Head of external partnerships and development jobs

Join WIG as a Event Content Manager!

Introduction

Do you believe collaboration between public, private and not-for profit sector can drive growth and prosperity for the UK? Are you interested in being part of the conversation with senior leaders across HMG, business, universities and civil society? Are you passionate about supporting leaders of today and tomorrow to understand how to meaningfully work together on society’s biggest issues?

About the opportunity

As an Event Content Manager, you will conduct exciting public policy research, work with the most senior speakers from across government, business, universities and civil society speaker management, and create engaging content.

You would take ownership of a portfolio of 40+ briefings, roundtables, workshops and senior level dinners per year across themes impacting economic growth and prosperity including: infrastructure, skills, net zero, AI and new technology, trade, and regulation.

Your mandate is to deliver high-quality, high-impact events, where you will be required to research key policy and economic trends affecting government, business and society, owning the full production life cycle from policy research and agenda setting to speaker acquisition and management etc. You will also collaborate with the marketing and membership functions to ensure that our policy focus for your events programme aligns with membership needs and shifting priorities.

This role is critical to our membership offer – all our events are highly respected and supported by the organisations membership base and will require a strategic thinker who can ensure that the right policy research is carried out to inform event idea validation. The role will be supported by the Event Operations team who will drive on-the-day logistics.

Responsibilities

Event content development

• Lead the content development and planning of your events programme across our themes, this includes:
  • Build compelling agendas
  • Craft key event outcomes
  • Curate engaging and thoughtful speaker briefings
  • Identify and acquire credible, expert speakers
  • Identify and draw in relevant audiences
• Conduct research on key policy and economic trends affecting sectors across our membership base including market and policy trend analysis, collecting feedback from our members including stakeholder interviews and surveying to inform your event programme.
• Lead the collaboration across internal teams to recommend and develop effective marketing and communication materials to promote the events programme such as landing pages, eNewsletter segments, and promotional campaigns, taking ownership of all event programme deliverables under your remit.

High-impact delivery

• Take an outcome-based approach to your events programme; looking with a strategic lens to determine what the optimal events format, venue, and host would be to drive high-level dialogue among cross-sector leaders.
• Design, develop and deliver event content that you will be able to use to generate insightful event write-ups and summaries so we can continue to add tangible value to our members and their sector challenges.
• Immerse yourself in the sectors by networking with key industry figureheads and build an in-depth understanding of how our themes can drive collaboration across our members.
• Oversee and liaise with the Event Operations assistant allocated to your event and/or programme to ensure smooth event delivery.

Innovation, continuous improvement and collaboration

• Evaluate and report on content impact and delivery against event outcomes to inform future production cycles and increase audience engagement and satisfaction.
• Contribute proactively to programme strategy, using evidence-based research to expand your events programme and/or enhance your event content strategy.
• Collaborate with Business Development team members to optimise member outreach and engagement, leveraging our CRM database to increase our speaker and host portfolio.
• Demonstrate creativity and innovation when developing and delivering our annual paid events under your remit, exploring and recommending different commercial opportunities such as barter agreements, sponsorships or partnerships with our members
• Work with the Head of Content and Events to build out a framework for content reports and publications as part of WIGs 5-year strategy.

Qualifications

Desirable not mandatory: Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Competencies

• Mission-driven: Proven aptitude to see the big picture with a member-centric approach to all activities. Passionate about the need/importance of collaborating across sectors.
• Project management: Balanced focus on operational detail without losing sight of the bigger picture. High attention to detail and excellent organisational skills, showcasing a strong ability to multi-task and prioritise.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent relationship-building skills, with confidence engaging senior leaders across diverse audiences and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Collaboration: A strong team player who works effectively across functions, with an understanding of team dynamics.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to generate new ideas, innovate, and deliver pragmatic solutions to problems. Managing challenge with a positive and can-do approach and supporting organisational change.
• Leadership: High emotional intelligence, capable of coaching others and influencing internal and external stakeholders. Comfortable stepping into management roles as needed.

Experience

• 4+ years’ experience of conference or content development preferably around policy or key business issues.
• Proven ability of managing the full conference production cycle, including research, agenda setting, speaker acquisition and event management across a variety of themes, including launch and repeat events (ideally from a major conference organiser).
• Experience working directly with senior executives - understanding their motivators, contextualising their expertise and building meaningful relationships on behalf of a brand/organisation.
• Demonstrable strategic portfolio development and/or new event/content idea validation across one or more: International relations, politics, political economy, finance, economics or technology.
• Clear passion for content development, implementing new content strategies to drive audience engagement and interaction and enhance brand awareness and value
• Advanced project management skills including project launch, progress monitoring, feedback and key learnings in one or more environments: charities, membership/training organisations, public sector or third sector.
• Deep interest and/or exposure in policymaking, U.K. economic development and government relations.

As a Project Coordinator at Mind of the Student, you support the smooth planning and delivery of our mental health programmes in schools and the community. You’ll liaise with schools and our community partners to schedule workshops, manage logistics, and ensure everything runs to time.

You’ll also help track progress, gather feedback, and keep communication clear and consistent across the team.

We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive, and a strong communicator. You’ll be confident building relationships with a wide range of people, from school staff to volunteers, and you’ll take pride in delivering work that is thoughtful, accurate, and on time.

You should be comfortable managing multiple tasks at once, able to stay calm under pressure, and always willing to pitch in where needed. A genuine passion for youth mental health and making a positive impact in schools and local community centres is essential, as is a flexible, can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and grow within a supportive team.

Before applying, please read through our Application Information Pack.

Good luck with your application!

Location: Preston, Lancashire

Permanent | Full-time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £77,744 - £83,546

After a remarkable 26-year journey with Caritas Care, including five years as CEO, our current Chief Executive will retire at the end of 2025.  This creates a rare and exciting opportunity to lead this dynamic, well-established and vibrant organisation.  The Trustees are looking for an exceptional leader to take forward and further develop one of the North West's most respected and impactful charities.

About Caritas Care

For 90 years, Caritas Care has been at the heart of communities across Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester.  We are a values-driven charity committed to improving lives and creating opportunities for people across the North West.  Our services include adoption and fostering, support for people with disabilities, rehabilitation programs and community projects, all designed to ensure that everyone has the chance to thrive.

About the Role

As CEO, you will provide strategic leadership and operational management, ensuring our services continue to make a meaningful impact.  Reporting to the Board of Trustees, your key responsibilities will include:

- Leading the organisation with passion and integrity, upholding our values in everything we do

- Developing and implementing strategic plans to enhance and expand our services

- Building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, commissioners and partner organisations

- Ensuring financial sustainability, overseeing budgets and securing funding opportunities

- Maintaining governance and compliance standards, ensuring all activities meet legal, ethical and regulatory requirements

- Inspiring and supporting our dedicated staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence

About You

We are looking for an experienced and visionary leader who is passionate about making a difference. You will bring:

- Strong leadership and strategic planning skills with experience in a senior management role

- A deep understanding of the charity, social care or public sector, particularly in service delivery and safeguarding

- Excellent financial and operational management skills, ensuring sustainability and growth

- A collaborative approach, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders

- A values-driven mind-set, committed to inclusion, equality and social justice

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role – it is an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference.  You will be joining a charity with deep community roots, a skilled team and a future full of possibility. 

- Lead a well-respected and impactful charity

- Work with a passionate team dedicated to making a difference

- Shape the future of services that change lives

- 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

- Incremental salary scale progression

- Flexi-time and flexible working

- Opportunity to maintain a Social Work England registration

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Work based pension 5% employer contribution (LGPS transfer will be considered for the right applicant)

- Birthday leave after 10 years’ service

- Essential car user post with travel paid at 45p per mile

- Onsite free car parking

If you believe you have the skills, experience and passion to lead Caritas Care into its next chapter, we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more about this opportunity and to access the full candidate application information, please visit our vacancies page on our website 

For an informal discussion, please contact Susan Swarbrick, Chief Executive.

Applicants who have previously applied for this position need not reapply.

Closing date for applications:  Wednesday 24 September 2025

Provisional interview dates:  Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 October 2025

Early applications are encouraged as we may close the recruitment process ahead of the deadline if a sufficient number of high quality applications are received

About the role:

Battersea is entering an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on the first year of our new five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation starting in 2025, we are expanding our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals. Our fundraising team bridges the journey of the animals in our care with the wider public, demonstrating how their contributions enable us to support every dog and cat. We now have several new roles within this team to further our mission.

Main purpose of the role:

This is a new role working within Battersea’s Income Generation department to develop and deliver the campaign plan for a £4-6million pound capital fundraising appeal.

One of the key pillars of Battersea’s current strategy is to ensure that we continue to provide expert care for all the dogs and cats that come through our gates. One of the ways in which we do this is by investing in our facilities to ensure that they continue to meet the changing needs of the animals we care for. This fundraising campaign will help to achieve that aim.

You will work with teams across Battersea to develop a comprehensive plan for the campaign and co-ordinate the work of multiple specialist teams to deliver the campaign on a day-to-day basis. You will also be responsible for developing a clear governance structure for the campaign, and ensuring all stakeholders are kept informed of progress. You will also oversee and track progress of a series of internal process improvements that support the running of the campaign.

Please note, this is not a direct fundraising position, but will support our fundraising teams in delivering ambitious financial targets for the appeal.

What we can offer you:

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

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans

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 and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 28th September 2025

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s):

First Stage (online): w/c 6th and 13th October 2025

Second Stage (in person): to be confirmed

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack from our Careers website.