10 Senior advisor jobs in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Policy Manager

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Policy Manager to join our vibrant and highly respected Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Team!

In this influential role, you’ll be at the heart of shaping our policy agenda, helping drive real and positive change for those affected by dementia. You’ll have the chance to champion innovation and research breakthroughs, bringing fresh energy and insight to areas that truly matter. By combining your expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, you’ll help steer strategic initiatives that impact government decisions, public health priorities, and vital research funding.

You’ll collaborate with a diverse and inspiring group of people, including policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and those with lived experience of dementia. Together, you’ll work to strengthen the case for greater investment in dementia care, championing improvements in healthcare pathways and clinical practice. You’ll be advocating for fairer, more accessible diagnosis and treatment, and supporting health systems to adopt best practices as we prepare for the future of dementia therapies.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy development

· Develop and manage programmes of work on key strategic policy areas that position ARUK as a key influencer both nationally and internationally.  This may include the commissioning of external evidence generation.

· Provide expertise on the relevant evidence, insight, and policy context to enable the development of new innovative policy ideas and solutions that deliver on our strategic priorities.

· Manage the development of substantial and credible policy outputs, including briefings, reports, submissions to government departments and their agencies, parliamentary committees, and other UK and international organisations as appropriate.

· Work with the Policy Communications team to ensure our policy work is disseminated to our key audiences via a range of appropriate channels to maximise our reach and impact.

· Develop and maintain mechanisms to keep abreast of the policy environment.

· Analyse, interpret and make judgements on complex project activities, delegating and managing the policy advisors to achieve set deliverables through their management of day-to-day activities. As Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns works in a matrix structure this may include managing deliverables with policy advisors across the team.

· Support the join-up between projects and across the wider team to ensure shared knowledge and the opportunity to maximise influence and impact.

Stakeholder engagement and management

· Develop and manage stakeholder engagement of key policy contacts.

· Actively promote patient and public involvement in the development and delivery of projects.

· Work with Public Affairs colleagues to strengthen existing and emerging relationships with political and other parliamentary stakeholders to maximise the impact of our policy work.

· Attend external working groups and help develop partnerships beneficial to ARUK.

· Work with other charities to ensure ARUK is playing a leadership role in shaping government medical research policy.

Research and data analysis

· Oversee the analysis of necessary data and evidence, working with other ARUK colleagues, to produce accurate, timely and insightful policy materials, briefings and media stories.

Line Management Responsibilities

· Line manage and develop two Policy Advisors, providing coaching, mentoring and performance management as appropriate.

· Work with Senior Policy Manager and other Managers to support our team mission, wider team development and our commitment to excellence.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

· Experience in policy development and implementation within a healthcare setting.

· Experience involving clinicians and the public/patients in policy work.

· Proven success in developing, implementing, and influencing policy at a national level.

· Experience managing staff and supporting their development.

· Strong track record of building effective relationships with stakeholders, particularly in biomedical research or health settings.

· Skilled in producing and reviewing complex policy reports and consultation responses, and in working with government teams to embed ideas.

· Understanding of diverse channels for communicating policy work.

· Collaborative, hard-working team player with a strategic outlook and a clear focus on impact.

· Skilled at managing and developing people.

· Shows initiative and adaptability in a complex, changing policy environment.

· Strong negotiation and communication skills, effective with people at all levels both in person and remotely.

· Excellent organisational, prioritisation, and programme management abilities.

· Professional writing skills, with the ability to adapt style for different audiences.

· Confident user of Microsoft Office.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 20th September 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

Your role

We are seeking a Finance & Operations Leader to lead Design for Good’s finance, operations and organisational effectiveness, combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director (MD), you will lead the organisation’s core finance, operational and enabling functions, ensuring we have the financial and operational infrastructure, people systems and governance frameworks needed to deliver our mission.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role, suited to someone who is both strategically minded and operationally confident — a collaborative leader who can lead suppliers, strengthen systems and financial processes, and take ownership of day-to-day operational delivery in a growing global charity.

Key Responsibilities

Financial leadership, planning and sustainability

● Support the MD in developing the annual organisational budget and take overall responsibility for financial performance, controls and processes.

● Work closely with the external accountants to ensure timely and accurate management accounts, annual accounts, financial reports, forecasts reporting for the MD, Board and Finance Committee.

● Take ownership of cash-flow forecasting, reserves management, financial planning and financial controls to support the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.

● Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, Companies House requirements (for any trading subsidiary) and charity SORP accounting standards.

● Lead the annual independent examination process and manage relationships with external auditors/examiners and other financial advisers.

● Oversee payroll, pensions, VAT returns and day-to-day financial administration, working closely with the external accounts team.

● Oversee restricted fund accounting, ensuring accurate tracking of grant expenditure, compliance with funder requirements and timely financial reporting.

Operations, systems and organisational effectiveness

● Lead and strengthen the organisation’s operational infrastructure, ensuring systems, processes and ways of working are effective, efficient and fit for purpose.

● Maintain an overall organisational plan, coordinating priorities, timelines and dependencies across the organisation.

● Identify and implement opportunities to improve organisational systems, operational processes and internal coordination to strengthen effectiveness and support sustainable growth.

● Oversee the day-to-day running of the organisation, including office management, IT systems, supplier contracts and operational compliance.

● Ensure the organisation’s IT and digital systems effectively support current and future organisational needs, including identifying and implementing opportunities for AI to improve efficiency and support organisational goals.

● Lead procurement and contract management, ensuring value for money, appropriate controls and effective supplier relationships.

● Lead financial and operational planning for key organisational activities, including the logistics and delivery of major events.

● Oversee joiner and leaver processes, ensuring a consistent, compliant and effective experience and that all required processes are correctly followed.

Governance, risk & compliance

● Lead the management, monitoring and reporting of the organisational risk register, ensuring key risks are actively managed and appropriately reported to the Board and relevant sub-committees.

● Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including employment law, GDPR, health and safety and charity law.

● Act as the organisational lead for data protection, ensuring effective and compliant data protection practices across the organisation.

● Provide the Company Secretary function, including preparing Board papers and minutes, supporting the administration of the Finance and Risk Committees, and maintaining statutory registers and records.

● Work closely with the Chairs of the Finance and Risk Committees to support effective Board oversight of financial, operational and organisational risks.

● Ensure organisational policies are kept up to date, appropriately reviewed and approved by the Trustees.

Key Requirements

● Demonstrable experience in a senior finance and operations leadership role within a charity, not-for-profit, public or values-led organisation.

● Strong experience leading organisational operations and enabling functions, including finance, governance, compliance, IT and organisational infrastructure.

● Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, financial controls, audit processes and financial planning.

● Experience contributing to organisational strategy, operational planning and decision-making as part of a senior leadership team.

● Good understanding of governance, organisational risk management and regulatory compliance within a charity or not-for-profit environment.

● Experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities, complexity and operational risk while maintaining a high standard of delivery.

Preferred Skills and qualifications

● At least 5 years’ experience in a managerial finance and/or operations role.

● Ability to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, balancing long-term organisational planning with hands-on delivery and problem-solving.

● Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret, present and communicate financial information clearly to non-finance audiences, including Boards and senior leadership teams.

● Ability to influence, advise and support decision-making at senior leadership and Board level.

● Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to strengthen systems, improve operational processes and enhance organisational effectiveness.

● Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.

● Strong IT and digital systems skills, including experience with finance systems, CRM platforms and organisational technology tools.

● Ability to navigate complexity, manage organisational risk, exercise sound judgement and make sound decisions in a values-led environment.

● Excellent time-management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing demands and deliver to deadlines.

Knowledge & Understanding

● Good understanding of charity finance, governance and regulatory compliance, including charity SORP and restricted and unrestricted fund management.

● Good understanding of people administration, employment legislation, organisational risk and operational compliance, including safeguarding responsibilities.

● Understanding of how financial management, operational infrastructure and people practices contribute to organisational effectiveness and the delivery of mission and impact.

Just Finance Foundation (JFF) is looking for an experienced Governance and Operations Manager to join us at an important point in our development.

We are a national charity working to change how children grow up with money. Every day, children are learning about money - through what they see, hear, and experience - but not all of it builds confidence or choice. By supporting parents, carers, and educators to teach money in ways that are simple, practical, and engaging, we make financial learning part of everyday life. This means children can grow up confident in making choices and equipped with skills that support their wellbeing now and into the future.

JFF currently operates within the Church Urban Fund (CUF) group, which has supported our development and provides a number of shared services. We are now preparing to become an independent charity and this new role will play a central part in making that transition work.

Working closely with our Director and trustees, you will help coordinate the move to independence while building the governance, systems and ways of working we need as a small, well-run charity.

This is a broad, hands-on role for someone who enjoys making organisations work better. You might be keeping a complex transition plan moving, supporting effective Board governance, improving an operational process, working through an issue with a supplier or adviser, or helping the Director make sense of a complex organisational question.

You won’t need to be an expert in everything. What matters is that you have strong operational judgement, can bring clarity to complexity, know when to involve specialist expertise, and are comfortable taking responsibility for getting things done.

We are particularly interested in people with significant experience in governance, operations or organisational management who can work confidently with senior leaders, trustees, advisers and external partners. Experience in a charity or purpose-led organisation, or of organisational change or separation, would be an advantage.

For full details of the role, responsibilities and person specification, please read the accompanying Job Description.

The role is home-based for three days per week, with occasional travel and approximately six evening Board meetings each year.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and supporting statement explaining how your experience meets the role requirements to email address provided by 11.59 on 13th September 2026. If your experience covers most, rather than every, point in the person specification, we still encourage you to apply.

JFF is an inclusive organisation and we welcome all applications. We want our workforce to be truly representative of the communities we serve. Diversity is an asset to our organisation and helps us create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.

We are seeking an inspiring, dynamic leader to champion outdoor learning, drive national impact and sector growth as our first Chief Officer.

Location: Remote

Applications close: 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026

About AAOLEV

The Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (AAOLEV) is a new charity, formed from the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP).  It is a respected organisation dedicated to promoting high-quality outdoor learning and ensuring safe, enriching educational visits for children and young people across England and Wales.

Through our network of experienced advisors, AAOLEV plays a pivotal role in supporting schools, local authorities and providers to plan and deliver meaningful learning beyond the classroom, with the potential to impact the education of around 10 million children and young people each year.

About the role

AAOLEV is now seeking to appoint its first-ever Chief Officer, an important milestone that reflects our ambition to strengthen our voice, broaden our influence and build the charity’s capacity for the future. This is a unique opportunity to shape a leadership role from the ground up and help define the next phase of the charity’s development.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic leader with strategic vision, strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to the value of outdoor learning. You will be a credible advocate, able to engage stakeholders, influence nationally and unite a diverse professional community behind a shared purpose.

Above all, you will bring energy, credibility and a clear sense of purpose, helping to position AAOLEV for long-term impact and success.

This role is fully remote, and we do not have a physical office.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments for the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will be happy to support you.

Peridot Partners and AAOLEV are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026.

Self-Employed Associate - Building Surveyor

Based in the Midlands & North of England

Key details

• Salary: 50% to 60% of market value of survey report
• Start date: By mutual agreement
• Location: Home-based, with travel for site visits as required
• Working hours: Flexible, subject to agreed project deadlines
• Reporting to: Head of Property Consultancy
• Qualification: RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor

• Professional indemnity insurance:  The post holder falls within the definition of ‘Person Employed’ and is therefore included within our PI insurance.

• DBS clearance: Provided by the Ethical Property Foundation

About the Ethical Property Foundation

The Ethical Property Foundation is the UK’s only dedicated property advice charity for the voluntary sector. We provide expert, independent property advice and education to more than 900 organisations each year.

We are seeking experienced self-employed Chartered Building Surveyors to join our team and lead project based opportunities, typical surveys include:

• Schedule of Condition
• Building surveys
• Planned Preventative Maintenance schedules

The role

We’re seeking Chartered Building Surveyors (or equivalent) with:

• Strategic thinking and reporting skills
• General practice and building surveying skills

You’ll need excellent communication skills to engage and empower our clients—many of whom support vulnerable people in challenging circumstances—and the ability to investigate, analyse, and propose practical property solutions.

Our Associate Property Advisers work flexibly from home, with occasional client site visits across England, Wales, and Scotland. Charitable rates for reports and surveys usually at 50% to 60% of market value.

Skills and experience

· educated to degree level or with equivalent academic or employment experience 

· Chartered Surveyor or equivalent professional qualification 

· minimum of fifteen years’  experience 

· experience of providing advice, including by phone / email 

· experience of communicating a technical subject to the lay person 

· experience of residential and commercial property sectors 

· a proven track record in the delivery of high-quality outputs 

· knowledge or experience of building surveys from a charity perspective 

· experience of working as a consultant 

· interest in, and appreciation of, ethical considerations relating to property 

· experience of working in a small team 

· excellent written and spoken communication skills and computer literate 

What we offer

Our clients support a diverse range of causes and manage every type of property imaginable. In the past year, we’ve advised on office buildings, church premises, oast houses, former schools, libraries, theatres, fields, industrial units, and more.

You’ll be part of a team of extraordinary senior property professionals who share a passion for making a positive impact.

Deadline for Applications:

Thursday 1st October with Interviews being held remotely on Teams on Thursday 15th October.

Your covering letter should explain:

• Why you would like to work with the Ethical Property Foundation.
• What you can offer our clients.
• Your voluntary sector and professional experience.

The Ethical Property Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Join BrainWaves at an exciting stage of growth and help build the sustainable income behind our ambitious plans to improve young people’s mental health.

This is a rare opportunity for a proactive fundraiser to take real ownership of a growing fundraising programme, working with experienced specialists while broadening your expertise across trusts, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving.

About BrainWaves Research

BrainWaves Research is a charity working to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing through research, education and collaboration.

We bring together scientists, educators, schools and young people to build a stronger understanding of adolescent mental health and translate evidence into practical support. Our work combines a major longitudinal research study with evidence-based educational resources for schools.

BrainWaves is a long-term collaboration involving the University of Oxford, Swansea University and The Day News & Media. We are entering an exciting stage of growth and are looking for a proactive and versatile Fundraising Manager to help secure the sustainable income needed to achieve our ambitions.

The opportunity

You will lead the day-to-day delivery of fundraising across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving, developing new opportunities as well as managing and growing existing relationships.

The role may particularly suit someone with strong experience in one area – most likely trusts and foundations or high-value giving – who is ready to broaden their expertise across a mixed portfolio.

You will work particularly closely with our fractional Fundraising Director, who will provide strategic direction and support, as well as experienced specialists in major gifts and events, senior volunteers and colleagues across BrainWaves.

This is a hands-on role with significant autonomy. We are looking for someone proactive, ambitious and organised who enjoys turning strategy into action, building relationships, improving systems and hitting targets. Above all, you will be passionate about our mission to improve young people’s mental health.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income growth

• Work with the Fundraising Director and COO to deliver BrainWaves’ fundraising strategy and annual income plan.

• Manage and grow a pipeline across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates and individual giving.

• Research and develop new prospects, partnerships and sustainable income opportunities.

• Prepare compelling cases for support, grant applications, proposals, presentations and donor communications.

• Take ownership of agreed income targets, deadlines and activity plans, monitoring performance and forecasting income.

• Manage funder and supporter relationships from initial approach through to reporting and stewardship.

Major donors, corporates and supporters

• Work with the Fundraising Director, trustees, senior volunteers and specialist advisers to identify, cultivate and steward high-value prospects.

• Build relationships with companies whose values and interests align with BrainWaves and develop appropriate partnership opportunities.

• Help develop our individual-giving programme, including appeals, regular giving and supporter journeys.

• Manage and improve our use of JustGiving and other digital fundraising platforms.

• Support donor and cultivation events, including prospect identification, communications and follow-up.

CRM, data and fundraising operations

• Take day-to-day ownership of BrainWaves’ CRM, ensuring supporter, prospect, donation and relationship records are accurate and up to date.

• Improve how the CRM is used for pipeline management, reporting, segmentation, stewardship and task management.

• Establish clear and consistent processes for recording and using fundraising information.

• Produce regular pipeline, income and forecasting reports and use data to identify opportunities, gaps and risks.

• Ensure information from JustGiving and other platforms is captured and followed up appropriately.

• Maintain high standards of data protection, fundraising compliance and data quality.

Collaborative working

• Work closely with the Fundraising Director and experienced freelance specialists in fundraising strategy, major gifts and events.

• Collaborate with colleagues across communications, research and operations to develop strong fundraising propositions and materials.

• Support trustees and senior volunteers in their fundraising activity.

• Attend occasional meetings and events, primarily in Oxford and London.

About you

You will be a confident and proactive fundraiser with strong experience in at least one income stream and an appetite to broaden your expertise.

You will be a persuasive communicator and excellent relationship builder, comfortable managing multiple prospects, deadlines and priorities. You will enjoy working in a small, evolving organisation where initiative is valued and will be effective working independently from home while staying closely connected to the wider team.

Most importantly, you will be motivated by ambitious targets and genuinely excited by BrainWaves’ mission.

Essential experience and skills

• Experience of securing income within a charity, university, research institution or other purpose-led organisation.

• Strong experience in at least one fundraising stream, such as trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates or individual giving.

• Evidence of meeting fundraising targets or contributing significantly to income growth.

• Experience of managing prospects from research and qualification through to solicitation and stewardship.

• Excellent written skills, including producing persuasive applications, proposals and donor communications.

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.

• Ability to understand complex information and turn it into a clear and compelling case for support.

• Experience of using a fundraising CRM to manage pipelines, records and reporting.

• Excellent organisation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• A proactive, resourceful and collaborative approach.

• A genuine commitment to BrainWaves’ purpose.

Desirable experience

• Experience across more than one fundraising income stream.

• Trusts and foundations and/or major donor fundraising experience.

• Experience of corporate partnerships.

• Experience of using and improving a CRM, particularly Beacon or a similar system.

• Experience of JustGiving or similar digital fundraising platforms.

• Experience of fundraising for mental health, young people, education, science, health or research.

• Knowledge of fundraising regulation and data protection.

• Experience of donor cultivation or fundraising events.

What we offer

• The opportunity to shape and grow fundraising within an ambitious charity.

• Close working with an experienced Fundraising Director and senior fundraising specialists.

• Significant autonomy and the opportunity to broaden your fundraising experience.

• Meaningful work supporting research and education focused on adolescent mental health.

• A flexible, predominantly home-based role.

• 25 days’ annual leave pro rata.

• Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme after successful completion of a three-month probation period.

• Reasonable travel expenses for required meetings and events.

As our Digital Fundraising & Campaigns Lead, you’ll manage and oversee the delivery of our digital fundraising and donor acquisition activities, ensuring campaigns are innovative, data-driven and aligned with our mission.

Leading a small, talented team of marketing and campaign professionals, you’ll lead the campaign development function in cross-departmental planning, including events that drive donor acquisition and fundraising.

You’ll help us tell powerful stories, deepen engagement and help grow our community of supporters, shaping end-to-end integrated digital campaigns that build and strengthen relationships and help us bring hope and practical aid to remote communities.

Alongside campaign strategy and execution, you’ll be involved in paid media activity and digital performance, providing strategic oversight, guiding agency relationships and driving continuous improvement.

Additionally, you will:

- Deliver campaigns, events, and digital initiatives
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership on digital strategy
- Lead the planning and delivery of events and volunteer engagement at festivals
- Ensure budgets are well managed, and campaigns are delivered efficiently
- Develop and evaluate digital performance metrics and reporting

About You

To join us as our Digital Fundraising & Campaigns Lead, you will need:

- At least five years’ experience in digital fundraising and marketing in a charity or mission-driven organisation
- A minimum of two years’ management experience leading digital fundraising or marketing teams
- Experience writing, reviewing, and editing copy for a variety of audiences and users
- Experience in project management
- The ability to communicate clearly, assertively, and diplomatically at all levels
- Demonstrable success in developing and delivering multi-channel digital campaigns with measurable impact
- Demonstrable expertise in paid media strategy and optimisation (Google Ads, Meta, programmatic, etc.)
- Strong creative ideation and direction skills
- A data-driven approach with experience using analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, CRM platforms)
- Excellent and proven stakeholder management and influencing skills
- A deep understanding of digital trends, donor behaviour, and fundraising compliance

This is a remote role with a once a month visit to our Folkestone office. 

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

World Physiotherapy (formerly known as the World Confederation for Physical Therapy) is the sole international organisation for physiotherapy, representing more than 600,000 physiotherapists worldwide through its 128 national/country member organisations. Founded 1951, World Physiotherapy is a registered charitable incorporated organisation in England and Wales (number: 1207425).  We have been in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1956 and we are committed to advancing the science, standards and practice of physiotherapy and promoting the important contribution of the physiotherapy profession globally in improving health and wellbeing through policy advocacy, education and training, leadership development, health systems and capacity strengthening, research, standard-setting, quality assurance and accreditation.

World Physiotherapy is also a member of the World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA), a WHO global network of stakeholders whose mission is to support the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative through advocacy activities. It focuses on promoting rehabilitation as an essential health service that is integral to Universal Health Coverage and to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”).  Further information about World Physiotherapy can be found on our website.

Consultant opportunity: developing our long-term vision and strategy

Now in its 75th anniversary year, World Physiotherapy is seeking an experienced consultant(s) to co-ordinate the development of its Physio 2040 long-term aspirational vision and a five-year strategic plan (2027-32) that operationalises it.

This is a two-part but interlinked assignment.  Working closely with World Physiotherapy’s member organisations, global leadership, key stakeholders and staff, the successful consultant(s) will deliver an inclusive, evidence-based horizon-scanning and strategy development process, ensuring that our 2040 vision statement and strategic plan are completed ahead of the World Physiotherapy Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico in May 2027.

We are looking for a consultant or team of consultants who can:

• Coordinate and deliver the agreed vision and strategy development process, managing timelines, governance, stakeholder engagement and delivery milestones to ensure that both are completed on time and within budget.
• Facilitate workshops and engagement activities, develop the new strategic framework, support the approval process and help translate our new strategy into organisational priorities and work plans with appropriate reporting, monitoring, evaluation and learning embedded.

Budget

The total budget available for this evaluation is £20k, including all expenses and exclusive of all taxes.  All agreed activities and outputs must be delivered within this budget.

Further details regarding the payment schedule can be found in the World Physiotherapy - Request for Proposals Brief (below).

How to apply

Suitably qualified and experienced consultants interested in submitting a proposal should:

1. Review and consider the World Physiotherapy – Request for Proposals Brief (below).
2. Submit/ upload their proposal, fee/ pricing schedule and any supporting documentation, such as CVs and reference letters in the required format (submission link is included in the brief)
3. The deadline for proposals is on Monday 21 September 2026, 23:59 (UTC)