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We are seeking a compassionate, visionary, and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead Mermaids through the next stage of its evolution, dedicated to improving the lives of gender-diverse children and young people, and those who are important to them. As CEO, you will be responsible for driving the charity’s mission, shaping its strategic direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, affirming support services. You will act as a visible and credible advocate for trans and 
gender-diverse youth, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and influence public policy and sector practice. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee a small committed team, ensure robust financial management with the Chief Operating Officer, and lead fundraising efforts to secure a sustainable future. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven leader who brings both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived 
experience. 
Service Delivery:
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all service delivery areas, including support line services, group work,  advocacy, external communications, and policy.
• Ensure services are high quality, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the special people in their lives.
• Lead the continuous improvement and development of service delivery models, ensuring impact, effectiveness, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
• Champion a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and young person-centred practice throughout all service delivery. 
• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, with oversight of on-call, safeguarding training, and ensuring appropriate escalation mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy and policy activities, ensuring the charity’s voice is informed by lived 
experience and is impactful at local and national levels.
• Act as a visible and hands-on leader for frontline teams, providing support, supervision, and inspiration to staff and 
volunteers.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and feedback to ensure services are meeting objectives and delivering positive change 
for beneficiaries.

Governance:
• In partnership with the board of trustees, set and articulate our vision, mission and strategy, and keep this under continual 
review.
• Lead the development and implementation of Mermaid’s strategic plan, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Liaise with the board of trustees to ensure the charity’s governance, structure, policies and procedures are appropriate 
and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing change as necessary. This includes supporting board 
development.
• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to support strong governance and informed decision-making.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on organisational performance, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and legislation, including the Charity Commission and the Fundraising 

Finance & Fundraising:
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees, ensure Mermaids has robust, deliverable fundraising 
and finance strategies in place, and subsequent action plans are embedded throughout the organisation to support their 
delivery.
• In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure Mermaids has robust finance, HR, IT, data privacy and governance processes and procedures are embedded.

People and Culture:
• Line manage senior staff including the COO and service delivery managers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive internal culture that values lived experience and wellbeing.
• Continue work to embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation, as well as a focus on accessibility.
• Work to define and drive trans-centred leadership across the organisation, including ensuring that the organisation is a trans-positive, supportive employer.

External Engagement and Advocacy:
• Represent Mermaids publicly, including acting as the key spokesperson and strategic policy stakeholder, ensuring 
organisational awareness of the external landscape and the changing needs of trans children, young people and their 
families, and advocating for these needs to be met.
• Lead communications strategy, and lead press engagement by responding to media inquiries, interviews, press conferences and media events.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, including with funders, supporters, community partners, and policy influencers.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the significant others in their lives at a national level.
 

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the senior 
leadership team, responsible for overseeing the operational and 
financial management of the charity. 

As a Chartered Accountant, the COO will bring strong financial 
expertise and strategic insight to ensure the charity’s resources 
are efficiently and effectively used to deliver its mission. 

This includes managing the day-to-day operations, ensuring 
financial health and compliance, driving operational efficiency, 
and working closely with the CEO and Board to implement the 
charity’s strategic vision.

Are you an experienced ICT professional who enjoys solving problems and supporting others to work efficiently?

This is an excellent opportunity to join our team as an ICT Officer, helping to maintain our systems, support users in their use of technology, and ensure the smooth running of day-to-day technology operations across the MND Association.

As an ICT Officer, you'll be part of a supportive team delivering high-quality ICT services and support, playing a key role in ensuring staff and volunteers have the tools they need to work effectively. You'll bring solid technical knowledge and a collaborative approach, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly, work well under pressure, and provide reliable support.

Alongside day-to-day responsibilities, you will also support a range of technology projects as part of continuous improvements at the MND Association. This includes contributing to the implementation of new systems such as CRM, applicant tracking and HR systems. The role will also support future developments to enhance service desk delivery and improve the use of the Microsoft 365 platform, such as SharePoint, OneDrive, and other key systems across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide first and second line technical support for hardware, software and telecoms services
• Provide advice, training and documentation for staff and volunteers across the MND Association, both office and regionally based
• Support and maintain Microsoft 365 services and communication systems
• Configure and manage ADS, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy and Intune settings
• Set up and manage telephony systems, including Teams and voicemail services
• Maintain and document network cabling and infrastructure
• Prepare and configure client devices, and apply service packs and updates
• Set up and induct new users and manage access permissions for new starters and leavers
• Support equipment management for meeting rooms and shared devices
• Assist with project delivery and disaster recovery testing

About You:

• Strong understanding of networks and Windows operating systems (including ADS, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy)
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Windows Server, Exchange and Intune
• Experience providing IT support and training to users with varied levels of experience
• Able to manage patching, system testing and setup of Windows-based devices
• Familiar with mobile telephony and communication systems
• Skilled in Microsoft Office and working in a hybrid team environment
• Logical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Organised and able to prioritise multiple tasks effectively
• Empathetic approach to user support, with clear communication skills

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office a minimum of 2 days per week. With flexibility to attend the office more regularly in line with business requirements.

This is a hybrid role based in Northampton, with occasional travel to our London office.

We are open to part-time applications or job shares - please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Working knowledge of computer networks and experience supporting, maintaining and configuring MS Exchange, Microsoft 365 apps and Windows Server operating systems.
• Strong customer service skills with experience of delivering support, advice and training to end users with varied IT literacy. Including the ability to relate problems and solutions in a non-technical way.
• Ability to manage and prioritise tasks, think logically and demonstrate problem solving skills.

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

If you're ready to take the next step in your ICT career and want to make a meaningful contribution, we'd love to hear from you.

Are you an accomplished and innovative leader with a proven track record, looking for a unique opportunity to dedicate one day a week to something genuinely exciting and impactful? Do you have extensive experience in the charity or related sectors and a desire to apply your strategic thinking and networks to drive forward pioneering initiatives?

The Good Faith Foundation is seeking an experienced and visionary individual to join the foundation on a part-time basis as a Charity Development Lead. This is not a standard development role; it's designed for someone with significant expertise who wants to contribute strategically and drive innovation within the Foundation. The successful candidate will help the foundation explore new avenues and shape the future direction of our work on specific, high-impact projects. 

This role offers:

• A unique opportunity to apply your wealth of experience to exciting, innovative projects with genuine potential for impact.
• The chance to work strategically on complex societal challenges with significant autonomy.
• The opportunity to make a significant impact on society's most difficult problems with a limited time commitment.
• The chance to collaborate with experienced professionals dedicated to social change at a national strategic level.ch

Qualifications/ skills: CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification (Level 5 or above)

Time: Minimum 12 up to 16 hours per week. Can be worked flexibly but there are some essential meetings on a Monday. 

Where: Remote - UK based. Two team days per year in London / South East or online. 

Salary: £35,000-£38,000 full-time equivalent, depending on experience. This salary is in line with our organisational pay structure.

Deadline to apply: 11th July 2025

Estimated start date: September 2025

Role overview

This HR Lead role will support a unique, employee-owned, self-managed organisation. You'll play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of HR practices, advising on employee relations, and contributing to a positive, self-directed work environment.

As a self-managed organisation HR is distributed between a number of different roles. You will be working alongside our Organisational Development Lead, Training & Development Lead, Compliance Lead, HR Support, Onboarding/Offboarding Lead, Team Companion and the leadership team.

As this is a new developing role, the responsibilities listed in the Job Description are areas where Chiltern has identified HR expertise is needed at this current point in time. This gives the role holder the opportunity to further develop and shape this area of our business.

Key duties include advising on employee relations, supporting self-managed teams, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and employee ownership, and you'll also work closely with individuals to ensure HR policies are adhered to, individuals feel empowered and engaged and that the organisation's culture aligns with its values in the delivery of HR practices.
 

Accountabilities

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

1. HR Strategy & Organisational Development

• Collaborate with the leadership team to drive the organisation’s People Management Strategy

• Devise and deliver HR projects to improve business efficiency and effectiveness

• Lead succession planning initiatives across the organisation

• Horizon scan for emerging HR practices and employment law developments

2. HR Policy, Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and the Employee Handbook to ensure legal compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK employment law across all HR functions

• Lead on:

  • Third Party Risk Policy

  • Equality Impact Assessment Policy

  • Stakeholder Engagement Policy (ensuring service user perspectives are integrated)

• Monitor adherence to internal policies, including whistleblowing, grievances, and dignity at work

• Audit EDI data bi-annually and create strategies to promote diversity and inclusion

3. Employee Relations & Case Management

• Providing advice and leading on the process for :

  • Grievances

  • Disciplinaries

  • Bullying, harassment, and capability issues

  • Redeployment and redundancy

• Lead meetings prior to disciplinary sanctions in collaboration with our HR administrator

• Mediate disputes and facilitate conflict resolution within the context of HR discussions

4. Compensation and Benefits

• Developing and maintaining salary structures

• Conducting salary benchmarking and market analysis

• Overseeing annual salary reviews

• Ensuring compliance with pay equity laws

5. Recruitment, Onboarding & Talent Management

• Oversee advertising and attraction strategies

• Support onboarding processes to aid efficiency

• Review terms and conditions, contracts, and engage with external advisors as needed

6. Attendance & Performance Management

• Manage absence cases including statutory and contractual entitlements

• Support the leadership team with performance and attendance-related challenges

7. Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and enhance HR systems, ensuring lean processes and the integration of e-systems

• Regularly review and improve the Staff Portal alongside our Training & Development Lead

8. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

• Stay updated on EDI legislation and best practice

• Support the organisation in being legally compliant, culturally relevant, and innovative in its EDI approach

• Lead data audits and present an equal opportunities review every two years

9. Professional Development & Networking

• Engage with local HR support networks, including CIPD and ACAS

• Maintain continuous professional development (CPD)

• Be an active member of Social Enterprise UK HSC HR group and attend relevant meetings

Person specification

We are looking for an efficient, well-organised, friendly person to join the team with the following qualities:

• CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification (Level 5 or above)

• Experience in a generalist HR role, including employee relations, policy development, and HR project delivery.

• Experience working on or leading Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels

• Confident facilitator and leader of sensitive meetings and discussions, with a culture of care

• As this is a hands on role, a high level of organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously is needed

• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to adjust to changing priorities and respond effectively to new or unforeseen challenges.

Job benefits

A key benefit in working for Chiltern is being a part of a forward thinking employee owned team, where our culture celebrates and values the voice of each individual.

Staff members benefit from a flexible working environment, creating a personal schedule based around the requirements of the role.

Ultimately, at the heart of what we do is our value of ‘care’, which is felt strongly across the team.

Additional benefits include:

• Flexible working

• 32 Days (FTE) per annum annual leave allowance (including bank holidays)

• High street discount shopping portal

• EAP package - access to confidential support and wellbeing services

About Chiltern Music Therapy

Chiltern is an award-winning social enterprise that provides music therapy, community music services and training to over 1700 people of all ages and many different needs across England each year. Formed in 2011 from a desire to change how music therapy was offered in the UK, we hold accessibility and financial inclusivity at our heart, working across health, education, social care and community settings.

Proud to be a self-managed and employee-owned organisation, we strive to create a world where music therapy is the transformative thread in the lives of the children and adults we support. At Chiltern we recognise the different strengths within our team. We provide an environment where people can take charge of the work they do and make informed decisions using professional judgement and life experience, alongside peer support. We’re welcoming, inclusive, and have worked hard to create a positive environment that we are proud of. You can find out more about us on our website.

How to apply

To apply, please apply with your CV and a one-page covering letter which should include your reasons for wanting to join Chiltern Music Therapy and suitability for the role. 

We welcome enquiries and applications from people of all identities and backgrounds and value diversity in our workforce.

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible as we may close applications early depending on application numbers.

For more information about Chiltern Music Therapy please visit our website.