Senior legal counsel jobs in Manchester

Evolve Counselling is a long‑established Cambridgeshire charity providing professional, affordable mental‑health support to individuals, organisations and communities. Each year, Evolve delivers thousands of counselling sessions through a team of trained, accredited counsellors working across the East of England region.

Our mission is to deliver counselling services to adults at the lowest possible cost, wherever possible seeking to subsidise sessions for those on low incomes. We do this through a mixed model of commissioned services, private counselling, and grant‑supported provision. By working to grow and foster a membership body of professional counsellors, Evolve strives to improve access to quality counselling and psychotherapy for all, and to create a positive working environment for those in the profession.

The CEO role provides strategic and operational leadership to drive Evolve’s growth, sustainability and impact. The position delivers effective organisational management, high‑quality service delivery, robust governance, regulatory compliance, and a positive staff culture.  Working in conjunction with the board, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the organisation’s future, ensuring that Evolve remains a trusted, quality and sustainable source of mental health support for years to come. 

Following several years of successful internal stabilisation—strengthening governance, staffing, and operational systems—the charity is ready to enter a critical period of transformation and growth. Our current CEO plans to retire in September 2026, having laid strong foundations for what must come next.

Our new CEO will lead Evolve into this next phase—strengthening partnerships, expanding referral pathways, stabilising revenue streams, and championing accessible counselling across our communities.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the development and delivery of our digital learning and natural history publishing at our national environmental education charity.

You will oversee a talented team and collaborate with authors, designers, and creators in the natural history community to deliver innovative training and resources that set the standard for environmental learning.

• Permanent full-time contract
• Starting salary circa £36,973 per annum + excellent benefits
• Flexible base location with remote / home working welcomed
• Make a visible, lasting contribution to environmental education across the UK

Love where you work!

At the Field Studies Council, our mission is to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.

Your team will be responsible for creating high-quality training courses, publications, and resources that inspire learners of all ages. You’ll work together to extend our charity’s impact across the UK.

We value the contribution each team member makes and provide excellent benefits to reward and support you in your role.

What you’ll be doing

In this key leadership role, you will guide the Digital Learning & Publishing unit, ensuring our courses and publications are impactful, financially sustainable and aligned with our charitable mission. Your work will include:

• Overseeing the production and management of biodiversity training courses and natural history publications
• Leading a team to deliver both in person and digital learning experiences
• Managing budgets, business planning, and the operational performance of the unit
• Working with Marketing to grow ecommerce revenue and promote the portfolio
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with partners, authors, tutors, designers, and the wider natural history community
• Identifying new opportunities, markets, and partnerships to expand our reach
• Leading editorial workflows, rights management, licensing, and version control
• Commissioning new titles and resources that support environmental understanding
• Ensuring compliance with GDPR, safeguarding, and copyright requirements

Where you’ll be based

The base location for this position is negotiable, with remote working / home working welcomed. If you prefer working in an office environment, you can work from one of our Field Studies Centres across the UK. Hybrid working options can also be considered.

This role includes travel to Field Studies Council locations and other venues throughout the UK and will involve some overnight stays.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• An experienced senior manager with a strategic mindset
• Skilled at leading teams, freelancers, and creative contributors
• Confident working with authors, artists, designers, and content creators
• Experienced in delivering training materials at regional or national scale
• Commercially aware, with strong budget management experience
• A clear and engaging communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
• Highly organised, detail focused, and able to deliver at pace
• Comfortable using digital tools, databases, and online learning platforms
• Motivated by our mission and values

If you are looking for a role where your leadership can make a genuine difference to environmental learning, we would be delighted to receive your application.

* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:

• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 2 extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
• Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary 
• Health and Wellbeing Support App for you and eligible family members to access remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physiotherapy sessions and financial & legal support
• 24-hour Counselling Helpline Service
• Cycle to work and EV schemes
• Discounts and cashback opportunities 
• Flexible working options where roles permit
• Quality learning and development opportunities

The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 27th April 2026.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council online in the week commencing 11th May 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks / PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.

We are seeking a dynamic Head of Housing Support to lead our national Housing Support Services, ensuring clients receive exceptional, trauma‑informed care in safe, compliant and high‑quality homes. This is a pivotal role that influences service delivery, operational performance, and the long‑term vision for Life’s housing provision.

As Head of Housing Support, you will:

Lead & Inspire

• Provide strategic leadership for Housing Support Services across the UK.
• Manage and motivate Support Services Managers and Tenancy Sustainment Officers to deliver outstanding client‑focused support.
• Embed a culture of collaboration, high performance and trauma‑informed practice.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Oversee the implementation of the Housing Strategy, ensuring the safety, compliance and quality of all homes.
• Work closely with the Estates Team to maintain high housing standards and meet regulatory obligations.
• Oversee tenancy management, rent setting, arrears management and income recovery.

Shape the Future

• Influence policy, develop best‑practice procedures and contribute to organisational strategy.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, housing developers and external stakeholders.
• Represent Life at networking events and act as an ambassador for the charity.

Lead with Purpose

• Champion safeguarding, ensuring training, oversight and adherence to all safeguarding policies.
• Produce reports and KPIs for the Board, Senior Leadership Team and Operational Leadership Team.
• Support the financial sustainability of the Housing department, including budget management and cost‑saving initiatives.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A values‑driven leader committed to Life’s mission and vision.
• Experienced at senior management level within supported housing (multi‑million‑pound scale desirable).
• Skilled at leading high‑performing teams and developing individuals.
• A confident communicator with excellent relationship‑building and presentation skills.
• Knowledgeable in tenancy support, housing compliance, safeguarding and quality service delivery.
• Highly organised, strategic, creative and able to work under pressure.
• Passionate about trauma‑informed practice and delivering outstanding client outcomes.

Relevant housing or management qualifications (such as CIH Level 4) are desirable but not essential with strong experience.

About Life:

Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.

Our services include

• Supported housing and community support
• Counselling and skilled listening
• Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies

Our values

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:

• Humanity – All people are special and equal
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
• Community – We’re better together
• Charity – Doing good for one another
• Common good – Building a better world

Information about the role:

For further information, please see the attached job description.

Please note, driving licence and own vehicle are required.

Salary: £45,655 per annum

Hours: 35 hours per week, 5 days per week

Location: Home Based with Extensive Travel across Midlands and South East

Benefits

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
• Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
• Extra annual leave for long term service
• Company Pension Scheme
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge

Safeguarding and Equality

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.

As Director of External Affairs across the Bild Group of four small charities (with collective turnover of approx. £3m/yr), you will have a deep commitment to human rights and improving people’s lives.

You will provide strategic direction and leadership to the External Relations function across all four charities in the group, taking overall responsibility for and providing thought-leadership on our strategic approach to policy, influencing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement. 

You will play a lead role in planning, developing, and implementing the communication and external relations and wider engagement strategic plan to grow awareness and profile of Bild, Respond, Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and ACT.

By sharing the impact of our work and programmes in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and /or mental health conditions, you will support Bild in becoming the sector leading provider of organisational and workforce development (and RRN in becoming the leading charity in reducing restrictive practices globally – and Respond as leaders in trauma informed therapy).

You will champion Bild and RRN’s brand, vision, mission and values acting as an ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally to partners, stakeholders and media.

Key Responsibilities and Duties: 

Strategic Leadership:  

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and external relations strategy across the four charities in the group to raise our profile and to influence change which positively impacts on our beneficiaries, aligning media, campaigning, and public affairs with the charity’s mission and strategic priorities 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team including Membership and Events Officer, Resources Coordinator and comms team as required 

Comms & Marketing:

• Plan, develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans to maximise awareness of the Bild Group of charities across the broad spectrum of communications disciplines including media relations, stakeholder management, influencer engagement, ethical (impact focused) marketing, social and new media and the production of new materials and resources 

• Write, develop and produce materials such as infographics, press releases, briefing documents, media statements and online information suitable for stakeholders, including people with lived experience

• Ensure effective marketing across all four charities focusing on impact and including ensuring we attend a range of external events and that all four websites are best practice. 

Influencing & Public Affairs:  

• Working with the CEO, you will drive policy change by developing strategies to influence key decision makers through building relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, and sector stakeholders to ensure the charity's policy agenda is impactful 

• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, calls and requests for information in order to capitalise on suitable opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of all four charities

• Build our credibility as a thought leader in the sector 

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:  

• Build and sustain strategic alliances with senior civil servants, civil society groups, and community partners to increase the organization's influence and impact 

• Develop effective stakeholder relationship management processes that ensure partnerships of all levels are provided with a rich, immersive engagement experience with the organisation and the work that we do 

• Identify, liaise with and ensure positive relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external including media, government departments, partners, charities, providers, customers, other relevant parties to secure maximum impact for all four charities and their beneficiaries

Reputation, Brand Management & Marketing:  

• Champion the Bild group brands, promoting the mission, values and impact of the organisation and ensuring consistent, engaging narratives and high-quality storytelling across all external channels

• Shaping the charity's profile and protecting its reputation through media relations, digital engagement, and consistent key messaging and building our credibility as thought leaders in sector. 

Membership, Events & Communities:  

• By ensuring appropriate, effective and engaging communications to all relevant audiences and stakeholders, your role will support the growth and development of our membership, Communities of Practice and the event programme (including webinars and conferences).

• Effectively plan, manage and lead a range of events for the Bild group of charities and associated marketing and communications

• Develop framework for Communities of Practice and strategy for engagement and growth 

• Supporting Bild and RRN spokespeople with PR and media outreach

• Keep abreast of communications and engagement activity within the sector and demonstrate an awareness of the impact these may have on existing and future communications activity

General Responsibilities 

• Contribute to evaluation and assessment of results against KPIs and tracking activity

• Allocate, manage and evaluate budget spend

• Identify resource requirements for activity across Bild group

• Develop and maintain systems, databases and procedures to support Bild group communication activities

• Plan, monitor, appraise and report progress of activity regularly with an innate understanding of how this supports activity across the Bild group

• Plan, manage and oversee budgetary spend related to outsourcing specialist activities such as video editing and design

• Ensure communications and marketing work complies with data protection and other legal, professional and agency requirements, standards and policies

• Support the senior leadership team on any activity as required. 

Personal Development  

• Be part of a culture of quality in all areas of communications, PR and marketing

• Participate and contribute to individual performance appraisal and supervision sessions

• Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within the adult health and social care, education & disability sector and the wider communications / engagement profession

• Undertake relevant training, as necessary including accessing new systems and software as required to support the role.

Organisational Responsibilities: 

• Access and work within Bild’s policies and procedures.  

• Attend internal cycle of team meetings relevant to this role.  

• Engage with line management, supervision (where appropriate) and appraisal process.  

• Comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that information on clients, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders remains confidential.  

• Take responsibility for personal learning and development with support from line manager.  

• Work in a manner that facilitates equal opportunities and inclusion for all.  

• Remain professional and respectful at all times, promoting positive relations with all those we encounter in our work.  

• Maintain health and safety and risk awareness for self and others across the organisation.  

• Undertake any other duties that Bild may require within the remit of this role.  

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review with the postholder at their annual appraisal.  

Person Specification  

Job Title 

Director of External Relations 

• Exceptional copy writing and verbal communication skills

• Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships

• The ability to work effectively within a small team

• Ability to work under pressure, and plan, manage, and adapt own workload

• A flexible, proactive and problem-solving approach to work

• A motivated attitude and ability to work on own initiative 

• A commitment to human rights and modelling accessibility and inclusion throughout activity

• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post

• Fit to undertake the duties of the post. 

Experience/Skills/Competencies 

Essential 

• Significant experience working in communications, policy and PR with demonstrable success

• PR and media management experience, including both online and traditional PR

• Experience of managing and implementing social media plans, including post development, scheduling, evaluation and monitoring feedback

• Experience of overseeing the design and production of print and electronic publications, including website management and development

• Experience of managing CRM systems and ensuring effective data capture and utilising data to inform decision making

• Ability to analyse data and shape results into reports that inform decision making

• Ability to build effective relationships and networks and establish credibility for Bild, RRN, Respond and Bild ACT 

• Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with colleagues, members and wider stakeholders

• Demonstrated digital comms / social media skills and understanding of emerging digital marketing tools and platforms

• Ability to use a variety of IT packages/databases including CRM systems.

• Experience managing budgets and associated reporting

• Ability to work remotely and regularly travel to in person events

• Time management skills and ability to prioritise workload under pressure as part of a small but vibrant team

• Strong awareness and interest in news/current affairs/politics and the broader third sector, social care and education sector. 

Desirable 

• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, preferably in another disability and/or membership charity

• Strong understanding of education, health, social care, disability and not for profit environment

• Strong media contacts within relevant trade sector publications

• Ability to use externally managed media databases (such as Agility etc.)

• Experience with conferences, webinars and hybrid events. 

• Experience supporting and manging a remote team

Education and Qualifications: 

Other Requirements: 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities and able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.  

• Regular travel to attend meetings and events. 

• Occasional evening meetings.  

Legal requirements: 

• Enhanced DBS check. 

The Director of Charitable Impact is a senior leadership role responsible for defining, driving, delivering (operating), and evidencing Ben’s charitable impact. The postholder will lead the strategic and operational delivery of health, wellbeing, and support and specialist services, ensuring the charity demonstrably improves lives while strengthening its position as a credible, trusted health and wellbeing charity and thought leader for the automotive community.

Job Title: Director of Charitable Impact
Organisation: Ben – Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund (The Automotive Industry Charity)
Location: Home Based, UK (with regular travel)
Salary: c. £80,000 – £90,000 per annum + £5,000 car allowance
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Support Services Lead and Specialist Services Lead

This role combines strategic leadership, operational performance, service innovation, impact measurement, and external influence to ensure Ben delivers meaningful, measurable, and visible outcomes for those who need it most.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Lead the development and delivery of Ben’s Charitable Impact Strategy aligned to organisational vision and priorities.
• Ensure the charity delivers clear, measurable, and demonstrable outcomes for individuals, families, and the wider automotive workforce.
• Embed an outcomes-driven culture focused on evidence, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Translate strategy into operational delivery plans, KPIs, and impact frameworks.

Service Delivery & Operations

• Oversee the effective delivery of all charitable programmes and services, ensuring they are high quality, accessible, safe, and impactful.
• Drive service innovation to meet emerging health, financial, and social wellbeing needs across the automotive sector.
• Ensure services are delivered efficiently, sustainably, and in line with regulatory, safeguarding, and quality / clinical governance standards.
• Use insight and data to inform service design, resource allocation, and performance improvement.

Health & Wellbeing Leadership

• Lead Ben’s evolution into a recognised, credible health and wellbeing charity for the automotive industry.
• Ensure services reflect best practice in mental health, physical wellbeing, financial resilience, and social support.
• Build partnerships with health, wellbeing, and sector specialists to strengthen service quality and credibility.
• Champion prevention, early intervention, and whole-person health and wellbeing approaches.

Impact Measurement & Evidence

• Develop and embed robust impact measurement, evaluation, and reporting frameworks.
• Ensure the charity can clearly demonstrate social value, outcomes, and return on investment to stakeholders.
• Lead production of impactful insight, data, and evidence to inform decision-making and external positioning.
• Strengthen the charity’s ability to use evidence to attract funding, partnerships, and sector influence.

Thought Leadership & External Influence

• Position Ben as a leading voice on health and wellbeing in the automotive industry.
• Develop insight, campaigns, and sector engagement that raise awareness of issues affecting automotive people.
• Represent Ben externally with credibility and authority across industry, health, and charity sectors.
• Contribute to policy, research, and sector dialogue to influence positive change.

Leadership & Culture

• Provide inspiring leadership to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a high-performance, values-driven culture.
• Build organisational capability in impact, service delivery, and wellbeing.
• Promote collaboration across the organisation, particularly with fundraising, engagement, and communications.
• Lead through change, ensuring services evolve with need and strategy.

Governance & Risk

• Contribute to Executive Team leadership, organisational strategy, and governance.
• Ensure services operate within legal, regulatory, and safeguarding frameworks.
• Manage operational and reputational risk relating to service delivery and impact.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, health, social impact, or related sector.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable social impact and leading outcome-driven services or programmes.
• Experience of overseeing complex service delivery / operational functions.
• Demonstrable success in leading organisational or service transformation.
• Experience developing impact measurement, evaluation, or evidence frameworks.
• Experience influencing external stakeholders and building credibility within a sector or field.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.

Knowledge & Understanding

• Strong understanding of physical and mental health and wellbeing, psychology and emotional wellbeing, prevention, and whole-person support.
• Knowledge of impact measurement, social value, and outcome frameworks.
• Understanding of safeguarding, quality, and regulatory considerations in service delivery (e.g. clinical governance requirements).
• Insight into the challenges affecting working people and communities (financial, health, social).
• Understanding of the charity sector, charity governance, and funding environment (desirable).
• Awareness of the automotive industry or willingness to quickly develop industry insight.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic thinker with strong delivery focus — able to translate vision into measurable outcomes.
• Operationally strong with ability to drive performance, quality, and improvement.
• Evidence-driven and analytical, able to use insight and data to shape decisions.
• Credible and influential communicator, internally and externally.
• Strong leadership presence with ability to inspire, engage, and lead through change.
• Collaborative and partnership-oriented.
• Strong judgement, integrity, and commitment to safeguarding and ethical practice.

Personal Qualities

• Passion for improving lives and delivering meaningful social impact.
• Purpose-driven, values-led, and mission aligned.
• Resilient, adaptable, and outcome focused.
• Curious, forward-thinking, and committed to learning and innovation.
• Empathetic and people-centred in approach.

Key Relationships

• Chief Executive and Executive Team
• Service Delivery and Impact teams
• Fundraising, Marketing & Communications teams
• Trustees and Board Committees
• External partners / organisations including automotive stakeholder or employers, health and wellbeing, welfare and charity, etc.

Success Measures

• Clear, demonstrable improvement in measurable charitable impact.
• Strong, high-quality, accessible health and wellbeing services.
• Recognised credibility as a health and wellbeing charity for the automotive industry.
• Robust impact evidence used to inform strategy, funding, and influence.
• Positive service outcomes, reach, and stakeholder confidence.

Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Manchester
Salary: £59,966 to £71,566, depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate
Location: Hybrid working, Manchester

We are looking for our new Head of Principal Gifts to work with our highest level of donors, securing principal gifts in support of the University of Manchester's key priorities - gifts that are truly transformational and enable us to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

We're taking our big gift fundraising to the next level with the launch of a dedicated Principal Gifts programme, and we're looking for someone to play a key role in shaping that transformation, building deep, lasting relationships with top-level donors in the UK and internationally.

With our inspirational new strategy in place and our first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, launched in November 2025, this is a pivotal moment for Manchester and for your career.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you'll be joining a brilliant, values-driven team with a fantastic pipeline of prospects, strong existing relationships, and academics who are fully engaged in what we're building together.

Great things happen at The University of Manchester every day - from finding new treatments for cancer and discovering wonder materials like Nobel Prize-winning graphene, to providing life-changing scholarships and influencing government policy to help the world's poorest people. This is the work your fundraising will make possible.

If you're a major gifts or big gift fundraiser ready to make your mark at a world-renowned institution and take that next career-defining step, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20 April 2026

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

The University of Manchester is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

We’re growing our Criminal Justice Services and bringing in a range of roles that really matter. This work is about supporting people in the secure estate who have experienced trauma and sexual harm, and making sure support is actually accessible, not just in theory, but in practice.

Our Outspoken service delivers trauma therapy to residents across the secure estate, particularly those who have experienced ACEs or sexual harm. It’s a space focused on safety, trust, and meaningful therapeutic work.

The Outspoken Service Manager will work alongside peers to lead the service, making sure staff feel supported and that what we deliver stays high quality and of good practice.

At We Are Survivors, we care deeply about making sure male survivors can access support wherever they are. That includes the spaces that are often overlooked.

Why Join Us?

• a competitive salary.
• annual leave package with incremental rises plus bank holidays.
• company sick pay.
• Birthday annual leave.
• monthly clinical supervision.
• pension contribution.
• and a range of discount and benefit programmes.

We’re growing our Criminal Justice Services and bringing in a range of roles that really matter. This work is about supporting people in the secure estate who have experienced trauma and sexual harm, and making sure support is actually accessible, not just in theory, but in practice.

Our Outspoken service delivers trauma therapy to residents across the secure estate, particularly those who have experienced ACEs or sexual harm. It’s a space focused on safety, trust, and meaningful therapeutic work.

Our Outspoken Pathfinder role is often the first point of connection. They support people in accessing the right help, whether that’s through assessments, regular check-ins, lower-intensity support, or helping them find the right pathway.

Why Join Us?

• a competitive salary.
• annual leave package with incremental rises plus bank holidays.
• company sick pay.
• Birthday annual leave.
• monthly clinical supervision.
• pension contribution.
• and a range of discount and benefit programmes.