Programme and partnerships development director jobs
Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused organisation, supporting life-changing surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children and adults globally. Through its unique local model, Smile Train has supported more than 2 million surgeries and works with medical partners across 75+ countries to deliver sustainable, high-quality care.
The UK plays a vital role within this global organisation, contributing significant income, insight and strategic input. The programme is performing strongly, with income expected to reach c.£14–15m this year, underpinned by a successful individual giving and legacy programme.
Smile Train is now entering its next phase of growth in the UK, with a clear opportunity to build and strengthen high-value income, particularly across major donors and mid-value giving.
As Philanthropy Manager, you will support the development of this high-value programme, taking ownership of a growing portfolio of donors and prospects while playing a key role in shaping a programme that is still at a relatively early stage of maturity in the UK.
Reporting to the Director of UK Fundraising, you will manage a portfolio of c.120–150 donors and prospects, primarily across mid-level giving, with the opportunity to deepen relationships and grow supporters into higher-value philanthropy over time. You will take a hands-on, relationship-led approach to fundraising, building meaningful engagement and delivering long-term income growth.
This role offers genuine scope to help build and evolve Smile Train’s high-value fundraising approach in the UK. You will contribute to developing ways of working, testing engagement strategies and helping to shape the case for support, working closely with colleagues in the UK and globally.
As Philanthropy Manager, you will:
- Manage and develop a portfolio of c.120–150 donors and prospects, primarily at mid-value level, with potential to grow into major giving
- Build strong, long-term relationships with supporters through tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
- Identify and engage new prospects, developing a sustainable pipeline of future high-value donors
- Develop and deliver individual engagement plans to retain and upgrade donors over time
- Prepare high-quality proposals, reports and communications to support donor engagement
- Support the development of Smile Train’s high-value case for support and fundraising approach in the UK
- Work closely with the Director of UK Fundraising and global colleagues to align activity and maximise opportunities
- Contribute to events, donor visits and wider engagement activity
- Maintain accurate records and support effective pipeline and performance management
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience of relationship fundraising, with exposure to major donors, mid-value giving and/or trusts & foundations
- A track record of building and developing donor relationships, with the ability to grow income over time
- Confidence in managing a portfolio and delivering personalised donor engagement
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals
- A proactive, organised and hands-on approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
Desirable:
- Experience of working within a developing or growing high-value fundraising programme
- Exposure to international development, global health or a similarly mission-led environment
- Experience working within a global or matrix organisation
Employee benefits
Benefits include:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Up to 7 days paid sick leave per year
- Interest free Travel to Work loan
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Operations and Development Manager is a senior leadership role at AALT, responsible for ensuring the organisation’s operational effectiveness, financial stability, and long-term sustainability.
They will join at a pivotal and exciting moment for the organisation, as AALT prepares to open the Anti-Apartheid Legacy Centre (AALC) at Penton Street and transition into a newly restored and developed building, establishing operations and embedding a resilient and ambitious model for the future.
Working in close collaboration with the Director, the postholder will have strategic oversight of finance, HR, governance, fundraising, and day-to-day operations, while also taking direct responsibility for delivering key operational, financial, and income-generating activity.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and active delivery. The postholder will lead on financial and operational management, co-develop and drive fundraising activity, and ensure that the organisation’s systems, processes, and resources are robust, effective, and fit for purpose.
The role will also take responsibility for venue management during the early stages of the AALC opening, before transitioning to line management of dedicated venue staff as the organisation grows.
We preserve and engage audiences with anti-apartheid heritage to inspire action and solidarity. Opening Europe’s first museum in 2026 at Penton Street
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Working closely with the Director of Development, this individual will be responsible for raising funds and managing relationships with prospects and donors, organising fundraising campaigns and delivering events.
You will support the Director of Development to raise philanthropic funds through major gift and regular giving fundraising to support key development projects for the College. About Us Clifton College is a leading independent day and boarding school educating over 1,200 pupils aged 3 to 18.
Founded in 1862, the College provides an all-round education, a rich heritage with modern state-of-the-art facilities. Located in the beautiful suburb of Clifton, we lead the way as one of the best independent schools in the country.
What you’ll be doing:
Donor Relations and Stewardship
● Work closely with the Director of Development to deliver the fundraising strategy, with a focus on securing major gifts, regular giving, and corporate sponsorships.
● Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with prospective and existing donors.
● Identify new prospects and funding opportunities.
● Meet with donors and prospects with the Director and alone to develop the pipeline of future support.
● Ensure timely and personalised communication with donors to acknowledge gifts, provide updates on impact, and cultivate long-term relationships.
● Write compelling proposals and impact reports.
● Work with the Head of Alumni to develop engagement strategies for legacy giving to the 1862 Club.
Work with marketing to create promotional materials and build our portfolio of testimonials.
Event Management
● Create engagement events for potential donors.
● Work with the alumni team to plan stewardship events for supporters.
● Support the development of parent engagement events.
● Support the Head of Alumni with the career mentoring programme. Administration
● Manage gift processing using Raiser’s Edge, including receipting and thanking supporters, and managing pledge payment reminders. ● Create tailored communication and engagement plans for prospects and donors.
● Provide regular updates on fundraising progress and donor reports for the Director of Development.
● Develop and manage fundraising budgets, ensuring all fundraising activities are cost-effective and within financial targets.
About You
The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, highly organised, and have fundraising experience within the education or charity sector.
Required Qualifications & experience
● Proven experience in fundraising, development, or a related field, ideally within an educational or non-profit organisation.
● Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, including major gifts, regular giving, legacy giving, grant writing, and event management.
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including current and former parents, alumni, pupils, staff, Governors and donors.
● Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlineseffectively.
● A passion for education and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing independent schools.
● A team player who positively contributes to a collaborative and ambitious team culture. Adaptable and flexible to change as required.
● Experience with managing budgets and using fundraising CRM systems (preferably Raiser’s Edge).
● A proactive, results-driven attitude and a desire to make a tangible impact in a school environment.
● Proven experience of planning and implementing successful major donor fundraising programmes
● Proven experience of securing high-value major gifts
● An understanding of trends and developments across the sector and demonstrable knowledge of best practice in major donors, trusts and foundations fundraising
● A degree or equivalent.
Desirable Skills
● Experience in organising and leading fundraising events.
● Knowledge of UK charitable giving regulations
● Experience in working with high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors.
● Previous experience in alumni relations or school development.
What’s in it for you £38,000- £42,000 salary
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays • BUPA Employee Assistance Programme •BUPA Confidential counselling and advice • Career development and training • Cycle to work scheme • Discounted onsite gym and pool membership • Subsidised lunch • Enhanced Pension scheme • Life Assurance • Menopause clinic • Onsite Flu vaccine clinics • Pop up bike servicing • Refer a friend scheme • Subsided Holiday Club employee benefit which is available for children from Reception Year up to Year 8 • Wellbeing benefits
Clifton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. That’s why we apply robust selection principles to our recruitment, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
Although not all the roles at Clifton College are pupil-facing, we treat all roles as regulated activity. This means we can be safe in the knowledge that we have applied the most stringent recruitment checks to safeguard our pupils. Due to the nature of the role, you will need to complete an enhanced criminal record disclosure (DBS check) and undergo our pre-employment screening. As a regulated sector we are required to ask for references prior to interview. By applying for this role, you are consenting for us to contact your referees. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore you will be asked to disclose all previous convictions not exempt under amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975,2013 and 2020. If you join us, we’ll expect you to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Safeguarding legislation, and our safeguarding policies and procedures. We’ll also ask you to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Equality and Diversity legislation and associated policies, as well as Health & Safety legislation. But don’t worry because we’ll provide training to do this! Equal Opportunities Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of ethnicity, gender, age or disability. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. Clifton College is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. How to apply Please note that we can only accept applications via our vacancy website application form (which will also allow you to attach your CV or any other supporting information). Clifton College and the Clifton College Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, all staff and volunteers are required to share this commitment. Due to the nature of the role, you will need to complete an enhanced criminal record disclosure (DBS check) and undergo our pre-employment screening. As a regulated sector we are required to ask for references prior to interview. By applying for this role, you are consenting for us to contact your referees.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore you will be asked to disclose all previous convictions not exempt under amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Amref Health Africa is the largest Africa-based international health development organisation. We work to bring about lasting health change in Africa.
Our UK office is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Data & Insights Officer to lead on the day-to-day maintenance and utilisation of our data management platform, Microsoft Dynamics 365, with a particular focus on the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) module. This role is pivotal to supporting a culture of data-driven decision-making across Amref UK, ensuring the integrity and strategic use of our data to enable strategic growth in supporter engagement, retention and income generation.
The Senior Data & Insights Officer will be a key point of contact for colleagues across the organisation, playing an instrumental role in supporting how we gather, manage and utilise data at Amref UK. They will be critical in providing expertise and establishing new ways of working across key Amref UK teams, including Supporter Engagement, Programmes & Strategic Partnerships, Finance, Operations and Senior Management. The postholder will be the organisational expert in Microsoft Dynamics working with senior leaders, Amref HQ ICT, Amref’s global Fundraising Development team (F&D) and third-party vendors to develop, implement and integrate processes and reporting tools that aid analysis and insight. They will work with HQ ICT to deliver improved functionality and system upgrades while maintaining data integrity and compliance requirements. Experience in relational database design and familiarity with marketing tools such as Google Analytics would also be an advantage.
To be successful in this role, the post holder will need to be a team player who brings a combination of technical expertise, communication skills and business change experience.
To apply, please read the job description and submit a CV and cover letter (maximum of 2 pages each) demonstrating your interest in and suitability for the role. Applications must be submitted by 5pm BST on Monday 18th May 2026. Virtual first round interviews will take place the week commencing 25th May 2026. In-person second round interviews will take place in London on Tuesday 2nd June 2026.
Unfortunately, Amref UK is not able to support UK work permit sponsorship for this role, so all candidates must already hold UK Right to Work status.
Amref Health Africa is the largest Africa-based international health development organisation. We work to bring about lasting health change in Africa.
The National Youth Orchestra is the UK’s leading organisation championing orchestral music as a powerful agent for teenage development.
We are a welcoming community where every teenager can play their part in shaping their world through extraordinary music. Every year we welcome over 10,000 teenagers of all backgrounds and different levels of musical ability into a national community to play and share orchestral music.
We are looking for a Head of NYO Schools to lead the development of NYO’s overall programme offer for schools, with an initial focus on Catalyst, our flagship new schools programme. This is a key strategic role within NYO’s Engagement team and will play a major part in shaping a scalable model that supports schools to create vibrant musical communities for teenagers. You will lead the design and delivery of activity including school residencies, teacher CPD, creative resources, alumni training and celebratory events, while helping shape the future direction of NYO’s wider schools offer.
This role will suit someone who combines strong programme development and leadership experience with excellent relationship-building skills, a thorough understanding of the mainstream secondary education sector, and a commitment to inclusion, youth-centred practice and safeguarding. You will be motivated by creating meaningful opportunities for young people, teachers and early career alumni through music, and able to translate strategic vision into high-quality delivery.
At the National Youth Orchestra, you'll work as part of a supportive, friendly and adventurous staff team. Learning and personal growth are intrinsic to every role. Our offices near Holborn in central London are a hive of activity, a space for collaboration and ideas. Hybrid working is standard for most roles, with a flexible and supportive culture. NYO offers a season ticket loan scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, health cash plan, retail and entertainment discounts, and a 24/7 counselling and support helpline.
Deadline for applications: Monday 11 May 2026 at 10am.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Head of Income Generation and Partnerships
Location: Hybrid working remotely and in office (Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG)
Term: Fixed Term (18 months, with potential to extend)
Hours: Full-time (Monday-Friday, 35 hours per week) – see website for flexible working options that you might request.
Salary/Rate: JFC4 £56,870
Reports to: Chief Executive
Closing date: Friday 10 May
Interview date: Friday 22 May
About us
We are Young Scot, Scotland’s national youth information and citizenship agency. We’re a constant in the lives of young people, woven into the very fabric of growing up in Scotland. We’ve been delivering direct services for over 40 years to ensure that all young people in Scotland are connected to information, opportunities and experiences that support them to live happy and fulfilling lives.
Young Scot is a nationally trusted brand with deep reach, strong partnerships and unique assets - including data, insight, participation expertise and access to young people across Scotland. More than 880,000 young people have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card, with more than 160,000 of them signed up as Young Scot members. Last year our young.scot site had almost 1.7million visits, and well over 1000 locations across Scotland offer Young Scot perks and discounts.
The role
Young Scot is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial and delivery-focused leader to help shape and drive a step-change in how we generate income and build partnerships.
This is a pivotal role at a defining moment for the organisation with the recent appointment of a new CEO, as well launching a new organisational strategic vision. As we evolve our operating model and ambitions, you will lead the development of a more diverse, sustainable and innovative income portfolio - ensuring we can continue to deliver meaningful impact for young people aged 11–26 across Scotland.
Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team (SLT), you will design and implement a new income generation strategy, unlocking opportunities across corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, public sector funding and earned income streams. You will take an “intrapreneurial” approach - building new propositions, testing ideas and embedding a culture where income generation is seen as a shared organisational priority.
This role offers significant autonomy, creativity and influence. You will be equally comfortable setting strategic direction and personally leading high-value relationships, as you are enabling written bids and researching new partnerships.
Why this role matters
This role will:
-
Strengthen our financial resilience and long-term sustainability
-
Unlock new forms of value and social income generation
-
Expand our influence across sectors and policy areas
-
Enable us to reach and support more young people
Key responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership & Income Strategy
-
Develop and deliver a clear, ambitious income generation and partnerships strategy aligned to organisational priorities, with metrics and deliverables set.
-
Build a diversified income model across multiple streams (corporate, trusts & foundations, public sector, earned income, philanthropy).
-
Identify emerging fundraising trends, new tools, opportunities and risks across Scotland, the UK and internationally.
-
Advise the CEO and SLT on financial sustainability, growth opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
What success looks like:
-
A comprehensive and inspiring strategy with clear targets, focus areas and pipeline
-
Income growth across multiple streams, reducing reliance on single sources.
-
Income generation and monetisation embedded as a core organisational enabler.
2. Partnerships & Business Development
-
Develop and secure high-value partnerships across corporate and other sectors.
-
Design compelling support propositions, aligning commercial value with social impact.
-
Build and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities, by understanding the support areas or ‘entry points’ where partners can add value to Young Scot.
-
Lead development of innovative income streams, including:
-
Ethical monetisation of Young Scot assets (data, reach, insights, services)
-
Sponsorships and strategic collaborations
-
New products or services for partners
What success looks like:
-
A growing portfolio of strategically aligned, high-value partnerships.
-
Strong conversion rate from pipeline to secured income.
-
Innovative offers that enhance both impact and income.
3. Trusts, Foundations & Fundraising
-
Lead and grow income from trusts, foundations and statutory sources.
-
With programme leads, develop compelling, outcome-driven cases for support.
-
Secure multi-year funding aligned to Young Scot strategic priorities.
-
Oversee high-quality reporting and stewardship.
What success looks like:
-
A strong, forward-looking funding pipeline.
-
Increased success rate and value of bids,
-
Long-term funder relationships with clear impact reporting.
4. Relationship Management & External Representation
-
Build and steward senior-level relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders.
-
With the CEO, SLT and young people, act as a visible ambassador for Young Scot.
-
Leverage networks to open new opportunities and raise organisational profile.
What success looks like:
-
Partners feel valued, engaged and connected to impact.
-
Strong external reputation as a trusted and innovative partner.
5. Delivery, Systems & Performance
-
Enhance and/or create systems, processes and tools (e.g. CRM) to support income generation.
-
Set and track income targets, KPIs and performance metrics.
-
Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation and best practice.
-
Work with finance colleagues on forecasting, reporting and income tracking.
What success looks like:
-
Clear, accurate income forecasting and reporting.
-
Efficient systems supporting scalable growth.
-
Strong governance and compliance.
6. Leadership & Culture
-
Lead income generation across the organisation - even as a sole or small function.
-
Build a culture of proactivity, growth-mindset and collaboration.
-
Support colleagues to identify and contribute to income opportunities.
-
Contribute to wider organisational leadership and strategy.
-
Attend a range of internal meetings as requested, support with delivery of key Young Scot events and sessions as required, and other areas as advised by the CEO.
What success looks like:
-
A culture where income generation is shared and understood.
-
Teams feel confident contributing to partnerships and opportunities.
-
Clear alignment between income, impact and strategy
Person Specification
Essential Experience
-
Significant sustained experience leading income generation, fundraising, or business development at a senior level
-
Proven track record of securing income across multiple streams (e.g. trusts & foundations, corporate, public sector, earned income)
-
Demonstrable success in building high-value partnerships that deliver both income and impact
-
Experience developing and delivering income strategies and pipelines
-
Experience personally leading bids, pitches, and negotiations.
Essential Knowledge & Skills
-
Strong understanding of the funding and partnership landscape in Scotland and beyond
-
Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills at a senior level
-
Ability to translate organisational strengths into compelling propositions and cases for support
-
Commercial awareness and ability to identify mutual value opportunities
-
Strong written communication skills, particularly funding applications and proposals
-
Financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting and income tracking
-
Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on.
Leadership & Capability
-
Ability to work autonomously and build a function from the ground up
-
Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on innovation and growth
-
Strong influencing skills, internally and externally
-
High levels of resilience, initiative and accountability
-
Collaborative approach, with the ability to work across teams and sectors.
Personal Attributes
-
Proactive, opportunity-focused and solutions-driven
-
Creative and open to testing new ideas and approaches
-
Motivated by social impact and improving outcomes for young people
-
Adaptable and comfortable operating in a changing environment
-
A clear understanding and belief in the core values of Young Scot.
Desirable
-
Existing network of relevant contacts across sectors
-
Experience in youth sector, public sector or policy-related environments
-
Experience with digital, data-driven or innovative income generation approaches
About the team
The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships.
The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.
Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
Why work with us?
Working at Impetus means joining an organisation that is serious about impact and serious about people. Our values actively guide how we make decisions, how we work together and how we deliver change.
In the Philanthropy & Partnerships Team, you will:
- Be part of a high-performing and respected fundraising team
- Build meaningful, long-term relationships with thoughtful, impact-driven donors
- Develop your skills across the full fundraising cycle, supported by strong leadership
- Work on some of the charity sector’s most exciting and long-term partnerships
- See a clear connection between your work and improved outcomes for young people
If you are motivated by purpose, enjoy working to a high standard, and want to be part of a team that is ambitious about both impact and excellence, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Harbi Jama,
Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships
About this role
This role is a 12‑month maternity cover, supporting an important phase of delivery and development within the Philanthropy team. The postholder will work closely with colleagues to maintain momentum in new business activity while contributing to strategic account management and stewardship.
The Head of Development is a senior role within the Philanthropy Team, with a primary focus on new business development. This includes identifying, cultivating and securing new funding relationships across trusts, foundations, corporates, co‑investment partners and high‑net‑worth individuals.
Alongside new business delivery, the role also provides strategic account management for a small portfolio of high-value partners, ensuring smooth transitions from acquisition into long term stewardship.
This role works alongside the Head of Philanthropy, with both roles contributing to the success of the Philanthropy Team. The Head of Philanthropy leads on deep stewardship and retention, while the Head of Development focusses on new income generation and building relationships with new funders and partners.
The postholder will work closely with the Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Philanthropy Directors as well as Senior Research and Insights Manager, contributing specialist expertise, strong delivery and sound judgement, while operating within agreed strategy and governance frameworks.
Key responsibilities:
New business development
- Support the Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships and Development Director on the development and delivery of the new business plan in line with the fundraising strategy
- Works with the Senior Research and Insights Manager to identify emerging funding trends, opportunities, market opportunities and best practice
- In collaboration with the Development Director and Growth and Insights Director, lead the delivery of agreed cultivation strategies for priority prospects, proactively progressing relationships from qualification through to solicitation and conversion, leveraging senior stakeholders, board members, donor advocates and wider networks
- Develop and deliver compelling cultivation strategies and tailored pitch plans for priority prospects, including designing and building new donor acquisition vehicles (e.g. committees, cultivation events and targeted communications), working collaboratively with colleagues across Impetus
- Lead and support high-level meetings, pitches and negotiations with prospective donors, positioning Impetus as a credible and strategic partner
- Work with trustees, senior leaders and pro bono supporters to leverage networks and secure introductions to new prospects
- Ensure high-quality written and verbal communications with prospective donors
Account management and stewardship
- Build and maintain professional, long-term relationships within the portfolio, escalating strategic issues or risks promptly.
- Manage a targeted portfolio of high-value donors of six figures and supports on seven figure partnerships, ensuring excellent stewardship, timelyreporting and meaningful engagement
- Act as a relationship lead for selected donors, building trust and ensuring a smooth transition from new business to long-term stewardship
- Own and deliver tailored account plans for assigned donors, with a focus on renewal, upgrade and long-term relationship value
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality donor communications for assigned donors, including reports, impact updates, and engagement opportunities
- Ensure robust portfolio management, including accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and use of CRM systems
- Identify opportunities to deepen relationships through increased giving, multi-year commitments or broader engagement with Impetus’ work
- Works closely with Development Director on supporting Funds i.e. Connect, Skills, Attainment or Engage as needed
- Supports or leads on committees such as Futures or Real estate
- Represent Impetus externally with professionalism and credibility
Cross-team working and organisation contribution
- Build and maintain professional, long-term relationships within the portfolio, escalating strategic issues or risks promptly.
- Ensure consistent standards and best practice across account management and donor stewardship
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Philanthropy to ensure seamless handover from acquisition to stewardship and a coherent donor experience.
- Contribute insight from prospecting and market scanning to inform proposition development and strategic planning
- Ensure all activity aligns with Impetus’ gift acceptance, due diligence and ethical fundraising policies
- Champion best practice in prospecting, pipeline management and new business development across the team
- Build a collaborative, inclusive, high quality team culture aligned with Impetus’ values
Person specification
Essential:
- A strong track record of raising six-figure+ philanthropic income from grant-making trusts and foundations, corporate foundations and/or individual donors, including experience with high-net-worth individuals
- Proven ability to lead and deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, stewardship and renewal
- Demonstrated strategic thinking, planning and delivery skills, with the ability to generate ideas, translate them into practical account plans, and execute them effectively
- Excellent research, prospecting and qualification skills, with the judgement to prioritise high-value opportunities
- A proactive, creative and innovative approach to fundraising, with the ability to adapt and develop creative donor centred approaches
- Experience operating with senior stakeholders, including trustees, board members and other high-level external partners
- Outstanding relationship management skills, with the ability to establish, manage and deepen trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Highly collaborative, contributing positively to team objectives and cross-organisational priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate impact and value clearly and persuasively
- Strong financial and portfolio management skills, including the ability to plan, forecast and deliver against income targets and budgets
- Ability to work well under pressure, managing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
- A clear commitment to Impetus’ mission and values
- A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable
- Experience managing and stewarding multi-year, five- to seven-figure partnerships.
- Experience line managing and developing fundraisers or relationship managers.
- Experience working within a charity, foundation, venture philanthropy or intermediary organisation.
- Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce), income forecasting and portfolio reporting.
- Experience supporting or contributing to new business development strategies at a senior level.
About Impetus
At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
- Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
- Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
- The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment
We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.
Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
Our Values
In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are brave and curious
We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.
We bring high trust, high challenge
We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.
We are evidence led and results driven for young people
We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.
We thrive through diversity
We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.
We always seek collaboration
We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our employee benefits
Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 17th May 2026, 11:59pm.
Interviews:
1st Interviews will take place on w/c 25th May 2026.
2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 1st June 2026.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Personal Data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.

Fauna & Flora is seeking a highly experienced conservation professional to fulfil the role of Country Director, South Sudan, assuming responsibility for the development, management and implementation of F&F’s growing South Sudan programme.
The successful candidate will have experience in providing technical input into the design, development, implementation and evaluation of biodiversity and conservation projects within conflict affected countries in Africa. They will also demonstrate a strong proven track record in operational, project, grant and financial management at a similar level and be skilled in providing strategic advice.
Strong leadership and people management skills are essential to the role to build and lead a professional team that delivers effectively against project aims, objectives and timelines. The role also requires a skilled and credible communicator, who is confident in developing and managing relationships at senior level with partner organisations and relevant stakeholders, including donors, funders and government.
Please visit our website and download the job application pack for further details on how to apply.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 20 April 2026. Interviews are likely to take place the week commencing Monday, 25 May 2026.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Purpose
The Head of Philanthropy is accountable for delivering significant philanthropic income for Justice & Care, including through personally secured major gifts, alongside building and leading a high-performing philanthropy function.
The postholder will design and execute the philanthropy strategy, hold and actively manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, and personally secure five- and sixfigure gifts through direct relationship management and solicitation.
This is a hands-on income-generating role: the Head of Philanthropy will lead from the front on donor cultivation, stewardship and asking, while also setting direction, prioritising effort and building capability within the team to maximise long-term philanthropic income.
They will work closely with the Global Director of Fundraising on key relationships and strategic opportunities, supporting the growth of philanthropy across the UK and expansion into the US and emerging markets.
This role combines senior-level leadership with significant personal income delivery; candidates should expect to spend a substantial proportion of their time directly engaging donors and securing major gifts.
Global Scope
This role will support the growth of philanthropy across multiple markets, including strengthening the UK portfolio and developing opportunities in the US and emerging markets (e.g. Middle East), working closely with senior stakeholders to shape and deliver market-specific approaches.
Main Responsibilities
Your key responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. Strategic Leadership and Income Delivery
- Lead the development and delivery of the philanthropy strategy, with a clear focuson generating major donor income in the UK and driving growth in the US and emerging markets
- Be accountable for achieving philanthropy income targets, including through personally secured major gifts, working closely with the Global Director of Fundraising
- Translate organisational priorities into fundable propositions and compelling donor opportunities
- Actively shape and drive the philanthropy pipeline, making clear, evidence-based decisions about where time and effort are invested
- Work with the CEO, Board and senior leaders to prepare and support major donor asks, including co-solicitation where appropriate
2. Major Gifts and New Business
- Personally manage and grow a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, typically at £25k-£250k+ level
- Lead all stages of the donor journey: identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
- Personally secure new major gifts through one-to-one relationship building, tailored proposals and direct asks
- Develop and maintain a live pipeline of prospective donors with clearly defined next steps
- Take primary responsibility for preparing and delivering high-value asks, working closely with the CEO, Board members and Global Director of Fundraising
- Convert access to senior networks into tangible income outcomes
3. Team Leadership and Development
- Line manage and develop the Philanthropy Specialist and future members of the team
- Build capability within the team to support pipeline growth, donor stewardship and future expansion of the philanthropy function
- Establish strong ways of working, including prioritisation, pipeline management and CRM discipline
- Set clear objectives and KPIs for the team
4. Events and Strategic Engagement
- Design and lead a programme of philanthropic events with clear income andpipeline objectives
- Personally leverage high-value donor events to progress relationships towards major gifts
- Use international engagement and trips selectively where they support donor cultivation and solicitation
- Represent Justice & Care in philanthropic networks to generate new donor relationships
5. Pipeline, CRM and Reporting
- Own and maintain a live, decision-ready major donor pipeline
- Ensure robust pipeline management and accurate forecasting
- Maintain high-quality CRM data and reporting (Salesforce)
- Provide strategic insight on income performance, risks and opportunities
6. Other ad hoc duties
- Collaborate across the organisation to support delivery of shared objectives
- Contribute to cross-functional projects and organisational initiatives
- Undertake other tasks as required to support Development Team and organisational priorities
Joining Forces to end Modern Slavery
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are seeking an exceptional leader to be our next chief executive, leading a respected and influential membership organisation at the heart of a thriving grassroots movement.
You’ll be working to build on the success we’ve seen and strong position and voice we have established for ourselves and our members, as a leading force for inclusive and sustainable transport and communities.
You’ll bring an impressive track record in values-based leadership, a proven ability to engage and inspire grassroots change-makers, strategic partners and policy-makers, and a deep belief in the importance of community-led change towards a sustainable, equitable future.
About us
Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation, which is in the process of applying for charitable status, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.
Community rail is made up of 77 community-based organisations, and around 1,300 station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.
Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in dispersed locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.
About this role, and your main responsibilities
Our current CEO is moving on after nine years in role, leaving the organisation, team and wider movement in a strong and empowered position to deliver on the next phase of our development.
Your opportunity is to lead the organisation, and to deliver on our new five-year strategy setting an ambitious course for the future during a period of major transformation for our railways and the wider transport system. You will ensure that we are:
- clear in our identity and our independence, and seen as thought leaders in our field;
- are supporting our members and stakeholders to meet their changing and diverse needs; and
- ensuring the financial and operational resilience of the organisation in an environment that is undergoing a period of rapid change.
As CEO, you will lead a passionate and experienced senior leadership team with three direct reports, while working closely with and reporting into our Board, key partners and funders, and ensuing an engaging, empowering, tenacious approach across all we do.
Advocacy of community rail and its benefits will be high on your agenda, and you will be working closely across multiple stakeholders including UK and devolved national governments, regional and local authorities as well as forging collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations.
Maintaining our community-centric ethos, you will need to ensure we're effective in enabling members to unlock greater value from the railways at a grassroots level, while drawing on their insights to affect wider change. With hundreds of member groups and organisations across Britain delivering life-changing, place-enhancing work, you will have a solid foundation to build on, to take community rail forward and expand our impact in the years ahead.
Last, but not least, you will be responsible for ensuring the strong and effective governance of the organisation, modelling our governing principles, values and behaviours, and ensuring that we have robust financial and resource management in place.
Skills, competencies and qualities
- Exceptional leadership skills, including a proven ability to lead, develop and grow third sector organisations or multi-faceted teams delivering complex activities, projects and campaigns;
- Excellent communication and external leadership skills: articulate, assertive, with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
- Experienced in acting as the public face of an organisation, such as through the media, public speaking and high-level meetings, and using evidence and storytelling to articulate and champion a cause;
- Politically astute, with knowledge of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a sound grasp of the importance of public transport, sustainable travel, and community-led action;
- A proven ability to influence policy and decision-makers, and to identify influencing opportunities, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, including sharing community insights;
- A strong track record in income generation and development, building strong funder relationships and delivery partnerships, managing programme or organisational budgets and controlling expenditure;
- Experience of working with and/or reporting to a board, ideally in a not-for-profit and/or membership context;
- An empowering, engaging approach to leadership, management and change-making;
- Resilient, pragmatic and determined, with the ability to work under pressure, seize emergent opportunities, manage risk, and support others dealing with competing priorities.
Other information
The role will involve extensive travel within Britain as part of building your profile and that of the organisation with central and devolved government in Scotland and Wales, and increasingly with the devolved regions of England.
There is flexibility on location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or West Yorkshire) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London. It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably.
This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 7%; and access to Employee Assistance Programme.
Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.
Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.
Applications by Tuesday 12 May 2026 (23:30) with two attachments: your CV and a covering letter of up to two sides of A4 summarising why you are the ideal person for this job and relevant experience and competencies. Please include a daytime phone number and an email address and identify your notice period in your cover letter.
First interviews take place 21-22 May 2026 online. Second interviews will be in person, Monday 1 June 2026, in London. Candidates invited for interview will be contacted by phone about a week before. Due to limited resources, we are unable to provide feedback to other candidates.
**Please be aware we use AI monitoring filters to detect any AI generated content**
Championing the community rail movement | Connecting people and their railways | Creating inclusive, empowered, sustainable and healthy communities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?
We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time National Director of Operations to lead our delivery across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and emerging community settings, with an ambition to reach Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in scaling our impact and strengthening our presence across the criminal justice system and beyond.
As National Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our learning programmes in prisons and community settings. You will ensure high‑quality, consistent and accessible delivery, overseeing a team of six Regional Managers and a wider workforce of around 65 staff, volunteers and over 2,000 peer mentors trained each year.
Working closely with senior colleagues, partner organisations and national bodies such as HMPPS, you will drive programme excellence, innovation and partnership working. You will also play a key role in new business development, operational strategy, contractual delivery and ensuring we can reliably demonstrate the impact of our work.
The role requires an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage. You will bring:
- Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑site environment.
- A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and leading distributed teams.
- Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
- Experience working with statutory bodies or large public-sector partners (e.g. HMPPS).
- Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
- Understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding, or alternative education environments (desirable).
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Shannon Trust’s values.
We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.
This is a home-based role but will require travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.
Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. This role does require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
Interviews, which will be held online, are planned for the w/c 18th May.
All applications must include a CV and covering letter of no more than 2 pages which outlines your suitability for the role and how you meet the person specification.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Carers First is a charity that works directly with, and for unpaid carers, providing personalised information, advice and tailored support making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.
We have a committed, dedicated staff team and you could be just the person we are looking for to join us to make that valuable difference in carer’s lives.
We live and work through our values in all that we achieve by being positive, collaborative and ambitious and we have clear plans to scale our reach, support and impact for carers.
About this role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Development Manager to join our team. Reporting directly to the Director of Income and Engagement, you will play a key role in securing and sustaining income to enable Carers First to grow its support and impact for carers. Your responsibilities would include: -
• Identifying, assessing and managing commissioned contract and funding opportunities aligned to Carers First’s strategic aims, maintaining a clear and intelligence‑led pipeline.
• Leading the development of compelling, high‑quality and cost‑effective bids and proposals for carers services and support (including re-securing existing contracts). Working with services, co-ordinating bid plans and bid teams to ensure a consistent, unified approach.
• Supporting the mobilisation of new contracts and services.
• Supporting delivery of the Income Generation Strategy, including leading on larger Trust, Foundation and grant applications where appropriate.
• Building effective relationships with commissioners, funders and partners to support business development and market engagement.
• Using quality, insight, outcomes data and carers’ feedback to strengthen bids, inform service improvement and support the development of innovative service models that improve outcomes for carers.
About you
To be successful in this role you will bring a strong mix of business development expertise, Local Authority commissioned contract success, sector knowledge and collaborative working, alongside a commitment to improving outcomes for carers, with;
• A strong track record of securing new Local Authority commissioned contracts and re securing existing contracts, with experience of commissioning and procurement processes in health, social care or the voluntary sector.
• Proven experience of leading bid development activity and bid teams, producing high quality, persuasive proposals within tight deadlines.
• Experience of senior stakeholder engagement and relationship management with commissioners, funders and partner organisations.
• A good understanding of health and care systems, including Local Authority and Integrated Care System priorities and pressures.
• Experience of service design and service improvement, working collaboratively with multi disciplinary teams and people with lived experience.
• Excellent organisational, programme and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse insight and impact data and translate this into learning, improvement and compelling cases for support.
• A collaborative, inclusive and supportive approach, with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and strong alignment with the values and mission of Carers First.
We are looking for passionate people who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Charity. Carers First is committed to providing a supportive, vibrant, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Carers First Can Offer You
In return for your contribution, we have an amazing package of staff benefits including 26 days annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service, flexible working options, paid carers leave, access to our work-place pension, staff discount scheme, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package.
Whatever you are aiming to achieve in your career, we are here to encourage, help and support you grow, through our excellent training and development programmes.
How to apply
To apply for our exciting opportunity and make a real difference to the lives of carers, visit the Carers First website and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.
Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service that we consider acceptable.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Kate Kennard, Director of Innovation and Development, via our recruitment team to arrange a call.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Interviews: Successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first round interview:
Stage 1: Online competence-based interview – Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Second‑round interviews will only be offered to those candidates who successfully meet the required criteria at the first interview as follows:
Stage 2: A face-to-face meeting in London with an interview panel – Tuesday, 26 May 2026. You will be required to do a presentation, and details will be provided in advance.
Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Positive Collaborative Ambitious
Our new three-year strategy will enable us to grow our work to reach and support significantly more carers delivering innovative programmes of support
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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
AudioActive is a non-profit organisation creating social change through music for young people, supporting the development of emerging talent.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every day, our volunteers and staff provide life-saving emotional support to people in distress, and behind that work is a culture built on compassion, inclusion, learning and human connection.
We are looking for an experienced and values-led leader to join us as our new Assistant Director of Organisational Development & Learning within our People and Culture Directorate.
This is a rare opportunity to shape how learning, leadership and organisational capability enable one of the UK and Ireland’s most respected charities to deliver its mission.
You will lead the development of an ambitious organisation-wide learning and organisational development strategy, ensuring our 23,000 volunteers and 300 staff members, have the skills, confidence and support needed to deliver safe, effective and compassionate services.
About the role
Reporting to the Executive Director of People & Culture, you will lead a talented team responsible for organisational development, leadership capability, learning and development, delivery of training through our training school and external learning provision through STEP, our commercial training offer.
Samaritans is on an ambitious journey of change, we are evolving how we work, strengthening collaboration across the organisation to meet growing need for our life-saving listening services.
You could not be joining us at a more pivotal time and the capability of our people has never been more important. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of innovative, inclusive and high-quality learning solutions
- Shape and embed leadership capability frameworks that support a positive, accountable and compassionate culture
- Support organisational transformation and change through strong organisational development expertise
- Drive strategic approaches to learning, talent and succession planning
- Partner with leaders to build a high-performing and psychologically safe learning culture
- Ensure our learning approaches reflect best practice, accessibility and equity, diversity and inclusion principles
- Support the development of our geographically dispersed volunteer and staff teams
- Bring external insight, thought leadership and innovation into the organisation
You will also play an active role as part of our Senior Leadership Group and People and Culture Senior Leadership Team, contributing beyond your specialist area to help deliver our wider organisational strategy and mission.
About you
You are an experienced organisational development, learning or people capability leader with a strong track record of delivering strategic cultural and organisational change.
Importantly, you are someone who leads with empathy, curiosity and integrity. You understand that high performance and compassion go hand in hand, and you are passionate about creating environments where people feel supported, empowered and able to grow.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading organisational development and learning strategy at a senior level
- Expertise in leadership development, capability building and organisational change
- Experience of identifying future capability needs through workforce planning’
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including experience working with senior leadership teams
- Experience developing inclusive learning cultures and blended learning solutions
- Knowledge of talent and succession planning approaches
- The ability to inspire and lead geographically dispersed teams, including volunteers
- A collaborative and values-driven leadership style
Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector would be welcomed, though we also encourage applications from candidates outside the sector who share our values and mission.
Why Samaritans?
At Samaritans, people matter deeply. We know that meaningful impact starts with how we support each other.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and flexible workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity of thought, background and lived experience, and we actively encourage applications from people from all communities.
In return, we offer:
- Competitive Salary and Rewards; £73,000 - £75,000 per annum plus Benefits.
- Flexible and hybrid working; Our full time hours are 35 hours per week, but we are committed to flexible working and offer a hybrid approach to working. Due to the nature of our work, some evening and weekend working is required with time off in lieu given.
- Hybrid working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. This role is linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with a blend of home working and option to work out of our London office as required.
- The opportunity to shape learning and organisational capability in a nationally recognised charity
- A supportive and inclusive culture
- Professional development opportunities
- The chance to contribute directly to work that saves lives
Every person at Samaritans plays a role in helping fewer people die by suicide. If you are motivated by purpose, compassion and the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.
Full outline in the Job description file here. You can also read more about our change programme (future proofing) here - Our need for change
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
To Apply
Please complete the application questions including those outlined below, and submit your CV, with a brief supporting statement. Please note the following questions have a 300word limit for answers.
- Please outline your most relevant experience/role that gives you confidence you
could broadly deliver all that’s outlined in the job description?
- Tell us about a learning and development strategy you have designed and implemented across an organisation or large workforce.
- Describe a time when you influenced senior leaders or stakeholders to adopt a new approach to leadership, culture, learning or organisational capability.
- Please describe a significant organisational development, culture change or transformation programme you have led.
We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.
Applications close at Midnight Sunday 17th May
Interviews
All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application, at the appropriate time.
The interview process will be in two stages, allowing enough time to connect with leaders and explore this great opportunity with candidates.
Interviews will be taking place as outlined;
First stage Interviews: 28th May and 1st June
Second stage interviews to be held at our Ewell Office (Epsom, Surrey) on 3rd and 4th June.
Please hold these dates in diaries if applying.
We prevent suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Position Title: Senior Lead Gender Coalition
Level: Level 5
Salary: £39, 000 - 44, 000 (FTE yearly)
Reports to: Associate Director of Partnerships
Location: Liberation centre Brixton, London (New office in Brixton)/ Remote working within the UK with at least 2 days’ work from our office (Pro rata for part time)
Contract: Fulltime (40hrs/weekly), fixed-term project contract for 1 year with potential for Part time (e.g., 32hrs/weekly) extension subject to funding.
Hours: TAA has flexible working hours, with some expected evenings (e.g., one 9pm finish once every two weeks) and weekends due to the nature of the role. All extra hours are reimbursed as Time off in Lieu (TOIL).
Start date: As soon as possible (potentially June with consideration for notice period)
Benefits: TAA laptop and phone, (employee assistance and health cash package including staff supervision, counselling, dental, optical care and more.).
The Advocacy Academy is an activist youth movement. We serve as the political home for grassroots youth organising and the catalyst for collective action. The lives of the young people we work alongside have been directly shaped by living in an unjust world, and we exist to turn their anger into action.
Young people are often the catalysts for major social change, from the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, to the Soweto Uprising mobilising young people to resist the apartheid regime's education policies, to the Sunrise Movement redrawing the electoral map across America, and more recently encampments and protests across the world protesting the genocide in Palestine. How successfully they achieve real and lasting change depends on whether they are organised and whether they have the right strategy and tactics to be effective.
We want youth organising to be enshrined in the UK for generations to come, and for young people to have tangible political power to influence national policy. That’s why we have launched two national coalitions, one around climate, and the other around gender. Each will train organisations across the country to become youth organisers and work together to bring 100 young people together to identify the strategy and tactics needed to achieve change. These young leaders will organise others and work collectively to build a campaign which shakes the status quo.
We want youth organising to be enshrined in the UK for generations to come, and for young people to have tangible political power to influence national policy. That’s why we have launched two national coalitions, one around climate, and the other around gender. Each will train organisations across the country to become youth organisers, and work together to bring 100 young people together to identify the strategy and tactics needed to achieve change. These young leaders will organise others and work collectively to build a campaign which shakes the status quo.
We are looking for a Senior Lead Gender Coalition who believes in this vision and is capable of building the leadership in youth workers and young people alike that enables them to turn the resources they have into the power they need to make the change they want. It will be your job to help grow this programme, organise our partners, create magic and spark the hope for something more! If this excites you, then please apply.
Before you skim the job description, please remember you don’t have to tick all the boxes for each role to apply. Charity experience is not a requirement! We all experience a bit of imposter syndrome, including the staff here at The Advocacy Academy. Let’s name it for what it is - a manifestation of the oppression many of us face on a day to day. If this role pulls you and you believe you could make a difference, then apply anyway or reach out to us to discuss more!
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. You will coordinate our Gender Coalition – Power in Balance. You will be accountable for the development and delivery of our Gender Coalition programme Power in Balance, including but not limited to:
- Coordinating efforts to set the strategic direction and priorities for the Programme, working primarily with the Director of Programmes and Partnerships and Associate Director of Partnerships, and in connection with others that need to feed into the programme.
- Proactively build relationships with our coalition partners. This involves:
- Holding regular 1:1s and relational meetings that strengthen our connection, supporting partners to identify and act on their developing political interests, and ensuring they meet coalition milestones
- It also includes providing ongoing support around campaigns and community organising, enabling partners to lead and deliver local actions following the Summer Camp.
- Lead the Youth Steering Group. This involves:
- Providing strategic oversight and facilitation of the Youth Steering Group, ensuring consistent engagement, strong attendance, and meaningful youth voice throughout the programme.
- Setting clear agendas, supporting members to contribute confidently, and ensuring insights are captured and translated into programme design and delivery.
- Working closely with partners to maintain alignment and ensure the group reflects the diversity and needs of the young people Power in Balance serves.
- Lead the development of the Summer Camp. As part of this, you will be required to attend the Power in Balance Summer Camp (15th - 19th August 2026) to build your understanding of the model, support delivery, and become familiar with best practice in preparation for future leadership of the programme. In addition, you will:
- Work closely with the Associate Director of Partnerships to oversee the delivery of the Power in Balance Summer Camp, ensuring all elements are well-coordinated, high-quality, and aligned with programme outcomes.
- Take ownership of key logistics, including timelines, partner coordination, and on-the-ground delivery, ensuring a smooth and inclusive experience for all participants.
- Support and enact mechanisms to capture learning and feedback throughout, ensuring insights are gathered effectively to inform real-time improvements and future iterations of the camp.
- You will ensure that Power in Balance runs like a well-oiled machine by pulling in the right people at the right time to ensure key milestones are met:
- Coordinate and maintain a suite of behind-the-scenes systems, processes and resources to keep things running like clockwork and provide transparency and help build trust
- Coordinate the holding of safeguarding, risk management standards and ensure Health and Safety standards are met.
- Maintain the clear monitoring and evaluation frameworks for your work which allow you and your team to learn, test, and re-test as you build, in partnership with young people and other partners
- Hold the budget for the Power in Balance Programme, ensuring that all activities are run within financial targets, working closely with the Director of Programmes and Partnerships and Associate Director of Partnerships to maintain oversight, identify efficiencies and potential savings, and proactively flag any risks or opportunities that may impact delivery or budget adherence.
2. You will support our wider partnerships work. Support the Associate Director of Partnerships to deliver our overall partnerships strategy. This will include, but is not limited:
- Working closely with the Senior Lead for Climate Coalition to identify opportunities for collaboration and reducing duplication
- Work closely with the Programmes, Organising and Campaigns, and Community teams to develop training on organising and campaigning.
- Deliver ad hoc workshops and meetings, holding space effectively and designing and delivering creative learning journeys for young people.
3. You will be a key member of the Programme Team, including but not limited to:
- Support efforts to set the strategic direction and priorities for the Programmes Team each financial year.
- Support the Director of Programmes and Partnerships and Associate Director of Partnerships with the management and mitigation of organisational risks presented by the Coalition by escalating issues in a timely manner and contributing to effective problem solving.
- Contribute to the delivery of wider organisational programmes beyond Power in Balance, including providing support to initiatives such as Ignite and other internal programme delivery as required, ensuring alignment with team priorities and organisational goals.
4.Share responsibilities for achieving our strategic objectives by upholding our vision, mission, strategy, ideology, and cultural values within your area and across TAA, supporting on cross-departmental projects as needed:
- Embody our commitment to social and economic justice, ensuring this is consistently reflected in decision-making, delivery and partnerships
- Role model and actively steward our culture and value expectations across the organisation including but not limited to: leading by example across departments and during team days and role-modelling leadership
- Proactively identify and surface opportunities that strengthen organisational impact, working closely with senior leadership, including the Director of Finance, HR and Ops, and contributing to strategic thinking and direction
- Hold responsibility for identifying and addressing risks to our integrity, authenticity and alignment with our ideology and culture, taking appropriate and timely action
- Strengthen collaboration across departments by creating and enabling opportunities for joint working, ensuring teams are aligned, resourced and working in tandem
- Contribute to a culture of openness and care by communicating your wellbeing needs to your line manager, shaping and feeding back on TAA wellbeing initiatives, and supporting others to engage with and uphold this culture
- Take ownership of your ongoing development, actively seeking opportunities to deepen your leadership, knowledge and areas of specialism
5.Governance and Compliance
- Work with your team and the Finance, HR and Operations team to prioritise and centre risk management in your portfolio: feeding into risk analysis and mitigation, identifying and escalating risks to the strategic objectives, taking the lead to mitigate risks early and thoroughly.
- Hold oversight of risk within your area, ensuring appropriate systems and practices are in place and consistently applied
- Ensure understanding and compliance with TAA policies and practices and take the lead on their implementation within your portfolio
A BIT ABOUT YOU
- You are passionate about, and committed to, creating a more fair, just and equal world.
- You believe in the potential of young people to challenge the status quo and are dedicated to helping them become more powerful citizens.
- You’ve got a deep understanding of, and a personal relationship with, issues of social justice. From racism to the housing crisis to climate justice, you’ll be aware of how systemic injustice operates in our society, clued-up and well-informed on the big issues of our time, and committed to changing them.
- You’ll be comfortable managing a “to-do” list of competing priorities and balancing your workload to meet competing deadlines.
- You’re a sensitive and thoughtful relationship-builder who is interested in building a network of relationships to support the Advocacy Academy’s work. You’re a great listener, and remember people’s names, faces, and stories.
- You’re a confident written and verbal communicator, who is comfortable with tailoring communication to reach a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders.
- You’re proactive, organised, and eager to learn, whether that’s chatting with potential funders, researching new opportunities or collaborating with teammates.
IDEAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- At least 5 years of experience in programmes delivery on issues of social justice working with young people and/or
- At least 5 years of experience in supporting people to be more confident and comfortable developing and implementing organising or campaign efforts.
- Detail oriented
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience working with different audiences or types of stakeholders
- Strong project management and experience working collaboratively across teams both in person and online
- Excellent organisational skills with confidence managing multiple tasks at the same time/ balancing multiple priorities to meet deadlines
- Experience with our existing systems e.g., Gmail/ Google Doc/ Google Sheets/ Canva/ Slack
- Confidence working in a fast-paced environment
This is an outline of the responsibilities and duties of the Senior Lead Gender Coalition role, it is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Liberation Centre and our young people. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates will be asked to provide a CV and a Cover Letter OR a supporting video application addressing the following questions (no more than 1000 words or 10 minutes for all questions).
- Tell us about a gender justice issue that makes you angry and why it matters to you?
- Our Senior Lead for Gender Coalition will train young people and organisations to become confident Gender organisers. Tell us about a training programme you were part of, what it achieved, what it didn’t, your role in that effort and any reflections you have about being part of it?
- Our Senior Lead Gender Coalition will support people to act on their developing political interests. Tell us about a time when you helped someone learn and develop their capacity to make change in the world?
- Include anything else you would like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Senior Lead Gender Coalition role.
In addition, please also provide information on your notice period and your availability for interview. You may also attach any other content that would be relevant for us to have in order to showcase interest and experience. The content can come in any form of media, including but not limited to - a mind map of ideas, a timeline or portfolio of your work, life or experiences; a recording; a Powerpoint or other form of presentation; a song, article, poem or other writing samples
DATES
- Closing Date: The deadline for applications 18th May 2026 by 10am.
- Task: If shortlisted you may be required to complete a brief facilitation activity with young people around organising or campaigns.
- First Round of Interviews: will be scheduled for w/c 18th May 2026 (Dates are subject to change).
- Second Round of Interviews: will be scheduled for w/c 01 June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).
Please be aware that we will be interviewing as we receive applications. The application date might be brought forward if we find the right person.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.





