Employment retention specialist jobs in manchester, greater manchester
Employer Policy Specialist
Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.
Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).
Start Date: 1st September 2025.
Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy
Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm
Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July
Overview
The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body). The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role. CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.
Key Responsibilities
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Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.
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The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.
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Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).
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Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.
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Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.
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Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.
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Support our HR professional community.
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Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.
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Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.
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Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.
Essential Skills and Experience
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Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.
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The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.
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A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.
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Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.
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Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.
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People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).
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Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.
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Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.
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The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.
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Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.
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Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.
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Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.
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Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role Purpose
Winston’s Wish is a digital first organisation leading the way in Digital Transformation across the Bereavement sector. This role will play a vital part in helping Winston’s Wish turn up the dial across our corporate partnerships fundraising. As our Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser, you will be responsible for growing income from new and existing corporate supporters through creative fundraising and engagement plans and efficient account management, ensuring all partnerships have an excellent experience of supporting Winston’s Wish and understand the impact of their support on the lives of grieving children.
Working with a high level of autonomy, but within a supportive and friendly team, you will develop a live pipeline of prospects, be creative in delivering ways to keep corporate supporters engaged and provide strong stewardship to foster long-term and sustainable partnerships.
If you are incredible at communicating and have excellent organisational skills, along with the drive, passion and enthusiasm to help businesses support our work, then we look forward to hearing from you.
Main Responsibilities
Account Management and Stewardship
- Confidently manage a portfolio of existing corporate supporters who, together, make a significant difference to the lives of grieving children.
- Support the delivery of the corporate supporter activities, contributing to a team target.
- Ensure all supporter records are accurate, compliant, and up-to-date on our database, and document all corporate engagement activity.
- Execute and adapt bespoke campaigns.
- Maintain an awareness of corporate giving trends, news, events, campaigns and legislation in the UK and pick up on opportunities or topical issues that will enhance the charity.
- Provide comprehensive stewardship for our corporate supporters.
- Prepare regular communications, rewards and incentives and feedback.
- Tailor impact reports to ensure supporters understand and are inspired by the impact of their support.
- Seek out value added benefits such as generating awareness of the charity, volunteering, gifts in kind, introductions, attendance at events and pro-bono work.
Fundraising
- Identify new prospects in areas and industries where the charity is less known.
- Manage pipeline, approaches and KPIs to meet ambitious income targets.
- Provide support, where appropriate, for wider fundraising activity to develop opportunities across different fundraising areas.
- Work with our Events Manager to leverage and maximise corporate participation in our evolving events programme.
- Deliver and submit creative and persuasive pitches, proposals and applications.
- Explore, develop and expand ways in which businesses can support the charity through new corporate supporter products and platforms to cultivate new and enhance existing relationships, e.g. employee volunteering, Charity of the Year, cause-related marketing, sponsorships and point of sale opportunities.
- Continually raise the profile of Winston’s Wish by networking and representing the charity at events as required.
All Staff
- Contribute to the vision and mission of Winston's Wish; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
- Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Winston’s Wish policy.
- Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
- Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
- Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
- Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
- Take an active part in the quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
- Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
- Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Winston’s Wish policy.
Person Specification
Essential
- ·Ability to be passionate and inspiring when communicating the work of Winston’s Wish.
- Desire to deliver the highest level of experience to corporate supporters and partners.
- Experience of prospecting and new business development.
- Experience of corporate giving mechanisms and platforms.
- Proven track record of fundraising from corporates in the not-for-profit sector, or similar transferable experience gained in the commercial sector.
- Highly professional, flexible and committed to achieving and exceeding KPIs.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent time-management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines.
- A creative thinker and quick to respond to opportunities.
Desirable
- Understanding of child bereavement.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Experience of using Salesforce CRM System.
Recruitment Timetable
Application deadline: Friday 4th July 2025
Interview date: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Interview location: MS Teams
Winston’s Wish reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.
Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.