Head of partnership development jobs

Head of Development and Engagement

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: 8th May 2026

Interviews: 19th and 20th 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

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape and lead the runway to the next 170 years.

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. You will cultivate influential relationships, unlock new opportunities for growth, and inspire others to invest in this work, not just financially, but also strategically and emotionally.

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 is a role for a leader who thinks boldly and acts collaboratively and can balance commercial acumen with deep social purpose. Someone who understands that strong brands change perceptions, strong partnerships accelerate impact, and strong income strategies create freedom to innovate.

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

• 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
• Strong bid writing and tendering experience

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.

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 list of Values shown while in the workplace.

OPERATE with Equity, Integrity, Openness and Honesty.

ENGAGE with Empathy, Kindness, Generosity and Grace.

BE Thoughtful, Discrete, Ethical and Respectful to all.

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. The charity is committed to following safer recruitment guidelines.  You must have the right to live and work in the UK. The team is wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

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

We are WeSeeHope, a charity lifting children out of extreme poverty across sub-Saharan Africa.

We are appointing a senior relationship fundraiser to drive income growth through high net worth individuals, senior business leaders, corporates and foundations. This is a frontline role with direct responsibility for developing and securing five and six figure multi-year funding commitments.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees, the Head of Fundraising will build and convert a strong major donor pipeline, unlock new networks and position WeSeeHope as a credible investment partner.

This is a growth mandate with clear accountability for results. We are seeking someone with the gravitas, commercial judgement and confidence to lead high value conversations and secure significant support. This role will further professionalise and scale our major donor and corporate fundraising approach.

About Us

We invest in the potential of every child we work with by breaking barriers to education and opening doors to entrepreneurship. With our backing, vulnerable children and their families are building futures that are free from extreme poverty, for good.

WeSeeHope currently raises approximately £1m annually through a mix of individual, corporate and foundation support. Our next phase of growth will focus on deepening high value, long term relationships with major donors and senior business leaders. We see clear headroom to scale this relational income model over the next three years.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Income Leadership

• Develop and execute a clear income growth strategy with defined targets, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Build and personally manage a portfolio of high value prospects and partners.
• Lead high level cultivation and solicitation activity in partnership with the Chief Executive and Trustees.
• Identify, qualify, and convert new high value prospects across individual, corporate, and foundation channels.
• Ensure disciplined pipeline management and forecasting, contributing to regular reporting to the Board.

Major Donor and Corporate Relationships

• Act as primary relationship lead for a defined portfolio of high net worth individuals and senior business leaders.
• Design and deliver tailored engagement plans that deepen commitment and increase lifetime value.
• Structure strategic partnerships that align donor objectives with organisational priorities.
• Confidently lead funding conversations, including direct financial asks.

Events and Networks

• Provide strategic oversight of key income generating events, ensuring they are leveraged effectively to cultivate and secure high value support.
• Work with Trustees/Board and senior volunteers in the UK and USA to unlock access to new networks and opportunities.
• Support Trustees to act as effective ambassadors and introducers.

Team and Organisational Leadership

• Lead and develop a focused, high performing fundraising team with clear objectives and accountability.
• Contribute actively to the senior management team, ensuring fundraising is embedded within wider organisational strategy and decision making.
• Champion a culture of measurable performance, professionalism, and relationship stewardship across the organisation.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven track record of securing significant partnerships or funding commitments, typically in the five or six figure range, with senior decision makers.
• Experience building and converting a strong major donor pipeline, including multi-year commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high value partnership or funding conversations and personally secure significant commitments.
• Experience working closely with CEOs, founders, and Trustees to unlock networks and secure support or investment.
• Experience setting and delivering against ambitious income growth targets.

Skills and Capability

• Gravitas and confidence to operate credibly with senior decision makers in private and corporate settings.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to assess opportunities on a clear return on investment basis.
• Excellent strategic thinking and disciplined execution.
• Skilled negotiator, comfortable structuring complex funding relationships.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship management capability.
• Clear, persuasive communicator able to position WeSeeHope as a compelling investment proposition.

Personal Qualities

• A natural relationship builder, able to establish trust quickly and sustain long term partnerships with high value supporters.
• Comfortable with accountability and transparent performance measurement.
• Self-aware, pragmatic, and calm under pressure.
• Demonstrates alignment with the values of WeSeeHope and a commitment to collaborative, high-performance working.

Success in the first 12 months

By the end of year one, the Head of Fundraising will have:

• Built and qualified a clearly segmented major donor pipeline of 25 to 40 high capacity prospects, with defined engagement plans and projected value.
• Secured multiple new five figure commitments and, where strong prospects exist, at least one new six figure commitment.
• Delivered measurable growth in major donor and corporate income against agreed annual targets.
• Established and implemented a structured major donor strategy with clear segmentation and stewardship plans.
• Activated Trustees in income generation, resulting in new qualified introductions and live cultivation opportunities.
• Implemented robust forecasting and performance reporting systems providing reliable income visibility to the Board.

Salary and Package

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum, depending on experience.

WeSeeHope is currently a £1m organisation with clear ambition to grow income and impact over the coming years. This role offers significant strategic responsibility, direct access to the Chief Executive and Trustees, and the opportunity to shape and lead income growth at organisational level.

For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to step into a senior leadership position with genuine influence, autonomy and accountability for results.

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• Enhanced family leave provision.
• Royal London pension scheme.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible and hybrid working - we currently work one day a week from a shared office space in Moorgate, London.
• Occasional international travel.

How to Apply

To apply, we welcome a CV and a 1-2 page covering letter detailing your interest in the role. Click the How to Apply button below for more information on how to submit your application. Please submit by 12 p.m. on Tuesday 19th May.

Accessibility is incredibly important to us here at WeSeeHope. If you would like any accessibility amendments or support throughout the application and interview stage, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

At Allsorts Gloucestershire, we’re on a mission to tackle the inequalities faced by disabled children, young people and their families. We’re a respected, values-driven charity with a strong local reputation and we’re looking for a Co-Head of Services - Transitions & YuGo to help shape the future of our work.

This is a senior leadership role with real impact. You’ll work alongside our Co-Head of Services - Early Intervention to lead and develop services for young people aged 11–25, while also growing YuGo, our innovative income-generating activity programme.

 About the role

This s a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with hands-on delivery.

You will:

• Lead inclusive sports, youth and activity programmes for disabled young people aged 11–25
• Support young people to build confidence, independence and meaningful relationships
• Co-lead organisational services, ensuring quality, safeguarding and impact
• Drive the growth and sustainability of YuGo, balancing income generation with social purpose
• Shape service design, partnerships and future strategy
• Be committed to continued professional development

You’ll also lead a passionate team of managers, coaches, activity leaders and support staff - creating a culture of inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement.

What we’re looking for

This role would suit someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys balancing strategy with delivery, and is passionate about inclusive youth services.  We would also consider 30 hours per week.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Circa 5 years experience of working in sports, arts, youth, social care or related charitable setting
• Proven leadership experience with line management responsibility
• Knowledge of and ability to show empathy towards the needs of families who have disabled children and/or children with additional needs
• Experience of working with disabled children - developing and facilitating groups and/or activities
• Knowledge of working/liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies, and evidence of good networking skills
• Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive issues and confidential information
• Ability to keep records, written and electronic
• Car driver with access to personal transport for travel purposes

Desirable Skills & Experience

• A degree equivalent qualification in sports, arts, youth work, social work, SEND education, teaching, care/support work or similar
• Training in autistic spectrum disorders is advantageous
• Level 3 Safeguarding - experienced designated or deputy designated safeguarding lead
• Experience of managing project budgets and/or commercial activity
• Lived experience, as a disabled person or a parent of a disabled child/young person

Why join Allsorts?

• Make a real, lasting impact in young people’s lives
• Shape services in a senior leadership role
• Be part of a supportive, values-led organisation
• Strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility and lived experience

We actively welcome applications from disabled people and parent/carers of disabled children and young people.

CLOSING DATE

17th May 2026

We aim to provide a positive and transparent recruitment experience and will keep you informed throughout the process.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We actively encourage people with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds to apply for our jobs. Our offices and interview space are fully accessible, with a Changing Places toilet and accessible parking. All job literature is available in alternative formats upon request. We welcome potential applicants to have a conversation with us about any interview adaptations they may need. 

Safeguarding & Practical Requirements

• Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. 
•  A full, valid driving license is required, as regular travel to offsite locations is an essential part of the role. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for candidates with disabilities. 
• The role includes a mix of on-site, off-site and some hybrid working.

Interested?

Ready to make a real difference?

This is a rare opportunity to join our dynamic and successful team as the Head of our Income Generation and Marketing teams. The key role for the Head of Income Generation is to maintain a sustainable level of fundraising and by increasing the income from paid placements through our relationships with Health Trusts and Councils in Merseyside and Cheshire in particular. The postholder will also play a key role in the branding transition to Little Lights Liverpool, managing and overseeing our marketing activities.

We are looking for someone with proven senior-level experience in income generation within the charity, health or care sector, and with a track record of growing income through commissioning or fundraising. You will need to be a strategic thinker with the confidence and compassion needed to build productive relationships and to manage our passionate and hard-working team.

Zoe's Place Baby Hospice was founded in Liverpool in 1995 as the first hospice in the UK specifically providing for the needs of babies and younger children. Our team of specialist nurses and healthcare assistants are supported by a wide range of other healthcare professionals to provide respite care, therapies and bereavement care to babies and children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.

In late 2024 the people of Liverpool, the Northwest, and even further afield helped us to raise more than £7,000,000 to secure the future of our hospice, and the state-of-the-art new facility in West Derby is under construction.

As work begins on our new hospice facility, our dedicated team continues to deliver specialised care from our existing site, and our team of fundraising, marketing, finance, compliance and administration professionals work hard to keep the charity operating smoothly.

The postholder benefits from a competitive salary and benefits package, the opportunity to make a real difference to an incredible cause, and you will be joining the charity at a pivotal point in its development. 

Age UK Westminster (AUKW) is the leading charity for older people in the City of Westminster supporting the over 50s in aspects of later life including, loneliness, isolation or poverty, by delivering vital advice, befriending, group activities, digital inclusion and practical services to thousands of older people.

Join our senior management team at Age UK Westminster as the Head of Services. We seek a dynamic and innovative leader to further our progress in supporting older people.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in strategic planning and service development, as well as fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, including statutory bodies.

Essential qualifications include strong staff management and project development experience, knowledge of older people’s services, adeptness in external liaison and quality assurance, and excellent communication skills.

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the experience we need, we would love to hear from you.

Due to the large number of applicants, we regret we shall not be able to write personally to applicants who are not shortlisted. Therefore, if you have not heard from us, please presume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Age UK Westminster is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Do you seek to champion a culture where innovation, learning and cross-organisational collaboration become the norm? Connecting insight with action to reduce inequalities and strengthen community connection?

Involve believes that everyone, regardless of the challenges they face, should have the opportunity to thrive. Using both strategic influence and service leadership, as the Head of Adult Services you will lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality, evidence-driven adult adult services rooted in lived experience, community voice and meaningful partnership.

See the vacancies page on our website for full job and person specification. 

High School of Dundee is a values-led school with a strong commitment to opportunity, inclusion and community. Its core values of Compassion, Challenge and Collaboration shape both its culture and its approach to learning.

The school is committed to ensuring that pupils feel known, supported and inspired to fulfil their potential. While academic achievement is important, the school places equal value on confidence, self-worth, curiosity, creativity and social responsibility.

Founded in 1239, High School of Dundee combines a proud heritage with a modern, forward-looking outlook. It aims to equip young people to contribute positively to the world around them and to make thoughtful, values-based decisions throughout their lives.

At the heart of this mission is the High School of Dundee Charitable Foundation, established in 2000 as a registered charity. The Foundation exists to widen access to a High School education by supporting talented young people who may not otherwise be able to attend due to financial circumstances.

The Foundation’s key objectives are:

• To raise funds for children who need financial assistance to take up their place at the school
• To raise funds to support the school in providing the best possible learning environment

Through its bursary programme, the Foundation promotes social mobility, inclusion and fairness, while enriching the school community through greater diversity of background and experience.

The school and Foundation also contribute more widely through community partnerships, fundraising activity and outreach work that encourages empathy, responsibility and a culture of giving back.

About the Role

This is a newly created opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to lead the next phase of philanthropic growth for High School of Dundee and its Charitable Foundation.

The role sits within the school but works closely with the Foundation, which is a separate entity with its own Board of Trustees and lay members. All funds raised are received by the Foundation and distributed to support agreed priorities, most notably bursaries for talented young people from families who would otherwise be unable to afford school fees, as well as selected capital projects that improve the school’s infrastructure and facilities.

The school has not had a dedicated fundraiser in post since before COVID. In recent years, fundraising has been absorbed within other teams, with activity focused more on maintaining relationships than generating significant new income. Legacy giving has remained strong and has helped sustain the Foundation, while events such as the annual Gala Ball have continued to attract support. However, there is substantial untapped potential across alumni, parents, donors and the wider school community.

At a time when independent schools are facing increased financial pressure, including the impact of VAT on tuition fees and rising delivery costs, the school has taken the strategic decision to invest in dedicated fundraising leadership.

The new Head of Development will work closely with the Executive Rector, Foundation Chair and Board of Trustees to develop and deliver a new fundraising strategy for the future.

The role will focus on:

• Growing philanthropic income across a range of streams
• Strengthening alumni and supporter engagement
• Increasing annual bursary funding from £150,000 to £500,000 over five years
• Delivering a first-year target of an additional £50,000

This is a standalone role, so the successful candidate will need to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. It will suit someone who is comfortable building relationships, shaping a clear plan, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering fundraising activity directly.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising strategy and income generation

• Grow fundraised income from alumni, individuals, trusts and foundations, corporates and other friends of the school
• Develop a multi-income fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Rector, Foundation Committee and Trustees
• Create segmentation, cultivation, stewardship and solicitation plans for existing and prospective supporters
• Ensure fundraising priorities remain aligned to the school’s wider strategic goals

Donor and stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, with a particular emphasis on the UK and Europe
• Engage alumni as ambassadors, volunteers and supporters of school priorities
• Work closely with groups connected to the school, including alumni committees and related networks
• Support senior staff, Board members and Foundation representatives in approaches to high-level donors
• Help identify, cultivate and steward major donor relationships

Events and development activity

• Lead collaboration with senior staff and volunteer leaders to plan and deliver cultivation and fundraising events
• Support events such as lunches, dinners, personal visits and other donor engagement opportunities in Dundee and elsewhere as required
• Develop and deliver an alumni volunteering and ambassador programme, including support for internships, guest speakers and mentors

Leadership and operational delivery

• Provide fundraising expertise and guidance to colleagues across the school where needed
• Manage the fundraising budget effectively and ensure activity is approved and delivered within budget
• Raise the profile and reputation of the Development function internally and externally
• Maintain awareness of fundraising best practice, regulatory requirements and sector developments
• Ensure all fundraising activity adheres to relevant professional codes and regulations
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as directed by the Executive Rector

Person Specification

Essential experience and knowledge

• Significant fundraising experience, including a track record of growing income
• Understanding of effective fundraising within the education sector or a comparable charitable setting
• Experience of working across complex organisations and managing multiple stakeholders
• Strong communication and engagement skills
• Financial management and budgeting experience
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience

Essential skills and competencies

• Ability to deliver against agreed income and engagement targets
• Strategic thinker with the ability to solve problems and turn plans into action
• Strong relationship-building, influencing and cross-organisational collaboration skills
• Confidence working with senior leaders, Trustees, volunteers and donors
• Ability to work calmly in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and manage ambiguity
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Strong alignment with the values of the school and its commitment to bursary support and widening opportunity

Desirable

• Experience in school, higher education or charity fundraising
• Personal experience of bursary support or a strong understanding of its impact

What the School is Looking For

The school is seeking someone who is both strategic and hands-on. This is a high-profile role at the centre of school life, so the successful candidate will need to bring warmth, credibility, excellent judgement and the ability to build trust quickly.

A genuine commitment to the mission of widening access to education is essential. The school is keen to appoint someone who understands that this work is rooted in opportunity, fairness and long-term impact.

High School of Dundee describes itself as anything but elitist. Many families make significant sacrifices to invest in their children’s education, and the successful candidate will need to feel comfortable and aligned within that environment.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: £55,000–£60,000, depending on experience
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Working pattern: Flexible
• Contract: Full-time, permanent
• Reporting to: Executive Rector
• Direct reports: None
• Location: Euclid Campus, Dundee / hybrid, with an expectation of around 2 days per week on site
• Annual leave: 37 days including public holidays
• Pension: Defined contribution scheme with employer contribution options of 8% or 13.55%, depending on employee contribution level
• Benefits platform: Pluxee
• Fee remission: 40%
• Additional benefit: Access to the school gym at Mayfield outside school hours

Safeguarding and Eligibility

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a check through the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. Any offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory PVG clearance.

Please note that this role is only open to candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK on a permanent basis.

How to Apply

Applications should be made by CV and covering letter, with neither document exceeding two pages.

This recruitment campaign is being managed by Abeer Macintyre Consultancy.

Early applications are encouraged, as candidates of interest will be invited to a short pre-screen interview as part of the shortlisting process.

Key dates

• Closing date: Midday, Sunday 3 May 2026
• First stage interviews: Wednesday 20 May 2026, at High School of Dundee
• Second stage interviews: Thursday 21 May 2026, via Teams

For further information, please contact Abeer via the email address above.

XLP is a vibrant youth work charity dedicated to shaping bright futures for young people. Leading the charge 
against poverty and educational failure in inner London, we offer holistic, long-term support to 11- to 25-yearolds in both schools and communities.

We are looking for an ambitious, hopeful and relationship-driven Head of Corporate Partnerships.

This role is pivotal to our growth plans and will generate significant and sustainable income by galvanizing and 
deepening corporate and statutory partner engagement and support.

Based in the heart of the City, you will combine commercial instinct with social purpose. You will 
build impactful partnerships that will enable and empower positive outcomes for young people whilst also 
contributing to improved social value for corporate and statutory partners. You will have senior-level 
experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility or business and partnership 
development.

The Head of Operations is a key senior leadership role at the heart of HTL Church.

As Head of Operations, you will take ownership of how the church runs day-to-day – ensuring that our people, systems, buildings, and processes operate smoothly, sustainably, and with excellence as we pursue our mission and vision.

You will be part of the Senior Leadership Team, line managed by the Vicar and working with the staff team to shape and support the operational life of the church, creating the environment in which our ministries, services, and communities can flourish and grow.

The role is both relational and organisational, requiring strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to develop and implement effective systems and processes. It is a broad and varied role, involving close collaboration with staff, volunteers, and external partners.

We’re looking for an experienced, proactive fundraiser who can think strategically and deliver hands-on. Someone confident writing bids, building partnerships and spotting opportunities for growth.

This is a key role at a pivotal moment for AudioActive, offering the chance to build on strong foundations and shape a diverse, sustainable income model and power a team that is dedicated to empowering young people through music.

What you’ll do

• Lead and deliver AudioActive’s fundraising and development strategy
• Grow income across trusts & foundations, tenders, contracts and partnerships
• Write high-quality bids, proposals and pitches
• Develop new business partnerships aligned with our mission
• Build strong relationships with funders, partners and supporters
• Work closely with the CEO and team to align income with programmes
• Track performance, manage targets and identify new opportunities

The Talent Set are delighted to be partnering with Our Future to recruit their new Head of Scaling (Maternity Cover)

Our Future is a growing organisation working to put communities in control of their town’s future. We support local people to shape a shared vision, drive change from the ground up, and unlock long-term funding while influencing national policy to better support community-led change.

Having started in Grimsby and expanded to Rochdale, we’re now building a national movement.

The Role
As Head of Scaling (maternity cover), you’ll lead delivery of our plans to scale impact, including the growth of the Our Future model nationally, supporting towns to adopt via diverse scaling delivery models, and the delivery of tools and products to support this work.

You’ll support the infrastructure, partnerships and programmes that help towns take control of their future. This is a hands-on leadership role that blends strategy and delivery. You’ll work alongside others to turn ambition into action and build something that lasts.

This role begins with a handover period working alongside the current Head of Scaling, with a focus on getting up to speed with Our Future's newly developed scaling strategy and preparing for its delivery. From May 2026, the organisation will be transitioning from strategy development into active delivery- and this will be the primary focus of the cover period. The incoming Head of Scaling will play a central role in driving that transition forward, turning plans into action across all areas of the scaling programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering Our Future’s scaling plans, including identifying new locations, developing pathways and offers for towns, and supporting pipeline activity
• Testing, iterating and piloting delivery models, including preparatory work for new approaches such as cohort delivery and capturing learning for replication
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with local authorities, national partners and funders
• Developing and sustaining a network of expert partners across civic participation, investment, community business and place?based change
• Lead the codification and scaling of Our Future’s model, ensuring tools, products and learning are embedded and shared effectively.
• Contribute to wider organisational priorities, supporting business development, collaborating with key internal stakeholders, and strengthening learning and impact across the organisation.

Experience & Skills
You will bring:

• A strong track record of delivering complex, multi?stakeholder programmes across multiple locations
• Experience turning strategies into practical tools, playbooks or learning models for diverse audiences
• Proven partnership?building experience across UK public, private and community sectors
• Strong communication skills across a range of audiences and channels
• A test?and?learn mindset, balanced with delivery focus

Knowledge & Understanding

• Understanding of social investment, grant funding or sustainable income models
• Experience in community development, civic engagement or place?based regeneration
• Familiarity with the UK policy and funding landscape
• A strong belief in the potential of people and places to drive change

Personal Qualities

• Proactive, delivery?focused and comfortable with complexity
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial energy
• Relational and grounded, with the ability to build trust and long term relationships on behalf of the organisation
• Strategic thinker who can also deliver operational detail
• Optimistic, pragmatic and adaptable
• Values?driven and aligned with Our Future’s joyful, generous and action?oriented culture

What We Offer
 

• We offer the ability to work compressed hours in a 4-day working week, with a focus on high quality delivery and outcomes not hours. We prioritise wellbeing and flexibility, but we’re also a small and agile team. When key moments or deadlines come around, we all pitch in and support each other
• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays
• 10% employer pension contribution (3% employee)
• Flexible, values-driven working culture

How to Apply 
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button.

Please Note: All speculative/ direct CVs sent will be forwarded to The Talent Set for review. 

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. 

Reports toDirector of External Relations

Hours37.5 hours per week 

Salary£56,959.05 - £63,886.54

ContractFixed Term Contract - 12 Months

LocationRemote (with occasional travel across UK) 

BenefitsA generous package including 25 days holiday per year plus public holidays, employee pension scheme with 4% employer contribution, Cycle2Work scheme, 365 days a year Employee Assistance Programme 

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone, for good.

We work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. We want what you would want for your best friend. We listen to survivors, putting their voices at the heart of our thinking. We look at the whole picture for each individual and family to get the right help at the right time to make families everywhere safe and well. And we challenge perpetrators to change, asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ rather than ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ This applies whatever the gender of the victim or perpetrator and whatever the nature of their relationship.

Last year alone, we delivered more than 700 sessions to over 15,000 learners across the UK in policing, health, housing, justice, education and the specialist sector. And we have reached 90,000 adult and 100,000 child survivors through programmes designed and delivered with partners.

In the last 9 years, close to 7,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change through flagship interventions developed by our Drive Partnership and the programme continues to expand year on year.

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

Description

You will provide strong and steady leadership for SafeLives’ communications, marketing and public affairs work over the next year, communicating our Whole Picture Strategy, finding what works and helping it happen to end domestic abuse for everyone for good.

You will shape and deliver strategic communications and influencing work to reach decision-makers, strengthen public trust, and support our mission to drive real change in the UK’s domestic abuse response.

You will be able bring to together robust data, the voice of survivors, and the view of practice experts to position SafeLives at the centre of the conversation with professionals, key policy and decision makers and influencers as a credible and trusted voice.

You’ll lead a cross-functional team of comms, marketing and public affairs colleagues to:

• Strengthen core messaging and consistency around our Whole Picture strategy and the WP Framework, to support delivery and impact
• maintain our communications and marketing and our brand
• provide oversight of our influencing through policy and public affairs, working with senior colleagues where escalation is required
• support income generation through targeted marketing, and support for fundraising
• ensure we are sharing evidence, data and research in support of our strategy

You will connect reactive work with long-term strategic priorities, ensuring our external engagement supports our strategic priorities, policy goals, and income generation ambitions. And you will lead high-quality responses to breaking news and emerging issues, providing clear strategic advice to the Senior Leadership Team and acting as a trusted lead on reputational risk.

You will ensure SafeLives is visible, authoritative and survivor-centred in public and policy conversations, with timely responses, briefings and support, ensuring our communications and influencing are clear, consistent and drive impact.

You will work with our training, practice, and fundraising teams to drive our business development and income generation, as well as helping us to understand all our audiences and better meet their needs.

And as part of the Operational Management Team (OMT), you’ll work closely with colleagues to ensure an inclusive and supportive organisational culture, role modelling our values.

Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Responsibilities

1. Leadership

·Provide calm, structured and values-led leadership across the Comms, Marketing and Public Affairs team.

·Ensure reliable systems, processes and workflows for communications, marketing and public affairs.

·Set expectations, priorities and working rhythms that bring stability and clarity to the team.

·Promote a supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture with clear communication channels.

2. Core Narrative, Messaging and Evidence Sharing

·Lead the development of SafeLives’ core messages, ensuring they are used consistently across all teams, and the development of our influencing asks.

·Translate SafeLives’ research, data and evidence into accessible, impactful content for external audiences, including practitioners, policy and decision makers.

·Ensure all outputs are survivor‑centred, values‑aligned and evidence‑led

·Develop our brand to reflect our approach to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion and in line with our values - human, rigorous, brave and inclusive.

·Oversee production of communications, marketing and policy materials that help to amplify our Whole Picture strategy and our related priorities.

3. Communications and Media Leadership

·Lead SafeLives’ overall communications strategy and activity.

·Oversee media relations, with strong focus on clear messaging and reputational resilience.

·Implement rapid-response and crisis‑comms protocols with clear escalation to Directors.

·Lead the development and management of our website, digital channels and content strategy.

·Ensure SafeLives is timely, authoritative and survivor‑centred in its external interventions.

4. Marketing and Audience Engagement

·Lead marketing strategy to support:

·Statutory and voluntary income generation

·Training uptake

·Consultancy and practice development

·Fundraising and supporter engagement

·Strengthen audience insight, segmentation and targeting.

·Oversee campaigns that bring SafeLives’ strategy and evidence to life and drive measurable action.

·Ensure that communication and marketing resources are used effectively to support business development.

5. Public Affairs and Policy

·Provide strategic alignment between SafeLives’ core messaging and evidence sharing and our influencing work

·Ensure public affairs activities and outputs (briefings, consultations, correspondence) are clear, accurate and consistent with SafeLives’ communications approach.

·Maintain awareness of political and policy developments relevant to SafeLives’ mission, advising Directors on risks and opportunities for influencing, working with colleagues across the organisation to develop policy.

·Senior level engagement will be led by Directors, as needed, with this role and the public affairs team leading stakeholder engagement and supporting preparation, messaging and follow‑up.

6. Planning, Governance and Performance

·Lead forward planning for all communications, marketing and public affairs activity.

·Set realistic, measurable KPIs that support the delivery of our comms and influencing strategy and our income generation.

·Embed continuous improvement processes and ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection.

·Oversee budgets for communications, marketing and public affairs, ensuring value for money and resource prioritisation.

7. Authentic Voice

·Ensure that the voices, experiences and priorities of survivors remain at the heart of all external communications.

·Support colleagues and Pioneers who use lived experience in SafeLives’ work in a trauma‑informed and respectful way.

Person Specification

Experience

·Strategic communications, including influencing, brand/profile raising, media relations and reputation management in complex, high profile environments (E)

·Media relations, including securing high quality coverage and rapid-response experience (E)

·Developing and delivering effective communications and marketing cmapaigns, including support for fundraising and income generation (E)

·Digital communications across owned, earned and paid media (E)

·Experience using data, research and evidence to inform communications, influencing and storytelling (E)

·Understanding of public affairs or policy environments within the social sector (D/E)

·Leadership and people development, ideally across multi-disciplinary teams (E)

·Influencing professional and policy audiences through clear, impactful communications, information and guidance (E)

·Working with people affected by domestic abuse to support storytelling and influence change (D)

Skills

·Confident in providing strategic communications advice aligned with organisational strategy and policy priorities (E)

·Exceptional written, oral and influencing skills, including excellent writing and editing ability (E)

·Strong political and media awareness

·Excellent judgement under pressure, making sound, values‑led decisions at pace (E)

·Ability to turn complex and fast‑moving information into clear messaging for different audiences, particularly professional and policy maker audiences (E)

·Strong issue and risk management in sensitive public contexts (E)

·Excellent digital and social media skills (E)

·Strong analytical skills to design and deliver campaigns (E)

·Numerate, with experience preparing and managing budgets (E)

·Strong planning, prioritisation and ability to meet multiple deadlines (E)

·Able to identify problems early and propose solutions (E)

·Commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (E)

·Commitment to ending domestic abuse (E)

Competencies

Leadership, organisational and strategic awareness 

·Inspires trust and confidence in others 

·Commitment to SafeLives’ values – Human, Rigorous, Inclusive and Brave - underpins all actions and decisions 

·Remains calm, decisive and collaborative in fast-moving situations, while maintaining message clarity, survivor focus and organisational credibility

·Demonstrates an understanding of how your own role contributes to achieving SafeLives’ goals 

·Is responsive to change which helps achieve goals

·Pursues tasks/goals with energy, drive and need for completion 

Teamwork & collaboration 

·Fosters an inclusive working environment so that others can contribute effectively 

·Supports colleagues in demanding situations, recognises the importance of well-being in self and others, accepts help and support from other team members 

·Listens to the views of others and shows flexibility in working with collective decisions 

People management and decision making 

·Ability to lead and manage effective teams and create an inventive, responsible and generous team culture 

·Strong focus on quality, performance and impact 

·Coaches staff to reach their full potential 

·Makes effective decisions on a timely basis 

·Judgement and problem solving is based on identifying outcomes and victim focus 

Communications and relationship management 

·Communicate with energy and direction 

·Ability to build strong and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders 

·Promote and contribute to cross team working 

·Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and in a timely manner, tailoring communication to suit the audience 

·Maintains confidentiality 

Delivering quality 

·Self-starter with the ability to use initiative and judgement to identify problems and propose solutions 

·Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines 

·Takes responsibility for own workload, acts on own initiative, seeks feedback from others, evaluates own performance and then acts upon it 

·Tries out new ideas and ways of working and identifies and shares learning 

Influence 

·Inspires confidence and trust– demonstrating high standards of integrity, honesty and fairness 

·Actively engages the knowledge, ideas and contributions of others 

·Uses appropriate techniques to influence others 

This is an exciting opportunity to work on the frontline of policy advocacy and development in child health. As Head of Policy and Research you'll be responsible for overseeing the development of our policy positions and all related outputs, as well as the research that underpins our campaigns and advocacy, across England, Scotland and abroad. You will be an integral thought partner to the Director of Strategy & Delivery and wider leadership team on the development of pioneering research concepts that will drive the child health agenda forward. You will be our internal technical expert on food policy, ensuring all of our work is evidence-based and impactful, as well as being our external representative, liaising with leading policy and research experts across academia, civil society, and government agencies. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research

• Work with the Director of Strategy & Delivery and Research Manager to plan research projects and support their delivery, ensuring they support policy calls and reflect young peoples’ experiences.

• Lead the translation of  Bite Back’s research into high quality outputs including reports, briefings and submissions.

• Work with campaigns, communications and content teams to turn research findings into high impact creative communications for a range of audiences.

• Serve as a primary spokesperson for our research including in media placements, speaking slots and government evidence sessions. 

Policy development

• Lead on the development of Bite Back’s policy positions in key and emerging areas, ensuring young peoples’ views and experiences are fed in at every stage.

• Lead the development of all policy outputs including submissions, consultation responses and briefings, ensuring they are evidence-based and reflect young peoples’ voices. 

• Lead the technical policy liaison with stakeholders and experts in the field to gather evidence and critically assess the Bite Back’s positions. 

Evidence

• Keep abreast of new evidence on key areas relating to nutrition, climate and health and consider the implications for Bite Back’s policy and relevant activity.

• Collaborate internally to provide knowledge and advice on policy and evidence issues with colleagues and the youth board.

• Review and sign off key outputs to ensure they reflect the latest evidence and data.

Stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with a range of external stakeholders to support Bite Back’s influencing agenda, including with senior government policymakers, academia, WHO and other charities in England, Scotland, and abroad.

• Represent Bite Back on a range of alliances, coalitions and partnerships.

• Deputise for the Director of Strategy & Delivery when needed.

Leadership

• Line management of Research Manager and Impact & Evaluation manager, with a dotted line to the Policy & Engagement Executive and Senior Programmes & Policy Manager for Scotland.

• Operate as a member of the extended leadership team, collaborating with other Heads and the Directors to ensure research and policy considerations are embedded seamlessly into campaigns, communications and programmes.

• Lead the policy and research strategy development for Bite Back in new geographies, providing visionary technical leadership in how we expand to new countries across the UK and abroad.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

We will be looking for applications that demonstrate experience in at least some of these areas, and evidence of capacity to build skills in others. Please don’t be put off applying for one of our jobs because you can’t demonstrate every skill. If you're passionate and excited about working for us, and possess the main skills and experience we are looking for, go ahead and apply. You could be just what we are looking for!

Required: 

• Significant experience  of managing food policy work, which has informed and influenced national and local food policy in England. 

• In depth knowledge of the breadth of the food, nutrition and obesity public health landscape and the key challenges faced in the policy environment.

• Deep technical expertise in food policy research, development, and communication - with a strong focus on commercial determinants of health.

• Strong analytical skills, including a good understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including creative implementation research techniques. and experience with commissioning external research.

• Ability to synthesise and utilise evidence to support policy development and influencing. 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate complex issues.

• Calmness under pressure, with ability to prioritise multiple projects to agreed objectives and deadlines. 

• Line management experience.

• A passion for our mission and a commitment to our values: Fresh, Resilient, Respectful, Energetic, Real.

Desired: 

• Strong policy and research networks in the UK across academic, civil society, and government agencies. A trusted technical voice.

• Post graduate experience in public health or nutrition and/or evidence of continuing professional development of relevant knowledge and skills in the field. 

• Experience in working with young people.

• Experience with designing creative, outside the box research with fresh ways of influencing food policy change.

• Understanding and some experiencing working on food policy across devolved nations (Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland), and within other global contexts.

Circa £70,000 per annum

Permanent

Part home/Part office (London) based

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as Head of the Portfolio Management Office (PMO).

In this pivotal leadership role, you will provide strategic direction, governance and oversight of UNICEF UK’s portfolio, ensuring our most important initiatives are prioritised, sequenced and delivered effectively. Sitting within the Strategy Directorate, the PMO acts as the organisation’s centre of excellence for portfolio management, strategic delivery, governance, assurance and financial oversight, working closely with Directors and senior leaders to enable informed decision making and successful delivery of our strategy.

We are looking for an experienced portfolio or PMO leader with a strong track record of operating at senior level in complex organisations, bringing confidence in governance, prioritisation, delivery oversight and change leadership. You will be an excellent relationship builder, comfortable influencing executive stakeholders, and able to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery discipline. Experience of leading teams, embedding standards, and improving confidence, visibility and accountability across a portfolio is essential.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 4 May 2026.

Interview dates: Week commencing 18 May 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams).

In return, we offer:

· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)