Business development lead jobs

About the role:

When a family member sustains a spinal cord injury it is a life changing experience for the whole family. They can feel very isolated and that no one understands what they’re going through.

Back Up’s Family Support Service is there to help. We enable a wide range of family members of all ages whose loved one is affected by spinal cord injury (SCI) to improve their wellbeing, build a support network and transform their lives through Back Up’s services. 

The Family Support Coordinator will assist in supporting family members on an individual basis as well as in group settings as appropriate, together with providing support in the process of identifying, recruiting and training new family support volunteers.

A Family Support Coordinator will be comfortable and efficient with data management and GDPR compliance.

Lived experience of having a relative with SCI is essential, together with sharing our commitment to transform the lives of everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

For full details please see our role description.

About us:

At Back Up, we have big ambitions. Over the next few years, we’re going to be transforming the lives of even more people affected by spinal cord injury.

Together we’ll be working hard to make sure everyone affected by spinal cord injury has access to the support they deserve; and we are the only spinal cord injury charity in the UK providing specific services to children and young people.

At Back Up, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds or those with higher level spinal cord injuries.

In 2024 Back Up won The Times and The Sunday Times Spotlight Award for Best place to work for disabled employees. As well as this, Back Up has been voted one of the top ten charities to work for (Third Sector Best Charities 2020). The enthusiastic, inclusive and supportive spirit of our very skilled staff ensure excellence in the services we deliver.

About Us

Age UK Lewisham and Southwark (AUKLS) is a local, independent, self-funded charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Lewisham and Southwark. We pride ourselves on our open and participative working environment, adhering to core values of fairness and equality as a service provider, employer, and partner. We are proud to partner with Macmillan Cancer Support to provide essential social prescribing and Cancer Champion services to individuals affected by cancer, through 2 year and 3-year funding, respectively.

Help shape a more inclusive, compassionate approach to cancer support.

At Age UK Lewisham and Southwark, we believe everyone deserves access to personalised, culturally sensitive care. That’s why we’re looking for a Macmillan Personalised Care Cancer Social Prescribing Facilitator to support people affected by cancer — especially those from underrepresented communities — to access the culturally sensitive services and support they need to live well.

Why This Role Matters

This post will support adults in Lewisham who are experiencing cancer treatment and want to take proactive steps to get and stay well. Depending on the goals they set for themselves, you will introduce them to exercise classes, adult learning opportunities, social groups and other wellbeing opportunities to keep their minds focused on the future and getting better.

You’ll work directly with people living with cancer to:

• Complete Holistic Needs Assessments (HNAs)
• Co-create Personalised Care and Support Plans
• Connect individuals to local wellbeing, mental health, and community services
• Break down barriers to access for those often left behind

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Empathetic, patient, and passionate about community health
• Experienced in working with vulnerable adults and diverse communities
• Committed to equity, inclusion, and person-centred care
• Skilled in communication, collaboration, and motivational interviewing
• Organised, proactive, and confident using digital tools

We Welcome You

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations. If you’ve never seen yourself in a role like this before — we encourage you to apply. We offer:

• Anonymised shortlisting to reduce bias
• Reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process
• Applications in alternative formats (written/audio)

Staff benefits

• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time). Additional day's leave for Birthday
• One day a year for volunteering
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme, including access to 24/7 helpline for partners and dependents
• Flexi time scheme allowing the claiming back of additional hours worked
• Other flexible working options, including working from home (where appropriate)
• Generous contractual sick pay scheme, allowing staff to recover without the worry of loss of income
• CycleScheme members – enabling employees to save 25-39% of the cost of a new bike & accessories whilst also spreading the cost
• TechScheme members – enabling employees to purchase tech through AUKLS and spread the cost from their salary

Imagine playing a key role in transforming the lives of children and young people with visual impairments through the power of a dog. As a Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist, you’ll help them gain confidence, independence, and joy through the unique and powerful connection with a well-matched, well-trained dog. If you have a person-centred approach to care, and the ability to build relationships that truly matter, this is your opportunity to be part of something deeply rewarding.

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In this role, you'll work closely with children and their families, understanding their individual needs and aspirations to deliver tailored training, support, and guidance throughout their Buddy Dog journey. From delivering engaging workshops to conducting home visits and offering ongoing aftercare, your insight and empathy will be essential to making every partnership a success. You'll see the opportunity to develop young people's skills though animal assisted interventions and empower families to reach their goals with your support.

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Your expertise in dog behaviour and training will also be vital. You’ll assess dogs for temperament and suitability, develop their skills through positive reinforcement techniques, and match each one thoughtfully with the right person or family. You'll consider not just the dog’s capabilities but also the lifestyle, home environment and emotional needs of each service user, ensuring a safe, lasting, and enriching bond.

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As a trusted advisor, you’ll provide professional reports, risk assessments, and progress reviews that guide key decisions. You'll be a valued part of a collaborative, compassionate team, working across departments to continually improve how we support people living with sight loss.

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This is more than a job — it’s a chance to bring meaningful change to people’s lives every single day, by creating partnerships that heal, uplift, and inspire.

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If you're ready to combine your love of dogs, people, and purpose into a truly fulfilling career, we’d love to hear from you.

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This role covers the South-West of England and requires regular travel within this region, as well as occasional national trips. You will be linked to either our Bristol or Exeter office on a regular basis, beyond this we offer a hybrid working arrangement that allows flexibility while ensuring strong collaboration with colleagues and teams. You'll be working 35 hours per week, worked 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. There will be requirement within this role to work some evenings and weekends, and due to the travel involved, occasional overnight stays.