Senior researcher jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

ESPE is Europe's leading and largest charity focused on improving the clinical care of children and adolescents with endocrine conditions.  We aim for excellence in clinical care, research and education through innovation, collaboration and technology. Our charity is growing its membership and activities at pace, and we are now searching for a Finance Manager who will be the first member of the permanent staff team who is a qualified accountant. 

The Finance Manager role will make a significant difference to how we manage our finances, at an operational and strategic planning level.  We are looking for an individual who is excited by the prospect of transforming our financial governance and management. 

Role overview:

The Finance Manager will work closely with the CEO, Treasurer, and bookkeeper to manage daily financial functions, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive financial performance - including budgeting and forecasting. 

• Contract and working conditions: This is a fixed-term role (initially 18 months) which we envisage will transition to a permanent position. Hours will initially be 17.5 hours per week with remote and flexible working arrangements. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and be based in the UK.

• Strategic responsibilities: The Finance Manager will support financial target delivery, ensure robust financial systems, and align financial processes with organisational growth and strategy. 

• Operational duties: Responsibilities include preparation of management accounts and all financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, grant management, VAT and tax compliance, audit support, and process improvements. The role also involves liaising with external suppliers and stakeholders and overseeing payroll and pension scheme implementation and management.

• Governance and compliance: The Finance Manager will ensure adherence to the requirements of the Companies Act, Charities Act, and HMRC regulations, ensuring we prepare and submit our statutory accounts on time.  You will coordinate the annual audit, review internal controls, and report financial risks to the ESPE leadership.

• Leadership and collaboration: The role includes providing financial guidance to coordinators and teams to support informed decision-making. 

• Required experience and skills: Candidates must be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT/ICAEW) with at least three years experience in financial or management accounting, preferably in a professional body or learned society. Proficiency in accounting software, and having significant knowledge and understanding of VAT (ideally across Europe), analytical skills, communication, and project management skills are essential. 

• Personal attributes: The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, resilience, collaborative skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and alignment with ESPE’s mission. You should be proactive, enjoy challenge, be capable of working under pressure, and skilled in influencing and strategic thinking. Must be willing to travel to Europe as required (2-4 times per annum).

Benefits:

• 30 days annual leave, plus UK Bank Holidays
• Flexible working
• Matched pension scheme (up to 7% of salary) 
• Employee assistance programme
• European travel

First interview date: 20th February, online.

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 community nursing and hospice care across the country, 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, they’re likely to die from. 

Job Description

We’re looking for an HR Advisor to join our HR Business Partnering team and make a real difference in a mission-led organisation. In this role, you’ll support the delivery of a professional, high-quality HR service to the Caring Services directorate, working closely with HR Business Partners to help managers and teams navigate a wide range of people matters.

You’ll provide trusted, practical advice to managers and employees on the full spectrum of HR and employee relations issues, underpinned by sound employment law knowledge and best practice. From managing absence and performance issues to supporting formal ER processes, you’ll play a key role in enabling managers to act confidently, fairly and consistently. 

This role offers a collaborative environment with strong support from your Business Partnering colleagues, while also providing significant flexibility and autonomy in managing your daily responsibilities.  

Your Impact: 

• Working in partnership with HR colleagues to deliver a responsive, high-quality HR service aligned to regional needs and wider organisational objectives. 

• Providing professional advice and hands-on support to managers on misconduct, capability, absence and performance matters, including acting as the HR representative at disciplinary and performance meetings. 

• Proactively managing short- and long-term sickness absence cases, liaising with Occupational Health and supporting managers to take appropriate action. 

• Preparing and analysing HR management information and reports to support senior leaders in identifying trends and developing effective action plans. 

• Working closely with Payroll and HR Services to resolve queries within agreed timescales and ensure a smooth employee experience 

• Supporting local recruitment activity, HR workshops, and project work as required. 

Key Criteria: 

• Solid experience in a generalist HR role, providing advice to managers on best-practice HR approaches, including change management. 

• Recent experience working in a fast-paced, multi-site organisation. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to handle sensitive and complex employee relations situations professionally and tactfully. 

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously. 

• Good working knowledge of current employment legislation and its practical application. 

• Experience working with trade unions is desirable. 

• Experience within healthcare, social care or the charity sector is an advantage, but not essential. 

• CIPD qualification (or working towards one) or equivalent practical experience. 

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 complementary 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: 8 Feb 2026. We encourage you to apply early as we may close the application process sooner, once we receive enough qualifying applications. 

Salary: £30,000-35,000 per annum, depending on experience 

Contract:  Permanent, 35 hours per week 

Based:  Home-based in Wales and the Southwest with regular travel to our Wales Hospice and Tiverton offices. 

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 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments. Please email any requests to [email protected]

Our Time Charity is seeking an experienced Corporate Fundraiser to help grow vital income through meaningful, long-term partnerships with businesses and corporate supporters.

This role plays a key part in delivering our fundraising strategy by connecting purpose-driven organisations with our mission to support children and families affected by parental mental illness. You will build and steward corporate relationships, develop partnership and sponsorship proposals, and represent Our Time Charity to external audiences.

Working closely with the CEO and wider team, you’ll help secure funding that directly supports our KidsTime Workshops and wider programmes – enabling children to feel supported, understood and less alone.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in corporate fundraising, relationship management or partnerships, who enjoys building connections, telling compelling stories, and turning shared values into lasting impact.

To learn more about the role, responsibilities and how to apply, please download the full recruitment pack.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re united by one purpose: to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. From frontline support to digital innovation, everything we do is driven by compassion, expertise and a determination to make a real difference where it matters most. 

We’re now looking for a Development Manager (Salesforce) to play a pivotal role in delivering our Technology Roadmap and shaping the future of our digital platforms. This is a senior, highly technical leadership role within our Technology directorate, sitting at the heart of how we design, build and improve systems that support people living with dementia, their careers, and the colleagues and volunteers who support them. 

Our Salesforce platform underpins critical line-of-business services across the Society. You’ll lead the development of this platform while also helping us prepare for the introduction of new technologies as our ambitions grow. That means real scope to influence strategy, broaden your technical expertise, and help define how we deliver secure, high-quality services at scale. 

You’ll work closely with Product Managers, Product Owners and a wide range of IT delivery teams including Cyber Security, Enterprise Architecture, Digital and Data. You’ll also lead a blended development team of internal colleagues and external partners, fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture where people feel supported, challenged and valued. 

If you’re passionate about technology, leadership and using your expertise for social good, this is an opportunity to make your work truly meaningful. 
 
About you 

You’re a trusted technical leader who combines deep systems development expertise with a collaborative, values-led approach. You’re comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on oversight, and you thrive in complex environments where security, quality and user needs are critical. 

You believe in working better together, you lead with compassion, and you’re determined to make a difference through the work you do. 

You’ll bring experience of managing development teams, shaping development practices, and working closely with product and architecture colleagues to deliver value-driven outcomes. Just as importantly, you’re committed to continuous learning, inclusive ways of working, and creating an environment where people can do their best work. 
 
You’ll have: 

-  Led and developed a high-performing systems development team, setting clear direction, objectives and development plans 
- Take a security-first approach to systems development, embedding quality, privacy and compliance by design 
- Work closely with Product Owners and Product Managers to assess demand, shape solutions and deliver against roadmaps 
- Oversee the full software development lifecycle, including planning, estimation, testing, release and deployment 
- Manage development capacity and resources to ensure workloads are focused on value and impact 
- Collaborate with Cyber Security, Enterprise Architecture, Digital and Data teams to meet organisational standards and stakeholder expectations 
- Build strong relationships with platform and technology vendors 
- Champion continuous improvement and align development processes with ITIL v4 and DevSecOps good practice 
- Model inclusive leadership and support a culture where everyone can thrive, including colleagues and volunteers 

What you’ll focus on:  

- Delivering and evolving our Salesforce platform to support vital services for people affected by dementia 
- Defining and improving systems development strategies, methods and tooling 
- Translating complex business needs into secure, high-quality technical solutions 
- Ensuring development work meets agreed quality standards and compliance requirements 
- Supporting the Society’s wider mission by using technology as a force for positive change 

Important Dates  
Deadline for applications: 23:59 on 2nd Feb 2026
Invites sent out:  5th Feb 2026 
1st stage Interviews: 11th & 12th Feb 2026 
2nd stage Interviews: W/C 23rd Feb 2026 
 
There will be a presentation task assigned during the 1st stage interview process

About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.

Let’s Talk About Loss is delighted to be recruiting a part-time Charity Lead to guide us through an important transition period.

Founded in 2018, Let’s Talk About Loss supports young adults aged 18–35 who are bereaved, creating safe, supportive spaces to talk openly about grief. We are a small, values-led charity with a national reach, built on the power of community, peer support and shared experience.

This role has been created as maternity cover and will play a crucial part in delivering Year 1 of our new 2026–2029 strategy. We are looking for someone who can bring steadiness, organisation and care , ensuring our services continue safely and consistently, income generation is secure, and governance and safeguarding remain strong.

This is a delivery-focused leadership role, not a growth or expansion post. It would suit someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, working closely with trustees and volunteers, and taking responsibility in a small organisation — for example, someone looking to grow their leadership experience, or to step sideways into a values-led role with real responsibility.

Role snapshot

Salary: £14,352

Hours: 56 hours per month (2 days) 

Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract (Maternity Cover)

Location: Remote working (UK-based)

Reporting to: Board of Trustees 

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is motivated by our vision that no young griever grieves alone, and brings care, integrity and compassion to their work.

• Is highly organised and delivery-focused, with a strong ability to prioritise, follow through and manage competing demands in a part-time role.

• Has hands-on experience of income generation, particularly grant fundraising and reporting, and is confident overseeing budgets and cashflow.

• Is comfortable working closely with trustees and volunteers, providing clear information and support to enable good decision-making and safe delivery.

• Understands the importance of safeguarding, inclusion and accessibility in community-led or peer-support services.

• Brings a calm, reliable and practical approach, particularly during periods of change or transition.

Please consult the job description for further information on the role responsibilities, and the skills and experience you'll need. We have also created a Candidate Information Pack with more information about Let's Talk About Loss. 

We look forward to receiving your application!

Do you have what it takes to be part of the Walking With The Wounded team? We have a fantastic opportunity for a Financial Controller with experience of running the day-to-day financial operations of a dynamic charity. We are an ambitious charity with ambitious goals that needs a Financial Controller to support the charity in achieving these goals. If your attitude matches this, you will find a perfect home within our Finance team.

This is a broad role that will include a wide range of responsibilities. The Financial Controller is responsible for managing the daily and weekly tasks of the Finance team, as well as periodic tasks that are less frequent.  These tasks include (but are not restricted to) all aspects of bank and cash, raising of invoices, generating BACS payments, all Finance input into payroll, VAT returns, Gift Aid claims and response to ad hoc queries from our front-line staff.  The Financial Controller managers one Finance Assistant and reports into the Head of Finance. The Head of Finance leads on budget setting, forecasting and monthly / quarterly / annual reporting, and the Financial Controller will support where needed.  The Financial Controller will also be the lead contact with external auditors following year end.

 The tasks outlined here and in the job description will not remain static and can be tailored to the experience of the successful applicant, therefore this role is ideal for someone who is looking for a challenge and to develop their skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.

For an informal discussion please contact Marc Brady, Head of Finance.