Head of Impact

Role summary:

The Head of Impact leads Redemption Roasters’ mission to reduce reoffending through coffee. They are responsible for the strategy, delivery and growth of our social impact work across both the business and the Redemption Roasters Foundation.

The role oversees barista training and employment support programmes for prison leavers, both in custody and in the community. They ensure impact is rigorously measured, communicated and continuously improved.

The Head of Impact also leads fundraising and manages key relationships with government, charity and sector partners.

Working closely with the Managing Director, and Foundation Trustees they ensure the organisation’s social mission remains central to the company’s growth and success.

Introducing Redemption Roasters

Redemption Roasters is a social business on a mission to reduce reoffending through coffee.

To achieve this, we deliver barista training both in-custody and in the community, with direct routes into employment in our 12 London coffee shops and our roastery. Programme participants are matched with a caseworker to support their transition from the training room into work. To date we have directly hired over 100 participants. On average participants work at Redemption Roasters for over 400 days. Our current known reoffending rate for employed participants is 0%.

There is more information on our work to reduce reoffending in our Impact Report here.

As a social enterprise, we think differently from other specialty coffee companies. We believe profit powers our purpose, and that by roasting, serving, and selling exceptional coffee, we are uniquely positioned to help prison leavers start a new chapter.

Become our new Head of Impact

Redemption Roasters is seeking a Head of Impact to lead our work to reduce reoffending. The role is responsible for the company’s social mission, identifying effective and financially sustainable ways to deepen our impact through both our social enterprise and the Redemption Roasters Foundation. You will oversee training and employment support for programme participants in custody and in the community, while shaping the strategy for the Impact department and ensuring our programmes are well-run, measurable and financially disciplined.

A key part of the role is strong financial leadership – managing budgets, securing funding, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our impact work.

The role would suit an experienced third sector leader with a strong track record in programme delivery and fundraising, and a passion for enabling people to succeed.

The role is based at our Head Office in King’s Cross, London, and is not a remote or hybrid position.

Your duties will include:

• Overall responsibility for leading and owning the company’s social impact work including the development and implementation of its budget and strategy.
• Lead income generation and diversification for the Impact department – including managing Ministry of Justice contracts, and identifying fundraising and contracting opportunities in the community.
• Monitor and review performance, flagging areas of non-performance with the Managing Director.
• Connect, collaborate and act as a Redemption Roasters brand ambassador with other organisations and institutions, including businesses, charities, government agencies and donors to help maintain Redemption’s reputation within the Criminal Justice Sector.
• Report – both internally and externally – on the social impact performance. To include, but not limited to, the annual Social Impact Report.
• Oversee the work with our programme participants, ensuring that we deliver high quality support and outcomes.
• Ensure Redemption Roasters safeguarding policies and procedures are best in class, and adhered to by all staff.
• Work with the Redemption Roasters Foundation Board of Trustees to ensure that the charity is well governed and raises the funds it needs to deliver its strategy and maintain financial stability.
• Support the ongoing development of the Redemption Roasters Foundation as a relatively new charity, bringing an understanding of early-stage charity growth, governance structures, and the evolving needs of a newly established organisation.
• Build effective, professional working relationships with the Redemption Roasters Foundation Board of Trustees, demonstrating a clear understanding of how to partner with a governance body, balancing support, challenge, and accountability.
• Act as a key liaison between the Foundation and its Trustees, ensuring Trustees are equipped with timely, high-quality information to enable effective oversight and decision-making, while also holding appropriate accountability for delivering against agreed priorities.
• Attend and contribute to Foundation Board meetings, including preparing papers, reports, and updates, and ensuring actions are clearly tracked and delivered against.
• Maintain a clear and compliant separation between the Foundation and the commercial business, ensuring independence is upheld and any potential conflicts of interest are appropriately managed.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• At least 10 years’ experience in the UK third sector, including senior leadership roles within charities or social enterprises.
• Outstanding financial management capability, including developing and managing budgets, understanding unit economics, and rigorously reporting on financial performance. This is a core requirement of the role.
• A strong track record of ensuring programmes are financially sustainable, with the ability to balance social outcomes with commercial discipline.
• Extensive experience in fundraising and service delivery within a UK-based charity or social enterprise.
• The ability to develop and implement strategy, and to track, monitor and report on KPIs and performance to senior stakeholders.
• Proven experience hiring, leading and developing high-performing, motivated teams.
• A clear understanding of the governance, compliance and reporting requirements of registered charities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and persuade stakeholders across government, charity and business sectors.
• An innovative, proactive and resilient approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage shifting priorities.
• A genuine passion for working within the criminal justice sector and supporting people with convictions into employment.

At Redemption Roasters, you will receive:

Terms & Benefits

• Permanent contract, 40 hours per week.
• 28 days annual leave (including bank holidays), with 1 additional day per year for each year of service, up to 5 years.
• Unlimited free hot drinks in Redemption Roasters coffee shops, with discounts on food.
• Discounts at Coal Drops Yard
• Annual summer and Christmas parties
• 3 paid professional development days per year
• Laptop and phone
• Supportive and values-driven workplace
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• High street discounts via BHN Extras
• Up to £400 referral bonus