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!
Contract Type: Maternity Cover for 12 months
Assessment Centre: 9th of October in our Manchester centre
Are you ready to make a real impact on the lives of young people? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where every day is a chance to make a difference? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
At The King's Trust, we're on a mission to empower our young people to reach their full potential. And right now, we're on the lookout for someone who's as passionate about this mission as we are. If you're up for the challenge, join our team as a Youth Development Lead, and let's make a real difference together. As a Youth Development Lead, you'll be the driving force behind our Development Award Programmes. These programs are all about giving young people aged 16-30 the boost they need to enhance their skills, find their path in education, training, or employment, and build a brighter future. It's not just a job; it's an opportunity to be a mentor, a guide, and a champion of change.
You'll work closely with our Outreach and Marketing colleagues and our customer service centre to ensure that young people are not only safely recruited but also engaged effectively. Your teamwork will be the driving force behind our mission.
If you've got a knack for staying organised and thriving in a fast-paced environment, this role could be perfect for you! Picture yourself as a catalyst for change, making a real impact on the lives of young people as they navigate their way through education, training, and work. Additionally, it presents an excellent opportunity for Youth Development Leads to foster meaningful connections with local colleges and organisations.
We’re also a massive advocate of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion so it would be amazing if you could lead the charge in creating an environment where everyone feels seen, by implementing a local action plan that supports our big-picture EDI goals. Let's make positive change happen!
If you feel you are flexible and someone who is ready to step in wherever needed within The Trust, including deputising as necessary in activities relevant to your area of responsibility, you could be just what we are looking for.
If you're a passionate advocate for young people, have an eye for detail, and a knack for turning challenges into opportunities, we want to hear from you.
What happens next?
Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date.
Why do we need Youth Development Leads?
Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with every three in four moving into a positive outcome for either work, education or training. Youth Development Leads play a crucial role in supporting young people, no matter the young person's background or current circumstances, to fulfil their full potential. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Youth Development Leads!
Perks for working at The Trust!
- Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year
- Flexible working! Unless the location of the role is remote, the Youth Development Lead role requires a combination of office days and working from home.
- You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc.
- In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role
- Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas.
- Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network).
- Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave.
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme
- Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)
We believe that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or the challenges they are facing.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.