About Gambling with Lives Gambling with Lives was founded in 2018 by the families and friends of people who had taken their own lives as a direct result of gambling. The charity supports people bereaved by gambling-related suicide, raises awareness of the devastating effects of gambling disorder and works to prevent gamblingrelated harm and suicide. It’s estimated up to 1.4million adults are addicted to gambling and research indicates that there is at least one gambling-related suicide every single day in the UK. For the children, parents, partners, and siblings left behind, the loss of their loved one is devastating.
“Friends didn’t know what to say, and so we didn’t have the space to grieve. Had it been cancer or a car accident, people would have been much more visibly supportive. With any kind of suicide there is so much guilt and shame tied up with the grief, and you
Research has found gambling disorder can affect anyone; the majority are "ordinary" people, with no pre-existing factors that make them more likely to gamble; simply individuals who encounter a highly addictive product. Over the last two decades, gambling advertising and the availability of gambling products through digital devices like tablets and smartphones has deepened this public health crisis.
What we do Since it started, GwL has:
Supported hundreds of bereaved people Provided public health information and training about gambling to thousands of professionals and members of the public Influenced the content and publication of the 2023 Gambling White Paper Ensured inclusion of gambling in the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Influenced the content of the NICE guidelines for health professionals Helped change the narrative around gambling from the industry-favoured “individual responsibility” model to a public health narrative. Helped secure a statutory gambling levy to fund treatment, prevention and research.
Supporting people bereaved by gambling-related suicides Working to tackle the complex challenges gambling-bereaved people can face, our services include:
Practical support - like help with funeral arrangements, debt and probate advice. Specialist counselling and therapy - tailored to individual needs Mutual support – through meetings and events, we provide opportunities for bereaved people to meet and support one another, “Having that support and know they are not alone Inquest and investigative support - the loss of a of people who are going through the loved one to gambling-related suicide can leave same thing has been many unanswered questions. We help families incredible. Gambling understand what happened by supporting them with Lives has given us a window to heal in a way that would have otherwise been
through inquest proceedings, and to share the findings to help prevent the same tragedy happening to another family. Advocacy – we support families who wish to do so to share their experience including meeting their MPs. We support the Board Members / Lived Experience Spokespeople to speak on behalf of the charity to Parliamentarians at all levels of government, the media and gambling harm professionals.
Public Health Information and Support To help ensure people can get the right help for gambling harms sooner, in 2023, we launched Chapter One. The programme provides independent, free, expert information on the causes and signs of gambling addiction, self-protection tools, information on support and treatment options that are available and proven to work. By accessing our resources, those suffering gambling harm and affected others know that they are not alone, “As someone who that it’s not their fault, and that there is help available. As works in public health, well as supporting the public, we provide resources and it has really opened training for professionals who may encounter someone my eyes. I am so glad suffering gambling harms, like youth advice workers, GPs this training exists.” and debt advice workers. Chapter One Training
Job Description The Chief Operating Officer is the most senior staff role within the organisation, responsible for the day to day running of the charity and, in close coordination with GwL’s co-founders, delivering to the organisation’s strategy. Gambling with Lives, along with the sector more broadly is facing significant change with the introduction of a statutory gambling levy from April 2026. During this fixed term contract, the interim COO will need to:
With the organisation’s founders, lead preparations for the introduction of the statutory levy, ensuring GwL is well positioned to submit successful funding bid and to adapt to the changing landscape.
Oversee and manage the continuing expansion of GwL’s services Ensure the ongoing delivery and quality of the charity’s services and activities Lead and support GwL’s expert and agile staff team Support the ongoing development of the voice of lived experience across the charity.
Key Responsibilities Strategy delivery:
Managing and monitoring fulfilment of the organisation’s 4-year strategy. Overseeing and supporting senior staff with the delivery of each programme area, including support to bereaved families, legal and inquest proceedings, public health and information provision, public and political advocacy Developing and maintaining knowledge of best practice in each of the charity’s focus areas Acting as sponsor and lead for key strategic projects.
Leading the team:
Oversight and management of team culture and wellbeing Management of the staff team, including direct line management of the Head of Family Support, Director of Chapter One, Communications Manager, Head of Fundraising, Events and Community Manager and Administrator. Managing internal engagement, including communications to staff, internal policies and leading regular team meetings Reviewing and developing policies to ensure the effective and efficient running of the organisation With input from external HR advisors, leading on HR matters, including staff contracts, hiring and onboarding, benefits and performance management.
Development:
Overseeing and supporting the delivery of the fundraising strategy. Overseeing bids and tenders for statutory contracts, including the statutory levy across the UK. Ensuring effective management of contracts for funded projects Managing key external relationships, including with funders and peer organisations Overseeing and supporting the team’s activities at key events, including party conferences and parliamentary receptions
Operational Management:
Leading the annual planning and budget setting cycle and maintaining budget oversight. Overseeing delivery of the monthly financial reconciliation and management accounts, with support from an Administrator and external accountant Overseeing and managing contracts with suppliers, including the charity’s IT provider, HR platform, auditors, accountants and legal advisors Ensuring organisational systems and software are maintained.
Governance:
Acting as link-person between the staff team and Board of Trustees Regular reporting to the Board of Trustees, including at Board Meetings Close involvement with the Board Finance Subgroup, and Governance subgroup, including attending and reporting at meetings Management of GwL’s Risk Register.
Providing support to the group of lived experience spokespeople
Person Specification Essential:
Experience in a charity leadership role Experience of an agile, dynamic charity environment Experience of line managing employees in a way that recognises the skills, talents and perspectives of the whole team Confidence leading and managing teams, and supporting remote workers Experience working with external partners, managing contractors and resolving issues Demonstrable experience delivering strategic, annual and operational plans Demonstrable experience in operational management Proficiency with budgets Flexibility and proven capacity to operate in a rapidly changing internal and challenging external environment Significant emotional intelligence and ability to empathise with others and work collaboratively with a team of staff, trustees and volunteers Capable of generating ideas and stimulating creative thinking in self and others Persuasive and passionate about GwL’s aims and objectives with a strong belief in and commitment to our mission, vision and values A commitment to equality and diversity in a meaningful way Politically astute, situationally aware, strategic decision maker Legal right to work in the UK
Desirable:
Professional experience in one or more of the following contexts or cause areas: bereavement, suicide, addiction, gambling harm, campaigning, advocacy, political affairs, legal or inquest proceedings Lived experience (direct or affected other) of gambling harm, addiction or bereavement by suicide Leadership experience in a small, young charity Experience working with founders and/or trustees Fundraising experience Change management expertise
Salary and Benefits
£65,000 - £70,000 per annum 25 days annual leave + bank holidays Enhanced pension contributions (GwL will contribute 7% if employee contributes 5%) Enhanced parental leave Home working / co-working allowance Offer of therapeutic support given the nature of GwL’s work
Flexible and family-friendly approach to work patterns Location
Fully Remote with regular travel within the UK Home working allowance or budget for a co-working space is offered.
Reports to
Chair of Trustees
Direct reports
Director of Chapter One Head of Family Support and Community Head of Fundraising Events and Community Manager Communications Manager Administrator
Target start date
March 2026
Tenure
12-month contract