experience, ideas, views and insights to UK Youth.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

• Closing date for applications will be 28th July 2025 at 9am
• Interviews are scheduled to take place w/c 4th August 2025

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

This is an important role for Homeless Link, with overall responsibility for project managing and delivering a programme of conferences designed to introduce new ideas, support the learning of the homelessness workforce and demonstrate Homeless Link’s ability to convene, whilst generating income for the charity. Along with significant experience of organising conferences or events, the successful candidate will have excellent project management and problem solving skills and a keen attention to detail.

Working alongside colleagues, and using internal and external intelligence, you will be responsible for researching, creating, and delivering compelling event programmes for a series of England wide conferences. You will help shape the narrative and purpose of each event and be involved in crafting a clear and engaging storyline. You will work across the lifecycle of each event, from content creation, budget management, logistics, delegate, speaker and venue liaison to on the day event delivery. You will be responsible for ensuring that the sessions, themes, and speakers align with the event’s objectives and the broader organisational strategy. As part of this you will help curate a line-up of knowledgeable, engaging speakers, meaning that each event not only delivers value, with content relevant and useful for our audience of homelessness sector leaders and practitioners, but is positioned as an unmissable opportunity within the industry. Visit our website for full details of the role and how to apply.

We are actively seeking to increase diversity within our organisation and would greatly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, from a black or minority ethnic background and/or with a disability.

Philanthropy Manager

Do you have the vision and drive to grow a high-value philanthropy programme that changes lives? Do you thrive on securing transformational gifts that make a lasting impact?

This is an exciting time to join the team. As part of they are growing and ambitious fundraising team, you’ll play a vital role in strengthening valued relationships and reaching new audiences - securing the funding needed to meet rising demand for support, now and into the future.

We’re expanding the Philanthropy Programme and are looking for a passionate and strategic Philanthropy Manager to help drive this growth.

This is a full-time, permanent position (37.5 hours per week) based in London. While we are flexible regarding your work location, there is an expectation to attend the London office occasionally for ad-hoc meetings and training sessions. The role will also require occasional travel within the UK to attend face-to-face meetings, as necessary

Do you have the key responsibilities to be our Philanthropy Manager ?

• Secure five-and-six figure donations, with a focus on multi-year strategic partnerships.
• Identify and research new philanthropic prospects, including trusts, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of mid- to high-value donors, cultivating relationships that lead to significant, multi-year support.
• Create compelling, tailored proposals and stewardship plans aligned with the charity’s strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to gather insights and develop cases for support.
• Contribute to the strategic development and growth of the Philanthropy Programme.
• Monitor KPIs and ensure accurate reporting of income and impact

Do you have the required skills to be our Philanthropy Manager ?

• Proven experience in philanthropy, trust fundraising, or major donor engagement.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive narratives and build rapport with a range of stakeholders.
• Confidence in identifying and researching prospective donors.
• A proactive, strategic mindset and a collaborative approach to relationship management.
• A genuine passion for the charity’s mission and values.

If you’re ready to use your skills to grow a high-impact philanthropy programme and help shape the future of fundraising, please apply now with an up-to-date CV.

This role will close on Friday, 25th July. First-round interviews will be conducted via Teams shortly after

Benefits

The charity offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

The benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

About the organisation

The charity’s vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

They're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. Fighting for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

Everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make it an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
• Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

There are Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

The charity wants to encourage everyone to apply and offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. They’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. They will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

About Park Lodge Project

Park Lodge Project is a dedicated charity committed to empowering young people and fostering safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. We provide a range of vital services, including educational and employment support, safe housing, ensuring every young individual has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. As a small but impactful organisation, we aim to deliver our life-changing work and drive positive change in young people's lives.

Job Purpose

This is a new role within Park Lodge Project. You will be responsible for researching and leading all fundraising bids, developing funding opportunities and working with service delivery colleagues to respond to opportunities. You will lead on all aspects of bid writing, including showcasing and reporting young people impact data.

You will work closely with the CEO and the Chair of the Fundraising Trustee Committee to support the strategy, development and delivery of identified opportunities. You will be the lead on organising key stakeholder events.

Closing date: 8 August

Interview date: 14 August

Yateley Industries is a unique and ambitious charity which has provided employment in our factory, training, accommodation and community engagement for disabled and neurodivergent adults for over 90 years. Our mission is to create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.

Under the new management, the charity has developed additional activities, including Community Hub, Food pantry and Café, and is looking to reestablish the design and printing roots of the organisation. We have a new set of trustees, a dynamic leadership team, a re-energised workforce and a strategy for the development of our site.

While our history is long, our fundraising journey has only recently begun. The dedicated fundraising function was only established two years ago and in that short time, we've grown income from under £60,000 to £300-350,000 per year. That’s a testament to what’s possible here - and it’s just the beginning.

An opportunity has arisen to join Yateley’s entrepreneurial management team in the position of Trusts & Grants Manager, taking over and further developing on the strong foundations that have been laid in the last few years. There is still much to build and plenty of challenges to navigate but we believe this is a once in a career opportunity to shape a high-impact, high-potential function from the inside out.

If you're ambitious and want to leave a legacy, this is your moment.

Join Affinity Trust as Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance

• Location: Hybrid with frequent travel to our Head Office for Executive Meetings, and national travel to our support locations.
• Head Office: Thame, Oxfordshire
• Salary: £100,000 per annum
• Car Allowance: £6,200
• Governance: You will be the Nominated Individual and Caldicott Guardian

With the right support, anything is possible

We are looking for a collaborative and visible leader—ideally from within social care or a closely related sector—who has significant experience leading a Quality or Operations function across a large and diverse set of services. 

Through your engagement with regulators, networks, and professional bodies, you will bring external insight into the organisation and help us stay at the forefront of best practice in quality and compliance.

About us

We are Affinity Trust, a national charity with over 30 years' experience supporting children, young people, and adults with learning disabilities, autism, and other needs. 

With nearly 2,500 colleagues and services across England and Scotland, we are values-led, financially strong, and driven by a single purpose: supporting people to live their life, their way.

Why this role matters

This is a pivotal, high-impact role. As Director of Quality Improvement & Compliance, you will play a central part in shaping how we continuously raise the standard of support across Affinity Trust. 

You will lead our approach to quality, improvement and co-production — ensuring we have the systems, insights, and culture needed to deliver consistently excellent, person-centred support.

You will influence practice across our services by working in close partnership with operational leaders, providing the challenge, guidance, and support needed to embed sustainable improvements. 

You’ll also champion innovation—harnessing the potential of digital tools and outcomes measurement to improve how we understand, assess, and enhance the lives of the people we support.

Above all, your work will be vital in helping us live out our core belief: that with the right support, anything is possible. This role is key to Achieving More Together.

What you’ll bring

We're looking for:

• A proven, senior leader from social care or a similar regulated sector.
• Deep understanding of quality, compliance, and safeguarding in complex service environments.
• Strategic acumen paired with empathy, collaboration, and a values-driven approach.
• Passion for co-production, data-informed improvement, and empowering people to thrive.
• Experience engaging with regulators (CQC/Care Inspectorate), driving innovation, and leading high-performing teams.

 Benefits

• £100,000 salary + £6,200 car allowance
• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Private healthcare, enhanced pension, life insurance, and Blue Light discounts
• Hybrid flexibility, national influence, and deep local impact

Ready to be part of something extraordinary?

Apply by: 27 July 2025
Interviews: 28 August 2025

For more information, please refer to the candidate pack attached to this advert. 

Job Location:        Home-based, with some travel to our London office.

Responsible to:    Head of Services 

Hours:                      35 per week 

Grade:              Point 42- 45, £45,530 - £48,620 (a London Allowance will be applied to employees who live in London, plus 6% employer’s pension, subject to a minimum 2% contribution by the employee) 

Contract:               Fixed term until 31st March 2026.

Benefits:

• Friendly and collaborative working environment
• Remote working
• 25 to 30 days holidays per annum plus bank holidays (depending on length of service and pro-rata for part-time employees)
• Contributory pension scheme including 6% employer’s contribution (subject to employee’s minimum 2% contribution)
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity pay
• Occupational sick pay depending on length of service and pro-rata for part-time employees.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to staff discounts

Closing date: 17th July 2025, 17:00

Interviews to take place: 28th & 29th July 2025

About the role:

This role's primary purpose is to ensure effective delivery and continuous improvement of Respect's training programmes. This involves an experienced Trainer facilitating courses, webinars, and workshops, as well as overseeing the creation of new training content and securing its CPD certification or OCN accreditation. The core purpose of this position is to drive the quality and reach of Respect's learning and development programme. 

About you:

• At least three years’ experience of domestic abuse client work, preferably with perpetrators 
• Experience in delivering training for different audiences and in various formats (face-to-face, online, blended learning) 
• Experience in project management, including budget management for training programmes 
• Experience in training evaluation and impact measurement 
• Demonstrate a commitment to - and understanding of - the values, aims and objectives of Respect 
• Willingness to travel to various parts of the country to deliver training 

About Respect: 

Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector.  Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 25 years in what was then a fledgling sector and recently have seen significant and rapid growth.

How to apply

You must download an application form from Respect's job page, and submit to the Operations department in word doc. format only, please.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact our HR Team directly (follow link to Respect website)

Closing date: 17th July 2025, 17:00 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – Corporate Partnerships Manager – New Business

Location: Options for role to be site-based (Buckinghamshire or East Yorkshire), hybrid or home-based contract with regular UK travel for meetings and pitches.

Salary: £55,000 per annum.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours. 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, whose mission is to see a time when no deaf person feels alone, is seeking a Corporate Partnerships Manager to identify, secure and shape new strategic corporate relationships that will help drive income and awareness at scale.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been creating life-changing partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients since 1982. As well as acting as an ear to their partners and alerting them to sounds, the charity’s clever and expertly trained dogs help deaf people to live life with confidence and independence, whilst providing love, companionship and emotional support.

Following on from a strategic review, the charity is now looking to build a new Income Generation Directorate, to enable them to transform many more lives across the UK. This role will be critical to help Hearing Dogs reach their goals to diversify income, expand their portfolio and build a robust, diverse pipeline of high-value corporate support.  

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Partnerships, this role will take a lead on identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate partners to support Hearing Dogs. The post-holder will be responsible for driving the development of tailored, high-impact proposals and pitches to engage relevant companies and secure strategic, multifaceted partnerships that align with the charity’s mission and plans for growth.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in building long-term successful corporate partnerships and a track record in securing multiple six-seven figure sums from partnerships and delivering against income targets.  You will have an entrepreneurial approach to your work alongside strong communication, interpersonal and communication skills. You will also have excellent networking and research abilities, with a methodical approach to pipeline development.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People with strategic partnerships that can drive impact, with the flexibility of working remotely or spending time at Hearing Dogs’ stunning bases in Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire, with friendly and passionate staff and their four-legged friends.

If you want to lead the pack and help deaf people live well with hearing loss Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 4th August, 9.00 am. 

People land on our shores through no fault of their own, suffering the trauma of displacement. An experienced fundraiser who is looking to make an impact is what LEAH is after. We are over 42 years old and have ambitions to serve our beneficiaries into future decades. 

It is a tough fundraising climate and so we are increasing capacity by establishing a 2nd Fundraising Manager position. We want someone who is not only an experienced and successful fundraiser but also someone who is bold and brave, able to hit the ground running.

Job Summary
We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Business / Operations Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our office by providing comprehensive administrative support. This position requires strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a high level of professionalism.

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the business functions of the charity, ensuring efficient and compliant operations. This role covers finance, HR, IT, premises management, recruitment, health and safety, and GDPR/data protection. The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO, leadership team, and external specialists to support the charity’s mission and maintain operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Human Resources & Recruitment:

· Oversee HR processes, from recruitment to staff development, ensuring compliance with best practices.

· Manage employee relations and support performance management initiatives.

· Maintains training records and ensure all necessary training is booked for staff and volunteers.

IT & Data Management:

· Ensure the smooth running of IT services and systems.

· Oversee GDPR and data protection compliance, working with IT teams and external consultants if necessary, fulfilling the role of DPO for the charity.

Financial Oversight:

· Liaise with external accountants in relation to;

o Processing the monthly payroll

o Processing purchasing invoices ensuring all goods and services have been authorized

o Preparing and processing payments of invoices, expenses etc

· Monitor budgets, financial reporting, and ensure fiscal responsibility.

Premises Management:

· Manage the charity’s physical assets and premises, including vendor contracts and maintenance.

Health and Safety:

· Implement and monitor health and safety policies to provide a secure working environment.

Compliance & Risk Management:

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulations (e.g., data protection, health and safety) and ensure the charity adheres to them.

Strategic Project Management:

· Support the Head of Service in the oversight of operational projects, evaluate their success, and recommend improvements to processes.

· Any other duties from time to time as directed by the CEO or the Board of Trustees in the CEO’s absence

Management responsibilities

· Ensure that health and safety at work procedures are adhered to.

· Ensure all operating systems relating to service delivery are updated and reports generated for monitoring and evaluation, identifying and sharing any opportunities for learning.

· Prepare reports for Head of Service / CEO using DAVSS databases and co-ordinate information for funding/monitoring reports, liaise with the Fundraising team and outsourced finance team as needed in connection with external funding.

Person Specification

Essential:

· Proven experience in an operations or business management role.

· Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management.

· Excellent organisational and communication skills.

· Sound understanding of HR practices, IT management, and regulatory compliance.

Beneficial:

· A degree or at least 2 years’ operational experience in Business Management, Finance, or a related discipline.

· Relevant certifications such as CIPD (for HR), NEBOSH (for Health & Safety), AAT/CIMA (for financial management), ITIL (for IT services), or Prince2 (for project management).

· Experience or training in GDPR and data protection.

· An understanding of Domestic Abuse or the willingness to learn.

Key Competencies

· Strategic thinking and problem-solving

· Strong leadership and team management

· Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure

· Effective stakeholder and vendor management

· A proactive approach to process improvement and risk mitigation

Personal Qualities

· Ability to motivate others and provide leadership

· Pro-active approach

· Excellent attention to detail as well as an ability to see the wider picture

· Commitment to excellent service provision and maintaining client confidentiality.

· Commitment to undertake training as needed

· Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative

· A commitment to the practical application of equal opportunities and diversity.

· Integrity, honesty and reliability and a high level of respect towards others including clients, volunteers, staff, agencies, partners.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children, and young people, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All roles are subject to safer recruitment practices, including an enhanced DBS check, references, and thorough vetting procedures.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community, including those with lived experience of domestic abuse.

If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to a dynamic team while developing your skills in a supportive environment, we encourage you to apply for the Operations manager role.

Who we are

Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health, through improving school food & food education. Working in areas of high deprivation, we support and train schools and their kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education. We share our learning and resources freely, aiming to inspire and enable others to follow our lead.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and have ambitious targets to ensure every child has access to incredible school food and food education, setting them up for life with the skills and knowledge to feed themselves well.

About you and the role

This role will take our charity’s mission to a wider audience at an exciting time of development and growth. For a small communications team, we punch above our weight - regularly hitting the headlines, getting featured on agenda-setting news shows, receiving pro-bono support from renowned agencies and we have high-profile ambassadors, such as Prue Leith, Henry Dimbley and Thomasina Miers in our corner. 

We need someone who’s creative, strategic and has great media contacts, or the knowhow to forge them, who can ensure a steady stream of coverage that gets our work in front of key audiences. This is an exciting time. Change is coming to school food - the government has committed to updating the school food standards and you’ll be part of the effort to transform the food kids eat in school every day. You’ll enjoy problem solving, crafting ideas and media opportunities, from stunts to stories. 

You’ll be working on exciting projects, experience some incredible food and be surrounded by an ambitious, diverse and dynamic team, all passionate about the power great food and food education in schools has to shape and change young lives. 

The responsibilities, skills and experience listed below are intended to give you an idea of what we need for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you would be able to work with us to deliver the majority of them, we urge you to apply anyway. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for us the most important ‘experience’ is passion for our mission. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented communities, to apply.  

We want to get to know you at the interview and understand we can do this best if you’re at ease. We’re an inclusive employer and work hard to create a welcoming working environment for everyone, including appointing a neurodiversity champion to help us identify how we can make our work environment work for everyone. If you need adjustments to the interview process please let us know.

As we work with children & young people, an offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance, in line with our safeguarding policy.  

Key responsibilities:

• Work with the Head of Communications to develop and deliver content, media moments and campaigns that help raise awareness of our cause and achieve our wider strategic goals.

• Work closely with colleagues, school chefs and teachers to unearth compelling content that will connect with key audiences.

• Identify, create and secure opportunities for coverage of our charity’s mission in target publications and platforms.

• Create and deliver communications plans and assets.

• Build networks and contacts within mainstream, education and food-related traditional and social media platforms to secure proactive story and content placement.

• Deal with reactive media queries to tight deadlines, overseeing preparation of briefs and Q&As.

• Oversee the ongoing development of our website and work to improve user experience. 

• Evaluate the success of campaigns, setting and tracking key metrics, feeding learnings back into future work in a cycle of continuous improvement.

• Monitor and control spending against delegated budget, clearing any anticipated variance with the Head of Communications in advance.

• Develop and deliver a patron and ambassador strategy.

• Oversee content creation for our online platforms, resources and marketing materials, ensuring brand consistency and appropriate audience targeting.

• Ensure any data collection via our website or other platforms is compliant with GDPR and any related or superseding legislation.

• Line manage and mentor the Communications Officer and Social Media Officer, with a commitment to ensuring their development.

Skills & experience:

• 3+ years prior experience in a similar role.

• You have interest and belief in our mission to improve kids’ health through improving food and food education in schools.

• You are organised, methodical, strong on detail, and able to map out deadlines and plan ahead.

• Experience of line management in a hybrid working environment. You must be committed to developing the team.

• You have proven success designing and delivering communications plans and campaigns.

• You have experience successfully pitching stories and/or collaborations to media, journalists and influencers.

• You understand how to create engaging content - both written and visual.

• You spot opportunities for coverage and know how to make them happen.

• You’re up to date on media and communications trends and able to stay ahead of the curve.

• You’re capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• You’re confident enough to deputise for the Head of Communications, such as deciding which reactive media queries to pursue, presenting at events and crisis management.

• You can constructively critique the work of others with an emphasis on learning and continuous improvement.

• You have excellent writing skills and communication skills.

• Experience of education media would be nice.

Benefits

You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who works hard but believe in a healthy work/life balance. We were voted one of CODE Hospitality’s happiest places to work in 2024. We seek a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge. Joining a small, collaborative team means you’ll be able to contribute to and draw on various projects and strategic insights.

We offer 33 days of holiday per year including bank holidays, 3 additional office closure days over the Christmas period as well as wellbeing days over the summer school holidays.  We also have a Cycle to Work scheme, hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and free access to the CODE app for discounted restaurants & hospitality venues. We are committed to developing our team and will support you with relevant training opportunities including £250 towards elective training and development of your choice.

We also offer Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, as well as access to the Aviva Smart Health Platform which offers health benefits including free rapid access online GP appointments, free counselling and wellbeing support.

Application process

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we invite candidates to answer a series of questions related to their day-to-day job. Please follow this link to answer the questions and submit your application along with your CV.

We recommend that you develop your answers offline and copy them in when you’re ready to ensure you don’t lose your work if interrupted.

Your answers will go through our sifting process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. A long list of candidates will then additionally have their CVs reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30 mins online interview. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a second, in-person interview at our office in Brixton, London.

For the first interview, we will ask you to submit a short written exercise.

Expected duration of this application process: 4-6 weeks

Head of Sector Development

Full Time: 35 hours per week | £55,500pa | Hybrid | Closing Date 7th August 2025

Job Reference: HSD02 (Please quote this on any correspondence)

Headline: Help shape sector development for the UK’s professional body for libraries, information, and knowledge management

The role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic professional to join us as Head of Sector Development. This pivotal leadership role will drive the delivery and growth of our professional services, shaping how the profession attracts, develops, and retains talent. You will play a critical role in ensuring CILIP continues to set the standard in professional development, assessment, and workforce support, enhancing the value we offer to members, employers, learning providers, and wider stakeholders.

What you’ll be responsible for:

As Head of Sector Development, you will lead a high-performing team to deliver and evolve a portfolio of services that support career progression, professional registration, accreditation, training, and sector-wide standards. You will take ownership of the Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB), ensuring it remains relevant, robust, and at the heart of our service offer. You will work closely with learning and employer partners, member networks, and other professional communities to strengthen talent pathways, while ensuring that our services are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with market need.

You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the sector development function, reporting on its impact and outcomes, and driving commercial growth through effective product design and service delivery. This includes the development of a scalable training offer, effective use of digital platforms, and innovation in content packaging. Your leadership will ensure that quality assurance standards are upheld across all services, while also championing the importance of professionalism and ethical practice throughout the sector.

What we’re looking for

You will bring significant experience from within the library, information, or knowledge management field, alongside deep knowledge of the professional development landscape. Your expertise will include developing competency frameworks, managing accredited programmes, and designing services that support career-long learning and progression. You will be confident working with regulatory requirements and quality standards, and able to use market intelligence and internal data to inform strategic decisions.

As a leader, you will be values-driven, collaborative, and commercially minded. You’ll be an effective communicator with the presence and credibility to represent CILIP at senior levels. You’ll bring a strong understanding of inclusive practice and a proven ability to develop services that are accessible and relevant to a diverse profession. Most importantly, you will be passionate about professional development, driven by impact, and committed to strengthening the role of the sector in society.

Why join us?

We’re on an exciting journey to transform how we work, what we offer, and how we serve our members and partners. You’ll play a central role in shaping this future, leading change, driving innovation, and helping ensure CILIP thrives in a rapidly evolving sector.

If you're an inclusive, strategic leader who thrives on innovation, people leadership, and delivering measurable impact, we’d love to hear from you.

About CILIP

CILIP is the leading voice for the information, knowledge management and library profession. We are here for everyone who has a professional connection to information, knowledge, data and libraries, and shares our belief in their power to change lives.

Our purpose is to unite, support and empower information professionals across all sectors.

What we do:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): We will deliver high-quality CPD events and training that enable our members to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise.
• Membership services: We will provide excellent membership services that support our members and enable them to maximise their membership benefits.
• Professional standards: We will uphold and develop professional standards that promote excellence in libraries, information and knowledge management.
• Content and publishing: We will deliver high-quality books, journals, magazines, and other content that enables our members to improve their skills and develop their expertise.
• Advocacy: We will advocate for the value of our profession and the important role of our members in organisations and society.
• Research and development: We will work in collaboration to deliver R&D programmes which advance our strategic goals.

Benefits of working for CILIP:

• Work alongside passionate, mission-driven professionals.
• Enjoy a flexible, supportive, and inclusive working environment.
• Generous pension and death-in-service entitlement.
• 28 days paid leave per year, plus bank holidays and an additional 3 days leave between Christmas and New Year.
• Perkbox employee discounts.
• Enhanced sick pay, maternity, paternity, adoption and carer’s leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

How to apply:
Please submit a letter of application outlining how you meet the criteria and why you are the right fit for this role.

For full details, please refer to the attached role description and person specification (on our website).

To express your interest or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact our HR department,

Closing date: Applications should be submitted by midnight on Thursday 7th August 2025 with shortlisting taking place on Monday 11th August.

Interviews: Will be held week commencing 25th August 2025