Business development director jobs

Key responsibilities 

To be responsible for the effective leadership and management of the organisation and its resources.

To support the Board in setting the vision, mission, strategic objectives and strategic priorities for the charity and develop its philosophy and values.

To lead the business development plans for development of the Charity in its purpose of supporting people and families living with dementia. Ensuring a robust Operating Plan is developed, approved by the Board and fully implemented. 

To promote the mission, aims, values and objectives of The Dementia Care Hub as the public facing representative of the Charity, working effectively with the Charity’s stakeholders.

To provide forward looking strategic leadership and management of the organisation and its resources to promote the objectives of the Charity.

To ensure the Charity fulfils all its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities.

To offer practical support to the hubs as required

To lead and prepare grant applications to ensure that The Dementia Care Hub can continue to support and grow.

To lead and develop fundraising activities.

Commercial Sales Manager

Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Annual Salary £43,931 plus car allowance/travel expenses £3,400 p.a plus excellent benefits

Location – Remote (Post holder will be expected to be based within the Midlands /Southern Region)

Are you an experienced sales professional looking to use your skills to work within a meaningful and rewarding environment?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing charity as we have ambitious plans to grow our income so that we can develop and deliver our services to help our fire families. To do this, we are seeking a Commercial Sales Manager to join our Commercial Sales team to be at the forefront of our commercial strategy, driving revenue and profitability across our range of commercial activities.  

Playing a key part in managing and developing client relationships, this role is ideal for someone who thrives on building relationships. It’s a pivotal role with a focus on diversifying and increasing our income, identifying new business opportunities whilst ensuring the sales strategy is aligned with charity goals.

This is a visible, field-based role with a requirement to travel across the UK, working closely across the charity with other team members and externally with our partners, ensuring efforts are aligned, providing feedback to influence our product and service offerings.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• a proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets 
• strong commercial acumen
• the ability to analyse markets trends and competitor activity, proactively identifying new and exciting opportunities for us to explore
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build new and strengthen existing relationships
• competent market research, report writing and financial analysis skills and will use these to support your activities and contribute to the overall business reporting environment.

This role will work across the UK and therefore a flexible approach is required to support our commercial activities and there will be some occasional evening and weekend working as required within the scope of the role.

The post is subject to a disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. When recruiting our new team members, regardless of the role, we are looking for people who share our values.

How to apply

Please apply through our recruitment portal, providing both a CV and a covering letter which clearly outlines why you are interested in joining our team and how your skills and experience fulfil our criteria for this role.

More information about us and the role can be found on our website. If you would like to arrange an informal call to discuss the role please contact Rebecca Webster, Organisational Development & People Partner. 

The closing date for applications to be received is 9am on 16 January 2026.

First stage interviews will take place via MS Teams w/c 27 January 2026, with second in-person interviews to take place on 3 February 2026 (Please note this will be held at one of our centre locations) where a presentation will be required.

We reserve the right to close this role early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. Due to the number of applications we receive, regrettably we are unable to contact applicants who are not shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was not successful this time.

The Development Office at Oundle School is looking for Deputy Director of Development who will be instrumental in advancing our philanthropic goals and will support the management and running of its driven and friendly team.

THE ROLE

The Deputy Director of Development will play a key part in helping us achieve our philanthropic goals. This role provides a real opportunity to make a tangible difference: devising and shaping strategy, driving forward our stewardship and legacies programme, building key relationships with major donors, and working closely with the Director of Development on the next advances in this vital area of the school’s work.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic relationship manager who is highly motivated, creative, and intellectually curious, with experience of working within a fundraising or relatable field. We are looking for a dedicated colleague who will enjoy working across a vibrant constituency within a beautiful architectural setting to deepen philanthropic relationships between the school and its alumni and parent body.

While this role is 40 hours per week, year round, we are open to discussion about working arrangements including hybrid working to attract a candidate who can help us achieve our ambitions.

THE SCHOOL

Oundle and Laxton Junior Schools have long been associated with the very best of modern independent education, especially boarding. The Schools take seriously their responsibility to pupils so that they can emerge as decent, open-minded adults; ambitious about what they can go on to achieve and contribute. Over 1400 pupils are on roll at the School, of whom 840 are full boarders. Academic results are steadfastly excellent. 

A team of around 800 staff, both academic and support, ensure an education of the highest standard is in place across the Schools with the efforts of the whole team focused on this fundamental aim.

LIVING IN OUNDLE

We are fortunate in our location at the heart of a beautiful market town. School and town are part of the same community and our pupils take their place within this community, not isolated from it. The town has a spirited cultural life, with an annual international festival, literature festival, and frequent performances of nationally touring shows at the School’s Stahl Theatre.

TO APPLY

Full details of the role, including hours of work and salary, can be found in the Job Description. If you are excited by this opportunity, please complete and return an application form and supplement to the application before the closing date.

Please note CV submissions cannot be accepted.

Application closing date: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 9am.

Interviews will take place week commencing 2 February 2026 and 9 February 2026.

Oundle School and Laxton Junior School are proud to be equal opportunity employers and we welcome applications from all. We aim to ensure that all applicants are provided with the same opportunities during the recruitment process, and we endeavour to comply with the duties placed upon us to make reasonable adjustments as prescribed by the Equality Act 2010. Should you need to request a particular adjustment to enable you to participate fully in the recruitment process, please ensure that this is made known, to the HR Department

Both Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Recruitment Agencies

The Corporation of Oundle School has an internal recruitment department, but where agency support is required, we will engage our trusted partners. Our adverts are intended to encourage direct interest from potential applicants, not recruitment agencies. Speculative CVs sent from sources other than directly from a candidate, will not be acknowledged or considered.

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic Director to lead Heart of the City through its next phase of development. You will work closely with the Board to set strategic priorities, oversee all operations, and ensure the charity continues to deliver impactful programmes for SMEs. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading Heart of the City as an independent charity, both within and outside the City of London Corporation.
• Developing and delivering annual and three-year business plans, reporting progress to the Board, Council of Members, and funders.
• Managing a budget, and driving business development - diversifying income streams, while maintaining the charity’s vision and objectives.
• Embedding robust impact measurement across all streams of work.
• Representing Heart of the City at senior levels across public, private, and third sectors, and building relationships with key stakeholders.

Build something new. Shape the future. Make a real impact.

The Infection Prevention Society (IPS) is a leading professional charity for infection prevention and control in the UK and Ireland. With 2,100 members across health and care professions, we exist to advance education in infection prevention for the benefit of the community. And we're at a pivotal moment.

We've built the foundations – modern infrastructure, professional team working alongside our volunteer leadership, strong governance – and now we're ready to scale our impact. We need someone to help us unlock new opportunities and expand what we can offer our members and the communities they serve. That's where you come in.

As our first Commercial Director, you'll have the autonomy to establish commercial capability from the ground up. You'll build partnerships with health and care organisations, create revenue streams that strengthen our mission including leading the development of training courses that reach new audiences: supporting our members to prevent infections and save lives.

This is a unique opportunity to combine commercial expertise with charitable purpose. You'll have the freedom to develop innovative strategies, build partnerships that matter, and create revenue streams that strengthen our capacity to serve our members and prevent infections. The role offers flexibility (four days per week, home-based) and genuine autonomy to shape your approach.

What You'll Do

• Build corporate partnerships: Build relationships and partnerships with businesses that have an interest in infection prevention
• Enhance events revenue: Enhance and develop sponsorship opportunities across our annual conference, events, and webinar programmes
• Explore new opportunities: Identify emerging revenue streams from consultancy, publications, and membership growth into new professional sectors
• Shape training course development: Scope and develop infection prevention courses that generate income whilst advancing our educational mission

Who We're Looking For

You're an experienced commercial professional with a proven track record of generating revenue through partnerships, training programmes, or business development. You might come from membership organisations, professional bodies, charities, education or healthcare settings, or from B2B commercial roles with clear transferable skills.

You have the entrepreneurial confidence to build something new, the strategic thinking to identify opportunities, and the relationship skills to turn those opportunities into sustainable partnerships. You're equally comfortable developing pricing models and financial projections as you are crafting compelling partnership proposals.

Most importantly, you understand that commercial success and charitable purpose aren't opposing forces – they're complementary. You want your commercial expertise to strengthen a charity's capacity to serve its members and achieve its mission.

What We Offer

• Build something new: Establish new commercial capability in a respected healthcare organisation
• Autonomy and influence: Freedom to develop your own strategies with CEO mentorship and Board support
• Meaningful work: Direct contribution to preventing infections and protecting public health
• Senior leadership role: Strategic responsibility and genuine influence on organisational direction
• Flexibility: Four days per week (£42,400 per annum / £53,000 FTE), home-based with regular UK travel
• Growth potential: 12-month fixed-term contract with potential for extension or permanent conversion

Why Now?

As a charity, IPS exists to advance education in infection prevention for the benefit of the community. We're at an exciting stage of development, having evolved from a volunteer-led organisation to a professional operation with dedicated staff working alongside our expert volunteer leadership. We've modernised our infrastructure, enhanced our conference programme, and strengthened governance. The foundations are in place.

Now we need dedicated commercial expertise to unlock our full potential and accelerate our growth. This role will genuinely shape the future of the charity – the partnerships you build, the courses you develop, and the strategies you implement will determine our capacity to expand our reach and deepen our impact over the coming years.

Key Details

• Role: Commercial Director
• Contract: 12-month fixed-term (potential for extension/permanent conversion)
• Hours: Four days per week (0.8 FTE)
• Salary: £42,400 per annum (£53,000 FTE)
• Location: Home-based with regular UK travel

How to Apply

Download the full recruitment pack for detailed role responsibilities and person specification.

To apply, please submit your your CV (maximum 3 pages) and covering letter (maximum 2 pages). Applications close 10pm on Sunday 11th January 2026.

Your covering letter should address:

• Your relevant experience in commercial/business development
• Your track record of revenue generation with specific examples
• Why you're interested in this role and IPS
• How your skills match the person specification

YMCA Heart of England is a Christian charity providing a range of life-changing services for the local community. With a turnover of over £7.5m, we house over 300 young people and support them to get their lives back on track. We also care for pre-school children in our nursery and run various social enterprises and community programmes. With over 100 Staff and volunteers working for us and thousands of people using our many premises every year, we are an organisation committed to delivering the best possible service to our customers in line with our Christian ethos and values.

Job role

We’re looking for a Head of Early Years to lead and grow a key area of our organisation. This is a strategic leadership role with hands-on responsibility for driving high-quality provision and expanding our Early Years offer across Birmingham and Coventry. You’ll oversee our existing nursery while leading the development of up to four new settings in line with our five-year growth plan. Reporting to the Director of Business, Community and Youth Services, you’ll work closely with senior leaders to align Early Years with our wider organisational goals.

Key responsibilities include:

· Lead curriculum development and quality improvement across all nursery settings, starting with Billy Bears, in line with EYFS and Ofsted standards.

· Provide strategic leadership as part of the Senior Management Team, shaping early years direction, staff performance, and growth plans across Birmingham and Coventry.

· Line manage Nursery Managers and support a strong, values-driven team culture focused on reflective practice and child-led provision.

· Oversee safeguarding, compliance, and preparation for Ofsted inspections, maintaining inclusive, high-quality early years environments.

· Build partnerships with families, external agencies, and local authorities to support children’s development and community engagement.

What we Offer:

• Training and Development Opportunities 
• Travel expenses paid at 45p per mile
• 29 days annual leave including Bank Holidays plus an additional day after each year of completed service up to 5 days. 
• Free on-site car parking 
• Workplace Pension scheme 
• 20 days sick pay 
• Life Assurance of 4 times your annual salary 
• Day off for your Birthday 

Role Description

The purpose of the Executive Assistant role is to provide administrative, organisational and coordination support to the Executive Team, ensuring their time and attention are aligned with organisational priorities, goals, and objectives. The role covers executive coordination, governance administration and project support.  The Executive Assistant enables effective decision making across the Leadership Team, supports the smooth delivery of priorities, and contributes to the execution of long-term strategic goals.

The Executive Team comprises the Chief Executive, Operations Director and Business Development Director.  They work together as part of the Leadership Team, comprising key leaders from across the charity.

Excellent attention to detail is crucial, as is the ability to operate with discretion and flexibility. A high standard of written and verbal communication is essential. The role requires collaboration across Finance, HR, Trustees, and external stakeholders, and an understanding of effective charity governance would be desirable.

This role requires a high level of emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation. Success in this role depends on a proactive mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure. The Executive Assistant must be highly dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

Executive Coordination

• Manage calendars, inboxes, travel and meeting preparation for Executive Team
• Coordinate agendas and logistics for internal and external meetings
• Liaise with stakeholders, clients and partners to ensure smooth engagement

Governance Support

• Own the established governance timetable, board meeting scheduling, and trustee communications
• Draft and distribute board packs, take minutes, and track actions
• Support governance processes in collaboration with the Operations Director
• Support trustee onboarding, training, and engagement
• Ensure timely completion of Charity Commission and Companies House submissions
• Leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance business processes

Strategic communications

• Communicate with external stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Team
• Coordinate staff events and meetings
• Work with marketing and communities & projects teams for conferences and external events

Project support

• Support ongoing transformation projects in collaboration with Head of Business Functions
• Support recruitment and onboarding for senior roles led by the Head of Business Operations
• Support strategic planning and performance tracking led by the Operations Director and Business Development Director
• Support handover and re-onboarding of Executive Assistant on her return April 2027

Role Requirements

Required:

• Minimum of four years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a fast paced and changing environment, taking initiative and managing competing deadlines calmly and flexibly.
• Confident communicating with the executive and leadership team, trustees and external partners in a professional and timely way.
• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and good judgment.
• Confident coordinating meetings, preparing papers and taking accurate minutes.
• Ability to research, digest, analyse and present material clearly and concisely.
• Ability to identify and apply AI-driven tools to enhance business activities and using AI to streamline workflows and personalise business engagement.
• Comfortable stepping into an established role quickly and maintaining continuity during the maternity leave period.

Desirable:

• Experience in charity governance
• Experience in project support/management

Employees are also expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties that are consistent with the grade, responsibilities, and typical scope of the role. Any additional tasks should remain appropriate to the nature of the post and not extend into unrelated functions or specialisms.

All employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values and behavioural standards, which include being supportive, transparent, respectful, kind, honest, and collaborative. This means fostering a culture of empathy, openness, integrity, and teamwork in all interactions, and contributing positively to the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.

We are committed to flexible working and are open to requests for different working patterns. This includes part time arrangements and four day working week requests, which we will always consider as part of the recruitment process.

To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.

Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 2nd of February 2026.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Are you a commercially minded, senior leader with strong experience in operations, company management, partnership building and income generation?

VDT is seeking an experienced Head of Operations and Business Development to spearhead the implementation of our ambitious new Commercial Strategy, driving growth and expanding income streams.

This is a crucial, high-impact role for someone who thrives on operational excellence, has excellent management skills and a passion for strategy implementation. It is ideal for someone with strong experience in partnership building, negotiating contracts, lead generation and organisational development.

Working closely with the Chief Executive / Artistic Director, the role works collaboratively across the small staff team to deliver the company’s Business Plan, Funding Agreement, Mission and Values. You will identify opportunities, generate new leads and manage the company’s wide range of production, participation and continued professional development programmes. You will grow a new customer base for our online training and E-learning and develop income from within arts academic and social enterprise settings. You will track progress and ensure the company is run in line with best practice. 

You might not have worked in the arts or creative industries before. If you have experience as a Business Manager, Operations Director, Executive Director or Senior Producer within or outside of the cultural / charity sector, then you’ll have the core skills we are looking for.

Closing date for applications: Midday Tuesday 6 January 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 15 January 2026 (possible second interview 23 January 2026).

Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) sits at the heart of a vibrant network of philanthropists, educators, community groups, visionary businesses and local government bodies across East Anglia. With over a decade of trusted STEM engagement behind us, a dedicated expert team and a loyal network of long-term supporters, CSC is uniquely positioned to drive lasting
change in communities across the region.

This role builds on that strong foundation. You will deepen existing relationships, identify and shape new opportunities, and help secure CSC’s long-term financial sustainability through innovative, high-impact partnerships.

As the primary contact for partnership development, you will play a central role in shaping and funding our multi-year programmes, while also leading on high-value, short-term opportunities connected to our Cambridge Science Park site and outreach hubs such as Inspire Wisbech. Your work will balance immediate income generation with the cultivation of long-term strategic
relationships that advance CSC’s mission and regional impact.

Leading UK drug education charity the DSM Foundation is recruiting a Head of Business and Organisational Development to join their senior management team. This role involves working with the Director and Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to the DSMF team on all aspects of organisational and business development with a long-term income growth strategy, and alongside the Head of Operations and Head of Education and Engagement, to ensure that DSMF is a well-managed and successful charity with a clear strategic vision. 

Suitable candidates will:

• Be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol.
• Have experience of strategy development and delivery, business and work stream development and income generation.
• Have a deep understanding of finance and market conditions.
• Be experienced in managing projects and performance.
• Be skilled in organisational development and people management.

Key information:

The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation is a drug and alcohol education charity, founded by Fiona and Tim Spargo-Mabbs in 2014 in response to the death of their 16-year-old son Dan having taken ecstasy. The charity aims to support young people to make safe choices and reduce harm, through increasing their understanding of the effects and risks of drugs and alcohol, and improving their life skills & resilience. They work with young people, parents, teachers and professionals, in schools, colleges and communities across the UK.

This role will be primarily based in the DSMF office with some opportunities for remote working.

Closing date for applications: 20th January 2026

Shortlisting: Week beginning 26th January 2026

Interviews: 23rd February 2026

Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) is the Governing Body for recreational cricket in Derbyshire, delivering services in support of the cricket community across the county.  It is one of 39 County Cricket Boards/Foundations in England & Wales and works in partnership with a number of key stakeholders to develop the recreational game locally in line with the strategy developed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). We have an ambition to inspire a generation to say, “Cricket is a game for me”.  The DCF is also a registered charity that aims to improve well-being and provide opportunities for diverse communities across the County through cricket. The Business Development Manager will develop and leverage local partnerships with sponsors, stakeholders, and funding bodies to support these aims.

The primary work location for the Business Development Manager will be at the County Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby, but the role will require travel on a regular basis as the role will be proactive in engaging stakeholders across Derbyshire in support of the DCF strategy and business plan. The position provides an opportunity, for Business Development Manager to work flexibly, and this is likely to include the occasional requirement to participate in some evening and weekend commitments.

Purpose and Focus of the Role

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager with excellent relationship management skills to help develop and sustainably grow the impact of our business by identifying and securing new investment to support the delivery of DCF programmes and activity. This will include working with existing corporate and charity partners, and establishing new relationships with Corporate sponsors, individual donors, and Trusts & Foundations.

You will develop and use stewardship tools to guide donors and partnerships through their giving journey, including cultivation plans, proposals, and reports. You will be involved in sourcing and presenting tailored information, making appropriate financial and non-financial requests. The responsibilities of the Business Development Manager will include:

• Fundraising Strategy & Implementation
• High Value Relationship Management
• Corporate Partnerships
• Trusts & Foundations
• Profile & Impact
• Leadership & Management
• Governance & Compliance

The Family Treatment Service (TFTS) is a respected, CQC-registered, not-for-profit mental health clinic based in Wimbledon Village. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals, couples, and families, with specialist services, and a growing multidisciplinary team.

As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we are seeking a Managing Director to take over day-to-day leadership from our founding team. This is a rare opportunity to guide a well-established and values-driven service through transition—maintaining our clinical integrity while strengthening operational systems and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation through a structured transition period, working closely with the founders to preserve TFTS’s ethos and high standards of care.
• Oversee all business and operational functions, including HR, finance, governance, and compliance.
• Ensure full CQC and regulatory compliance, with strong governance and risk management.
• Develop and deliver a strategic plan for sustainable growth, innovation, and service development.
• Foster a positive, inclusive culture—supporting staff wellbeing, communication, and professional development.

About You

• Proven senior leadership experience in a CQC-registered healthcare, charity, or not-for-profit setting.
• Strong commercial and operational management skills with financial oversight experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills—able to lead with empathy during change.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of implementing operational improvements.
• (Desirable) Experience in mental health or family-centred services and leading organisational transformation.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Programmes, a pivotal role at the heart of our mission. You will lead the design, delivery, and impact of Belong’s programmes across England and Wales, ensuring they are strategic, inclusive, and evidence-based. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, you will shape programme strategy, oversee complex portfolios, and drive systemic change that strengthens social cohesion nationwide.

As Director of Programmes, you will:

• Lead strategic development and delivery of Belong’s place-based programmes, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.
• Oversee programme design, implementation, evaluation, and learning to guarantee quality and measurable impact.
• Line manage a talented team of Programme Leads and Coordinators, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
• Apply systems thinking to understand the interconnected nature of community, policy, and service ecosystems.
• Build and maintain high-level partnerships with funders, commissioners, local authorities, and community organisations.
• Represent Belong at national forums, events, and networks, championing our work and influence.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for programme development and funding, supporting organisational growth.

This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will play a key role in shaping Belong’s future and ensuring our programmes make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.

About You
We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader with:

• Proven experience in leading complex programme portfolios and delivering impactful initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a track record of shaping programme strategy.
• Excellent leadership and line management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders, from senior decision-makers to community partners.
• Familiarity with systems change and participatory approaches.
• Understanding of social cohesion, integration, and related social policy issues.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Highly organised, diplomatic, and politically astute, with experience in income generation and bid development.

Desirable: Experience in areas such as Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.

Personal qualities matter too: we’re looking for someone passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK, collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 12 January 2026

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through innovative place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses, and we are proud to champion collaboration, diversity, and evidence-led approaches.

*Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.*