Grant programme manager jobs in edinburgh, scotland

Regional Net Zero Carbon Fundraising Officer

Salary £35,000 - £38,000 FTE

35 hours per week

Three-year fixed term contract

Are you an experienced fundraiser with a proven track record of stakeholder engagement and experience of coordinating and developing large-scale funding proposals? Do you have a passion for the environment and reducing carbon emissions? If so, read on.

The Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon (NZC) programme has been established to help the Church deliver its commitment to reaching its NZC goals. It aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport.

All parts of the Church will need to raise funds to implement this Net Zero plan. To this end, the Dioceses of Chelmsford, Ely, Norwich, St Albans and St Edmundsbury and Ipswich are collaborating on the shared ambition to achieve NZC across our diocesan estates and are looking to appoint a Fundraising Officer to work across the region to identify funding opportunities and secure funding towards delivering net carbon zero projects.

This is a new role and, as such, offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to make their mark. You will develop and maintain relationships with a range of potential funders and internal and external stakeholders across the region. You’ll need drive, initiative, resilience and the ability to shape an approach to NZC fundraising across the region. Above all, you’ll need to be an excellent communicator and relationship builder with a proven ability to adapt your approach as appropriate, be this creating links with the national NZC Team, influencing and securing funding from grant-making bodies, or delivering training and advice on securing funding locally. Given the scope and nature of the role you’ll also need to be highly organised, flexible and sympathetic to the ethos of the Church of England.

We recognise that this is a specialised role, and training and support will be available for the post-holder both locally and from the national Church of England NZ Fundraising team.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are also required. The role will be home-based and can be anywhere within the region, with regular travel across the region required. The role will be employed by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich so line management meetings will be in Ipswich.

The five dioceses are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.   
   

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory DBS check where required.   

Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday, 18th November 2025 

Interviews: Wednesday, 3rd December 2025 

Hours: Full-time - 36hours per week

(Will also consider part-time - 28hours a week and flexible working requests)

Location: Fully remote with occasional travel within England

Role Summary

The Community Forest Trust (CFT) supports, enables and champions the work of England’s Community Forests, who are the leading woodland creation network in England. We provide a range of support services for the forests including finance functions, payroll and accountable body for funded projects.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organised Finance and Operations Officer to join our team. You will be responsible for maintaining financial transactions, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with the organisation’s financial policies and procedures. The ideal candidate will have experience in a finance role, competency with accounting software and a commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality work.

You will also provide support to the CFT Managing Director and team, including diary management, booking travel and accommodation, supporting project delivery and arranging meetings and events. You will possess strong organisational skills, with a focus on providing exceptional assistance to ensure the smooth operation of our daily activities. This role requires the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Work

• Check, process and record payments in accordance with agreed procedures, administer invoices and expenses claims received, ensuring they are forwarded for authorisation in a timely manner, correctly coded and posted on the finance system
• Prepare purchase invoices, add to the payment spreadsheet ready for weekly payment run processing
• Run the Weekly Credit Control cycle, ensuring invoices are raised and sent on time and monitoring aged debtors, chasing late payments as required
• Reconcile the credit cards and bank account and ensure the financial system is up to date
• Support the Finance manager in month end procedures
• Draft monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts and finance reports
• Support the preparation of grant claims, ensuring that adequate records are kept
• Assist with year-end audits
• Assist with payroll processing
• Respond and deal with finance queries received internally and externally

Operations Support

• Provide support to the CFT Managing Director and team, including diary management, booking travel and accommodation, taking and drafting minutes
• Provide support for planning and arranging meetings including the CFT Board, Forest Network and with key stakeholders, including agreeing dates, organising venues and catering, distribution of agendas and supporting papers
• Support the Forest Network including arranging ‘all-hands’ briefings and the annual conference
• Ensure CFT’s contacts list is kept up to date
• Provide ad-hoc admin support for CFT projects and programmes
• Manage social media accounts ensuring relevant message sharing and posting to increase engagement
• Manage and respond to general enquiries including via the website, telephone and e-mail

Person Specification

Essential:

• English and Maths GCSE A-C or equivalent
• Proven experience in bookkeeping/similar finance role, including following policies and procedures, processing invoices, supporting the preparation of financial reports, financial reconciliation
• Good working knowledge of key accountancy software such as Quick Books or SAGE
• Administration experience, including providing support for colleagues, arranging meetings/events
• High level of numeracy and financial literacy, comfortable working with budgets and spreadsheets and be able to input data accurately
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Team worker, but also happy to work independently including self-managing remote working
• A ‘can-do’ attitude and uses their own initiative
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and meet tight deadlines
• Flexibility with the ability to adapt to the needs of the charity

Desirable:

• Qualification in finance or accounting e.g. AAT
• Experience of using social media in a work context
• Knowledge of social media channels including LinkedIn, Facebook etc and skilled in using them

Other Information

We pride ourselves on being a supportive and dynamic workplace. We aim to support our team enjoy their work and achieve a good work-life balance.

The organisation’s holiday entitlement is 25 days a year (full-time) plus public holidays. We also operate a flexi-time and TOIL system.

CFT has an auto-enrolment pension. Employer contribution to pension is up to 8% match of the employee contribution.

CFT employs around 50 staff based in the Forests but has a small core team of 4, which works remotely and there is no office base. We meet once a quarter in-person and this post will occasionally need to attend in-person meetings and events, including the annual conference.

There is a 6-month probation period.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline for applications: 12noon Friday 24th October 2025

Interview date: Thursday 6th November 2025

Please submit your CV, with a covering letter that is no more than 2 sides, evidencing how you meet the person specification by the deadline above.

Please note, any CVs submitted without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Due to limited team capacity, if you have not heard back from us by Tuesday 28th October, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview.

Thank you for your interest in working for the Community Forest Trust.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

Sight Scotland is Scotland’s leading charity providing specialist care, education and research for people with vision impairment. The charity has been in existence for over 230 years, and offer a variety of services in the community as well as education, transcription into alternative formats and residential care for adults and children. Their vision is of an inclusive Scotland where people of all visual abilities have the opportunity to thrive.

The Digital and Social Media Creative is responsible for developing and creating engaging digital content and for managing Sight Scotland’s social media channels. This role requires a mix of creativity, digital storytelling and a passion for social media in the charity sector. The role will enhance Sight Scotland’s online presence and engage their audiences, inspiring people to donate, take part in sponsored events and online campaign actions as well as contacting the charities for support with sight loss.

It is important that the successful candidate for this role has existing experience of working within a charity/fundraising environment. In order to ensure the role is successful, an understanding of fundraising and how we can effectively apply digital tools and techniques to support income generation is vital. 

• Hybrid, with 2 days a week in Edinburgh office 

• 37 days leave pro-rata (inclusive of bank holidays) 

• Contributory pension scheme – up to 12% employer contribution 

• Closing midnight Tuesday 21st October

• Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 29th October in person at Sight Scotland's HQ in Edinburgh. 

In order to progress your application, please download the Candidate Pack and make contact with THINK Recruitment for an informal screening call. Please ensure you reach out to arrange a call with enough time before the role closes as unfortunately we cannot progress candidates to longlist who haven't been screened. 

JOB TITLE: Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

LOCATION: Flexible, with regular travel to London

RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive

DIRECT REPORTS: Senior Trusts & Grants Manager, Marketing Manager, Fundraising Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Full time, 35 hours per week

DURATION: SALARY / GRADE: £65,000 to £75,000 (dependent on experience) plus benefits

TEAM SIZE: 6 FTE (with growth plans of up to 12 fte by 2030)

JOB PROFILE

ABOUT ADOPTION UK

Adoption UK is the leading national voice for adoptive families. We exist to ensure that every child and young person who cannot grow up with their birth parents gets the right support at the right time – from childhood into adulthood.

Every year, thousands of children in the UK are adopted – most having experienced trauma, loss, or neglect. Adoption transforms their futures, but it is rarely the end of the story. Adoptive families face unique challenges: children struggling to trust, thrive in school, or feel safe; parents battling to secure the right support; young people navigating identity and belonging. Without the right help, too many families reach breaking point. Adoption UK is there to change this. We are a lifeline for families – offering community, advice, advocacy, and practical support. We champion their voices with government and professionals, driving changes in policy and practice so that no adoptive family feels they are facing the journey alone.

With over 6,000 members, strong credibility with policymakers, and a powerful lived experience community, we are uniquely placed to influence change. Our mission is urgent and nationally significant: to ensure that every adoptive family can thrive, and every adopted child has the chance to fulfil their potential.

DIRECTORATE PURPOSE

The Fundraising, Marketing and Communications directorate is responsible for:

• Income generation across trusts and foundations, corporates, major donors, community fundraising, public donations, and legacies, alongside relationships with commissioners and public sector funders.

• Partnership development, engaging businesses, philanthropists, trusts, and volunteers.

• Marketing of services and membership to families, adoptees, commissioners, and professionals in health, education, and social care.

• Awareness raising and thought leadership, ensuring adoption and permanence issues have a strong voice nationally.

Currently a team of six, the directorate has strong ambitions to grow in size and scope, with scope to re-imagine its structure to meet future needs.

THE ROLE

This is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of fundraising, marketing and communications at a charity of national importance.

As Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications you will:

• Build unrestricted income in a competitive funding environment

• Lead the transformation of Adoption UK’s income model, scaling from £500k to £2m+ contribution (by 2030) to organisational income growth from a £4.2m baseline.

• Develop and deliver a bold, integrated fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy.

• Build Adoption UK’s brand and profile with families, adoptees, commissioners, policymakers, funders, and the wider public.

• Inspire, coach, and grow a talented team, embedding a culture of confidence, creativity, and innovation.

• Personally cultivate and steward high-value donor, corporate, and foundation relationships, working with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and ambassadors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the design and delivery of a multi-year fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities.

• Act as a cultural change leader, shifting from risk-averse to confident, outward-facing engagement.

• Contribute fully to the Senior Leadership Team, influencing strategy, governance, and financial planning.

Income Growth & Diversification

• Oversee all voluntary income streams – trusts, major donors, corporates, community/public fundraising, legacies – while also strengthening public sector and commissioning relationships.

• Oversee marketing and growth of membership as a core element of income and impact.

• Deliver long-term growth targets.

• Use and promote data-driven decision-making, supporter journeys, and digital fundraising/marketing effectively.

• Design and deliver a signature annual Showcase event, alongside new products such as a Giving Circle and Corporate Club, ensuring clear ROI and upgrade potential.

• Personally lead cultivation of transformational donor and partner relationships, supported by trustees, ambassadors, and patrons.

• Identify and test new funding streams and partnerships to diversify income and reduce risk.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy covering fundraising, membership, services, training, campaigns, and advocacy.

• Ensure a compelling and consistent case for support and brand identity across all channels.

• Raise Adoption UK’s national profile with media, commissioners, professionals, and the public.

• Lead digital transformation: CRM upgrade, supporter journeys, analytics, social media, and digital marketing.

• Manage media relations and reputation, including crisis communications alongside the CEO.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, inspire, and grow a team of talented and motivated individuals.

• Model authentic, adaptive, and inclusive leadership – balancing ambition with staff wellbeing.

• Act as a coach and mentor, supporting professional growth and building the next generation of leaders.

• Champion Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and embed values-led behaviours across the team and all external engagement.

• Foster cross-organisational collaboration so fundraising and marketing are understood and supported across Adoption UK.

Financial & Governance

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and ROI analysis for the directorate.

• Report regularly to CEO and Board of Trustees on progress, opportunities, and risks.

• Lead fundraising due-diligence and reputational risk processes, with regular reporting to Trustee-led committees (e.g. Finance & Risk).

• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Code, GDPR, charity law, and safeguarding standards.

• Embed robust CRM, data, and analytics to support continuous improvement.

External Engagement

• Act as a visible ambassador for Adoption UK with donors, corporates, trusts and foundations, policymakers, and media.

• In collaboration with the CEO and Chair, direct ambassadors and patrons to open doors, advocate, and steward transformational relationships.

• Represent Adoption UK externally at events, forums, and national platforms.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Significant experience leading multi-stream fundraising, with success in at least two of: trusts, corporates, major donors, public fundraising.

• Experience developing marketing and communications strategies beyond fundraising – including brand, service promotion, membership, campaigns, and digital engagement.

• Track record of delivering growth, innovation, or transformation in income and/or organisational profile.

• Strong people leadership skills: ability to coach, inspire, and develop staff, including senior managers.

• Exceptional relationship-builder – credible with philanthropists, corporates, trustees, commissioners, and media.

• Strategic thinker with financial acumen (budgets, ROI, investment planning).

• Authentic communicator with excellent storytelling ability.

• Commitment to Adoption UK’s mission and values, with an inclusive and collaborative leadership style.

• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

• Contributes to an open and honest culture

• Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

• Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

• Leads by example.

• Values transparency and consistency.

• Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

• Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

• Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

• Shares skills and knowledge.

• Promotes Cross Functional team working.

• Offers outstanding service to members.

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

• Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

• Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

• Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

• Takes pride in own development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

• Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

Desirable

• Experience in child welfare, family support, education, or adoption.

• Evidence of leading digital transformation in fundraising, marketing, or CRM.

• Existing networks in philanthropy, corporate CSR/ESG, or foundations relevant to Adoption UK’s mission.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

The Opportunity

This is more than a fundraising role — it is an opportunity to lead transformational change for a cause of national importance. You will:

• Shape and lead a directorate spanning fundraising, marketing, and communications.

• Deliver transformational income growth and secure Adoption UK’s sustainability.

• Build Adoption UK’s brand and reputation as the national champion for adoptive families.

• Market services, membership, and campaigns so more families and professionals engage with our work.

• Lead cultural change, inspiring a confident, outward-facing, and innovative fundraising and marketing function.

Few roles offer such scope to combine fundraising growth, brand leadership, and culture change in a mission of such national importance. This is your chance to make a lasting impact – on Adoption UK, on your career, and on thousands of children and families across the UK.

Timetable:

The closing date for this role is 20th October 2025. However, Adoption UK reserves the right to end the application period sooner so we would recommend you complete the application form as soon as possible.

Shortlisting will be carried out on 22 to 24 October 2025 and you should be notified of an outcome within fifteen working days of the closing date.

The panel will shortlist based on those applicants who best meet the criteria for the role.

The date(s) scheduled for first interviews will be 3rd November 2025. These dates may be subject to change and applications will be advised in advance should this happen.

Summary

The Charity Spark is looking to appoint a Strategic Fundraising Consultant to expand our fundraising support for clients across the UK. This pivotal role will be a strategic fundraising lead, working with a diverse portfolio of clients to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies. You will advise on a range of income generation methods, including trust and foundation grants, legacy giving, major donor philanthropy, and corporate partnerships.

A key part of your role will be to provide strategic development, helping clients diversify their income streams and build sustainable fundraising programmes. This position is critical as we expand our team to meet growing demand. We are a tiny, collaborative team committed to ensuring brilliant outcomes for our clients and stability for our team.

The Charity Spark are a consultancy for the non-profit and charity sector. We work with clients from across the charity sector and help them do more good daily through excellent fundraising and transformative impact measurement.  That is, we help them prove they do what they say they do and then use that proof to raise more money, so they can continue the work that they do.

We are committed to tackling inequalities and to making The Charity Spark an inclusive and diverse workspace. The Charity Spark’s purpose is core to every part of our business.

We’re keen to find the right people for the future of The Charity Spark, so we’d love to talk to you if you’re interested in us or this role, but want to know a bit more before applying.

Important Details. What you’ll get:

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 FTE (3 days per week is £24,000-27,000 per year)

Hours: Up to 3 days per week. We keep core office hours of 8:30am-6pm however this role does not require the holder to work solely within these hours. We will work with you to find a working pattern which suits your needs and lifestyle as well as the needs of our business and clients.

Benefits: We will provide you with a laptop if required and equipment for you to work comfortably at home, as well as a monthly contribution towards your home broadband contract. We offer a company pension scheme and an employee assistance programme. We believe in the power of chocolate and tea!

Commission structure: Recognising the important role all our team play in client relationships, and in securing new contracts, TCS operates a commission structure which rewards staff who work on a successful client proposal.

Holiday: 22 days plus bank holidays (FTE contracts – pro rata for PT) and your birthday off. 

Volunteering: We encourage our employees to volunteer so we will provide you an additional 2 days (FTE) a year volunteering leave.

Training and development: We want to invest in our staff team so we will provide you with an annual budget for training courses and books to enhance your skills.

Employment status: Fixed term contract of one year with permanent contract to be discussed.

Location: The Charity Spark is based in Winchester. This role is predominantly home-working with an expectation of regular co-working (around 2 days per quarter and typically in Winchester although location may vary).

Responsible to: Director

What you’ll be doing:

1. Fundraising

1. • Develop and Lead Fundraising Strategies: Create bespoke, multi-stream fundraising strategies for a range of clients. This includes capital appeals and other large-scale projects, helping clients raise significant funds for transformative goals.
   • Income Diversification: Advise clients on how to diversify their fundraising portfolio, reducing reliance on any single income source and building resilience.
   • Trust and Foundation Fundraising: While the role is broader, you will still oversee and deliver trust fundraising work, including researching funders, writing bids and proposals, and supporting clients to steward donors effectively. You will also mentor and upskill clients and their teams on best practices.
   • Support the Director with developing strategic resources for fundraising including digital courses, blogs and downloadable resources for charities.
   • Client Management and Support: Serve as a senior point of contact for clients, providing expert advice, hands-on support, and strategic guidance throughout their fundraising journey.

2. Business Development

· Deal with client enquiries in an efficient and timely manner.

· Support the Director with onboarding new clients.

· Liaise with clients to gain testimonials and write client case studies.

· Research opportunities for new business products and/or clients.

· Support with B Corp certification process and improve The Charity Spark’s impact as a company.

· Assist on the organisation of team events and away days, alongside the Director.

About you:

• Experienced Fundraising Leader: You have a proven track record of success with five or more years of experience in fundraising. You demonstrate the ability to develop and execute effective, multi-stream strategies. You can tell us about fundraising successes you have been an important part of.
• Strategic Thinker: You are adept at seeing the bigger picture, identifying growth opportunities, and creating long-term plans for organisations. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a creative growth mindset.
• Diverse Fundraising Knowledge: You have demonstrable hands-on experience in at least one of the following areas: major gifts, legacy, and/or trust fundraising. Experience with capital appeals or with Christian charities/churches is highly desirable.
• Practical skillset: Target-driven, with experience of budget-setting, financial processes, monitoring and reporting outcomes across income streams. You have a practical understanding of fundraising and charity regulation and best practice regarding prospecting, stewardship, and reporting, together with IT and database skills including knowledge of CRMs.
• Excellent Communicator: You have a talent for using words powerfully, with excellent written communication and presentation skills. You can build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, clearly communicating complex ideas and inspiring confidence.
• Proactive and Results-Oriented: You are target-driven and have a proven track record of meeting fundraising goals. You are able to balance competing priorities and work under pressure, with the ability to anticipate and formulate solutions to problems.
• Comfortable in a small team with an entrepreneurial spirit: we are a small growing business led by our founder. You will have a passion for working with a business with a strong social mission and looking for a positive purpose in the company you work for.

We want to encourage those with a disability or neurodiversity who may experience difficulties with some forms of communication to apply and tell us how we could help you be the best version of you in the workplace. Contact us to discuss how we can make the application process accessible for you.