65 Assistant Director jobs in the United Kingdom

This role as an AD - Portfolio Management is a high-impact position with the National Wealth Fund , suited for a strategic thinker with excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change while delivering strong financial returns, while making a difference in the UK's infrastructure and sustainability landscape.

Client Details

The National Wealth Fund are focused on driving economic growth and achieving Net Zero objectives in the UK. The organisation mobilises sector insights and investment expertise to unlock private finance for projects across the country, with a capital provision of nearly 30 billion.

This is a full time and permanent position that will be located in Leeds - you must be able to commit to at least 3 working days in the Leeds office.

Description

This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing a diverse portfolio of loans, guarantees, and equity investments across key infrastructure sectors including clean energy, transport, digital, water, and waste. The Assistant Director will lead a team of portfolio managers, ensuring that investments align with the organisations dual mission of achieving net zero carbon emissions and fostering local and regional economic growth.

Product experience relevant to the NWF's product offering: equity, fixed and floating loans, guarantees (including inflation linked debt guarantees), noting that specific experience in direct equity investment and equity funds would be advantageous.

Key responsibilities include monitoring project performance, conducting financial and risk analysis, negotiating waivers and consents, and contributing to strategic decision-making processes.

The role also involves engaging with external stakeholders such as project sponsors, equity fund managers, and legal advisors to safeguard the organisations interests and reputation.

Profile

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven experience in infrastructure portfolio management
• Experience in direct equity investment and equity funds will be an advantage
• Debt experience, ideally gained in a banking or project finance environment is critical as you will engage in debt structuring, refinancing, credit analysis and monitoring/management of their loan portfolio
• Strong commercial acumen and accountability for high-value projects
• Sector expertise in energy, transport, growth finance, direct equity or social infrastructure
• Deep knowledge of debt structuring, refinancing, and credit analysis
• Familiarity with financial products such as loans, guarantees, and equity investments

This is a high-impact position suited for a strategic thinker with excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• *This is a full time and permanent position that will be located in Leeds - you must be able to commit to at least 3 working days in the Leeds office.*

Job Offer

• A collaborative environment
• A base salary between 90,000 - 120,000 p/a
• A fantastic benefits package including a 10% cash allowance for a flexible benefits fund (capped at 15k).
• A very generous pension offering, 10% employer contribution, increasing to 15% if employees also contribute 5%. (20% in total) Individuals can select to use flexible benefits for the 5%.
• 30 days annual leave (option to buy & sell 5 days A/L)
• Core benefits include life assurance and income protection cover
• The organisation values diversity and inclusion, offering competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining private and public sector skills and experience. Background checks are conducted for all roles.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is the UK’s largest funder of health and care research, investing over £1.6 billion annually to improve health and care outcomes. Since 2006, we’ve supported world class research programmes, centres of excellence, and people, creating the most integrated health research system globally. Our mission is clear: improve the health and wealth of the nation through research that benefits patients, the public, and the healthcare system.

The Role

We’re looking for a visionary and collaborative leader to head our Data and Analytics function. This is a unique opportunity to shape how NIHR harnesses data to generate insights, inform strategic decision making, and demonstrate the real world impact of research across the UK health and care system.

As Assistant Director, Portfolio Analytics you’ll combine analytical expertise with strong leadership to develop innovative data strategies, inspire a high performing team, and represent NIHR both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the team delivering Portfolio products, including dashboards, reports, impact case studies, and evaluations that showcase NIHR research’s alignment with strategic priorities and real world outcomes
• Develop and implement a Data and Analytics strategy with a Continuous Improvement roadmap, leveraging AI/ML tools, automation, new data sources, and enhanced analytics processes
• Provide thought leadership in horizon scanning, impact assessment, economic evaluation, and research classification
• Manage, mentor, and grow a high performing team, fostering collaboration across NIHR functions
• Collaborate with the Digital, Data & Technology Office (DDaT) to migrate data to central repositories and streamline analytics workflows
• Translate complex analyses into actionable insights for senior leadership and operational teams
• Represent NIHR at external forums, promoting our mission and demonstrating the impact of our research

About You

You are a strategic thinker and experienced leader, passionate about data driven decision making and continuous improvement. You thrive in collaborative environments, inspire your team, and enjoy building relationships across organisations. You are comfortable translating complex data into clear insights that guide strategic priorities.

Experience & Skills

Required Criteria

• Science degree or equivalent professional experience
• Extensive experience in analytics or data science within healthcare, research, policy, or related sectors
• Strong knowledge of UK health and care research and clinical research processes
• Familiarity with databases, APIs, statistical analysis, dashboard design, AI/ML, and data cleaning
• Budget management experience
• Strong problem solving skills and the ability to generate creative, collaborative solutions

Desired Criteria

• Experience with Google Suite, SQL, GlobalData, Alteryx, Qlik Sense, Snowflake, AWS, Python

What We Value

• Strategic vision with a focus on leveraging complex data
• Curiosity, innovation, and pragmatic problem solving
• Strong team leadership with the ability to motivate and prioritise in a fast paced environment
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Executive level, commensurate with experience
• Hybrid working (minimum one day/week in Twickenham office)
• 25 days annual leave + UK public holidays
• Annual bonus (subject to performance)
• Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
• Life insurance and healthcare membership
• Training and development opportunities
• Season ticket loan

Why Join Us?

This is a chance to make a tangible impact on the UK’s health and care landscape. You’ll lead a talented team, drive innovation in data analytics, and shape strategic decisions that improve health outcomes nationwide.

How to Apply

If this role excites you, submit your CV and a Statement of Suitability outlining how your skills and experiences align with the required criteria. Show us your passion for making a difference in health research.

Inclusion & Diversity

NIHR celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All applications are considered regardless of age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected characteristic.

General Medical Council

Assistant Director, Customer Service Operations  

Location: Manchester

Salary: £130,000-£140,000

We are the independent regulator for doctors, physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) in the UK. We work with these professions, as well as with patients and other stakeholders, to support good, safe, compassionate patient care across the four countries of the UK. Our vision is to be an effective, relevant and compassionate regulator, which supports the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. As health services in the UK continue to face intense pressure, regulation has a pivotal role to play in protecting patients and promoting the wellbeing of the workforce. We have set ambitious commitments to address inequality, embrace diversity, and support inclusion within healthcare, both as a regulator and an employer. Championing this work is a key element of this role and you will play a vital part in shaping our organisation and our impact on healthcare in the years ahead.

This is a new and important senior leadership position, coming at an exciting and challenging time of change for us. Reporting to our Director of Registration and Revalidation, you will be part of the Directorate Leadership team, actively contributing to the Directorate’s and the organisation’s wider operational and strategic success. You will be responsible for the successful delivery of range of functions within the Directorate - the GMC Contact Centre, Registration Services, Registration Complaints and Correspondence, Change Knowledge Management and the Appeals teams. You will lead teams comprising around 115 staff based in the Manchester office with a hybrid working pattern and periods of time working from home, making this a role suited for someone looking to step up to an important leadership role in the world of regulation.

Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of operating effectively in a complex environment with senior leadership experience in customer services and stakeholder engagement, gained within public services, healthcare or a regulatory environment. With a background in delivering significant and high-profile change programmes and managing business process, such as operational plans, budgets and corporate risk management systems, you will have led, inspired and developed high performing, multidisciplinary teams, encouraging collaboration and empowerment.  

An exceptional strategic thinker, with strong and inclusive leadership skills, you will bring the ability to understand the complex legislative framework in which we work across the four countries of the UK and to make a major contribution to a national regulator. You will demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and influencing skills, be politically astute, with excellent relationship-building and communication skills and the clear ability to role model positive behaviours and challenge negative behaviours in line with the GMC’s values.

Our organisation is built on fairness and trust – the trust of patients and the medical profession. Underpinned by our core values of Excellence, Fairness, Transparency, Collaboration and Integrity, we provide an inclusive working environment where everyone is valued, and we welcome new perspectives and ideas that you may bring. We have placed equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our corporate strategy, both as a regulator of an increasingly diverse range of registrants and as an employer.

We particularly encourage and welcome applications to this role from women, black and minority ethnic candidates and disabled applicants as part of our commitment to address under-representation in our senior leadership.

You will benefit from being part of an organisation that is genuinely committed to its people with several excellent benefits including 30 days holidays per year, a defined contribution pension scheme with a generous employer contribution of 15%, and hybrid and flexible working. 

To find out more, please click Apply.

Closing date: 5pm Friday 24 October 2025

My client in Essex are looking to appoint a talented Assistant Director of People & Change on a Contract basis.

This pivotal role will drive the redesign of their HR function, ensuring it is fit for purpose and future-ready as they prepare for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

What's on offer:

• Salary: 350 per day, Inside IR35

*negotiable based on experience

*please submit your CV with the rate you require

• Hybrid working
• Contract type: Contract
• Monday - Friday

About the role:

Based in Essex (Hybrid):

• Service Restructuring: Lead the redesign and modernisation of the HR service
• Workforce Strategy: Develop and implement a forward-thinking Workforce Strategy that supports organisational priorities, talent development, and cultural transformation
• TUPE Leadership: Provide expert guidance and operational leadership on TUPE transfers
• LGR Readiness: Play a key role in preparing the organisation for LGR, including workforce planning, change management, and inter-authority collaboration

About you:
You will have the following experiences:

• Extensive experience in a similar role
• A proven track record in service transformation and strategic workforce planning
• Deep knowledge of employment law, TUPE, and contract management
• Local Authority experience is essential

How to apply

• Once your CV is received, if you are successful you will be contacted.
• Due to the extremely high number of applications, it may not be possible to contact every applicant. As such, if you are not contacted please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.

About Spencer Clarke Group

Here at Spencer Clarke Group, we pride ourselves on connecting you with the best career opportunities; our experienced Consultants have extensive market knowledge and will also provide expert career advice along the way.

When you join us, you will receive:

• Access to a wide range of temporary and permanent opportunities
• Free DBS checks
• Post Placement Aftercare
• Loyalty reward scheme and regular competitions for our agency professionals

INDSCGMM

Carrington West are assisting their local authority client based in East Anglia in the search for an Interim Assistant Director of Planning and Implementation to join their Strategic Leadership team on an initial 3-month contract, then rolling.
 
We are looking to appoint an individual with a breadth of public sector experience that enables them to take responsibility for managing the local planning authority and building control body. This strategic leadership role is an integral part of the senior leadership team, has Chief Planning Officer responsibility and constitutional delegated authority for all the following functions delivered by two operational Heads of Service: Development Management, Enforcement, Building Control, Planning Policy, and other specialist planning areas; Land Charges, CIL, S106 and Technical Support.
 
The role also has corporate responsibilities for budget management, risk management, Member liaison, service planning, performance management and reporting.
 
About this role
·To provide strategic leadership and managing a team of multi-skilled staff who are responsible for the development of council strategy and policy delivery, including Planning Policy, Enforcement, Conservation and Heritage, Building Control, Development Management and Technical Support
·To own, develop and oversee the council's policies in key areas, solve problems and delivers an efficient customer-focused service with high standards of professionalism
·To be a trusted point of contact for engagement with Members to ensure sound relationships and prompt responses to issues and queries raised
·To ensure effective cross Council working to enable strategic achievement and enabling collaboration, innovation and engagement and delivery of Council priorities
·Be a role model for the service, demonstrating authenticity, integrity, resilience and compassion and focussing on communication, personal development and wellbeing
 
Key Accountabilities
·Responsible for the Local Planning Authority, Building Control Body and Land Charges functions to meet the council's needs ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, legislation, professional codes of practice and adherence to Council policy
·Prepare and present reports to council committee meetings or other internal or external meetings ensuring compliance, transparency, and scrutiny
·Ensuring management of complex and contentious cases by staff with relevant expertise
·Be the most senior point of contact for the resolution of complex or contentious applications, appeals, complaints and inspections
·Responsible for the management and implementation of projects, interventions and initiatives and delivery of corporate objectives and business plans
·Responsible for the review and implementation of business process changes that drive further efficiencies and cost savings
·Delivering customer focussed, high profile and responsive operations and services, ensuring that enquiries, complaints and cases are managed and completed at the appropriate level
 
To apply for these roles, it is essential that you have recent relevant experience at the same level Candidate must have extensive local authority experience and hold a professional qualification such as a post-graduate degree in planning, regeneration or a related discipline, and have the eligibility for membership of RTPI.
 
The council are looking for candidates who will be able to hit the ground running and are offering flexible working arrangements, although weekly office presence is a must.

Carrington West Pay Rate - £800per/day
Job Ref - 61318

Please call Cameron de Wit on (phone number removed) for a confidential discussion on this role, or email myself or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:
(url removed)
(url removed)
 
Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis and all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior or in a location that is unsuitable, but you are keen on options, please still feel free to apply and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you.