Strategic programmes director jobs

Manchester Metropolitan University is a great university in one of the world's best global student cities. We advance knowledge to benefit society and make higher education accessible to those with the passion to succeed. We bring change through outstanding research and excellent education and support our region and its economy by empowering and enriching our students, colleagues and our wider community.

We are seeking to appoint our first Associate Director of Development to deliver the next step change in the University's philanthropic income. Reporting to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and responsible for a high-performing fundraising team, the postholder will focus on translating strategy into delivery and results, focussing on the solicitation of major and principal donations.

What you'll lead and deliver

• Significantly increase the number of six-figure level and above donations to the University from high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporations.
• Ensure income delivered aligns with the University's strategic priorities, including advancing areas of research excellence.
• Work effectively with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and the academic leadership to identify philanthropic priorities and projects that will resonate with potential donors.
• Effectively lead a successful and respected fundraising team, further strengthening the performance culture and practice of cross-university collaboration.
• Effectively relationship manage your own prospect pool of high-level donors and prospective donors.
• Work effectively as a key member of the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team, and with colleagues across the Directorate of External Relations and wider University.

About you

• Target-driven, with a proven track-record of managing a high-performing fundraising team.
• Significant experience of the solicitation of six-figure level, or above, donations.
• You will understand the UK higher education sector and have secured philanthropic support for research and scholarship.
• Strong analytical capability and evidence-based decision-making.
• Possess high emotional intelligence and demonstrate nuance and delicacy when dealing with senior and diverse stakeholders.

This is an unparalleled opportunity for the right individual to play a critical role in the advancement of the University, delivering our vision and ambitious agenda over the next decade.

Further information and how to apply

For a confidential conversation, please contact Dominic Boyd, Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Applications must be made via our recruitment system and should include a full CV and a letter of application setting out your interest in the role and details of how your knowledge, skills and experience match the essential criteria being sought.

 - The closing date for applications is Sunday 28 June 2026
 - Interviews will be held in Manchester on Thursday 30 July 2026

About Manchester Met

We have been proudly driving progress for more than two centuries. As one of the UK's largest and most popular universities, we're a force for good, dedicated to delivered outstanding research and excellent education. Much more than a university, we are a place where ambitious people unite as a diverse and inclusive community to make meaningful connections. Where world-class facilities combine with exceptional minds to improve lives through innovation. We welcome those who are committed, talented, and hardworking. People who believe in our values and are as driven as we are to achieve shared goals.

Our community of over 5,100 colleagues work in close partnership every day to bring about positive change regionally, nationally, and globally.

Build a role with purpose, in an environment designed to unlock your potential. Be part of Manchester Met. Be Manchester Met proud. Let's transform lives together. 

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy

About Us

We are a pioneering education charity, and one of the leading multi-academy trusts in the country. We have a track record of taking on some of the most challenging schools in London, turning them into places where every young person can access a high-quality education and have opportunities to succeed.

Educating 1 in 41 young people in London, we now have 55 primary and secondary academies transforming the life chances and opportunities of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London.

Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies.

Summary

We are seeking a visionary Director of Digital, Data and Technology to shape the future of education at the Harris Federation.

Taking the lead on a bold, organisation-wide digital vision, you will drive transformation across more than 50 academies, using technology, data and AI to unlock better outcomes for thousands of young people.

This is a high-impact leadership role in which you will influence at the very top: advising senior leaders, delivering large-scale digital transformation, and building a modern, secure and data-driven organisation.

If you are a strategic, forward-thinking digital leader with a passion for innovation and making a real difference, this is your opportunity to create lasting impact at scale.

Main Areas of Responsibility

The Director of Digital, Data and Technology will lead the strategic direction of digital, data and technology across the Federation, driving innovation, transformation and high-quality service delivery to support education and operational excellence.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Define and deliver the organisation-wide digital and data strategy
• Lead digital transformation to improve education and operations
• Oversee IT, cloud platforms, systems and cyber security
• Build and lead a high-performing technology team
• Enable data-driven decision making and analytics capability
• Enhance service delivery and user experience
• Lead major programmes, budgets and supplier partnerships

For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant technical discipline
• Senior leadership experience as a CDIO, CIO, CTO or equivalent, leading large-scale digital, data and technology functions
• Proven success in delivering enterprise-wide digital transformation in a complex organisation
• Experience developing and executing digital, data and technology strategies
• Strong understanding of cloud technologies (Microsoft 365, Azure) and enterprise architecture
• Expertise in cyber security, risk management and information governance
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into delivery
• Strong leadership and people development capability
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• High level of commercial awareness and financial management

For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits.

We offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with 2 days from home and 3 days either with the team at our office in East Croydon or visiting one of our academies.

Learn more about on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website. 

The Director of Place, Programmes and Delivery provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the charity’s programmes and projects, including our Place Expansion work, ensuring they are high-quality, impactful, and aligned with the organisation’s mission and values. The role is responsible for translating strategic objectives into effective delivery, embedding learning and improvement, and ensuring programmes are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of funders.

You will have a strong understanding of risk management, developing senior relationships with key partner agencies, able to take decisive and proactive actions to ensure smooth execution of programmes.

You will be purposeful and collaborative with the ability to manage multiple complex programmes at one time. The current programmes you will be responsible for include: Safeguarding and Welfare, Playzones, and Place Expansion. You will also be responsible for all of our Project work.

Being the senior leader responsible for our Place Expansion work will be a substantial part of this role.  Place-based working in this sector is still emerging and operates within complex local systems, requiring the ability to navigate, influence and align a wide range of partners, often with different priorities, accountabilities and constraints.

You will also be the lead senior officer responsible for Safeguarding.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Programmes, Delivery and Place contributes to organisational strategy, resource planning, and organisational culture. You will also regularly attend Board meetings and Sub-Committee meetings as required.

Find out more about this role at our online candidate information webinar on 8th June at 3pm.  Join the session using the link in the recruitment pack or watch the recording of the session on our YouTube Channel.

Please see the recruitment pack on our website for full details of this role.

Who you are:

• Significant senior-level experience in programme or service delivery within the charity, public, or related sectors.
• Experience of managing and influencing complex relationships with external senior stakeholders at a strategic level and brokering solutions in environments where relationships can be both collaborative and contested.
• Proven experience of leading complex programmes and teams.
• Strong understanding of programme design, delivery and impact measurement.
• Experience of project management tools, resource planning and budget management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong commitment to, and knowledge of, safeguarding, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Alignment with the values and mission of the organisation.
• You are able to demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to London.
• You have lived experience of day-to-day life in London. 

Key Details:

• Full-time (35 hours per week).  We are open to discussing flexible working options.
• Salary: £75,000 per annum if full-time
• Permanent contract
• Flexible working: we use a model of 2 plus days per week in our central London office at House of Sport or a partner organization and working from home, with travel required throughout London
• Offering 28 days’ holiday + 8 public holidays + 5 volunteer days + Christmas Closure
• Competitive Pension scheme 
• Life Assurance and Health Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Provider giving access to counselling and practical support

Timeline:

Deadline for applications: EoD on Tuesday 16th June

Turn insight into impact for autistic children and young people as Ambitious about Autism's first Director of National Programmes.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 29th June.

Location: Hybrid working with at least two days in the London office and able to travel on a regular basis throughout the UK as necessary.

About the organisation

Ambitious about Autism stands with autistic children and young people, championing their rights and creating opportunities across education, employment, health and community life. We educate and support hundreds of autistic children and young people directly and reach thousands more through our national programmes, employability initiatives, participation work and policy influence.

With our Ambitious Together strategy launching later this summer, we are building on our strong foundations as a service delivery organisation, and seek to play a greater role in shaping the systems that affect autistic children and young people. To deliver on this vision, we have created a new executive leadership team role: Director of National Programmes.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the executive leadership team, the Director of National Programmes will lead the strategy, design and evolution of our national portfolio, helping Ambitious about Autism strengthen its role as a catalyst for systems change. Working at the intersection of education, policy, evidence and lived experience, you will identify opportunities to improve outcomes for autistic children and young people, influencing practice far beyond our own organisation.

You will develop innovative and scalable programme models, creating partnerships that enable successful approaches to be tested, evidenced and adopted by others. Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, external affairs and education, you will help secure the investment, partnerships and evidence needed to influence lasting change.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a collaborative, values-led leader with a deep understanding of education systems and a passion for improving outcomes for autistic children and young people, who can turn strategic insight into practical solutions that influence policy and practice. You will have a proven track record of developing evidence-led programmes, building partnerships and driving impact, while being commercially astute, politically aware and effective in complex environments.

As a strong people leader, you will inspire teams and champion co-production, and you will be motivated by our mission to help Ambitious about Autism lead a more inclusive education system within a values-driven organisation.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 29th June.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please visit the Peridot Partners page and contact our advising consultants.

About This Vacancy

Barnabas Aid is recruiting an exceptional leader to serve as Regional Director for Asia. This is a senior leadership role within the International Programmes Team, sitting on both the Programmes Leadership Team and the Strategic Leadership Team, and offering an outstanding opportunity to shape how BAI serves persecuted and suffering Christians across one of the world’s most complex and spiritually significant regions.

The Asia region spans South Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia — some of the most sensitive and complex contexts in which Barnabas Aid works. Many of the communities we serve face active persecution, operate in restricted environments, and depend on the careful, sensitive stewardship of their relationships with BAI and our partners.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a strategically minded, relationally gifted Christian leader to shape how BAI serves the persecuted Church across one of the world's most complex and spiritually significant regions.

The Role

The Regional Programme Director — Asia will provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of Barnabas Aid's grant making and project management across the Asia Region. You will lead and develop a team of Programme Managers, build and sustain a strong partner network, and oversee a portfolio of high-quality, biblically grounded projects that deliver measurable impact for persecuted and suffering Christians.

As a member of both the Programmes Leadership Team and the Strategic Leadership Team, you will contribute to BAI's global Programmes strategy and to organisational strategy, culture, and effective cross-departmental working.

Key Responsibilities

Regional strategy and portfolio leadership

• In collaboration with the International Chief Programmes Officer, lead the development, review, and implementation of the global Programmes strategy within the assigned Region, translating strategic priorities into a clear regional plan and pipeline.
• Maintain a balanced regional portfolio aligned with organisational priorities, donor intent, and restricted fund requirements.
• Identify emerging needs, risks, and opportunities in the Region and recommend strategic responses, including new initiatives and partnerships.
• Ensure that the Region is balancing its portfolio of Programmes according to the Country Classification framework.

Grant making and programme cycle management

• Oversee the end-to-end grant making process for Programmes in the region, ensuring proposals are assessed, costed, and approved in line with delegated authority, Gate processes, and Programmes Subcommittee requirements.
• Take lead responsibility for one sub-region and/or a portfolio of countries, leading on partner engagement and the whole project management cycle.
• Ensure robust needs assessments, project design, logical frameworks (where applicable), budgets, partner due diligence, risk assessments, and monitoring plans are in place before grants are committed.
• Oversee project implementation across the regional portfolio, including milestone tracking, reporting, learning, and close-out, ensuring records are maintained accurately and on time.
• Proactively identify project delivery issues and work with team members and partners to resolve them promptly.
• Maintain proficiency in the use of all systems and processes used to manage the workflow of the team.
• Work closely with the Programme Quality Team to ensure best practice standards, continuous improvement, and consistent application of policies, processes, and templates.

Leadership and people management

• Support the staff in the regional team by providing clear leadership, coaching, and line management, including goal setting, supervision, performance management, and development.
• Ensure capacity planning across the Region so that project management workloads are realistic and risks are appropriately managed.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning for the regional team, contributing to wider Programmes Team workforce planning as required.
• Deputise for the international Chief Programmes Officer when requested to do so during their absence
• Ensure Regional team members plan overseas trips appropriately and adequately, always factoring in security and safeguarding risks.

Partner engagement and external representation

• Ensure the regional team builds and sustains a strong partner network, with relationships that are effective, mutually accountable, and aligned with Barnabas Aid's mission and values.
• Develop and implement a plan for regular partner engagement and capacity building (including visits where appropriate and safe) to strengthen project delivery, monitoring, and safeguarding.
• Represent Barnabas Aid professionally with partners and other stakeholders, managing sensitive information and security considerations appropriately.
• Engage proactively with peer organisations and networks to bring insight on sector best practice into BAI's work.

Cross-organisational collaboration and governance

• Work closely with Outreach and Support departments to provide timely, high-quality project information and updates that enable supporter communications, fundraising, and reporting.
• Contribute to organisational planning and decision-making through active membership of the Programmes Leadership Team and the Strategic Leadership Team (as applicable).
• Prepare quality papers, dashboards, and narrative updates for internal decision-making meetings and governance forums as required.

Compliance, risk, and safeguarding

• Ensure compliance with Barnabas Aid policies and external requirements relevant to grant making and project delivery, including data protection and information security.
• Maintain effective regional risk management, including project, partner, fraud, security, and reputational risks, escalating issues promptly and recommending mitigations.
• Champion safeguarding and ensure safeguarding considerations are integrated into partner due diligence, project design, implementation, and reporting.

Other duties

• Carry out any other reasonable duties as the organisation requires.

VIDERE

Videre is an award-winning, UK-registered NGO that exposes human rights abuses and holds perpetrators to account. We work directly with communities in stressed environments, equipping networks of activists and community leaders with the technology and training necessary to safely capture visual documentation of political violence, human rights violations, and other systemic abuses. Our aim is to ensure that the concerns and knowledge of affected communities drive advocacy, policy, and legal action.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a critical senior role in the organisation, reporting to the Senior Director-Programming. The role is responsible for managing the organisation’s programmes across 2 locations in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia, line managing three people. The position provides leadership on direct programming for community-led investigations and evidence gathering as well as our CSO partnership programme in two geographies. The Head of Programmes works closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT) on critical areas including fundraising and strategic development.   

The priority for this role is the safe and high quality performance of projects. The balance between ‘doing’ and ‘managing’ in this role varies depending on available resources for each project, and the ability to create competent teams to delegate to.

Location: UK, France, Nairobi or Thailand preferred. Remote applicants considered.

Package: Pay is dependent on location.  The UK salary of £62,000 plus pension contribution will be converted using ICSC scales. All locations receive 28 days annual leave, counselling support and annual wellbeing days.

Start date: 1st September

Duration: 7 months with possibility of extension

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Leadership and Delivery

• Working closely with the Senior Director- Programming, lead the development and implementation of programme strategy and annual plans, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and priorities.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Project Teams for both direct investigations and local CSO partnerships, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, effectively and to a high standard.
• Act as a member of the Management Team, contributing to organisational planning, decision-making, continuous improvement and cross-organisational initiatives. 
• Work closely with the Senior Director – Programming and other colleagues to identify organisational risks, opportunities and areas for improvement. 
• Work closely with the Head of Development and SMT to contribute to proposal development, programme design and concept note drafting in support of organisational fundraising efforts.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with donors and programme partners throughout the project lifecycle, supporting effective communication, reporting and programme delivery.
• Ensure all aspects of programme design and delivery promote diversity, equity, inclusion and responsible partnership practices.

Civil Society Partnerships and Capacity Strengthening

• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s civil society partnership portfolio and approach in two geographic areas.
• Oversee staff responsible for partnership implementation to design, implement and continuously improve partnership and capacity strengthening activities, ensuring they have the guidance, resources and support required to deliver high-quality work.
• Ensure partnership activities are aligned with programme objectives, organisational strategy and donor commitments.
• Contribute to the development of organisational methodologies, learning and good practice relating to partnership working and capacity strengthening.

People Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture.
• Provide ongoing management, coaching and mentoring to direct reports, including through annual performance reviews and regular development conversations.
• Support staff wellbeing and duty of care, ensuring teams have access to appropriate support and resources.
• Work with managers and staff to identify and facilitate learning and professional development opportunities.

Financial Management

• Oversee programme budgets and spending strategies, ensuring resources are managed effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
• Monitor programme expenditure and forecasts, ensuring appropriate financial oversight and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with organisational financial procedures, procurement requirements and donor regulations.
• Support the development of programme budgets for new funding proposals and organisational planning processes.

Security, Risk and Compliance

• Contribute actively to organisational security and risk management processes.
• Ensure programme activities are delivered in accordance with organisational policies, security procedures and compliance requirements.
• Support teams to identify, assess and manage operational, programmatic and security risks.
• Maintain oversight of security considerations affecting staff, investigators, partners and programme participants.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness, responsible decision-making and proactive risk management.
• Ensure the safety and quality of operational practices, including data collection, information management, secure data storage and transfer.

Skills, Experience and Characteristics

Essential

• Professional writing and speaking in either English or French, with at least effective operational efficiency in the other language (B2 or above).
• Experience managing teams or individuals across multiple international locations
• An understanding of risk management methodologies and experience applying them
• An understanding of human rights and a strong belief in their indivisibility and interdependence
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the ability to respond to changing priorities and requirements.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Preferred

• Experience with human rights research, investigations or legal cases
• Experience with filming or documentary making
• Strong technology / IT skills and/or aptitude
• Experience with fundraising or confidence in public speaking and presenting

Application Process & Timeline

• Please submit your CV (maximum two pages) and a cover letter (maximum 400 words) describing your suitability for this position.
• Applications will close on Tuesday 7th July
• Interviews will be conducted remotely.
• We intend to complete the recruitment process by 31st July
• The successful candidate should be available to start work on Tuesday 1st September.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in the human rights sector and we are committed to doing what we can to correct this. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities that we serve. Therefore, we are particularly keen to receive applications from people who identify with minority and/or underrepresented groups (whether on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status). We also value diversity in terms of personal and professional experience; believing that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create stronger and more creative working environments.

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 between them. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 7). 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. 

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. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities portfolio partners we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.   

We support a portfolio of 23 high potential charity and non-profit partners in the youth sector, helping them deliver benchmark-beating employment and education outcomes for young people, and to grow. 

We believe the strength of our approach resides in three things: 

​

• ​Building deep, trust-based, sustainable relationships with charity leaders by, investing time, kindness, integrity and honesty.
• ​Providing our charities multi-year, unrestricted funding to help them become sector-leading organisations and scale their impact.
• ​Offering tailored advice to charity leaders’ most pressing and strategic questions, including their mission, programme design, performance management, growth planning, and financial resilience.

Working with our portfolio partners is a privilege. The leaders we support are incredibly talented, passionate and keen for external advice, and the issues we work through with them are stimulating and stretching. Our senior management relationships are some of the most fulfilling relationships many of us have had in our careers, while the growth and impact performance of our partners are testament to charities’ commitment to disadvantaged young people and the influence we have on their development. 

Charities and funders often comment on the quality of our people. Our team is analytical and data driven; we are deeply relational, low-ego and collaborative. We actively invest in our colleagues holding regular training and community of practice sessions, and use skills-based assessments to tailor development. 

As an organisation we seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work and actively challenge our assumptions to better deliver change. Over the past two years we have taken action to help reduce racial inequality in the youth sector. In 2021 we launched our Connect Fund to support diverse leaders and their robust solutions to the entrenched employment gap faced by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds compared with their white peers. We have also built a highly regarded Leadership Academy for emerging youth sector leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds, with generous funding from State Street Foundation. 

If you are looking for a role combining strategic thinking, analytical insight and influencing emerging leaders, as well as the opportunity to work with a supportive team to transform young lives, I hope you will apply to work with us. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sebastien Ergas 
Portfolio Director 

​Key responsibilities
Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio 

• Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment.
• Leading and delivering 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 reviews 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 high quality advisory 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, providing evidence based recommendations to senior colleagues
• Contributing to internal priorities and working groups, bringing expertise and insight from portfolio work (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. 
• Line-manage and support one or more Investment Managers, setting clear objectives and providing coaching, feedback and development opportunities to enable them to deliver high quality work and achieve their individual, project and team goals
• Embedding inclusive and equitable practices in portfolio work, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered and barriers to participation are identified and addressed

​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. 
• ​Resilience, tenacity and initiative. 
• ​Ability to adapt personal style to different leadership contexts, working inclusively and effectively with diverse leaders and organisations.
• ​Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback and a commitment to continuous learning and development. 
• ​Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment. 
• ​Strong planning and time management skills. 
• ​Experience contributing expertise to team or organisational priorities, including sharing learning and supporting others’ development. 
• ​Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better. 
• ​A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

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. 

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.​

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  ​

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.​

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 work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life. ​

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.​

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

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

​

Our Values​

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.​

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.​

​Our employee benefits ​

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.​

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button at the top of the page. ​

You will need to:​

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form)
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.​

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 2026, Sunday 21st June 2026, 11:59pm.​

Interviews:​

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 29th June 2026.​

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 6th July 2026.​

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.

Director

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director to help lead a multi-award-winning charity into its next phase of growth and impact.

Position: Director
Salary: £52,500 - £57,500
Location: Hybrid – at least 4 days per week in the office (N7), with regular travel to prison sites
Hours: Full-time
Closing Date: 10th July 2026

About the Role

The charity supports people serving prison sentences through creative music and peer-led employment programmes. Working closely with the existing Director and Board of Trustees, you will help shape and deliver the organisation's strategic vision while ensuring the successful delivery of programmes across multiple prison sites.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading strategic planning and organisational growth
• Developing and delivering fundraising and income generation strategies
• Securing grants, contracts and partnership opportunities
• Overseeing financial planning, budgeting and reporting
• Managing contracts and relationships with prison and sector partners
• Leading and supporting a dispersed team
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation with funders and stakeholders

About You

You will be a strategic and hands-on leader with:

• Significant leadership experience within the charity, criminal justice or wider social impact sector.
• Experience as a senior leader, Director, CEO or member of a leadership team.
• A strong track record in fundraising, income generation and partnership development.
• Experience securing and managing contracts, organisational operations and financial oversight.
• Strong strategic, operational, and financial management skills.
• Experience leading and supporting dispersed teams in complex environments.
• A strong understanding of prisons, rehabilitation and the barriers faced by people within the criminal justice system or related sectors (homelessness, substance use, rehabilitation).
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with a practical, hands-on approach.
• A genuine commitment to social justice and belief in the transformative power of creativity, music and peer-led support.

About the Organisation

Established in 2014, the charity delivers creative music and peer-led employment programmes in prisons across London, Kent, the Midlands and the North East. The organisation works alongside people facing significant barriers, helping them develop skills, confidence and pathways into employment while creating meaningful opportunities for long-term change.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive, Operations Director, Executive Director, Director of Services, Head of Programmes, Director of Operations, Managing Director, Director of Partnerships, Charity Director. #INDNFP

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People. 

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting our client with the recruitment of a Grant Programmes Manager.

The organisation is a charitable foundation that brings together local donors with voluntary and community organisations to enable positive, sustainable change across Surrey. Through strategic grant-making, research, and long-term partnerships, the organisation supports initiatives that address local needs and help communities to thrive.

This role is available on a permanent basis and can be either full-time or part-time. The salary range is £29,000–£40,000 FTE, depending on experience. This is a role with flexible working arrangements, all staff attend the Woking office on Mondays and with the option to work remotely on other days.

As the Grant Programmes Manager, you will report to the Deputy Director of Grants & Programmes and play a key role in designing, delivering, and evaluating targeted funding programmes such as our Heritage for All, Clearer Care and Mental Health scale Up Fund Programmes. You will work closely with colleagues across Grants, Programmes, Development, and Communications teams to steward donor relationships and ensure that their funding reaches the communities where it will have the greatest impact.

You will manage the end‑to‑end delivery of funding programmes. You will engage with voluntary and community organisations, public sector partners, and donors to shape programme design and share learning. You may also be required to line manage a Grants Officer or Administrator providing support on programme delivery.

To be successful in this role, you will be a proactive and highly organised individual with experience managing the full lifecycle of grant or funding programmes. You will have strong project management skills, excellent attention to detail, confidence interpreting complex information and communicating this to a range of audiences.

You will bring a friendly, professional approach and the ability to build rapport with a wide range of stakeholders, from grassroots community groups to donors and trustees. You will be comfortable managing competing priorities and working both independently and as part of a small, collaborative team. You will have strong digital skills and experience using Microsoft Office.

Experience working in the charity or voluntary sector is desirable. Additional desirable experience includes, familiarity with CRM systems, experience working with communities within Surrey, and an interest in supportive grant‑making practices such as IVAR principles of open and transparent grant-making.

How To Apply
To apply, please submit your CV in Word format in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact George Cook at Prospectus.
 

Job Description

Main duties and responsibilities

Manage the DUK project portfolio

• Become a subject matter expert in applied and translational research in DMD, allowing informed decision making and effective communication with key stakeholders
• Support identification of new project and collaborative opportunities, including the ongoing management and delivery of our applicant-led funding call
• Support the Director of Research and Development in project scientific review, working with the Scientific Advisory Board, Patient Advisory Board, Senior Leadership Team and DUK Board of Trustees
• Manage project development and initiation, including contracting, the development of detailed project plans, including go/no-go milestones, and budgets
• Manage and oversee project delivery, including monitoring of progress, according to agreed timelines and deliverables (including written updates and formal reports), and managing project finances, including reviewing and approval of invoices and monitoring project expenditure
• Support research budget forecasting in liaison with the finance team and the Director of Research and Development, and ensure compliance across the project portfolio
• Build and manage relationships with external partners and maintain regular communication through the project life cycle
• Support the Director of Research and Development to identify areas of strategic focus to inform the development of new research programmes
• Contribute to and support the development of DUK led research proposals for external funding and work with the income generation team to identify opportunities for research funding

Research governance and processes

• Maintain and improve, as relevant, internal processes for research management and governance
• Act as system owner for the research functions within DUK’s CRM (Salesforce), maintaining records and driving process improvements for grant workflows and monitoring
• Support the Director of Research and Development in research governance activities
• Support the Director of Research and Development to ensure compliance with the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) requirements, such as - contributing to annual data collection and surveys; implementation of AMRC processes and reviews recommendations, as relevant; keep up to date with relevant news and opportunities for training, collaboration and networking

Support the Director of Research and Development on the following external engagement activities

• Development and implementation of outreach and engagement activities in the DMD patient and research community to inform areas for research focus and prioritisation
• Scoping and development of formal and informal strategic partnerships and relationships with key stakeholder organisations (e.g. membership societies, other charities, consortia etc)

Support delivery of DUK flagship strategic programmes

DUK has strategic programmes in clinical research access and capacity, care standards and care access, assistive technologies and patient data. Under the oversight of the Director of Research and Development and working closely with the relevant programme team:

• Coordinate key programme updates and discussions between the DUK team and the programme teams
• Working with DUK comms team, support the development of external comms and marketing
• Working with the Director of Research and Development and the programme teams, support development of new initiatives and external funding opportunities

Other key responsibilities

• Provide general research admin support (e.g. arrange research meetings, both internal and external, prepare agendas and take minutes)
• Work with DUK comms team to identify case studies and success stories and support the development of the research comms strategy
• Coordinate research comms and work with the Director of Research and Development and comms team to ensure all research content is accurate and appropriate
• Work with the income generation and comms teams to provide updates to our key co-funding partners
• Support the collection of portfolio data across all programmes for DUK KPIs and to support DUK impact report development
• Coordinate and deliver research led events and support the Director of Research and Development in the agenda and content development for the annual Duchenne UK New Horizons conference
• Travel across the UK to attend meetings with partners

Director UK Resilience

 Location: UK Wide, Flexible (Hybrid)

Salary: £83,116 - £116,838 per annum, dependent on experience 
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you ready to lead the British Red Cross’s crisis resilience across the UK - helping to prevent suffering, save lives and uphold dignity when it matters most?

This is a rarely advertised, high‑impact leadership opportunity to play a defining role in how the British Red Cross delivers its humanitarian mission across the UK. As Director of UK Resilience, you will lead at the moments when people are most vulnerable - shaping how communities prepare for crises, respond in emergencies, and recover with strength and dignity.

 You will set the strategic direction for a coordinated, UK‑wide approach to emergency response, recovery, preparedness and community education, working in close partnership with government, emergency services, local authorities and the voluntary sector. Your leadership will ensure the British Red Cross is ready to act swiftly and effectively in an increasingly complex and unpredictable crisis landscape.

 Embedded within UK Operations, you will provide national strategic leadership at scale, enabling the organisation to mobilise staff, volunteers and partners rapidly and with confidence. Operating within a complex matrix environment, you will bring together multidisciplinary teams and senior leaders, harnessing the depth of expertise across our workforce and volunteer network to deliver trusted, well‑coordinated humanitarian responses.

 With the reach, credibility and experience of the Red Cross Movement behind you, you will help deliver large‑scale, integrated responses alongside statutory responders - meeting immediate humanitarian need while strengthening long‑term community resilience. Representing the organisation nationally, you will build influential partnerships, support delivery of our 2030 Strategy, and help ensure our crisis response continues to evolve in line with our Fundamental Principles.

 At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to humanity. If you are motivated by purpose, ready to lead at national level, and driven to make a tangible difference in people’s lives when they need it most, this is your opportunity to help lead the Red Cross mission in the UK.

What will a day in the life of a UK Director of UK Resilience involve?

• Providing overall national strategic leadership for the British Red Cross’s UK resilience mission, shaping how we prepare for, respond to and recover from crises across the UK.
• Setting the direction and ensuring delivery of a nationally coherent, evidence‑based UK Resilience offer, aligned to the organisation’s 2030 Strategy and humanitarian mission.
• Leading a large, multidisciplinary directorate across Strategy & Performance, Product, Business Services and Operations, creating clarity of accountability and empowering teams to deliver at scale.
• Acting as the organisation’s professional authority on humanitarian resilience, ensuring British Red Cross expertise informs national policy, standards and practice.
• Building and sustaining strategic partnerships with government (including devolved administrations), statutory responders, civil contingencies partners and the voluntary and community sector.
• Ensuring resilience activity across the UK is effective, consistent, financially sustainable and grounded in operational delivery, with a clear focus on communities most exposed to risk.
• Working closely with operational leaders and volunteer teams to maintain readiness and the ability to scale quickly during crises.

To be a successful UK Director of UK Resilience, what will you need?

• Knowledge of national resilience systems, including preparedness, response and recovery arrangements operating across the UK.
• Senior-level experience of leading or influencing complex, multi-agency and multi-stakeholder environments, with the ability to work effectively across sectors.
• Experience of developing and delivering strategy at national or system level, including translating strategic intent into priorities and outcomes.
• Experience of building and sustaining strategic partnerships with government, emergency responders and voluntary and community sector organisations.
• Experience of operating with senior stakeholders, including producing high-quality strategic documents and Board-level papers.
• Understanding and experience of how risk, vulnerability and impact from crises differ across communities, and how this shapes effective resilience planning and delivery.

We understand that no candidate will meet every requirement. If your experience looks a little different but you feel you can bring value to this role, we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Interested? Apply now!
Please submit your application via the British Red Cross website. You’ll need an up-to-date CV and supporting statement as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on the 5th July 2026.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation and we value different experiences and the perspectives that lived experience brings. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in leadership.

In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:

• Flexible working: Remote and hybrid working, flexitime, compressed hours, and job sharing.
• Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
• Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
• Learning & Development: A wide range of career and learning opportunities.
• Discounts: Blue Light Discount Card, Tickets For Good & employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support: Peer Supporters, CiC (EAP) & Headspace App.
• Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident & Carer Confident employer.

We are dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable and wellbeing‑focused culture where everyone feels safe, valued and can thrive. Guided by our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Strategy, we foster belonging, psychological and physical wellbeing, and work to remove barriers to fair opportunities. Grounded in compassion and anti‑racist practice, we listen to diverse voices, value lived experience and create environments where staff and volunteers can succeed.

Together, we are the world’s emergency responders.

Forest Farm Peace Garden is a small East London charity offering ecotherapy and community gardening to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

We are looking for a strategic, hands‑on Director (21 hours per week) to lead our next chapter, working closely with a committed staff team, trustees and volunteers.

As Director you will hold overall responsibility for the charity’s vision, strategy and day‑to‑day operations, ensuring our programmes run safely, sustainably and in line with our values. You will lead on fundraising and finance, including developing and delivering a fundraising strategy, managing budgets and reporting to funders and the Board of Trustees.

You will line‑manage our Ecotherapy Worker, Gardener, and three sessional staff, nurture a positive, inclusive culture, and make sure staff and volunteers are supported to do their best work. Building relationships with local mental health services, community organisations and partners will be central to the role, helping us reach people who can benefit most from time in the garden.

This role would suit someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with practical delivery in a small organisation, and who is confident working independently while collaborating closely with others. If you care about mental health, social justice and nature connection, and want to help a much‑loved local project thrive, we would love to hear from you.

The Director of Audiences role is a new role at Freelands Foundation, and the successful candidate will be first in post. They will be joining us at a time of growth and opportunity, as we start planning for a major building refurbishment to re-open as a “centre for visual art education” with the needs of our audiences embedded into our plans and designs. All this while still delivering programmes and awarding grants that create positive change across our sector, including our flagship £1.5m Freelands Awards and our expanding Freelands Studio Fellowships with UK universities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Audiences is responsible for one of the three core pillars of the Foundation. Alongside the Director of Programmes and the Director of Finance and Operations, they form the organisational leadership team who are responsible for delivering the Foundation's mission.

The Director of Audiences will lead the cohesive development and delivery of all Freelands Foundation's audience-facing work, delegating and managing delivery where appropriate, and ensuring that our audiences are identified and served in ways that meet our strategic objectives and align with our values.

They will lead the Audiences department that currently comprises the Head of Digital, Graphic Designer and Digital Content & Communications Coordinator.

Closing date: 12pm (noon) Tuesday, 30 Jun 2026

Contract
Full-time, permanent
(We welcome proposals for flexible working arrangements)

Salary
£50,000 per annum

The Director of Operations for Edinburgh International Book Festival [EIBF] sits at the intersection of programme delivery, organisational management and operational leadership. The role combines events delivery with charity-wide management. This ensures that EIBF runs smoothly, festivals and events happen effectively, and all activity aligns with our charitable objectives and purpose.

The Director of Operations will lead all operational and logistical aspects of the annual Book Festival and year-round programmes. They will ensure effective governance, efficient systems, safe and compliant event delivery, and ensure resources are allocated appropriately to support the charity’s mission to promote engagement with, and enjoyment of, books, writing and ideas. They will manage relationships and contracts with site and production teams, and a range of other key stakeholders and partners. They will own and actively manage policy and systems management in the organisation, including oversight of digital infrastructure, as well as lead the HR function in a busy organisation.

Success in the role will balance the following elements:

• Leading the operational delivery of the Festival and programmes including effective stewarding of key relationships and contractors
• Optimising the culture of EIBF through effective management of HR and internal processes
• Effective management of EIBF planning, systems and processes, including digital transformation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic operations
• Strategic contribution
• Festival delivery
• People and resource management
• Governance and compliance 
• Systems and process improvement
• Leadership and team management 

Essential Person specification:

• Significant senior operational leadership experience within a complex, fast paced organisation
• Proven experience translating organisational strategy into effective operational delivery, systems and processes
• Experience leading organisational change, growth or transformation while maintaining operational resilience • Strong experience delivering complex live events or public programmes, including logistics, production, venues, and supplier management
• Experience managing contracts, procurement processes, and strategic operational partnerships
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, risk management, and health and safety
• Experience leading HR processes, people management, and organisational culture development
• Experience delivering systems development, digital transformation, or process improvement projects
• Strong understanding of organisational infrastructure including IT, CRM, ticketing. and data governance
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work strategically while remaining practical and hands-on in a small, agile organisation

For more information on key responsibilities and person specifications please see full Job Description on EIBF website. 

Key Dates:

Closing date for applications: Monday 29th June 2026.

Interviews will be held in central Edinburgh during the week of 6th July. Remote interview requests will be considered but in person is preferred.