Engagement manager jobs in lancing, west sussex

Role Description

The purpose of the Executive Assistant role is to provide administrative, organisational and coordination support to the Executive Team, ensuring their time and attention are aligned with organisational priorities, goals, and objectives. The role covers executive coordination, governance administration and project support.  The Executive Assistant enables effective decision making across the Leadership Team, supports the smooth delivery of priorities, and contributes to the execution of long-term strategic goals.

The Executive Team comprises the Chief Executive, Operations Director and Business Development Director.  They work together as part of the Leadership Team, comprising key leaders from across the charity.

Excellent attention to detail is crucial, as is the ability to operate with discretion and flexibility. A high standard of written and verbal communication is essential. The role requires collaboration across Finance, HR, Trustees, and external stakeholders, and an understanding of effective charity governance would be desirable.

This role requires a high level of emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation. Success in this role depends on a proactive mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure. The Executive Assistant must be highly dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

Executive Coordination

• Manage calendars, inboxes, travel and meeting preparation for Executive Team
• Coordinate agendas and logistics for internal and external meetings
• Liaise with stakeholders, clients and partners to ensure smooth engagement

Governance Support

• Own the established governance timetable, board meeting scheduling, and trustee communications
• Draft and distribute board packs, take minutes, and track actions
• Support governance processes in collaboration with the Operations Director
• Support trustee onboarding, training, and engagement
• Ensure timely completion of Charity Commission and Companies House submissions
• Leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance business processes

Strategic communications

• Communicate with external stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Team
• Coordinate staff events and meetings
• Work with marketing and communities & projects teams for conferences and external events

Project support

• Support ongoing transformation projects in collaboration with Head of Business Functions
• Support recruitment and onboarding for senior roles led by the Head of Business Operations
• Support strategic planning and performance tracking led by the Operations Director and Business Development Director
• Support handover and re-onboarding of Executive Assistant on her return April 2027

Role Requirements

Required:

• Minimum of four years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a fast paced and changing environment, taking initiative and managing competing deadlines calmly and flexibly.
• Confident communicating with the executive and leadership team, trustees and external partners in a professional and timely way.
• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and good judgment.
• Confident coordinating meetings, preparing papers and taking accurate minutes.
• Ability to research, digest, analyse and present material clearly and concisely.
• Ability to identify and apply AI-driven tools to enhance business activities and using AI to streamline workflows and personalise business engagement.
• Comfortable stepping into an established role quickly and maintaining continuity during the maternity leave period.

Desirable:

• Experience in charity governance
• Experience in project support/management

Employees are also expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties that are consistent with the grade, responsibilities, and typical scope of the role. Any additional tasks should remain appropriate to the nature of the post and not extend into unrelated functions or specialisms.

All employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values and behavioural standards, which include being supportive, transparent, respectful, kind, honest, and collaborative. This means fostering a culture of empathy, openness, integrity, and teamwork in all interactions, and contributing positively to the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.

We are committed to flexible working and are open to requests for different working patterns. This includes part time arrangements and four day working week requests, which we will always consider as part of the recruitment process.

To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.

Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 2nd of February 2026.

White Ribbon is the leading organisation in the UK working to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. Our mission is to prevent men’s violence against women through addressing its root causes, gender inequality and harmful gender norms and stereotypes. We do this by working with individual men and boys, organisations, and the community, helping them to understand the scale of the problem, and how they can be part of the solution.

This is an exciting time to join White Ribbon as our work and profile has grown significantly over recent years as the importance of engaging men in ending violence has become more apparent. We have an increasing public presence, through campaigning activities, policy influence, in the media and online.

Location: This is a London based post, with remote working.  Most frequent and regular networking and partnership meetings and events will be in London, with some travel throughout England and Wales, particularly around the White Ribbon Day period.  You will be required to attend occasional meetings with the staff team at various locations around the country, including quarterly in West Yorkshire.

You will lead our policy work to influence decision makers and our awareness raising campaigns, including our flagship White Ribbon Day and the following 16 days of activism, with ambitious engagement targets across a wide group of stakeholders.   Your work will bring about demonstrable societal and policy change.

Please see the full job description and person specification attached.

Major Donor and Trusts Manager
Home based, remote working 
£36,000 pa plus excellent benefits (FTE £45,000 pa)
28 hours per week
Fixed-term contract for 12 months

The Major Donor and Trusts Manager will play a pivotal role in driving RNID’s High Value fundraising strategy. You’ll manage a diverse portfolio of major donors and trusts, strengthen stewardship processes, and develop innovative engagement strategies. Working in close partnership with the Senior Philanthropy Manager and High Value colleagues, you’ll help unlock transformational gifts that make a lasting impact.

You will:  

· Cultivate and manage relationships with major donors and trusts.


· Design and deliver innovative stewardship plans.

· Create engaging funding proposals and impact reports.

· Work with advocates and internal teams to identify new prospects. 

· Plan and deliver donor cultivation events. 

You’ll bring a proven track record of securing significant gifts (five and six-figure), excellent relationship-building skills, and the ability to craft compelling proposals. Highly organised and self-motivated, you’ll be confident using CRM systems and managing multiple priorities. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with a collaborative approach and a passion for RNID’s mission to create an inclusive world for people who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus.

No essential qualifications are needed, but a good standard of written English and attention to detail is a requirement.

We are RNID: the national charity supporting the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Together, we will end the discrimination faced by our communities, help people hear better now and fund world-class research to restore hearing and silence tinnitus. We work with our communities and partners across industry, government, charity, education and more to change life for the better.

We champion the value of difference and equality and celebrate our diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from BAME backgrounds or who are deaf or hard of hearing. With almost 20% of our employees having a disability we proudly hold Disability Confident Leader status and guarantee an interview for disabled applicants meeting the minimum essential criteria.

Closing date: 2 January 2026.
Interviews: w/c 12 January 2026.

This is a fixed contract to support the AMA in exploring income generation opportunities for Goose, an AI powered learning platform co-designed with heritage organisations for heritage professionals across the UK. Within this project we are looking to:

· Realise sponsorship opportunities for Goose

· Identify funding opportunities and submit applications to further develop Goose

We are looking to work with someone who has experience of fundraising and sponsorship within the heritage sector.

We have developed Goose as part of an Innovation project funded by National Lottey Heritage Fund. We’ve been working with developers Make Sense of It to build an AI tool that understands the heritage sector, knows about its seasonal challenges, diverse audiences, limited budget and the balance between preservation and accessibility that defines heritage work.

You can use Goose to :

· Create social media content that brings history to life

· Develop marketing strategies for exhibitions and events

· Write visitor-facing materials

· Plan community engagement programmes

· Generate fundraising content

· Explore different approaches to common challenges

Within Goose you have the opportunity to work with Thinking Partners, a team of specialist advisors available 24/7 – a Digital Marketing Manager who knows heritage audiences, a Community Engagement Manager who understands local partnerships, a Fundraising Manager familiar with heritage funding streams. You can bring them into your conversations to support your thinking.

Goose is proving especially helpful for small teams and individuals with a lack of resource and access to a full range of specialist skills. Innovative solutions from one museum can instantly benefit a historic house three hundred miles away. We are not using AI to replace heritage professionals, we are using it to amplify their impact.

As a minimum we would like to see the following outcomes as a result of this work:

· List of potential sponsors with contact details and reasons for alignment

· 1 successful sponsorship agreement in place

· List of potential funders with reasons for alignment and recommendations for application content

· 1 funding application submitted

Are you a confident public speaker who’s passionate about inspiring others and promoting online safety?

The Breck Foundation is expanding our Freelance Speaker Team to deliver powerful, thought-provoking presentations to students, parents, carers, and corporate audiences across the UK.

At this time, we are only recruiting applicants based in:

North East England • North West England • Wales (North & South) • East of England • Devon/Dorset • West Sussex • Essex • Kent • The Midlands • Leeds • Lincolnshire • Northern Ireland • Scotland

About the Role

As a Breck Foundation Speaker, you’ll help share Breck’s story and empower communities to use the internet safely and positively. You’ll deliver both in-person and virtual talks, engage with schools and organisations, and play a vital role in raising awareness of online safety nationwide.

Generating your own leads and bookings is a key part of this role, with additional commission available for each successful booking.

What We’re Looking For

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Have strong public speaking or presenting experience.
• Are passionate about safeguarding and supporting young people.
• Are confident using PowerPoint, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Ideally DBS checked or are happy to undergo a DBS check.

What We Offer

• Flexible freelance working arrangements.
• Payment for each session delivered (both online and face-to-face).
• Commission for generating new bookings.
• Full training, guidance and ongoing support from our team.

Important Information

Successful applicants will be required to complete a DBS check and complete training, which is fully online.

Recruitment will take place in two stages:

1️⃣ Submit your CV for initial review.
2️⃣ If shortlisted, complete a short video task lasting 2-3 minutes so we can see your presentation style in action.

If a speaker withdraws from the role or leaves within six months of starting, the Foundation reserves the right to reclaim the cost of the DBS check and any training expenses incurred.

How to Apply

Please complete the pre-application questions and upload your CV via CharityJob.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal online interview.

If you’re ready to make a real difference by helping protect young people online — we’d love to hear from you.

Join us in our mission to make a positive impact and bring the Foundation's message to life.

�� Help give animals in Sussex a good life — and shape the future of one of the most-loved local charities ��

Raystede is one of Sussex’s most loved animal charities, caring for over 400 animals every day. We're investing in our future — and fundraising is at the heart of that journey.

We’re looking for an experienced Individual and Community Giving Manager to lead and grow our public fundraising programme across Regular Giving, Community Fundraising, Events, Appeals, Legacies, Lottery, Sponsorship and Digital.

You’ll manage a talented team, develop supporter journeys, embed data-led decision making and drive income growth to help secure Raystede’s long-term future.

We’re looking for someone with:

· A strong track record in public fundraising

· Experience managing multiple fundraising streams

· Leadership and team development skills

· Excellent storytelling, relationship-building and data literacy

· A passion for ethical fundraising and animal welfare

Some evening/weekend work required (TOIL provided). Full driving licence is essential.

We are looking for an inspiring leader to drive the Wilder Communities programme at Sussex Wildlife Trust. This is a strategic role delivering an ambitious engagement offer that connects people with nature and supports our long-term vision.

Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy and Research Leadership

  • Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
  • Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  • Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
  • Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
  • Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
  • Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
  • Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.

• Internal Collaboration

  • Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
  • Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
  • Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
  • Line manage junior staff or associates as required.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:

• Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
• Experience in income generation or bid development.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Politically aware and intellectually curious.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
• Committed to personal and professional development.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Harris Hill is proud to be partnering with the Community Land Trust Network to recruit a New Business, Partnerships and Innovation Manager — an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected national charity championing land justice, community ownership and social equity.

About the Role

Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £45,200–£55,200 (depending on skills and experience)

Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to become permanent

Working Hours:

· 3 days / 21 hours per week (with reduced duties), or

· 4 days / 28 hours per week
Working pattern negotiable

Location: Remote/home-based

This newly created role will play a pivotal part in expanding the charity’s income and influence. You will:

• Lead on new business development, nurturing existing supporters and securing new partnerships with developers, housing associations, local authorities, funders and other stakeholders.
• Shape and grow their consultancy and service offer, helping reduce reliance on grant funding.
• Support the roll-out of their Growth Lab, working with practitioners and community groups to develop innovative models, products and services for Community Land Trusts.
• Capture insights, impact and learning to strengthen the case for scaling these innovations.
• Work closely with the CEO on funding proposals, partnership development and strategic initiatives.

This role offers variety, influence and the chance to help shape a major area of the charity’s future work. The team operates fully remotely, with a warm, collaborative culture and a strong focus on wellbeing.

About You

They are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in partnerships, business development, philanthropy or account management — and enjoys turning opportunities into long-term relationships.
• Communicates with clarity, confidence and professionalism across sectors including business, charity, local government and community groups.
• Is entrepreneurial, proactive and excited by innovation and co-creation.
• Shares a commitment to social justice, equity and community-led change.

Key Dates

• Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026

How to Apply

Please email Hannah Laking at Harris Hill to request the full job pack, or you can download it directly from this advert. If you’d like to learn more about the role, you’re welcome to book a call with Hannah. Alternatively, you can simply send your CV and supporting statement which must follow the structure outlined in the job pack before the closing date, and Hannah will get in touch.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

The Local Storytelling Exchange (the Exchange) exists to change the conversation about the ‘green transition’ in the UK. We tell the human stories of how everyday people, communities, and places are building fairer, greener futures, especially where narratives around climate action are more contested. Our place-based storytellers use community insights, journalistic expertise, and creative storytelling to shift narratives and humanise the transition.

About the role  

We are looking for a Digital Innovation Lead to position us at the cutting-edge of digital, locally based storytelling about the climate transition.

Part of this role will be overseeing our approach to social media. But more than that, the successful candidate will bring their know-how and entrepreneurial flair to help us reimagine our digital storytelling on the climate transition.

From TikTok to hyper-local Facebook groups, from AI-powered analysis to multimedia experimentation, you will help the Exchange build a digital game that’s contemporary, sector-leading, ethical and true to both our mission and our USP as locally rooted, authentic, people-led storytellers.

In depth technical expertise (for example, in the mechanics of video creation) is not essential. Knowing where to get it, how to use it - and what great looks like for an organisation like us - is.

The Digital Innovation Lead will deploy audience and platform insight, social listening, and restless creativity. They will ensure our digital storytelling has scale, reach and narrative-shaping impact in its own right, and as a complement and added dimension to our existing, sector-leading print, broadcast and online journalism.

We want someone who can work collaboratively to challenge our assumptions and try new things, while holding on to what makes the Exchange’s storytelling special: our authenticity and people-first approach.

Key responsibilities  

• Shape and deliver a digital innovation strategy that harnesses the Exchange’s USP and place-based focus to impactfully engage audiences, share stories, and measurably influence local narratives.

• Working with the Executive Director and Head of Programmes, secure partnerships and funding to put the strategy into practice – ranging from partnering with local influencers and campaign groups, to national media platforms, data platforms, or creative tech collaborators, and more.

• Lead experimentation with emerging tools – including AI, community insights, social listening tools, multimedia storytelling and audience analytics 

• Design systems for (digital) social listening and audience intelligence that build on our existing USP as a place-based, storyteller-led organisation.

• Build a roster of associate content creators so we can generate excellent content, quickly.

• Build digital confidence and capacity across the organisation and key external partners, mentoring colleagues and associates to use digital tools creatively and ethically.

• Ensure the Exchange uses technology ethically and responsibly in line with the Exchange’s mission.

• Balance working at pace under own initiative, with working collaboratively and supportively within a small, hybrid organisation.

 About you  

You are likely to be a creative digital communications and/or engagement specialist who combines vision and innovative spark with the determination to build networks, projects and partnerships to turn ideas into real world impact. You can bridge big picture strategic thinking and tracking the latest ideas, with practical application to prototype, test and learn fast.

You will have a strong instinct for what makes for brilliant content that has impact at scale, and how to get it seen. You will be audience, mission and impact-led, innovating around how best to reach people across platforms and wider engagement.  You will have a strategic mind, up-to-the-minute understanding of today’s information and digital environment, and a rich network of intelligence and contacts. You'll understand how digital content can complement ‘traditional’ journalism and be excited to combine these approaches in new ways as part of shaping local narratives across the country.

Whatever your background, you’ll be excited to join a journalism, narrative shaping and storytelling organisation with a strong reputation for “traditional” media impact, which is evolving that to also excel in the digital world.  You will be fascinated by how digital storytelling can be used brilliantly, within current and emerging information system and technological frontiers, to be a positive counterforce to misinformation and culture wars around climate action.

Are you an experienced Digital Product Manager looking for an exciting opportunity to help develop digital products and services? If so, join Shelter and you could soon be supporting our income generation, advocacy campaigns and advice services.

About the role

Reporting to the Digital Product and Delivery Lead, you’ll be at the centre of a multidisciplinary digital team, developing products and services to support Shelter’s income generation, advocacy campaigns and advice services.

As part of the Digital Team, you’ll work with disciplines including front and back-end development and user-centred designers, as well as with adjacent teams of specialists in marketing, creative, and campaigning teams.

You’ll develop Shelter’s ability to be user and data-led, leading on the planning, delivery, maintenance, and optimisation of a range of digital products.

Role specifics

A passionate champion of agile product design, you are used to being flexible within a range of business settings and constraints. Through extensive experience collaborating with experts in cross-functional teams, you’ll understand how to successfully bring together different technical specialists and business stakeholders, enabling them to work together towards a common aim.

You’ll have a solid knowledge of product design and development, including facilitating, ideation, and scoping. You will have worked on complex projects with a range of technologies and understand how strategic requirements, business analysis, systems thinking and user insight can be translated into full-stack solutions.

 An excellent communicator, you can advocate for a particular approach while building constructive relationships. Able to balance dependencies and priorities, we’ll look to you to develop a clear roadmap, that everyone can get behind, to deliver on time and budget.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The Digital team sit alongside our Content and User Experience team, our Strategic Evaluation, Learning and Insight team and our CRM team, within Shelter’s Digital and Audience Engagement (DAE) sub-directorate. DAE is one of three sub-directorates that make up our wider Communications, Policy and Campaigns (CPC) department.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Help us inspire supporters and transform the lives of animals in need.

Raystede is one of Sussex’s most loved and respected animal welfare charities. Every day, more than 400 animals depend on us for rehoming, rehabilitation, sanctuary and a second chance. We are entering an exciting period of growth — investing in our people, systems and supporter relationships — to secure our impact for decades to come.

We’re looking for a passionate and data-savvy Individual Giving Fundraiser to lead and grow our Individual Giving programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves creating engaging campaigns, improving supporter experience and using insight to drive results.

About the Role

As Individual Giving Fundraiser, you will:

• Deliver and continuously improve Raystede’s Individual Giving programme.
• Plan and manage multi-channel campaigns including regular giving, cash appeals, digital fundraising and stewardship journeys.
• Use data and insight to segment audiences, test approaches and optimise performance.
• Oversee supporter journeys to ensure communications are timely, engaging and emotionally compelling.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing and external agencies to deliver joined-up campaigns.
• Produce campaign reports, forecasts and actionable insights to support income growth.
• Line-manage a small team, supporting their development and wellbeing.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys both creativity and analysis and thrives on delivering high-quality campaigns that inspire people to give.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Experience in Individual Giving or fundraising/marketing campaign delivery.
• Strong project management skills and confidence managing multiple deadlines.
• Good CRM/data skills and experience using insight to guide decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to support and motivate others.
• A compassionate, supporter-centred mindset and genuine interest in animal welfare.

Desirable:

• Experience of Regular Giving programmes, email marketing and digital fundraising.
• Experience managing agencies, budgets and reporting processes.
• Relevant fundraising or digital qualifications.

Why Raystede?

• Join a warm, mission-driven charity full of passionate people.
• Play a key role in shaping our future fundraising strategy.
• Work in a unique 43-acre site surrounded by animals and nature.
• Benefit from training, development and a supportive culture.

If you’re excited by the idea of growing supporter relationships and helping secure a better future for animals in Sussex, we’d love to hear from you.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Programmes, a pivotal role at the heart of our mission. You will lead the design, delivery, and impact of Belong’s programmes across England and Wales, ensuring they are strategic, inclusive, and evidence-based. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, you will shape programme strategy, oversee complex portfolios, and drive systemic change that strengthens social cohesion nationwide.

As Director of Programmes, you will:

• Lead strategic development and delivery of Belong’s place-based programmes, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.
• Oversee programme design, implementation, evaluation, and learning to guarantee quality and measurable impact.
• Line manage a talented team of Programme Leads and Coordinators, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
• Apply systems thinking to understand the interconnected nature of community, policy, and service ecosystems.
• Build and maintain high-level partnerships with funders, commissioners, local authorities, and community organisations.
• Represent Belong at national forums, events, and networks, championing our work and influence.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for programme development and funding, supporting organisational growth.

This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will play a key role in shaping Belong’s future and ensuring our programmes make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.

About You
We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader with:

• Proven experience in leading complex programme portfolios and delivering impactful initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a track record of shaping programme strategy.
• Excellent leadership and line management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders, from senior decision-makers to community partners.
• Familiarity with systems change and participatory approaches.
• Understanding of social cohesion, integration, and related social policy issues.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Highly organised, diplomatic, and politically astute, with experience in income generation and bid development.

Desirable: Experience in areas such as Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.

Personal qualities matter too: we’re looking for someone passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK, collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 12 January 2026

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through innovative place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses, and we are proud to champion collaboration, diversity, and evidence-led approaches.

*Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.*