External funding manager and charity director jobs
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Battersea is in an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on the second year of our five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation, which started in 2025, we continue to expand our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals. Our fundraising team bridges the journey of the animals in our care with the wider public, demonstrating how their contributions enable us to support every dog and cat. We now have several new roles within this team to further our mission.
Legacy and In-Memory income is vital for Battersea and gifts left to us in Wills account for over 40% of our total income. We’ve seen significant growth in this area thanks to the sector-leading work of our ambitious team and the success of our wider fundraising programme. It’s therefore an exciting time to join the Legacy and In-Memory fundraising team.
The Legacy and In-Memory Stewardship Officer will help to support and deliver our Legacy and In Memory stewardship programme, working closely with the Senior Stewardship Officer to ensure the smooth and effective management of day-to-day activity, reporting, and stewardship campaigns.
What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:
- 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
- Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
- Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
- Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
- Annual interest-free season ticket loans.
We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.
Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.
Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.
We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.
More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.
Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.
To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.
Closing date: 18th January 2026
Interview date(s): First round (online): 26th & 27th January 2026. Second round (in person): 3rd February 2026
For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.
Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. We believe that every dog and cat deserves the best.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Summary
EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-orientated UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips grassroots voluntary educators (named ‘Catalysts’) to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of a world in which communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.
Since 2016, through collaborating with over 400 local voluntary community educators and actors – named ‘Catalysts’ – who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have global relevance.
Our Ghana-based team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for Catalysts which are increasingly facilitated by the EduSpots app: the Ignite, Catalyse and Inspire Mentoring Programmes. These enable the Catalysts to lead EduKidz (early years education), DigLit (digital literacy), EcoSTEM (STEM and environmental education) and Ignite Equity (gender equity) clubs for learners typically aged 3-16, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 learners of all ages annually.
We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the last two years, with a recent independent evaluation by Expectation State offering further evidence in support of our model’s outcomes. We have been recently selected for two accelerator programmes, who are supporting us as we consider the scaling potential of our model. In the period, we are aiming to double our network reach, bringing an additional 50 Spots into the network.
We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a finalist for the 2023 Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize. In 2021, our Founder was a Finalist in the UNESCO-backed $1 million Global Teacher Prize.
We are excited by our future.
About this role
The Global Head of Operations is a new role being introduced in 2026 with the core purpose of strengthening systems, processes and strategic delivery across both EduSpots Global and EduSpots Ghana, offering hands-on support to the CEO and wider staff across a range of areas.
In this senior role, you will work closely alongside the CEO, offering her the advice and skills needed to move EduSpots successfully through a complex period of growth in a challenging fundraising context, enabling more learners and Catalysts to participate in a unique community-led model of education, whilst sharing our practice more widely.
We are looking for an organised and empathetic strategic leader, ideally with strong or developing skills across project management, finance, HR and MEL skills and an ability to work independently in a fast moving work environment.
This role has the potential to grow into a Director of Global Operations or Deputy CEO role in time for outstanding candidates, and carries significant organisation-wide responsibility.
Candidates should hold a genuine passion for educational equity, a strong belief in the power of community-led models to transform lives at scale and a high level of flexibility in a fast-changing yet friendly and playful work environment.
Whilst this role is remote, and open to all global candidates, you will need to have understanding and experience of UK law, accounting and policy development, or a strong appetite to build experience in this area quickly.
Main duties and responsibilities
Systems
- Work with the CEO and staff to proactively strengthen systems and processes across the organisation, including monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks and operations.
- Support the wider team with IT, including general skill development, leading the Google Space system.
- Monitor compliance to organisational policies and lead the quarterly review of the organisational risk register, working with the Ghana Head of Operations.
Finance
- Work with the Finance and Admin Officer to produce monthly and quarterly global management accounts, cash flow analysis and to complete the annual audit.
- Lead the financial planning of the organisation, working with the CEO and the Ghana Head of Operations to create the annual budget.
- Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to strengthen financial systems, processes, and training across the organisation.
- Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to prepare budgets for funding bids as needed.
- Work with the grants team to track grant spending and produce consolidated financial reports (including expenditure from the UK and Ghana) for donors.
- Ensure EduSpots’ new accounting software (QuickBooks) is fully embedded and utilised.
- Oversee bank account management, including payments, checking bank statements, and reviewing bank reconciliations for UK and Ghana.
- Ensure staff payroll (likely to be outsourced) and payments to freelancers / consultants are done accurately and in a timely manner.
HR
- Work alongside the CEO, Head of Operations, Safeguarding and Inclusion Managers and wider staff to develop strategies to sustain and strengthen a high performing and friendly work culture.
- Work across the team to strengthen HR and performance management structures, informed by best practice and legal frameworks.
- Lead the recruitment of staff, consultants and volunteers in the UK (advertising roles, drafting contracts, contacting referees and completing all filing and administration relating to recruitment).
- Onboard new staff, provide training on policies and procedures, and track key information (leave, appraisals, etc) for UK staff.
- Regularly review and keep the Staff Handbook up to date.
- Depending on skill-set, work with the CEO to lead professional development for staff across the organisation, liaising with trustees and advisory group members.
Administration & Governance
- Manage and maintain databases and our Google Drive system.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and adherence to our child safeguarding and protection policy.
- Maintain insurance renewals, tracking and filing.
- Review and keep up to date all organisational policies in line with current legislation, working with the Trustees and Directors.
- Assist the CEO in the administration relating to EduSpots’ governance, including board meeting arrangements and minute taking.
- Support the CEO in all ad-hoc tasks that arise, working closely alongside her to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.
Strategic insight
- Work closely with the CEO and staff/Catalysts across the organisation to ensure all EduSpots’ decision-making is strategic and in the best interests of the Catalysts, Sparks and Communities we partner with.
Other areas
- Depending on experience, you may in time take on management responsibilities for some staff, but this role is principally a systems strengthening and quality improvement role, working closely with the CEO to offer advice and additional capacity.
- Depending on experience, you may support with grants writing / management and/or community fundraising. Experience of fundraising would be of significant benefit to the organisation in this key leadership role.
Personal Specification
Essential
- Minimum of 7 years’ experience of operations in a small/medium charity context.
- Self-starter with the ability to hit the ground running and work with minimal supervision with high levels of flexibility.
- Self-motivated, with an ability to motivate and energise others.
- High level strategic understanding, critical thinking and the ability to strengthen systems in a fast-paced high performance environment.
- Excellent communication, both oral and written.
- The ability to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, creative and impact-driven culture.
- Strong administrative skills with a high level of attention to detail.
- Experience in creating user-friendly tools and processes to support project and quality management.
- Experience using Google Suite, with strong Excel skills.
- Tech savvy – ability to learn new tech tools efficiently.
- Experience coordinating others.
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills with strong empathy and cultural sensitivity
- Strong personal alignment with the mission, vision and values of EduSpots.
Highly desirable
- Experience supporting charity Boards, and working with external bodies including auditors, tax authorities, and other official bodies is highly desirable.
- Experience complying and strong familiarity with UK charity regulations and requirements.
- Experience preparing budgets and financial reports for donors/grants.
- Experience of working in a cross-cultural team.
- Experience of working with an international charity would be advantageous.
Please send a tailored covering letter and CV addressed to the CEO Miss Cat Davison by Wednesday 31st December with a hope to meet shortlisted candidates for a first-round interview in the week starting Monday 12th January.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
AFRIL is recruiting for an experienced, dynamic Senior Caseworker to join our growing Casework Team. The successful candidate will provide advice and casework to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in South East London on matters relating to housing and homelessness, welfare benefits, NRPF support, community care and asylum support. The candidate has the exciting opportunity to lead on the delivery of AFRIL's Casework Drop-in for asylum seekers and recently granted refugees, supported by a Caseworker and Outreach Volunteers. The post holder, if not already Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) accredited, will also be supported to obtain IAA Level 2 accreditation, to embed some immigration legal advice into their broader caseload.
AFRIL’s Casework Service also uses casework trends and data to work with community members in order to engage in policy and systemic change. Utilising casework and community co-production, the service has created sector wide resources on asylum support, engaged in strategic litigation and successfully influenced local, pan-London and national policy outcomes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to feed into AFRIL's broader policy work, and develop local partnerships.
This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team, with strong opportunity for career development within AFRIL.
Please submit your CV and a cover letter – no more than two sides of A4 – detailing your motivation for applying and how you meet the person specification for the role by 23:00 on Sunday 4th January 2026.
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £49, 282 - £54,495 per annum
Location: Gorse Hill Studios, Trafford, Manchester (Some remote working will be considered)
Contract Type: Full time, permanent
About Gorse Hill Studios
Gorse Hill Studios is a dynamic and ambitious youth and community arts charity. At the heart of our organisation is a belief that all young people deserve to feel valued, supported and inspired. We work with young people to build confidence, creativity and community connections, ensuring they have the opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive.
We believe that creativity can transform lives, and we are committed to placing young people at the centre of everything we do. Their voices, ideas and experiences help shape our programmes, partnerships and strategic direction.
We are entering an exciting phase of growth and development. Our team currently includes 20 core staff and a wider network of volunteers and creative practitioners, delivering a diverse portfolio of youth arts sessions, community engagement projects, creative wellbeing initiatives and partnership-led activity with local schools and organisations. The CEO will play a pivotal role in leading this portfolio, strengthening our impact, championing youth voice and ensuring young people continue to shape our future direction as we move into the next chapter of our development.
About the Role
As CEO, you will provide strategic, compassionate and visionary leadership, ensuring Gorse Hill Studios delivers its mission to empower and inspire young people. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will hold overall responsibility for the organisation’s performance, culture, operations and long-term sustainability. This role calls for someone who demonstrates strong strategic insight with the ability to influence and inspire others, using emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership to build positive internal and external relationships.
A fundamental part of this role is your commitment to embedding young people’s voice in decision making. You will champion their perspectives, ensuring programme development, strategy and organisational culture reflect the needs and aspirations of the young people we serve.
You will also be an ambassador for the charity, building trusted relationships with young people, partners, funders and the wider community. This role requires a leader who is values led, resilient and passionate about supporting young people through the arts and creative engagement.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Governance
- Lead on the development and delivery of the charity’s long-term strategy, with young people meaningfully involved
- Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory and governance requirements, including Charity Commission expectations and safeguarding duties
- Provide clear, timely reporting to the Board
- Support the Board to operate effectively
Financial Management and Income Generation
- Oversee budgeting, financial planning and responsible management of all funds
- Lead a diverse income generation strategy
- Identify sustainable opportunities for organisational growth
Operational Management and Programme Delivery
- Oversee day to day operations and ensure systems are effective
- Ensure programmes are high quality, inclusive and reflective of young people’s needs and feedback
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, or ensure robust safeguarding practices across the organisation
People Leadership and Culture
- Inspire, support and lead a dedicated staff and volunteer team
- Champion a positive, inclusive and collaborative working culture
- Oversee recruitment, wellbeing and performance management
External Relations and Advocacy
- Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Gorse Hill Studios
- Build strong relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders
- Advocate for and with young people locally and nationally
- Represent the charity confidently at events and in the media
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Senior leadership experience in the charity, youth, arts or wider non-profit sector
- Strong financial management skills
- Proven success in fundraising or income generation
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge of safeguarding practices in youth settings
- Experience leading teams and developing positive organisational cultures
- Strategic leadership experience
Desirable
- Experience in the youth arts or creative community sector
- Understanding of the Trafford community landscape
Values and Commitment
We are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals who share these values and are passionate about empowering young people.
An enhanced DBS check will be required.
Application Details
To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter.
Closing date: 19 January
Interview date: 23 January at Gorse Hill Studios
Interviews will include a stakeholder panel and a formal interview.
REF-225 658
Benefits: 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays), company pension
Lead. Inspire. Serve. Transform Lives.
Are you a Christian leader with a heart for young people and a passion for community transformation?
Do you believe in the God-given value and potential of every person?
Are you ready to guide one of the country’s oldest and most trusted Christian youth movements into its next chapter?
YMCA North Staffordshire is seeking an exceptional Christian Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission, embody our values, and continue shaping a movement that is transforming the lives of thousands of young people and families.
With a proud 160-year history and an award-winning campus at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, this is a rare opportunity to lead a charity that is deeply rooted in Christian faith, committed to radical inclusion, and driven by a vision where all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.
Our Christian Vision and Values
YMCA North Staffordshire is an inclusive Christian movement.
Our mission flows directly from our faith and is grounded in four core values:
PROTECT
We provide sanctuary and safety, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and respected.
HOPE
We see young people not through the lens of their past, but their God-given potential.
PERSEVERE
We walk with young people through challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.
TRUST
We act with integrity, accountability, and belief in the dignity of every human being.
Because these values are Christian in origin and practice, and because the CEO is the guardian of our mission, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the postholder to be a practising Christian.
About the Role
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead an organisation of 130 staff, a £5m+ budget, and a £35m estate, helping strengthen community through youth development, education, housing, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The next CEO will:
- Provide strategic leadership to deliver the 2026–2029 Business Plan
- Champion youth voice and empowerment in all areas of work
- Sustain and grow financial strength, partnerships, and social enterprise
- Uphold and deepen our Christian identity, ensuring values-led practice
- Drive innovation, digital transformation, and organisational development
- Represent YMCA NS locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
- Be a visible advocate for young people in Stoke-on-Trent
- Strengthen our “village” culture: welcoming, relational, rooted in Ubuntu and Asset-Based Community Development principles (ABCD).
Purpose of the Role
To lead YMCA North Staffordshire in fulfilling its Christian mission, as described in the Associations charitable objectives
We develop young people; they develop their world.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic leadership in alignment with Board governance
- Upholding Christian ethos, values, and culture across the organisation
- Financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability
- Community development and partnership building
- Youth advocacy and empowerment
- Oversight of housing, programmes, and impact measurement
- Staff leadership, pastoral care, and organisational culture
- External representation and communications
Person Specification – Summary
Knowledge
- Housing, youth services, and community development
- Charity law, governance, safeguarding
- Understanding of Christian ministry, mission, and values
- Organisational development and change leadership
Experience
- Senior leadership in values-led or Christian settings
- Track record of strategic development and organisational growth
- Experience working with young people, housing, or community sectors
- Experience nurturing Christian ethos across a diverse organisation
Skills & Abilities
- Inspirational leadership and people development
- Strategic planning and delivery
- Excellent communicator and ambassador
- Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
- Ability to articulate and embody Christian faith
- Deep commitment to Christian values and the Aims & Purposes of the YMCA
The Leader We Are Looking For
The landscape for young people is changing — and so must we.
We need a CEO who is:
- Faith-filled and prayerful
- Values-driven and courageous
- Relational, compassionate, and community-minded
- A champion of excellence, innovation, and good governance
- Grounded in Christian mission and committed to radical inclusion
- Able to inspire hope, build trust, and persevere through challenge
As George Williams, YMCA’s founder, said:
“You are not alone, and you can be more.”
Our next CEO must believe this not only for themselves — but for every young person we serve.
How to apply
An application pack can be found at the YMCA North Staffordshire website. This role is subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.
Key Recruitment Dates
- Closing Date: 18th January 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026
We are a safe recruitment Organisation and an Equal Opportunities Employer, we run the disability confident guaranteed interview scheme.
We are an organisation with Christian values, committed to Equality and Diversity in the Workplace. YMCA is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re looking for a proactive, organised and enthusiastic Partnerships & Philanthropy Assistant to join our small but mighty Partnerships & Philanthropy team. This is a vital role at the heart of our team, perfect for someone who enjoys getting stuck in, learning new skills and is interested in high value fundraising.
While you’ll provide essential administrative and logistical support, this role offers so much more — you’ll be trusted to manage your own projects, spot opportunities, and make a real contribution to our fundraising success.
You’ll be a natural self-starter with great attention to detail. You’ll play a key role in coordinating the team day to day, managing our shared inbox, keeping income and expenditure records accurate, and making sure our systems and processes work seamlessly. You’ll also help identify new donors and ensure our incredible supporters feel valued, inspired and well looked after, throughout their journey with Bowel Cancer UK.
As part of the role, you’ll gain valuable hands-on fundraising experience. You’ll support our Partnerships team deliver high-quality stewardship and have opportunities to complete prospect research and help write proposals to Trusts and Foundations.
This is a brilliant opportunity to build your confidence and skills in fundraising. You’ll make a visible impact, be an integral part of a supportive and ambitious team and play a key role in helping us reach our mission, to ensure no one dies from bowel cancer.
We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Assistant Benefits Advisor
Salary £24,000 FTE (rising to £27,000 per year FTE after 1 year and completion of training)
17.5 - 21 hours per week, 6.6 weeks holiday
Remote working with occasional travel for events and meetings in West Sussex
Are you passionate about working with SEND families?
Do you have the transferable skills and qualities to train as a benefits advisor?
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join a rapidly growing caring charity with the benefits of flexible family friendly working (from home), generous holiday, pension scheme, travel expenses, laptop and phone provided.
Reaching Families was established in 2008 to empower, inform and support parent-carers and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex. We achieve this through the delivery of our services providing information, training and peer support.
Our Benefits Advice Service provides support to parents of children and young people with SEND in West Sussex applying for Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payments (PIP). Offering 1-2-1 advice sessions on the above benefits, support with claim checking of draft applications, information resources on benefits and other sources of financial support, and training workshops on DLA, PIP and Universal Credit.
We are looking to recruit a skilled and motivated Assistant Benefits Advisor to join our team
The post holder will be responsible for supporting our Benefits Advisor with the delivery of information, advice and guidance on Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to parent-carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in West Sussex. This is a training role with the view to promotion to Benefits Advisor following completion of training.
Person Specification (essential):
• Understanding of challenges facing parents and carers of children with SEND
• Passionate about improving the life chances of children with SEND and their parents/carers, and families
• A highly motivated self-starter with a flexible approach to working life
• A creative and strategic thinker
• Committed to professional and personal development and lifelong learning
• Ability to work independently and manage a diverse and demanding workload
• Comfortable working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Experience of using MS Office including SharePoint
• A good all-round education including GCSE’s (or equivalent) or NVQ level 2
See attached job description for details and full criteria
We welcome applications from all members of the community and value diversity in the organisation. Please contact us if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the application or interview process due to any disability or health requirements.
Closing date for applications is 12th January 2026
Interviews to be held in Littlehampton on 21st/22nd January 2026
To apply please complete the attached application form and share why you feel you fit the role and person specification (see attached documents)
To empower, inform and support parent-carers and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.