Evaluation and applied research manager jobs

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious, strategic and relationship-driven Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships to lead and deliver a national, high-impact partnerships strategy. This role is central to our growth plans and will generate sustainable income, deepen corporate and employer engagement and create tangible employment outcomes for young people. You will combine commercial instinct with social purpose - building partnerships that deliver measurable impact for young people and clear strategic value for corporate and employer partners. 

Key information

• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 dependant on experience
• Contract: Full time, Monday-Friday, 9.30 – 5.30mpm with some out of hours work needed for events such as Spear Celebration
• Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: Tuesday 7th April, 09.30am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Significant senior-level experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility, business development or strategic partnerships
• Significant experience within the corporate sector, with an established network of relationships across national businesses and employers
• Proven experience of delivering growth strategies and achieving income target, with a strong track record of securing and managing high-value (£100k+) partnerships
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing high-performing teams
• Credible, confident and persuasive communicator with excellent relational skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite
• Resourceful and proactive, ability to manage multiple priorities, drive projects forward to completion and establish effective processes and structures

We are an office-based organisation and value the collaboration and opportunities to work creatively and build community that this offers us, with staff spending time in the working week both at home and in the London office.

We are looking for a Coordinator to help our small Quaker peace organisation to continue to thrive when our current Coordinator retires at the end of 2026.

You will work with NFPB trustees and members to support Quakers in the North of Britain in their peace work, which covers a wide range of issues. As the only employee, you will need to be self-motivated, flexible and able to work with volunteers and other organisations. The role includes planning and arranging events, networking, communications and administrative tasks. We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping others work for peace.

We would like the new Coordinator to be in post by early October to allow a reasonable handover with the current Coordinator.

NB: Whilst the office is currently in Bolton, this may move if a different location is more appropriate for the succesful candidate

We’re currently looking for a Head of Public Engagement and Public Dialogue, offered on a permanent basis, to help us deliver our mission. This is a part time position working 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE).

What’s it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly, inclusive and ambitious organisation. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We focus on supporting our people to thrive, offering competitive pay, great development opportunities and a generous benefits package.

Some of our benefits include:

• An excellent pension scheme
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance and a healthcare cash plan
• Eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards and access to an employee assistance programme
• 25 days’ annual leave as a standard, in addition to floating bank holidays
• Flexible working opportunities

The Role

What will I be doing?

You’ll be responsible for a range of activities, including:

• Designing, commissioning, and delivering the IOP’s public engagement strategy
• Reaching diverse public audiences across the UK and Ireland, strengthening public understanding and appreciation of physics through strategic, impactful, and inclusive engagement activities
• Leading a team to deliver high quality and high impact programmes and projects
• Leading fundraising to support the IOP's public engagement and public dialogue work

Projects you may work on include:

• Overseeing the IOP’s UK and Ireland public engagement and dialogue programme, ensuring activities align with societal challenges and/or physics themes (e.g., climate change, health)
• The IOP’s Limit Less initiative which aims to break down barriers that can put off young people from underrepresented backgrounds from pursuing physics
• Administering the IOP’s Public Engagement Grants Scheme (PEGS)

Who will I work with?

You’ll work closely with a range of colleagues and stakeholders, including:

• Multiple IOP teams, including EDI, policy and public affairs, communications and marketing, membership and national teams
• The IOP's Business Development Group to help shape the IOP's overall approach to fundraising

• Equipping members with the tools and resources to engage the public effectively through a member-led approach to public engagement
• Working in partnership with organisations in and beyond STEM

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if you bring:

Essential:

• A track record of designing and delivering high quality and wide-reaching public engagement in partnership with other organisations and with a track record of reaching different public audiences (ideally within a membership organisation)
• Experience of managing high performing teams and collaborating with peers
• Experience with and in depth understanding of audience research and acting on it to ensure diversity of reach
• Experience of budgeting and performance management of programmes

Nice to have:

• Experience of identifying risks associated with projects and activities and implementing effective mitigation plans
• Skilled in overseeing multiple projects and ensuring quality assurance through evaluation and monitoring processes
• Experience in influencing decision-making at senior levels and providing strategic advice based on sound analysis and judgment
• Familiarity with cross-functional collaboration, fostering alignment across diverse teams and disciplines

At the IOP, we know that great candidates don’t always tick every box. If your experience looks a little different, but you bring enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

Alongside your CV, please include a cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification.

How will I be working?

We operate a flexible, trust based working model that gives colleagues autonomy over how, when and where they work, while recognising the value of in person collaboration. You will be assigned a base office, with hybrid working offered as standard.

You will engage in regular in person collaboration with your team (as operational appropriate), as well as with colleagues across the wider organisation, to ensure effective operational alignment and to support our inclusive approach to working.

As an organization we meet in person once a quarter at our Head Office in Kings Cross, London. 

Why join the IOP?

The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. As a charity, we’re passionate about increasing public understanding of physics and supporting a diverse and inclusive physics community. 

We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know we’re always happy to help.

Please note whilst we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, we warmly encourage applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and Ireland.

Job Title: Senior Grants Officer

Department: Foundation

Reporting to: Foundation Director 

Contract: Full-time or Part-time (minimum of four days)

Working pattern: Onsite or Hybrid (minimum three days in the office) 

Salary: £40,000 (full-time salary)

ABOUT THE GOLDSMITHS’ FOUNDATION

The Goldsmiths’ Foundation is the charitable foundation of the Goldsmiths’ Company. The Foundation’s mission is to transform life-chances by supporting technical and vocational education through grant-making. With a focus on goldsmithing, silversmithing, jewellery and allied trades, it also supports skills and training in the creative industries and other fields, as well as general charitable endeavours.

A contemporary company with deep roots in the past, the Goldsmiths’ Company is one of the Great Twelve City of London Livery Companies. Founded in 1327 and now with a 1600-strong membership, the Company has contributed to national life for seven centuries. It advances the trade and craft of silversmithing and jewellery through training, exhibitions and public engagement. It also operates the London Assay Office, which protects trade and consumers by testing and hallmarking precious metals.
This is an exciting moment to join the Goldsmiths’ Foundation. Philanthropy has been at the heart of the Company’s work since 1327; the current Goldsmiths’ Company Charity was founded in the 19th century. Today, supported by its endowment, it makes grants of c. £3.5 million each year.

The Goldsmiths’ Company (the sole member of the Foundation) is now reinvigorating its philanthropic mission with refreshed charitable objects, a renewed focus on craft and skills, and a new Board of Trustees drawn from across the Company’s membership and chaired by Dame Lynne Brindley.

Job Purpose  

Working in a team of three and reporting to the Foundation Director, you will support the effective and efficient grant making of the Goldsmiths' Foundation by managing its Proactive Grant Programmes and administering the Foundation's restricted funds. Proactive grants are closed to open application but are solicited for either regular or one-off grants. This role requires a strong understanding of vocational and technical skills in the jewellery-making, silversmithing and allied trade sector. 

Delivery of Proactive Grant Programmes 

• Support the Foundation Director and colleagues to implement and deliver Proactive Grants Programmes, aligned with the 2025-2030 Strategy. 

• Support the Foundation Director in implementing learning goals for the Programmes, collecting data and working with commissioned learning partners. 

• Manage relationships with charitable partners who regularly receive grants from the Foundation, particularly those working in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied trade sectors. 

• Manage one-off grants that are solicited by Foundation Trustees due to their strong alignment to Foundation Objects. 

• Support The Goldsmiths' Foundation Trustees and Advisory Group and administering its decisions. 

Management of Restricted Funds 

• Administer the Foundation's restricted funds including the Aiden Threlfall Charitable Trust, the Brian Wood Memorial Travel Scholarship, the Miller Fund/Binney Medal (including event administration of the annual Binney Lunch), the Martin Bowes Charitable Fund and The Silver Trust. 

• Manage grant applications and awards from these restricted funds in accordance with their specific terms and conditions. 

• Maintain accurate records and reporting on restricted fund activities. 

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and legal obligations for each restricted fund. 

Management and Governance of Proactive Grant Programmes 

• Day-to-day management of regular grantees, ensuring effective communication and support. 

• Support the development of appropriate reporting and relationship requirements with regular grantees. 

• Prepare recommendations and reports for the Proactive Grant Programmes. 

• Manage and collate the reporting from charitable partners. 

• Prepare materials to support the Foundation Director in their work with The Goldsmiths' Foundation Trustees and Advisory Group with a goal to: i. commission the most relevant grants to meet the Foundations' Objects ii. drive greater Goldsmiths' Company Member engagement with The Goldsmiths' Foundation 

• Support the continued management of existing Proactive Programmes initiated before 2026. 

Communications and Networks 

• Support the Foundation Director to maintain a network of peer funders working in overlapping or related areas, particularly those focused on vocational and technical skills development.

• Contribute to collaborations (including with other funders) to increase the reach and impact of our proactive grant making.

• Support the development of content for web-based stories and social media posts. 

Community Engagement 

• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for grant recipients to contribute to broader programmes and the promotion of charitable activities.

• Support the identification and development of initiatives that enable the Foundation to deliver against its charitable purpose, particularly those supporting vocational and technical skills in the jewellery-making, silversmithing and allied trade sector. 

• Contribute to developing opportunities related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, focusing on access routes into the trade and craft. 

Other Duties 

• Work with colleagues within The Goldsmiths' Group as required to enable our mutual aims. 

• Work with the Foundation Director and colleagues to develop The Foundation's culture in line with its values. 

• Support other parts of The Foundation's grant making as required, including our Open Grants Programmes at times and any other duties as the Director requires. 

Person Specification 

Essential Experience  

• Understanding of vocational and technical skills development in the jewellery-making, silversmithing and allied trade sector

• Experience of working with or supporting charities and grant recipients

• Experience of preparing reports and recommendations for committees or senior stakeholders

Desirable Experience  

• Experience of grant making or charitable funding administration, managing grant case loads and maintaining accurate records

• Experience of relationship-based grant making and stakeholder engagement

• Experience of administering restricted or designated funds

• Experience of trust-based grant making

• Experience of collaborative funding and partnership development 

Essential Skills & Knowledge  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent attention to detail

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds

• IT proficiency in MS Office applications 

Desirable Skills & Knowledge  

• Experience of Beacon CRM or other grant making database or similar database management systems

• Knowledge of relevant research, policy and networks related to the development of vocational and technical skills in the jewellery and silversmithing sectors.

• Awareness of evaluation methodologies for funded work. 

• Willingness to adopt and utilise AI tools to support grant management, research, and reporting, and an openness to exploring how emerging technologies can enhance the Foundation's work. 

Personal Characteristics  

• Commitment to our values as a grant-making foundation

• Curious about, and committed to, the work of grant-making Foundations, charities, and the social needs they are trying to meet

• Able to work with charity leaders with a supportive and professional approach

• Able to organise and manage your own workload including varied caseloads

• Able to work to deadlines

• Flexible and collegiate attitude to working across teams and supporting colleagues where needed 

• Commitment to E,D,I 

 Please apply with a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

The deadline for applications is 9am, Friday 24 April 2026.

We are looking for someone who sees communications and development as a strategic act — someone who understands that brand, partnership, advocacy and fundraising are interwoven. Someone who is excited by the possibility of building a mixed economy that supports artistic risk, sector innovation and long-term civic contribution. 

We would like to hear from candidates with significant senior experience in communications, marketing and brand guardianship, ideally in the arts or creative industries; experience of driving engaging storytelling with creative flair and strategic purpose; and a proven track record of stakeholder engagement and external relations within a charity, cultural or non-profit organisation, developing and implementing strategies that grow visibility, engagement and income. 

You’ll also bring experience of working at a senior leadership level, leading teams in the delivery of high quality, impactful campaigns – along with excellent interpersonal and communication skills; a proven ability to successfully build and maintain stakeholder relationships; a positive, proactive, and solution-focused approach; and a genuine interest in the arts and culture. 

Location is either Birmingham or Nottingham (subject to base of postholder)