Senior policy and public affairs manager jobs
This is a senior communications and public affairs role at The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) at a pivotal moment for human rights in the UK. You will help shape public and political narratives about the Human Rights Act, amplify lived experience, and ensure BIHR’s expertise cuts through in national debates.
You will lead BIHR’s external communications - including media, digital content, and website oversight – and support evidence‑informed policy positioning and parliamentary engagement. Working closely with colleagues across the charity, you’ll transform insights from our programmes into powerful, accessible messaging and high‑impact advocacy.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small but mighty team known for its expertise, credibility, and influence on human rights in everyday systems.
Please note this is not an entry‑level role.
Key Responsibilities
Please refer to the Application Pack for the full details, but below is a summary.
Communications
- Lead BIHR’s external communications strategy to ensure consistent, accessible, rights‑based messaging.
- Draft proactive and reactive press releases and media statements.
- Secure media opportunities highlighting BIHR’s work and the role of the HRA/ECHR.
- Manage the consistency and quality of website content.
- Create engaging digital content that translates complex human rights issues into clear, plain language.
- Maintain a content calendar aligned with key parliamentary, policy, and public affairs milestones.
- Track and analyse engagement data to inform strategy.
Policy Evidence, Analysis & Positioning
- Conduct policy research grounded in the HRA/ECHR framework.
- Translate lived and practitioner experience into evidence‑informed policy positions and recommendations.
- Draft high‑quality briefings, consultation responses, reports, and messaging documents.
- Horizon‑scan for risks and opportunities to protect and advance human rights.
- Maintain BIHR’s internal knowledge base on HRA/ECHR and priority policy areas.
Government & Parliamentary Engagement
- Monitor UK parliamentary activity and analyse implications for the HRA/ECHR and BIHR’s work.
- Build relationships with parliamentarians, government officials, and parliamentary offices.
- Support targeted advocacy to defend the HRA/ECHR and promote rights‑respecting law and policy.
- Represent BIHR at political and policy meetings and events.
- Ensure monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of public affairs activity.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Build and sustain partnerships with NGOs, academics, policymakers, legal professionals, civil servants, and parliamentarians.
- Represent BIHR externally and engage in sector networks.
- Communicate BIHR’s policy positions and resources clearly and effectively.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration and influence.
Other organisational requirements
- Work collaboratively as part of a small team.
- Support organisational processes and continuous improvement.
- Undertake other duties as required.
Who the Role Is Suitable For
This role is ideal for someone who brings strong communications skills, policy and advocacy experience, and a commitment to human rights as practical tools for change.
You’ll thrive if you:
- Can translate complex law and policy into accessible, compelling communications.
- Have experience engaging with parliamentarians, officials, and senior stakeholders.
- Are confident in human rights frameworks, particularly the HRA.
- Enjoy working in a small, collaborative team.
- Can manage competing priorities in a fast‑moving, politically sensitive environment.
- Live within approximately one hour of London, as regular Westminster/Whitehall meetings are expected.
Please refer to the Application Pack for a detailed Person Specification.
Applying for the role
Please click on the 'Redirect to recruiter' button (above or below) to:
- Get more information about the role, how to apply, and the selection and intterview process/timing.
- Download an Application Pack and Application form (and an optional Equality & Diversity Form).
Please also note that:
- Completed application forms must be received by 10am on Wednesday 11 March 2026; we regret that late applications will not be considered.
- You should not submit a CV and cover letter instead of using the application form; such applications will also not be considered.
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to receiving your application form.
BIHR's mission is to champion the Human Rights Act as a practical tool for everyday justice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent strategic, analytical and leadership skills to join Impetus as an Investment Director and support us in our mission to transform the lives of young people.
The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy.
Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
About the Investment Team
The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.
The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.
The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.
The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.
The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.
The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.
Key responsibilities
Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio
- Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment
- Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, to assess and build partnership foundations with potential partners – covering leadership and governance, and their impact, scale, and partnership potential;
- Modelling from first contact of origination, our approach to engaged and trust-based investment management support;
- Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.
Managing partnerships with portfolio partners
- Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs
- Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, including appropriate annual investment milestones to allow for a clear assessment of re-investment potential at end of phase
- Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks against milestones and making evidence-based recommendations on progression or exit to Leads, Portfolio Director and the Investment Committee
- Escalating key risks on performance, leadership and safeguarding
- Conducting annual partnership review with Sector Leads and partner CEOs
- Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments, in line with Service Funding Agreements.
Supporting portfolio partners
- Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, using a mix of at least monthly one-to-one meetings and group facilitation to:
- clarify theory of change,
- define long term ambition,
- develop growth strategy
- achieve a step change in the delivery and performance management of outcomes,
- strengthen leadership (individual and collective) and governance capabilities,
- develop path to scale,
- build financial resilience;
- Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity-building projects (in addition to providing direct management support). Ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and contribute to charity progression;
- Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners that are aligned with the partner’s activities and do not distract or undermine their core work;
- Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities for portfolio partners, enhancing their ability to deliver impact at scale;
- Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner that is managed by an Investment Director.
Support to Impetus
- Developing expertise about “what works” in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement as well as investigation into key research and evaluative literature;
- Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus’ strategy, model and delivery;
- Contributing to internal priorities and working groups (e.g. team strategy discussions, digital improvement initiatives, or equity, diversity, and inclusion)
- Contribute towards Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, donor reports and fundraising events
- Sharing the learning from our work across the team, across the organisation and externally working within Impetus strategy and agreed forums
- Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, and engage portfolio partners appropriately in these events.
- Where appropriate, line-managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team to grow and develop, and achieve their project, role and team objectives.
Person specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
- Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
- A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
- Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
- Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
- Tenacity and initiative.
- Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
- Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback.
- Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
- Strong planning and time management skills.
- Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.
Desirable
- Experience in the non-profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
- Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
- Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
- Board experience in private, public or third sector.
- Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.

As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will help ensure London Youth is a credible, influential voice on issues affecting young people and the organisations that support them. Sitting within the Fundraising and Communications Directorate, you will work closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and youth participation, communciations, fundraising and delivery colleagues to deliver demonstrable external influence and impact.
You will craft clear, evidence-based policy positions that shape debate and influence decision-making at London and national level, ensuring the policymakers understand and respond to the realities facing young people in London. Through effective internal engagement, you will also ensure colelagues and our members are well-informed and equipped to respond to key policy developments.
You will successfully represent the voice of London Youth's members and the young people they support, helping to secure greater recognition, investment, and support for youth services. By building strong relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, and sector partners working to address the issues affecting young people inthe capital, you will help position London Youth as a trusted and respected contributor to relevant policy discussions.
At a time of significant change across the youth sector, you will play a central role in campaigning for systematic change and in building the profile of London Youth and the wider voluntary sector as the Government's 10-year National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, is implemented. You will help ensure commitments translate into meaningful outcomes for young people, particularly in relation to youth services, enrichment opportunities, and support for young people not in education, employment, or training, and strengthen long-term investment in youth provision.
What you will be doing
You will lead the development and delivery of London Youth's policy and public affairs work, building a clear and consistent understanding of the London and national context for young people and youth organisations. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, including communications, fundraising, delivery, and MEL, you will help develop a clear and compelling case for support and influence.
You will work in close partnership with the CEO and CEO's office, acting as a trusted policy adviser, supporting the CEO's external policy engagements, positioning, and relationships with senior policymakers and influencers.
You will monitor emerging political and policy developments and relevant funding announcements, providing insight and analysis to identify opportunities for engagement. You will draft swift organisational responses to key policy announcements, in collaboration with the CEO and communications team, and ensure relevant intelligence and opportunties inform the work of the fundraising team.
You will develop, maintain, and communicate evidence-based policy positions, insights, and priorities, convening our members regularly to inform clear policy asks and advocacy. You will shape briefings and consultation responses that reflect the needs of London Youth's members and the young people they support. You will shape policy positions and provide high-quality briefings ahead of key senior-level engagements.
You will oversee and track our policy influencing activity, identifying emerging policy developments, coordinating internal input, engaging stakeholders and representing London Youth in external policy and public affairs forums, and reporting on the impact of our policy work.
You will strengthen policy work through insight and engagement, analysig relevant data and research from our membership and working with the Learning and Impact Lead to ensure insights from London Youth's network inform policy development. You will also identify opportunities for members and young people from our Youth Board to engage in policy work, including through consultations, networks, and events.
You will build and maintain strong relationships with key London and national stakeholders, identifying opportunities for partnership working with other organisations and ensuring London Youth has a visible, credible voice in debates affecting young people.
You will contribute to London Youth's communications, campaigns, and profile, working with colleagues to shape policy activity across digital channels, produce engaging written content including articles and speeches, craft organisational messaging, support youth-led engagement, and contribute to London Youth's thematic networks, influencing events and media opportunities.
What you bring to the role
Knowledge and Experience:
- Strong understanding of how policy is developed in the London and national context, and experience of engaging with political agendas on behalf of a charitable or membership organisation.
- Experience in developing robust policy positions, responses, and solutions, and influencing politicians and decision-makers.
- Up-to-date, proven experience in public affairs, parliamentary engagement or a related policy-influencing role, with a clear track record of driving meaningful change.
- Good understanding of UK parliamentary and government processes, and of current policy areas impacting young people in London and across the UK.
- Experience of producing a range of briefings and written materials, including research findings, public statements, consultation responses, and briefings for senior colelagues.
- Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with opinion-formers and other key stakeholders.
Attributes and Behaviours:
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially when it comes to policy partners.
- Demonstrate confidence to engage and build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including those at senior level.
- A confidence verbal communicator and presenter able to represent London Youth within policy forums, consortia, and networking events.
- Demonstrate ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, with proven ability to innovate and deliver change.
- Demonstrate ability to analyse, summarise, and present evidence to different audiences.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ensuring young people have prominent platforms to voice their views directly on the issues that affect them.
- Demonstrate a commitment to strengthening London's Youth sector.
- Be willing to work some evenings and the occasional weekend.
- Understanding and supporting the vision, mission, and aims of London Youth.
Demonstrate living our values of being:
- Ambitious
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- Accountable
Why work at London Youth
- Generous holiday allowance - 39 days paid holiday each year (including bank holidays and closure days). Pro-rata if you work part time.
- Employer 4% pension contribution
- Additional leave granted to support voluntary activity
- Free Health Care Cash Plan
- Free access for you and your family to the Employee Assistance Programme
- Free access to the 'Headspace' app for you and your family
- Flexible working opportunities considered
- You'll be working with a fantastic team of passionate colleagues across London Youth
- You will be making a difference to the lives of young people
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
Animal Free Research UK is the leading charity working to create a world where human diseases are cured faster without animal suffering. By pioneering excellence, inspiring and supporting scientists and influencing change, we are ending the use of animals and improving medical research.
We are looking for a Media & PR Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping our public profile, strengthening our reputation and helping to change how the world talks about medical research.
This is a managerial role that will:
- lead the development and delivery of high-impact PR and media activity aligned with organisational priorities
- position Animal Free Research UK as a trusted and authoritative voice across science, policy and public debate
- build strong relationships with journalists, broadcasters, influencers and external advocates
- secure sustained, high-quality coverage across national, sector and digital media
- lead on issues management, reactive media and crisis communications in sensitive or high-profile contexts
- work closely with digital and engagement colleagues to align media, social and campaign activity
- use insight and performance data to strengthen impact and inform future strategy
You will work closely with colleagues across the charity to ensure our media and public narrative supports scientific credibility, policy influence and public engagement at a critical moment for animal-free research.
About You
We are looking for someone who brings:
- demonstrable success in securing high-impact media coverage across national, broadcast and digital channels
- experience building trusted relationships with journalists, influencers and senior stakeholders
- strong copywriting and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or policy issues into compelling stories
- confidence operating in high-profile, fast-moving or sensitive media environments
- a strategic mindset with the ability to deliver tactically under pressure
- a deep commitment to animal protection, scientific integrity and the mission of Animal Free Research UK
A background in science or biomedical research is welcomed but not essential if you can demonstrate the ability to engage credibly with complex evidence and policy.
How to Apply
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway.
We recognise that people use AI tools in many contexts. For this application, please ensure your submission reflects your own specific experience and insights. We use follow-up questions at interview to confirm authenticity.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to take part in the application or interview process, please let us know when you apply or contact us via email.
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification and requirements of the role.
Closing date: Monday 9 February 2026, 5pm
First-round interviews: Thursday 12 February 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)
Second-round interviews: Monday 23 February 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)
Our mission is to champion animal-free, human-specific technologies that deliver better treatments for human diseases faster.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for someone with excellent communication and organisational skills to support with developing and communicating policy positions that contribute to the charity’s key strategic objectives.
In this dynamic role, you’ll work as a core part of the team and across the wider organisation to coordinate and draft responses to consultations and lead on responding to policy enquiries.
Your ability to influence and work together with others will help you to succeed as Policy Officer to learn from colleagues and external networks in order to contribute to policy positions, confidently represent Diabetes UK and influence others appropriately.
You will also be keen to seek out opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills and have an appetite to develop expert knowledge in particular policy areas.
Join us and be a part of something truly transformative. Together, we can change the narrative around diabetes and make a positive difference to the lives of people impacted by the condition.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Right now, millions of people across the UK are living with financial insecurity. Parents are choosing between heating and food. People who fall ill find themselves unable to work and without support. Countless others lie awake at night worrying about bills they cannot pay. At Turn2us, we believe none of us should have to face these challenges alone - and we exist to change the systems that allow them to persist.
Turn2us is working towards a future where everyone in the UK has financial security so they can thrive. We combine direct support and innovative digital tools, such as our online Benefits Calculator and PIP Helper, with influencing, policy and systems change. Across our organisation, colleagues bring deep expertise, compassion and ambition, united by a shared belief that financial hardship is not a personal failing, but a systemic issue that can and must be changed.
The Income & External Affairs Directorate plays a critical role in making this vision a reality. Through relationship-led fundraising, commercial partnerships, communications, and policy and influencing work, the directorate ensures Turn2us has the resources, profile and voice needed to maximise our impact. It connects our work with the people, organisations and institutions that can help drive lasting change. While we have built strong momentum and significant partnerships in recent years, we know there is far more potential to realise.
As Director of Income & External Affairs, you will be a key member of our Leadership Team, working closely with colleagues across the charity and with our Board. You will lead the growth of sustainable income, develop powerful and values-led partnerships, strengthen our public voice, and help shape a policy and advocacy agenda grounded in the experiences of people facing financial hardship. You will also play a vital role in building trust, credibility and influence across sectors to help shift the systems that keep people locked in financial insecurity.
We are looking for an exceptional and values-driven leader with a strong track record in relationship-based income generation, partnerships and influence. This experience may come from the charity sector or a commercial environment. We are not seeking a specific career path or background; instead, we actively welcome applications from people who bring new perspectives, transferable skills and different ways of thinking. What matters most is a deep commitment to our purpose, a willingness to learn and the confidence to lead with curiosity and humility.
This role calls for persuasive leadership, emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust across diverse teams and stakeholders. You will thrive if you enjoy working collaboratively, sharing power and leading in a way that is inclusive, supportive and ambitious.
This is a genuinely exciting and critical role - for our staff, our partners, and most importantly, for the people we exist to serve. We are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of financial insecurity. If you share our values and feel inspired by our vision of a more just and financially secure society, we would love to hear from you.
To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. Applications should include a CV and covering letter. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley at Tall Roots.
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.
The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable.
Leading national policy strategy
As Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you will work closely with the CEO to develop and execute a four-year influencing plan. Together we’ll aim to shift local and national incentives on inclusion by 2030, which see the national trend of rising suspension and absence begin to fall.
You will hold relationships with the Department for Education and Ofsted and advise on policy priorities ahead, such as:
-
Widening the definition of inclusion beyond special needs, recognising the needs of those young people historically or currently interacting with social services
-
Reducing perverse incentives for schools to alter their school roll through admissions and pupil exits
-
Expectations for multi-academy trusts in capturing and analysing data on lost learning, including how it disproportionately affects different groups
-
Improving local alternative provision eco-systems, to improve outcomes for young people
-
National standards for inclusive school practice, at a universal and targeted level
-
Professional development standards for school inclusion
Developing implementation expertise in the middle tier
In your first six months, you will advise on the internal development of a new programme for middle tier policy actors: multi-academy trust and local authority leaders. You will support the Programme team in its design, to plan strategically for the recruitment of trusts and local authorities, and you will plan the research and influencing work which will seek to share their success nationally.
Building the evidence base
In your second six months, you will work with the CEO to build out our research function. Your influencing plan will include how The Difference can learn from the work across our multi-academy trust, local authority and internal AP pioneer partners over the next four years, to develop influential publications. Research work ahead will include publishing sector-facing publications of The Difference’s own research, carried out by our research lead and associates; alongside managing external contractors and internal colleagues to bid for and deliver aligned research disseminating our ideas.
Raising your voice
This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to inclusive policy change. The Difference has always punched above our weight in national and sector press reach. In post, you will publish blogs and comment pieces, disseminating our shared ideas. You will be a prominent voice on inclusion.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Head of Policy and Public Affairs you will:
Design and execute an impactful influencing plan
-
Design an influencing plan - Identify via horizon scanning opportunities to influence national policy using open policy windows, or by nudging/creating new ones.
-
Execute an influencing plan - Utilise own assets and assets across the organisation, including the Director team, to deliver against the influencing plan.
-
Relationship building - Build highly credible and impactful relationships with a variety of stakeholders who hold power. This will include policy makers in national governments, local government officials, politicians, other third sector organisations and think tanks.
-
Leadership - Play a significant role internally and externally in communicating the organisation’s policy position, raising organisational and own brand.
Build policy capacity and credibility across the organisation
-
Policy positions and solutions- Use the concepts, work and experience of The Difference’s programmes to develop new, and refine existing, national policy positions to shift incentives.
-
Thought leadership - Be the organisation’s education policy and political expert.
-
Generating income - Use own and team’s expertise and credibility to generate income via speaking engagements and consultancy to support the organisation’s financial sustainability.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, experience and skills, though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
-
Deep expertise in education policy, particularly on the topic of lost learning and the various policy and political debates, including areas of controversy, surrounding this policy topic.
-
Strategic thinker with a proven track record in identifying policy windows and designing activities that lead to meaningful national policy change.
-
Excellent relationship builder, who brings with them their own network of influential stakeholders and has a plan for building new relationships. Adept at navigating tricky situations and explaining complex, sometimes difficult, messages.
-
Expert convener with a strong knowledge of the education sector, including which schools, trusts and local authorities are influential and experience in bringing a variety of perspectives together to generate consensus.
-
Persuasive and clear writing style for publication, including reports, press, blogs and ghost writing for members of the senior leadership team, often based on consensus positions, and designed to communicate key messages for impact.
-
Confidence and credibility in communicating nuanced messages in a contentious landscape, in writing, verbally and in public (e.g. on panels), to raise the profile of The Difference.
-
Strong project manager who can design systems and processes to keep self, team and other stakeholders on task and on time. Experience of designing programmes of work and monitoring their effectiveness. Flexible project management style that can adapt to a changing environment. Confidence in managing a variety of stakeholders and supporting them to deliver on time.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following:
-
Familiarity with The Difference’s programmatic work, theory and practice.
-
Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people (e.g. those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, exclusion, and racism).
We know that some people, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution, we warmly encourage you to apply.
We actively welcome applications from people whose backgrounds are under-represented in the charity sector, including but not limited to: people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the case system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Company Description
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end of life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering nursing and hospice care in the community and in hospital, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end of life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness that cannot be cured.
Job Description
The PR & Media team raises awareness of who we are, what we do, and the impact Marie Curie has through local and national broadcast, print and online media. This team also looks after our work with high profile supporters and celebrity ambassadors.
The National PR Lead will be responsible for the successful delivery of Public Relations and Media strategies to support a designated portfolio of work. You will play a vital role in leading priority PR workstreams. Your expertise will ensure we use the most effective PR tactics to meet team and organisational goals. You will also leave your impact on major policy campaigns, including high-profile initiatives such as Dying in Poverty and Fix End of Life Care.
You will be responsible for:
- Delivering PR and media strategies for specific portfolios, leading priority workstreams, and ensuring effective tactics to meet campaign and organisational goals.
- Leading PR strategy development, execution, and evaluation to increase brand recognition and media reach; managing campaign objectives and sharing insights for continuous improvement.
- Identifying, training, and briefing spokespeople including senior staff.
- Managing reactive news and news desk functions to stay ahead of media agendas.
- Maintaining strong media relationships, ensuring consistent key message delivery, and advising on reputational risks and issues.
- Line management and development for two National Media & PR Officers.
Key Criteria:
- Established experience in a similar PR position, managing a news desk or a press office.
- Experience working in a large, complex, face paced environment.
- Excellent understanding and experience working with national media (broadcast, print, online, podcasts etc).
- Proven experience landing national news stories, broadcast coverage, features, op-eds and reactive media opportunities.
- Line management or mentoring experience and the ability to lead teams.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work with stakeholders of all levels.
- Experience or familiarity with healthcare policy and public affairs and understanding of political landscape will be an asset.
- Ability to work unsociable hours.
Please see the full job description.
Additional Information
Application & Interview Process
- As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
- Close date for applications: 15 Feb 2026. We encourage early applications as we may close the job advert sooner, upon receiving a sufficient number of applications.
Salary: £36,900-41,000 per annum depending on experience (+3,500 London Weighting Allowance if applicable + out of hours allowance)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35h per week)
Based: Hybrid role with 1-2 days per week from our London office in Embassy Gardens
Benefits you’ll LOVE:
- Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
- 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
- Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
- Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
- Continuous professional development opportunities.
- Industry-leading training programmes
- Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
- Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
- Access to Blue Light Card membership
- Subsidised Eye Care
At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding. We provide care for all, and that commitment extends beyond the people we serve. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings. We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title - Managing Director of Research Programmes (UK)
Contract – Permanent
Hours - 35 hours per week
Salary – Circa £75,000 per annum (negotiable)
Location - Coram Campus, Bloomsbury, with occasional travel and some working from home as agreed
About Coram
Coram, which is the oldest children’s charity, is a group of specialist organisations; we help more than 1 million children and young people from infancy to independence, creating positive change that lasts a lifetime.
Established by Royal Charter in 1739, as the Foundling Hospital, and operating from its distinctive 3.5 acres headquarters in the heart of London, Coram has built a position of insight, influence, and research by working closely with other organisations and other sectors, universities and government, professionals, and families. We have ambitious plans for the future, to be the UK’s leading recognised research organisation, dedicated to improving life chances as the Institute for Children.
About the role
This role works directly with the Chief Executive as a member of the Senior Management Team in achievement of this vision and strategy; it will lead the advancement of the Coram Institute for Children as a UKRI recognised independent research organisation (IRO), drive research capacity and capability, champion and deliver internal and external evaluations, advance Coram’s sector credibility and relationships, and inform and contribute to the group’s reach, relevance and results.
This senior position leads a large team of mixed methods researchers and data analysts and comprises an important opportunity for a credible research leader and experienced charity senior manager who is dynamic and multi-skilled with an entrepreneurial approach to lead the only IRO in the children and young people’s sector.
The successful candidate will have a strong business focus and commitment to translating research findings into policy and practice and direct experience of securing research council funding, or funding from sources such as What Works Centres, local and central government or Trusts and Foundations.
You will be able to work individually, in a team and across the organisation. Strong critical thinking ability, partnership building skills and knowledge, experience and commitment to improving lives of children are essential.
To apply for this role, please visit the Coram website to complete an application. Please note CV’S will not be accepted.
Closing date: 18th February 2026 at 12 noon
Interview date: 26th & 27th February 2026
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.
If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Registered Charity No. 312278.
Coram changes lives, laws and systems to create better chances for children, now and forever.
Public Affairs and Media Officer
£37,264 pa pro rata plus excellent benefits
London WC1 and home-based – hybrid working (minimum 40% in the office)
35 hours per week, full-time
Fixed Term Contract to 27 November 2026
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a confident and proactive Public Affairs and Media Officer to join our Media and Public Affairs team at an exciting time for child health policy and advocacy.
This is a varied and high-impact role at the heart of our influencing work. You will help shape and deliver campaigns that call on decision-makers to strengthen the child health workforce and services, tackle child health inequalities across the UK, and protect children’s rights. You will support the College’s public affairs, campaigning and media activity; ensuring paediatricians’ voices are heard where they matter most.
As Public Affairs and Media Officer, you will monitor political and media developments, identify opportunities to influence parliamentarians and stakeholders, and provide high-quality briefings and communications content to support our advocacy priorities. You will work collaboratively across the College, including with colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to deliver coordinated, UK-wide influencing activity.
The role also includes supporting the day-to-day management of the RCPCH press office, drafting press materials, leading media monitoring, and contributing to social media and digital campaigning activity.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the delivery of public affairs and influencing activity aligned to the College’s strategy
- Monitoring political and policy developments and identifying opportunities for engagement
- Preparing high-quality briefings for senior paediatricians and staff to support engagement with MPs, Peers and stakeholders
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with external partners, coalitions and key stakeholders
- Producing compelling content for newsletters, website, social media and e-campaigning platforms
- Coordinating cross-team collaboration to deliver integrated influencing campaigns
- Leading daily media monitoring and supporting press office activity, including drafting press releases
- Contributing to social media planning and acting as a social media champion within the team
Essential skills and experience:
- Degree or equivalent relevant professional experience
- Experience in public affairs, stakeholder engagement and/or campaigning
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to tailor content for a range of audiences and channels
- Experience producing media and social media content
- Experience working collaboratively, including in coalitions or partnerships
- Strong project management and organisational skills
Desirable experience includes working in a press office, delivering social media campaigns, and formal project management training.
The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows and employs around 200 staff, most of whom work in our London office in Holborn. We have a Devolved Nations team operating from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Our College values: Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire, are important to us. These values ensure we bring out the best in each other, strive forward together to make the College a positive and dynamic place to work.
The RCPCH champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Our workplace is inclusive, offering a supportive environment where staff can thrive. The College is keen to accept applications from people with protected characteristics. We believe that our staff should represent all of the diverse communities we serve. Join us to help realise our vision of a world where every child is healthy and well.
The College operates a flexible and modern working policy, whereby our colleagues work in the office for a minimum of 40% over a 4 week cycle and the remainder from home.
The RCPCH is committed to safeguarding the children, young people and adults it has contact with in the exercise of its functions and responsibilities. The RCPCH expects all staff to share this commitment – we place a high priority on ensuring only those who do so are recruited to work for us.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records.
Closing date: 15 February 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advocates on child health issues at home and internationally.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Senior Property Manager
Location: Birmingham, B15 - Hybrid + Travel
Salary: £57,433 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Shape the future of third-party housing management at Midland Heart.
Midland Heart is a leading social housing provider and property owner with a growing residential and commercial leasehold estate. We're creating a new specialist role to strengthen oversight of our third-party managed portfolio, with laser focus on managing agent performance, data compliance and service quality across a geographically dispersed estate.
This role will suit a commercially minded property professional who enjoys operating as the intelligent client — setting expectations, challenging delivery and holding partners to account.
Why this role is different
This isn't a business-as-usual housing management role. As our Senior Property Manager (known internally as Third Party Agency Manager), you'll:
- Have strategic oversight, from property handover to strategic disposals, of a growing portfolio of circa 2,000–2,500 residential and commercial properties dispersed over the East and West Midlands.
- Lead relationships with around 100 external managing agents, managing, assuring and constructively challenging third-party performance against contracts and driving continuous improvement.
- Lead and develop a newly formed specialist team.
- Ensure Tenants remain at the heart of service delivery, ensuring compliance, value for money and driving improvements in Tenant Satisfaction Measures.
Our ideal candidate? We're seeking a property management professional who can balance strong commercial oversight with a tenant-first mindset. Your application will demonstrate:
- ATPI (Associate of The Property Institute) Qualified or demonstrable experience of private property management.
- Proven experience of all matters relating to private residential and/or commercial leasehold management including its legislative context and policy framework.
- Experience of leading, managing and developing a geographically dispersed operational team.
- Commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets and delivering value for money.
- A track record of improving services and customer satisfaction.
- The confidence to challenge, influence and make evidence-based decisions, whilst maintaining effective, professional relationships.
As a Smart Working organisation, you can expect to work from a Midland Heart site 3 days a week, with 2 days working remotely from home. To successfully deliver this role, you must be willing and able to travel across a dispersed portfolio to meet with your team, Contractors, Managing Agents and to attend AGMs.
Who are Midland Heart? We're one team working together for our tenants; a large and ambitious housing organisation providing more people an affordable place to call home. We welcome people from every walk of life, at every stage of their career. We expect a lot from our people but in return you can be assured of a great place to work, where you will be well rewarded and where great people are able to succeed.
We are proud to say we have recently been named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, within the Big Organisations category (The Times).
Closing Date: Thursday 15 January 2026
Assessments for the role are planned to take place in January 26 at our Birmingham, Bath Row office.
Interested? Applying is easy - simply click the apply button. You will be directed to our candidate portal, there you can see a link to the full Role Profile and submit your CV and Cover Letter which show us that you have what it takes to make a success of the role.
We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss any adjustments you might need in order to be successful in this role.
No agencies please.
Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.
You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.
You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team.
Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.
Team:Research and Development
Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location
Duration:Permanent
Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)
Main Purpose
The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).
While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.
They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and management
- Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
- Line management of senior and mid-level staff
- Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate
Income
- Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
- Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
- Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners
Impact
- Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
- Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
- Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them.
Delivery
- Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
- Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
- Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team
Person Specification
Experience
Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential
Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential
Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential
Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential
Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable
Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable
Skills
Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential
Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable
Clear and direct written communication style - Essential
Knowledge
Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential
Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential
Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -Desirable
Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Safeguarding is a vital part of the Church's Mission of healing, justice, and hope. As a Diocese, we aim to be a beacon of best practice in safeguarding children and adults at risk.
Working hours: 35 Hours per week, with the opportunity for hybrid working and flexible working
Part-time working may be considered for an exceptional candidate, with a minimum of approximately 28 hours per week with one working day being a Monday.
Salary: £36,225 to £38,850 per annum, subject to qualifications and experience
Benefits: We offer a range of benefits including hybrid and flexible working, 11% non-contributory pension scheme, 25 days holiday rising to 29 after five years’ service.
ROLE DUTIES
- To guide and advise parishes on their safeguarding enquiries and referrals.
- Manage, investigate, lead, and conclude designated cases
- To maintain up to date records relating to your designated caseload on the church’s National Safeguarding Case Management System, and the recording of case supervision.
- To form and maintain productive, professional relationships with parishes, especially Parish clergy, Senior clergy, and parish volunteers, particularly the Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs).
CRITERIA
- A minimum of two years’ experience of safeguarding children and adults in the voluntary or statutory sector.
- Experience in risk evaluation/assessment relating to offenders/offending behaviour.
- Experience of managing safeguarding situations as part of a caseload.
- Experience and understanding of safeguarding procedures in relation to children and adults
For more information and to apply please see the job description and application form on the Chelsmford Diocese Website.
Closing Date: 23 February
Interview Date: 6 March 2026
We reserve the right to invite candidates for preliminary interviews.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close the role early and we cannot consider candidates who do not complete and return a completed application form.
Please refer to the CDBF Privacy Policy found on the Chelmsford Diocese website for guidance on how we will process your data.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
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!
Young Citizens is seeking a Business Development and Special Projects Lead to support a critical year of fundraising, income generation and partnership development. This role supports the special projects work with the CEO and will work with the senior team to lead on the income and visibility opportunities that unlock our delivery for our three-year strategy.
Your Role’s Purpose
Year 1 of this role will be focused on business model development, income generation and strategic partnerships. Working closely with the CEO and senior management team, you will help shape, test and secure new funding and commercial opportunities that position Young Citizens for long-term sustainability and impact. The special projects element includes supporting the developmental design of our future business model, charity strategy and public affairs work.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building, creating and working at pace to achieve great results within a small team. You will be rapidly developing propositions, forging partnerships and converting ideas into credible, funded initiatives. You will play a central role in strengthening our relationships with funders, institutions, corporates and sector partners, while supporting wider organisational development projects.
Young Citizens works at the intersection of education, democracy and civic life, and this role offers a unique opportunity to influence how active citizenship is funded, delivered and embedded across the UK.
In Year 1, your primary focus will be to:
- Develop and drive income/fundraising with existing channels, including grant funding, partnerships and commercial activity.
- Build a strong pipeline of income opportunities, working closely with the CEO to convert prospects into funding
- Produce high-quality business cases, funding bids, proposals and presentations of our work
- Design and execute new funding models and partnership opportunities alongside the CEO’s updated strategic plan
- Lead staff member for strategic engagement with funders, corporates, policymakers and sector stakeholders.
Alongside this, you will contribute to priority special projects that support Young Citizens’ organisational growth and external positioning.
Who We’re Looking For
This role is not just open to traditional fundraisers or partnership managers. As long as you have the seniority and expertise leading results, you might come from a charity, social enterprise, consultancy, policy or start-up background. What matters most is your ability to confidently progress a pipeline of opportunities, build partnerships, generate income and deliver results.
We are interested in a wider pool of candidates with 5+ years in the working world, possibly from other start-ups or programme design focus instead of 'trad' fundraising roles'. If you are a high-performer who wants to focus on corporate partnerships, external relations and business success, this role may be right for you—talk to us.
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong interest in business development and income generation
- Confidently able to design and deliver on their ideas, instilling confidence and get results with high-level stakeholders
- Highly professional writer and communicator, able to produce strong proposals and pitch deck materials
- Commercially aware, with an ability to spot and shape fundable opportunities
- Excels at working closely with senior stakeholders including the CEO, able to predict needs and are responsive to what gets the best results
- Organised and adaptable, able to own multiple priorities in a small, fast-moving organisation
- Technically capable, making data systems like Salesforce easily integrated into their workflow
- Distinctly motivated and/or experienced in social impact, education, democracy or civic participation
Please note the pay scale of this role is determined by the demonststrable strategic seniority the person brings in managing others and organisational outcomes alongside technical role skills above.
Success in the first six months of this role will look like:
- Immediate management and confidence securing existing income contracts with corporate and funding partners of £200,000+
- Tactical, high-volume stakeholder engagement campaigns to increase sponsorship and new income opportunities
- Leading the development of improved business modelling, pricing structures and income streams that create a more sustainable base
- Operating with professionalism, improving processes and keeping organisational priorities at the forefront
Why join us?
- Make a real difference by helping deliver inspiring citizenship experiences to young people nationwide.
- Shape and strengthen the delivery of our flagship national programmes.
- Join a supportive, purpose‑driven team that values collaboration, flexibility, and doing great work together.
- Grow with us as we deliver our new three‑year strategy and embed smarter, stronger delivery processes.
If you're excited about making a tangible impact through high‑quality programme delivery, and want to contribute to a mission‑driven organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
A few useful notes to apply:
This is a 12 month fixed contract starting as soon as possible.
- The closing date for applications is 11pm on Sunday 22 February 2026. We encourage you to apply ahead of the deadline, as shortlisting will begin on Thursday 12 February. However, as long as this advert remains live, first‑round interviews have not yet been finalised.
- Please submit a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining your interest in this role. Applications without a covering letter cannot be reviewed. We are unable to progress applications that do not demonstrate direct or clearly transferable experience.
- If you have any questions before applying, please contact our HR team.
For a full overview of the role and responsibilities, please see the job pack for more details.
Young Citizens is a citizenship education charity that informs, equips and inspires children and young people across the UK to be active citizens.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
L&W is growing our research team and looking for a Head of Research to lead innovative, impactful research and evaluation projects across our focus areas of employment and skills.
This role will expand our capacity to win and deliver evaluation and qualitative research, while strengthening our methodological capability. We’re open-minded about what that means—but we want people who can go beyond standard process evaluations and basic qualitative approaches. You might have experience mapping and evaluating complex system-level change, applying realist evaluation methods, or developing co-design and participatory research projects. You will have have applied these while working alongside the practitioners and policymakers who need these insights to make decisions.
You will join a team that is enthusiastic about learning and improving, and a peer group of experienced qualitative and quantitative research leaders who you will work alongside.
If you have research consultancy experience and want to join a purpose-driven organisation that delivers real impact locally and nationally, we’d love to hear from you. But you might come from a different professional background and still meet our criteria.
Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.
Team:Research and Development
Salary:£45,650-£59,080 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location
Duration:Permanent
Working hours:0.6 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (eg, condensed hours, flexible start and finish times
Main Purpose
The Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods is a new post for L&W – as we seek to deepen our capability and expand our capacity.
The post-holder will direct research projects across all of our areas of work, providing specific leadership and expertise in programme and system-level evaluations, and projects mobilising innovative or advanced qualitative methods (such as system mapping, co-design methods, ethnographic methods, creative methods and/or theory-based/realist evaluation).
They will work with the Head of Research: Employment and Better Work to develop the wider qualitative and evaluative skills of the wider research team.
They will also play a key role in leading and writing responding to tenders and working with colleagues to develop pro-active research proposals that fill key evidence gaps and respond to the interests of our funders. They will be a good relationship manager – who can understand what commissioners are interested in, and shape projects to deliver meaningful insights that solve the problems practitioners and policymakers face across employment and skills.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and management
- Line manage members of the R&D team
- Co-lead the qualitative methods group at L&W: supporting the wider research team to develop their skills.
Income
- Write and contribute to reactive and proactive funding proposals across L&W’s areas of work, with a specific focus on process and theory-based evaluations, and proposals using advanced/innovative qualitative methods
- Build relationships with current and potential funders
- Identify and build relationships with research partners
Impact
- Ensure that all projects under their direction generate meaningful insights and recommendations that respond to the real-world concerns and challenges faced by practitioners and policymakers
- Communicate insights clearly and effectively to funders and other stakeholders
Delivery
- Act as Project Director for research and evaluation projects: liaising with funders; shaping research proposals and plans; supporting project managers; leading project meetings; ensuring project margins are delivered effectively; carrying out research directly where appropriate
- Work with External Affairs team to develop appropriate comms and influencing plans for projects under your direction
- Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team
Person Specification
Expericence
Experience of delivering and directing high-quality programmes evaluation and policy-relevant research: shaping research plans, working with funders and delivering meaningful insights -Essential
Experience of responding to research and evaluation tenders and writing proposals. -Essential
Experience of managing, supporting and developing researchers and research managers -Essential
Experience of carrying out research and evaluation in the areas of employment and skills -Desirable
Skills
Advanced qualitative evaluation and research skills, eg. One or more of theory-based evaluation, ethnographic methods, creative/art-based methods, co-design methods, system-level evaluation -Essential
Effective and efficient relationship management -Essential
Clear and direct written communication style -Essential
Knowledge
Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose -Essential
Demonstrable knowledge in the areas of employment and skills policy and practice -Desirable
Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.



