Senior innovation executive jobs in edinburgh
ID: 1557
Job Title: Deputy Director of Services & Innovation, Central Region of England
Service: Services & Innovation
Salary: £65,782 - £72,959 Additionally, £480 home-based allowance FTE per annum
Location: Homebased with regular travel across the central region of England and occasional London Head Office.
Hours: full-time 37 hours per week.
We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.
Contract: Permanent
Family Action & the Role’s Impact:
At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.
We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the
importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.
Are you an innovative, strong, team player, who is solution focused and passionate about making a difference in everything you do? Do you have a proven track record of growth and retaining services, delivering excellent, inclusive services and cultivating quality and diversity? Are you looking for a diverse, ambitious and fast paced organisation – if so, you have found it.
About the role:
The roles primary function is to lead the operational teams and lead on strategic development and growth across the region. The post holder will model the organisations values; people focus, can do, excellence and mutual respect.
The Deputy Director leads the strategic development and transformation of Family Action services across the Central region, and implements the organisation’s strategic plan and its 5 key objectives. The role focuses on stakeholder engagement, partnership, service development, and system leadership across sectors. It requires inclusive leadership and the effective line management of Operational Managers and one Assistant Director.
The role has responsibility for service delivery, risk management, performance, quality and practice, safeguarding, income generation and budgets across the region. The post holder drives accountable leadership, innovation, co-creation, and continuous improvement across all the Central region. The Deputy Director will be an excellent communicator, highly resilient, and a decision maker, while always championing Family Action’s values in delivering inclusive, outcome-focused support for children, families, young people and adults.
Main Responsibilities:
· Be accountable for service delivery across the region, contractual performance, safeguarding, quality assurance, risk management, ensuring services meet regulatory standards, delivering positive outcomes and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.
· Lead senior stakeholder engagement and foster strong cross-sector partnerships across the geographic area.
· Line manage Operational Managers, and an Assistant Director, oversee budgets to ensure efficient, cost-effective service delivery. Champion the sharing of learning, development of staff and volunteers and best practice across services to support continuous improvement and innovation.
· Strategic and accountable leadership, leading the region by motivating and galvanizing the team to achieve innovation, growth and quality services maximising outcomes for the people we support
· Working alongside the Business Development & Corporate and Marketing team, drive the region’s income generation through generating and responding to new opportunities, and by leading innovative service design and modelling.
· Be part of a dynamic and supportive team of other regional and national Deputy Directors, sharing and influencing cross-organisational decision making, resource allocation, strategy and organizational development and leadership.
Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):
· Passionate about social justice and improving the life chances and supporting children, young people and adults who experience disadvantage.
· We are looking for someone who has senior level leadership and management experience and expertise in at least one of the settings in social care, health, young people and community sector. Who is highly robust, able to priorities multiple workflows and issues, with a good understanding of and leadership around service risks and decision making.
· We are also looking for someone who can think strategically across systems, contribute to innovation, creativity and diversity, and is an excellent inclusive leader that can inspire their teams as well as their peers and senior leaders in Family Action.
· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced and children’s barred list.
· Benefits:
- an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays
- up to 6% matched-pension contributions
- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment
- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
- cycle to work scheme
- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities
We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.
To Apply:
Click 'Apply Now' to complete our online application form by the closing date of Sunday 28th September at 23:59
Interviews and an assessment exercise will be virtual over Microsoft Teams – Week commencing 13th October.
For any queries, or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or the potential for flexible working, please email: Helen Cantrell (full email address on advert document)
All appointments with Family Action are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.
We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and we strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. For this vacancy, we are also applying positive action to improve the representation of people of colour in management roles at Family Action. As such, the guaranteed interview scheme is extended to applicants of colour who meet the minimum criteria.
To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
Family Action is an award-winning national charity working from the heart of local communities across England and Wales.
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Executive Director Stroke Support
Are you great at building relationships across the health and social care sector and beyond?
The Stroke Association are looking for an Executive Director (Stroke Support) to help guide and inspire the organisation. If this sounds like you, then apply today!
Position: EDT01 Executive Director (Stroke Support)
Location: Home-based (Frequent travel will be required)
Salary: Circa £105k
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 12 October 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
Lead with purpose and help shape our future
As the Executive Director Stroke Support, you will work with the Chief Executive and wider Executive team, to help guide and inspire the organisation towards a future where everyone affected by stroke is supported to live their best life after stroke.
Ensuring that everyone can access the support they need in a way that suits them is a bold ambition requiring us to transform our culture and ways of working so that we become more agile in the complex and changing external environment. As Executive Director for Stroke Support, you will have a pivotal role in inspiring the organisation to do its best for stroke survivors, harnessing innovation and talent.
You’ll need to connect, convene and enable teams to transform the reach and impact of our operations through service design, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Creating the conditions for teams to think creatively and radically about new approaches, you’ll use meaningful data to sense make and inform decisions that lead to improved beneficiary outcomes.
You’ll be great at building relationships across the health and social care sector and beyond, applying systems level strategic thinking that will underpin delivery of purpose and what matters most.
If you’re ready to inspire collaboration and lead with vision to deliver impact for all affected by stroke, join us as we step into our next chapter of cultural transformation.
About Us
The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all those affected by stroke and their families. We provide tailored support services to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. Finding strength through support.
We are a Disability Confident employer, and we are making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.
You may also have experience in areas such as Executive, Executive Director, Executive Director Health, Executive Director Stroke Support, Stroke Support Direct, Stroke Support Executive Director, Social Care Director, Health, Stroke, Disability.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
This is a critical and exciting leadership role for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust which will take the Trust forward to the next phase of organisational growth, building on the superb achievements to date of our retiring CEO.
You’ll need passion and energy to work on some of the most profound challenges of our time. Nature needs its champions, and you’ll need to harness all of your skills, all of your personality, and your network to grow our influence, our impact, and our outcomes. You’ll excel at galvanising others to take action enabling us to achieve our aims and ensure bumblebees are thriving and valued by everyone.
This is an incredible opportunity to join a very special organisation with passionate and high-performing teams who are truly dedicated to our vital purpose.
Please refer to the CEO pack for further information.
The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. This means that whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status.
At the Trust, we have a clear goal: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on reaching for our vision, through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Together, the charities Sands and Tommy’s have formed a Joint Policy Unit (JPU) focussed on achieving policy change that will save more babies’ lives during pregnancy and the neonatal period and on tackling inequalities in loss, so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.
The JPU’s mission is to secure policy change that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes.
While there is widespread agreement on the need for change to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, what that change looks like is not clear. To save more babies’ lives we believe that a continued focus is required, and that governments should set new commitments to reduce perinatal mortality and preterm births, focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe.
This role will be crucial to the continued success of the JPU unit; leading, shaping and coordinating all the unit’s work.
We are looking for an independent and assertive problem-solver, a policy expert who can manage multiple priorities, take the initiative, lead the national conversation and is as excited as we are about taking the helm of this venture for both of our organisations.
The successful candidate will need to have a substantial track record of effectively leading and implementing national policy and influencing programmes, driving change and achieving the desired impact.
You will have considerable experience across research, data analysis, policy development, public affairs and communications. Additionally, you will be well-versed in research and data management, including analysing complex data and evaluating policy developments.
Experience of being a member of a senior management team with successful, significant and relevant management and leadership experience is also essential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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About GNDR
We are the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), the largest global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. Since being established in 2007, we have grown into a network of 2,010 member organisations across 132 countries, representing millions of people on the frontlines of hazards, climate change and mass displacement. Through transformative, evidence-led programming and powerful advocacy, we are driving climate action and disaster resilience alongside our members across the globe.
About the role
GNDR is seeking a motivated and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as Head of Fundraising, Impact and Communications on a full-time basis for a fixed-term maternity cover of one year.
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for driving forward GNDR’s fundraising and communications strategy, increasing our reach, impact, and income in alignment with the organisation’s strategic priorities.
You will lead a fully integrated function spanning fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, and communications. This includes ensuring a joined-up and collaborative approach to consistent, distinctive messaging and engagement activities. These efforts underpin successful fundraising outcomes and support GNDR’s wider organisational goals – particularly our work in influencing policy and engaging external decision-makers.
This maternity cover role comes at an exciting moment in GNDR’s journey. We are currently evaluating our existing strategy and designing a new five-year organisational strategy that will unlock fresh opportunities to deepen our impact, extend our reach and amplify our global voice.
The successful candidate will play an essential role in ensuring our fundraising, MEAL and communications operations remain strategically aligned and fully responsive to this evolving context.
Overall scope of the role
The remit of this post will cover the following core responsibilities:
- Sustainability and income growth
- Effective donor relations
- Funding proposals
- Impact measurement
- External communications
- Training and capacity building
- Leadership and governance
- Line management and team development
Candidate requirements
We are ideally looking for candidates who have the following core skills and experience:
- Fundraising & Communications: Proven success securing funding from donors, trusts and foundations, with strategic experience in NGO fundraising and communications
- Leadership & Strategy: Strong team leadership, capacity building, and strategic planning skills within humanitarian or development contexts
- Interpersonal & Cultural Agility: Excellent communicator, culturally sensitive, adaptable, and able to thrive in fast-paced, diverse environments
- Project & Proposal Delivery: Skilled in developing proposals, and producing high-quality reports and budgets
- Technical & Analytical Skills: A sharp analytical mindset and strong decision-making capabilities
- A strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and alignment to GNDR’s core values
Eligibility
We are accepting applications from candidates eligible to work in the UK. Candidates will need to be able to travel internationally when necessary.
This role will be predominantly remote. However, we are currently piloting a revised hybrid working model for our UK-based team, which includes monthly in-person meetups at a flexible workspace in London. This arrangement remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing consultation, with the trial period scheduled to conclude at the end of October.
Please note that all offers of employment at GNDR are conditional and subject to satisfactory background checks.
We welcome applications from candidates who meet most of the essential criteria outlined in the job specification below.
A full Job description is attached, or please visit our website.
Salary
The gross annual salary for this role is £56,098 per annum based on working full-time.
This is a one year, fixed-term full time contract.
Start date
We are ideally looking for candidates who are available to start in November 2025. However, we recognise that availability may vary due to individual notice periods, and we are happy to accommodate some flexibility where possible.
How to apply
Please submit an up to date copy of your CV (max. two A4 pages) and a Cover Letter (max. one A4 page) outlining skills and experience relevant to the role by email to HR. Please include in the subject of the email, the following: “Application for the Head of FRIMCO role”.
Please note: we are unable to accept incomplete applications.
If you have any questions or need to discuss any adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team. Full contact details are availble on our website, please follow the link below.
Interview
Week commencing 13 October
Please note: The interview process usually consists of two online stages which may include a role-specific task. Interviews are typically conducted by a panel of two to three members, including the Hiring Manager. Applicants are encouraged to advise us of any adjustments required to ensure the whole recruitment process is accessible and equitable.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We are dedicated to creating a team that embodies the rich diversity of the society and communities we serve. Our commitment lies in cultivating an inclusive environment, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic circumstances, LGBTQIA+ and individuals with disabilities. We celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives that every candidate brings and are dedicated to ensuring fair and equitable opportunities for all.
We’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible for individuals of all needs and abilities. If you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us. Contact information are available on our website.
Find out more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our website.
Our benefits and wellbeing
At GNDR, we are committed to cultivating a happy and healthy working environment for all our staff.
We provide a competitive salary and benefits package across all of our locations.
Find out more about our approach to wellbeing and our benefits by visiting our website.
Flexible working
In order to support and encourage a healthy work-life balance for our staff, we are happy to consider flexible working requests as part of our recruitment process. As a global organisation, most staff work remotely depending on their role and location.
If you have any questions on any of the above information or if you have any specific requirements that would enable you to participate more fully in the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team. All contact information are available on our website.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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This is a new senior leadership role created through Inclusion North’s restructure. It is central to how we rebuild our strategic presence in Yorkshire and Humber while ensuring strong, joined-up working across the Northeast.
You will lead high-level engagement across both regions, with a particular focus on Yorkshire and Humber. In this region, you will help Inclusion North reconnect, build strategic partnerships, and become a visible and valued voice in system-level spaces.
You will take a lead in representing Inclusion North across a range of regional spaces, including Communities of Practice, local authority-led forums, and, where appropriate, ICB-related groups. This means helping shape change, influence commissioning, and ensure that the voices of people with a learning disability, autistic people, and family carers are heard where decisions are made. You will also be expected to challenge constructively when systems fall short of inclusion, equity, or lived experience leadership.
You will line manage the Innovation and Impact Manager and the Good Life Collaborative Programme Lead. This includes overseeing how our delivery connects to system priorities, responds to emerging opportunities, and contributes to our financial sustainability. You will also provide strategic insight to support planning, funding, and future direction.
This is a leadership role for someone who can build trust, speak with credibility, and stand firm in their values. You will need the insight to understand how systems work, and the confidence to push for change when they do not work for the people they are meant to serve.
The Cross-regional Strategic Lead holds senior responsibility for regional engagement, system influence, and delivery oversight at a strategic level.
The role is anchored in Yorkshire and Humber, where you will need to be well-connected and regularly present. You will also work across the Northeast as part of a joined-up, cross-regional team.
DO NOT send your CV. We will only consider applicants who have submitted an application form.
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We are seeking a dynamic Director of Professional Activities to lead Education and Conferences & Events portfolios – the organisation’s primary revenue streams and most visible platforms for impact.
Remote | Full-time | Global impact
Salary: £58,000
In this newly created senior leadership position, you will reshape the education department, develop innovative learning products, and oversee the delivery of large-scale international conferences (4,000+ delegates). As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will ensure programmes are strategically aligned, financially sustainable, and operationally excellent.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead education and event strategy, innovation, and delivery
- Develop new professional learning offerings (e.g. micro-credentials, global training)
- Oversee major conferences, hybrid/virtual events, and delegate engagement
- Manage budgets, drive revenue growth, and mitigate risk
- Mentor and develop senior staff, building a high-performing team
- Represent the organization internationally and build strategic partnerships
About You
- Senior leadership experience in education, events, or membership organizations
- Proven ability to deliver large-scale programmes and conferences
- Strong commercial and financial management skills
- Innovative, strategic thinker with excellent communication skills
- Global mindset and willingness to travel
This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible impact on a global stage, shaping education and events that influence thousands of professionals worldwide. You will join a mission-driven organisation committed to advancing knowledge, building capacity, and supporting professional development across borders.
A global outlook and willingness to travel internationally (as required) are essential.
For more information, please submit your CV to .
Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
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Join the Movement: Become NYA’s Chief Finance & Governance Officer (CFO)
Location: Fully remote (office in Leicester)
Salary: Circa £85,000
Contract: Permanent | Full-Time
Are you a strategic finance leader ready to make a national impact? The National Youth Agency (NYA) is seeking a visionary Chief Finance & Governance Officer (CFO) to help shape the future of youth work in England.
About NYA
NYA is the national body for youth work, championing the rights of young people and the professionals who support them. They
work across government, local authorities, and the voluntary sector to ensure youth work is recognised, resourced, and impactful.
As CFO, you’ll be at the heart of NYA’s mission, driving financial sustainability, governance excellence, and strategic growth. You’ll lead their financial strategy, oversee compliance and risk, and support income generation through commercial, grant, and traded services. You’ll also play a key role in shaping their digital future and embedding a culture of transparency, inclusion, and high performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead financial planning, reporting, and audits with precision and foresight.
- Champion governance, legal compliance, and cyber security across the organisation.
- Support the CEO and Board with strategic insight and evidence-based decision-making.
- Drive income generation and innovation in partnership with the Director of Growth.
- Represent NYA nationally, contributing to thought leadership and sector development.
- Embed NYA’s values Collaborative, Inclusive, Determined, Authentic, Bold in everything you do.
About You
You’re a qualified Chartered Accountant with:
- A proven track record in strategic financial leadership and governance.
- A strong appreciation of how government grants operate would be advantageous.
- Experience working with boards and senior teams in the charity or public sector.
- A passion for youth work and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and impact.
- The ability to think commercially, act ethically, and lead boldly.
Why Now?
Youth work is more vital than ever. As NYA grows in scale and influence, we need a CFO who can help us navigate complexity, seize opportunity, and deliver lasting change for young people across the country.
We are working to a deadline of 5.00pm 6th October.
TPP is a retained partner to NYA, the Leadership and Governance team at TPP are on hand to answer any questions - Lisa, Matt or Sema are on hand to discuss and answer any questions.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
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The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Chief Operating Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £85,000 per annum
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional to meetings, events and conferences.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
Responsibilities will include:
- The COO leads the day-to-day functioning of the organisation to ensure smooth, efficient, and effective delivery of services. This is vital for maintaining operational stability and achieving strategic outcomes.
- They design and execute strategies that align with the organisation’s mission and long-term goals ensuring resources are used effectively and priorities are clear.
- They promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement through supporting employee engagement, productivity, and organisational success.
- The COO collaborates closely with the CEO/CFO and other senior leaders to drive strategic initiatives and business growth, ensuring unified leadership and coherent decision-making.
- They partner with the CFO to manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation. Financial oversight ensures sustainability and supports informed investment in strategic priorities.
- Strengthen governance and risk management frameworks, aligned to regulatory expectations and best practice while proactively managing reputational and operational risks.
- The COO cultivates strong relationships with partners, clients, and stakeholders to enhance service delivery and reputation. These relationships are key to influence, collaboration, and impact.
- They lead efforts to improve processes and adopt best practices across the charity to enhance efficiency and keeps the organisation competitive and responsive.
- They ensure that daily activities support the charities long-term objectives.
- The COO mentors other directors and departmental heads and fosters leadership capabilities across teams.
- They establish and track KPIs to identify inefficiencies and guide improvements through data-driven decision-making to enhance accountability and results.
- They evaluate and refine workflows to boost productivity developing efficient processes to reduce waste and improve service quality.
- They act as a bridge between departments and the CEO to ensure cohesive execution of strategic plans preventing silos and promoting organisational synergy.
- The COO serves as a senior figure in national and cross-sector forums, conferences, and strategic partnerships to strengthens the organisation’s voice and influence.
- They demonstrate commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in both internal culture and external programmes to foster a fair and inclusive organisation.
- They work with the CEO, CFO and Director of Growth to identify and pursue new revenue streams and strategic partnerships. This expands the organisation’s reach and sustainability.
- They engage in public speaking, media interactions, and external representation demonstrating clear communication, credibility, and stakeholder engagement.
- They develop and embed evaluation frameworks to assess progress against strategic goals. The measuring of our impact ensures accountability and informs future planning.
- They promote the organisation’s brand at events and through networking.
The COO takes on other responsibilities as needed to support the organisation’s mission.
About You
Essential competencies of the Chief Operating Officer:
- Extensive experience in senior leadership with a proven track record in operations, financial and risk management, and delivering high-performing teams, ideally in the charity sector.
- Strong understanding of business functions such as HR, Finance, Marketing, etc.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think strategically and execute effectively.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Commercially astute, process-driven, and highly pragmatic in approach.
- Experience in driving performance and fostering a collaborative culture.
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field; MBA preferred
Why Work for NYA?
- NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
- NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
- A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
- NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
- We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Monday 29th September 2025:
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: The covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 80% AI generated content will be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
Youth Work changes lives
Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it.As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.
We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.
REF-223747
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Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
UK-based/ Colchester or Home-based with monthly travel to Colchester office. Overseas travel with trips lasting from 10-14 days.
This post requires the candidates to have independent rights to live and work in the UK
Background
Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. Last year we finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.
Job Context
Our Global Strategy marks a significant evolution in our organisational direction, introducing innovative approaches and renewed priorities. This includes our first-ever global Theory of Change (ToC), our most comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to date, a Research and Innovation strategy, and a dedicated Advocacy sub-strategy to guide our influencing efforts.
With the Lepra Advocacy Strategy, we will be working over the next 6 years to strengthen our approaches to our advocacy efforts. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the roll out of the Advocacy strategy working closely with the Director of Programmes and Advocacy, the Head of Research, the Senior Programme Manager, the Programme Officer and the teams where we work.
Job Purpose
This role is an exciting role within the programmes team in response to evolving needs. The incoming post holder will work within the 5 person UK’s Programme and Advocacy team and will drive, advise and support the team in relation to Lepra’s advocacy profile. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, strategic and creative person who has outstanding skills to engage and work with a diverse team. We are looking for someone to work with a clear strategy and then develop, grow and successfully shape the future of Lepra’s advocacy efforts.
Working Relationships
Reports to Lepra UK’s Director of Programmes and Advocacy (DPA)
Works closely with the Programmes and Advocacy Team
Close working links with colleagues in India and in Bangladesh and the UK’s communications team
International travel as needed for programmes oversight and support, and external representation.
Key responsibilities
Advocacy Delivery (50%)
Under the supervision of the DPA implement Lepra’s global Advocacy strategy and coordinate advocacy initiatives.
Serve as the driver of advocacy efforts, facilitating the transitional year of implementation including coordinating the Advocacy Steering Group; advocacy toolkit development; action planning.
Represent Lepra in specific fora and advocacy networks and within the broader leprosy and NTD community in close coordination with the DPA.
Produce quarterly advocacy newsletters
Maintain quarterly reports on flagging areas of concern and actioning steering committee advice.
Assist in the preparation of policy documents and the presentation of papers for publication, conferences, or specific institutions and/or individuals - identifying and targeting the most appropriate audiences.
Support and contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives that foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment across organisational programmes, policies, and advocacy efforts.
Support and contribute to initiatives that promote inclusion and equity, with a strong focus on developing the leadership and advocacy capacity of people with lived experience of leprosy, ensuring their voices are central in decision-making and programme design.
Knowledge management / Learning and Development (20%)
Support the preparation of Lepra advocacy and policy documents.
Disseminate knowledge so that it is integrated into Lepra’s portfolio to amplify the impact for target audiences and improve their outcomes.
Facilitate the new knowledge and learning hub and forge a clear path for its evolution.
Facilitate knowledge sharing through updating the communications team with relevant materials for the new programme folder on the website.
Organise and develop advocacy training.
Develop and take ownership of the new programme’ s team knowledge sharing approaches.
Develop a workplan of knowledge sharing events.
Support annual review meetings.
Communications (10%)
Assist the programmes team with the documentation of Lepra examples and models of best practice, at the same time identifying and developing mechanisms and avenues for the effective dissemination of this knowledge – internally and externally.
Assist the programmes team, DPO, Chief Executive and Country Programme staff in the synthesis of complex technical/scientific information adapting it to language and formats easily used by target audiences.
Contribute to content development of community engagement materials (public information, brochures, leaflets) that help explain the operations and impact of Lepra’s work to LF and/or leprosy affected communities.
Maintain good working links with Lepra’s UK Fundraising and Communications Team, contributing towards UK facing communications materials as and when required.
Prepare updates, papers, and reports for trustee meetings, funding partners, and wherever else applicable.
External representation (10%)
Support the Chief Executive, DPA and programmes team to maintain and expand existing strategic relationships with key international stakeholders to further Lepra’s advocacy strategy and advance Lepra’s agenda.
Ensure Lepra’s external profile is raised and become the go-to organisation for the leprosy community in terms of advocacy and policy briefings.
Support the preparation of documents for presentation, publication or dissemination at international fora.
Develop/support the development of country specific briefing notes/press kits with the communications team.
Represent Lepra at key events, conferences, and meetings to enhance our visibility and opportunity for impact.
Safeguarding (5%)
Promote a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability within Lepra’s implemented projects.
Ensuring that safeguarding mechanisms are in place and remain at the heart of all activities.
Support the integration of strong safeguarding and PSEA practices into project design and delivery.
Monitoring, evaluation, and impact (5%)
Ensure that all advocacy and knowledge transfer efforts are captured and embedded in appropriate results frameworks, objectives, outputs, indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Provide inputs to Lepra’s reports, according to Lepra’s needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Relevant degree level of education in Public Health, Social Sciences, Global Health, Human Rights, Political Sciences or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Relevant post-graduate qualification
Relevant professional health-related qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Minimum of 2 yrs experience of advocacy/campaigning/policy work with an overseas development organisation
Experience of working to advance the rights of excluded populations
Extensive knowledge of global health issues and an up-to-date familiarity with issues and practice in the international development sector
Experience in planning and implementing successful strategies/campaigns/advocacy in Asia.
Experience in programme/project planning, budgeting, M&E and reporting, within a non-governmental organisation, including the preparation of reports for institutional donors.
Ability to analyse and act on data.
Experience of working on issues in relation to disability, mental health, gender, human rights and social inclusion.
Experience in project coordination and management.
Desirable
At least two years’ experience as an advocacy manager, preferably gained with an overseas development organisation or in academia, in a similar health focused role.
Familiarity with data visualisation tools and packages.
Proficiency in one or more Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, etc.) is an asset.
Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities
Highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal to build strong relationships, negotiate and persuade a wide range of audiences, with confidence at presenting and representing.
Proven strength in both written and verbal communication
Able to reach, network with and communicate to a wide range of stakeholders and potential stakeholders.
Excellent attention to detail, and organisational and time management skills
Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery.
Ability to use databases, Word, excel, PowerPoint and other Office packages
Ability to work independently, be flexible and prioritise workload.
Ability to travel within the UK and overseas.
The right to work in the UK.
We operate a non-bias recruitment process and run our job advertisements through anonymous recruitment methods.
We offer a lot of flexibility in working practices and there is free reserved parking available at our Colchester office. We also offer 26 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rated), pension, Employee Assistance Programme and support from an in-house well-being team.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk mail folder for any email correspondence for this vacancy.
If you require any reasonable considerations such as access or information in an alternative format, please inform us soon as you are able so that we can make the appropriate adjustments.
Please do not use AI to help you write cover letters, CVs and responses to any screening questions. We want to hear your original voice.
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