We are an independent Foundation founded in 1990, closely connected to Santander UK. After a recent strategy review, we have a renewed focus and ambition. Our new mission is to support young people, primarily aged 16-19, in the Further Education system. This is an underfunded area, and there is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in creating change for some of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK.

The Director will lead the Foundation through a period of strategic implementation, translating our strategy and ambition into practice. This means you will further hone and deliver a strategy that seeks to achieve meaningful change for young people in FE facing significant disadvantage. Alongside the board, you will shape our grant-making, operations, partnerships and external profile to deliver impact — and champion our commitment to achieving change for young people in FE, as well as becoming a best-in-class funder.

You will be the Foundation’s first and leading senior executive in this new strategic era and you will be working closely with the board. We are in the process of establishing the operational model and are investigating the possibility of working with a host to cover back-office services. Beyond that, the intention is to recruit a small, expert team, which will be managed by the Director. You will bring an entrepreneurial mindset, strategic leadership, deep expertise, operational excellence and a values-led, inclusive approach to everything we do. You will also play a key role in maintaining and further shaping our close relationship with Santander UK.

We are open to hearing from candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds. You may come from the education sector, from the foundation or philanthropic sector, from charity leadership, or the policy space. What matters most is your alignment with our mission and the ability to lead with vision and integrity.

To apply please send the following by email via the button below.

Please note we would prefer applications direct to the email address in the supporting document. If you apply via the Guardian there isn't the option to attach a separate covering letter, so if you have to apply via the Guardian then you can submit a single CV document and incorporate your covering letter into it. Applications with no covering letter will not be considered.

Your CV

A covering letter (max 2 pages) or video/audio (max 5 minutes) telling us:

Why this role interests you
How your experience and skills relate to the new strategy of the Foundation
What you would bring to the Foundation

Key dates

Application deadline: 10am, 28 November 2025
First round interviews: 15 December 2025
Final interviews: 12 January 2026

This position was originally posted by Santander Foundation and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link on the side. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.

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