Senior research and policy officer jobs in london, greater london

Salary Scale: Grade PO5/6/7 £50,568 - £58,692

Location: Copthall House 9, The Pavement, Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1DA (Hybrid - office/home working)

Hours: Full-time 36 hrs per week all year round

Department: Development Team

Reports to: Executive Director of Development

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for over 2000 pupils and students from nursery to further education across 13 academies and 9 college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.

Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs including autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health; profound and multiple disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health needs.

Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business team which includes HR, finance and IT.

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Head of Development to join our senior leadership team. This pivotal role will drive our growth agenda, ensuring new opportunities are identified, developed and delivered to support the continued success and impact of OHC&AT.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research and identify opportunities for growth, including expansion of existing provisions, acquiring schools/college centres and developing new service models

• Lead on feasibility assessments and the development of strategic business cases for agreed projects.

• Lead on statutory consultations and Equality Impact Assessments as required

• Lead on the submission of bids and proposals to external partners and agencies as required.

• Undertake due diligence for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT.

• Manage the integration process for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT.

• Oversee all aspects of development projects, including planning, budgets, timelines, risk management, and reporting.

• Monitor progress of development projects, manage risks, and resolve issues as they arise to ensure successful completion at development stage.

Key Requirements:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

• Significant experience in a strategic development, or a programme leadership role within education or a related public sector environment

• Demonstrable experience of managing successful expansions, acquisitions, or capital projects

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write clear and persuasive business cases and proposals.

• Proven project and programme management expertise, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time and to budget

• A strong personal commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children and young people with special needs

Rewards & Benefits:

• Comprehensive training and development

• Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks

• Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured (our employee assistance programme)

• Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders

• Scope for career progression across nine college centres, 13 academy schools and Central Teams

• Generous annual leave and flexible working schemes in addition to bank and public holidays and a Christmas closure period

• As part of your contract of employment you will enrolled into the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) which has life cover and financial protection for your family

• Enhanced parental leave schemes

• Cycle to work scheme

• Season ticket loans

• Employee referral scheme

• Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness

• Home electronics scheme

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

OHC&AT is a rewarding and inspirational place to work, where everyone works together to create the best possible outcomes for pupils and students.

To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in please complete and submit the Application Form - via the blue button above.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 12th October 2025

Interview Dates: 22nd and 23rd October 2025

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.

Executive and Finance Officer

We’re looking for a proactive and highly organised Executive and Finance Officer to play a vital role in the operations of Centre for Mental Health.

This varied and interesting role supports our CEO and Board, managing day-to-day operations and taking on key finance and HR responsibilities. This will include financial support: reconciling accounts, processing invoices, supporting our Board by organising meetings and helping with many aspects of recruitment, onboarding and assisting our staff team. In this role, you will be at the heart of our team’s success.

You will need to bring outstanding organisational skills, strong IT ability, and experience in financial processes (with knowledge of Sage 50). Experience of working in a charity is desirable.

About us
We’re Centre for Mental Health. We take the lead in challenging policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. We do this by building research evidence to create fairer mental health policy.

By joining our small, friendly and dedicated team, you’ll help us create a fairer society and drive forward sustainable policy change, pursue equality, social justice and good mental health for all. 

The closing date for applications is 7th October 23:59.

Interviews will be held in person at our office in Elephant and Castle, on Tuesday 21 October between 10am and 5pm.

Supporting young people across the UK, STEM Learning is dedicated to improving lives through the power of STEM education.

By equipping schools, teachers and young people with the skills and confidence they need, STEM Learning helps open career opportunities, build knowledge, and enable young people to become thoughtful citizens able to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Fundraising at STEM Learning is at an exciting stage of growth. Income has increased from £3m to £3.5m this year, with ambitions to reach £5–6m in the near future. The team has expanded rapidly from 2 to 7 people, with clear organisational investment and board-level engagement to drive fundraising success. With attractive propositions such as the STEM Impact Fund, student engagement programmes, and unrestricted support, STEM Learning is well positioned to grow its high-value income.

The role of Fundraising Lead is to drive new donor engagement and secure sustainable, multi-year funding. You will develop high value 6- and 7-figure fundraising relationships, primarily with the private sector, but also with HNWIs in the future, bringing on board new supporters, so maximising income and sustainability.

With proposals already in play with leading brands, a supportive Head of Fundraising, and active trustee involvement, this is a rare opportunity to make a visible impact in an ambitious organisation.

As Fundraising Lead, you will:

• Lead corporate new business, with full responsibility for a £300k year-one target
• Build and manage a proactive new business pipeline, using prospect research tools, networking and trustee engagement
• Secure six-figure, multi-year corporate partnerships, developing creative offers across unrestricted, programme-based and blended opportunities
• Focus in the short-medium term on corporate new business, moving to incorporate HNWIs in time
• Work with the Head of Fundraising, SMT and board members to open doors and build senior-level relationships
• Collaborate with colleagues including the account management team and bid writer to ensure seamless handover and delivery of secured partnerships
• Represent STEM Learning externally, positioning the organisation as a credible and attractive partner for major corporate supporters

Ideal skills and experience:

• Proven track record of securing six-figure corporate partnerships, ideally multi-year
• Experience building a corporate pipeline from scratch, including research, prospecting and networking
• Strong understanding of how to package and position fundraising propositions to align donor interests with organisational priorities
• Confident and credible with senior stakeholders, including trustees, boards and senior corporate contacts
• Target-driven, entrepreneurial and proactive, able to deliver short-term results while building long-term income growth
• Collaborative and resilient, with the ability to represent STEM Learning externally and inspire confidence internally
• Experience in building relationships with HNWIs and major donor fundraising desirable, but not essential

Benefits include: 

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (up to 5 days leave can be carried over to the following leave year)
• Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 15%
• Private health care via Benenden Health plus Healthcare Cash Plan and Dental Plan
• Annual salary review
• Electric Car Benefit Scheme via Tusker
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Discounted gym membership and shopping discounts
• Gourmet Society and tastecard dining cards (incl. 2 for 1, 50% off food bill and 25% off total bill)
• Kids Pass
• Employee Assistance Programme

Location:  Hybrid working - Part London office-based and part home working. The post holder will work a minimum of one day a week in the office. 

Salary: £35,225 per annum 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Tuesday 23 September 2025 t 10.00am 

Interview date:  Tuesday 30 September on Teams. Please note that there may be a second stage in person on Friday 3 October. 

This is a permanent role. 

Please note that we reserve the right to hold interviews earlier so please apply as soon as possible. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised individual to join our growing Individual Giving Team as a Senior Individual Giving Officer. You will work on creating our Individual Giving appeals, writing compelling communications which will inspire and drive income. You should have experience of working in a charity environment, and be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously to tight deadlines and budgets.

Experience required 

You’ll have previous experience of: 

• Managing direct marketing campaigns in a charity environment.

• Leading projects from start to finish within given budgets and timescales.

• Creating compelling and professional communications for a variety of audiences and channels. 

• Analysing campaign results and using insight to optimise future campaigns.

• Collaborative working with multiple internal and external partners to deliver campaigns. 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation: Executive Director of Charities

Location: Office based at Southwark
Salary: £120,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Because everyone deserves a fair chance at a long, healthy life, Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation works to tackle health inequalities and support outstanding NHS care. We’re now seeking an ambitious, senior leader in fundraising and marketing for a unique opportunity to become our new Executive Director of Charities. The role will be responsible for shaping the future of our three NHS charities - Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, Evelina London Children’s Charity, and Guy’s Cancer Charity and deliver impact that changes lives every day.

About Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation

At Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation our vision is to build a society where everyone stays healthier for longer. Every day, people across our communities face health challenges that shape their lives and futures. We are one of the UK’s oldest and largest health Foundations, with over 500 years of history. Rooted across Lambeth, Southwark and beyond, we work with the NHS, communities and partners across sectors to tackle health inequity, support innovation and back bold ideas that can transform society.

Now, we’re scaling our ambition. With Board backing for long-term investment in fundraising growth, and a new capital project at Evelina London Children’s Hospital on the horizon, this is a career-defining opportunity to lead that transformation.

What you’ll do

Reporting directly to our CEO, you will lead the Charities Team – overseeing directors across fundraising, marketing, funding & impact, strategy and innovation, and business and play a key role on the Foundation’s Executive Team.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leadership & culture – uniting teams behind a shared vision, fostering high performance, and embedding diversity and inclusion.
• Strategy & fundraising – driving ambitious income growth, shaping large-scale propositions, and championing a culture of philanthropy across the Foundation and the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
• Funding & impact – ensuring we invest strategically in health and equity, while strengthening how we measure and demonstrate impact.
• Partnerships – building deep, collaborative relationships with the Trust’s Executive team, senior clinical leaders, donors and partners.
• Governance & oversight – ensuring robust structures, efficiency and capability for long-term growth and success.

Who you are:

• A vision and mission driven leader, encouraging diverse, positive and collaborative cultures; and developing inclusive processes.
• A proven track record in strategic fundraising and marketing leadership and income growth.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams in complex organisations, including leading leaders.
• Skill in strategy development and delivery, with the commercial acumen to drive results.
• The ability to inspire diverse stakeholders from senior NHS leaders to high-value donors.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

This is more than a leadership role, it’s a chance to redefine what philanthropy can achieve in healthcare. You’ll have the platform, resources and partnerships to deliver lasting impact at scale.

Ready to Learn More?
If you share our vision and are ready to inspire change, click below to view our full Candidate Pack for everything you need to know – including how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 13th October, 9am

The Research Team is pivotal to ensuring that research funded by Children with Cancer UK is at the
forefront of the children and young person’s cancer research area. You will have the opportunity to be at
the cutting edge of cancer research in children and young people and work closely with members of the
scientific community, surrounded by people working towards the same mission.
The post-holder will be responsible for line managing 2-3 members of the Research Team, providing them
with support and identifying areas and opportunities for them to expand and develop their experience
and skillset.

Senior Prospect Research Manager

Location: Home Based, United Kingdom

Group: Social Impact

Vacancy type: Permanent

35 hours per week

£45,000 per annum / pro rata (plus allowances) 

Remote

The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 130 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for children, every step of the way. 

This role sits within our Social Impact Group and you will work closely with Senior Philanthropy Leaders and Major Appeal Programme Director to identify and access new and existing networks of wealth, opportunity and influence.

Our step-change in impact with children will be achieved by a step-change in our philanthropy & partnerships: as our new Senior Prospect Research Manager you'll take a crucial role in this transformation through strategic development and delivery of the full Philanthropy Programme prospect identification and pipeline management framework to enable high quality research, cultivation, stewardship of high value philanthropists and partners in support of TCS

In order to be successful in this role, you must have: 

-Extensive knowledge and understanding of Philanthropy audiences (particularly high net worth individuals and corporates) including motivations for giving and the principles of major gift fundraising to include identification, research, solicitation and stewardship

-Strong track record of successful performance as a prospect/fundraising researcher, including experience conducting due diligence within the not-for-profit sector

-Excellent written and presentation skills and confident ability to deliver verbal and written proposals up to CEO / Board level

-Excellent knowledge of legal, regulatory and ethical environment of philanthropy fundraising, including General Data Protection Regulation

The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer. 

Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more. 

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with.  As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.  We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 22nd September 2025.

Are you eager to make a difference in health and care but don’t know how to get started? Do you want to learn how policy is made, how senior leaders are influenced, and how research drives change?

We’re looking for a Policy and Research Intern to join our Policy and Influence team for nine months. This is a unique chance to take your first step on the policy career ladder – no prior policy experience required.

In this role, you’ll be right at the centre of our work with senior nursing and midwifery leaders. Yes, you’ll support the team with essential admin and communications, but this internship is about so much more than that. You’ll help deliver high-profile events like webinars and roundtables, track and report on member benefits, and contribute to live policy and research projects that shape the future of the NHS and wider system.

We don’t expect you to arrive knowing it all. What matters is your enthusiasm for FNF’s mission, your willingness to learn, and your drive to get stuck in. In return, you’ll gain hands-on experience, work alongside senior stakeholders, and build the skills and confidence to take the next step in your career.

What we’re looking for:

• A genuine interest in health policy and influencing
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Someone proactive, flexible, and ready to muck in
• A team player who wants to learn and grow
• Demonstrable evidence of how you have lived FNF’s values

This is a nine-month paid internship (at the National Living Wage), with plenty of flexibility and hybrid working. You can join us part-time (three days a week) or full-time — whichever works best for you.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, learn by doing, and kick start your career in health policy and influencing, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be part of a dynamic, ambitious team that’s making a real difference — and excited to have you on the journey with us.

Job Title: Senior Programme Manager
Closing date: 26th September 2025 17.00 GMT
Interviews: 3rd October 2025
Reports to: Ubele Founder/ CEO
Location: Min 2 days per week based in North London office, remote working available for max 3 days a week
Pay: £60,000- £63,000 full time, gross per annum
Type of Contract: One-year fixed term contract
Annual Leave Entitlement: 28 days’ annual leave, including UK bank holidays.
Pension: 3% employer pension contribution on eligible earnings.

About The Role  

The purpose of this role is to have overall responsibility for The Phoenix Way (TPW) Programme across the London, South and East regions and delegating day to day management South and East Regions to a dedicated Programme Manager. The role includes:

Strategic oversight of and accountability for the London, South and East regions of The Phoenix Way the creation of sustainable Black and racially minoritised communities and community-led organisations across three separate regions, with an in-depth focus on Greater London by ensuring there is an equitable stake in decisions relating to funding processes, priorities, funding allocations and beyond.
Collaborating with funders, statutory bodies, community organisations and voluntary sector, and other stakeholders committed to the development of an equitable future.
Actively supporting all funding bodies to seek change for diverse communities and deliver significant improvements in their organisation’s cultures, strategies, competences, and capabilities.
Helping funding bodies to adopt equitable policies and practises based on the evidence and learning garnered from the community organisations that receive funding and support from TPW. 

The Director of Policy, Strategy and Governance is a new leadership role at the forefront of shaping and communicating our strategic direction.

As a member of the executive team reporting to the CEO, the Director will work with school leaders, other key external partners and teams within Camden Learning to drive high standards and grow a school-led system striving for both excellence and equity.

The Director will be responsible for leading, developing and communicating Camden Learning’s strategic direction, including plans for future growth and success. This entails keeping abreast of current developments, not only identifying opportunities and trends but also developing and supporting innovative approaches while ensuring alignment with Camden Learning’s goals.

The Director will be responsible for overall governance effectiveness, as well as provide strategic leadership for school governor services, ensuring effective support for governors in their key strategic and statutory roles. This includes establishing high-quality development and training programmes, the provision of a clerking service and bespoke support for governing bodies, as needed.

We are looking for a leader who can take ownership of shaping this role from day one – a strategic thinker, a skilled communicator, and a champion of inclusive governance. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of education in Camden and beyond. Your leadership will help us tell our story, measure our impact, and ensure that our strategy remains both ambitious and grounded in the realities of our schools.

Key dates

• Applications close: 9am Mon 6 October
• First round interviews: Tue 21 and Wed 22 October (online)
• Final round interviews: Tue 28 October (in person at 5 Pancras Square, London)
• Start date: As soon as possible (January 2026), to be agreed with the successful candidate.

ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment advisor to Camden Learning on this appointment.

Would you like to make a difference?

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated individual to join our team as Executive and Policy Assistant. This is a varied and rewarding role, working directly with the CEO and closely with our Communications and Impact team.

You will provide vital support to the CEO by managing diaries, coordinating meetings and events, preparing briefings and presentations, and acting as a key contact for staff, funders, supporters and the Board. You will also play a hands-on role in our policy and campaigning work — carrying out research, drafting communications and helping to ensure the voices of children, young people and adults with dyslexia are heard at every level.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a busy, purpose-driven environment, can balance multiple priorities, and wants to use their skills to make a meaningful difference for the dyslexia community.

Please carefully review the job description (attached below) for full responsibiliites of the role and essential skills required.

Location - Hybrid - this role is primarily home-based (UK), with the requirement to work from our office in Bracknell once a month, and to travel to London at least once a week, or as needed. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Interview schedule - first stage will take place on Monday 13 October 2025, with second stage taking place on Thursday 16 October 2025.

Together, the charities Sands and Tommy’s have formed a Joint Policy Unit (JPU) focussed on achieving policy change that will save more babies’ lives during pregnancy and the neonatal period and on tackling inequalities in loss, so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.

The JPU’s mission is to secure policy change that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes.

While there is widespread agreement on the need for change to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, what that change looks like is not clear.  To save more babies’ lives we believe that a continued focus is required, and that governments should set new commitments to reduce perinatal mortality and preterm births, focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe.

This role will be crucial to the continued success of the JPU unit; leading, shaping and coordinating all the unit’s work. 

We are looking for an independent and assertive problem-solver, a policy expert who can manage multiple priorities, take the initiative, lead the national conversation and is as excited as we are about taking the helm of this venture for both of our organisations.

The successful candidate will need to have a substantial track record of effectively leading and implementing national policy and influencing programmes, driving change and achieving the desired impact.

You will have considerable experience across research, data analysis, policy development, public affairs and communications.  Additionally, you will be well-versed in research and data management, including analysing complex data and evaluating policy developments.

Experience of being a member of a senior management team with successful, significant and relevant management and leadership experience is also essential.

About Impetus

Our vision is for a society where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive in school, secure crucial qualifications, and take their first steps into the world of work on the journey to sustained employment in adulthood, for a fulfilling life.

As a leading impact funder, since 2002, Impetus has been helping the best leaders build stronger organisations delivering the most promising interventions that support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed against the odds. We do this by using our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact, through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school.
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths.
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment.

These are challenges that are faced by all young people, but they disproportionately affect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

About the role

Are you passionate about giving all young people the best chance in life? Are you a brilliant influencer and communicator who relishes harnessing great policy, research and communications to realise social change? Do you want to work in a pioneering charity with impact at its core?

Then this could be the role for you. At Impetus we are looking for our next Director of Public Affairs, someone who can inspire our brilliant Public Affairs team and spearhead our communications, policy and research work. This is an exciting senior role, joining our Senior Management Team and working alongside our CEO, board, donors, supporters, portfolio partners and the wider sector to effect real change for young people.

This is an exciting time to join Impetus. We are at an inflexion point, having welcomed a new CEO this year and implementing a new strategy focusing on strengthening and expanding our impact and influence. A big part of that is through our public affairs and communications work; whether influencing policy makers so that all young people regardless of background get the best possible chance to succeed, reducing the gaps in education and employment between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their better off peers, or working with government and other funders to prove and expand impactful programmes or communicating our findings, insights and message to a wider range of audiences.

The Director of Public Affairs will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team to raise our profile and influence policy, unlock and steward resource and build new partnerships, in order to facilitate growth in impact. They will do this by getting the most out of our high performing Public Affairs team, which covers policy, research, advocacy and communications - as well as working across teams and with the Board to ensure Impetus is well positioned externally.

We’re proud of the work we’ve achieved to date, developing a strong track record of high-quality research and insightful reports, significantly raising our profile through media relations and stakeholder engagement, building strong sector partnerships and coalitions to drive meaningful change, establishing a wide range of relationships across government and the sector and building strong expertise in the team. We’re delighted that you’re considering joining us to take forward this work to the next level.

Here are some examples of the types of work that the Public Affairs team delivers:
• Our monthly policy newsletter, Impetus Insights
• Our news and commentary and blogs
• Our latest research reports on school engagement, attainment and youth employment
• Our coalitions: The Youth Employment Group and Who is Losing Learning?

For more information on what we’re looking for from our Director of Public Affairs & what a typical week can look like – please view the Director of Public Affairs recruitment pack.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income generation

• Work with Impetus CEO and SMT to support the delivery of the Impetus strategy and business plan and deliver the public affairs milestones to time and within budget.
• Champion and contribute to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of Impetus' work, ensuring that EDI principles related to Impetus’ mission are reflected in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications and public positioning.
• Vision setting and strong line management of the Public Affairs team, developing their capabilities, representing the team at SMT and to the Board and ensuring it continues to make a valuable - and valued - contribution to the achievement of Impetus’s objectives, through building and implementing high quality work plans for the team and ensuring the wider Impetus team is aligned on these.
• Increase awareness, understanding and trust in Impetus among key stakeholders, through regular, thoughtful engagement with the sector and securing high profile media coverage.
• Raise awareness of the education and employment gaps faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and what we can do to break down the barriers they face - through research, policy positioning and effective communications.
• Build a positive reputation for Impetus in government and parliament and among funders, as a source of expertise on how to improve the education and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a trusted interlocutor and partner, building on and leveraging the many relationships already established.
• Ensure that all advocacy is supported by high quality research and evidence, with our policy and research agenda well aligned to supporting the delivery of Impetus’ strategy.
• Ensure a positive media profile, continuing to build on the base established to build awareness among the media of Impetus’s expertise and content.
• Position Impetus as a ‘sought-after’ collaborative partner for other organisations with shared objectives; including regularly representing Impetus at relevant sector events.
• Support the delivery of our fundraising strategy and the successful delivery of our events programme, in particular, our flagship Transforming Lives Dinner.
• Where appropriate, collaborate with our portfolio partners to support their public affairs work and to leverage relevant partnerships, drawing on their insights to inform Impetus’ work.
• Contribute to the successful performance of the Senior Management Team, and provide expert advice to them, as well as to Trustees, on all public affairs-related activities and in the implementation of the broader strategy, engaging with decisions and challenges across the organisation.
• Oversee the running of our Public Affairs Committee (PAC), leveraging their skills, expertise and influence for the good of Impetus.

Personal specification

Essential

• A commitment to Impetus’ mission
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Experience of leading public affairs / communications / policy at a senior level
  Strong track record of influencing (through policy, advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations)
• Strong management skills including strategy development, people management, budgeting and impact monitoring
• Experience of leading multiple and complex workstreams to achieve measurable results
• Experience of representing an organisation externally; in meetings, media interviews and on public platforms
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
• Presence, credibility, motivational skills, natural ability to command respect based on experience, and ability to look beyond own area of expertise
• Proven experience of building and maintaining influential external relationships and strategic partnerships
• Ability to motivate a team and work collaboratively, enlisting support from others
• Knowledge of the education and/ or young people sectors

Desirable:

• Experience of fundraising, including trusts and foundations
• Knowledge of digital communications
• Experience of data management and good analytical skills
• Understanding of, and/or lived experience of, the barriers that young people face, that contribute to the education and employment gap
• Knowledge of venture philanthropy / impact management
• Knowledge of private equity and associated industries

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

How to apply

Please click here to apply.

You will need to:

• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
• We will also share our equal opportunities form which must also be completed.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm, Sunday 12th October 2025.

Interviews

First round interviews will take place: w/c 20th/27th October 2025.

Second round interviews will take place: w/c 3rd November 2025.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

This is a unique opportunity to become the first Chief Executive of a bold and ambitious charity with a global mission: that every baby should experience the best start in life. 

Founded in 2025 by The Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom DBE, the 1001 Critical Days Foundation is built on three pillars: funding frontline charities, commissioning pioneering research, and championing the cause of babies globally. We’ve already secured significant philanthropic investment, launched groundbreaking projects and forged global partnerships. Now, we’re ready to go further and faster. 

1001 Critical Days Foundation 

Chief Executive Officer 

Location: Central London-based

Salary: £100,000 per annum 

This is a hugely exciting opportunity to lead an ambitious new organisation, looking to grow the scale, reach and impact of our work globally. As our inaugural CEO, you will lead the Foundation through its next phase of growth, working closely with our Executive Chair, Board of Trustees, committed team and expert advisory groups. You’ll shape our growth, inspire our team, and amplify our impact across the UK and internationally.

Our new CEO will: 

• Maximise our reach and influence to improve outcomes for babies worldwide by leading on our global engagement, advocacy and policy influencing work with partners and governments 

• Provide inspiring, values-driven leadership and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture 

• Oversee operations, advocacy and fundraising to ensure delivery and sustainability 

We are looking to appoint a passionate and ambitious leader who brings:  

• Senior leadership experience in advocacy, ideally at a global level 

• Demonstrable impact of effecting social change or influencing public policy, with a deep understanding of how to influence and drive policy change 

• A track record of increasing impact in the charity, public or private sector 

• Proven experience of building trusted relationships with high-level stakeholders 

• Financial and operational oversight experience, with a commitment to excellence and equity 

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. You don’t need to come from the early years sector; what matters most is your passion, ambition, and belief that every baby deserves the best start in life. 

For further information, to access the full appointment brief and to apply to this role, please visit the Prospectus website.

To arrange a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie with a copy of your CV. 

Recruitment Timetable  

Deadline for applications:  Wednesday 15th October 2025 

Interviews with Prospectus: 21st – 28th October 

Interviews with 1001 Critical Days Foundation:   w/c 3rd November 2025