Employability manager jobs in canterbury, kent

SOS Children’s Villages UK is part of a global federation, which exists to ensure that each child and young person grows up with the healthy relationships they need to become their strongest selves. We are the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people who don’t have, or who are at risk of losing, parental care.

We are now looking for an experienced Senior Programme Funding Manager to secure crucial support from grant-making organisations and institutional funders.

• Drive strategic growth by mapping global programmes to UK funding opportunities, developing innovative strategies, and pioneering our humanitarian funding approach.

• Craft compelling partnerships by transforming programme insights into standout proposals and building strong relationships with like-minded funders.

• Collaborate globally with international teams to ensure funding applications reflect real community needs and align with expert input across safeguarding, finance, and programme delivery.

• Innovate by forming strategic partnerships with NGOs, research institutions, and development actors to co-create impactful new approaches.

• Lead grant processes from end to end, ensuring excellence in donor communications, reporting, and internal collaboration across departments.

• Maintain rigorous standards by managing due diligence, tracking progress in Salesforce, forecasting KPIs, and ensuring compliance with policies and best practice.

If you are an exceptional relationship builder, experienced in international development, looking for a pivotal role within a friendly, flexible, and supportive team, then this could be for you!

To Apply

Please read the full Candidate Pack attached which contains the entire job description and person specification, and submit a copy of your CV and a covering letter.

The deadline for applications is Friday 27 June 2025, 17.00 UK time. 

Please note: 

The post-holder must be UK-based and able to work on a permanent full-time contract. We are unable to provide employment sponsorship if required and unfortunately cannot progress applications without the required right to live and work in the UK on a permanent contract.

Business Development Officer – London, South East and East of England

Role purpose:

1. Retain and grow relationships with existing centres through tailored engagement strategies that drive programme registrations and increase impact. 
2. Identify and convert new opportunities through proactive outreach, lead generation, and effective nurture tactics to deliver new business income. 
3. Deliver excellent customer service, ensuring a high-quality centre experience that builds trust and long-term loyalty. 

Key responsibilities:

Retain and grow existing centre relationships 

• Manage a portfolio of existing centres, ensuring regular and meaningful engagement aligned to their needs, delivery patterns, and growth potential. 
• Deliver against annual centre income targets by supporting centres to continue and expand programme delivery. 
• Develop and implement tailored engagement plans that reflect sector priorities, sector and programme maturity, and centre feedback. 
• Analyse Business Intelligence (BI) dashboards to identify retention risks, spot growth opportunities, and respond to trends with proactive support. 
• Coordinate requalification conversations and re-engagement activity to sustain long-term partnerships. 

Generate and convert new business 

• Identify and research high-potential leads across your allocated sectors (e.g., secondary, FE, community) using BI and CRM insights, sector intelligence, and marketing-generated activity. 

• Plan and deliver proactive outreach activity via a Sector Development Plans. 

• Build and maintain a personal pipeline of prospects and log progress regularly updating conversion insight and forecasts. 

• Support new centre onboarding, from initial conversations through to registration and early delivery support. 

• Collaborate with Marketing on lead nurture campaigns, sales funnel activities, and content that targets sector-specific priorities. 

Deliver outstanding customer experience 

• Serve as a primary point of contact for your centres, responding promptly and professionally to queries, issues, and feedback. 

• Ensure every interaction reflects the Leadership Skills Foundation’s values. 

• Maintain consistent and accurate records of communications, registrations, and engagement history. 

• Support customer feedback collection and contribute to the analysis of satisfaction and improvement opportunities. 

• Champion a customer-first mindset and share insight to improve performance against our customer experience objectives. 

Use data and insight to drive decisions 

• Regularly review and report on programme performance, income data, and registration trends for your assigned centres and sectors. 

• Use BI dashboards and management reports to inform your planning, prioritisation, and stakeholder engagement. 

• Report on your own progress against KPIs and contribute to departmental performance reviews and forecasting activities. 

Collaborate across teams and support innovation 

• Work closely with key teams to coordinate campaigns, messaging, and respond to customer feedback. 

• Feedback insight from centres to inform programme development and sector-specific improvements. 

• Contribute to team planning meetings, training sessions, and department-wide initiatives. 

• Support the induction of new team members and contribute to a collaborative, learning-focused team culture. 

Skills, experience, and knowledge

Essential 

• Previous experience in a customer supporting role, with an emphasis on relationship management and customer experience.  
• An understanding of education systems in the UK.
• An understanding of initiating prospect engagement, business development strategies and meeting sales targets.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience of working on own initiative and being a self-starter.
• Confidence in presenting externally to customers and partners.
• Experience of working with sales forecasting tools and Management Information systems.
• Analytical thinking and evaluation skills, with the ability to interpret data and performance metrics to support decision making.
• Ability to present information concisely using Microsoft Office programmes.
• An ability to network, influence and build relationships with key stakeholders and customers.
• An ability to convert external relationships into long standing customers results.

Desired

• Previous experience in a sales environment.
• An understanding and passion for leadership skills development and the value it provides for young people and centres. 
• Excellent customer service skills.
• An understanding of awarding bodies and their operating landscape. 

There are numerous benefits that are available to you as a member of Leadership Skills Foundation.

In addition to working for an organisation that is forward thinking with a clear commitment to your wellbeing, we also offer an array of both contractual and non-contractual benefits as outlined below.

Contractual benefits:

• Standard 36 hour working week.
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days per year after completion of five years’ service.
• Automatic enrolment into NEST Pension scheme after three months, with the option to join group personal pension plan with matched contributions up to five percent following successful completion of probationary period.
• Agile/flexible working.
• Home working.

Non-contractual benefits:

• Discretionary extended Christmas break.
• Vitality Health Care Plan following successful completion of probationary period – with the option to add family/significant others at reduced rate.
• Meaningful and regular one-to-one system as part of a structured personal development process.
• Sight test and eyewear financial support.

About the Richard Whitehead Foundation

At the Foundation, we believe in the impact of sport: the increased mental well-being; the confidence; the self-esteem; the social inclusion and employability which come from it. We want the disability community to be able to thrive and benefit from all these opportunities, and we have big ambitions for the future. We are listening to the disability community, learning from our projects, and are focused on our vision and purpose.

After an exciting first 4 years we are now looking for a dynamic and driven Chief Executive to take us on the next stage in our journey, updating our strategy and growing our reach. We are looking for someone who is self-driven and committed to our values; someone able to demonstrate their ability to grow a charity through fundraising, which they will have extensive experience and previous success in.

We are also looking for a dynamic individual who is confident communicating with people at all levels from volunteers to senior leaders, beneficiaries to funders, in order to build relationships and partnerships to take the charity forward.

If you want to make a real difference to the lives of disabled people, are inspired by the impact sport can have on people’s lives and can help us in building the relationships and partnerships we need to move forward, we would love to hear from you.
 

Role Details

Location: Home based, with regular UK wide travel where required. Although the charity has national reach there is a particular focus on activity in Nottingham, Richard’s home town.

Reports to: Board of trustees Responsible for: Project Managers x 2, Communications Officer, Fundraising Consultant, Volunteers

Hours: Part time – 22.5 hours per week

Flexibility: Flexible working is available; the role will require some evenings and weekends work.

Length of contract: Permanent

Salary range: c. £55,000 (FTE - 33,000 pro rata)

Job Summary

The CEO will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and overall management of the Richard Whitehead Foundation. They will ensure it has a positive impact on enabling disabled people’s ambitions by removing barriers to give disabled people access to the life-changing power of sport. The ideal candidate will be a driven and visionary leader with a strong passion for making a difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the board to review and develop the strategic plan for the Richard Whitehead Foundation.
• Develop lead and manage an operational plan and budget to deliver the strategy
• Proactively build, develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, beneficiaries, disability organisations, volunteers, and staff ensuring that the Richard Whitehead Foundation is able to deliver on its objectives.
• To be bold in our ambition to empower disabled people through the power of sport.
• Lead, motivate and inspire the Richard Whitehead Foundation to achieve its goals and objectives, ensuring that the organisation has the right talent and resources to achieve its strategic objectives.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to ensure the sustainability, development and delivery of the Richard Whitehead Foundation and future projects, diversifying our income streams and growing overall income. This will include supporter acquisition, funding applications, event management and donor stewardship.
• Develop and oversee a marketing and communications plans
• To have a hands-on approach to progressing the Richard Whitehead Foundation
• Regular contact with trustees most notably the Chair, and President.
• Ensure that the Richard Whitehead Foundation is compliant with all relevant regulations, including those related to fundraising, governance, and charity law. 

Application

Valued Recruitment is working exclusively with The Richard Whitehead Foundation to recruit this pivotal position. We are an ethical recruitment company, intent on hiring inclusively and transparently.

To apply, we welcome a CV and a 2 page (maximum) covering letter addressing your motivation for applying and your experience that is relevant to the role.

Accessibility is incredibly important to us at Valued Recruitment and at The Richard Whitehead Foundation. If you would like any accessibility amendments or support throughout the application and interview stage, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

No question or request is too big or too small. We want this process to be comfortable and enjoyable and a chance for you to bring your best self to the process.

Thank you for your interest in the position of Chief Executive at the Richard Whitehead Foundation.

Salary: £18,731 pro-rata including holiday pay, based on a working pattern of 30hrs/week across 4 or 5 days, and 39 weeks/year. £26,700 FTE
Location: Homebased with travel within West Midlands (mainly Wolverhampton and Telford)
Hours: 30hrs a week, working term time only (39 weeks/year). The hours and days of coverage may be negotiable for the right candidate and experience.
Contract: Permanent
 
An ideal opportunity if you enjoy working with young people and want to help them be the best they can be.
 
Flexible and rewarding position within a dedicated and supportive team, working together to develop teamwork, leadership, and employability skills that inspire the next generation to aim high.
 
Are you looking to join an exciting organisation that truly making a difference?
 
The Jon Egging Trust are seeking a highly motivated individual with experience of working with young people, to plan and deliver inspiring teamwork, leadership and employability programmes in the West Midlands. The role involves liaising with school staff, local partners (including the Military and local businesses) and volunteers to ensure programmes meet the needs of our young people and is supported by the Regional Manager, Midlands. You will be joining a fantastically motivated and committed team of workers who are all passionate about improving the lives of young people through our specialist youth programmes.
 
The successful candidate will be based from home with a requirement to travel to partner schools and business sites in and around Wolverhampton and Telford. Fuel expenses are paid and travel time is included as part of working hours. Working with secondary schools to provide early support programmes, core delivery time is usually within the school working day and during school terms only. All other working hours can be managed with flexibility by the post holder to ensure that all administrative tasks are completed as required.
 
Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch. 
 
About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)
 
At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 30,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.
 
Our benefits package includes:

• Flexible working
• Enhanced annual leave
• Homeworking allowance
• Occupational pension scheme
• Occupational sickness scheme
• Special paid leave provision
• Enhanced family leave

 
Child and adult at risk protection policy statement
 
The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
 
To apply
 
Please complete our online application form.
 
The closing date is Sunday 6th July 2025 at 23.30 hrs
 
Formal Interviews to be held via Teams plus an in-person session delivery at one of our partner schools in West Midlands week commencing 14th July 2025, location to be confirmed.
 
Please note:
 
Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.
 
To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role.
 
As part of our safer recruitment process, all candidates invited to a final interview will also be required to complete a confidential self-disclosure form, which allows any relevant information to be discussed in line with our safeguarding policy.
 
On 20th August 2011, Flt Lt Jon Egging lost his life whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival. He was coming to the end of his first year with the world-famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, flying in the position of Red 4.
 
Jon was an inspirational individual, and inspiration is at the heart of everything we do. Like Jon, our staff and volunteers are chosen for their ability to act as positive role models; in turn they inspire and enthuse our vulnerable young students to reach their full potential. Our long-term support programmes increase self-confidence, self-esteem and aspiration, and ultimately empower young people to become role models within their own communities.
 
The Jon Egging Trust realises Jon’s dream of inspiring young people through his love of aviation, STEM, teamwork and leadership, helping them to overcome adversity, identify their strengths and work towards their dreams.
 
REF-222045

The Grants Officer will support the Senior Manager to develop and implement monitoring and reporting
processes across the Foundation’s grant-giving activities. To be successful in the role, you must have
excellent knowledge of results-based monitoring and reporting, demonstrate strong organisational and
administrative skills, and ideally have experience working with colleagues from different cultural
backgrounds.

The initial focus of the role will be monitoring and reporting in relation to the implementation of a Big 6
EU funded programme, the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF). This programme focuses on supporting
youth-led initiatives, giving young people the means to be effective agents of change. The YEF is global
in its reach but will focus on supporting local solutions and grassroots initiatives that young people
develop on the ground. The Officer will play a key role in supporting the Senior Manager to maintain and
grow Big 6 advocacy and partnerships for the short and long-term. This role will also work closely with
colleagues from the Operations and Finance team to ensure accurate information is delivered to key
stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities 

Youth Empowerment Fund (60%):

• Support the monitoring and reporting of the EU funded YEF programme. Including coordinationwithin the IAF and with the Big 6 designated leads.
• Communicating with and activating networks of national organizations to participate in the YEF,including sharing opportunities to take part in Big 6 advocacy activities and applying for youthled solutions open-call Local Solutions grants.
• Issuing of grants to successful national organizations and monitoring and evaluation, including regular reporting on outcomes and impact of national projects to the YEF project team.
• Sharing success stories from the YEF to support the Big 6 communication, storytelling and creative reporting efforts.

Other Grant based support (40%):

• Oversee grant-giving financial processes, creating and issuing of grant payments.
• Support the Senior Operations Manager with the reporting of grant activities for Senior Management and various stakeholders.
• Support the ongoing development of other Foundation grant reporting efforts as required.
• Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required for the successful delivery of the Foundation’s business objectives.

The purpose of this role is to provide leadership, oversight and curation to the FYT Leadership Team, and to lead the smooth running of the FYT Organisation which supports the wider FYT Movement. This will include coordinating the delivery of the strategic plan, leading fundraising, and working closely with the FYT Board to oversee the smooth running of the organisation.

Hours: 22.5 hrs per week
Salary: £24,116 per annum (£40,194 pro rata) + 9% pension
Holidays: 5 weeks plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas
Location: Working from home, with nationwide travel expected

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead the FYT Movement – Engage with movement members
   • Listening
   • Inspiring
   • Taking inspiration from
   • Facilitating collaboration and cross-pollination
2. Lead the FYT staff team – supporting, supervising, enabling and encouraging and ensuring appropriate HR functions are carried out. 
3. Lead the fundraising strategy for the organisation, giving attention to securing grants, as well as donor fundraising . Report as necessary to funders.
4. Work with the Finance Officer to manage the budget and finances within the parameters agreed by the Board.
5. Facilitate the effective function of the Leadership Team, enabling the smooth and efficient carrying out of the strategic priorities.
6. Provide Line Management support and supervision to the other members of the Leadership Team.
7. Develop, implement and monitor FYT’s strategic plan in partnership with the FYT team and board
8. Engage in practical theological reflection on FYT’s mission and how it is expressed.
9. Attend and contribute as required to Board meetings, working closely with the Chair and Board to ensure that appropriate issues are raised, and that any agreed action is put into effect.
10. Be an advocate for marginalised young people, the issues they face, and youth workers and projects working with them (pursuing prophetic mischief, provocation, and taking up our unique space in the youth ministry community).
11. Make links with appropriate Christian, voluntary and statutory bodies and to represent FYT in appropriate forums and pursue opportunities for collaborative working.
12. Support the active promotion of the FYT training and resource offer.
13. Lead the monitoring and evaluation (impact assessment) of FYT’s work

Other functions:

1. Meet regularly with Line Manager for supervision.
2. Undertake administration and keep necessary work records.
3. Comply with all FYT policies and procedures.
4. Work collaboratively with the FYT leadership team and Board to ensure that organisational policies are regularly reviewed.
5. Engage in CPD/lifelong learning.
6. Undertake any other tasks that may be requested, commensurate with the nature and level of the post and as may be required by the Board of Trustees.

Additional Information

• The Leadership Team is supported by a contract with Giraffe HR that assists in the day to day running of the organisation, primarily managing the finances of the organisation.
• Engagement in ongoing, regular youth work with marginalised young people is not a requirement of this post, but encouraged. FYT will be flexible where possible in order to facilitate this.