Rural officer jobs in london

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.

Help shape national debates on justice and champion the voice of magistrates.

We’re looking for a Policy and Research Officer to join the Magistrates’ Association and turn evidence into influence.

The MA is the only independent membership body for magistrates in England and Wales. With around 12,000 members, we speak truth to power, support our members, and advocate for a fairer and more effective justice system.

This is a varied, fast-paced role where no two days are the same. One day you might be writing a briefing for a parliamentary inquiry or drafting a consultation response; the next you could be analysing survey data, supporting one of our national policy committees, or working with colleagues to launch a new advocacy report in the media.

You’ll be joining a small, supportive team where your ideas can have real impact. Recent projects have tackled judicial diversity, recognition for magistrates, reform of the Single Justice Procedure, and access to justice for disabled magistrates. Your work will help shape the future of the magistracy — and through it, the wider justice system.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and analytical skills, excellent writing and communication, and the ability to grasp complex issues quickly. If you’re passionate about justice and want to see your work influence real-world change, this role is for you.

Who we are
Benslow Music, a thriving musical hub based on a campus in Hitchin, is seeking a Head of Music & Learning to lead the strategic development and delivery of its diverse programmes. We champion the life‑long benefits music brings through a programme of residential, day and online music courses, a concert series and an instrument loan scheme.

We’re rooted in a heritage that began in 1929 as the Rural Music Schools Association, growing into a lively campus with two recital halls, practice rooms, accommodation for around 50 people and an extensive music library. Today we offer around 150 short courses annually, welcoming adult musicians of all abilities, from late starters to early career professionals, across classical, jazz and folk genres. We host a regular concert series featuring emerging and acclaimed artists.

We are also home to the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme, holding a collection of over 1700 string and woodwind instruments lent to young musicians aged 7–25, ensuring access regardless of background.

About the role
As Head of Music & Learning, you will lead the delivery, strategic development and evaluation of Benslow Music’s core programmes: courses, concerts and the Instrument Loan Scheme. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you’ll shape an ever-evolving and balanced annual programme.

You’ll oversee and strategically develop diverse music education opportunities; cultivate relationships with tutors, artists and partner organisations; develop online activities; ensure excellent participant experiences and adherence to health and safety policies; manage programme budgets and monitor financial performance; monitor the quality of activities, gathering and acting on feedback from participants, tutors and stakeholders; lead and line‑manage a dedicated team to high standards; and contribute to strategic planning and partnerships that strengthen the organisation’s mission to unlock potential and share the lifelong benefits of music.

Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for a self‑starter with programme management experience, an eye for detail, flexibility and good judgement. You’ll be comfortable working autonomously and within a collaborative, supportive environment.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience in programme and project management, particularly in music or music education contexts, including adult amateur music‑making.
• Breadth and depth of musical knowledge to be credible with a range of stakeholders.
• Proven senior management experience, contributing to strategic development.
• Exceptional people skills and communication abilities (written and verbal), including contract management and negotiation.
• Strong administrative, organisational, IT and budget management skills, including effective use of spreadsheets and familiarity with marketing, CRM and fundraising support.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; sensitivity to Benslow Music’s mission and ethos.
• Networks in the music/music education sector.

If you’re ready to lead a vital part of our community by unlocking musical wonder, enabling access and fuelling lifelong creativity, please get in touch with our consultants at Peridot Partners.

National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is entering an exciting phase of transformation of its financial management and reporting – and we’re looking for a Management Accountant ready to lead the way.

If you are a finance professional who is passionate about turning financial data into insight and impact, this is your opportunity to drive meaningful change and to shape the management accounting function from the ground up in this newly created role.

What you’ll be doing:

The Management Accountant will be responsible for leading the finance function’s operations and outputs, including:

• Implementing the organisation’s first internal management accounting structure.
• Managing the operational performance and delivery of the Finance Team, including line management of the Senior Finance Officer.
• Development and implementation of new financial systems, processes, and reporting frameworks in order to modernise ways of work.
• Delivery of accurate financial information and ensuring effective financial management, for example through budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
• Creating financial reports and providing essential financial analysis to support strategic decision-making for various stakeholders, from budget holders to the National Assembly.
• Collaborating across departments to build financial awareness and accountability.

Who we’re looking for:

The successful candidate will:

• Be an experienced business partner with demonstrated success in designing financial reporting that supports strategic decision-making.
• Have a good understanding of UK financial regulations and accounting principles.
• Be an excellent communicator, able to explain financial matters in plain terms and engage confidently across the organisation
• Be able to spot opportunities to improve processes and take steps to address them.
• Have experience of a leadership role within a Finance Team and direct line management.
• Be CCAB or CIMA qualified.

About us:

Established in 1947, NALC is a membership organisation and the only national body representing the interests of local (parish and town) councils. We work in partnership with county associations to support, promote and improve local councils. We campaign on their behalf, raise awareness of their work and provide them with various services to support their needs.

What’s on offer:

• Full-time, permanent role
• £50,000 per annum
• Hybrid working, with office located at The Bloomsbury Building, 10 Bloomsbury Way, Holborn, London, WC1A 2SL
• 11% employer pension contribution
• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and three working days between Christmas and the New Year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages

Please submit your application via the online application portal no later than 23:59 on Tuesday 7th October 2025.

Interviews will be held at our offices as follows:

First round on Monday 20th October
Second round on Thursday 23rd October

NALC is committed to diversity and equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As part of our application process, we will ask whether you require any reasonable adjustments. Providing this information will help us ensure the recruitment process is accessible, fair, and inclusive for all candidates.

Since 1947, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been England's only recognised national membership organisation for community, neighbourhood, parish and town councils. We work with county associations to support, promote, improve and create sustainable councils.

10,000 parish and town councils in England represent 35 million people with 16 million electors, raising £700 million in precept and investing over £2 billion in communities. Some of the largest councils have a precept of over £1 million a year. Around 100,000 councillors spend over 14 million hours a year serving those councils to help change their community. Over 300 new councils have been created in rural and urban areas in the last decade.

We believe these vibrant and dynamic parish and town councils are at the centre of community effort, delivering services and giving their communities a democratic voice.

REF-223 991

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options

We're on a mission to empower young people aged 14-19 across England and Wales, and you can help make a real difference.

Following our successful Wales pilot supporting 15,000 young people since launching in 2024, we're scaling regionally. In 2025 we're focusing on Bedfordshire, and that is where we need you, while also responding to needs across England and Wales, aiming to reach 90,000+ young people in-person and 2.5 million+ online across both nations.

As a Project Coordinator you'll connect volunteers with schools and foster impactful relationships within our dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people.

Working from home with occasional team meet-ups, events, and school visits, you'll join a dedicated team that values high expectations and individual contributions to help young people achieve positive outcomes.

If you're passionate, self-motivated, and eager to contribute to a great mission, this is your chance to join a team that's helping young people to transform their career and life chances.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what one of our young people had to say: "My personal experience has been exceptional. There is a collaborative atmosphere, and it is truly empowering to be part of a charity that values student input and involves us in decisions that directly affect our lives." – Working Options Alumnae.

Find out more about the role, and hear from our Chief Executive about our charity's ambitions, via the applicant pack linked below.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine interest in our work and in the greater Bedfordshire area and/or South of England in easy reach of Bedfordshire.
• Is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Is self-motivated.
• Has excellent attention to detail. 
• Can juggle multiple priorities, sticking to deadlines and flagging when priorities need reviewing. 
• Has a flair for developing great relationships, particularly with schools and colleges. 
• Is proactive and tenacious, able to seek out new opportunities and remain resilient. 
• Is creative and likes coming up with new ideas. 
• Is ambitious for themselves and for the charity. 
• Has high computer literacy.

While we don't specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across England and Wales face today.

If you like the sound of this environment, we would love to hear from you.

Good luck with your application!

Camwch i mewn i daith drawsnewidiol gyda Cyfleodd Dysgu mewn addysg

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options. We're on a mission to empower young people aged 14–19 across the UK — and you can help make a real difference.

Over the past 18 months, our team has been building a movement of support for young people across Wales, having a significant impact on their life chances and working towards the aim of inspiring every young person in the country.

So far, we’ve already reached 19,000 students in-person and are connected with a third of all Welsh state secondary schools and colleges. In 2025, we’re aiming to reach 13,000 more young people — and we’re looking for a passionate colleague to help us make that happen.

About the role

As North Wales Project Coordinator, you’ll play a crucial role in:

• Connecting volunteers with schools and colleges, ensuring young people benefit from inspiring talks and workshops.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with schools, employers, and volunteers.
• Listening and adapting to the needs of young people, ensuring our programme creates real value for them and the stakeholders we work with.

You’ll be part of a flexible, entrepreneurial, and collaborative team that works remotely across Wales but comes together for events, volunteer training, school meetings, and team meet-ups. We set high expectations for ourselves and each other, value individual contributions, and celebrate shared success.

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Passionate about helping young people succeed.
• Fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a “can-do” attitude.
• Highly organised, able to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Skilled at building strong relationships, particularly with schools and colleges.
• Resilient, tenacious, and excited by new opportunities.
• Creative and open to trying new ideas.
• Ambitious for themselves and the charity.
• Confident with technology and has strong computer literacy.

Desirable:

• Experience within educational settings or working with young people in Wales.
• The ability to communicate in the medium of Welsh.

Essential:

• Based in North Wales, or locations within England that are near to the border (e.g. Liverpool, Chester, Manchester)
• While not required, we particularly welcome applications from people who have experienced some of the challenges young people across Wales face today.

At Working Options, we believe in:

• Empowering volunteers to deliver high-quality talks and workshops.
• Providing a first-class service for schools that trust us with their students.
• Supporting each other to innovate, grow, and make real impact.

You’ll be joining a team that’s already changing lives — but we’re just getting started. With your help, we can reach even more young people and open up new opportunities for their future.

If this sounds like the right environment for you, we’d love to hear from you.

Good luck with your application!

Sue Maskrey
Chief Executive, Working Options in Education

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Disgrifiad swydd

Camwch i mewn i daith drawsnewidiol gyda Working Options mewn addysg

Camwch i mewn i daith drawsnewidiol gyda Working Options. Rydyn ni ar genhadaeth i rymuso pobl ifanc 14–19 oed ledled y DU — a gallwch chi helpu i wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol.

Dros y 18 mis diwethaf, mae ein tîm wedi bod yn datblygu mudiad o gymorth i bobl ifanc ledled Cymru, gan gael effaith sylweddol ar eu cyfleoedd bywyd a gweithio tuag at y nod o ysbrydoli pob person ifanc yn y wlad.

Hyd yn hyn, rydyn ni eisoes wedi cyrraedd 19,000 myfyriwr wyneb yn wyneb ac wedi cysylltu â thraean o holl ysgolion uwchradd a cholegau'r wladwriaeth yng Nghymru. Yn 2025, ein nod yw cyrraedd 13,000 yn fwy o bobl ifanc — ac rydyn ni'n chwilio am gydweithiwr angerddol i'n helpu i wireddu hynny.

Ynglŷn â'r rôl

Fel Cydlynydd Prosiect Gogledd Cymru, byddwch yn chwarae rôl hanfodol mewn:

• Cysylltu gwirfoddolwyr ag ysgolion a cholegau, gan sicrhau bod pobl ifanc yn elwa o sgyrsiau a gweithdai sy'n ysbrydoli.
• Datblygu a chynnal perthnasau cryf ag ysgolion, cyflogwyr, a gwirfoddolwyr.
• Gwrando ar ac addasu i anghenion pobl ifanc, gan sicrhau bod ein rhaglen yn creu gwerth gwirioneddol iddyn nhw a'r rhanddeiliaid rydyn ni'n gweithio â nhw.

Byddwch chi'n rhan o dîm hyblyg, entrepreneuraidd, a chydweithredol sy'n gweithio o bell ar draws Cymru ond sy'n dod at ein gilydd ar gyfer digwyddiadau, hyfforddi gwirfoddolwyr, cyfarfodydd ysgolion, a chyfarfodydd tîm. Rydyn ni'n gosod disgwyliadau uchel i ni ein hunain ac i'n gilydd, yn gwerthfawrogi cyfraniadau unigolion, ac yn dathlu llwyddiant a rennir.

Rydyn ni'n chwilio am rywun sydd yn:

• Angerddol dros helpu pobl ifanc i lwyddo.
• Hollol ymrwymedig i gydraddoldeb, amrywiaeth, a chynhwysiant.
• Hunangymhellol a rhagweithiol, gydag ymagwedd "gallaf wneud".
• Hynod drefnus, yn gallu cydbwyso sawl blaenoriaeth a glynu wrth derfynau amser.
• Medrus wrth feithrin perthnasau cryf, yn enwedig gydag ysgolion a cholegau.
• Gwydn, taer, ac yn gyffrous am gyfleoedd newydd.
• Creadigol ac yn agored i roi cynnig ar syniadau newydd.
• Uchelgeisiol, yn bersonol ac ar ran yr elusen.
• Hyderus o ran technoleg ac yn meddu ar lythrennedd cyfrifiadurol cryf.

Dymunol:

• Profiad mewn lleoliadau addysgol neu weithio gyda phobl ifanc yng Nghymru.
• Y gallu i gyfathrebu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.

Hanfodol:

• Wedi'i leoli yng Ngogledd Cymru, neu leoliadau yn Lloegr sy'n agos at y ffin (e.e. Lerpwl, Caer, Manceinion)
• Er nad yw'n ofynnol, rydyn ni'n croesawu'n benodol ceisiadau gan bobl sydd wedi profi rhai o'r heriau mae pobl ifanc ledled Cymru yn eu hwynebu heddiw.

Yn Working Options, rydyn ni'n credu mewn:

• Grymuso gwirfoddolwyr i gyflwyno sgyrsiau a gweithdai o safon.
• Darparu gwasanaeth o'r radd flaenaf i ysgolion sy'n caniatáu i ni weithio gyda'u myfyrwyr.
• Cefnogi ein gilydd i arloesi, tyfu, a chael effaith go iawn.

Byddwch chi'n ymuno â thîm sydd eisoes yn newid bywydau — a dim ond dechrau arni ydyn ni. Gyda'ch help chi, gallwch gyrraedd hyd yn oed yn rhagor o bobl ifanc ac agor cyfleoedd newydd ar gyfer eu dyfodol.

Os yw hyn yn swnio fel yr amgylchedd cywir i chi, byddem wrth ein boddau yn clywed gennych chi.

Pob lwc gyda'ch cais!

Sue Maskrey
Prif Weithredwr, Working Options in Education