37 Taking back control jobs

CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. We champion better work and working lives and support a global community of people professionals to make a positive difference to organisations and the people who work within them.

We are looking for a Financial Controller to join us at an important time for CIPD and our Finance team.

Reporting to the Finance Director and managing four direct reports, you will take responsibility for financial control across the organisation and our international entities.

There is a lot happening at CIPD. We are changing some of our core systems, including those supporting our membership and qualifications, and we want to use this as an opportunity to improve the way Finance works across the organisation.

The Financial Controller will be central to this.

You will lead on financial controls, statutory reporting and audit, treasury, cash management and the integrity of our balance sheet and ledgers. Just as importantly, we want you to look at how we do things today and help us make them better – strengthening processes, improving controls and making sure we get the most from our systems (Netsuite and Salesforce).

This is a hands-on role. We aren't looking for someone who wants to manage from a distance. You will need to be comfortable getting into the detail, understanding where something isn't working and seeing it through to resolution. At the same time, you'll lead and develop a team of eight, helping them take greater ownership and continue to raise standards across the function.

You will also work closely with the Head of FP&A and colleagues across CIPD. A big part of the role will be building good relationships outside Finance and helping people understand why strong financial management matters.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical accounting knowledge and experience of working in a complex organisation.

You'll have a good grounding in financial control and statutory reporting, but we're particularly interested in people who have improved things rather than simply maintained them.

You may have strengthened a control environment, improved a year-end process, introduced better balance sheet disciplines, supported a finance system implementation or redesigned financial processes. You'll understand what good looks like and be able to bring people with you when things need to change.

You'll also be an experienced people manager. We want someone who enjoys developing a team, sets clear expectations and is prepared to roll their sleeves up when needed.

Experience of working across multiple entities or international operations would be valuable, as would experience of NetSuite, Salesforce or finance transformation.

Why join CIPD?

This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to have a genuine influence on a finance function.

There is already a clear direction of travel, but there is plenty still to do. You'll have the backing of the Finance Director to challenge how things are done, improve processes and controls and help develop a finance function that is fit for the future.

And you'll be doing that within an organisation with a clear purpose.

The work CIPD does ultimately comes back to improving people's experience of work. As Financial Controller, you will make sure we have the strong financial management, controls and systems needed to support that work.

For someone who enjoys getting the detail right, developing people and making things better, there is a lot to get stuck into.

We reserve the right to close the process early and, as such, an early application is highly recommended.

At Just Finance Foundation (JFF), we exist to change how children grow up with money.

In 2025, 135,809 children across 551 primary schools had the opportunity to build essential money skills through our LifeSavers programme. Now we’re entering an exciting period of growth and digital transformation and we’re looking for an experienced Senior Web Developer & Product Lead to help us take the next big step.

The opportunity

You’ll lead the development and launch of a significant new digital platform, taking an established vision and turning it into a high-quality experience for our users.

This is a hands-on development role with genuine product ownership. You’ll write code, solve technical problems and make architecture decisions, while working closely with marketing and programme delivery colleagues to understand user needs, shape priorities and own the product roadmap.

As part of a small charity, you’ll have the opportunity to make a visible difference, but you’ll also need to be pragmatic and resourceful. You’ll work within real-world budget and capacity constraints, finding proportionate solutions, making smart trade-offs and focusing resources where they can have the greatest impact.

You’ll also help us build for the future by establishing the technical foundations, documentation and ways of working that enable JFF to confidently own and develop the product beyond this 12-month role.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who combines strong hands-on web development skills with excellent product understanding. You’ll bring:

· Significant experience building and maintaining WordPress websites or digital products.

· Strong front-end skills alongside back-end development experience.

· Experience developing WordPress beyond standard configuration, including custom functionality and integrations.

· Experience with APIs and data flows between digital systems.

· Experience taking a substantial digital product or feature from requirements through to launch.

· Strong product thinking and the ability to balance user value, organisational needs and technical feasibility.

· A good understanding of accessibility, security, performance and maintainable development.

· Comfort using AI-assisted development tools and workflows to support faster, higher-quality delivery, with appropriate judgement around quality, security and maintainability.

· The ability to communicate technical decisions clearly to non-technical colleagues.

Experience with Salesforce integrations, agentic coding tools, analytics, user research or usability testing would be an advantage. Charity or education experience is welcome, but not essential.

You’ll enjoy building things, solving problems and taking ownership. You’ll be pragmatic and resourceful, comfortable making good decisions with limited budgets and capacity, and motivated by the opportunity to see the difference your work can make in a small, purpose-driven charity.

Interested in helping JFF bring meaningful financial education to more children and young people across the UK? Read the full Job Description to find out more about the role.

To apply please submit your CV along with brief answers to the application questions to the email address provided by 11.59 on 13th September 2026.

JFF is an inclusive organisation and we welcome all applications. We want our workforce to be truly representative of the communities we serve. Diversity is an asset to our organisation and helps us create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.

Citizens Advice Stevenage is an ambitious and innovative member of the Citizens Advice network. We have expanded our services and offering to meet the increased demand in the area, doubling in size over the last few years. 

As a positive subsequence, we are looking for a Head of Finance & Business Support, who will become a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for overseeing the financial stewardship of Citizens Advice Stevenage. To lead on financial governance, business support operations, and compliance, ensuring the organization operates sustainably and meets all legal and regulatory obligations. The role is pivotal in safeguarding the charity's financial integrity, supporting strategic decision-making, and enabling effective service delivery. 

Financial Leadership 

• Prepare, review, and present draft and final budgets for approval by the board, ensuring timely submission of financial information to the CEO and Trustee Board. 

• Oversee financial reporting processes, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance with regulatory standards, including variance analysis and annual balance sheets, ensuring timely submission of financial information to the CEO and Trustee Board. 

• Manage the reserves policy, ensuring regular review and alignment with operational needs and financial risks. 

• Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring integration into the organization’s risk register and adherence to appropriate mitigations.

• Ensure that the day-to-day finance and back-office function is high performing and compliant, safeguarding effective and efficient financial management processes. 

• To co-ordinate the proactive and timely dissemination of high-quality financial information to services, the CEO, and Board such as annual budgets, monthly management accounts, cash flow analysis, financial forecasting and monthly business performance figures.

• To ensure that the organisation has in place, robust and compliant financial systems and procedures; and that these are complied with by all budget holders, ensuring that any oversights are fully investigated and reported upwards as necessary.

• To lead on the preparation of statutory accounts, provide year end accounts, provide appropriate support and assistance to the organisation’s auditors and delivery of recommendations arising from the Audit process.

• To ensure that all statutory returns are complete in a timely and effective manner, including those in relation to VAT, PAYE, NIC and SSP, and that appropriate compliance dates are met for the Charities Commission and Companies House.

• Oversee the transactions, activities and processes of the external payroll provider.

• To monitor and advise on current and future tax legislation, with a view to optimisation.

• To support service managers in the preparation of bids and contract negotiations and provide financial activity analysis and reports in line with specific project reporting requirements.

• To monitor, report and make recommendations regarding the Investment and Reserves Policy to the Board.

• To oversee the payroll function to ensure employees are paid in an accurate and timely manner.

• To monitor and control creditors and debtors, ensuring invoices are paid on time and the risk of bad debts is minimised.

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory frameworks, including the Charity Commission, Companies House, FCA, ICO, and other relevant bodies. 

• Maintain and regularly review financial systems, controls, and policies, ensuring they are effectively implemented and aligned with legal requirements. 

• Conduct due diligence for pension, redundancy, and other liabilities, ensuring plans are in place for management and mitigation. 

• Support the trustee board in understanding risks related to projects and contracts, providing assurance of compliance with funders’ requirements. 

• To lead on the Risk Management process, advising the CEO and managers on risk matters, and reviewing the risk register on a regular basis, reporting to the Board of Trustees.

• To check, amend and monitor the Financial Procedures Manual; reporting material breaches to the CEO and Board of Trustees, as required/in-line with governance.

• Working with the senior leadership team monitoring and updating Insurance matters as required, reporting to the CEO and Board of Trustees.

Business Support Operations 

• Lead on organisational business continuity planning, ensuring resilience during crises and alignment with the charity's objectives. 

• Oversee the development, implementation, and review of key policies, ensuring they reflect legal obligations and organisational values. 

• Manage IT systems and cybersecurity measures to protect organisational data and operations, ensuring compliance with standards such as Cyber Essentials. 

Strategic Contribution 

• Provides proactive strategic financial advice and guidance to the Trustees and wider leadership team, monitoring and reporting on the financial performance against agreed targets, identified risks and key performance indicators. 

• Provide financial and operational insights to inform strategic decision-making and long-term planning. 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and financial accountability across the organisation. 

• Funding strategy: Support the CEO and board to regularly review the sustainability of its income sources and their impact on achieving charitable purposes in the short, medium and longer term.

• Work with the CEO and Head of Impact and Development to prepare the funding strategy that should go beyond immediate budgetary considerations and look at the wider funding landscape. The organisation needs to understand potential emerging opportunities and the organisation's readiness to pursue them. 

Team and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build and maintain effective relationships with trustees, funders, regulators, and key stakeholders, to ensure that Citizens Advice Stevenage meets its financial, regulatory and legal obligations. 

• Provide leadership and support to finance and business support teams, ensuring professional development and effective performance management. 

People management and development  

• Develop and implement a culture of continuous learning that will equip and develop people to deliver outstanding delivery. Responsibility for the training and development plan for the Finance and Business Support ensuring it is in effective operation including maintaining records of training needs identified and training attended.  
   

• Working with the rest of the leadership team ensure the organisation delivers a fair, inclusive, equitable and transparent employee and volunteer experience, taking account of our EDI aims and in line with employment law and the Equality Act 2010. 
   

• Ensure Open and timely communication that provides information about the organisation and context for decisions that are made, helps to build trust and confidence and earn legitimacy. 
   

• Ensure the effective performance management and development of staff through regular supervision sessions, appraisals and learning and development.  
   

Person Specification 

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA Qualified, CPE up to date.

• Strong financial management experience at a similar level within the charity/not for profit sector 

• A proven track record of leading, developing and inspiring small teams 

• Experience of strategic business & financial planning, forecasting and budget management. 

• Sound experience of producing month-end management accounts and audited year-end financial accounts 

• Experience of managing and using financial systems 

• A working knowledge of relevant legislation (regulatory, legal and financial) in the context of a charitable organisation 

• Experience of managing change and change programmes 

• A track record of initiating, leading and managing associated risks 

• Strong influencing, negotiating and collaborative working skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely in writing or verbally 

• Confident IT skills; confident using Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel

• Experience designing and introducing new financial processes, procedures and reports

• Working knowledge of QuickBooks software [advantageous]

• Experience working with a Board of Trustees [advantageous]

• Understanding of Charity Commission and Companies House reporting requirements

• Project and/or professional services experience

• Understanding of Charity Law

• Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector

• Understanding and experience using the Charity Governance Code

• Experience in working with Charity SORP

• Legal experience – as so far as they can scrutinise and review basic contracts and their revenue recognition requirements and VAT implications

• Strategic and forecasting experience

Robertson Bell is exclusively partnering with Barnardo's to recruit a Group Financial Controller on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a significant senior finance leadership opportunity to join a complex and well-established organisation at an important point in its development, leading a large finance team and driving transformation across processes and systems.

Following changes to the Finance leadership structure, the Group Financial Controller will provide additional senior leadership capacity during a period of significant organisational development and change. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will act as a senior operational deputy, providing leadership across financial control, finance operations, treasury management, finance systems, finance transformation and legacy operations. You will lead a team of up to 7 directly, with up to 60 indirect reports, and will play a key role in strengthening financial governance, operational performance and service delivery.

Barnardo's is a leading UK charity working to support children, young people and families. Its Finance function is strengthening to support the organisation's strategy through financial stewardship, operational excellence and transformation, with a focus on improving processes and controls, modernising systems and reporting, embedding digital solutions and developing organisational capability.

The key duties of the Group Financial Controller are:

• Act as the senior operational deputy to the CFO, representing Finance at senior management meetings and providing senior leadership across the function.
• Lead key Finance transformation priorities, driving significant improvements across systems, processes, data and organisational capability.
• Act as senior sponsor for Finance systems development and optimisation, ensuring technology investments deliver measurable benefits and are accompanied by genuine process change.
• Champion automation, digital enablement and AI opportunities to reduce manual activity, strengthen controls and improve the Finance user experience.
• Support wider organisational change initiatives, ensuring Finance structures, systems and resources are aligned to future requirements.
• Provide visible and effective leadership across a large Finance function, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Provide leadership and oversight across statutory reporting, taxation, audit, technical accounting and group consolidation, maintaining strong financial governance and control.
• Oversee finance operations including transaction processing, income management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, Gift Aid and related services, driving operational excellence and improved service standards.
• Oversee treasury activities, including cash, liquidity and investments, while strengthening processes, systems and internal capability. 

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership position (E), ideally operating at or close to Finance Director, Deputy CFO, Group Financial Controller or equivalent level.
• Experience leading financial control and finance operations within a large, complex organisation (E), with previous charity experience highly desirable.
• A fully qualified accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent (E),
• Strong technical accounting experience, including statutory reporting, audit management, taxation, financial governance and controls.
• A proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to coach and support permanent team members.
• Demonstrable experience delivering organisational change, service improvement and finance transformation programmes across people, processes and systems (E).
• Experience working effectively with senior stakeholders, including executive and board reporting.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly to senior audiences (E).
• A pragmatic, resilient, collaborative and emotionally intelligent approach, with the ability to build trust quickly and integrate effectively into an established team
• A proactive and solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to challenge constructively, identify opportunities for improvement and deliver against complex priorities.

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity paying up to £92,892 per annum and will be largely home-based with occasional days in the London office. 

Applications close on Tuesday 15th September, with fir

Job Description: Finance Assistant

Who we are

Part business, part charity, part membership body – students’ unions are all seriously fun places to work. They are organisations in their own right. Professionally run, but different. Professional teams support elected student leaders to make change, improve lives and fulfill potential; we help make it happen.
 

Founded in 1897, LSE Students' Union is one of the oldest Students' Unions in the UK and is the representative and campaigning body for students at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). We also fund and facilitate student activities on campus, including societies, sports clubs, media groups, and raise money for charities via Raising and Giving (RAG) initiatives.
 

About the job
Come work for our vibrant community in a dynamic environment! This essential role within a busy finance team provides support across the full range of the ‘back-office function, supporting the Finance Officer to effectively manage all Creditors, Debtors, and working capital. The successful candidate will be keen to learn; will be passionate about the finance function as a support function of the wider organisation; and will take pride in helping others achieve organisational objectives through the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions and the promotion of and adherence to strong financial controls.
 

Who are we looking for?

The successful applicant will be a highly organised individual with a passionate for people and numbers, a problem solver who has experience of providing a high quality customer-focused services.
 

The role will require you to work in partnership with the finance team and human resources to ensure our workforce are provided with the highest quality customer-focused business services . As a result, we are looking for someone who is highly organised, confident, efficient, self-sufficient, and able to deliver at pace, managing multiple competing priorities with enthusiasm and a ‘can do’ attitude.
 

Stakeholder management and communication skills (both verbal and written) are considered essential as well as working as part of a team and wider team.
 

We particularly welcome applications from candidates who self-identify as coming from a disadvantaged or marginalised background.
 

Why apply?

Because you’re excited by the challenge! The exact opposite of corporate, we’re progressive, daring and creative individuals working to make a difference in unconventional workplaces.
 

Benefits and Perks

In return for your passion and experience we offer:

- 25 days of holiday per year (pro rata)

- Additional closure periods at Christmas and Easter

- Free LSE Students’ Union gym membership (including advice from dedicated professionals)

- Cycle to Work scheme enabling significant savings on bicycle purchase

- Access to LSE staff training courses

- Ability to purchase TOTUM (NUS) card, which provides a wide range of discounts

- Flexibility for work-life balance but the successful applicant will be expected to work at least 3 days a week in the Central London office.

- Interest-free travel loan

Job Application Timeline
Closing date: 27th September
Intended Interviews date: w/c 28th September
Start date ASAP

*Please note that we may close applications early if we receive a sufficient number.

If you love keeping things running smoothly and creating a space where everyone feels at home, this role is for you. As our Office and Services Coordinator, you’ll be the friendly first point of contact for children, young people, families, staff, tenants, and visitors. You’ll bring warmth, professionalism, and great organisation to the front desk and the everyday life of our buildings.

You’ll take charge of room hire bookings, ensuring every customer has a seamless experience. You’ll keep our spaces stocked, safe, and functioning beautifully by managing supplies, equipment, maintenance oversight, and health & safety compliance. You’ll handle queries, calls, and correspondence with confidence and care.

This is a role for someone proactive, organised, and people‑focused — someone who enjoys being at the centre of a busy, community‑driven environment. Your work helps create a welcoming, efficient space where everyone feels supported and valued.

If you’re ready to make a real impact in a vibrant community hub, we’d love to hear from you.

Lead a charity changing lives through confidence, opportunity and inclusion

Could you lead a respected charity through an important period of change while continuing to create opportunities for autistic people and people with learning disabilities to thrive?
About Talkback
Talkback is an ambitious autism and learning disability charity supporting people of all ages to build confidence, develop skills, access employment, create meaningful relationships and live fulfilling lives. Every year, our programmes help autistic people and people with learning disabilities overcome barriers, discover their potential and achieve outcomes that matter to them.

We are proud of our person-centred approach, our committed staff team and the positive difference we make across Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas.

Following a change in leadership, we are seeking an experienced Interim CEO to provide stability, maintain momentum and help prepare the organisation for its next permanent leader.

Interim CEO role at Talkback

The Interim Chief Executive Officer will lead Talkback through an important phase in our development. This is an opportunity for an experienced, values-driven leader to make a lasting impact by supporting our people, strengthening our organisation and helping shape the foundations for our next chapter.

Working closely with the Board, leadership team and staff, you will provide confident leadership, maintain strong organisational performance and help position Talkback for long-term success. You will strengthen stakeholder relationships, oversee financial sustainability and support the organisation through an important period of change.

This role would suit an experienced senior leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery and who can quickly build trust with trustees, staff, funders, commissioners and partners.

We are looking for someone who has:
 

• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, public or social impact sectors.
• Experience of leading organisations through periods of transition, change or organisational development.
• A track record of strengthening organisational performance, culture and sustainability.
• An ability to build trust quickly, listen well and bring people with you through change.

Most importantly, you will believe in Talkback's mission and share our commitment to inclusion, opportunity and empowering people to reach their full potential.
Why join Talkback?
This is an opportunity to lead a well-established charity with:

• A strong reputation and a clear social purpose.
• The opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
• A skilled and committed team of around 70 colleagues.
• Strong relationships with commissioners, partners and local communities.
• The chance to help shape the organisation's future at a pivotal moment.

As Interim CEO, you will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the lives of autistic people and people with learning disabilities while helping shape the future direction of a highly respected organisation.

Safeguarding

Talkback is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

How to apply

Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying. It contains important details about the role and our organisation.

Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining Talkback.

Eastside People is supporting Talkback in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by submitting a CV and a cover letter both in Word doc. format.

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why are you interested in the interim Chief Executive Officer role at Talkback?
• What recent experience do you have which is relevant for the role?
• Your availability, notice period and any information you would like us to take into account during the recruitment process.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application/interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

The closing date for applications is Monday 14 September, with online shortlisting interviews with Eastside People taking place throughout the advertising period and the week after. Interviews with Talkback will take place on the 21st or 22nd September. The role is due to start at the beginning of October.

Eastside People is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity. We work closely with our clients to recruit inclusively and widen representation in leadership roles.

Finally

We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool, but please use it with care and ensure your application is accurate, personal, and genuinely reflects you. We do not use AI in our sifting or selection process - a human reviews every application!

REF-230662

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

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

About this role

The Development Director (New Business) provides strategic leadership for Impetus’ new business development, prospect pipeline and high-value funding opportunities. The postholder will have responsibility for identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate, trust and foundation, and high-net-worth donor relationships, as well as continued relationship management for key, established relationships.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in probono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus' growth ambitions, helping to increase philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear new business priorities, pipeline plans and prospect engagement approaches, ensuring a strong flow of qualified opportunities and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure prospects and strategic funding opportunities, while overseeing the stewardship and retention of current partners. 

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor acquisition, pipeline development, prospect conversion and stewardship, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

New Business, Pipeline & Conversion

• Personally lead on six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers, and networks to unlock introductions and new opportunities, providing clear support and follow-up to maximise success.
• Evolve Impetus’ new business strategy, driving the identification, cultivation, and conversion of new high-value donor and partner relationships.
• Translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base, and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for new audiences and sectors.

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth 

• Own and oversee select donor relationships at six and seven-figure levels within the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Ensure your donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Development and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

Research, Insight & Pipeline Development

• Provide strategic leadership for the Research & Insights function, ensuring prospect research, donor intelligence and market insight inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and organisational planning.
• Lead the strategic development of fundraising pipelines, ensuring focus on opportunities with the greatest potential for long-term income growth, impact and strategic fit.
• Ensure donor intelligence and prospect research are used effectively to identify, qualify and prioritise new funding opportunities.
• Maintain oversight of gift acceptance, due diligence and fundraising compliance in relation to fundraising opportunities, ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
• Identify and escalate strategic, reputational or compliance risks associated with donors and partners.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Development, providing strategic direction, coaching and performance oversight.
• Establish the Head of Development as the operational lead on new business, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across the wider team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for new business growth, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing team culture that balances pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising capability across your team through leadership, coaching and consistent, fair, and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen strategic partnerships and support long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insights inform decision making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic or reputational risks associated with prospective partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are leveraged and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Back Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Philanthropy team.

Strategic leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring new business delivers against organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of annual forecasting, budgeting, pipeline performance and resource planning, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support strategic relationship building and new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen organisational fundraising performance and capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the Philanthropy team, modelling Impetus' values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

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.

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 Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 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.

Noah's Ark Children's Hospice is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to recruit a Director of Finance on a permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded children's hospice at a pivotal stage of its development, taking a leading role in strengthening financial performance, improving organisational effectiveness and helping shape the charity's next phase of growth.

This is more than a traditional Finance Director role. Noah's Ark has undergone significant transformation in recent years, moving from a predominantly community-based service to operating a 24/7 hospice facility at The Ark. The successful candidate will join at a critical point in this journey, with the opportunity to strengthen the finance function whilst working closely with the wider Senior Leadership Team to ensure the charity is making the best possible use of its resources and delivering maximum value for children and families.

For an ambitious, commercially minded finance leader, this is an opportunity to combine strong financial leadership with genuine organisational impact, helping to shape a more effective operating model and contributing directly to the future direction of the charity.

The role

• Partner with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape the charity's financial and strategic direction during a period of organisational change.
• Stabilise and strengthen the finance function, ensuring high-quality financial management, robust controls and accurate, insightful reporting.
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting and financial planning process, including modelling different care delivery approaches, investment decisions and longer-term strategic scenarios.
• Support the charity to improve its financial position, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and ensure resources are being deployed to maximum effect.
• Oversee statutory accounts, external reporting, audit and regulatory requirements, ensuring the charity maintains strong financial governance and compliance.
• Ensure effective management of reserves, investments, cash flow, liquidity, insurance and restricted funds.
• Contribute to the development of the charity's next multi-year strategic plan, bringing commercial discipline, financial insight and a practical focus on delivery.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and productivity improvements across the organisation, working collaboratively with colleagues to turn insight into action.
• Support the design and implementation of new IT and financial systems, ensuring they provide the information and controls required to support an effective organisation.
• Lead and develop a small finance team, setting clear expectations, building capability and creating a culture of accountability and high performance.
• Play an active role in wider organisational leadership, bringing constructive challenge and financial insight to decisions beyond the traditional finance remit.

The organisation

Noah's Ark Children's Hospice provides specialist care and support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, alongside their families. Its purpose-built hospice, The Ark, opened in 2019 and provides a unique environment where children can receive specialist care, therapy, bereavement support and family services in a safe and welcoming setting.

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, Noah's Ark supports families across North and Central London and Hertsmere, delivering care wherever it is needed - in the family home, within the community or at The Ark.

This is an organisation with a warm, supportive culture and a strong commitment to its values of Kindness, Excellence and Courage. It is now looking for a finance leader who can combine that collaborative approach with the confidence to challenge constructively, make difficult decisions and drive meaningful improvement.

Essential criteria

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong experience leading a finance function.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, audit and statutory reporting.
• Demonstrable experience producing and interpreting high-quality financial information that supports effective decision-making.
• Experience leading and developing teams, with the confidence to set expectations, address underperformance and hold colleagues accountable.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders and non-finance colleagues.
• A proactive, hands-on and self-starting appr

Job Title: Youth Lead

Oasis Hub Enfield, Enact, Enfield Island Village, Enfield EN3 6GS

Hours: 40 hours per week. Applications for flexible working patterns considered (0.8 FTE minimum). The role requires regular evening working during term time and attendance at residential trips twice a year with hybrid working by arrangement

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Want to lead a Youth Service offering a diverse range of activities for the local community?

Want to enable young people to thrive?

Want to be lead a dynamic, passionate and impactful team?

Enact is a friendly, community-based charity at the heart of Enfield Island Village. With our roots in youth and family provision, we have grown into a busy and welcoming local organisation offering a wide range of services, activities and opportunities for our community.  We are a small, supportive team who care about the work we do and the people we work alongside. We want enact to be a place where staff feel welcomed, trusted and able to make a real difference.

Young people lie at the heart of our work. We want enact to be somewhere they feel safe, valued and able to be themselves. Through positive activities, trusted relationships and individual support, we help young people build confidence, develop new skills, discover opportunities and get the support they need to fulfil their potential.

The Youth Lead will provide leadership and oversight of enact’s youth provision, ensuring that young people have access to consistently high-quality, safe and engaging services. The Youth Lead will be a visible presence within enact’s youth provision and will be expected to build strong and trusted relationships with young people, families and partner organisations.

Key responsibilities include:

· Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of enact’s youth programmes and activities.

· Develop a varied programme incorporating positive activities, informal education, personal and social development and opportunities for young people to develop new skills and experiences.

· Oversee youth sessions, including a regular and visible presence within youth sessions

· Provide day-to-day leadership and support to one youth worker, sessional staff and volunteers.

· Develop and maintain effective relationships with local schools, colleges, youth services, community organisations, statutory agencies and other partners.

· Maintain a strong awareness of national developments, emerging issues and trends affecting young people and the youth sector, including changes in youth work practice, policy and legislation.

The successful post holder must have:

· Relevant professional qualification in Youth Work, or another relevant discipline, or substantial equivalent professional experience.

· Significant experience of working directly with young people.

· Experience of planning and delivering high-quality youth provision.

· Experience of leading, supervising or supporting staff, sessional workers and/or volunteers.

· A commitment to the Oasis ethos and values, including inclusion, equality, and perseverance.

As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· A pension scheme, offering 7% employer contribution.

· A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays).

· Policies which promote well-being and are family friendly.

To apply, please send your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages).

Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.

Completed applications should be returned by 18th September 2026

Stage 1 Interviews will take place in person w/c 5th October 2026.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

We appreciate you may wish to use AI to support elements of your application but we strongly encourage all candidates to submit applications that genuinely reflect their own skills, achievements and lived experiences. It's what makes your application stand out!

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Oasis Community Partnership Charity No. 1163889 Enfield Island Youth and Community Trust t/a enact Registered Charity No. 1109131

Terms and Conditions

Job title: Co-production Coordinator

Reports to: Head of Practice

Direct reports: Peer Mentors and Women across WIP’s Lived Experience Groups  

Start date: TBC 

Salary: Actual salary £21,541.20 per annum FTE £35,902 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 Southeast weighting) 

Working hours: Part time – 21 hours per week  

Contract: Fixed term until 30 March 2029 (with the possibility of extension, subject to funding) 

Location: Across Lambeth and Hybrid

Job Purpose

To work alongside women with experience of the criminal justice system, homelessness and housing insecurity, supporting them to have a meaningful say in how Women in Prison’s housing programme is designed and delivered.

You will create safe, supportive opportunities for women to get involved, develop peer mentoring and training, and help ensure that what we learn from women’s experiences is used to improve services and influence wider change across Lambeth.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Support women to have a meaningful say in the housing programme and how it develops

2. Support women to use their lived experience, develop their skills and take part in peer mentoring and other opportunities

3. Help make sure that what we learn from women’s experiences is used to improve services and influence wider change

4. Work with women to develop and deliver accessible training and resources on housing rights and maintaining a tenancy

Please download recruitment pack for the full job description

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

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

About this role

The Development Director (Philanthropy) provides strategic leadership across Impetus’ philanthropy and stewardship portfolio, with responsibility for relationship management, renewal, growth and selected new business activity. The postholder will work with high-value funders, including corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in pro bono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus’ growth ambitions, supporting the increase in philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear stewardship, renewal, relationship-growth and selected new business plans, ensuring strong donor retention, high-quality engagement and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will oversee the donor lifecycle across the philanthropy portfolio, with particular focus on strategic stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and the effective transition of selected prospects into long-term donor relationships. They will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure donor relationships and selected funding opportunities, while working with colleagues to ensure the philanthropy pipeline, stewardship plans and account management disciplines are strong.

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and selected donor acquisition, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth

• Own and oversee strategically significant donor and partner relationships at six and seven-figure levels, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Set and embed best practice stewardship standards, ensuring donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Philanthropy and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

New Business: Pipeline & Conversion 

• Personally lead on select six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers and networks to support warm introductions, relationship development and follow-up, in line with agreed new business and stewardship priorities.
• Work with colleagues to translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for donors, prospects and priority audiences.

Performance and KPI Reporting

• Accountable for ensuring effective implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of fundraising performance frameworks, KPIs and reporting disciplines.
• Use performance data and insight to improve team effectiveness, inform portfolio planning and resource recommendations, and identify opportunities for retention, renewal and growth.
• Oversee philanthropy portfolio data quality, reporting and forecasting, ensuring robust systems and processes.
• Ensure robust systems, processes and performance disciplines are in place to support delivery of agreed philanthropy portfolio objectives and wider fundraising goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and evidence-led decision-making across the philanthropy portfolio and direct team.

Donor Communications

• Provide strategic oversight of donor communications for the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, timely and aligned to Impetus’ voice, values and evidence base.
• Work with Communications and Philanthropy colleagues to design and continuously improve philanthropic communications, including cases for support, proposals, pitches, stewardship materials and donor updates.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Philanthropy, providing direction, coaching and performance oversight within agreed strategy and priorities.
• Develop the Head of Philanthropy as the operational lead for stewardship, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across their team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and portfolio delivery, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, balancing pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising and stewardship capability across the team through coaching and consistent, fair and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen donor relationships, partnership value and long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure philanthropy and selected new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate philanthropy pipeline reporting, forecasting and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insight informs portfolio planning and decision-making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic, financial or reputational risks associated with donors, prospects and partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are well managed and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Model Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across the philanthropy portfolio.

Strategic Leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring stewardship, renewal and relationship growth contribute to organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of philanthropy portfolio forecasting, budgeting input, pipeline performance and resource recommendations, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and escalated proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support donor stewardship, relationship growth and selected new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen philanthropy portfolio performance and wider fundraising capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, modelling Impetus’ values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

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.

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 Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 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.

We’re looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Head of Finance to join YMCA South Midlands at an exciting stage of our growth.

This isn’t a role where Finance sits on the sidelines reporting what happened last month. You’ll help us make better decisions, challenge our thinking and ensure our ambitions are backed by strong financial insight, robust governance and a clear understanding of risk.

You’ll work closely with our CEO in a high-support, high-challenge relationship and be a key financial partner to our Finance Committee and Board of Trustees. You’ll have autonomy, access to key decisions and the opportunity to genuinely influence the future direction of the organisation.

We want someone who will own the numbers, understand what’s driving them and have the confidence to ask the questions others might not. Just as importantly, you’ll be able to communicate the financial position clearly and credibly, giving our CEO, leadership team and trustees confidence in the information they receive and the decisions they make.

The opportunity

We’re an ambitious organisation with plans to continue growing our impact, income and reach.

Alongside leading our Finance function, you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in some genuinely interesting work, from strengthening our commercial and trading performance to assessing new opportunities, property acquisitions and potential M&A activity.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring the financial fundamentals are strong, but we’re looking for much more than technical excellence.

We want someone who can look forward. Someone who can spot a risk before it becomes a problem, see an opportunity in the numbers, scrutinise a business case and help us make well-informed decisions about where we invest, where we grow and where we need to exercise caution.

A key part of the role will also be building a strong and trusted relationship with our Head of Income Generation, Finance Committee and wider Board. You’ll ensure trustees have timely, accurate and meaningful financial information, understand the implications behind the numbers and have confidence in the organisation’s financial management, controls and planning.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead our Finance function and take ownership of:

• Budgeting, forecasting and longer-term financial planning
• Management accounts, cash flow and financial reporting
• Commercial and trading performance
• Financial modelling and scenario planning
• Financial controls, compliance, audit and statutory reporting
• Supporting property purchases, investment decisions and potential M&A opportunities
• Developing and leading our Finance team

Just as importantly, you’ll partner with leaders across the organisation, helping them understand and take ownership of their financial performance.

You won’t simply highlight a problem. We’ll want you to help us understand why it is happening, what our options are and what we should do next.

About you

We value expertise, curiosity, ideas and healthy debate. You’ll be a Head of Finance who brings professional judgement to the table, challenges assumptions when necessary and is prepared to offer a different perspective.

You’ll also understand that excellent financial leadership is about trust and communication as much as technical competence. You’ll be comfortable working with trustees and senior stakeholders, able to explain complex financial matters without jargon and confident answering challenging questions.

If you like being given a narrow brief and simply delivering what’s asked, this probably isn’t the role for you. But if you enjoy autonomy, pace, solving problems, challenging thinking, building trusted relationships and making things happen, you will thrive here.

You’ll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong financial leadership experience and excellent commercial judgement.

You’ll be someone who:

• Is curious about the story behind the numbers
• Builds trust and credibility with key stakeholders including Board Members
• Enjoys working in a growing, changing organisation
• Is confident challenging and influencing senior leaders
• Can turn complex financial information into clear recommendations
• Thinks commercially while maintaining strong financial discipline
• Brings solutions rather than simply identifying problems
• Enjoys taking ownership and being accountable
• Builds strong relationships without shying away from difficult conversations
• Can move comfortably between the strategic picture and the detail
• Wants to make a difference

Experience of property investment, M&A, due diligence, commercial operations or a high-growth environment would be particularly valuable.

Charity-sector experience is welcome, butit isn’t essential. We’re more interested in finding someone with the right financial expertise, commercial mindset and appetite to help us grow.

Why Join YMCA South Midlands?

Because this is an opportunity to use your financial expertise for something that matters.

You’ll join an ambitious organisation where Finance has a genuine voice, where good ideas are welcomed and where you’ll be trusted to make an impact.

As well as joining a supportive and collaborative team, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a genuine difference in a purpose-driven organisation
• Work in a varied finance role with plenty of responsibility
• Help improve systems and processes
• Develop your finance skills within a supportive environment
• Work flexibly around a part-time schedule

Everyone is Welcome Here

At YMCA South Midlands, we believe everyone should feel they belong.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the people we serve and where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

As a Christian charity, our faith inspires our values and our commitment to serving others. We welcome people of all faiths and none, and appointments are made on merit.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want every candidate to have the opportunity to perform at their best throughout our recruitment process.

If you have a disability, long-term health condition or are neurodivergent and would benefit from any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us at any stage. We'll be happy to discuss how we can support you.

Ready to Apply?

If that sounds like the kind of Head of Finance role you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you. Click Apply Now and submit your application.

Special Events Manager (Maternity Cover)

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Special Events Manager, to join our Income Generation and Development team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to create strong relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers and team memeber? 
• Can you think outside the box and develop unique event concepts and fundraising ideas?
• Do you have 3-5 years experience in event planning, fundraising or a related field?

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack below. 

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application. We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

Closing Date: 11th September 2026 

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.