Contract:9 - 12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover)
Salary:£57,500 – £71,000 per annum
Plus £3,954 London Weighting Allowance if based from our London offices.
Location:Hybrid from our London offices, with occasional travel to Blue Cross sites as required. Remote working will also be considered.
Closing date:Sunday 13 July 2025
Interview dates: See below
We’re recruiting a strategic, innovative, and commercially minded Head of Veterinary Strategy to lead the design and delivery of sustainable veterinary service models. This pivotal maternity cover role will help shape the future of affordable veterinary care at Blue Cross.
More about the role
You’ll lead transformational projects across the veterinary directorate, collaborating with internal teams and external partners to expand the reach of our services. From scoping emerging technologies and business growth opportunities to developing flexible pricing models and influencing national strategy, you’ll play a critical part in achieving our ambition to be leaders in pragmatic and efficient veterinary services.
You’ll develop strategic partnerships and oversee the implementation of innovative digital solutions, ensuring our services are future-ready and accessible to more people and pets. As a key member of the Veterinary Leadership team and wider Blue Cross Leadership team, you'll also nurture a healthy, high-performing culture across the organisation.
This role offers a rare opportunity to contribute to a truly purpose-led organisation, working at the intersection of animal welfare, healthcare, and innovation.
This is a full-time position, working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, on a 9 to 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The role follows a hybrid working pattern, with a minimum of two days per week in the office and the remainder working from home. Some travel to other sites will be required. We are open to considering remote working arrangements.
About you
You’re a strategic thinker with experience of leading large-scale service development in a veterinary or healthcare setting. You're confident working at pace and with autonomy, turning insight into action and engaging stakeholders at all levels to bring your vision to life.
You’re commercially astute, data-led and always thinking one step ahead – driven by a passion for improving access to veterinary care and a deep belief in our mission. With proven leadership experience, you know how to build high-performing teams and implement change across complex structures while staying grounded in compassion, courage, and inclusivity – our Blue Cross values.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Extensive leadership experience across diverse, multidisciplinary teams
- Deep understanding of large-scale service delivery in a veterinary or healthcare setting
- Experience of successfully designing and delivering strategic plans
- Experience of leading change initiatives at scale across complex organisational structures or services
- Experience of providing high level stakeholder management leading to growth through new business development opportunities
- Experience of working as part of a senior leadership or strategy team
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with experience at presenting to boards, public and professional audiences
- Experience of implementing new technologies or digital developments in service delivery settings
- Experience with financial modelling and pricing strategies
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Qualification in business or strategy management
- Certified in programme and/or project management methodology (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, APMG)
- Experience in the social sector
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 13 July 2025. The interview process will consist of two stages. The first stage will be a competency-based interview held via MS Teams, scheduled between 23 and 25 July 2025. The second stage will take place in person in London on 31 July or 1 August 2025 and will include a presentation task.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Finance Business Partner - Inclusive Communities & Partnerships
We are looking for a talented and motivated Finance Business Partner to support the Inclusive Communities & Partnerships (ICP) directorate for a national charity.
The ICP directorate plays a vital role in delivering frontline services and building strong, community-based support networks for people with a learning disability. This diverse portfolio includes Retail, the Training Academy, Network Partners, Belfast Children's Centre, Information and Advice services in Wales and key programmes and projects across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are looking for a Finance Business Partner who can support with the day-to-day management of budgets funded via multiple, and sometimes complex income streams, in rapidly changing environments as well as someone who can support us to grow in key areas.
Over the next 5 years ICP have big ambitions to significantly extend the reach for children and young people, families, supported employment services, community programmes and retail stores so the charity can reach more people and have greater impact in more communities.
There is flexibility around where the role is based. There are large offices in London and Peterborough and smaller offices located throughout the UK and you may need occasional travel to for meetings. However, this role will primarily be working remotely.
Key Responsibilities
You will work closely with the Finance Lead and a range of operational and senior stakeholders to:
· Deliver high-quality financial insight and support across the ICP portfolio
· Prepare accurate, timely and meaningful management reporting for budget holders
· Support the month-end process, including reviews, reconciliations, and posting journals
· Facilitate and lead financial review meetings with key stakeholders
· Support financial planning and forecasting, ensuring robust and credible business plans
· Partner with teams to model new initiatives, assess risks and evaluate financial performance
· Champion improvements in financial understanding and accountability across ICP
· Identify and help implement process improvements in financial management
What You Will Bring:
· A confident communicator, able to build relationships and influence across finance and non-finance teams
· Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
· Proactive and self-motivated, with a desire to make a real impact
· Committed to improving the lives of people with a learning disability
Your Experience:
Essential:
· Experience in a finance team, providing management accounting, budgeting and/or forecasting support
· Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment delivering timely, accurate financial insight
· Strong Excel skills
· Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
Highly Desirable:
· Experience in a Finance Business Partnering or Financial Planning role, ideally in retail or programme delivery
· Proven ability to identify and implement process improvements in financial management. Power BI experience.
· Part-qualified (or qualified by experience) accountant, ideally working towards ACMA, CIMA, ACCA, or ACA
The scope for this role is vast and we are looking for an ambitious and driven individual to join the team!
If you have the relevant skills and experiences we are looking for and this opportunity sounds like the perfect role for you, please apply with your up-to-date CV. Interviews are due to be held in w/c 21st July after the close date via Microsoft Teams.
Benefits
Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.
Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!
About Mencap
The charity offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.
The benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
About the organisation
The charity’s vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
They're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. Fighting for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.
Everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.
Belonging is for everyone, every day, everywhere.
· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make it an inclusive organisation.
· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
There are Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.
The charity wants to encourage everyone to apply and offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. They’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. They will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
Finance Business Partner - Inclusive Communities & Partnerships
We are looking for a talented and motivated Finance Business Partner to support Mencap’s Inclusive Communities & Partnerships (ICP) directorate.
The ICP directorate plays a vital role in delivering frontline services and building strong, community-based support networks for people with a learning disability. This diverse portfolio includes Retail, the Mencap Training Academy, Network Partners, Belfast Children's Centre, Information and Advice services in Wales and key programmes and projects across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are looking for a Finance Business Partner who can support with the day-to-day management of budgets funded via multiple, and sometimes complex income streams, in rapidly changing environments as well as someone who can support us to grow in key areas.
Over the next 5 years ICP have big ambitions to significantly extend our reach for children and young people, families, supported employment services, community programmes and retail stores so we can reach more people and have greater impact in more communities.
There is flexibility around where the role is based. We have large offices in London and Peterborough and smaller offices located throughout the UK and you may need occasional travel to for meetings. However, this role will primarily be working remotely.
Key Responsibilities
You will work closely with the Finance Lead and a range of operational and senior stakeholders to:
· Deliver high-quality financial insight and support across the ICP portfolio
· Prepare accurate, timely and meaningful management reporting for budget holders
· Support the month-end process, including reviews, reconciliations, and posting journals
· Facilitate and lead financial review meetings with key stakeholders
· Support financial planning and forecasting, ensuring robust and credible business plans
· Partner with teams to model new initiatives, assess risks and evaluate financial performance
· Champion improvements in financial understanding and accountability across ICP
· Identify and help implement process improvements in financial management
What You Will Bring:
· A confident communicator, able to build relationships and influence across finance and non-finance teams
· Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
· Proactive and self-motivated, with a desire to make a real impact
· Committed to improving the lives of people with a learning disability
Your Experience:
Essential:
· Experience in a finance team, providing management accounting, budgeting and/or forecasting support
· Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment delivering timely, accurate financial insight
· Strong Excel skills
· Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
Highly Desirable:
· Experience in a Finance Business Partnering or Financial Planning role, ideally in retail or programme delivery
· Proven ability to identify and implement process improvements in financial management. Power BI experience.
· Part-qualified (or qualified by experience) accountant, ideally working towards ACMA, CIMA, ACCA, or ACA
The scope for this role is vast and we are looking for an ambitious and driven individual to join us at an exciting time for Mencap!
If you have the relevant skills and experiences we are looking for and this opportunity sounds like the perfect role for you, please apply with your up-to-date CV. Interviews are due to be held in w/c 21st July after the close date via Microsoft Teams.
Benefits
Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.
Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!
About Mencap
Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.
At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.
Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.
· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.
We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)
Location: Workplace Offer; Hybrid Working
The position is offered on a 0.6 FTE basis (21.75 hours per week). This role will be home-based but will require travel to Edinburgh and/or other parts of Scotland for in-person meetings as required.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in children's lives through impactful policy and public affairs engagement? Are eager to develop your skills working with Scottish Government, MSPs, and other key decision-makers in Scotland? If so, we want to hear from you.
Barnardo's is looking for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) to help shape our influencing in Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to build on their existing knowledge and experience with policy influencers in Scotland while playing a pivotal role in creating positive, lasting change for children, young people, and families.
In this role, you'll work closely with our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Scotland) to implement our influencing plan. You'll help raise Barnardo's Scotland's profile among key stakeholders and policy influencers. You'll be involved in:
- Monitoring key developments within the Scottish policy landscape
- Managing relationships and liaising with stakeholders at all levels
- Conducting research and producing reports to support our policy objectives
- Supporting reactive policy work to respond to emerging issues
- Organising events to showcase Barnardo's vital work and engage decision-makers
Your efforts will ensure that the voices of children, young people, families, and our services are central to our influencing activities in Scotland.
When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.
Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Pay & Reward Framework
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.
For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.