The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the charity that helps young people build lifelong belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back.
Young people want to create a better future. With your help, they can.
Do you have the comms vision to keep DofE relevant, engaging and inspiring for young people? Can you tell our story in ways that resonate with different audiences? Are you a universally respected and respectful team leader? If so, we’d love you to apply to become our Head of Communications.
You will be responsible for delivering on shared strategic goals through compelling communications, externally and across our network of participants, staff, volunteers and organisations which offer the DofE. You’ll amplify the voices of young people, support relationships with funders and other partners, and continually promote the charity’s influence, reputation and brand profile.
The Head of Communications is one of two senior leadership roles in a wider Engagement team, which in December 2024 won Team of Year in the prestigious CharityComms Inspiring Communicator Awards. Working in partnership with our Head of Brand Marketing, you’ll build on that success, bringing a collaborative approach as we evolve our objectives and ways of working. You’ll play a key role as we mark DofE’s 70th birthday in 2026, then pivot to a new organisational strategy for 2026-31.
Critically, you will lead and shape the engagement of our network of almost 5,000 licensed organisations, 38,000 amazing volunteers and more than half a million participants, working closely with senior Operations colleagues. You’ll oversee staff communications, media and PR, and lead on corporate and crisis comms. Members of your team deliver our Youth Ambassadors programme and crucial support for DofE’s Fundraising and External Affairs.
We’re looking for someone who is versatile – able to switch between the big picture and the detail, with antennae equally alert to risks and opportunities. You’ll be an accomplished diplomat and influencer, with an ability to spot and make connections within and beyond the team. Given the breadth of the role, the successful candidate would ideally bring prior experience of different elements of the brief, together with proven experience of team leadership.
How to apply:
If you are excited about the prospect of working for the DofE and believe you have the desired skills and experience to make a real success of this role, then we are keen to hear from you.
If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.
- Applications will close on: Sunday 18th May – Midnight
- 1st Interviews will take place: 13th and 16th June (to be held virtually via MS Teams)
- 2nd Interview will take place: WC 23rd June (interview will be in-person at the London Office)
The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.
**The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director of Finance and Operations
Contract type: Fixed Term, initially 18 months, part time (initially 2 - 3 days a week)
Contract start date: asap
Location: Remote (some travel for meetings in London)
Please note, this role is only open to applicants residing in and with the right to work in the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity to become a key member of the leadership team for a unique Fund focused on commercial scripted and unscripted projects that address the climate crisis. This is a part time role working remotely, but with the potential for growth.
THE COMPANY
Climate Spring is a unique organisation working to fund and develop content with the world’s leading production companies and broadcasters. We are a company based in the UK working globally, funded by philanthropic foundations. Our team is made up of film and TV professionals, climate and funding experts based in the UK, US and France. Our primary focus is on identifying, supporting and developing a range of long-form content that is commercially viable within the global English language market. We also provide consultancy and training support to the industry on climate storytelling within a commercial context. We aim to create better connections, coordination and partnership to what is a growing movement of interest Climate Spring has grown rapidly over the last 18 months, and has plans for further expansion.
THE ROLE
We are looking for a motivated and passionate Director of Finance and Operationsto join our team, to provide strategic and financial leadership and support to Climate Spring as it continues to grow
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic leadership on all finance and operational matters affecting Climate Spring’s activities
- Manage and oversee the organisation’s budget in line with the organisation’s strategy
- Support the Executive Director and Director of Impact with fundraising strategy and funder management.
- Oversee the financial management of the organisation
- Provide financial and operational leadership for the organisation’s establishment of a new production fund
- Prepare and present financial reports for board and funders.
- Manage relevant internal and departmental operational developments
- Oversee the organisation’s operations, ensuring effective and inclusive practices and policies
- Oversee the organisation’s HR policies and practice
- Supporting the Executive Director in reporting to the board and ensuring effective governance
Minimum role criteria:
- 10+ years of experience working in philanthropic, social investment or charity sector with significant leadership experience.
- Experience managing organisational budgets over £2m
- Experience managing a diverse team
- Experience managing grants and donor relationships
Additional desired skills
- Experience managing social investment funds
- Experience of the entertainment or culture sectors
- Experience setting up new organisations or companies
- Experience drafting contractual agreements
- Governance expertise
To be considered for this opportunity you will need to demonstrate the following skills:
Key skills:
- Excellent leadership skills that foster inclusive cultures
- Excellent fundraising and donor/investor partnership management skills
- Entrepreneurial and adaptive, with creative problem-solving abilities
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent organisational, time management and long-term planning skills
- Excellent writing and communication skills, including clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, negotiating skills, strong drafting abilities
- Professional individual who can build and manage a positive team dynamic
- Demonstrable experience of building and managing budgets and organisational finances.
- Problem solving skills, and a can-do, team attitude
- Ability to juggle multiple, competing priorities, pivot quickly, think practically and be solution-oriented
- Diligent and resourceful
We strongly encourage applications for this role from people with a disability and if you meet the minimum criteria for a role and you have declared that you are disabled, we’ll guarantee you’ll get to the next stage* (minimum criteria above). We're happy to discuss any support/personalisation you may need during our selection process as a reasonable adjustment.
NEXT STEPS
If your skills & experience fit the above requirements and you would like to talk to us about this role, please apply by emailing attaching:
- CV
- Covering letter (no more than 250 words)
Deadline for applications: 6th May 2025
Interviews: 26th May 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Remote in Europe
Salary: Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range is:
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£73,135 - £79,230 for the United Kingdom
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€60,150 - €76,263 for France
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€83,439 - €89,399 for Netherlands
If the successful candidate is outside of the UK, France, or NL, the salary and benefits will be adjusted based on local market equivalencies.
About Us
The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organizations united by a common mission: scaling social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. We've developed a unique model that combines strategic grant-making with campaigning, supporting interconnected organizations to create powerful change aligned with our mission.
The Sunrise Project Inc. is a proud member of The Sunrise Project network. Our organizational culture is dynamic and adaptable. We're committed to supporting our team members to thrive as we tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens our strategies, teams, and movements.
The Sunrise Project Inc. takes the broadest possible view of diversity and encourages First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. Find out more here.
About the Program
The Europe Regional Finance program has evolved out of our Financial Regulation and Policy Program that began in 2019 with a narrow focus on European central banks. Since then, we've expanded to shape financial regulation and policy globally to accelerate clean energy and create lasting systemic change in how public finance addresses climate challenges. Now the Europe Regional Finance program will focus on EU Policy and Finance and UK Policy and Finance.
About The Role
The purpose of this role is to contribute to achieving the objectives in the EU Financial Policy and Regulation project, specifically the work on public finance, fiscal policy and industrial strategy. Together with partners and allies, this role will help stop the political polarisation of net zero and contribute to building the broader case for public investment by establishing and propagating a narrative linking the opportunities of the clean energy transition with improving conditions for households and communities. This role sees the big picture and can translate it into actionable plans for maximum impact.
We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations.
About You
You have experience working on public finance, fiscal policy, or industrial strategy. You understand what it takes to hold the big picture, and translate complicated campaign strategies into actionable steps. You enjoy digging into the policy details, but are able to focus on the key ways to move the campaign forward for maximum impact. You’re able to work with diverse networks of organisations from trade unions to business leaders. You have a strong understanding of the political context which dictates our work and what's possible, but also innovative in thinking through solutions and opportunities to do things differently. You have experience working in Europe. You’re flexible and willing to change course when needed and respond to opportunities, but are able to keep the systemic change we want to achieve in mind.
Key Responsibilities
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Leads on the development and implementation of high-impact campaign strategies and tactics to achieve our programmatic goals, objectives, and key results, in accordance with our values and JEDI commitments.
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Sources, builds, and maintains strategic relationships with key partners, facilitating collaborative efforts to co-develop and implement strategies.
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In collaboration with the research team, identifies and develops a plan to fulfill complex research and analysis to inform the development of effective campaign strategies and plans.
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Provides strategic advice to partners and community groups to enhance the strategic impact of their campaigns.
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Ensures alignment between global public finance work and associated projects across the wider Global Finance Program.
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Fosters the development and growth of a well-informed, effective, and powerful network and individuals dedicated to our cause, and contributes to the broader movement's progress.
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Designs and evaluates grant proposals and strategies in collaboration with partners, manages grants and oversees a portfolio of grantees ensuring the delivery of high-impact initiatives to support the movement's impact.
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Drives and facilitates inclusive and transparent strategic decision-making processes, including campaign evaluation and impact reporting.
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Acts as a key influencer, coach, and strategic advisor, and may manage consultants and/or teams with responsibility for the management, development and growth of others.
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Regularly evaluate projects at 3 months, 6 months and annually during the first year and every 6 months after that.
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Aligns programmatic strategies and OKR’s with Sunrise’s Values and mission.
Required skills and experience
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Advanced level campaigning experience in European public finance, industrial strategy, and fiscal policy in a similar role including unpaid, grassroots or lived experience.
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Proven experience researching, building, and incubating new strategies in consultation and coordination with partner organizations.
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Ability to work with the team to execute grants.
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Ability to successfully manage across cultures, and a track record of creating inclusive work cultures, both internally and with partners.
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Demonstrated ability to work in a very dynamic environment with a high degree of flexibility and agility.
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A high level of emotional intelligence with excellent interpersonal communication and group facilitation skills.
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A passion for action on climate change and a commitment to social justice, equity, diversity.
Desirable Skills and Experience
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Experience grant making would be beneficial.
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Experience working fundraising would be an advantage.
Job requirements
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You must have full working rights in the country in which you will be working. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.
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Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants.
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Attend local in person partner events as appropriate.
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Intermittent travel with advanced notice may be/is required.
How Sunrise supports its staff
The Sunrise Project is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. Sunrise has the following in place to help us achieve that, noting pro rata will apply for part time staff and/or temporarily appointed-fixed term staff. The successful candidate will be hired via a Professional Employment Organisation (PEO) on behalf of the Sunrise Project, so conditions of employment may vary.
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Statutory benefits and entitlements of the country/province in which you are employed.
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Sunrise may provide additional benefits, where in-country entitlements are less than our standard package, where applicable including:
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Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program
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Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)
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Public Holiday + Cultural Leave
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Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook & accessories, initial $2,000* for home workspace & IT equipment + $800* every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet (equivalent local currency) .
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Shared office support
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Additionally we offer:
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Flexible Working Policy
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VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing
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Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats
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Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for every staff member
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Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings
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Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback
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A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities
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We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, caucuses, working groups, and surveys.
How to apply for this job
We recognise that racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and other forms of discrimination creates structural barriers that impact opportunities to formal education and experience.
You’ll be taken to Be Applied to complete your application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.