Independent Advocate Jobs

Charisma is working in partnership with Guide Dogs to appoint their new Director of Guide Dog Service. Guide Dogs, the world’s largest assistance dog organisation, offer a wide range of services to support people living with a vision impairment. Their expert staff, dedicated volunteers and life-changing dogs help people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.

This senior leadership role helps people with sight loss to live the life they choose through the direction, delivery and development of the guide dog service. The postholder will cultivate a high-performance culture, and will be accountable for strategic oversight of breeding, puppy raising, dog training, creating/supporting partnerships, rehoming, and dog health to ensure the provision of a high-quality service that meets the needs of service users, and brings strategic goals to fruition. 

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Substantial track record of leadership at senior management level (or equivalent) in an organisation of comparable size and complexity.
• Experience of long-term service or operations planning to meet strategic objectives.
• Evidence of successful financial management.
• Track record in supporting organisational change, influencing, building and sustaining relationships to achieve results.
• Comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding regulations.
• An in-depth understanding of customer relations.

We are seeking a dynamic, inspiring and influential individual, able to serve as a role model for the organisation, displaying integrity and confidence. Experience of, and commitment to, continuous organisational improvement and the ability to act as a change agent will be essential.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Location: Homebased with frequent travel to all Guide Dogs sites

Closing date: 19th January 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by close of play on the 27th January.

Interviews with Guide Dogs to commence w/c 10th February 2025

The Operations, Fundraising and Communications Manager will:

• Manage the internal operations of the organisation and ensure that the Board of Trustees meets its legal obligations.
• Manage the external profile of High Peak Community Arts, in order to maintain and increase the sustainability of the organisation, through increased visibility and income streams.
• Take joint responsibility with the Board of Trustees and the staff team for the ongoing development of the organisation.

Director of Programmes

Salary – Highly competitive salary

Location – Hybrid working, split between the Foundation’s office in London and home.

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of sport and community development? Do you have the strategic vision and leadership skills to shape and deliver transformational programmes that leave a lasting legacy? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

About the Football Foundation

We’re the Football Foundation – the Premier League, The FA and Government's charity that helps communities improve their local football facilities through football grants. This means better games and more players - helping transform communities where demand is greatest, and impact will be strongest. We have ambitious plans and with the support from our funding partners, the Football Foundation is well-supported to continue to invest in community pitches and facilities across the nation. 

The role

The Director of Programmes will play a pivotal role in the strategic leadership and management of our Programmes Directorate. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will help shape the strategic direction of our key programmes and new business opportunities, driving meaningful progress and measurable results.

As a member of our Senior Management Team (SMT), you will support the CEO in steering the organisation towards continuous improvement and success, serving as a trusted adviser to the Foundation Group Board and Panels, and contributing to the Foundation’s overall strategic vision.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for a dynamic and visionary leader with a deep understanding of sport, community projects, government strategies, and funding opportunities, underpinned by expertise in participatory sports development. You will bring extensive leadership experience, demonstrating a proven ability to manage performance, balance workloads, and foster positive, supportive team environments. Your skill in navigating multi-stakeholder environments will be essential, ensuring objectives are met, expectations are managed, and performance insights are communicated clearly and effectively.

With a track record of driving key strategies, leading impactful projects, and optimising resources for success, you will translate our organisational strategy into ambitious programmes that inspire partner collaboration and deliver tangible results. You will oversee the management and delivery of our core strategic initiatives, including grass pitches, multisport advisory services, and multi-pitch hubs, ensuring these programmes consistently meet and surpass their goals.

Building on your expertise in designing and delivering innovative programmes, you will take a lead role in developing tech-enabled post-award processes to ensure that grant awards achieve their full potential. By maximising the impact of our funding partners’ significant contributions, you will play a pivotal role in driving the long-term success and sustainability of our shared initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to shape meaningful programmes that make a lasting difference, working within a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to positive change.

Our Four Corners

We refer to our company values as our Four Corners:

· Fair Players – open and inclusive in our approach

· Star Performers – trusted to deliver

· United Team Player – collaborative and easy to work with

· Passionate Supporters – flexible and willing

If you share these values and have the necessary skills and experience for the role, then we look forward to hearing from you.

What can we offer you?

You will start on 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years), plus additional time off to volunteer. We also offer a generous pension scheme (8% employer contribution), free health care provision, a monthly gym subsidy, death in service benefit and access to selected match tickets.

We are committed to helping our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer flexible working around core hours to help achieve that.

Equality and Diversity Commitment

The Football Foundation is committed to, and values the principles of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability, and those from the LGBTQI+ community.

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process at either application or interview stage, please contact us at jobs @footballfoundation. org. uk

How do I apply?

If this sounds like the role for you, please follow the steps outlined below to apply.

Please send the following to jobs @footballfoundation. org. uk

o CV

o Cover letter - please highlight briefly and clearly your suitability for the role, together with your reasons for applying (no more than one page of A4).

The closing date for applications is: 23:59, 19th January 2025

1st stage interviews via MS Teams are currently scheduled for 27th and 28th January

2025, with 2nd stage in person interviews to follow

Due to the volume of applications received for most roles, the Foundation only contacts candidates if they are shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, you should assume your application has not been successful.

Please note that you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply.

Grants & Programmes Lead

Battersea's Global Programmes Department advances our ambitious plans to play a global role in achieving a positive impact on thousands of dogs and cats. We are looking for someone to join our team as a Grants & Programmes Lead. This role plays an integral role within the team to deliver impact to tens of thousands of dogs and cats around the world. The Grants and Programmes Lead will manage the team of expert grant managers, guiding and empowering them to achieve impact. 

The Lead will oversee several portfolios of work within the grants and programmes function at Battersea, as we expand our work to impact more dogs and cats. Over the coming five years it is planned that the size and complexity of grant making, and other forms of programming will grow, including the establishment of several multi-year programmes in the UK and abroad. The Lead will play a key role in managing change as the function grows to deliver greater impact. 

This is a senior role within the Grants and Programmes team in the Global Programmes Directorate, requiring excellent experience of people management, implementing strategic programmes and good grant making practice at a team level.  The successful postholder should be comfortable taking an adaptive management approach and coaching the team to shape proposals and portfolios of work to advance the collective interests of a team. They should be comfortable working with considerable scope, and complexity and nurturing relationships with colleagues as an integral element of the role.

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

- 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
- Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
- Generous pension contributions – up to 10% employer contribution
- Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
- Annual interest-free season ticket loans

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Closing date: 22nd January 2025
Interview date(s): w/c 27th January 2025 (1st round); w/c 3rd February 2025 (2nd round)

To apply for the role, please click the button below. All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.