Visionary chief executive officer jobs

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was established by Sylvia Lancaster following the murder of her daughter Sophie in a hate crime motivated by prejudice against alternative subcultures. What began as a grassroots response has grown into an internationally recognised charity working across education, community engagement, research and advocacy to challenge prejudice and prevent hate crime.

We work with schools, young people, community groups and institutions to increase understanding of alternative cultures and to promote respect, inclusion and safety for those who may be marginalised because of identity or appearance.

We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next stage of development.

The CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership, working closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure the organisation remains sustainable, impactful and true to its mission. The role involves leading a small team, strengthening partnerships, overseeing programmes and securing income through grants, trusts, partnerships and other funding sources.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering the organisation’s strategic plan
• Leading and supporting a small staff team
• Maintaining effective governance with the Board of Trustees
• Building partnerships and representing the organisation publicly
• Overseeing programmes and ensuring impact is measured and evidenced
• Leading fundraising and ensuring long-term financial sustainability
• Ensuring safeguarding, compliance and strong organisational management

We are looking for someone with:

• Senior leadership experience in the charity, education, community or social justice sectors
• A track record of strategic development and organisational growth
• Experience securing funding and managing organisational budgets
• Strong communication and partnership-building skills
• A clear commitment to equality, inclusion and social change
• Knowledge of alternative subcultures preferably gained from lived experience

Manager (Chief Executive) – Chorlton Good Neighbours
Location: Chorlton, Manchester
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full time

Could you be the steady, friendly, hands-on leader who helps more people in Chorlton feel connected, fulfilled and valued?

About Chorlton Good Neighbours
Chorlton Good Neighbours is a small, well-loved neighbourhood charity with roots back to the late 1960s, working to reduce loneliness and support older people across Chorlton and adjacent neighbourhoods. Our work is local, practical and volunteer-led: befriending, home visits, transport, weekly activities, monthly teas, intergenerational groups and occasional day trips are all delivered with warmth and care.

Our volunteer base is extraordinary - around 100 volunteers support drivers, befrienders, activity leads, admin roles and trustees - and in 2024–25 we supported 474 people in total. Funding is a mixed model of public grants, local donations and modest earned income and the charity holds healthy funds to deliver our work.

This is a practical, hands-on, delivery-focused leadership role: you will lead a neighbourhood organisation through planned transition, preserving the community culture that makes CGN trusted, while introducing proportionate systems and succession approaches that secure its future. You will also spend substantial time supporting and supervising volunteers and facilitating activities alongside strategic duties.

As our next Manager (Chief Executive), you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Lead the development and delivery of a clear long-term strategy that sustains CGN’s neighbourhood impact and reduces social isolation amongst older people.

• Governance & Finance: Strengthen proportionate financial controls, grant monitoring and reporting while working closely with trustees including the Treasurer.

• Operational Leadership: Manage day-to-day delivery of volunteer-led services and introduce accessible procedures and safeguarding arrangements.

• Income Generation: Support fundraising and bid activity to secure multi-year funding and diversify local income streams.

• Community & Partnerships: Act as CGN’s visible ambassador, maintaining and developing relationships with Manchester City Council, NHS partners and local organisations.

• Volunteer Development: Recruit, induct and support volunteers and facilitators, building a resilient volunteer pipeline and clear role pathways.

• Brand & Profile: Promote CGN’s offer across local channels to maintain footfall, attract new supporters and celebrate members’ stories.

• Premises & Risk: Work with trustees on lease and premises issues and maintain a robust risk register to protect continuity of service.

Who you are

• An experienced, hands-on manager with significant experience of running small, community-facing charities or local services and a hands-on approach to operational delivery.

• Demonstrable expertise in recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers, with confidence in DBS/safeguarding practice and volunteer supervision.

• Highly organised with strong event/activity planning skills, practical problem solving and attention to detail.

• Financially literate - comfortable with budgeting, grant monitoring and basic financial controls and able to work with volunteer finance leads.

• An excellent communicator: approachable, diplomatic and skilled at building trust with older people, volunteers, trustees and statutory partners.

• Values driven, emotionally resilient and committed to inclusivity and dignity in later life.

• Desirable: experience of Age-Friendly programmes or befriending schemes and local credibility or knowledge of Manchester/South Manchester.

Why Chorlton Good Neighbours?

• Meaningful local impact - lead a well-regarded neighbourhood charity with deep community trust and a broad activities programme.

• Strong volunteer culture - join an organisation supported by around 100 committed volunteers and an engaged trustee board.

• Secure footing to build from - healthy funds and a clear focus on securing multi-year funding and premises.

• Hands-on role with strategic scope - keep delivery at the heart of the job while developing proportionate systems and succession planning.

• Supportive transition - trustees have planned a careful handover and you will be supported through induction and the subsequent recruitment of a part-time assistant.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th April 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to guide us through an exciting period of growth, transformation and renewed strategic ambition.

At Little Valley, our purpose is clear: to promote kindness, prevent cruelty, and provide outstanding welfare for the animals who rely on us. Our next Chief Executive Officer will inspire staff and volunteers, strengthen community partnerships, and lead with clarity, compassion and courage.

About the role

Our team is united by our compassion, collaboration, integrity, excellence and deep connection to our community - values that guide every decision we make. We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer who will champion these values in everything they do.

We are in a pivotal moment of investment and cultural renewal, with major developments underway - including improved facilities, modernisation of systems, strategic income growth and strengthened community engagement. This is your opportunity to lead an ambitious and much‑loved charity into its next chapter.

Key Responsibilities

(Full Job Description and Person Specification attached.)

• Lead the organisation’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with our mission, values and long‑term goals.
• Drive high‑quality, compassionate animal welfare services across all operational areas.
• Provide visible, empathetic leadership that supports a positive culture for staff and volunteers.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship, diversifying income and securing long‑term sustainability.
• Strengthen partnerships, community profile and external relationships across the region.
• Champion innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement at every level.

About You

You’ll bring proven senior leadership experience, exceptional communication skills, strong financial and governance capability, and the emotional intelligence needed to lead a complex and values‑driven organisation. Above all, you’ll bring a genuine passion for animal welfare and a commitment to ensuring values remain at the heart of everything we do.

Why join us?

As our Chief Executive Officer, you will lead a dedicated team, steward an organisation with strong foundations, and be at the forefront of shaping a more compassionate future for animals across Devon. This is more than a leadership role - it’s a chance to create lasting impact.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement (maximum two pages) outlining how your experience, leadership and values make you the right person to become our next Chief Executive Officer.

Application deadline: Tuesday 7 April, 5pm

We encourage applications from leaders who are motivated by purpose, committed to impact and inspired by the opportunity to shape the future of Little Valley Animal Shelter.

#Chief Executive Officer #Chief Executive #CEO #Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive

We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase.

Position: Chief Executive

Location: London, with regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other UK locations as required

Hours: Full-time

Salary: £80-90k dependent on experience

Duration: Permanent

Closing Date: 10.00am on Monday 23th March 2026.

Interviews: March 2026.

Who we are

For over 15 years, City Year UK has stood alongside children and young people across the UK, helping them to discover their potential and believe in what they can achieve. As a leading youth and education charity, we inspire and empower young people to dedicate a year of service, volunteering with us to support children in schools, reduce youth unemployment, and strengthen communities.

Our City Year mentors work in schools serving children who are often furthest from opportunity. They provide consistent and caring support that helps pupils feel valued, motivated, and capable of success. By building trusted relationships, boosting confidence, and encouraging a love of learning, our mentors make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the children they serve.

The Role

We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase. This is an important moment for the organisation and an opportunity to shape the future of a movement that is changing lives. Building on strong foundations, the next Chief Executive will lead the organisation as we strengthen and expand our programmes, deepen our impact, and play a leading role in the development of a UK Year of Service that supports children and young people across the country.

This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. With the full support of the Board, the next Chief Executive will lead City Year UK into a focused next phase, securing financial resilience, strengthening delivery, and ensuring sustainable long term impact.

Main responsibilities include:

• Fundraising and Development
• Strategy and Leadership
• Governance
• External Engagement
• Programme Delivery
• Finance and People

About You

We are looking for an inspiring leader who is passionate about unlocking the potential of young people, championing educational equality, and driving lasting change. You’ll bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and fundraising in the charity sector, along with the vision and energy to lead City Year UK into an ambitious new chapter. Skilled at building powerful partnerships, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and championing an inclusive, purpose-driven culture, you’ll also be a dynamic fundraiser, ready to support the growth and diversification of our income so we can expand our impact even further.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• A proven track record of senior leadership and management at a Chief Executive or Director level, likely in the charity or mission-driven sector
• Experience leading a complex organisation, with strong financial oversight, including managing a budget of comparable scale
• Demonstrated success in securing £1.5m+ a year of funding aligned with programme delivery; strong understanding of the connection between mission and sustainability
• Excellent leadership, management and team-building skills with a collaborative working style
• Strong political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder environments
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and experience working with senior stakeholders across sectors
• Outstanding communication skills—written, verbal, listening, and presenting

Please apply by uploading your CV and a supporting statement responding to the two questions set out in the Recruitment Pack. Your statement should clearly demonstrate your relevant experience, leadership capability and track record in relation to this role. Due to the high volume of CVs received, we can only respond back to the successful candidates.

Employee Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 28 days, plus 3 Christmas Grace days
• A matched pension scheme with 4% standard employer contributions and matched up to 5%.
• An organisational culture that values its employees and places particular emphasis on fairness and transparency.
• Sector-leading training, with qualifications up to master's degree level funded under the apprenticeship levy.
• 2 Volunteering days per year - pursue a project you’re passionate about
• 2 Wellbeing days per year
• A comprehensive wellbeing service designed to support the overall wellness of employees
• Interest-free travel season ticket loans, bike loans under the “Cycle to Work Scheme” and loans to assist employees with welfare or financial hardship
• Enhanced sick pay for up to 6 weeks

Other areas of experience may include CEO, COO, Chief Exec, Chief Executive, Director, Managing Director, HR, Finance, Operations.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Join VAST and lead the mission committed to developing a thriving VCSE sector across Stoke-on-Trent to improve the quality of life for local communities.

We are looking for a reliable and proactive leader with senior leadership experience and strong partnership development skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of strategic planning, organisational leadership, and managing change, as well as good understanding of financial management, and significant knowledge of charity governance, funding environments, and commissioning landscapes.

The Chief Executive will provide the professional, strategic and leadership expertise required to direct and manage VAST, ensuring the organisation achieves its strategic aims and objectives. The postholder will lead the organisation’s staff and volunteers and ensure that the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Stoke‑on‑Trent can contribute fully to strategic planning, regeneration, inclusion and the wellbeing of local people.

Join us and lead the growth of a thriving, mission driven charity. As our Commercial Services Director, you will shape and drive the sustainable income that powers life changing services for older people across Lincolnshire.

Working at both a strategic and operational level, you will provide visionary leadership across Age UK Lincolnshire’s commercial portfolio. Partnering closely with the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees, Executive Team, staff, volunteers and the older people we serve, you will help set organisational direction, identify future opportunities, and ensure strong oversight of performance, policies and priorities.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this commercially focused role is responsible for generating income and overseeing all income producing services within the charity. You will balance ambition with purpose—ensuring that our charitable aims are upheld and that older people remain at the heart of every service and development.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will play a central role in shaping, developing and delivering the future of our commercial activities. You will lead the growth of existing services and pioneer new income streams across the region, expanding our reach so that more older people can benefit from high quality support. This position combines strategic innovation with hands on delivery, offering the opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of older people in Lincolnshire.

The post-holder needs to be a confident communicator who is self-driven, proactive and dedicated, with an enthusiastic and positive approach to delivering and developing services for older people. Knowledge and experience in the charity sector and business development is desirable. The post-holder would also ideally have knowledge of the Health and Social Care Sector.

Please go to our Age UK Lincolnshire website to view the full recruitment pack.

Job Title: Head of Resource Recovery & Management
Location: Refurbs, Flint with travel to sites across Wrexham and Flintshire
Number of hours per week: Full time - 37.5 hours
Salary: £45,000 (full time)

Are you ready to redefine “waste” as a resource for North Wales?

Refurbs is a leading charity dedicated to the circular economy and we are looking for a visionary Head of Resource Recovery & Management to lead our flagship Repair and Reuse Initiatives in Flintshire.

If you have a deep understanding of resource management and a passion for the "Reduce, Reuse, Repair" hierarchy then this could be your best career move yet!

As a key member of our leadership team, with excellent people management skills, you will oversee the strategic and operational success of our recovery and reuse operations. You’ll help move the organisation beyond traditional waste management, focusing on repair, upcycling, and high value redistribution and drive our mission to keep materials in use, support local jobs, and hit Wales’ ambitious zero-waste targets!

You will be our face in the sector, collaborating with local authorities, Welsh Government stakeholders, and community partners. You will be articulate in using data to tell our story tracking carbon savings, tonnage diverted from landfill, and the social value created for our community.

For further information and how to apply please go to our website. 

Closing date: 5.00pm Monday 13th April 2026 
Interview date: tbc

Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time, once we are in receipt of sufficient applications. We therefore encourage applicants to apply early if you wish to be considered for this post.

We are committed to building a diverse team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Equality, diversity and inclusivity is central to our mission and to our impact.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Southampton.

Location: IntoUniversity Southampton
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until July 2026
Applications close: 9am Tuesday 31st March 2026
Start date: As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

MERSEYSIDE YOUTH ASSOCIATION LTD

Is seeking to recruit the following:

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE MANAGER THE DAM

Hours:

 35 hours per week

(Will Include Some Evening and Weekend Work)

Salary:

£34,594 p.a. - £37,624 p.a. - MYA Grade 7 Point 25-28

Fixed Term Funded to 31st January 2030

(With the Potential to be Extended to 31st January 2032)

Merseyside Youth Association is seeking an energetic and visionary Outdoor Education Centre Manager to lead our lakeside Outdoor Education Centre (based on the Lord Derby Estate in Knowsley) into its next exciting chapter.

You’ll be the driving force behind the Centre’s direction, designing imaginative outdoor programmes for children and young people including those who may never have experienced the outdoors before.

Alongside the outdoor delivery, you’ll bring strong commercial flair: developing and delivering a robust income generation strategy, managing budgets, securing grants, expanding school and corporate bookings, and positioning MYA as the provider of choice for outdoor education locally and beyond.

You’ll build meaningful partnerships, drive targeted marketing, track both impact and financial KPIs, and ensure our programmes not only change lives but also sustain the long-term future of the Centre.

If you’re driven, innovative, and passionate about shaping inclusive outdoor experiences that help young people grow in confidence and joy, this is your opportunity to lead something remarkable.

Note: As part of your application please make sure you highlight how you meet both the Essential and Desirable elements of the job specification.

Merseyside Youth Association Limited Actively Promotes the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, Young People and Children. 

The above post will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure,

Please note, CV’s will not be accepted and should not be part of your supporting information.

Closing Date for Completed Applications:  Midnight Monday 23rd March 2026

 Merseyside Youth Association Limited is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to maintaining a non-abusive environment

Head of Mass Supporter Fundraising

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

We currently have employees working across four nations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to deliver our ambitious new strategy, On a Mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a world where nobody dies of bowel cancer.

Are you an experienced fundraising leader who wants to be part of creating a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer? This could be the role for you!

Bowel Cancer UK is seeking an exceptional, growth-driven Head of Mass Supporter Fundraising to join our team. We have set a bold ambition to significantly increase income over the next five years, ensuring everyone diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK receives the support they need.

This is a rare opportunity to build and scale a data-led fundraising programme, increase our visibility in a competitive landscape, and develop a high-performing talented team capable of delivering sustained, multi-million-pound income growth. You will lead the development of transformational strategies and play a critical role in the management of the charities CRM to significantly scale revenue while ensuring digital innovation is at the heart of all strategic decision-making. You will take full ownership of mass supporter fundraising budgets and provide visionary leadership by directly managing team managers to foster a culture of professional growth.

The salary is £51,241, plus £2,000 London Weighting if applicable and a contributory pension scheme. The position is home-based UK-wide, with required travel to our London-based Hub space in Kennington. We offer 27 days of holiday, plus three discretionary days between Christmas and New Year in addition to statutory holidays, complimented by a range of brilliant staff benefits.

If you have a proven track record in digital acquisition, harnessing data to support decision-making, managing multi-million-pound budgets, and know what it takes to motivate and lead a brilliant team, we want to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Harris Hill are delighted to be partnering with UWS, an award-winning global education organisation bringing community-led schooling to some of the world’s most remote populations. Following a record-breaking year and the launch of their ambitious 2025–2030 Programmes Strategy, UWS is entering a hugely exciting phase of growth — and they’re now seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Senior Philanthropy Manager to help shape the next chapter.

The Opportunity

As Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will lead and evolve UWS’ high-value giving strategy, driving transformational income and long-term supporter engagement.

This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on major donor fundraising. You will:

• Lead and deliver the Philanthropy Strategy in line with organisational priorities
• Personally manage and grow a portfolio generating c. £500k–£1m p.a.
• Secure six-figure and multi-year gifts
• Develop compelling, visionary cases for support aligned to UWS’ global education mission
• Work closely with trustees, senior leaders and global colleagues to unlock new high-value networks
• Line manage and develop the Events & Philanthropy Manager, ensuring events are strategically aligned cultivation tools

You’ll oversee forecasting, pipeline development, KPIs and budget management — ensuring philanthropy at UWS is both ambitious and operationally robust.

What UWS Are Looking For

UWS are seeking a philanthropy leader who brings:

• A proven track record of delivering at least £500k+ p.a. within major donor programmes
• Personal success securing six-figure gifts
• Experience building and managing strong donor pipelines
• Confidence working with trustees, senior stakeholders and high-net-worth individuals
• Strategic planning capability alongside strong delivery focus
• Line management experience or strong coaching capability

Experience within an international NGO or global development context would be advantageous, as would exposure to high-value events or development boards.

Above all, they are looking for someone who can cultivate transformational relationships and confidently lead a high-value programme through its next phase of growth.

Key Details

• Location: London (Hybrid – 2 days per week in office)
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
• Salary: Competitive
• Reports to: Executive Director of Fundraising & Communications
• Line management: 1 direct report (Events & Philanthropy Manager)
• Closing date: 9am, Monday 16th March
• Interviews: w/c 23rd March (1st stage) and w/c 30th March (2nd stage)
• DBS required

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics

The Philharmonia Orchestra is seeking a talented and driven Trusts and Foundations Co-ordinator to help the Development team deliver growing, sustainable fundraised income. Working closely with an experienced senior grant-writer, the Trusts and Foundations Co-ordinator will steward existing funders and develop funding applications for:

• Our programme of 150 concerts a year, including landmark multi-disciplinary concert series; 

• Our award-winning Learning & Engagement projects that engage over 15,000 people annually;

• Our talent development programme through which we help improve representation in the talent pipeline;

• Our sector-leading visionary digital and immersive technology programme including our multi-award winning and globally recognised Virtual Orchestra (VR) immersive experiences.

This role will suit someone ready to move on from an entry-level position within a Development team, keen to work in a fast-paced environment, and enthusiastic about taking on their own set of fundraising targets and application deliverables. It is an opportunity for an enthusiastic fundraiser to work within an experienced, inspiring team, to work closely with and learn from one of the most experienced trusts and foundations fundraisers in our sector, and to play a transformative role in a thriving orchestra that on the occasion of its 80th anniversary is already looking ahead to Philharmonia at 100.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

The primary responsibilities of the Trusts and Foundations Co-ordinator are fundraising from and stewarding Trusts and Foundations, achieved by undertaking the following tasks:

1. Delivering the Trusts and Foundations fundraising strategy, with a particular focus on:

• Identification and cultivation:

• Producing lists of prospects to share with the Development Board, via the Director of Development.

• Identifying opportunities for cultivation at projects, events and concerts.

• Application development:

• Responsibility for developing small to mid-range Trust, Foundation and statutory applications up to £25,000 including copy development, application budget creation (using signed-off source budgets), and sign-offs from project manager and line manager.

• Maintaining a strong momentum of application submissions, aiming to fundraise a year ahead of project delivery where possible.

• Collaborating with Development colleagues to agree stewarding responsibilities, review prospects, report on Trust & Foundation income vs. targets and identify prospects whose giving objectives align with the Philharmonia’s work.

• Working closely with colleagues in the Learning & Engagement, Concerts and Marketing departments to build strong, collaborative working relationships in order to source project information to support the development of funding bids.

• Stewarding

• Ensuring timely report development and submission, to maximise re-application rates.

• Ownership of accurate and comprehensive Trust, Foundation and Statutory accreditation in all collateral and online.

• Proactive and consistent conduit between prospects and the Philharmonia, managing invitations to supported projects and ensuring consistent, warm and professional relationship management.

2 Ensuring efficient administration of Trusts and Foundations fundraising, including:

• Managing all Trusts and Foundations pledges and grants on our CRM Tessitura, and ensuring data capture and processing is in line with GDPR and other privacy laws.

• Population and updating of Trusts and Foundations submissions, stewarding and reporting tracker.

• Accurate records of all correspondence held in SharePoint.

Other tasks include

• Representing the Philharmonia externally when required. 

• Undertaking any other duties reasonably required by the Philharmonia.

Skills

Essential:

• A passion for the arts and belief in their ability to have a positive transformative effect on people’s lives.

• An enthusiasm for fundraising.

• A strong work ethic.

• Excellent writing skills with the ability to form a persuasive case.

• Experience in writing fundraising communications.

• Experience of working within a team in a collaborative and supportive manner.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), with an ability to adapt style for different audiences and members of the orchestra’s circle of supporters and senior volunteers.

• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Philharmonia. 

• Understanding of fundraising and data protection regulation (including GDPR and the Fundraising Regulator).

• Credible experience using a CRM system to record and report on moves management.

• High-level of IT literacy, including the Microsoft 365 suite.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the Philharmonia and its work.

• Proficiency in fundraising databases.

Martingale Postgraduate Foundation (Martingale) exists to fund and support the next generation of talented researchers. We believe that family income should not be a barrier to the pursuit of excellence, and our mission is to enable and nurture talented individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to thrive within world-leading postgraduate research.

Martingale’s flagship programme is the Martingale Postgraduate Scholarship, which supports students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue and excel in postgraduate degrees, by providing:

• A fully-funded Living Wage Scholarship to pursue a one-year Masters degree or a four-year PhD.
• All tuition fees and research expenses, including a tax-free stipend for living costs.
• Tailored support to apply for Martingale courses at our partner universities.
• Access to Martingale programmes, including leadership training and connections with top academic and industry professionals.
• Membership of a pioneering community of talented researchers.

In the three years since Martingale launched, we are now supporting over 100 Scholars to undertake postgraduate degrees across our ten partner universities and have committed over £7.7m in Scholarships. We are continuing to expand our offer, bringing on new partners each year.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and collaborative Head of Programmes to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping our fast-growing Martingale Scholarship Programme.

As Head of Programmes, you will join our senior management team, overseeing the growing programmes team. Working closely with the CEO, you will oversee all aspects of Martingale’s Scholarship Programme from application to alumni, ensuring that the programme maintains a strong reputation for being both supportive and prestigious.

You will set the strategic direction of Martingale’s Scholarship Programme, working closely with the CEO on a day-to-day basis to ensure that as we expand across STEM the programme remains of a high quality and meeting Martingale’s mission. You will ensure that Martingale’s programmes are impactful, data informed and meet the needs of the scholars we are supporting. You will also be responsible for managing relationships with various external stakeholders including universities, funders and evaluation partners.

We are looking for a strong strategic leader with extensive programme experience including line management, partnership management and external relations. You will bring excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail, a proactive mindset, and a strong alignment with Martingale’s mission. We welcome applicants from a range of career paths who are excited to be part of a growing, fast-paced charity delivering meaningful impact.

Martingale Foundation is incubated by Purposeful Ventures who provide operational and strategic support. The Head of Programmes will be employed by Purposeful Ventures.

About Purposeful Ventures

Our vision is for a fairer society where all young people thrive. We work with social entrepreneurs, organisations and philanthropists that share our vision. Through our work with these partners, young people are given opportunities in education and beyond, helping them reach their true potential.

Purposeful Ventures offers philanthropists and funders bespoke advice, using an evidence-based approach to help them to identify high-impact opportunities to fund. We then partner with visionary individuals and mission-driven organisations with strong theories of change. We help them turn great ideas into sustainable and successful ventures by offering fully individualised and very hands-on support, access to funding and a ‘high-challenge, high-support’ home. We do the minimum necessary and whatever it takes to succeed.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership of the Scholarship Programme

• Provide strategic oversight of the end-to-end Martingale Scholarship lifecycle, from selection and admissions through to scholar progression and alumni outcomes.
• Develop and deliver a multi-year operational strategy for Martingale’s Development Programme (MDP), ensuring scalability, academic excellence, and alignment with organisational growth plans.
• Continuously refine the scholar journey to ensure it is sector-leading, prestigious, and tailored to the needs of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Build deep expertise in postgraduate education, research culture, and enabling access to inform programme evolution and innovation.

Admissions & Selection Strategy

• Lead the design, governance, and continuous improvement of a rigorous, fair, and high-quality admissions and assessment process across subject areas.
• Oversee shortlisting, interview frameworks, assessment centres, and final scholarship recommendations to the Selection Committee.
• Ensure alignment between Martingale’s selection processes and university partner requirements.
• Maintain oversight of scholar allocation, including place management, deferrals, intermissions, withdrawals, and reallocations.

Scholar Experience & Case Management

• Ensure effective advocacy for Scholars including maximising progression and retention across cohorts.
• Oversee complex scholar casework, including deferrals, intermissions, safeguarding concerns, funding queries, disciplinary action and university liaison.
• Ensure consistent, professional, and high-touch support across the scholar lifecycle.
• Strengthen cohort cohesion and long-term alumni engagement.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Martingale, ensuring safeguarding policy implementation and record keeping in line with best practice in relation to vulnerable adults.
• Oversee data protection compliance relating to scholar and applicant data, in partnership with the organisation’s Data Protection Officer.
• Ensure programme delivery complies with charity, funding, and regulatory requirements.

Budget, Contracting & Financial Oversight

• Hold responsibility for programme budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation, cost control, and value for money.
• Oversee scholarship programme financial management, and work with Head of Strategy and Operations on onwards grants including deferrals, funding adjustments, and invoicing.
• Work with the Head of Strategy and Operations on university contracting, scholarship agreements, and financial reconciliation with partners.
• Ensure timely and accurate invoicing and reporting processes across programme operations.

University & Sector Partnerships (Programme-Focused)

• Lead programme-level relationships with university partners, including Heads of Departments, Graduate Tutors, CDT leads, and admissions teams.
• Ensure universities meet partnership commitments and that Scholars are appropriately supported institutionally.
• Contribute to partnership negotiations where programme design or operational delivery is concerned.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen university research culture and scholar support mechanisms.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact

• Lead development and oversight of Martingale’s Theory of Change and evaluation framework, working with our external independent evaluators.
• Develop robust systems to track scholar progression, outcomes, and programme effectiveness.
• Provide high-quality reporting to the CEO, Board, funders, and partners, evidencing impact and continuous improvement.

New Programme Development & Innovation

• Work with the CEO to design new subject expansions, pilots, or initiatives aligned to Martingale’s mission.
• Assess operational, financial, and reputational implications of programme growth.
• Develop business cases, delivery models, and implementation plans for expansion.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Provide senior leadership to the Programmes team, including line management of programme staff.
• Build a high-performing, mission-driven team with clear accountability and ownership.
• Develop succession planning and team capability as Martingale scales.
• Model Martingale’s values of excellence, professionalism, and thoughtful support.

Organisational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to organisational strategy and governance.
• Represent Martingale externally in academic, sector, and policy contexts where appropriate.
• Support Board and Committee reporting related to programme performance and scholar outcomes.

Key Requirements:

Essential Criteria

• Right to work in the UK

Experience and skills

Essential

• Significant experience leading and delivering high-quality programmes, ideally in higher education, research, scholarships, or a mission-driven organisation.
• Strong stakeholder management experience, with evidence of working effectively with universities, academics, funders, or equivalent partners.
• Proven line management experience, with the ability to develop and lead a high-performing team.
• Experience managing complex operational delivery, including planning, timelines, and coordinating multiple moving parts.
• Strong experience handling sensitive casework and providing professional support to individuals.
• Budget management experience, including planning and overseeing programme delivery costs.
• Excellent written communication skills, including producing clear reports and briefings for senior audiences.
• Commitment to safeguarding, wellbeing and compliance, with willingness to act as safeguarding lead.

Desirable

• Experience working directly with postgraduate research, PhD programmes, or doctoral training environments.
• Experience designing or overseeing selection and assessment processes (e.g. interviews, admissions, recruitment pipelines).
• Experience managing programme evaluation frameworks, including Theory of Change and external evaluators.
• Familiarity with contracting, invoicing, and operational finance processes.
• Knowledge of UK higher education systems and research culture.
• Experience working in a start-up, scale-up, or fast-growing charity.

Personal Characteristics

• Highly organised, proactive, and able to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: able to build rapport and trusting relationships, able to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Strong judgement, discretion and professionalism, including ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• A commitment to Martingale’s mission to support postgraduate students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly growing and changing organisation with a degree of ambiguity – confident to create processes and ways forward where they might not yet exist.
• Creative and innovative: willing to think outside the box to maximise reach.
• Resourceful, able to act on initiative, hardworking, detail-oriented, and systematic.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Birmingham.

Location: IntoUniversity Birmingham
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until August 2026
Applications close: 9am Monday 23rd March 2026
Start date: May 2026

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort.