Senior head of operations jobs

Senior Trusts Officer

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At Sense, we believe everyone should be able to take part in life—no matter their disability. Every day, we work alongside people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities so they can communicate, connect and thrive.

We’re now looking for a Senior Trusts Officer to join our ambitious and friendly High Value Relationships team in London on a six months fixed term contract covering maternity. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and relationship-driven fundraiser to play a key role in growing income from charitable trusts and foundations, making a direct difference to people’s lives across the UK and internationally.

About the Role

As Senior Trusts Officer, you’ll lead on securing and developing trust and foundation partnership, building a sustainable income stream that fuels Sense’s life-changing work.

You’ll manage your own portfolio of funders, both warm and new, developing strong, long-term relationships and writing compelling, bespoke proposals and reports. Working towards an income target of £250,000 and above, you’ll help shape and deliver our trust fundraising strategy.

This role offers real variety: researching new opportunities, meeting with funders, crafting persuasive cases for support, and collaborating with inspiring colleagues across Sense’s projects and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the Trusts Manager and Head of High Value to develop and implement a strategy and Annual Plans for the Trusts Team to maximise income
• Contribute to the pipeline of Trust funding opportunities through upkeep of and additions to existing systems
• Research, approach and establish relationships with prospective funders with the view of achieving long term relationships
• Establish and develop positive strategic relationships with key people in the funding organisations
• Develop strong and effective relationships with other members of the team and colleagues in Sense operations.

Please review the full job description attached for further details about the role responsibilities and person specification. 

What we're looking for

You’ll be someone who combines strategic thinking with creativity and care. With at least two years’ experience in trust and foundation fundraising and a track record of meeting or exceeding income targets, you’ll be confident managing relationships and writing outstanding funding proposals.

You’ll bring:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience cultivating and stewarding trust relationships
• Strong organisational and research abilities
• A proactive, collaborative attitude and the confidence to work independently

Experience using CRM systems (ideally Dynamics) and a genuine passion for Sense’s mission will help you thrive in this role.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we will be screening candidates as we receive applications and reserve the right to close posts at any time.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

The Role:

Reporting to the CEO, you’ll work with the Board and Executive team at a point where the organisation is becoming more deliberate, more confident, and more ambitious.

​We want governance to be useful, visible, and part of how we actually run.

​You will help design, shape and deliver our governance framework making sure decisions are properly formed, well-evidenced, and taken with a clear understanding of risk and accountability. You’ll be as comfortable thinking about the system as you are making it work in practice.

Please refer to our role brief for more information:2026 - Head of Governance.pdf

​

About You

​You’re someone who:

• Brings clarity where things are a bit loose or muddled
• Sees how things connect governance, risk, data, decisions
• Can turn ambiguity into something structured and workable
• Writes clearly enough that people rely on what you produce
• Is comfortable around senior people and not easily knocked off course

You might come from governance, risk, programme, operations or somewhere less obvious.

​Working pattern:​

You can work from home, or from our head office in Plymouth, or flex between the two. You will have occasional travel to Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall and will be required to attend Board and Committee Meetings in person.

We will provide you with:

• Quality training and development opportunities to maintain and enhance your skills and knowledge
• Free 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Big financial rewards through our Refer a Friend Scheme
• Vouchers at Christmas, your work anniversary, and your birthday
• Paid DBS
• …and more!

Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31/03/2030

Interviews: Tuesday 19th of May (online), Assessment centre in our Birmingham office - Wednesday 27th of May

As Head of Delivery for the West Midlands, you will lead and inspire teams across a richly diverse region, turning ambitious strategies into high-quality, life‑changing outcomes. Working across varied communities and geographies, you will shape and deliver complex delivery plans that respond to local need while aligning with national priorities.

You will combine strong data insight with deep listening, analysing demographic information, understanding regional cultural contexts, and partnering closely with local teams to design delivery that truly resonates. Your creativity and strategic thinking will ensure services are impactful, inclusive and rooted in the realities of each place.

This is a highly influential leadership role for someone who thrives in complexity, values collaboration, and is motivated by making a tangible difference. You’ll empower teams, drive continuous improvement and play a central role in delivering meaningful impact for young people across the West Midlands.

We're committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and want our leadership to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome people who bring different perspectives and experiences and particularly encourage applications from those underrepresented in our organisation and sector, including candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Heads of Delivery? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of our Heads of Delivery! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events, etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

Prospectus is excited to be partnering with our client in their search for a new Head of Service Delivery with a passion for volunteer leadership and a knowledge of digital platforms for support lines.  The organisation is the national LGBTQIA+ support line, supporting anyone, anywhere in the country. Discussing anything related to sexuality and gender identity, from sexual health to relationships, or just supporting. Our client has been equipping the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies with information and support for five decades. Through all the crises, celebrations and changing attitudes, the organisation has been a clear and unmistakable voice.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Head of Service Delivery will be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, and continuous improvement of our client's volunteer-run support line. Responding to over 17,000 service user contacts in 2025, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation, and this important post will serve as a key point of contact, counsel, collaboration and leadership for our volunteers. With your team, you will handle day-to-day enquiries, support volunteer well-being, lead on initiatives to improve service delivery, while providing an accessible and supportive environment for volunteers. The role will also manage, support, and grow a diverse pool of volunteers representing our client's communities, overseeing the entire volunteering experience, from recruitment, training, support, engagement, and celebration. This exciting role combines service delivery leadership with responsibility for the digital infrastructure upon which services are delivered, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned with user needs.

This is a unique opportunity for someone looking to join an established charity, with an appreciation of the value of volunteers in delivering impactful support services. To apply for this role, you will have either direct or transferable experience of managing or working with volunteers or large teams, leading a helpline, contact centre, or support services. You will have demonstrable experience of recruiting, training and leading volunteer teams in a service-focused environment and will have proven experience of managing or implementing service technologies (telephony, CRM, digital channels). As the designated safeguarding lead, you will have a strong understanding of safeguarding and working with individuals. Overall, you will be a warm and approachable leader with an awareness of the challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community, and passionate about delivering high-quality support services.

If you are interested in applying for this exciting position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call to fully brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply.

Our client is committed to being an inclusive workplace representative of the diverse communities they support and actively encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, particularly from Black, POC, transgender, non-binary identities, and disability groups, which are currently underrepresented within the organisation.

Please do let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application then please contact Victoria Savva at Prospectus.

Please note, this is a full-time (condensed working, 35 hours across 4 days) permanent position, working on a hybrid basis (2 days per week in our client's North London-based office).

Harris Hill is recruiting for a Head of Finance for this well-established Membership Body based in London. (Hybrid)

• Reporting to: Chief Executive
• Salary: £75.000pa
• Management: 2 Finance Staff
• Size of organisation: 20 staff
• Hybrid Working: A minimum of 2 days a week is required at their offices in Central London (Tuesdays are essential)
• Qualification: MUST BE A FULLY QULAIFIED ACCOUNTANT
• Experience: A minimum of 7 years’ experience in a similar role. A fundamental understanding of governance and accounting regulations is essential, and knowledge of charity finance.

THIS IS AN URGENT POSITION, LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OR IN MAY

RESPONSIBILITIES

• To advise and support the Treasurer and the Trustee Board in respect of financial services
• Preparing and presenting strategic finance issues to the board to allow positioning and decision making as appropriate to be made in enabling the strategic delivery plan.
• To oversee production of regional annual budgets, monitor expenditure and produce year-end accounts for audit.
• To ensure work of Finance Team is carried out efficiently and effectively, including bank and cash procedures, accounting systems and subsidiary records and making regular management reports.
• To oversee production of annual budget
• To monitor cash levels, invest surplus funds and ensure sufficient working capital to meet requirement.
• To ensure all statutory accounts, taxation and legal reporting deadlines are met.
• To ensure statutory accounts are complete on Companies House is complete, working with the Head of Business Operations on company filing.
• Submission of filing for the Charities Commission.
• To complete all aspects of payroll.
• To provide financial support to the Senior Leadership Team and the Trustee Board as required.
• To ensure the companies within the umbrella are compliant in matters relating to PAYE/Corporation Tax and VAT.
• To develop and maintain systems for optimum efficiency, security and compliance with charity, company, and accounting/financial legislation
• To manage the collection and accounting for membership subscriptions
• To ensure regular financial reporting are prepared in a timely basis, which includes monthly management accounts
• Manage financial returns and expenses for centres and regional activities
• To attend meetings of Trustee Board and any others as required and act in an advisory capacity.
• To attend internal and/or external training sessions as required.
• To conduct induction and developmental training sessions for senior staff  on financial policies and procedures.

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a Senior Oracle Fusion Programme Manager to lead the delivery, optimisation and expansion of our Oracle Fusion platform across the Harris Federation.

This role is offered on an initial six-month fixed term contract, with the potential for extension for a further 12–18 months.

You will lead the delivery and optimisation of a portfolio of Oracle Fusion initiatives, overseeing end-to-end delivery from design through deployment and transition into BAU. Accountable for operational readiness, process improvement and governance, and reporting to the COO, you will ensure Oracle Fusion is effectively embedded across academies and central teams, as well as driving standardised, efficient practices and continuous improvement to deliver sustainable operational value.

If you are keen to deliver impact at scale, and your experience and expertise aligns with this role, we'd love to hear from you.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Your responsibilities will fall under the areas of:

• Portfolio planning and control
• Hands-on delivery leadership
• Business operations leadership
• Process architecture and efficiency 
• HCM enhancements, workforce integrity and efficiency

For a full list of responsbilities, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Strong understanding of Process Architecture
• Strong understanding of Outsourcing Services
• Previous experience of system re-platforming or ERP transformation
• PRINCE2/MSP
• Proven ability to deliver all stages of a programme
• Strong analytical, reporting, and risk management skills
• Demonstrated success in delivering business solutions through process improvements and system implementations

For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application. 

A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.

We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

Head of Public Affairs

Over the past 2 years, GuildHE has been transforming into the voice for distinctive higher education providers, building our brand on the principle that diversity is necessary for a healthy and vibrant higher education sector.  We have a new look, a renewed energy, and a bold vision for the future of distinctive institutions. Now, we need the final piece of the puzzle: our first-ever Head of Public Affairs. 

This is a landmark appointment for us. As a newly-created role following our recent rebranding, you’ll be building our external presence, taking our fresh identity and the work we’ve undertaken so far to the next level as we seek to double-down on our high-impact advocacy and engagement work.

As our inaugural Head of Public Affairs, you will have a unique mandate to shape the way GuildHE interacts with the world, where you can:

• Own the Narrative: Take our new brand and shape the 'GuildHE voice' across Westminster, the media, and the wider HE sector.

• Build the Blueprint: You will have the autonomy to design our engagement frameworks from scratch—working with the Director of Policy and Strategy to decide how we influence policy and how we best champion the value of specialist education.

• Create a Legacy: Because this is a brand-new headcount, every success will be yours to claim. You are here to build a function that will help define our influence for the next decade.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who will champion diversity in higher education. From world-leading arts and agricultural institutions to large and distinctive HE providers who serve their students, industries and communities in innovative ways, you will find the common threads that bind our members and weave them into a compelling national story. You aren’t just representing institutions; you’re representing a vision of a more varied, vibrant educational landscape.

We’re looking for pioneers, who are energised by the phrase, “we haven’t done that before.” We’ve done the work on our look and feel—now we need you to provide the megaphone. If you’re a strategist who loves the 'start-up' energy of building and expanding functions within a respected, established body, we want to hear from you.

This this is the right job for you?  Please send a cover letter explaining that to us (max 2 pgs) and a CV by the deadline.

Application closing date: May 22

Interviews: June 3-4

Head of Direct Dialogue
Location: Flexible / Home-based (with regular travel to London and nationwide)
Salary: £65,000
Contract: Permanent

Shelter is leading the movement to defend the right to a safe home, and to win this fight, they are expanding their award-winning income generation team. Shelter is now looking for a strategic and ambitious Head of Direct Dialogue to lead its high-impact face-to-face fundraising programme.

As Head of Direct Dialogue, you will set the vision and strategy for one of Shelter’s most vital acquisition channels. This is a senior leadership role within the Individual Giving team, responsible for managing a £4m investment budget to deliver sustainable, long-term growth across cause-led and lottery products.

Leading a hybrid model of in-house teams and external agencies, you will oversee the end-to-end delivery of campaigns that inspire thousands of new supporters. You will be a highly visible leader, spending time in the field to support non-desk-based teams while ensuring the highest standards of compliance, risk management, and supporter experience. This is an opportunity to innovate, using data-driven insights to optimise supporter journeys and embed direct dialogue expertise within the wider mobilisation plans.

Shelter is looking for a commercial and entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience in large-scale direct dialogue campaigns. You will bring:

• Strategic Expertise: A proven track record of leading complex fundraising programmes across in-house and agency channels.
• Contract Management: Experience managing high-value partnerships (£1.5m+) with the ability to negotiate and drive high performance.
• Analytical Thinking: A data-led approach to budget modelling, forecasting and scenario planning in evolving environments.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Code of Fundraising Practice and Gambling Commission regulations.
• Inclusive Leadership: A commitment to diversity and the ability to foster an equitable, high-performing team culture where people can be their authentic selves.

For further information on the role and how to apply, please download the Candidate Pack.
 

Closing date: Monday 4th May, 9am

About Woman's Trust

The charity was established in 1996 to meet the gap in specialist mental health services. Woman’s Trust is led by and for women and aims to ensure that women affected by domestic abuse can live a life free from further harm and abuse. Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centred, empowering survivors on their journey to recovery from the trauma. We are committed to a positive, inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, service users and volunteers.

Alongside delivering our existing 1-1 counselling, self-development workshops and therapeutic support groups for women who have experienced domestic abuse, we are focused on developing our innovative mental health services for young women and girls, delivering new peer-led support groups and providing therapeutic groups to children and their mothers. We are also committed to developing further awarenessraising workshops and training for professionals, building on our research and policy to improve systems nationally.

About the role

This is a dynamic, strategic role and as Head of Therapeutic Services, you will exercise person-centred clinical responsibility for Woman’s Trust (WT), counselling, groupwork and other therapeutic services.

Reporting to the CEO, this role will oversee the day-to-day delivery of seamless, highquality service across all of our client-facing provisions. You will support the CEO to ensure the future development of WT by leading the frontline staff team in the provision of high-quality, relevant and safe services to survivors of violence and abuse in line with WT’s aims and principles.

As Head of Therapeutic Services, a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with colleagues across WT, to plan and implement quality improvement plans in order to deliver outstanding services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. This role will deputise for the CEO when necessary.

Working with key stakeholders to ensure that WT counselling services are delivered to a high professional standard, in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and the person-centred approach.

Leading on the development of new opportunities for the enhancement and expansion of WT counselling services, on the clinical representation of WT services to external bodies and involvement in campaigning for the improvement of services for women experiencing DA, and to be the safeguarding lead for WT.

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week.

Contract: Fixed-term contract as dependant on funding.

Location: Woman’s Trust premises including co-location with statutory partners and community partnership locations.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website.

Please note, CVs and cover letters should be sent in Word format.

Closing date: 1st May 2026.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.

This post is open to female applicants only, in line with the Equality Act 100 pursuant to Schedule, 9 Part 1 applies. We particularly welcome applications from women from black and minoritised, and disability communities.

An enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role. Police vetting Clearance may also be required.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Head of Public Affairs (Maternity Cover) 

Starting Salary: £64,936 per annum (London-based) 

Contract: Full-time, fixed-term contract (we are open to conversations about different ways of working - so please ask) 

Location: London-based role with expectation of hybrid working from our London office 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to shape and lead the Foundation’s national public affairs and influencing work during a period of maternity cover, maintaining momentum and driving meaningful change in policy and practice. 

As Head of Public Affairs, you will set direction for influencing activity across England and Wales, ensuring it is aligned to organisational priorities and continues to deliver impact. You will lead engagement with senior policymakers and political processes, acting as a credible and visible representative of the Foundation. 

Working closely with colleagues, you will ensure that influencing activity remains informed by local insight and translated into clear national priorities. You will also contribute to organisational leadership, supporting strategic direction while leading a high-performing public affairs team through this period. 

About You 

We’re looking for an experienced and credible leader with a strong background in public affairs, policy, or influencing. You will bring a track record of delivering impact at national or regional level, alongside a strong understanding of the UK political landscape. 

You will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, with excellent relationship-building skills and experience of engaging senior stakeholders. You will be confident providing leadership and continuity in a fixed-term role. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Thursday 7th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Monday 18th May 2026 

Second Interview: Monday 1st June 2026 

Head of Payroll & Systems - Location

Remote working (home-based with occasional travel to Bristol)

Head of Payroll & Systems – About the Role

Join Hft at a pivotal moment as we move to our transformation phase. We’re looking for a senior leader to bring together payroll, systems, data and administration into a connected, high-performing service driving efficiency, insight, and better outcomes for colleagues and the people we support.

Head of Payroll and Systems - Benefits

• £65,000 per annum
• The People's Pension  3% employer / 5% employee contribution
• Life assurance 3x salary from day one
• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
• Free independent mortgage advice
• TELUS Health EAP
• Aviva DigiCare+ digital GP, annual health check and nutritional consultations
• Medicash health cash plan covering optical, dental and more
• Up to 25% off at 3,500+ gyms via My Gym
• Specsavers eyecare vouchers for screen users
• Blue Light Card eligible 

Head of Payroll and Systems  - Your Responsibilities

• Lead teams across Payroll, Systems, Data and Administration
• Oversee complex payroll operations (accuracy, compliance, improvement)
• Integrate and optimise HR systems (HRIS, ATS, LMS)
• Develop people data, reporting and insights
• Partner with senior stakeholders to support organisational decision-making

About You

• Proven experience leading multi-functional teams
• Strong background in payroll and HR systems
• Data-driven with the ability to generate meaningful insights
• Experienced in change and transformation
• Collaborative, resilient and stakeholder-focused

 Why Join Hft?

At Hft, we support learning disabled adults to live the best life possible.

We are:

• Purpose-led organisation with real impact
• Supportive, collaborative culture
• Opportunity to shape and improve, not maintain
• Flexible, home-based working

Apply today to be part of a leadership team driving meaningful change across the communities we serve.

We are committed to recruiting people from diverse backgrounds and believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce helps us better support the people we work with to live their best lives. If there is anything we can do to support you to do your best during the application and selection process, please contact our recruitment team.

Head of People

London (Hybrid - 2 days in office)
£57,500 - £62,500 + excellent benefits
Permanent | Start ASAP (flexible for up to 3 months' notice)

About the Organisation

Goodman Masson are thrilled to be exclusively partnering with a truly inspiring, fast-growing UK charity making a meaningful difference in people's lives every single day.

With a current headcount of just over 50 (and plans to grow to around 60 by the end of the year), this is an incredibly exciting time to join. The organisation is scaling thoughtfully, investing in its people, and strengthening its culture as it enters its next phase of development.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a first-ever Head of People role, giving you real scope to shape strategy, influence leadership, and leave a lasting impact.

The Opportunity

This newly created Head of People position blends strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, offering autonomy and visibility across the organisation.

Reporting to the Operations Director and managing an HR Manager, you'll take ownership of the full people agenda - from designing a forward-looking strategy to embedding inclusive, high-performing practices across the charity.

You'll be a key member of the senior leadership landscape, acting as a trusted advisor while ensuring the organisation's people approach evolves in line with its growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a 3-year People Strategy aligned to organisational growth
• Lead workforce and succession planning as the charity scales
• Drive and embed a meaningful EDI strategy across recruitment and culture
• Sit on SMT and ensure accoutability
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on all people-related matters
• Lead on complex employee relations cases and provide expert guidance
• Build leadership capability by coaching and developing line managers
• Oversee HR policies, processes, and systems ensuring compliance and consistency
• Use people data and insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
• Champion a high-performance, inclusive and values-led culture
• Line manage and develop the HR Manager

Essential Experience:

• CIPD Level 5 (minimum) - Level 7 desirable

Position type: Permanent, full time 37.5 hours a week (Flexible working considered)

Responsible to: Director of Finance

Direct reports: Financial Reporting & Systems Manager, Financial Controller, International Programmes Finance Manager, Internal Audit Manager

Location: Truro, Cornwall (Hybrid) or Remote (UK based) with travel to Truro

Role purpose:

This is a new role created to support and strengthen our financial capacity. The role will have day to day responsibility for all finance matters at ShelterBox and will play a pivotal role in ensuring the strength, integrity and effectiveness of financial management at ShelterBox.

The Head of Finance will be a key business partner across the business for all financial matters. Reporting to the Director of Finance, they will lead the finance function overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, compliance and statutory accounts, as well as oversight of the work of the operational finance team and board and committee reporting. While this is a leadership and management position, the small team structure means the successful candidate will be expected to take an active, hands on role in delivering work in addition to leadership responsibilities; They will have their own suite of projects and activities to deliver, as well as leading the finance team, and working across the organisation to support other teams. They'll work closely with our Director of Finance and senior leadership team.

Who are we looking for?

ShelterBox is seeking a qualified accountant with a minimum of ten years PQE in a management capacity.

The successful candidate must have extensive leadership experience and have proven experience in creating a modern, progressive finance function, with customer service at its core; we want this role to create long term impact.

Experience in accounting for projects, professional services and/or inventory would also be beneficial. Sector experience in an INGO is highly desirable

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on supporting operational delivery, ensuring high quality financial reporting, and strengthening systems alongside a very worthy cause. You'll bring together your technical excellence and strong leadership skills, working collaboratively and effectively in a complex and fast changing environment.

Main role and responsibilities

• Lead and support finance team including four direct reports
• Provide guidance, advice and be a point of escalation for the finance team
• Represent the Finance Team in senior leadership forums
• Provide business partner support, to exec team, senior managers and international affiliate organisations
• Be a key point of contact for financial matters relating to larger international affiliates
• Provide guidance, leadership, advisory support and quality control, across core services provided by direct reports including:
• Monthly financial reporting

• Developing and monitoring annual budgets and quarterly forecasts
• Finance operations including payroll, accounts payable, expenses, forex, cash and bank
• Financial business systems
• International Programmes project financial management including donor reporting; and
• Internal audit services

• Relationship management of investment advisory company and ongoing assessment of performance to ensure we are maximising returns on our investments in a risk appropriate manner
• Preparation of Board and Finance Committee reporting including cover at meetings for Director of Finance in periods of absence
• Setting and monitoring annual team deliverable timeline
• Carrying out ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting
• Development and maintenance of finance KPIs
• Manage relationship with external audit partner
• Provide a quality control review point and support and advise to Financial Controller over annual external audit.
• Guiding and directing team in an advisory capacity on all components of direct and indirect taxation
• Monitor processing of Gift aid to ensure we are compliant but also to drive improvements in gift aid recovery through clear supporting processes and trend analysis

Other responsibilities

• Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.

Who we are and why we are needed

The Fore is creating a society that solves its own problems. Each year we provide funding and skills to the best grassroots charities and social enterprises in the UK and we are growing. 

Across the UK, talented people within communities are building practical solutions to our most complex challenges – from poverty and mental health to education, exclusion and sustainability. However, the vast majority of these solutions do not achieve their potential to drive wider change across society because of failures in how the funding system works. 

The Fore is the UK’s only venture philanthropy fund that has cracked the code in how to identify and distribute funding to turbocharge grassroots innovation and catalyse change. Since 2017, The Fore has been backing the best small charities and social enterprises with astonishing results. So far over 50% of local organisations supported eight years ago have gone on to influence policy, shape national conversations and change lives at scale.

Currently The Fore is funding around 50 of the best charities per year and supporting hundreds of others with skills. However, as an organisation we need to do more. We are looking to scale our impact through two routes. Firstly, by increasing our work backing the best charities and convening and educating donors, and secondly by leading change in the broader funding system.

The role

In the next phase of The Fore’s development, it is a priority for the CEO to be able to concentrate on building the external profile and influence of The Fore’s work. Therefore, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a central role in leadership as the organisation develops. The role translates strategy into delivery, providing oversight across grant making, partnerships, people, and governance, and ensuring the organisation can deliver on its ambitions while managing risk and capacity. We’re a small, agile charity so you’ll work across both high-level direction and day-to-day organisational delivery. In the next eighteen months, the COO will have responsibility for designing and delivering on a number of key strategic priorities, such as:

• ensuring the continued excellence of the grant and skills support we provide to the charities and social enterprises we back
• building out and refining existing activities and processes to ensure exceptional relationship management for our growing number of corporate and private philanthropic partners
• working with the CEO to develop the Partnerships Team to set it up for scaling and to meet the needs of new partnership models
• incorporating the use of AI into our systems and processes to streamline operations wherever possible while safeguarding the personalised experience we pride ourselves on offering all our partners.

Key responsibilities

Grant making and programme delivery

• Provides strategic oversight of the grant-making model, ensuring alignment with The Fore’s overall mission and priorities
• Acts as a senior advisor and escalation point for the Programme Team on complex decisions and delivery challenges
• Ensures that operational delivery reflects agreed strategy, including any shifts in focus, criteria, or approach

Partnerships and income

• Provides strategic oversight of funder relationships and income streams, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and capacity
• Supports colleagues to shape high-quality proposals, renewals, and reporting
• Ensures the organisation delivers on all funding commitments, maintaining credibility and trust with funders
• Ensures that The Fore’s external messaging and positioning are clear, compelling and aligned with partner priorities
• Acts as a senior escalation point for complex funder relationships or delivery challenges
• Supports the ongoing development of The Fore’s Pro Bono (skilled volunteering) offer, ensuring it delivers meaningful value to charities while remaining a compelling and well-structured proposition for corporate partners
• Leads the commercialisation and rollout of the Fore Index (a tool that allows organisations to put a £ value on their impact), securing partners and funding to support its expansion beyond The Fore’s portfolio

Impact, data and systems

• Holds responsibility for the organisation’s impact framework, ensuring it is credible, proportionate, and aligned with strategic priorities
• Ensures data and insight are used effectively to inform decision-making, reporting, and external positioning
• Ensures that insight and impact are translated into clear, compelling external communications to support The Fore’s positioning and influence

People and internal operations

• Holds responsibility for the effective functioning and integration of programme delivery and partnerships activity, ensuring teams are well supported and operating efficiently
• Leads and manages core operational staff, including the Head of Programmes and Impact, Partnerships and Programme Managers, and Partnerships and Programme Officers
• Manages performance, wellbeing, and retention, fostering a high-performing and sustainable team culture
• Works closely with the CEO and trustees to support the development and delivery of strategic initiatives, ensuring these are operationally viable and effectively implemented
• Holds oversight responsibility for The Fore’s physical office space and equipment, managing lease and facilities contracts
• Oversees IT and systems, managing contracts for IT support, Salesforce, and other platforms

Governance, compliance, risk and finance

• Oversees the organisation’s financial management, risk management, and operational governance, ensuring robust and proportionate processes are in place
• Working with the external finance team, provides oversight of budgeting and financial performance, ensuring alignment between income, grant commitments, and operational capacity
• Contributes to the development of board and committee papers, leading on operational, financial, and risk-related content to ensure clear reporting
• Ensures appropriate compliance and governance frameworks are in place across grants, partnerships, and operations (including charity insurance, policies, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and cyber security)

Experience and attributes

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior operations or programme oversight role
• Track record of translating strategy into operational plans and delivery
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Track record of developing and sustaining excellent relationships with stakeholders
• Exceptional people management skills
• Strong prioritisation skills and highly organised
• Demonstrable self-starter with excellent follow-through
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to move between board-level thinking and day-to-day execution
• Takes pride in fostering a friendly, inclusive and productive working environment, with a positive and approachable style

Key details​

• Annual leave: 25 days leave, rising by 1 day for each year of service up to a total of 30 days, plus bank holidays and an additional 4 days during our Christmas closure.
• Location: Our office is based at Vox Studios in Vauxhall, London. We have a hybrid working pattern (three days in the office and two days at home).
• Reports to: CEO