Head of engagement jobs

Head of Development and Engagement

Do you have senior leadership experience in a charitable organisation?

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Development and Engagement to lead growth and influence, and to develop the income strategy at a defining moment in the organisations history.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role where your expertise, ambition, and creativity will have a direct and lasting impact on people’s lives. Shape a legacy. Grow impact. Lead with purpose.

Position: Head of Development and Engagement

Location: Gloucestershire/Hybrid

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 per week (flexible working)

Salary: £57,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Benefits include: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, rising by up to 5 extra days with service, wellbeing days, retailer discounts and rewards, company pension and sick pay, life assurance, onsite sports facilities and a supportive, passionate and high-performing team environment.

Closing Date: 25th May 2026

About the Role

This role sits at the heart of the organisation’s future, shaping how it is seen, how it is supported, and how it can sustainably deliver life‑changing services for children, adults, and families across Gloucestershire

You will set the strategic direction for brand, engagement, partnerships, and income generation and ensure the mission is powerfully articulated, widely championed, and sustainably funded.

As Head of Development & Engagement, you will:

· Lead the development and delivery of a long term strategy that diversifies income and strengthens financial resilience.

· Drive the acquisition of new contracts and commissioned services.

· Build and maintain high value partnerships with funders, commissioners, and corporate partners.

· Grow and nurture a loyal donor base through innovative engagement and retention strategies.

· Oversee all marketing, PR, and brand activity to raise our profile locally and regionally.

· Build a Development and Engagement Team.

About You

This role offers the chance to do work that truly matters, to use your skills and leadership to strengthen communities, transform lives, and steward an organisation with an exceptional past into an even stronger future.

What You’ll Bring

Qualifications

· Degree level education or equivalent experience in fundraising, marketing, business development, or a related field

· Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience

· Senior Leadership in a charitable organisation

· Raising significant sums (min of £2m)

· Strong bid writing and tendering experience

· Ability to build strategic partnerships with funders, commissioners, and corporate partners

· Experience managing brand development, media relations, and marketing campaigns

· Digital marketing and social media expertise

· Experience leading and motivating teams

· Budget management and financial forecasting skills

· Proven success delivering significant income growth across diverse fundraising streams

· Experience developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies

· Track record of securing contracts and commissioned services

If you are driven by impact, energised by influence, and motivated by the opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy that changes lives for the better, we would love to hear from you. Please note that we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK.

Employees are not required to adhere to the Christian faith, nor any faith, and no such consideration is made by the organisation in employment choices nor in delivering its services, however, all employees are expected to demonstrate the organisations values.

About the Organisation

Founded in 1855, this registered charity and has become a leading provider of supported housing for the most vulnerable in Cheltenham and Gloucester, alongside other works including early-years provision, sports facilities, community engagement and other charitable activities.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their age, gender, disability, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation or faith.

You may have experience in other roles such as Deputy Head of Development and Engagement, Head of Development and Engagement, Head of Engagement, Head of Impact and Engagement, Director of Development and Engagement, Development and Engagement Manager.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

Summary:

The Head of Engagement & Fundraising will play a pivotal role in driving the charity's mission forward by developing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies. This position is essential for enhancing community engagement and building lasting relationships with donors, ensuring the sustainability and growth of our initiatives in North Leeds, Yorkshire. The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence in fundraising efforts.

Why This Role Matters

As Head of Engagement & Fundraising, you’ll be the strategic force behind the charity’s mission — developing and delivering an ambitious engagement and income‑generation strategy that strengthens long‑term sustainability.

You’ll lead a passionate team, champion the charity’s voice across all channels, and build meaningful relationships with funders, partners, community groups and local networks.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior role where your ideas, leadership and creativity will directly shape impact across the region.

What You Will Do:

• Strategic fundraising growth — Create and deliver a forward‑thinking fundraising strategy that increases and diversifies annual income.
• Marketing & engagement leadership — Oversee all marketing activity across digital, social, PR, campaigns and events.
• Team development — Coach, inspire and develop a high‑performing team across marketing and fundraising.
• Funding applications — Lead and project‑manage compelling bids to trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies.
• Stakeholder relationships — Build trusted partnerships with funders, community groups, local networks and internal teams..

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for an experienced, values‑driven professional who combines strategic thinking with the ability to deliver in practice.

You’ll be:

• An experienced fundraising and engagement manager from the UK charity, social care or community sector
• A confident, inclusive leader with a coaching mindset and proven experience of managing and developing teams
• A strong grant writer with a successful track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies
• A digitally savvy marketer with hands‑on experience across social media, email, CRM systems and online fundraising platforms
• A natural communicator and relationship‑builder who thrives in community‑focused environments
• A creative storyteller able to craft compelling campaigns and messages that inspire action
• Someone with a proactive, can‑do attitude, excellent time‑management skills and the ability to get things done in a fast‑paced setting
• A values‑driven professional who wants their work to make a genuine and lasting difference

Why join us?

• Salary up to £55,000, depending on experience
• Early finish every Friday at 2pm
• Supportive, values‑driven and collaborative culture
• Senior leadership role with real influence and autonomy
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement outlining how your experience, skills, and values align with this role.

We actively welcome applications from people with lived experience and from under‑represented communities.

Closing date: 26 May 2026 at midday
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note: no recruitment agencies or third‑party applications, thank you.

Our values

• Collaboration- Working closely with our residents, customers, locality and service users to understand and respond to their needs
• Caring- Caring for others and the environment
• Respectful- Treating people with respect
• Efficiency -Using resources effectively and efficiently

YHA is looking for an experienced and strategically minded Head of Communications and Engagement to lead how our story is told through a period of organisational change. This role owns our corporate narrative and shapes compelling communications that strengthen YHA’s voice and influence.

Working across the organisation and with external partners, you’ll develop and deliver integrated corporate communications that inspire engagement from staff and stakeholders, and ensure coherent and consistent messaging which amplifies YHA’s impact as a leading youth charity, social enterprise and force for good, and support income growth.

Why work for YHA?

Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive staff benefits that support your well-being and career growth:

• 10 nights free hostel stays per year for you and up to 3 friends or family

• Access to YHA’s staff discount and cash back portal

• Free YHA Membership each year

• Access to support via our Employee Assistance Program

There are many more benefits to working for YHA so please visit our website for more information.

What will you be doing as Head of Communications and Engagement?

• Own YHA’s corporate narrative, tone of voice and organisation‑wide communications strategy

• Lead integrated internal and external communications that strengthen brand, impact and income growth through a period of strategic transformation.

• Develop and deliver strategic messaging to support YHA’s organisational transformation and long‑term objectives

• Champion communications best practice across the organisation, working closely with the marketing team, digital team and senior leaders

• Plan, coordinate and oversee corporate content, publications and communications scheduling across all channels

• Line manage the Internal Communications Manager

• Lead on media relations and press engagement, including external agency support and spokespeople

• Strengthen YHA’s external presence, reputation and profile as a national youth charity and social enterprise

• Lead stakeholder engagement, partnerships, policy influence and horizon scanning for emerging risks and opportunities

• Manage crisis communications strategy and process

• Steward and leverage YHA’s heritage and archives to support impactful storytelling ahead of the 100‑year anniversary

What Skills and Experience do you need?

• Experience in communications, with a proven track record of developing and delivering strategic, organisation‑wide communications in a complex national organisation

• Strong ability to shape and communicate clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences across multiple internal and external channels

• Demonstrable experience of leading media relations, PR campaigns, stakeholder engagement and reputation management, including crisis communications

• High‑level writing, editing and content‑planning skills, with a creative and audience‑focused approach

• Ability to interpret complex organisational information and translate it into engaging, accessible and inspiring communications

• Experience influencing and advising senior leaders, bringing authority, constructive challenge and a cross‑organisational perspective

• Proven ability to identify reputational risks, anticipate emerging issues and recommend strategic communications responses

• Experience building productive partnerships and relationships with senior stakeholders, partner organisations, public bodies and agencies

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work to deadlines and find solutions under pressure

• Demonstration of our HEART values – they’re part of everything we do, and we look for people who bring them to life in their everyday work

For more information about the role and the skills and experience required, please refer to the job description.

At YHA, we understand the richness of life experiences, and we place just as much importance on lived experiences as we do on skills and knowledge. We provide a robust induction, ongoing training, and opportunities for personal growth. While certain roles may require specific skills, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. For more information about how we are creating an inclusive workplace please visit our jobs website.

Who are YHA?

YHA is a social enterprise with a mission to enrich the lives of all, especially young people. YHA does this by providing brilliant hostel stays and experiences that improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills.

If you would like to find out more about YHA the charity, the culture, the heritage and so much more please visit our jobs website.

How do you apply?

Submit your CV and complete the application form. For more information about our recruitment process, visit the job website.

Once the hiring manager has reviewed your application we will contact shortlisted candidates. We aim to get in touch within a reasonable amount of time after the closing date. You can also check on the progress of your application if you have signed up to Connect - our online candidate portal

PLEASE NOTE All relevant checks are in place to ensure safeguarding and legal requirements of safer recruitment are adhered to. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.