Programme director jobs in greater london

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about creative health, co-production, and working alongside communities to deliver innovative approaches to mental wellbeing. You will manage delivery across multiple partners, lead co-production with young people and parents, and oversee evaluation and impact reporting.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and especially encourage applications from those who reflect the lived experiences of the South London communities we serve.

Location: Home or Office based (offices located in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Cardiff) Flexibility required to visit UK offices and teams as needed.
Department: The Big Issue Group
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 35
Salary: £60,000 per annum

Play a strategic and leading role in the development and delivery of support programmes across Big Issue Changing Live CIC.

Big Issue Changing Lives CIC is looking for a Director for Programmes and Partnerships to lead the development and delivery of national programmes of support across Big Issue Recruit and Street Sales, test new ways of working and develop key partnerships to improve outcomes for people experiencing poverty across the UK.

You will also identify fundraising priorities, build national strategic partnerships, deliver a volunteer programme to improve engagement across local communities and lead on safeguarding across the CIC.

As an individual you will have experience of delivering services to achieve agreed targets, and of generating income to develop and grow these services, have excellent networking skills, possess a good understanding of third-party organizations relating to homelessness, universal credit, mental health, substance abuse and employment, and knowledge of poverty and homelessness issues and the difficulties vulnerably housed people face.

You will enjoy autonomy and working on your initiative, but will also enjoy working as part of a team and be able to create a collaborative and focussed working environment, both within your own department and as a member of the senior management team of the Big Issue Group. Therefore you will be someone who leads by example, demonstrates strong leadership and can be a role model showing the organization’s values through your own behaviour.

For a full list of key responsibilities and tasks, cores skills and experiences required as well as a background to the Big Issue Group and a full list of Staff Benefits - please see the Job Pack below.

Salary and Benefits offered

• Salary - £60,000 per annum.
• Incremental holiday entitlement starting at 25 days per year plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff) plus paid leave to care for a sick child or grandchild and a sick or elderly relation
• Company Sick Pay
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Training and development opportunities including an open learning library and management training schemes
• Health benefits include life cover, a health cash plan scheme which provides access to counselling and a range of therapies
• Access to Blue Light Card benefits scheme.
• Please note that we reserve the right to review and amend our staff benefits and they do not form part of any contract of employment

Workplace details

The role can be home or office based (offices located in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Cardiff) but will involve nationwide travel visiting teams and offices across the UK.

Closing date - 05th October 2025 (23:59pm) - Interviews will be held in person at our London Head office in the week beginning 13th October and will involve a presentation and question and answer discussion session.

Big Issue Group is striving towards Equal Opportunities. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our sector, such as women in senior roles, and people with disabilities and from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

Since 1991, the Big Issue has fought poverty by creating opportunities and supporting people to take control of their lives. Over time our organisation has grown and now the Big Issue Group consists of the Big Issue Media Ltd, Big Issue Invest Ltd, our social investment arm, and Big Issue Impact Ltd.

Benefits: As well as a salary commensurate with our sector, we are proud of our family-friendly staff benefits. We offer 3 days paid leave in a rolling year to care for a sick child or grandchild, 3 days paid leave in a rolling year to care for a sick or elderly relative, an incremental holiday scheme, life cover, a healthcare cash plan, access to an open learning library and other learning & development opportunities, an enhanced contribution into our workplace pension and a generous maternity package. We particularly welcome applicants from those who are underrepresented, such as women in senior roles such as this, disabled people and people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

REF-224 049

The main job purpose is to work with our partners, schools and funders to ensure our programmes and activities in special schools, alternative provisions and other programmes are well supported, well managed and delivered to an extremely high standard.

The role will include:

• day-to-day administration of our SEND and Alternative Provisions programmes
• ensuring partner relationships are well managed and maintained
• supporting high-quality facilitation and delivery of workshops, activities and events

Read the full job pack here for more information and how to apply.

Founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, Cumberland Lodge works with young people to understand the causes and impacts of social conflict and division, developing the next generation of leaders to create more just and inclusive futures. Our current programme focuses on four key areas: Youth & Democracy; Rule of Law; Freedom of Religion and Belief; and Intergenerational Dialogue in the Workplace.

We are seeking a Programme Officer to help develop and deliver our programme of activities. The successful candidate will join a thriving organisation as part of a small Programme team under the leadership of the Programme Director. The Programme Officer will play a key role in developing and managing our work underpinned by the twin objectives of nurturing young people as ethical leaders and creating programmes that empower others, through dialogue and debate, to tackle the causes and impacts of social division.

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a team player with a background in education or programme delivery,  who is well-organised and an efficient administrator, with excellent inter-personal skills. They must be intellectually curious with strong research abilities, and are confident and articulate communicators. Alignment with our ethos of seeking to address social division through constructive dialogue is essential.

This role will be responsible for managing the delivery of our cohort programmes including currently: Youth & Democracy, Rule of Law, and Gen Z and the City. There is scope for the development of new programme areas, including working with the arts and our public history project, as we respond to contemporary challenges.

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Working closely with: Programme Director, Programme Officer, Communications & Engagement team, Chief Executive, Front of House team

Job Description:

· Work with the Programme team, to design and deliver educational resources, workshops and conferences including our Youth & Democracy, Rule of Law, and intergenerational change programme areas;

· Deliver Exploring Ethics and other Cumberland Lodge workshops as requested;

· Identify potential partners and collaborate with stakeholders related to programme activity;

· Produce funding proposals;

· Produce and/or editing briefing papers and reports when required;

· Produce digital content for online learning and engage regularly with the community engagement platform, including identifying topics, producing webinars and podcasts;

· Act as Duty Officer for 8 weekends (involving, if required, giving welcome talks, leading Exploring Ethics Sessions, and escorting groups to the Royal Chapel). Accommodation is provided on these weekends.

· Attend departmental, staff, and ad hoc planning meetings

· Work with the Communications team to produce website and social media content relating to the Programme.

· Carry out history tours and welcome talks for external guests.

· Carry out other tasks as may be reasonably required to facilitate Cumberland Lodge’s work.

 Other

· Act at all times as an ambassador for Cumberland Lodge.

· In common with all Lodge staff, to work flexibly and to carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required to facilitate the smooth running of the business.

Person specification

You’ll have:

Essential Criteria:

· Undergraduate degree in a relevant social science or humanities discipline;

· Experience working with young people and youth organisations;

· Experience of facilitating group discussion in a learning environment;

· Experience of project and event organisation and management, from inception to evaluation;

· Experience identifying and applying for funding;

· Excellent communications skills, verbal and written, for a range of audiences;

· Ability to build and maintain networks across a range of sectors;

· Ethos of collaboration and team work;

· Experience using a range of IT packages and platforms.

The successful candidate will have a graduate qualification as a minimum requirement, in a relevant social science or humanities discipline, as the role will involve developing programmes with academic content. Working with young people, and experience designing and delivering teaching and/or training material, in formal and/or non-formal education settings, is also an essential criteria.

Desirable Criteria:

· Postgraduate degree in a relevant social science or humanities discipline;

· Conducting research into programme content;

· Design and delivery of online educational material (e.g. podcasting, Arc GIS Storymaps, animations etc).

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Based at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park. (Applicants should be aware that Cumberland Lodge is not easily accessible by public transport). 

Hybrid working available, with a minimum 3 days a week in the office.

The role requires flexible working.  There will be some weekend and evening duties, including programme events, facilitating workshops for visiting groups, talks and tours of the Lodge (shared on a rota basis). Accommodation will be provided on site when evening work is required.

Benefits

Annual leave: 33 days including Bank Holidays. The charity is closed over the Christmas period which will be deducted from the leave allocation. Use of a company car for business-related trips.

Pension: Standard Life contributory pension (10% contributions to support 5% personal contributions, with the option to increase personal contributions over and above 5%).

Additional benefits: Annualised hours working pattern. Lunch provided on-site. Death in service benefit 4 x salary after a probation period. Employee support benefits, includes access to a virtual GP service and mental health support.

How to apply

We seek to embody our vision of more peaceful, open, and inclusive societies as an employer, and we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

To apply for the role of Programme Officer, please send a CV and a covering letter explaining why you wish to apply and how you meet the criteria.Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

First Interview Date:  Tuesday 14 October 2025

Second Interview Date: Tuesday 21 October 2025

Interviews will be conducted in person as it is important to get a sense of the site. On-line interviews will only be conducted in exceptional circumstances.

Do you have a progressive, forward-thinking perspective on social care services? Are you committed to ensuring the highest quality of work for children, young people, and families every time?

We are looking for a new Programme Manager to join our team and oversee our Family Group Conference services throughout the London Boroughs of Bromley and Hackney.

ABOUT US

We are a leading UK charity delivering Family Group Conferences (FGC). Building on over 25 years of experience, we are now exploring new and innovative ways of working alongside families and communities. We are doing this at a time when the Government has set out a clear vision for Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) to become a central offer to families experiencing challenges and engaging with Children’s and Families Services. This is a pivotal moment to join our organisation and help shape the future of this work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role could suit two types of candidates:

• A practitioner with experience of working with children and families who wants to use their practice experience in a programme management role, or;
• An experienced programme manager with strong public sector and/or charity sector experience, who is confident working with data and is relational and collaborative with colleagues and partners.

It would be an advantage, though not essential, to have experience of Family Group Decision Making, solution-focused practice, or the children’s social care sector.

Whilst this role is a managerial role, and not day-to-day family-facing we do make space for our Programme Managers to hold a limited number of referrals each year to nurture skills and practice experience. Full practitioner training is provided for all Daybreak employees.

The role is home based with regular travel into Bromley and Hackney Local Authority offices. A successful candidate would also need to actively work in person with commissioners, external partners, and communities in and around Bromley and Hackney on a regular basis, depending on service needs. Willingness to travel to other areas, depending on service need and growth is needed.

What does a week look like for a Daybreak Programme Manager?

No two weeks are the same, but as a Programme Manager you can expect to balance a mix of operational oversight, supporting your freelancer team, and stakeholder engagement. Typical activities include:

Ensuring a quality service for families, and delivering on contract aims

• Reviewing and triaging referrals, including case discussions with referrers.
• Quality-assuring referrals and Family Plans, ensuring procedures are followed and records are kept up to date in our case management system.
• Monitoring case records to make sure Family Group Conferences are progressing appropriately, and accurate records are being kept.
• Collating and analysing performance data (KPIs), using MS Excel and other tools.
• Writing quarterly reports for commissioners, analysing service delivery, providing narratives and identifying areas for development.

Working with your freelancer team of Coordinators

• Allocating new referrals to our team of freelance Independent Coordinators.
• Engaging Coordinators in best practice discussions, providing guidance to overcoming barriers or issues.
• Acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, reviewing incident reports and escalating when required.
• Hosting in-person and online Practice Development Groups to share key messages and facilitate best practice discussions.
• Recruiting, inducting, and supporting new Coordinators - from advertising and interviews to observing practice.
• Reviewing and signing off invoices from freelance Coordinators.

Working with external stakeholders and referrers

• Building relationships with referrers such as Social Workers, through consultations and attending team meetings.
• Promoting our services to commissioners and senior managers in children’s social care, ensuring referrals are high quality whilst also raising awareness of the value of FGCs and our service.

Contributing to the wider Charity aims

• Attending Programme Manager and staff team meetings.
• Contributing ideas and expertise to strengthen processes, improve service delivery, expand our offer to families, and support Daybreak’s wider charitable goals.

DETAILS

• Salary: £36,000 - £39,000 per annum pro rata, depending on experience
• Location: The role is home based with regular travel into Bromley and Hackney Local Authority offices. There is also occasionally travel to Southampton (Head Office) for meetings and other areas, based on operational need.
• Working pattern: 30 hours per week; to discuss schedule with the successful candidate.
• We are committed to safeguarding and all posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, two satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK.

APPLICATIONS

To apply, please download the recruitment pack and application form, below, and return to our head office email address. If you need any help with your application or have any questions about the role, please contact us via email or or phone.

CLOSING DATE: 28 SEPTEMBER 2025INTERVIEWS: 9 OCTOBER 2025, in London (1 Bow Churchyard, London EC4M 9DQ)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Grants Support Executive to join a leading national charity. This is a full-time, permanent role providing a support and delivery function for the charity’s individual and organisational grants programme.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Provide a secretariat function to the grants committee, including preparation of committee briefs, reports, draft minutes, and liaison with committee and sub-committee members
• Support the grants strategy programme director and board in delivery and administration
• Assist Grants Officers in making grants to partner organisations and individuals, deputising during periods of absence
• Manage the assurance visit programme, including preparation of briefs, visit reports, and follow-up actions
• Work with colleagues internally and externally to develop needs-gap reporting mechanisms
• Support the Executive Officer in preparing grants department financial reports, performance reporting, and forecasting products
• Assist in developing an outcome and impact reporting framework for supported organisations
• Manage the grants department’s key contact list, partner database, and information/knowledge management systems
• Develop and maintain the Grants Department business continuity plan
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required to support the grants function

Ideal candidate profile:

• Minimum of three years’ experience in charity grant making, welfare, or related administrative experience
• Strong organisational and office administration skills
• Highly competent in MS Office applications, particularly Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with casework management or CRM systems desirable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce succinct and accurate reports, policy papers, and correspondence
• Financially literate with familiarity in financial management and reporting
• Self-starter, proactive, energetic, and reliable team player with a strong work ethic
• Methodical, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented with a willingness to learn and take on additional responsibilities

Location: Central London

Salary: £36,000

Working hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Working pattern: Hybrid, minimum 2 days per week on-site

Contract: Permanent

This vacancy is being actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

War Child’s mission is to reach, protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of every child living in conflict zones. They want a world that is safer for children to live in. At the moment, 1 in 5 children are living in or fleeing from conflict – that number is too high, and War Child wants to change it.

War Child is known for bold fundraising, innovative campaigns, and a culture of creativity. Their ambassadors, high-profile supporters, and superbly connected networks among investors and philanthropists give them a unique platform to engage influential donors. With a reputation for high-profile events and strong stewardship, they are now investing in a dedicated Head of Principal Giving to take this work to the next level.

Reporting into the Director of Philanthropy and Partner Engagement, you will build and lead a bold, high-impact strategy focused on cultivating deep, long-term partnerships with influential philanthropists. Working closely with senior leadership, you will be central to unlocking significant funding opportunities that align donor values with the lasting change we deliver for children living through conflict.

If you are motivated by the chance to unlock transformational support for children affected by war, this is a rare opportunity to establish and lead a new programme with the full backing of War Child’s leadership, networks, and global influence.

As Head of Principal Gifts, you will:

• Lead the development of a high-impact Principal Giving programme
• Build deep partnerships with philanthropists capable of making transformational gifts of £500k+
• Operate at the highest levels across War Child UK (WCUK) and our global alliance, engaging CEOs, trustees, ambassadors, and programme leaders to connect donor values with War Child’s most urgent priorities
• Shape major funding propositions rooted in WCUK’s ten-year strategy, inspiring exceptional support for their mission
• Benefit from strong internal backing, and new dedicated prospect research that will strengthen your pipeline and give you the insight to target opportunities with confidence
• Leverage existing pipelines of prospects and introductions, deepening relationships and converting warm networks into lasting partnerships
• Partner with the Heads of Philanthropy and Trusts & Foundations, programme directors, ambassadors, and trustees to deliver donor engagement at the highest level

Ideal skills and experience: 

• A strong track record of securing gifts of at least £500k from UHNWIs
• Sophisticated relationship management skills, with the confidence and credibility to operate alongside CEOs, trustees, programme directors, ambassadors, and family offices
• Experience shaping ambitious, values-driven cases for support and stewarding long-term philanthropic partnerships
• Strategic insight, entrepreneurial drive, and the ability to build a new programme from the ground up
• A collaborative approach, able to work closely with colleagues in philanthropy, trusts and foundations, and partnerships
• Strong advisory skills, able to support and guide fundraisers across the organisation on managing principal-level partnerships
• Well versed in developing and assessing different financial models to structure transformational giving opportunities
• Ideally, a broad understanding of international philanthropy and donor motivations, with the ability to connect global priorities to transformational giving opportunities.

Employee benefits

Benefits include: 

• Flexible working – War Child recognise the considerable benefits that flexible working can bring and are happy to discuss any possible flexible working options with employees from hiring. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, an element of working from home, compressed hours
• Annual leave – 28 days per year (full-time), plus UK bank holidays
• Pension – all eligible employees automatically enrolled into a Group Personal Pension Plan with a 5% employer contribution, with minimum employee contribution on a salary sacrifice basis
• Health & wellbeing – employees may take advantage of a healthcare cash plan and a range of wellbeing initiatives and training. In addition, all employees have access to free, confidential one-to-one wellbeing consultations with trained counsellors.
• Learning & development – dedicated to the investment in learning and continuing professional development for all our employees
• Range of flexible benefits such a Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loans

National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) is looking for a new Director to lead our national network and champion rural arts across the UK. We’re seeking an inspiring leader with a collaborative approach to advocate for our members and sector, to strengthen partnerships and support a vibrant network that ensures creativity and culture thrive in every community.

About NRTF

NRTF is an Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) within Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio. As a national membership and strategic organisation, we unite and champion the diverse parts of the rural touring sector. We advocate on behalf of our members, offering up-to-date information, advice, guidance, professional development and networking opportunities. By sharing news, stories and opportunities, supporting rural touring-focused projects and initiatives, and through our Annual National Rural Touring Conference, we raise the profile of rural touring, embedding its value in the wider cultural landscape. We celebrate the work and achievements of the volunteer promoters, professional artists and organisations who make culture accessible for rural communities. This is an exciting moment to join NRTF as we enter our third decade as an organisation and continue building the profile and impact of rural touring across the UK, while supporting the passionate and committed members at the heart of our network.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Director is the strategic and operational lead of NRTF, responsible for the organisation’s vision, management, performance, and long-term sustainability. They ensure delivery against NRTF’s mission and business plan, champion rural touring at a national level, and act as the primary liaison with Arts Council England, stakeholders, and the wider sector. Working closely with a proactive Board of Trustees, the Director provides leadership on governance and compliance in line with UK Charity Law and NRTF’s Articles of Association, ensuring the organisation operates with transparency, accountability and good practice. The Director is a visible ambassador for rural touring, building strong relationships across the cultural sector, advocating for members, and promoting the role of rural touring in ensuring that creativity and culture thrive in every community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

● Lead and implement NRTF’s Business Plan and strategic objectives.

● Oversee the delivery and evaluation of all funded programmes and initiatives.

● Develop and sustain relationships with our members, including the rural touring schemes, national and regional stakeholders, funders, and policy-makers.

● Ensure alignment with ACE’s Investment Principles and “Let’s Create” strategy.

● Ensure long-term sustainability through innovation, partnerships, and appropriate diversification, ensuring the organisation remains relevant and forward-thinking.

Finance and Fundraising

● Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Finance Officer and Treasurer.

● Ensure ACE and funder reporting is accurate and timely.

● Lead on developing new funding opportunities, working with colleagues and freelance support to secure income from trusts, foundations and diversification streams.

Membership and Sector Support

● Foster strong relationships with membership, particularly scheme members.

● Understand and respond to member needs, ensuring services and benefits are relevant.

● Foster a strong member community through events, forums, and networking opportunities.

● Together with the NRTF team, design and deliver initiatives to grow, engage, and retain members.

● Represent NRTF and advocate for member interests at national and international events, conferences, and sector forums.

Project and Event Delivery

● Provide strategic oversight of all NRTF projects, ensuring they are well-managed, impactful and aligned with the business plan.

● Lead and represent NRTF at the Annual National Rural Touring Conference and other national events, with project managers and freelance teams responsible for delivery.

● Foster partnerships with schemes and sector organisations to co-create and deliver events and projects that serve members and raise the profile of rural touring.

Communications and Advocacy

● Provide strategic leadership for NRTF’s communications and advocacy, ensuring consistency of voice and alignment with the business plan.

● Lead sector advocacy and act as spokesperson and ambassador for rural touring.

● Maintain and develop national visibility for rural touring through partnerships, media opportunities and press engagement (with support from NRTF’s freelance press agency).

● Oversee delivery of marketing and communications, working with the Marketing & Digital Coordinator to manage campaigns, content and social media.

● Build strategic partnerships with other organisations, funders, and influencers.

HR and Operations

● Lead on recruitment, contracting, staff management, and HR policy implementation.

● Line-manage employed staff, ensuring fair and effective working conditions.

● Manage Contracts for Services for freelance teams and contractors

● Maintain organisational infrastructure, including IT, office resources.

Governance and Legal

● Support and develop the Board of Trustees, ensuring sound governance practices.

● Organise and service Board meetings, the AGM, and working groups.

● Act as Company Secretary: ensure compliance with charity and company law, maintain registers, and submit returns.

Person Specification

Essential

● Proven senior leadership within arts or cultural organisations.

● Commitment to rural/community engagement.

● Strong understanding of the UK arts funding landscape, especially ACE.

● Demonstrable experience in finance, HR, governance, and fundraising.

● Experience in project delivery.

● Strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills.

● Experience of working and engaging with key stakeholders.

● Experience working with or supporting a Board of Trustees.

● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

● Evidence of original thinking, idea making and bold ambition.

● Caring and positive leadership style.

Desirable

● Awareness of the ethos, principles and practice of rural touring.

● Knowledge of community arts and engagement, and/or cultural networks.

● Experience in legal compliance and company secretary responsibilities.

● Understanding of contemporary cultural policy and advocacy.

● Experience in digital communications, social media, and PR.

● Experience in event management and programming.

If you are excited by this role but are not sure if you fully meet the person specification, we encourage you to reach out to our Interim Head of Operations, Jo Purseglove to discuss further.

Job Title: Senior Programme Manager
Closing date: 26th September 2025 17.00 GMT
Interviews: 3rd October 2025
Reports to: Ubele Founder/ CEO
Location: Min 2 days per week based in North London office, remote working available for max 3 days a week
Pay: £60,000- £63,000 full time, gross per annum
Type of Contract: One-year fixed term contract
Annual Leave Entitlement: 28 days’ annual leave, including UK bank holidays.
Pension: 3% employer pension contribution on eligible earnings.

About The Role  

The purpose of this role is to have overall responsibility for The Phoenix Way (TPW) Programme across the London, South and East regions and delegating day to day management South and East Regions to a dedicated Programme Manager. The role includes:

Strategic oversight of and accountability for the London, South and East regions of The Phoenix Way the creation of sustainable Black and racially minoritised communities and community-led organisations across three separate regions, with an in-depth focus on Greater London by ensuring there is an equitable stake in decisions relating to funding processes, priorities, funding allocations and beyond.
Collaborating with funders, statutory bodies, community organisations and voluntary sector, and other stakeholders committed to the development of an equitable future.
Actively supporting all funding bodies to seek change for diverse communities and deliver significant improvements in their organisation’s cultures, strategies, competences, and capabilities.
Helping funding bodies to adopt equitable policies and practises based on the evidence and learning garnered from the community organisations that receive funding and support from TPW. 

About Impetus

Our vision is for a society where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive in school, secure crucial qualifications, and take their first steps into the world of work on the journey to sustained employment in adulthood, for a fulfilling life.

As a leading impact funder, since 2002, Impetus has been helping the best leaders build stronger organisations delivering the most promising interventions that support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed against the odds. We do this by using our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact, through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school.
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths.
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment.

These are challenges that are faced by all young people, but they disproportionately affect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

About the role

Are you passionate about giving all young people the best chance in life? Are you a brilliant influencer and communicator who relishes harnessing great policy, research and communications to realise social change? Do you want to work in a pioneering charity with impact at its core?

Then this could be the role for you. At Impetus we are looking for our next Director of Public Affairs, someone who can inspire our brilliant Public Affairs team and spearhead our communications, policy and research work. This is an exciting senior role, joining our Senior Management Team and working alongside our CEO, board, donors, supporters, portfolio partners and the wider sector to effect real change for young people.

This is an exciting time to join Impetus. We are at an inflexion point, having welcomed a new CEO this year and implementing a new strategy focusing on strengthening and expanding our impact and influence. A big part of that is through our public affairs and communications work; whether influencing policy makers so that all young people regardless of background get the best possible chance to succeed, reducing the gaps in education and employment between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their better off peers, or working with government and other funders to prove and expand impactful programmes or communicating our findings, insights and message to a wider range of audiences.

The Director of Public Affairs will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team to raise our profile and influence policy, unlock and steward resource and build new partnerships, in order to facilitate growth in impact. They will do this by getting the most out of our high performing Public Affairs team, which covers policy, research, advocacy and communications - as well as working across teams and with the Board to ensure Impetus is well positioned externally.

We’re proud of the work we’ve achieved to date, developing a strong track record of high-quality research and insightful reports, significantly raising our profile through media relations and stakeholder engagement, building strong sector partnerships and coalitions to drive meaningful change, establishing a wide range of relationships across government and the sector and building strong expertise in the team. We’re delighted that you’re considering joining us to take forward this work to the next level.

Here are some examples of the types of work that the Public Affairs team delivers:
• Our monthly policy newsletter, Impetus Insights
• Our news and commentary and blogs
• Our latest research reports on school engagement, attainment and youth employment
• Our coalitions: The Youth Employment Group and Who is Losing Learning?

For more information on what we’re looking for from our Director of Public Affairs & what a typical week can look like – please view the Director of Public Affairs recruitment pack.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income generation

• Work with Impetus CEO and SMT to support the delivery of the Impetus strategy and business plan and deliver the public affairs milestones to time and within budget.
• Champion and contribute to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of Impetus' work, ensuring that EDI principles related to Impetus’ mission are reflected in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications and public positioning.
• Vision setting and strong line management of the Public Affairs team, developing their capabilities, representing the team at SMT and to the Board and ensuring it continues to make a valuable - and valued - contribution to the achievement of Impetus’s objectives, through building and implementing high quality work plans for the team and ensuring the wider Impetus team is aligned on these.
• Increase awareness, understanding and trust in Impetus among key stakeholders, through regular, thoughtful engagement with the sector and securing high profile media coverage.
• Raise awareness of the education and employment gaps faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and what we can do to break down the barriers they face - through research, policy positioning and effective communications.
• Build a positive reputation for Impetus in government and parliament and among funders, as a source of expertise on how to improve the education and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a trusted interlocutor and partner, building on and leveraging the many relationships already established.
• Ensure that all advocacy is supported by high quality research and evidence, with our policy and research agenda well aligned to supporting the delivery of Impetus’ strategy.
• Ensure a positive media profile, continuing to build on the base established to build awareness among the media of Impetus’s expertise and content.
• Position Impetus as a ‘sought-after’ collaborative partner for other organisations with shared objectives; including regularly representing Impetus at relevant sector events.
• Support the delivery of our fundraising strategy and the successful delivery of our events programme, in particular, our flagship Transforming Lives Dinner.
• Where appropriate, collaborate with our portfolio partners to support their public affairs work and to leverage relevant partnerships, drawing on their insights to inform Impetus’ work.
• Contribute to the successful performance of the Senior Management Team, and provide expert advice to them, as well as to Trustees, on all public affairs-related activities and in the implementation of the broader strategy, engaging with decisions and challenges across the organisation.
• Oversee the running of our Public Affairs Committee (PAC), leveraging their skills, expertise and influence for the good of Impetus.

Personal specification

Essential

• A commitment to Impetus’ mission
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Experience of leading public affairs / communications / policy at a senior level
  Strong track record of influencing (through policy, advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations)
• Strong management skills including strategy development, people management, budgeting and impact monitoring
• Experience of leading multiple and complex workstreams to achieve measurable results
• Experience of representing an organisation externally; in meetings, media interviews and on public platforms
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
• Presence, credibility, motivational skills, natural ability to command respect based on experience, and ability to look beyond own area of expertise
• Proven experience of building and maintaining influential external relationships and strategic partnerships
• Ability to motivate a team and work collaboratively, enlisting support from others
• Knowledge of the education and/ or young people sectors

Desirable:

• Experience of fundraising, including trusts and foundations
• Knowledge of digital communications
• Experience of data management and good analytical skills
• Understanding of, and/or lived experience of, the barriers that young people face, that contribute to the education and employment gap
• Knowledge of venture philanthropy / impact management
• Knowledge of private equity and associated industries

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

How to apply

Please click here to apply.

You will need to:

• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
• We will also share our equal opportunities form which must also be completed.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm, Sunday 12th October 2025.

Interviews

First round interviews will take place: w/c 20th/27th October 2025.

Second round interviews will take place: w/c 3rd November 2025.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

About the Role

The Director of Grants and Operations is a senior role within the Jack Petchey Foundation with responsibility for leading our operations, partnerships and grant-making. You will ensure that our operations are agile, efficient, effective, forward-looking and robust. In addition, you will have strategic responsibility for ensuring our grants and partnerships teams deploy over £10m pa to benefit young people and strengthen the youth sector across London and Essex.

As a member of the Executive Team, you will play a crucial role in delivering our ambitious strategy, expanding our impact and investing more through JPF’s proven grants and partnerships. You will work to ensure that JPF programmes benefit more young people, particularly in areas and groups with the greatest need.

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of building and improving highly effective operations functions within complex organisations. You will bring strategic vision and operational excellence, ensuring that our systems and processes are robust, inclusive and future-focused. With significant experience in digital transformation, financial oversight and people leadership, you will know how to create the infrastructure that enables impact at scale. At the same time, you will be motivated by our mission, committed to youth empowerment, comfortable leading high volume grant programmes, developing programmes to fill identified gaps, and skilled at translating strategy into practical action.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

You will provide strategic leadership to our operations, partnerships and grant-making, ensuring that JPF

achieves maximum positive social impact through our programmes, funding and operational delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Operational Leadership

 Lead the strategic development and implementation of operational infrastructure, including HR, IT, digital

systems and facilities.

 Lead and oversee digital transformation and the efficient and effective use of CRM systems to support

effective decision-making and operational delivery.

 Ensure robust, efficient and inclusive systems, policies, and procedures that drive organisational

effectiveness and resilience.

 Ensure systems are user-friendly and future proof.

Financial Leadership

 Provide executive-level oversight of financial planning, budgeting, reporting, analysis and reporting.

 Ensure compliance with statutory, legal, and regulatory requirements.

 Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure strong financial controls and risk management systems.

Grant Making and Partnerships

 Lead strategic oversight of JPF’s small grants programmes (>£5m pa to over 1500 schools and youth

organisations) as well as our 16 partnership programmes (>£4m pa) and paid youth sector internship

programme.

 Identify and develop innovative partnership models that align with the Foundation’s mission, vision,

values and theory of change.

 Lead the management and implementation of JPF’s c£2m new legacy grants programme.

 Ensure grant-making processes are efficient, from application to evaluation.

 Build and maintain strong relationships with delivery partners, funders and with the sector.

People and Culture

 Lead, manage, and support staff across the Grants, Partnerships and Operations functions, fostering a

high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture.

 Foster staff wellbeing and bring excellent judgement and good humour to your work.

 Champion continuous improvement, learning and data-driven decision-making.

 Work to embed youth-centred approaches, safeguarding, equity and inclusion across the organisation.

Organisational Leadership

 Actively contribute to strategic planning and organisational leadership as a member of the Executive

Team.

 Represent the Foundation at events and engagements and act as an ambassador.

 Undertake other duties in line with the role as organisational needs evolve.

FREELANCE CONTRACT DETAILS

Role Title: Engagement and Communications Lead

Reports to: Programmes Director

• Location: Hybrid 

• Total Contract Days: 40 days at £250 per day

• Working days: 2-3 days per week

• Contract Budget: : £10,000 with opportunity for extension. 

IN A NUTSHELL

Would you like to drive and support the development of Stour Trust's narrative, story telling, communucations and engagments? The organisation is an at exciting stage have delivered a wide range of projects within land justice, civic power and policy. 

You will be a key asset in project development, design and delivery and will work with the team to ensure that activities are executed.

Organisation Profile

Stour Trust CIC is a social enterprise which aims to improve the social and economic lives and wellbeing of local people by innovating new models of community-led regeneration through provision of genuinely affordable housing, community, work and cultural spaces. We seek to:

• Democratise access to built space and assets through influencing policies to deliver racial, social and economic justice for under-represented communities.

• Remove the disconnect between local communities and the buildings/assets that exist within them to serve the common good.

• Support the development of art and creative practice across communities, partnering with educational institutions, local organisations and government stakeholders to meet this vision.

SCOPE

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead on Stour Trust's website redevelopment, liaising with our freelance web designer, freelance copywriters and other parties as needed.

2. Build Stour Trust’s key resource and information bank for the organisation's communication output to be used for websites, funding and events.

3. Lead on collating relevant research, legacy and archived work, frameworks, guides and case studies.

4. Develop key comms messaging for Stour Trust's social media platforms.

5. Support copy and narrative writing for the organisation's mission areas..

6. Support Stour Trust's three strategic project areas: Land & Spatial Justice, Racial & Economic Justice and Policy.

7. Develop project delivery frameworks and timelines to support clear accountability and communication for projects, using project management tools

8. Develop simple pitch decks, posters, case studies and proposals for partners or collaborators and manage sub-contractors as needed.

9. Support key partnerships and relationships keeping the team up to date on key events.

10. Attend relevant in-person and virtual meetings and sessions to support the team.

11. Manage a small budget in relation to projects including website development.

12. Support other areas of Stour Trust's work.

We encourage applications with lived experience and/or from under-represented communities to apply.

Please send an expression of interest by 28th September 2025 including:

• Up to 300 word text of what Land Justice means to you

• Short links or examples of previous work ( even if this is from your recent education, volunteering or community projects)

• When you can start the contract

We will be reviewing applicants as we receive them. 

We are genuinely interested in your approach, engagement and contribution to Land and Spatial Justice and the intersectionality of this work. This includes curation of events, knowledge exchange or thought pieces. If you are interested in leading or holding space for these themes, do state this within your EOI as other opportunities to support this work may arise.  Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this proposal.

The Childhood Trust is London's child poverty charity. We are dedicated to creating opportunities and brighter futures for the 700,000 children growing up in poverty in London. While we work to alleviate today’s impact of poverty, we support children and families to build pathways to become happier, healthier, safer and more resilient, breaking the cycles of inequity. Listening to and engaging with young people who have experience of living in poverty, is critical to ensuring our efforts truly reflect their needs and aspirations.  

As a grant-making charity, we award funding to charities actively supporting children in poverty across the capital. This funding is made possible thanks to the partnerships we build with corporate organisations, other trusts and foundations, philanthropic individuals and families, and public donations. Since 2013, The Childhood Trust has raised over £50 million through our matched fundraising campaigns, enabling us to fund impactful child poverty projects across all London boroughs.  

The Childhood Trust is London's child poverty charity. We are dedicated to creating opportunities and brighter futures for the 700,000 children growing up in poverty in London. While we work to alleviate today’s impact of poverty, we support children and families to build pathways to become happier, healthier, safer and more resilient, breaking the cycles of inequity. Listening to and engaging with young people who have experience of living in poverty, is critical to ensuring our efforts truly reflect their needs and aspirations.  

As a grant-making charity, we award funding to charities actively supporting children in poverty across the capital. This funding is made possible thanks to the partnerships we build with corporate organisations, other trusts and foundations, philanthropic individuals and families, and public donations. Since 2013, The Childhood Trust has raised over £50 million through our matched fundraising campaigns, enabling us to fund impactful child poverty projects across all London boroughs.  

The Senior Grants Manager will take a leading role in delivering The Childhood Trust’s new grant-making strategy. They will manage and evolve our existing grants programmes, while also testing new ideas, trialling different approaches and building strategic partnerships that increase the reach and impact of our work. 

This is both a strategic and practical role - the postholder will shape new programmes, manage the full grant cycle and oversee a small team, while working closely with charity partners, funders and colleagues across the organisation to lay the foundations for the future of TCT’s grant-making. This is a role for someone who can work independently, take ownership and make things happen. 

Benefits to working at the Childhood Trust include: 

• Competitive holiday package including a day off for your birthday and the days between Christmas and New Year Off
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Flexible working environment
• Hybrid working, with the expectation of ideally two days in our office in Victoria a week
• Part time hours are considered

To read more about the responsibilities in the role, please read the attached Job description. 

We are aiming to hold interviews on Friday 10th October. 

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Philanthropy Manager to work as part of our Fundraising Team.

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

The Fundraising team is a dynamic group of fundraisers who are passionately committed to raising money for our life-changing work in the mental health and mental illness space. We have a diverse portfolio of income streams spanning Events, Community, Individual Giving, Legacies, In-Memoriam, Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Partnerships.

As a newly established programme, Philanthropy demonstrates exciting potential for both Rethink and MHUK, with initiatives spanning major donor and mid-value engagement. Trusts & Grants have a strong track record at Rethink Mental Illness and a growing portfolio of supporters at Mental Health UK. The team is well-positioned to develop innovative funding propositions that support the future ambitions of both charities, working to achieve both in-year cornerstone grants and long-term, transformational funding. Corporate Partnerships have launched several exciting partnerships across both charities and the portfolio and team continues to grow.

How you will make a difference

Are you an excellent relationship manager looking for a new and exciting challenge? We are looking for an ambitious individual, who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of people affected by mental illness to join our small, growing Philanthropy team.

Philanthropy is developing income stream for Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK. This role will support the Interim Head Trusts and Philanthropy to lay the foundations for the future of high value giving for both charities, helping carve out relationships and ideas that form the basis of our transformational giving. It’s an exciting opportunity for an experienced relationship builder who is inspired by the prospect of building a high impact philanthropy programme.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here.