Head of development programmes jobs

The Outward Bound Trust’s mission is to inspire young people to believe in themselves and achieve more than they ever thought possible. For over 80 years, we have been transforming lives through outdoor learning and adventure, helping young people from all backgrounds develop resilience, confidence, and leadership skills. Every year, we reach thousands of young people, working closely with schools, local authorities, and community groups to provide experiences that truly change lives.

We are a collaborative, forward-thinking charity that values creativity, inclusivity, and impact. Joining us means becoming part of a passionate team dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of young people across the UK.

The Role
Reporting to the Head of Development (New Business & Philanthropy) and working closely with our Development Managers, the Development Executive will play a crucial role in generating new income opportunities for the Trust. You will research, identify, and qualify prospects across corporates, trusts and foundations, and high-net-worth individuals. Using tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Dynamics CRM, and wider sector insight, you’ll build a strong, insight-led pipeline of opportunities that support our mission.

This is an excellent opportunity if you are proactive, organised, and eager to grow your experience in business development or fundraising. You will see the direct impact of your work, helping to secure the resources that allow young people to thrive.

What You’ll Be Working On

• Researching and mapping new corporate, trust/foundation, and HNWI prospects aligned with our mission.

• Supporting Development Managers by qualifying leads and preparing briefing packs, proposals, and tailored pitch materials.

• Coordinating research, logistics, and follow-ups for meetings, events, and networking opportunities.

• Maintaining accurate, GDPR-compliant data in the CRM system, tracking all approaches, communications, and outcomes.

• Producing insights and reports to inform strategy and pipeline management.

• Collaborating with Marketing & Communications, Programme Delivery, and Evaluation & Impact teams to ensure proposals are compelling and supported by robust evidence.

• Contributing to the creation of innovative approaches to engage new partners and donors.

This Job Is For You If…

• You’re motivated by creating opportunities that make a real difference in young people’s lives.

• You have strong research and analytical skills and are confident in using digital tools for prospecting and data management.

• You enjoy building relationships and working collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• You are highly organised, able to manage multiple projects, and have an eye for detail.

• You are enthusiastic about learning and developing your career in business development or fundraising.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in fundraising, business development, or sales, particularly in the not-for-profit sector.

• Experience contributing to income targets and producing marketing or proposal materials.

• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection in fundraising.

What We Offer

• 24 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by 1 day per year to a maximum of 30.

• Life Assurance: 3x salary, from day one, including Employee Assistance Helpline.

• Long-term disability insurance, health cash plan, and personal accident cover.

• Pension scheme with auto-enrolment after three months.

• 8 weeks’ sick pay at full salary in any 12 months.

• Staff bursaries, childcare vouchers, Berghaus uniform items, and discounts.

Deadline: Monday 5th January 2025
First Interviews: Wednesday 7th – Friday 9th January 2025
Second Interviews: Wednesday 14th January 2025

Can you lead a diverse programme of work?
Do you inspire confidence in colleagues across organisations?
Do you want a new challenge?

The Diocese of Carlisle is looking for a Programme Manager (Maternity Cover) who will:

• Be the Programme Manager for The Cumbrian Way programme including:

o Working closely with the Programme Director to ensure all aspects of programme management are undertaken

o Accountability for the adherence to the Programme Management Office’s programme management systems to assess and ensure budget, risks, issues, progress and impact are reported and escalated in a timely and appropriate manner

o Coordinating the project managers across the programme

o Oversee the management of the Projects and Programme Board and annual reporting

o Have oversight of all aspects of the programme in order to make connections and insights into the work as it progresses.

o Reporting on agreed outcomes by collecting, collating and presenting information as part of programme reporting and monitoring & evaluation

o Support the Programme Director as a point of contact for the national team and in quarterly reporting to the Projects and Programmes Board and other governance group updates

• Support the Church Planting Consultant with project management of the Church Plant workstream, including:

o maintaining & updating project plans/timelines

o monitoring, reporting and reviewing the effectiveness of the project work

o accounting for risk mitigation and issue resolution

o advising and collaborating on project communications

o reporting on agreed outcomes and impact by collecting, collating and presenting information as part of project/programme reporting and monitoring & evaluation

o meeting with the church plant consultant on a regular (at least monthly) basis.

o actively managing the project budget

o supporting local church planting teams with budget claims and outcome reporting

• Oversee the programme management of all areas of the Reaching Deeper SDF funded programme
• Be principal point of contact and manage the relationship with the diocesan research partner, including managing payment drawn downs, agreed pieces of work/briefs and outputs to be delivered.
• Lead and oversee the data collection and impact for diocesan Parish Returns data collection
• Line manage the God for All Programme Management Office team

This is a part time position for 24hrs per week (0.69FTE), fixed term until December 2026.

Switchback is built on the transformational power of trusted relationships – and that applies to our supporters and partners too. As we get ready to launch our next strategic plan, we’re looking for a new Head of Development to help us grow an even stronger supporter base across the full fundraising landscape, ranging from philanthropy to corporate partnerships, to trusts and foundations.

We are an ambitious team who want to make a huge difference, both to the lives of the young men we support and to society through transforming the justice system.

As Head of Development and a member of the Leadership Team, you will play a key role in shaping and leading a new and ambitious Development Strategy to secure the resources we need to grow our frontline and influencing impact. You’ll lead on supporting and galvanizing our small but mighty Development Team to grow their skills and Switchback’s income. You’ll oversee our development systems and processes, maintaining our trajectory of growth to ensure we remain sustainable in future years. And you’ll understand how to interpret and use our robust data and compelling Trainee journeys to make a compelling case for support to the full range of existing and potential supporters.

We’ve grown our income from £1m in 2022 to £1.5m in 2025 and know that further growth requires a clear development strategy which engages supporters in our vision for transforming more lives through better resettlement policy and practice.

This is an exciting role for a first-time leader - you will be fully supported by an experienced CEO and a collaborative Leadership Team, with a focus on your professional development. You’ll be joining at an exciting time of growth and building on a strong fundraising track record.
Our ambitious new strategic plan aims to support more Londoners than ever by 2030 and build the evidence for transforming national resettlement policy, with a staff team of 30 dedicated individuals aiming to push forward that vision. We are a hands-on, collaborative team, so you’ll need to enjoy getting stuck in with everything from bid writing to pitching to building our pipeline of prospective supporters.

We are seeking someone with a strong track record in building long-term funding relationships, who can apply that skill across the whole fundraising landscape, including with both institutions (corporates, trusts and foundations, and statutory grants) and individuals (high net worth philanthropists and individual regular donors).

You’ll be a confident bid writer who can guide your team in producing high quality applications and funder reports. You’ll be happy to absorb and build on Switchback’s style and continuously promote our gold standard of stewardship, which bolsters Switchback’s funder base.

Joining Switchback means you will also work closely with all members of our dedicated team, giving you a unique perspective that will support your work in demonstrating to funders how and why their support matters, and how supporting Switchback will help them meet their own charitable aims.

If you are an experienced, successful and creative fundraiser with a track record in building long-term relationships and who shares our values and vision, we would love to hear from you.

Leading UK drug education charity the DSM Foundation is recruiting a Head of Business and Organisational Development to join their senior management team. This role involves working with the Director and Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to the DSMF team on all aspects of organisational and business development with a long-term income growth strategy, and alongside the Head of Operations and Head of Education and Engagement, to ensure that DSMF is a well-managed and successful charity with a clear strategic vision. 

Suitable candidates will:

• Be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol.
• Have experience of strategy development and delivery, business and work stream development and income generation.
• Have a deep understanding of finance and market conditions.
• Be experienced in managing projects and performance.
• Be skilled in organisational development and people management.

Key information:

The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation is a drug and alcohol education charity, founded by Fiona and Tim Spargo-Mabbs in 2014 in response to the death of their 16-year-old son Dan having taken ecstasy. The charity aims to support young people to make safe choices and reduce harm, through increasing their understanding of the effects and risks of drugs and alcohol, and improving their life skills & resilience. They work with young people, parents, teachers and professionals, in schools, colleges and communities across the UK.

This role will be primarily based in the DSMF office with some opportunities for remote working.

Closing date for applications: 20th January 2026

Shortlisting: Week beginning 26th January 2026

Interviews: 23rd February 2026

Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) sits at the heart of a vibrant network of philanthropists, educators, community groups, visionary businesses and local government bodies across East Anglia. With over a decade of trusted STEM engagement behind us, a dedicated expert team and a loyal network of long-term supporters, CSC is uniquely positioned to drive lasting
change in communities across the region.

This role builds on that strong foundation. You will deepen existing relationships, identify and shape new opportunities, and help secure CSC’s long-term financial sustainability through innovative, high-impact partnerships.

As the primary contact for partnership development, you will play a central role in shaping and funding our multi-year programmes, while also leading on high-value, short-term opportunities connected to our Cambridge Science Park site and outreach hubs such as Inspire Wisbech. Your work will balance immediate income generation with the cultivation of long-term strategic
relationships that advance CSC’s mission and regional impact.

The Beyond Food Foundation is looking for a Head Training and Events Chef.

Do you have the skills to train groups of young people and vulnerable adults to achieve amazing things in the kitchen? 

Do you want to be part of helping to change people's lives?

We are looking for someone inspirational to lead on our in-kitchen skills training and drive high standards of food production across all training and events. 

You will bring industry insights and experience to the role, leveraging these to support trainees into further training, work or volunteering roles in hospitality.

Our programmes are built around the kitchen and dining table, you will work closely with a Food Engagement Lead to craft sessions and experiences to leverage the power of food for changing lives. 

£40,000 - £44,000 experience dependant -  40hrs per week -  Generally Monday - Friday. 

The Foundry, E6 5NX and across London as required. 

28 Days annual leave + bank holidays.

Applicants must be located within 2 hours travelling distance of Cambridge City. 

The Charity and Our Vision.

For over 15 years, Scotty's Little Soldiers has been supporting children and young people who have been bereaved of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.  We are about to embark on an exciting journey which will see the charity evolve to support anyone affected by a military-connected bereavement and ultimately empower a community of more than 25,000 bereaved individuals and their families by 2035.

Founded in 2010 by Nikki Scott following the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, the charity currently offers a unique blend of emotional, practical, and educational support to over 750 young people.

We are proud of our vibrant, non-traditional culture, which puts the needs of bereaved children and young people at the heart of everything we do. We embrace innovative approaches, are committed to creating smiles and believe in the power of community, resilience, and connection.

Role Mission.

To ensure that Scotty’s understands and demonstrates the impact of its work — through high-quality research, meaningful measurement, and clear reporting. You will lead the development of internal and external research projects, manage beneficiary insight gathering, and oversee the systems and frameworks we use to evaluate and share our effectiveness. 

This role is central to helping us improve what we do and explain why it matters and ensuring that lived experience remains at the heart of everything we do. 

The key responsibilities of this role are:

Impact Measurement 

• Develop and maintain frameworks to measure the outcomes of all services and programmes. 

• Ensure Success Measures (KPIs) and qualitative feedback tools are aligned to our Theory of Change. 

• Work with the Families (service delivery) team to embed consistent and meaningful data collection across all services. 

• Design simple, automated reporting processes to reduce manual admin and improve data use. 

Research & Insight 

• Lead internal research projects using beneficiary data, surveys, and feedback loops. 

• Scope and manage external research partnerships with academic institutions or sector bodies. 

• Design and deliver surveys to beneficiaries and the wider bereaved military community 

• Produce evidence to support service development, strategic decisions, influence national policy, and funding bids. 

• Lead our existing advisory group (for children and young people) and establish new groups as required (e.g. for adult services). 

• Ensure that lived experience remains at the heart of the charity’s focus on understanding of the need. 

Communication of Impact 

• Create clear, accessible insight reports and data summaries for internal and external use 

• Lead the delivery of the annual Impact Report (content, structure, coordination with teams). 

• Develop quarterly insight packs for funders and stakeholders, with engaging visuals and stories. 

• Work with the Outreach Squad to ensure impact is integrated into campaigns and storytelling. 

Learning & Collaboration 

• Act as the internal ‘voice of insight’ – bringing beneficiary perspective and data into key conversations. 

• Contribute to team training on evaluation, feedback collection, and outcomes thinking. 

• Participate in cross-functional planning, especially with the Service Delivery and Outreach Squads. 

Policy (Light Touch) 

• Track key developments in bereavement, Armed Forces, and youth policy 

• Produce brief summaries or ‘position snapshots’ where relevant to Scotty’s mission 

• Build relationships with other research and impact professionals in the sector 

The 30-day goals for this role are:

• Build a deep understanding of Scotty’s mission, our audience, the services we provide, and strategic direction.
• Develop a deep understanding of our current Success Measures, Impact measurements and Theory of Change. 
• Reviewing research and data produced by the charity and related external research previously published. 
• Understand the data structure and reporting capabilities of Salesforce. 
• Understand existing commitments (e.g. funder report, impact reports etc). 
• Taken ownership of our 2026 Community-wide survey (project will be handed over upon start). 

The 60-day goals for this role are:

• Audit current data quality and gaps across the F-Team Programmes. 

• Support the publishing of the 2025 Impact Report (NB this might have be published but let’s put it in for now). 

•  Scoped and invited members to join our first adult lived experience advisory group.

• Analysed and shared results of 2026 Community-wide survey. 

• Reached out to relevant impact and research groups to introduce yourself, particularly those attached the military or bereavement charitable sectors. 

• Identified 1-2 relevant conferences or forums for Scotty’s to present at. 

The 90-day goals for this role are:

• Held at least 1 adult lived experience advisory group session. 

• Created and shared the first quarterly Impact Review for internal use.

• Fully taken accountability for impact reporting and research projects within the charity and able to demonstrate a clear plan of action for the rest of the year. 

• Proposed an outline for the Annual Family Feedback Survey in September. 

About You

Must-Have 

Proven experience in research and/or impact evaluation, ideally in the charity or public sector 

Strong skills in data collection, survey design, and analysis 

Excellent written communication and reporting skills 

Able to translate data into real-world insight 

Nice-to-Have 

Experience working with or around the Armed Forces community 

Understanding of trauma-informed or bereavement support practices 

Experience producing Impact Reports or funding insight packs 

Familiarity with Salesforce or CRM data tools 

Some knowledge of public policy or third sector trends 

Additional Information

· The role may require occasional evening or weekend work

· Enhanced DBS check required

· Travel will be required to events and team training days

The Scotty’s Way

At Scotty’s, our personal performance is only 50% of what success looks like. Our culture is equally important. When you join our team, you sign up to The Scotty’s Way, rooted in our four core values:  

1. Families Come First

2. Everyone a Supporter, Every Supporter a VIP

3. Love What You Do

4. Remember, Every Day

Our values are further supported by our four non-negotiable behaviours of Show Respect, Speak Up, Take Ownership and Actively Collaborate. We are looking for an individual who embodies these values and behaviours.

When Applying:

Please submit your CV, along with a covering letter detailing your experience and what excites you about this role. Please ensure you clearly annotate which role you are applying for in the email title.

Closing date: Friday 16th January. Due to resource and time constraints, we are unfortunately unable to provide feedback for every application received and will only contact candidates shortlisted for interview.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team, we are an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities for employment and advancement.  

We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.  

We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for employment within our charity, and we provide a fair and inclusive recruitment process for all candidates.

Are you a commercially minded, senior leader with strong experience in operations, company management, partnership building and income generation?

VDT is seeking an experienced Head of Operations and Business Development to spearhead the implementation of our ambitious new Commercial Strategy, driving growth and expanding income streams.

This is a crucial, high-impact role for someone who thrives on operational excellence, has excellent management skills and a passion for strategy implementation. It is ideal for someone with strong experience in partnership building, negotiating contracts, lead generation and organisational development.

Working closely with the Chief Executive / Artistic Director, the role works collaboratively across the small staff team to deliver the company’s Business Plan, Funding Agreement, Mission and Values. You will identify opportunities, generate new leads and manage the company’s wide range of production, participation and continued professional development programmes. You will grow a new customer base for our online training and E-learning and develop income from within arts academic and social enterprise settings. You will track progress and ensure the company is run in line with best practice. 

You might not have worked in the arts or creative industries before. If you have experience as a Business Manager, Operations Director, Executive Director or Senior Producer within or outside of the cultural / charity sector, then you’ll have the core skills we are looking for.

Closing date for applications: Midday Tuesday 6 January 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 15 January 2026 (possible second interview 23 January 2026).

Making The Leap seeks to appoint a dynamic Educational Partnerships Manager to play a pivotal role in securing, growing, and nurturing partnerships with schools across the UK. Reporting to the Head of Educational Partnerships, the successful candidate will drive engagement with schools, teachers, and senior leaders to expand the reach and impact of Making The Leap’s programmes. This role focuses on building strong, strategic relationships with education providers while maintaining links with community organisations, colleges, universities, and corporate partners to promote MTL’s services and mission.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The ethos of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast and The Social Mobility List.

Head of Fundraising
£45,000 - £50,000 per annum, plus 8% pension contribution
35 hours per week
Permanent role
Hybrid working – homebased working for the majority of time with a need to attend head office in Godalming on occasions, plus a requirement to travel for events

What You’ll Do:
As our Head of Fundraising, you will play a vital role to help deliver the League’s vision of a kinder society where animals are no longer persecuted in the name of ‘sport’. Your responsibilities will include:

• Driving the development and delivery of the charity’s individual giving programme and all related activities, projects and materials (both offline and digital)
• Maintaining and growing income, ensuring income targets are met while expenditure runs within budget
• Managing and co-ordinating planning and reporting across the Fundraising department
• Ensuring excellent service is delivered to supporters

Who You Are:
We need a strategic-thinking and inspirational leader with a passion for animal welfare, who possesses:

• Significant experience in a fundraising or marketing role within a comparable organisation
• Experience of developing and managing income generating campaigns
• Proven experience of leading teams
• Proven experience of CRM systems, HMRC and gift aid regulations
• Excellent project management skills  

Why Join Us: 
We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, enjoy flexible working arrangements, including options for compressed hours and remote work from day one. With 28 days of annual leave, plus public holidays, and a generous employer contribution of eight percent towards your pension scheme, we prioritise your well-being. Additionally, our benefits package includes discounts on shopping, electronics, hospitality and leisure. Find out more about working at the League.

The League Against Cruel Sports is committed to inclusivity and diversity, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

We believe that together we can end animal cruelty in the name of sport. Join us in our purposeful mission to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change in animal welfare legislation. 

Ready to make a real difference? Don't wait - apply now! We're looking to fill this position quickly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter.

Here at SJT we have long recognised that our role needs to extend beyond simply the provision of entertainment. We firmly believe that culture and creativity bring people together; that the act of sharing stories and experiences helps to build communities; and that, through this collaborative approach, we can be part of helping to solve the challenges our coastal home of Scarborough faces.

We are a producing theatre, working locally, regionally and nationally. We offer a year-round programme of high-quality theatre and film, alongside a wide range of participatory work working with all ages and communities, including youth theatres, community choirs, activities for those with dementia, and schools’ workshops.

We’ve been growing audiences and participants steadily for the last four years and are now ready both to deepen that engagement and to reach out to new demographics. We want to grow our already fruitful partnership between our marketing and fundraising functions; and we want to explore wider organizational marketing, building the SJT brand locally and nationally.

Which is where you come in – a collaborative and hands-on Head of Marketing.  Whilst your experience and expertise will be important in this role, what is every bit as important to us will be your belief in our vision and purpose and your enthusiasm for what we are trying to achieve. If that sounds like you, we’d love you to get in touch.

Job Title: Head of Marketing

Line managed by: Executive Director

Line manages: Marketing Officers, Press Rep, Box Office Manager

Job Purpose

The Head of Marketing is a member of the Senior Management Team and plays a key role in the development and delivery of the company’s marketing, audience engagement and communication strategies. The Head of Marketing is responsible for the delivery of all programme campaigns, as well as working with the Joint Chief Executives on the delivery of a consistent and appropriate external message.

Key responsibilities

To be responsible for the implementation and continued development of the audience engagement strategy;

To lead on the delivery of the brand communications strategy and to work with the Joint Chief Executives on overall brand awareness;

To be responsible for the delivery of the company’s segmentation strategy and to work with the Senior Management Team to ensure a joined-up approach to audience across the organisation;

To work with the Joint Chief Executives and the Senior Management Team on the development and implementation of the digital strategy;

To commission appropriate audience research, carry out regular analysis of audience data, including digital / social analytics, and use insight gathered to help inform future campaigns, audience development and programming plans;

To oversee the effective use of SJT’s box office and CRM system including management of the relationship with Spektrix;

To set and manage sales targets and pricing strategy in consultation with the Executive Director.

Person Specification

Proven experience in delivering and developing audience engagement strategies

Proven expertise in planning and implementing audience campaigns to meet or exceed objectives

Expertise in analysing audience data and reporting on insights

Great attention to detail, with experience of proofreading and adapting campaigns to deliver in line with both strategic goals and brand guidelines

Experience in planning and implementing digital content (website, social, video etc.) to meet or exceed audience objectives

Proven ability to track and monitor the effectiveness of campaigns

Proven ability in developing and managing budgets

A love for theatre and a desire to bring people together to share experiences and stories

We want a world where no one dies from hunger. Life-threatening hunger is predictable, preventable and treatable. Join Action Against Hunger and together we will stop it in its tracks.

Action Against Hunger is an optimistic, inspiring place to work. We want passionate and dedicated people to help build a better world. We’re a creative team made up of people with a wide range of talents, styles and expertise. But we are united in our relentless dedication to end world hunger. No challenge is too big. With you we can do it. Join us.

In this role you’ll help the Action Against Hunger International Network to access, secure and manage institutional funding from UK donors. You won’t be alone; you’ll support the Head of Programme Funding and manage members of the programme funding team.

You’ll play a key role in helping Action Against Hunger to achieve our vision of a world free from hunger by maintaining the funding from key UK institutional donors and making sure we deliver high quality programmes. You’ll be in the exciting and important position of working with country, regional and global funds, and collaborating with colleagues both inside the international network and beyond. You’ll help raise Action Against Hunger’s profile and engagement with the UK Government and UK sector to inform, influence and collaborate on all areas of our work.   

You’ll work closely with our Network HQs and country teams to develop opportunities, increase the number and value of new grants and contracts, and ensure effective delivery. But you’ll also be a key person in engaging with institutional funders too. So how will you do this? You will work at an operational, tactical, and strategic level – making the most of the links between funders strategies and the Action Against Hunger’s network own strategy and trends we observe. You’ll be proactive, bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas, and bring a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.

We would love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining us. For more detailed information on the role – and to see whether you have the necessary experience - please download the attached pdf Job description.

Closing Date: 29-Dec-2025 23:30

Planned date to begin interviews: 14th January 2026.

Please read the following carefully before making your application: then all you need to do is send your CV and write a supporting statement explaining why you want the job and how your skills and experience make you the right person for the role and where you saw this vacancy.

• As a UK based position, candidates must have the right to work in the UK
• We welcome applications from all sections of the community and we encourage as broad a range of candidates as possible. If you need any additional support to help you through this process, please let us know (contact details in the job pack)
• Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only contact shortlisted candidates, within two weeks of the closing date Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback
• If you experience any technical difficulties in submitting your application, please contact the charityjob helpdesk

The essentials …

• Permanent, full-time
• £55,000 - £62,000 (depending on experience)
• 5 total direct reports (including 3 Leads; Training Courses, Venue Hire, & Energy Group Events, Senior Events Coordinator, and Events Marketing Executive)
• Hybrid working with 2-3 days a week at our London office

Who are we?

Founded in 1807, we are the oldest geological society in the world. Today, we are a world-leading communicator of Earth science – through publishing, library and information services, cutting-edge scientific conferences, education activities and outreach to the general public. We also provide impartial scientific information and evidence to support policy-making and public debate about the challenges facing humanity.

We have a membership (Fellowship) of c. 12,000, more than 2,000 of whom are based outside the UK. Approximately 3,000 are Chartered Geologists or Chartered Scientists - professionals who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence in their field and a commitment to professional ethics.

What you’ll be doing …

Our Head of Events (HoE) will bring leadership and strategic vision to the Society’s Events team encompassing scientific conferences, venue hire, and training courses, working to deliver the business plan and achieve targets for this active, income-generating department.

This role will be responsible for supporting the six-strong team in delivery of our busy events programme, working effectively with conference convenors, and providing exemplary support to our delegates, venue users, sponsors, and clients throughout the year. Working closely with the Director of Science & Engagement, our new HoE will work to develop robust and diverse income streams for the Society from our events as well as sponsorship and will oversee the expansion of our venue hire provision into new markets (e.g. weddings) in addition to seizing other opportunities for growth.

Overall responsibilities / requirements …

Management & Leadership:

• Shape and lead the Events team to deliver top-quality leadership and coordination of our events programmes and customer service for both internal users and external clients
• Continue to support a commercial approach to income generation across the Events department, to support revenue growth and diversification across sectors
• Grow event sponsorship, proactively identifying sponsorship opportunities and supporting the team, convenors, and others to become more confident in developing sponsor relationships and securing sponsorship income.
• Grow and nurture relationships with Fellows and external partners
• Grow and nurture relationships with internal staff across other departments, particularly those jointly responsible for delivering upon the Society’s strategic aims
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Events team, supporting ongoing professional development
• Act as the senior Events representative at internal committee meetings, providing expert input on event strategy, performance, and future plans.
• Manage external relationships with Events partners, including catering suppliers, AV technicians, and Security where appropriate
• Lead on the delivery of appropriate Health & Safety management alongside equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility actions across the Events team and throughout our programme of public facing events

Conference Delivery:

• Oversee the management and delivery of Society conferences, events, and lectures alongside our Energy Group Lead and Senior Events Coordinator, including offsite delivery where appropriate
• Oversee the planning and delivery of flagship conferences for audiences of approximately 500+ delegates, ensuring high-quality audience experience and strong financial performance.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategy for the branding and marketing of events from web, print and social media alongside our Events Marketing Executive
• Embed a commercial approach to conference development and delivery
• Lead the development of partnerships across the Events team, including the management and delivery of joint, flagship events such as the Energy Geoscience Conference (EGC) series in partnership with GESGB
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, staff, and Council, to grow the offering of Society events, in London and beyond
• Worth the wider staff team to ensure that our Conference provision is aligned to the Society’s science strategy & supports ongoing professional development for our fellows and members

Training Courses Delivery:

• Provide strategic oversight of the Society’s developing Training Course programme alongside our Training Courses Lead and Training Courses Committee to ensure commercial sustainability, quality, and growth
• Support the promotion and upscaling of our Training Courses programme alongside our Events Marketing Executive
• Work with the wider staff team to ensure that our Training Course provision is aligned to the Society’s science strategy & supports ongoing professional development for our fellows and members

Venue Hire Oversight:

• Provide strategic leadership, working with the Venue Hire Lead to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to grow and diversify venue hire revenue, aligned with the organisation’s wider commercial objectives.
• Lead on the design, launch, and ongoing development of our new Weddings venue hire initiative in partnership with our Venue Hire Lead following the granting of our wedding license from Westminster City Council, ensuring strong market positioning and a high-quality client experience
• Work with the wider events team to improve booking and on-the-day service for internal and external venue-hire clients
• Oversee and continuously improve the end-to-end booking journey and on-the-day service for internal and external venue-hire clients, working closely with the wider events team to deliver a consistently high standard of service.
• Lead on the procurement and management of key suppliers (including catering and other event services), running competitive tenders and negotiating contracts that best support the quality, profitability and sustainability of our events programme.

What we’re looking for …

Candidates for the role of Head of Events will be required to demonstrate a range of skills, competencies, and abilities for the post, and the successful candidate will have demonstrable experience within an Events team as well as leadership experience. The individual will need to be able to build relationships with stakeholders and clients from a variety of sectors and will need to demonstrate a variety of skills.

Qualification & Experience …

Leadership & Management:

• Experience of successfully implementing and leading change
• A track record of successfully building and nurturing strong and productive relationships, internally and externally
• A team worker with proven experience of working collaboratively to realise organisational objectives
• An ability to influence and inspire people successfully at all levels.

Other Qualities:

• Demonstrable ability to prioritise multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines when required
• Familiarity with the current Microsoft Office suite, and use of CRM systems
• Tact, tenacity, and a willingness to work in partnership with others
• Positivity and enthusiasm for the role, and support for your team
• Exceptional interpersonal and people-management skills
• A commitment to personal development and learning

Essential Criteria:

• Successful delivery of conferences and events
• A track record of successful leadership and management
• Financial management, commercial awareness, including budgetary management
• Commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and to the Society’s other core values as set out in our strategy
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Desirable Criteria:

• Venue management experience
• Successful delivery of academic and/or professional/B2B conferences
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relevant to public events and venue hire (e.g., licensing, GDPR)
• Experience of working with trustees, committee members, volunteers, and other stakeholders
• Commercial experience in a relevant sector
• Experience of training courses and/or ongoing professional development in a commercial capacity

A bit about us …

The Geological Society is a registered charity and employs just under 60 staff at its offices in London and Bath. Our London office is situated in the beautiful London hotspot of Piccadilly in Burlington House, just next door to The Royal Academy.

As an employee conscious company, we invest in our staff by emphasising training, growth and progression in every role. We firmly believe in creating a positive workplace wellbeing culture and offer a range of benefits to our staff including:

• 25 days basic holiday entitlement you start, increasing up to 30 days with continued service (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• Option to purchase up to 2 days extra holiday days per year
• Contributary pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 online GP with mental health & wellbeing counselling
• Free premium Headspace account for you and 2 members of friends/family
• Discounts and recognitions scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• Life Assurance and Income Protection schemes
• Free access to Royal Academy exhibitions
• Free Geological Society Fellow membership for qualified staff

The Society is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a harmonious inclusive environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members visitors and staff are respected. We are an equal opportunities employer and the post-holder will be expected to adhere to and support the Society’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

How to apply …

To apply for this position, please click the 'Apply' button above to be taken through to our recruitment page with full contact details.

As part of our inclusive recruitment initiative, we have introduced the concept of anonymous recruiting in order to evaluate applicants solely on their skills and experience. With this in mind, we encourage you to:

• Anonymise your application by stating only your initials in your CV (including your file name) and cover letter.
• State your initials only in the subject line when sending your application.
• Ensure that you have included your contact email and number, as well as dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.

First round interviews will take place remotely. Please let us know if you will require any special provisions to be made should you be called for an interview. We regret that unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to support visa applications.

#events #head of events #events mangement #events lead #membership #science

Head of Interpretation & Programming - Maternity Cover
Location: Slimbridge - Hybrid
Salary: £42,580 per annum
Vacancy Type: 12-month Fixed Term contract
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Function: Engaging visitors and communities with wetlands

About The Role

Do you have a track record of developing and delivering experiences for visitors in the natural environment, arts, culture or attraction sector? Do you want to enable WWT to captivate our audiences as Head of Interpretation & Programming? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Reporting to the Director of Operations you will work alongside the Head of Experience Development, Head of Living Collections and Head of Learning to support sites to develop and deliver inspiring experiences for our visitors which connect them with our cause.

You will be the lead specialist advisor for interpretation and programming, and along with your team, play a critical role in supporting the development of excellent visitor experiences across all our sites, creating opportunities for people to experience nature in ways that inspire and move them and embedding nature connectedness in our programmed approach.

About You

We are seeking an individual with:

• Extensive experience in the development and delivery of events, visitor experiences and engagement in the natural environment, arts and culture or attractions sectors.
• Ability to think strategically and identify areas where experiences can support the delivery of organisational strategy.
• Experience of building partnerships with external creatives and organisations.
• Ability to lead, inspire and motivate teams, both in a direct and matrix management capacity.
• Strong experience of managing annual budgets and projects up to £500k
• Strong experience of writing creative briefs, managing creative consultants and designers.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills including internally at a senior level and externally with partners.

While this post is based in Slimbridge Wetland Centre with the opportunity for hybrid working, it is expected that the role would work from site twice a week and as required for key meetings.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

 Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from Care first

Closing Date: 16/12/2025

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.

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.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

At WWT, we're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone can thrive as their full selves.  We actively welcome applications from individuals under-represented in the environmental and charity sectors.

No agencies please.