Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Marine Society and Sea Cadets; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity focused on youth development in London is seeking an EDI specialist to lead its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion agenda. The role offers a competitive salary of up to £55k and includes hybrid working. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in a similar role, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to driving meaningful change across the organization over multiple workstreams. This position is a vital opportunity to impact the charity's culture and effectiveness.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Health cover

Employee Awards

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within complex organizations.
• Experience leading change and delivering new EDI initiatives.
• Detailed knowledge of EDI legislation and practical implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the EDI agenda across the charity.
• Work closely with senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Build and champion the EDI strategy across multiple workstreams.

Skills

Leadership skills

Excellent communication

Strong data analysis

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Location: London, Hybrid working

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full or Part time

Salary: Up to £55k dependent upon experience

Closing Date: 9 December 2025

Application: CV and supporting statement

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity. Through Sea Cadets we aim to inspire young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure underpinned by the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. Through the Marine Society we enable current and future maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and self-development.

We have a clear vision and strategy to take us forward to maximise the impact we have on cadets and maritime professionals. We are an ambitious charity, always looking to make further improvements, and especially in the EDI space we recognise that there is still work to be done. In 2022, we published our external EDI review. Building on those results we have worked hard to embed equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, and are committed to continuing that work to becoming a truly inclusive charity.

We are now looking for an EDI specialist to help lead and drive forward our EDI agenda across the charity. This is an influential role where you can have a significant positive impact and drive change. You will work closely with the senior leadership team and many other stakeholders to build and champion our EDI strategy. You will lead the programme of EDI activity across a number of workstreams to promote our EDI agenda helping us to become a truly inclusive charity that values difference and actively addresses any inappropriate behaviours. We are looking for an experienced EDI change specialist who will support the leadership team to lead change and embed the culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the charity (employees, volunteers, cadets and apprentices) and to raise awareness and champion EDI in all that we do.

Requirements

• A deep understanding and experience of leading an EDI within a complex organisation.
• Specialist knowledge to act as the EDI subject matter expert with detailed knowledge of EDI legislation and regulations and the practical implementation of this.
• Leadership skills with proven experience leading change.
• Experience of delivery new EDI initiatives across an organisation.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills to ensure implementation of the action plan.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills as a strong influencer and relationship builder.
• Strong data and analytical skills to enable collection, analysis, develop and implement solutions as appropriate.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave + bank holiday.
• This is a hybrid opportunity, a mix of office and home-based work, with our main office in London.
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, health cover and EAP.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan.
• Employee Awards with additional days leave.

Additional Information

For anyone interested in having an informal chat about the role prior to submitting an application, please email the email address. Please also let us know if you would require any reasonable adjustments to be made for the interview process.

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matter to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire.

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo a criminal record and higher-level security check.