Policy and research director jobs

Plumstead Community Law Centre is a free specialist legal advice charity located in central Woolwich in South East London. We provide specialist legal advice and advocacy in the areas of immigration, welfare benefits and employment People can access our services via telephone or email, and through the Advice Hub outreach services we attend in local community centres. In 2024 over 1,400 local people accessed our advice and representation services, resulting in a range of financial and non-financial benefits.

Towards the end of 2024, we moved away from a collective model towards a functional management structure. We appointed an Interim CEO from the staff group and expanded our trustee board's size and expertise.

This Managing Director and Senior Solicitor role involves assuming the charity’s management from our interim CEO, who has established strong systems and secured new funding for the further strengthening of the charity. Our strategic plan includes improving our legal practice management with a view to obtaining a quality mark and securing an immigration legal aid contract. We anticipate securing further funding to expand our services, to support more people in need in our community.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced solicitor who has a track record in supervision and management. Although the job description is wide ranging, support will be given through further recruitment of administrative support. 

​The Law Centre Managing Director and Senior Solicitor (“MD/SS”) is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Law Centre. Working within appropriate delegations from the Board, the post holder ensures that the Law Centre provides quality assured services that meet its charitable purposes. The MD/SS ensures that issues of risk and compliance are properly managed and that the Centre is an exciting, innovative and enjoyable place to work. The MD/SS ensures that the Centre operates within budgets set by the Board and 2 that it offers value for money. The MD/SS must ensure that legal, regulatory, grant, contractual and other relevant requirements are met and that the Centre continues to be relevant to its community. 

Job Title:  Head of Policy and Engagement

Location:  London, (The Foundry, Vauxhall) 

Type: Permanent, hybrid

Hours: 4 days/28 hours a week 

Salary: £50k pa (FTE) 

About Equally Ours 

Equally Ours (previously the Equality and Diversity Forum) is a UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives.

Through our members and networks, Equally Ours joins up research, policy and communications to shift public opinion and policy in positive and powerful ways. This is an exciting and pivotal time for us. At the end of 2022, we launched a 10-year strategy, 'Together for social justice', which sets out our bold agenda to increase equality and strengthen rights at scale.  

We are a voluntary membership organisation dedicated to supporting networks, communities and grassroots groups across the UK to influence public policy and decision-making processes.

This important new role aims to support London-based members and our wider networks in shaping meaningful, structural public policy changes that address climate action, social justice, and economic opportunity. This role will work at the intersection of national and London government agendas, ensuring that the diverse experiences of Londoners shape a more socially just London and the UK that protect and advances people's equality and human rights. 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a Head of Policy and Community Engagement to lead our policy advocacy and community engagement initiatives. This role is crucial in helping our members develop a collective voice, influence policy at both local and national levels, and drive long-lasting, systemic change. The successful candidate will work closely with London-based members and grassroots organisations, convening and facilitating opportunities to develop a unified and impactful voice and advocate for systemic change on key issues such as climate justice and resilience, employment inequality and economic inclusion, particularly in the context of public sector investment and the green economy. They will have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, and strong policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

Policy Advocacy & Engagement 

• Support Member Voice: Facilitate opportunities for our members (and their networks) to develop a unified and impactful voice on key policy issues.

• Drive structural change: Advocate for systemic, rather than piecemeal, policy reform on issues relating to climate action, law and economic opportunity.

• Policy research & analysis: synthesize research data, commission research, and stay informed on the priorities of national government, Greater London Authority and local borough councils, as well as those of funders, to provide members with strategic analysis and support in developing and influencing policy. 

• Focus on intersectionality: Promote the adoption of an intersectional, pan-equality, and human rights-based framework in policy areas such as the equality and human rights legal framework, climate justice and social investment. 

Community & Network Development 

• Develop and strengthen membership model: Lead efforts to develop and adapt our membership and engagement model, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving needs of our London network and the wider movement.

• Equip grassroots groups: Work closely with grassroots organisations to build their capacity and influence on key issues, supporting them to engage directly with policymakers and participate meaningfully in policy debates.

• Promote collaboration and capacity building: Promote collaboration among members, encouraging the sharing of best practice, strengthening their collective voice, and enhancing their effectiveness in advocating for their communities. 

Strategic Initiatives & emerging trends 

• Horizon scanning and trend analysis: Monitor emerging trends in the climate, social justice, and community development sectors, ensuring strategies are adapted to address these developments.

• Network expansion: Identify opportunities to grow our network and extend our reach, ensuring more grassroots organisations are empowered to engage with policy agendas and drive systemic change. 

What skills and experiences we’re looking for: 

• Strong policy expertise: demonstrable experience of analysing evidence from a range of sources (lived experience, think tank and academic reports,) and working collaboratively with communities to identify the root causes of inequality and create policy solutions. Ideally in one or more of the areas of climate justice, economic opportunity, and social inclusion. 

• Community Engagement: Experience of working with grassroots organisations and local communities, with a focus on building capacity and amplifying their voices at local borough, London and UK government levels. 

• Advocacy Skills:

• Strong understanding and demonstrable experience of public policy change processes at the intersection of UK and London government agendas

• Proven ability to develop, lead, implement and monitor influencing strategies that drive systemic change 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think creatively and strategically about developing engagement models and responding to emerging trends in social and environmental justice movements. 

• Commitment: commitment to and a sound understanding of how to apply equality, intersectionality and human rights principles to public policy development, and the credibility to build trust with communities. 

• Network Building: Demonstrable experience in growing and supporting membership networks or coalitions, ideally in the voluntary or charity sector. 

• Emotional intelligence: High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience, including the understanding and ability to manage how lived experience of our privilege and inequality can impact in the workplace for yourself, colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Managing staff: Experience managing at least one staff member, providing both task centered and pastoral support. The ability to hold and manage difficult feelings and conversations with tact and sensitivity. 

• Anti-racism: Commitment to embed anti-racism across all aspects of our work.

Desirable: 

• Experience of commissioning different types of research 

• Experience of working with impact monitoring and evaluation frameworks, for example theory of change methodology. 

Repots to: Director of Practice & Quality   
Directly manages: Policy Manager, Clinical Audit Project Manager
Salary range: £47,941 - £62,220 per annum, depending on experience
Location: London – EC4Y 8EE (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (31.5 hours per week)

Job Purpose

As BSR’s Head of Policy,  you will lead a portfolio of work that truly supports our members’ priorities and works towards creating the conditions that will enable rheumatology care across the UK to thrive and flourish. 

To excel in this role you will need to be comfortable working both at a strategic level and with detail and data. You will ensure BSR understands and responds to current and emerging needs in rheumatology practice, identifying gaps in quality, policy and research. You will develop BSR’s evidence and intelligence base about our members’ priorities, the state of rheumatology care across the UK and the challenges and opportunities in rheumatology. Through collaborating with colleagues you’ll help us ensure this insight informs our policy agenda, our strategic planning and operational decision making, ultimately achieving maximum possible impact in our work to drive-up standards in the delivery of rheumatology services and to inspire and activate changes that improve lives. 

Main responsibilities

• Leadership and management 
  • Work closely with BSR’s Senior Management Team to devise and deliver priorities for the portfolio, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and identifying opportunities to maximise impact  
  • Ensure that BSR’s decision making is informed by the best available and appropriate level of evidence by communicating strategic insights across the organisation  
  • Lead, coach and support team members and manage overall team capacity and resource planning 
  • Oversee contract and budget management for the team and across individual projects, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources 
  • Collaborate with the SMT and other teams to ensure integrated approaches to policy, communications, and member engagement 
  • Provide support and strategic insight to BSR working groups, including the Clinical Affairs Committee and MDT Advisory Council  
  • Develop strong relationships with members and stakeholders and represent BSR to external audiences. 
• Policy, research and strategy 
  • Lead BSR’s policy agenda, supporting the Policy Manager to deliver policy analysis and development, produce high quality outputs and influence changes in policy and practice
  • Oversee a programme of proactive research, including data analysis and member engagement, to build a robust body of evidence and intelligence about the key issues impacting BSR members and rheumatology care across the UK 
  • Ensure that evidence, insight and analysis effectively informs BSR’s policy work, strategic planning and operational decision making   
  • Continuously monitor UK-wide policy and practice changes and assess their impact on the rheumatology community and patient care 
  • Ensure BSR’s members and senior leaders receive timely analysis of key policy and practice developments impacting rheumatology  
  • Develop, lead and support cross-team workstreams and projects that deliver on organisation-wide priorities.  
• Best practice and quality improvement 
  • Provide leadership to the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) team, supporting the team to deliver work to a high standard 
  • Engage members to develop BSR’s evidence base on good practice and quality improvement, and keep abreast of relevant external developments  
  • Provide expertise to colleagues on best practice and quality improvement, ensuring that insight and ambitions are effectively communicated and inform BSR’s policy work, strategic planning and operational decision making  
  • Identify and develop opportunities to share and promote best practice and quality improvement to members and external audiences, achieving maximum possible reach and impact 
  • Identify and develop opportunities to work with partners across health and social care to promote and support best practice and quality improvement. 

Person Specification

1.  Significant experience in a senior policy, practice or programme management role in healthcare
2.  Extensive knowledge of health policy and/or healthcare systems and how policy is developed and implemented 
3.  Understanding of research methods, with the ability to analyse and translate quantitative and qualitative research findings 
4.  Understanding of audit and/or QI methodology and experience of delivering or supporting quality improvement initiatives 
5.  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on evidence-based decision making 
6.  Leadership and team management experience and ability to coach staff to reach their potential 
7.  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and influence relationships, including at partnership level, with colleagues and senior leaders 
8.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex issues to a wide range of stakeholders and prepare high 
   quality, accessible outputs 
9.  Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure to conflicting deadlines 
10.  Flexible in response to changes in the external environment and the need to balance proactive and reactive work

Inclusion and Diversity statement

BSR is committed to encouraging inclusion, equality and diversity in our workforce. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our staff team. We try to 
reduce as many barriers as we can for those with a disability. We know that everyone is an individual, so please always tell us what we can do to support you. 

We welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including those from minoritised communities, and those with a disability, to better 
reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives. 

Making The Leap is an innovative social justice charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we refuse to stay in our lane and believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The shared soul of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has two pillars: Programmes – which is direct delivery to young people from less-advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds to raise their aspirations and increase their access to opportunities, and Leadership and Advocacy -  which covers the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast, the Social Mobility List, our research function and a number of strands: core Making The Leap, your remit would be directly with the first three strands and  your team will be responsible for generating the income for core Making The Leap.

Role overview:

As a member of MTL’s senior management team, you will take responsibility for the organisation’s growth and outward facing initiatives. You will lead and manage the organisation’s portfolio of social mobility leadership strands, and develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders. You will provide dynamic day-to-day leadership for the MTL’s directorate responsible for income generation, impact, research, communications and policy, and ensure the organisation continues to be an exemplar of innovation, integrity and collaboration. You will also be contributing to, implementing and monitoring delivery of the organisation’s strategic plan.

Educational inequality between the most and least advantaged students is the highest it has ever been. Students from less advantaged backgrounds are 18 months behind their more advantaged peers when it comes to GCSEs and progress to competitive universities at a rate of 2 in 100 compared to 28 in 10.

Our Policy Lead will build The Brilliant Club as a trusted voice within the education sector, so that we can shape decisions being made so that they reduce rather than embed this inequality.

This is a critical moment to be joining the charity as we deliver the final year of our current Join the Club strategy and begin planning our next strategy, launching in September 2026. This role will work closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Director of Marketing and Communications and our Research and Impact Team to identify our policy priorities and bring the charity’s networks, data and stories together to drive them forward.

The Policy Lead will identify opportunities to engage in policy discussions, build relationships with sector stakeholders and education networks, secure conference speaking opportunities and write policy briefings.

The Policy Lead will be part of the External Affairs team and will be line managed by the Director of Marketing and Communications.

The Trust is seeking a Fundraising Director to run the day-to-day operations of our small and successful charity, alongside our existing Director of Operations, starting 1 September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The annual salary is £33,000 and hours of work are 35 hours a week. The successful candidate must be able to work from home but be willing to travel to central London for regular meetings and occasional events. We are open to part-time or flexible working options.

22 days annual leave increasing one day per year up to 30 days, plus bank holidays.

Pension contribution: employer 3% and staff 5% at the People’s Pension.

Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Liaises with: Co-Director, project members, bursary holders, project facilitators, trustees, supporters & patrons

About

The National Youth Arts Trust (NYAT) is a small performing arts charity that exists to widen access to the performing arts for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds - through giving bursaries for music, dance, and drama lessons, running youth theatre projects, and taking children to the theatre, often for the first time.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual, who is a confident fundraiser to help scale up our work nationwide, support in the day-to-day management of the Trust, and assist in fulfilling the trustee’s strategic plans for 2025 and beyond. It is an essential role for this charity and offers a unique opportunity to be involved and have influence on a growing arts organisation with a strong board, a fantastic patron list and national ambitions.

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, who would like to build on their fundraising and management experience in the third sector and arts industry and is passionate about equal opportunity in the performing arts.

We are looking for a creative thinker, who takes initiative, is self-motivated and is looking for a varied role within a small but ambitious charity.

Purpose of the Job

· Supporting the day-to-day management of the Trust, with a particular focus on fundraising and event organisation for current and future projects.

· Working with the Board of Trustees to ensure the National Youth Arts Trust achieves its vision and charitable objectives, creating and implementing the strategy for NYAT and ensuring operating policies and procedures are fit for purpose and regularly reviewed.

Principal Tasks

Principal Tasks:
Lead fundraising strategy, write funding bids, and build donor relationships. Manage communications, stakeholder care, and project delivery. Support recruitment, planning, and marketing. Maintain donor databases and ensure strong supporter engagement. Drive new creative initiatives, track budgets and impact, and report regularly to the Board.

This job description is not exhaustive, please refer to the JD and the post holder may be required to undertake other such duties from time to time.

The role will require the successful candidate to complete an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Please contact us if you need the job description in an alternative format or if you need any adjustments if invited to interview.

NYAT is an equal opportunities employer. We guarantee an interview for applicants with a disability providing they meet the minimum requirements for the post. Charity No: 1152367.

· Closing date for applications is 21st August 2025.

· Interviews will be held online and arranged with shortlisted candidates directly, on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with possible in person second interviews.

· Start date 1st September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that builds the capacity of developing countries to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that developing countries should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions.

Degrees’ programmatic work is centred on capacity-building through research grants and North–South and South–South collaboration schemes, outreach activities, and cross-cutting community building. As part of this, Degrees runs workshops in the Global South that bring new voices into the SRM conversation, and our research funds support scientists and other experts in developing countries as they research what SRM could mean for their regions and become part of a global research community.

The Policy Engagement Assistant role offers a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to help scale up the organisation’s work, building on the successes of the last decade, and to help the most climate-vulnerable countries make up their own minds about SRM. 

Joining a growing team, the Policy Engagement Assistant will support the Policy Engagement and Programmes teams through the provision of administrative services to ensure the efficient organisation of, execution of, and participation in events. Secondarily, the Assistant will provide general administrative support to the Policy Engagement team. 

The Policy Engagement Assistant will work under the supervision of the Policy Engagement Director, while supporting the Policy Engagement Managers and the Programmes team. Responsibilities will include: 

• Arranging travel, lodging and other travel logistics for Degrees staff, funded scientists, policymakers, and other external participants; 

• Arranging meeting facilities; 

• Facilitating requests for visas and other travel authorisations; 

• Serving as a point of contact for external event participants’ queries about travel and events; 

• Ensuring proper distribution of information documents and meeting minutes in a timely manner;

• Drafting general and formal correspondence; reviewing and formatting documents and slides according to style;

• Organising and maintaining the policy engagement team’s shared mailbox and filing system;

• Scheduling staff and other meetings; 

• Supporting processes for this new team, including aspects of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); 

• Maintaining the list of external policy engagement contacts; 

• Any other related activity in support of the Policy Engagement team. 

Job TitleHead of Communications

LocationHome based (Home working with regular meetings in London)

Salary£45,000 - £55,000

HoursFull Time, permanent 

Reports to                   Chief Policy Officer 

About Parentkind

As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. 

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise approaching £140 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

Supporting parents beyond the school gate

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. 

Our No Cold Child initiative with FatFace stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Winning the Business Charity Awards ‘Fashion & Retail’ Award, and shortlisted for two further awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

The All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.Furthermore, helping attract children into school on a day which often sees struggling parents keep their children at home.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 150,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources, developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience, equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

Our direct support of schools

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allowed shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. This campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools during the past twelve months, supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

In April, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our focus on Policy & Research

Our work is grounded in evidence. Since 2023, we have conducted the UK’s largest annual parent survey: the National Parent Survey. With approaching 6,000 participants providing 130,000 bits of data to provide invaluable insights into the struggles, concerns, hopes and fears of parents. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already informed national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform.

In each of the past two years the number of policymakers, educators, parents and researchers accessing the National Parent Survey exceeded seven thousand, and the survey featured in more than two hundred media outlets each year.Excitingly, the Times & Sunday Times are partnering with Parentkind to raise the profile even further in September 2025 and the survey will be launched at a lighthouse event featuring the Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson), the Ofsted Chief Inspector of Schools (Sir Martyn Oliver), the CEO of Mumsnet (Justine Roberts), the Children’s Commissioner (Dame Rachel De Souza), and our own Chief Executive (Jason Elsom). 

In addition to the National Parent Survey, Parentkind undertakes representative polling of parents throughout the year on a variety of important topics, which increasingly find exposure in the media and policy discussion.

Parentkind provides the secretariat for the Westminster APPG for Parents and the Stormont APG for Parental Participation in Education. Two very successful parliamentary groups bringing together policymakers and a variety of stakeholders to consider the challenges faced by parents and act as a voice for them through a variety of policymakers.

Our Media Engagement

Since becoming recognised as the UK’s largest parent charity, with likely more groups and frontline volunteers than the Scouts or Girlguiding, Parentkind has gained increasing prominence in the media.Beyond the reach of the National Parent Survey and our regular polling, Parentkind receives frequent requests for quotes of reflection and input by media in relation to their journalism and from Government and non-Government entities in support of policy announcements.

Beyond this, the Parentkind community of volunteers and PTAs share local or regional media announcements of their own.Whether or not it celebrating the completion of large projects they have invested countless hours and thousands of pounds into realising, or the community event they have worked into the night to deliver for their school communities.

It will be your role to take this much further, gaining increasing exposure for the work of Parentkind, its community, and parents more broadly. 

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

The role will involve:

· Promoting our parent polling data and work across social media platforms with eye catching content. 

· Providing comment on topical issues for social media so that we are part of the conversation. 

· Build the right relationships to dramatically increase the number of of media organisations seeking input and thought leadership from Parentkind.

· Build relationships with broadcast media so we get asked to appear on broadcast media more often. There’s a chance for you to be a talking head too.

· Help to draft parent polls and reports with a focus on compelling questions that will hit the front page. We need a brilliant writer, able to turn facts and figures into engaging narratives with bold headlines and strong messages that catch the eye. Boring writers need not apply…

· Draft eye catching press releases with bold headlines and a compelling narrative to promote the work we do across the charity. You’ll also place the press releases with national journalists leading to high profile coverage.

· Support the authoring of articles, op-eds and blog posts by members of the Executive Leadership Team.

· Be responsible for media monitoring, measuring our media hits, and reporting on coverage and interesting themes for the Executive Leadership.

Your mission is to massively increase our online, in print and social media presence to make us the highest profile parent charity in the UK. We don’t need you to be an education expert, we need someone to get us on the front page.

We have a huge amount of data on what parents think and we need you to get it seen. This is a great job for someone who wants to grab hold of a “comms” function and make it their own.

Parentkind is a UK wide charity, you will be expected to support our work in other parts of the UK where necessary.

For 'Person Specification' please see the job description

Alexandra Palace is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Finance Director. Alexandra Palace is one of London’s most iconic destinations. For over 150 years, it has stood as a beacon of creativity, community and culture—home to world-first innovations, unforgettable entertainment and open access to green space across 196 acres of parkland in North London.

The Finance Director is a pivotal role within Alexandra Palace, one that combines strategic leadership with hands-on financial stewardship across a uniquely diverse and high-profile organisation.

The role:

• Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to embed financial planning into every layer of organisational strategy, balancing the organisations objectives across conservation, commercial, community and climate resilience.
• Lead the financial strategy behind Alexandra Palace’s 10-year vision, aligning restoration, growth and innovation across both charitable and commercial activities.
• Act as the senior financial advisor to the Trust, Trading Company and Board Committees - providing clear, confident insight to guide performance, accountability and investment.
• Provide strategic, visible financial leadership that positions the Finance team as a proactive partner - driving innovation, sustainability and delivery across our charitable and commercial priorities.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships between Finance and other teams to enhance collaboration and accountability.
• Drive strategic financial planning, annual budgeting, and forecasting to present a clear, data-led view of organisational health. Ensure timely, transparent financial reporting, audit readiness, and compliance that strengthens trust and accountability with the Board, auditors, and stakeholders.
• Deliver cash flow, funding structures, and investment strategy to ensure long-term sustainability. Provide rigorous oversight of grant and fundraising compliance, unlocking the full value of both restricted and unrestricted income.
• Ensure full compliance with charity, company, trust and financial regulations, acting as Company Secretary for the Trading subsidiary and overseeing all statutory filings, governance obligations and legal responsibilities.
• Oversee VAT return processes and key administrative requirements, maintaining timely reporting and keeping the CEO and Board fully informed and assured.

The organisation:

Today, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust is the custodian of their extraordinary site. As a charity, they are committed to safeguarding its heritage while continually evolving their offer to meet the needs of today’s audiences and communities. More than 3 million people visit each year to enjoy a dynamic mix of live events, festivals, exhibitions, learning and engagement programmes and community initiatives. Their work is supported by a blended income model - combining commercial income, public funding and philanthropic support which allows them to reinvest in their buildings, our park, and their charitable mission.

Essential criteria:

• Qualified Chartered Accountant, with at least 10 years post qualification experience (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, ACA) 
• Extensive experience working in a financial leadership role within the Charity and Not for Profit sector
• Experience working with charity trading subsidiaries and dealing with entities singularly and as a group
• Experience of delivering Annual Reports and Accounts process end to end
• Experience implementing new financial systems and processes
• Strong leader with an authentic approach, able to build and empower a team
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial reports at Board level, and support non-finance manager with understanding financial information

The position will be based at Alexandra Palace and requires regular office attendance. The closing date for applications is 24^th August with first stage interviews taking place on the week commencing 8^th September.

Applications will be under constant review before the closing date, so please submit your application to our exclusive search agent, Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!

Could you be the impactful Programme Director we seek to lead, develop and oversee the delivery of the next stage of the Richmond Group Physical Activity Programme and We Are Undefeatable Campaign (WAU), with a budget of £8m?

This influential post is offered as a fixed-term contract ending March 2028. It will initially involve improving programme oversight and integrating the Physical Activity Programme and the We Are Undefeatable Campaign teams to enhance collaboration and ways of working. The Physical Activity Programme, a partnership with Sport England and the National Lottery, is entering an exciting new phase, which will focus on the evolution of We Are Undefeatable, from Above-The-Line to an 'always on' campaign, expanding our system influencing work, both nationally and at 'place' level, and building a powerful evidence base for how we can support the least active to move more

The role will have overall responsibility for the implementation of the strategic aims of the programme and ensure effective governance, budget oversight, and delivery of the system influencing work and WAU campaign. As Programme Director, you will extensively collaborate at leadership level with existing and new partnerships and stakeholders, parliamentarians and systems leaders to drive impactful interventions.

We operate a hybrid-working model and will require the post holder to be in our central London office a minimum of two days each week. Travel costs to our London office are not covered by the charity.

Please see role description for all responsibilities.

Essential criteria:

• Proven experience in programme management, ideally within the health sector or physical activity, in a fast-paced organisation Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership management to influence change, increase collaboration and sustainability
• Working and leading partnerships, developing and maintaining strategic and professional networks
• Experience of managing externally funded restricted income programmes.
• Effectively leading, developing and managing large multi-million-pound programmes.
• Robust financial planning, monitoring and management expertise.
• Successfully leading change and shaping innovative approaches.
• Clear and concise communicator, with excellent written and oral communication and advocacy skills - able to effectively market and influence on behalf of Age UK and the Richmond Group with senior stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing a performance management strategy

Desirable criteria:

• A background in the health sector, sports science, or a related field.
• Experience working with government health initiatives or large-scale behaviour change campaigns.
• Knowledge of marketing and social media outreach strategies.
• Knowledge and experience of government reforms in relation to health sector and behaviour change.
• Understand the complexities of bringing about behaviour change.

What we offer in return:

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.

Additional Information

Supporting statements and anonymisation

Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.

Please submit a Word version of your CV as it will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements and heavily formatted CVs. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme

Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Reasonable adjustments

Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.

Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

For a full list of benefits please visit our website.

Main Purpose

This is a key role in Learning and Work Institute, leading our team and work in Wales and part of L&W's Senior Management Team. It aims to further increase our impact on learning, skills and employment in Wales, including by: growing and diversifying our income; increasing our profile; managing our strategic partnerships and exercising influence at the higher levels in Wales; and ensuring we deliver high quality policy, research and events that makes a difference to policy and practice. The role is also a member of L&W's Senior Management Team, working across the organisation, ensuring we work in a joined up way, that L&W is an engaging and supportive place to work, and leading on specific organisational initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Income generation and diversification. Identify and secure new sources of income including the production of high quality, successful funding applications, working with colleagues across the organisation where appropriate.

Strategy and financial planning. Lead development and implementation of L&W's strategic plan in Wales, including working with our Wales Strategy Group and maximizing opportunities for impact, and ensuring the financial sustainability of L&W’s work in Wales.

Stakeholder engagement. Build effective and productive relationships across the public, private and third sectors in Wales, including with ministers, special advisers and senior officials in the Welsh Government, and other key influencers, to maximise our impact

Leadership and management. Be an active member of SMT and organisational leader, promoting joined-up working and L&W as a great place to work. Lead our Wales team, ensuring they have opportunities to further develop. Act at all times in an inclusive, collaborative, open way that lives our values.

Project management. Ensuring our portfolio of work in Wales is delivered on time, on budget, and to a high quality, and making the links between projects so they have maximum impact.

Strategic communications. Proactively promote L&W’s external profile and key messages through PR, marketing and media activity. Ensure L&W adheres at all times to Welsh language standards.

Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the CEO, including travel to other L&W offices.

Person Specification

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences. You will be confident on national platforms dealing with the media; writing for a range of different platforms and social media.
• Leadership skills that include developing and motivating staff and teams, and ability to work collaboratively as part of the Senior Management Team
• Ability to build and enhance networks, alliances and relationships at the highest level across stakeholders in Wales including politicians and policymakers
• Well developed knowledge of the political and policy environment in Wales in the areas of learning, skills and employment
• Ability to develop new business and income streams for L&W including responding to tenders and generating proactive funding from trusts and foundations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to influence and persuade, a confident presenter with the ability to relate to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to effectively manage a portfolio of research and policy projects and events, delivered on time and on budget to a high quality

Desirable 

• Understanding the fields of learning, skills and employment policy and practice across the UK and network of contacts in Wales and the UK
• Knowledge or experience of governance requirements, such as working with Boards, in the third sector
• An innovative and creative thinker with a record of transforming ideas into practice and ability to understand and analyse a range of research and policy
• Ability to communicate through Welsh, and the confidence to do so

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK, and staff are expected to work across the organisation. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff-based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.

Benefits Package

Salary of £64,450-£77,880 depending on experience and location

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Gold award in Investors in People

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new senior role within our organisation. The Interim Head of Research and Campaigns will lead our Research function and advocacy efforts, ensuring that evidence-based insights drive our campaigns, policy work, and public engagement.

Recently kicking off our new ‘Creating Positive Change Together’ strategy, coproduced by over 130 staff, volunteers, clients and partners, Groundswell has ambitious plans around influencing more change and amplifying voices to promote healthier lives and a better future for anyone who has experienced homelessness. This role directly aligns with these strategic plans, to refine and use innovative participatory research centring lived experience, share and amplify insight from people with experience of homelessness, and increase our campaigning activities to change systems and break down the barriers that stand in people’s way to a healthier life and more hopeful future.

This role has been created on an interim basis to assess its impact and effectiveness, with a key focus on reviewing the priorities, progression and support of our Research Team and making recommendations for the future regarding this new role. The role will sit within the wider Participation, Progression and Creating Change team. 

We anticipate that some form of Head of Research & Campaigning role will continue beyond this 12-month period, and this interim position will very much shape and inform that longer term role. 

Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office

What the job involves

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and it’s harming too many lives. At Prostate Cancer UK, one of our top priorities is funding research that leads to real change. It’s vital we do our best to make sure this research makes a meaningful difference to men’s lives, and that’s where you come in.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Senior Research Impact Officer to help us understand, communicate and accelerate the impact of the research we fund.

This role sits in the Research Impact and Engagement Team. You’ll be working at the heart of how we track the progress of completed research projects, share success stories and support researchers in turning their findings into ways to improve the lives of men affected by prostate cancer. You’ll take responsibility for half of our portfolio of completed research projects. This means building strong relationships with funded researchers, understanding how their work is progressing, and supporting them to achieve meaningful impact for men affected by prostate cancer. Using your scientific knowledge and communication skills you’ll translate research outputs into clear, engaging stories to demonstrate the value of our work. Using your understanding of the steps needed to take research from bench to bedside you’ll help monitor the success of our completed research portfolio.

What we want from you

This role is a vital part of how we deliver on our mission, to stop prostate cancer harming men and their families. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about research making an impact and hold a bio-medical science degree (or a degree in a related subject), with research experience. You can understand complex scientific information presented in reports, publications or presentations and explain these complex concepts in a simple and engaging way to a range of audiences including peers within the charity, as well as men affected by the disease. You’ll be motivated to consistently perform to the highest standards, with an eagerness to trial new ideas, identify new opportunities and solve problems.

In any one day you could be helping develop an impact case study for the website, interviewing researchers for project updates, supporting delivery of a research event, or using social media to disseminate the work of our funded researchers. Your primary focus will be on the impact of our funded research, working closely with colleagues in the Research Impact and Engagement Team, as well as working closely with our research funding team, and with other teams across the charity.

We encourage applications from candidates who may not completely fit the job description as we are fully committed to help staff develop and progress in their role.

Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.

Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.

We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.

Ways of working

Our hybrid working approach combines the best of flexible working – a positive work/life balance, inclusive and accessible platforms, and online information at our fingertips.

Next steps
More information on what we offer, as well as the role, can be found on our vacancies page. Please download our job profile document (job description) with our ‘How to apply’ section sharing the key points to refer to in your application and to apply.

Got a question? Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or questions – we’re here to help.

The closing date is Sunday 10th August 2025.  Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.

Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of Monay 18th August 2025.

Job Description

Brent Mencap has been passionate about a healthier and fairer Brent since 1979. We’ve developed and run successful housing, employment, health, advice, wellbeing and self-advocacy services. During austerity and Covid we diversified, successfully taking on NHS work with people with long-term health conditions. We provide social prescribing support and health and wellbeing coaching to patients for Brent GPs. In 2024-5 we helped over 18000 people. We’re a leading partner on the Brent Health Educators Programme. Recently we’ve focused on developing and retaining a much larger staff group, using our data better and improving our marketing.

Brent Mencap offers fantastic free creative and wellbeing activities for people with a learning disability, autism and long-term health conditions. These have flourished since Covid. People love yoga, poetry, singing, gardening, Breathe and Move, self-advocacy, campaigning, awareness raising, CREATE art activities for young people, external trips and parties. Small grants, donations and our reserves fund this while we get longer term funding. Our self-advocates want us to focus on paid employment, youth services and making Brent Council use accessible information properly. People with a learning disability, neurodiversity and their family carers are inclusively supported by social prescribers for advice and by health educators/coaches for health-related matters if needed.

Our current Executive Director, who has led Brent Mencap so well for 25 years wants to retire. The successful candidate will build on Brent Mencap’s history, current success and potential so our long-term passion for a healthier and fairer Brent can evolve and improve the lives of Brent People. Are you the amazing successor to lead and inspire our talented, committed team?

We are looking for someone who  

· Has the relevant voluntary sector experience, vision, determination and leadership skills

· Is committed to developing and supporting our diverse staff group

· Can see the bigger picture but also focuses on the important details

· Supports our ethos of person-centred service delivery and activities

· Can communicate well with users, partners, staff, trustees and funders

· Enjoys influencing and raising awareness

· Is entrepreneurial, savvy, confident and can maintain our current  financial stability and diversify our income streams

· Understands the lived experience of disability, long term health conditions and inequality  and wants to improve their lives

· Understands the importance of marketing and data to challenge inequality, promote positive change and attract new funds.

· Can prioritise reviewing and improving our data collection

· Can develop funding project plans that includes staffing for enhanced  wellbeing and creative activities, for  young people, employment  related support and other identified needs

In addition, they will have to:

· Work with the Board of Trustees and staff to develop our vision, implement strategic plans and  deliver agreed objectives

· Be able to ensure all aspects of our work are done safely, legally, in line with our articles/constitution  and able to assess risks and mitigate them

· Be responsible for staff development, management and all aspects of the administration of the organisation

· Be an ambassador for Brent Mencap, meeting and working with leaders with statutory and voluntary sector, Royal Mencap and local Mencaps

· Represent the lived experiences and voices of people with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, long term conditions and their families who inform our work and the work of others in Brent

· Work late occasionally, attend evening events, meetings and occasional weekends and undertake any other necessary tasks as required to ensure Brent Mencap functions safely.

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, from time to time to ensure it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post.

This post is:

• subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure

• subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.

• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK

• Please note: Our office base is on the first floor of a Victorian building with steep stairs.

To be shortlisted,

· Candidates must fully complete our application form, and show clearly how their previous experience and knowledge meets all aspects of the person specification with examples given of actual actions/experience relating to the person specification. Please go to our website to complete the application by 9.00am on 28th August. We do not accept CVs

· Be prepared to visit Brent Mencap so key staff and self-advocates can meet them informally before the interview day  or have a 60–90-minute Teams meeting with them. To arrange a face-to-face or Teams  meet up on a Wednesday only  please contact our office manager Simon via the website.

Interview details

· A 4-part Interview with senior staff, self-advocates, operational managers and trustees, will take place at Brent Mencap on Friday 5th or 12th September 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be given a paper-based scenario to complete and send to us on the Thursday before the interview

· We anticipate the full interviews will take 2.5 hours with a 30-minute break at some point.