Senior housing officer jobs

Department: COO’s Office
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £115,000 per annum
Location: Home Based (UK wide travel as required)
Reports To: Chief Executive and Council Chair

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to help lead the organisation through the next phase of its development. Reporting to the Chief Executive and Council Chair, Phil Garrigan, and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the COO will play a critical role in driving organisational transformation and delivery. This will ensure NFCC is well positioned to achieve its ambitious new three-year strategy and delivery plan, including preparations for the proposed College of Fire and Rescue in 2029.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a professional, responsive and agile organisation that is focused on making a real difference to public safety.

NFCC is a charity and membership organisation dedicated to making communities safer by providing national leadership, coordination and professional expertise across UK fire and rescue services. Working at NFCC offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to public safety, national resilience and the continuous improvement of an essential public service.

Operating at the intersection of operational practice, policy, assurance and system leadership, NFCC supports fire and rescue services to collaborate effectively, respond to complex and emerging risks, and maintain the highest professional standards. We work closely with government, regulators, emergency service partners and sector stakeholders to ensure that the collective voice of fire and rescue leaders is influential, credible and evidence-led.

As a values-driven organisation and registered charity, NFCC is committed to ethical leadership, transparency and public benefit. We foster a culture that is inclusive, collaborative and rooted in service to communities. Our people are trusted professionals, empowered to lead, innovate and deliver meaningful impact, supported by robust governance, assurance and accountability frameworks.

NFCC is a modern, agile organisation with a fully remote workforce. This enables us to attract and retain talented individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, while supporting flexible, inclusive and high-performing ways of working. We place strong emphasis on wellbeing, professional development and continuous learning, recognising that our effectiveness depends on the capability, integrity and commitment of our people.

Joining NFCC means working on issues of national significance, influencing the future of fire and rescue services, and helping to strengthen the resilience and safety of the communities we serve. If you are motivated by public service and professional excellence, have a strong focus on delivery and impact, and bring experience in leading business transformation and organisational change, this role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to operate at the highest level of leadership.

The Selection Process

How to apply:

If you are interested in this role and think you have the skills and experience we need, please do look at the Job description on the NFCC website.

Candidates are invited to submit their CV and a covering letter setting out how they can meet the requirements set out in the job description. Please email this to the Recruitment mailbox (details found on the NFCC Website) by 23rd April 2026.

Tests for shortlisted candidates are likely to be Week commencing 4th May 2026

Interviews taking place on the 18th & 19th May 2026

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post.

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive.

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment.

The Information & Advice Service is highly regarded within the London Borough of Merton and accredited with the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and Age UK Quality Advice Standard (QAS). We have developed the service over the last five years to provide high quality advice for older people to enable them to live more healthily, happily and independently in later life.

In April 2025 – March 2026 the service worked with over 1,500 older adults across a range of issues including money and benefits, health, housing and care. During this time, we assisted older adults to generate over £820,535 of previously unclaimed benefits and make informed choices about their lives.

The role involves providing initial information and guidance, primarily over the phone, assessing need and urgency, and ensuring clients are directed to the most appropriate support.

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

HopeWorks is a community‑focused charity dedicated to improving the lives of the homeless, those in our supported accommodation, and those seeking resettlement in the UK. We are passionate about delivering high‑impact support and ensuring every pound we receive makes a meaningful difference. 

As our Finance Officer, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth financial running of the organisation. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting budget planning, managing day‑to‑day transactions, and helping produce financial reports that support strategic decision-making. This role is perfect for someone who has finance experience in the charity sector, is highly organised, confident with IT packages, numbers and financial analysis, and motivated by the vision and values of HopeWorks.

What is the main purpose of their role?

The Operations Manager sits within a team of six managers who are responsible for providing the strategic lead for all the activities of Suffolk Refugee Support. This is a senior operational role with responsibility for overseeing key programme areas including HR and facilities, volunteering, our ESOL provision and our International Women’s Group. The role will also oversee the development of SRS’s Client Partnership work, ensuring this is shaped through co-production with the clients we work with, supports strong external relationships, and is delivered through an effective, outcome-focused work plan. Working closely with staff, trustees, partners and clients, the postholder will contribute to the effective management and ongoing development of the organisation.

The role line manages a team of Officers and Coordinators responsible for specific programme areas, ensuring that the activities within their remit are effective, compliant and responsive, meeting both the charitable aims of SRS and the needs of the asylum seekers and refugees we support.

What will the job entail?

Among other responsibilties, you’ll be overseeing the function of the organisation and its strategic development by using knowledge of needs of clients, gaps in existing services and opportunities as they arise, working with the Management Team to agree funds required for services to be run and delivered, liaising with Trustees, developing and managing client focused activities, developing and managing operational areas of work and providing strategic and operational oversight to our Client Partnership work.

What you will need

• At least two years’ staff and project management experience in community, voluntary sector or social care settings; or other proven relevant management experience
• Experience of managing staff including delivery planning, performance monitoring, practising HR & disciplinary processes, and motivating positive work environments
• Experience of developing, managing and evaluating programmes to meet identified needs using imaginative ideas and making efficient use of restricted resources
• Experience of using/developing assessment tools to monitor service outputs and outcomes
• Knowledge of laws and policies applicable to Human Resources management
• Knowledge of safeguarding, data protection and equality good practice
• Strategic planning skills with the ability to work in conjunction with the Charity Manager and management team to agree plans of work for the whole organisation to maximise impact for clients
• Proficient in using all MS office applications and CRM or data management system, (experience with Charitylog or similar database platforms preferred)
• Conscientious, calm, and well-organised with the ability to keep the balance between short & long-term tasks/goals
• Proven ability to write concise and informative reports that are appropriate to the target audience, and which summarise a large amount of information
• A strong commitment to Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
• Commitment to people in the asylum system and insight into their experiences
• Confident, friendly manner and the ability to put people at their ease
• Flexible approach and willingness to occasionally work outside the office in various settings and some evenings if needed (by agreement)

For the full list of essential criteria see the recruitment pack.

 About us

Suffolk Refugee Support aims to ensure that all asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk are enabled to live integrated, fulfilled and contributing lives in their new communities. We provide a welcoming environment where clients can access help, advice, support and practical services in order to be healthy and safe and begin to rebuild their lives. We work with external agencies, community and voluntary sector organisations, health providers and others to enable our clients to access a range of support. We are based in Ipswich, but our services operate increasingly on location with refugees and asylum seekers housed in accommodation across Suffolk.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK is seeking a proactive and creative Mass Participation Events Manager to lead the delivery and growth of our mass participation portfolio. The role will lead on the strategy, performance and delivery of our challenge events programme, ensuring events achieve agreed income and participation targets and work closely with the Head of Mass Engagement to shape and test future Ronald McDonald House Charities UK owned mass participation events, supporting sustainable, diversified income growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Planning

• Develop and deliver a clear strategy for challenge and mass participation events, aligned to fundraising targets and audience engagement objectives.
• Identify and assess new event opportunities, including third party and bespoke challenges, to diversify and grow income.
• To play a key role in developing new events, taking them to market and adopting a test and learn approach in collaboration with the Head of Mass Engagement & wider Engagement Directorate.

Event Delivery & Logistics

• Support the Senior Event Fundraiser to lead the end-to-end management of events, including budgeting, planning, supplier coordination, risk management, and on-the-day execution.
• Ensure all events are delivered to a high standard, providing an exceptional experience for supporters.

Supporter Engagement & Stewardship

• Build strong relationships with event participants, providing excellent supporter experience and tailored stewardship journeys.
• Support the development, delivery of and evaluation of effective supporter journeys across the events portfolio, focused on maximising net return and supporter retention.
• Create and develop engaging communications and materials to inspire fundraising and deepen supporters’ connections to the charity.

Marketing & Promotion

• Lead the delivery of an audience and insight led events marketing programme, working closely with the Brand, Communications and Digital team to maximise participation and net return.
• Keep abreast of income and data trends across the sector to help inform future activities and events fundraising programmes.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Agree and deliver against ambitious income and acquisition targets, maintaining costs within agreed budgets.
• Set, manage and report against budgets, milestones and KPIs across the events portfolio, demonstrating accountability for performance.
• Use data and insight to evaluate event performance, inform decision making and continuously improve participant experience.
• Produce regular performance reports and insights for internal stakeholders

Collaboration & Partnership

• Work closely with senior managers and colleagues across the department to maximise opportunities for collaboration and integrated delivery.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to - McDonald’s Relationship Team, House teams, fundraising partners, suppliers and third party event organisers.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• A proven track record of excellent management of an event portfolio to meet income and acquisition targets.
• Experience of delivering data and insight led marketing and stewardship programmes to drive acquisition and net income.
• Experience of managing multiple projects with complex budgets, multiple stakeholders and stretching KPIs.
• Line management and team development experience.
• Knowledge of health and safety, risk management in event delivery & fundraising compliance.

Desirable

• Experience of virtual fundraising and development of new events.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and balance a busy and varied workload.
• Familiarity with digital fundraising platforms and MS Dynamics.
• Experience supporting innovation or new product development, working with agencies to deliver new fundraising products.

We are seeking to appoint a Compliance Officer for an immediate start. Reporting to the school's in-house Legal Advisor, you will ensure the school operates in full compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and internal policy requirements, promoting a culture of compliance across all areas of school activity.

This role is initially offered on a one-year fixed-term contract working term-time, plus INSET days and a further three weeks during the school holidays (38 weeks). The role also has part-time support provided by the Compliance Administrator.

Salary circa £63,000 per annum, depending on experience. This is based on a full-time equivalent annual salary of £75,000.

We will be shortlisting and interviewing as applications come in, so early applications are advised. Please note that we may appoint before the closing date.

To apply and find out more about the school and our attractive staff benefits package, please visit our dedicated recruitment page via the 'Apply' button.

Closing date: 9.00am on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.

Interviews: Monday, 27 April 2026.

Diversity – The School is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We have an established and representative staff Equality and Diversity Board to help drive forward positive change. A further Equality and Diversity Committee has recently been formed from our student population.

We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best staff, ensuring that our staff body reflects the diversity of our students and local community. Acknowledging a lack of ethnic diversity within our Support staff community, we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates for this role. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the School may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS, online checks and receipt of two satisfactory references.

The Vacancy

Greatwell Homes is a provider of affordable housing and support services in the East Midlands. We own and manage over 5,000 homes with a £33 million turnover and our mission is “We partner with customers and communities to shape places people are proud to call home.” We pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking progressive housing association reflective of what is an ever-changing sector. With housing being high on the public’s agenda, Greatwell Homes continues to grow and we anticipate being inspected by the Regulator of Social Housing in 2026-27. 

We are looking to fill two vacancies on our Board with individuals who can strengthen our existing skills-based Board by bringing high-level knowledge and experience in one or both of the below areas: 

• Risk

• Strategic Communications 

The successful applicants will be a member of our Board and a member of one or more of the following committees: 

• Audit and Risk 

• Board Effectiveness and People 

• Customer Assurance 

The successful applicants will be appointed at the July Board meeting however their term of office will commence in October 2026. The Board typically meets online however there are approximately three in-person meetings a year, of which one also includes an overnight stay. 

As a full Board Member, the remuneration is £6,280 p.a. plus reasonable expenses. 

We welcome applications from people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities, and seek to improve the collective diversity of thought and experience across our Board. 

We will make reasonable adjustments to the selection process if required. 

There will be a two-stage interview process for these vacancies. The first stage interviews will be held online on the 11th and 12th June with the Chair of the Board and the CEO. The in-person second-stage interviews will be held on 30th June and 1st July 2026 at Unit 7, Midlands Business Units, Finedon Road, Wellingborough, NN8 4AD with the CEO, Vice Chair and the Chair of the Customer Assembly. First stage interviews will include a round of questions from the panel. Second stage interviews will include questions from the panel and a presentation that you will be asked to prepare. 

Closing Date: 12 noon on Wednesday 20th May 2026

In this exciting and varied role, within our growing Engagement Directorate you will be part of the core team responsible for delivering the charities special events portfolio to maximise support and increase income.

In undertaking this work, you will always need to be one step ahead with excellent customer service skills. You will be organised and have proven project management skills, confident in solving problems, ability to deliver on KPI’s and take a creative and collaborative approach to deliver outstanding events.

Key Responsibilities 

Event Planning & Development 

• Support the management and delivery of a programme of special events across the UK.
• Collaboratively research and identify new event opportunities.
• Support the development and delivery of opportunities for corporate engagement and sponsorship.
• Identify opportunities to cross‑sell other projects and income‑generation initiatives at events where appropriate.

Financial Management & Performance 

• Assist with producing information required for budgets and event plans.
• Support the achievement of financial and non‑financial targets.
• Develop a network of leads able to provide gifts in kind to help reduce event expenditure.

Event Delivery & On-the-Day Support

• Attend events and support the Senior Events Fundraiser with on‑the‑day coordination and delivery.

Stakeholder, Supporter & Volunteer Engagement 

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams and contribute to the development of the supporter stewardship journey.
• Cultivate, steward and recruit new and existing supporters and volunteers to participate in a range of events.
• Arrange and deliver tours of Ronald McDonald Houses for existing and prospective donors.

Marketing, Communications & Representation 

• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to produce appropriate fundraising materials and maximise public relations opportunities.
• Represent Ronald McDonald House Charities UK at fundraising meetings and presentations as required.

Data Management, Reporting & Insights

• Manage and record event communications and information, including income and expenditure.
• Contribute to reports, data analysis and trend monitoring using database reporting.
• Identify issues, suggest solutions and support continuous improvement of events activity.

Skills & Experience 

• Experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, building strong and effective relationships
• Strong customer service, communication and presentation skills
• Well organised, with strong planning skills and attention to detail
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience supporting or working within a fundraising team (desirable)
• Confident developing and managing sensitive or complex relationships
• Proactive and creative approach to fundraising and problem‑solving
• Skilled in networking, negotiation and decision‑making
• Good numeracy skills, with the ability to analyse and report on financial performance
• Experience assessing and managing financial, marketing and reputational risk (desirable)
• Competent in MS Office and the use of databases to manage information
• Full driving licence (desirable)

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to lead our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all. This is a pivotal role within our community, ensuring that safeguarding remains at the very heart of the Cathedral’s life and mission.

As the CSO, you will be the strategic and operational lead for safeguarding. You will work closely with the Dean, Chapter, and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team to implement robust policies, manage casework, and foster a culture of vigilance and care. You will be responsible for ensuring that the Cathedral meets all statutory safeguarding obligations and complies fully with the Church of England’s national safeguarding policies, diocesan frameworks, and relevant legislation.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate and driven team where your work will make a real and measurable impact. In this role you’ll play a key part in making a measurable difference, building strong relationships, and contributing to the organisation’s wider goals.

You’ll be trusted to take ownership of your work, collaborate with a range of audiences and bring fresh ideas that help us grow and improve. We’re looking for someone who is motivated, value‑driven and eager to develop their skills in a supportive, forward‑thinking environment where initiative is encouraged and success is celebrated.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Fundraising & Income Generation

• Proactively develop, manage and grow a portfolio of community supporters, groups, schools, businesses and individuals across the London region
• Work with the Senior Community Fundraising Manager to identify and pursue new fundraising opportunities, taking a creative and proactive approach to growing income and engagement
• Support and motivate fundraisers to achieve their goals, providing excellent stewardship and a positive supporter experience
• Work towards agreed income and activity targets, monitoring progress and adapting plans as needed

Relationship Building & Engagement

• Build strong, long-term relationships with new and existing supporters, acting as a passionate ambassador for the charity
• Develop trusted relationships with our families, support them with their fundraising, and signpost them to other ways they can support the charity
• Build strong, effective working relationships with House teams across London, working closely together to ensure families’ best interests are at the heart of what we do and to maximise opportunities for income and engagement
• Build effective working relationships with the House teams across London
• Represent Ronald McDonald House Charities UK at events, meetings and fundraising activities across London, delivering presentations and ensuring we maximise PR opportunities
• Deliver clear, compelling messages about the charity’s impact, inspiring supporters to get involved

Working with others

• Interact with families supported by the charity in a sensitive, compassionate and appropriate manner, respecting confidentiality as needed
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Engagement, Family Services, and other teams to maximise impact
• Contribute ideas, insight and learning to support continuous improvement across the Engagement Directorate

Planning, Events & Administration

• Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring fundraising activity is well planned and cost-effective
• Maintain accurate records on the CRM database, including supporter interactions, income and activity reporting
• Produce regular reports on activity, income and KPIs against targets

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of achieving or exceeding six figure targets in a relationship‑led fundraising role
• Experience of working in a customer-facing, supporter-facing or community-facing role, building and managing positive relationships with a diverse range of people and groups
• Experience of developing and delivering plans and budgets, monitoring progress and reporting against objectives and financial targets
• Experience of using a database or CRM system to carry out day-to-day administrative and reporting duties
• Experience of organising events, campaigns or community activities
• Experience of working independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider team.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to positively persuade, motivate and inspire a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
• Confident in setting up, attending and following up meetings to secure engagement and support
• Confident in creating and delivering presentations in a range of settings
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and confidence using a CRM database
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities within agreed budgets and timeframes
• Self-starter, with a can-do attitude and the ability to manage own workload
• A collaborative, kind and adaptable approach when working with colleagues, supporters, volunteers and families
• Able to interact with families in a sensitive, compassionate and appropriate manner, recognising the emotional context of their experiences
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal working hour (evenings and weekends) travel across the wider UK as required

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Change Lead, Youth Sector 

Reports to: Head of Change for Youth Sector 

Salary: £56,600 

Location:  Central London, Hybrid*  

Contract: 2 years -fixed term contract

Closing date: Thursday 23rd April 2026 at 12pm (noon) 

Interviews: Week commencing 4th May 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.  

Key Responsibilities 

We are making good progress building the evidence of what works within and around the youth sector to reduce violence. With the launch of the new Practice Guidance we are keen to translate evidence recommendations into practice. The greatest risk is that evidence stays on the shelf and doesn’t help young people – your role is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
 
You’ll focus on helping local authority commissioners use our tools and guidance in their everyday decisions about youth services. This will involve: 

• Creating clear, practical content like guides, toolkits and workshop materials to support the use of Practice Assessment for the Youth Sector (PAYS). 

• Leading our Practice Guidance programme, working closely with commissioners to help them use evidence in their work. 

• Building strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders across the sector. 

• Planning and tracking how we support more commissioners to adopt evidence-based approaches. 

• Spotting what tools or resources are needed and helping develop them. 

• Finding effective ways to share evidence, from events and workshops to online sessions and presentations. 

As a senior member of staff in the organisation, you also: 

• Build a culture where it is natural to perform well and support colleagues brilliantly.

• Contribute to setting the strategy, delivering results and building and modelling the culture that we need to succeed.

About You 

You are this sort of person: 

• 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. 

• You understand Local Authority Commissioners working specifically working with the youth sector. You really understand how youth commissioners work, from Directors of Children Services, Heads of Services to senior stakeholders within the youth sector. You have experience of commissioning youth provision, working in youth sector, ideally in a role that worked with young people who are vulnerable to or involved in violence. You can demonstrate ability to reflect on and adopt evidence-based practice in relation to the youth sector.

• You write in a way that people easily understand. You have that rare skill of writing in plain English. You have experience of translating complex information into plain writing that everyone can understand.

• You have excellent project and time management skills and the ability to deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment. You can work independently and to a high standard.

• 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 teacher and a 15-year-old student. Listening to people from all backgrounds matters to you.

• You are an excellent strategic thinker. People say that you are good at seeing the big picture. You have experience of wrestling into place a strategy for a project or organisation. You are good at thinking logically, but you are also creative. You have ideas but are happy rejecting a lot of them. You like seeing things from different points of view. 

• 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. 

• You don't want your days to pass without making a difference. You want to play a significant part in reducing violence.

• 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.

• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

You must have this sort of experience 

• Changing frontline practice and systems: You have significant experience in leading behaviour, practice or policy changes within the youth work sector. You can show how these have been effective in delivering tangible change.

• Commissioning, or supporting the commissioning of, youth sector services, preferably in a role/setting specifically working with young people who are vulnerable to or involved in violence.  

You might have this sort of experience:  

• Crafting and delivering a strategy to get a new piece of evidence or guidance adopted within the youth sector.

• Behaviour change research experience.

• Working with other funders and commissioners of youth services, such as housing investment leads.

While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.    

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.    

Hybrid Working Details     

The office is based in Central London, but you don’t have to be.

Those living in London and within the 32 London Boroughs 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. 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. 

To Apply 

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form by click on the "Apply for this" button by Thursday 23rd April at 12pm (noon). 

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:  
 
1. Turning evidence into practice: We are keen to ensure that our Practice Guidance and tools are actively used by commissioners. This role requires building trusted relationships with local authority commissioners and other local funders to encourage evidence-based decision-making. Describe your experience influencing senior stakeholders to change practice or adopt a new approach?
 
2. Influencing commissioners: This role requires building trusted relationships with local authority commissioners and other local funders to encourage evidence-based decision making. Describe your experience influencing senior stakeholders to change practice or adopt a new approach? 
 
3. Excellent project management: Will be critical to delivering the Practice Guidance programme and supporting adoption across the sector. Tell us about a complex project you have led from planning through to delivery and share what management tools aided you. 

Interview process  

This will be a one stage process, with interviews taking place the week commencing 4th May 2026.

 
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 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays  

• Four half days for volunteering activities  

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support

• Volunteering days - 4 half days per year  

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary  

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm  

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans  

• Employer contributed pension of 5% 

Personal 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.   

Context and Purpose of the Role

After five years of dedicated leadership, GROW’s Managing Director is moving on. We are now seeking an exceptional, values-led leader to guide GROW through the next phase of our 2030 strategy and help realise our ambition to become a movement-shaping force within agroecology.

GROW is entering a pivotal stage of growth. Our focus now is on strengthening team capacity, centring community voice, developing pathways to leadership and employment, deepening hyper-local networks, and contributing more visibly to the agroecology sector.

With strong financial foundations, a committed team, and a long-standing partnership with a progressive secondary school, this is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation uniquely positioned at the intersection of farming, education, and community action.

The Managing Director will provide clear strategic direction and overall leadership, ensuring GROW remains responsibly-governed, financially resilient, and grounded in its agroecological values. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, they will nurture and inspire a multidisciplinary team of 16 employees and freelancers, strengthen key partnerships, and guide the organisation’s continued development and impact.

Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary: £48,000-£53,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week (9am-5pm with 1-hour paid lunch break)
Location: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days a week on site at The Totteridge Academy, Barnet Lane, N20 8AZ (more days on site expected for the first 3-6 months)
Pension: GROW participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 30% off all GROW Farm produce, annual training budget, subsidised lunches, and a generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays.
Probation period: 6 months

GROW is a site-based organisation, and our farm sits at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Managing Director who is as comfortable talking with students, volunteers and visitors as they are shaping strategy and leading the organisation’s future. This is a role for a thoughtful, adaptable and hands-on leader who can hold the big picture while staying closely connected to our farm, outdoor programmes and the communities we work alongside.

Leadership at GROW is practical, relational and rooted in place. One day you might be gathering feedback from our Student Board of Advisors, listening to how our programmes are working for the young people who shape them. The next, you might be at the farm stall chatting with local community members selling jars of GROW’s homemade pickles. The Managing Director helps ensure that these everyday moments remain central to the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a small, committed team of 16 staff, nurturing a culture that is collaborative, knowledgeable and grounded in our values. They will guide GROW’s strategic direction while staying attentive to the daily rhythms of farm and school life that make it a vibrant place for learning, growing and connection. 

Trustees recognise the breadth of this role and are committed to strengthening the organisation’s operational capacity. An early priority for the new Managing Director will be to shape and secure support for an additional capacity-building role that complements their leadership and enables GROW to thrive in the years ahead.

1. Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Provide overall leadership and strategic development of the charity.
• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees quarterly.
• Ensure charity policies and legal guidelines are up to date, clearly communicated, and embedded in everyday culture.
• Ensure statutory filings (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House) are accurate and timely.
• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding, and environmental regulations.
• Lead on crisis management and serious incident reporting.
• Prepare high-quality written reports for Board and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise Trustees on strategic opportunities, risks, and sector trends. Support Trustee recruitment, induction, and development.
• Enable Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Engage relevant professional expertise where appropriate to support decision making. 

2. Operations, Education & Farm

• Ensure operational resilience, deputising and covering critical functions during staff absence.
• Work closely with Education Leads to develop the quality of our educational
• programmes, ensuring they align with agroecological principles.
• Ensure thorough Risk Assessments are completed, communicated, and
• implemented for all activities and programmes.
• Support the income generation strategy for the Farm.
• Support the Farm Manager with infrastructure development, including planning permission applications.

3. Finance & Fundraising

• Act as the main point of contact for the charity’s accountants.
• Develop and oversee organisational budgets, leading annual budget-setting and ongoing monthly, quarterly, and forecast reviews.
• Develop and deliver the annual income generation and fundraising strategy with the Head of Fundraising.
• Oversee effective impact reporting with the Head of Fundraising.
• Develop and implement plans to improve cost-efficiency.
• Support the completion of large and complex fundraising bids.

4. Partnerships

• Act as the main point of contact for GROW’s key partner, The Totteridge Academy (TTA), and the Academy Trust, United Learning, to ensure the partnership is effective and positive.
• Build and develop partnerships with schools, youth services, local authority, community growing networks and organisations to support the long-term development of educational programmes and participant recruitment and local environmental impact.

5. Marketing & Profile

• Oversee the charity’s overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Retain strategic oversight of all core marketing and communications, including the press opportunities, charity’s website, printed materials, and promotional content, ensuring that GROW’s voice, values, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Build and enhance the charity’s public profile through events, speaking engagements, and external representation.

6. People, HR & Safeguarding

• Manage and support the team to effectively perform their roles and develop within GROW, ensuring staff are fully trained and confident with organisational policies.
• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of all staff in line with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, and Safer Recruitment best practice.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure compliance with any safeguarding requirements set by partner school, The Totteridge Academy.
• Be rigorously mindful of child safeguarding at all times, embedding safeguarding policies in everyday culture and remain up to date with relevant legislation and training.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop progressive internal systems, policies, and training that promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace, grounded in our agroecological principles.
• Ensuring the organisation is GDPR compliant and acts as the Data Protection Lead.

7. Values & Culture

• Act as a role model for GROW’s guiding agroecological principles and organisational values in all internal and external relationships.
• Create a supportive, nurturing, high-trust culture in which staff and freelancers can thrive.
• Champion a culture of reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Centre community voice in decision making, governance, and organisational strategy

Direct reports:
Farm Manager
TTA Education Lead
Senior Facilitator
Head of Fundraising
Freelance Programme Leads

This job description is not exhaustive; as a small and evolving charity, flexibility is essential and all staff are expected to take a hands-on approach and support wider organisational needs where required.
 

Person Specification

Essential Personal Qualities

• Strong alignment with GROW’s mission, agroecological principles, and organisational values.
• Ability to lead and nurture a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team intuitively
• and with empathy.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Collaborative by nature and solution-focussed in approach.
• Strong commitment to inclusive working practices and social justice.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a not-for-profit,
• education, and/or environmental sectors.
• Experience of building and maintaining successful partnership work, for example
• with farms, schools, local authorities, funders, and/or community organisations.
• Significant experience of managing and developing staff and freelancers in a
• small team.
• Proven ability to lead organisational strategy and translate it into operational plans.
• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board or governing body.
• Experience of financial management, including budgets, forecasting, and working with accountants.
• Track record in contributing to fundraising, including securing major bids.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk in a regulated environment.
• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth, or community context.
• Understanding of legal, progressive and inclusive HR systems and policies.
• Ability to develop and oversee marketing and communications that clearly articulate organisational mission, build community engagement and support financial sustainability.
• Demonstrable experience handling and reviewing legal documentation, including contracts, leases, and formal agreements.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic thinker, able to see and drive forward the “big picture” while managing operational detail.
• Skilled and inclusive people manager, able to motivate, develop, and challenge others.
• Excellent, adaptable and confident communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a broad and competing workload.
• Effective decision-making and ability to work independently with accountability.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty.
• Strong organisational and administrative capability.
• Sound judgement and a high level of discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of agroecological farming.
• Experience working with local councils, schools, academy trusts, and authorities.
• Knowledge of charity and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local Barnet area.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

At GROW we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, race, national origin, religion or belief,
disability, age, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, especially those who are under-represented in the charity and food growing sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, people from the global majority, neurodivergent individuals, and those with a range of lived experiences. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and brings a rich mix of perspectives, skills, cultures, and ways of thinking.

Age UK Westminster (AUKW) is the leading charity for older people in the City of Westminster supporting the over 50s in aspects of later life including, loneliness, isolation or poverty, by delivering vital advice, befriending, group activities, digital inclusion and practical services to thousands of older people.

Join our senior management team at Age UK Westminster as the Head of Services. We seek a dynamic and innovative leader to further our progress in supporting older people.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in strategic planning and service development, as well as fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, including statutory bodies.

Essential qualifications include strong staff management and project development experience, knowledge of older people’s services, adeptness in external liaison and quality assurance, and excellent communication skills.

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the experience we need, we would love to hear from you.

Due to the large number of applicants, we regret we shall not be able to write personally to applicants who are not shortlisted. Therefore, if you have not heard from us, please presume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Age UK Westminster is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.