Policy development jobs

Elrha is a global organisation that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation. 

We are looking to recruit a Research & Innovation Manager (Collaborative Partnerships) to join our Programmes team on a fixed-term basis. This is an exciting opportunity for a technically-minded professional with a passion for health research and developing collaborative research and innovation initiatives. You will be leading the scoping, co-design and coordination of the Humanitarian Health and Climate Collaborative Learning Partnerships (HHCC) and supporting the mortality estimation work. 

In this role you will provide senior oversight of multi-stakeholder partnerships, ensuring high-quality co-design, collective learning and positive partner engagement, acting as the primary operational contact for implementation partners. Contribute to the development and positioning of Elrha’s partnership frameworks and approaches under the leadership of the Head of Humanitarian Futures.

Your application will need to demonstrate: 

• Experience managing complex, multi-year research and innovation partnerships, including coordinating delivery, supporting capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange, managing risk, and ensuring high-quality outputs. 
• Strong understanding of research methods and evidence generation in humanitarian or global health contexts, with the ability to assess research quality and translate findings into practical policy or operational guidance. 
• Knowledge of localisation, equitable partnerships, and ethical research practice, including safeguarding, diversity, and inclusion considerations. 
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with donors and representing programmes externally. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce accessible outputs for technical and non-technical audiences. 
• A postgraduate qualification in public health, international development, non-communicable diseases, or another relevant field, or equivalent professional experience. 

If you want to be part of an organisation that creates positive change in the humanitarian sector, then join us and we’ll give you every opportunity to succeed.

We offer: 

• Remote working as standard – staff can access office bases in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester if required/ appropriate. We expect staff to attend team meetings and away days in person as required. 
• As standard we work 35 hours per week. We are also happy to discuss flexible working patterns and many of our staff work non-standard working hours. 
• Our benefits include minimum 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution), life cover, organisational sick pay, family friendly pay and leave schemes; 26-day basic annual leave entitlement with incremental increase depending on length of service, opportunities for learning and development, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and retail discounts platform. 
• Please read through the Information for Candidates document for further information about working at Elrha including information about Our Values, Strategy, Benefits and Salaries. 

Note for applicants: 

• Candidates must have the independent right to work in UK, and be resident in the UK, at the time of appointment as we are unable to support visa sponsorship for this role. 
• Please read through the job description for a detailed list of requirements and ensure you complete the personal statement to explain how you feel you meet the requirements of the role and why you feel this is next career move for you. Applications without this information will not be shortlisted. 
• Elrha is an independent subsidiary of SCUK and benefits from some SCUK systems and processes. 
• We reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a very high volume of applications. 
• We do not use recruitment agencies. 

Closing date:3rd of June 

Interview dates:16th and 17th of June 

About us

Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) is one of the UK’s largest charities providing immigration and asylum advice, dedicated to supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants to access justice and rebuild their lives.

As an IAA Level 3 accredited organisation, we represent clients at every stage of the immigration and asylum process, including appeals up to the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber. Our work also extends beyond legal advice: we support individuals facing destitution to access housing, financial assistance, and other essential services to which they are entitled.

At RMJ, we are not only committed to delivering high-quality legal support—we are also working to change the system. Our team actively campaigns for a fairer and more humane immigration system. This means our caseworkers have opportunities to contribute to strategic litigation, policy engagement, and wider advocacy work that drives meaningful change.

We are proud to have recently been recognised as a Great Place to Work, reflecting our commitment to building a positive, inclusive, and supportive workplace where our staff can thrive while making a real difference.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the impact of UK immigration policy and/or of rough sleeping. This includes individuals with direct experience or experience gained through supporting family members with the challenges posed by immigration and asylum practices- those who have been or could have been clients of RMJ.

We guarantee an interview to refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, as long as they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.

If you are passionate about justice, human rights, and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society, we would love to hear from you.

Role overview 

The purpose of the role is to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society with immigration legal advice and representation. The focus of the legal work is on non-legal aid funded matters, representing people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and otherwise have no access to legal advice, to regularise their immigration status in the UK.

We are only considering applicants with relevant legal experience. Qualifications needed are IAA, IAAS or Solicitor with 1 year+ immigration experience. 

Key Responsibilities

Case management 

1. Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
2. Adhere to standards set out by IAA/SRA
3. Provide advice and representation up to IAA level 2/3
4. Engage with the Line Manager to create and follow a training plan to ensure compliance with IAA CPD, keeping up to date with changes in law, policy and guidance to ensure clients receive accurate and high-quality advice
5. Liaise directly with the UKVI and related governmental agencies
6. Complete forms, letters and immigration applications 
7. Liaise with and refer clients to Legal Aid Solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
8. Manage clients’ expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing 
9. Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries/drop in as and when required 
10. Progress cases in a timely manner in line with regulatory requirements
11. Implement organisational priorities into day-to-day casework.For further information and application process, please refer to the job description.                                                                                                                             

For further information and application process, please refer to the job pack.

Join our Fundraising and Development Team!

Justice & Care is an award-winning anti-slavery charity working with governments and police forces across two strategic locations the UK and Bangladesh. Through frontline programmes, policy advocacy and strategic partnerships, we work on the frontline to support survivors of modern slavery and bring perpetrators to justice and in the corridors of power to create change at scale.

We know that a great team is made up of people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong.

About the role

This role is designed for an experienced Grants Specialist with a proven track record of securing multi-year funding across a range of funding streams.

The Grants Specialist role is responsible for researching, securing and managing multi-year funding from Trusts, Foundations and Statutory sources. You will manage a portfolio of existing funders, nurture strong relationships and deliver compelling, high-quality proposals and budgets.

Working closely with Finance Team, Programme Funding Team, as well as the Development, Operations, Policy and Impact Teams, you’ll contribute to secure long-term and sustainable funding to support Justice and Care’s work globally

This role requires regular presence in London.

What we’re looking for:

• Exceptional writing, communication, and negotiation skills with a proven track record in writing successful grant applications and securing funding
• Ability to build and manage strong grants and donor relationships.
• Competence in preparing accurate, sustainable budgets.
• Knowledge of fundraising CRMs; Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Understanding of modern slavery issues is desirable.
• Creative, collaborative, and adaptable in a fast-changing environment.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.

If you're interested in the role but unsure if you meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

You will be part of a growing organisation that is making a tangible difference to survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.

Click Apply to find out more.

Role Purpose

The Partnerships Development Lead will be responsible for proactively generating significant income from five and six figure corporate partnerships.

You will manage the new business pipeline, identify new opportunities with prospective corporate partners and develop lasting relationships with them. You will develop compelling applications and creative partnerships proposals securing new and exciting partnerships for Child Bereavement UK.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead corporate new business development to drive the growth of corporate partnerships.
• Develop, manage and steward a portfolio of partners by building strong relationships to maximise multiyear giving and growth.
• Work alongside the Head of Corporate Partnerships and Commercial to support the development and implementation of a new Partnerships strategy covering development of a prospect pipeline, building a culture of peer referrals, annual targets and key account plans.
• Research and identify new corporate prospects who have the potential to make a significant difference to the lives of grieving children. You will develop and implement cultivation strategies to turn prospects into supporters.
• Prepare and present highly customised, compelling funding proposals to prospective corporate prospects.
• Make effective and targeted new business calls, including warm and self-generated leads.
• Work closely with the Corporate Partnerships Account Manager to deliver a thorough on boarding process ad handover for new accounts.
• Identify key decision makers and use strong consultative and negotiation skills to articulate the benefits of a partnership with Child Bereavement UK.
• Maintain an awareness of corporate giving trends, news, events and legislation in the UK and pick up on opportunities or topical issues that will enhance the charity.
• Develop new corporate partnership products to cultivate new donors, and work alongside the Director of Income Generation and Head of Corporate Partnerships on the introduction of a new Development Board.
• Work closely with the Regional Fundraising Managers to spot new opportunities.

All Staff

• Contribute to the vision and mission of Child Bereavement UK; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of working in corporate fundraising, including being confident in pitching and writing proposals for a corporate partner audience.
• Experience of prospecting and new business development.
• Experience of securing 5-6 figure partnerships from corporates.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Highly professional, flexible and committed to achieve and exceed KPIs.
• Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong influencing skills.
• A self-starter with strong team working skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines.
• A creative thinker and quick to respond to opportunities
• Strong presentation skills

Desirable

• Understanding of child bereavement.
• Experience of using Salesforce CRM System.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 27th May 2026 at midnight

First Stage Screening Interviews

You may be asked to attend a 10-minute Screening Interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the vacancy, to assess your suitability for the role. During the interview, you will be asked two skills-based questions.

Second Stage Interviews

If you are progressed to a second stage interview, you will be invited to attend a 1-hour formal interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the role. It is our policy to share the role-specific interview questions with applicants ahead of the interview, to aid their preparation. You may also be asked to complete an interview task, which will also be shared with you in advance.

About the role

As Spear expands its reach, we are looking for a Development Coach who will focus on two things: equipping young people facing barriers to employment with the confidence, mindset and skills to move into sustainable work, and developing the coaches around you to do the same.

To do this, you will work across Spear Centres throughout the UK - delivering coaching sessions directly with 16–24-year-olds as well as supporting and upskilling Spear Centre teams.

You’ll move between Centres depending on where support is needed. Your location will be taken into consideration in the planning.

Key information:

• Salary: from £27,000 - £32,000 (dependent on location)
• Contract: Part-time or Full-time, 12-14 month Fixed Term Contract, with the possibility of extension; Term time only contracts would be considered
• Location: We’re looking for multiple roles to cover the UK. We welcome applications from across the UK and will discuss which regions you'd be able to practically travel to during the interview process. Applicants happy to travel to centres in North-West or North-East of England, or both, are particularly encouraged
• Closing date: Friday 29th May (we interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Demonstrable experience as a coach, or a background in youth work or teaching, and are keen to develop these skills further
• A heart for young people and releasing their potential, no matter what challenging circumstances they are facing
• Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and fun
• Exercises initiative, highly self-motivated, flexible and a forward planner
• Good administrative and organisational skills, and prioritises workload effectively
• Works well under pressure with the ability to exercise initiative

About us

The Maypole Project supports children and young people with complex medical needs and their families, providing emotional, practical and social support. We are a small, values-driven charity making a meaningful and lasting difference to the families we work with.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Business Development & Fundraising Manager to play a central role in strengthening and growing our income.

This is an opportunity to lead the development of a strategic and sustainable approach to fundraising, while continuing to deliver hands-on income across a diverse portfolio.

You will work closely with the CEO and colleagues across the organisation to identify new opportunities, develop partnerships, and build on existing income streams.

The role would suit someone who enjoys working in a small organisation where you can shape direction, take ownership, and see the direct impact of your work.

What you’ll be doing

· Lead the development and delivery of a multi-year fundraising and income strategy

· Grow and diversify income across corporate partnerships, community fundraising, events, individual giving and digital activity

· Identify, develop and secure new funding opportunities, including partnerships and collaborative projects

· Build and manage strong relationships with funders, partners and supporters

· Work with the CEO to explore and develop cross-sector opportunities (e.g. NHS, local authorities, voluntary sector partners)

· Line manage a part-time Fundraising Officer and support volunteers to maximise impact

· Strengthen systems, pipeline management and performance monitoring to support sustainable income growth

About you

We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery in a small charity environment.

You will bring:

· Experience of securing meaningful income and developing funding opportunities (e.g. five-figure grants or partnerships)

· A track record of building effective external relationships

· Confidence identifying new opportunities and turning them into tangible outcomes

· Strong communication skills, with the ability to create compelling cases for support

· The ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and collaboratively

· You may already be working at manager level, or ready to step up into a broader role with greater ownership and scope.

Why join us?

Play a key role in shaping the charity’s future sustainability and growth

Work closely with senior leadership and influence organisational direction

Be part of a supportive, collaborative and purpose-driven team

See the direct impact of your work on children and families

Flexible working arrangements

If you are looking for a role where you can take ownership, develop new ideas and make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you.

For more than 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families in building successful civilian careers. We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.​

​By working for FEC, you will become part of a vibrant team living the charity’s values: Expert, Supportive, Passionate, Open and Honest, Resilient, and Collaborative.​

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Brief role description​

The Business Development Manager will play a pivotal role, driving the acquisition of high-value, multi‑year corporate partnerships that deliver meaningful shared value for the organisation and its partners. They are responsible for developing and securing six‑ and seven‑figure strategic partnerships, ensuring each relationship aligns with organisational priorities and delivers clear, measurable impact.

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Who we are looking for​

We are looking for an experienced business development professional with a strong track record of winning long‑term corporate partnerships and securing multiple‑figure sums to deliver income targets.​

You will bring experience in prospect research and networking, with the ability to secure high‑value partnerships and deliver income targets. You will have excellent communication skills, including presentation, negotiation and influencing, and experience using CRM systems to support your work.​

You will demonstrate a highly self‑motivated and entrepreneurial approach, comfortable working to ambitious targets. You will be dynamic, organised and solutions‑focused, bringing a collaborative approach to your work. You will also be flexible and happy to attend events and meetings across the UK to secure funding partnerships.​

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Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check out our website​.

Eager to know more about the role? Have a look at the Job Description attached below​.

What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits attached below​.

Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by Monday, 25 May 2026.​

Got questions about the role? Get in touch with the People Team at Forces Employment Charity​.

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Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.​

If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying.​

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.​

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.​

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#LI-DNI​

With a relevant degree and four years of experience in research, policy analysis, or report writing (preferably within the non-profit, governmental, or international sector) you will use your first class writing and reporting skills in English and work with staff across IM to:

· lead the drafting of well-written, high-quality reports and other documentation.

· conduct research to inform negotiation strategies and programme design.

· undertake internal and external stakeholder engagement.

· contribute to internal and external learning processes.

You will thrive within a small, fast-paced high-calibre international team where everyone pitches in and it is desirable to have experience ofworking on conflict resolution, mediation, or peacebuilding initiatives, as well as familiarity with donor reporting requirements.

The postholder must have the right to work in the UK 

Hybrid Role - operating across the East of England (Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire).

We are seeking an experienced and values driven business development manager to lead and drive our income generation and partnership development activity.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the senior management team, you will lead a team of development officers and manage external bid writing consultants to identify, develop and secure funding and growth opportunities that are rooted in strong partnerships and responsive to community need.

This is a strategic and outward facing role, requiring excellent relationship building skills, an understanding of place-based working, and the ability to bring partners together around shared outcomes for communities across the East of England.

Key responsibilities

- Strategic Business Development & Partnerships
- Income Generation
- Resource Management
- Quality Assurance

Wider responsibilities

- Play an active role as a member of the trust’s senior management team.
- Contribute to annual business planning and the overall leadership and management of the trust.
- Ensure compliance with trust policies, statutory requirements and health and safety obligations.
- Act as a positive ambassador for groundwork east, promoting our partnership led and community focused approach.
- Work collaboratively with other Groundwork trusts and Groundwork UK to develop shared learning and joint opportunities.

Groundwork East is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The COO will translate BLiM's mission and strategy and ensure its well-run, properly resourced, with its ambitious day-to-day delivery. You will free the CEO to focus on strategic leadership and external influence by owning operations, people management, financial oversight and internal systems.

The COO will be a senior leader who shapes organisational culture, makes operational decisions, manages complex stakeholder relationships and drives the performance of a passionate, high-commitment team. You will be the person the organisation looks to when it needs clarity, stability and momentum.

The COO joins at a moment of leadership transition following the departure of BLiM's co-founder and Director of Operations.

Why Join Us:

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) is a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing racial equity across the UK music industry. We amplify the voices of Black artists, music professionals and communities; drive systemic change; and hold the industry accountable for meaningful progress. Through research, advocacy, programming and strategic partnerships, BLiM creates the conditions for Black talent to thrive.

BLiM has published ground-breaking research including the Being Black in the UK Music Industry report, produced the UK's first Black classical music festival in Classically Black, influenced government policy on live music licensing, and built a network of over 100 partner organisations across the four nations. BLiM is now entering a new phase of its development, with a strengthened leadership team, a Target Operating Model designed to carry the organisation beyond its founding era, and an ambition to become the UK's most influential voice for racial equity in music.

Person Specification 

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally as a COO, Head of Operations or Director of Operations in a charity, social enterprise or purpose-driven organisation.

• Demonstrable track record of building and improving operational infrastructure: systems, processes, policies and ways of working that make organisations more effective and resilient.

• Proven people management experience, including line management of senior staff, performance development, recruitment and team culture-building.

• Strong financial literacy, including experience of budget management, grant compliance, financial reporting and working with a board finance function.

• Experience of leading or supporting governance processes, including board reporting, risk management and compliance.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex operational information into clear, accessible reports and presentations for senior stakeholders.

• A genuine, demonstrable commitment to racial equity and an understanding of the specific systemic barriers faced by Black professionals, artists and communities.

• The emotional intelligence and interpersonal skill to lead with care, build trust quickly and navigate complex relationships under pressure.

• The resilience and adaptability to thrive in a small, fast-paced, mission-driven organisation where the work is varied, the stakes are high and no day is the same.

Desirable

• Experience of working in or with the music industry, creative industries or arts and culture sector.

• Familiarity with Arts Council England funding frameworks, charity law and the regulatory environment for non-profit organisations.

• Experience of implementing or managing a CRM system, project management platform or other operational technology.

• Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks and how to embed inclusive practice into operational systems and culture.

• Experience of leading an organisation through a period of significant change, transition or growth.

• An existing network within the UK music sector, creative industries or racial equity and social justice space.

At BLiM, we're interviewing on a rolling basis, so we'd encourage you to apply sooner rather than later!

To be considered for a first interview, please include a Cover Letter with your application. This initial conversation will be relaxed and informal, and we'll take you through the full interview process together so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.

Job Overview

The Cathedral Safeguarding Officer is the designated safeguarding professional for Lincoln Cathedral, responsible for ensuring that safeguarding is embedded across all aspects of Cathedral life.

The postholder will ensure compliance with Church of England safeguarding policy, diocesan frameworks and relevant statutory legislation, while promoting a culture of care, accountability and continuous improvement.

The role involves providing expert safeguarding advice, managing safeguarding concerns and casework, supporting safer recruitment processes, and ensuring that clergy, staff and volunteers understand and fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities.

Working in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and statutory agencies, the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer will support the Dean and Chapter in fulfilling their safeguarding responsibilities, while exercising independent professional judgement in relation to safeguarding matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote a culture in which safeguarding is understood as everyone’s responsibility.
• Manage safeguarding concerns, allegations and casework.
• Support safer recruitment processes, including DBS requirements and safeguarding risk assessments.
• Develop and review safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Support safeguarding training and awareness across the Cathedral community.
• Maintain accurate, secure and confidential safeguarding records using the MyConcern system.
• Liaise with statutory agencies, including local authorities and police, where required.
• Prepare safeguarding reports for governance bodies including Chapter and SLT.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience of safeguarding casework involving children and/or vulnerable adults.
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
• Experience of risk assessment and safeguarding risk management.
• Experience of working with or alongside statutory agencies.
• Strong interpersonal, organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and complex situations with professionalism, discretion and resilience.

Working Pattern and Benefits

• Permanent part-time role.
• 21 hours per week across a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Primarily site based at Lincoln Cathedral.
• Up to 1 day per fortnight home working may be negotiated.
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata).
• Church Workers Pension Scheme.

Safeguarding and Recruitment Information

Lincoln Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This role is subject to enhanced safeguarding requirements, including an Enhanced DBS check with barred list check.

Please complete the Cathedral Application Form. CVs will not be accepted as a substitute for the application form.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 5pm.

Role purpose

The Head of Finance is a key member of the Charity’s senior management team, working closely with the chief executive, directors, and trustees. The head of finance will lead the day-to-day financial operations of the Charity, including budgeting, reporting, audit, payroll, and pensions. Managing the finance manager and management accountant, the Head of Finance will ensure the effective running of the finance department and smooth day-to-day processes. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will be a key advisor on strategic financial decisions, balancing meticulous operational control with strategic planning.

As the Head of Finance, you will:

• Proactively contribute to the development and delivery of the Charity’s strategy through developing long-term financial planning to underpin our objectives.
• Act as senior finance business partner to the senior leadership team, supporting strategic and operational decision-making.
• Lead on the annual audit and production of statutory accounts, ensuring effective management of the audit process.
• Support the rest of the Charity team to become financially informed and comfortable understanding financial performance, control, and accountability.

Main responsibilities

Financial controls, reporting, and operational finance

• Lead the finance function of the Charity, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial management and reporting.
• Ensure that appropriately robust internal financial and operational controls are in place.
• Ensure that our unrestricted and restricted funds and accounting records are maintained in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly management accounts and other reports are produced by the finance team and distributed to members of the senior management team, encouraging ownership of departmental budgets.
• Manage and oversee accounts receivable and payable, ensuring strong cash management.
• Ensure all banking facilities, financial systems, and internal processes function to a high standard and enable the Charity to carry out its transactional and operational financial functions.
• Lead financial risk identification and mitigation, working closely with the chief executive and leadership team, and reporting to the board of trustees.

Financial administration and governance

• Manage the production of statutory accounts in line with the Charity SORP and lead the annual external audit process.
• Oversee our tax affairs, including PAYE, national insurance, corporation tax, VAT, and gift aid.
• Responsible for our payroll and pensions functions.
• Maintain and continuously improve financial policies, procedures, and controls, working closely with the fundraising and operations teams to ensure organisational efficiency.
• Identify and escalate financial risks to the chief executive and board
• Line manage and support the management accountant and finance manager, ensuring professional development and high-quality output.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

We are looking for candidates with demonstrable strategic financial leadership spanning organisational planning, budgeting, risk, and reporting. You will have:

• You must be a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, OR CIMA)
• Excellent knowledge of charity financial management, SORP, and audit is essential.
• Experience of effective budget setting and implementing controls and processes to manage and monitoring budgets
• Firm understanding of risk management
• Experience of improving policies and processes in comparable organisations
• Success in delivering increased cost effectiveness
• Evidence of building financial impact and performance metrics and reporting
• Understanding of the requirements of legislation, Charity Commission and professional body guidance on a being a well-run and financially accountable Charity
• Considerable experience of management and development of staff

Skills, abilities, and behaviours

• A strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture and make decisions in line with the charity’s needs as part of a team
• Strong change management skills with experience of managing teams through change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret and communicate financial information to a non-specialist audience
• Strong organisational development skills, able to identify and act on opportunities to drive performance in business
• Experience of the charity or not-for-profit environment (this could be gained as a trustee) preferably with some understanding of charity funding and investment management
• Collaborative working style with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Resilient with a flexible, creative and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Sussex Community Housing Hub team in providing technical advice and support to communities engaged in rural and community led housing projects.

Community-led housing involves local people playing a leading and lasting role in solving housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities.

You will be working in conjunction with other members of the Hub to help deliver quality affordable housing schemes that these communities are truly proud of.  

The role

This is a senior, externally facing post reporting to the Chief Executive. You'll manage a caseload of community-led housing projects, lead a small team of advisors, and work in partnership with communities, parish councils, housing associations, local authorities, landowners, and developers across East and West Sussex.

You'll also play a part in shaping Druv Homes, AirS's emerging housing association.

What you'll be doing

• Guiding community groups through all stages of the housing development process — from vision and site identification through to planning, funding, and scheme delivery
• Advising on site selection, RP partnerships, planning applications, S106 agreements, and funding strategies (both capital and revenue)
• Building and managing relationships with a wide range of partners — communities, RPs, local authorities, planners, developers, and agents
• Supporting communities to access funding and drafting bids where needed
• Overseeing professional advisers (architects, engineers, etc.) commissioned by community groups
• Leading project team meetings, maintaining project plans, and problem-solving
• Contributing to lobbying and sector advocacy alongside national partners
• Keeping pace with policy and legislative changes in affordable housing and community-led development

What we're looking for

Essential:

• At least 5 years' experience in affordable housing development
• A relevant degree (surveying, building, business management or equivalent experience)
• Proven track record in project management and scheme delivery
• Experience working with local authorities, RPs, and community organisations
• Team management experience
• Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills

Desirable:

• Experience of rural affordable housing and community-led models e.g. Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
• Knowledge of rural housing policy
• Background in the not-for-profit sector
• Experience reporting to boards or executive teams

Practical

The role is based in Lewes with hybrid working. Regular but infrequent travel across East and West Sussex is required — a driving licence or equivalent transport access is essential.

For more information about the role and the organisation download the Job Description, Person Specification and AirS Prospectus.

Prospect Development Manager.

Salary: up to a maximum of £38,100 per annum, depending on experience, plus Inner London allowance of £3,333. (Inner London allowance is not applicable if working remotely in the UK).

Location: London Hybrid or Remote Working.

Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week.

Benefits:   

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for 5 years continuous service 

• We offer a wellbeing day, buy and sell leave facility and flexibility with working pattern.

• Regular supervision support with a structured and supportive induction. 

• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages. 

• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover. 

• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts. 

Why Action for Children?   

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It is the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.  

A bit about the role 

We are looking for a Prospect Development Manager to lead the Prospect Development Function. The successful candidate will work with Philanthropy & Trusts, Events, Corporate and Regional fundraising teams to drive forward activity in four key areas: prospect research and identification; prospect management; due diligence; and data management. The postholder will primarily support high value fundraising teams to develop robust supporter pipelines, looking for key areas of growth and opportunities to maximise supporter lifetime value to the organisation. 

How you'll help to create brighter futures, by:

• Working with Fundraising Heads and Leads to develop prospecting strategies for the identification of new high value prospects.

• Line management responsibility to deliver prospecting and pipeline activities to a high standard.

• Identifying new prospects via data mining, press scanning, peer networks, and prospecting projects to develop and maintain a pipeline of prospects for fundraising teams.  

• Managing a prospect management system on Raiser's Edge to track and manage the movement of Philanthropy prospects.

• Leading prospect portfolio reviews for the Philanthropy & Trusts team to assess the health of the pipeline.

• Working with the Leadership Teams to manage the process involved with the Charity's Donation Acceptance and Refusal Policy from end to end. 

• Acting as data champion for the Philanthropy, Events, Corporate and Regional Fundraising Teams.

Let's talk about you 

• Experience of prospect research including identifying and prioritising prospects, network mapping, ethical screening and developing gift capacity ratings. 

• Excellent standard of written communication with the ability to produce accurate and concise briefings.

• Experience of using and interrogating relational databases, ideally Raiser's Edge.

• Ability to interpret large volumes of data, synthesise information, present findings objectively and make recommendations. 

• Excellent inter-personal and relationship-building skills.

• A thorough understanding of the implications of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR for prospect research and data management. 

Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.  

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration. 

Diversity, equality, and inclusion 

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. 

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children. 

Want to know more about Action for Children? 

Find us on , Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better. 

Closing Date: Monday 25th May 2026.

Interviews will be week commencing 1st June 2026 by MS Teams.