At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone should be able to live a fulfilling life, regardless of how severely mental illness affects them. Our services are growing — and so is our ambition. That’s why we’re looking for a passionate and skilled Business Development Manager to help us shape the future of our charity and the support we provide.
About the role
As our Business Development Manager, you’ll play a key role in sustaining and expanding the services that make a real difference to people severely affected by mental illness. You’ll bring teams together, write with clarity and purpose, and lead the end‑to‑end bid development process — ensuring we continue to deliver high‑quality, impactful support where it’s needed most.
You’ll champion collaboration, draw on the expertise of colleagues across the charity, and craft compelling, evidence‑based proposals that reflect who we are and what we stand for. From early development to final submission, you’ll help us win and retain contracts that directly improve lives.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the end‑to‑end development of bids, retenders, and proposals in line with internal quality standards.
- Working collaboratively with teams across Rethink Mental Illness, building strong relationships and creating connected ways of working.
- Supporting and managing Bid Development Officers.
- Contributing to regional business development plans and helping shape sustainable, innovative service models.
- Writing high‑quality, insightful submissions that articulate our strengths, capabilities, and lived‑experience approach.
- Developing early-stage budget models and working with Finance and HR to finalise financials ahead of submission.
- Generating insight through data, evidence, and internal expertise to create winning proposals.
- Researching competitors and identifying what makes Rethink Mental Illness stand out.
- Supporting successful bids through structured handovers and mobilisation.
- Contributing to continuous improvement through feedback, learning, and maintaining our Bid Library.
What you’ll bring
Essential
- A strong track record of writing successful competitive bids or proposals.
- Excellent writing, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- The ability to interpret complex tender documents and understand commissioner expectations.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to unite diverse teams.
- Knowledge of commissioning, current legislation, and best practice in mental health and social care.
- Experience constructing budgets and modelling service assumptions.
- Strong organisational and project‑management abilities, with flexibility to meet deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and excellent general IT skills.
- A values‑driven approach consistent with Rethink Mental Illness’ ethos.
Desirable
- Experience working within mental health, health, or social care sectors.
- Lived or professional experience related to mental health and wellbeing.
Why Rethink Mental Illness?
When you join us, you’re not just taking on a role — you’re becoming part of a movement.
A movement committed to improving the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through high‑quality services, innovation, and compassionate support.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive team where your growth and wellbeing matter, and where your work has a clear, direct impact.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Do you share our dream of a UK where poverty is a thing of the past?
Founded in 2019, the Poverty Truth Network believes this can only happen when those most impacted by poverty are at the heart of the movement to end it. Our specific contribution brings together people experiencing poverty with those with responsibilities for alleviating it.
We are now recruiting for an Administrative Coordinator to join our team.
This is a key enabling role within a small, relational and values-led organisation. The Administrative Coordinator will provide coordinating and administrative support across the Network, helping ensure smooth systems, high-quality financial administrative and shared working practices across a dispersed team.
You will be a highly organised and dependable administrator, with experience supporting finance and digital systems, and a clear commitment to social justice and relational ways of working.
Key tasks include:
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Coordinating meetings, events and trustee processes
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Providing hands-on finance administration, including bookkeeping using Xero
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Supporting digital systems, CRM and data stewardship
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Maintaining accurate records and shared documentation
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Contributing to consistent, relational and accountable ways of working across the Network
This role involves working from home with some travel.
We welcome applications from people with the necessary skills and experience from all walks of life, particularly those from communities underrepresented in the charity sector.
How to apply
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 sides of A4) explaining how your skills and experience match this role. Please include the names and contact details of two referees (at least one of whom knows you in a professional capacity).
The application deadline is 23:30 on Wednesday 25th March.
Interviews will be held online on 1st and 2nd April.
Applications will only be considered from applicants who already have the right to work within the United Kingdom.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.