Deputy Director

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Location: London, hybrid working (minimum three days per week in the office)

Reports to: Managing Director

Salary: c. £65,000

Start date: Early 2026 preferred

About Campaign Lab

Campaign Lab is a network of technologists and campaigners focused on campaign innovation. Founded in 2018, it operates through a small paid team, a committed group of volunteers, and a wider network of campaigners, technologists and organisations.

We are an experimental, research-driven organisation. We research, invent, test and embed effective tools and practices to strengthen progressive campaigning. Our work includes applied research, pilot projects, hackdays and partnerships with representatives, campaigners and trade unions.

As Campaign Lab enters a new phase, we are strengthening our internal systems, clarifying roles and building a leadership team that can support sustainable delivery, growth and influence.

About the role

The Deputy Director is a senior leadership role, working closely with the Managing Director to support the strategic direction, organisational development and external positioning of Campaign Lab.

This role exists to strengthen leadership capacity across the organisation. The Deputy Director will deputise for the Managing Director in funding, strategy and partnership settings where appropriate, and will take ownership of significant internal leadership responsibilities to ensure the organisation is well-run, focused and resilient.

The role is deliberately flexible. Depending on skills and experience, the Deputy Director will lead either the research function or the community, partnerships, communications and events function, while maintaining a strong overview of the organisation as a whole.

This is a hands-on role for someone comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels in a small, politically engaged organisation.

Key responsibilities

Organisational leadership and deputising:

• Act as a senior organisational leader, supporting the Managing Director in setting direction, priorities and culture.
• Deputise for the Managing Director in funding discussions, strategy meetings and external engagements where appropriate.
• Support organisational strategy development and annual planning, translating priorities into clear delivery plans.
• Provide leadership continuity when required.

Management and team leadership:

• Lead and develop one of Campaign Lab's core functions, either:

  • Research, including line management of the Research Manager and oversight of research delivery and quality; or
  • Community, partnerships, communications and events, including line management of the relevant manager and oversight of external engagement and profile.
• Support managers to set clear objectives, manage performance and develop their teams.
• Work with the Managing Director to ensure clarity of roles, decision-making and accountability across the organisation.

Operations and systems:

• Take responsibility for strengthening organisational systems and ways of working, building on recent organisational development work.
• Support effective project planning, resourcing and prioritisation across programmes.
• Ensure internal processes support delivery, transparency and sustainability without unnecessary bureaucracy.

Funding, partnerships and external relationships:

• Contribute to fundraising strategy and support the development of funding proposals and funder relationships.
• Represent Campaign Lab externally with partners, funders and stakeholders.
• Support the Managing Director to maintain strong relationships across the progressive ecosystem.

Person specification

Essential:

• Significant experience in a senior leadership, management or deputy-level role in a small organisation, political context or adjacent sector.
• Strong organisational judgement and the ability to operate across strategy, people management and delivery.
• Experience managing and developing teams, including supporting managers.
• Confidence representing an organisation in external, high-trust settings, including with funders or partners.
• Strong alignment with progressive politics, with sympathy towards Labour values and objectives.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

• Experience in research leadership, political research or applied policy work, or in communications, partnerships and movement-building.
• Experience strengthening internal systems, operations or organisational design.
• Familiarity with grant-funded organisations or mixed funding models.
• Experience working in fast-moving, politically engaged or experimental environments.

How to apply

Please send a CV and a covering note outlining your interest and suitability for the role by an email via the button below. Applications without a covering note will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Campaign Lab encourages applications from candidates who are underrepresented in politics, technology and research.