Head of external partnerships and development jobs

Location:  Hybrid working - Part London office-based and part home working. The post holder will work a minimum of one day a week in the office. 

Salary: £31,800 per annum 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 10.00am 

Interview date: Wednesday 21 January 2026 

This is a 6-month fixed-term maternity cover. 

Who we are looking for 

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Corporate Partnerships Officer to help us build on this momentum. 

An experienced corporate fundraiser or business to business sales professional, you will have generated income from partnerships before in similar roles. You will be target focused and able to use a wide range of corporate and commercial products to secure, retain, develop and grow long term income generating partnerships. You will be ever-curious, always seeking to improve your skills and adopt new approaches. 

Experience required 

You’ll have previous experience of: 

• working in fundraising or experience of working in an income generating position in a client facing role 

• developing relationships with key clients and individuals 

• managing multiple client accounts in a commercial and/or charity setting and maximising income from these through proactive stewardship 

• researching and developing new business opportunities 

• the development and delivery of compelling proposals, presentations and pitches 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

At Breakthrough T1D we do understand that AI (Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT) can be a useful tool for candidates to assist in applying for our roles. We ask that applicants do ensure their authentic voice is present, and we look forward to seeing examples of your specific experience. 

Job title: Head of Fundraising and Communications

Salary: £45,000

Location: Hybrid between home and our exhibition locations in London (Your attendance in the office will vary flexibly between 1-5 days per week, depending on business need. We cannot offer fixed days at home).

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Reporting to: CEO

Direct Reports: Fundraising Manager, Senior Campaigns Manager

Indirect Reports: Communications Officer

Job Description

About the role

The Head of Fundraising and Communications will lead the development and delivery of a systematic, data-driven, and project-managed approach to fundraising and communications — driving sustainable income growth and raising the charity’s profile and influence.

This role is first and foremost a fundraising leadership role. As the charity’s strategic lead for fundraising, they will shape and expand our income streams, strengthen systems and processes, and build a high-performing team to help us reach more young people with our vital work. They will also lead on external communications and storytelling, ensuring our narrative is compelling, consistent, and rooted in the powerful impact of our programmes.

While this role will oversee a team of three, the postholder will be hands-on and deeply involved in the systems and practices they implement, ensuring excellence in both strategy and delivery.

This newly created role is a key position on the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO, and Head of Programmes to deliver The Ben Kinsella Trust’s vision and strategy.

As part of a small charity making a big impact, you will play a central role in ensuring Ben’s legacy continues to educate, empower, and inspire thousands more young people across London and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

  Fundraising

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all fundraising activity, ensuring a systematic and dependable approach to income generation.
• Develop and deliver a long-term fundraising strategy that supports sustainable growth and diversification across grants & trusts, corporate donors, major donors, individual giving and community fundraising.
• Build and manage relationships with key funders and donors, working with the CEO and Fundraising Manager to cultivate and steward major partnerships.
• Maintain oversight and final sign-off of major and high-value funding applications to grants & trusts, corporate donors and major donors, ensuring they are well-structured, hold a compelling narrative, and are of the highest quality.
• Implement systems, processes, and KPIs to monitor performance, track pipelines, and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic fundraising insight and reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Board.

  Senior Leadership Team

• Play a full and active role as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy, decision-making, and culture.
• Introduce and refine systems, processes, and workflows to improve efficiency and collaboration across departments.
• Support strategic planning and financial forecasting, particularly in relation to income generation and communications activity.

  Communications and Marketing

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external communications strategy, providing strategic leadership communications and campaigns and ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and priorities.
• Shape and oversee the charity’s external narrative, ensuring our storytelling is compelling, consistent, and rooted in impact.
• Oversee the charity’s external communications and brand, ensuring all public-facing content is high quality, consistent and strengthens the charity’s reputation.
• Lead the charity’s digital communications, including the website, social media, online campaigns and paid advertising; to grow awareness, engagement and support.
• Lead the creation of high-quality marketing materials and publications to support fundraising, advocacy, and service delivery.
• Use data and insight to evaluate effectiveness and inform future strategy.

  Finance

• Responsible for the Fundraising and Communications budget and any related contracted services budgets, and any relevant restricted funds.

Person Specification

We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice. We recognise the value a diverse workforce brings to a small charity, and we are especially keen for people currently underrepresented in our charity and the wider sector to apply.

This role is first and foremost a fundraising leadership role, with strategic communications as a closely linked responsibility. While we’ve set out the skills and experience we’re looking for, we know that no one will bring everything. If you have significant fundraising experience and are confident leading strategy, with experience of communications or a willingness to further develop in this area, we would really encourage you to apply. Please feel free to get in touch for a friendly conversation about the role and your application.

Experience 

• Significant experience in a senior fundraising role, with a demonstrable track record of developing and delivering successful multi-stream income generation strategies.
• Experience overseeing complex high-value fundraising applications and partnerships across a broad funder base, such as trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors, major donors and public-facing campaigns.
• Leadership and team management experience, with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Experience managing budgets and working closely with finance colleagues on planning and forecasting.
• Experience in leading or contributing to strategic communications, engagement or PR activity within a charity, campaigning or mission-led organisation.
• Experience of working with a CEO, Senior Leadership Team and/or Board of Trustees to support organisational growth, strategic planning and decision-making.
• Experience of developing or contributing to monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks to assess fundraising and communications performance and impact

Skills and Knowledge

• Written communication and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, accessible and persuasive content for fundraising applications, donor communications, campaigns and public-facing materials.
• A storyteller who can translate data and impact into emotionally compelling narratives that inspire support.
• Strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate organisational priorities into clear, deliverable fundraising and communications plans.
• Organised, systematic, and process-oriented; with the ability to design, implement and manage effective systems for project management, pipeline tracking, KPIs and reporting.
• Project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with a calm and methodical approach.
• Confident in the use of digital and cloud-based systems (such as CRMs, project management tools and analytics platforms) to inform decision making and continuous improvement.
• Interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with donors, partners, colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Familiarity with issues relating to youth violence, education, or social justice.
• An understanding of knife crime, youth violence, and other key current issues affecting young people.
• Ability to work independently, with initiative, and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.

Key Attributes and Values

• Passionate about making a difference – committed to preventing knife crime and improving outcomes for young people
• Committed to equity and inclusion – values and actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and fairness in all aspects of work
• Reflective and open to learning – committed to personal growth, welcomes feedback, and continuously seeks to improve practice
• Strategic thinker with leadership presence – able to set direction, make informed decisions, and inspire confidence across the organisation.
• Collaborative and influential – builds effective working relationships internally and externally, fostering teamwork and partnerships.
• Resilient and adaptable – able to navigate challenges, manage multiple priorities, and maintain focus under pressure.

Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities where possible
• 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days and 33 days after 5 and 10 years’ service, respectively)
• Enhanced sick policy
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme with the Green Commute Initiative
• Personal development opportunities

Job Purpose

The Head of Campaigns will work to ensure that we meet our UK campaign goals, currently for Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Fisheries, and Offshore Oil and Gas.  

Reporting to and advising the Executive Director, and working closely with the Leadership Team, you will oversee the planning, development and implementation of all delivery across our current campaigns.   You will manage the Campaigns team (2 direct and 2 indirect reports) to ensure that we deliver impactful campaigns that ultimately achieve our goals.

Eligible candidates should be confident and proactive, with the ability to oversee multiple projects, and with excellent team management skills.  They must have sector relevant campaigning experience, be able to support and advise during the annual strategic planning cycles, and be enthusiastic and positive in response to the changing demands of a small team.  They must be passionate, and able to design and develop creative and bold campaign strategies alongside our small but experienced team.

The position will be hybrid, with 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs) based in Oceana’s UK offices in Newquay, Cornwall or Paddington, London.  Regular national, and occasional international, travel will be required to meet team members and stakeholders in geographically diverse locations, including Washington, DC.

Oceana 

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. Globally, Oceana has won more than 325 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world's ocean. Our talented staff consists globally of about 240 people, working in more than twelve countries, including scientists, communications, fundraising, finance, administration, policy, and advocacy experts.   All team members have the opportunity for occasional travel to our headquarters in Washington, DC to connect with the global network.

Oceana in the UK is tightly focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, including protecting seabed habitats, ending overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments. 

We fight for UK seas to get the protections they deserve through highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. We act as a vital public-policy interface – raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and influencing policymakers directly for commitments at key moments throughout the year.

Our small, experienced, and highly motivated team work in geographically diverse locations in London and Cornwall, coming together both digitally and in person as part of developing and delivering our ambitious campaign strategy to restore ocean biodiversity and abundance.

We’re proud to be bold, creative, agile and visual in our campaigns, and proud of the team we’re creating here in the UK. We’d love for you to join us.

Responsibilities

• Lead all current campaigns, and take accountability for the quality, timeliness and success of all campaign activities and deliverables in support of our campaign goals.
• Oversee all projects across the campaigns team including (but not limited to) campaign actions and launches, public mobilisations, digital actions, NGO partnerships and coalitions, and potential legal challenges.
• Oversee and document project planning, ensuring activities are underpinned by an effective theory of change, and ensuring input and buy-in is secured from all relevant members of the UK and HQ teams.
• Monitor and evaluate progress against plans, ensuring effective delivery of campaign objectives.
• Oversee the campaign calendar and budget, ensuring that all campaign deliverables are managed and delivered on time and to budget, with any updates accurately reflected in the quarterly reforecast process.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Team and global team members on the strategic development and innovation of campaigns, reviewing and setting annual plans, longer term goals, and new campaign areas.
• Understand and monitor all components of all campaigns and be able to confidently communicate progress and details to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee public affairs activities, manage political consultancy and co-ordinate Oceana presence at relevant political meetings and events.
• Collaborate closely with senior Science and Research, Policy, and Communications colleagues to ensure campaigns have robust and complementary foundations across all departments.
• Work with the UK leadership team to develop and communicate a compelling campaign vision and strategy to Oceana staff, supporters, donors, and allies.
• Work as part of the UK’s Leadership Team, contributing to decision making and overall progress towards organisational goals, and represent campaigns in this forum.
• Represent the Leadership Team in person in the London or Cornwall office 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs), providing direction and guidance and promoting a positive working culture.
• Manage and support 2 line reports, and 2 indirect reports, helping to coach and lead a high-performing Campaigns team.
• Build strong external relationships and represent Oceana UK to ensure we advance our campaign goals with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil servants, politicians, the fishing industry, NGOs, and businesses.
• Draft timely, accurate and compelling funder and supporter reporting.
• Draft periodic progress reporting on UK campaign goals and milestones for Oceana’s global board.
• Be prepared to represent the organisation publicly where needed, including through media interviews, speaking events, and writing.
• Ensure a strong commitment to the organisation's values and vision, as set out by Oceana globally.  
• Travel occasionally, both nationally and internationally, to meet with team members and wider internal and external stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities as appropriate and necessary to achieve campaign and organisational objectives.

Candidate Requirements

Education and work experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in campaigning, ideally toward ocean or environmental goals (essential).
• Experience leading and developing campaign strategic plans, alongside detailed annual plans and budgets.
• Proven experience developing innovative, bold and creative campaign activities in support of overall campaign goals.
• Experience as an active member of a Leadership Team or Management Team in a similar organisation.
• Extensive line management experience, including of multiple reports.
• Experience working in an international NGO (preferred).
• Experience working closely with policy colleagues, lobbying and negotiating with civil servants in government on policy matters.
• Experience working closely with communications colleagues, ensuring effective messaging and engaging growing audiences.

 Skills and knowledge:

• Familiarity with fisheries or marine and environmental regulations, legislation and policies in the UK, as well as with the key institutions and decision-making processes.
• Excellent project management skills, with demonstrable experience managing and prioritising multiple workstreams, tasks, projects and timelines effectively.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality and impactful campaign outputs.
• Excellent management skills, and proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with staff and with other organisations and allies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organise, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Good understanding of the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and a proven commitment to improving these in the environmental space.  
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to speak confidently in the media and at events.
• Integrity and the ability to work with confidential information with discretion.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the conservation sector. 

All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks and a criminal background check.

• Application Deadline: Sunday 11th January
• Interview Dates (TBC)

Job Structure

• Reports to: Director of Learning and Impact  

• Direct reports: Programme Leads, Programmes Coordinator

• Location: Haringey, with travel across London boroughs as required

• Hours: 40 hours per week (including 1 hour lunch break)

Benefits 

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, your birthday off, and an extra day per year of service (up to 5 additional days) 

• Death in Service cover (up to 4x annual salary / fixed amount for part-time roles) 

• Enhanced sick pay 

• Eye care benefits for those using display screens 

• Up to £750 annual CPD budget to support your professional development 

• A dedicated wellness package promoting staff health and wellbeing 

• Team building and transformation days to strengthen collaboration and personal growth 

• Professional mentoring and ongoing supervision 

• A comprehensive induction and training programme to help you thrive from day one 

About Sister System 

Founded in 2018, Sister System is a charitable organisation and an Open College Network (OCN) approved centre dedicated to empowering girls and young women aged 13-24 affected by the care system.   

Our approach is co-designed with care-affected young women to ensure that their lived experiences continue to drive meaningful change and shape our progression. Built on proven therapeutic models, our long-term mentoring, accredited qualifications, and leadership development programmes strengthen resilience, confidence, and essential life skills.   

Our model seeks to break intergenerational cycles by equipping young women with the tools to thrive and lead change. Through a strong sense of community, peer networks, and trusted adult relationships, we create clear pathways into education, employment, and socio-economic stability, supporting a life free from abuse.

Throughout her journey with Sister System, each girl participates in weekly one-to-one and group sessions focused on self-education and personal growth. These sessions explore the social and emotional transition to womanhood while building a supportive network of “sisters” who continue to empower one another during key life transitions. Our programmes are accessible to girls and young women at any stage of educational attainment, enabling all Sis-Stars to learn, grow, and thrive.  

Our Programmes  

All our programmes have been co-curated with young women in care and are built upon proven therapeutic models of intervention. We deliver a set of inclusive, empowering, enabling, and exploratory programmes. These focus on self-education, investigating the social and emotional impact of the transition to womanhood and creating a network of sisters who can continue to support each other's growth throughout key transitional periods. Our programmes are delivered in such a way that sisters at any stage of educational attainment can access, learn, grow, and thrive.  

Job Purpose 

Sister System is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Programmes to lead the operational delivery and continuous improvement of our mentoring, learning, and development programmes for care-affected girls and young women aged 13–24. The postholder will oversee the full programme cycle — from referral and assessment through to delivery, evaluation, and progression — ensuring all work is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and aligned with Sister System’s mission and OCN accreditation standards. Acting as the central link between the leadership team and delivery staff, the Head of Programmes will manage and develop a high-performing team, maintain quality assurance across all programme stages, and foster strong partnerships with schools, local authorities, and community organisations to drive measurable impact and long-term systemic change.  

This role holds operational oversight of all programme delivery, team management, and quality assurance, ensuring that our work achieves its intended outcomes, aligns with our organisational strategy, and continues to grow in impact and reach.  

Key Responsibilities  

Programme Leadership and Delivery  

• Lead the design, coordination, and delivery of all Sister System programmes, services, and activities in line with organisational aims and funder requirements.  

• Oversee programme planning, scheduling, and annual mapping to ensure smooth delivery and strategic alignment across all three stages (Enable, Enhance, Empower).  

• Work with the Safeguarding Lead to manage referral, assessment, and placement processes to ensure beneficiaries are appropriately matched to programmes and mentors, maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability throughout.  

• Ensure all delivery follows Sister System's three-stage programme model, safeguarding standards, and quality expectations. Support programme delivery where needed, maintaining a visible leadership presence.  

• Monitor the service user journey using Sister System's monitoring and evaluation tools and Salesforce CRM, working with the Head of Monitoring & Evaluation to track progress against work plans, indicators, and our evaluation framework.  

• Conduct regular programme review meetings with team members and stakeholders to enhance information sharing, efficiency, and effectiveness of programme implementation.  

Programme Quality and Impact  

• Oversee programme quality assurance, including risk assessment of referrals, benchmarking, and monitoring of Development & Progress reports.  

• Work with the Internal Quality Assurer to ensure delivery meets agreed quality standards.  

• Maintain oversight of portfolios of work produced by learners and mentors towards their qualifications, in collaboration with the Learning & Development Lead and EET Progression Lead.  

• Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of programme data to evidence impact and inform organisational learning.  

• Play an active role in the impact evaluation cycle, managing and adapting programmes in line with outcomes and goals.  

Operational and Team Leadership  

• Lead and support the mentor team in effective caseload management, ensuring appropriate workload balance and delivery quality.  

• Line manage key programme staff, providing guidance, support, and supervision in line with organisational policies. Support staff wellbeing and development, ensuring a positive working environment. 

• Ensure timely completion of paperwork, reports, and monitoring requirements across all programmes.  

• Lead regular team meetings, contributing to a reflective, learning-focused organisational culture.  

• Support implementation of Sister System's performance management systems and processes.  

• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, specifically safeguarding, Child Protection Policy, and Code of Conduct.  

• Encourage a culture of learning, creativity, and innovation. Maintain good team communication and dynamics, taking remedial action when problems occur.  

External Partner Management  

• Commission and manage a pool of external facilitators and delivery partners to meet agreed programme outcomes.  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with referral partners, funders, and external stakeholders to support programme delivery and growth.  

• Represent Sister System externally, promoting our model of culturally responsive, trauma-informed mentoring.  

• Ensure all staff, partners, and stakeholders have clear understanding of Sister System's mission, vision, values, and policies, reflected in programme implementation.  

Strategic Development and Business Growth 

• Contribute to the development of Sister System's programme strategy, aligning delivery with the 3-year plan and long-term system change goals.  

• Contribute to Sister System's strategy development and revision by providing feedback on programme reach, impact, and strategic planning.  

• Identify opportunities for programme innovation and growth, including developing new partnerships and supporting funding applications.  

• Support senior leadership in reporting to funders and partners, contributing to organisational learning and sustainability planning.  

• Represent Sister System at sector events and forums to promote our work and influence best practice in mentoring care-affected young women.  

Safeguarding  

• Sister System places the highest priority on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  

• The Head of Programmes will serve as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) with responsibility for safeguarding in the organisation, maintaining good knowledge of safeguarding guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children) and related legislation (e.g., the Children Act 1989).  

Person Specification  

Essential – Knowledge & Experience 

• Significant experience in programme management, delivery, and coordination within the charity/social impact sector  

• Proven track record of managing multiple programmes or projects simultaneously, meeting targets and deadlines  

• Experience of line management and team leadership, including supervision and performance management  

• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders, including funders, delivery partners, and referral agencies  

• Experience in safeguarding and child protection, including handling disclosures and managing risk  

• Knowledge of the challenges faced by care-experienced young women and the care system  

• Knowledge of effective monitoring and evaluation approaches and impact measurement  

• Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles in service delivery  

Desirable 

• Experience working with vulnerable young people, particularly care-experienced individuals or young women  

• Experience in mentoring programmes or youth development initiatives  

• Experience working with trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches  

• Experience of co-production or 'by and for' programme design with service users  

• Experience in qualifications-based programmes (e.g., accredited learning)  

Skills & Abilities 

• Excellent programme planning, coordination, and organisational skills with strong attention to detail  

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data and use it to inform decision-making  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  

• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure  

• Strong relationship-building skills with ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners  

• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures  

• Problem-solving skills with ability to adapt plans and respond to challenges  

• Ability to lead, motivate, and support a team, fostering a positive and reflective culture  

• Strong administrative and IT skills, including proficiency with databases and monitoring systems  

Personal Qualities 

• Passionate commitment to Sister System's mission of supporting care-experienced young women  

• Strong alignment with Sister System's values and approach, including 'by and for' and trauma-informed practice  

• Empathetic and non-judgemental approach to working with vulnerable young people  

• Resilient and able to manage emotional demands of the role while maintaining professional boundaries  

• Flexible and adaptable approach to changing circumstances and organisational needs  

• Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and professional development  

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability  

• Able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately  

• You will demonstrate Sister System’s values: Tenacious, Solution-focused, Masterful, Collaborative and Evidence-based 

Other Requirements  

• Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role  

• Right to work in the UK  

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as required by programme delivery  

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment  

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two satisfactory references.  

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Sister System is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are committed to fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know. 

Recruitment Process

The post will be advertised from 16th December 2025; applications will close on 12th January 2026. 

• First round of interviews will be 22nd January 2026,  

• Second round interview will commence from the week of 26th January 2025 

The University of Oxford aims to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Philanthropy plays a critical role in enabling Oxford to maintain and build on its status as a world-class centre of learning.  The Development and Alumni Engagement Office (DAE) at the University of Oxford has been successful in raising funds from a broad, international range of donors. All support enables the University to achieve its key aims of advancing excellence in research and teaching.

Within DAE, the Foundations and Corporations team is a pan-University fundraising team focused on building and maintaining successful philanthropic relationships for the University’s priorities. Funding secured supports posts and key research areas such as the environment, health and societal challenges, as well as scholarship support for postgraduate students. We work closely with our colleagues in specialist fundraising teams as well as those in business partnerships, innovation teams and research services. 

This is an exciting time to join our Development and Alumni engagement team. The role of Senior Development Executive – Foundations and Corporations will support the University to establish and grow new philanthropic relationships with charitable trusts, foundations and corporations across a range of subject areas and themes, from global health and climate change, to civil society and the role of AI. Funding secured will support capital projects, academic posts, innovative research and enable talented students to undertake further studies at Oxford. To achieve this, you will have the support of excellent colleagues across DAE as well as wider academic, departmental and professional service staff at Oxford.

About you

You are an experienced philanthropic fundraiser with a strong track record of securing major gifts, a confident approach and the ability to think creatively. Your ability to build rapport and relationships swiftly will enable you to lead on major gift fundraising (securing donations of £500k-£1m+), working with a range of donors (corporates, trusts and foundations). Your ability to establish credibility and foster trust across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders will be key to your success. Your strong experience of building philanthropic partnerships with organisation donors will be key. Experience of work in higher education is desirable. Above all, you will share Oxford’s mission and be driven to create meaningful impact through philanthropy.

What We Offer

Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

· Flexible hybrid working

· An excellent contributory pension scheme

· 38 days annual leave

· Membership to CASE

· Training and development opportunities

· A comprehensive range of childcare services

· Family leave schemes

· Cycle loan scheme

· Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

· Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loan

You could be helping to deliver philanthropic support that funds breakthroughs in science and health, enables new public policy and interventions, or facilitates education for the next generation of leaders in their fields. If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Application process:

· Click the link to ‘Apply’ and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken to our online Applicant portal.

· Applications should consist of a full CV and a letter of application in your own words, in PDF format (maximum of 2 pages; no AI-written applications, please) outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon on Tuesday 13 January 2026 can be considered.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21 January 2026, in person in Oxford.

Development and Alumni Engagement is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.

Voyage is seeking a part‑time, income‑focused and results‑driven Head of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships to help secure long‑term, diversified investment for our youth leadership programmes, with a particular emphasis on trusts and foundations, business development and strategic partnerships in the CSR youth, heritage and environmental space.

We are therefore seeking an experience professional who has a great production understanding of the role fund raising plays in shaping applications and grants. We therefore seek someone who can equally sit across trusts and foundations, business development and partnership building and help Voyage move from “opportunity‑led” to strategic, long‑term income growth.

Head of Development and Communications

Job Description

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

£46,200 - £50,200 per annum FTE

The Head of Development and Communications plays a pivotal role in driving In2scienceUK’s mission to change lives by opening doors to STEM degrees and careers for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

As a senior leader, you will shape and deliver a bold, integrated development and communications strategy that brings our mission to life, tells powerful stories of change, and inspires confidence and commitment from donors, partners, and key stakeholders that unlocks new opportunities for innovation and expansion.

In this role, you will manage a small, high-performing team and oversee the creation of compelling narratives and effective engagement strategies that inspire donors, partners, alumni, and key stakeholders, supporting a resilient and diversified income portfolio.

Working closely with programme teams, you will ensure that development and communications activity amplifies the impact of existing programmes, while identifying and developing new opportunities that deliver meaningful outcomes for young people across the UK.

You will drive the development of strategic partnerships and funding relationships to expand the reach and influence of In2science’s work. Combining strategic vision with operational expertise, you will take a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to growth, shaping how the organisation connects with its audiences, builds its reputation, and communicates the impact of its work in support of long-term strategic goals.

In2scienceUK operates on a remote basis, with necessary UK-wide travel for partner and funder meetings, events, and staff co-working days. 

Direct Reports

Development Team: Development Manager, Development Officer, External Fundraising Consultancy.

Comms Team : Senior Communications Officer.

Responsibilities 

Development

• To collaborate with the senior leadership team and trustees in setting organisational strategy and building strategic partnerships to support In2science’s vision for 2026 and beyond.

• Lead on planning, implementation and delivery of segmented fundraising and stewardship campaigns across programmes and audiences with a 2026 income target of £1.5m. 

• Lead and manage a diverse fundraising portfolio, including corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, research grants (e.g., UKRI), government funding, and individual giving.

• To lead a small but effective development team, including an external fundraising contractor to build upon our success to date to achieve funding targets and foster strategic relationships with funding and delivery partners.

• Budget and resource all aspects of development and communications, including engaging with external contractors to maximise our output and upskill our teams.

• Work closely with the Head of Operations to oversee our CRM, ensuring accurate pipeline reporting and forecasting, as well as utilising the system for tailored stewardship opportunities.

• Work closely with our programmes team to ensure that deliverables are met and in line with our mission and objectives.

• Explore opportunities for partnership to launch new programmes and initiatives, working with the Data and Impact manager to use national data to ensure we deliver the greatest possible impact to those most in need.

Communications

• Oversee the organisation’s external communications, ensuring all messaging is on-brand, reflects our values, meets high standards, and effectively tells the story of our impact on young people.

• Oversee resourcing of the communications function, balancing 70% development and brand engagement with 30% programme-focused activity.

• Identify opportunities to maximise brand presence through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and media activity.

• Work closely with the SMT and Trustees to respond to media, speaking, and event requests, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging.

• Ensure digital and web platforms effectively showcase our impact and support compelling storytelling.

• Manage the Senior Communications Officer to deliver campaigns that drive organisational growth and engagement with donors, partners, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

Governance

• To work with the SMT, CEO, and Trustees to ensure strong charity governance, including leading the Growth Subcommittee and preparing reports for quarterly board meetings.

• Identify organisation-wide opportunities to streamline and improve performance across the organisation.

• Working with SMT and trustees to ensure charity compliance. Including the charity commission, funding regulator, ICO.

• Identify and manage organisational/operational risk and ensure that all measures are in place to mitigate this.

As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder. The postholder will carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager. All staff must undertake all mandatory training, checks and compliance as instructed by the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential:

• A passionate advocate for social mobility in STEM.

• An inspiring leader who can inspire and collaborate across the organisation to achieve our collective goals.

• Three years experience of leading a development team to generate a seven-figure annual income from a diverse range of donors, ideally in a charitable organisation.

• Knowledge of all streams of fundraising, with direct experience in at least two of the following: corporate fundraising, trust and foundations, research grants e.g. UKRI, government grants or individual giving (incl. high-net worth donors).

• A target driven individual with a proven track record of personal six-figure income generation and achieving or exceeding personal targets.

• Excellent relationship management skills to steward existing and potential partners and donors.

• Experience of line management including developing personal development plans and setting KPIs.

• Proven experience of managing a brand, ensuring consistent and impactful communications that maximise reach amongst our target audiences.

• Superb written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade and influence at all levels.

• Proven experience of overseeing communication campaigns to engage new prospects across a variety of audiences.

• Evidence of efficient and accurate management of budgets and resources.

• Willingness to work flexibly and attend occasional events or meetings on evenings/weekends when required.

• Working collaboratively and supporting fostering a collegiate workplace environment.

• Upholds the values of our code of conduct and is respectful to all.

Desirable:

• Direct knowledge and/or experience of the barriers young people face in accessing STEM degrees or careers.

• Direct knowledge and/or experience of working with education organisations or STEM sector employers, incl. knowledge of current trends.

• Experience of working in collaboration with across teams to deliver new initiatives that maximise outcomes for young people and attract relevant funding.

• Evidence of delivering highly impactful events.

• Prior experience of public speaking, thought leadership and engaging with the press.

• Experience of governance in a small charitable organisation and utilising Trustees to support the organisation's goals and objectives.

Benefits: 

At In2scienceUK we practise what we preach by giving all staff opportunities to progress in their careers. You will have the opportunity to develop your career with your line manager to get you to the next level from day one. 

Although we take our career development seriously we also value work-life balance. You will have the opportunity to work flexibly from home, balancing your caring responsibilities, volunteer commitments, hobbies and anything else that makes you happy. 

You will have 28 days of annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays. 

Commitment to Safeguarding: 

In2scienceUK is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults as outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children. We are committed to recruiting candidates who share this commitment to safeguarding, and therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job, and that all candidates are appropriately screened prior to appointment. 

The following pre-employment checks will be undertaken as applicable:

• References 

• DBS check and/or Overseas criminal records check where applicable

• Self-Disclosure 

• Identity check 

• Right to work in the UK 

• Evidence of qualifications applicable to the role 

• Confirmation of registration with applicable registered body where applicable 

Many of our roles involve working with children and we will therefore take up references prior to your appointment. You should provide details of referees including your current and previous employers, covering the last 5 years. Your current or previous employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children, if the role involved working with children, including any in which the penalty is time expired. We will also ask if you have been the subject of any child protection concerns and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. 

Diversity and Inclusion:

In2scienceUK is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in STEM and the charity sector, including but not limited to people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We recognise that talent and potential come in many forms, and we welcome applicants with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and working environment, and we will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know.

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.

Are you a strategic, results-driven fundraiser ready to make a real impact?

Join the Orpheus Centre, a vibrant charity that transforms lives through the performing arts. We’re on an exciting journey, launching a £25m capital appeal to expand our facilities and grow our reach. To achieve this, we need an exceptional Deputy Head of Fundraising to help lead our income generation efforts and drive sustainable growth.

About the role

As Deputy Head of Fundraising, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering innovative fundraising strategies across multiple streams—corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, individual giving, and community fundraising. You’ll oversee donor acquisition and stewardship, inspire your team, and ensure we meet ambitious targets. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the future of a charity that champions creativity, inclusion, and resilience.

Location: The Orpheus Centre, Surrey
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working considered) / 52 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent

What you’ll do

• Lead revenue fundraising strategies and secure income through personal efforts.
• Manage and develop a talented fundraising team.
• Build strong relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Design compelling campaigns and optimise performance using data insights.
• Deputise for the Head of Income and Growth when required.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in managing multiple fundraising streams and meeting income targets.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering results.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and best practices.

Why join us?

• Be part of a passionate team that celebrates creativity and makes a tangible impact on people’s lives.
• Work on a high-profile capital appeal and exciting projects.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace where your ideas matter.
• Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.

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

In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.

 As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

No agencies please.

We are looking for an experienced, motivated fundraising professional to oversee corporate partnerships and individual giving, embedding the corporate and individual giving journey into all aspects of ERIC’s communications, and broadening the charity’s approach to donor stewardship to treat all service users and website visitors as future donors. You will also oversee all ERIC’s external and internal communications including our website, social media and PR.

As part of ERIC’s Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to strategic planning, policy and decision-making across the whole organisation. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for ERIC’s fundraising and communications team. You will play a pivotal role in maximising supporter-led fundraising income, ensuring every supporter has a positive experience and feels inspired to continue supporting ERIC.

As Head of Fundraising and Communications, and a Senior leadership team member you will be responsible for implementing ERIC’s overall strategy. Our primary strategic objective in this area is to build our corporate and individual donor base, and you will use user data, stewardship strategy, website user experience, social media, segmented email and online service design to deliver this.

You will work closely with the CEO and provide effective line-management for two staff, and you will work with contractors and freelancers who provide social media support, videography and web development services etc.

ERIC’s reputation is built on providing families and professionals with health information that is accurate, up-to-date, clearly written and accessible. You will work with our team of qualified and experienced staff to ensure that robust systems are in place for checking and approving all the health information that ERIC publishes.

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, ERIC offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 25 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays per year), rising one day per year as a long service reward up to a max of 5 days.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to wellbeing resources
• 3% Employer Pension contribution
• Living Wage Accredited Employer

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital training programmes and other training as required by the role.

Salary £60,000 – £63,000 per annum- subject to skills and experience 

Hours of work 37.5 hours a week over five days

Base Hybrid working for the foreseeable future, with regular attendance to the office at least 2 days a week, at various locations in north London: Pears Building, Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital or Chase Farm Hospital

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to lead impactful charity services that directly benefit RFL, its patients and staff. As the head of patient support, you will have the chance to shape the future of these services and lead a passionate team working towards a shared goal. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for improving the experiences of our key stakeholders and making a difference, we would love to hear from you.

The role

The head of patient support will report to the director of services and innovation.

As the head of patient support, you will be responsible for overseeing the delivery and development of all services provided by the charity directly to patients. You will ensure the charity’s services programmes and initiatives are aligned with its strategic objectives, deliver high-impact results, and meet the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) across all its hospitals and satellite sites. You will play a vital role in driving continuous improvement across the services and creating valuable relationships with key stakeholders across RFL.

The role sits in the services team, which is structured as follows:

The department is led by the director of services and innovation and sits within a unique ‘double directorate’ which unites services with the engagement and communications department. The head of patient support reports to the director of services and innovation. The head of patient support line manages five members of staff: three volunteer managers, the support hub manager/lead and the complementary therapy service manager/lead who manage teams of varying sizes.

The team

The aim of the services department is to directly support the staff and patients of the Royal Free London Trust through providing direct services which enhance their experience. The department is responsible for providing complementary therapy for staff and patients, the support hub information and support centre, and a volunteering team supporting over 500 active volunteers.

Organisation

The Royal Free Charity stands at the threshold of its most important period of development.

Our vision is for everyone served by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) to have access to world-leading healthcare, delivered by a thriving workforce, and driven by medical research that has a global impact. We support the 17,000 staff of the RFL and their two million patients across Barnet, Chase Farm, North Mid and Royal Free hospitals and more than 30 NHS services.

Through the services we provide, and the programmes and equipment we fund, we make a profound and immediate difference to patients’ experiences of care.

The recruitment process

To apply for this post, send your:

• CV (please include your last employer and dates of employment)
• Cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification,

Please note that applications submitted without a cover letter may not be considered for this role.

Closing date for application: Friday 9 January 2026, 12 noon.

Interview date: Tuesday 20 January 2026

Please kindly note that we may close the job advert before the closing date if we receive a large volume of applications.

•  You must be eligible to work in the UK

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may require during the recruitment process.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, the Royal Free Charity is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Royal Free Charity and act in line with our values of dedication, innovation, partnership, energy and respect.

Doctors of the World UK (DOTW UK) is part of the global Médecins du Monde (MDM) network, which delivers over 400 projects in more than 70 countries through 6,000 volunteers. 

Our vision is of a world in which vulnerable people affected by war, natural disasters, disease, hunger, poverty, or exclusion get the healthcare they need. 

Through our health programmes and advocacy, we work to ensure excluded people overcome barriers to realising their right to healthcare. Since opening in the UK in 1998, we’ve raised £10m for overseas programmes, helped 20,000 service users here and fought for healthcare as a human right for all. 

We believe that every person living in the UK has the right to healthcare, and we work to influence public policy and local implementation to reduce health inequalities and ensure access to healthcare for all.

DOTWUK have a fun and friendly finance team in a small, but high-performing function and are looking for a collaborative, experienced and energetic leader for the role of Head of Finance. 

In this exciting role, the successful candidate will provide the organisation with a timely, accurate and relevant financial management service by assuming day-to-day responsibility for the organisation’s accounting function, to enable the senior management team and the Board of Trustees to assess results and performance and make informed, strategic decisions, and ensure the organisation complies with statutory and corporate regulation and requirements. 

You will work closely with the treasurer, directors and managers to enable them to manage their programme finances and support them to report to donors and to devise sound plans for growth and sustainability. 

The UK chapter expects to grow income across all sources, including from institutions and foundations. You will play a critical role in maintaining and building on this success. 

You will also be responsible for and provide input from a financial and management perspective on strategic development and the general organisation-wide structure and management as part of the Senior Management Team. 

Those with lived experience of migration, the asylum system, homelessness, or exclusion from health services are encouraged to apply. 

For more information on the role, including a person specification, please refer to the role profile. 

Closing Date:

Sunday 18th January 2026 2330 hrs

How to Apply 

To apply, please submit your CV, covering Letter & additional information form to the email provided. Your CV and cover letter should be clearly tailored to the position and should reference points from the person specification section of the role profile. Interview dates TBC.

Applications which do not demonstrate the essential skills, knowledge, experience, and competencies will not be shortlisted. 

Bradbury Fields enables blind, partially sighted and people with dual sensory impairments to achieve their potential, giving them the ability to contribute to the social and economic fabric of their local communities. The organisations' overarching aim is to provide advice, support, and guidance from the point of diagnosis and subsequently for as long as people need and require their wide range of services. 

Following a period of significant change, Bradbury Fields is entering a new and exciting chapter underpinned by a clear commitment to long-term sustainability. Currently, Bradbury Fields is predominantly funded by statutory sources, the organisation is keen to grow unrestricted income to provide greater flexibility, support core costs, and enable service development for blind and partially sighted people. With core services funding relatively secure in the short term, Bradbury Fields is investing thoughtfully in fundraising growth and is seeking an enthusiastic Head of Fundraising and Marketing – a brand-new role for the charity - to help build a strong, sustainable foundation for the future. 

This role has wide ranging appeal. Bradbury Fields are happy to consider candidates for whom this role might be an exciting step up to managing multiple income streams beyond one specialist area, but equally this would be an engaging role for an experienced manager or Head of looking to work for a well established, local charity making a difference to people across Liverpool, ultimately taking their income success to the next level.

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please contact THINK Recruitment and our team will support you.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 18th January 2026 

The Head of Partnerships and Systemic Change will lead MCF’s efforts to build strategic partnerships, drive systemic change, and influence policy to enable Muslim led charities to thrive in a more equitable, inclusive, and impactful civil society. 

Job role: Head of Partnerships and Systemic Change

Employer: Muslim Charities Forum

Salary:  £42,000 – 45,000 per annum

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (4 days office-based, 1 day hybrid/remote)

Position: Fixed Term Contract, 3 years.

Location: London SE1. Nearest stations Waterloo, Lambeth North

Closing date for applications:16th December 2025, 5.00pm or until a suitable candidate is identified.

About Muslim Charities Forum (MCF)

Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) is the UK’s leading network for Muslim-led charities, strengthening the capacity, voice and impact of nearly 300 organisations. Guided by our pillars of Support, Connect and Represent, we champion excellence, transparency and social justice through resources, capacity-building, research and advocacy. 

We work to tackle structural and funding barriers, influence government, policymakers and the wider sector, and build a more sustainable, equitable Muslim-led charitable landscape. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, we drive systemic change and amplify the contributions of Muslim-led organisations across society. 

Role Purpose

The Head of Partnerships and Systemic Change will lead MCF’s efforts to build strategic partnerships, drive systemic change, and influence policy to enable Muslim-led charities to thrive in a more equitable, inclusive, and impactful civil society.

The postholder will work closely with key stakeholders, including policymakers, government departments, funders, infrastructure bodies, and sector leaders, to address structural inequalities, unlock resources, and elevate the recognition of Muslim-led charities in British society. This role will involve both coalition-building and strategic campaigning to create lasting change within the sector.

Working in collaboration with MCF’s policy, communications, advocacy, and research teams, the Head of Partnerships and Systemic Change will ensure a coordinated approach that drives long-term, sector-wide capacity improvement and sustainable impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Systemic Change

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy focused on driving systemic change that enhances the impact and sustainability of Muslim-led charities.
• Identify and dismantle structural, institutional, and policy barriers that hinder the growth and success of Muslim-led organisations.
• Lead efforts to address disparities in funding, representation, and support for Muslim-led charities, advocating for more equitable resource allocation.
• Champion inclusive policies that promote equity in representation and resource distribution for Muslim-led organisations across the charity sector.

External Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain impactful relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, funders, government officials, and sector leaders.
• Work with funders and mainstream sector partners to unlock resources and support for Muslim-led organisations, ensuring equitable access to funding and opportunities.
• Develop strategic alliances and coalitions with infrastructure and umbrella organisations across the charity sector to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and systemic change.
• Collaborate with civil society partners to advance inclusive policy frameworks and advocate for equitable funding practices.
• Position MCF as a key voice in coalition-building efforts and as a strategic campaigner on issues affecting the Muslim charitable sector.

Policy, Advocacy & Communications

• Collaborate closely with MCF’s policy, communications, and advocacy teams to design and implement integrated strategies for policy influence.
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based policy briefings, consultation responses, and advocacy campaigns aimed at driving systemic reform and addressing sectoral inequalities.
• Lead strategic campaigns that amplify MCF’s core messages and policy priorities to diverse audiences, including decision-makers and key influencers.
• Represent MCF at parliamentary, sectoral, and public events to advocate for policy change and elevate the profile of Muslim-led charities.

Research & Insight

• Work with MCF’s research team to generate insights and data that inform systemic change and strengthen advocacy efforts.
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for funders, policymakers, and other influential stakeholders.
• Use research to identify emerging trends and challenges within the Muslim charitable sector, developing proactive solutions to address these issues.

Collaboration & Representation

• Represent MCF externally with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the organisation’s values of inclusion, collaboration, and faith sensitivity.
• Act as a thought leader and advocate for Muslim-led charities in both public and private sector forums, driving change through advocacy and coalition-building.

Management

· Lead designated members of the team, overseeing work and line management where appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) in driving systemic change within the charity, public, or civil society sectors.
• In-depth understanding of the UK charity landscape, particularly the challenges faced by minority or faith-based organisations.
• Proven track record of building and nurturing strategic partnerships with policymakers, funders, and senior stakeholders.
• Expertise in policy development, advocacy, and influencing key stakeholders to achieve long-term change.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong strategic thinking capabilities with the ability to connect research, policy, and advocacy to drive meaningful outcomes.
• A commitment to MCF’s mission, values, and principles of equity, inclusion, and collaboration.

Desirable:

• Experience in coalition-building or cross-sector partnership development.
• Understanding of frameworks for systemic change (e.g., systems thinking, collective impact).
• Familiarity with the British Muslim charitable ecosystem and its role in social change.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to lead impactful change within one of the UK’s most dynamic faith-based networks.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth, leadership, and innovation.

Application Information:

To apply, please send a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a covering letter (max 1,000 words) explaining how you meet the essential criteria and your motivation and suitability for the post. Please include two referees (one of whom should be a recent manager).
 
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from candidates with lived experience of marginalisation and an understanding of Islamic ethos. Reasonable adjustments are available on request throughout the recruitment process.

We reserve the right to withdraw this role once a suitable candidate is identified.

If you have not heard from us concerning your application within 6 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

Interviews: Initial online short interview (stage 1), face-to-face in-office interview (stage 2).

No agencies.

UK residents only.  Sponsorship is not possible for this post. References will be taken up prior to appointment including relevant ID checks.