About us
Advance is an award‑winning and innovative women‑only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short‑term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non‑violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community‑based organisation that leads best‑practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Advance evokes systemic change by engaging with professionals within statutory agencies, including commissioners and policymakers, to deliver sustainable impact for women. Through a coordinated community response, we work in partnership with other charities, as well as regional and national government to develop innovative responses and influence policy.
Position Overview
Director of Services – Domestic Abuse / VAWG (maternity cover vacancy)
Salary: £70,000 – £80,000
Location: Hammersmith (travel to delivery sites as required). Flexible work from home 2/3 days per week.
Contract: Maternity cover, fixed‑term of 9 months, extendable.
Hours: 35 per week, with availability for Board meetings 4‑6 pm on Tuesdays twice per quarter.
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer; member of the Senior Leadership Team, working with the Board of Trustees.
Direct reports: Head of Services – DA (may change with organisational strategy).
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is a genuine occupational requirement.
Please note: Any offer will be subject to references, right‑to‑work confirmation, and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.
About the role
You will lead Advance’s frontline domestic abuse and VAWG services, ensuring they are safe, effective, high‑quality and aligned with our strategic aims. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with the CEO, Directors, Trustees, and senior managers to shape service strategy, strengthen quality systems and ensure excellent outcomes for women and children.
You will provide confident strategic and operational leadership, manage complex stakeholder relationships, support governance and reporting, and ensure services are financially sustainable, contract compliant and responsive to the needs of women and children.
Qualifications & Experience
- Strong knowledge of domestic abuse, VAWG, safeguarding and related issues affecting women and children with complex needs.
- Significant experience of strategic leadership, service management and team development.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding adults and child protection issues.
- Experience managing budgets, partnerships, contracts, outcomes and reporting.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
- Confidence to work under pressure, manage complexity and inspire teams through change.
- A collaborative, values‑led leadership style and commitment to women’s rights, safety and dignity.
How to Apply
Please submit your up‑to‑date CV with a supporting statement. Only applications made via the Advance careers page and including a cover letter will be considered.
- Closing Date for Applications: Friday 17th July 2026 @23:59
- Interviews: First stage 27th July; second stage likely week commencing 3rd August
Advance reserves the right to close the role early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you – Employee Benefits
- A 35‑hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro‑rata for part time), plus public holidays on top
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox – employee discount platform for savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye‑care scheme
- Clinical supervision for frontline staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme – £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation‑wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have additional needs, please email talent@advancecharity.org.uk and the Talent Acquisition Team will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups under‑represented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero‑tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers, to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices including references, DBS checks and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
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