Operational manager jobs

About the role

We’re recruiting for a Head of Retail Operations for our Northern Division. In this role, you’ll be at the heart of driving success within six regions, leading a team of dedicated Regional Managers across 85 shops with around 270 colleagues.

This isn’t just about overseeing operations – it’s about owning them. You’ll have the freedom and autonomy to shape the strategy for your division, making key decisions on everything from financial performance to people development. You’ll build a values-led, inclusive culture – one where our people feel appreciated, respected and supported.

As part of the senior leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Mind Retail, bringing fresh ideas and driving initiatives that make a real impact. And because every pound we make in our shops helps support Mind’s mission, the work you do will have a lasting and meaningful impact.

This is a role for an ambitious leader – someone ready to take ownership, think strategically and inspire a team to do great things.

We’re looking for someone who:

· Is a natural leader, passionate about creating high-performing teams and building an inclusive culture

· Has senior-level experience leading multi-site, large-scale retail operations and knows how to drive commercial success

· Understands retail finances inside out, from managing P&L’s, to spotting opportunities for growth

· Thinks strategically, but isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and make things happen

· Embodies our values and behaviours

Ready to make a difference?

Join Mind Retail. Join the fight for mental health.

Due to our commitment to work/life balance, you must live within reasonable travelling distance of the division. The geography of the division covers the North West, Yorkshire & Humber, North East, East & West Midlands and North Wales.

Mind Retail reserve the right to close the vacancy to applications earlier, should we receive a high volume of strong candidates. Therefore we encourage an early application.

 

About our benefits

As Head of Operations, you’ll receive:

· A competitive salary of £59,753 per year

· A company car

· A strong commitment to work-life balance with a working pattern that supports this, with the occasional weekend working

· 25 days’ paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays

· Development workshops & courses, to help build your career

· Comprehensive, personalised induction programmes, tailored to your role when you join us

· A huge variety of additional qualifications & development programmes for anyone looking to grow their skills

· Family friendly policies & enhanced pay

· A competitive pension scheme & life assurance, available to all our employees

· 25% staff discount in all Mind shops

· Access to exclusive discounts at over 160 retailers through our employee savings app

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Interest free season ticket loan

 

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating an income of around £25 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we’re going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. There’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We value the power of diversity. We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We are creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is appreciated for being authentic and bringing their whole selves to work.

Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working with us to share this commitment. In line with our Safer Recruitment policy, the successful candidate will be required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check with a check of the Children's Barred List and/or ‘Work with Adults' workforce check based on their role and responsibilities. A DBS check is a process to check someone's criminal record (if they have any). A Barred List is a list of people who are barred from working with children. To enable you to predetermine what might be disclosed in your DBS check, please use this disclosure calculator.

Mind Retail is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applicants from all communities. We are committed to the fair treatment of our staff, potential staff and volunteers, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

This job vacancy is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. 

More details

For more information and a full person specification, please check on the Job Description button below.

At The Birth Partner Project, our vision is that no woman or birthing person should face birth alone. We are looking for a Director to lead our small team into the future. We’d love to hear from you if you’re an experienced third sector professional who can set a clear strategic direction, maintain a detailed grasp on good governance, and operate with real integrity and care. As we are a tiny charity, you will be expected to flip from deeply operational detail to big-picture strategic thinking in the blink of an eye.

We are committed to offering non-medical, culturally safe and trauma-informed support to women and birthing people during their pregnancies and into early motherhood, particularly focusing on those based in Cardiff who are seeking sanctuary.

The Adult Lead Worker service is based at our main hub in Digbeth but provides city-wide support to adults experiencing multiple disadvantage. This service provides flexible, strengths-based advice and support to people aged 18 years plus who experience two or more of substance use, poor mental health, history of repeat homelessness and offending history. Clients may also be serially excluded from services or be at risk of exclusion from mainstream services.

This is a targeted service that aims to build resilience, improve health and wellbeing and move people towards independent living at an early stage, in order to prevent or delay the need for crisis interventions.

The Lead Workers will also act as a community navigator linking the client into local services and activities, ensuring access to and receipt of necessary care and support that will vary for each client.

You will be leading a large team of Lead Workers and report to the Service Manager.

Selection of Service Management duties :-

1. To oversee operational delivery of the Adult Lead Worker Service to ensure that the outcomes are achieved in line with the contract requirements.

2. To manage data capture relating to the contract and ensure effective support plans, case notes and statistical data analysis is available.

3. To assist in regular reporting through a range of statistical data, case studies, client feedback and other routes on a monthly and quarterly basis.

4. Work alongside and in partnership with other services across the city to promote appropriate referrals and joint working to get the best outcomes for clients.

For the full list of Key Tasks, Managerial Responsibilities and Requirements, please see the Job description and Person Specification.

Job purpose

To support Debt Advisers in their roles and ensure that the advice provided to overindebted Clients is accurate, effective and tailored to individuals’ circumstances. To support, and regularly audit delivery partner organisations, ensuring that they are prepared for external reviews of their service in line with their Grant Agreement.

Scope of role

The Debt Technical Supervisor is responsible for supporting Debt Advisers to ensure the delivery of accurate, effective, and tailored advice to over-indebted clients. This role involves conducting debt-advice interview observations, reviewing case files, and identifying training needs for advisers. The Debt Technical Supervisor provides real-time support and constructive feedback, helping advisers navigate complex cases and ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and information. Additionally, the role includes auditing delivery partner organisations to prepare them for external reviews and supporting them in meeting compliance and quality standards. The supervisor will collaborate with the Quality Assurance Manager to promote best practices, address risks, and contribute to the continuous professional development of advisers.

Key working relationships

Head of Quality and Compliance, Quality Assurance Manager, Debt Advisers, Delivery Partner Organisations, Training and Wellbeing Manager, Funders and External Partners, Recognising Excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Support Debt Advisers in their roles and ensure that the advice provided to over- indebted Clients is accurate, effective and tailored to individuals’ circumstances.

• Conducting debt-advice interview observations
• Undertaking debt advice file reviews
• Identifying advisers’ soft skill and technical training needs
• Providing constructive feedback, and pastoral support, to advisers and their line managers
• Providing real-time support to advisers, which will include but is not limited to providing guidance in complex matters and provide advisers with sources of information.

2. Support, and regularly audit delivery partner organisations, ensuring that they are prepared for external reviews of their service in line with the Grant Agreement.

• Ensure partner organisation are kept up to date with the requirements for external assessments.
• Supporting partner organisations with the preparation and review of files and documentation ahead of an external assessment.
• Support partner organisations with the implementation of any remedial actions following an external review and support advisors to identify suitable training to improve areas highlighted.

3. Ensure project compliance and quality requirements are achieved.

• Working closely with the Quality Assurance Mangers to ensure Advisors based at delivery partners have a good awareness and understanding of the quality and service delivery requirements and have active involvement in the delivery of partnership events related to both quality improvement and CPD.
• Working collaboratively to share good practice in performance and quality improvement and to progress key priority areas of work.
• Escalating risks promptly and appropriately and contributing to wider monitoring and reporting requirements.

4. Contribute to Team

• Work to an agreed work-plan meeting targets and milestones
• Prioritise and manage your own workload
• Be an active member of the team, identifying opportunities for your development. Work in collaboration with our funder, and with colleagues from across their other funded organisations, contributing to key projects and meetings.
• Compliance with Toynbee Hall policies and procedures, including health and safety. Demonstrate financial efficiency and value for money throughout work.
• Ensure that all services comply with equal opportunities and other relevant policies and quality standards and good practice

Other:

• Travel across London as required, and occasionally the UK
• Undertake additional tasks as defined by the Quality Managers, Managing Director and Toynbee Hall’s Senior Leadership Team.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of two years’ full time (2,220 hours) or equivalent part-time experience of delivering debt advice
• Hold a valid Money and. Pension Service accredited qualification in debt advice
• Have recent knowledge and experience of specialist debt casework
• Ability to supervise, develop and motivate a team of Debt Advisers to achieve performance, quality and Continuous Professional Development
• Understanding of the issues involved in interviewing clients (all channels)
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and produce and present clear reports verbally and in writing in cross cultural settings.
• Ability to work with funders and (partner) organisations to earn and maintain the trust of the people with whom Toynbee Hall deals.
• Experience of the monitoring, managing and evaluation of projects and performance
• Have achieved the MaPS competency requirements for a Technical Debt Supervisor (or be working towards these) and have experience of monitoring casework for quality.
• Proven ability to work creatively to support change management using a solution-based approach that resolves issues and accomplishes goals
• Ability to lead and contribute to the team, including the ability to prioritise own work and the work of others, and take decisions in relation to service delivery and rota cover (if required)
• Ability to create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff are empowered and motivated to do their best
• Ability to best use IT systems and packages in the provision of advice services, including Microsoft Office, Teams, and case recording tools eg AdvicePro

2. Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all staff members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competence in handling sensitive information with discretion and maintaining confidentiality.

3. Personal Attributes:

• High level of professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to work independently and proactively without supervision.
• Capacity to remain calm and effective under pressure, adopting a “find a solution, no blame” attitude.
• Open-minded, inclusive, and collaborative approach, seeking fresh and alternative perspectives.
• Commitment to empowering others by sharing knowledge and enabling action.

4. Commitment:

• Strong alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategy, and values.
• Willingness to participate in training and develop further understanding in areas such as safeguarding.

Please download the full Job Description for more details.

Our Benefits Package

We believe in supporting our employees with a well-rounded benefits package designed to enhance work-life balance, financial security, and overall well-being.

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
• After 3 years: +1 additional day.
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking

We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.

We work towards this by:

• Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.
• Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.
• Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.

This means:

• Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.
• Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.
• Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.

What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.

Job Title: Risk and Compliance Officer

Location: Home-based (requires occasional travel to London, likely once per month, to attend meetings, events and training) or Hybrid (with one day per week in the London Office)

Hours: 35 hours per week                               

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £30,290 per annum (home-based) - £33,320 per annum (hybrid)

What we do: We help young people through cancer

How we work: We’re Determined, United, Spirited and Kind

 

What we’re looking for:

• Someone who can lead and embed a proactive risk management culture across the organisation.
• Someone who helps teams identify issues early on and plan effectively for business continuity.
• Someone who can be a go-to expert on data protection and compliance, offering clear and practical guidance and advice.
• Someone who stays ahead of regulatory changes and supports others through training and advice.
   

What we offer:

• Leave: 25 days of annual leave, which increases with service, in addition to bank holidays and a 3 or 4 day closure over the Christmas period. We also have finish early Fridays in August and quarterly rest days to step away from day to day work and refocus.
• Flexible bank holidays: the option to swap five UK public holidays (except 25th, 26th December, and 1st January or any substitute bank holidays for these dates) for other dates off.
• Paid Carer and Compassionate Leave: paid time off to care for family members or dependants.
• Paid Parental Leave: enhanced pay for parental leave such as maternity leave, paternity leave or adoption leave.
• Paid Volunteering Leave: support your community by taking paid leave for volunteering activities.
• Health Cashback Plan: access a health cashback plan to cover medical expenses.
• Life assurance and Income Protection: financial support if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
• Discount scheme: access exclusive savings at various high street retailers and gyms.
• Flexible Working: we care about your wellbeing and encourage flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.
   

How to apply:

You’ll need to register on our portal, complete a short application form and answer questions about your skills and experience in relation to the role.

Key dates:

Applications by 19th September. 1st Stage Interviews 30th September online and 2nd Stage Interviews 7th October (potentially in person).
 

Our commitment to inclusion and accessibility:

At Teenage Cancer Trust one of our key focuses is around equity and making sure our services are accessible and inclusive to all young people with cancer, with no-one left behind. We have the same goal for people working with us. Teenage Cancer Trust is committed to recognising and valuing individual differences and the contributions of all people.

Should you require any assistance or adjustments to support your application or interview process, such as additional time for tasks, meeting the panellists beforehand, information in another format or a different interview format (online/offline/in person), please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the HR team.

We are a Disability Confident employer which means we have committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role listed under the 'What you'll bring to the team' section of the job description. If you would like to opt into this scheme, please tick ‘yes’ on the application form.
 

Privacy and Safeguarding:

At Teenage Cancer Trust we take our commitment to safeguarding seriously and work to protect and promote the rights of the young people who we support. Our safeguarding responsibilities extend to the children and adults who work to support the charity, who we also have a duty of care to protect. Safeguarding is at the forefront of each activity we carry out. In line with our approach, this role is subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). 

For information on how we collect, store and process personal data please refer to our privacy policy on our website. 

Team Coordinator

Youth Futures Foundation is the national What Works Centre for youth employment, with a specific focus on marginalised young people.   

We find and generate high-quality evidence to better understand England’s’ youth unemployment and inactivity challenge, and most importantly to learn what solutions work to address this. We do this through bringing together the best evidence already in existence and build on this by conducting original research and testing and evaluating promising interventions to produce much needed new evidence where there are gaps.  

We are looking for a dynamic Team Coordinator to provide administrative and business support to the Programmes and Grants Directorate. The successful candidate will help us to deliver our objectives by providing seamless support and delivery. They will:

Understand the needs of the teams, the context in which they operate, and focus on problem-solving and working with others to meet objectives. 

Help the teams to work effectively, co-ordinate team activities, maintain relationships, alongside supporting operational excellence 

Work flexibly as needs evolve to support teams, and occasionally, support cross-Directorate colleagues. 

Use digital ways of working, technology and platforms to achieve goals. 

This role will be based at our Birmingham office.

We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information and a full job description, please download the Recruitment Pack.

HOW TO APPLY

Click on the 'Apply on website' button below to apply online. The closing date for applications is Sunday 28th September 2025 11:59 PM.

As part of Youth Futures Foundation’s safeguarding policy, all employees are subject to a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, some positions may require an enhanced level disclosure. 

The young people we aim to serve – and the challenges they face - are all unique. We are looking to build a team that reflects this diversity. Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, class, religion, identity, and experience forms the cornerstone of our work. We are an equal opportunities employer, Mindful Employer, Disability Confident and welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

We are particularly keen to encourage people with lived experience of the challenges facing young people in the labour market, and committed to supporting you in your application. Please contact us if you require any additional support. 

Internally, we encourage an open, collaborative and inclusive working environment. 

Lead change. Tackle poverty. Build community.

East Durham Trust is looking for a visionary and dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead our organisation into the next chapter.

We are the flagship voluntary and community sector organisation for East Durham – one of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities – and we exist to fight poverty, support vulnerable people, and empower local residents to thrive.

In 2025, our work spans:

• Crisis Support Services – providing emergency food and energy support and tackling the root causes of poverty.
• Information, Advice, and Guidance Services – including community-based advice support and the East Durham Debt centre working in collaborative community and VCSE partnerships
• Community Energy Initiatives – including PowerED (Power East Durham), Horden Heat and Energising East Durham, a 5-year programme driving forward local renewable energy solutions and fuel poverty reduction.
• No More Nowt – an Arts Council England funded programme bringing cultural opportunities to local people.
• Volunteering and Social Action Programmes – engaging and supporting a network of volunteers to strengthen local communities. Including a range of community-based services and opportunities.
• Community House – providing managed workspace, community hub facilities, and hosting co-located partner organisations.
• Other targeted projects funded by national, regional, and local funders.

About the role

As CEO, you’ll provide strategic leadership and vision, ensuring the Trust remains financially sustainable, digitally equipped, and impactful in addressing the challenges our communities face.

You will:

• Inspire and lead our staff and volunteers.
• Drive forward income generation and financial stability (we use Xero).
• Oversee effective service delivery, using digital referral systems and our Charity Log CRM to measure and grow impact.
• Represent East Durham Trust with funders, policymakers, partners, and the media.
• Lead innovation and ensure our work remains rooted in the needs of local people.

About you

We’re looking for a leader who combines passion with professionalism. You’ll bring:

• Senior leadership experience in the voluntary, community or social sector.
• A track record in securing funding and leading organisational growth.
• Strong financial management skills, with experience of digital systems.
• Outstanding communication and partnership-building skills.
• A deep commitment to tackling poverty and inequality.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected community anchor organisation with a national profile and a local heart. You’ll be part of shaping solutions to the cost-of-living crisis, fuel poverty, and social disadvantage – while ensuring local people have a strong voice and real opportunities.

Apply now and help us power change in East Durham.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Chair of Trustees

Closing Date: 6th October 2025

Interviews Week Commencing: 13th October 2025

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options

We're on a mission to empower young people aged 14-19 across England and Wales, and you can help make a real difference.

Following our successful Wales pilot supporting 15,000 young people since launching in 2024, we're scaling regionally. In 2025 we're focusing on Bedfordshire, and that is where we need you, while also responding to needs across England and Wales, aiming to reach 90,000+ young people in-person and 2.5 million+ online across both nations.

As a Project Coordinator you'll connect volunteers with schools and foster impactful relationships within our dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people.

Working from home with occasional team meet-ups, events, and school visits, you'll join a dedicated team that values high expectations and individual contributions to help young people achieve positive outcomes.

If you're passionate, self-motivated, and eager to contribute to a great mission, this is your chance to join a team that's helping young people to transform their career and life chances.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what one of our young people had to say: "My personal experience has been exceptional. There is a collaborative atmosphere, and it is truly empowering to be part of a charity that values student input and involves us in decisions that directly affect our lives." – Working Options Alumnae.

Find out more about the role, and hear from our Chief Executive about our charity's ambitions, via the applicant pack linked below.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine interest in our work and in the greater Bedfordshire area and/or South of England in easy reach of Bedfordshire.
• Is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Is self-motivated.
• Has excellent attention to detail. 
• Can juggle multiple priorities, sticking to deadlines and flagging when priorities need reviewing. 
• Has a flair for developing great relationships, particularly with schools and colleges. 
• Is proactive and tenacious, able to seek out new opportunities and remain resilient. 
• Is creative and likes coming up with new ideas. 
• Is ambitious for themselves and for the charity. 
• Has high computer literacy.

While we don't specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across England and Wales face today.

If you like the sound of this environment, we would love to hear from you.

Good luck with your application!

We are looking for a new colleague to work with us from January 2026. They will have exceptional organisational abilities and the ambition to help take ANT to our next level of impact, as we prepare for exponential growth over the next year.

Head of People & Operations is senior leadership and multidisciplinary role, requiring project management expertise, operational skills, and experience in human resources. A great people person, you will be able to hit the ground running with a solutions focused attitude and approach.

Avon Needs Trees is a fast-growing organisation that started in 2019 with four volunteers and has grown to a staff team of twenty six, over 1,600 volunteers and ownership of 600 acres of land that will grow woodlands of over 160,000 trees.

Your legacy will be a tangible impact on slowing down climate change, helping nature recover by overseeing and bringing out the best in both our people and our projects, enabling us to plant hundreds of thousands of trees and enhance complementary habitats. You will have management oversight of our woodland site and (subject to funding) a Lower Chew Landscape Recovery project that will see thousands of acres of local land managed in harmony with nature.

Charity Director – Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children
 

Location - Cannock, Staffordshire |
Full Time, Permanent 
Competitive Salary Benefits
 
As one of the UK’s leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.
 
Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve. And we support adults with additional needs with volunteering and employment opportunities, providing an introduction to the workplace and a means for career development.
 
Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it’s not just a job; here you’ll be helping us to change lives every day.
 
Make a life-changing impact for disabled children across the UK.

We’re entering an exciting period of growth and innovation, and we’re seeking a dynamic Charity Director to help shape our future.
 
As Charity Director, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading and strengthening the charity side of our organisation. Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll oversee service delivery, drive operational excellence, secure sustainable income, and ensure our teams are empowered to deliver high-impact support for children and families.
 
This role is perfect for an experienced charity leader with a proven track record of delivering strategic growth, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and championing inclusion and innovation. You’ll act as a key ambassador for Newlife, building meaningful partnerships and influencing change that improves the lives of disabled children nationwide.
 
Key responsibilities:

• Providing visionary leadership and supporting Newlife’s strategic goals.
• Overseeing day-to-day service delivery across equipment provision, family support, volunteering, and campaigning.
• Driving income generation and ensuring effective financial management.
• Strengthening governance, compliance, and organisational resilience.
• Acting as a spokesperson and ambassador to raise Newlife’s profile.
• Developing a high-performing, inclusive workplace culture where staff thrive.

 
What we’re looking for:

• Director-level leadership experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic goals and operational excellence.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and public speaking skills.
• Commitment and passion for improving outcomes for disabled children and their families.

 
Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a leading national charity. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference every day. You’ll be joining a passionate, supportive team dedicated to transforming lives.
 
REF-223 857

Who are we?

Part business, part charity, part membership body – students’ unions are all seriously fun places to work. They are organisations in their own right. Professionally run, but different. Professional teams support Elected student leaders so as they make change, improve lives and fulfil potential, we help make it happen.

The Union of Brunel Students has a small but impactful staff team dedicated to serving the needs and interests of our members. Our size allows us to work closely together and make decisions quickly, while our passion for creating positive change means that every member of our team has an impact on helping us deliver our Vision to ensure that every student thrives at Brunel.

We are one of more than 600 students’ unions across the country. And with more than 15,000 members, 150 clubs and societies, a huge range of services and a bold strategy, we’re one of the most exciting.

What’s the job?

This maternity cover role will have a significant and stabilising impact, ensuring co-ordination in governance, HR, and compliance for the Union of Brunel Students. The postholder will act as a key operational anchor, supporting legal integrity, staff wellbeing, and organisational continuity.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive individual to step into a vital fixed-term position during the maternity leave of our Head of People and Compliance. This role ensures continuity and excellence across governance, HR coordination and legal compliance.

You will work closely with the Trustee Board, Senior Leadership Team, and Union staff to uphold high standards in documentation, policy, and people management.

From servicing board meetings to managing recruitment and GDPR processes, your work will be central to our success, promote a positive workplace culture and supporting the Union’s mission to be a trusted and effective organisation for students, staff, and trustees.

This is a Fixed term role, completing on the 22nd May 2026.

Who you are:

You are a highly organised, empathetic, and values-driven professional with a passion for good governance and inclusive practice.

With excellent literacy and numeracy skills, you bring an understanding of charity, education, or similar sectors, alongside a working knowledge of key legal frameworks like GDPR, charity law, and equality legislation.

You will have experience of co-ordinating governance processes, supporting recruitment, and managing sensitive information with discretion and care. Whether you are preparing agendas, taking minutes, or liaising with trustees and senior leaders, you do so with clarity, professionalism, and integrity.

Your attention to detail is second to none, and you thrive in busy environments—juggling deadlines, solving problems independently, and adapting to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Above all, you’re a team player who champions equality, diversity, and inclusion. You’re proactive, resilient, and committed to the ethos of a student-led charity and are content to pitch in where needed.

Why apply?

Because you're inspired by the opportunity to make a real difference in students’ lives.

As a Students’ Union and registered charity, our mission is simple but powerful: “To ensure every student thrives at Brunel”. We’re anything but corporate – a dynamic, values-driven team of passionate individuals committed to positive change. We work in an unconventional, energetic environment where creativity and purpose go hand in hand.

In return for your passion and commitment we offer a flexible and supportive workplace, and an excellent holiday allowance – all designed to help you thrive too.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability. We’re building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects and champions the diversity of our student community.

And just so you know – your application will be read by a real person. We don’t use AI to screen candidates, because we genuinely care about getting to know you. So, when you apply, write your personal statement as if you're speaking directly to us. We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

BENEFITS

We offer a generous benefits package to reward our staff's hard work and commitment:

• Pension Scheme – statutory workplace pension scheme ‘NEST’.
• Generous holiday allowance - 25 days a year plus bank holidays. Additional days are usually given at Easter and Christmas in line with the University closure dates (usually about 5 additional days a year).
• Long service - 2 additional days leave will be given after 5 years continuous service
• TOTUM Card - All Union career staff are entitled to receive a TOTUM student discount card free of charge.
• Free Union sport membership - Allowing access to 35+ sports clubs, and our Active@Brunel social sport programme.
• On-site parking – Parking on campus at a low-cost rate.
• Flexible Working - The Union adopts a flexible working environment.
• Hybrid working – The Union allows for the ability to occasionally work from home, based on business need.
• Personal Development - The Union is fully committed to investing in your future. If you are interested in a training programme which you feel would benefit you within your current position you can submit a training request via your line manager.
• Employee assistance programme
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave

KEY DATES

Application Deadline: Monday 6th October 2025

Interviews: Week Commencing 13th October 2025

Start Date: To be discussed with the successful applicant, but ideally in November 2025.

OUR VALUES

At the Union of Brunel Students, our values are at the heart of everything we do. They guide our decisions, shape our culture, and define how we support our student community. We’re proud to stand by these principles:

• Driven by You
• Open to All 
• Passionately positive
• Integrity

These values are more than just words, they’re the foundation of our work and the reason we exist: “To ensure every student thrives at Brunel”.

To find out more about our values and how they influence life at the Union, visit our website.

NEON’s People & Operations Hub makes sure all our internal systems run smoothly and that our team is happy, high-performing and cared for. As Co-Director of People & Operations, you will lead on the “People” (HR and culture) side of this Hub – overseeing our people strategy, HR policies, and team development – while your co-director focuses on other operational areas like finance, fundraising and compliance. Together, you’ll ensure NEON is both  high impact and a joyful place to work, embodying our values of respect, generosity and solidarity in all internal practices.

This is a senior leadership position for an experienced people-operations professional who is passionate about social justice and building healthy organisations. If you’re excited about developing teams and culture in a way that challenges oppressive systems while delivering real-world impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Prison Facilitator - HMP Guys Marsh

Location: HMP Guys Marsh

Department: Prison delivery

Salary: £16,964

Hours: 21 hours / 3 days per week

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Guys Marsh. 

Working closely with the prison and their staff, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising peer opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.  

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and possess personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 

This role will be prison based, working 3 days per week. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

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

Please note this is a fixed term role until 31st March 2026, with possibility of extension

Please note this role is subject to contract award.

Closing date: 9th October 2025

‍Interviews are planned for: 14th October 2025 - Online

REF-223 810

We are looking for an experienced Finance Director to join our team of nearly 100 staff, ideally before the end of 2025.

This is a full-time, home-based, permanent position. You can be based anywhere in mainland UK or Ireland, with some travel and occasional overnight stays to meeting and conferences mainly in England and Wales.

We offer flexibility around working hours, including the option of a 9 day fortnight - time off in lieu is also available. We offer 25 days holiday pro rata (rising to 28 days) plus statutory public holidays. We are happy to make adjustments for people with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities, and we welcome applications from all communities.

The role is a grade 7 position with a starting salary circa £75,000 plus benefits including 9% employer pension contribution.

The Finance Director (“FD”) works alongside the Chief Executive and Operations Director to manage the finances and governance of The Rivers Trust, a leading conservation charity with three associated trading subsidiaries operating across the UK and Ireland, with a collective annual income approaching £10m.

Given the prospective retirement of the current postholder at the end of 2025, we are seeking a well-qualified and experienced individual to take on this senior leadership role as soon as possible to enable handover to occur.

The role is very varied and wide-ranging, including presenting financial information to the Trustees and senior management on a quarterly basis, reviewing monthly management accounts, leading on annual budgeting, appraising internal project concepts and contracts, statutory compliance administration and liaising with auditors.

The postholder will lead a team of eight in the Finance department and join a very welcoming team of 95 highly engaged and passionate staff at The Rivers Trust.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Working alongside the CEO, the Finance Director will provide commercial, financial and governance management and leadership for The Rivers Trust ("the Charity") and its associated subsidiaries (“The Companies”). The FD will not only be an exceptional accountant, with executive oversight of the finance function, but will be commercially astute and have the confidence to represent robustly the best interests of The Companies. The FD will also be an experienced manager of people.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Act as a business partner to support and constructively challenge the CEO in the general management of the Charity and the Companies, reporting to the board.
2. Lead all aspects of the finance function (including maintaining and developing the financial control environment; robust financial accounting; cashflow management; incisive management information; clear and concise reporting to Board) to ensure that the Charity and the Companies’ assets are secured, risks are managed, and the Board of Trustees, subsidiary boards and committees can make well-informed decisions.
3. Manage relationships with auditors, funders, IT specialists, banks, investment platforms and other external organisations.
4. Provide support to project bids and the development of other commercial opportunities to ensure that bids/opportunities are optimised for the Charity and the Companies as a whole.
5. Provide input to project and programme delivery from time to time, to ensure that performance is maximised for the Charity and the Companies.
6. Attend Board meetings and Business Audit and Risk Committee meetings to guide the Board and the Senior Management Team on financial, commercial and governance issues.
7. Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Charity Commission and Companies House and, from time to time, provide guidance to members of the Rivers Trust movement on good governance practice.
8. Maintain the finance department operational manual for business continuity.
9. Serve as the Company Secretary for the Charity and Companies.

Staff Management:

1. Lead, manage and develop the finance team (who work remotely) and ensure the team understands their respective and collective contribution to achieving the Charity's and the Companies’ objectives.
2. Support the team in their professional development.
3. Ensure the team delivers a high-quality service focused on internal and external customers and funders.

Knowledge, skills, experience, and personal qualities:

Essential

• Significant experience in financial management and senior leadership roles, ideally gained in a range of organisations.
• A strategic thinker, able to see the big-picture, shape long-term direction and balance this with attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills combined with creativity and openness to innovate.
• Strong IT and digital skills, with experience of using technology to improve efficiency and automate processes.
• Proven people leadership experience, with a track record of managing, developing, and inspiring teams and creating a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative culture.
• Excellent relationship builder, with the interpersonal skills to influence, collaborate, and provide constructive challenge while maintaining positive relationships across the organisation, including with trustees and senior stakeholders.
• Experience reporting to boards of trustees and/or directors, with the confidence to contribute to board-level discussions as a trusted adviser.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, able to distil complexity into pertinent, concise and understandable messages tailored to diverse audiences.
• The courage to make and communicate tough decisions and be open about risks and setbacks.
• Resilient and calm under pressure, with the ability to maintain focus and steady leadership in challenging circumstances.
• Impeccable standards of integrity and personal ethics, acting as a role model for the organisation values.
• Knowledge of Sage financial software packages.
• Work to a good standard in Microsoft 365, especially Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the charitable sector.
• Experience of being a Company Secretary.
• Understanding of the environmental sector or a passion for making a positive impact.
• Familiarity in using Sharepoint, Sage and Slack.
• Knowledge of Partial Exemption VAT rules.
• A basic understanding of Irish tax law, Irish and UK payroll taxes and corporate governance.

Qualifications/ Education

• Qualified Accountant, preferably ICAEW or ACCA.

Additional information

Everyone who works for us is expected to contribute to a respectful and inclusive working culture and follow our policies and procedures including Health & Safety, EDI, Cybersecurity and GDPR.

Please note we can only accept applications made through this site, and not sent by email or other methods.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you would benefit from any adjustments to support you through the process, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter.

Closing date: Wednesday 24th September 2025

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a strong pool of applications, so we encourage early submission