35 Transformation manager volunteer roles

Founding Director of People, Culture & HR Innovation

Help us fix HR today — and design what HR becomes tomorrow.

We are looking for an experienced HR leader who is ready to do something very different.

Someone who understands HR, but also sees where it has become too bureaucratic, too process-driven and too disconnected from the creativity, ambition and humanity of the people it is supposed to support.

This is not a conventional HR management role.

This is a high-stakes founding opportunity to help rebuild our HR function from the ground up — while working with a team to design an entirely new, people-first way of working that could challenge the status quo.

The opportunity

Our immediate mission is practical: clean up, strengthen and professionalise our existing HR department.

That means looking honestly at what currently exists, identifying what works, what does not, what is missing and what has become unnecessarily complicated — then putting the right structures, policies, processes, governance and people practices in place.

But that is only the beginning.

Alongside fixing today's HR function, you will help us design the blueprint for the next generation of HR: an open-source HR platform and new way of working designed around people, creativity, innovation, development, fairness, accountability and better organisational culture.

We believe HR should be more than policies, procedures and risk management.

People are not processes.

Organisations should be places where people can think, create, challenge, develop, contribute and do meaningful work — while still having strong structures, accountability and professional standards.

We want to explore what HR could look like if we designed it around that principle from the beginning.

Two connected missions

1. Fix and strengthen HR today

You will initially help us:

• Review the existing HR function, structures and practices

• Identify gaps, weaknesses, risks and unnecessary bureaucracy

• Establish appropriate HR policies, procedures and governance

• Strengthen recruitment and onboarding

• Improve employee experience and people support

• Develop better approaches to performance, learning and development

• Ensure appropriate employment practices and HR compliance

• Create systems that can scale as the organisation grows

• Help build a strong people and culture foundation

2. Help invent HR for tomorrow

At the same time, you will work with the founding team to explore and develop:

• A blueprint for a new open-source HR platform

• A people-first approach to organisational design

• New approaches to employee voice and participation

• Better models for creativity, innovation and collaboration

• New approaches to leadership and personal development

• Psychological safety and healthy organisational culture

• Fairness, accountability and transparency

• The appropriate use of technology and AI in HR

• New ways of measuring organisational health and employee experience

• A framework that other organisations could potentially adopt, adapt and build upon

The ambition is not simply to improve HR within one organisation.

It is to ask:

What would HR look like if we were brave enough to redesign it properly?

You will be joining at a stage where there is significant work to do, significant problems to solve and significant things yet to be built.

That is precisely what makes the opportunity different.

For the right person, this could become a paid founding leadership position as the organisation develops, funding is secured and the wider structure is operationalised.

We are looking for someone who sees the potential in that journey rather than simply looking for an established job description and a finished organisation to step into.

This is an opportunity to:

build something.
lead something.
invent something.
leave a legacy.

If you have spent years watching organisations operate in ways that you knew could be better — and quietly thinking “someone should really change this” — this may be your opportunity to actually be one of the people who does.

You will not be doing it alone.

You will have the opportunity to build and work alongside a founding team, bring ideas into reality, test new approaches, learn from what does and does not work, and help shape something that can grow beyond its original founders.

The legacy opportunity

We are particularly interested in people who want their work to mean something beyond another position on a CV.

The long-term ambition is to create something that can be shared, developed and potentially adopted by others.

If successful, the HR model you help create could become part of a much larger body of work — something that demonstrates that organisations can be both high-performing and deeply human.

That is the opportunity.

Not to inherit someone else's HR system.

To help invent a better one.

Who we are looking for

You may be an experienced:

• HR Director

• Head of People

• People & Culture Director

• HR Transformation Leader

• Organisational Development Leader

• Senior HR Consultant

• HR strategist or practitioner

You should have substantial practical HR experience and understand the realities of employment, governance, organisational risk and people management.

But experience alone is not enough.

We want someone who:

• Thinks critically about conventional HR

• Is comfortable challenging established thinking

• Can distinguish between necessary structure and unnecessary bureaucracy

• Is genuinely people-centred

• Understands organisational design and culture

• Can move between strategy and practical implementation

• Has an interest in innovation, technology and AI

• Is capable of building systems rather than simply operating them

• Can work collaboratively with founders and other senior leaders

• Is comfortable working in an environment where not everything has already been figured out

• Wants to create, experiment and improve — not simply maintain the status quo

Most importantly, you should want to build something.

What we can offer

This is initially a voluntary founding leadership opportunity during Phase 1, as the organisation develops its foundations, structures, funding and operating model.

However, the intention is that the right founding leaders can have the opportunity to progress into substantive paid leadership positions as the organisation grows and the relevant funding and operational capacity are secured.

This is therefore an opportunity to get involved early, have genuine influence over the direction of the organisation and potentially grow with what you help build.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape the HR function from an early stage

• Work directly with the founding leadership team

• Influence organisational culture from the beginning

• Help develop an original HR model

• Build a team around the work as the organisation grows

• Contribute to something with potential beyond the organisation itself

• Establish yourself as a founding leader in an emerging model of people and organisational practice

• Progress into a paid founding leadership positionh

• Commission-Based Model
• Remote/Global/Executive Leadership role
• 10hrs a week

About Project Yananai

Project Yananai is a global non-profit headquartered in the United Kingdom, with Affiliate Entities and Management Teams in India, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals and communities by fostering enduring relationships, enhancing sustainable skills, and delivering compassionate humanitarian aid. We are dedicated to nurturing resilient societies that are self-sufficient, spiritually fulfilled, and equipped to break cycles of poverty.

Strengthen Leadership. Enable Mission Continuity. Drive Global Impact.

Project Yananai is entering an exciting phase of growth. Registered in the UK, with operations across India, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, we are building an organisation focused on empowering individuals and communities, strengthening sustainable livelihoods and delivering compassionate humanitarian support.

We are now seeking an exceptional Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) to join our Global Executive Leadership Team and work in close partnership with the CEO.

This is a newly created role for a senior leader who can operate comfortably at both strategic and operational level — someone who can help turn ambition into execution, bring clarity across a growing organisation and provide confident leadership when the CEO is unavailable.

You will be much more than a traditional deputy. You will be a trusted partner to the CEO, a strategic integrator across the executive team and an ambassador for Project Yananai externally.

The opportunity

As DCEO, you will provide the leadership capacity and organisational resilience needed to support Project Yananai through its next stage of development.

You will partner with the CEO to translate our Strategic Growth and Impact Plan into clear priorities, ensure that those priorities are delivered across the organisation and help connect our executive functions around shared goals.

When required, you will step into the CEO's responsibilities, providing continuity of leadership and representing the organisation with confidence to donors, partners, government bodies, media and other key stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to have genuine organisational influence at a pivotal moment — helping shape how a growing international non-profit operates, leads and delivers impact.

What you will do

• Act as the CEO's senior deputy and assume executive responsibility during periods of absence, including strategic decision-making, external representation, oversight of programmes, finance and compliance, and leadership of the Global Executive Leadership Team.
• Turn strategy into execution
• Work alongside the CEO to translate organisational vision into practical priorities, milestones and actions — ensuring that strategic commitments become measurable results.
• Drive alignment across the executive leadership team, working across Advancement, People & Governance, Finance, Mission Operations and Communications to remove silos and ensure teams are working towards common objectives.
• Monitor organisational performance against KPIs and strategic objectives, identify bottlenecks and risks, and help ensure that plans are delivered effectively, on time and within budget.
• Represent Project Yananai with major donors, partners, government stakeholders and other external audiences. Build trusted relationships that strengthen our mission, reputation and fundraising potential.
• Work alongside the Chief People & Governance Officer and Global General Counsel to support strong governance, risk management and compliance across our international operations.
• Help create a culture of collaboration, accountability and innovation. Mentor senior leaders, support succession planning and champion diversity, equity and inclusion across the organisation.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a seasoned executive, rather than simply an experienced functional leader.

You will ideally bring 10–15+ years of senior leadership experience within the non-profit, international development or humanitarian sector, together with a track record of leading organisations through growth, transformation or complexity.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience operating at executive or enterprise leadership level.
• A proven ability to deputise for a CEO or assume full executive responsibility when required.
• Experience leading across multiple countries and cultures, ideally with exposure to Africa and/or South Asia.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership, with the ability to move seamlessly between big-picture thinking and execution.
• A sophisticated understanding of governance, risk and compliance within an international non-profit environment.
• Strong fundraising and partnership instincts, with the credibility to engage senior donors and high-value partners.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience overseeing budgets of £5m+.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills.
• The emotional intelligence and resilience to lead through uncertainty, change and organisational growth.
• Experience with French, Portuguese or relevant local languages would be advantageous.

The leadership qualities that matter

• Beyond experience and credentials, we are looking for someone who brings judgement, humility and integrity.
• You will be comfortable making difficult decisions, calm when circumstances are challenging and able to bring people with you through change.
• You will be a natural mentor and coach — someone who invests in developing other leaders rather than simply directing them.
• Most importantly, you will have a genuine commitment to community-led development, breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting peace and prosperity, together with alignment with Project Yananai's values and mission.
• A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree such as an MBA, MPA, MPhil or equivalent is desirable.

Why Project Yananai?

This is not an opportunity to simply inherit an established structure. You will help build it!

You will join at a pivotal stage in Project Yananai's development, working directly with the CEO, Global Executive Leadership Team and Board to strengthen the organisation and prepare it for its next phase of growth.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape organisational strategy and its execution.
• Work across an international, multi-country organisation.
• Influence the development of a growing executive leadership team.
• Represent Project Yananai with significant external stakeholders.
• Strengthen organisational resilience, governance and performance.
• Contribute directly to programmes and initiatives designed to create lasting social impact.
• Work remotely with international travel as required.
• Develop your own executive leadership experience within a growing global organisation.

Project Yananai is an equal opportunity organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. Project Yananai is a UK registered charity number 1209060.

Chair of the Board of Trustees

The Ripple Pond

Voluntary Position (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Time commitment: Approximately 1-2 days per month, including four Board meetings per year, regular support to the CEO, occasional committee meetings and attendance at key events.

Closing date: 11 September 2026 (applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews may take place before the closing date).

Help Shape the Future of Support for Military Families

The Ripple Pond is a national charity supporting more than 1,200 Armed Forces and veteran family members across the UK. Through peer support, advocacy and practical assistance, we help families affected by service-related physical and psychological injury feel seen, heard and supported.

We are seeking an exceptional individual to Chair our Board of Trustees and help guide the charity through its next phase of growth and development.

Working closely with our CEO and Board, you will provide strategic leadership, support strong governance and help ensure the charity continues to deliver meaningful impact for military families and carers.

What You'll Do

As Chair, you will:

• Lead and support the Board of Trustees.
• Act as a trusted partner and critical friend to the CEO.
• Oversee strategy, governance, risk and organisational performance.
• Champion safeguarding, inclusion and good governance.
• Support trustee recruitment and board development.
• Represent The Ripple Pond externally and help build strategic relationships.
• Help shape the future direction and sustainability of the charity.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for a collaborative and values-driven leader with:

• Senior leadership, executive or board-level experience.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Experience of governance, finance and risk oversight.
• The ability to build partnerships and influence stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and ambassadorial skills.
• A genuine commitment to supporting Armed Forces families and carers.

Experience in the military, veterans, healthcare, public, charity or social care sectors would be beneficial but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of military families across the UK.

You will work with a committed Board, an experienced CEO and a passionate community of Members to help strengthen support for families affected by service-related injury, influence wider understanding of their needs and guide a growing charity through its next stage of development.

Position Description 
This is an exciting time to join the Heart of the City trustee board. You will join a small but ambitious Charity with strong foundations and networks across the public and private sector. This is an opportunity to shape the next chapter for the Heart of the City, with a strong focus on developing a robust, sustainable three-year Strategy. The Strategy will be supported by work to further diversify funding streams, that provide greater financial resilience without compromising our mission to support SMEs to become responsible businesses and play a full role in responding to the Climate Emergency.

The incoming Chair will support the team to develop a three-year Strategy to support the growth of the Charity.

The plan will explore:

• The Mission of the Charity and how it should grow
• Diversifying and securing new sources of funding
• Broadening our programmatic offer to SMEs
• Defining the strategic relationship between Heart of the City and the City of London Corporation

Unlike most small charities, Heart of the City has an extensive network and governance structures with prestigious organisations. The Chair will help manage key relationships with the Bank of England and Corporation of London, as well as key Council Members. The Chair will be instrumental in managing an effective and focussed set of Trustees to help shape, scrutinise and deliver the Charity’s mission.

By the end of the three-year period as Chair, you will have supported the development and implementation of a Strategy, which meets the vision of the Charity, helped develop a sustainable and resilient funding model, ensured that the Charity is making an impact and reporting on its achievements and maintains effective relationships with key strategic partners.

Typically, the Chair will:

• Hold regular fortnightly meetings with the Managing Director.
• Attend quarterly Trustee Board meetings (usually lasting around two hours and held during the working day).
• Participate in a strategy half-day with Trustees and staff.
• Attend Council meetings (up to two per year).
• Support introductions to potential members, partners and stakeholders.
• Attend and occasionally speak at Heart of the City events on an ad hoc basis.

The Chair will contribute to ad-hoc requests including:

• Sharing their views on responsible business in interviews for our newsletter, social media or webinars
• Championing our work at other external events and meetings, on social media and on their own biographical profiles

About you
We do not expect one person to fulfil all specifications but would welcome applications from individuals who are able to demonstrate most of the following:

Experience & Knowledge

• Senior Executive experience in the Corporate, Charity or Public sector.
• Strong understanding of SMEs, their motivations and challenges.
• Strong commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
• Proven track record of setting strategic direction and leading senior teams.
• Well-connected senior network across businesses.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent chairing, facilitation and sound judgement in complex situations.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to align resources to long-term mission and impact.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage audiences from SME leaders to senior stakeholders.
• Strong ambassadorial and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent listening, questioning and consensus-building abilities.

Commitment

Commitment to Heart of the City’s mission, values and responsible business agenda. Willingness to devote the time and energy required to fulfil the role effectively.

Closing application date
Midnight on 27 September 2026

Interviews
Trustees aim to meet with the candidates in the week commencing 12 October 2026.