Finance business partner jobs in langport, somerset

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As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. To help deliver this, Parentkind's fundraising efforts helped grow Parentkind's income from £1.5m to £10m (including in-kind donations) between 2022 and 2024.

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise over £130 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. Our recent transformational journey has seen Parentkind’s network grow by more than 70% of schools, and the income Parentkind has delivered both for itself and for its members by more than 550%. 

Our No Cold Child initiative, launched with FatFace, stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools, we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Shortlisted for two Business Charity Awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allows shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. In just the last year, this campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools—supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

Meanwhile, our All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 135,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources—developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience—equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

This month, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our work is grounded in evidence. Every year, we conduct the UK’s largest parental engagement study: the National Parent Survey. In 2024, over five thousand parents participated, providing invaluable insight into what families think about the education system. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already influenced national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform. We believe passionately that parents must not be the missing voice in education policy—and we work tirelessly to ensure their views shape the decisions that affect their children’s lives.

Today, through Parentkind’s federated network of more than 130,000 parent and teacher volunteers, our work impacts the lives of millions of parents, carers, teachers and children throughout the UK through our membership, programmes, advocacy and campaigns. But we know we can—and must—do more.

We’re looking for someone with passion, purpose, and creativity—someone who understands that a warm coat, a World Book Day costume, or a parent’s voice at the table can all be catalysts for lifelong change.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing Fundraising Team and play a leading role in shaping a brand-new trust fundraising programme from the ground up. We’re looking for someone with experience in securing income from trusts and foundations—someone who’s a confident communicator, both in writing and in person, and who brings a curious and strategic mindset to prospect research.

You’ll help craft compelling cases for support and develop a portfolio of proposals and reports that showcase the impact of our work—amplifying the voices of parents and schools and demonstrating how Parentkind is driving positive change. Strong attention to detail is essential, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll have:

• Proven experience in trust and statutory fundraising, securing five- and six-figure grants.
• Demonstrable success in developing compelling proposals and reports for funders.
• Strong relationship management skills with a track record of stewarding long-term partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey impact effectively.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of the education, family support, or community development sectors.

You’ll get:

• To join a fast-moving charity with an exciting future
• To build your own team, playing a key role in driving forward the charity’s strategy and shaping our fundraising activity
• Remote working full-time with a great online team culture
• 25 days holiday in addition to UK public holidays.

How to apply

A full candidate pack is attached on this listing. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your motivations for applying for the role and how you meet the Person Specification.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis via video conference.

Parentkind is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and we ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and equally.  We would be grateful if you would complete the equal opportunities monitoring questions when applying online to help us check that we are carrying out our policy of equal opportunities for all people.  The information will be kept confidential and will be separate from your application.  It will have no bearing on your application.

Parentkind is committed to meeting the needs of applicants with disabilities.  Please let us know if you require any adjustments to your application or interview process.

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

This role will support Kinship to operate as an effective charity by ensuring effective day-to-day operations and seamless delivery of the People function at the charity.

You will bring your People leadership experience, attention to detail and excellent communication skills to the role. You will be structured in your approach to ensure that day-to-day issues are handled while also working to improve processes and systems. You will be credible with senior management and able to articulate and balance the trade-offs of a People leadership role.

You will be able to balance multiple competing priorities and prioritise effectively, A positive mindset is key to being part of the team, as is thinking creatively to problem solve and being empathetic to colleagues. You will be highly motivated by our mission, recognising that excellent internal People processes are essential to allowing others to effectively complete their roles and achieve our mission.

You will be a powerful ambassador for our mission, credible with other HR and CSR professionals working to implement kinship friendly employer policies and processes.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Work with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Executive management team to design, develop and embed a high-quality HR function to support the employee life cycle.

• Responsible for ensuring all policies, procedures, and processes relating to people and culture, work effectively, efficiently and in line with legal requirements.

• Responsible for all People matters, ensuring they are handled fairly and consistently in line with policies and procedures.

• Support and advise line managers on People, EDI and change management activities, including promotions, disciplinary, capability and grievance procedures.

• Organise line manager training to ensure line managers understand their responsibilities and apply policies consistently.

• Responsible for the candidates’ recruitment experience. Ensure candidates receive a consistent and professional recruitment experience.

• Responsible for job descriptions, person specifications, recruitment packs and job adverts.

• Ensure offboarding processes are robust and implemented consistently to safeguard the charity’s assets and to comply with Data Protection rules.

• Lead on the delivery and growth of the ‘Kinship Friendly Employers’ scheme, driving growth in the scheme and the number of bronze, silver and gold partners

• Ensure Kinship role models ‘Kinship Friendly’ employment practices and seek opportunities to share these as examples with other HR professionals.

• Support fundraising efforts with corporate supporters who are ‘Kinship Friendly Employers’

Essential criteria includes:

• HR qualification or significant demonstrable experience.

• Coaching qualification or significant demonstrable experience.

• Demonstrable experience of supporting the development of a high-quality People function within a growing organisation.

• Demonstrable experience working in a changing and flexible organisation.

• Demonstrable problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.

• Demonstrable knowledge of best practices, employment laws, and regulations.

• Effective communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills – a genuine team player able to relate to a wide range of people.

• Ability to work on own initiative and manage own workload.

• Demonstrable experience of EDI principles.

Desirable experience includes:

• Personal experience of kinship care.

• Experience of working in a dynamic and fast-changing workplace.

• Exceptional business-partnering skills

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) as well as a generous pension scheme. We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity!

How to apply

Please apply via Charity Job with your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages. Please include your notice period and earliest availability to start in your cover letter.     

• Application deadline:  Thursday 22 May, 9am
• First interview:                 29 May - 2 June
• Second interview:            TBC

Kinship reserves the right to close applications early on receipt of sufficient applications. Apply early!

The Grants and Project Development Manager, plays a vital role in helping us deliver both our essential core work and our most exciting, forward-thinking projects. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and managing the Trusts Officer, the Grants and Project Development Manager sits at the heart of our income generation strategy—securing high-value grants.

This exciting and creative role will lead on the development, writing and coordination of compelling funding bids, whilst working closely with teams across the organisation to shape projects that are fundable, impactful, and aligned with our strategic goals.

Grants and Project Development Manager
Salary: (Banding Level 3) £34,000 - £39,000
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full time (the Trust will consider 4 days)
Location: Taunton, Somerset (Hybrid working available)

As Grants and Project Development Manager, you’ll play a vital role in helping us deliver both our essential core work and our most exciting, forward-thinking projects. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and leading our Trusts Officer, this role sits at the heart of our income generation strategy—securing high-value grants (typically £25,000+) from statutory bodies, Lottery funds, and major Trusts and Foundations.

You’ll lead on the development, writing and coordination of compelling funding bids, working closely with teams across the organisation to shape projects that are fundable, impactful, and aligned with our strategic goals. From identifying new opportunities to building strong relationships with key funders, you’ll be instrumental in helping us grow our income and increase our impact for nature.

This is a role that offers both creativity and structure, relationship-building and strategic thinking—perfect for someone who thrives on making things happen and wants their work to really matter. This is a hybrid role with the need to be based in our Taunton Office on a regular basis. It offers the chance to help shape a wilder, healthier Somerset for future generations.

Job Description – Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Responsibility 1: Income generation

1. Achieve an agreed annual high value grant income target to support the Trust’s strategy and business plan.
2. Write and co-ordinate high-quality high value grant applications ensuring deadlines are met and all internal contributors are clear as to their role.
3. Work with the fundraising team leads and head of fundraising to strategically plan funding needs for approved projects.
4. Ensure that match funding needs resulting from grant applications are identified, communicated early and integrated into wider fundraising planning.
5. Ensure all applications (whether successful or not) are recorded on the Trust database.
6. Use grant applications to support BAU income generation where appropriate/possible.
7. Line manage the Grants Officer.

Responsibility 2: Project Development

1. Support cross organisational bids and project development, working with colleagues and partners to develop new project concepts and support the writing of applications and reports.
2. Develop detailed and accurate budgets for projects and funding applications, and which support contributions of Core funding and aligning with the Trust’s financial processes and reporting.
3. Work with the Head of Fundraising to assess and write updates on project funding milestones and income pipelines for the Programme Management board (PMB)
4. Maintain an up-to-date overview of project funding (current and planned) and track funding opportunities and match with the Trust’s project priorities.
5. Work with fundraising managers within the team to create strategic, cross income stream, funding plans to help support organisational projects.

Responsibility 3: Develop Relationships with Grant Giving Bodies

1. Research and identify new grant giving bodies that could help support projects and core work .
2. Develop and maintain excellent relationships with potential and existing major funders to deepen their involvement with and support for the Trust, in co-ordination with the Grants Officer.
3. Keep abreast of grant fundraising trends in the UK conservation and fundraising sector and follow new funding developments such as innovative finance mechanisms that can be applied to the Trust’s work, including through networking and researching funding opportunities.

We offer fantastic benefits of working for the Somerset Wildlife Trust including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life insurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Program
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays)
• Staff social calendar and events

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities, and the climate

Closing date: Sunday 11 May 2025

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Somerset Wildlife Trust have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and are committed to continuing to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion of every aspect of our work; we know we need to engage with everyone to live our values and achieve our goals. We welcome applications from everyone and are happy to discuss any accommodations or arrangements that would make the recruitment process better for you, and the working environment should you be employed.

No agencies please.

Context and Background

The NSPCC’s commitment to fight for every childhood is only made possible through the support of people across the UK. Over 80% of the NSPCC’s vital work is funded by public support. We are committed to providing the best possible experience for our supporters and ensuring that a supporter centric approach is taken in all the work we do.

The Individual Supporters department is responsible for the largest single source of income for the NSPCC and we are committed to recruiting new supporters to help grow our income. The Direct Fundraising team has been established to ensure best practice and a high quality supporter experience through one-to-one fundraising channels.

We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic and well-organised professional to join the team.

Candidates for this position should have experience  and skills that cover:

• Highly developed written communication skills to understand, interpret and present complex information in a clear and persuasive way for a range of audience
• Well-developed ability to apply effective numeracy skills in entering and recording financial data, interpreting, analysing, and presenting financial data in clear and accurate format to meet desired outcomes
• Experience in using Windows based software packages including word processing, excel spreadsheets, e-mail and the internet, in order to deliver tasks and projects.
• Willingness to travel within the UK via car or public transport to conduct mystery shopping. 
• Being dynamic and a team player is essential.

Join us at this exciting time and you’ll become part of a team that cares about the work they do and the people they work with. You’ll discover opportunities to grow, along with challenges and a shared purpose that’ll bring the best out in you. And you’ll get to find your own way to make a difference that means more, and that impacts millions of young lives. We want to ensure roles are accessible and inclusive of everyone, which is why the NSPCC offers a high degree of flexibility around ways of working.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of what we do. At the NSPCC, we understand how important it is that our workforce is representative of the people we support and who support us. We believe that every individual has the right to be their true self and to live a full life without prejudice, fear or barriers. This is the starting point for all our commitments and actions and underpins our commitment to be there for all children.

Job purpose

This role sits in our Direct fundraising Team within the Individual Giving department. The key purpose of the job is to:

•  Support the Associate Head and Senior Fundraisers to continue to grow and develop face-to-face direct recruitment and telephone fundraising activity at the NSPCC.
• To work with Senior Fundraisers and Associate Head within the Direct fundraising team to deliver agreed campaigns in line with business requirements.
• Advocate and reinforce the team’s ethics and values across compliance, safeguarding, supporter experience and best practice fundraising.
• Enhance the supporter experience and protect the NSPCC’s reputation when working with professional fundraising agencies.
• Through mystery shopping, call listening and other activities, ensure all activity, by agency partners and relevant internal teams, is compliant with regulation, codes of practice and NSPCC policies.
• Monitor campaign performance and income, ensuring that campaign KPIs and metrics are reported accurately and consistently.
• Monitor expenditure, including financial processes such as raising POs, checking invoices and reporting against budgeted expenditure figures.
• Work with data, including checking data selections for telephone activity.
• Work effectively with other departments within Individual Giving, Communications and Fundraising Directorates and other functions within the NSPCC to maximise income for children. Also working with external agencies to deliver large scale campaigns.
• Work as part of a larger team to meet the same objectives and work effectively with other teams within the NSPCC to maximise income for children.
• Working on behalf of stakeholders and representing brand values in the work that you produce. Being dynamic and a team player is essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. With the Associate Head of Direct Fundraising, agree and deliver face-to-face and telephone  direct fundraising activities in line with the Individual Supporters department’s annual business plan and budget to enable the NSPCC to plan its activity and services.
2. Work with the Associate Head to maximise the opportunities by which the fundraising activity can contribute to the NSPCC’s mission of fighting for every childhood over and above fundraising objectives.
3. Be responsible for the development of relationships and delivery of income from potential supporters engaged through face-to-face activity
4. Work with internal NSPCC support teams to set up new agencies and campaigns.
5. Keep up to date on best practice and developments within the charity sector generally and particularly changes to fundraising regulations, compliance and codes of practice relating to direct dialogue fundraising. Updating existing or creating new processes and working with agencies to implement changes in activity.
6. Work with internal compliance teams and external agencies to plan and implement a monitoring schedule in line with the most up to date codes of practice, guidance and regulations.  This should include regular mystery shopping and call listening.
7. To work with the Associate Head to maximise the opportunities by which the fundraising activity of the Direct Fundraising team can contribute to the NSPCC’s mission of ending cruelty to children over and above fundraising objectives.
8. To carry out research through a range of sources, including the Internet, Intranet, publications and other external contacts, including other charities, in order to obtain relevant information that can contribute to the fundraising activities of the Direct fundraising team.
9. To work cross-functionally to ensure that fundraising activities are managed and developed in a way that maximises income for the NSPCC.
10. To undertake specific fundraising projects and activities as necessary or as required to support the department’s fundraising as a whole.

Responsibilities for all staff within the Income Generation directorate

• A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• To update databases and supporter information systems on a regular basis in line with Data Protection legislation and NSPCC policy and procedures.
• To actively participate in regular department and team meetings, contributing to strategy, discussions and decisions which will be beneficial to the Directorate and wider NSPCC activities.
• To adhere to all the NSPCC’S service standards, policies and procedures.
• To evidence an understanding of and commitment to the demonstration of NSPCC’s values.
• To maintain an awareness of and comply with NSPPC data protection regulations and to ensure currency of changing GDPR regulations.
• To be responsible for personal learning and development, to support the learning and development of others and the whole organisation.
• To work in a manner that facilitates and encourages inclusion.
• To be pro-active in identifying ways to improve personal and team performance.
• To maintain an awareness of own and others’ Health and Safety and comply with the NSPCC’s Health and Safety policy and procedures.
• To take personal responsibility for keeping up to date with NSPCC work to end cruelty to children, including securing updates on project and service developments and general NSPCC news.

Key Relationships - Internal

• Reports to Associate Head – Direct Fundraising.
• A member of staff in the Direct Fundraising team, within the wider Individual Supporters department.
• Work with Compliance Team to mitigate risk and ensure compliance in face-to-face activity.
• Work with Finance Department to assist with reporting budget and reforecast all activity.
• Engage with staff in other NSPCC functions, as necessary to increase engagement between potential supporters and professional fundraisers to further fundraising relationships. 

Key Relationships – External

•  Work with a range of agreed agencies to engage the public through a supporter centric approach to fundraising, providing engaging content and materials, and ensuring that professional fundraisers align with our values and cause whilst maintaining high levels of compliance.

Person Specification

Skills and abilities

1. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills to understand, interpret and present complex information in a clear and persuasive way for a range of audiences.
2. Ability to collect data from various sources, analyse findings, identify opportunities, evaluate their viability and present findings clearly in a way that meets desired outcomes.
3. Well-developed ability to build, manage and develop relationships with individuals within an organisation and externally and achieve objectives through these relationships.
4. The ability to plan, monitor and implement projects/events/initiatives to agreed deadlines often with conflicting priorities.
5. An ability to organise and plan own work, identifying conflicting demands and establishing clear priorities in order to meet agreed objectives.
6. Well-developed ability to apply effective numeracy skills in entering and recording financial data, interpreting, analysing, and presenting financial data in clear and accurate format to meet desired outcomes.

Knowledge and experience

1. Experience in using Windows based software packages including word processing, excel spreadsheets, e-mail and the internet, in order to deliver tasks and projects.
2. A personal commitment to ending cruelty to children.

Personal characteristics

1. Commitment to apply NSPCC’s values and behaviours to all aspects of work.
2. Willingness to travel within the UK via car or public transport to conduct mystery shopping and to work flexibly in approach to work and/or work time requirements.

Safer Recruitment

As an organisation, we are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk.

Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with our children and adults.

The recruitment and selection of our people will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.

Our principles:

•  Always seek to recruit the best candidate for the role based on merit including their skills, experience, motivation and competencies. Our robust recruitment and selection process should ensure the identification of the person best suited to the role and the organisation.
• Committed to diversity and equality of opportunity and will interview all applicants (internal and external) who self-declare at application as having a disability and who meet the minimum requirements in the person specification of the vacancy they are applying for.
• We will make reasonable adjustments at all stages of the recruitment process in order to enable successful candidates who declare disabilities to start working or volunteering their time with us.
• Any current member of staff or volunteer who wishes to apply for vacancies and is suitably qualified will be considered and addressed fairly and objectively based on their merit.
• As an organisation committed to safeguarding, we will ensure all under 18’s joining the organisation will have ongoing risk assessments to ensure their role and activities are safe and appropriate
• All documentation relating to candidates will be treated confidentially in accordance with the GDPR legislation.