Bid and research manager jobs

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a leading arts organisation to recruit an Interim Head of Strategic Planning.

London | £50,000–£55,000 | 1 year FTC

This senior role will lead strategic funding and planning activity, with a particular focus on securing major public funding and developing compelling funding applications. Working closely with executive colleagues, you will help shape organisational strategy, oversee reporting and impact measurement, and ensure strategic priorities are effectively delivered.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development of major funding applications, creating compelling cases for support and coordinating contributions from senior stakeholders.
• Oversee impact measurement, evaluation and funder reporting, ensuring compliance and using data to strengthen organisational storytelling.
• Support strategic planning and performance monitoring, helping to deliver organisational priorities and long-term objectives.
• Produce high-quality strategic reports, briefings and research to inform decision-making and support advocacy across the sector.

We are looking for someone with:

• Significant experience leading funding applications or bid development within the arts or not-for-profit sector.
• Strong understanding of the UK public funding landscape.
• Excellent writing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience using data and insight to support strategic decision-making.
• The ability to manage complex projects and work effectively with senior stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a high-profile cultural organisation during a pivotal period of development.

For more information, please submit your CV.

Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Location: Merseyside Hub - travel to London / Birmingham for a face-to-face team meeting is required 3-4 times a year

Closing date: Sunday 12th July, 23:30

Interview date: 4th/5th Aug

We plan on holding an online information session on Thursday June 25th.

Do you have an understanding of how lived experience of bad housing or homelessness can impact people, plus a real desire to help them share their stories and experiences so that we can better help them in the future? Then join Shelter as a Lived Experience Coordinator and you could soon be playing a vital role within our Merseyside Hub.

About the role

The Lived Experience Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Merseyside hub to deliver a programme of lived experience insight activities, with the aim of ensuring that the views and experiences of individuals with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness informs all of Shelter’s work.

Role specifics

We’re looking for someone who can help create meaningful opportunities for people with lived experience to shape and influence Shelter’s work. You’ll plan and deliver a range of involvement activities, support inclusive recruitment and induction processes, and work closely with participants to support their development, wellbeing and pathways into volunteering and employment. You’ll also provide guidance and training to colleagues on involving people with lived experience effectively, promote best practice across the organisation, and ensure involvement activity is well recorded, evaluated and continuously improved. Through your work, you’ll help ensure lived experience remains at the heart of Shelter’s fight for home.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The main goal of the Lived Experience Insight team is to work closely alongside people with lived experience to influence and steer the direction of Shelter’s work, so that lived experience informs everything we do.The team deliver activities across the organisation, which shape the ongoing design, delivery, and governance of Shelter’s work.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

0.5 FTE – 18.75 hours per week (flexible working)
Salary: £30,000-£32,000 FTE depending on experience
Location: Hybrid working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire, alongside home working and occasional external meetings

About Quest for Learning

Quest for Learning is an education charity working to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind due to disadvantage.

We work closely with schools to deliver targeted, evidence-led literacy and numeracy programmes that help children build the skills, confidence and foundations they need to thrive. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, facing barriers linked to low family literacy, unmet additional needs, unstable home circumstances, or limited access to wider opportunities.

Our programmes are delivered by experienced professional tutors and are built around structured interventions, strong school partnerships and measurable outcomes. On average, pupils supported through our small-group tutoring make around 13 months of progress in just 10 hours of support.

Quest for Learning is entering an important new stage of development. Following a period of organisational growth and strategic transition, we are investing in building a more sustainable and ambitious fundraising function that can deepen our impact and reach more children across Oxfordshire.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping that journey.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a small but ambitious charity at a genuinely exciting stage of development.

You’ll have:

• Real ownership and autonomy within your role
• The opportunity to help shape and build a growing fundraising function
• Close working relationships with the CEO and leadership team
• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements
• The chance to make a direct and measurable difference to children facing disadvantage
• Opportunities for progression as the organisation grows

We are intentionally investing in fundraising and organisational growth, and this role offers the opportunity to help shape a developing fundraising function within an ambitious, evidence-led charity with strong foundations and significant future potential.

We are a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven team that values initiative, professionalism, creativity and compassion.

Role purpose

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and motivated fundraiser to lead and grow our trusts and grants fundraising activity.

This role will focus primarily on identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling applications, managing funder relationships and building a strong pipeline of income to support Quest for Learning’s future growth.

The successful candidate will play a key role in helping us develop a more strategic and sustainable fundraising approach. We are looking for someone who can combine strong written communication and attention to detail with initiative, pace and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

This role would suit someone with existing trusts fundraising experience, or someone with highly transferable skills who can learn quickly and thrive in a fast-moving environment.

You will work closely with the CEO, programme staff and trustees, with access to strong impact data, established programmes and a compelling case for support.

Alongside this role, Quest for Learning is also exploring the development of an additional partnerships-focused fundraising role. We are open-minded about how responsibilities are ultimately structured and welcome applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds, experiences and strengths.

Key responsibilities

Trusts and foundations fundraising

• Research and identify prospective trusts, foundations and grant opportunities
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding prospects
• Develop and submit high-quality, tailored funding applications
• Manage multiple applications and deadlines simultaneously
• Produce timely and well-written monitoring reports and evaluations
• Work closely with programme staff to gather impact data, case studies and delivery information
• Maintain accurate records of applications, deadlines and funder communications within Beacon CRM
• Monitor fundraising performance and contribute to pipeline tracking and forecasting
• Support the development of longer-term funding strategies and priorities

Relationship management and stewardship

• Build positive and professional relationships with funders and supporters
• Arrange and attend occasional meetings with funders and partners where appropriate
• Ensure strong stewardship and communication throughout the funding lifecycle
• Support the CEO in managing strategic funding relationships

Organisational Contribution

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function and systems
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation
• Represent Quest for Learning professionally and passionately to external audiences
• Contribute ideas and insight to support organisational growth and sustainability

Person specification

We recognise that strong fundraisers do not always come from traditional charity fundraising backgrounds. If you have transferable skills and experience in areas such as bid writing, partnerships, relationship management, education, sales, communications, account management or business development - and are excited by our mission - we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Confidence using databases, spreadsheets and digital systems
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively
• Commitment to the mission and values of Quest for Learning
• Experience of writing successful funding applications, bids, proposals or other persuasive written content

Desirable

• Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising within the charity sector
• Experience using Beacon CRM or similar fundraising databases
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting
• Experience within education, children’s services or related sectors
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape
• Experience working within a small charity or growing organisation

What success looks like in this role

Successful performance in this role is likely to include:

• Building and maintaining a strong and active funding pipeline
• Producing a consistent volume of high-quality applications and reports
• Securing significant grant income for the charity
• Developing strong funder relationships and stewardship practices
• Contributing to the growth and professionalisation of Quest for Learning’s fundraising function
• Helping position Quest for Learning for sustainable long-term growth

As Quest for Learning grows, we expect this role to develop too, with opportunities to shape strategy and take on increasing responsibility over time.

Who thrives at Quest for Learning?

People who tend to thrive at Quest for Learning are:

• proactive and solutions-focused
• motivated by meaningful impact
• comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with others
• excited by helping build and improve systems and processes
• adaptable, thoughtful and motivated to grow professionally alongside the organisation

Working arrangements

• 0.5 FTE with flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid role combining home working with one regular day or half-day per week in Abingdon/Oxfordshire
• Occasional travel across Oxfordshire for meetings and events
• Flexible working patterns can be discussed

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working
• Pension contribution
• TOIL policy
• Supportive and collaborative working culture
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to help shape a growing fundraising function within an ambitious charity

Application process

To apply, please submit:

• A CV
• A short statement explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

We encourage applications from candidates with both traditional and non-traditional fundraising backgrounds.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Chris Higgins, CEO

Closing date: midday, Tuesday 30 June
Interviews: week commencing 6 or 13 July 

Are you ready to make a real difference in people's lives by providing specialist debt, benefit, and money advice? This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic team at the Royal British Legion. 

As a Benefits, Debt and Money Advisor you will provide expert guidance and practical support to individuals facing financial difficulties. Through face-to-face, telephone, and email interactions, you will offer tailored advice on legal rights, debt solutions, and benefits entitlements.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

In this role, you will:

- Provide specialist debt casework, ensuring compliance with FCA regulations
- Conduct benefit calculations and maximise income opportunities
- Provide specialist level welfare benefits casework including the preparation of written submissions and representation at first tier tribunal (full training provided when progressing to dual specialism)
- Advocate for clients by drafting letters, gathering medical evidence, and researching case law
- Maintain accurate case records for continuity, reporting, and analysis
- Build strong relationships with MOD, DWP, NHS, local authorities, and service charities
- Stay up to date with changes in debt and social security legislation
- Deliver a holistic, person-centred service, ensuring coordinated support
- Manage referrals and caseloads to provide timely assistance

What we’re looking for:

- Experience in debt advice and FCA compliance
- Knowledge of welfare benefits and benefit calculations
- Ability to manage your own caseload
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management systems
- Money Advice Practice Certificate (or equivalent) or debt advice experience

RBL offers a holistic Benefits & Debt advice service, with the expectation that the successful candidate will develop knowledge, skills & experience in welfare benefits (full training and supervision provided) to be able to support clients in challenging social security benefit decisions via the appeals process. What makes us unique:

-  Self-funded: We don’t bid for external funding, we are not subject to funding constraints or time limits, and we are not bound by external targets.
-  Holistic: We are not limited to a specific amount of time per case, and we always want to support the whole person. We have our own services which support with areas such as drug and alcohol, homelessness, and dementia and importantly, we provide funding directly to pay off priority debts and insolvency fees.  Our services can change people’s lives.
-  Connected: We work from home as part of a strong Regional & National team and manage our own diaries accordingly.
-  Dynamic: We pride ourselves on our learning & development, constantly improving our expertise through training to ensure we are providing the best quality service to those we support. 

The role is homebased with occasional travel required throughout East and West Midlands. Living within this region, having a driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential in being able to undertake this role. This will include travel to tribunal locations and home visits. In addition, travel to team meetings and training, usually in London, is required. You may also be required to attend national BDMA Service annual events held across the UK. We do cover travel expenses. 
This position is also subject to pre-employment checks including an Enhanced DBS check.

Employee benefits include:

- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role 
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see Job Description attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.

Closing Date: 26th June 2026
Interview date: w/c 6th July (TBC)
 
We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

About The Company

Since 1921, the Royal British Legion has been dedicated to supporting members of the Armed Forces community, and we will continue to be there for as long as we are needed, ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten.

As the UK's largest Armed Forces charity, we are proud to have over 180,000 members, 110,000 volunteers, 1,900 employees, and a wide network of partners and charities working together to provide lifelong support, whatever the need and whenever it is required.

We are committed to supporting our people through flexible and hybrid working where possible, a strong focus on wellbeing, and opportunities to develop skills and grow careers while making a meaningful impact.

Visit our Careers Page to discover more about the Royal British Legion, including our departments, employee benefits, values, candidate guidance, and the strategy that underpins our work and impact.