Head of Development and Engagement
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Development and Engagement to lead growth and influence, and to develop the income strategy at a defining moment in the organisations history.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role where your expertise, ambition, and creativity will have a direct and lasting impact on people’s lives. Shape a legacy. Grow impact. Lead with purpose.
Position: Head of Development and Engagement
Location: Gloucestershire/Hybrid
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 per week (flexible working)
Salary: £57,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Benefits include: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, rising by up to 5 extra days with service, wellbeing days, retailer discounts and rewards, company pension and sick pay, life assurance, onsite sports facilities and a supportive, passionate and high-performing team environment.
Closing Date: 8th May 2026
Interviews: 19th and 20th May 2026
About the Role
This role sits at the heart of the organisation’s future, shaping how it is seen, how it is supported, and how it can sustainably deliver life changing services for children, adults, and families across Gloucestershire
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape and lead the runway to the next 170 years.
You will set the strategic direction for brand, engagement, partnerships, and income generation and ensure the mission is powerfully articulated, widely championed, and sustainably funded. You will cultivate influential relationships, unlock new opportunities for growth, and inspire others to invest in this work, not just financially, but also strategically and emotionally.
As Head of Development & Engagement, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of a long term strategy that diversifies income and strengthens financial resilience.
- Drive the acquisition of new contracts and commissioned services.
- Build and maintain high value partnerships with funders, commissioners, and corporate partners.
- Grow and nurture a loyal donor base through innovative engagement and retention strategies.
- Oversee all marketing, PR, and brand activity to raise our profile locally and regionally.
- Build a Development and Engagement Team.
About You
This is a role for a leader who thinks boldly and acts collaboratively and can balance commercial acumen with deep social purpose. Someone who understands that strong brands change perceptions, strong partnerships accelerate impact, and strong income strategies create freedom to innovate.
This role offers the chance to do work that truly matters, to use your skills and leadership to strengthen communities, transform lives, and steward an organisation with an exceptional past into an even stronger future.
What You’ll Bring
Qualifications
- Degree level education or equivalent experience in fundraising, marketing, business development, or a related field
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Experience
- Ability to build strategic partnerships with funders, commissioners, and corporate partners
- Experience managing brand development, media relations, and marketing campaigns
- Digital marketing and social media expertise
- Experience leading and motivating teams
- Budget management and financial forecasting skills
- Proven success delivering significant income growth across diverse fundraising streams
- Experience developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies
- Track record of securing contracts and commissioned services
- Strong bid writing and tendering experience
If you are driven by impact, energised by influence, and motivated by the opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy that changes lives for the better, we would love to hear from you.
Employees are not required to adhere to the Christian faith, nor any faith, and no such consideration is made by the organisation in employment choices nor in delivering its services, however, all employees are expected to demonstrate the list of Values shown while in the workplace.
OPERATE with Equity, Integrity, Openness and Honesty.
ENGAGE with Empathy, Kindness, Generosity and Grace.
BE Thoughtful, Discrete, Ethical and Respectful to all.
About the Organisation
Founded in 1855, this registered charity and has become a leading provider of supported housing for the most vulnerable in Cheltenham and Gloucester, alongside other works including early-years provision, sports facilities, community engagement and other charitable activities.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their age, gender, disability, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation or faith. The charity is committed to following safer recruitment guidelines. You must have the right to live and work in the UK. The team is wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
You may have experience in other roles such as Deputy Head of Development and Engagement, Head of Development and Engagement, Head of Engagement, Head of Impact and Engagement, Director of Development and Engagement, Development and Engagement Manager.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
JOB TITLE: Northern Partnership & Dog Training Manger
LOCATION: Northern Region (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands)
SALARY: £37,000 - £45,000 p/a
JOB TYPE: Permanent, Full-Time and Part-Time applications considered
Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.
We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease. We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.
MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE:
The Northern Partnership & Training Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, coordination and quality assurance of Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles operating within the Northern region.
Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles within the Medical Alert Assistance Dog department combine elements of dog training, client instructing, partnership placement and aftercare, depending on programme need. This role provides direct line management and oversight of Northern region staff working in these hybrid capacities.
The postholder ensures consistent, high‑quality delivery of MAAD partnerships, working collaboratively with training, welfare and senior management colleagues to support dog progression, client outcomes and compliance with ADUK and ADI standards.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Provide operational leadership for Northern region Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles, ensuring staff who work across training, instructing and partnership delivery are effectively supported, coordinated and developed.
You will act as the regional lead for instructor‑delivered partnership work, maintaining oversight of workloads, partnership progression, accreditation readiness and aftercare delivery, while contributing to continuous service improvement under senior management guidance.
Reports to: Interim Head of Partnership Services
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will oversee and coordinate the Northern Medical Alert Assistance Dog function, managing staff in Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles who support MAAD partnerships from allocation through placement and ongoing aftercare.
You will provide clear leadership, supervision and quality assurance, ensuring consistent delivery standards, balanced workloads and clarity of expectations for staff whose roles span multiple functions.
You will maintain oversight of partnership pipelines, regional capacity and accreditation timelines, ensuring accurate reporting and timely escalation of risks or concerns.
This is a senior operational role requiring strong people management, excellent dog training and instructing expertise, and a calm, organised approach to managing complex client‑facing services.
Responsibilities of the Role
Hybrid Role Leadership & Management (Northern Region)
- Line manage and support Northern region‑based Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles
- Conduct regular 1:1s, supervision and appraisals
- Chair Northern regional team meetings and provide updates to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme
- Approve annual leave and expenses, ensuring appropriate regional cover
- Support senior Partnership and Dog Training Instructor staff in mentoring or supporting less experienced colleagues
- Ensure staff adhere to departmental standards, methods and policies
Partnerships, Training & Client Delivery
- Oversee the progression of puppies within the Northern region and where required, carry out relevant assessments
- Oversee the progression of MAAD partnerships across training, placement and aftercare within the Northern region
- Ensure client learning styles, family dynamics and individual needs are identified and supported
- Support or directly deliver Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity where required, including: Scent and odour training, Client‑specific training, Placement training, Aftercare and refresher support
- Maintain oversight of partnerships requiring remedial training or additional intervention
- Carry out or support final accreditation assessments where appropriate
- Ensure qualified partnerships continue to meet ADUK standards
Planning, Oversight & Reporting
- Maintain oversight of Northern region partnership activity, including: Applicants, Dogs approaching match, Partnerships in training, Accredited partnerships receiving aftercare
- Escalate risks, delays or welfare concerns to the ADPM with recommended solutions
- Contribute to departmental reports and inspection readiness
Governance, Welfare & Compliance
- Ensure all Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity complies with ADUK and ADI regulations
- Liaise with the Health & Welfare Manager regarding health or welfare concerns
- Support rehoming outcomes for withdrawn dogs in conjunction with relevant teams
- Ensure accurate and timely record‑keeping within the Harlequin CRM system
- Occasional handling of the emergency phone, liaising with clients and volunteers to manage emergency situations
Stakeholder & Cross‑Departmental Working
- To ensure volunteers and Dog training contractors based within the Northern region are well supported by regional staff.
- Act as the primary Northern region contact for partnership‑related matters
- Work closely with Applications and Welfare teams
- Support fundraising, communications and volunteering activities when required
- Promote best practice and learning across the charity
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum 2years’ experience managing or leading staff in the Assistance Dog roles within an ADUK‑affiliated organisation
- Extensive experience delivering assistance dog partnerships, including training, placement and aftercarProven experience mentoring, supporting and performance‑managing staff
- Sound knowledge of ADUK and ADI regulations
- Strong organisational and caseload‑management abilities
- Confident working independently and managing competing priorities
- Comfortable working in the presence of dogs
Desirable
- Experience working with medical alert assistance dogs
- Knowledge of medical conditions affecting adult and child clients
- Experience supporting accreditation reviews or inspection processes
Knowledge & Skills
DESIRABLE
- Strong practical dog handling, scent training and knowledge of dog behaviour and development
- Excellent coaching, assessment and quality‑assurance skills
- Calm, clear and empathetic communication style
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, client‑facing situations
- High level of IT literacy including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems
Other Requirements
- Full UK driving licence
- Willingness and ability to travel across the Northern region
- Willingness to stay away from home and have dogs reside in the home when required
DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION
We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Values & Behaviours
Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.
Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:
- We are respectful
- We stay positive
- We strive for excellence
- We communicate and listen
- We are ambassadors
- We are one team
And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.