Director of People & Performance – National

Providing strategic and operational leadership and driving excellence across Emerging Futures

Key Information

Position: Director of People & Performance
Contract: Full-time
Salary: £76,000 per annum
Location:
Hybrid
Hours per week:
37.5 hours per week
Application Closing Date:
10/11/2025

About Emerging Futures CIC

Emerging Futures works nationally with people affected by addiction, encouraging them to make positive changes to their lives.

We believe that no one should suffer the stigma associated with addiction, and that everyone seeking support should feel valued and respected.

We provide homes for people to connect with others and make the necessary changes to move towards independent, healthy living.

Our behaviour change services provide a confidential space to share experiences, and offer practical support to those who want to change.

The Emerging Futures accredited coach training develops the skills of our volunteers, motivating people to give back and reconnect with their community.

About the role

This is a pivotal leadership role, supporting the Chief Executive and Board with organisational development, risk oversight, and the consistent delivery of high-quality, person-centred services.

This executive leadership role shapes the strategic direction of Emerging Futures, overseeing HR, Quality, Safeguarding, and Performance functions. It drives organisational strategy across people, culture, innovation, and service delivery, ensuring alignment with the charity’s values and sector trends in substance misuse and homelessness.

Key responsibilities include leading HR strategy—covering recruitment, workforce development, staff wellbeing, inclusion, and compliance—and overseeing quality assurance, clinical governance, and safeguarding to ensure robust risk management and continuous improvement.

The role also leads the development of outcome measurement frameworks, promotes data-driven decision-making, and collaborates with operational leaders to support service innovation and performance. Externally, it represents the organisation in strategic forums and partnerships, while internally fostering integration and supporting cross-functional initiatives.

This role is home based, however as you are leading remote teams across the country, very regular travel to EF sites/offices will be required.

Download Job Description

About you

You will have proven senior leadership experience in HR (ideally at Head of HR or Director level) in the voluntary, housing, health, or social care sector. You should also have

  • Level 7 CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management or equivalent, plus relevant experience
  • Strategic understanding of workforce, service delivery, and governance issues in substance use, homelessness, or complex needs sectors.
  • Demonstrated success in embedding quality and assurance frameworks across complex, dispersed services.
  • Strong knowledge of safeguarding, regulatory compliance, risk management, and performance improvement frameworks.
  • Track record of driving organisational culture change and operational excellence.
  • Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills, including Board-level reporting.
  • Please click ‘Download Job Description’ for full list of essential & desirable criteria

How to apply

To apply for this role, click the ‘apply now’ button and complete our online application form.

Our online application form consists of a set of “getting to know you” questions that are specific to each role. For most of our positions, we also ask that you upload a CV.

Download the job description for a full list of duties, along with a person specification detailing essential and desirable skills.

See below for our step-by-step guide to completing your application, and some useful tips to help you understand what we look for.

Key Dates

Deadline – 10/11/2025
Interview – TBC

A guide to completing your application

STEP 1

Copy and save the URL at the bottom of the form

So that you can revisit your application at a later date.

STEP 2

Complete your personal details

In order for us to contact you about your application.

STEP 3

Answer our ‘about you’ questions

To help us understand your values, skills and experience.

STEP 4

Upload your CV

Not all roles require a CV. This will not be visible if it is not required.

STEP 5

Complete the declarations

About any adjustments, GDPR, your legal right to work, and DBS checks.

STEP 6

Don’t forget to click ‘submit’

Wait until you see the “application successful” message.

Useful tips

Read these useful tips to help you prepare your application.

Read these useful tips to help you prepare your application.

  • Our job applications are submitted on an online form by clicking the “apply now” button. As with all online webpages, if you lose your internet connection the page can crash, and you risk losing your application.
  • To avoid this happening, we’d advise writing the answers to our ‘getting to know you’ questions offline first, either on your computer or phone. Once you’re happy and ready to submit, you can paste them into the online form. Alternatively, copy the form URL displayed at the bottom of the form by the “submit” button, and use this to revisit your application online later.
  • It’s always worth double checking that your email address and phone number are correct. If there are typos here, we won’t be able to contact you about your application after we have shortlisted to interview.
  • Write your ‘getting to know you’ responses in your own words. Imagine you’re speaking to the person who you hope might hire you. The more we know about the real you, your values, and your experiences the better (so don’t let ChatGPT answer for you!).
  • Read through your responses a few times before you send the final application and correct any spelling errors or add anything you may have missed. We’re not looking for seasoned copywriters, but it shows you’ve taken care over your application.
  • Not all our jobs require you to upload a CV, but if you are asked to, please make sure it’s in a format that we can read. Accepted formats: pdf, doc, jpeg, jpg, png, txt, docx.
  • Once you have submitted your application, wait until you see the “application successful” message. You’ll also receive an email confirming the application has been received, which has a link to complete our Equality and Diversity short survey.

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2025_10 Director of People & Performance

Application Form

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role at Emerging Futures CIC.

Below is our digital application form. Please complete all fields in the online application form before submitting.

As with all online webpages, if you lose your internet connection the page may crash, and you risk losing your application. To avoid this happening, we’d advise writing the answer to our ‘getting to know you’ question offline first. Once you’re happy, you can paste this into the online form and submit your application.

Alternatively, click the "save for later" button at the bottom of this form and copy the URL link it displays. You can use this to return to your application online later.

Once submitted, please wait for a confirmation message before closing the page.

Whilst a digital application is preferred, if you would prefer to complete your application via a Microsoft word document, please email recruitment@emergingfutures.org.uk and a member of the team will respond.

*all fields marked with an asterisk are required fields. 

Personal Details

Role Applying For
 

Getting to know you*

This is your chance to tell us why you would like to work with Emerging Futures. Your response will give us insight into how you might fit within the team and contribute to the role.

We also ask that you upload a Covering Letter below, detailing how you meet the job description & person specification. 

We encourage you to write in your own voice and be authentic, so please avoid using ChatGPT.

 

What attracted you to the role of Director of People & Performance with Emerging Futures? *

Upload CV & Cover Letter*

Please upload your CV & Cover Letter using the ‘Upload Files’ button below.

Accepted format: pdf, doc, jpeg, jpg, png, txt.

Files should not exceed 50MB.

Adjustments/Arrangements for interview

Data Protection*

Right to work*

DBS / Criminal Record*

Emerging Futures CIC encourages applications from candidates with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and a criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being offered a role; the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role.

To discuss any convictions beforehand, contact recruitment@emergingfutures.org.uk. All information will 
be dealt with according to the Emerging Futures Confidentiality Policy.

Declarations*

Submit Application

Thank you for completing the application, click submit and wait for a confirmation
 message before closing the page. You will also receive a confirmation email confirming the application has been received, which has a link to complete our Equality and Diversity short survey.