Partnerships manager for foundations and institutions jobs

Are you passionate about creating positive opportunities for children and young people? Do you enjoy organising activities, building partnerships and helping families access the support they need?

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is seeking a dedicated and highly organised Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator to join our award-winning Bright Futures Children and Young People's Programme.

In this rewarding role, you will plan and coordinate engaging and inclusive educational, recreational and enrichment activities that help refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing and feel connected to their local community.

Location: We have offices in Kingston Upon Thames, greater London.

Hours: 14 hours per week – 2 days a week* (including paid half-hour lunch break).

Salary:  £12,740 (FTE £31,850) for 2 years.

Leave: 26 days per annum Pro Rata plus bank holidays.

Starting Date October 2026.

Responsible to Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager.

*The peak activity periods for this role happen during school half-terms, which means extra hours will be required during these times. In return, we offer full flexibility with Time Off in Lieu (TOIL), allowing you to reclaim your time outside of busy half-term periods. Afterschool club is currently on Wednesdays and you will be expected to attend in person until 6pm. 

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator will play a key role in planning, coordinating, delivering and monitoring educational, recreational and enrichment activities as part of our award-winning Bright Futures Children’s and Young People’s Programme. Working closely with the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager, Primary Teacher, external partners and volunteers, the post holder will ensure the provision of engaging, inclusive and memorable opportunities. In addition, they will support the delivery of RAK Bright Futures After School Club and Supplementary School and contribute to education-related casework for children and young people and monitoring and evaluation of all above activity.

All staff are expected to adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy of RAK at all times.

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is a well-established charity dedicated to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum from anywhere in the world who find themselves in the Royal Borough of Kingston and neighbouring boroughs. Since its foundation in 1991, RAK has been the main provider of direct services to refugees and people seeking asylum as well as promoting refugee rights.

RAK aims to support refugees through the process from their initial reception in the borough through to final integration into the local community in order to enable them to live a fulfilling life and become accepted and active participants in our local communities.  We achieve this by accomplishing a variety of outcomes for refugee and asylum-seeking families through delivering a holistic service including advice, information, counselling, education, training, and assistance to access mainstream services and employment opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.

What we can offer you

· Work in a highly respected organisation punching above its weight – providing quality support to around 1300 individuals and families a year.

· A friendly and supportive environment, with an experienced team of professional teachers, counsellors, solicitors and advisers working to quality standards.

· Flexible working.

· A committed community in South West London that supports RAK through volunteering, sharing information about our work, and donations.

· Generous annual leave.

· Paid 30 minute lunch break if working 6 or more hours per day.

Our values 

• Empathy: we put ourselves in the shoes of those we work with. 

• Enterprise: we are innovative and resourceful in our approach to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. 

• Empowerment: we strive to empower our clients, helping them achieve their aspirations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Research, plan and coordinate holiday activities, trips and workshops that promote learning, wellbeing, community engagement and social inclusion.
• Develop and maintain relationships with activity providers, venues, schools, community organisations, cultural institutions and other partners to secure and coordinate activities, trips and enrichment opportunities.
• Manage invitations and registrations. Communicate with families regarding activities, permissions, travel arrangements and other relevant information.
• Organise the provision of lunches and refreshments through partnerships with local organisations and suppliers. Ensuring compliance with relevant food hygiene standards.
• Track project expenditure, process invoices, reconcile activity-related expenses, and maintain accurate budget records.
• Maintain records of attendance and activities. Administer questionnaires to monitor outcomes and obtain feedback to support evaluation and project reporting requirements.
• Take photos and prepare short commentary for social media whilst prioritising online safety of children and young people and ensuring all necessary permissions are in place.
• Deal sensitively with children, young people and families, identifying needs and making referrals to appropriate RAK services, external organisations and community opportunities. 
• Keep up to date with local community activities and services and ensure youth activities notice boards are regularly updated.
• Promote the welfare and safety of children and young people at all times.
• Adhere to RAK’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments and ensure health and safety requirements are met for activities and trips.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Support Duties

• Support the delivery of RAK’s After School Club and Supplementary School programmes.
• Provide support to the Head of Services/ Family Support and Supplementary School Manager and Primary Teacher with education-related enquiries and casework.
• Support and work alongside volunteers involved in the delivery of Bright Futures.
• Ensure client details and case records are accurate, confidential and recorded on the RAK database and other relevant platforms.

Other duties and shared responsibilities

• Attend team meetings, training and other activities required to support the successful delivery of the programme.
• Represent RAK professionally with partners, stakeholders and the wider community.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager that are consistent with the nature of the role.
• Undertake other duties such as implementing cleanliness procedures, and assisting in fire practices.
• Implement Refugee Action Kingston’s Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and other policies in all areas of work.

Please note the duties outlined in this Job Description may be reviewed and amended from time to time.

Person specification

•  Experience of organising activity and enrichment programmes and events for children and young people.
•  Experience of working with children and young people at risk of violence or exploitation.
•  Experience of managing administrative processes and maintaining accurate records.
•  Experience of monitoring budgets and handling financial administration.
•  Experience of working with volunteers.
•  Digital proficiency – experience of working with database systems, Microsoft 365, Canva.
•  Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, families and partner organisations.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly.
• Available to work during school half term holidays.
• A commitment to the aims and objectives of Refugee Action Kingston and an understanding of the challenges faced by people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK.

Desirable criteria

• Spoken competency in one or more key client language groups.
• Lived or learned experience of the challenges faced by children and young people affected by displacement, disruption to education, youth violence or exploitation.

Our workplace

We want RAK to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought. Our values are clearly set out in our strategy RAK Strategy 2023-28 which is available on our website.

RAK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to recruiting staff, trustees and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve and the wider community of London where we live and work. We particularly welcome applications from people: from Black, Asian and other minority-ethnic communities; refugee and migrant backgrounds; LGBTQ+ communities; with disabilities; and neurodiverse communities.

Asking for adjustments - RAK is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making changes for neurodiverse people, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview, or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please contact us.

RAK is obliged to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act (1996), and this requires certain documents to be presented by candidates before an offer of employment can be made. If you are invited to interview, we will ask you to bring these documents with you. For jobs which involve, for example, working with, or having access to children and/or vulnerable adults and their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and need to have information from you regarding any previous, existing, or pending convictions or cautions. This will form part of the recruitment process if you are successful after interview.

Interviews will take place w/c 21 September 2026.

Employment Details: 

• Location: Haringey (N17), London, UK. (This is an In-Person role with optional one day working remotely) 
• Job Title:  Director of Operations 
• Reporting to: CEO, with accountability to the Board of Trustees 
• Line Manages: Operations Co-ordinator and Finance Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time (40hrs Per Week)
• Start date: October 2026 (Ideally, or later if you have a notice period) 

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days (Exclusive of Bank Holiday)
• 1 x WFH/flexi working as per policy
• CPD Budget: £1000
• Group Life Insurance
• Discount on Food (Specific Restaurants)
• Free Brunch every Thursday
• Company Well-being Events
• Pension Contribution

Summary of the role:
The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role at Sister System, responsible for strengthening the people, culture, systems and organisational foundations that enable our mission to thrive. Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the postholder will play a central role in delivering our current strategic priorities and shaping the next chapter of Sister System as we develop our future strategy beyond September 2027. 

This is a significant opportunity to help shape a growing, values-led organisation founded on co-curation, sisterhood, race & gender equity and the belief that girls and young women should be active architects of the services, systems and opportunities designed for them. With oversight of financial management, people and culture, compliance, risk and organisational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will lead on empowering & ensuring that our internal culture and ways of working reflect the same care, accountability, ambition and empowerment that sit at the heart of our model. 

The role will be instrumental in translating our founding vision into strong, sustainable practice, ensuring Sister System is equipped to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the voices, experiences and leadership of the girls and young women we exist to serve. 

Our Charity:
Sister System exists to ensure that care-affected girls and young women are not defined by the systems they have experienced, but are supported to recognise their strengths, shape their futures and access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Our culturally competent, co-curated model works alongside girls and young women aged 13–24 through a long-term journey of support, progression and leadership. Across three interconnected stages, we provide trusted relationships, mentoring, therapeutic support, education, leadership development and pathways into employment. Our approach recognises that meaningful change takes time, consistency and a community that continues to believe in her. 

Founded with girls and young women, not simply for them, Sister System places their voices, experiences and ambitions at the heart of everything we do. Through our growing hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding our reach while also influencing the wider systems, services and institutions that shape their lives. 

Our ambition is not only to improve individual outcomes, but to demonstrate a better way of working with care-affected girls and young women—one that is relational, culturally responsive, asset-based and built around what they tell us they need to thrive. 

As Sister System enters its next phase of growth and prepares to shape its future strategy, we are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the people, culture, systems and infrastructure that will enable our organisation—and the girls and young women alongside us—to achieve even more. 

Our Vision: 
A world where empowered girls reach their potential through equitable opportunities.

Our Mission: 
To bridge the gap between care-affected girls and young women within mainstream society by working alongside them to ensure they have the same opportunities that everyone else has – at home, school, work and within our communities. 

Our Values: 

• COLLABORATIVE 
  We co-curate programmes with our Sis-Stars. We seek powerful partnerships. 
• EVIDENCE-BASED 
  We build trust and respect within our sector. 
• MASTERFUL 
  We aim for excellence as standard and share our learning. 
• SOLUTION-FOCUSED 
  We innovate to overcome challenges with a long-term goal in mind. 
• TENACIOUS 
  We are not afraid to take a stand and push for change. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Implementation 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to translate Sister System’s strategy, theory of change, operational model and financial plans into clear organisational priorities and coordinated action. 
• Play a central role in shaping Sister System’s next strategy ahead of the September 2027 refresh, ensuring it reflects our founding commitment to co-curation, the voices of girls and young women, our evolving three-stage model and our future growth ambitions. 
• Lead the development of proportionate planning, monitoring and review processes that enable the Senior Leadership Team to track progress, reflect on performance, identify barriers and remain accountable for delivery. 
• Monitor progress against agreed strategic goals and KPIs, ensuring that risks, dependencies and areas requiring leadership attention are clearly identified and addressed. 
• Support senior leaders to turn strategic priorities into realistic plans, with clear ownership, timescales and measurable outcomes. 
• Ensure that learning from delivery, impact data, staff experience and the voices of girls and young women inform strategic decision-making and organisational improvement. 
• Cultivate a strong shared sense of purpose across Sister System, helping colleagues understand how their roles contribute to our mission, values and long-term ambitions. 

Financial Strategy and Audit 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape, implement and regularly evaluate Sister System’s financial strategy, ensuring it supports our mission, strategic ambitions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide clear, financial recommendations to the CEO, helping the organisation navigate the balance between delivering high-quality, meaningful impact for girls and young women, achieving value for money and maintaining financial resilience. 
• Translate Sister System’s strategic priorities, delivery model and growth ambitions into realistic financial plans, forecasts and scenarios that support timely and well-informed decision-making. 
• Lead financial scenario planning and ensure that the CEO and Board have a clear understanding of the financial implications, risks and trade-offs associated with key organisational decisions. 
• Lead and oversee the annual audit process, working effectively with external auditors, the finance team, senior leaders and the Board to ensure a robust, timely and transparent process. 
• Ensure that learning and recommendations arising from audits, financial reviews and assurance activity are translated into clear improvements and strengthened organisational practice. 

Financial Management 

• Lead the development, monitoring and management of annual budgets, reforecasts and longer-term financial plans, ensuring resources are aligned with Sister System’s strategic priorities. 
• Hold and actively manage the tension between quality, impact, affordability and value for money, ensuring financial decisions protect the integrity of Sister System’s model and the experience of the girls and young women we serve. 
• Provide the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board with clear, accessible and timely financial information, insight and recommendations to support effective leadership and governance. 
• Produce high-level financial reports and analysis covering budgets, cash flow, reserves, forecasts, strategic KPIs and other relevant performance indicators. 
• Maintain and continuously strengthen proportionate financial systems, controls and processes that reflect Sister System’s size, stage of growth and evolving operating model. 
• Ensure that robust financial and performance-reporting infrastructure is in place, with clear accountability, reliable data and appropriate oversight across the organisation. 
• Support Directors and budget holders to understand their financial responsibilities, manage resources effectively and make informed decisions within agreed parameters. 
• Identify emerging financial risks, pressures and opportunities for greater efficiency, advising the CEO on appropriate actions and ensuring these are monitored and addressed. 
• Oversee high quality bookkeeping practice to ensure reporting is accurate and up to date. 
• Work with the fundraising team to develop budgets for proposals and create timely financial reports for funders and donors 

Culture and Operational Effectiveness 

• Work closely with our People and Culture consultant, CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed a progressive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• Champion a culture of regular, honest and constructive feedback, helping managers and colleagues to hold crucial conversations with clarity, care and accountability. 
• Ensure that Sister System’s internal culture reflects the relational, empowering and values-led approach that sits at the heart of our work with girls and young women. 
• Review existing organisational processes and workflows, identifying practical opportunities to improve clarity, consistency, collaboration and efficiency. 
• Develop and embed proportionate ways of working that support Sister System’s current size, evolving operating model and future growth. 

People Planning and Management 

• Lead the development of a clear and forward-looking people plan that ensures Sister System has the right structure, capacity, capabilities and leadership in place to deliver its strategic ambitions. 
• Support managers to build high-performing teams through effective objective-setting, regular feedback, performance management and professional development. 
• Foster an environment in which people are supported to grow, appropriately challenged and held accountable for delivering against agreed expectations. 
• Facilitate professional learning, career development and progression across the organisation, ensuring that opportunities are transparent, equitable and aligned with organisational need. 
• Oversee workforce and succession planning, ensuring that the organisational structure remains appropriate, affordable and responsive to Sister System’s development. 
• Work with the CEO and relevant advisers to ensure fair and appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions. 
• Oversee recruitment and the end-to-end employee experience, from attraction and onboarding through to development, retention and exit. 
• Ensure that people policies, practices and management approaches are legally compliant, consistently applied and reflective of Sister System’s values. 

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure that Sister System meets its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities as a charity and employer. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of a proportionate organisational risk-management framework that protects Sister System’s people, assets, reputation and ability to deliver its mission. 
• Ensure that key organisational risks are clearly identified, owned, monitored and reported to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 
• Promote a culture in which risk is understood and actively managed without limiting thoughtful innovation, learning or ambition.

Governance, Communications and Facilities 

• Facilitate clear, timely and effective communication and cooperation between the Board of Trustees, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the development of strong governance systems, ensuring that trustees receive the information, insight and assurance required to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. 
• Work closely with trustees through the Finance and Audit committee 
• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure and digital systems through external providers, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable and appropriate for Sister System’s needs. 
• Oversee the effective operation of Sister System’s physical workspace within a fully managed office environment, working with building management and relevant external providers where required. 
• Ensure that Sister System provides a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for girls and young women, staff, volunteers, visitors and partners across its hub, spoke locations and external activities. 
• Ensure that appropriate health and safety systems, procedures and responsibilities are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed. 

Person Specification 
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-led operational leader to join Sister System’s Senior Leadership Team. You will combine sound judgement and strong organisational skills with a warm, collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for care-affected girls and young women. 

You do not need to be a specialist in every area of the role. You will, however, need the confidence and experience to lead across a broad operational portfolio, work effectively with professional advisers and external providers, and provide clear, practical advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Significant experience in a senior operations, finance, people, governance or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similarly values-led organisation. 
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into clear priorities, plans, systems and measurable outcomes. 
• Experience of developing and managing organisational budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, with the ability to balance quality, impact, affordability and value for money. 
• Experience of supervising or coordinating an external audit process, working effectively with auditors, finance colleagues and the Board. 
• Experience of people planning, performance management and supporting managers to build capable, accountable and high-performing teams. 
• Experience of developing or improving organisational systems, processes and ways of working during a period of growth or change. 
• A sound understanding of charity governance, organisational risk, compliance and the responsibilities of senior leaders and trustees. 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership colleagues, trustees, consultants and external professional advisers. 
• A strong understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, and the ability to embed these principles within organisational culture and decision-making. 

Skills and Leadership Approach 

• An approachable, emotionally intelligent and credible leader who can build trust, motivate others and develop effective working relationships across an organisation. 
• The ability to lead with both care and accountability, supporting open feedback and helping colleagues to hold constructive and sometimes crucial conversations. 
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to understand the wider organisational picture while maintaining oversight of important operational detail. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial, people or operational information clearly and accessibly. 
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain momentum. 
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge, identify risks and offer clear recommendations to the CEO and Board. 
• A practical and solution-focused approach, with the ability to move from discussion and planning into coordinated action. 
• The ability to handle sensitive, confidential and personal information professionally and in accordance with Sister System’s policies, data-protection responsibilities and GDPR. 
• Energy, curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening an ambitious organisation as it prepares to shape and deliver its next strategy. 

Values and Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to Sister System’s mission and to improving the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of care-affected girls and young women. 
• The ability to model and champion Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• A commitment to co-curation and to ensuring that the voices, experiences and leadership of girls and young women inform organisational planning and decision-making. 
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and personal and professional development. 

Desirable 

• Lived experience of the care system, or a strong professional understanding of the experiences of care-affected girls and young women. 
• Experience of working within a founder-led organisation or alongside a founder CEO. 
• Experience of supporting an organisation through growth, restructuring or the development of a new strategy. 
• Knowledge of culturally competent, trauma-informed or relational approaches to working with young people. 
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, finance, human resources, governance or organisational leadership. 
• Experience working with social care and educational service providers (statutory and third sector). 
• Knowledge of the Charity SORP, Charity Commission reporting requirements, and other third-sector financial regulation. 

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to two satisfactory reference checks and DBS enhanced disclosure.

How to apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Breathe by 31st August 2026. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

Values alignment 
Sister System's model is built on co-curation (working with girls and young women, not simply for them) and on being Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. Which of these values do you feel most aligned with, and which do you find hardest to live up to in practice?
 
People & Culture
Sister System is a founder-led organisation, underpinned by race and gender equity and a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and young women. Tell us about a time you strengthened internal culture of this nature within a team. What resistance did you meet, and what was different a year later?

Finance 
A key element of the role is monitoring income against budget for current and future years. Charity income can provide additional complexities, particularly with different types of grants. Please explain your understanding of these complexities, and how they impact on recording and reporting, including examples from your own experience if relevant. 

Timeline
Deadline for applications: End of day Monday 31st August 2026 
First round interviews: w/c 7th September 
Second round interviews: w/c 14th September
Decisions made: by 22nd September 

Thank you for your interest in joining Sister System in our mission to inspire and empower young women. 

Sheffield Cathedral is inviting applications for the role of Community Organiser, a new post within the Cathedral Resourcing Project, at an exciting moment in the Cathedral’s mission, civic life and partnership with communities across Sheffield.

At the heart of a changing and creative city, Sheffield Cathedral is both an ancient holy place and a living centre of worship, welcome, culture and public engagement. We are seeking to grow as a civic, relational and faith-rooted institution: not acting for communities from a distance, but acting with communities through trust, shared leadership and common action.

This new role is for a relational, disciplined and justice-minded organiser who can listen deeply, build trust across difference, identify and develop local leaders, and help people move from shared concern to collective action. Working in the Citizens UK tradition of broad-based community organising, the Community Organiser will help embed organising across the Cathedral, its parish partnerships and its civic relationships, contributing to the co-creation of Sheffield Citizens Alliance.

We are looking for someone who understands that lasting change is built through relationships, local leadership, patient listening, strategic action and negotiated public wins. The successful candidate will work confidently within the life and values of Sheffield Cathedral, while helping churches, communities and civic institutions build the power to act together for justice and the common good.

This post is open to people of all faiths and of none. There is no requirement to be a practising Christian, but the postholder will need to work sympathetically within the public mission and inclusive Christian values of Sheffield Cathedral.

Salary: £36,000 p.a. plus pension

Contract & Working Pattern

• 37.5 hours per week, with some evening and weekend work

• Fixed-term until 31 December 2028, starting as soon as possible

• Working at Sheffield Cathedral, partner parishes and civic institutions across Sheffield, with some hybrid working possible by agreement

Final application closing date: Wednesday 7 October 2026, 2.00pm

Shortlisting: Thursday 8 October 2026

Interviews/Tasks: Thursday 15 October 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible.

For more information, or to download an application form, please visit the vacancy page on Sheffield Cathedral's website.

Citizens UK

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

Living Wage Foundation

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting half a million people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most. 

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies. We are a non-partisan organisation and work with partners across the political spectrum to advance our mission.

Purpose

The Living Wage Foundation is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Media and Communications Manager to join our team for a 12-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive communications professional with a strong background in media relations, public messaging, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will be experienced and confident in working to tight deadlines, responding to last-minute changes, and prioritising competing demands in a high-profile environment. They will be motivated to amplify the Living Wage Foundation’s mission of tackling low pay and insecure work.

The postholder will lead all media, messaging, and external affairs work, developing and implementing a proactive media strategy that supports our mission and key campaigns, such as Living Wage Week and the annual Rates announcement. As a skilled media professional, you will oversee all communications outputs, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment, while delivering media training and refining key messaging to maximise reach and impact. 

In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing our political engagement efforts, building cross-party support and working with political leaders, mayoral teams, and other key stakeholders to promote our initiatives. You’ll manage two direct reports (Events Manager and Media Manager) who each hold line management responsibilities, and you will play a critical role within our Senior Management Team, collaborating closely with the Head of Communications to shape the overall direction of our communications work. This role will work closely with Citizens UK colleagues, including the Citizens UK communications team on cross-organisational priorities.  You will report to the Head of Communications.

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for managing and allocating part of the communications team budget, expanding team capacity, and driving the team’s effectiveness. In collaboration with other senior managers, you will help foster a culture that values creativity, innovation, and strategic impact.

Main Responsibilities

Contribute to CUK mission and its strategic objectives:

• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s media strategy, ensuring it aligns with broader organisational, communications, and campaign goals, and establish clear processes for evaluating its success.

• Work alongside other Senior Managers across Citizens UK on cross-organisational activity including through the Senior Management Group

• Support the Living Wage Foundation’s Political Engagement Strategy by building and sustaining cross-party support for the organisation’s mission and objectives.

Situational awareness and research:

• Lead regular updates on key audiences, tracking positions on issues of interest and ensuring the team is fully informed.

• Guide the team in proactive media monitoring, enabling timely responses to significant developments.

• Collaborate with the Senior Research Manager to conduct and commission impactful research, driving media campaigns that effectively reach and engage target audiences.

Strategy development:

• Work alongside other Senior Managers in the Communications Team to shape and guide the overall communications strategy.

Lead on all media and messaging outputs, including developing high-quality materials, coordinating media events, and delivering media training.

Reputational & risk management:

• Develop and manage the organisation’s risk register, offering strategic oversight and serving as a primary contact for crisis communications.

• Manage and respond to reactive media enquiries promptly, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s values and objectives.

• Draft key messages and FAQs for media interviews and public responses, and advise senior leadership on sensitive media or reputational issues.

• Represent the Living Wage Foundation effectively in senior stakeholder interactions and participate in out-of-hours press duties when needed.

Materials development and dissemination:

• Oversee the Media Team in producing engaging press releases, blogs, opinion pieces, and media briefings to elevate the Living Wage Foundation’s profile and the voices of workers and employers within the Living Wage movement.

• Ensure media outputs and communications reflect the organisation’s values and uphold a consistent voice.

• Create and refine key messaging for public communications, including FAQs and response guides.

Social media and website

• Ensure consistency in messaging and alignment across all media and digital platforms in collaboration with the wider communications team.

External relationships (including media and press)

• Lead employer case study development, identifying and preparing Living Wage employers to speak to media and champion a real Living Wage.

• Drive stakeholder engagement efforts, cultivating valuable relationships with Living Wage employers, campaign partners, and media contacts.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists across print, digital, and broadcast media to secure quality coverage.

• Collaborate with the Public Engagement Team to draft emails, speeches, speaker notes, briefings, and press notices for political engagements.

• Strengthen and maintain broad cross-party support for the Living Wage agenda.

Campaign & events management

• Provide a link between Events team and Senior Leadership Team to ensure efficient decision-making around key events.

• Lead on media and messaging elements of agreed comms-led campaigns.

Internal comms & knowledge management

• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive press database, mapping key media contacts and publications in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s objectives.

Internal relationships

• Work closely with the Senior Digital and Communications Manager to guide and oversee team initiatives.

• Provide line management and development support to the Media Manager and Events Manager.

Learning, expertise & DEI

• Lead media training sessions for LWF staff and Living Wage employers, enhancing their confidence and effectiveness in media engagements.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the LWF and Citizens UK, including communications and DEI teams, to develop and implement ethical storytelling practices, ensuring lived experience is represented responsibly, inclusively, and in line with organisational guidance.

• Contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.

• Ensure accessibility is embedded across communications and events, working with relevant teams to implement best practice and organisational guidance.

Person Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Experience

· Proven experience and a strong understanding of the UK media landscape, with experience building relationships with journalists and securing high-quality media coverage. (E)

· Experience in line managing and leading a team. (E)

· Demonstrated experience in managing sensitive reputational issues, including risk assessment and crisis communications. (E)

· Skilled in leveraging real-life stories and case studies to drive engagement, including experience in leading media training for spokespeople. (E)

· Strong track record in designing and executing high-impact communications strategies that achieve measurable results. (E)

· Experience of working collaboratively across teams and influencing senior stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. (E)

· Experience of working with a range of voices and perspectives, including community, worker or lived experience storytelling. (D)

Key skills and knowledge

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce and edit clear, engaging content suitable for media, digital and public audiences. (E)

• Competence in using social media platforms to engage audiences effectively, understanding their role in broader media strategies. (D)

• Proficiency in evaluating campaigns and media outputs, with the ability to derive insights that inform future strategies. (E)

• Strong interpersonal skills for building effective relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, including political audiences. (E)

• Solid understanding of the political landscape and public affairs, with experience engaging cross-party stakeholders (E).

Personal qualities & values

• An enthusiasm for media and communications, coupled with a strong commitment to the mission of the Living Wage Foundation. (E)

• Ability to lead, support and develop high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment. (E)

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to communicate responsibly and ethically about lived experience. (E)

About the application process

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be held 17th and 18th August.

We are looking for someone who cares deeply about our ambitious plans, and who has the skills to manage large scale programmes, whilst also being able to independently take action to deliver operational tasks. 

Your work will be central to enabling our continued growth, directly supporting the development of strong partner relationships and shaping the experience they have across our programmes, so that they can deliver excellent outcomes for babies, children and young people.

Role Overview

We are looking to appoint three Programme Officers, who will be responsible for supporting programme delivery and programme operations at the Reach Foundation. 

We have 3 vacancies across our portfolios of work:

Role 1: Programme Officer (Leadership)

This includes our x100 programmes across the West, East, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, our leadership programme with A Million Realities, and newly established place based leadership programmes for heads and executive leaders.

Role 2: Programme Officer (Cradle-to-Career)

This includes our Cradle-to-Career catalyst, foundations and leadership programmes (which are each distinct phases of our Cradle-to-Career core offer), our Accelerator programme, and a number of bespoke Cradle-to-Career catalyst programmes run directly for partner organisations. 

Role 3: Programme Officer (Educational Breakthroughs)

Helping to launch our newest strand of work, developing and growing ‘educational breakthroughs’ that enable all children to enjoy lives of choice and opportunity. This will include delivery of existing elements of our ‘breakthrough portfolio’ (Languages for All, developing mapping/ data tools to support local breakthroughs, re-imagining key stage 3 for Lift Schools) and supporting new clients as we begin partnerships with them. 

Each role has a distinct portfolio of programmes you will support, but the duties, skills and capabilities required for each role are aligned. We expect the three Programme Officers to work together closely to ensure consistency of delivery across our work, to share learning and to develop a community of practice. 

You will work closely with the Directors responsible for each programme, alongside our Events and Operations Officers, who work across all programmes,  to ensure our programmes are planned and delivered to a high standard. 

The role of the Programme Officer has three core areas of responsibility:

1. Programme Planning and Project Management

• Project manage multiple, simultaneous programmes across the portfolio with rigour. Work with other programme managers to embed consistent programme management across our organisation. 

• Work with the Events and Operations Officers to complete the annual calendar-setting process, setting event dates and key programme milestones. Ensure all events are appropriately staffed. 

• Utilise Asana to monitor project milestones, proactively identify off-track delivery risks, and lead status updates during programme meetings to ensure timely intervention.

• Champion the use of HubSpot (CRM) and set up progress dashboards alongside evaluation colleagues.

2. Programme Delivery

• Improve (or establish) processes that ensure that every participant on our programmes has a great experience from the moment they find out about us, to when they exit working with us. 

• Manage the main programme inbox, serving as the responsive, warm, and professional first point of contact for routine enquiries from participants and external partners

• Coordinate regular, high-quality programmatic communications (e.g. programme blasts or event invites) to keep participants informed and engaged throughout the year. You may author these, or work with others to ensure they are circulated in a timely manner.

• Ensure all programmatic data collection is in line with GDPR guidelines.

• Support in programme administration tasks, such as preparing papers for steering group meetings, taking minutes and circulating actions. 

• Actively participate in cross-organisational reviews, sharing delivery insights in order to improve the quality of our work. 

• Programme-Specific Deliverables: 

Participant Recruitment & Onboarding: Lead the end-to-end application and onboarding journey for new programme cohorts, including coordinating assessment or sign up windows, distributing welcome materials, and managing intake data. 

Coaching Offer Management: Act as the end-to-end operational lead for the leadership coaching offer, managing coach-matching logistics, scheduling, and tracking completion rates.

Contract and Agreement Tracking: Administer the distribution and tracking of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring signed copies are received prior to delivery. 

3. Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Coordinate the operational onboarding of new bespoke partners, guiding both internal and external senior stakeholders through this initial phase

• Invest deeply in building strong, warm, and respectful relationships with senior external stakeholders across identified bespoke partnerships, acting as a point of contact for any queries and ensuring excellent customer service

• Develop strong relationships internally, particularly with Regional Directors or Breakthrough Project Leads , providing them with regular progress updates, risk assessments, and actionable recommendations ahead of key delivery milestones.

• Actively collaborate with fellow Programme Officers to share operational learnings, standardise delivery templates, and build a supportive internal community of practice.

Please review the attached Job Description for more details.

Associate Vice-Principal (Development)
Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
CAN$200,000 to CAN$250,000

Are you Queen’s University’s next Associate Vice-Principal (Development)? This is an opportunity at one of Canada's most prestigious universities at a time of real ambition and momentum.

This role is central to Queen's University's ability to grow its philanthropic income across major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, and leadership giving.

Queen’s University is one of Canada’s oldest and most distinctive institutions – a university known not just for academic excellence, but for the depth of connection its community feels. Our alumni are among the most loyal, most engaged, and most passionate in the country, and it is that extraordinary foundation on which our philanthropic ambitions are built.

You will lead a talented team of fundraisers, directing our major and leadership giving, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and prospect development programs as well as managing a key portfolio of high-value prospects. Key to success will shaping and implementing plans that advance fundraising performance.

Reporting to the Vice Principal (Advancement) and a member of her Leadership Team, you will work at the most senior levels of the institution, acting as a key source of strategic guidance and support for university leaders, academics, and fundraising colleagues across the University.

This is a chance to build transformational programmes and partnerships that will deliver to the mission and strategic priorities of this ambitious university.

If you have a proven track record in leading multifaceted fundraising teams and managing complex relationships within a large organisation along with substantive philanthropic fundraising experience, we’d love to hear from you!

Queen’s University is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search. Please see the attached Candidate Pack for more information.

Closing date: 11:59pm EST on August 9, 2026
N.B. The posting will remain open, and applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We seek to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process and provide accommodations as needed for applicants with disabilities.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our CareerQ employment portal to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.

About us

Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) is a values-driven organisation working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to protect the world’s rainforests and uphold their human rights. Since 1989, RFUK has partnered with forest peoples and grassroots organisations to secure land rights, challenge destructive industries, and influence laws and policies that safeguard forests and the people who depend on them.

Our mission is clear: to combine human rights and environmental protection to tackle deforestation. From the Congo Basin to the Amazon, our work has helped communities protect millions of hectares of rainforest. With a growing team of passionate advocates for social and environmental justice, we are committed to scaling up our impact to confront the accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of External Relations and working closely with the Programmes and Fundraising teams, the Communications Coordinator will be responsible for enhancing the external profile of the organisation, communicating to, and broadening our impact with, a wide range of audiences, from multilateral institutions and the global media to our supporters and peers. With a strong grasp of strategic communications, excellent content creation skills and a keen eye for detail, you will have the ability to produce timely and engaging communications outputs both independently and in close coordination with other teams and our local partners. 

Based in London with hybrid working options, we offer flexibility, a supportive culture, and the chance to make a lasting difference.

About you

You are an organised, self-starting and experienced communications professional with a proven track record of working in fast-paced, internationally focused environments.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in developing and promoting engaging content that helps drive change on hard-to-win issues and elevates the voices of marginalised groups. The candidate should also have practical knowledge of online communications tools, including Mailchimp or similar email platforms, website content management systems and social media management platforms. While not an essential requirement, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

You are confident engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders from policy makers to journalists to individual supporters and are motivated to build long-term relationships with these groups. You have excellent communication skills, can juggle multiple tasks, thrive in a collaborative environment, and bring resilience and cultural sensitivity to everything you do.

We are looking for someone with an interest in developing their skills as we take on new challenges in delivering our new vision and strategic plan. The role represents an exciting opportunity for candidates with the necessary aptitude, flexibility and ambition, as well as a strong commitment to our mission.

Above all, if you are passionate about social and environmental justice and ready to help shape RFUK’s future, we would love to hear from you.

Job description and benefits

Please download the full job description. We offer 30 days annual leave, 4% pension contributions, Employee Assistance Programme, learning and development allowance, and four weeks of work-from-anywhere flexibility.

Location

This role is offered as a hybrid role based in our Bethnal Green, London office. The postholder will be required to work in the office for 2 days per week during their 6-month probation period. This can be reviewed with their Line Manager thereafter.

Application Process

To submit your application, kindly complete the online application form by 9AM, Friday 7 August. Please be aware that the form will be anonymised for review by the panel.

Please note that CVs will not be considered.

We strongly encourage all candidates to read the Recruitment FAQs page on our website before submitting their application.

Regrettably, due to the large number of applications we usually receive, it is not possible to write to you should you not be shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held in-person on Wednesday 2 September. Please let us know in your application if you are available to attend an interview.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within RFUK. As part of our recruitment process, you may voluntarily complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This form is used solely for monitoring purposes and helps us ensure fairness and equal opportunity throughout our recruitment process. Your responses are confidential and will not affect your application.

Saïd Business School is entering an exciting new chapter. As we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary and deliver an ambitious new five-year strategy, we are expanding our Development and Alumni team and seeking two exceptional Senior Philanthropy Officers to help drive a transformational step change in philanthropic support. Working closely with senior academics, School leadership, alumni and supporters, you will build meaningful relationships with philanthropists whose generosity can help tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges through business, entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact.

You will manage a portfolio of high-potential prospects, developing tailored engagement strategies that connect donors' passions with Oxford Saïd's strategic priorities. From identifying opportunities and cultivating relationships through to securing significant gifts and delivering outstanding stewardship, you will play a leading role in growing philanthropic income and impact across the School.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing and developing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and selected philanthropic organisations.
• Securing gifts typically ranging from £50,000 to £1 million+.
• Building trusted relationships with senior academics, School leadership, alumni volunteers and University colleagues.
• Translating world-class academic research and thought leadership into inspiring donor propositions.
• Supporting cultivation events, donor visits and stewardship activities that deepen engagement and demonstrate impact.

You will be an experienced and strategic fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts and building successful donor relationships within complex organisations. You will have experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic organisations, consistently achieving ambitious income targets and managing prospects through the full fundraising cycle. Additionally, you will possess the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling philanthropic opportunities. A strong understanding of fundraising best practice, ethics and data governance is essential, alongside experience using fundraising CRM systems.

Further information on this role can be found in the job description.

At Saïd Business School we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Join us to build a brighter, more equitable future, where we celebrate diversity, advance equity, and nurture inclusion across everything we do.

We offer very generous benefits, some of which are:

• Generous holiday allowance of 38 days including bank holidays
• Hybrid working
• Membership of the Oxford staff pension scheme
• Discounted bus travel
• Subsidised onsite catering
• Cycle loan scheme
• Plus, many other University benefits

All applications must include a CV, Supporting Statement/Cover Letter and Current Salary.

The closing date for applications is Friday 7 August 2026 at 12.00 noon. Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of suitable applications.