Development support officer jobs in Belfast

This is a fantastic opportunity to work directly with volunteers, community groups, healthcare professionals and local partners to strengthen community connections, amplify lived experience and ensure people affected by diabetes can access support, information and opportunities to get involved.

As our Engaging Communities and Volunteering Officer, you will play a key role in developing and strengthening community engagement across Northern Ireland.

You will recruit, support and empower a network of volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. Working collaboratively with community organisations, healthcare providers and voluntary sector partners, you will help raise awareness of diabetes, improve access to support and ensure Diabetes UK Northern Ireland is reaching diverse and underrepresented communities.

You will build trusted relationships, identify new partnership opportunities and support community led approaches that place people with lived experience at the heart of our work.

This is a varied role that combines community engagement, volunteer development, partnership building, project delivery and impact measurement.

The Operations Programme Coordinator provides operational, administrative, and project support across Picker’s portfolio.

The role is currently deployed primarily within the Learning & Development (L&D) team, supporting the effective design, delivery, and continuous improvement of Picker’s L&D programmes and products. The L&D programme offers a range of accredited online and in person training, alongside webinars, practical toolkits, and a global community of practice, to support person centred improvements across health and social care. The postholder may be redeployed, in whole or in part, to support other areas of the Picker offer as organisational priorities require. 

Job title: Supporter Development Officer

Responsible to: Trusts & Foundations Fundraising Manager

Line management: None

Salary: c. £29,0000 per annum, dependent on experience

Hours of work: Full-time, 37 hours per week.

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Flexible: remote, hybrid or office-based (Horsforth, Leeds)

At the Bone Cancer Research Trust, our fundraising success is built on strong relationships with our supporters. In this newly created role, the successful candidate will have an exciting opportunity to drive our approach to Individual Giving, Legacies and Major Donors. This role requires highly collaborative working across teams to bring greater consistency, coordination and progress to this work. 

This role will be focused on delivering outcomes by supporting the Relationship Team in their stewardship of new and existing supporters. The Supporter Development Officer sits within the Trusts & Foundations team and will play an important part in connecting activity across teams, helping to ensure consistency, identify opportunities and drive progress. 

It’s an exciting time to join the Bone Cancer Research Trust, as we build upon our successes over the last 20 years. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to shape this new and varied role and play an important part in our highly successful fundraising team.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place during w/c 13th July 2026.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Project Development Officer to join our team as a pivotal element of our new National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project.

The project will significantly augment our capacity to support UK synagogues in need of support to preserve their historic fabric and protect and make accessible the Jewish heritage they embody. The successful candidate will report to the Foundation's Projects Director, leading on essential organisational development and project set-up in the year 1 Development Phase of the project.

While a specialist consultant team will be recruited to implement this project during years 2-6 of the project subject to a successful Delivery Phase application, the Project Development Officer is integral to scoping and developing the delivery programme in the crucial initial planning of the project.

Overview

• Position Title: Development and Operations Support Worker
• Company: Well Adapt
• Location: Hybrid (Mostly remote with ad-hoc in-person meetings)
• Duration: 13th July 2026 – 12th October 2026 (Contract may be extended for 1 year; this will be confirmed in August, subject to funding)
• Application Deadline: Sunday 28th June 2026, 23:59
• Hours: 12 hours a week (flexible between 10 am and 6 pm on weekdays, with the exception of core meetings)
• Pay: £46,100 (pro-rata) with 3% Employer Matched Pension Contribution

About Well Adapt

Well Adapt is a social enterprise reimagining health and social care through the lens of disability justice.

Disabled and chronically ill people are regularly abandoned by health and social care systems leading to completely avoidable pain, hardship and death. 

Well Adapt supports chronically ill people to manage symptoms like pain and fatigue. We work with policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to build health and social care systems grounded in disability justice – recognising that intersecting marginalisations such race, gender, class, and sexuality all shape how people experience health and care.

Responsibilities

This role is primarily a support role to the CEO, the following:

• Writing grant application and tenders
• Writing and responding to emails
• General administration

Essential Qualifications

These skills and experiences don’t need to have been developed in a professional context. Feel free to think of skills and experiences from your personal life as well.

Skills

• Strong persuasive writing skills
• Strong ability to absorb and organise lots of information
• Strong ability to take verbal instruction
• Attention to detail

Experience

• Experience with writing any kind of fundraising application

Personality

• Feeling confident challenging people in positions of authority
• A genuine enthusiasm for our mission and the topics we cover

Desirable Qualifications

Experience

• Lived experience of disability, chronic illness, or neurodiversity is highly desirable.
• Experience in the disability sector or other social impact sectors OR experience in grassroots activism outside of work
• Experience writing grant applications
• Experience writing government tenders
• Experience forming partnerships (extra points if it’s with disability focused organisations)

Location and Working Hours:

As this is primarily a support role to the CEO, your working hours will need to take place during the CEO’s working hours of between 10am – 6pm Monday to Friday. The specific timings within those hours are flexible except for core meetings. They currently take place on Thursday and Friday mornings but this may be negotiable depending on the availability of the rest of the team. Other meetings between you and the CEO will be negotiated depending on mutual availability.

The role will primarily take place remotely with occasional optional in-person meetings, negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Please state in your application your current availability for these working hours.

Application Process

1st stage: Initial Application (Deadline Sunday 28 June 2026, 23:59).

Please send a CV and covering letter by email that covers the following:

• Why you think disability advocacy is important (we want to know what you think, not what a generative AI thinks here)
• Your availability throughout the week (please see the above section on location and working hours)
• Any experience or skills not present on your CV (please don’t repeat information that is already on your CV)

You will find the email address to send applications to on the Well Adapt webpage that opens when you click "redirect to recruiter".

We will assess your initial application as follows:

• We will check whether you have followed the application’s instructions. Applications that don’t cover the three points above as asked won’t be considered. This is because one of the skills required is “attention to detail”.
• We will score candidates based on the essential criteria to create a shortlist.
• We will score the desirable criteria from the shortlist to choose 5-6 candidates to invite to the next stage.

2nd Stage: Paid Interview Task on 1st July 2026.
If you are successful at the 2nd stage, you will be notified on the 2nd July.

3rd Stage: Interview on 6th July 2026
If you are successful at the 3rd stage, you will be notified on the 7th July.

Start date of role: 13th July 2026

Accessibility

As an organisation run for and by disabled people, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of applicants and employees. Please let us know if there’s anything you need to be able to engage with the recruitment process to the best of your ability by emailing us.

You will find the email address to ask questions to on the Well Adapt webpage that opens when you click "redirect to recruiter".

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research and Development Officer
Contract: Permanent
Work Pattern: Part Time, 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
Salary: £34,408 per annum, FTE (£27,526 per annum for 28 hours per week), with annual salary increments for the first three years
Location: Homebased – however NCB and RiP has offices in Sheffield, Newton Abbot, London and Belfast that staff can work from should they choose.

The Vacancy

We are looking for a talented Research and Development Officer to join our children and families team at Research in Practice. In this role you will develop and deliver accessible content and learning activities that promote evidence-informed practice and policy across child and family social care, youth and family justice as part of our annual delivery programme for our partners. You will also be involved in the delivery of commissioned project work.

The successful candidate will have experience designing and delivering resources, workshops, webinars, and events for a range of audiences, including senior leaders.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong written and editorial skills, excellent facilitation skills and who is confident distilling complex information into accessible learning materials. While the position requires engagement with and understanding of research, it is not a primary research role.

Key responsibilities are:

• Producing evidence-informed practice and policy resources in a range of formats (e.g. publications, videos, podcasts, animations). This includes evidence scoping, content development, commissioning, project management, editing, writing and quality assuring resources from inception to publication.
• Leading the development and delivery of concise, accessible content and learning activities to enable the development of evidence-informed practice and policy in the sector.
• Developing and facilitating learning sessions and events with a range of participants, including senior leaders across the sector.
• Working on a range of commissioned project work, from development/design through to analysis; presenting findings on completion and representing Research in Practice in project teams with academic and practice partners.
• Building strong relationships with sector experts and effectively managing relationships with authors, facilitators, people with lived experience and those working in research, policy and practice.

Research in Practice

Research in Practice is part of the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) family. For over 60 years, the NCB has been building a better childhood for all.

Research in Practice works with organisations across the adults and children’s social care, health and criminal justice sectors, supporting them to develop an evidence-informed approach to their work. Our focus is on using evidence from research, practice and lived experience, to provide resources that improve policy and services, in order to achieve positive outcomes for people of all ages.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 8am, Wednesday 8th July 2026
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.

Location: Remote (Based in England, Scotland & Wales with some travel required).

Salary: £28,665 - £35,280 pro rata (£22,932 – £28,224 actual)

Hours of work: 28 hours (4 days)

Contract type: Permanent

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities. Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Database and Fundraising Development Officer role involves:

• Working closely with the Communications and Marketing Coordinator and Content Manager to segment data and tailor content accordingly
• Ensuring Kids Matter’s CRM (Beacon) becomes a fit for purpose tool for all things fundraising and marketing.
• Developing an excellent working understanding of GDPR and other such regulations, ensuring Kids Matter complies in how data is both collected and stored.
• Helping develop a structured and sustainable individual giving programme (both one-off and regular)

About you

Are you experienced in working with CRMs? Do you have a good understanding of digital fundraising? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Database and Fundraising Development Officer position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is 29th June 2026. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

Foundation for Jewish Heritage

Head of Development

£60,000

Remote but with access to London for a weekly meeting one day per week

Full-time

Permanent

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage is the UK’s only dedicated organisation focused on preserving and activating Jewish built heritage as a catalyst for education, culture, memory and community renewal.

Over the past decade, the Foundation has grown from a small specialist charity into a recognised leader in the field of Jewish built heritage. It has secured major support for nationally significant projects, including a £6 million flagship heritage project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, Garfield Weston, Wolfson and Rothschild.

The Foundation is now entering an important new phase. Alongside major project delivery, it is taking on a wider UK role, supporting communities and historic synagogues across the country, including places such as Liverpool, Bradford, Leicester, Brighton and Merthyr Tydfil. It is also developing European partnerships, particularly in countries such as Poland and Germany, and strengthening relationships with North American and Canadian supporters.

The Foundation’s work is about more than saving buildings. Historic synagogues and heritage sites are gateways into the stories of Jewish life, identity, migration, civic contribution and cultural memory. They offer a powerful way of engaging Jewish and wider audiences with the richness and complexity of Jewish history in Britain and across Europe.

The Foundation has reached a point where its fundraising structure needs to match the scale of its ambition.

Until now, much of the fundraising has been led directly by the Chief Executive, supported by trustees, consultants and external bid writers. This has delivered significant success, particularly around major heritage projects and institutional funders. However, the organisation now needs a more structured, proactive and relationship-led fundraising function.

The Head of Development will work closely with the Chief Executive, trustees and a new Fundraising Committee to broaden the donor base, strengthen major relationships, develop new income streams, and ensure that the Foundation is no longer dependent on a small number of individuals or on the Chief Executive holding most fundraising relationships personally.

This is not simply a fundraising support post. It is a strategic development role for someone who can combine relationship building, major donor fundraising, compelling written communication, careful stewardship and long-term pipeline management.

The successful candidate will help turn the Foundation’s growing profile into sustained philanthropic support.

Join the Bumblebee Conservation Trust as a part-time Senior Project Development Officer and help secure vital funding for nature’s recovery across the UK. This permanent, part time and home-based role is ideal for an experienced bid writer and relationship builder passionate about conservation, fundraising and making a real impact for bumblebees.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is looking for a motivated and resilient Senior Project Development Officer to identify funding opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and build strong relationships with funders, partners and colleagues. Working closely with fundraising, conservation, science, outreach and consultancy teams, you will help grow the scale and diversity of income needed to protect bumblebees and restore habitats.

You will bring excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage deadlines in a busy, collaborative environment. If you are solutions-focused, organised and excited by the chance to turn ideas into funded projects that support nature conservation, this is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer.  This means that whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status. 

At the Trust, we have a clear goal: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on reaching for our vision, through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.

Please visit our website vacancy page to learn about the role and find out more information on how to apply. fund

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research and Development Officer
Contract: Permanent
Work Pattern: Part Time, 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
Salary: £34,408 per annum, FTE (£27,526 per annum for 28 hours per week), with annual salary increments for the first three years
Location: Homebased – however NCB and RiP has offices in Sheffield, Newton Abbot and Belfast that staff can work from should they choose.

The Vacancy

For over 20 years, Research in Practice has been at the forefront of supporting evidence-informed practice in adult social care. We are now looking for a passionate and experienced Research and Development Officer to join our adults’ team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled facilitator with strong experience in adult social care (or a related sector, e.g. housing, homelessness, mental health or criminal justice) who is motivated to make a real impact. While the role requires a solid understanding of research and its application, it is not a primary research post—instead, the focus is on translating evidence into meaningful learning and development opportunities.

You will play a key role in designing and delivering high-quality learning experiences, including programmes, full-day workshops, webinars, and events, working with diverse audiences such as senior leaders and practitioners.

What you’ll be doing

• Designing and delivering engaging learning and development activities for a range of audiences
• Translating complex research, policy, and legal frameworks into accessible, practical learning
• Developing high-quality outputs (e.g. publications, tools, and learning resources)
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders and supporting collaborative projects
• Managing multiple projects effectively in a varied and fast-paced environment

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• In-depth knowledge of adult social care, or related sectors such as criminal justice, housing and homelessness, or mental health
• Experience in facilitation and delivering learning, including workshops and webinars
• A strong understanding of research, policy, and practice frameworks
• Skills in knowledge mobilisation, with a passion for co-production and evidence implementation
• Proven experience in relationship management
• Excellent communication skills, including confident public speaking
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly (including occasional travel and overnight stays)

Research in Practice

Research in Practice is part of the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) family. For over 60 years, the NCB has been building a better childhood for all.

Research in Practice works with organisations across the adults and children’s social care, health and criminal justice sectors, supporting them to develop an evidence-informed approach to their work. Our focus is on using evidence from research, practice and lived experience, to provide resources that improve policy and services, in order to achieve positive outcomes for people of all ages.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break

Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 8am, Friday 10th July 2026
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible .

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.

About Kidney Care UK

Around 3.5 million people in the UK live with chronic kidney disease, and one million of them don’t know that they do.

Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease.

About the Patient Support Service

The Patient Support Service provides practical, emotional and financial support for anyone affected by chronic kidney disease. Whatever the need presented, we empower people living with CKD and their families and carers to understand their options and make informed choices to positively navigate their experience of CKD. We’ll walk alongside them for as long as they need us to.

About the Role

Our regional Patient Support Officers play a key role in establishing Kidney Care UK in their designated region and enabling patients, their families, carers and professionals to access independant support on social, financial, health advocacy and wellbeing.

You will proactively engage with kidney patients and their families as a source of advice,information, and support to improve care and wellbeing outcomes for kidney patients. You will seek to inform and empower individuals, providing the tools and knowledge to enable confident self-management and be the regional face of Kidney Care UK patient support services, raise awareness of the service and the Charity and build strong relationships with kidney patients, the renal units, Kidney Patient Associations (KPAs), health professionals and other kidney stakeholder groups in the region. 

You will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Patient Support Service across the region and the effective management of a caseload. This involves regular attendance at renal clinics in the region, building relationships with health and care professionals and being available for patients in the renal unit, on the phone or online, or to meet at a mutually convenient public location.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Liaise with and support patients and their carers face to face and by telephone to provide information, advice and support on a range of personal, emotional and practical matters.
• Through regular visits to renal units in your designated area, establish and maintain a presence to enable patients' easy access to Kidney Care UK support services.
• Promote and attend local health information events to raise awareness of Kidney Care UK and the benefits of its Patient Support Service with kidney patients, their families and relevant health professionals. 
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the regional kidney community through fully engaging with KPAs, health professionals and relevant health and community stakeholder groups.
• Maintain accurate records to allow effective reporting on key performance indicators such as number of patients supported, type of support provided, key needs etc.

About you

You will have an empathy with our patient group and an understanding of kidney disease and the needs of people with kidney disease, their families and carers. You will be able to work independantly and have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and above all have the ability to deal professionally, calmly and sympathetically with people affected by kidney disease.

An understanding of the relevant UK benefits legislation and entitlements is essential as is having excellent IT skills, including Word, Powerpoint and Excel. You will hold an Advice and Guidance qualification or be willing to complete it within 6 months of service in the role.

The role is home based but you will need to live within the region that you are applying for and have the ability to travel independantly throughout the area on a regular basis and to attend national meetings/events as required. There will also be a requirement to undertake occasional evening and weekend work and some flexibility to be able to work some irregular hours to meet the needs of our patients.

The areas are as follows:

North East: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sunderland and North Cumbria. This role is part funded by the North Gas Network through the vulnerability and carbon monoxide allowance fund.

South West: Cornwall, Devon, Exeter and Plymouth. This role is funded by Wales and West Utilities through the vulnerability and carbon monoxide allowance fund.

Please be aware that as they are funded positions they are fixed term posts until 31 May 2028. There is a possibility of extension but no guarantee.

Safeguarding statement

Kidney Care UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and Adults at Risk and expect all staff and volunteers to actively support this commitment. An Enhanced DBS will be required for this role.

If you feel you are the right fit for the role, please press Apply, where you will be asked to upload a recent CV and cover letter. In your cover letter please demonstrate in no more than 2 sides of A4 how you meet the person specification and please state which area you are applying to.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The post-holder will play a key role within the Initiatives and Partnerships team, working with regional teams to develop and implement proposals to expand use of historic churches in our existing estate and, on occasion, working with other heritage and community groups to deliver their own projects via consultancy or partnership work.

They will manage a programme of work that will include a number of site-specific projects and national initiatives across multiple sites, as well as from time to time working with third parties on partnership or consultancy projects.

The Commercial Initiatives Officer is responsible for the development and delivery of CCT’s commercial initiatives, including Champing and Filming, that involve multiple sites, as well as any future such schemes. The role will line manage the Customer Service and Admin Assistant, Champing who is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of Champing. The post-holder will also work closely with colleagues in conservation and regional teams to make sure that impacts on both areas are fully considered, whilst in tandem seeking to maximise opportunities to expand and increase commercial activity, income and ultimately profitability.

We have recently published our TRUST values, which outline the behaviours and expectations that act as our foundations at CCT. We have attached the pack, outlining each value, which we will also be using as part of our shortlisting and interview process to find the right candidates that align with our values.

If you would like to apply for this role, please visit our recruitment portal to begin your application. You will be asked to submit a CV and a short supporting statement (max 2 sides A4) outlining why you’d like to apply and how you fulfil the person specification for this post, so you’ll need to refer to the job description.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 8am on Monday 6th July 2026.

The interviews will take place in Northampton on Thursday 16th July 2026. Please note that the interview date and location have been specifically chosen according to the availability of the panel.

Please note: As part of our recruitment process, we undertake candidate psychometric testing your your application is successful and you are invited to interview, you will receive an email asking you to complete a series of activities, these need to be completed at least 2 days before your interview.

All successful applicants will be subject to a basic DBS, credit check, references and right to work checks.

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.

If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.

We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities to all regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to valid right to work in the UK being provided.

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting an environmental organisation in the search for a new Business Development Manager. 

This organisation develops tailored partnership opportunities that connect business, finance and philanthropy with all 15 UK National Parks. Working on behalf of the National Parks family, they unlock responsible private finance to support the vital work of the UK's National Parks, whilst creating opportunities that are carefully designed to align with each partner's strategic priorities.

The Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying and securing corporate partners and funders to secure income. With a focus on new business development, this role will look to build new corporate relationships that are capable of multi-year funding at a six-figure gift level. Working closely with the Head of Development and a Development Officer, this role will build a prospect pipeline and develop relationships through different methods to achieve successful partnerships. 

To be successful as the Business Development Manager, you will have proven experience in business development and be able to demonstrate building long-lasting six-figure partnerships with corporate partners. This person will also be confident in pitching propositions to potential corporate partners, and be able to create engaging proposals. 

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, then please contact Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus.

If you are interested in applying to this position, please submit your CV and a covering letter in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.