Assistant director of services jobs
As Chief Executive, you will lead the staff team, be responsible for providing overall strategic direction, coordination and management of all CAP programmes. Partnership building is a key role to maximise our impact.
Church Action on Poverty is a medium sized social justice charity, with a vision for the UK to become a country where everyone can flourish free from poverty. We are an ecumenical organisation with a Christian ethos and roots in the churches who remain key partners for us. We support programmes across the UK improving the lives of people in poverty and create opportunities for those with lived experience to voice their concerns with the aim of educating the public to raise awareness and understanding in line with our charitable objectives.
Currently, our programmes are structured on the principles of dignity, agency and power. They comprise: supporting a network of 130 food pantries with a membership of over 50,000; enabling people with lived experience of poverty to speak truth to power and supporting churches to explore what it means to be a ‘church on the margins’ as well as playing a leading role in high profile national campaigns.
It is anticipated that the role will be varied and flexible, but will include:
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Assisting the CAP Council of Management in the development and implementation of the organisation's programmes, campaigns, partnership building and public affairs work.
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Managing CAP's staff and resources in line with the organisation's agreed policies and priorities, and core values of collaboration, participation and empowerment.
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Fundraising and organisational strategy to achieve our aims.
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Ensuring that people with lived experience of poverty are actively involved in all aspects of CAP's work.
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Leading and line managing the Senior Leadership and Management Team.
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Working with the whole staff team to develop and implement strategies that build dignity, agency and power to end poverty.
Key responsibilities
1. Supporting CAP's Council of Management in its governance function
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Maintaining regular contact with the CAP Chairperson and Officer Group.
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Providing regular written reports to CAP's Council of Management and attending all meetings of the CAP Council of Management and Officers Group.
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Agreeing and implementing an annual planning cycle with the Council of Management, in line with CAP’s strategic values and vision.
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Working with the chair and officers to ensure good governance of the organisation.
2. Ensuring the effective management of CAP's staff team by:
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Providing day-to-day management and support for the Senior Management and Leadership Team.
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Holding oversight of the policies and procedures of the organisation and ensuring that they are up to date and fit for purpose
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Setting the culture of the organisation, with a focus on promoting collaborative working, learning and staff wellbeing.
3. Finance and fundraising
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Setting a clear, viable organisational and financial strategy and implement through
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Fundraising and relationship building to secure the resources needed for the programme work and campaigning.
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Formulating appropriate applications for programme funding.
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Providing resources for donors and churches to organise fundraising.
4. Programme Development
Leading the process of programme development within CAP in order to:
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Promote new approaches to combating poverty, which build the dignity, agency and power of people and communities struggling against poverty.
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Ensure that programmes have clearly identified aims, objectives and methods and that projects are monitored and evaluated.
5. Partnership Building
Building partnerships and contribute to the shared leadership and development of a movement based on dignity, agency and power with people and struggling communities against poverty, by
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Working with a wide range of partners and people with lived experience, to connect and build networks of people and groups who are committed to challenging poverty.
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Ensuring that CAP works collaboratively, leading CAP's involvement in strategic coalitions, alliances and other movement building opportunities.
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Ensuring CAP’s work is informed by the insights of people with lived experience of poverty, as well as wider public policy, debate and research.
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Ensuring that CAP’s views are shared with government, politicians, churches and others, where possible, led by people with lived experience of poverty.
6. Membership and supporters
Working with CAP’s Communications and Supporter Relations manager to ensure the recruitment and retention of members, donors and supporters by ensuring that:
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CAP members are provided with regular mailings and appropriate support for local/national activity.
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Ensuring that requests from CAP members and others for information and support are dealt with appropriately.
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Overseeing resources for Challenge Poverty Week and Poverty Sunday
7. Public Profile
In collaboration with CAP's Council of Management and staff, ensuring that CAP maintains a high profile within both the church and secular media, including:
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Ensuring CAP contributes effectively to public and media debate, including mainstream secular and church media, TV, radio and new/social media etc.
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Prioritising opportunities for people with lived experience to act as spokespeople and the public face for CAP.
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Attending and speaking at appropriate conferences and events making sure that CAP is represented at key events.
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Representing CAP views to national, regional and local government.
8. Theological Development
Facilitating the development of theological and other resources which reflect
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the lived experience of people and communities struggling against poverty, biblical sources, personal faith and other theological writing.
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wider analysis of social, political and economic issues.
Accountability and relationships
The Chief Executive is accountable to the elected Council of Management. Regular contact is maintained with the Officers Group, and in particular the Chair.
The Chief Executive provides line management to the other members of the Senior Leadership and Management Team, and works closely with other members of the CAP staff team, and external partners.
Other details about employment
Duration: Permanent contract with six month probationary period.
Hours: 35 hours per week including occasional 'unsocial' hours, weekend working and overnight travelling for which Time Off in Lieu is provided.
Salary: Church Action on Poverty Salary Band L, starting at scale point 43 on the NJC scales (currently £52,805 pay award pending). Rising by increments after 3 years and every 2 years thereafter to point 46 (currently £56,073), paid monthly on the 14th day of each month.
Pension: Church Action on Poverty operates the Nest auto-enrolment pension scheme, and contributes a 10% employer contribution provided the staff member commits to making a 5% employee contribution.
Benefits: Simply Health Cash Plan, Working from Home allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Staff Expenses Debits Cards, National Gym and Partner Discounts.
Holidays: 25 days’ annual leave pro rata (30 after five years’ service) plus statutory holidays. Office closure over New Year period on top of annual leave.
Location: Hybrid working on a flexible basis from home with some time each week in the Manchester office.
No CVs or other attachments please, only applications using our standard application form (available to download above) will be considered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Purpose of role: To support the Head of Partnerships in managing and retaining the charity’s existing donor base and in establishing new major donor partnerships to secure significant income for the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN): an impactful fundraising and grant-giving wildlife conservation NGO focused on supporting grassroots projects across the Global South.
Reports to: Head of Partnerships
Contract: Full-time, permanent contract, working 5 days p/w
Deadline to apply: Friday 23rd May (but please apply at your earliest convenience). Initial interviews will be targeted for end of May.
Whitley Fund for Nature
Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channeled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassador Sir David Attenborough. Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family trusts and foundations, as well as from individuals, corporates, and international NGOs, with a current annual income of around £2.6m/year. We raise funds based on winner need, and in the coming years are seeking to steadily grow what we provide in support to winners, actively pursuing new partnerships to support our mission.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Partnerships Manager to join our small and dynamic team. This new role will support the Head of Partnerships and wider WFN team in delivering our fundraising strategy, stewarding high-value donor relationships, and unlocking new opportunities for income growth.
The Partnerships Manager will work directly with some of WFN’s existing portfolio of 30 Major Donors made up primarily of Trusts, Family Foundations and High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) supporters, with some Corporates. The Partnerships Manager will maintain close professional relationships with supporters that are bespoke and require excellent interpersonal skills, with most meetings taking place in-person, in central London.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a highly respected conservation organisation making a real difference on the ground.
PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Essential
- A proven track record of fundraising, donor management, and/or building relationships with stakeholders in the non-profit or philanthropic sector.
- Excellent writing and communication skills, with experience drafting donor materials and reports.
- A proven track record in the development of grant applications, including drafting objectives, activities, timelines, indicators, and budgets, as well as coordinating narrative content and inputs from across the team.
- Past experience coordinating and delivering fundraising and engagement events.
- Experience coordinating volunteer committees.
- Exceptional interpersonal qualities, and comfortable liaising with high-profile individuals and senior stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Proactive, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- A flexible ‘can do’ approach with the ability to chase opportunities, while remaining resilient and positive
- An open and collaborative working style, with a willingness to share information, communicate clearly, and contribute to a supportive small team environment.
- A genuine interest in conservation and/or passion for social and environmental equity through a grassroots approach.
Desirable
- Experience working with donor databases or Salesforce.
- Familiarity with trusts and foundations, HNWI fundraising, or corporate partnerships.
- Previous work in a small, agile team or start-up-style organisation.
Additional details and benefits
- Attractive holiday package totaling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays.
- Training and professional development opportunities provided.
- Hybrid working opportunities
- The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.
Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
Diversity and Inclusion
At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Whitley Fund for Nature is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity supporting grassroots practitioners across the Global South.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
Their vision is to find a cure for all types of brain tumours. To achieve their mission, they are looking for a Community Fundraiser who will proactively engage with supporters, community groups and volunteers across the West Midlands to join their team of 12 Community Fundraisers across the UK.
The Community Fundraiser (West Midlands) is responsible for providing support and guidance to fundraisers within their communities to achieve their ambitions and ultimately raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research. This is achieved through a wide variety of activities such as helping supporters to make the most of their own fundraising, engaging participants with externally organised events such as the Great Birmingham Run, and encouraging communities to get involved in events organised by Brain Tumour Research such as Wear a Hat Day and Walk for Hope. The Community Fundraiser will be the face of Brain Tumour Research in the area, providing excellent stewardship to existing supporters, and building great relationships with new supporters.
This post has been vacant since Autumn, and as such needs a fundraiser with confidence and capability in fundraising to join the team, provide donor love to the loyal supporters in the area, and approach developing the areas potential with energy and enthusiasm. If you have fundraising experience and are keen to join a charity with ambition and an amazing supporter base, then this could be the role for you.
Please note the successful candidate will need to live within the region (Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire), have access to a car and be willing to travel around their region. If you are not currently based in this area, please clarify if you have plans to relocate.
Application notes
Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.
To progress your application, please follow instructions in the pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call.
As this role has been vacant for some time, we are running rolling interview to see suitable candidates as they apply. Interviews will be kept to one stage, and organised to suit the candidate, where possible. Don’t delay – apply today!
