With a 110-year history, we are proud to be able to say that the WI continues to be the largest and most influential UK women’s organisation, with over 170,000 members. Our campaigns push for change on the issues that matter to women and their communities, from equal pay to climate change, mental health and violence against women. The WI has brought about real change, and this record of action shows that we are as relevant today as we were in 1915.
The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (the NFWI) is responsible for running the organisation and provides support and advice to members at both regional and local levels.
About the role
Leading innovation across the organisation, you will be responsible for developing and delivering a strategy to grow our movement, to increase our membership and reach whilst ensuring we continue to reflect the needs and aspirations of women. You will oversee research into women’s evolving needs and preferences, whilst testing approaches with new external audiences to maximise our relevance, diversity and inclusivity. At the same time, you will actively embed innovation into strategy and decision-making in all areas, constantly find new ways to reach underrepresented women and build a wealth of data to support your recommendations. You will lead transformation across the organisation by championing change, creativity and a forward-thinking strategy that ensures the continued growth for the WI.
Location: Hybrid, with one day per week at our London, Oxfordshire or Wales office.
About you
Highly experienced in innovation, organisational development or programme management, you will bring an impressive track record of instigating and managing successful organisational change that leads to sustainable income generation. You will be adept at designing and delivering pilot programmes, as well as commissioning research and deploying data to support action. The role requires excellent communication skills and the confidence to advise and lead at both senior leadership and Board level, as the organisation looks to you to lead fundamental organisational change. Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector would be beneficial, as would an understanding of trends and issues affecting women across different demographics in the UK.
How to apply
For further information about this Head of Innovation role, please download the recruitment pack which includes the job description and person specification.
To apply, please submit your current CV with a covering letter clearly explaining why you would be suitable for the role to the HR department.
Closing date: 3 September 2026.
First round interview (virtual): 11 September 2026.
Second round interview (in-person): 15 September 2026.
No other media or agencies, please.
The WI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and values diversity. Reg. Charity No. 803793.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
Thank you!
We are Age UK York, a local independent charity which exists to support the older people of York and those around them. For over 50 years our team of staff, volunteers and supporters have helped us to offer a wide range of services providing vital and trusted support so often when it is needed most.
Our vital work is needed today as much as ever and we ever welcome people to join our team as together we realise our shared mission of making a positive difference to the lives of the older people of York.
Job Summary:
Would you like to make a life changing difference in support of local people and communities in need here in York? Can you bring financial management expertise to support a team effort and help shape the future of our long standing charity?
Age UK York is offering an exciting senior leadership opportunity to join our fantastic team and support our vital work here in York. Could you be our Head of Finance and help lead our team, ensure our effective financial arrangements and the vital part it plays in realising our mission in the positive difference we can make in helping others.,
We are looking to find for our new Head of Finance who can bring their experience, expertise and passion to support our local York charity, our team and those we are here to help each and every day.
You will manage our brilliant team with a focus on strong financial management. With both internal and external focus the role will lead on our financial management and helping our charity make every penny entrusted to us count, as we develop, manage and realise our financial goals and the difference the enable Age UK York to make in supporting older people and those around them across York.
You will be part of our energised senior leadership and management teams helping to shape our charity and the continued positive difference we make whilst working closely across our teams in their role together with our Board of Trustees.
The opportunity offers an excellent benefits package and support for your own personal development and aspirations. The opportunity would not only empower you to take forward the strong legacy from our current team though bring your own identity, ideas and strengths to the fore in our collective efforts to be there tomorrow and beyond.
Key Responsibilities:
We are looking for an experienced financial manager with a keen eye for detail and drive for high performance, continuous improvement and team work. With an ambition and drive to make a telling contribution and strengthen our charity and the difference we can together make in supporting older people and communities.
We would love to hear from you if you have:
· Experience and success in leading the financial management for an organisation.
· Experience in providing leadership within an organisation; an eye for detail and a driver of standards in continuously learning and strengthening working practices and outcomes.
· Managed a team providing support, motivation and nurturing talent and opportunity
· The ability to readily transfer your existing experiences and skills to a new challenge;
· Understanding of your strengths and areas for continuing development and proactively build your knowledge and skills
We would love to hear from you.
We’re looking for someone who:
· Is successful in providing financial management for an organisation and effective in collaborating and supporting non-financial colleagues in our shared financial goals and successful practice.
· Demonstrates wider leadership qualities including contributing to overarching organisational strategic priorities.
· Skilled, including an excellent communicator, in building and maintaining successful relationships across internal teams and external partnerships.
· Able, and experienced, in delivering in meeting outcomes and targets whilst supporting a performance and continuous improvement organisational approach.
· Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment;
· Strong attention to detail, analytical and critical thinking qualities, and able to apply and be energised to meet organisational challenges and opportunities in continually strengthening our organisation to help us realise our vision, mission and priorities.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· Ability to prepare, manage, monitor and report on budgets.
· Previous experience in one or more, management or financial accounting roles delivering day to day finance functions.
· Experience of line management and support, motivation and development to colleagues and collective team.
· Experience of supporting the development and delivery of high quality services through financial management and support to operational colleagues.
· Effective understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles.
· Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Including interpreting and communicating financial information to non-finance function colleagues and in support of decision making; a facilitative and accessible approach; ability to manage remote communications and diplomacy and conflict resolution skills.
· Passion and commitment to work within a not-for-profit organisation and support a team approach in working to help others.
· Decision making – ability to make decisions based on an analysis of data and insights, including financial, performance and needs based data.
Salary and Benefits:
- £17.75 per hour, £32,391 (FTE) per year, pro rata
- Flexible working options within our 21 hour per week role
- A genuinely friendly and supportive environment
- Generous holidays – 26.5 days plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees). Additional leave – an extra day of long service.
- Birthday day off
- Enhanced sick pay after 6 months of service
- Flexible work schedule
- Potential for funding towards professional qualifications
- Employee discounts including Blue Light Scheme eligibility
- BUPA Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Free eye test
- Free flu jab
- Free DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
