Senior development executive jobs in Holborn, greater london
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We’re looking for a senior leader to join our Senior Management Team and take overall responsibility for the organisation’s operational core.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join a high-impact organisation as a key member of the Senior Management Team, working in close partnership with the Chief Executive to drive organisational excellence, sustainability, and transformation.
As Executive Director, Operations, you will sit at the heart of the organisation leading critical services and ensuring everything we do is underpinned by strong governance, robust finances, effective systems and an engaged, high-performing workforce. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping strategy, enabling delivery, and ensuring we remain fit for the future.
This role requires a strategic leader who thrives on complexity, brings clarity to challenge, and is motivated by delivering meaningful impact.
What you’ll do
- Lead core corporate functions including Finance, HR, IT, Governance and Facilities
- Contribute to organisational strategy and decision-making as a member of the SMT
- Ensure strong financial oversight, planning and risk management
- Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and services
- Support and develop high-performing teams and a positive organisational culture
What you’ll need
- Significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation
- Expertise in one or more corporate service areas, with the ability to lead across a broad portfolio
- Strong financial understanding and confidence overseeing organisational performance
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to influence at senior level
- Sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities
You’ll join a collaborative and purpose-led leadership team, with the opportunity to shape how the organisation operates and grows. This is a role with real influence, where your leadership will directly enable delivery, improvement and long-term success. Please find out more from the candidate pack.
Why join us
- Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and medical specialties
- Hybrid working – up to 60% remote
- Modern working environment with home‑working equipment provided
- Generous annual leave, plus the option to buy up to 5 extra days
- Enhanced family‑friendly leave (maternity, paternity and adoption) for those with 2+ years continuous service
- Excellent pension scheme
- Sabbaticals (5+ years’ service) and secondment opportunities
- Interest‑free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Long service recognition awards
About Us
People’s Economy aims to build the agency and power of people facing injustice and working for social change so that they have the expertise, capabilities and resources to develop their own analysis of how the economic system is a root cause of the injustice they face, develop strategies to change it and then take action with others. Our vision is for a world with economies that meet the needs and priorities of people currently experiencing economic injustice.
About the Role
This role leads our work across Birmingham at an exciting moment. We are developing a participatory, community-centred approach to analysing the city's economy, identifying opportunities for change and coordinating alliances to act on them. This means bringing together mixed groups, including grassroots changemakers, researchers, funders and other partners, and facilitating processes that help people make sense of complex information together, find common ground and make decisions about collective priorities. The role requires someone who can hold these processes well: strong facilitation skills, communicating complex ideas accessibly, building trust across groups, sustaining momentum over time and helping diverse coalitions move from analysis to strategy to action.
The Senior Programme and Network Lead will develop and deliver initiatives that support a growing movement for economic justice across the city, with a particular focus on building support and engagement amongst grassroots changemakers and communities experiencing economic injustice. It will manage projects and resources, conduct programme development and delivery, oversee outreach and partnerships, changemaker recruitment and contribute to fundraising, ultimately playing a key role in shaping our regional impact. This position is crucial in coordinating our work across Birmingham and driving meaningful collaboration with local and national stakeholders, in particular working collaboratively with Economic Justice Brum, a long-standing initiative working on local economic systems change.
Online Open House
Come and meet us! Candidates are invited to attend an information webinar and to meet some of the team on Wednesday 13th May at 12pm or Wednesday 21st May at 5pm. Both webinars will cover the same content, so there is no need to attend both.
For the full role description, Open House registration information and details on how to apply please visit our website by clicking 'How to Apply' below.
Working with communities across the UK experiencing economic injustice to reimagine, rebalance, and transform the economy.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Youth Endowment Fund
Senior Change Manager, Children’s Services
Reports to: Head of Change, Children’s Services
Salary:£54,300 per annum, depending on experience
Location: Central London or Hybrid*(see below)
Contract: 2-year fixed term contract
Closing date for applications: 12 pm on Monday, 1st June 2026
Interview dates: Week commencing 15th June 2026
About the Youth Endowment Fund
All of us will experience violence at some point in our lives. For many children, it is a daily reality. Each year, tens of children are killed, hundreds are hospitalised, 1 in 5 teenage children are victims and the majority admit to feeling afraid of violence. It scares them when they travel home from school, prevents them from going out and makes the most vulnerable feel like they don’t matter. It is taking lives, traumatising families and dividing communities. It robs potential, progress and hope.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The Youth Endowment Fund believes that no child should be affected by violence. We research violence to understand it; we find, fund and test what works to prevent it; and we are building a movement to end it.
A big part of the movement that we need to build is in the world of children’s services. We need to inspire and connect with senior leaders in England and Wales to spread what works and make our country safer for some of our most vulnerable children. We need someone who can deliver this whilst understanding and working within the context of the major sector reforms that are currently being delivered via the Families First Partnership programme.
Key Responsibilities
We are at an exciting moment in our work. In June we will publish our children’s services practice guidance, setting out the evidence for what works to reduce serious youth violence in the children’s services sector.
We have plans to work with the sector over the rest of the financial year and beyond, including designing a self-assessment tool to help senior sector leaders benchmark their existing practice against the evidence. We will also launch a new change programme, working hand-in-hand with the sector to implement the evidence for what works, gaining valuable insights in the process.
Your role is to help us turn these plans into a reality.
This will include launching the self-assessment tool and promoting its use within the sector. It will also involve planning, designing and delivering the change programme to turn the theory into reality.
You will also contribute by designing and delivering a range of sector engagement activities, such as webinars, events and learning opportunities, that reach the sector, helping to build momentum, understanding and commitment across children’s services.
Lastly, you will support the Head of Change for Children’s Services with government engagement as required and support the establishment of a new network for senior sector leaders to share the latest evidence and best practice.
Key responsibilities will include:
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Supporting the launch and roll-out of the children’s services self-assessment tool, driving up demand and ensuring widespread completion of the tool across the sector;
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Work hands-on with Local Authorities to help them put evidence into practice via our change programme; planning, delivering and learning as the work continues;
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Continuously capture and act on learning from the self-assessment tool and deep dive change programme to inform future work;
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Supporting the design and roll-out of a children’s services network to spread learning of what works to reduce serious youth violence;
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Spend time genuinely understanding the pressures, priorities and constraints facing children’s services leaders to inform our longer-term approach to change.
As part of your wider contribution to the organisation, you will also:
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Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.
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Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.
You are this sort of person:
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You are fascinated about change and are experienced in making it happen. You have outstanding analytical judgment alongside the emotional intelligence and experience needed to identify the right opportunities for change, then make them happen. You understand why people find change difficult. You come alive talking about how people make decisions and why they do the things they do.
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You understand the children’s services sector. You understand how the sector really works. This could include experience of working with/supporting senior sector leaders to facilitate change and improvement that improves the lives of young people.
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You win people over. People tend to warm to you and respect you. You have built good relationships with very senior people and with very junior people. You are good at chairing meetings, connecting people and having good introductory meetings. You are comfortable talking to a government minister, a youth worker, a company CEO, a social worker and a 15-year-old student. Listening to people from all backgrounds matters to you.
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You have experience of developing resources which support children’s services. You understand and take a curious approach to learning about the needs of sector leaders. You are able to skilfully translate these insights into helpful resources and tools which support leaders to improve practice.
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You learn fast but remain humble. You are very quick at getting your head around things. You like learning. You are very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know. You know that you can learn more. You know that it's easy to assume you know when you don't. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You are a great and supportive team player.
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You don't want your days to pass without making a difference. You want to play a significant part in reducing violence.
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You understand young people. You understand what the lives of vulnerable young people can be like, and you understand some of the organisations that work with them, ideally through first-hand experience.
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You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
You must have this sort of experience
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Delivering positive change within children’s services: You have significant experience of working with sector leaders to support the development and improvement of practice.
While it’s not a criteria, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of violence affecting children and young people.
It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.
All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Hybrid Working
The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.
To Apply
Please click on the "Apply for this" button and submit your CV, your completed monitoring form and ensure your covering letter answers the following three questions below. Please submit your application by Monday 1st June 2026 at 12pm.
Application Questions
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How have you used evidence to deliver effective change and improve outcomes? How did you gather and use the evidence and influence senior leaders to act differently?
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Describe your experience and understanding of working in or with the children’s services sector, in particular working with senior sector leaders. Please be specific about the context and impact you made.
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What personal and professional experiences shape your understanding of the children’s services sector and its role in preventing youth violence?
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 the interview stage.
Interview Process
This will be a two-stage interview process. Interviews will take place the week of 15th June 2025.
Please Note: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Benefits Include
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£1,000 professional development budget annually
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25 days annual leave, 3 days end of year shut down, plus Bank Holidays
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Four half days for volunteering activities
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Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support
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Volunteering days - 4 half days per year
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Death in service - 4 times annual salary
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Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm
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Financial support including travel and hardship loans
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Employer contributed pension of 5%.
Your 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.
We exist to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Senior Partnerships Manager is responsible for developing, securing and stewarding our partnerships, with a particular focus on the corporate and higher education spaces. Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the postholder will lead on relationship‑driven partnership development and account management, ensuring partners experience a professional, values‑aligned and impactful relationship with Brightside.
The postholder will steward these partnerships from initial engagement through to renewal, working closely with the Partnerships Lead to support renewals and identify opportunities for deeper partner engagement. The role will involve researching potential partnerships, securing meetings through outreach and networking, generating proposals, and delivering high‑quality ongoing stewardship to partners. In addition to corporate and higher education partners, the postholder will also steward relationships across government and the third sector.
Please note - this role will require extensive travel to London for partnership meetings, events and networking. Our ideal candidate would therefore be based in London or within commuting distance.
Please review the job description attachment at the end of the advert for full roles and responsibilities, application instructions, the essential criteria and further information on salary and benefits.
Responsible for
Pipeline development
- Researching potential prospects across the corporate and higher education sectors, including analysis of corporate ESG strategies and university access and participation plans
- Maintaining and enhancing our prospects database on our CRM
- Building and nurturing relationships with prospective partners
- Delivering pitch presentations to prospective partners
- Regular attendance at in-person prospect meetings or networking events to build strong relationships that develop into new partnerships
- Generating proposals that align partner priorities to Brightside’s aims
- Maintaining regular contact with prospects to stay on their radar and keep them up to date with Brightside activity
- Attending regular networking events and relevant contacts to build contacts across sectors
Partnership management and stewardship
- Acting as the consistent relationship manager across the partnership lifecycle
- Stewarding partnerships beyond programme activity, maintaining relationships that reflect partners’ wider goals, values and organisational priorities
- Holding regular partnership check-ins focused on relationship health, strategic alignment and future opportunities
- Ensuring partners feel informed, valued and connected to Brightside’s broader mission and impact
- Working closely with the partnerships delivery team to stay up to date on delivery progress and partner milestones
- Identifying opportunities to deepen or broaden relationships, including multi-year partnerships or expanded engagement
- Delivering a consistent, high-quality partnership experience that strengthens long-term retention
- Attending partner events and conferences where relevant, becoming embedded within their communities
- Working with the Partnerships Lead to prepare for and initiate renewals conversations, including renewals proposals and monitoring
Application instructions
- Submit your CV and one-page cover letter via CharityJob
- Your cover letter should be no more than 1-2 pages and must explain how you meet the essential criteria (listed in the job description) for the role with clear examples, specifically the items tested at application
- You must answer the screening questions
- Applications without a cover letter or screening questions answered will not be considered
- Applications due: 23:30, Wednesday 27 May 2026
- First interviews (online): 4/5 June 2026
- Second interviews (in person, London): 11/12 June 2026
Our mission is to help young people make confident and informed decisions about their future

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Senior Fundraising Manager is responsible for delivering Brightside’s fundraising activity with a core focus on grants from trusts and foundations, and major donors. Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the postholder will forge new relationships with major donors and manage our grant applications to support Brightside to achieve its fundraising targets. The postholder will deliver high quality stewardship across our major donor relationships and act as the key point of contact for all grant activity, working closely with the delivery teams to support funder relationship management and reporting.
The postholder will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to develop clear cases for support for potential funding projects, as well as managing our approach to individual giving and increasing regular donations. The role will involve working closely with the CEO and the trustees, who will provide warm introductions to their networks of potential major donors and support in their stewardship.
Please review the job description attachment at the end of the advert for full roles and responsibilities, application instructions, the essential criteria and further information on salary and benefits.
Responsible for:
Trusts and foundations:
- Identify and research trusts and foundations that would support our organisational priorities and funding needs
- Develop high quality, compelling grant applications and cases for support
- Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of funding opportunities
- Lead funder relationship management and deliver high-quality stewardship
- Lead on grant reporting, including monitoring, accountability and opportunities for reapplication
- Working closely with technology and delivery teams to build evidence-based cases for support for key projects
- Ensure clear and effective handover of successful grants to delivery teams, including reporting requirements and timelines
- Attending external events and meetings to support our fundraising strategy and learning
Major donors:
- Identify and research potential major donors whose interests and capacity align with our mission
- Cultivate new donor relationships through targeted outreach, contact mapping, networking and events
- Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of potential major donors
- Develop tailored engagement and stewardship plans approaches for each donor
- Create meaningful opportunities for donors to share insight, experience or sector knowledge and ensure this expertise is valued and acknowledged
- Lead major gift conversations and negotiations, including face-to-face meetings
- Provide high quality, personalised stewardship to major donors
- Identify opportunities to grow or repeat giving through deeper donor engagement
- Deliver exceptional stewardship to major donors
Individual giving
- Maintaining regular contact with donors and potential donors (including our volunteers and alumni) to generate donations
- Maintaining and monitoring our individual giving platforms
- Ensure all donations and supporter interactions are accurately recorded and that donors receive timely acknowledgements
Application instructions
- Submit your CV and one-page cover letter via CharityJob
- Your cover letter should be no more than 1-2 pages and must explain how you meet the essential criteria for the role, with a focus on the items tested in application and clear examples (see job description for the essential criteria)
- You must answer the screening question on the application page
- Applications without a cover letter or screening question will not be considered
- Applications due: 23:30 Wednesday 27 May
- First round interviews (online): 4/5 June 2026
- Final interviews (online or in person) 10/11 June 2026
Our mission is to help young people make confident and informed decisions about their future

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Magic Bus is seeking a Global Senior Finance Manager to lead financial management
across each of its Magic Bus Global, UK and Singapore entities (“three Magic Bus
entities”). This is a senior, high-impact role, critical to supporting the organisation’s next
phase of growth and strengthening its global finance function.
Based in the UK and reporting to the Magic Bus UK Board and Executive Director (with
alignment to Magic Bus Global and Singapore leadership), the role operates within an
international development NGO environment. It combines hands-on financial
management with strategic oversight, ensuring strong governance, compliance, and
financial insight across multiple geographies.
The postholder will oversee end-to-end finance operations, manage outsourced
providers (audit, payroll) and play a key role in driving financial sustainability and
performance. In addition, and when the opportunity arises, the postholder will support
the fundraising initiatives of Magic Bus UK and any other Magic Bus entities as
appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership:
- Lead financial management across each of Magic Bus’s Global, UK and
Singapore entities, ensuring consistency, transparency and strong internal
controls.
- Act as the primary finance lead to the Magic Bus UK Board and Executive
Director.
- Strengthen financial policies and processes across all three Magic Bus entities.
- Ensure compliance with UK charity regulations and Companies Act 2006 (as
appropriate) and all relevant international requirements.
- Oversee relationships with external providers (auditors, payroll, finance
partners).
- Maintain a robust financial control environment.
Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting:
- Lead the annual budgeting process across three Magic Bus entities,
incorporating input from country teams and the Boards.
- Develop high-quality financial forecasts, scenario modelling, and long-term
financial planning.
- Provide clear insight into financial sustainability, funding gaps, and reserves
strategy.
- Monitor performance against budget and support timely corrective actions, as
required.
Management Reporting and Performance:
- Oversee the production of accurate and timely monthly management accounts
across all three Magic Bus entities.
- Deliver clear variance analysis and actionable insights to support decision-
making.
- Standardise and improve reporting processes across geographies.
- Present financial performance to the Board and senior stakeholders.
Financial Accounting:
- Ensure robust month-end and year-end close processes across entities.
- Maintain oversight of key accounting areas.
- Lead the annual audit process and statutory reporting requirements.
- Oversee submissions to the Charity Commission, Companies House, and
relevant international bodies.
- Support fundraising and operations with donor requirements, including
restricted funding and grant reporting.
Cash Flow, Treasury and Risk Management:
- Oversee cash flow across entities, ensuring adequate liquidity at all times.
- Monitor and optimise reserves in line with organisational policies.
- Oversee payment processes and financial controls.
- Identify financial and operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Strategic Finance and Business Partnering:
- Act as a strategic finance partner to country leads and global leadership.
- Provide financial insight to support growth, expansion and funding strategies.
- Strengthen financial literacy and capability across non-finance teams.
- Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes and data quality.
Candidate Profile
Qualifications and Experience:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA).
- Significant experience in a senior finance role, with end-to-end ownership of
finance operations.
- Strong experience in international development, NGO or grant-funded
environments.
- Experience working across multiple countries and/or legal entities.
- Experience reporting to Boards and senior leadership.
- Proven experience managing audits and external stakeholders.
Technical Skills:
- Strong financial accounting, controls, and compliance expertise.
- Experience with multi-entity consolidation and reporting.
- Advanced budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling skills.
Strong understanding of:
- Restricted funding and donor compliance.
- Grant reporting and funder requirements.
- Cash flow and reserves management.
- Experience with finance systems (e.g. Xero) and advanced Excel and Power
Point.
Leadership and Personal Attributes:
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance audiences.
- High level of integrity, accountability and sound judgement.
- Comfortable operating in a complex, evolving, international environment.
- Proactive, collaborative and solutions-oriented.
- Strong attention to detail with a strategic mindset.
Desirable:
- Experience managing outsourced finance functions or shared service models.
- Strong knowledge of UK charity compliance and governance.
- Exposure to US, Singapore, or other international reporting environments.
- Experience in scaling organisations or strengthening finance functions.
- Passion for international development and social impact.
Why Join Magic Bus UK
This is a unique opportunity to join our organisation at a pivotal moment of growth,
where you can shape strategy and contribute directly to life-changing impact for young
people in India.
We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment. Our
offer includes:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (33 days total), pro-rated for part-time
staff.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Private health insurance.
- Employer pension contribution.
- Training and professional development opportunities.
- Death in service benefit.
- A collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Magic Bus UK and other entities are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and
equitable organisation where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute
fully. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including all gender
identities, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, nationalities, and religious beliefs (or
none). We particularly encourage applications from individuals and communities that
are underrepresented in the charity sector. We recognise that talent and potential are
not always reflected in traditional career paths. If you feel you meet most of the criteria
but not every requirement, we would still strongly encourage you to apply. We are
committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you require
any adjustments at any stage, please let us know; we will be happy to support you. At
Magic Bus UK, we believe that diversity of perspectives strengthens our work and helps
us better serve the young people and communities we support.
Working with India's most marginalised children and young people to build brighter futures on the journey from Childhood to Livelihood.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
What does it take to lead the national voice for special schools at a time of real change?
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
National – home-based, with regular travel across England and Wales, particularly London
£90,000–£110,000 per annum
Full-time, permanent.
About NASS
The National Association of Special Schools (NASS) is the membership association for special schools in England and Wales. We bring together independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, special academies, maintained special schools and multi-academy trusts with specialist provision.
We exist to inform, support and represent our members, helping specialist schools improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and secure the place of specialist provision within the wider education system. NASS is known for being accessible, responsive and personal, combining national influence with practical support that members value as timely, human and trustworthy.
This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. In February this year, the Department for Education published a major white paper on SEND reform which will require NASS to both influence national policy on behalf of our members and children and young people, as well as support them to navigate the changes. Our new CEO will need to review our strategy while building on our strong platform and momentum to further deepen our influence and strengthen our internal capacity.
As our next Chief Executive, you will:
- Strategy & Impact: Lead NASS through a period of policy and structural change, ensuring the organisation remains clear on purpose, responsive to members and influential in the SEND landscape.
- Governance & Finance: Work closely with the Board of Trustees to provide strong governance, prudent financial stewardship, robust risk management and clear strategic oversight.
- Operational Leadership: Provide confident leadership to a small, remote team, strengthening collaboration, accountability, resilience and a positive, high-trust culture.
- Income Generation: Oversee budgeting, planning and reporting while developing thoughtful opportunities to diversify income through membership, partnerships, events and related activity.
- Community & Partnerships: Build and sustain trusted relationships with government, parliament, regulators, sector bodies and member schools, ensuring NASS remains relevant and well connected.
- Member Services: Protect and enhance the practical offer to members, from briefings and special interest groups to conferences, webinars, training and peer-to-peer learning.
- Brand & Profile: Act as a credible public ambassador for NASS, helping to modernise communications and broaden the organisation’s voice beyond a founder-shaped model.
- Future Growth: Shape a distributed leadership profile and support a more varied, accessible and engaging approach to membership, advocacy and communications.
- A seasoned senior leader with experience in a charity, membership body, education or public sector setting, and a clear track record of leading through change.
- A strong strategic thinker, able to absorb complex information quickly and translate it into clear, practical direction.
- A confident communicator with the gravitas to represent NASS with members, staff, trustees, MPs, peers, media and national partners.
- A politically astute relationship-builder, comfortable navigating a complex and fast-moving external environment.
- Experienced in governance, with a sound understanding of working with boards or trustees and supporting effective decision-making.
- Numerate and commercially minded, with experience of budgets, financial planning, income generation or partnership development.
- Credible, approachable and resilient, with the emotional intelligence to lead well in a high-profile, remote and sometimes uncertain context.
- Direct SEND experience would be a significant advantage, alongside understanding of specialist education or similarly complex stakeholder environments.
Why NASS?
- This is a chance to lead a respected, member-led organisation with a strong national reputation and a clear public purpose.
- You will help shape the future of specialist education at a time when SEND reform is high on the agenda.
- NASS has a loyal, experienced and collegiate remote staff team, supported by an active Board of Trustees.
- The organisation offers a genuinely influential platform, with strong connections across the sector and with government.
Application
For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 8th June 2026
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us
The Maypole Project supports children and young people with complex medical needs and their families, providing emotional, practical and social support. We are a small, values-driven charity making a meaningful and lasting difference to the families we work with.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Business Development & Fundraising Manager to play a central role in strengthening and growing our income.
This is an opportunity to lead the development of a strategic and sustainable approach to fundraising, while continuing to deliver hands-on income across a diverse portfolio.
You will work closely with the CEO and colleagues across the organisation to identify new opportunities, develop partnerships, and build on existing income streams.
The role would suit someone who enjoys working in a small organisation where you can shape direction, take ownership, and see the direct impact of your work.
What you’ll be doing
· Lead the development and delivery of a multi-year fundraising and income strategy
· Grow and diversify income across corporate partnerships, community fundraising, events, individual giving and digital activity
· Identify, develop and secure new funding opportunities, including partnerships and collaborative projects
· Build and manage strong relationships with funders, partners and supporters
· Work with the CEO to explore and develop cross-sector opportunities (e.g. NHS, local authorities, voluntary sector partners)
· Line manage a part-time Fundraising Officer and support volunteers to maximise impact
· Strengthen systems, pipeline management and performance monitoring to support sustainable income growth
About you
We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery in a small charity environment.
You will bring:
· Experience of securing meaningful income and developing funding opportunities (e.g. five-figure grants or partnerships)
· A track record of building effective external relationships
· Confidence identifying new opportunities and turning them into tangible outcomes
· Strong communication skills, with the ability to create compelling cases for support
· The ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and collaboratively
· You may already be working at manager level, or ready to step up into a broader role with greater ownership and scope.
Why join us?
Play a key role in shaping the charity’s future sustainability and growth
Work closely with senior leadership and influence organisational direction
Be part of a supportive, collaborative and purpose-driven team
See the direct impact of your work on children and families
Flexible working arrangements
If you are looking for a role where you can take ownership, develop new ideas and make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete our application form.
We support children and young people with complex medical needs and their families.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Operations and Development Manager is a senior leadership role at AALT, responsible for ensuring the organisation’s operational effectiveness, financial stability, and long-term sustainability.
They will join at a pivotal and exciting moment for the organisation, as AALT prepares to open the Anti-Apartheid Legacy Centre (AALC) at Penton Street and transition into a newly restored and developed building, establishing operations and embedding a resilient and ambitious model for the future.
Working in close collaboration with the Director, the postholder will have strategic oversight of finance, HR, governance, fundraising, and day-to-day operations, while also taking direct responsibility for delivering key operational, financial, and income-generating activity.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and active delivery. The postholder will lead on financial and operational management, co-develop and drive fundraising activity, and ensure that the organisation’s systems, processes, and resources are robust, effective, and fit for purpose.
The role will also take responsibility for venue management during the early stages of the AALC opening, before transitioning to line management of dedicated venue staff as the organisation grows.
We preserve and engage audiences with anti-apartheid heritage to inspire action and solidarity. Opening Europe’s first museum in 2026 at Penton Street
Hybrid Role - operating across the East of England (Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire).
We are seeking an experienced and values driven business development manager to lead and drive our income generation and partnership development activity.
Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the senior management team, you will lead a team of development officers and manage external bid writing consultants to identify, develop and secure funding and growth opportunities that are rooted in strong partnerships and responsive to community need.
This is a strategic and outward facing role, requiring excellent relationship building skills, an understanding of place-based working, and the ability to bring partners together around shared outcomes for communities across the East of England.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic Business Development & Partnerships
- Income Generation
- Resource Management
- Quality Assurance
Wider responsibilities
- Play an active role as a member of the trust’s senior management team.
- Contribute to annual business planning and the overall leadership and management of the trust.
- Ensure compliance with trust policies, statutory requirements and health and safety obligations.
- Act as a positive ambassador for groundwork east, promoting our partnership led and community focused approach.
- Work collaboratively with other Groundwork trusts and Groundwork UK to develop shared learning and joint opportunities.
Groundwork East is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Groundwork takes practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
£51,250 to £60,250 per year
Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office
It’s an incredibly exciting time within partnerships at Prostate Cancer UK. In line with the charity’s ambitious 10-year fundraising strategy, partnerships are a core component in raising vital funds and awareness to help men navigate the UK’s most common cancer. With nationally recognised, award-winning partnerships as our platform, matched with a record-high brand sentiment rating, a highly prominent cause and a marketplace looking for long-term strategic partnerships, we are building the team infrastructure to maximise our strong position through the launch of two developed functions – Account Development and Business Development.
What the job involves
You’ll lead our business development strategy for corporate partnerships, focusing on securing high-value, purpose-driven relationships with long-term potential (typically 6–8 figure), and building a robust pipeline to deliver sustainable income growth.
- Own and deliver the business development plan, targeting major prospects and flagship partnerships with transformational potential.
- Identify, prioritise and cultivate opportunities across key sectors (including sport and health), shifting activity from short-term, transactional asks to insight-led, multi-year partnerships.
- Shape and test compelling funding propositions, working with internal experts (including Communications, Black Health Equity, Research, Health Services, and Equity & Improvement) to build integrated partnership offers.
- Lead proposal development end-to-end: briefing colleagues, coordinating inputs, writing and reviewing pitches, and ensuring submissions are high quality, compelling and on time.
- Take overall accountability for the business development pipeline: keeping it strategically aligned, properly valued, actively progressed and accurately forecast.
- Improve performance through better pipeline discipline: growing value and volume at each stage, increasing conversion, and reducing lead times from opportunity identification to proposal submission.
- Line manage and develop a team of three experienced Business Development Managers (including sector/specialist roles), setting clear objectives and coaching for confident, high-performance delivery.
- Lead and support negotiations with senior stakeholders, ensuring new partnerships protect and enhance our brand, values and reputation.
- Work closely with partnership colleagues to transition newly secured partners into account development so relationships are onboarded smoothly and set up to scale.
What we want from you
You’re a strategic, commercially minded new business leader who can spot and shape big opportunities, influence at senior levels, and convert complex partnership conversations into high-value, multi-year income.
- Significant experience securing new, high-value corporate partnerships (typically 6–8 figure) in a commercial organisation, charity and/or agency environment.
- A strong track record of delivering income through new business acquisition, with credible examples of taking prospects from first contact through to signed agreement.
- Confidence developing high-value propositions and partnership packages that work for both the organisation and the partner.
- Excellent pipeline management skills, with experience improving conversion rates, forecasting and proposal turnaround times.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills, comfortable engaging senior stakeholders and navigating complex internal decision-making.
- Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to coach, set clear expectations and build a high-performing specialist team.
- A values-led approach and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, with the judgement to ensure partnerships align with and strengthen our brand.
- Desirable: experience in sport, health, brand-led or ESG-focused partnerships, and/or developing transformational 7–8 figure partnerships.
Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.
Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.
Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.
We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.
How and where we work
Colleagues attend the office at least four days per month (pro rata for part-time colleagues) to collaborate, build relationships, and support projects and decision-making. You can choose where to work the rest of the time. Travel to the office is a commute, so we pay our own travel costs.
Additional in-person attendance will be required during your first few months for induction and training, to support you to learn the role and get to know colleagues.
We trust colleagues to work flexibly while balancing personal commitments with the needs of the charity, and we are committed to making reasonable adjustments for colleagues with a disability, neurodiversity, or a long-term physical or mental health condition.
How to Apply
Visit our Prostate Cancer UK Careers page to learn more about this role and the benefits we offer. On the vacancy advert, you’ll find everything you need to know about the role, how to apply, and what to include in your application.
You can also download a copy of the job description and access the link to our careers portal to submit your application by visiting the website via the apply button.
The closing date is Wednesday 13 May 2026. Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.
Interviews: First stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week of 1 June 2026 and will be. held online. Second stage interviews will be held in person at our London Bridge office in the week commencing 8 June 2026.
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.
Job Title: Development Manager
Location: London
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Job Summary
The Development Manager will be a dynamic and experienced fundraiser with strong technical skills in grant and funding solicitation, management and stewardship across Crisis Action’s current donor targets including major foundations, governments, and High Net Wealth Individuals (HNWI). They will serve as the anchor of a newly configured fundraising team designed to support Crisis Action to nurture its existing donors and secure the next generation of support for its ground-breaking work.
This role is pivotal in ensuring excellence in our outreach, proposals, reporting and communication to drive resource mobilisation that is essential for the organisation’s financial sustainability at a time when our distinct model and way of working is needed more than ever.
Principal responsibilities
Donor engagement and communications
- Oversee and coordinate day-to-day engagement with current and prospective foundation, government and individual donors by members of the Crisis Action team
- Represent the organisation vis-à-vis donor representatives
- Support HNWI donor benefits structure and cultivation plans
- Prepare compelling and timely donor reports, donor updates, letters of receipt and other outreach materials in collaboration with finance and campaign teams.
Grant management and oversight
- Ensuring timely and skilled drafting, consultation and sign off of high-quality grant proposals
- Timely acknowledgement of all contributions and compliance with donor requirements
- Preparation of high-quality proposal budgets and financial reports for donors in compliance with grant specifications and deadlines, in close cooperation with the Finance Team
- Review all grant agreements and monitor/ensure the organization's adherence to its contractual commitments.
Strategic vision and guidance:
- Provide strategic support to the Chief Executive Officer on short- and long-term fundraising strategies and broader resource mobilisation initiatives to ensure our fundraising strategy and its implementation helps achieve organisational goals
- Set fundraising targets and produce periodic funding forecasts in consultation with members of the team.
Research and intelligence:
- Carry out donor research and provide strategic insights and donor related updates and background information to relevant colleagues.
- Monitor and ensure a solid pipeline of donor prospects
Team coordination and collaboration
- Ensure that there is a clear workplan that anticipates what has to happen when to guide team resource allocation and workload management
- Ensure effective and efficient processes of gathering and sharing information across the team to support timely donor engagement and stewardship with clear protocols on the cadence of team calls and written updates
- Support colleagues to adhere to agreed fundraising roles and responsibilities
Communications
- Ensuring effective and timely communications to donors, Crisis Action’s board and team
- In collaboration with the CEO, ensure timely and regular flow of information to the team on fundraising progress
- Timely production of high-quality fundraising updates for our Board
Data and Systems Management
- Sustain, manage and where possible further develop the relevant administrative infrastructure, including grant tracking and reporting systems, Salesforce contact database, events calendars, contact lists, donor profiles, website and annual report donor acknowledgement lists and meeting minutes
Job Specifications
Essential Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development within the non-profit or international advocacy sector
- A proven track record of engaging with foundations and government officials to secure and manage grants
- Demonstrated ability to forge new donor partnerships, and a track record of bringing in new revenue
- Strong understanding of government and foundation funding landscapes with at least some familiarity with differences between them and the stewardship of major gifts from individual giving
- Experience in drafting compelling fundraising proposals, reports and donor updates for a variety of donors – foundations, governments and individuals
- Strong all-round communication and storytelling skills
- Experience producing a range of communications materials for different audiences
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organisational goals into actionable fundraising plans
- Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and grant management tools
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and cultures with colleagues dispersed across the world
- Financial literacy and a proven ability to understand and construct budgets
- Collaborative and empathetic approach to team and donor engagement
- Enthusiasm, initiative and willingness to learn
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills, including a systematic approach to maintaining donor tracking systems
- Fluency in oral and written English
- Proficiency in Salesforce and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability/willingness to travel to staff retreats and for donor visits.
- Legal right to work in the UK
Desirable skills and experience
- Proficiency in additional languages
- Established donor networks
- Experience managing major gifts and cultivating individual donor relations
- Knowledge of conflict, human rights, or social justice issues
Key Relationships
- Senior Management Team, Development Team, Finance Team, Campaign Leads, Office Directors
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Salary & Benefits
Salary: We have set bands for the salary range for all positions at Crisis Action. The baseline of our salary range for this position is £40K per annum.
Benefits: 25 annual leave days (30 days after 3 years). Up to 6% contribution to pension. 3-month long service leave after 6 years and one-month sabbatical leave in year 10. CA additionally offers an annual inflationary increase, and 2% salary increase in year 2, 4 and 8 subject to availability of funds.
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Statement
Crisis Action values and nurtures an inclusive culture that sees the diversity of its board, staff, partners, and all we work with as a strength and source of innovation and creativity. We welcome applications from anyone no matter your background, gender identity and expression, nationality, language, ethnicity, colour, caste, race, sexual orientation, ability, religion or belief, age, marriage, civil partnership, or parental status. Equality among all is a driving force in our work and a feature of our recruitment. We strive to ensure that all employment decisions are made entirely on merit.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title – Senior Fundraising / Corporate Partnerships Manager
Reports to – Chief Executive
Location – London - Clapham / Hybrid working (minimum 40% of working time in the office)
About Us
For over 30 years, The Money Charity has been the UK’s Financial Capability charity. We proactively provide education, information, advice and guidance to people of all ages, helping them to manage their money well and increase their Financial Wellbeing.
We believe that being on top of your money as a part of everyday life reduces stress and hardship, helps you achieve your goals and live a happier life as a result, so we empower people from all backgrounds across the UK to build the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours to make the most of their money throughout their lives.
We also work to promote Financial Wellbeing in the UK by working with the financial services industry to improve practices and outcomes for their consumers, and influencing policy-makers, media, industry and public attitudes.
We are a small, passionate team with a big reach and an open mind, committed to quality accessibility and inclusiveness. We offer a flexible work environment that values creativity, personal growth and collaboration. For more information about us, please visit our website.
About The Role
We’re looking for a dynamic and relationship-driven Senior Fundraising / Corporate Partnerships Manager to lead on, develop, grow and relationship manage our portfolio of corporate partners through business development, and relationship management. You will also support the Senior Management Team with their existing corporate partners, and their relationships. This is a key role in strengthening our income generation, expanding our reach, and creating partnerships that support financial wellbeing across the UK.
You’ll lead on securing new partnerships and managing existing ones - from banks and building societies to insurers, fintechs and professional services. You’ll develop creative propositions, deliver exceptional account management, and drive income that supports our mission.
Closing Date – 11:30pm, Monday 25 May 2026
Interviews – 1st round early June (virtually)
Please visit our website for the full job description including the key responsibilities, person specification and application details. Note that we are currently recruiting for two Senior Manager roles, and further information on the other role can be found on our website as well.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
£51,250 to £60,250 per year
Permanent full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office
It’s an incredibly exciting time within partnerships at Prostate Cancer UK. In line with the charity’s ambitious 10-year fundraising strategy, partnerships are a core component in raising vital funds and awareness to help men navigate the UK’s most common cancer. With nationally recognised, award-winning partnerships as our platform, matched with a record-high brand sentiment rating, a highly prominent cause and a marketplace looking for long-term strategic partnerships, we are building the team infrastructure to maximise our strong position through the launch of two developed functions – Account Development and Business Development.
What the job involves
This is a senior role in our Partnerships team, heading up our newly formed Account Development function and playing a key part in transforming how we grow income from existing corporate partnerships.
You’ll take ownership of a portfolio of high‑value, complex partnerships, many of which are moving from lower‑value arrangements into higher impact, mutually beneficial multi‑year partnerships as part of our longer‑term growth strategy. This is not a “steady state” account management role – it’s about developing, expanding and unlocking untapped potential in relationships.
In practice, this means you’ll:
- Lead the delivery and growth of a portfolio of major corporate partnerships, ensuring campaigns are well‑executed and partnerships are delivering real value, income and impact.
- Drive partner extensions, expansions and upsell opportunities, turning successful partnerships into longer‑term, purpose‑driven collaborations.
- Shift relationships from transactional management to strategic account development, spotting opportunities, building networks and proactively shaping future activity.
- Work closely with senior stakeholders internally and externally, ensuring partner priorities align with Prostate Cancer UK’s mission, brand and strategic goals.
- Lead, support and develop a team of Account Development specialists, embedding a confident, insight‑led and high‑performance culture.
- Play an active role in shaping how we go to market, helping define what great account development looks like as we evolve our partnerships approach.
You’ll be joining at a time of significant ambition and change, with the opportunity to shape a function, influence strategy and help Prostate Cancer UK build fewer, bigger, higher impact partnerships.
What we want from you
We’re looking for someone who thrives in complex, high‑value partnerships and enjoys turning good relationships into outstanding, long‑term collaborations. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of commercial confidence, strategic thinking and strong people leadership.
You’re likely to be someone who:
- Has substantial experience developing and growing high‑value corporate or brand partnerships, including managing complex accounts and multi‑stakeholder relationships.
- Is confident moving partnerships from “managed” to “developed” – spotting opportunities, shaping propositions and driving financial growth.
- Brings strong commercial and strategic insight, potentially from a commercial, agency or charity background, and understands how purpose and brand can work powerfully together.
- Has experience leading and developing others, with a clear, supportive leadership & management style and the ability to set direction and raise performance.
- Is proactive, confident and solution‑focused, comfortable taking ownership and making decisions in a fast‑moving environment.
- Enjoys building trusted relationships, influencing at senior levels and representing the organisation with credibility and integrity.
- Is motivated by impact as much as income and wants to contribute to a charity with bold ambitions and a clear social purpose.
This role will suit someone who likes stretch, autonomy and responsibility, and who wants to help shape how a major charity works with its most important partners.
Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.
Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.
Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.
We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.
How and where we work
Colleagues attend the office at least four days per month (pro rata for part-time colleagues) to collaborate, build relationships, and support projects and decision-making. You can choose where to work the rest of the time. Travel to the office is a commute, so we pay our own travel costs.
Additional in-person attendance will be required during your first few months for induction and training, to support you to learn the role and get to know colleagues.
We trust colleagues to work flexibly while balancing personal commitments with the needs of the charity, and we are committed to making reasonable adjustments for colleagues with a disability, neurodiversity, or a long-term physical or mental health condition.
How to Apply
Visit our Prostate Cancer UK Careers page to learn more about this role and the benefits we offer. On the vacancy advert, you’ll find everything you need to know about the role, how to apply, and what to include in your application.
You can also download a copy of the job description and access the link to our careers portal to submit your application by visiting our website via the apply button.
The closing date is Wednesday 13 May 2026. Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.
Interviews:
First stage interviews are currently scheduled for the week of 1 June 2026 and will be held online.
Second stage interviews will be held in person at our London Bridge office in the week commencing 8 June 2026.
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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We are seeking an exceptional leader to be our next chief executive, leading a respected and influential membership organisation at the heart of a thriving grassroots movement.
You’ll be working to build on the success we’ve seen and strong position and voice we have established for ourselves and our members, as a leading force for inclusive and sustainable transport and communities.
You’ll bring an impressive track record in values-based leadership, a proven ability to engage and inspire grassroots change-makers, strategic partners and policy-makers, and a deep belief in the importance of community-led change towards a sustainable, equitable future.
About us
Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation, which is in the process of applying for charitable status, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.
Community rail is made up of 77 community-based organisations, and around 1,300 station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.
Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in dispersed locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.
About this role, and your main responsibilities
Our current CEO is moving on after nine years in role, leaving the organisation, team and wider movement in a strong and empowered position to deliver on the next phase of our development.
Your opportunity is to lead the organisation, and to deliver on our new five-year strategy setting an ambitious course for the future during a period of major transformation for our railways and the wider transport system. You will ensure that we are:
- clear in our identity and our independence, and seen as thought leaders in our field;
- are supporting our members and stakeholders to meet their changing and diverse needs; and
- ensuring the financial and operational resilience of the organisation in an environment that is undergoing a period of rapid change.
As CEO, you will lead a passionate and experienced senior leadership team with three direct reports, while working closely with and reporting into our Board, key partners and funders, and ensuing an engaging, empowering, tenacious approach across all we do.
Advocacy of community rail and its benefits will be high on your agenda, and you will be working closely across multiple stakeholders including UK and devolved national governments, regional and local authorities as well as forging collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations.
Maintaining our community-centric ethos, you will need to ensure we're effective in enabling members to unlock greater value from the railways at a grassroots level, while drawing on their insights to affect wider change. With hundreds of member groups and organisations across Britain delivering life-changing, place-enhancing work, you will have a solid foundation to build on, to take community rail forward and expand our impact in the years ahead.
Last, but not least, you will be responsible for ensuring the strong and effective governance of the organisation, modelling our governing principles, values and behaviours, and ensuring that we have robust financial and resource management in place.
Skills, competencies and qualities
- Exceptional leadership skills, including a proven ability to lead, develop and grow third sector organisations or multi-faceted teams delivering complex activities, projects and campaigns;
- Excellent communication and external leadership skills: articulate, assertive, with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
- Experienced in acting as the public face of an organisation, such as through the media, public speaking and high-level meetings, and using evidence and storytelling to articulate and champion a cause;
- Politically astute, with knowledge of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a sound grasp of the importance of public transport, sustainable travel, and community-led action;
- A proven ability to influence policy and decision-makers, and to identify influencing opportunities, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, including sharing community insights;
- A strong track record in income generation and development, building strong funder relationships and delivery partnerships, managing programme or organisational budgets and controlling expenditure;
- Experience of working with and/or reporting to a board, ideally in a not-for-profit and/or membership context;
- An empowering, engaging approach to leadership, management and change-making;
- Resilient, pragmatic and determined, with the ability to work under pressure, seize emergent opportunities, manage risk, and support others dealing with competing priorities.
Other information
The role will involve extensive travel within Britain as part of building your profile and that of the organisation with central and devolved government in Scotland and Wales, and increasingly with the devolved regions of England.
There is flexibility on location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or West Yorkshire) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London. It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably.
This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 7%; and access to Employee Assistance Programme.
Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.
Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.
Applications by Tuesday 12 May 2026 (23:30) with two attachments: your CV and a covering letter of up to two sides of A4 summarising why you are the ideal person for this job and relevant experience and competencies. Please include a daytime phone number and an email address and identify your notice period in your cover letter.
First interviews take place 21-22 May 2026 online. Second interviews will be in person, Monday 1 June 2026, in London. Candidates invited for interview will be contacted by phone about a week before. Due to limited resources, we are unable to provide feedback to other candidates.
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Championing the community rail movement | Connecting people and their railways | Creating inclusive, empowered, sustainable and healthy communities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.