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Form the Future is an award-winning social enterprise on a mission to improve life chances by connecting young people to the world of work. We work in the East of England and beyond, delivering impactful careers programmes in schools and colleges, and building powerful partnerships with employers, educators and local authorities.
We are now looking for an outstanding Chief Programme Officer to join our senior leadership team. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic, values-led leader to drive the next phase of our development, translating policy into practice, leading an exceptional team, and ensuring we deliver measurable change for young people.
About the Role
As Chief Programme Officer, you will lead the design and delivery of our programmes and services, ensuring they remain responsive to emerging needs and aligned with our mission. You will bring clarity, coherence and ambition to our delivery strategy, connecting the big picture to day-to-day actions.
We’re looking for someone who can unify and inspire a multidisciplinary team, while commanding credibility across the careers and skills ecosystem. You’ll be adept at working with a wide range of stakeholders, from schools and employers to local authorities, government agencies, and funders. You’ll have the confidence to represent us as an expert in what works in careers education, and the humility to keep learning.
What You’ll Bring
- A track record of senior leadership in a relevant field (e.g. education, skills, youth employment, social impact).
- The ability to turn government policy into practical, fundable, scalable interventions.
- A strategic mindset with experience in outcome-based planning (ideally including OKRs).
- Strong people leadership skills and a collaborative, empowering style.
- An understanding of the needs and motivations of all our client groups - students, educators, employers, and investors.
- Personal credibility and warmth, someone who brings both gravitas and kindness to their leadership.
Why Join Us?
This is a senior role in a respected, mission-driven organisation that is making a tangible difference in young people’s lives. You’ll work alongside a passionate, supportive team and have the autonomy to shape strategy, culture and impact. We offer flexible working, a collaborative culture, and a genuine commitment to learning and innovation.
How to Apply?
Please send the following:
- Your CV
- A cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining why you’re interested in this role and how your experience aligns with the person specification
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities. If you believe in the power of careers education to change lives, we want to hear from you.
Outreach and Admissions Officer
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Based: Cambridge
Hours: Average at 36.25 per week – This will be an annualised hours contract, allowing the job holder to work flexibly.
Contract: 24 Months
The Role
We are seeking to appoint an Outreach & Admissions Officer who will work to increase the numbers of strong applicants to the College and University from underrepresented backgrounds, and support them in applying to Cambridge. The role holder will build on current successful projects as well as being encouraged to identify and develop new initiatives which align with the College’s strategic vision for outreach and admissions. This will involve organising, delivering, and evaluating widening access and recruitment activities in College, in schools, and online and will include one-off events as well as sustained intervention.
About Us
Clare is the second oldest of the 31 Colleges in the University of Cambridge. Regarded as one of the most progressive and informal, Clare is renowned as a College that achieves academically at the highest levels, whilst also being welcoming, forward-thinking, and inclusive.
Located in the heart of Cambridge city centre, the College is extraordinarily beautiful and famed for its gardens on “the Backs” (the famous backs of the Colleges that overlook the River Cam). Clare’s Old Court, a Grade I listed building, is the centre of the College and is unique among the ancient Cambridge Colleges in having maintained its architectural integrity over the course of its history.
Salary and Benefits
The salary for this role is £30,000 per annum. The contract is offered on annualised hours for 24 months. In addition to the salary, you will be entitled to a free lunch when working in College, membership of a defined contribution pension scheme, and access to an employee assistance programme and cash healthcare scheme.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 12 August 2025 with interviews being held at Clare on 22 August 2025.
Please note: The College reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier if we find the right candidate.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Clare College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Clare College is committed to treating all job applications on their merit irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, marital status or civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity or gender, where any of these cannot be shown to be a requirement of the job concerned. Recruitment, selection and promotion procedures will be monitored to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.
No agencies please.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Interim Head of Finance & Operations
Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.
We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.
You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.
The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.
You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.
Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.
Main responsibilities and accountabilities
· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people.
· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.
· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.
· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.
· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.
· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis.
· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)
· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)
· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity.
· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets.
· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.
· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings.
· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise.
· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.
· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.
· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.
· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.
· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.
· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience
- Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
- Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
- Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
- Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
- Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
- Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
- Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
- Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
- Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
- Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
- Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
- Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
- Attention to detail
- Ability to present financial information to various audiences
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
- Honest and dependable
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
- Line management experience
- Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
- Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
- Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
- Degree in financial management or accounting
Full details are provided in the candidate pack
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)
28-35 hours per week. Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.
Permanent and remote. Travel to London required on an occasional basis
You will be rewarded with the following benefits:
· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.
· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.
· Flexible working
· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.
We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check.
Timetable
Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025
Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.