Deputy development director jobs in Cambridge

The Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) is the UK’s first charity that exists to promote high-quality journalism. Last year, we launched an ambitious ten-year mission to regenerate local news in the UK. We believe that local news is a vital part of the fabric of local communities, drawing people together around shared facts and pride in place at a time of disinformation and division.

We are pursuing our mission by (1) sourcing new funds for local news; (2) advocating for supportive government policies; and (3) celebrating local news providers from the UK and around the world that are Accountable, Sustainable, in the Public interest, Innovative, Representative and Engaging (ASPIRE).

Over the last year, we have successfully encouraged the UK Government to launch an unprecedented new £12m Local News Fund. We have also built support for our mission from US and UK donors. And we have launched initiatives such as the Tenacious Journalist Awards, to recognise and support independent news providers who are having a significant social impact.

We have a small and professional staff team and a dedicated board of trustees, and we are now looking to recruit a Programmes Officer to support our work. I hope that you will consider joining us on this exciting and important mission.

Jonathan Heawood, Executive Director

Summary of the Role

Title: Programmes Officer

Salary: £30,000

Benefits: 33 days annual leave including Bank Holidays; 7% employer pension contribution; professional development budget; flexible working

Type: Fixed-term renewable 12-month contract

Time commitment: 35 hours per week, with some scope for flexible working

Location: Remote, with occasional meetings in London or other UK locations, for which PINF will pay travel expenses from within the UK

Reporting to: Deputy Director, who will provide overall line management and lead 60% of the Programmes Officer’s work

Working closely with: Campaigns & Communications Manager, who will lead the remaining 40% of the Programme Officer’s work

Purpose of the Role

The Programmes Officer will support the PINF team across our three workstreams: the Local News Fund; Local News Campaign; and Local News Futures programme.

· Through the Local News Fund, we work with grantmakers and social investors (including government-backed fund managers) to unlock new economic resources for local news across the UK.

· Through the Local News Campaign, we work with the BBC, big tech firms, central and local government, MPs, Peers and regulators to shape a positive enabling environment for local news across the UK.

· Through the Local News Futures programme, we work with academics, civil society organisations, journalism support organisations and local news providers to showcase models of local news with the most positive impact.

The Programmes Officer will provide support with events, research and campaigns across these workstreams, and will also provide support with our organisational functions, including communications, fundraising and governance.

By providing efficient and effective support to the team, the Programmes Officer will unlock new potential for PINF to deliver our charitable purpose.

Key Responsibilities

Events

· Support the Deputy Director with the successful delivery of the annual Local News Forum by:

o Maintaining a comprehensive and up to date project plan

o Contributing to the effective marketing of the event within PINF’s network of independent local news providers and stakeholders

o Managing ticket sales and maintaining an accurate database of invitees and participants

o Contributing to effective working relationships with partners and suppliers, including venues and sponsors

o Managing speakers

o Supporting budget administration, including tracking agreed expenditure and processing spending in line with approved budgets and under the oversight of the Deputy Director

o Responding promptly and efficiently to queries

o Providing on-the-day support including registering participants, liaising with the venue and catering providers, ensuring smooth technical support and troubleshooting any issues as they arise

Research

· Support the Deputy Director with our research objectives by:

o Organising and minuting twice-yearly online meetings of our Research Advisory Group

o Working with colleagues to ensure the Local News Map is comprehensive and up to date

o Liaising with independent local news providers to support the new Local News Audit

Campaigns

· Support the Campaigns & Communications Manager with our campaign objectives by:

o Managing relationships with independent news providers participating in our annual Indie News Week

o Supporting budget administration for campaign activity, including tracking agreed expenditure and processing spending in line with approved budgets and under the oversight of the Campaigns & Communications Manager

o Supporting key campaign moments including parliamentary events, party conferences, roundtables and other online and offline events

o Providing logistical and administrative support for key campaign moments, including by maintaining participant and invitation lists, tracking RSVPs and preparing background information for colleagues

Communications

· Support the Campaigns & Communications Manager with our communications objectives by:

o Managing the ‘contact’ email inbox

o Supporting the delivery of engaging content across PINF’s blog and newsletter, including gathering stories, opportunities and other relevant material, in collaboration with the Campaigns & Communications Manager

o Managing PINF’s social media channels including LinkedIn, BlueSky and Instagram

o Updating elements and pages across our website

o Supporting PINF’s WhatsApp community of independent local news providers by sharing relevant content, helping eligible participants to join, and assisting with day-to-day moderation

Fundraising

· Support the Deputy Director with our fundraising objectives by:

o Maintaining the fundraising database and keeping records up to date based on information provided by colleagues

o Facilitating monthly internal fundraising meetings

Other

· Any other tasks as reasonably requested by the Deputy Director

Essential skills and experience

· Experience in an administrative, coordination or project support role

· Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines and priorities

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Confidence using Microsoft Office and other common digital tools to organise work, manage information and communicate effectively

· Ability to work collaboratively in a small team and to support colleagues across different areas of work

· A high level of accuracy and attention to detail

· Support for PINF’s mission and charitable purpose

· Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Desirable skills and experience

· Experience of supporting events, campaigns, communications or fundraising activity

· Experience of working in a charity, membership body, media organisation or other mission-driven organisation

· Familiarity with website, newsletter or social media content management

· An understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing local and independent news providers in the UK

How to apply

· Please apply through CharityJob.

· In your application, you will be asked to provide a short example of how your previous experience makes you a strong candidate for this role. We encourage applicants not to use generative AI to draft this part of the application, as we are interested to hear about your own experience in your own words!

· If you require any adjustments to support your application, please let us know when you apply.

We particularly welcome applications from people whose backgrounds and perspectives are underrepresented in charities and the news sector.

We are seeking an Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation to play a central role in shaping how Villiers Park delivers and develops its programmes at a pivotal point in the implementation of our 2025-30 strategy. This role represents an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our digital education offer and innovation work, ensuring it enhances both the reach and depth of our programmes for young people across the UK.

Villiers Park is a national social mobility charity with a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes that support young people from under-represented backgrounds to fulfil their potential. As we continue to grow, digital provision and innovation are increasingly important in enabling us to reach more students, and to do so in engaging and inclusive ways.

Digital learning and programme innovation will be critical to the next phase in our strategy, building on the foundations we have already established, including the development of our learning platform and programme model. Alongside this, Leadership Challenge continues to expand as a key national outreach and social action programme, and this role will be instrumental in ensuring its quality and impact.

Our work is possible because of a brilliant team of staff, trustees and volunteers and committed funders and partners who believe in what we do and want to make the greatest possible difference. The Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation will work closely with colleagues across programmes, partnerships, communications and fundraising, as well as external partners, to ensure our digital and programme offer is coherent, forward-thinking and aligned with our mission.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, helping to translate ambition into impact for the young people we serve.

Sarah Chick

Head of Programmes 

Job purpose

The Assistant Director - Digital and Innovation leads the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision. This includes the design and delivery of online learning experiences, the development of digital and physical resources for use across programmes, and ensuring that digital delivery is accessible, safeguarded and aligned with the organisation’s mission.

The role also provides strategic and operational leadership for Leadership Challenge, Villiers Park’s national student outreach and social action programme. This includes programme design, partner engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring the programme is effectively resourced and financially sustainable.

Working closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Communications and Fundraising teams, and external partners, the postholder supports the development of digital innovation, programme resourcing and Leadership Challenge activity to enhance reach, impact and quality. 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision, ensuring alignment with our Theory of Change, priorities and values
• Lead the design and evolution of high-quality digital learning experiences, content and pathways for students, schools, parents/carers and volunteers
• Oversee the adoption and integration of digital platforms and tools, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, GDPR compliance and scalability
• Drive innovation in digital delivery by monitoring sector trends and embedding relevant approaches to enhance reach and impact
• Ensure digital provision complements and strengthens face-to-face delivery across programmes, working closely with the Head of Programmes and Assistant Directors
• Provide strategic oversight of the use of AI within programmes, ensuring its application enhances learning experiences while maintaining safeguarding and ethical standards
• Provide strategic oversight of the development and ongoing review of physical resources, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment across programmes
• Ensure all resources are inclusive, engaging, curriculum-aligned and reflect organisational standards and brand expectations
• Maintain a coherent approach to resource development, ensuring materials support programme delivery and learning outcomes effectively
• Lead the strategic and operational development of the Leadership Challenge programme, ensuring it is high-quality, sustainable and aligned with organisational priorities
• In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and strengthen partnerships with charities, corporates and universities to support programme growth and delivery
• Oversee the development of an appropriate recognition or award framework for participants
• Establish and oversee robust quality assurance and evaluation processes for digital and physical content and delivery
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and risk management, and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees.
• Work collaboratively with Fundraising and Communications teams to support income generation, bid development and programme promotion

This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks relevant to the role and within their capability.

Skills and experience:

• Significant leadership experience in education, youth or social mobility sectors
• Knowledge of school and college curricula and the needs of learners aged 13–19
• Proven experience in designing and/or delivering digital learning
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, digital accessibility standards and inclusive design
• Experience developing high‑quality educational resources (digital and physical)
• Ability to lead programmes, manage projects and deliver to deadlines
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders to further organisational aims and fundraising objectives

Personal attributes:

• A genuine commitment to and care for social mobility and young people’s futures
• Organised and proactive, effectively, prioritising workload and delivering outcomes independently
• Strategic and forward-thinking, with an ability to see the bigger picture
• Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across different functions
• Willingness to learn and develop your own practice and experience

Additional Information:

• The postholder will be required to travel regularly to schools, events and partner organisations
• An enhanced DBS check will be required
• The postholder will hold responsibility to be one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
• The postholder will require a full UK driving licence
• Evening work and overnight stays may be required
• Hybrid – location local to our Cambridge office or near to one of our Regional Hubs

Employee Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated) and additional leave over Christmas.
• A dedicated wellbeing day for you to take at any time and three days (pro-rated) paid leave for volunteering or study each year.
• Training and professional development, including termly staff development days.
• Support from our wellbeing working group and access to an employee assistance programme.
• Opportunity to join working groups with other colleagues from across the organisation as well as wider networks such as the Fair Education Alliance.
• Flexibility in working hours.
• Additional sick pay and compassionate leave policies. 

Safeguarding

Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.

Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.

All employees and volunteers will also agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.