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We are seeking an inspiring, dynamic leader to champion outdoor learning, drive national impact and sector growth as our first Chief Officer.
Location: Remote
Applications close: 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026
About AAOLEV
The Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (AAOLEV) is a new charity, formed from the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP). It is a respected organisation dedicated to promoting high-quality outdoor learning and ensuring safe, enriching educational visits for children and young people across England and Wales.
Through our network of experienced advisors, AAOLEV plays a pivotal role in supporting schools, local authorities and providers to plan and deliver meaningful learning beyond the classroom, with the potential to impact the education of around 10 million children and young people each year.
About the role
AAOLEV is now seeking to appoint its first-ever Chief Officer, an important milestone that reflects our ambition to strengthen our voice, broaden our influence and build the charity’s capacity for the future. This is a unique opportunity to shape a leadership role from the ground up and help define the next phase of the charity’s development.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic leader with strategic vision, strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to the value of outdoor learning. You will be a credible advocate, able to engage stakeholders, influence nationally and unite a diverse professional community behind a shared purpose.
Above all, you will bring energy, credibility and a clear sense of purpose, helping to position AAOLEV for long-term impact and success.
This role is fully remote, and we do not have a physical office.
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments for the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will be happy to support you.
Peridot Partners and AAOLEV are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026.
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Salary: £40,000 per annum
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer
Start Date: September 2026
About The Skill Mill
The Skill Mill is a social enterprise that provides employment opportunities for young people with criminal convictions. Through paid work in environmental projects, horticulture and grounds maintenance, we help young people develop skills, confidence and positive futures while creating benefits for local communities and the environment.
Our programmes bring together Supervisors, Youth Justice Services, employers, Pathways Advisors and local partners to support young people into sustainable education, training and employment.
The Role
This is an opportunity to help shape and strengthen the delivery of The Skill Mill across the South.
As Regional Operations Manager, you will ensure young people receive a high-quality and consistent experience throughout their time with The Skill Mill. Working closely with Supervisors, Youth Justice Services, Pathways Advisors and the Commercial Sales Manager, you will oversee day-to-day operations, support programme delivery and ensure projects run safely, effectively and to a high standard.
You will play a key role in creating the conditions for young people to succeed by supporting frontline teams, building strong partnerships and ensuring programmes deliver positive outcomes for the young people and communities we serve.
What You'll Do
Support High-Quality Programme Delivery By:
- Managing the day-to-day operation of The Skill Mill programmes across the South.
- Supporting Supervisors to deliver safe, effective and impactful work programmes.
- Monitoring programme activity and resolving operational challenges.
- Ensuring compliance with organisational policies, procedures and health and safety requirements.
- Maintaining high standards of delivery across all sites and projects.
Build Strong Partnerships By:
- Working closely with Youth Justice Services, Pathways Advisors and local partners.
- Supporting collaboration between operational teams and commercial projects.
- Acting as a key point of contact for stakeholders across the region.
- Representing The Skill Mill at partnership meetings and local events.
- Strengthening relationships that create opportunities for young people.
Monitor Performance and Impact By:
- Tracking programme delivery and performance against agreed targets.
- Monitoring progress towards social impact and employment outcomes.
- Preparing reports and updates for the Senior Management Team.
- Supporting the development of systems that measure quality, efficiency and impact.
- Using data and feedback to improve programme performance.
Support and Develop Teams By:
- Providing guidance, support and mentoring to Supervisors.
- Identifying training and development opportunities.
- Promoting a positive, collaborative and accountable culture.
- Supporting teams to deliver the best possible outcomes for young people.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who can bring people together, support high-quality delivery and help create opportunities for young people to thrive.
You'll have:
- Experience in operational, service or project management.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience coordinating multiple workstreams, teams or projects.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and working with vulnerable or disadvantaged young people.
- Strong IT and reporting skills.
- A commitment to The Skill Mill's mission and values.
Desirable:
- Experience in social enterprises, youth justice, employability or community-based services.
- Experience managing commercial contracts or operational delivery programmes.
- Understanding of outcomes-based commissioning.
- Health and Safety qualification or relevant practical experience.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to help shape services that improve outcomes for young people.
- A supportive and committed leadership team.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Training and professional development opportunities.
- The chance to contribute to a growing social enterprise with a proven track record of creating social and environmental impact.
Why Join The Skill Mill?
Every day, you'll help ensure young people have access to meaningful employment, skills development and progression opportunities. By supporting the teams that work directly with young people, you'll play an important role in helping them build brighter futures while creating positive change in local communities.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter setting out your experience, qualifications and how you meet the requirements of the person specification.
The Skill Mill is a multi-award-winning social enterprise which provides employment opportunities for young ex-offenders between sixteen and eighteen
Who we are
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders)
We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.
Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.
You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we looking for?
You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.
You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.
Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.
IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.
What we can offer you
- 5% employer pension contributions
- Healthcare cash plan
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).
To apply
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.
First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.