Strategy manager jobs

The Organisation

Methodist Ministers’ Housing Society (MMHS) provides quality housing and associated services for Methodist Church ministers and their spouses/partners. They currently support around 650 ministerial households across the UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. MMHS has generated income mainly through rents from ministerial residents and market tenants, and investments. In their last financial year, total income was £5.7 million and total funds were £187.8m. The market rented portfolio is being sold and the proceeds of sale are being reinvested. This ambitious charity is focused on its continuing impact and is expanding its mission. Excitingly, new initiatives are planned for 2026, including enhanced wellbeing support and embarking on a new area of mission to address needs in the wider world.
 

The Job Role

As the Director of Finance, ICT and Investments, you will play a pivotal role in shaping MMHS’s financial strategy to support its strategic objectives and enable sound decision-making. As a member of the senior leadership team, you will have a strategic mindset, with the ability to provide insights to your senior colleagues, and you will provide advice and guidance to the board of trustees, becoming a trusted partner. You will develop and deliver financial plans, oversee financial systems to ensure robust control and compliance, and lead key financial activities such as monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts, projections, and annual audits. Additionally, you will identify financial challenges and opportunities, develop approaches to address them, and lead and motivate your small team to cultivate a high-performing culture.

In ICT, you will implement MMHS’s strategy effectively, leading transformation projects to modernise and improve technology infrastructure and processes. You will oversee cloud migration, drive data-driven decision-making by leveraging AI and automation, implement plans to support outsourcing, and ensure robust cybersecurity and disaster recovery planning. You will also manage relationships with MMHS’s external support and services provider.

With investments, you will implement MMHS’s strategy, working closely with investment managers and third-party experts to align MMHS’s portfolio with strategic objectives, providing guidance to senior colleagues and the board.
 

The Person

This is a key post for the organisation, and they are looking for someone who can provide a long-term view while being ‘hands-on’ with day-to-day operations. You will be a fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA or equivalent) with significant experience in a leadership role. Experience or a desire to quickly upskill in investments is a distinct advantage. You will have the ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels. You will be someone who embraces change and continuous improvement. You will also be a team-player with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Empathy with MMHS’s core values, which are high standards of care and professionalism underpinned by a Christian ethos, is essential.
 

Reasons to apply

You will join a forward-looking and motivated staff team who are committed to the organisation and their goals. This is an exciting time to join with change on the horizon and the opportunity to help shape the future direction of the organisation.

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: £90,000 - £100,000 per annum
Benefits (non-contractual) include: up to a 16% pension contribution, 4x salary life cover, critical illness cover, Season ticket loan, share of an L&D budget, flexible start/finish times, 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days (plus 3 discretionary days between Christmas and New Year)
Location: London Office close to Baker Street with the option of one day a week working from home
 

How to Apply

MMHS are working in partnership with Hays Senior Finance to identify the right person for this role. Please contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays if you have any queries, but the first step towards being considered is to make your application. If suitable, Peter will follow up with a call to discuss next steps.

Closing date: 14th May 2025

Interviews: w/c 19th May

Please apply now to be considered!

We're looking for a talented and versatile communications officer to help grow our communications and supporter base and increase our impact for the children with complex disabilities and their families who we support.

This is an exciting time for our charity as we are developing ambitious growth plans and we want to increase our social media and digital presence to engage with a wider audience.

You will be expected to lead on our social media strategy, planning, producing and delivering content for all our audiences, and engaging with social media connections to grow our community. You will also be responsible for increasing engagement via our website, e-news and direct digital and offline communications. 

We're looking for a natural storyteller with attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to turn their hand to a wide range of tasks, striving for excellence while building relationships and working collaboratively with staff from across our small charity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Create a social media strategy that builds our community and engagement across our current active platforms of Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and considers the use of other platforms
• Develop and maintain our website to provide and easy and rewarding experience that seamlessly transitions users to the next stage of their journey
• Develop and manage our communications calendar to ensure coordinated planning and communications activity
• Build and manage our range of audience groups, including monthly e-news, email marketing, hardcopy reports and newsletters, and assist with donor stewardship communication
• Support our engagement with external media organisations, using all opportunities to gain positive media coverage
• Support the development of data and reporting processes to help build an insight-led understanding of our audience groups and to inform our marketing and engagement plans
• Assist with the production of our digital assets and communications using digital design software where appropriate

The successful candidate will have strong social media knowledge and experience, as well as experience of building reach and engagement across digitial, printed or in-person communications. They need to be a collaborative team player, willing to learn from and work with staff from across the organisation, and the ability to multitask and juggle different projects and deadlines simultaneously. They will also have a passion for our cause - helping the families of children with complex disabilities get the support they need with the aim of preventing them from going into crisis.

The Bread and Butter Thing – Philanthropy Lead

Salary: £60-£70k per annum.

Contract: Permanent, flexible working considered.

Location: Office-based in Greater Manchester, with flexibility on how and when you work.

The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) - whose mobile food clubs give access to low cost weekly shops and affordable food to communities starved of money, food and resources - is seeking a passionate, strategic and proactive fundraising leader to join their dynamic team at a pivotal time in the charity’s growth.

The charity’s vision is to make life more affordable, to build strong communities and to reduce food waste. Since launching in 2016, The Bread and Butter Thing has grown rapidly – now reaching over 100,000 people through more than 140 community hubs across the North of England, with an annual income of circa £6 million. As well as tackling food poverty, the charity creates spaces that foster community connection, reduce social isolation, and improve general wellbeing.

This role will take a lead on growing and diversifying income from trusts, foundations, corporates, major donors and public sector sources, and will be responsible for championing a culture of partnership, building meaningful relationships and helping to amplify the organisation’s impact and story.

The Philanthropy Lead is central to TBBT’s ambitions to grow their geographical reach and raise their national profile to reach more communities, working to shape and deliver a high-value fundraising strategy, lead multi-sector funding bids, and work hand in hand with delivery teams, partners, and stakeholders. As the subject expert in fundraising, the post-holder will be hands-on in developing proposals and cases for support, managing key accounts, and working as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team to identify and progress opportunities.

The ideal candidate will have a proven record of building relationships and securing income from high-value sources, including trusts and foundations, corporates, major donors and public bodies. You will have experience of developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies with measurable outcomes. A strong understanding of the funding landscape for community development, poverty reduction, and/or food justice would be an advantage.

As well as having excellent communication skills you will be an outstanding relationship-builder, able to connect with funders, partners, communities, and colleagues. You will be a strategic thinker, comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Final you will be collaborative, proactive and passionate about tackling poverty, food insecurity, and inequality.

Joining an agile and fast-growing organisation with big ambitions and which is unafraid to do things differently, this is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership and directly shape the next phase of the charity’s development.

Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Tuesday 6th May, 9.00am.

Why Access Social Care Exists 

Every day millions of older and disabled people are denied the social care they need. Most local authorities can’t meet the growing demand for care, and none are confident they can meet their legal duties in the future. This affects all of us - we will all need social care at some point in our lives. 

We all have a right to hold public bodies to account, but most of us cannot afford lawyers so rely on legal aid. The 92% drop in legal aid cases since 2010 means that we have nowhere to turn. Without access to justice, our rights do not exist. The rule of law is broken. 

What we do 

Access Social Care provides free legal advice and information for people with social care needs, helping achieve a better quality of life. We work with communities to increase knowledge of the law and our rights. We highlight the gap left by cuts to Legal Aid and provide advice for those who can’t afford it. 

With a 98% success rate, our network of lawyers provide access to justice when things go wrong. We collaborate with social services whilst ensuring legal obligations are met. We are working towards a future where social care is adequately funded and we all get the support we need. 

We provide rights awareness training to front line managers, and legal advice and support to families and individuals. As well as providing access to justice, our aim is to drive system level change through evidence-led influencing and strategic casework.

This is an exciting time to join ASC. We have a new strategy and are growing quickly including across our senior leadership team. We have more than doubled in size and income since we started operating in April 2020 and we anticipate that this strong growth will continue for the duration of our next strategic period. We are dedicated to the people who need our help, but we also care deeply about our team and we think that work should be an exciting and satisfying place to be.

About the role 

Are you an organised, proactive individual with a passion for supporting a dynamic team? This exciting and important role offers the opportunity to contribute to the smooth operation of a growing charity while helping so shape its external communications and marketing strategy.

We are looking for a Communications and Marketing Assistant to support the Head of Communications and Marketing at ASC. In this role, you will help to create, support, and deliver the charity’s external communications and marketing strategy, working closely with ASC teams, including the Executive and Senior Leadership teams. You will gain valuable insights into our work and help deliver and evaluate activities that lead to the effective positioning and promotion of the charity.

Responsibilities

• Content Creation:
  • Drafting and editing engaging content for various channels (website, social media, email, print). 
  • Creating and updating website content.
  • Developing and creating a newsletter to engage an audience of followers.
  • Writing and broadcasting external emails.
  • Creating templates for ASC-wide use based on brand e.g. PPT templates.
• Stories Database
  • Managing a database of case studies that are gathered through ASC case work and through digital channels.
• Social Media Management:
  • Managing and monitoring social media channels, responding to enquiries, and engaging with supporters. 
  • Contributing to the development of social media strategies for specific projects. 
  • Sharing key messages and calls to action on social media accounts. 
• Campaign Support:
  • Assisting with the development and execution of marketing campaigns.
  • Tracking campaign performance and providing data analysis. 
  • Collaborating with the Exec and Leadership to identify comms opportunities.
• Podcast:
  • Recording and editing.
  • Graphic design using CANVA to accompany the above.
• Other Duties:
  • Responding to queries from the general public.
  • Attending meetings, events, and conferences. 
  • Liaising and building relationships with journalists and other key stakeholders where required.
  • Providing general administrative support to the marketing and communications team. 

This list of tasks is not exhaustive and will be reviewed from time to time in discussion with the post holder.

Person Specification

All staff at ASC are expected to share and demonstrate our values. In addition to our values, you will also need to be able to demonstrate or tell us about the following areas at your interview: 

• Personal Attributes
  • ​Purpose driven with an commitment to our mission and values.
  • Commitment to working within the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, with a particular interest in disability rights.
  • Willingness to support colleagues and contribute positively to team objectives.
  • Solution orientated, with the ability to anticipate needs and resolve issues independently.
• Experience
  • Experience in the field of External Communications & Marketing, preferably in the charity sector.
  • Experience in using various communication channels, including digital platforms and social media.
• Skills
  • ​Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to identify, simplify, and convey key messages clearly and effectively.
  • Ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.
  • Ability to assist with social media strategy planning and content scheduling, including researching trends and drafting engaging posts to support campaign goals.
  • Analytical with the ability to track and evaluate campaign performance to provide actionable insights.
  • Ability to organise and prioritise tasks in a changing environment.
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Knowledge
  • Understanding of digital marketing including content creation, social media management and how digital platforms (e.g. social media, email, websites) can enhance engagement.

How to apply

We hope that having read this far, you will want to apply!

Please ensure that your CV and supporting statement do not include your name – use initials only. This will ensure that we avoid unconscious bias in our shortlisting process. To apply, please provide the following documents:

• An up-to-date CV
• A completed diversity monitoring form
• A supporting statement of no more than two pages, addressing:
  • The essential requirements of the person specification

If you want support applying, contact us using the email address above.

Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before expressing your interest in this role. We are sorry that we cannot consider applications from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK.

We only reach out to candidates who have been shortlisted. If you do not receive communication from us within two weeks following the application deadline, please consider that we will not be moving forward with your application. 

Timeline for recruitment process

Closing date: 12:59pm on Wednesday 30th April 2025

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a selection exercise prior to their interview

Interviews will take place on the 19th & 20th May

Please ensure you keep these dates free.

At Access Social care, we aren’t interested in tokenism. We know that if we are to make the biggest difference for the people that need us the most, we need to get Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and anti-racism right. Part of this is recruiting greater diversity in all our teams. 

With this in mind, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of the communities we serve, including people with direct experience of the social care system, and from marginalised groups, particularly Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, older and disabled people, and trans and non-binary people.

We are seeking a full-time Primary Science Mentor to join our team of experts. Through your knowledge of and passion for primary science education, you will inspire transformational change in schools.

You'll be home based and able to support schools in one of the following regions: East Midlands, North East England, North West England or South Wales Valleys.

About the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT)

PSTT is a registered charity with a clear vision – we want to see excellent teaching of science in every primary classroom in the UK. We believe it is vital that children are engaged and inspired by science from an early age. We want to draw on their natural curiosity to help them explore, understand and ask questions about the world around them.

We’ve built a Primary Science Teacher College of over 200 outstanding teachers; each helping to shape and influence science teaching across the UK. We produce great resources that improve how science is taught and planned. We organise engaging professional learning events for teachers, and work with partner organisations to further enhance how science is taught. Our 2023-28 strategy is building on these strengths to reach more teachers across a more diverse range of schools.

We’re dedicating our most intensive efforts to areas of the UK requiring most development in primary science. Our Priority Areas initiative is being piloted in 30 schools, and in September 2025 we plan to launch this programme in a further 30 schools. Our Regional Mentors have worked with more than 3,000 schools across England, with exceptionally positive feedback.

Job summary

There are two parts to the Primary Science Mentor role. The majority of the role will focus on strengthening primary science teaching and leadership by leading our second Priority Areas initiative. Through their knowledge of and passion for primary science education, the successful candidate will inspire transformational change in schools taking part in this project. They will build close working relationships with participating schools and create a vibrant and exciting learning community based on mutual support and the sharing of expertise.

The remaining hours in the role will be as a Regional Mentor: joining PSTT’s growing team of primary science experts who provide bespoke support directly to individual schools, multi-academy trusts and other school groupings and organisations. This includes developing and delivering training in a variety of contexts, including online; working individually with Science Leaders; being a leading voice, expert and advocate for primary science (both regionally and nationally); and creating partnerships with other organisations that support science within the region.

A crucial part of the role is to ensure collection of appropriate data for both Priority Areas and Regional Mentor activities, so that we can evaluate our work against intended outcomes.

Key facts about this role

Salary

PSTT band E(ii): starting salary £49,149. A cost-of-living increase will be applied on 1 September 2025; amount TBC.

Pension and benefits

Employer pension scheme, sick pay and maternity/paternity/adoption pay as detailed in our pay and reward scheme

Location

Home based in either the East Midlands, North East England, North West England or the South Wales Valleys.

Travel

The job requires extensive travel to schools within the Primary Science Mentor’s working region, and sometimes beyond that region (including occasional meetings at PSTT’s Bristol office). Expenses will be reimbursed.

Line manager

Director of Regional Programme

Start date

1 September 2025. Potential for some work prior to 1 September to support with identification and recruitment of schools (to be discussed at interview).

Contractual basis

2 years

Hours

35 hours per week (full time), usually worked between Monday-Friday. You may occasionally be required to work during evenings and weekends.

Annual leave

28 days (of which 3 must be taken during the Christmas closure period) plus public holidays

IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of special educational needs and disability (SEND) law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Trusts and Philanthropy Officer to join our small, ambitious fundraising team. IPSEA has a proven track record of successfully securing grants, and this is a new role designed to help strengthen and grow IPSEA’s income from charitable Trusts and Foundations. You will be responsible for researching new funding opportunities, preparing and submitting tailored applications and reports, and managing relationships with existing funders through thoughtful and timely stewardship. You will also support the early development of strategies in major gifts and wider philanthropy. 

This role is an opportunity to play a key role in our future fundraising strategy and help secure long-term financial sustainability for our services. 

You will work remotely, with occasional travel required for essential meetings approximately 4-5 times per year. 

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND and would like to use your fundraising skills at IPSEA, we would love to hear from you. 

To apply

• Download our ‘Trusts and Philanthropy Officer Recruitment Pack’
• Visit our website to download an application form
• Submit your completed application form via our website

Please note that we do not accept CVs as applications.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 12 May 2025 
First-round interviews: 21 or 22 May in central Birmingham

Parkinson’s UK is a dedicated charity focused on making a significant impact on the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s. Through our comprehensive research, support services, and advocacy, we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s and their families. Our Major Gifts Department plays a pivotal role in ensuring we have the resources to continue our vital work.

About the role:

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Trusts Officer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be instrumental in fostering relationships with trust funders, crafting compelling proposals and reports, and uncovering new opportunities to support our mission. Your efforts will directly contribute to maximising lifetime support for our charity from key stakeholders.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with a portfolio of trust funders, enhancing their engagement with our cause
• Generate high-quality proposals and reports for high and mid-value funders, securing significant gifts and expanding the long-term value of your portfolio
• Lead innovative strategies to work with the Parkinson’s community, improving our fundraising approaches.
• Spearhead the trust donor experience strategies, including creating bespoke content and organising targeted events.
• Implement a new mid-value trust fundraising strategy in collaboration with your fellow senior officer.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven experience of leading successful five figure fundraising from major trusts and foundations.
• Demonstrable expertise in the requirements of trusts fundraising, e.g. bid-writing, budgeting, activity and outcomes reporting
• Understanding of the needs of the Parkinson’s community and strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
• Strong team-working ability including to lead internal project teams towards clear goals.
• Experience of operating collaboratively and productively in a digital workplace, including using a fundraising database and online funding research tools. .
• Ability to analyse, organise and present written and numerical reporting data, with excellent writing skills.

Why Join Us?

This is an incredible opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s. You will be part of a supportive team, working towards a common goal in a rewarding environment. This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK and we would love you to join us!

Please apply by sending us your CV, together with a detailed supporting statement which will fully demonstrate how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description.

Interviews for this role will be held in person on Tuesday 20 May at our London Office.

We are committed to working with the principles of fairness and equality. All of our applications are anonymous until the interview stage, and we welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We actively encourage people with Parkinson's to apply.

Anyone can get Parkinson’s. It’s vital that the people who work for Parkinson’s UK are representative of our diverse community. We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

Overview of the International Chief Support Officer

The International Chief Support Officer will assume responsibility for all central operational functions across the organisation, namely HR, Finance, Facilities, Technology and Data. 

This position will ensure that the organisation’s distinct Christian identity, operational excellence and resource efficiency, is maintained globally.  

About the role

We’re recruiting for a Head of Retail Operations for our Southern Division. In this role, you’ll be at the heart of driving success within five regions, leading a team of dedicated Regional Managers across 85 shops with around 270 colleagues.

This isn’t just about overseeing operations – it’s about owning them. You’ll have the freedom and autonomy to shape the strategy for your division, making key decisions on everything from financial performance to people development. You’ll build a values-led, inclusive culture – one where our people feel appreciated, respected and supported.

As part of the senior leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Mind Retail, bringing fresh ideas and driving initiatives that make a real impact. And because every pound we make in our shops helps support Mind’s mission, the work you do will have a lasting and meaningful impact.

This is a role for an ambitious leader – someone ready to take ownership, think strategically and inspire a team to do great things.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is a natural leader, passionate about creating high-performing teams and building an inclusive culture
• Has senior-level experience leading multi-site, large-scale retail operations and knows how to drive commercial success
• Understands retail finances inside out, from managing P&L’s, to spotting opportunities for growth
• Thinks strategically, but isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and make things happen
• Embodies our values and behaviours

Ready to make a difference?

Join Mind Retail. Join the fight for mental health.

Due to our commitment to work/life balance, you must live within reasonable travelling distance of the division. The geography of the division covers the South East, South West, South Wales, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Mind Retail reserve the right to close the vacancy to applications earlier, should we receive a high volume of strong candidates. Therefore we encourage an early application.

About our benefits

As Head of Operations, you’ll receive:

• A competitive salary of £59,753 per year
• A company car
• A strong commitment to work-life balance with a working pattern that supports this, with the occasional weekend working
• 25 days’ paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Development workshops & courses, to help build your career
• Comprehensive, personalised induction programmes, tailored to your role when you join us
• A huge variety of additional qualifications & development programmes for anyone looking to grow their skills
• Family friendly policies & enhanced pay
• A competitive pension scheme & life assurance, available to all our employees
• 25% staff discount in all Mind shops
• Access to exclusive discounts at over 160 retailers through our employee savings app
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating an income of around £25 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we’re going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. There’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We value the power of diversity. We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We are creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is appreciated for being authentic and bringing their whole selves to work.

Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working with us to share this commitment. In line with our Safer Recruitment policy, the successful candidate will be required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check with a check of the Children's Barred List and/or ‘Work with Adults' workforce check based on their role and responsibilities. A DBS check is a process to check someone's criminal record (if they have any). A Barred List is a list of people who are barred from working with children. To enable you to predetermine what might be disclosed in your DBS check, please use this disclosure calculator.

Mind Retail is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applicants from all communities. We are committed to the fair treatment of our staff, potential staff and volunteers, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

This job vacancy is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. 

More details

For more information and a full person specification, please review the job description.

Are you passionate about using data to drive change and make a difference?

We’re on the lookout for a strong communicator and dynamic problem-solver who will lead how we collect, manage and report on data to drive our vision and strategic mission.

As our Impact Data and Reporting Lead, you will deliver our data strategy and lead on data infrastructure transformation and visualisation. You’ll play a key role strategic role in the organisation to ensure that we have access to relevant and accessible data that drives evidence-led decision making. You’ll bring top-notch communication and relationship building skills to this role as well as a strong understanding of collecting, analysing and using data.  

If you are driven by a sense of purpose, excited to shape the future of an ambitious organisation, and eager to contribute a thriving team, we would love to hear from you. 

Position: Director of External Affairs
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Office-based in London with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £73,653 per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band: Band 5

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information. 

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

It is a very exciting time to join the MS Society as Director of External Affairs a brand-new role in the organisation. We are implementing an ambitious cross-organisational transformation programme. And we have just started a new 2025-29 strategy.

We’re looking for an experienced and focused leader who has the ability to drive forward our brilliant Policy & Evidence, Campaign & Public Affairs and PR teams. We’re looking for someone who can work collaboratively across the organisation to ensure our work has a positive impact for the MS community.

With the ability to provide strategic and thought leadership, you’ll act as the leading authority on matters relating to external affairs, providing advice across the organisation including to the Executive Group and Trustees.

You’ll have significant experience of developing and implementing relevant external affairs strategies and of successfully leading policy, communications or campaigning functions in an organisation of comparable size and complexity. You’ll also need to be influential both internally and externally, including representing the MS Society at a range of external meetings with a variety of audiences.

As well as leading on planning and budget setting for the external affairs functions, as a member of the leadership team, you will also contribute to the strategic leadership, planning and policy formulation of the MS Society as a whole.

We’re looking for someone who is committed to collaborative working, who is excellent at building relationships and trust with colleagues at all levels, and whose focus is on supporting high performing teams and enabling them to do their best for the MS community.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 am Monday 12 May 2025

Anticipated interview date:

First interviews: Friday 23 May 2025

Second interviews: Wednesday 28 May 2025 or Thursday 29 May 2025

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for delivering high-quality testing solutions? Join us as a Portfolio Delivery Test Lead and drive excellence in our testing processes!

�� Location: Hybrid/remote (expectation to travel to key national sites as business requires)

⌚ Contract Type: Permanent, 35 hours per week

�� Salary:

• Starting from £46,434.55 - £51,078.01 for base locations outside of London, dependant on experience and location
• Starting from £51,078.01 - £56,185.81 for base locations inside of London, dependent on experience and location

What is a Portfolio Delivery Test Lead?

As Portfolio Delivery Test Lead (a new role to MSIUK) you will oversee testing and lead the UAT (User Acceptance Testing) for all new MSI UK system deployments, responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing UAT to ensure that the solution meets business requirements and is ready for deployment.

You will work closely with the Project Managers, Products team, Business Intelligence team, Digital, IT teams, Governance, Contact Centre, Clinical colleagues and Operations, Clinical Safety, UK Learning & Development team, Global Information Services and all colleagues across the business

The objective of this role is to ensure any DDaT deployment to the business is fit for purpose, fully tested and accepted by the business to improve the client journey with MSI UK, on small pathway changes to larger projects alongside process improvements to enhance the client experience and overall business.  The role will support other teams in DDaT such as test and release or regression testing with the Product team.

What can we offer you?

• �� Expenses incurred while traveling outside your base location will be reimbursed.
• �� Birthday Bonus with an additional day of annual leave dedicated to celebrating your birthday and long service recognition rewards programme
• �� Perks and discounts at over 4000 retail and hospitality outlets through the Blue Light Card

In addition to the perks outlined above, there are many more benefits alongside what is written above for you to enjoy. Find out more during your interview!

What you’ll be doing:

• Design and implement fit-for-purpose UAT frameworks aligned with business goals.
• Create detailed test plans, cases, and criteria to reflect business requirements.
• Manage a test environment mirroring production, including representative test data.
• Define UAT timelines and milestones to keep projects on track.
• Collaborate with users to create actionable test scripts and scenarios.
• Lead testing, track progress, and manage defects with prioritisation and retesting.
• Ensure testing rigor, support methodology development, and oversee collection of test evidence.

What we’re looking for:

• Previous experience as a Test Lead, managing UAT processes, including test plans, cases, and scripts.
• Proven ability to use, manage, and suggest automated testing tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to simplify complex use cases.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of explaining technical concepts clearly to end-users and non-IT staff.
• Solid understanding of risk and issue mitigation, with the ability to escalate when necessary.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong technical and strategic thinking skills, able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Deep understanding of the agile product development lifecycle, including product strategy, story writing, requirements definition, backlog prioritisation, development, QA, and launch.
• Familiarity with the current and emerging digital and technological landscape, and how it aligns with organisational goals.
• Willingness to work outside core hours (including weekends) and travel as needed.

Purpose of the role

At NEON we believe that organising is crucial if we’re to build the power we need to win a new economy and deepen cross-community solidarity at a time of political polarisation. A central part of our new strategy - and this role -  is to support movement organisations and organisers to build their capacity to do what we call Transformative Organising - where we transform the conditions we live in, transform ourselves and transform who has power in society. We use a combination of trainings, 1-2-1 mentoring and strategic partnerships with movement organisations to give organisers the tools, skills and confidence they need to build a base with those at the sharp end of the crisis, develop politically conscious leaders, and plan strategic & escalating campaigns that win. You’ll work with our Head of Organising and colleagues in the Movement Building Hub to scale up this offer over the coming years, with a particular focus on the housing, climate and migration movements, as well as supporting movements to tackle a rising far-right. 

What you will be doing

1. Deliver organising trainings to social movement organisers and campaigners, using content from our Transformative Organising programme and working closely with our Head of Organising and NEON trainers. These will be a mix of shorter workshops and multi-day trainings, blending in-person and online delivery, and you will be supported to experiment with different delivery models to meet movement needs. 

2. Work in partnership with organisers, organisations and coalitions to build their organising capacity over the long-term, through ongoing mentoring and hands-on support and training.

3. Conduct extensive 1-2-1s with movement organisers, to strengthen relationships, explore opportunities for collaboration and understand movement needs. 

4. Support the development of a network of UK-based organisers, and create spaces for collective learning and ensure NEON’s organising offer meets the needs of organisers on the ground.

5. Work with the Head of Organising to periodically review and update NEON’s Transformative Organising content, staying responsive to movement needs and incorporating the latest organising practices and tools. 

6. Organise public events on organising topics, including webinars and workshops, bringing together organisers from across social movements

7. Contribute to the Movement Building Hub’s wider work, including the organising components of our Worker-led Transition programme and our work to build the strategic capacity of movement leaders and organisations. This role will also contribute to cross-organisational work in NEON’s key focus areas (migration, housing, climate, and tackling the rise of the far-right), as well as projects to support the development of NEON’s internal culture. 

Who you are

This isn’t a tick box exercise and we don’t expect you to meet all of the criteria - it’s more to give both us and you an overall sense of the role, and how the skills and experience you have might map onto it. 

We’re looking for someone with a: 

1. Proven track record of using organising tools and approaches to plan and deliver successful campaigns, with at least 3-5 years of experience. This might include doing base-building, conducting outreach, mapping, organising mass meetings and actions, or integrating political education into campaign planning 

2. Ability to deliver a strategic and escalating organising plan in a fast moving  and politically complex environment 

3. Experience of delivering trainings, including to those at the sharp end of injustice, with a passion for being and developing as a trainer

4. Understanding of UK social movements, their strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for NEON to provide support 

5. Good communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and sensitively, and work effectively with a range of movement organisations and individuals, including those directly impacted by injustice and oppression

6. Excellent planning skills to ensure projects are designed delivered to a high standard

7. Ability to work independently and flexibly in a dynamic organisation

8. Willingness to occasionally work unsociable hours (always repaid with TOIL)

9. Proven understanding of anti-oppression work and commitment to tackling all institutional forms of oppression, bigotry and exclusion

10. An affinity with NEON’s aims, objectives and organisational values of solidarity, generosity and respect.

The Services Lead will lead on the operational delivery of a portfolio of mental health and wellbeing services, and to oversee the recruitment, line management and support of service staff and volunteers. They will ensure that services are delivered efficiently and to a high standard, co-produced with service users and people with lived experience.

The Services Lead will oversee the day-to-day delivery of Derbyshire Mind's mental health and wellbeing services, ensuring efficient systems and processes are in place to meet KPIs and service objectives. They will manage staff and volunteers, allocate caseloads, oversee triage and audits, and monitor waiting lists. Responsibilities include managing service risks, maintaining databases, monitoring data accuracy, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with health and safety policies.

The role involves engaging service users through co-production strategies, fostering relationships with stakeholders, and promoting services to diverse communities. Additionally, the Services Lead will address safeguarding concerns, prepare service reports for funders and commissioners, attend meetings, and contribute to the development of service resources and marketing materials. Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for more detail.

Interviews will be held face to face at our head office in Mackworth, Derby on Tuesday 20th May 2025.