Church relationship manager jobs in oxford, oxfordshire
Are you an outstanding Christian leader with a track-record of collaborative international working? Are you looking for the next opportunity to use your skills and experience for the benefit of a global organisation? If this is you, then you are invited to apply for the role of Chief Finance Officer at Open Doors International.
The global Chief Financial Officer of Open Doors International has a key leadership role both within the line-managed Open Doors International entity, and more widely across the Global Finance Network of development and field offices. The CFO reports to the CEO and works closely with other executives on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial Accounting (including transactional management and audit), Risk & Compliance, Treasury & Cash Management, Financial Data & Systems, Field Finance, Development Finance and Transformational Programs.
The CFO ensures Open Doors International is known for its excellent stewardship by delivering world-class and well-coordinated financial functions that contribute to excellent operations, risk management, forward-planning and mature governance.
You will:
- Be an experienced CFO with a strong track record of operating in international organisational structures, with exposure to developing markets, complex treasury and money transfer functions, and high-risk environments.
- Have experience of leading strategy formation, team supervision and timely delivery in a complex network or matrix style structures.
- Enjoy and have a matured gift of forward-planning, helping the Board, Executive Leadership Team and colleagues benefit from transparent budget plans in a dynamic missional context that will demand agility.
- Employ wise risk assessment in a context of faith, so that Open Doors can, with effectiveness and great sophistication, deliver its ministry in very challenging and at times restrictive environments.
- Bring a servant-hearted leadership gifting, including the ability to lead through influence and build consensus amongst divergent senior stakeholders; inspire trust; and take a highly relational and capacity-building approach with their colleagues.
- Have excellent communication skills - written, verbal and able to deliver insights with data; effective with a range of audiences from local staff to Board level
- Exhibit grace, to patiently but persistently mature a complex organisation moving through significant phases of growth in a rapidly evolving external environment
Your responsibilities are under the following headings (for a full explanation, please read the attached pdf):
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- Management Reports & Communication
- Accounting & Financial Controls
- Treasury and Cash Management
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Innovation & Transformation
- Leadership and People Management
Person Specification
KEY QUALITIES
Open Doors believes that spiritual maturity, character and behaviour are as important as financial competence, therefore the CFO is:
- A devoted follower of Jesus with a heart to strengthen persecuted Christians.
- Prayerful and able to take financial decisions, founded on faith in God.
- Able to build strong relationships across national cultures.
- Able to empower others and intentionally develop future finance leaders.
- Prepared to make difficult decisions and have honest conversations with grace.
- Active in a local church that supports their vocation and provides spiritual support.
- Emotionally intelligent and aware of the impact of their leadership on people.
- Experienced in negotiating and influencing at a senior level, combined with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES
- A highly skilled Finance professional, who demonstrates an appetite for continued learning and personal development.
- Approximately 15 years of senior finance operational leadership experience prefered in multi-national commercial sector and/or international charity sector.
- Significant team management experience, including remote working across different time zones.
- Proven ability to lead change, including working well across many operational disciplines (Field programs, IT, Legal and HR teams, for example).
- Oversight of a complex treasury function providing financial access across geographical locations.
- Experience communicating and providing reports to Board Audit & Finance Committee.
Open Doors International will offer a competitive salary for the post. We are open to applications from anyone who is suitable for this role, regardless of their current location, with a willingness to be located within -6hours/+2 hours Central European Time zone for ease of communication within a dispersed global ministry.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an MS Teams Interview with the Open Doors International search panel. Finalist Candidates will be asked to come to Netherlands for in-person interviews on 5 September. The Open Doors International search panel members are very aware that this is a two-way discernment process, therefore we encourage each applicant to pray to the Lord and consult their trusted and closest fellow Christians as they consider this opportunity. The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post of CFO as soon as is reasonably possible.
Thank you for taking the time to prayerfully consider this opportunity and to learn more about the work of Open Doors International.
Your application should comprise:
• A mandatory covering note of not more than two pages outlining your motivation and relevant experience for the role. This covering letter should also include the names of your three referees and one of them should be your pastor or a church leader who knows you well. Please note – these referees will not be contacted until late in the process and with your prior agreement.
• A full CV/Resume, including educational and professional qualifications, a full employment history showing the more significant positions, responsibilities held and relevant achievements.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to inspire people to play their part in God’s transforming mission in the world? The Philanthropy Lead will make an impact by finding and engaging people who understand the importance of leadership and care about mission in tough places. If you are someone who enjoys meeting new people, communicates with warmth and passion, and builds long-term trust with supporters/clients, this could be a great role for you.
Full details can be found in the Candidate Pack attached. More information about Innovista can be found on our website.
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), permanent. Applications are also welcome from candidates who wish to propose a part-time arrangement, as part of a job share.
Location: Home-based with travel for donor meetings, including occasional evenings and weekends. Requirement to attend regular team meetings in Oxford.
Salary: £35,000-£43,000 per annum FTE, depending on experience.
To apply, please follow the directions on our website.
- Closing date for applications: 11 July 2025 midday.
- Interviews will take place the week commencing 21 July.
This role has an occupational requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010).
Innovista is committed to protecting the well-being of children and adults at risk. Our Safeguarding Policy and Whistleblowing Policy are available.
Supporting Christian leaders where they’re needed most



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Closing Date: midday 21 July
Reports to: Chief Executive
Hours of work: 0.8 FTE (30hrs per week) (flexible for the right candidate)
Holidays: Uncapped annual leave, plus two week-long shutdowns
Main work address: Hybrid - a mix of remote working and time at our Abingdon office. The role involves regular travel across Oxfordshire to meet funders, partners, and community supporters, and occasional evening or weekend work for events and networking.
Closing date: midday 21 July
Interviews: w/c 28 July or w/c 4 August
About Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an education charity on a mission to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind - often due to complex and compounding disadvantage. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, with limited access to books, low parental literacy, and challenging home environments. Some face health inequalities, live in areas affected by crime, or have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum seekers.
We work closely with schools to provide targeted, high-impact literacy and numeracy programmes that give these children the chance to catch up, thrive, and believe in their potential. On average, our small-group tutoring helps pupils make 13 months of progress in just 10 hours - building not only essential skills, but also confidence, motivation, and a renewed sense of possibility.
The impact extends well beyond the classroom. By supporting children early, we help prevent the need for more complex and costly interventions later in life, from mental health support to exclusion and social care. Our work contributes to stronger, fairer communities by giving every child the foundation they need to participate fully in society. In doing so, we are advancing social sustainability and helping to meet global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Good Health and Wellbeing.
Role Purpose
This is a hands-on and outward-facing role for a confident, capable fundraiser ready to lead Quest for Learning’s income generation efforts. As our sole dedicated fundraiser, you’ll take ownership of securing income across a broad mix of streams - including trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.
You’ll be out and about representing the charity, building relationships with local businesses, community groups, and supporters, and bringing our mission to life with energy and clarity. You'll need to be a proactive self-starter who enjoys meeting people, thrives in a varied role, and is motivated by delivering results that improve life chances for disadvantaged children.
This is a busy and varied role which often involves working on multiple fundraising activities at once. A typical day could include working on an application to a new funder, designing a supporter newsletter, gathering information for an end of grant report, and researching new prospects.
This role would suit someone with experience of securing funding, managing funder relationships, and developing new opportunities - all with a focus on practical delivery. You’ll work closely with the CEO, leadership and programme teams, and our board of trustees to help grow a diverse and sustainable income base.
Key Responsibilities
Trusts and foundations
- Research and identify prospective funders, building a robust pipeline
- Write and submit compelling, tailored funding applications
- Deliver timely, high-quality reports with evidence of impact
- Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear, proactive stewardship
- Monitor success rates and financial information and adapt strategy to improve performance
Community fundraising
- Initiate and grow partnerships with local community groups (e.g. WIs, Rotary clubs, schools, churches)
- Support or coordinate local fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. fun runs, quizzes, coffee mornings)
- Attend community events to represent the charity and engage new supporters
- Equip and support individuals and groups to fundraise on our behalf
Corporate partnerships and other earned income
- Build relationships with local and regional businesses to secure sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or Charity of the Year support
- Develop creative, mutually beneficial opportunities to engage corporate partners
- Work with the CEO and board to identify and cultivate prospects
- Explore other potential income streams including education consultancy or training offers
Individual Giving and supporter engagement
- Support the development of campaigns to encourage donations from individuals
- Help create a compelling case for support across our communications
- Identify opportunities to increase visibility and supporter base (e.g. speaking engagements, community fairs)
- Ensure Quest for Learning is regularly engaging with our supporters
- Champion the use of storytelling and pupil outcomes to inspire giving
Marketing and communications (fundraising-focused)
- Develop fundraising messaging and materials with the CEO and team
- Lead on all communications relating to fundraising and supporter engagement
- Ensure consistent branding and tone across all fundraising-related comms
- Share our impact with passion and clarity to motivate supporters
Planning and systems
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our Beacon CRM
- Track income performance and contribute to budgeting and forecasting
- Create and deliver realistic workplans to manage multiple deadlines
- Liaise with programme staff to gather data and stories for funders
- Report on income and fundraising activities to CEO and trustees
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in fundraising, with a track record of securing income across multiple streams
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain our mission clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences
- Excellent bid writing and reporting skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Confidence in networking, public speaking, and relationship-building
- Proactive, self-motivated, and happy to work independently
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Values-led, personable and enthusiastic - able to represent the charity with warmth and professionalism
Desirable
- Experience working in a small charity or education setting
- Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape or local networks
- Experience with community fundraising, challenge events, or individual giving
- Skills in Canva, Mailchimp or similar content creation tools
- Familiarity with Beacon or similar fundraising CRMs
- Understanding of primary education and the barriers disadvantaged children face
- Experience producing fundraising workplans or reports for trustees
Why work with us?
Quest for Learning is a friendly, values-led education charity with a big mission and a supportive culture. We’re committed to flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth, and we believe in helping our team thrive while doing meaningful work.
We offer:
- Unlimited annual leave (minimum 28 days pro rata, plus bank holidays), with full charity shutdowns in August and at Christmas
- Flexible hybrid working with autonomy over your schedule
- A culture of trust, kindness, and high standards
- Opportunities to test ideas, develop skills and shape a growing organisation
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to make a difference to the lives of students and equip them to put their faith into action?
SCM is looking for a recent graduate to spend a year working with us to help us to continue to build on the work of our successful Faith in Action project.
Run in partnership with Project Bonhoeffer, a small charitable trust, the project began in 2012 with a vision that Christian students in Britain would have a greater awareness and understanding of Bonhoeffer’s radical approach to faith and discipleship, and its implications for Christian living in the modern world.
The project has helped to run over a dozen campaigns from Food Poverty to Peace, and had an immeasurable impact on thousands of students through blogs, resources, and relationships. All of this is bringing to light many ‘Bonhoeffers’ of today negotiating the implications on Christian living in the world.
In 2021 we developed the Faith in Action project as a graduate scheme by employing two graduates to work on the project; one to lead on theology bringing a depth of learning and theological refection, and the other to be a campaigns lead, taking us always back out into the world to make a difference.
The project has been very successful, and now we are looking to grow it for further. We are looking for a passionate graduate to join the project for the 2025-26 academic year.
In this role, you will be a theologian to make other theologians, and will provide the framework for students to be able to reflect theologically on their life and modern Christian Living. You will be responsible for growing the breadth of SCM’s Faith in Action resources, and discovering new ways of connecting with the current membership via the trends of social media or engaging in face-to-face reflections. An activist to make other activists, you will coordinate social action for SCM, engaging the membership in social justice projects that maximise our impact in society and the world.
You will work to build relationships between SCM communities and members to equip students with the skills they need to become faith-filled agents of social and political change and lead them in theological reflection to discern their involvement in local and national campaigns. You will also work to develop relationships with other Christian social justice and campaigning organisations to create opportunities for students to put their faith into action. In all of this, you will be supported by our small but perfectly-formed team, who will share your values and fully understand your aims in this project.
The role will require some travel within Britain, as well as semi-regular visits to the office in Birmingham, which may also include an overnight stay. All reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation will be reimbursed. Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu will be given.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBTQ+ individuals who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. Due to the nature of this role and the responsibilities of the successful post-holder, a genuine occupational requirement to be a committed Christian is in place for this role in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.
Please use the forms provided; CVs will not be accepted. Applications should be submitted electronically in Word format by email to the address provided in the application pack.
Student Christian Movement is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1125640, and in Scotland number SC048506
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you an accomplished and innovative leader with a proven track record, looking for a unique opportunity to dedicate one day a week to something genuinely exciting and impactful? Do you have extensive experience in the charity or related sectors and a desire to apply your strategic thinking and networks to drive forward pioneering initiatives?
The Good Faith Foundation is seeking an experienced and visionary individual to join the foundation on a part-time basis as a Charity Development Lead. This is not a standard development role; it's designed for someone with significant expertise who wants to contribute strategically and drive innovation within the Foundation. The successful candidate will help the foundation explore new avenues and shape the future direction of our work on specific, high-impact projects.
This role offers:
- A unique opportunity to apply your wealth of experience to exciting, innovative projects with genuine potential for impact.
- The chance to work strategically on complex societal challenges with significant autonomy.
- The opportunity to make a significant impact on society's most difficult problems with a limited time commitment.
- The chance to collaborate with experienced professionals dedicated to social change at a national strategic level.ch
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.