Strategic programmes director jobs

Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to guide a well-established health support charity through its next stage of growth and transformation.

Position: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Shipley-based, with regular travel across Bradford and Craven District
Salary: £45,000+ depending on experience
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Tuesday 30th September
Interview Date: Bradford, date to be confirmed

About the Role

This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of a respected local health charity. The organisation is moving towards a more personalised and outreach-focused model of care, and we are looking for a CEO who can combine empathy with business acumen to drive that change.

Key responsibilities include:

· Leading the development and delivery of the charity’s strategy and vision

· Driving income generation across diverse fundraising streams

· Overseeing financial planning, reporting and governance

· Supporting, developing and motivating staff and volunteers

· Building strong external partnerships and raising the organisation’s profile

· Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, data protection and charity regulations

· Acting as the charity’s public face and spokesperson

About You

We are looking for a confident and credible leader with:

· Experience of successfully leading and growing a charity or similar organisation

· A strong track record in strategic planning, governance and financial management

· Expertise in fundraising across trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships and community giving

· The ability to inspire teams, build partnerships and represent the organisation externally

· Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach

· A genuine empathy with the challenges faced by people living with or affected by serious illness

A degree-level management qualification or equivalent experience is desirable. Use of a car and flexibility to travel within the region will be important for the role.

About the Organisation

For over 35 years, this Yorkshire-based charity has provided vital practical and emotional support to people living with or affected by serious illness and their families. Rooted in the community, the charity is now evolving to ensure its services remain accessible, relevant and impactful. This is a chance to join at a transformative moment and help shape its future direction.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Charity Director, Managing Director, Operations Director, Head of Services, Fundraising Director, Chief Operating Officer, Programme Director, Senior Charity Leader

How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and a statement (no longer than 2 pages) outlining why you are the right person for this role.

Safeguarding Statement

This charity is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all individuals who participate in its programmes and of all staff and volunteers. Successful candidates will be required to carry out a disclosure and barring check.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Statement

The organisation is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.

Data Protection Statement

For information about how your data is used as part of the recruitment process, please contact us.

About SPANA

SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) is the global charity for the working animals of the world. Since our foundation in 1923, we have worked where they work, to support the welfare of working animals, including horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, dogs and camels.

About this role

As Head of Digital Engagement you will lead SPANA’s digital presence across web, email, social and emerging platforms – ensuring the organisation’s voice, brand and mission are powerfully communicated to global audiences. You will also provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership to the digital team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and excellence to maximise impact and drive growth. 

This exciting role is responsible for shaping and delivering a compelling and consistent digital experience that drives awareness, deepens engagement and supports organisational priorities in communications, advocacy and income generation. You will play a central role in delivering SPANA’s strategic ambitions through innovative, data-informed digital approaches. 

Contract, location and salary

This is a full-time (34.5 hours per week), permanent role with a salary of approximately £55,000 per annum subject to skills and experience. This role is UK based, and candidates must have the current right to work in the UK. SPANA staff work remotely, attending our London office once or twice a month (or more if preferred). 

SPANA offers benefits to staff including a health care cash plan with Medicash, and generous pension scheme with SPANA contributing 10% if the employee contributes at least 5%.

Full details and how to apply

Please review the job description for full details including a person specification. The deadline for applications is 23:59 BST on Sunday 21 September 2025.

Location: Preston, Lancashire

Permanent | Full-time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £77,744 - £83,546

After a remarkable 26-year journey with Caritas Care, including five years as CEO, our current Chief Executive will retire at the end of 2025.  This creates a rare and exciting opportunity to lead this dynamic, well-established and vibrant organisation.  The Trustees are looking for an exceptional leader to take forward and further develop one of the North West's most respected and impactful charities.

About Caritas Care

For 90 years, Caritas Care has been at the heart of communities across Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester.  We are a values-driven charity committed to improving lives and creating opportunities for people across the North West.  Our services include adoption and fostering, support for people with disabilities, rehabilitation programs and community projects, all designed to ensure that everyone has the chance to thrive.

About the Role

As CEO, you will provide strategic leadership and operational management, ensuring our services continue to make a meaningful impact.  Reporting to the Board of Trustees, your key responsibilities will include:

- Leading the organisation with passion and integrity, upholding our values in everything we do

- Developing and implementing strategic plans to enhance and expand our services

- Building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, commissioners and partner organisations

- Ensuring financial sustainability, overseeing budgets and securing funding opportunities

- Maintaining governance and compliance standards, ensuring all activities meet legal, ethical and regulatory requirements

- Inspiring and supporting our dedicated staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence

About You

We are looking for an experienced and visionary leader who is passionate about making a difference. You will bring:

- Strong leadership and strategic planning skills with experience in a senior management role

- A deep understanding of the charity, social care or public sector, particularly in service delivery and safeguarding

- Excellent financial and operational management skills, ensuring sustainability and growth

- A collaborative approach, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders

- A values-driven mind-set, committed to inclusion, equality and social justice

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role – it is an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference.  You will be joining a charity with deep community roots, a skilled team and a future full of possibility. 

- Lead a well-respected and impactful charity

- Work with a passionate team dedicated to making a difference

- Shape the future of services that change lives

- 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

- Incremental salary scale progression

- Flexi-time and flexible working

- Opportunity to maintain a Social Work England registration

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Work based pension 5% employer contribution (LGPS transfer will be considered for the right applicant)

- Birthday leave after 10 years’ service

- Essential car user post with travel paid at 45p per mile

- Onsite free car parking

If you believe you have the skills, experience and passion to lead Caritas Care into its next chapter, we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more about this opportunity and to access the full candidate application information, please visit our vacancies page on our website 

For an informal discussion, please contact Susan Swarbrick, Chief Executive.

Applicants who have previously applied for this position need not reapply.

Closing date for applications:  Wednesday 24 September 2025

Provisional interview dates:  Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 October 2025

Early applications are encouraged as we may close the recruitment process ahead of the deadline if a sufficient number of high quality applications are received

This is a critical and exciting leadership role for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust which will take the Trust forward to the next phase of organisational growth, building on the superb achievements to date of our retiring CEO. 

You’ll need passion and energy to work on some of the most profound challenges of our time. Nature needs its champions, and you’ll need to harness all of your skills, all of your personality, and your network to grow our influence, our impact, and our outcomes. You’ll excel at galvanising others to take action  enabling  us to achieve our aims and ensure bumblebees are thriving and valued by everyone.

This is an incredible opportunity to join a very special organisation with passionate and high-performing teams who are truly dedicated to our vital purpose. 

Please refer to the CEO pack for further information.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer.  This means that whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status. 

At the Trust, we have a clear goal: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on reaching for our vision, through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees. 

The Senior Accounts Technician plays a key role within the financial accounts team, working in partnership with the Director of Finance and Governace to ensure the smooth operation of financial systems and processes.

About CoppaFeel!

CoppaFeel! are the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity, and we’re on a mission to get every 18-24 year old checking their chest. We educate people on the signs of breast cancer and encourage them to check their chests monthly, so that if they notice something unusual they are empowered to contact their GP and advocate for themselves.

We do this because when diagnosed early, breast cancer treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher. Early detection can save lives.

Breast cancer does not need to be detected late, and as long as we are here and continue to be supported by people like you, we will do all we can to make sure this doesn’t continue to happen.

The Role

As Head of Finance and Contracts, you’ll oversee all aspects of financial management and contractual compliance across the charity. This is a hands-on role where you’ll be responsible for managing and developing our small finance team, while also leading on budgeting, funder reporting and forecasting. Alongside this, you’ll oversee the organisation’s contracts ensuring we’re operating in line with best practice and regulatory requirements.

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation that you will attend the London office 2 days per week. .

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Line manage the Finance Officer and Finance Assistant, providing guidance, support, and performance oversight.
• Actively participate in Leadership Team meetings, contributing to the development and achievement of strategic objectives.
• Support the development of the team structure, driving delivery, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide data-driven insights and strategic recommendations to inform long-term decision-making and business growth.

Financial Strategy & Reporting

• Lead the annual budgeting and reforecasting process, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Oversee monthly management accounts; meet regularly with Heads of Department to monitor spend and evaluate impact.
• Support with the preparation draft statutory accounts and coordinate audit queries.
• Conduct financial analysis, working with HoDs to assess ROI across key projects and income streams.

Operational Finance

• Manage VAT returns, ensuring compliance with
• Assess risk mitigation approaches to balance financial safeguarding with delivery of organisational objectives.
• Oversee monthly payroll processing in partnership with the payroll agent and resolve payroll queries.
• Ensure the overall smooth running of day to day finances, and finance policy adoption/ adherence.
• Reviewing and maintaining Cashflow and working capital documents.

Funding & Grants

• Provide financial oversight and input for grant and corporate funding applications.

Governance & Legal Oversight

• Attend Finance Committee meetings when necessary and support preparation of required reporting materials.
• Work closely with the Director of Operations and legal advisers to review contracts for grants, fundraising licenses, or procurement—particularly where risk or value is high.
• Oversee supplier, corporate partnership and grant contracts, where highly complex working with solicitors for advice
• Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies and procedures to ensure robust internal controls.
• Stay informed on changes to relevant financial, legal, and regulatory requirements affecting the charity sector.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience in charity finance, including budgeting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams effectively.
• Strong knowledge of UK charity and company law.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience in managing or coordinating audits, payroll processes, and implementing robust financial controls.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and strong attention to detail.
• Strong technical proficiency in financial systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, accounting software).

Desirable

• Understanding of impact and ROI evaluation in a charity context.
• Experience supporting funding applications, particularly for grants and corporate partnerships.
• Experience working in a small charity environment, and creating new systems or processes.

Application information

Applications will close on 29th September 2025 with the aim to commence shortlisting test as applications come in and interviews on W/C 6th October.

CoppaFeel! reserves the right to close the vacancy early in the event that we receive a high number of applications before the closing date.

Main Benefits and Terms & Conditions

Annual Leave entitlement - 22 days and 3 days off at Christmas + public holidays, a day off for your birthday and for Kris’ cancerversary.

Benefits 

• Wellbeing fund
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Self Space training and 1:1 therapy
• Core working hours 10am - 4pm
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Flex Friday; every other Friday off, with the flexibility of being available in the case of emergencies

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

At CoppaFeel! we support a diverse range of communities and we understand that diversity within our team is central and crucial to meeting the needs of the young people we exist to serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black, and people of colour, LGBTQIA+ candidates, candidates with disabilities, from men, and from those with a lived experience of cancer because we would like to increase the representation of these groups within the charity.

We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and make recruitment decisions by matching the charity's needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We recognise the value in encouraging a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge at the charity.

While the successful candidate will be selected purely on merit, in the event of a tie between two candidates with equal suitability, we may select a candidate with lived experience of the issues we are seeking to address through our work.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and we commit to offering an interview for all applicants with disabilities who meet our required criteria for the role. If you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview process please get in touch.

Head of Children and Youth Ministry

Are you passionate about inspiring and equipping churches to engage with children and young people? Do you have the leadership, strategic vision, and experience to oversee the transformative and ambitious plans for children and youth ministry?

Position: Head of Children and Youth Ministry

Location: Oxford/Hybrid

Hours: Full-time

Salary: £61,491 - £66,222 per annum, dependant on experience

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 09:00 on 6th October 2025

Interview Date: 20th October 2025 in person at Church House Oxford

The Role

The Diocese of Oxford is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Children and Youth Ministry to lead and oversee the implementation of children and youth strategy across the diocese. This role is pivotal to our commitment to see a growing number of children and young people deeply rooted in Christ and living out their faith in the world in the whole of their lives. 

As an integral part of the strategic leadership team of the Department of Mission and Ministry, you will motivate leaders across deaneries, parishes, and Church House to be both aspirational and practical in their development of thriving children and youth programmes. You will have management and operational responsibility for a dedicated of team children and youth work specialists and administrative support.

About You

We seek an experienced leader in children and youth ministry with a strong understanding of church structures. You should be a strategic ‘thought leader’ capable of inspiring and leading change. The ability to lead, and be accountable, for complex projects is essential. Excellent relational skills are needed to build trust and collaborate effectively across the whole diocese. Experience in team leadership, mentoring, and staff development is required. You will be a committed Christian with a passion for discipleship and church growth among young people.

There is a genuine occupational requirement that the appointee must be a communicant member of the Church of England or of a church in full communion with it, in accordance with schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Benefits and Rewards:

· 25 days holiday per annum, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days

· In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days

· Hybrid working

· Free parking and subsidised on-site café

· Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5%, including 1% death in service benefit (5% Employee Contribution)

· Electric car and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes

· Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme

· Enhanced family-friendly policies and a generous sick pay provision

· Access to low-interest financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union, including loans

· An attractive modern working environment

The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity before submitting your application, please feel free to contact the Director of Mission & Ministry to discuss the role in further detail. Contact details are available once you start the process.

We want the organisation’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.

The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community. In the Diocese of Oxford we follow and are committed to the Church of England's House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policies and the relevant statutory legislation and guidance "Working together" to ensure the welfare of children and young people is paramount. This post is subject to an enhanced plus barred lists DBS check.

You may have experience in other areas such as Children, Youth, Ministry, Children and Youth Ministry, Head of Children and Youth Ministry, Director of Children and Youth Ministry, Children and Youth Ministry Director.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.m

Connexional Worship Renewal Team Leader

London-Hybrid

Hybrid Working: Connexional Team staff based at Methodist Church House have a hybrid work pattern which is currently 2-3 days in the office.

We are offering a hugely exciting role to support Methodist worship renewal across The Connexion and to continue to enhance our wonderful communities of local preachers, worship leaders and musicians through the training and development programmes offered by The Methodist Church in Great Britain.

It is open to both ordained and lay Methodists alike.

In recognition of the centrality of the worshipping life of the Church to Our Calling as both Christians and Methodists, we are absolutely committed to effectively supporting (in theology, craft and with practical questions) all of those who lead worship. We also recognise the missional imperative for high-quality worship. Thus the holder of this post will lead a small team, whose aims are to:

• Empower all of those leading worship through support and development.
• Operationalise and manage the Worship Renewal stream of the Methodist Church in Britain’s God For All ambition and strategy.

This will include working strategically; embedding deep learning and practice; envisaging and developing exceptional training and resourcing for all those involved in worship leading; managing staff, workplans and budgets; and being responsible for the governance aspects which sit within this role.

About you

Thus, we are looking for someone who is a gifted ‘crafter of worship’ and preacher, with deep sensitivity for Methodist worship in its varied traditions, passion for excellence in Methodist worship and creative strategic thinker. You will care deeply about the communities of people who lead Methodist worship, working alongside them to enable all to lead worship which contributes to flourishing Methodist churches. 

It is essential, therefore, that you are a presbyter, deacon or local preacher in The Methodist Church, have a deep understanding of Methodist – and wider – theology with an understanding of how to translate these for contemporary society. You will have an excellent understanding of current training structures for worship within The Methodist Church, alongside experience of leading and managing change in a complex organisation.

The team

The Ministries and Learning Team in which this role sits, is friendly, supportive, vibrant and passionate. Within this team, you will be line-managed by The Director of Ministry Development. The Team exists to equip the Methodist Church by training, developing and supporting those called by God to serve in lay and ordained ministry embedding the strategies which support the Church’s aspiration to be inclusive, justice seeking, evangelistic and growing.

The postholder will manage a small team and work widely with other teams, such as Evangelism and Growth, and across the wider Connexion.

This post carries an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a Christian (in accordance with the Equality Act 2010).

Our Culture, Values and Benefits

Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.

We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Well-being Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.

The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities.

For ministers in Full Connexion the standard terms of service apply.

Closing date: 2 October 2025

Interview date: 21 October 2025 (Methodist Church House, London)

Head of Communications & Advocacy

Location: Hybrid – flexible, to be discussed at interview
Salary: £41,000–£46,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)

At Allergy UK, the leading national charity supporting people living with allergic conditions, we are passionate about raising awareness, driving policy change, and providing trusted advice to millions. Every campaign we run and every story we share helps make allergy visible as a serious health issue and we’re looking for a new Head of Communications & Advocacy to help us take this mission even further.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Head of Communications & Advocacy, you’ll shape and amplify the charity’s voice across the UK. Leading a dynamic team, you’ll drive strategy, lead high-impact campaigns, and ensure that Allergy UK remains a trusted, credible, and influential voice.

You will:

• Develop and deliver integrated communications and advocacy strategies

• Lead creative, impactful campaigns to raise awareness and influence policy

• Guide our media relations and secure high-profile coverage

• Provide expert advice on sensitive and strategic communications issues

• Build strong relationships with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and industry stakeholders

• Act as an ambassador for Allergy UK at the highest levels

• Inspire and lead a skilled communications and advocacy team

What We’re Looking For

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• A proven track record in strategic communications and advocacy

• Experience leading multi-channel campaigns that achieve real impact

• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills — from media to government to industry

• Strong leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and develop teams

• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal

• Confidence in providing senior-level advice on high-profile issues

It would be a bonus if you also bring experience of policy development, the UK health sector, or working with lived experience storytelling.

What We Offer

We believe in looking after our people and helping them thrive. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• £41,000–£46,000 salary (dependent on experience)

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays

• Annual pay review in line with market rates

• Flexible hybrid working and free onsite parking

• Pension scheme and employee benefits hub

• Employee Assistance Programme (counselling, GP service, wellbeing support)

• Training and development opportunities

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about using communications to create real social change, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and supporting statement via Charity Job. Your supporting statement should highlight how your skills and experience meet the role requirements, and what you could bring to our team.

• Closing date: Sunday, 21st September 2025 (midnight)

• Online interviews: Wednesday, 1st October 2025

• In-person interviews: Friday, 10th October 2025

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive recruitment process. If you would like to apply in a different format or need adjustments, please get in touch.

Be part of something impactful. Join us and help shape the future of allergy care.

The Royal Historical Society seeks to appoint an Events and Academic Engagement Officer (0.6 FTE) to join its professional Office based at University College London. The post will help support and develop the Society’s activities with a particular focus on  academic and training events, networking for members of the Society, and scholarly communications.

The Events and Academic Engagement Officer will lead for the RHS Office on the planning, organisation and successful running of all events (lectures, workshops, training, departmental visits and other formats) run by the Society, both in-person and online, working with other members of the Office and the Society’s governing Council.

As Academic Engagement Officer, the post-holder will be the first point of contact for selected holders of RHS research funding: overseeing and developing communication of project work for the benefit of the wider historical community. Academic engagement also involves a principal role in the communication and promotion of the Society’s work, and that of the wider historical profession

Donnington Doorstep Family Centre is an independent, community-based children’s centre, governed by a board of trustees, delivering a range of universal and specialist services. From our purpose-built centre in East Oxford, running for 40 years, our activities focus on play, learning, support, and youth and community development.

This is an exciting new post with responsibility for the management of Doorstep’s core service provision. We are looking for a manager to oversee both our Early Years and Youth Work service, however, we will also consider someone with expertise in one of these areas.

You will be committed to our vision and values and to making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families in OX4.

Closing date: 5pm Thursday 18 September 2025

Interview date: Thursday 25 September 2025

The role of Head of Legal reports to the Director of Legal & Governance and you will assist them in ensuring the legal function of the organisation runs efficiently, smoothly and that we proactively identify and address legal risk and development needs.

You will be responsible for overseeing and managing the day to day legal affairs of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Identify legal risk and propose mitigations and solutions.
• Proactively identifying issues and resolving problems efficiently.
• Providing guidance and advice to colleagues
• Developing and managing the suite of legal templates in use across the organisation, proactively identifying areas for improvement and / or development and working collaboratively to develop new templates as needed
• Ensuring internal legal requirements are well designed and understood and are aligned to delivery of strategy
• Ensure that internal legal processes run smoothly
• Make sound, timely decisions that support sustainable, long-term strategic outcomes.

This is a part time, fixed term role and can be based at any of our hubs located in Birmingham, Leeds or London.

For more information, please download the Job Recruitment Pack.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

Four Greens Community Trust is all about helping people and changing lives in the North of Plymouth. We are looking for an innovative and inspirational CEO to lead the team into even more new and exciting chapters in the story of our growth. You will be part of a dedicated, versatile and hardworking group of staff and volunteers and part of a community which cares for each other.

We are looking for somebody who has exceptional community leadership and communication skills, who has confidence in leading capital projects and working in partnership with health and wellbeing organisations. You will have proven experience in strategic leadership, income generation and organisational development.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all, regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status. 

For more information and an application form, please take a look at our recruitment pack.

The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Chief Operating Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team.

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £85,000 per annum
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional to meetings, events and conferences.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

Responsibilities will include:

• The COO leads the day-to-day functioning of the organisation to ensure smooth, efficient, and effective delivery of services. This is vital for maintaining operational stability and achieving strategic outcomes.
• They design and execute strategies that align with the organisation’s mission and long-term goals ensuring resources are used effectively and priorities are clear.
• They promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement through supporting employee engagement, productivity, and organisational success.
• The COO collaborates closely with the CEO/CFO and other senior leaders to drive strategic initiatives and business growth, ensuring unified leadership and coherent decision-making.
• They partner with the CFO to manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation. Financial oversight ensures sustainability and supports informed investment in strategic priorities.
• Strengthen governance and risk management frameworks, aligned to regulatory expectations and best practice while proactively managing reputational and operational risks.
• The COO cultivates strong relationships with partners, clients, and stakeholders to enhance service delivery and reputation. These relationships are key to influence, collaboration, and impact.
• They lead efforts to improve processes and adopt best practices across the charity to enhance efficiency and keeps the organisation competitive and responsive.
• They ensure that daily activities support the charities long-term objectives.
• The COO mentors other directors and departmental heads and fosters leadership capabilities across teams.
• They establish and track KPIs to identify inefficiencies and guide improvements through data-driven decision-making to enhance accountability and results.
• They evaluate and refine workflows to boost productivity developing efficient processes to reduce waste and improve service quality.
• They act as a bridge between departments and the CEO to ensure cohesive execution of strategic plans preventing silos and promoting organisational synergy.
• The COO serves as a senior figure in national and cross-sector forums, conferences, and strategic partnerships to strengthens the organisation’s voice and influence.
• They demonstrate commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in both internal culture and external programmes to foster a fair and inclusive organisation.
• They work with the CEO, CFO and Director of Growth to identify and pursue new revenue streams and strategic partnerships. This expands the organisation’s reach and sustainability.
• They engage in public speaking, media interactions, and external representation demonstrating clear communication, credibility, and stakeholder engagement.
• They develop and embed evaluation frameworks to assess progress against strategic goals. The measuring of our impact ensures accountability and informs future planning.
• They promote the organisation’s brand at events and through networking.

The COO takes on other responsibilities as needed to support the organisation’s mission.

About You

Essential competencies of the Chief Operating Officer:

• Extensive experience in senior leadership with a proven track record in operations, financial and risk management, and delivering high-performing teams, ideally in the charity sector.
• Strong understanding of business functions such as HR, Finance, Marketing, etc.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and execute effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Commercially astute, process-driven, and highly pragmatic in approach.
• Experience in driving performance and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field; MBA preferred

Why Work for NYA?

• NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
• NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
• A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
• NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
• We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Monday 29th September 2025:

A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.

Please note: The covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 80% AI generated content will be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Youth Work changes lives

Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it.As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.

We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.

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