Head of communication jobs in Belfast

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

The National Youth Agency is looking for an Events Manager.

Events Manager
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £35,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Location: Home-based in England with occasional travel for meetings, workshops, and team activities. Head Office is in Leicester.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work.

Role Purpose

To manage the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of our most high-profile annual events, including, but not limited to, UKYP, Peer Network Conference and a number of our annual policy events. The postholder will deliver multi-stakeholder events to high standards, on time and in budget, identifying opportunities to develop and improve events year on year.

The Event Manager plays a pivotal role in organising the events and activities that will provide young people, from across the United Kingdom, the opportunity to collaboratively engage in the democratic process through the UK Youth Parliament Programme.

This role involves working closely with the UK Youth Parliament team and our partners to support the effective organisation, communication and delivery of the UK wide events and activities.

The Event Manager will work closely with the Policy team, Communications team and Programme Management teams.

Key Responsibilities

As our Events Manager, you will:

• Plan, organisation and on-site delivery of regional and national events, including residential and single-day conferences, networking events and a House of Commons sitting.
• Project management of all event elements including budgets, logistics, health and safety, safeguarding, attendees, AV and delegate communications.
• Be responsible for selection and management of all event suppliers including accommodation, equipment, AV and logistics.
• Oversee venue and supplier management
• Act as first point of contact for all delegates where appropriate to the event
• First point of contact for internal and external stakeholders
• Work with our finance team to ensure event budgets are managed closely and events are delivered in budget
• Report for each event during event planning phase and developing comprehensive post-event reports which
• Any other reasonable duties to support the successful deliver of the events.

Why Work for NYA?

• NYA operates as a people-focused organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
• NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
• A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
• NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
• We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

Closing date: 23:59 Friday 26th June 2026.
N.B. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may close the vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.
Interviews: Week commencing 13th July (subject to change)

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.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Please note: We use AI detector software, so applications or CV’s with high levels of AI generated content may be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance.

No agencies please.

Purpose of the role 

In 2027 we will host our prestigious Global Congress. Held every four years, Congress convenes eminent leaders invested in global consumer rights and empowerment. This includes the heads of the leading consumer advocacy organisations, ministers and senior government representatives, leaders in civil society, executives at top businesses, prominent academics, and visionaries from philanthropic and international institutions. 

Congress is critical to the mission of Consumers International. It is crucial for our governance, as the basis for our General Assembly, where our Membership elects the governing Council of Consumers International. Around this procedural milestone, we structure a participatory, diverse and unique programme that is designed to build and advance the future of consumer rights advocacy worldwide. Our last Congress brought together over 600 participants, including more than 100 at C-suite level, and was a platform for releasing new insight and announcing major partnerships. It featured over 30 interactive sessions taking place over three days in person and online, with extremely high satisfaction and feedback ratings from participants.

To drive forward our planning and delivery for our next Congress in 2027, we are looking for an exceptional Lead, Flagship Events. This person will be the organisational lynchpin for Congress, working directly with our Leadership Team at Consumers International to produce and execute a clear event plan according to ambitious milestones and key performance indicators. 

The Lead will project manage and mobilise the wider Consumers International team to deliver the 2027 Congress, building a relationship with the host government and playing an essential part in producing a dynamic event that excites and inspires attendees. The Lead will bring strong leadership, coordination and project management skills to the role. They will have best-in-class relationship building and negotiation skills, experience dealing with senior stakeholders, and will have delivered major impactful events in the past. 
 
This is a fantastic opportunity to produce a unique and significant event for the global consumers rights movement. For a taster of our past summits see our 2023 Congress (Kenya) and 2019 Summit (Portugal). 

Key Responsibilities 

Project Management  

• Develop and drive delivery of a comprehensive Congress project plan with clear milestones, dependencies and performance indicators 

• Lead execution of the project plan, ensuring and mobilising the team to exert discipline against deadlines, priorities and organisational goals 

• Manage the Congress budget, including oversight of host government allocations and financial reporting   

• Co-ordinate the wider Consumers International team around Congress delivery, ensuring clear ownership, accountability and decision-making across workstreams 

• Monitor and report on progress against key milestones, risks, participant targets and budget performance, escalating where needed

• Lead post-event evaluation and debrief, capturing insights and recommendations to strengthen future flagship events 

Relationship management and negotiation

• Manage a strong and trusted relationship with the host government, ensuring effective coordination and resolution of issues that arise 

• Lead negotiations and relationships with venues, suppliers and delivery partners to secure high-quality delivery within budget 

• Build and support leadership at Consumers International to establish trusted relationships with senior stakeholders participating in Congress, including across government, Members, sponsors, speakers and strategic partners 

Event logistics and delivery 

• Lead planning and oversight of major logistical components of Congress, including venue, accommodation, transport, catering, accessibility and interpretation to support a seamless participant experience 

• Lead onsite event management, troubleshooting and issue resolution during Congress delivery 

Event systems and governance 

• Oversee the implementation of systems and processes required for successful Congress delivery, including registration and reporting 

• Coordinate planning for the General Assembly and governance components of Congress, this includes supporting senior management at Consumers International to coordinate on voting processes, member participation and associated systems 

Participant experience and organisational leadership 

• Lead Congress planning discussions across the organisation, mobilising the team and ensuring strong communication, coordination and momentum across teams

• Help shape a dynamic, participatory, safe and inspiring Congress experience that reflects Consumers International’s ambition and global leadership 

• Work closely with Leadership Team to support delivery of a high-profile global event with significant reputational and strategic importance, including through the delivery of an impactful programme 

• Carry out additional responsibilities related to Congress delivery and organisational priorities as required

You’ll play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our research grant programmes across the entire funding cycle, from application and peer review through to award management and post-award administration. You’ll work closely with the Head of Research, internal teams, external experts, and funded researchers to maintain high standards of governance, transparency, and impact across all our research funding activities.  

We’re looking for a confident communicator, with strong organisational skills, who’ll use their own initiative and ability to manage a varied workload. You’ll be motivated by ensuring our robust processes are followed to provide the best possible experience for CCLG-supported researchers, and ultimately that the highest quality research that will make an impact for children and young people with cancer is funded. You’ll be able to contribute to the continual development of our research programme to drive improvements. You’ll have a good understanding of research grants and funding processes, as well as an understanding of academic research environments in the UK, paired with a good understanding of a relevant biomedical science discipline through a degree or experience.

This role is offered on either a remote working basis, with occasional travel to our Leicester office, or on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of two days per week in the Leicester office.
Hours for this role can be flexible - while advertised as full time, we would be willing to explore part-time employment (minimum 0.6FTE).

About CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association

CCLG is a charity dedicated to creating a brighter future for children and young people with cancer. Powered by expertise, we unite the children and young people’s cancer community, driving collective action and progress.

Research is the key to better treatments, improved care, and potential cures. We fund and lead world-class research, fuelling groundbreaking work led by brilliant minds. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach—bringing together the right people and organisations to drive progress and deliver real impact.

We provide trusted information and guidance for children and young people with cancer, their families, and everyone supporting them. Our expertise helps them navigate the challenges of cancer and its impact, offering reassurance and clarity when it’s needed most.

Through our professional membership, we bring together the brightest minds in children and young people’s cancer, creating a national network that drives progress. Together, we shape better treatment and care - developing guidelines, sharing knowledge, offering expert advice, leading pioneering research, and creating essential resources and education for professionals. Our collective expertise sets the standard, advocating for excellence at every level—local, national, and global. 

Our work is only possible thanks to the generosity of fundraisers, donors, and supporters who share our mission. Every pound raised helps fund our research, provide trusted information for families, and brings together experts to improve treatment, care and outcomes.

Our Research Team is responsible for the delivery of our research strategy, which includes our programme of research grant-making as well as initiatives to support the children and young people’s cancer research community, ultimately improving outcomes for young cancer patients.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

CCLG is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that represents the communities we serve. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Benefits of Working at CCLG

• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with 6 additional closure days per year (usually 2 at Easter, 4 at Christmas) (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Enhanced maternity pay 
• Enhanced sick pay
• Life insurance and employee assistance scheme
• Defined contribution pension scheme: 8% employer contribution / 5% employee contribution
• Hybrid working model
• Supportive and collaborative team culture

Application instructions

For your application, please upload a CV (which should include details of two referees, including your current/most recent employer - we will not contact references without your consent or prior to a provisional offer being made) along with a covering letter. Your covering letter should be bespoke to this job application, demonstrating how your experience makes you suitable for the role and showing how you meet the person specification. If you wish to include a small number of examples of relevant content you have created, please include links in your covering letter. 

We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

As Principal Policy Adviser (interim), you will collaborate with Uplift’s team and key partners to drive the design, development and delivery of work that generates influential policy and ideas addressing the challenges of a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

From proactively setting the agenda, to responding to policy announcements, to ensuring our team has a sound understanding of the future of the North Sea, this is a diverse role at the heart of our work pushing for a rapid and fair transition.

The successful candidate will have exceptional policy skills, an ability to think politically, and a keen interest in climate and energy-related policy and campaigns. A strong commitment to Uplift's mission and core values is also required.

This role is a 9 month long contract to cover a secondment within the team.

Core responsibilities will include:

• Policy: Lead Uplift’s policy work, spearhead the development and testing of innovative policy initiatives, and identify and work through knowledge gaps relevant to Uplift’s strategy.

• Coordination and Strategy Delivery: Work with teams to set and execute policy priorities, provide in-house policy support, contribute to the management of the Research Policy and LEgal Tea, and develop systems for quality assurance and knowledge management.

• Advocacy and Network Support: Build capacity amongst other Uplift teams to understand the intersection of their work with policy topics and represent Uplift to policymakers and partner organisations.

Please see the job description for the full core responsibilities.

About You

Our ideal candidate will have: 

• Experience in a similar or related role.

• Strong knowledge of UK climate and energy policy (direct expertise in just transition, fossil fuels or renewables would be a significant advantage).

• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information quickly and accurately and a demonstrable ability to provide compelling and novel analysis.

• Exceptional writing and communication skills, with strong attention to detail and political nous.

• Motivation, initiative, exceptionally high standards, a collaborative approach, and associated qualities are needed to work in a dynamic organisation with an ambitious agenda.

• A strong commitment to Uplift’s mission and core values of equity and climate justice.

Customer Support Engineer
Hours: Part time, 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday 8am - 12pm (4 hours per day)
Contract: Fixed term role until 31 March 2027
Salary: £30,500 - £32,000 per annum, pro rata (£16,500 per annum for part time hours) plus Into Film Benefits
Location: Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, Salford or London. We operate in a hybrid pattern, combining home working with attendance at the office.

About Into Film

Into Film is the UK’s leading charity for film in education and the community. We provide screen industry careers information and advice, support young filmmakers, and bring the power of moving image storytelling into classroom teaching.

We also run the annual Into Film Festival which enables more than 400,000 pupils to visit the cinema for free, and the Into Film Awards - the UK’s leading showcase for young filmmaking talent.

The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.

Our vision – Film enriches the life of every child and young person.

Our mission – To inspire and support young people to learn, and to realise their creative, cultural and career aspirations, through film and the moving image.

Into Film operates a hybrid working policy with offices in London, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh and Salford.

We are open to flexible working models wherever the role allows, including working compressed hours. We also offer a range of staff perks and benefit, which are detailed below.

Role Summary

The main function of the Customer Support Engineer (“CSE”) role is to ensure those who choose Into Film receive the most positive support possible from the organisation. So, the CSE will play a key role in our product strategy, demonstrating our commitment to high retention of account holders.

The role exists as the front line of customer technical support for users of Into Film’s online offer, including the educator, club member, and online learning websites.

The CSE supports organisations, film clubs, educators, young people, and other account holders on their journey from recruitment to brand advocate. The CSE also plays a key role in monitoring issues and account activity, analysing these to inform new features and opportunities for the organisation.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide customer service and manage support queries from users of our products and services, including cases from info@ and support@ email inboxes, phone calls, live chat, etc., via Salesforce, our Customer Relationship Management system (“CRM”)
• Troubleshoot and where necessary escalate technical issues to the Customer Support Engineer Coordinator and/or digital team via JIRA ticketing application
• Participate in rota for answering the main Into Film phone line
• Ensure that support documentation, including user-facing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Knowledgebase (KB), and other website pages, are updated and developed to include the latest solutions for issues encountered by our users
• Assist with detailed reports on customer service issues utilising the CRM, including issue type and frequency
• Assist with creation and distribution of support-focused surveys of our users
• Assist with onboarding and provide escalation support should demand require outsourcing to service vendors or contractors
• Assist Customer Service Engineer (Coordinator) on projects and work areas defined by the Head of Product and Technology
• Any other reasonable duties assigned by Into Film.

General Responsibilities:

• Commitment to quality internally and in all dealings with Into Film’s stakeholders including teachers, children and young people, industry partners, funders, supporters, parents and carers, and members of the public.
• Commitment and active participation in helping Into Film live its EEDI values and ethos through everything it does.
• Contribute to long term planning to ensure growth in line with demand and resources.
• Contribute to the regular monitoring and evaluation of Into Film’s work.

Person Specification:

Minimum Requirements:

• Excellent customer relationship and service management skills
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent time and project management skills, including an ability to prioritise and plan to maximise efficiency
• A good understanding of Salesforce or similar CRM, including service measurement tools, analytics, metrics and insights
• A good understanding of the education market and curriculum (formal and informal)

Desirable:

• Familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite (Office 365)
• Salesforce case management experience (Service Cloud)
• A love and knowledge of film

All Into Film staff work in a hybrid pattern, combining home working with attendance at their local and national office when required, along with some travel across the UK, as appropriate to the role.

We are open to flexible working models wherever the role allows, including working compressed hours.

We also offer a range of staff benefits and perks, including:

• Annual Leave – 28 days (full time/pro-rata), including 3 days to cover office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• Pension – matched up to 5% of salary (2% above statutory employer contribution).
• Flexible working including compressed hours, job share etc. – all applications favourably considered, approval will be at the discretion of Into Film.
• Enhanced parental/paternity/shared parental leave.
• Interest-free non-essential study loans.
• Interest-free bike/scooter/travelcard loan.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – 24/7 confidential wellbeing support, advice and guidance.
• Wisdom health insurance cover – non-contributory (apart from employee tax contribution).
• BenefitHub portal - offering discounts on healthcare, wellbeing products, and lifestyle products and services.

All employees regularly working with children and member data are required to undertake and maintain enhanced DBS clearance (and/or Access NI check or Disclosure Scotland check, depending on working location), acquired at Into Film’s expense; employment is dependent upon this.

Closing: 10:00am, Tuesday 30th June 2026 (BST)
Interviews will be held between 14th and 15th July 2026.

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.

No agencies please.

About the role

The Trusts & Statutory Fundraising Manager will play a key role in delivering Sands’ ambitious income growth plans and strengthening long-term philanthropic partnerships that support Sands’ work to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families. 

Reporting to the Senior Philanthropy Manager and sitting within the Partnerships & Philanthropy Team, the role will lead the development and growth of a strategic portfolio of trusts, foundations and statutory funders, securing significant multi-year income and building long-term relationships with supporters and partners. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and relationship-driven fundraiser to help shape and grow a high-potential area of fundraising at Sands. The postholder will work closely with senior colleagues across research, training, bereavement support and engagement teams to develop compelling funding propositions aligned to Sands’ strategic priorities. 

The role combines strategic planning, relationship management and high-quality bid writing, alongside leadership of the trusts pipeline, stewardship activity, cross-team collaboration and line management of a Trusts Fundraiser. 

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and strategic thinker with experience securing five and six-figure grants, developing funder relationships and translating complex programmes into compelling, impact-led cases for support. 

Includes line management of one Trusts Fundraiser. 

Main Responsibilities

The overall aims of this role are to: 

• lead and grow Sands’ trusts, foundations and statutory fundraising programme, securing significant multi-year income in support of Sands’ strategic priorities

• build and manage a sustainable pipeline of trust, foundation and statutory prospects, developing long-term relationships and identifying opportunities for growth

• lead the development of Sands' corporate grant and corporate foundation fundraising programme, bringing experience of securing corporate grant funding to establish an expanded area of income growth

• develop compelling, evidence-led funding propositions that translate Sands’ work into clear, engaging and donor-focused cases for support

• collaborate closely with colleagues across Research, Bereavement Support, Training, Communications and Engagement teams to shape strategic funding opportunities

• strengthen organisational understanding of trusts and statutory fundraising, bringing insight, innovation and strategic thinking to funding approaches

• provide supportive line management and development to the Trusts Fundraiser, fostering strong performance and collaboration

• ensure excellent stewardship, compliance, reporting and grant management across all trusts and statutory activity

• contribute to a culture of ambitious, relationship-led and insight-driven fundraising across Partnerships & Philanthropy

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Management & Income Growth 

• Develop and deliver Sands’ trusts and statutory fundraising strategy, aligned to organisational priorities and long-term income growth ambitions.

• Manage and grow a strategic portfolio of charitable trusts, foundations, lottery and statutory funders, securing five- and six-figure grants and multi-year partnerships.

• Lead trust-funded matched giving appeals (including Big Give), coordinating cross-organisational campaign activity across Philanthropy & Partnerships and Individual Giving teams, while collaborating with Engagement & Communications to develop compelling campaign assets and drive income growth. 

• Lead pipeline development and prospecting activity, identifying new funding opportunities and prioritising prospects with the highest strategic potential.

• Work collaboratively across the organisation to shape compelling propositions and articulate clear, evidence-led cases for support.

• Develop thematic and strategic funding propositions aligned to Sands’ work across research, training, bereavement support, inequalities and systems-change activity.

• Contribute insight and sector knowledge to strengthen organisational understanding of trusts and statutory fundraising opportunities and trends.

• Support the diversification of income through innovative approaches to partnership development, restricted and unrestricted funding, and strategic engagement opportunities.

Trusts, Foundations & Statutory Fundraising 

• Lead the development of high-quality funding applications, proposals, bids and reports for charitable trusts, foundations and statutory bodies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective funders, ensuring excellent stewardship and long-term engagement.

• Develop tailored cultivation and stewardship plans that strengthen funder relationships and maximise opportunities for renewal and multi-year support, including leading and contributing to cross-charity stewardship initiatives and engagement campaigns involving trust funders, such as donor thankathons, impact events and bespoke recognition activities. 

• Work with internal stakeholders to identify fundable projects and package work into compelling donor-focused narratives and propositions 

• Manage the trusts and statutory funding pipeline, ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting and tracking of opportunities and deadlines.

• Maintain oversight of trust or statutory restricted funding, ensuring compliance with grant conditions and timely reporting on impact and outcomes.

• Represent Sands confidently in meetings, presentations and funder discussions, acting as an ambassador for the organisation and its work. 

Team Management 

• Line manage the Trusts Fundraiser, providing coaching, support, professional development and clear strategic direction.

• Foster a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team culture.

• Conduct regular line management responsibilities including 121s, supervision and performance check-ins, and contribute to annual appraisal and development processes.

• Support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the Partnerships & Philanthropy team.

Governance, Insight & Performance 

• Lead forecasting, budgeting and KPI management for trusts and statutory income streams.

• Use CRM systems, fundraising data and prospect research to support strategic decision-making, pipeline management and stewardship planning.

• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation, GDPR, grant conditions and ethical fundraising standards.

• Develop and maintain robust systems and processes to support efficient grant management, reporting and donor stewardship.

• Monitor sector trends, funding opportunities and emerging areas of interest relevant to Sands’ strategic priorities.

General 

• To undertake other duties as required by the Senior Philanthropy Manager and Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy

• To work flexibly and proactively with other members of the team.

• To maintain confidentiality over personal information relating to staff.

• Abide by all Sands Policies and Procedures.

• Undertake all mandatory training as required.

• Participate in annual appraisal and personal development review.

• The post holder must familiarise themselves with matters relating to Health & Safety Management, as affecting themselves, their department and the organisation as a whole.

• Promote the Sands vision and values at all times. 

Personal Specification: Skills & Experience

Fundraising Expertise 

• Proven track record of securing five- and six-figure grants from charitable trusts, foundations and statutory funders.

• Strong experience developing and managing sustainable fundraising pipelines and securing multi-year funding partnerships.

• Experience identifying corporate foundation prospects and securing funding from corporate foundations. 

• Experience developing compelling, evidence-led and donor-focused cases for support.

• Experience of developing funding applications involving multiple stakeholders and complex programme areas.

• Strong understanding of trusts and statutory fundraising landscapes, trends and opportunities.

Strategic & Relationship Skills 

• Excellent relationship-builder, confident engaging with funders, senior stakeholders, clinicians, researchers and external partners.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling and accessible narratives.

• Strategic thinker with strong judgement, able to identify opportunities and balance long-term relationship building with day-to-day delivery.

• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence stakeholders to support fundraising priorities and opportunities.

Management & Operational Capability 

• Experience managing, mentoring or supporting colleagues to achieve strong performance and professional development.

• Strong planning, forecasting, organisational and project management skills.

• Experience using CRM systems and fundraising data to support pipeline management and decision-making.

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and perform effectively within a fast-paced environment.

Personal Specification: Core Competencies 

• Builds collaborative and credible relationships internally and externally, acting with professionalism and integrity.

• Communicates clearly and persuasively, adapting style for different audiences and translating complex information into compelling narratives.

• Demonstrates strategic thinking and sound judgement, balancing ambition with practicality and delivery.

• Uses insight, evidence and data to inform planning, prioritisation and fundraising approaches.

• Demonstrates resilience, adaptability and a solutions-focused mindset when managing competing priorities or challenges.

• Works collaboratively across teams to strengthen organisational impact and supporter experience.

• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusive and equitable fundraising practices aligned to Sands’ values and strategic priorities.