Volunteer lead jobs in Birmingham

An exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of a growing adult literacy charity as it expands across North England

One in 20 adults in the UK has never learnt to read at all. This can have a serious impact on their confidence and wellbeing, limiting access to training, employment, and everyday opportunities that many take for granted. Being unable to read as an adult can be isolating and dangerous, reinforces social inequality, restricts economic growth, and worsens intergenerational disadvantage - but it is never too late to learn.

Read Easy helps adults transform their lives by learning to read. It does this by supporting its growing network of locally run, volunteer-led affiliated groups that offer free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching—both in person and online to adults - aged from 18-88. 

With its free, flexible, confidential approach, Read Easy encourages people who are too embarrassed to join a class to come forward for one-to-one support. Each new reader is provided with their own personal Reading Coach, so that they can learn in private and at their own pace. Learning to read transforms their lives in many other ways as well, including enabling them to support their children’s and grandchildren’s reading, and so transfers the benefits to the next generation.

There are currently 80 affiliated Read Easy groups across England, together involving more than a thousand volunteers. Read Easy UK is the registered charity and umbrella organisation which supports this network of affiliated volunteer groups and provides the structure, training and support to enable volunteers to establish groups in new areas.

As our North Regional Adviser, your role would be to provide strategic leadership, guidance, and oversight to ensure that all volunteer groups in your region consistently deliver high-quality services aligned with Read Easy UK’s strategy.

You will support local volunteer leaders to strengthen group performance, and foster collaboration across affiliated groups, so that that they deliver coaching to Readers with consistent quality, and a positive and worthwhile experience is had by all.

You will also find volunteers to ‘pioneer’ four new groups in the counties where there is no Read Easy presence and provide them and our 17 existing groups and pioneers in the region, with high-quality support. Your quality support will ensure that they provide the same for their volunteers and new Readers. From meeting (mostly online) with Team Leaders to provide one to one support, and hosting online and annual in-person volunteer forums, to delivering presentations and occasional training for small groups of volunteers, this is a dynamic and rewarding role.

This is a home-based post requiring flexibility, some early evening working and occasional travel to visit groups. The role is available on a part time basis (22.5 hours p/w, 60% of 37.5 hours p/w FTE).

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Live within one of the following areas: York, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire or Greater Manchester (Due to the location of our groups in the region, and to ensure efficient travel);
• have been employed to work with volunteers for at least two years;
• have strong people management and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills; and the confidence to run meetings and deliver presentations.

Salary & Benefits 

• Annual Salary £17,770 (60% of -£29,500 FTE)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closing and 2 days volunteering leave (upon completion of probationary period) – pro-rata for part time roles
• Company sick pay to financially support you when you are unwell (above statutory upon completion of probationary period) 
• Support when extending your family – company parental and adoption pay (above statutory after 12 months service) 
• Access to RewardHub – which gives retail discounts and has a ‘Wellbeing Centre’ with tools, tips, recipes, workout videos and guides which will help you to reach your own wellbeing goals 
• Training and Development opportunities and resources – we are developing personal plans in this area to enhance employee experience and opportunity 
• A collaborative, creative and inspiring working environment full of committed and passionate employees and inspirational volunteers 

We strive to ensure our recruitment practices are fair, open, easy to access and as inclusive as possible. We aim to recruit a team which broadly reflect the local communities which we serve; to work with and learn from each other to continually improve the service we deliver to our Readers. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion, ensuring a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We welcome you to apply and be your authentic self.

When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification for the role being applied for, they are guaranteed an interview for the job for which they are applying through our Disability Confident scheme.

If you need any support with your application, please contact us,

The closing date for this post is 10:00 Tuesday 3rd  February 2026. Should you be shortlisted, the first round of interviews will take place online on Tuesday 10th  February, with in-person interviews, being held in Birmingham , on Tuesday 24th February 2026. 

About us:

Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting is the world’s only movement for every girl and any girl because we believe that each of them deserves to be the best they can be. Free to make what they want from the Movement, girls learn by doing, make friends and have fun. In brave, local spaces, girls develop the skills and attitudes to change themselves, their communities and our world. 

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) keeps the global Movement thriving, united and growing. This role operates within the context of a volunteer-led global charitable organisation with 153 Member Organisations. 

Job Purpose: 

The purpose of this role is to coordinate and support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) across WAGGGS’ Learning and Leadership Development (LLD) portfolio and other global programmes, as needed. The role supports the development and implementation of organisational and programme-level MEL frameworks, systems and tools, and contributes to effective data collection, learning and reporting.

The MEL Coordinator collaborates with the organisational MEL Manager and wider MEL team to ensure alignment with organisational MEL approaches, standards and systems, while providing day-to-day MEL coordination and technical support to LLD teams and other programmes.

Key Responsibilities: 

Programme MEL 

1.  Development and delivery of MEL framework & system for LLD, and other WAGGGS delivery areas, in alignment with organisational MEL standards.

2. Support the integration and consistent use of MEL methodologies across teams and volunteer-led activities, contributing to a shared approach to evidence and learning. 

3. Consolidate, analyse and synthesise evidence from young women, volunteers, Member Organisations, and staff to support programme learning, adaptation and reporting. 

4. Provide technical support and guidance on all related MEL activities.

Organisational MEL  

1. Contribute to the testing, design, and finalization of a WAGGGS’ organisation-wide Theory of Change, providing technical input and coordinating inputs from teams during the final development phase. 

2. Support the coordination and operationalisation of organisational MEL framework, tools, systems, and reporting processes, in collaboration with the organisational MEL Manager and wider MEL team.

3. Coordinate and support MEL capacity strengthening activities across teams, including guidance, training and troubleshooting, as appropriate. 

4. Support integration of learning and reflection practices into organisational planning, reporting, and reviewing processes.

Please submit your CV and Covering Letter to be considered for this role. Please ensure you refer to the person specification when writing your cover letter and detail why you are interested in this position at WAGGGS.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to beat macular disease forever.

We’re seeking a creative and organised individual to lead on communications and learning for our volunteer network. You’ll be responsible for developing engaging content, coordinating volunteer newsletters, and supporting the delivery of training and learning resources across a wide range of roles. This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, a keen eye for detail, and a collaborative approach to ensure volunteers feel informed, supported, and connected. If you feel you have the attributes above, we would love to hear from you.

In return, we provide a great working culture and offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and a 6% pension contribution.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

This is a UK-wide role and can be home-based from anywhere in the UK. Some travel will be required, including occasional visits to our office in Andover, Hampshire. Office-based or hybrid working is also available for those living within commuting distance of Andover.

About The Launchpad Collective

The Launchpad Collective is a refugee-led charity supporting people with lived experience of displacement to rebuild their lives through employment, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Steered by people with lived refugee experience (82% of our team), we create meaningful pathways to work, dignity, and connection.

Many of the people we support arrive in the UK with determination, skills, and professional expertise, only to face systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing employment. Through tailored employability support, one-to-one mentoring, and direct employer engagement, we walk alongside our clients as they rebuild confidence, reclaim agency, and move into work they are proud of.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Operations Lead to play a key leadership role within The Launchpad Collective. This is an exciting opportunity for a confident, organised, and proactive individual who is motivated by social impact and committed to improving the lives of refugees.

As Operations Lead, you will oversee the smooth running of the organisation, manage people and departments, and support the senior leadership team to ensure our programmes are delivered effectively and sustainably. You will be a motivational leader who is respected by the team, bringing strong people skills, patience, and kindness to your work.

This role requires someone with several years’ experience in operational management and people leadership, who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

We particularly welcome people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary in the UK. For full details of the role and guidance on how to apply, please check the attached job description.

We’ll be hosting an online Q&A session on 14 January, from 11:00am–12:00pm. We encourage potential applicants to register and submit any questions in advance. Here is the registration form https://forms.gle/fqSwCvGw1yHEmM2g6

For full details of the role and guidance on how to apply, please see the attached job description.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to beat macular disease forever.

We’re looking for someone who can lead on community engagement across the North of England – helping to grow and strengthen our local peer support services. You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers, develop partnerships, and help us reach more people affected by macular disease. You’ll need to be organised, adaptable, and confident managing multiple projects at once. If you feel you have the attributes above, we would love to hear from you.

In return, we provide a great working culture and offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and a 6% pension contribution.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

This role is predominantly home-based; however, travel will be required across the North of England and occasionally to Andover in Hampshire. 

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to beat macular disease forever.

We’re looking for an experienced and strategic individual to lead our community engagement work in Northern Ireland and manage our UK-wide team of Community Engagement Managers. You’ll oversee peer support development, build strong partnerships, and ensure consistent delivery across regions. This role requires excellent leadership skills, the ability to manage complex relationships, and a strong understanding of how to engage and empower communities. If you feel you have the attributes above, we would love to hear from you.

In return, we provide a great working culture and offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and a 6% pension contribution.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

This role is predominantly home-based; however, travel will be required across NI and occasionally to Andover in Hampshire.

Volunteer Coordinator - Build a Nationwide Technology Support Network

Salary: £30,000 per annum FTE (£18,000 actual)
Hours: Part-time, 0.6 FTE (21.75 hours per week - genuinely flexible)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Fully remote, with travel across the UK
Reports to: Project Manager

Ready to build something meaningful?

Do you have experience recruiting, supporting and motivating volunteers?
Are you excited by the idea of building a national volunteer network that delivers real, life-changing impact?

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with a charity to recruit a Volunteer Coordinator for a newly created role at a pivotal moment in their evolution.

A chance to shape something from the very beginning

The charity is undergoing an exciting transformation. Long known for providing audio equipment, they're evolving into the UK's leading technology empowerment service for people with sight loss.

This role sits at the heart of that change. As Volunteer Coordinator, you'll build and nurture a nationwide volunteer network that will transform how people with sight loss access technology support. You'll be the heartbeat of the volunteer programme - recruiting, onboarding, supporting and championing volunteers across the UK.

Working closely with the Project Manager, you'll ensure volunteers feel valued, confident and supported to deliver excellent, accessible technology support.

The impact you'll make

• Recruit and onboard volunteers, ensuring strong geographic coverage and diversity
• Manage DBS checks, safeguarding processes and volunteer records
• Support volunteers day-to-day, acting as their primary point of contact
• Monitor wellbeing, workload and retention to prevent burnout
• Match volunteers to service users based on skills, location and availability
• Build peer-support networks, mentoring relationships and learning opportunities
• Create recognition programmes and development pathways
• Foster a strong, connected volunteer community across digital and in-person spaces

This is a role for someone who cares deeply about people, thrives on purpose, and understands what makes volunteers feel supported and valued.

A culture built on trust, flexibility and wellbeing

The charity understands that life doesn't stop at the door of work. The charity is deeply committed to staff wellbeing and recognises that family responsibilities, health, caring roles or life events sometimes need to take priority.

You'll be supported in a truly flexible, family-friendly working environment, built on:

• Trust, not micromanagement
• Respect for individual circumstances
• Autonomy over when and how you work
• A leadership team that genuinely listens

This is a remote-first organisation where people are trusted to do their best work in a way that works for them - and where kindness and accountability go hand in hand.

What else is on offer

• Fully remote, genuinely flexible working
• Part-time hours (21.75 per week) arranged around your life
• 15 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata, based on full-time entitlement)
• Additional time off over the Christmas period
• Auto-enrolment pension
• Quarterly in-person team days and occasional events
• A supportive, mission-driven team that values collaboration and care

Inclusion at the heart of everything

The charity is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from people with sight loss. Lived experience is highly valued, and reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the recruitment process and in the role itself to ensure everyone can thrive.

Application deadline: Friday 23rd January 2026

(Please do not write a cover letter until we have shared the JD and held an informal briefing call)

Interviews: Tuesday 24th February 2026

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Salary: £27,500 per year, pro rata (£11,000 actual salary). 

Hours: Part time, fixed term 12 month contract, 14 hours per week (0.4 FTE)

Work pattern: Flexible, between Monday-Friday

Start date: ASAP

Location: Remote. With travel to team away days every 2-3 months. All equipment and travel for work will be paid for by the charity.

Reporting to: Head of Support Services

About Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) 

Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) is the leading charity working to end the motherhood penalty. Founded on International Women’s Day in 2015, our work is rooted in lived experience and delivered with fearless conviction. We campaign for change, provide support and advice, and build community with working parents across the UK. We do this with rigour, rage, and love.

With a new CEO, we’re now at a pivotal moment in our journey, and we’re looking for someone who’s excited to build with us — shaping what comes next for one of the UK’s most fearless campaigning charities.

The Role

Pregnant Then Screwed’s Tribunal Mentor Programme is a peer-to-peer support service for women and parents taking legal action against an employer for pregnancy and maternity discrimination. We match mentees with volunteer mentors who have been through the Employment Tribunal process themselves for 12 weeks of support through weekly calls. We relaunched the programme in October 2025, and now, with funding from The National Lottery, we are looking for a part time Support Services Coordinator to help us grow and maintain new mentoring matches. 

As the Support Services Coordinator, you will be responsible for recruiting and inducting mentees and volunteers onto the programme and supporting matches throughout their journey. You’ll also drive engagement with the programme, and develop recruitment strategies for potential volunteers and mentees. 

Responsibilities:

• Coordinating the Tribunal Mentor Programme and volunteers. 

• Welcoming new mentee and mentor applicants to the programme through 121 and group calls. 

• Recruitment and engagement of new volunteers and participants. 

• Monitoring our Community WhatsApp groups and responding to enquiries.

• Hosting regularly mentor and mentee online check-ins.

• Researching further support and signposting options for mentees.

• General administrative tasks, including managing volunteer and mentoring data, supporting the Head of Support Services with reporting data and responding to general enquiries. 

• Supporting our Head of Support Services with volunteer training, policy and process development. 

• Supporting other Support Services projects where necessary.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Volunteer engagement - demonstrated through experience managing or coordinating volunteers.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion focus, able to demonstrate a deep understanding of (and confidence in discussing) anti-oppression. 
• Engaging written and verbal communication skills - demonstrated through a proven ability to craft engaging newsletters, social posts or discussion prompts.
• Mentee and mentor growth and retention - demonstrated through experience in growing and sustaining a befriending or mentoring programme (or transferable skills from other types of service user engagement)
• Technologically proficient and confident - demonstrated through experience using Beacon or other CRM systems and digital work tools. 

Please note this job description is not exhaustive, and you may be required to take on additional responsibilities that are within scope of the role.

What We Offer 

• Flexible working is embedded in our culture with employees working different hours, and days of the week. 

• 34 days annual leave, including statutory bank holidays. This is pro-rata for part-time staff. 

• Paid leave between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

• Two paid ‘Wellbeing Days’. These are days that can be booked off with no notice and no questions asked. 

• Five days’ paid leave to care for dependents. These can be used when a dependent is unwell, for settling in days at nursery or school, or for activities such as sports day or school plays. 

• After two full years of service, employees are entitled to an additional day of paid leave for every additional year, up to a maximum of three additional days.

• Participation in a comprehensive workplace pension scheme with contributions from the organisation of 4%.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay. Maternity and adoption leave is paid at a rate of 100% for 20 weeks, 50% for the next six weeks, and then statutory for the remaining time. Paternity is paid at a rate of 90% for six weeks. 

• Employees work from home, with an in-person team away taking place every six - eight weeks (locations vary). 

• It is expected that all employees will engage in at least four days of training per year. Mandatory training includes: GDPR, Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity and Safeguarding training.

• All employees will be provided with a company laptop, riser, monitor, mouse and mouse mat should they need, plus £100 to spend on other office set-up needs, including stationery where necessary.

Ready to help us shape a fairer world for working mums and parents? Here’s how to apply:

Step 1: Answer our screening questions and upload your CV via CharityJob. You will need to apply by 11pm on Sunday 11th January 2026

Step 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview, which includes preparing a 10 minute presentation, and Q&As. We envisage interviews taking place in the last week of January or first week of February.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to beat macular disease forever.

We’re looking for someone who can lead on community engagement across Wales – helping to grow and strengthen our local peer support services. You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers, develop partnerships, and help us reach more people affected by macular disease. You’ll need to be organised, adaptable, and confident managing multiple projects at once. If you feel you have the attributes above, we would love to hear from you.

In return, we provide a great working culture and offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and a 6% pension contribution.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

This role is predominantly home-based; however, travel will be required across Wales and occasionally to Andover in Hampshire.

We are seeking a Worship Coordinator to help strengthen and develop the worship ministry at Gateway. This role involves working closely with our Senior Pastor and existing worship leaders to deepen our worship culture, support and equip our teams, and help raise up future worshippers.

The ideal candidate will be both spiritually discerning, administratively gifted and developer of others — someone who loves the presence of God, values excellence, and thrives in organisation and team development.

Central location: West Bromwich UK.

Other locations requiring travel: Liverpool UK

Typical week: two to three days in the working week based around West Bromwich.  Sundays rotate around the locations.

This role offers a unique opportunity to serve in a thriving church community, helping shape the sound and heart of worship at Gateway Christian Centre. If you are passionate about worship, leadership, and seeing people encounter God’s presence, we’d love to hear from you.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details.

Responsible for all Continuous Professional Development (CPD) resources and activity of the Royal College of Paramedics, The primary role of the National CPD Lead will be overall responsibility for all CPD delivered by the Royal College of Paramedics, including ensuring the quality of content across the current and future range of platforms, (including video, webinars, events, podcasting). 

The National CPD Lead is responsible for the efficient and effective management of specific pre-agreed workstreams aligned with realisation of the Royal College’s strategy objectives, this will require budget awareness along with supervision and management of team members. 

As a senior member the College team – the National CPD Lead will provide a leadership presenceacross the organisation, contributing to policy and planning, staff development and membershipengagement and growth. They will be an able, confident and competent communicator, engagingeffectively at all levels, from student members to the Royal College of Paramedics Board and Council to national partners and colleagues. 

The primary role of the National CPD Lead is to provide assurance, support and leadership in the provision of face to face and virtual CPD delivered by the College of Paramedics, including: 

• Ensuring the quality of content across the current and future range of platforms (including events, video, webinars, courses, and podcasting). 

• Reviewing and developing CPD activities which meet the needs of members and the profession

As an employee, the National CPD Lead will promote the Royal College, and its aims and objectives by building effective relationships with members, other healthcare colleagues, employers and other stakeholder bodies. 

The Person: 
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to work directly with the Head of Education to drive innovation and change and deliver the Continuous Professional Development and Education objectives as part of the overall College strategy. 

The National CPD Lead will act with integrity, positivity, and adaptability, using their skills to build effective relationships and work within a shared vision.

Closing date: 23:59hrs on 30.01.26 
Interviews: w/c 16.02.26 in the area of Leeds/Bradford 

Join us and help create opportunities that change young lives.

Career Ready is a UK-wide social mobility charity, working to empower young people with the skills, confidence, and networks they need to succeed. We’re looking for a proactive and strategic Corporate New Business Development Lead to drive growth in our corporate and partnerships income, unlocking innovative collaborations that deliver real impact.

In this pivotal role, you’ll identify and secure high-value corporate partnerships, craft compelling proposals, and lead pitches to senior decision-makers. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Communications, Programmes, and Operations to create multi-year partnerships that combine funding, programme support, and brand alignment—helping us reach more young people than ever before. The role is home-based, but you’ll have opportunities to travel across the UK (primarily London, Manchester, and Edinburgh) for meetings, events, and networking opportunities (expenses covered), giving you variety and the chance to build relationships face-to-face.

We’re seeking someone with a proven track record of winning significant corporate partnerships (five-figure or ideally six-figure), excellent communication and influencing skills, and a strong understanding of CSR/ESG trends. If you’re entrepreneurial, creative, and thrive on building relationships from scratch, we’d love to hear from you.

For full information view our candidate pack, which is available when you click on Apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 12 January 2026

First stage interviews: expected to take place w/c 19 January 2026 

Key info
Closing date: Sunday 25th January 2026 at 23:59. 

Annual salary: £42,400

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Contract length: 3 years initially, with contract extension subject to funding

Location: UK based, mainly remote with occasional in person work

The role

TransActual is recruiting a Communications Lead to join our rapidly growing team. You’ll be working alongside our board and Senior Management team to develop and implement a communications strategy across all media channels that supports the accurate representation of TransActual’s work to the wider world and our mission to advocate, empower and inform.

We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills both in terms of understanding and responding to underlying questions in a sometimes hostile media environment, identifying the effective ways of proactively and reactively communicating about our advocacy goals, and working closely with our Policy Lead, Director of Operations and for Healthcare, staff team, board and volunteers to achieve that.

Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the creation of a communications strategy, communications processes, protocols and standards, press releasing and liaison, and line management of our communications officer. You will be responsible for forward planning of communications where events are foreseeable and will also be required to enable rapid and sensitive response to unpredictable events and consequent media inquiries.

An in-depth understanding of trans people’s lived experiences and an ongoing commitment to bringing about positive change for all trans people in the UK is absolutely essential for this role. This understanding can come from your own lived experience. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to equity, particularly in relation to race equity and disability equity.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from trans people, Black People and People of Colour, neurodivergent people and disabled people.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Location: Remote working. Must be willing and able to travel to London, Edinburgh and elsewhere across the UK to support business need

Reporting to: AHS Chief Information and Technology Officer (to be appointed Spring 2026)

Hours of Work: FTE 37.5 hours per week

Purpose of the post

The Strategic Data Lead will play a critical role in managing the study’s data pipeline, devising and implementing strategies for the collection, management, storage, documentation and curation of complex participant data, and sharing data with research users. In particular, there will be a need for innovative, remote data collection methods that are acceptable to children and young people taking part in the study. The role holder will provide specialist advice, direction and input to the wider scientific team to maximise the potential of the study data and future proof the resource. They will drive forward innovative solutions which enable the long-term strategic vision for data management in the study.

Main responsibilities

Strategy

• Provide expert input into the design and delivery of the study before data collection begins, maximising data quality and efficient management from the start.
• Devise and implement a data management strategy, including appropriate data architecture, meta-data and data pipeline(s), to support the study’s aims and meet the needs of the research community.
• Consider the long-term strategy for data preservation and discoverability, to futureproof the resource and ensure maximal use.

Technology and innovation

• Identify and oversee the delivery of novel solutions for collection and management of complex health data, including transfer of data from specialist equipment and mobile technology, such as wearables or app-based data.
• Lead procurement activities, where required, to support the data management strategy, translating the needs of users into appropriate specifications and working with third parties to oversee delivery of solutions.

Risk management and compliance

• Oversee the development, management and continual improvement of all procedures used to process, manage and store data, ensuring that they are kept up to date and comply with relevant legislation and local guidelines.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with other longitudinal population studies (LPS) in order to seek advice where appropriate and ensure sharing of best practise within the LPS community.
• Work closely with researchers, data scientists and national bodies, such as Population Research UK and the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration, to support study objectives.
• Consult and co-operate with colleagues and stakeholders, including children and young people, to support the use of the study’s data for collaborative research purposes, identifying opportunities to maximise the potential of the data.
• ​Offer creative solutions to issues that arise, consulting with and influencing stakeholders with differing expectations, ensuring the impact of any change is communicated and understood by those involved.

Essential criteria:

• Proven track record of managing large and complex data sets within an academic, research or similar environment, including different types of data from multiple sources, including those with complex ethical and governance requirements.
• Thorough understanding of legislation regarding data management, confidentiality and security.
• Understanding of research governance.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing a data management strategy.
• Experience of implementing current and developing technologies used for collecting, storing and accessing research data.
• Excellent organisational skills with the proven ability to manage multiple competing projects simultaneously to achieve deadlines.
• Educated to degree level in Computer Science or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Proven innovation and pro-active problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to influence and negotiate with different levels of staff and external contacts.
• Excellent communication with both internal and external stakeholders including the ability to communicate technically complex ideas at an appropriate level.

Desirable criteria:

• Proven skills in programming using various languages and technologies including understanding of data manipulation and statistical packages used to manage, manipulate and analyse data e.g. SQL, Python, R.
• Proven ability to effectively lead, direct and manage a team of technical staff.
• Experience of working with a longitudinal research study, or equivalent, at a senior level.
• Excellent presentation skills, with experience of presenting to diverse audiences.

Working Environment

• Full time role with flexible working arrangements.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.
• Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations.
• As a small charity, we offer a range of benefits, including enhanced sickness and family-friendly pay, additional annual leave, the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days’ holiday each leave year, a 10% employer pension contribution, and one paid volunteering day per year.

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply online with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 25 January 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 23 February or 02 March 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership and delivery teams. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.