Development officer jobs in Leeds, west yorkshire
Want more results?
Add job titles:
How's your job search on our site?
Regional Development Officer (RDO) - Midlands
Location: Midlands (home-based with travel and use of hot desk office in Midlands)
Salary: £35,100 FTE (£18/hour £21,060)
Contract: 2-year fixed term (22.5 hours/week)
Reports to: National Fundraising & Development Manager
This is not an administrative role. It is comparable to:
-
Regional Development Officer (charity sector)
-
Community Development Officer
-
Partnerships / Outreach Officer
-
Network Growth or Membership Development roles
The role combines business development, community engagement, and programme delivery, with clear responsibility for growing Phab’s national footprint and reputation.
Why this role matters
This is a rare opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up.
You’ll be the person who brings Phab to new communities—connecting disabled and non-disabled people, creating life-changing social opportunities, and building a network of clubs that transform lives.
We’re looking for someone who thrives on meeting people, spotting opportunities, and making things happen—someone who can walk into a room, inspire others, and leave with new partners, volunteers, and future club leaders excited to get involved.
If you’re energised by purpose and disability-inclusion, love being out in the community, and want to play a key role in growing a national charity’s reach—this role is for you.
Role Purpose
To grow and strengthen the Phab network by:
-
Launching new Phab Clubs in underserved areas in the Midlands
-
Supporting and energising existing clubs
-
Building strong regional relationships that drive participation, partnerships, and sustainability
A critical part of this role is identifying and supporting outstanding Club Leaders—the individuals who make clubs thrive.
What success looks like (2-year targets)
Year 1: Establish & Build Momentum
-
Launch 3–5 new Phab Clubs in priority areas
-
Identify and develop a pipeline of future club leaders and volunteers
-
Build relationships with local authorities, schools, disability organisations, and community groups
-
Visit and engage with existing clubs in the region to strengthen relationships and identify growth opportunities
-
Generate local funding or in-kind support for new and existing clubs
-
Represent Phab at key regional events and networks
Year 2: Grow & Sustain
-
Support Year 1 clubs to become fully sustainable and independently run
-
Launch an additional 3–5 new clubs or affiliate groups
-
Increase membership and engagement across existing clubs
-
Develop regional partnerships that provide ongoing referral pathways (e.g. professionals, services, schools)
-
Contribute to income generation (grants, partnerships, training opportunities)
-
Establish a strong regional identity and presence for Phab
Key Responsibilities
1. Network Growth & Club Development
-
Identify areas of need and actively develop new Phab Clubs
-
Recruit, mentor, and support Club Leaders and volunteer teams
-
Set up clubs alongside the club leaders (venue, structure, governance, initial membership)
-
Build relationships with professionals (e.g. SEND services, social workers, educators) who can refer members
-
Reconnect with former Phab participants and supporters to re-engage them
2. Supporting Existing Clubs
-
Regularly visit and engage with existing clubs
-
Identify challenges and opportunities, offering practical support
-
Encourage growth in membership, activity quality, and sustainability
-
Share best practice and connect clubs to wider opportunities (training, funding, events)
3. Community Engagement & Partnerships
-
Act as a visible, energetic ambassador for Phab
-
Attend networking events and build strong regional relationships
-
Develop partnerships with community organisations, corporates, and funders
-
Promote Phab’s wider offer (Phab ACTS training, Phab Adventures, events)
4. Income & Sustainability
-
Identify and secure local funding opportunities
-
Support clubs to access grants and sponsorship
-
Contribute to Phab’s broader income generation strategy
5. Internal Collaboration & Delivery
-
Work closely with Marketing, Fundraising & Development, and Charity Support teams
-
Use CRM (Beacon) to track engagement, contacts, and progress
-
Contribute to planning and delivery of regional and national initiatives
Experience & Background
We are looking for someone who has done this kind of work before, not just worked “in charity or business”.
Essential experience:
-
Experience in community development, outreach, or network growth
-
Proven track record of starting or growing initiatives, projects, or groups
-
Experience building partnerships and engaging external stakeholders
-
Experience recruiting, supporting, or managing volunteers or community leaders
-
Experience working in or alongside disability, inclusion, or community services
-
Knowledge of UK charity landscape and safeguarding/good practice
Desirable:
-
Experience setting up or running community groups, clubs, or programmes
Experience securing local funding or sponsorship
Equal Opportunities, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Phab is committed to creating an inclusive organisation where disabled and non-disabled people can thrive together as equals. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, lived experiences and identities, particularly disabled people and those who are underrepresented within the charity sector.
We believe diversity strengthens our organisation and helps us better support the communities we work alongside. Recruitment decisions are made based on skills, experience, values and potential, and we are committed to ensuring a fair and accessible recruitment process for all applicants.
Reasonable adjustments will be offered throughout the recruitment process and during employment. If you require any adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know.
As a Regional Development Officer, you will play an important role in promoting inclusion, accessibility and equality across our network of clubs, projects and partnerships.
Safeguarding Statement
Phab is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all staff, volunteers and partners to share this commitment and to uphold a culture of safety, dignity and respect.
The successful candidate will be required to work in line with Phab’s safeguarding policies and procedures and may be subject to an enhanced DBS check, depending on the nature of the role and responsibilities.
We are looking for someone who shares our values of inclusion, respect, integrity and participation, and who is committed to helping create safe and welcoming environments for everyone involved in Phab activities.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Our mission is to build an inclusive world where everyone is valued and belongs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
Retail Development Officer
Harrogate, with regular travel across Yorkshire.
We offer hybrid working.
About Us
Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.
Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.
As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.
The Benefits
We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.
We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Retail Development Officer, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.
The Role
Reporting to the Retail Development Manager, the Retail Development Officer will support with the continued growth and development of our retail network.
The role holder will actively support the Retail Development Manager to build, deliver, and implement a pipeline of new sites development in retail, including shops, cafes and superstores, Yorkshire Cancer Research Centres, and other retail related projects.
You will have responsibility of supporting the Retail Development Manager with market analysis and feasibility studies of potential new sites, contributing to the development of business cases, projects plans and delivery of these plans as well as contributing to compliance and ongoing maintenance and required improvements within the retail real estate. There will also be an opportunity for the role holder to inform future decision making through the delivery of business insight, KPI data and other metric reports relating to income.
Specifically, you will:
Ensure Retail Development effectively manages risk through clear prioritisation and consistent role modelling of best practices:
· Work collaboratively with the Retail Area Manager, with regards to monitoring compliance with retail policies and procedures, as well as Health & Safety standards.
· Act as a visible leader in relation to all health and safety responsibilities, taking reasonable care for your own safety and the safety of others. Adhere to all Health & Safety requirements, processes and procedures.
· Support and role model a strong safety-first approach in all retail development activities and projects.
· Work closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure new shops are in good condition and compliance documents are in place before being handed over to operate under business-as-usual activities.
Drive strong team performance across retail by consistently delivering high-quality work, demonstrating reliability, and actively collaborating across teams and external partners:
· Support, where possible, the recruitment process for new shop managers and volunteers and ensure this is complete in time for each new shop opening.
· Maintain and monitor detailed project plans for refurbishments, openings and improvement projects, ensuring suppliers, tradespeople and internal stakeholders are engaged and informed of key dates.
· Deputise for the Retail Development Manager, support and maintain relationships with property agents, shopfitters, tradespeople and third parties, in their absence.
· Assist as a contact for discussions with relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding new locations.
Support the positive representation of the Yorkshire Cancer Research brand by modelling key behaviours and helping deliver welcoming, innovative spaces that position the organisation as a brand leader:
· Undertake regular shop visits/shop floor inspections as directed by the Retail Development Manager; directing and supporting the team to deliver creative and inspiring layouts, space planning and use of point of sale to ensure that each shop maximises its sales potential.
· Empower teams through training and demonstrating the high standards expected of visual presentation of the shops in representing the brand image of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
· Be a trusted point of reference who understands expected standards, can clearly communicate them, and champions their importance in representing Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Support the delivery of commercially viable shops and related spaces by working within budget constraints and aligning with approved business cases and project plans:
· Support the Retail Development Manager in exploring and identifying the best locations for new shop openings, including market analysis, feasibility study, site visits, and site presentation.
· Assist in developing business cases for each new shop, ensuring they are financially viable and key decisions are documented.
· Support the development of project plans for shop openings, closures, and refits by ensuring suppliers, tradespeople and internal stakeholders are engaged and informed of key dates.
· Continuously improve systems and processes that support effective project delivery, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and compliance.
· Work alongside the Retail Development Manager to identify new suppliers, ensuring they are suitable, competent, and aligned to our values.
· Support the Retail Development Manager in developing and testing new income streams, processes, and systems before moving to business-as-usual activities.
· Support the Retail Development Manager, Retail Area Managers, Head of Retail Property & Estates, and team in regularly reviewing our current retail estate, identifying maintenance and other improvements required.
Other duties:
· Support the development and execution of the ten-year Retail business strategy.
· Deliver key business insight to drive improvements through analysis.
· Provide regular KPI and metric reports on income to inform future decision-making and planning.
· Undertake additional duties outside the key job duties within the team and across the charity, as the charity may reasonably require.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will need:
· To ideally be educated to A Level or equivalent, or able to demonstrate experience in a similar role at a similar level.
· Have evidence of continued professional development relevant to the role's purpose and level.
· Experience in support of the delivery of multi-stakeholder projects.
· To have excellent business acumen and an in-depth understanding of market trends
· To have experience of working cross-functionally, both within an organisation and externally.
· To have experience in planning and implementing store openings.
· To have experience in using project management software such as Airtable and Sketchup.
· To be highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
· To have convincing and persuasive written, oral and presentation skills with the ability to present ideas and issues, clearly, and coherently to a wide range of audiences.
· To have excellent IT skills with confident use of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Advanced Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
· Project Management experience is desirable, including experience in keeping accurate documentation supporting project management.
· To have proven experience in developing retail processes for shops is desirable.
· Merchandising and/or retail display experience is desirable
· It is advantageous to hold a Project Management Qualification: IE APM, PRINCE2
Application
Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role via Charity Job or our website before 20 May 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. Please note this is a two stage interview process and first interviews will be conducted on Teams, second interviews will be held in person at our Head Offices in Harrogate on 26 May 2026.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.
We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.