Help shape the future of an ambitious local charity
MRS Independent Living supports older people, disabled people and people experiencing mental health challenges to live independently, stay active and remain connected to their communities. We combine practical in-home support with innovative community-led projects that tackle inequalities and improve wellbeing.
We're looking for a Deputy Director who is excited by the opportunity to help lead this established local charity into its next chapter.
This is a role for someone who enjoys thinking strategically while also rolling up their sleeves to make things happen. You'll work alongside the Director to shape our future, develop new services, build partnerships and secure funding. You'll also be happy stepping into day-to-day operations when needed to support the team, maintain continuity and ensure our services are high quality and running smoothly.
Whether your background is primarily in fundraising and you're looking to broaden your operational leadership experience, or you've led services and want to develop your fundraising and strategic skills, this role offers an excellent opportunity to build a well-rounded senior leadership career.
About the role
As Deputy Director you'll provide leadership across our community projects, helping us develop and deliver sustainable, high-quality services that make a real difference to our community.
You'll:
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Work with the Director and Board to shape organisational strategy and future development.
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Lead fundraising from trusts, foundations, corporate partners and other income sources.
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Oversee our community projects, ensuring they deliver expected outcomes.
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Support, coach and develop project staff and volunteers.
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Build strong partnerships across the voluntary, health and public sectors.
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Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting to demonstrate our impact.
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Deputise for the Director when required.
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Take a practical, hands-on approach - providing operational support wherever it's needed.
We're looking for someone who has:
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Experience in fundraising, service management or both, ideally within the charity and voluntary sector.
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Ideas to develop and grow our community work, and the confidence and project management skills to operationalise them.
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Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and support others.
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Excellent relationship and partnership-building skills.
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A collaborative, adaptable approach with the confidence to switch between strategic thinking and practical delivery.
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A commitment to co-production, equity and user-led approaches.
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a respected local charity while developing your own senior leadership experience.
You'll join a small, supportive team where your ideas will influence organisational strategy, new services and long-term sustainability. No two days are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to work across fundraising, operations, partnerships, governance and organisational development—making this an ideal stepping stone towards a Director or CEO role.
If you're looking for a leadership role where you can make a tangible difference to people's lives while broadening your skills and experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Our staff benefits include:
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Flexible and hybrid working
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Generous holiday allowance of 28 days (pro rata) per year plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after one years’ service
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Enhanced sick leave and pay
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Enhanced family leave and pay
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Ongoing opportunities for learning and professional development
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Employer pension contributions of 4%
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Life assurance cover equivalent to one year’s annual salary for members of our workplace pension scheme
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
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About Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) is the UK’s leading patient charity dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Our mission is underpinned by values of compassionate, bold, expert and collaborative. We believe in creating a supportive environment in which both our employees and beneficiaries can thrive.
Founded in 2013 by people affected by PF and clinicians, APF has grown into a respected national charity rooted in community and evidence. We provide trusted information and support, help a growing network of support groups, campaign to improve access to care and invest in research to bring hope of new treatments. APF strives to be an organisation of equity and inclusion, welcoming people from all backgrounds – our team and volunteers aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve.
We have just launched an ambitious five-year strategy (2025–2030), co-created with the PF community, which focuses on expanding support, transforming care, and accelerating research. This strategy marks a step change with a clearer focus, stronger delivery model and greater ambition to ensure no one faces pulmonary fibrosis alone.
Role Purpose
We are looking for a Senior Information and Education Manager to lead our patient information and education work, ensuring people affected by pulmonary fibrosis can access clear, accurate, trusted and accessible information when they need it most.
This is a strategic and hands-on role. You will shape APF’s information and education offer across digital, print and live formats, develop and improve patient information, lead a review of our website content, and ensure our resources remain evidence-based, accessible and shaped by lived experience.
You will also oversee our education programme and line manage our Education and Events Co-ordinator, helping us deliver high-quality events and education that respond to the needs of people affected by pulmonary fibrosis.
We are looking for someone with strong experience in health information, patient education or health content. You will be an excellent writer and editor, able to make complex information clear and accessible, with the strategic thinking and project management skills to turn insight and evidence into practical improvements.
This is an opportunity to play a leading role in ensuring people affected by pulmonary fibrosis have the information, education and support they need throughout their journey.
To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining your suitability for the role and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the job description.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by pulmonary fibrosis.
14 hours per week | £15,131 per annum pro rata (£37,828 FTE) | Fixed term to June 2031 | 3% pension
CHOICE IN HACKNEY is seeking an experienced Advocacy Trainer and Mentor to join our Choices Into Work Project and play a key role in developing skilled and effective advocacy practitioners.
In this specialist role, you will be responsible for eight trainees/mentees each year and will develop and deliver an accredited training programme in either Disability Hate Crime or Disability & Domestic Violence, according to organisational need and learner demand.
You will design accessible training materials and deliver engaging sessions using presentations, group discussions, and practical exercises. Training will cover areas such as legislation, criminal justice processes, safeguarding, evidence gathering, advocacy, partnership working and the rights of disabled people. Domestic violence training may include safety planning, risk assessment, child protection, MARAC, housing, court processes and trauma-informed practice.
Alongside training, you will provide one-to-one and group mentoring throughout trainee placements. You will help trainees apply classroom learning to real advocacy situations, develop professional confidence and resilience, identify learning needs and build safe, person-centred advocacy skills.
Where appropriate, you will maintain a small advocacy caseload, supporting disabled people experiencing Disability Hate Crime and/or Domestic Violence with information, practical support, rights, safeguarding and criminal or civil justice processes. You will promote self-advocacy and work with specialist agencies including police, housing, legal and victim-support services.
We are looking for someone with significant advocacy or specialist support experience in Domestic Violence and/or Hate Crime, experience working with disabled people at risk, adult training and mentoring experience, and excellent knowledge of relevant legislation and trauma-informed practice.
The role can be divided into separate trainer and mentor posts depending on experience. CHOICE IN HACKNEY welcomes disabled applicants and people with lived experience who share our commitment to equality, inclusion and independent living.
