Engagement and student membership jobs in east of england

This is an exciting opportunity to lead our Alumni Engagement team who provide support to an alumni base of almost 40,000 contactable alumni of the Sutton Trust programmes. These are generally young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds who move into highly competitive universities, courses and careers. The alumni community has grown rapidly over the past 3 years and now expects around 6-7000 new alumni to join each September. Engagement covers supporting their transition to university and into the workplace through communications, events and programmes. It also spans alumni volunteering, our Alumni Leadership Board, and working with our Development team towards alumni giving.

The role is dynamic and diverse, requiring you to be able to think strategically whilst devising and delivering on operational delivery plans, and we are looking for a confident and experienced team leader during a period of maternity leave.

This role is part of the Programmes Leadership Team and will work closely with the Director of Programmes, Head of Employability Programmes and Head of University Access & Digital on shaping the strategic direction of the team and its programmatic work. The role will also connect closely to the work of the Development Team as we look to devise and implement a segmented alumni giving scheme, as well as the Communications and Policy team, and may evolve to take on new projects over time.

Main duties

• Strategic leadership to alumni engagement, including:
  • Embedding alumni relations and programming across the organisation, ensuring alumni are considered or involved in all areas of the Trust’s work
  • Managing budget and project timelines to ensure projects are delivered effectively
  • Working with the wider programmes team to ensure a smooth transition for Sutton Trust beneficiaries between programmes and the alumni community

• Alumni Engagement and Volunteering:
  • Refining and communicating the alumni strategy across the Trust and to donors and external stakeholders
  • Growing the Sutton Trust alumni network and developing a long-term strategy for alumni engagement, including communications and events, identifying key areas of focus and setting out benchmarks and KPIs
  • Overseeing a suite of volunteering opportunities for alumni to give back to, and represent the Trust in (for example on programmes, with our funder base, in our research and policy work, or to benefit the alumni community)
  • Managing the online alumni platform (STA) and its integration with other platforms .
  • Overseeing the recruitment to and engagement of the Alumni Leadership Board and new Changemaker/Ambassador programme to build on our advocacy work, and ensuring effective engagement with the work of the Trust and the wider alumni community
  • Ensuring that the above complements a long-term plan which would enable alumni to fundraise for the Trust or make donations in support of the Trust

• Programme management and Alumni Support:
  • Support delivery of access to the workplace and employability programming for alumni alongside the Head of Employability Programmes
  • Overseeing the delivery of bursary support programmes (including the Opportunity Bursary funded by JP Morgan) by the Alumni Programmes Manager from recruitment to evaluation and reporting
  • Overseeing the delivery of a series of employer-led events (working with employer-facing colleagues across the Trust) across a range of industry sectors that support student access to workplace opportunities, and the chance to build employability skills (such as networking / interview skills etc)
  • Overseeing the development of content and activities to support young alumni transitioning to HE
  • Overseeing the evaluation and scoping for potential growth for alumni-alumni mentoring with the Alumni Connect programme (piloted in Spring 2025)
  • Ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to manage programmes and events for alumni

• Alumni Giving and Relationship Management
  • Working closely with the Development team to provide support for key funding partnerships including those that directly fund/ work with the Alumni team.
  • Working with the Director of Development/ Head of Philanthropy to input into a new strategy to build funding from our alumni
  • Working with the Development team to implement an ongoing segmented fundraising communications plan to build awareness of our need for funding and directing alumni to appropriate giving schemes depending on their life/career stage
  • Identifying potential mid to high level alumni donors and working with the Development team to cultivate
  • Representing the Trust and facilitating introductions via senior alumni for new and potential employer or delivery partners

• Team Management:
  • Leading the alumni team to ensure effective engagement of our alumni community, including line management responsibility, team meetings, pastoral support and appraisals
  • Line managing, motivating and proactively supporting the Alumni Programmes Manager and Senior Alumni Officer in their professional development
  • Working with Director of Programmes and Heads of Programmes on team management, culture and long term planning
  • Working across the organisation on cross-team projects, such as with the employer working group, youth voice, Changemaker pilot, alumni giving, and STO/STA platforms strategy.
  • Member of extended-SLT

• Other duties as necessary from time to time

Person Specification

We welcome applications from individuals who have experience in:

• Professional experience of alumni relations, or managing other similar membership communities, ideally within the education or charity sector.
• Has experience working within or an understanding of the not for profit sector and/or the education sectors;
• Experience of developing strategies, frameworks and operational plans to support alumni relations, programmes and events for young people, or equivalent
• Strong understanding of databases, data processes and experience using a CRM (ideally Salesforce)
• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation, managing budgets, financial control and administration
• Building relationships with significant, diverse stakeholder groups
• Experience of managing volunteers and volunteer stewardship
• Excellent verbal and written communication and strong analytical skills
• First-class interpersonal skills - a natural ambassador able to represent the Sutton Trust in a range of settings
• Working collaboratively across teams and within a small team
• Line management and leadership of a small team
• Adapting to new opportunities and trialling new initiatives
• Personable, flexible and discreet; able to fit in to a small team

We are also looking for an individual who:

• Has experience of building philanthropic support through alumni
• Is sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and its mission to address educational disadvantage;
• Has excellent attention to detail;
• Is eligible to work in the UK (see here for information about right to work)

Terms of Appointment

• • Contract: 13-month Fixed-term Maternity cover contract starting November 2025. Our ideal dates are from 1 November 2025 – 30 November 2026, however we can be flexible if needed for the right candidate.
  • Salary: £60,000-£64,000 per annum
  • Working location: Minimum of 2 office days per week
  • Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP. Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.
  • Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and may also be required to attend events / meetings outside of their normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends
  • DBS check will be required

Interviews

Applications should reach us by midnight, Sunday 20th July, with first round interviews held over Zoom on Tuesday, 29th July, and second round interviews held at our London offices on Tuesday, 5th August.

Safeguarding statement

The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

Contextual recruitment

The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role. As such we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout our recruitment process and during employment.

We also operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website.

South Bank Students Union is a non-for-profit organisation, which champions social mobility through education and has a vision to disrupt the cycle of inequality in higher education. 

​

We are looking for a Student Voice Coordinator to join our new team as we embark on a five-year strategy to transform the way we engage and support students to help them reach their full potential.​

​

​

Nowhere is inequality in our education system more recognisable than in higher education, where those from the most privileged backgrounds still have the most equity and most chances to achieve and succeed.

​

South Bank students have high expectations and ambitions for themselves but lead complex lives where they are faced with the pressures of trying to balance their studies with work and juggling their lives at home. In fact, many don't identify primarily as students, but instead as carers, nurses, engineers, parents, designers, workers, entrepreneurs, apprentices, last chance learners and Londoners. 

​

At South Bank Students' Union we believe that a student's background and life circumstances should not put them at an educational disadvantage, and all students deserve a high-quality University experience and the chance to graduate equipped with the tools to succeed in life - this role is at the heart of this work. 

​

Alongside our current Student Voice Coordinator, the person in this role will be responsible for delivering the Union’s key Student Voice programmes which include: our course rep scheme; student issues tracking; focus groups and officer insight campaigns. They will also provide support for student leaders. This includes supporting the effective election, induction and ongoing development of the Union’s President, Lead Representatives and democratic processes.

​

We are looking for someone who can truly understand the lived experiences of those who have faced societal barriers to participation, and who is motivated by delivering work which aims to challenge and remove these norms. 

​

​

Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

​

SBSU’s simple vision of disrupting inequality is the heartbeat of the organisation and it is this which steers its decisions, practice, and priorities. It unifies our services, and it drives our staff to remove societal barriers so that all people can achieve their full potential.

​

SBSU believes that in order to truly disrupt inequality for its members, it must also strive to do this for its workforce – in short, staff must experience it in order to deliver it!

​

Our Union benefits enormously from having a team of staff with a range of diverse lived experiences. We understand that some life circumstances might be more complex, and that some will have had to overcome more barriers. We value the unique perspectives that are formed by an individual’s background and believe that ‘bringing your whole self to work’ is essential for informed decision making and collaboration and paves the way for high performance so we welcome applications from all, especially if your background and circumstances are traditionally under-represented in the workplace. 

​

​

Further Information

​

To find out more information about South Bank Students Union and the role, including the job description and person specification, you can download the recruitment pack below.​ You can also download our​ five-year strategy below ​to help you understand more about our vision for SBSU.​

​

Process​

To apply, you will need to:

• submit a copy of your CV
• ​submit a supporting statement (a maximum of two sides of A4) that details your interest in, and suitability for the role in PDF format.
• answer some questions relating to your eligibility for employment.
• provide some details about your individual identity (not mandatory) 

Candidates will be shortlisted based on how well their application demonstrates they meet the criteria in the job description and person specification. Your CV will provide information on your education and work experience, however, your supporting statement is your chance to show why you are right for the role and an opportunity to stand out from others. It should provide clear and relevant examples of how you have met the key criteria, and the successes you have had in your previous roles. An application which does not provide this detail is unlikely to make it through to an interview so please take the time to make sure you have given this full consideration. 

The job description and person specification can be found in the recruitment pack which can be downloaded below.

Applications should be submitted electronically via the link above. The closing date for applications is 23:59pm on Sunday 3 August 2025. Interviews for this role are likely to take place week commencing 18 August.

Shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation to an interview, with a panel of SU staff and elected officers and may also include some written and / or scenario-based tasks.

The students’ union is unable to offer feedback to non shortlisted candidates; however, every applicant will be informed of the outcome of their application. 

​

​Accessibility

​

We encourage applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and life circumstances and want to make sure that this recruitment process is accessible to all. We also recognise that this recruitment process, and the opportunity to join the organisation, is taking place during a period of major instability and uncertainty in the wider world, so should you require support related to this process or attending a digital interview, please let us know at any point during the process.

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of students and equip them to put their faith into action?

SCM is looking for a recent graduate to spend a year working with us to help us to continue to build on the work of our successful Faith in Action project. 

Run in partnership with Project Bonhoeffer, a small charitable trust, the project began in 2012 with a vision that Christian students in Britain would have a greater awareness and understanding of Bonhoeffer’s radical approach to faith and discipleship, and its implications for Christian living in the modern world. 

The project has helped to run over a dozen campaigns from Food Poverty to Peace, and had an immeasurable impact on thousands of students through blogs, resources, and relationships. All of this is bringing to light many ‘Bonhoeffers’ of today negotiating the implications on Christian living in the world.

In 2021 we developed the Faith in Action project as a graduate scheme by employing two graduates to work on the project; one to lead on theology bringing a depth of learning and theological refection, and the other to be a campaigns lead, taking us always back out into the world to make a difference.

The project has been very successful, and now we are looking to grow it for further. We are looking for a passionate graduate to join the project for the 2025-26 academic year.

In this role, you will be a theologian to make other theologians, and will provide the framework for students to be able to reflect theologically on their life and modern Christian Living. You will be responsible for growing the breadth of SCM’s Faith in Action resources, and discovering new ways of connecting with the current membership via the trends of social media or engaging in face-to-face reflections. An activist to make other activists, you will coordinate social action for SCM, engaging the membership in social justice projects that maximise our impact in society and the world.

You will work to build relationships between SCM communities and members to equip students with the skills they need to become faith-filled agents of social and political change and lead them in theological reflection to discern their involvement in local and national campaigns. You will also work to develop relationships with other Christian social justice and campaigning organisations to create opportunities for students to put their faith into action. In all of this, you will be supported by our small but perfectly-formed team, who will share your values and fully understand your aims in this project.

The role will require some travel within Britain, as well as semi-regular visits to the office in Birmingham, which may also include an overnight stay. All reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation will be reimbursed. Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu will be given.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBTQ+ individuals who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. Due to the nature of this role and the responsibilities of the successful post-holder, a genuine occupational requirement to be a committed Christian is in place for this role in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Please use the forms provided; CVs will not be accepted. Applications should be submitted electronically in Word format by email to the address provided in the application pack.

Student Christian Movement is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1125640, and in Scotland number SC048506

Terms and Conditions 

Job Title: Visitor Experience Manager

Hours of work: 21 hours per week.

Salary: £24,000

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Contract: 12 month contract, to be reviewed on successful NLHF application

Role Description

Working with other staff and volunteers, you will oversee the visitor experience to ensure a consistently high standard, delivering a wide-ranging programme of activities that will also attract a new and diverse audience to the Cathedral whilst maximising visitor donations and income.

Key Responsibilities

• Commitment to the Cathedral’s values and inclusive culture and to demonstrate them through professional behaviour working with clergy, staff and volunteers
• Management and oversight of visitor experience ensuring all visitors have a positive experience, whether they come to the Cathedral as a sightseer, pilgrim, worshipper, or event attendee
• Ensure safe recruitment, induction, training and management of paid Welcome Assistants to offer a consistently high standard of welcome and increase donated income
• Liaise with all volunteer groups involved in the visitor experience, including Welcome Stewards, Chaplains, Tower Tour Guides, Tour Guides, LEGO model builders to ensure consistency of welcome
• Deliver an exciting programme of visitor events and activities that generates income and growth whilst supporting the Cathedral’s Mission, Values and Strategic Objectives
• Make connections between Cathedral attractions, the Cathedral shop and Pilgrims’ Kitchen restaurant, and support a culture of collaboration to develop and enhance the experience for visitors
• Support the work of the Volunteer Manager to ensure that volunteers are appropriately recruited, valued, trained (particularly in respect of safeguarding), communicated with, and acknowledged)
• Work with the Head Verger/Event Manager on key projects which impact the visitor experience and drive visitor footfall
• Work with the Head Verger/Event Manager to propose and develop new and innovative projects/exhibitions to appeal to the local, and repeat visit, audience
• Be proactive in key events/projects which have a direct visitor impact, in terms of planning, scheduling and onsite operations
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Manager to ensure a consistent visitor offer ensuring positive messaging and promotion and highlight good news and events
• To present the best possible image of the Cathedral in general and in all contact and communications with the public, visitors, suppliers and all other external organisations
• Ensure high quality effective signage is in place that promotes the activities of the Cathedral and supports the visitor experience
• Maintain high quality interpretation in a range of media to meet differing visitor needs
• · Act as the ‘accessibility and diversity champion’ to ensure the Cathedral buildings, facilities and services are accessible for visitors with mobility and other special needs, as well as being involved in projects to create a wider appeal, particularly more diverse audiences
• Be alert to opportunities to work with partners in the town and County to bring visitors to the Cathedral
• Produce and manage a relevant and realistic budget for Visitor Experience and ensure operation within that budget are constantly monitored, forecasting and reporting performance against budget in conjunction with the Chief Finance Officer
• Regularly review, analyse, and report on visitor statistics to identify next steps and future requirements
• Uphold and comply with the organisation’s policies and the law in relation to health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding, data protection and other adopted policies and procedures as required

Person Specification

 Essential Qualities

• Sensitive to the Cathedral’s core mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome and care, which underpins its commercial activities
• Experience in leading people within a visitor-focused operation
• Background in heritage, tourism or hospitality
• Experience of line management, team working, networking and relationship building
• A proven track record of commercial acumen and taking measured risks
• Ability to manage the complexity of demands posed by both a religious, conservation and commercial environment
• Ability to consider and see different perspectives on issues between people across departments or organisations for mutual benefit
• Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders and gain commitment of others to act and achieve outcomes
• Excel at being able to operate flexibly and prioritise issues and opportunities as needed
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages and at all levels
• An ability to work flexibly including some evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher and Excel

Desired Qualities

• Familiarity with the Church of England, particularly Cathedrals
• Experience of working with volunteers
• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Probationary and notice period

In accordance with current Chapter Policy, the post is subject to a 12 week probationary period. After completion of the probationary period the notice period is one month.

Pension

After 12 weeks’ service, the post-holder with be auto-enrolled into a pension scheme with the Church Workers Pension Fund.

Policies and Procedures

To be familiar and comply with Cathedral Policies where applicable but in particular the Health & Safety Policy, the Safeguarding Policy and the Cathedral’s Social Media Policy.

Other terms and conditions

This is only a summary of the terms and conditions offered and does not replace the wording of the Standard Terms and Conditions which will form the contract between the successful candidate and the Chapter.

Bromley Experts by Experience is a local Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation, run by and for Deaf and Disabled people and carers in Bromley and neighbouring Boroughs.

We have a vision of a world where Disabled people are able to live their lives independently, in the way they choose, participating fully in society and enjoying equity and respect for diversity.

Our mission is to enable Deaf and Disabled people and carers in Bromley and neighbouring Boroughs to fully understand our rights, develop collective pride and build skills and experience in self-advocacy and strong civic participation. We believe this will allow Disabled people to lead in challenging discrimination in Bromley and beyond, breaking down barriers to independence, choice and equity. 

Our aims are:

• To support Disabled people to get our voices heard and to influence change locally.
• To campaign for an inclusive and accessible society.
• To support, develop and celebrate Disabled people’s skills and leadership.

You would be joining a small, committed team of staff who are passionate about creating more inclusive and accessible communities in Bromley and beyond to enable Deaf and Disabled people to participate fully in society and realise our rights.

As Youth Transition Worker, you will be working with young Disabled people in schools/colleges and the local community to support them to navigate the transition to adulthood. You will lead on co-producing workshops and events with young Disabled people to ensure they have the skills and knowledge they need to make this transition successfully.

Position: Youth Transition Worker

Responsible to: Deputy CEO

Location: You will be based in our office in Anerley. During term time, you will be visiting four Bromley schools weekly. In addition, you will need to be able to travel to other Bromley venues as required and occasionally further afield. Some hybrid working may be possible in this role in consultation with your line manager.

Hours: 28 hours per week

Salary: £29,300 per year pro rata to 28 hours per week (35 hours FTE)

Annual leave: 5.6 weeks per year including bank holidays, pro rata

Pension: Statutory opt in rules applied to all our jobs

How to apply:

Please visit our website to complete an application form with a supporting statement that gives examples of how you meet each criteria in the person specification.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to lead a short session with a group of young Disabled people at our Anerley office on Monday 11th August 2025. Details of what is required for the session will be sent with the interview invitation.

Successful candidates will then be invited to an online interview on Wednesday 13th August 2025.

Closing date: 11.59pm on Thursday 31st July 2025.

What you will be working on:

• Plan and deliver accessible and engaging workshops within schools/colleges, taking the access needs and learning preferences of young Disabled people into account.
• Establish a working group to develop a Youth Forum for young Disabled people in the Borough to campaign and have influence around issues that affect them.
• Develop connections with other youth organisations to organise workshops in school holidays that appeal to young Disabled people.
• Promote our free membership and volunteering opportunities to young Disabled people.
• Develop the skills of young Disabled people so they can take up positions on our Trustee Board.  
• Support young Disabled people to regularly evaluate the project and ensure that this data is updated on our database in a timely manner.

This job is for you if:

• You have personal lived experience of being Deaf and/or Disabled.
• You have experience of working with young people with a diverse range of needs to build their confidence and resilience.
• You can show empathy with young people and an understanding of their needs, empowering them to overcome barriers to reach their potential.
• You have understanding of the importance of safeguarding and working with people who might be ‘at risk’.
• You have strong organisational and time management skills, including being able to problem-solve, show initiative, meet targets and plan and prioritise your workload. 
• You have excellent communication skills, including an ability to adapt and tailor communication for people with varying access needs.
• You are able to cope with limited resources, seize opportunities and think creatively.​
• You are willing and able to travel frequently across Bromley to schools/colleges and local community venues.