Use the power of finance to create lasting social change
At Social Finance, we believe that finance can be a force for good.
In 2010, we launched the world’s first Social Impact Bond in Peterborough — a bold experiment that asked a simple question: What if investment could fund services that prevent harm, with government paying only when outcomes improve?
That pioneering idea worked. Lives were transformed, reoffending rates fell, and a new path was opened for tackling some of society’s most complex challenges.
Today, Social Finance works with governments, charities, investors, and communities to design and deliver innovative solutions that improve lives and create long-term, systemic change. Our work spans health and social care, housing and homelessness, employment and skills, and children and young people.
We are now looking for our first Director of Engagement and Influence — a pivotal new role that will shape how Social Finance shares its voice, builds powerful partnerships, and strengthens our impact in the UK and internationally.
The Role
As Director of Engagement and Influence, you will:
- Develop and lead our external engagement strategy, working closely with our Board and senior leadership team.
- Strengthen Social Finance’s reputation as a trusted partner and credible voice in social impact investment and health and social care.
- Build collaborative, senior-level relationships across government, the NHS, civil society, and the private sector.
- Champion our insights and evidence in key policy debates and decisions.
- Identify and create opportunities to scale solutions and mobilise resources for systemic change.
Your primary focus will be social impact investment and health and social care, but you’ll also connect across our other priority areas — children and young people, employment and skills, and housing and homelessness.
This is a highly outward-facing role for a strategic leader who can represent Social Finance with confidence, diplomacy, and vision.
About You
We are seeking a strategic, curious, and collaborative leader with:
- A proven track record of shaping partnerships and influencing policy at senior levels.
- A strong understanding of UK health and social care policy, with the ability to build knowledge across a wider portfolio.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the credibility to engage at the highest levels across sectors.
- A commitment to sharing networks and opportunities to advance our mission.
Your background might be in government, the NHS, consultancy, or the non-profit sector — what matters most is your ability to bring insight, empathy, and authenticity to the role.
Our Values
Our work is guided by four principles:
- Impact at scale – creating long-term, sustainable change with partners.
- Equity and inclusion – ensuring social change closes gaps rather than widens them.
- Innovation and learning – combining creativity with evidence to pioneer new solutions.
- People and purpose – recognising that lasting change is driven by people, and investing in them.
We are deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion — both in our work and in our team. We warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and value leaders who bring diplomacy, compassion, and authenticity to their work.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Social Finance’s story.
As our first Director of Engagement and Influence, you will play a central role in making Social Finance the partner of choice for social impact investment and delivery, mobilising resources to improve lives and drive systemic change.
If you are inspired by the challenge of using finance and innovation to build a fairer, more equitable society, we would love to hear from you.
