BIND UK is a specialist team offering expert advice and guidance to organisations that are determined to deliver practical, positive and permanent impact to the UK’s Food Waste Challenge. We believe change is created not by a handful of people doing sustainability perfectly, but by everyone doing a little something. Find out more about our values and purpose here.
About Eat Smart
Eat Smart is a successful primary school educational programme born in the NE of England designed to inspire children and schools to reduce food waste and build sustainable food systems. We deliver engaging resources and learning experiences that empower schools and pupils to have more ownership of their kitchens/dinner halls, improve student wellbeing, and have increased environmental awareness.
Since 2018 Eat Smart has enabled 70 schools in North East England to rescue their food waste by over 25%, equivalent to saving 6,000 meals worth £13,000 per school, per year, and our expansion to other areas of the UK has already begun. With an ever-growing data set and credibility for school food waste prevention, we have increasing potential to affect school food policy and deliver food waste prevention interventions on a national level.
As we expand our delivery across the UK, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Development Manager to lead the expansion via a franchise model, build partnerships, and oversee the operational excellence of our growing network.
This is a pivotal leadership role focused on scaling the Eat Smart model nationally. The postholder will drive growth by developing regional and national partnerships, securing funding streams, recruiting and onboarding delivery partners, and ensuring quality and impact across all Eat Smart schools and organisations.
You will combine strong operational management with strategic business development — ensuring Eat Smart continues to grow sustainably, aligning with Bind’s aims and values.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Project Development
- Co-develop and deliver a UK-wide expansion strategy for Eat Smart
- Develop and manage the franchise/licensing model for national delivery partners
- Lead on the recruitment, onboarding, and support of partner organisations to deliver the Eat Smart programme effectively
Funding & Partnership Development
- Identify, establish and nurture partnerships with national and local government agencies, policy makers, school bodies and funders
- Build strategic relationships with relevant education, environment and community organisations
- Research relevant funding opportunities for delivery partners and Bind
- Support delivery partners with the submission of funding applications
UK Network Management & Evaluation
- Co-design/develop the Eat Smart monitoring and evaluation system to monitor KPIs and the environmental and social impact of Eat Smart across the UK
- Lead on the management of the monitoring and evaluation system, supporting delivery partners where necessary
- Create local and national impact reports for Eat Smart and use insights to inform improvement and growth
- Manage the support network of UK delivery partners, ensuring they are able to deliver the programme effectively
- Assist delivery partners with meetings with Local Authorities and catering organisations
Marketing & Communications
- Co-design and lead on delivery of annual Eat Smart conferences
- Represent Eat Smart at events, conferences, and networking opportunities across the UK
- Manage Eat Smart UK social media channels
- Develop digital and print materials to support programme promotion and recruitment
Person Specification
Essential:
- Align with Bind’s values. If you are this, we can teach you the rest!
- Understanding of third sector grant funding landscape and experience in successful bid writing
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Experience in partnership and stakeholder recruitment and management
- Ability to lead, inspire, and develop teams of partners remotely
- Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for improving environmental and education outcomes.
- Excellent written and verbal communicator and proficient in IT systems (shared documents, spreadsheets, Zoom/Teams/Meet, social media, website editing and emails)
Desirable:
- Interest in, and awareness of, food waste on a local and global level
- Experience in business development, franchise management, or operational leadership
- Experience working in education, environment or social impact sectors
- Knowledge of primary school systems
- Experience of community engagement in the UK
- Full driving license and access to own vehicle
** A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure Check will be required for the post, but a clean DBS certificate is not essential for the role - we will review employees with a criminal record on a case-by-case basis. **
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape and lead the national growth of an amazing educational programme
- A collaborative, mission-driven environment with real social and environmental impact
- Flexible working arrangements and supportive leadership. Many of our Eat Smart staff choose to work term-time only
- Remote working, with an office in Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley
- Being part of a small and passionate team, who believe in a positive disruptive mission to change the food waste landscape across the UK.
Key Information
- Deadline for all applications is Mon 12th January 2026 at 9am – applications received after this date will not be considered.
- In-person interviews will take place on 21st January 2026 in Newcastle.
- Based in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley but this role can be worked remotely/hybrid (some UK-wide travel required incl. a trip to Newcastle minimum monthly)
- Contract: 30-32 hours per week (with the option of increased hours during term-time and reduced hours in school holidays).
- The start date will be end of February 2026, but start dates will be discussed at interview.
- We will contact all applicants as soon as possible to inform them of the status of their application.
To apply, please refer to the attached Job Description and email a CV along with a supporting statement.
Your supporting statement should reflect what makes you a suitable candidate, how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and any other supporting information relevant to the role.
Jobs with Purpose will be in touch with you regarding your application and any next steps. To arrange a chat about the role, please include your availability and contact details and David Robinson will be in touch with suitable applicants to arrange this.
Thank you!
This new role at Young Sounds UK will lead on securing grant income from and coordinating relationships with Trusts and Foundations. This will include identifying and researching funders, submitting compelling applications and completing timely and accurate reports.
You'll need to be comfortable with managing budgets, using CRMs, and demonstrating our impact through writing case studies that bring our work to life. You'll also need to have excellent communication and relationship building skills, and be organised, flexible and with a great attention to detail.
We're looking for someone who has at least three years experience of fundraising in a charity, especially if they’ve focused on fundraising from Trusts and Foundations, and who is looking for an opportunity to take the next step in their career.
For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.
The closing date for applications is Monday 19 January 2026 at 12 noon.
About Young Sounds UK
Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:
- We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help
- We support music education through training, advocacy and research.
Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are:
- Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential
- Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
- Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
- Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
IMPORTANT: DUE TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS SINCE THE JOB WENT LIVE ON FRIDAY 2ND JANUARY, WE HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE VACANCY EARLY. ANY JOB APPLICATIONS RECIEVED AFTER MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED.
Thank you for your understanding.
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Please note: This role is contracted to the Milton Keynes campus. While the position is primarily remote, there are occasional mandatory days required on campus. These will be scheduled in advance with prior notice; however, attendance on these days is non-negotiable.
The Organisation
The Open SU serves the interests of around 170,000 part-time and distance-learning students spread across the UK, continental Europe and beyond. Our role is to represent and support the interests of this vast and diverse community of students. The Open SU is an independent registered charity, governed by elected student leaders. Our team of vibrant, friendly and dedicated professional staff provide the vital support needed to deliver our ambitious strategy. Here at the Open SU we are committed to a positive team culture to enable and empower all members to be their very best.
The Job
In this role, you will play a vital part in supporting the delivery of our Volunteering Strategy helping to ensure every student has the chance to connect, contribute and belong. Working closely with the Volunteering Manager, you will:
· Provide high quality administrative support which includes responding to volunteering enquiries, supporting at meetings, producing volunteer communications and maintaining volunteer records.
· Act as a first point of contact for volunteers, offering guidance and support throughout their journey, and assist with recruitment, onboarding and recognition.
· Help deliver engagement and appreciation events, share inspiring stories through newsletter and volunteer spaces and gather volunteer feedback to improve services.
· Champion good data practices, maintaining accurate records and ensuring information is handled responsibly. Above all, promote inclusive, safe and accessible volunteering across all activities.
The Person
This role is a great opportunity for an organised and proactive administrator who enjoys supporting others and being part of a friendly, collaborative team. You will also enjoy working with and supporting volunteers, helping to spark new ideas, create great experiences and build a real sense of community and belonging along the way. You’ll be passionate about creating and supporting the development of volunteer communications and storytelling to inspire others to get involved.
You will be comfortable using Microsoft 365 tools such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and Forms and will bring a flexible, can-do approach to your work. Above all, you will value inclusion, accessibility and team work, and will be committed to learning, growing and contributing to an open, supportive and sustainable community.
How to apply
Please send over your CV and a supporting word document answering how you meet the below criteria in no more than one page of A4:
1. Please describe your experience of providing administrative support as part of a team.
2. Tell us about a time you supported people from a range of backgrounds or with different needs (for example students, volunteers, service users or customers)
3. Please give an example of how you have supported a project, programme or event, and how you contributed ideas, solved problems and worked with others.
Please email your CV and supporting statement over to where you will receive confirmation of receipt within a couple of days.
The Open University Students Association is committed to equal opportunities for everyone in education and employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Closing date for applications: Monday 19th January, midday (please note, we reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the time stated if a large number of applciations has been received)
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to make a positive difference to all OU students – it's the foundation of everything we do.
