Operations director jobs

Us

Population Matters is an environmental and human rights charity, working to ensure that our population can co-exist in harmony with nature and prosper on a healthy planet.

Our vision is of a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Our mission is to address the negative consequences of ever more people using ever more of the planet’s resources and to inspire and engage with others to find, share and promote ways to make our vision a reality as quickly as possible.

You

Have you recently completed a PhD? Do you have experience originating, facilitating and conducting original research? Do you have a good understanding of statistical methods and want to help put your skills to use to help address some of humanity’s biggest challenges?

We have just entered a new five-year strategy period and are looking for someone to join our expanding Research Team, which both commissions and conducts research. We are a growing organisation and will be further expanding internationally over the strategy period.

If your application is successful, you will join a unique, research focused and data driven organisation.  

How we’ll do things

Population Matters is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age and all other categories protected by law.

If you require any adjustments to make the process more accessible, or to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email the recruiting manager, Dr Joshua Hill, via our switchboard.

Please apply by sending a CV (no more than two A4 pages) and covering letter (no more than two A4 pages), addressing the Job Description and, in particular, the Person Specification.

We will use blind recruitment practices to minimise unconscious bias.

The deadline for applications is midday on Thursday 20th November. We will inform successful first round candidates by 5pm on Friday 21st November and we will hold first interviews on the Tuesday 25th November, remotely, with Dr Joshua Hill, Chief Research & Operations Officer, and Dr David Samways, Editor of the Journal of Population and Sustainability. We will hold second interviews on the morning of the 2nd December, with Dr Joshua Hill and Jameen Kaur, Director of Influence and Advocacy.

Thank you for your interest in Population Matters.

Amala’s mission is to use the power of education to transform the lives of young refugees, their communities and the world. We are a UK-registered charity delivering innovative educational programmes for displaced youth globally. We have developed the first accredited secondary level programme and qualification for out of school refugee and crisis affected youth, and we also offer Changemaker Courses in areas such as Peace-building, Ethical Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship. 

Our approach to education is conveyed through our  human-centred, context-inclusive curricula and learning programmes that are relevant to the lives that our students lead today and will lead in the future.

We’re looking for an organised and detail-oriented Governance Clerk to support our Board of Trustees and committees. In this flexible, remote role, you’ll ensure the smooth running of meetings, maintain accurate documentation, and compliance with governance requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and minuting Board and committee meetings

• Managing agendas, papers, and governance records

• Ensuring compliance with internal governance requirements and charity regulations

• Supporting trustee onboarding and development
   

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience of having successfully worked with charity boards and committees including writing agendas and concise and accurate minute taking

• Experience of maintaining systems and records in a governance or committee environment

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with excellent written English

• Familiarity with charity governance requirements and the UK Charity Governance Code

• Professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement in handling sensitive information

• Comfort working independently and remotely; able to meet deadlines with minimal supervision

• Company Secretary Experience desirable

• Experience with Google Workspace and basic formatting tools for paper packs preferred

You must have the legal right to work in the UK, and be available to attend one in-person meeting per year in or around London.

At Amala, we are committed to building an inclusive and equitable team. If you share our belief in the transformative power of education, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply: For detailed information on this role, including the full list of responsibilities, experience, and instructions on how to apply, please refer to the job description.

Closing date: Friday 21 November 2025, 12:00 GMT

Location: Remote with travel across the UK.

About the role  

It’s an exciting and important time for our charity as we work to help more people out of homelessness and poverty as part of an ambitious strategy. 

The newly created role of Federation Development Lead will sit within the Partnerships and Federation Development directorate, to support the delivery of key charity and federation-wide objectives, as part of our mission to empower people affected by homelessness and poverty to change their lives for the better while using our voice to achieve social change. 

The principal responsibility will be to support our ambition to become a best practice national body, responsible for leading on and supporting the development of key projects within Emmaus UK and the wider federation.

This will include providing leadership to support Emmaus communities across the UK to prepare and respond to the introduction of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, you will require an understanding and commitment to best practice and legislative requirements related to the provision of supported housing, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into user friendly support, training, guidance and policies and procedures

The role will also provide a critical role in the implementation and delivery of Emmaus UK’s ambitious plans to seek registration as a provider of social housing. You will provide the project management and technical skills required to support the successful delivery of the application process, ensuring that risk and regulatory requirements are considered and acted upon at each stage, maintaining strong communication with key stakeholders externally and across the federation.

As the Federation Development Lead, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth and development of the Emmaus movement within the UK, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, and supporting the overall success of the federation. Your role will involve supporting the development and delivery of strategic plans, programme design and implementation, stakeholder management, and continuous evaluation and improvement of developed initiatives.

Working with the Director of Partnerships and Federation Development and wider Senior Leadership Team, the role will be central to the delivery of strategic objectives related to the development of the movement.

About Emmaus UK

We understand that a home is more than just a roof over your head; it’s somewhere to belong, where you feel part of a community, and that’s what Emmaus offers. 

Emmaus is a unique, secular organisation supporting homeless and socially excluded people by providing a home for as long as it is needed, meaningful work in a social enterprise and a sense of belonging. 

There are currently over 30 Emmaus communities across the UK, stretching from Glasgow to Dover and Norfolk to South Wales. Collectively the Emmaus federation supports more than 1,000 people with experience of homelessness. 

How To apply 

To apply for the role, please complete our application form and equal opportunities monitoring form and email us. The email address is in the Application Pack with applications needing to be submitted by 9am on Thursday 13th November 2025. 

Please ensure you download the job pack and refer to the job description and person specification when completing your application form.

Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview conducted via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 27th November 2025. Second interviews to be held on Friday 5th December 2025. 

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please email us. Email address can be found in the Application Pack.

Financial Controller
£52,744 pa plus excellent benefits
London WC1 and home-based - hybrid with expectation to work at London office 40% of the time
35 hours per week, full-time
Permanent contract

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking an experienced and strategic Financial Controller to oversee the financial management, control and compliance functions of the College.

This is a pivotal leadership role within the Finance team, supporting the College’s mission to improve child health by ensuring strong financial governance, sound reporting, and long-term sustainability. Working closely with the Associate Director of Finance and senior leaders across the organisation, you will take responsibility for the accuracy, integrity and efficiency of all financial operations and reporting processes.

As Financial Controller, you will lead a team of six, overseeing financial control, statutory reporting, payroll, and compliance. You will ensure that robust internal controls are in place, and manage relationships with auditors, banks and investment partners.

This role will suit a qualified accountant with substantial experience in financial management and a collaborative leadership style.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the delivery of accurate and timely month-end and year-end processes, including group consolidations and statutory accounts
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant accounting standards, tax, audit and charity regulations (including SORP)
• Managing internal and external audit processes and acting as primary contact for auditors
• Overseeing payroll, accounts payable and receivable, cash management and treasury functions
• Maintaining and improving financial systems, processes, and internal controls
• Leading, developing and mentoring a team of finance professionals to achieve operational excellence
• Working closely with colleagues across the College to provide financial insight and analysis to support strategic decision-making
• Supporting the budgeting and forecasting cycle and contributing to strategic projects and funding initiatives

Essential skills and experience:

• Degree in finance, accounting or related field, and full professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Minimum of 5–7 years’ experience in financial management, ideally within the nonprofit or public sector
• Proven track record of leading statutory reporting and year-end audit processes, including production of group consolidated accounts
• Experience managing financial operations in a complex organisation, preferably in the charity or healthcare sector
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail
• Advanced Excel and strong working knowledge of financial systems
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to manage and motivate a high-performing team

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your finance career in a supportive and high-performing team.

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows and employs around 200 staff, most of whom work in our London office in Holborn. We have a Devolved Nations team operating from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Our College values: Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire, are important to us. These values ensure we bring out the best in each other, strive forward together to make the College a positive and dynamic place to work. 

The RCPCH champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Our workplace is inclusive, offering a supportive environment where staff can thrive. The College is keen to accept applications from people with protected characteristics. We believe that our staff should represent all of the diverse communities we serve. Join us to help realise our vision of a world where every child is healthy and well.

The College operates a flexible and modern working policy, whereby our colleagues work in the office for a minimum of 40% over a 4 week cycle and the remainder from home.

The RCPCH is committed to safeguarding the children, young people and adults it has contact with in the exercise of its functions and responsibilities. The RCPCH expects all staff to share this commitment – we place a high priority on ensuring only those who do so are recruited to work for us. 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. 

Closing date: 17 November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible

The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) is the democratic voice for student across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), representing learners at every level of study—from further education and apprenticeships through to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Our representation spans the full breadth of the UHI partnership, working closely with ten Academic Partners to ensure students are supported, included, and empowered wherever
and however they study.

The role of the Chief Executive Officer is to provide strategic support to the student officers within our student-led organisation, and to provide support and leadership to the senior leadership team and our Board of Trustees.

The post-holder is required to provide an interface between the Trustee Board and the leadership team, and between other key decision-making bodies within the Students’ Association, converting policy and strategy into action.

Our CEO will be a source of continuity within the Students’ Association, providing vision and expertise to drive the Association forward towards organisational goals whilst ensuring that the Association is structured to facilitate Student Officers’ work towards organisational objectives.
As a key contact and partner with UHI stakeholders, the CEO is required to work towards aligning the Students’ Associations' progression into the UHI’s strategy. The CEO should also ensure that all aspects of organisational risk are identified, monitored and managed.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership
2. Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Management
3. Operational Management 
4. Student Leadership and Governance
 

Please download the Recruitment Pack to see the full Job Description & Person Specification

Role Summary

The Conduit Foundation harnesses the power of convening, collaboration, and catalytic funding to advance innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. We are in rapid start-up mode, having recently begun accepting our first grants and moving quickly to build our operating model. This is a pivotal moment for the Foundation: we are ready to translate our mission and vision into a fully functioning philanthropic engine.

This will be the first full-time hire into the Foundation, working hand-in-hand with the Board of Trustees and the Chief Impact Officer to operationalise our mission, establish systems and processes, and set the stage for ambitious, high-impact fundraising, grant management, programme delivery, and partnership development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Leadership

Translate the Conduit executive leadership and Foundation Board’s vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Collaborate with The Conduit’s Impact team to integrate Foundation initiatives into broader Conduit strategy.

Identify and cultivate opportunities for funding, partnerships, and programme innovation.

2. Grants Management

Oversee the full grant cycle – from prospecting to evaluation - managing relationships, projects and budgets.

Ensure all grant activities meet legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, including England & Wales charity compliance.

Develop robust processes for impact measurement and reporting.

3. Board Development & Governance

Strengthen the governance set up, bolstering policies and procedures to establish best practice and managing legal and regulatory requirements for the Foundation.

Serve as the principal contact for the Board of Trustees, preparing materials, facilitating meetings and owning resulting actions.

Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing engagement of Trustees.

Advise the Board on trends and opportunities in philanthropy and social impact.

4. Fundraising & Corporate Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with corporate, institutional, and high-net-worth partners.

Identify and secure grants from funders that align with Foundation strategic priorities.

5. Programme Design & Delivery

Lead the design, launch, and management of the Foundation’s first in-house programmes.

Ensure programmes are innovative, impactful, and aligned with strategic priorities.

Set up systems for monitoring, learning, and continuous improvement.

6. Organisational Integration

Manage the relationship between the Foundation, Conduit Holdco, and The Conduit Club London.

Foster a culture of alignment, transparency, and shared mission across entities.

Skills & Experience

· 8–10 years of proven, hands-on execution experience in the UK charity sector, including setting up and implementing systems.

· Track record of delivering complex projects from start to finish with excellence and attention to detail.

· Strong experience and expertise in grants management, board engagement and governance.

· Proven success in fundraising from corporates, trusts, foundations, and major donors.

· Experience designing and delivering impactful programmes.

· Excellent relationship building skills with experience engaging senior stakeholders.

· Understanding of UK charity law and charitable governance.

Desirable

· International or multi-stakeholder environment experience.

· Experience of a growing charity.

· Formal charity governance or legal training.

Personal Attributes

· Ambitious and eager to grow into a senior leadership position.

· Entrepreneurial, proactive, and solutions oriented.

· Highly organised, with strong attention to detail.

· Able to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment.

· Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

· Passionate about social and environmental change.

Key Competencies

· Communication

· Teamwork

· Solutions Focused

· Compassionate

· Creativity & Innovation

The Manna Day Centre is a drop-in Centre for homeless and vulnerably housed single men and women. It is run by a team of project workers, under the Director, who are responsible for its smooth operation. Basic Services offered include food, showers, clothing, housing & welfare advice, medical care, and access to laptops. The Centre opens to service users 7 days a week, 8.30am– 1.30pm. The working week for this post is Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.00pm each day.

Housing & Welfare Advice Workers must have a commitment to homeless people, which includes acceptance and respect. Responsibilities are shared among the team according to needs, skills and aptitudes. The annual salary is negotiable (depending on your experience) ranging from £31,746 to £36,678. Benefits include a pension scheme, travel loans and 25 days annual leave (plus time in lieu of bank holidays worked).

Those applying for this post should have:

· Experience providing housing and welfare advice with a focus on clear, supportive communication

· Confidence in handling a busy and varied caseload, including complex casework

· Comfort working with people facing homelessness or housing difficulties

· A kind, non-judgmental, and person-centred approach

An application form, Job Description & Person Spec can be found on our website.

Closing date: 21/11/2025

Interview date: 09/12/2025

Leeds University Union
 
HR Manager
Salary: £37,505 per annum (with further increment rises available per annum)
Working pattern: 5 days per week (36.5hrs)
Location: Leeds. Hybrid working is available but a regular presence (3 days in the office) is essential. 
Contract: Permanent 
 
Atkinson HR is proud to be partnering with Leeds University Union (LUU) to recruit their new HR Manager, a vital role leading HR operations and supporting the wider People & Culture strategy.
 
About Leeds University Union
 
Leeds University Union (LUU) is an independent education charity led by, and for, students. 
 
LUU is central to the University experience and works to support all aspects of student life for their 39,000 students studying at the University of Leeds. Located in a vibrant city, LUU is an ambitious and diverse organisation, committed to supporting every student at the University of Leeds in achieving personal success.
 
LUU support students through a variety of services including academic representation, campaigns on issues that matter to them, wellbeing services and supporting student communities. They also host a number of events throughout the year and operate a variety of eating and drinking venues for everyone to enjoy.
 
About the role
 
As HR Manager at Leeds University Union (LUU), you’ll lead the delivery of high-quality HR operations that support our people and drive our organisational goals. From recruitment and onboarding to payroll, systems, and compliance, you’ll ensure our HR services are efficient, inclusive, and aligned with LUU’s values.
 
Working closely with the Director of People & Culture, you’ll manage and develop a talented HR team, providing expert guidance across all areas of people practice. You’ll play a key role in shaping how we deliver HR, including supporting new systems and process improvements, while building strong relationships across the organisation to help our managers and teams thrive.
 
The successful candidate won’t necessarily need to come from the Higher Education sector, will need to demonstrate a strong track record in building high-performing teams, delivering projects, and championing inclusivity.
 
How to Apply
 
Please click 'Apply' to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and apply.
For an informal conversation about the role and the application process, please contact our recruitment partners at Atkinson HR Consulting.
 
Key Dates
Closing date: 24^th November 2025, 9.00am
Interviews (In-person in Leeds): 8^th December
 
REF-224 898

At TLG, we are passionate about building an exceptional staff team committed to transforming the lives of children who are struggling. Our vision is bold, and we are looking for outstanding people to join us on this journey. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a motivated and purpose-driven leader to become our Head of Grants & Philanthropy.

This is a pivotal role where you will lead the growth of TLG’s philanthropic income, driving progress to reach ambitious six-figure targets year after year. You will shape and deliver a dynamic strategy to build a diverse and sustainable portfolio of income streams, including trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships, and legacy giving. A core focus will be creating and implementing an effective grants strategy to grow and maximise voluntary income from trusts and foundations. The funding you secure will be essential to sustaining TLG’s operations and enabling future growth.

As Head of Grants & Philanthropy, you will work closely with TLG’s Directors, colleagues across the organisation, and external partners to raise funds for innovative projects in the UK and support the expansion of our work internationally. You will also lead a small, talented team, inspiring and equipping them to develop each area of philanthropic income. Strong administrative skills and a commitment to harnessing AI for efficiency will be key, allowing you to focus on building relationships and sourcing new opportunities.

From crafting compelling applications to driving strategic development, this role places you at the heart of our mission to bring fullness of life to every child, no matter what struggles they face. If you are an experienced, innovative leader with a passion for making a difference, we would love to hear from you.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: 37.5 per hours week (full-time). Open to part-time for the right candidate.

Closing Date: Thursday 20th November

Initial Interviews: Thursday 27th November – Online

Final Interviews: Tuesday 9th December – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

Join the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as our new Accounts Officer.  Based in North London within the OAE’s lively home at Acland Burghley School, this is not just a job: it’s a chance to be part of a global-trailblazer in period instrument performance, education, and innovation.

Responsibilities include:

• Process, record, and check all invoices, payments, and receipts, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with best accounting / charity / arts financial standards.

• Maintain clear, up-to-date bookkeeping records, including general ledger entries, reconciliations (bank, supplier, etc.), making sure all financial data is clean and audit-ready.

• Support all departments with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting — helping to translate artistic ambition into realistic budgets, tracking variances, and enabling confident decision making.

• Assist the Director of Finance and Finance Manager in administrative tasks, financial controls, internal process improvements, and preparation for audits or external review.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website. 

The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Friday 7th November 2025.

Community Fundraiser - London​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within London.​

Key Responsibilities: ​​​

• Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

​

If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.​​

​For this role, the successful candidate must live in the London area.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 28th November 2025

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

Community Fundraiser - Home Counties

​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex. 

​​

Key Responsibilities: ​

• ​Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​

​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

​

If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.

​

​

​We will give preference to those candidates living in the Bucks, Beds and Northants areas of this region.​​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 06th November 2025

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

Location: Reading, Hybrid 
Hours: 37 per week 
Salary: £27,792
Contract Type: Permanent
Campaign Closes: 13th November 2025

First Stage Interviews: 26th November 2025

Second Stage Interviews: TBC

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children with critical illnesses? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where empathy, precision, and people skills come together? Join Make-A-Wish UK as a Wish Referral Officer and be the guiding light at the start of every wish journey. You will be the warm, reassuring voice that helps families navigate the first steps of their magical experience, all while managing vital relationships and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Core Purpose
The Wish Referral Officer is responsible for processing new referrals and stewarding the wish child and their application through the initial stages of their wish journey, whilst providing excellent stakeholder management. A Wish Referral Officer is responsible for facilitating and managing a large network of relationships such as the wish child and their family, medical professionals, charities, volunteers and referral partners. As each wish is unique, accurate record keeping, data privacy and safeguarding are essential for every wish and experience. This role requires the ability to work at a high pace while maintaining strong attention to detail, with data management and accuracy forming core aspects of day-to-day responsibilities.

Essential Criteria
To be successful in this role you will need:

• Experience in an administrative role 
• Experience of handling large volumes of data accurately, within a fast-paced environment
• Experience in customer service role with set targets and data management 
• Demonstrate the ability to be flexible and change priorities within short time frames 
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills to support an ever-changing workload 
• To be able to confidently communicate through all communication methods to multiple stakeholders
• Exceptional attention to detail 
• Calm and professional, especially when dealing with emotional situations 
• Excellent IT and administration skills including experience in processing/inputting data and MS Office 
• Ability to work on own initiative without supervision 
• A personal commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities 
• Experience in using CRM systems 

Personal Qualities

• Maintain a professional, caring, friendly and helpful manner always whilst dealing with wish children, their families, volunteers, suppliers as well as other stakeholders 
• Strong empathy with wish families understanding that each child is an individual and may have needs 
• The ability to be able to build strong relationships
• Maintain high levels of attention to detail 
• Ability to remain calm under pressure 
• Punctual and reliable 
• Friendly, courteous and professional 
• Be motivated to always support the charity and its objectives

Key Responsibilities:
Referral Enablement

• Process new referrals submitted by Community Referral Partners, health and social care professionals, ensuring accurate data entry, and excellent stakeholder management both through both written and verbal communication.
• Proactively manage a dynamic caseload of 150–200 wishes at any given time, ensuring each wish application progresses efficiently through the various stages of the wish journey in alignment with established referral targets and service timelines. This includes monitoring progress, identifying and resolving potential delays, maintaining accurate records, and self-allocating new referrals in line with organisational priorities
• Take ownership of the weekly coordination and distribution of wish referral materials, ensuring all communications and resources are prepared, reviewed, and delivered accurately and on time to key stakeholders—including Community Referral Partners, wish families, and internal teams—to support a seamless and consistent referral process.
• Monitor and maintain the accuracy and integrity of data across internal systems to ensure full compliance with service level agreements (SLAs), data protection regulations, and organisational protocols. This includes conducting regular data audits, identifying and correcting discrepancies, and working collaboratively with internal teams to uphold high standards of data quality, which are essential for effective decision-making, reporting, and service delivery.
• Collaborate with the Wish Discovery Coordinator to facilitate the effective involvement of Make-A-Wish UK volunteers, ensuring families receive the support they need throughout the wish experience. This includes coordinating volunteer assignments, arranging interpreter services where required, and promoting a seamless, inclusive, and supportive journey for every wish family.
• Ensure all referral processes, service level agreements (SLAs), and Make-A-Wish UK eligibility criteria are consistently followed, maintaining full compliance with organisational policies and procedures. This includes accurately assessing referral information against eligibility requirements, escalating any concerns, queries, or ambiguities to the appropriate team or line manager for review, and ensuring all decisions are documented and communicated clearly. Additionally, maintain strong communication with stakeholders to ensure clarity around eligibility decisions and support a fair, transparent referral process.
• Ensure the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are always reflected within the wish process.
• Support the Wish Referral Team Manager and Wish Referral Lead and Make-A-Wish UK in achieving our goal to reach every eligible child within the UK.

Stakeholder Communication

• Act as the first point of contact for all Wish Granting (WG)–related queries and enquiries, responding promptly and professionally via email, phone, WhatsApp, and post. Ensure that all stakeholders—including wish families, volunteers, and referral partners—receive a high-quality, compassionate, and consistent customer service experience
• Ensure accurate communications with referral partners, wish children and their families/guardians, employees, and volunteers in relation to wish applications.  
• Ensure that our service level agreements are met, and stakeholder expectations are sensitively and professionally managed in line with our policies.
• Liaise with other charity partners to assess whether referred wish children meet Make-A-Wish UK’s eligibility criteria. Where referrals do not meet the criteria, collaborate with the Wish Referral Partner Manager to ensure that referrers receive clear, constructive feedback and gain a full understanding of Make-A-Wish UK’s eligibility requirements, supporting transparent and informed referral practices.

Systems and Processes:

• Collaborate with the Wish Referral Team Manager to identify and implement improvements to the wish journey experience, ensuring it is seamless, inclusive, and positive for all stakeholders. Contribute feedback, insights, and suggestions to enhance processes, communication, and overall service delivery in line with organisational goal
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within our CRM system (Salesforce), ensuring data integrity and consistency, at all times.
• Follow internal processes to ensure wish children and their families move through the wish journey smoothly, and always in line with our service level agreements.
• Actively participate and engage in project work, providing constructive insights and ideas to enhance the wish journey for every wish child.

Safeguarding and Data Governance:

• Ensure all wish records and related data are stored and maintained on Make-A-Wish Information Systems and that all data is managed within set policies and procedures (such as data privacy, liability, consent forms, marketing permissions etc.)
• Facilitate a culture of safeguarding awareness. Identify, report and escalate any issues or concerns in line with organisational processes and procedures.
• Raise safeguarding concerns and complete relevant internal procedure

The CAS Community Food Partnership is intended to support Food Projects (i.e., Foodbanks, Food Pantries, Top Up Shops, & Community Fridges to name a few) with capacity building and diversifying their operations – enabling them to support their communities and users, with overcoming challenges related to food and income insecurity. The project delivers activities across the county, with each Officer acting as a dedicated point of contact for each district. Activities range from supporting awareness raising of local services (i.e., Healthy Start, Affordable Food information, Cooking Projects) through social media channels to supporting Food Projects to become more resilient, including looking at their food supply chain and supporting the development of innovative solutions.

As the Community Food Partnership Manager you will provide strategic direction, and management to a team of four, and work with partners to ensure the outcomes of the project are met. You will have a good level of knowledge of infrastructure/capacity building support and be an experienced Manager of people. You should have an awareness and understanding of the challenges facing the voluntary sector and be skilled at developing partnerships, be able to demonstrate sound financial acumen, and the ability to navigate multiple priorities.

If you are interested in the role and would like to learn more, please contact Alice Wade, Deputy Director of Operations and Business Development for an informal conversation.

Successful candidates will be proactive individuals with a can-do attitude and appetite for learning. We are looking for those who can communicate with a wide range of people with varying degrees of experience. We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.

What we offer You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include: • Blended working where role allows • Flexible working options to support work/life balance • 33 days (FTE) increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays • Up to 4% matched pension contribution • 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk • Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities • Company Sick Pay Scheme • Continued Professional Development for job related development • Family Friendly policies and practices • Tailored induction 

Closing date; Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability. We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.