58 Courses and community engagement officer jobs

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees

The role

At Cruse, our strategy, sets out our charity’s plans to grow our income and build on our expertise and unique position in the sector. We provide expert bereavement and grief information and support, and our charity has been supporting people for over 65 years. We support adults, children and young people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, through our national services, over 80 local branches and online information about grief and bereavement.

Working within the Fundraising Operations and Supporter Care Team and reporting to the Fundraising Operations and Supporter Care Manager, the Supporter Care and Data Officer will deliver excellent customer care to our supporters, responding to enquiries, and thanking supporters to help drive income and show them how valued they are to Cruse Bereavement Support. You’ll work with the fundraising CRM to ensure and maintain the quality of information available and support the Commercial Income Team (c25% of time) with administrative tasks.

How to apply

Your application must consist of a CV and covering letter, which outlines your suitability for the role with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification and should be no longer than two pages. Please note that if you application does not include both a CV and covering letter, your application may not be considered. 

The closing date for applications is 25 September 2026 with interviews taking place week commencing 5 October 2026. We reserve the right to close the advert early, as interviews will be held as suitable candidates apply.

Please be advised that if you do not hear from us by 5 October 2026, unfortunately on this occasion you have not been shortlisted.

Cruse welcomes and encourages applications from all protected groups as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Appointment will be made on merit.

Criminal Record Checks

All staff are required to complete a Criminal Record check. Staff working directly with clients will be required to complete an enhanced check. We comply with the relevant codes of practice and they can be viewed online:

Applicants in England and Wales: DBS Code of Practice

Applicants in Northern Ireland: AccessNI Code of Practice

Previous convictions will not prevent full consideration of your application to work with Cruse. Our Recruitment of Ex-offenders’ Policy & Handling Criminal Record Check Data Policy are available on request by email.

We comply with all relevant data protection legislation and process your data fairly.

Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement.

A defining feature of our approach is our network of more than 100 Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) across Essex. These community-based organisations are at the heart of our delivery model, providing trusted relationships, local insight and direct support within the communities they serve. Working closely with our LTO network enables us to reach those who may be least likely to engage with traditional services and ensure support is tailored to local needs.

Through partnerships with our LTOs, we deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. This role will play a key part in developing and strengthening these relationships, helping our LTO network to maximise its impact and deliver positive outcomes for young people and communities across Essex.

Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

Active Essex Foundation works to improve life chances for young people and communities across Essex by focusing on three core areas: mental health, youth crime prevention, and strengthening communities. Through our programme structure, we co-design community-led initiatives that use physical activity and positive engagement as tools to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

The Sport for Development Officer will play a key role in supporting the delivery and growth of these programmes. Working closely with our programme leads, locally trusted organisations (LTOs), and community stakeholders, the postholder will help strengthen organisational capability, and ensure high-quality delivery across our mental health, youth crime prevention and community strengthening work. The role will also contribute to the leadership of workstreams aligned with our strategic Outcomes, supporting the Foundation’s mission.

The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. They should demonstrate a track record of delivering impactful projects or initiatives at local or county level, applying a systems approach to complex community issues, and using strengths-based methods to build resilience and capacity within local organisations.

The post holder will work with AEF staff across the business to deliver the duties and responsibilities set out below.

Activities and Events Officer

Are you passionate about helping older people stay connected, active, and engaged in their local community? Age UK Kensington and Chelsea is looking for an enthusiastic and organised Activities and Events Officer to support the delivery of a vibrant programme of activities, clubs, courses, trips, and events designed to reduce isolation and loneliness among older people.

In this rewarding role, you will help create welcoming and inclusive opportunities that enable older people to build confidence, form meaningful friendships, learn new skills, and maintain their independence.

Working closely with colleagues, volunteers and community partners, you will play an important part in planning and delivering activities that promote wellbeing, social connection, and a sense of belonging.

If you are confident and a people-focused individual with excellent organisational skills and a commitment to improving the lives of older people, we would love to hear from you!!

We are interviewing on a rolling basis, so pleae don't delay applying! 
Unfortunately we're unable to respond to all unsuccessful applicants.

The Sports Development Officer role develops, leads and coordinates sports activity programmes that increase participation and use sport to improve health, reduce crime and build social inclusion - working to the Selby Trust’s ‘Selby Active Sports Strategy’. 

In this role you will: 

• Grow and diversify Selby Active's sports portfolio while sustaining existing relationships (i.e. charities, the NHS, local authorities (Haringey Council and Enfield Council), funders (Including Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board and Middlesex in the Community), schools and colleges and sport national governing bodies (NGBs).

• Build and maintain partnerships with strategic and local stakeholders

• Focus delivery on under-represented groups — young people, women, older and disabled people, and ethnically diverse communities

• Address issues of health, crime, and social inclusion

The role requires flexible work, including some evenings and weekends, to achieve the best possible outcome within available resources.

Principal accountabilities

• Recruit, supervise, train and manage Selby Active coaches, staff, volunteers and instructors, ensuring high-quality service delivery.

• Lead project coordination, planning, ongoing development and budget management, setting high-quality standards; work with the Partnerships and Funding Manager on sports bids.

• Identify sport, recreation and health initiatives, overseeing strategic planning and implementation.

• Coordinate, deliver and promote activities, classes and events - particularly for under-represented groups - working with internal colleagues and Haringey and Enfield Councils to develop a varied programme for the new Selby Centre.

• Engage informal and registered sports groups, especially those in our community, ensuring they are aware of the activities available to them.

• Represent Selby Trust and build effective relationships with sports users, volunteers, local sports groups, local authorities and awarding/professional bodies, including at local, regional and national meetings, seminars and conferences.

• Lead engagement with sports partners and proactively reach out to local clubs, delivering against KPIs and drawing on their collective expertise.

• Support capacity-building for small sports organisations, including identifying organisations for Selby's GLA-supported business support programme.

• Organising workshops, accredited courses and mentoring programmes.

• Monitor and evaluate our on-site activities and services, interpreting data to produce high-quality reports and presentations for funders and stakeholders (including the Board of Trustees and local authorities).

• Identify, apply for and provide information on sports grants and sponsorship, working with the Partnerships and Funding Manager.

• Co-lead the capture of stories, case studies and content for Selby Trust's digital channels.

• Work with Pre- and Post-16 initiatives to encourage sports participation and parental involvement.

• Check venues and manage facilities.

• Develop a community membership scheme.

• Work within relevant guidelines, including equal opportunities, health and safety, and safeguarding and child protection.

Requirements and skills: Essential

• Passion for sport

• A relevant qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience in sports development, coaching or community engagement

• Experience in community sports groups/club engagement and organising effective outreach & events

• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, and in producing reports and delivering presentations

• Strong and effective written/verbal communication skills

• Proven ability to engage and communicate with people from a wide range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds – including older and disabled people –and openness listening to and reflecting diverse views

• Stakeholder management and network building

• Good organisational skills – able to prioritise workload, manage time and meet deadlines, working both on own initiative and as part of a team

• Good level of working knowledge in Office 365 – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint

Requirements and skills: Desirable

• Understanding of social justice issues, particularly in relation to community empowerment

• Familiarity using HR systems, I.e. Bright HR

• Knowledge of local community and statutory and non-governmental organisations locally

• Knowledge of working with a CRM system and/or Project management system such as Salesforce

We are looking for a passionate and engaging Youth Engagement Officer to join our new Thriving Change Makers programme, supporting young people aged 14–20 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) to develop their confidence, leadership skills and ability to create positive change in their communities.

You will build trusted relationships with young people, schools and community organisations, recruit participants and facilitate engaging Youth Social Action Hub sessions. You will mentor young people to identify issues that matter to them and turn their ideas into social action projects, campaigns and activities.

You will also help young people develop their leadership skills and access opportunities such as Youth Ambassador, peer leadership, advisory and governance roles, while ensuring participation is inclusive, safe, accessible and genuinely youth-led.

We are looking for someone with experience of working directly with young people and facilitating inclusive group activities, who can build positive relationships, provide effective mentoring and support young people to take ownership of their ideas. Experience of youth-led social action or community projects would be an advantage.

This is a great opportunity to join an exciting new programme and help young people find their voice, develop their potential and lead change in their communities.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details about the role and requirements.

What we offer:

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 28 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Flexible and hybrid working (dependent on role) to ensure you enjoy a good work-life balance.
• Christmas office closure
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• Pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 3% employer contribution
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Promoting a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

At CB Plus, we promote a diverse and inclusive workplace where we can all be ourselves. Everyone is treated fairly, individual differences are celebrated, and all employees are valued and respected. We actively encourage applications from disabled applicants, including those with mental health conditions, people from Global Majority and minoritised communities, and those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria as outlined in the Disability Confident Scheme. However, in the event of a high number of applicants, it may not be possible to interview all candidates who meet these criteria, and we reserve the right to limit interviews to a manageable number.

We also have experience supporting Access to Work applications to ensure that employees who need adjustments have the support they need to feel confident and do their best in their roles.

If you need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.

Join Edinburgh Food Project and grow vital income to provide emergency food aid, support and advice to people in hardship, helping create an Edinburgh without poverty, where everyone has what they need to thrive.

As a Fundraising Officer at Edinburgh Food Project, you will play a key role in generating income, building supporter relationships and raising awareness of our work across Edinburgh.

This is a varied, hands-on fundraising role for an experienced fundraiser who can confidently work across corporate, community, individual and event fundraising, with a particular focus on developing individual and corporate income.

We’re looking for a well-rounded fundraiser to help grow income and supporter engagement across funding streams. You’ll build strong relationships, develop new fundraising opportunities, deliver engaging events and campaigns, and provide excellent supporter stewardship.

If you’re proactive, creative, relationship-focused and passionate about making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Edinburgh Food Project offers a range of benefits including generous annual leave, competitive salaries, flexible working, and training opportunities.

An exciting opportunity!

This is a rare and genuinely exciting opportunity to lead the UK's only dedicated charity supporting children, adults and families affected by MPS, Fabry disease and related lysosomal storage disorders. Following the current Chief Executive's planned move to become Managing Director of Rare Disease Research Partners (RDRP) in January 2027, the incoming CEO will take the helm of an organisation with over forty years of history, a trusted national reputation and a growing role on the international rare disease stage. The successful candidate will shape the strategic vision for more than 1,800 families, oversee the close partnership between the Society and its research subsidiary RDRP, and champion the patient and family ethos that sits at the heart of the organisation's work. It is an opportunity to combine ambitious strategic leadership with deeply meaningful, human impact, working alongside a committed Board, Senior Leadership Team and wider community of clinicians, researchers and pharmaceutical partners.

As our next Chief Executive, you will

• Define and deliver the MPS Society’s strategic vision.
• Provide confident oversight of governance, finance, compliance and reporting.
• Effectively manage the operational alignment between the MPS Society and RDRP.
• Always keep the members and family voice at the heart of strategy, service design and decision-making.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with statutory bodies, government agencies, pharmaceutical partners, clinical expert centres and other key stakeholders to support the Society’s objectives, influence policy and practice, and protect its professional reputation.
• Act as a visible and credible public voice to raise awareness, improve visibility, support, treatment access and outcomes for people affected by MPS, Fabry disease and related conditions.
• Collaborate with other rare disease bodies, patient organisations and other key audiences.
• Lead and empower the senior leadership team through effective delegation, early involvement in strategic discussions, clear accountability and support for individuals to flourish.
• Encourage an open, supportive work environment allowing creativity and building staff confidence.
• Help shape the future of the MPS Society.

About you

•  Self-motivated, with the drive to lead the organisation through a period of change and transition.
• Unquestionable probity and personal integrity, given the trust placed in the CEO by families, trustees and partners.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex scientific and clinical information to audiences ranging from clinicians to families with no prior knowledge of MPS disorders.
• Strong self-awareness, with insight into their own leadership style and impact on others.
• Emotional resilience, able to sustain performance while supporting a community facing life limiting conditions.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style, able to build trust, delegate effectively and help individuals across the organisation flourish.
• Genuine passion for the Society's mission, with a family and member-first ethos.
• Confidence to build relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, from beneficiaries and Trustees to politicians, media and pharmaceutical partners.
• A proactive, positive approach, comfortable reacting to change and organising their own work to meet deadlines.
• Confidence speaking publicly on behalf of the organisation and the people it represents.

Why join us?

A close-knit, values-led culture. With just over thirty staff across the Society and RDRP combined, this is a place where the CEO can know the team personally, work closely with families day-to-day, and see the direct results of decisions rather than managing at a distance through layers of bureaucracy.

• Genuine autonomy to shape direction. The Board is explicitly looking to the new CEO to bring fresh thinking on technology, AI, and digital tools, and to give real freedom to modernise fundraising, services, and engagement rather than simply maintaining what already exists.
• A stable foundation to build from over forty years of track record, trusted relationships and a strong national reputation mean the incoming CEO can focus energy on vision and growth rather than firefighting or rebuilding credibility from scratch.
• Proximity to cutting-edge science: the Society's close relationship with RDRP gives the CEO regular exposure to advances in rare disease research and treatment access, while day-to-day research leadership sits with the RDRP Managing Director, allowing the CEO to focus on strategy, people and sustainability.
• A high-visibility, high-influence platform. Regular contact with government, pharmaceutical companies, clinicians and international rare disease bodies offers strong opportunities to build a public profile and personal network well beyond the charity sector.
• A team that already shares the mission. Staff are described as passionate about the Society's aims, and as having a family-first ethos, so the new CEO inherits a culture to lead and empower rather than one that needs to be built from the ground up.
• Work with a different kind of return. Beyond salary and career progression, this role offers the less tangible reward of knowing that strategic and financial decisions translate, into better support for families facing some of the rarest conditions in the country.

Benefits

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Contributory pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

The main duties, responsibilities and requirements of this role can be viewed in the job description on our website.

Salary to be agreed depending on experience and will be pro-rata for part time hours.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This senior role requires flexibility in working hours and location.  It is primarily offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham, Buckinghamshire, office each week. As part of the role, UK and overseas travel is necessary, which may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked over the weekend are fairly compensated through TOIL.

This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) details of which can be found in the job description.

For an informal discussion about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Dr Fiona Stewart.  Contact details can be found on the full job description. Kindly note, meetings with other relevant people will be available to shortlisted candidates at interview stage.  

Join Clergy Support Trust's outstanding External Relations Team as External Engagement Officer (12-month maternity cover) and play a key role in fundraising, events, and digital comms. Use your creativity and organisational skills to support historic events, engage supporters, and make a real impact for clergy families.

About the Role
The External Engagement Officer provides vital administrative and operational support across fundraising, events, and communications. This is ideal for someone in their second role, looking to develop a broad range of skills in a supportive environment. Working in a small and dynamic team, the External Engagement Officer supports and leads on projects, with a focus on communications, fundraising, events, marketing, and press. 

About the candidate:

• Highly organised and technologically adept (especially with CRM systems like Salesforce)
• Motivated, with at least 1 year of experience in communications, fundraising, or event management
• Confident, resilient, and able to coordinate complex event logistics
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Team-oriented, adaptable, and committed to the wellbeing of the clergy community

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising and Data Support

• Manage contacts and maintain up-to-date CRM records
• Add weekly bank donations to Salesforce and reconcile monthly income
• Lead on thanking supporters (managing emails/cards)
• Assist with legacy giving administration
• Support prospect research for fundraising
• Liaise with Finance Team on income and gift processing

2. Events – Logistics and Administration

• Manage guest lists, RSVPs, and name badges using CRM
• Act as point of contact for event bookings and assist with seating plans
• Provide on-site support at events (registration, hospitality, donor care)
• Post-event coordination including post-event feedback 

3. Communications and Digital Engagement

• Monitor and manage team inboxes
• Assist with social media management including DMs, replying to comments, and content creation
• Oversee logistics of print advertising (bookings, invoicing, transfer of creative files)

4. General / Team Support

• Maintain inventory of fundraising/event materials
• Proactively update Salesforce with missing information
• Provide general admin support and contribute creative ideas

This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual looking for a broad-scope role to development their skills in comms, engagement, events and fundraising in a high-performing team.

If you are passionate about making a difference for PWS families in Northern Ireland, we want to hear from you!
PWSA UK is a small charity providing lifelong support to all those affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). PWS is a rare genetic condition causing an overwhelming and uncontrollable drive to eat that can be life-limiting, as well as learning and physical disabilities. We provide a dedicated helpline, a comprehensive information hub, a network of peer support groups, a varied programme of community events, training for professionals working with those with PWS, and support for vital research. Our aim is to help our amazing community overcome the challenges and live life to the full with PWS.
We are looking for a part time PWS Specialist Adviser for Northern Ireland to support the PWS community in Northern Ireland. PWS is a rare and isolating condition and our ambition it to reach families in Northern Ireland to provide impactful advice, support, information and training. The ideal candidate will have an in-depth working knowledge of health and social care systems and education in Northern Ireland as well as a belief in the potential and value of people with Prader-Willi syndrome. 
You will need to be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as being self-motivated and able to engage with families, health care professionals and policy makers. You will build on the excellent work of our existing support worker to continue engage and enable the PWS community. 
The position is part time (14 - 18 hours a week) and is home based and ideal for someone living in Northern Ireland

We’re looking for a Training Officer to help us develop and deliver high quality learning and professional development for people working with and for young people across the North West.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creating and delivering engaging training and supporting others to learn and grow.

Working with our Learning, Workforce Development & Equality Manager, you’ll help shape our learning offer and support a skilled, confident and connected youth sector workforce.

What you’ll be doing

• Design and deliver engaging training and workshops (online and in person)

• Build relationships with learners, partners and organisations

• Support learning events, networks and Communities of Practice

• Use feedback and evaluation to improve what we do

We’re looking for someone who has:

• experience of training, facilitation or learning and development

• confidence delivering engaging sessions to different audiences

• good communication and organisational skills

• an understanding of youth work or the issues affecting young people

• a commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding

More information in attached recruitment pack - closing date Monday 21 Sep 2026 @ 12 pm

Interviews will be held in person on Tuesday 29 September 2026.

We are recruiting for a Senior Community & Events Fundraising Officer

Role Purpose

Working within Stonepillow’s Income Generation team, the Senior Community & Events Fundraising Officer will lead and grow Stonepillow’s events, challenge events and community fundraising activity, generating unrestricted income and building long term relationships with supporters.

Key Areas:

Events & Challenge Fundraising

• Lead Stonepillow’s events fundraising function, taking ownership of the planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of Stonepillow led fundraising events.
• Develop and deliver an annual programme of fundraising events, identifying opportunities to grow income, participation and supporter engagement.
• Manage event budgets, timelines, venues, suppliers, volunteers and event day delivery.
• Monitor event and challenge income, expenditure and performance against agreed targets and KPIs.

Community Fundraising & Supporter Stewardship

• Proactively build new relationships across the local community, actively identifying and pursuing new fundraising opportunities.
• Be a visible representative of Stonepillow, attending community events, networking opportunities, talks and presentations.

CRM & Reporting

• Work closely with the Partnerships and Community Fundraising Manager and wider Income Generation team to deliver Stonepillow’s fundraising plan and agreed income targets.
• Maintain accurate supporter, event and fundraising information on Donorfy and ensure appropriate stewardship activity is recorded.

The benefits of working at Stonepillow:

• Healthcare and wellbeing support including access to in-app virtual appointments with NHS registered GPs and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance programme with face-to-face counselling
• A medical cashback scheme and retail discounts
• Stakeholder pension, employer contribution of 5%
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)

A bit about us:

Stonepillow support and empower homeless and vulnerable people with compassion and commitment to achieve sustainable independence and wellbeing and make positive changes in their lives.

If you are reading this after the 15th September please understand that we will have started shortlisting at this point; however (regardless of when you apply) all applications will be carefully reviewed and we will be in touch with everyone in due course.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a high volume of applications has been received.

Early applications are encouraged, interviews will commence before the closing date if suitable candidates are identified

Stonepillow is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Do you want to be part of a dynamic and innovative fundraising team? Do you want to raise money for some of society’s most pressing challenges and play a key role in an ambitious fundraising and volunteering campaign?

We are looking to recruit a Philanthropy Officer to join us at this very exciting time. The Philanthropy Officer will be responsible for the relationship management of a portfolio of around 100 prospective donors in order to raise funds for a range of key projects. They will be responsible for the entire prospect relationship management process including researching, cultivating, asking and stewarding. 

This role will play an integral part in supporting donations to improve student experience and across key areas of research.

As part of an award-winning team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you’ll get the chance to work across the team and wider university to encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable and significant £10k plus gifts. You will also have the opportunity to work with our senior team on proposals to top donors enabling you to get experience of working with some of the most successful and experienced major gift fundraisers in the UK Higher Education sector. 

You will be provided with a robust induction and an ongoing training program that will include support from the University as well as expert external providers.

As a Philanthropy Officer you will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors. You will have the confidence to ask for donations, be a strong communicator, and be passionate about making a difference to some of the biggest challenges the world faces.

The Philanthropy Officer will take ownership of the end-to-end relationship management process of a prospect, from initial research to stewardship activity:

1. Personally manage a portfolio of circa 100 of the University’s (4- and 5-figure) donors and prospective donors, maintaining close relationships with each prospect and integrating them with the University whenever possible to bring the prospective donors to the point where you can ask for philanthropic support.

2. Secure over £100,000 of donation pledges in the first year and develop a sustainable pipeline of prospects and philanthropic income.

3. Demonstrate an understanding that successful fundraising is based on building effective relationships, which match a prospective donor’s philanthropic interest with an area of strength and/or opportunity at the University. Be responsible for the end-to-end relationship management process of your contacts including:

· Identifying new prospective donors from your networks.

· Making the approach and managing a cultivation process, tailored to your prospect.

· Understanding the University’s campaign priorities and bringing them to life for individual supporters. through various communication channels.

· Asking confidently, passionately and effectively for key priorities.

· Building long-term relationships that are centred on the donor, including maximising volunteering opportunities where appropriate.

· Stewarding the donor once a gift is made, ensuring the individual remains connected to the University, the project, and the impact which they have made.

4. Responsible for adhering to relevant fundraising regulation and GDPR whilst ensuring fundraising processes are ethical and that due diligence is undertaken as necessary.

5. Deliver against set targets including money raised, asks made, meetings secured and gift close rate.

6. Communicate effectively with prospects, donors, volunteers, alumni, academics, researchers and businesses using a wide range of communication skills.

7. Communicate effectively with prospects and donors by phone, email, LinkedIn, letter and face-to-face.

8. Work internally with academics to showcase projects to potential donors and work with colleagues across the university to bring gifts to fruition.

9. Work closely with the Volunteering, Events, Campaign Management, Donor Experience, Regular Giving and Legacy Teams to maximise opportunities for collaboration with prospective donors.

10. Working in partnership with other fundraisers and members of DARO including sharing best practice and ensuring prospect development by playing in senior stakeholders at the right time.

11. Use Blackbaud CRM to record meetings and proposals effectively to allow accurate performance monitoring and reporting.

12. Take ownership of all processes and communications in relation to your prospects to include writing proposals, first approach communication, thank you letters and gift paperwork as appropriate.

13. Work with the Philanthropic Finance Team to ensure pledges are fulfilled and donations are correctly managed.

14. Being familiar with methods of tax efficient giving in the UK.

15. Seeking out opportunities for professional development.

16.  Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff.

17.  Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.

18.  Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Take the next step in your fundraising career

Lauderdale House is looking for an experienced fundraiser who is ready for a role with more responsibility and the opportunity to help shape how fundraising develops across the organisation.

This is our first dedicated fundraising role, but you won't be starting from scratch. We have successful previous trust fundraising, established education and community programmes, previous individual donors and a large community of people with a long-standing connection to Lauderdale House.

Working closely with the Director, you'll help develop fundraising into a consistent and sustainable income stream, with a particular focus on Trusts & Foundations andIndividual & Legacy Giving.

You'll develop and manage a pipeline of trust and foundation applications, write compelling applications and reports, build relationships with funders and develop approaches to encourage longer-term support.

You'll also help establish our individual and legacy giving programme, researching and cultivating prospective donors, making fundraising approaches, developing donor stewardship and putting appropriate systems in place for donor data and Gift Aid.

Alongside this, you'll contribute to fundraising strategy, impact and evaluation, cases for support, fundraising communications, reporting and compliance.

About you

We're looking for someone with solid practical fundraising experience and a track record of securing income who is ready to take the next step in their career and possesses all or most of the following:

• a successful track record in fundraising relevant to this role, preferably in arts, heritage and/or community organisations;
• experience managing your own fundraising workload or portfolio with a good degree of independence;
• the confidence to use your judgement, make recommendations and move work forward without extensive day-to-day supervision;
• experience taking responsibility for fundraising targets or income goals;
• a strong understanding of fundraising trends, especially within the arts, heritage and community sectors;
• an understanding of the role of fundraising in organisational growth;
• knowledge of fundraising regulations, data protection, ethical standards and best practice;
• experience using CRM systems, databases or other tools for data mining and supporting prospecting;
• strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills and the confidence to develop relationships with funders, donors and prospective supporters;
• the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues who aren't fundraising specialists;
• excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• the ability to influence people and inspire trust;
• strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities;
• creative and lateral problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with the unexpected;
• a positive attitude and willingness to help where needed;
• confident use of Microsoft Office and the ability to learn other relevant software;
• excellent and accurate attention to detail;
• an interest in arts, heritage, education and/or community activity and the impact organisations such as Lauderdale House can have; and
• a commitment to equality and diversity.

You don't need to have previously been a Head of Fundraising or run an entire fundraising function. You might currently be a Fundraising Officer, Senior Fundraising Officer, Development Officer or similar and be ready for a role with more responsibility and scope to use your own judgement.

Above all, we're looking for someone who combines fundraising knowledge and real experience with initiative. You won't be expected to arrive knowing everything about Lauderdale House, but you should have enough fundraising experience to recognise opportunities, recommend a course of action and confidently take responsibility for delivering it.

About Lauderdale House

Lauderdale House is a Grade II* historic house in Waterlow Park, Highgate, brought to life as a busy arts, heritage, education and community centre. Around 80,000 people visit us each year, and in 2028 we will celebrate 50 years as an arts and education centre.

Salary: £37,818
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Holiday: 25 working days plus public holidays
Location: Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate N6 – on-site, not suitable for remote or hybrid working

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter to Director Katherine Ives, with the subject ‘Application for Fundraising Manager’.

Your covering letter should explain why the role interests you and how your experience meets the essential requirements. We'd particularly like to hear about fundraising work you have personally been responsible for and examples of income you have successfully helped to secure.

Please also include contact details for two referees and let us know at what point they may be contacted. We will not contact referees without your permission.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Director Katherine Ives.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Application deadline: 9am on 5 October
First interviews: w/c 12 October
Second interviews: w/c 19 October