We are recruiting two Innovation Managers to join our Innovation Team.
Role 1: Permanent – 0.5 FTE
Role 2: FTC until 26/04/2028
Please state clearly in your supporting statement if you wish to be considered for the FTC, Permanent or both roles.
The role
Ever wanted to join a team where innovation feels accessible, energising and genuinely meaningful? We create safe, structured spaces for bold ideas, help people navigate complexity with confidence, and turn creativity into sustainable practice with equity at its heart. If the idea of working in a major funder and shaping futures that matter excites you, we’d love you to be part of our journey.
In this role, you’ll move fluidly between designing and facilitating creative sessions, collaborating with colleagues to unpack complex challenges, and turning insights into clear, co-created practical next steps. Your day might involve shaping a new tool or provocation, making sense of emerging patterns, meeting partners to explore possibilities, or helping teams navigate ambiguity with confidence. No two days are the same, which is why we work supportively together, creating space to listen, challenge, reflect and offer different perspectives.
What you’ll bring
We’re looking for someone to join us with both the skills and approach to thrive in this work. You’ll bring a deeply human, emotionally intelligent way of working, with empathy to understand the people and communities we design with, and to create spaces where they feel safe to explore new ideas. Resilience is essential too; innovation is rarely linear, and you’ll navigate ambiguity, shifting priorities and occasional setbacks with calm, curiosity and a sense of possibility. You’ll bring creativity and openness, continually finding new ways to frame challenges, alongside a reflective mindset that learns in the open, listens deeply, and adapts thoughtfully as ideas evolve. Above all, you’ll believe that meaningful change comes from people working well together and you’ll use your skills to help make that happen.
Exploring it with us
- Interview: Week Commencing 20th April 2026
- Where: Virtual
- Format: Online Tasks, competency- based questions and meet the team
We have a hybrid approach to working, with a home/office split that suits you, though the role will include travel across the UK. Work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be based at any of our UK offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Newtown.
We will be hosting a briefing session on: Monday 23rd March at 12:00pm – 1:00pm. To register or ask any questions, please email us.
How to apply:
Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (up to 1,000 words) responding to the following questions, we will use this to score your application:
- Who or what has shaped how you think, create and challenge?
- What skills will you bring to the team and how did you develop them?
- What experience do you have working with or for communities who are less likely to have applied for or received our funding?
- What values feel most important to you, and how do they guide the choices you make?
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.
We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition).
Non Charity Employer
501 - 1000
It starts with community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Public Affairs Manager to take lead responsibility for managing the Woodland Trust. Northern Ireland’s (WTNI) relationship with the NI Executive , Government, relevant statutory agencies, and key NI, ROI and UK political audiences; to advocate and campaign for changes in legislation, policies, incentives, strategies and plans which reflect the Trust’s priorities in NI and the Island of Ireland; and to lead on local development plan consultations and the Trust’s relationship with local councils and the wider eNGO sector.
The Role:
• In the context of our Corporate Strategy, UK policies and position statements and Northern Ireland Plan, to define our Northern Ireland Public Affairs and campaigning goals and to develop and manage a prioritised programme of policy and advocacy work to achieve them.
• Provide technical and expert support, advice, and briefings to the Northern Ireland Director, and other colleagues where relevant, on policy and advocacy matters and enable them to be effective policy advocates.
• Lead Public Affairs in the Northern Ireland team, and any consultants as appropriate, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our staff and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust.
• Oversee, and where relevant lead, the development and management of relationships with NI Government including Ministers, MLAs, researchers, advisors and civil servants, as well as local government, statutory bodies and other influential organisations across farming, forestry and business in line with the NI Public Affairs plan.
• Represent the Trust and our policy and advocacy priorities externally, including negotiating consensus positions within external coalitions including NI Environment Link, with key stakeholders and potential partners.
• Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of NI policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Evaluate future threats and opportunities facing the Trust’s cause in NI, brief colleagues and steer our advocacy messaging accordingly.
• Work closely with other teams and departments, especially Comms & Engagement, UK Campaigns and Conservation and External Affairs, to coordinate and integrate political advocacy and campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans.
• Contribute to ensuring appropriate and efficient use of Woodland Trust funds, including setting and managing the NI Public Affairs budget.
• This is a fixed term contract for 6 months.
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our regional office in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Head office attendance would be required no more than once a month on average. Occasional travel to other offices and remote locations may also be required.
The Candidate:
• You’ll be experienced in building strong relationships and have a proven record of delivery in partnership with local councils.
• You’ll have a proven track record in public affairs and policy delivery and experience of working with the environmental/voluntary sector.
• You’ll be experienced with relationship management - a developer of relationships with exceptional networking ability; able to spot opportunities and connections, evaluate them and act on them, both internally and externally.
• You’ll be experienced setting clear goals and priorities and taking responsibility for their delivery.
• You’ll need a working knowledge of current affairs, and the processes through which legislation and policies are developed and delivered.
• You’ll need to understand the current environmental policies, conservation and land management issues facing Northern Ireland and the wider UK.
• You’ll need knowledge of the Northern Ireland Executive and Government and the ability to use that knowledge to achieve results.
• You’ll need strong communication skills through both written and oral, as well as research and analytical skills.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant areas or proven extensive experience.
• Full UK driving licence would be an advantage.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic Background Check as part of our pre-employment screening.
Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete.
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.
Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.