Program officer jobs in Birmingham

The Senior Evidence & Evaluation Manager will sit within the Impact & Evidence directorate at the heart of Youth Futures Foundation.

Working with three Heads of Evaluation, the Deputy Director and the Director, you will help ensure our evaluations are designed to generate credible evidence of what works.

You will:

• lead the design, commissioning and management of impact evaluations, including RCTs and QEDs. This will include feasibility or developmental work where interventions are not yet ready for full impact evaluation.

• work closely with independent evaluators and delivery partners and colleagues in our Programmes & Grants and Policy & Communications directorates to assess the evaluability of interventions, and lead the design and delivery of large-scale, complex impact evaluations.

• contribute to strengthening our ‘evaluation architecture’, leading projects that enhance data infrastructure and access to administrative datasets, and set standards for methodological rigour in the sector.

In addition, you will lead other aspects of the team’s commissioning. This may include developing policies and processes, supporting the Heads of Evaluation to strengthen commissioning practice.

This role can be based at our Birmingham, Leeds or London hub. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information on this role, please download our job recruitment pack.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

Are you someone who can build trusted relationships across sectors, develop sustainable income, and turn strategic opportunities into meaningful impact? 

Are you looking for a part-time, senior role where you can shape organisational direction, grow partnerships, and deliver programmes with national and international reach? 

The Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to improving mental health outcomes through better design. We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Partnerships & Programmes to play a central role in our next phase of growth. 

In this role, success will mean building high-value partnerships, growing sustainable income, and delivering programmes that expand DiMHN’s impact and influence. 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING 

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will: 

• Drive sustainable income through a mix of commercial partnerships, membership growth, and charitable funding
• Develop and lead strategic and commercial partnerships, from opportunity through to delivery
• Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of programmes across our core areas of work
• Grow and engage a diverse membership across commercial and health sector stakeholders
• Embed strong monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to demonstrate impact and inform decision-making

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a strategic, relationship-driven leader who can translate opportunity into impact, income, and influence. 

Knowledge and experience 

You will bring: 

• A strong track record of developing and securing income through partnerships, sponsorship, membership, and/or charitable funding
• Experience building and managing commercial or strategic partnerships, including identifying opportunities and maintaining long-term relationships
• Experience designing and delivering programmes involving multiple stakeholders, sectors, and/or geographies
• The ability to develop robust business cases, including assessing opportunities, risks, and resource requirements
• Experience growing and engaging professional networks, memberships, or cross-sector communities
• Confidence working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Knowledge of the mental health, healthcare, design, or built environment sectors is welcome, but not essential. 

Personal attributes 

You will be: 

• Strategic and entrepreneurial, able to spot and develop opportunities
• Collaborative and relationship-led, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders
• Impact-focused, motivated by delivering measurable outcomes
• Adaptable and resilient, comfortable working in a growing and evolving organisation 
• Passionate about improving mental health outcomes and interested in how design can improve people’s lives 

WHAT YOU'LL GET IN RETURN

As part of the team, you will benefit from:

• Annual leave - 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata) 
• Work from home – though in-person meetings with partners and members will be expected in order to build strong working relationships
• Flexible working - flexibility in how the 21 hours are worked across the week (to be agreed during offer discussions) 

NEXT STEPS 

Please see https://bit.ly/DIMHNPartnershipsProgrammes for our Candidate Pack, application instructions and details about the interview process.

An exciting opportunity to help turn a new national initiative into reality as it moves from planning into delivery. Over the next year, we will launch a new national Foundation Degree while building the foundations of a wider programme of work. In the initial phase, this role will focus on working locally with partners and participants in one or more locations to support recruitment, onboarding and preparation for launch, while also contributing to the wider programme build-out alongside a national team. As delivery begins, the role will transition into ongoing programme management across a cluster of delivery centres, leading high-quality delivery, participant experience and programme quality, and helping to build strong, sustainable centres over time.

Location: Home based- Please note that while the role is primarily remote, candidates must be based in the UK due to periodic travel requirements, including attendance at conferences and other in-person meetings. 

Hours: Part time - 18 hours 

Terms: One-year fixed term contract (with a possibility of extending the role funding allowing)

Salary: FTE £24,750 (actual £11,880)

Pension: NEST Scheme 

Annual Leave: 28 days pro rata (inclusive of bank holidays) 

Normal working week: 37.5 hours 

What we can offer you: 

• Flexible, remote working from home. 

• A positive and friendly staff culture. 

• Annual in-person meet-ups as a team. 

• Laptop and Phone as required. 

• Option to discuss and set your own regular working hours. 

• The opportunity to make a difference to a growing charity and a large, engaged 

community.

• Organisation wide shut down at Christmas in addition to your holiday entitlement 

ABOUT US

PANS and PANDAS are complex neuro-psychiatric conditions which are frequently 

misunderstood and misdiagnosed. PANS PANDAS UK are the only charity in the UK 

working to improve outcomes and ensure brighter futures for people affected by PANS and PANDAS. 

We provide support and information to families, and work tirelessly to inform medical 

practice, raise awareness, engage with medical, social work and educational 

professionals, and much more. 

We are a small team based at home in various UK locations. We keep in touch frequently online and have a warm, supportive and positive culture. 

OVERALL PURPOSE 

The Education Training Development Manager will lead the operational development, and delivery of the national education training programme, ensuring it aligns with organisational priorities and emerging national guidance. The role is responsible for the coordination, growth and quality assurance of PANS PANDAS UK’s national CPD training offer for teachers and educational psychologists (EPs), supporting the development and delivery of high‑quality training modules and strengthening partnerships.

The role reports to and works in close collaboration with the PANS PANDAS UK Education Lead, who retains overall ownership, strategic responsibility and final decision‑making authority for the training programme and the wider education strategy.

Central to this role is working collaboratively with the PANS and PANDAS community and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to ensure all training is informed by lived experience.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Content Development

• Jointly review, update and refine existing CPD materials with the Education Lead, informed by national guidance and emerging research, with the Education Lead holding overall responsibility
• Support development of new training modules and associated materials.
• Explore future delivery models to expand national reach and scalability.
• Identify opportunities for integration of PANS or PANDAS training/materials within University/Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and other relevant programmes.
• Work collaboratively with the PANS PANDAS community and Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to ensure training reflects lived experience.

Trainer Recruitment & Capacity Building

• Recruit and induct additional trainers.
• Support trainer development.
• Maintain consistent quality standards.
• Deliver priority or pilot training sessions when needed to help support programme growth and maintain delivery capacity.

Strategic Programme Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction for the development and delivery of the national education training programme within the strategic framework set by the Education Lead.
• Ensure training content and delivery models align with organisational priorities and upcoming national guidance.
• Lead long-term programme planning, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Partnership Development & Sector Engagement

• Build relationships with MATs, LAs, Universities and other national relevant organisations.
• Work with the charity Communications and Engagement Officer to promote the training models across social media and education networks.
• Attend and present at education sector events and networks to raise awareness of training opportunities.

Commissioning & Income Support

• Develop commissioning packages tailored to MATs, LA’s and other relevant organisations.
• Support pricing structures.
• Identify sustainable income opportunities for the charity via the training.

Quality Assurance & Evaluation

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Prepare reports for the charity as required.

Operational Coordination

• Coordinate scheduling, setup and delivery logistics for all training sessions.
• Manage bookings, confirmations, resource distribution, attendance recording and data collection
• Lead regular training team meetings to support planning and quality assurance.
• Support management and storage of training assets.
• Maintain regular communication with the Education Lead.

Working Environment & Culture

• Remote and flexible working within a digitally enabled national team.
• Supportive work–life balance, flexible leave arrangements and an organisational shutdown during part of December.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with lived experience valued.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Relevant qualifications (teaching, SEND, adult learning, training design, project management).
• Ability to set priorities and align training with national guidance.
• Experience shaping or influencing SEND practice or programme development within an education context.
• Relationship building skills within the education sector.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of the UK education sector.
• Familiarity with digital learning platforms.
• Willingness to gain an in depth understanding of PANS or PANDAS.
• Ability to work sensitively and confidently with the PANS and PANDAS community, including the YAB, creating safe and inclusive spaces.

Desirable

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Experience contributing to strategic planning within education, a charity or Local Authority.
• Experience with CPD
• Experience leading multiagency or cross sector initiatives.
• Lived experience of PANS and PANDAS

Please see attached Recruitment Pack for full job description and person spec for the Senior Programme and Network Lead.

This role leads our work across Birmingham at an exciting moment. We are developing a participatory, community-centred approach to analysing the city's economy, identifying opportunities for change and coordinating alliances to act on them. This means bringing together mixed groups, including grassroots changemakers, researchers, funders and other partners, and facilitating processes that help people make sense of complex information together, find common ground and make decisions about collective priorities. The role requires someone who can hold these processes well: strong facilitation skills, communicating complex ideas accessibly, building trust across groups, sustaining momentum over time and helping diverse coalitions move from analysis to strategy to action.

The Senior Programme and Network Lead will develop and deliver initiatives that support a growing movement for economic justice across the city, with a particular focus on building support and engagement amongst grassroots changemakers and communities experiencing economic injustice. It will manage projects and resources, conduct programme development and delivery, oversee outreach and partnerships, changemaker recruitment and contribute to fundraising, ultimately playing a key role in shaping our regional impact. This position is crucial in coordinating our work across Birmingham and driving meaningful collaboration with local and national stakeholders, in particular working collaboratively with Economic Justice Brum, a long-standing initiative working on local economic systems change.

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual with the ability to manage teams, build strategic relationships with employers to grow the Living Wage network, and develop projects that will grow our accreditations schemes and proactively influence change across a broad range of stakeholders in public life.

• Develop and deliver strategies, working collaboratively across the organisation.

• Direct a team and line manage multiple staff and freelancers, supporting them to deliver projects and contribute to the LWF business plan.

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of our work to refine our strategy, deliver projects effectively and demonstrate the value of the real Living Wage.

• Clearly communicate the evidence for positive change to grow the Living Wage movement. Encourage employers and key stakeholders to become champions of the Living Wage movement.

• Oversee accreditation processes, identify and implement improvements to make our work more efficient.

• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, policy makers and employers to support them to pay the real Living Wage and seek accreditation.

• Create, develop and employ the tools and knowledge available to inform and advise employers on implementing the Living Wage throughout their organisation.

Remote role with travel across the UK particularly to Birmingham.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Head of Programme Design and Organisational Development 

Starting Salary: £66,438 (if London-based); £61,872 (if not London-based) 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility - so please ask) 

Location: Remote role - can be based anywhere in England or Wales with an expectation of frequent travel across England and Wales 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is a leadership opportunity to shape how the Foundation designs, delivers and strengthens its programmes across England and Wales. 

As Head of Programme Design and Organisational Development, you will lead the Foundation’s approach to programme design, organisational development and volunteering, ensuring everything we do is high quality, evidence-informed and grounded in lived experience. 

You will set the standards, frameworks and tools that underpin programme design across the organisation, working closely with Programme Leads to design new programmes and strengthen existing ones. You will also lead our organisational development offer, ensuring charities and partners are supported to become stronger, more resilient and better connected. 

Alongside this, you will shape how volunteering contributes to our work, embedding it across programmes and ensuring it supports both community capacity and connection. 

You will work across teams and directorates to ensure programme design, organisational development and volunteering are fully aligned and working together to deliver meaningful community-led change. 

About You 

We’re looking for an experienced and credible leader with a strong background in programme or service design, ideally in complex or multi-partner environments. 

You will bring a deep understanding of how organisational development builds capacity and resilience, alongside experience of using evidence and insight to improve programmes and outcomes. 

You will be confident developing frameworks, standards and approaches that ensure quality and consistency, while also enabling innovation and learning. 

You will be a collaborative and relational leader, with strong partnership skills and the ability to work across internal teams and external organisations. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Thursday 28th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Tuesday 9th June 2026 

Second Interview: Thursday 18th June 2026 

Volunteer and community involvement is a core part of what we do here at Sands. From Sands United Teams, Support Groups, knitters, Parent Speakers and event volunteer, volunteers are at the heart of Sands delivering peer support, and building a local community for bereaved parents.

Sands Groups are volunteer led, and community driven.  

Sands has a vision to grow community-based peer support, community activity and volunteer involvement across the organisation. This requires an investment in enabling, innovation in peer support and volunteer involvement and partnership working.At the heart of this is our Befrienders.

Befrienders are in every Group across the UK and enable online support groups too.

This post is all about developing, delivering and managing our fantastic volunteer befriender programme across Sands. Ensuring that Sands befrienders are enabled to provide warm, supportive, evidence-based and values-driven peer support to bereaved families across the UK.

This maternity cover post will have two key focus areas

- Maintaining key components of the befriender programme, including regular communications and meeting with Befrienders, driving recruitment opportunities, supporting innovation in Befriending and troubleshooting in partnership with volunteers.

- Deliver a fixed timeline project focused on developing the Befriender programme.

Responsibilities

Best practice in peer support and befriender programmes

• Manage the direction and growth of the Befriender programme
• Work with the Development Leads and Community Development Officers to create plans for regions to support existing Befrienders and grow the peer support offer across the UK

· To engage, inspire and support existing Sands befrienders, providing a positive volunteer experience from recruitment to saying goodbye

• Be the point of contact for Befriender safeguarding issues. Be proactive in addressing and be an escalation point for challenges, risks and safeguarding issues.

• Practice and support excellent standards in all aspects of inclusion and diversity, particularly in reaching marginalised groups in recruitment and enabling volunteers to provide inclusive support spaces. 
• Lead on development of processes, guidance and resources, ensuring good governance and risk management of the Befriender Programme
• Work with the Volunteering Coordinator to ensure delivery of key processes, process development and improvement to enhance the volunteer experience. 

· To identify learning and development opportunities for befrienders and create a culture of continued learning for all Befrienders

Develop and innovate

• Be an opportunity spotter, picking up innovation opportunities to grow and develop the Befriender programme, alongside relevant Sands’ staff teams. 

• Manage short- and long-term projects and where appropriate join cross organisational working groups to represent the Community and Volunteering Team. Including projects that may have budgets.

• Advocate the voices and needs of Befrienders, bringing in knowledge and feedback to enable good decision making and volunteer participation in new ways of working

• Through supporting approaches to recruitment and partnerships, ensure that individuals with a wide range of bereavement experiences are at the heart of Sands’ volunteering 

· Build a data driven understanding of gaps in service and representation, and make promotion and recruitment decisions to support growth for under-represented towns/regions/groups

· Support continuous improvement and accurate delivery of processes in the welcome journey for new befrienders, including in recruitment, on-boarding and off-boarding processes in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator

· Use the CRM to record accurate information and help make data informed decisions

Internal and external partnerships 

• Work with the Bereavement Support Services Team (BSS) to ensure collaboration across the Befriender programme and national BSS support groups and ensure the Befriender programme continues to be rooted in trauma-informed practice.
• Work with the Training Team to ensure that training and learning experiences for Befrienders are up to date, relevant and accessible.

• Work with the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and the Head of Community and Volunteering to maximise compelling cases for support, storytelling and funding opportunities at a national and local level.

· Work with the Engagement Team to ensure Sands befriending is represented in an engaging and positive way across Sands social media and the media

Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is entering an exciting new chapter. 

Founded in Brighton and Hove in 2013, Release has grown from a small local charity into a financially robust organisation with a growing national reach. Under the leadership of our outgoing CEO, the charity has been transformed—moving from a challenging financial position to one with strong reserves, clear sustainability, and ambitious plans for growth. 

We now provide affordable 1:1 online counselling to women across the UK, alongside specialist group programmes supporting maternal mental health and key life transitions. One-to-one counselling is a core offer and a vital income stream, enabling us to extend our reach while staying true to our values. 

This period has also seen Release grow from having no volunteers to working with over 20 dedicated volunteer counsellors, strengthening our capacity and community impact. 

As our CEO steps down, Release is ready for its next phase—building on strong foundations, amplifying our national impact, and remaining firmly rooted in our purpose: being a charity that supports women’s mental health, run by women, for women.

The Role

In September 2024, National Numeracy launched a new ‘Schools & Families Programme’ to support primary schools to increase pupils’ confidence with numbers, positive feelings about maths, and awareness of the value of maths outside the classroom. The programme also works to improve parents’, carers’ and school staff’s own confidence with numbers and supporting children with their maths. The programme has been hugely successful and is growing rapidly, supporting over 400 schools each year.

National Numeracy are now looking to expand this work into secondary schools across the UK.

The Schools & Families Officer will support the Schools & Families Programme Manager in managing fast-paced activity across the UK, including helping to deliver online training directly to school staff, recruiting schools, and visiting selected schools to ensure the success of the programme. The Schools & Families Officer will also support with the design and delivery of the new programme in secondary schools.

We are looking for someone who can support with this dynamic activity, is flexible, able to manage their time effectively, and willing to adapt to the changing needs of the charity. National Numeracy has an office in Falmer, near Brighton, in East Sussex, but the expectation for this role is that you will be primarily based at home, travelling occasionally as needed across the UK.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We recognise that there is more to do to improve diversity across our organisation and we are actively working to make meaningful, long‑term change. We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and to removing barriers that may prevent people from different backgrounds from joining, progressing and thriving with us.

Through inclusive policies, flexible working, fair recruitment practices and ongoing learning, we aim to create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to do their best work.

We actively encourage applications from people from under‑represented and diverse backgrounds, as we know a more diverse workforce will strengthen our organisation and help us deliver our mission more effectively.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the right candidate to lead our Training Team on developing and delivering training for all of National Numeracy's programmes.

Our training team is absolutely central to the success of our mission at National Numeracy. In order to reach and support as many adults and children across the UK as possible, we take an online train-the-trainer approach, by training Numeracy Champions and Volunteers in different settings. We do not teach any maths - instead we train Champions to raise awareness of the value of numeracy, supporting others to overcome anxieties, build confidence, and feel better about using and improving basic maths. We do not work with children directly, but train teachers as Numeracy Champions to support children and their families.

This team of two therefore have a busy calendar of training delivery, as well as the admin associated with this and with the work around capturing the impact measurement of our training. We are looking for someone who is not only an excellent and empathetic trainer who can confidently and reliably lead this dynamic activity, but can also work strategically with our Programmes Director to develop our training further, while line managing and developing our Training Officer.

The successful candidate will work closely with the other Programme Managers to ensure smooth and successful delivery of our activity, as well as across our wider team, managing the training budget, and liaising with our External Relations and Operations & Impact teams. This role is important in collecting impact and case studies as there it has regular direct contact with our Champions and our beneficiaries. There will also be opportunities to keep the whole National Numeracy team and our Board of Trustees informed about our training programme.

We are open to applications from across the UK but a candidate able to easily travel, by rail, would be advantageous.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

Quality assurance is central to this role – we want our training to be of a very high standard and constantly improving. The Training Manager is responsible for securing continuing CPD accreditation for our training and for ensuring that our workshops accommodate accessibility needs wherever possible.

We recognise that there is more to do to improve diversity across our organisation and we are actively working to make meaningful, long‑term change. We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and to removing barriers that may prevent people from different backgrounds from joining, progressing and thriving with us. Through inclusive policies, flexible working, fair recruitment practices and ongoing learning, we aim to create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to do their best work.

We actively encourage applications from people from under‑represented and diverse backgrounds, as we know a more diverse workforce will strengthen our organisation and help us deliver our mission more effectively.

Salary: £15,600–£18,000 per annum (£26,000–£30,000 FTE equivalent)

Contract type: 1-year fixed term (end date July 2027); part-time (3 days per week, 0.6 FTE) 

Location: London, Birmingham or Bristol

Hybrid: Envision operates a hybrid working policy with one day per week in a regional office, plus ad-hoc travel across regions for events and training. 

Role: This is an exciting opportunity to champion youth voice across Envision and support young people as they transition beyond our programmes. 

As Youth Engagement and Transitions Officer, you will lead and coordinate our Youth Advisory Group, ensuring young people have genuine influence over organisational priorities and decision-making. You will develop and maintain a thriving graduate and alumni network, creating opportunities for continued connection, mentoring and professional development. You will also design and deliver a Transitions Programme that supports young people as they move into education, employment or further opportunities, working with our Partnerships team to engage Envision's corporate partners where relevant. 

Youth voice will run through everything you do. Working closely with the Communications Manager, you will ensure young people's perspectives are authentically reflected across our communications - from social media and campaigns to case studies and co-created content. You will be part of the Programmes and Impact Team, collaborating with colleagues across London, Birmingham and Bristol to embed meaningful youth participation at every level of the organisation. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead and coordinate the Youth Advisory Group and internal youth voice working group 

• Design and deliver a Transitions Programme and graduate/alumni network 

• Develop events, mentoring and networking initiatives for graduates 

• Support youth-focused communications including content creation and co-produced materials 

• Build relationships with partners and stakeholders to create opportunities for young people 

• Collect data and contribute to monitoring and evaluation of youth engagement activities 

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Competencies: 

• Experience facilitating activities with young people, including creating and co-creating engaging sessions and adapting to the needs of the group 

• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage your own time to meet deadlines 

• Experience working on projects with multiple stakeholders, communicating effectively in writing and verbally 

• Commitment to Envision's vision, mission and values 

Envision seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We actively encourage applications from candidates from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, as they are currently under-represented in our organisation. Envision graduates will be guaranteed a first-round interview. 

To apply, please submit your application via Charity Jobs.

Deadline — Midnight, Sunday 17th May 

Please note: 

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor visas at this time. 

• We will only be contacting candidates who have been shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. 

• Successful candidates will be subject to a full Enhanced DBS check and reference checks. 

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time National Director of Operations to lead our delivery across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and emerging community settings, with an ambition to reach Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in scaling our impact and strengthening our presence across the criminal justice system and beyond.

As National Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our learning programmes in prisons and community settings. You will ensure high‑quality, consistent and accessible delivery, overseeing a team of six Regional Managers and a wider workforce of around 65 staff, volunteers and over 2,000 peer mentors trained each year.

Working closely with senior colleagues, partner organisations and national bodies such as HMPPS, you will drive programme excellence, innovation and partnership working. You will also play a key role in new business development, operational strategy, contractual delivery and ensuring we can reliably demonstrate the impact of our work.

The role requires an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage. You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and leading distributed teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working with statutory bodies or large public-sector partners (e.g. HMPPS).
• Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding, or alternative education environments (desirable).
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Shannon Trust’s values.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but will require travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. This role does require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews, which will be held online, are planned for the w/c 18th May.

EASST is seeking an exceptional leader to build on the strong foundations EASST has laid by its outgoing founder, ensuring that the organisation’s impact continues to grow and that we remain at the forefront of road safety and sustainable mobility across the region and beyond.

The Director General functions as the Chief Executive of the charity, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to fulfil EASST's mission and objectives.

The postholder acts as a key ambassador for the charity, ensuring effective governance, sustainable funding and finances, and the development of robust relationships with stakeholders, donors, and the wider community. The Director General also leads EASST Expertise, EASST's wholly owned trading subsidiary, serving as a Director of the company and providing strategic oversight of its consultancy operations.

Main Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the charity’s strategic plans and activities, in collaboration with and reporting to the Board of Trustees.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as EASST’s primary spokesperson, promoting the charity to donors, beneficiaries, partners, policymakers, and the public.
• Governance: Ensure the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, reporting to the Board on progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Project Delivery: Lead and manage delivery of specific development projects as needed by the organisation.
• Financial Management: Oversee the charity's finances, including budgeting, financial planning, fundraising strategies, and resource allocation to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Operational Responsibility: Oversee the charity’s operations, including programme delivery, and the development of policies and procedures.
• Fundraising and Development: Lead fundraising initiatives and cultivate relationships with donors, grant-makers, corporate partners, and supporters. 
• Team Leadership: Develop and motivate staff, who operate as a remote team, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensure robust monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities, reporting outcomes to Trustees and stakeholders and driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a senior leadership role within the charity, not-for-profit, or public sector.
• Significant experience working at a senior level in the field of Road Safety and/or Sustainable Transportation.
• An understanding of global road safety challenges, global conventions and initiatives.
• Experience in EASST countries of operation is desirable and proficiency in a regional language is an advantage.
• Familiarity/experience/contacts with international organisations promoting, supporting or funding road safety is desirable.
• Strong strategic planning and management skills. Excellent and persuasive communicator and relationship-builder.
• Understanding of charity governance, regulatory frameworks, and best practice in fundraising and programme delivery.
• Collaborative, resilient, and committed to the charity’s mission and values.
• The postholder must have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and be conscious and respectful of other cultures.

Key Relationships

• Board of Trustees
• Charity staff (currently a team of four)
• EASST partners in our countries of operation
• Funders, donors and international organisations involved in road safety governance
• Project collaborators, including other road safety charities and consultants
• Governments, public authorities and decision-makers in EASST’s partner countries
• Beneficiaries of EASST’s programmes and work.

Terms and Conditions

• Location: Based in the United Kingdom, with the right to work in the UK. The team currently works remotely with no office base.
• Travel: Significant travel may be required both within the region served by EASST and to conferences and other events.
• Hours: This is a full-time post and will require flexibility to meet the demands of funders and the partner network.
• Salary: The salary offered for this post is up to £70K (negotiable) plus 10% pension contribution and 30 days holiday per year.

The post holder is appointed by the Trustees and will report to the Board of Trustees on a regular basis.