Event fundraising manager jobs in Oxford, oxfordshire

What does it take to lead the national voice for special schools at a time of real change?

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – National Association of Special Schools (NASS)

National – home-based, with regular travel across England and Wales, particularly London

£90,000–£110,000 per annum

Full-time, permanent.

About NASS 

The National Association of Special Schools (NASS) is the membership association for special schools in England and Wales. We bring together independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, special academies, maintained special schools and multi-academy trusts with specialist provision.

We exist to inform, support and represent our members, helping specialist schools improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and secure the place of specialist provision within the wider education system. NASS is known for being accessible, responsive and personal, combining national influence with practical support that members value as timely, human and trustworthy.

This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. In February this year, the Department for Education published a major white paper on SEND reform which will require NASS to both influence national policy on behalf of our members and children and young people, as well as support them to navigate the changes. Our new CEO will need to review our strategy while building on our strong platform and momentum to further deepen our influence and strengthen our internal capacity.

As our next Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Lead NASS through a period of policy and structural change, ensuring the organisation remains clear on purpose, responsive to members and influential in the SEND landscape.
• Governance & Finance: Work closely with the Board of Trustees to provide strong governance, prudent financial stewardship, robust risk management and clear strategic oversight.
• Operational Leadership: Provide confident leadership to a small, remote team, strengthening collaboration, accountability, resilience and a positive, high-trust culture.
• Income Generation: Oversee budgeting, planning and reporting while developing thoughtful opportunities to diversify income through membership, partnerships, events and related activity.
• Community & Partnerships: Build and sustain trusted relationships with government, parliament, regulators, sector bodies and member schools, ensuring NASS remains relevant and well connected.
• Member Services: Protect and enhance the practical offer to members, from briefings and special interest groups to conferences, webinars, training and peer-to-peer learning.
• Brand & Profile: Act as a credible public ambassador for NASS, helping to modernise communications and broaden the organisation’s voice beyond a founder-shaped model.
• Future Growth: Shape a distributed leadership profile and support a more varied, accessible and engaging approach to membership, advocacy and communications.
• A seasoned senior leader with experience in a charity, membership body, education or public sector setting, and a clear track record of leading through change.
• A strong strategic thinker, able to absorb complex information quickly and translate it into clear, practical direction.
• A confident communicator with the gravitas to represent NASS with members, staff, trustees, MPs, peers, media and national partners.
• A politically astute relationship-builder, comfortable navigating a complex and fast-moving external environment.
• Experienced in governance, with a sound understanding of working with boards or trustees and supporting effective decision-making.
• Numerate and commercially minded, with experience of budgets, financial planning, income generation or partnership development.
• Credible, approachable and resilient, with the emotional intelligence to lead well in a high-profile, remote and sometimes uncertain context.
• Direct SEND experience would be a significant advantage, alongside understanding of specialist education or similarly complex stakeholder environments.

Why NASS?

• This is a chance to lead a respected, member-led organisation with a strong national reputation and a clear public purpose.
• You will help shape the future of specialist education at a time when SEND reform is high on the agenda.
• NASS has a loyal, experienced and collegiate remote staff team, supported by an active Board of Trustees.
• The organisation offers a genuinely influential platform, with strong connections across the sector and with government.

Application

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 8th June 2026

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.

This is an exciting new opportunity to shape the future of technology and digital capability across five South West charities. We are seeking an exceptional Regional Chief Technology Officer who is motivated by both challenge and purpose; someone who can harness technology to make a tangible difference to how our faith-based charities support church communities.

Working across Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Salisbury and Truro, this role offers a rare platform to influence at scale. The successful candidate will lead a region-wide programme of digital transformation and process optimisation, helping modernise systems, strengthen cyber resilience and unlock efficiencies that release resources for mission and ministry.

This is not technology for its own sake. We are looking for someone who combines strategic insight with practical delivery; a leader who can translate complex technical possibilities into real-world improvements for staff, clergy and volunteers. You will play a key role in shaping the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, while ensuring strong governance, security and compliance.

Please note that, whilst the role will be primarily home-based, the post-holder will be required to travel regularly across the Southwest region, with an onsite presence in each organisation at least once per month.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop, articulate, and implement a shared digital transformation and technology strategy that is directly aligned with the overarching mission and strategic goals of the five dioceses.
• Act as the principal technology advisor to the Diocesan Secretaries and their senior leadership teams.

Process Mapping & Optimisation:

• Lead a comprehensive, collaborative review of key administrative and operational processes within the Diocesan Boards of Finance (DBFs) and in parishes where appropriate.
• Use process mapping techniques to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement, and then design and implement optimised workflows.

AI & Responsible Innovation:

• Actively research, evaluate, pilot, and implement appropriate AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency, support fundraising, and improve service delivery.
• Ensure all innovation is undertaken responsibly, ethically, and with a clear focus on tangible benefits.

Stakeholder Management & Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across all five dioceses, including clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of digital literacy and champion the benefits of change in a clear, accessible, and empathetic manner.

Project & Change Management:

• Oversee the full lifecycle of technology and process improvement projects, from initial conception and business case development through to delivery, user training, and final handover.
• Employ robust project management methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Qualifications, Training & Experience:

• Proven and extensive senior technology leadership experience (e.g., CTO, Head of IT, Director of Digital Transformation) with clear evidence of strategic impact.
• Relevant degree (or equivalent) in a technology-related discipline, with appropriate professional certifications in technology, architecture, project or change management, and membership of a relevant professional body.
• Strong track record in business process mapping, analysis and re-engineering delivering measurable efficiency gains.
• Practical experience evaluating, procuring and implementing modern technology solutions, including cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365), CRM systems and data analytics tools.
• Experience in the charity, non-profit or similarly complex, values-driven sector is highly desirable. Demonstrable experience of, or well-informed and practical interest in, the responsible and ethical application of AI and automation in an organisational context.
• Significant experience in technology strategy, budget management, vendor negotiation and delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.

Competencies & Behavioural requirements:

• Exceptional communicator and translator: Able to convey complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language and influence a wide range of non-technical stakeholders with confidence.
• Strategic yet pragmatic thinker: Sees the big picture and aligns technology with organisational priorities, while remaining hands-on and focused on practical, value adding solutions.
• Collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader: Builds trust and consensus across diverse stakeholders and cultures, leading change with empathy, credibility and sensitivity.
• Resilient and delivery-focused: Proactive and self-motivated, with the drive and discipline to deliver complex, multi-year programmes and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Culturally astute and values-aware: Demonstrates understanding of, and respect for, the Church of England’s context, governance and ethos, navigating the environment with diplomacy and good judgement.

Our benefits include:

• Generous company pension
• A comprehensive health & wellbeing programme, inlcuding an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Paid volunteering & study leave allowace
• Company events
• Home working

The overall purpose of the role is to lead and coordinate meaningful participation and engagement opportunities for children, young people and adults to shape services, influence decision-making and ensure the voices of lived experience are central to organisational development. The postholder will support in designing, delivering and evaluating initiatives that build trust, inclusion and empowerment.

Main Responsibilities

• To co-ordinate and provide safe spaces for children, young people and adults to participate in user- led activities and projects.
• To be a key link between children, young people and adults within our participation service and staff, making sure their voices and experiences are heard.
• To recruit and engage children, young people, and adults, to enable them to feel comfortable to join our Participation service.
• To support the Head of Voice, Participation & Engagement to develop opportunities for children, young people, and adults to be actively involved throughout the organisation.
• Lead and facilitate small scale participation projects.
• To maintain records of all interactions with stakeholders, using Salesforce.
• To be able to work flexibly, including regular evening and occasional weekend work in response to participants availability.
• Support the Head of Voice, Participation & Engagement in planning and facilitating forums.
• Work with people with lived experience of bereavement to create meaningful content and service recommendations.
• Work across the organisation sharing, promoting and training in best practice in participation.
• To assist in planning, organising and delivering participation events (virtually and in-person).
• Ensure that a range of voices are heard, with particular focus on EDI.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of members of the participation service through adherence to the organisation’s safeguarding policy and practice.
• Maintain accurate records throughout all services, complying with the organisation’s recording and reporting requirements.

Communication and Relationships

• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with children, young people, families, adults, and stakeholders to create safe and inclusive spaces for participation.
• Facilitate group and one-to-one engagement sessions using creative and accessible methods to ensure diverse voices are heard and valued.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including service delivery, communication, marketing and fundraising to embed participation principles across all areas of work.
• Represent the organsiation externally at meetings, events and networks, sharing insight from lived experience to inform sector-wide learning.
• Translate feedback and participation outputs into clear reports, presentations or creative formats that inform decision-making.
• Demonstrate empathy, confidentiality and active listening when engaging with individuals or groups who may have experience loss and trauma.
• Establish excellent internal working relationships with peers and colleagues.
• Model the values and culture of the organisation in interactions and relationships at work.
• Adapt communication style and approach to suit the needs, preferences, and emotional states of children, young people and adults, including those with neurodiverse profiles or communication difficulties.
• Provide clear, compassionate explanations of support options, safeguarding procedures, and next steps to children, young people, adults and families.
• Maintain professional boundaries while fostering a safe and supportive environment for children, young people and adults.
• Respond to challenging or emotionally charged situations with sensitivity, professionalism, and a focus on empathy and support.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of communications and decisions in line with organisational policies and data protection regulations.

 Knowledge, training and experience

• Proven experience in youth participation, community engagement, co-production, or related areas, ideally within charity, education or health and social care sector.
• Understanding of participation frameworks, rights-based approached and trauma-informed practice.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of grief, loss, trauma, child development, and the psychological and social impact of bereavement on children, young people, families and adults.
• Experience in facilitating groups, workshops, and creative engagement activities both in-person and online.
• Ability to translate engagement insight into practical feedback and recommendations
• Adhere to legislation and statutory guidance related to Safeguarding Children and Young People, Safeguarding Adults, and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Participate actively in clinical supervision and reflective practice to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery.
• Contribute to the development and sharing of knowledge within the team by supporting training, mentoring, and peer learning opportunities.

Analytical and judgment skills

• Ability to gather qualitative and quantitative feedback and identify key themes, trends, and areas for improvement.
• Exercise sound judgement in managing sensitive information, ethical boundaries and participant confidentiality.
• Assess engagement risks and implement appropriate boundaries and referrals in line with safeguarding policies.
• Critically evaluate participation initiatives and contribute to evidence-based practice through reflection, evaluation tools and reporting.
• Balance organisation priorities with participant needs, ensuring representation remains authentic rather than tokenistic.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and meaningful data recording and reporting to inform practice, service evaluation, and organisational performance monitoring.

Planning and organisational skills

• Plan, coordinate and deliver participation activities, forums and events with clear objectives, timelines and outcomes.
• Support the development of annual participation calendars or frameworks as needed.
• Manage competing priorities across multiple projects, ensuring timely communication with internal teams and external partners.
• Maintain accurate records, consent forms and participation data using appropriate digital systems.
• Support logistical arrangements including venue booking, accessibility adjustments, transport and safeguarding measures.
• Contribute to strategic planning by identifying emerging themes, opportunities for partnerships and areas for innovation.
• Provide cover and support for participation and engagement team members during periods of absence or high demand.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and reflective capacity, using supervision and peer support to sustain personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness.
• Contribute to the development of efficient, evidence-based practices by supporting team planning, service evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Person Specification

Essential

• Minimum 3 years’ experience of working with children and young people or adults in health, social care, youth, community or education setting
• Experience of advocating for the interests of children, young people or vulnerable adults or individuals from ethnically diverse communities
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with experience of tailoring these to a wide range of audience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with children, families, and professionals while maintaining professional boundaries at all times
• Experience of facilitating participation groups both in person and online
• Knowledge of different facilitation approaches and methods
• Demonstratable experience of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and an ability to practice in a way that promotes this
• Experience of building trusting relationships with children, young people, and adults creating safe space
• Passion for the power of Voice and Lived Experience
• Understanding of the challenges that participation work can present, and experience of how to overcome this
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and with external organisations
• Emotional maturity, stability and resilience with a strong commitment to self-care and the ability to seek support and guidance when difficulties arise in the course of work
• Strong IT skills, including confidence in using multiple IT systems

Desirable

• Experience of working in bereavement sector

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata if applicable) with increase for long service.
• TOIL for our hours work.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Company sick pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Life assurance.
• Training loans.
• Enhanced family friendly policies.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 16th June 2026 at midnight

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.

Please refer to our recruitment pack for further details on the interview process.

Scripture Union is a national mission-movement, helping churches reveal Jesus to the next generation. We equip churches to reach children and young people – especially those outside the church – wherever they are, and in ways that truly connect. Because every young person should have the opportunity to discover Jesus, and too many never will. Through Bible-based resources, practical training and our Revealing Jesus mission framework, we help churches build relationships that lead to faith. Our team of Mission Enablers supports a growing network of Faith Guides – local people, rooted in their communities, revealing Jesus in everyday life.

We are looking for a Mission Enabler to offer direction and energy to the ministry of Scripture Union with a focus on initiating and maintaining missional opportunities in South Wales. You will be an enthusiastic candidate who will be able to recruit, train, coach and support many Volunteers and Faith Guides working together with them. You will also lead by example, through the modelling of excellent mission delivery to children and young people consistent with Scripture Union’s mission in supporting the pioneering of new mission.

The successful candidate will:

· Be a strategic thinker and will have solid judgment of ministry impact.

· Have considerable insight into ministry with children and young people, be a passionate advocate, an excellent practitioner, and a capable communicator.

· Influence networks, shape opinion, challenge inertia and inspire creativity.

· Be self-disciplined, able to organise and prioritise their own workload, and manage multiple projects.

· Be able to visualise and work towards long-term goals.

· Be open to and comfortable with different traditions, styles and expression of spirituality, prayer, and worship, and has a growing familiarity with and understanding of the Bible. 

· Have a total commitment to God and is a Christian disciple.

· Be able to communicate effectively and speak the Welsh language (would be desirable).
 

If this describes you, and you agree with Scripture Union’s aims and beliefs, we would love to hear from you.

Why join us? Beyond the profound impact of your work, we offer excellent benefits:

· A flexible, role supporting work-life balance

· Competitive salary and generous pension scheme (up to 12% employer contribution) and option to opt in to Salary Sacrifice

· 23 days annual leave + bank holidays + 5 additional days to volunteer at Scripture Union events 

· Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave 

· Life insurance, Permanent Health Insurance (PHI), option to join BUPA Healthcare and access to an excellent Employee Assistance Programme 

· Free Bible Reading notes and staff discount on our other material

· A supportive, faith-filled environment where your work has eternal impact 

If you're ready to make a lasting difference and join a community united by faith, we want to hear from you! 

The Movement takes Safeguarding seriously. This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service and have an occupational requirement to be filled by a committed Christian, active in church life. Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9 applies.

We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from people, regardless of their background.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Mae Scripture Union yn fudiad cenhadol yng Nghymru a Lloegr, sy’n helpu eglwysi a chapeli ddatgelu Iesu at y genhedlaeth nesaf. Rydym yn arfogi eglwysi a chapeli i gyrraedd plant a phobol ifanc – yn enwedig y rhai sydd tu allan i’r eglwys – ble bynnag yr ydynt, ac mewn ffyrdd sydd wir yn cysylltu â nhw. Oherwydd dylai pob plentyn a pherson ifanc cael y cyfle i ddarganfod Iesu, ac mae gormod sydd ddim mynd i gael y cyfle yna. Wrth gynnig adnoddau wedi’u sefydlu yn y Beibl, hyfforddiant ymarferol, a’n fframwaith cenhadaeth Datgelu Iesu, rydym ni’n helpu eglwysi a chapeli i adeiladu perthnasoedd sy’n arwain at ffydd. Mae’r tîm o Ysgogyddion Cenhadol yn cefnogi a thyfu rhwydwaith o Dywysyddion Ffydd – pobol leol gyda chysylltiadau cryf gyda’u cymuned leol, sy’n datgelu Iesu mewn bywyd pob dydd.

Rydym yn chwilio am Ysgogydd Cenhadol bydd yn cynnig cyfeiriad ac egni i weinidogaeth Scripture Union gan ganolbwyntio ar gychwyn a chynnal cyfleoedd i weinidogaethu. Byddech chi’n berson brwdfrydig sydd yn gallu ysgogi, hyfforddi, paratoi a chefnogi llawer o Wirfoddolwyr a Thywyswyr Ffydd gan gydweithio â nhw. Bydd yn arwain trwy esiampl hefyd, gan genhadu mewn ffordd ardderchog ymysg plant a phobl ifanc yn unol â chenhadaeth Scripture Union ac arloesi mewn dulliau newydd cenhadaeth.

Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus:

· Yn gallu meddwl yn strategol a bydd ganddo/ganddi ddealltwriaeth gadarn o effeithiau gweinidogaethu.

· Yn wybodus iawn am weinidogaethu gyda phlant a phobl ifanc, a bydd yn eiriolwr brwd, yn ymarferydd rhagorol ac yn gyfathrebydd effeithiol.

· Yn dylanwadu ar rwydweithiau, yn llywio barn, yn herio difaterwch ac yn ysbrydoli creadigrwydd.

· Yn hunan-ddisgybledig, yn gallu trefnu a blaenoriaethu’r llwyth gwaith a rheoli sawl prosiect ar yr un pryd.

· Yn gallu gweld nodau hirdymor a gweithio tuag atynt.

· Yn agored i wahanol draddodiadau, arddulliau a ffyrdd o fynegi ysbrydolrwydd, gweddi ac addoliad ac yn gyfforddus gyda nhw, ac yn dod i adnabod ac i ddeall y Beibl yn well.

· Wedi cysegru ei hun i Dduw ac yn ddisgybl i Grist.

· Yn gallu cyfathrebu’n effeithiol a byddai’n fuddiol pe gallai siarad Cymraeg.

Os yw hyn yn eich disgrifio chi, ac rydych chi'n cytuno ag amcanion a chredoau Scripture Union, byddem wrth ein bodd yn clywed gennych chi.

Pam ymuno â ni? Y tu hwnt i effaith ddofn eich gwaith, rydym yn cynnig buddion rhagorol:

• Rôl hyblyg, sy'n cefnogi cydbwysedd bywyd a gwaith

• Cyflog cystadleuol a chynllun pensiwn hael (hyd at 12% o gyfraniad y cyflogwr) a'r opsiwn i ymuno ag Aberthu Cyflog

• 23 diwrnod o wyliau blynyddol + gwyliau banc + 5 diwrnod ychwanegol i wirfoddoli mewn digwyddiadau Scripture Union

• Absenoldeb Mamolaeth a Thadolaeth Gwell

• Yswiriant bywyd, Yswiriant Iechyd Parhaol (PHI), opsiwn i ymuno â BUPA Healthcare a mynediad at Raglen Cymorth i Weithwyr ragorol

• Nodiadau Darllen Beibl am ddim a disgownt staff ar ein deunydd arall

• Amgylchedd cefnogol, llawn ffydd lle mae gan eich gwaith effaith dragwyddol

Os ydych chi'n barod i wneud gwahaniaeth parhaol ac ymuno â chymuned sydd wedi'i huno gan ffydd, rydym am glywed gennych chi!

Mae'r Mudiad yn cymryd Diogelu o ddifrif. Bydd y rôl hon yn gofyn am Ddatgeliad Gwell gan y Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd a bydd gofyniad galwedigaethol i'w lenwi gan Gristion ymroddedig, sy'n weithgar ym mywyd yr eglwys. Mae Deddf Cydraddoldeb 2010, Rhan 1, Atodlen 9 yn berthnasol.

Rydym wedi ymrwymo i adeiladu gweithlu amrywiol yn ddiwylliannol. Fel rhan o'r ymrwymiad hwn, rydym yn croesawu ceisiadau gan bobl, waeth beth fo'u cefndir.

Closing date: 12th June 2026

Interview date: w/c 13th July 2026

Interview location: Cardiff, location to be confirmed.