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- Tasks: Lead and support charities to enhance their impact on young people's lives.
- Company: Dynamic team dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth through strategic investments.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and a passion for social impact.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent opportunities for progression.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Investment Team
The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact. The team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles. The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants. The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest. The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team. The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.
The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy. Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
Key responsibilities
- Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio: Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment, Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, Modelling from first contact of origination, Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.
- Managing partnerships with portfolio partners: Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs, Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks, Escalating key risks on performance, Conducting annual partnership review, Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments.
- Supporting portfolio partners: Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity‑building projects, Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners, Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities, Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner.
- Support to Impetus: Developing expertise about what works in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement, Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus' strategy, Contributing to internal priorities and working groups, Contributing towards Impetus' public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, Sharing the learning from our work across the team, Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, Where appropriate, line‑managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team.
Person specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus' mission.
- Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust‑based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
- A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
- Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
- Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
- Tenacity and initiative.
- Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
- Growth mind‑set to seek out and act on feedback.
- Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
- Strong planning and time management skills.
- Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Desirable
- Experience in the non‑profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro‑bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
- Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
- Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
- Board experience in private, public or third sector.
- Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.
How to apply
You will need to: Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form). Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement. The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification. You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
Deadline for applications
23:59 Sunday 22 February 2026
Interviews
First round interviews will take place w/c 02 March 2026. Second round interviews will take place w/c 09 March 2026. You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
Investment Director in London employer: IMPETUS - PEF
Contact Detail:
IMPETUS - PEF Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Investment Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the charity and non-profit sectors, especially those connected to Impetus. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your commitment to supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight why this mission matters to you.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the charities and non-profits you’re interested in. Understand their challenges and successes, and think about how your skills can help them scale their impact. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Impetus. Keep an eye on deadlines and follow up if you haven’t heard back after a while!
We think you need these skills to ace Investment Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Investment Director role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with our mission at Impetus. We want to see how your background can contribute to supporting charities and making a real impact.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Address the criteria in the person specification directly and share specific examples of your achievements. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and made a difference in previous roles.
Show Your Passion for Our Mission: We’re all about making a difference for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Make sure to express your commitment to our mission in your application. Share why this work matters to you and how you can contribute to our goals.
Check Your Application Before Submitting: Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough once-over. Check for typos, ensure all required documents are included, and confirm that everything is clear and concise. A polished application shows us you care!
How to prepare for a job interview at IMPETUS - PEF
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, dive deep into the charities and non-profits you might be working with. Understand their missions, challenges, and successes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their impact.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic thinking skills. Think about complex issues you've tackled in the past and how you approached them. Be ready to discuss how you can apply this mindset to support portfolio partners effectively.
✨Build Relationships Virtually
Since you'll be managing relationships with senior stakeholders, practice how you would build trust and rapport in a virtual setting. Consider role-playing scenarios where you advise on strategic decisions, ensuring you come across as collaborative yet assertive.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your financial skills and be prepared to discuss how you evaluate investments and measure impact. Bring examples of how you've used financial analysis to inform decisions in previous roles, especially in the charity or non-profit sector.
