Director of development and communications jobs

About Us

We are a passionate and impactful charity dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities. Through our services, programmes, and partnerships, we make a real difference to the people we support every day.

We are now seeking an ambitious, relationship-focused, and creative Fundraising & Development Officer to help us grow our income, expand our corporate network, and raise the profile of our work.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, creating engaging communications, and developing innovative fundraising opportunities that deliver lasting impact.

The Role

As Fundraising & Development Officer, you will play a key role in developing and growing corporate relationships that generate sustainable income and long-term support for the charity.

You will engage businesses through meaningful volunteering opportunities, helping to create pathways to financial support, sponsorship, and strategic partnerships. Alongside this, you will help raise awareness of the charity through compelling communications, social media content, presentations, and stakeholder engagement.

Working closely with the Development Director, you will contribute to fundraising strategies, support income diversification, and help maximise opportunities across a range of fundraising activities.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• A confident relationship builder with excellent communication and networking skills.
• Passionate about creating meaningful partnerships that deliver social impact.
• Experienced in fundraising, corporate partnerships, business development, account management, marketing, or a related field.
• Comfortable presenting to a variety of audiences and representing the charity externally.
• Creative and confident in producing engaging social media and communications content.
• Organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Skilled in developing compelling proposals, reports, and presentations.
• Committed to the values and mission of the charity.

What We Offer

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees).
• An additional day's leave to celebrate your birthday.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, including confidential support and a helpline available to partners and dependants.
• A flexible working culture, including a flexi-time scheme that allows eligible employees to reclaim additional hours worked.
• Flexible working options, including home working where appropriate to the role.
• A generous contractual sick pay scheme, providing financial security while you recover.
• Access to the CycleScheme, enabling employees to save 25–39% on the cost of a new bicycle and accessories while spreading the cost through salary deductions.
• Access to the TechScheme, allowing employees to purchase technology and spread the cost through salary deductions.
• Ongoing opportunities for professional development and training.
• A supportive, collaborative, and values-driven working environment where your contribution makes a genuine difference.

For full details about the role, please download our Recruitment Pack, which includes the Job Description, Person Specification, and information about our organisation.

Important information

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 13th July

We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be conducted as suitable applications are received.

As a result, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date. Early application is therefore strongly encouraged.

Job Purpose

To lead and oversee the delivery of TLC: Talk, Listen, Change’s charitable income generation and fundraising function, driving sustainable income growth through a diverse portfolio of opportunities including commissioning, grant applications, charitable trusts and foundations and fundraising activity. The Head of Development will carry out a mixed role, primarily consisting of informing the strategy, supervising the team and supporting them to secure income - while also directly creating some high-value / high-stakes submissions themselves. The role will play a key part in shaping and delivering the organisation’s growth ambitions, ensuring a strong and balanced pipeline across statutory, commissioned and voluntary income streams. As part of TLC’s Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will act as a senior advisor on charitable income generation opportunities and contribute to the wider strategic direction of the organisation. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Contribution

•  Be a member of the Senior Leadership Team of TLC: Talk, Listen, Change, contributing to organisational strategy, growth and long-term sustainability.
• Work alongside the Group Director of Partnerships and Development and other senior leaders to shape and deliver TLC’s development and charitable income generation strategy.
• Act as a senior advisor on development, funding and growth of charitable income sources for the organisation.
• Take a lead role in fostering a culture of ambition, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Development and Income Generation

• Lead the team to deliver focused and successful development activity across TLC, ensuring a strong and sustainable pipeline of opportunities across: Tenders / commissioning (including pre-market engagement such as soft market testing, actual submissions including PQQs, ITTs, framework applications and presentations / interviews) Charitable trusts and foundations, Grants, Fundraising, Corporate relationships
• Work closely with our: Group Head of Marketing and Communications to create and run exciting, engaging campaigns and projects which grow awareness of and support for TLC, ultimately leading to increased income, Director of Finance To ensure budgets are accurate and bids appropriately costed, Director and Heads of Services To ensure we can deliver safely, securely and effectively,  Director of Partnerships and Development To ensure strategic alignment and relationships.
• Ensure a detailed understanding of all tender specifications including a thorough assessment of the implications and requirements of TLC within each opportunity.
• Ensure all submissions are high quality, aligned to TLC values and priorities.
• Work closely with service leads and partnerships colleagues to identify, scope and develop new opportunities. 

Leadership and Management

• Provide strong leadership to the Development team, including line management of Development Managers.
• Support a high-performing, collaborative team culture aligned to TLC behaviours and values.
• Ensure effective performance management, supervision, and development of staff (including one-to-ones, appraisals and team meetings).

Performance, Planning and Delivery

• Lead the development and delivery of a clear development plan aligned to organisational strategy.
• Monitor and report on development and fundraising performance, ensuring a data informed approach to decision-making.
• Provide delegated budget management for development and fundraising activity.
• Ensure smooth transition from development activity to service mobilisation, working closely with operational teams.

External Relationships and Profile

• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, funders and partners with regard to charitable income generation opportunities.
• Represent TLC at external forums, networks and events, contributing to sector influence and profile. Governance and Ways of Working
• Ensure all development and fundraising activity aligns with TLC policies, values and ethical frameworks.
• Contribute to organisational planning cycles, board reporting and strategic development processes.
• Commit to continuous professional development and maintain awareness of sector trends and opportunities. 

We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's helping people today with support, information, or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.

As Communications Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, impactful communications that advance Action for ME’s work, improve understanding and recognition of ME and support fundraising efforts

The Communications Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy, leading a team of two other communications staff. You will work closely with colleagues across the fundraising, policy, research and services departments, delivering clear and compelling storytelling, and maximising visibility across media, digital platforms and key stakeholder networks.

Key duties

Leadership and Management

• Work to ensure that people with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of communications and marketing.

• Contribute to the development of, and then lead implementation of, the Communications Strategy, ensuring the appropriate involvement of key stakeholders, scoping, evaluating, and improving our practice.

• Maintain a data-insight led approach to the communications work providing regular management information and key performance indicator reports.

• Work as a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

• Line manage Communications Team members, supporting them to set and achieve performance objectives through regular one-to-ones and 12-monthly appraisals.

• Be responsible for Communications budget and the relationship with services providers required for the production of the charity’s digital and printed information and support resources.

Communications and Marketing

• Raise the profile of the impact of ME, and of Action for ME and its work, to enable the organisation to reach more people and better support need, by establishing a regular cadence of appropriate but innovative product across all main social media channels.

• Ensure fundraising is supported by embedding clear calls to action around donations and membership growth as a matter of course.

• Under the direction of the Director of Fundraising, develop all website, press and social media content for charity appeals.

• Market the charity’s Support and Healthcare services, including key digital and printed information and support resources, to the ME community and the professionals working with them, working closely with respective service leads.

• Contribute to income generation by working closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop the communication and marketing materials needed to implement the organisation’s Fundraising Strategy.

• Coordinate the charity’s response to any crisis communications, including developing appropriate crisis management plans and working outside of office hours as required.

• Establish effective systems/processes for gathering, supporting, maintaining, and managing case studies for a range of purposes (including press and media opportunities, public affairs and policy work, and fundraising).

• Draft and issue press releases and media statements and ensure appropriate follow-up by telephoning journalists, contacting picture desks etc. as appropriate.

• Alongside the CEO and any commissioned agency, develop relationships with key press, media and communications stakeholders to enhance the charity’s work.

• Oversee the production of the annual report, on budget, to schedule, taking overall editorial responsibility for content.

• Oversee the ongoing development of our digital engagement including our website and social media and being the point of contact on website issues.

• Fulfil the role of brand gateway keeper, ensuring all digital and printed communications, including information and support resources, adhere to brand guidelines, house style and organisational tone.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and oversight of how ME and related key issues (e.g. Long Covid) are discussed in the media and wider ME community.

• Build networks to enhance the charity’s strategic communications and marketing work.

• Build and maintain an effective social media monitoring regime, ensuring fit for purpose rules of engagement are in place and applied consistently.

Other Key Accountabilities 

• Ensure that all relevant service standards are met including compliance with best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal standards.

• Ensure best value in all our work.

• Undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required, from time-to-time, at the discretion of your line manager.

• On occasions, provide management support and cover within the organisation, as needed.

• Act as an advocate for the charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience, Knowledge and Understanding 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a communications management role

• Experience of developing integrated, insight and audience-led communications plans including social media

• Experience of website and brand management

• Experience of delivering successful campaigns

• Experience of engaging with press and/or media including writing press releases and media briefings

• Experience of working collaboratively with different teams/departments

• Experience of working in charity communications (desirable)

• An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable)

• Experience of integrating fundraising with communications (desirable)

Skills, Behaviours and Values

• Adaptable and highly organised with an ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload, use your own initiative, work independently, and work well in a team.

• Strong MS Office skills including the ability to use Word, Excel, databases and web-related programmes and software.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is looking to appoint a Communications Manager to grow our profile and increase the impact of our work to create sustainable and resilient places that are fair for everyone. At a pivotal time for planning and placemaking in the UK, this new role is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy for one of the UK’s leading campaigning charities as it enters a new chapter.

The purpose of this role is to:

• Lead the development and implementation of communications across all of the TCPA’s areas of work to support the delivery of the Association’s Five year Strategy. Working closely with the Chief Executive and the management team, the Communications Manager will develop new strategies to raise the profile of the organisation and increase the reach and impact of the TCPA’s projects, campaigns and activities.
• Manage and deliver the TCPA’s day to day communications activity, working with the team to expand our audiences, and shape the TCPA’s approach to communications to enhance the organisation’s work.

The successful candidate will have excellent organisational skills and proven experience of delivering diverse and effective communications strategies. The role will lead and deliver the TCPA’s Communications Strategy, embedding high quality communications across the work of our small and committed team. 

About the role

Cardiomyopathy UK's Director of Research and External Affairs leads the charity's research, policy and advocacy, and communications and marketing functions, with a team of four staff. The post-holder sets the strategic direction of the directorate, drives high-quality delivery,  upholds the charity's values, and represents the charity externally. The Director is a member of the charity's Leadership Team, working closely with the CEO to steer the charity forward. 

For the right person, this is an opportunity with real strategic scope. We want to build on our strong policy positions and evidence base and translate them into more proactive campaigning and influencing, moving from good policy thinking to concerted public affairs activity, strategic stakeholder engagement, and campaigns that achieve real change. 

The Director will also lead the next phase of our research work, following our inaugural research grant-funding activity and James Lind Alliance top ten work. They will work with the Research Manager and our clinical and academic partners to better define and deliver our ambitions.

Raising awareness of cardiomyopathy, its signs, symptoms and genetic risk, is also within the team's scope. Too many people are still diagnosed late because neither they nor their GP knew what to look for. The Director will drive our communications and marketing agenda purposefully, equally ensuring the charity’s external profile is actively managed and enhanced.

About you

We're looking for a leader who is a collaborative and inclusive, able to build trust with staff, colleagues, external partners and the Board. They will have strong strategic, analytical and planning skills, with the ability to develop coherent strategies. They will have experience as a senior leader/ manager in a charity, health, research or patient-focused organisation. See the Person Specification for further details.
 
Why join us?

Cardiomyopathy UK is the national charity for people affected by cardiomyopathy. We provide specialist nurse support, peer support, wellbeing services and trusted information to thousands of people each year, as well as influencing policy, supporting advocacy, and funding and enabling better research.

We are ambitious about our future. We are committed to quality, accountability and continuous improvement. Most importantly, we are committed to ensuring that everyone affected by cardiomyopathy can live well with the condition.

We are a family friendly employer with flexible and hybrid working. We offer an enhanced Employee Assistance Programme, additional annual leave linked to length of service, and an extra special occasion day each year.

We are midway through our five-year strategic plan, at a genuinely exciting moment, both for the charity and for cardiomyopathy more broadly. If you are excited by the opportunity to shape our Research and External Affairs work, lead a strong team and ensure we can clearly demonstrate the impact of our work, we would love to hear from you.

Location: Hybrid, one day a week in the London office (Borough)

Salary: £75,000-80,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, full-time role - Spinal Research operate a 4-day/32 hour week

Spinal Research is seeking an exceptional Director of Research & Innovation to help shape the future of spinal cord injury research. The organisation exists to fund the research that will cure paralysis. This appointment comes at a pivotal stage as scientific advances in spinal stimulation, neurotechnology and rehabilitation move closer to real-world application, bringing renewed hope to people living with paralysis.

For over 40 years, Spinal Research has been the UK's leading charity dedicated to funding medical research into spinal cord injury, moving the global conversation from "if" paralysis can be treated to "when". With the first function-restoring therapies designed and licensed for spinal cord injuries now becoming available in the UK, this position will directly drive the next chapter of the charity's mission.

Reporting to the CEO and joining the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Research & Innovation will play a central role in reviewing, influencing and driving forward our established scientific and innovation strategy. The successful candidate will lead a diverse portfolio spanning discovery science, translational research, clinical development and neurotechnology, ensuring investment decisions are guided by strong scientific insight and a clear view of patient impact.

Crucially, the role involves building meaningful collaborations across academia, healthcare, industry and philanthropy to accelerate the delivery of treatments. The Director will also lead the establishment of a new Scientific Advisory function, recruiting world-class experts to guide the portfolio, while collaborating with fundraising and communications teams to bring scientific insights to life for major donors.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing complex research programmes and navigating the wider life sciences ecosystem. This position demands the ability to critically appraise scientific data, translate it into compelling narratives for non-specialist audiences, and collaboratively drive promising ideas into tangible patient outcomes.

For a leader with the strategic ambition and the drive to play a central role in turning scientific progress into life-changing reality, this role offers an extraordinary platform to help cure paralysis.

Please click through for the full Candidate Pack and details of how to apply. 

Closing date: 9am, Friday 10 July

External Communications Manager

Salary: £40,000–£42,000 FTE
Hours: 30 hours per week
Location: Remote, with regular travel to FitzRoy services, team and stakeholder meetings as agreed. The role requires attendance in London once per month and applicants must be able to commute to services in Norfolk, Nottingham and Hampshire.
Reports to: Head of Communications
Directorate: Business Development and Partnerships

FitzRoy is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to live lives rooted in choice, meaning and happiness.

We are strengthening our external voice and looking for a confident, perceptive and warm communicator to help more people understand FitzRoy’s expertise and impact and increase our influence.

This is a moment of change for social care. We want to play a more active role in shaping its future, ensuring the people at the heart of it are seen, heard and involved in the decisions that matter.

About the role

As External Communications Manager, you will help build FitzRoy’s profile and reputation by identifying the stories, insight and opportunities that show what good support looks like in real life.

You will work closely with the Head of Communications, fundraising, business development and operational colleagues to turn external communications priorities into practical plans, content and opportunities.

This is a delivery role with real influence. You will be expected to bring ideas, advise colleagues, shape practical plans and turn opportunities into action.

What you will do

You will:

• develop proactive external communications activity that raises awareness of FitzRoy’s work, expertise and impact
• spot opportunities for FitzRoy to contribute constructively to sector conversations
• identify realistic opportunities for media, sector press, partner or local coverage
• gather stories, photos, video and quotes that help people understand what good support looks like in real life
• use social media, website content, audience insight and analytics to strengthen FitzRoy’s external profile

About you

You may come from charity communications, PR, journalism, public affairs, stakeholder communications or another external communications background.

You do not need to have worked in social care before, but you will need to be interested in people, willing to learn quickly and able to handle stories about people’s lives with care, respect and good judgement.

We are looking for someone who is:

• an excellent writer and editor
• confident developing clear, accessible content for different audiences
• warm, curious and able to build rapport quickly
• able to spot strong stories, ideas and opportunities
• confident creating social media and website content shaped by audience insight
• comfortable working independently and managing competing priorities
• able to think strategically about audiences and influence, while being practical about what can be delivered in a small team
• confident gathering content including photos, videos and quotes
• willing and able to travel to FitzRoy services and meetings as needed

A full clean driving licence and access to a car for work travel are required, as some services are not easily accessible by public transport.

Working at FitzRoy

You will join a small, friendly communications team with big ambitions. This role will suit someone who enjoys a mix of planning, writing, relationship-building, story-gathering and hands-on delivery.

You will help us show the difference good support makes – and help ensure the voices, experiences and achievements of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs are seen and heard.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your application and a covering letter.

We do not expect your covering letter to address every point in the person specification. We would like you to tell us:

• what interests you about this role and FitzRoy
• three things you would bring to the role
• a piece of communications work you are proud of and why
• how you approach using social media, website content and audience insight to build external profile
• how you would approach telling stories about people’s lives with care, respect and good judgement

If you are using AI tools to write your application, please use them with caution. We are looking for your own voice and writing style.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

Join Generate at a pivotal moment in our journey and help shape the future of a growing charity supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people across North Yorkshire. This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership, fundraising and organisational development with meaningful impact in a values-driven organisation.

Generate is looking for an inspiring and collaborative Charity Director to lead our next chapter. We work to improve wellbeing, resilience and connection for transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and gender-questioning adults through peer support, counselling, mentoring, outreach and more.

Since beginning as a volunteer-led initiative in York in 2011, Generate has grown into an established charity delivering a range of services across North Yorkshire. We are now looking for a leader who can build on this strong foundation, strengthen our sustainability and support the organisation's continued development.

As Charity Director, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across the organisation. Working closely with our Board of Trustees, staff team, freelancers, volunteers and external partners, you will lead the delivery of our strategic vision and ensure Generate continues to be effective, sustainable and responsive.

This is a varied and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to:

• Shape the future direction and development of Generate
• Lead fundraising and develop sustainable income streams
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships
• Drive organisational development and improve systems and processes
• Support and develop a committed and motivated team
• Ensure strong governance, financial oversight and operational effectiveness

We're looking for someone who can think strategically while also being comfortable with the practical realities of leading a small organisation. You will be a confident relationship-builder and effective communicator, with a strong commitment to delivering positive outcomes for the people we support.

Role details

Salary: £36,000–£40,000 FTE (pro rata based on a 35-hour week), depending on experience
Hours: 21–28 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based, with regular travel into York and occasional travel across North Yorkshire

If you are looking for an opportunity to lead an organisation through its next stage of development, we would love to hear from you.

If you’d like to have an informal conversation about the role, please get in touch and we will be happy to arrange a call with our current Charity Director.

For 1 in 5 people worldwide, the Bible remains inaccessible in their own language. Wycliffe Bible Translators has been working to change this since 1953, and with over 4,000 languages in active translation today, the pace of progress has never been faster. But the work is far from done — and the people behind it need a leader who can help them thrive.

We are seeking a strategic Director for People to join Wycliffe’s leadership team. You will have a track record in senior people leadership, with deep expertise across talent development, member care, and organisational culture. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will oversee both the care and support of 250+ mission members serving globally, and the people strategy for a 65-strong remote-first UK staff team. Monthly in-person gatherings are held in the Oxfordshire area.

For a seasoned People and Culture leader with a heart for global mission, this is a rare opportunity to join a remarkable organisation at a pivotal moment. Carnelian have been appointed to lead the search. 

About us

Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) is a values-driven organisation working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to protect the world’s rainforests and uphold their human rights. Since 1989, RFUK has partnered with forest peoples and grassroots organisations to secure land rights, challenge destructive industries, and influence laws and policies that safeguard forests and the people who depend on them.

Our mission is clear: to combine human rights and environmental protection to tackle deforestation. From the Congo Basin to the Amazon, our work has helped communities protect millions of hectares of rainforest. With a growing team of passionate advocates for social and environmental justice, we are committed to scaling up our impact to confront the accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.

About the role

The Head of External Relations is a key senior leadership role at Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) responsible for overseeing effective fundraising and communications strategies to support the organisation's work protecting rainforests and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for building RFUK’s external profile and support for its ambitious 2033 vision to scale up community-led protection of tropical forests. The position combines strategic communications, outreach, targeted campaigns, and media engagement to connect RFUK’s impactful programmes to its growing audience, supporters and funders.

This a key role in the organisation, managing a small team, working closely with the Programmes team to craft compelling narratives that drive engagement and action, with the Operations team to ensure financial sustainability, and with the Executive Director to create and implement targeted fundraising strategies.

About you

This role requires a strong commitment to social and environmental justice, the ability to form and cultivate relationships with a range of different groups, and the ability to communicate complex issues persuasively.

You’re an experienced leader with a proven track record in both strategic communications and fundraising. You’re a creative communicator who can turn complex issues into persuasive, accessible messages that drive change and support for our mission. You know how to secure significant income from foundations, corporates, individuals and major donors, and you’re confident in building long-term relationships with diverse stakeholders. You thrive on collaboration, motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals, and bring resilience and cultural sensitivity to everything you do.

Job description and benefits

Please download the full job description from our website. We offer 30 days annual leave, 4% pension contributions, Employee Assistance Programme, learning and development allowance, and four weeks of work-from-anywhere flexibility.

Location

This role is offered as a hybrid role based in our Bethnal Green, London office. The postholder will be required to work in the office 2 days per week during their 6-month probation period. This can be reviewed with their Line Manager thereafter.

Application Process

To submit your application, kindly complete the online application form by 9AM, Friday 10 July. Please be aware that the form will be anonymised for review by the panel.

Please note that CVs will not be considered.

We strongly encourage all candidates to read the Recruitment FAQs page on our website before submitting their application.

Regrettably, due to the large number of applications we usually receive, it is not possible to write to you should you not be shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

Initial interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held online on Thursday 16 July. Please let us know in your application if you are available to attend an interview.

Location: The role is national, managing teams in Northern Ireland, Wales and across England. You will need to be able to work at one of our BookTrust offices in London, Leeds, Belfast or Cardiff for an average of 8 days per month whilst some of these collaboration days may be worked in partner locations, at events or stakeholder meetings in any part of the country. The position will require regular travel to BookTrust office bases and to visit and engage as needed.

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

This is a new role within the organisation and the new role holder will have a chance to shape and build the role over time.  You will be a strong leader with great people skills -experience of working with and leading teams working in geographically dispersed locations is advantageous. 

You will have a clear experience the public sector landscape with a track record of relationships building, and an understanding of the local government policy landscape. With a collaborative approach to working across interconnecting complex work areas, you will be comfortable working within a matrix style of management for your won direct reports and those of other teams. 

You may have charity or statutory setting experience, and will have the ability to set out a strategic direction for partnerships team members as well as being hands on in developing new relationships to support our work as well as being able to produce high quality written materials, analyse complex data and respond dynamically to a changing external landscape.

You will be an excellent communicator who manages up effectively and who is comfortable working across a matrixed managed team. You will have the ability to work closely with the Director of Partnerships in building relationships, and developing and delivering on strategies that support impact in our early years programmes by guiding the work of our partnerships team.  You will be working closely with key role holders such as but not confined to the Head of Partnerships Delivery, and Head of Programme for Vulnerable Children.

The Head of Partnerships Development will ensure increasingly effective pathways to families by setting out ways of working that ensure delivery teams can access these routes, influence decision makers and develop and build the right relationships for greatest impact. Along with the Director of partnerships the role holder will aim to both influence and respond to central, local and regional policy initiatives in the sector to support BookTrust’s mission to get all children reading, especially those from low income and vulnerable family backgrounds.
The role holder will ensure internal stakeholders are briefed on the local government landscape and that risks and opportunities are clearly articulated.

This work spans the organisation – from within our partnerships team to our research and impact, communications and external affairs, design and innovation, growth planning, communications, profile-raising and income generation – and requires strong collaborative working to draw on skills and capacity in all these areas. 

The role will work internally and externally to ensure the right inputs to ensure success for our scaled programmes, supporting everything from design to upskilling our team and relationship building across the local government and regional and country landscape.

To apply, please complete the application along with a copy of your CV.

Want to join us? To find out more about who we are please go to our website. 

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and communities,

Please note that this advert may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details are available on our website).

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

The Talent Set are delighted to be partnering with Unlocking Potential to recruit their first Director of Fundraising & Engagement, a pivotal new senior leadership role at the heart of the organisation.

Director of Fundraising & Engagement
Salary - £65,000 - £70,000 dependent on experience 
Location: London with hybrid working 

Unlocking Potential is a growing charity supporting children and families with their social, emotional and mental health. They are entering an exciting phase of growth, with ambitious longer term plans to expand their reach nationally and deepen their impact.

This is a pivotal new role as the charity’s first ever Director of Fundraising and Engagement, building on strong foundations to strategically lead the next phases of growth and development by driving sustainable income growth, diversifying funding, and raising their organisational profile.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a function from modest beginnings, while delivering immediate impact in a highly mission-driven organisation.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead the development and delivery of a joined-up fundraising, engagement and communications strategy aligned to the organisational strategy and ambitions for growth.

Current fundraised income is c.£950k (weighted towards trusts and major donors) and the Director of Fundraising & Engagement will play a key role in shaping how the charity diversifies into new income streams while strengthening existing relationships.

This is a hands-on leadership role: you’ll combine strategic vision with operational delivery – from securing high-value gifts and building trustee-supported networks, to refining cases for support and overseeing campaigns.

We’re looking for a strategic, confident and adaptable leader who thrives in growing organisations and enjoys building as they go.

As Director of Fundraising & Engagement you will:

• Develop and deliver a clear fundraising strategy focused on growth, diversification and sustainability 
• Lead an integrated engagement and communications approach to increase visibility and influence 
• Personally manage and grow relationships with major donors, trusts and strategic partners 
• Unlock and maximise trustee and senior stakeholder networks 
• Identify and build new income pipelines (e.g. corporate, community, unrestricted funding) 
• Lead impactful campaigns, events and communications outputs 
• Embed systems, processes and a culture of fundraising across the organisation

You will bring:

• A strong track record of senior fundraising leadership
• Experience driving income growth and diversification strategies, with personal expertise weighted to trusts and/or major donor fundraising
• Confidence working both strategically and operationally 
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, including engaging trustees and high-level networks
• Strong judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to influence and bring people with you
• Financial confidence, including forecasting income and advising on growth ambitions

Please get in touch as soon as possible to express an initial interest, the deadline for applications (CV and cover letter) is Thursday 2nd July, with 1st stage interviews commencing on 9th and 10th July.  

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Regional Communications Manager

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on communications all-rounder with a breadth of skills to lead all regional and local communications activities in the areas where we are developing new Youth Zones.

The breadth of this role means no two days are the same, which is why we are seeking somebody organised, dynamic and self-motivated with exceptional project management and stakeholder management skills.

Working for an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from under-represented groups; in particular from Black, Asian, Mixed Race & other ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.

Position: Regional Communications Manager

Location: Hybrid working: two days a week in an OnSide office combined with home-working and travel across our Youth Zones Network (including those in development) plus occasional other travel as required.

Salary: £40 - £45k per annum

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: Agile working with flexibility in working hours; 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to a maximum of 30 days); birthday leave, additional annual leave purchase scheme; company matched pension; company sick, maternity, paternity & adoption pay; Employee Assistance Programme, active and engaged networks to join (including Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and access to Charity Worker discounts.

Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 13 July 2026 (We may close this role early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.)

First stage interviews (virtual): Thursday 16 July 2026

Second stage interviews (in-person): Thursday 22 July, Location TBC

About the Role

With 19 Open Youth Zones, supporting 60,000 young people, the organisation is moving into a period of steady growth towards thier long-term goal of 35 Youth Zones by 2035. This role will take sole responsibility for communications activity across live and established projects including Thurrock, Wakefield, Burnley and Wrexham.

This is a key role within the communications team that will see you create understanding and awareness between the charity and the key local and regional audiences that matter to us as. 

This role will involve managing a portfolio of end-to-end integrated communications and PR programmes across multiple Youth Zones at various stages of development. You will work closely with the teams, each Youth Zone’s relationship managers and fundraisers, as well as its CEO, and Trustee Board, and Young People's Development Group, acting as their trusted communications advisor. You will also collaborate with local stakeholders including Local Authority communications leads and supporters, to help establish the new Youth Zones as independent charities.

It is important to note that this role lays the foundations for each new Youth Zones’ ongoing communications approach. For each project you will be required to effectively and smoothly handover to the Youth Zones full time communication resource once in place while continuing to provide light touch ongoing support - so some experience mentoring or coaching and supporting others is beneficial.

About You

We will be looking for someone that can demonstrate a broad range of communications skills from brand development to working with local media to place newsworthy, positive stories around the Youth Zone development, to supporting the development of new Youth Zone websites and the launch of social media channels.

You will have experience of:

• Communications, either in agency or in house 
• All-round integrated communications experience, including PR, copywriting and digital
• Building relationships with journalists and working with the media
• Advising internal and external teams and stakeholders at all levels
• Working directly with young people.
• Using digital platforms and tools such as MailChimp, Hootsuite, WordPress and Google Analytics
• Managing creative/design/digital agencies and briefing design and print teams

If you are as confident pitching a story to media as you are managing a branding project or overseeing an event, then this could be the role for you.

About the Organisation

A national charity that believes all young people should have the opportunity to discover their passion and their purpose that fund and build state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound youth centres called Youth Zones in the country’s most economically disadvantaged areas. The organisation trains the amazing people that run them and offers continuing support to youth zones nationwide through a national network of independent youth charities.

It’s about opportunity.

You may have experience in areas such as Accountant, Business Account, Finance Manager, Director of Finance, Head of Finance, Finance and Systems, Director of Finance and Systems, Finance and Systems Manager, Finance and Systems Lead.

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