Principal policy manager jobs

Reducing the Risk is an Oxfordshire-based charity with a growing regional and national reputation for delivering high-quality, victim-centred domestic abuse services. Established in 2007, we empower communities, train multi-agency professionals, and provide critical Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of adults and children at risk.

We are now looking for an exceptional, values-driven leader to build on these strong foundations and guide us through our next exciting phase of growth and innovation.

The Role

As our next Chief Executive Officer, you will work closely with an ambitious Board of Trustees to shape and deliver the charity’s strategic plan. Inheriting a highly skilled, dedicated team of practitioners and a network of over 1,800 Domestic Abuse Champions, you will balance compassionate strategic vision with sound operational and financial leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the charity's strategic plan, driving innovation and service development across our local and national footprint.

• Income & Sustainability: Diversify income streams beyond traditional grants, growing our accredited training and consultancy services into sustainable earned revenue.

• Partnership & Influence: Act as the principal public voice for the charity, building high-impact relationships with statutory, corporate, and voluntary sector partners.

• People & Culture: Foster an inclusive, high-performing, and trauma-informed workplace culture that prioritises staff wellbeing.

• Governance & Compliance: Oversee robust risk management, safeguarding frameworks, and regulatory compliance alongside the Board.

Who We Are Looking For

You are a credible, resilient senior leader with a proven track record in the charity, public, or social impact sectors. While a background in the domestic abuse sector is highly valued, what matters most is your ability to navigate complex funding environments, secure multi-source income, and champion victim-centred practices. You are a collaborative relationship-builder who combines commercial awareness with genuine empathy and integrity.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV alongside a covering letter explaining how your experience meets the job description and person specification.

• Application Deadline: Midday, 14th August

• Shortlisting: 19th August

• Interviews: 26th August (In-person at our Oxford office)

In the last four years we have tripled our turnover, moved from delivery at one site to having thirteen outreaches and have doubled the number of clients we are seeing. We are now looking for an enthusiastic, full time Welfare Benefits Worker to build up a much needed Welfare Rights Unit.  We have a small unit of volunteers who support clients with appeals, and our next stage is to build a volunteer based form filling service.  Whilst holding a small caseload of your own, it is the development of this service that would be your principal task.

To be successful you will need to be a qualified Citizens Advice Adviser, preferably with experience of delivering Benefits casework, and to be able to develop and lead volunteers.  If the longer term Welfare Rights Unit project interests you but this post would not be an option for you as it stands, we would also welcome a conversation.

Our service operates to very high standards, but we also work hard to make it an enjoyable and supportive work environment. 

If this sounds like a team you would fit into please e-mail your updated CV and a covering letter to Chris Roberts, Chief Executive using the e-mail title “Benefits vacancy”.

Applications close at Midnight on Sunday 2nd August.  Provisionally interviews are planned for Thursday 13th August.

Due to the potential number of applicants we are sorry but we will not be able to enter into correspondence or discussion with unsuccessful candidates.

For over 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 young people programme supports young people from Forces families aged 16 to 24, particularly those who are disadvantaged, affected by mobility, at risk of becoming NEET or who have Special Educational Needs (SEN). The programme aims to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and build skills and confidence. It connects young people with meaningful employment opportunities through a combination of one-to-one mentoring and employment support, group workshops, employer events, digital training, work experience and apprenticeships. 

As part of a small team, the Education and Skills Liaison will lead on engaging, developing and managing relationships with schools, youth and community groups, military charities, the MOD Education Team, the SCiP Alliance, Families Federations, HIVE and other key stakeholders to advocate for children and young people from Forces families. 

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Who we're looking for

We are looking for someone with a background in education and/or experience supporting young people to overcome challenges. You will have experience in a customer-focused environment and a track record of delivering to SLAs. You will also be a strong collaborator and team player, with demonstrable influencing skills and coaching or mentoring experience. 

You will be a self-starter with confidence to use your own initiative and a passion for supporting the Armed Forces community. You will have an understanding of the challenges faced by forces families in finding appropriate and sustainable employment. In addition, you will have strong operational and administrative skills, knowledge of GDPR and experience using CRMs. 

The ideal candidate will have lived experience of the Armed Forces lifestyle, a background in secondary or further education and a NVQ Level 6 in Advice, Information and Guidance. 

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This position is remote; however, candidates must be based in Hampshire to support local engagement activities and demonstrate knowledge of regional authorities and organisations. 

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This is a fixed-term position for 12 months. The contract end date will be confirmed at the offer stage. 

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

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

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What's in it for you? Check out our Benefits.

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Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

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Do you have questions about the role? Get in touch with the People Team at the 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 creating an inclusive and 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

Join us in helping to prevent avoidable blindness across the Holy Land. As our Fundraising Operations Officer, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting fundraising activities, delivering exceptional donor care, coordinating events and appeals, and ensuring the smooth running of our UK office. This is an exciting opportunity for an organised, proactive and people-focused individual to build strong supporter relationships and help grow the voluntary income that enables St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group to transform lives through expert eye care.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – Principal Gift Manager
Location: Options for role to be site-based (Buckinghamshire or East Yorkshire) or a hybrid contract with regular UK travel for donor meetings and team events.
Salary: £60,000 per annum.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours. 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, whose mission is to see a time when no deaf person feels alone, is seeking a Principal Gifts Manager responsible for identifying, cultivating and stewarding high-value donors to the charity giving £100,000 plus.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been creating life-changing partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients since 1982. As well as acting as an ear to their partners and alerting them to sounds, the charity’s clever and expertly trained dogs help deaf people to live life with confidence and independence, whilst providing love, companionship and emotional support.

Following a strategic review, the charity is now looking to build a new Income Generation Directorate to enable it to transform many more lives across the UK. This role will be critical to help Hearing Dogs reach their goals to significantly grow and diversify income.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, the post-holder will work closely with senior leaders, trustees and senior stakeholders to solicit high-value gifts, typically of six and seven figures, and to build and deepen long-term relationships between donors and the charity. You will be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of potential and current principal-level donors, as well as delivering exceptional stewardship journeys that demonstrate the impact and value of donor support.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in securing major gifts at the six-figure level or above, ideally in a principal or transformational giving context. You will be skilled at building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, as well as being experienced at developing and delivering complex donor strategies and bespoke giving propositions. Finally, you must be a collaborative team player with strong project management and communication skills.

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a leading role in scaling transformational philanthropy at a charity which is changing people’s lives every day, where you have the flexibility of working remotely or spending time at Hearing Dogs’ stunning bases in Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire, with friendly and passionate staff and their four-legged friends.

If you want to lead the pack and help deaf people live well with hearing loss, please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 27th July, 9.00 am. 

Principal Nature Advocacy Officer
Salary: Starting in the region of £39,040 per annum
Salary band: Rank 2 (£39,040 - £44,689 per annum)
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full time
Location: Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas, SY14 8EF – Hybrid Working

Join Cheshire Wildlife Trust as our Principal Nature Advocacy Officer and use your ecological expertise to help create a wilder Cheshire.

About Us

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is the region’s leading independent wildlife charity working across Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral for over 60 years.

About You and the Role

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced ecologist or environmental professional to step beyond site-level impact and influence the plans, policies and decisions that will shape nature’s future across the county.

You will bring robust evidence, sound judgement and ecological credibility to some of the most important issues facing wildlife, from development and infrastructure to planning policy and nature recovery. If you want to apply your skills where they can deliver long-term, system-wide impact for nature, this role offers the chance to help turn ambition into lasting change.

In return we offer a generous benefits package, flexible working options and a friendly and supportive culture where you can thrive surrounded by colleagues who are passionate about fixing the nature crisis.

At Cheshire Wildlife Trust we embrace agile working with a focus on supporting you to achieve your objectives alongside a healthy work-life balance. We operate a hybrid working policy with most staff working at least part of the week from home and/or out on site.

Closing date: Mid-day on Friday 17th July
Apply now and play your part in creating a Wilder Cheshire.

Interested?

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

You may be required to carry out a DBS check for this role.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sorry, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position

No agencies please.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is looking to appoint a Communications Manager to grow our profile and increase the impact of our work to create sustainable and resilient places that are fair for everyone. At a pivotal time for planning and placemaking in the UK, this new role is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy for one of the UK’s leading campaigning charities as it enters a new chapter.

The purpose of this role is to:

• Lead the development and implementation of communications across all of the TCPA’s areas of work to support the delivery of the Association’s Five year Strategy. Working closely with the Chief Executive and the management team, the Communications Manager will develop new strategies to raise the profile of the organisation and increase the reach and impact of the TCPA’s projects, campaigns and activities.
• Manage and deliver the TCPA’s day to day communications activity, working with the team to expand our audiences, and shape the TCPA’s approach to communications to enhance the organisation’s work.

The successful candidate will have excellent organisational skills and proven experience of delivering diverse and effective communications strategies. The role will lead and deliver the TCPA’s Communications Strategy, embedding high quality communications across the work of our small and committed team. 

This is a defining moment for the National Forest. With a renewed Vision, our purpose is clear: to harness the transformative power of forests to restore nature, connect communities, and drive enterprise for a positive future. Over 30 years, this 200 square mile landscape has been reshaped, more than 10 million trees planted, and forest cover increased from 6% to 26%. Now, we are ready to build on this success within the National Forest itself, enabling three new national forests and championing a forest network for England.

We are now looking for a Project Manager to join us to take forward this work on new national forests. This role is full-time, working 37 hours per week for a fixed-term contract to 31 March 2031, with the potential for extension depending on funding.

Our Commitment to You

- Salary of £43,500 - £48,575
- Civil Service Pension scheme
- 30 days’ annual leave plus 10.5 days’ public and privilege holidays
- Staff bonuses
- Flexible working options
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on gym memberships

 Your Role in Growing Our Forest Story

As the New National Forests Project Manager, you’ll lead on effective project management of centralised activities for the three new national forests.

Specifically, you’ll manage the centralised reporting of progress, targets and budgets, liaising closely with the programme managers for each new national forest.

You’ll also provide technical support and advice on land use issues, including forest creation grants delivery, habitat management and land use planning, writing briefings and policy papers.

Additionally, you will:
- Liaise with external partners including government departments, statutory agencies, NGOs and wider partners
- Procure and contract manage consultancy works
- Support communications, advocacy and funding work for new national forests

What You’ll Bring

To be considered as a Project Manager, you will need:
- A relevant degree-level / professional qualification, or at least five years’ work-based experience in a similar role
- Proven experience of project managing partnership projects to deliver positive place-based or environmental outcomes
- Experience of building productive relationships at all levels with external delivery partners and funders
- Knowledge of land use and environmental policy and practice, including incentives and regulation

Are you a skilled finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact within the education sector? Goodman Masson are recruiting on behalf of a leading, highly respected multi-academy educational trust for a Regional Finance Manager to join their collaborative finance team in West London. This is a pivotal role where you will drive high-quality financial services, manage key monthly financial processes, and act as a trusted strategic partner to school Principals and leadership teams. You will have the unique opportunity to lead regional processes, champion continuous improvement, and truly shape financial best practices across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partnering: Work closely with Principals and senior staff to ensure effective budget management, adherence to financial compliance, and strategic decision-making.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, control account reconciliations, and annual budgets/reforecasts.
• Team Leadership: Support a high-performance culture by managing and mentoring local finance staff, identifying training needs, and fostering a learning mindset.
• Process Improvement: Drive forward initiatives that promote value for money, propriety, and outstanding financial standards across the region.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure all accounting procedures, payment runs, and payroll processes strictly adhere to trust policies.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Part-qualified or Finalist (ACCA, CIMA, or ACA).
• Proven experience running effective administrative and financial systems.
• Strong management accounting experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience with accounting platforms such as Sage Intacct, Concur, or IMP is a distinct advantage.
• Strong communication skills to skilfully maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Location: West London (with Hybrid working)  

Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications) + Excellent Benefits. 

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)  

Closing date for applications is Thursday 23^rd July. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

                                                                Donor Experience & Stewardship Manager

Salary £39,000 - £43,000 per annum - subject to skills and experience 

Hours of work 37.5 hours a week over five days

Base Hybrid working for the foreseeable future, with regular attendance in  the office two days a week, including Thursdays, at our central office:

· Pears Building, Pond Street, London, NW3 2PP

Other office days may be worked from other sites at:

· Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, EN5 3DJ

· Chase Farm Hospital, 127 The Ridgeway, Enfield, EN2 8JL

The role

The donor experience & stewardship manager will report to the head of fundraising operations & strategy.

We are seeking a creative and driven donor experience manager to join our team on a permanent basis. Working alongside members of the wider team, you will lead on creating and delivering a gold-standard experience for major donors supporting the Royal Free Charity, showcasing the impact their support has across our hospital sites. Your efforts will play a key role in ensuring continued, uplifted support for the charity.

You will play an important role within our Fundraising Operations team, helping to build relationships, and increase income, in a pivotal year for the charity, after our silent phase capital campaign launch. Your role will have a varied workload, supporting both core fundraising and campaign stewardship. The role will offer significant scope for development, giving you the opportunity to develop your skillset in a supportive, ambitious, and high-performing team.

The team

Our dynamic fundraising department generated c.£4m through donations in 2025/26, and we are now preparing for an ambitious multi-million-pound campaign in support of a ground-breaking cancer centre on the site of the Royal Free Hospital.

We pride ourselves on being a supporter focused and agile function, working at the heart of the charity to deliver impact for patients and staff across our hospitals.

Responsible for attracting and retaining donors, and delivering an outstanding supporter experience, the fundraising department comprises three teams which work closely together to achieve our shared objectives:

· Our philanthropy & campaigns team builds relationships with individual philanthropists, trusts, foundations, corporate organisations and intermediaries, giving or facilitating donations of £10,000 or more to the charity each year. They lead major appeal activity for the charity, currently focused on our cancer campaign, and special events to support these activities.

· Our public fundraising team harnesses the support and energy of individuals and groups, helping them to give back in the way that works for them. This includes committed giving, in memory support, gifts in wills, and fundraising events and challenges.

· Our fundraising operations team provides operational support for our fundraising and the wider charity through the provision of data and systems support, prospect research, stewardship, gift processing, reporting and governance. We underpin the work of the entire department.

Organisation

The Royal Free Charity stands at the threshold of its most important period of development.

Our vision is for everyone served by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) to have access to world-leading healthcare, delivered by a thriving workforce, and driven by medical research that has a global impact. We support the 17,000 staff of the RFL and their two million patients across Barnet, Chase Farm, North Mid and Royal Free hospitals and more than 30 NHS services.

Through the services we provide, and the programmes and equipment we fund, we make a profound and immediate difference to patients’ experiences of care.

The recruitment process

To apply for this post, send your:

• CV (please include your last employer and dates of employment)
• Cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification,

Please note, that applications submitted without a cover letter may not be considered for this role.

Closing date for application: Monday, 20 July 2026, 12 noon.

Interview date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026/ Thursday, 30 July 2026

Please kindly note that we may close the job advert before the closing date if we receive a large volume of applications.

• You must be eligible to work in the UK

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may require during the recruitment process. 

As an equal opportunities’ employer, the Royal Free Charity is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Royal Free Charity and act in line with our values of dedication, innovation, partnership, energy and respect.

Benefits:

Core benefits

· 25 days of paid holiday, plus three-day office closure rest period between Christmas and New Year, and UK bank holidays. This increases to 30 days leave after five completed years of continuous employment (all leave is pro rata for part-time employees).

· A contributory pension scheme, where we match your 4% contribution towards your pension. If you choose to increase your payments into your pension scheme, we’ll match your contribution up to 9%.

· A sick pay package that offers one month’s full pay and one month’s half pay in any 12-month period if you’ve been with us for less than two years. This rises to two months’ full pay and two months’ half pay in any 12-month period after two years of continuous employment.

· Occupational maternity pay and paternity pay packages that provide more generous support than statutory pay alone.

· A flexible working policy to support our employees’ work/life balance.

Support for your financial wellbeing

As a member of the Royal Free family, you’ll be entitled to benefit from:

· Expert financial advice from our financial partner, the London Credit Union

· Savings on purchases with the Blue Light Card

· Our Death in Service benefit

Support for your health and wellbeing

· Subsidised gym, pool and classes at our Rec Club in Hampstead

· Secure bicycle parking and shower facilities at our Hampstead site

· Guided meditation

· Menopause peer support group

· Employee Assistance Programme offering 24-hour access to free confidential advice and support on work and personal issues.

Responsible to: Prospect Research Team Manager
Based: Hybrid - The Grange, Saunderton, Princes Risborough OR BWC, Bielby, York
Contract: Fixed term for 12 months

We're looking for a Prospect Research Manager to join our Prospect Research Team. 

This is an exciting opportunity to help grow our high-value fundraising by supporting our Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations and Corporate Partnerships teams. As part of the Prospect Research Team, you'll provide the research and insight that helps colleagues identify new opportunities, build meaningful relationships and make informed fundraising decisions. 

You'll play an important role in identifying new funding opportunities and providing the insight that helps colleagues build successful relationships with donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners. Through high-quality research and analysis, you'll help fundraisers to understand who is most likely to support our work, enabling them to make informed decisions and deliver personalised stewardship. 

Working closely with colleagues across the High Value teams, you'll ensure our fundraising activity is informed by evidence, delivered ethically and supported by accurate data. You'll also help us develop and grow a strong prospect pipeline that will support our fundraising ambitions for years to come. 

What you'll be doing

• Prospect research and identification
• Insight and analysis
• Pipeline development
• Ethical fundraising and data management
• Supporting Fundraising Teams

The full job description is available to download below or on our website.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service Payment
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service 
• Day off for your birthday 
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan 
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay 
• Eye care 
• Hearing tests 
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops 
• Pet Dog Policy

 For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: 7th August 2026.

Please note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V). 

National charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.

Do you want to make a positive difference to the lives of others? 

Barnet Mencap has been helping people with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults in the London Borough of Barnet for over 65 years. We provide supported accommodation, leisure and learning activities, information, advice, and guidance, and so much more. All while being committed to equal opportunities and the safeguarding of children and adults. 

We know job satisfaction, flexibility, work/life balance, and a great team are incredibly important. So, at Barnet Mencap, in addition to offering 30 days of annual leave per year (including Bank Holidays), we have a TOIL system to allow flexible working, and our team can benefit from other perks, including the Blue Light Card. Please note that this is predominantly an office-based and community role, but there may be the possibility of home working, subject to the needs of the project. 

We are seeking two Deputy Managers to support adults with moderate learning disabilities and autistic adults to live independently. One post will lead the Shared Houses team, and the other will lead the Outreach team. 

  The role will suit you if you:  

• have two years’ experience of working with adults with a learning disability and autistic people in a community setting  

• have the passion to enable people with a learning disability and autistic people to participate fully in decisions that affect their lives  

• understand the issues faced by people with a learning disability and autistic people living independently and have the skills to meet their practical, social and emotional needs  

• have a good working knowledge of safeguarding issues  

• have experience of managing and supervising staff  

• have excellent communication and IT skills  

• are working towards (or would like to work towards) a management diploma/NVQ Level 5 

Please read the Person Specification and Job Descriptions for more details, and if you have any questions, please get in touch.

Help us tackle disadvantage and change lives

Salford Foundation is looking for an experienced, values-driven Head of Finance & Resources to join our Senior Management Team and play a key role in ensuring the organisation is financially sustainable, well governed and equipped to deliver lasting impact for local people.

This is a varied and hands-on leadership role combining strategic responsibility with operational delivery. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will lead our finance function while providing oversight of people, IT, facilities, data protection and organisational compliance.

You will be responsible for financial planning and reporting, budgeting, risk management and governance, while supporting colleagues across the organisation with the systems, processes and resources they need to succeed. You will also act as the Foundation's Data Protection Officer and lead officer to the Audit and Risk Committee.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with strong financial management experience and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to a wide range of audiences. You will be comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, bringing a collaborative and solutions-focused approach to leadership.

You will have experience of supporting organisational decision-making, managing people and resources, and building effective relationships with colleagues, trustees and external partners.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to tackling disadvantage, supporting communities and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

We offer

• Salary of £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
• Hybrid working
• Opportunity to influence the future direction of a respected local charity
• Supportive and values-led working environment
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across Salford

Join us and help ensure Salford Foundation has the resources, systems and leadership needed to continue tackling disadvantage and changing lives.

A job and person specification is attached along with our company benefits.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Hours per week: 35 hours

Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays

Role Description

The COO is the Cathedral’s principal member of staff and has responsibility for the overall operational performance and administration of the organisation, its assets and its people. Appointed by the Chapter and accountable to them through the Dean, the COO works with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to develop and implement strategy and policy, ensure effective governance and compliance, manage the business functions of the Cathedral and monitor its overall progress and development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of the Cathedral’s overall strategy to reflect the Cathedral’s Vision and Values.
• Ensure the effective implementation of the Cathedral’s masterplan and successfully deliver outcomes through the effective performance management of goals and objectives.
• Secure financial sustainability, achieve growth and optimise the efficient use of resources through effective short, medium and long term planning.

Safeguarding

• Work closely with the Dean, the Cathedral Safeguarding Committee, Chapter Safeguarding Lead and the Safeguarding Officer to develop and deliver the Cathedral’s safeguarding strategy.
• Act as a role model in upholding safeguarding policies and embedding a healthy safeguarding culture across Cathedral life.
• Negotiate, implement and continually review the Service Level Agreement with the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
• Ensure compliance with current safeguarding legislation and national guidance, fostering an environment where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Staff and Volunteers

• Ensure recruitment, training and HR management of staff and volunteers adhere to the Safer Recruitment policies of the Church of England and meet the needs of the Cathedral.
• Develop a workplace culture and ethos that reflects the Cathedral’s values and enables and empowers staff and volunteers.
• Act as a role model for effective people management, supporting, developing, and constructively challenging others while encouraging continuous professional development.
• Foster a collegiate, open, and collaborative environment across the Cathedral.
• Champion diversity and inclusivity within the Cathedral community, providing opportunity and support for all.

Cathedral Compliance and Operational Management

• Ensure the effective running and forward planning of Chapter and other governance committees, including compliance with the Constitution and Statutes.
• Ensure trustees and others in governance positions are properly inducted and trained including in safeguarding.
• Ensure that the Cathedral meets all legislative regulations and complies with ecclesiastical and charity laws.
• Be accountable for reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure that the strategic plan is supported by a robust, multi-year financial plan aligned with long-term objectives.
• Work with the Visitor Experience Manager to increase income generation, establishing a growth plan with the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project.
• Work with the Architect and Facilities Manager to ensure the Cathedral meets its statutory and legal obligations relating to heritage, ecclesiastical and listed buildings in its care.
• Work with the Facilities Manager to ensure the Cathedral meets its statutory and legal requirements in relation to its properties and responsibilities as a landlord.
• Ensure effective management of Health and Safety across the Cathedral ensuring compliance with statutory legislation and best practice; ensure emergency procedures are up to date.
• Ensure all data is protected and processed in full compliance with GDPR legislation.
• Ensure that the Cathedral is complies with all legal requirements, interpreting and communicating changes in compliance to the Chapter and Cathedral staff.
• Support the Church of England’s Net Zero targets and ensure the Cathedral has a plan for reducing carbon emissions; adhering to statutory requirements relating to Net Zero.
• Ensure suitable IT provision is in place, to support Cathedral operations, is secure and regularly review software and hardware requirements.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to oversee public relations, ensuring appropriate management of reputation, branding, and media activities; act as Cathedral spokesperson as appropriate.
• Review working methods, office accommodation and administration support to ensure arrangements are fit for purpose.
• Promote open and transparent ways of working throughout the administration, with effective communication and engagement at all levels.
• Oversee the effective planning and management of key projects and the implementation of delivery programmes to achieve operational and strategic objectives.
• Support the Dean in managing relationships with the 1327 Club.
• Ensure the effective management, use and future development of all the Cathedral’s assets.
• Be responsible for contingency planning, including the management of insurance, disaster recovery and salvage planning and oversee the Cathedral’s risk register.
• Develop for approval, maintain and regularly review policy and procedure documents of Chapter and ensuring they are embedded across the organisation.
• Chair staff and management meetings.
• Manage the business operations of the Cathedral in accordance with the values, standards and budgets agreed by Chapter.
• Lead, manage, motivate and empower staff and volunteer teams through effective structures, training and professional relationships.

Direct Reports

• Chief Finance Officer
• Cathedral Safeguarding Officer
• Human Resources Officer
• Visitor Experience Manager
• Volunteer Manager
• Marketing and Communications Manager
• Facilities Manager
• Shop Manager
• Pilgrims’ Kitchen Manager

Attendance Required at:

• Chapter Meetings
• Finance Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Risk, Audit and Review Committee
• Safeguarding Committee
• Health and Safety Committee
• Information Protection Group
• The Guild of St Edmund Committee
• Forum
• Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
• Enterprises Ltd Meetings
• Eco St Eds Committee
• Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn CIO
• Cathedral Administration and Finance
• Association (CAFA)conferences

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

• A proven track record of strategic leadership with successful
• delivery of projects and outcomes within an organisation of a similar size and complexity.
• Experience of working at board level or closely with boards.
• Significant leadership capability, with the ability to influence, inspire, and engage the Cathedral Community and external stakeholders.
• An empowering management style that fosters teamwork, trust and collaboration, with a strong understanding of HR best practice.
• Successful experience of leading significant change and of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development within a complex organisational environment.
• Proven experience in managing operational performance within tight financial constraints in a complex, multi-faceted environment.
• Effective delivery of financial strategy and budget management, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.
• An understanding of safeguarding and the critical role it plays in protecting all people.

Desirable Qualities

• Previous experience as a COO or at a similar senior leadership level.
• An understanding of the complexities in managing wide-ranging cathedral operations or previous experience within a Church of England setting.
• A good understanding of best practice in charity governance.
• Experience of managing a heritage site.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience in safeguarding best practice.

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to understand complex operational issues and develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to share information effectively at all levels internally and externally.
• Commitment to working efficiently and effectively, utilising technology and software as appropriate.
• Ability to develop and encourage a strong team ethos among staff and volunteers.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage comfortably with all users of the Cathedral.

Other criteria

• Empathy with the beliefs and ethos of the Christian faith.
• Comfortable working within a team of staff and clergy with a range of different skills and gifts, understanding their different roles and working patterns.
• Commitment to the Cathedral’s purpose and vision, and to taking an active role in the Cathedral’s community, mission and outreach.
• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this post. The appointment is subject to a six-month probation period.

Additional Information

The role requires the post-holder to work occasional weekends, evenings and non-working days, as required for which time off in lieu will be given. The post-holder will undertake such other duties as may reasonably be expected. This document is accurate at time of publication but is subject to regular review and may change in line with the Cathedral’s requirements.

Closing Date: 9.00 am Monday 3 July 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 12 August 2026