24 Policy and influencing officer jobs in Edinburgh

University Partnerships Manager

We are seeking an experienced relationship manager to develop university partnerships that improve access to higher education for disadvantaged students.

Salary: £20,004 pro rata (£33,340 FTE), or £21,804 pro rata (£36,340 FTE) for those living in a London borough
Location: Remote within England, Scotland or Wales, with bimonthly meetings in London and occasional UK travel
Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week over three days (between Monday to Friday)
Contract: Fixed term until 31 December 2027
Closing date: Monday 28th September at 9am

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to manage and grow a portfolio of university partnerships built around a shared commitment to widening participation and improving educational opportunities.

You will provide excellent account management and stewardship, ensuring university partners receive timely communication, meaningful engagement and high-quality impact reporting. You will strengthen existing relationships, support partnership renewals and identify opportunities to secure continued or increased funding.

Working closely with senior leaders and colleagues across fundraising, communications and programme delivery, you will:

• Manage relationships with university partners and key stakeholders
• Coordinate partnership milestones, events and engagement activities
• Produce clear and compelling proposals, reports and cases for support
• Support the research and development of new university partnerships
• Monitor higher education and widening participation policy and sector trends
• Raise the organisation’s profile across the higher education sector
• Maintain accurate CRM records, income pipelines and forecasts
• Ensure fundraising activity complies with regulations and sector best practice

About you

You will be a confident and credible relationship manager with experience of developing partnerships, generating income or achieving successful fundraising or sales outcomes.

You will need:

• Good knowledge of widening participation and the higher education policy landscape
• Strong relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to develop persuasive proposals and cases for support
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively
• A genuine commitment to educational equity and social mobility

Experience within higher education or charity fundraising would be advantageous, as would experience of impact reporting and using a fundraising database such as Salesforce.

About the organisation

You will be joining an education charity that supports young people from under-resourced backgrounds to access leading universities. Through a combination of tuition and in-school mentoring, the organisation helps students improve their grades, navigate the university application process and fulfil their potential.

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave p.a. (pro rata) plus Bank Holidays and 5 Winter closure days 
• PerkBox
• Employee Assistance Programme, a 24-hour helpline for staff.
• Online Medical assistance
• Interest-free travelcard loan
• Cyclescheme loans
• 2 paid Volunteering Days and 1 paid Wellbeing Day
• Employer’s pensions contributions (3%).
• Learning and Development opportunities.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a proud to be a Level 1 Disability Confident employer, if you require any reasonable adjustments please contact us. Please note, if you are selected for appointment to the role, you will be subject to a DBS check.

Applications are particularly welcomed from people from under-represented backgrounds and those with lived experience connected to the organisation’s mission.

Appointment is subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including a DBS check.

Other roles you may have experience of could include University Partnerships Officer, Higher Education Partnerships Manager, Widening Participation Manager, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Fundraising Manager, Account Manager, Relationship Manager, Partnerships Development Manager or University Engagement Manager.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, NFP People. #INDNFP

Your role

We are seeking a Finance & Operations Leader to lead Design for Good’s finance, operations and organisational effectiveness, combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director (MD), you will lead the organisation’s core finance, operational and enabling functions, ensuring we have the financial and operational infrastructure, people systems and governance frameworks needed to deliver our mission.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role, suited to someone who is both strategically minded and operationally confident — a collaborative leader who can lead suppliers, strengthen systems and financial processes, and take ownership of day-to-day operational delivery in a growing global charity.

Key Responsibilities

Financial leadership, planning and sustainability

● Support the MD in developing the annual organisational budget and take overall responsibility for financial performance, controls and processes.

● Work closely with the external accountants to ensure timely and accurate management accounts, annual accounts, financial reports, forecasts reporting for the MD, Board and Finance Committee.

● Take ownership of cash-flow forecasting, reserves management, financial planning and financial controls to support the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.

● Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, Companies House requirements (for any trading subsidiary) and charity SORP accounting standards.

● Lead the annual independent examination process and manage relationships with external auditors/examiners and other financial advisers.

● Oversee payroll, pensions, VAT returns and day-to-day financial administration, working closely with the external accounts team.

● Oversee restricted fund accounting, ensuring accurate tracking of grant expenditure, compliance with funder requirements and timely financial reporting.

Operations, systems and organisational effectiveness

● Lead and strengthen the organisation’s operational infrastructure, ensuring systems, processes and ways of working are effective, efficient and fit for purpose.

● Maintain an overall organisational plan, coordinating priorities, timelines and dependencies across the organisation.

● Identify and implement opportunities to improve organisational systems, operational processes and internal coordination to strengthen effectiveness and support sustainable growth.

● Oversee the day-to-day running of the organisation, including office management, IT systems, supplier contracts and operational compliance.

● Ensure the organisation’s IT and digital systems effectively support current and future organisational needs, including identifying and implementing opportunities for AI to improve efficiency and support organisational goals.

● Lead procurement and contract management, ensuring value for money, appropriate controls and effective supplier relationships.

● Lead financial and operational planning for key organisational activities, including the logistics and delivery of major events.

● Oversee joiner and leaver processes, ensuring a consistent, compliant and effective experience and that all required processes are correctly followed.

Governance, risk & compliance

● Lead the management, monitoring and reporting of the organisational risk register, ensuring key risks are actively managed and appropriately reported to the Board and relevant sub-committees.

● Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including employment law, GDPR, health and safety and charity law.

● Act as the organisational lead for data protection, ensuring effective and compliant data protection practices across the organisation.

● Provide the Company Secretary function, including preparing Board papers and minutes, supporting the administration of the Finance and Risk Committees, and maintaining statutory registers and records.

● Work closely with the Chairs of the Finance and Risk Committees to support effective Board oversight of financial, operational and organisational risks.

● Ensure organisational policies are kept up to date, appropriately reviewed and approved by the Trustees.

Key Requirements

● Demonstrable experience in a senior finance and operations leadership role within a charity, not-for-profit, public or values-led organisation.

● Strong experience leading organisational operations and enabling functions, including finance, governance, compliance, IT and organisational infrastructure.

● Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, financial controls, audit processes and financial planning.

● Experience contributing to organisational strategy, operational planning and decision-making as part of a senior leadership team.

● Good understanding of governance, organisational risk management and regulatory compliance within a charity or not-for-profit environment.

● Experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities, complexity and operational risk while maintaining a high standard of delivery.

Preferred Skills and qualifications

● At least 5 years’ experience in a managerial finance and/or operations role.

● Ability to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, balancing long-term organisational planning with hands-on delivery and problem-solving.

● Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret, present and communicate financial information clearly to non-finance audiences, including Boards and senior leadership teams.

● Ability to influence, advise and support decision-making at senior leadership and Board level.

● Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to strengthen systems, improve operational processes and enhance organisational effectiveness.

● Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.

● Strong IT and digital systems skills, including experience with finance systems, CRM platforms and organisational technology tools.

● Ability to navigate complexity, manage organisational risk, exercise sound judgement and make sound decisions in a values-led environment.

● Excellent time-management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing demands and deliver to deadlines.

Knowledge & Understanding

● Good understanding of charity finance, governance and regulatory compliance, including charity SORP and restricted and unrestricted fund management.

● Good understanding of people administration, employment legislation, organisational risk and operational compliance, including safeguarding responsibilities.

● Understanding of how financial management, operational infrastructure and people practices contribute to organisational effectiveness and the delivery of mission and impact.

Job description 

Motivated to make a difference and connect communities through sport, you'll be a proactive natural connector who thrives on helping others succeed. With effective communication and organisational skills, you'll confidently support grassroots groups and build lasting impact across the North of England. Join Sported as our Lancaster Network Co-ordinator and you could be playing a vital role in the heart of our Field Team. As this role is place- based you will be required to live in Lancaster or surrounding areas, with frequent travel across the region.

About the role 

As the key contact for Sported groups across Lancaster & surrounding areas you'll play a vital role in helping community led organisations grow, become more sustainable and maximise their impact. You'll build effective relationships with these groups, understand their challenges and opportunities, and connect them to the support, resources and funding they need to thrive. This involves welcoming new groups to our network and supporting existing ones to develop. 

Working closely with colleagues, volunteer consultants and partners, you'll help deliver projects and programmes that strengthens and develops them and creates positive outcomes for people and communities. You'll also contribute to volunteer engagement, partnership development, grant administration and project evaluation, while ensuring accurate records and data are maintained across your area. 

About You 

Are you passionate about the power of sport to strengthen communities and change lives? We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic about supporting grassroots organisations, ideally within sport (but please still apply if not in the sport sector), and who shares our commitment to inclusion, equality and positive social change.You'll be a confident relationship-builder with a proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to build trust with a wide range of people. Organised and able to manage competing priorities, you'll be comfortable working independently while contributing to a collaborative remote team. You will also possess a working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and have experience of database management. 

Apply to be part of our team

Benefits 

Joining Sported means becoming part of a passionate, supportive team dedicated to ensuring there are opportunities for everyone, improving health and wellbeing, ensuring communities are empowered. We believe in creating a positive environment not only for the people we support, but also for our colleagues. That's why we offer flexible, homebased working, generous annual leave, a pension scheme, wellbeing support, and opportunities to give back through paid volunteering days. With paid study leave, wellbeing days, and ongoing learning and development opportunities, you'll have the support you need to grow professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

At Sported, you'll be part of an organisation where your contribution truly makes a difference. 

Act with Integrity. Champion Inclusion. Transform Together. Drive Change. 

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly candidates from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities, disabled people, and those with lived experience of tackling inequality. We believe diverse voices are essential to creating meaningful and lasting change. 

Please see the job pack, where you’ll find details of roles and responsibilities, and required skills and experience. 

The closing date for this role is 12pm on Monday 5th October 2026.

We want you to feel comfortable and supported throughout the recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to help make the process more accessible for you, please let us know. 

We want every candidate to have the best opportunity to showcase their skills. That's why we use an anonymous recruitment process and provide interview questions in advance, supporting a fair, transparent and inclusive selection process. 

Application Instructions 

If you wish to apply, please provide an up to date CV, together with a cover letter detailing how you meet the criteria shown in the person specification. You can use experiences gained from work, volunteering and life experiences. We will not consider applications without these two documents. We also ask you to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form, this is not compulsory but we use the anonymous data to help us improve our recruitment practices and ensure our approach reaches a diverse audience.

The Development Manager role brings the opportunity to an avid fundraiser and resource mobilization professional to manage the strategic fundraising efforts of IFIP to build, sustain, and grow the organization’s institutional pool of funders by aligning development strategy with the organization’s mission, goals, key programs, and initiatives. This position plays a critical role in enhancing our sustainability efforts through identifying, cultivating, soliciting, grant writing, and securing funding support in accordance with IFIP’s strategic framework. 

Position Title: Development Manager 
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer 
Location: Remote (Europe)

OrganizationSummary 

International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) is the only global philanthropy network dedicated to shifting power, mobilizing resources, and building partnerships to amplify Indigenous leadership and to support the self-determination and rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As a global community, IFIP educates, guides, and influences funders to practice a new paradigm of giving based on Indigenous values “The Five R’s of Indigenous Philanthropy” —Respect, Reciprocity, Responsibility, Relationships and Redistribution.Building on over 25 years of experience, IFIP is at an exciting moment of evolution and on a path to accelerate organizational capacity to implement our strategic plan, mobilize redistribution of resources, and increase advocacy for direct funding to Indigenous Peoples globally. 
 

Position Overview 

The Development Manager role brings the opportunity to an avid fundraiser and resource mobilization professional to manage the strategic fundraising efforts of IFIP to build, sustain, and grow the organization’s institutional pool of funders by aligning development strategy with the organization’s mission, goals, key programs, and initiatives. This position plays a critical role in enhancing our sustainability efforts through identifying, cultivating, soliciting, grant writing, and securing funding support in accordance with IFIP’s strategic framework.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Development Manager works collaboratively with senior management, staff, and consultants to ensure sustainability goals are achieved. The Development Manager cultivates prospects, sustains relationships, creates proposals and reports for funders to illustrate impact and spends most of their time engaging with prospective funders and supporters through both virtual and in-person interactions. 

The ideal candidate is a skilled fundraiser and a relationship builder with a strong understanding of philanthropic giving. They should be proactive and strategic, with a proven track record of securing mid-to-large multi-year funding, nurturing donor relationships, and effectively communicating the organization's mission and impact. Familiarity and commitment to IFIP's mission is essential. Experience working remotely and across multiple time zones is an asset. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Fundraising and Resource mobilization  

• Develop a comprehensive multi-year development strategy, including developing related guidelines and policies and ensure IFIP secures annual revenue goals.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with funders and other donors, including foundations and other funders. 

• Responsible for the development, writing, and submission of compelling grant proposals. Manages full lifecycle of grants, from proposals to reports, ensuring fundraising goals are met annually. 

• Able to skillfully navigate donor relationships and the philanthropic landscape with nuance, big picture, and keen understanding of the shifting trends and perspectives.

• In coordination with senior leadership, organize, prepare and attend donor meetings and convenings in support of strategic initiatives. 

• Develop strategic fundraising initiatives, including events and campaigns and identify new opportunities for resource mobilization. 

• Develop, manage, and execute comprehensive fundraising plans that align with the organization’s goals, programs, and initiatives. 

• Coordinate with leadership on restricted gifts, proposal budgets with restricted allocations, and financial reporting to donors. 

• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with IFIP’s team and consultants to maximize total revenue in service of the organization’s mission

• Collaborate with the Engagement and Communications team to enhance visibility and donor messaging efforts through our newsletters and communications platforms.

• Utilize a CRM for data collection, relationship management, and tracking donor interactions. 

• Manages information-tracking processes regarding acknowledgement, recognition, ongoing communication and continued cultivation of donors in portfolio.

Organizational Culture and Team Collaboration 

• Partner with the CEO to ensure IFIP’s strategy is reflected across fundraising plans, funder engagement and partnerships. 

• Foster a collaborative, results-driven, and accountability culture that empowers the IFIP team to deliver organizational goals effectively. 

• Contribute to a culture of teamwork by fostering collaboration and support of each other to accomplish tasks at hand, the annual work plan, and overall mission. 

• Bring a learning, attention to detail, initiative taking disposition and participate in organization-wide strategy and learning and contribute to operations efficiency to grow as an organization. 

• Able to adapt and excel in a multi-cultural and fast paced environment where team members take part and contribute to planning activities, including staff meetings, retreats, and strategy sessions. 

• Provide support when needed on organization-wide activities, such as Global Conference and high-level stakeholder events. 

• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures and responsible for own administrative tasks such as submission of receipts, reimbursement requests, scheduling, travel planning, etc. 

• Embody and uphold the 5 R’s (Respect, Relationships, Responsibility, Reciprocity, Redistribution) in working with external stakeholders and internal team members. 

Required Experience and Qualifications: 

• At least 8 years of experience in the development and resource mobilization sector. 

• At least 3 years of experience working in an international remote work environment with a multi-cultural team 

• Experience building partnerships and securing funding from bilateral and multilateral donor agencies is an asset 

• Track record of garnering new donors and substantial levels of funding per year

• Demonstrated experience in developing fundraising strategies and plans and excellent donor relations skills.

• Familiarity with donor database tools to track grants and donor relationships 

• Exceptional organizational ability, high attention to detail, results and solutions-oriented attitude are essential.

• Problem-solver, with high integrity and ability to communicate clear expectations and foster team collaboration. 

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills in written and oral forms and ability to articulate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 

• Solid information technology proficiency with CRMs, remote meeting software, Microsoft Office Suite, and cloud systems for project management. 

• Experience travelling internationally to urban and rural areas where English may not be the primary language.

• Fluency in English.Fluency in a second language is an asset. 

Application Information: 

Job details: This is a full-time, remote position based in the greater London area. Employee may spend up to three weeks a year in Sacramento, CA for strategic planning and team building. IFIP's team, board, members, and stakeholders are based worldwide and distributed across multiple time zones. This role is based in London and follows UK working hours; however, occasional flexibility will be required for early morning or late evening meetings with colleagues around the world. Candidates must be based in the greater London area and be authorized to work in the United Kingdom.  

Salary: GBP £40,000 - £55,000, based on experience. IFIP typically makes offers within the beginning to middle of this range, depending on the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience. IFIP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

International Funders for Indigenous Peoples is an equal opportunity employer committed to embracing a diverse, multicultural work environment and seeks diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious creed, physical abilities and other characteristic protected by federal and state laws.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until September 18th, 2026. 

Position: Breathing Space Coordinator, Wales
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term until March 2029
Location: Home-based in Wales
Salary: £26,912 per annum FTE, (£16,147 per annum actual for 21 hours per week) plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity
You’ll start at our entry point salary of £26,912 per annum FTE (£16,147 actual), increasing to £28,594 per annum FTE (£17,156 actual) after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £30,276 per annum FTE (£18,166 actual) after a further 6 months.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

This part-time, fixed-term role (21 hours per week) will coordinate our Breathing Space project in Wales until March 2029. The project enables unpaid carers supporting people with MS and other neurological conditions to take short breaks.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced Project Coordinator who enjoys delivering fixed-term funded projects, working directly with the people we support and our volunteers. Excellent communication skills and a proven ability to achieve project objectives are essential.

You will work closely with unpaid carers, people affected by MS and other neurological conditions, key external partners, the Service and Support Team, the Director for Wales and teams across the MS Society. Focused on outcomes and tangible results, you will build strong stakeholder partnerships and represent the MS Society at meetings and events promoting the project to unpaid carers.

The role can be based anywhere in Wales, but regular travel across Wales is expected.

Welsh language skills are desirable

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 28th September 2026.
Anticipated interview date: 6th & 7th October.

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of people affected by kidney disease?

We’re looking for an experienced manager who wants to be part of work that genuinely transforms lives.

About Kidney Care UK

There are 7.2 million people with some form of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the UK, equivalent to 1 in 10 people. There are one million people in the UK who have CKD but are not aware of it.

Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease.

About the Patient Support Service

The Patient Support Service provides practical, emotional and financial support for anyone affected by chronic kidney disease. Whatever the need presented, we empower people living with CKD and their families and carers to understand their options and make informed choices to positively navigate their experience of CKD. We’ll walk alongside them for as long as they need us to.

About the role

We are looking for a passionate and inspirational individual to lead our Patient Support service across Scotland & Northern Ireland. You and your team will reach kidney patients at their point of need and ensure they are supported or signposted to the services that will improve their wellbeing and maximise outcomes in line with the objectives of the service as directed by the Programme Manager/Head of Service. 

Alongside our other Regional Managers, you will be the national face of Kidney Care UK patient support services, raising awareness of the service and the Charity and building strong relationships with the kidney patients, renal units, Kidney Patient Associations (KPAs), health professionals and other kidney stakeholder groups in your regions. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of five Patient Support Officer’s to deliver an accessible, valued and effective service across your designated region. Responsibility for the training, development and wellbeing of the regional team. 
• Lead the delivery of Kidney Care UK service and funder required outcomes into service delivery aligned with the Kidney Care Patient Support service strategy.
• Through in-person attendance at stakeholder events and meetings, build strong relationships with key decision makers and influencers in health and care commissioning and delivery in your region.
• Develop and maintain effective monitoring and measurement to demonstrate the outputs and effectiveness of the service and its impact on patient experience and outcomes. 
• Using data and insight, report internally and externally with updates on regional issues, needs and challenges to inform service development.
• Manage the budget designated for your region, keeping accurate records of expenditure and reporting.
• Act as an organisational Designated Safeguarding Person in accordance with policy and procedures.

About you

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Understanding of the workings of NHS patient care pathways.
• Experience of delivering patient support services in a kidney or related health condition environment.
• Understanding of kidney disease and the needs of people with kidney disease, their families and their carers.
• The ability to influence, inspire and effectively manage a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, with experience in building credibility with senior external stakeholders and managing relationships with diplomacy.

Experience of working within an NHS charity or large health related fundraising environment is highly desirable,as is understanding of relevant UK benefits legislation and entitlements.

Please note: You must live within one of the regions (Scotland or Northern Ireland) and have the ability to travel within those regions independently and on a regular basis. There may also be some travel across the UK.

What we offer

Working at Kidney Care UK is incredibly rewarding and you will see the life-changing impact that the charity has on kidney patients and their families:

• Flexi-time – we are flexible about start and finish times, and flexible about your location.
• Annual and Christmas leave – we offer 25 days annual leave for full time employees plus bank holidays. We also close for three days between Christmas and New Year, and you don’t need to take this from your annual leave allowance.
• Pension – you’ll be eligible for and auto-enrolled into a pension scheme where your employer will contribute 8% of your salary.
• Health cashback plan – ability to claim back a wide variety of routine medical treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to a wide variety of support including counselling, health resources and advice.
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Learning and development – you’ll be able to access the full benefits of our membership of Fundraising Everywhere, Charity Comms and NVCO.

Apply today
If you feel the role is for you we’d love to hear from you.

Press Apply, where you will be asked to upload a recent CV which includes a cover letter. In your cover letter please demonstrate in no more than 2 sides of A4 how you meet the person specification within the job description.

CVs submitted without a cover letter will automatically be rejected.

Please note we will be reviewing applications as they come in and may choose to close the advert early.

We look forward to hearing from you.

12-month fixed-term contract | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Services to join our senior management team. 

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role 

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead nine services with nine direct reports, spanning criminal justice and housing/homelessness provision. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, you will need significant leadership experience across both Criminal Justice and Housing/Homelessness services, including housing or accommodation-based provision. 

You will understand the complexity of working across criminal justice, housing, local government and other statutory systems and be experienced in building effective relationships with commissioners and partners while maintaining strong operational and contractual oversight. 

This is a 12-month fixed-term appointment at an important stage in Cranstoun’s transformation, offering the opportunity to lead a significant portfolio, strengthen operational performance and help shape the future development of our operating model. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

Permanent | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Service to join our senior management team.

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead eight services with nine direct reports, spanning substance use and services for children and young people. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, significant senior leadership experience within substance use services is essential, including experience of leading CQC-regulated provision and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance. 

You will also need a strong understanding of safeguarding and the governance required to deliver safe and effective services for children and young people. Direct operational experience of Children & Young People services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong safeguarding and CYP governance experience alongside substantial substance use leadership. 

This permanent appointment offers the opportunity to provide long-term leadership to a significant portfolio and help shape the future development of Cranstoun’s services. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582