Programme lead jobs

We are looking for an experienced Regional Opperations Lead, to coordination all aspects of the StreetDoctors operations within the Midlands  Region and to ensure our programmes are fit for the future.

We are an award-winning national charity  which trains over 20,000 young people affected by street violence each year in emergency first-aid, through a team of 250 healthcare volunteers and youth workers. We empower young people with the skills to become part of the solution to violence by developing their skills and confidence to save lives and increasing their understanding of the medical and psychological consequences of violence.

As the StreetDoctors lead for the region, you will provide leadership in partnership development, volunteer management, the delivery of training and maintaining quality standards.
The key areas of focus include:

• To create, develop and maintain partnerships with a range of organisations including, funders, commissioners, community organisations, criminal justice organisations, education providers and youth organisations.
• To develop and manage engaged volunteers and youth workers and ensure their expectations are aligned to the organisation's objectives and provide the best volunteering experience possible.
• To deliver training and ensure the quantity and quality of projects meet the required targets and new opportunities are maximised.

At StreetDoctors we believe diversity supports innovation and creativity. We are committed to equality of opportunity, being inclusive, and being representative of the people we are here to support. We would therefore encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

The role focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships with partner organisations, supporting firms throughout their participation in the Suicide Prevention Action Lab (SPAL) programme, and ensuring they remain motivated, accountable, and on track to deliver their commitments.

We’re bringing together six representatives from financial services firms to explore ways to improve support for customers experiencing suicidality. The Partnerships Officer will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the SPAL, working closely with participating firms to assist them in developing, testing, and implementing practical changes to help prevent suicidality. 

The Partnerships Officer will manage relationships with multiple firms simultaneously, each at a different stage in their journey to testing and embedding new and improved approaches to identifying and supporting customers experiencing or at risk of suicidality. Success in the role requires excellent organisation, persistence, and relationship management skills, alongside the ability to understand the challenges and competing demands faced by participating firms and to support them in maintaining momentum and delivering results.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their skills in partnership management, stakeholder engagement and influencing change within organisations. The role offers significant autonomy and responsibility, with opportunities to build expertise, lead stakeholder relationships, and contribute directly to the SPAL’s growth and impact.

While the role will predominantly focus on the SPAL, the postholder will also contribute to the continued development of the wider Action Labs research-to-impact offer.

Key tasks in the role will include:

• Acting as the primary day-to-day contact for participating firms, building strong and productive relationships throughout their involvement in the SPAL. Coordinating and supporting consultancy and coaching meetings with participating firms.
• Developing and maintaining a strong working knowledge of emerging Action Lab research insights. Applying research insights in discussions with firms, supporting them in translating evidence into new or improved tools, processes and communications.
• Supporting a portfolio of firm representatives simultaneously, ensuring each remains engaged, motivated and on track to deliver against agreed objectives and milestones.
• Developing a strong understanding of participating firms' priorities, pressures and operational realities, using this insight to provide effective support.
• Building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders beyond participating firms, and developing strong internal relationships, proactively sharing insights and intelligence from Action Labs to maximise our organisational impact.
• Identifying opportunities to raise the profile of the Action Lab research-to-impact model, including relevant conferences, speaking opportunities and awards.

Job Purpose

The Communications Lead will:

• Build brand awareness and help to ensure the TLC: Talk, Listen, Change Group brands are accurately and consistently represented at all times. In particular, ensure consistency in messaging and tone of voice for each brand and when communicating about the Group as a whole.
• Communicate effectively with our stakeholders (customers for our commercial subsidiaries plus funders, commissioners, supporters, partners and the public for the charity) to strengthen our relationships with them, creating high quality and engaging copy, marketing collateral and communications.
• Lead all internal communications across TLC, crafting clear, useful, positive and supportive information for our staff, volunteers and Board.
• Extend the TLC Group’s reach across the UK by delivering marketing campaigns that adhere to our brand guidelines and principles, strengthening our reputation over time with every piece of activity we deliver.
• Working with the rest of the Marketing (and wider Development and Partnerships) Department, take personal ownership and accountability for the execution of marketing activities according to agreed processes, on time, on budget and to high quality standards/

The Communications Lead will work particularly closely with our Creative Design Lead, who leads all aspects of design across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Copywriting and Content Creation

• Lead the creation of compelling written copy and marketing assets for a range of audiences and platforms to support the needs of colleagues across the TLC Group – including but not limited to: Engaging, persuasive and impactful sales pitches and proposals, Annual report, Case studies, Key messages, Quotes, Digital and printed collateral, Social and web content and assets, Press releases, Speeches, News articles.and other marketing materials
• Develop creative ways for this to build brand awareness, market services and facilities, communicate programmes, activities and impact.

Media and PR

• Lead on developing relations with media, generating and placing stories, and generating PR.
• Create media content including stories for press and publications
• Contribute to the identification and management of reputational and other communications and marketing-related risks. Social channels
• Create engaging and relevant written content for social media that helps grow our following and boost our reputation.
• Collaborate with our staff teams to ensure all our engagements are on brand and on message. 

Website

• Take responsibility for the development and management of all written aspects of the website, including generating content, maximising its potential and monitoring its impact. Fundraising and Influencing Work with the Development Team to:
• Produce regular supporter newsletters, mailings, reports and other content to engage with relevant stakeholders
• Lead the development of messaging, copy and content to support fundraising propositions, campaigns and events
• Help create and test high-level campaign / proposition messaging and lead the development of supporter copy for a range of applications and channels
• Create impactful and persuasive pieces to support with influencing. 

Internal Communications

• Work alongside the Creative Design Lead and Director of Business Services to further develop our internal communications streams.
• Craft organisation-wide announcements and produce organisation-wide communications in the form of (including but not limited to): - Newsletter, Lunch and learn sessions, with an aim of 6 taking place each year, Podcast (aim of once a month), You Said, We Did communications, CEO video messages, Updates on staff group / network activities, Internal events, including town halls and ‘coffee and cake’
• Support with the organisation of our annual TLC Group staff conference.

General

• Ensure marketing collateral is compliant, factually correct and internal charity practices are followed (e.g. GDPR, photo consent, claim substantiation, budgeting).
• Work with the Group Head of Marketing, Marketing Manager and Creative Design Lead to prepare, monitor and report on the annual Marketing and Communications budget.
• Develop creative communications ideas and keep abreast of latest trends and innovations to help inform our plans.

About us

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

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

About the role

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

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

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

About you

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

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

Job description and benefits

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

Location

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

 

Application Process

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

Please note that CVs will not be considered.

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

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

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

Head of Philanthropy

Aquilas is delighted to be working with a leading health charity to recruit for a Head of Philanthropy to create and lead their major donor, Trusts and Foundations and Corporate partnerships programme.

This is a full time, permanent role to work from their London office (3 days per week in the office)

This is a critical senior leadership role responsible for developing and delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy that will build a sustainable pipeline of five, six and seven-figure, multi-year gifts from high-net-worth individuals - as lifetime and legacy gifts - corporates and Trusts and Foundations while also refining a long-standing £multi-million-year IG programme.

The charity are looking for a strategic, relationship-led fundraising leader with a proven track record of securing significant support from high-net-worth individuals, corporates or Trusts and Foundations as well as experience of Direct Marketing. This is a new role, perfect for a fundraiser who loves building programmes.

For details on how to apply please click through to the job vacancy on the Aquilas website, where you can also find the full job description.

Aquilas are wholly committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates.  We are truly invested in our candidates and being supportive and informative throughout the application journey

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Project Development Officer to join our team as a pivotal element of our new National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project.

The project will significantly augment our capacity to support UK synagogues in need of support to preserve their historic fabric and protect and make accessible the Jewish heritage they embody. The successful candidate will report to the Foundation's Projects Director, leading on essential organisational development and project set-up in the year 1 Development Phase of the project.

While a specialist consultant team will be recruited to implement this project during years 2-6 of the project subject to a successful Delivery Phase application, the Project Development Officer is integral to scoping and developing the delivery programme in the crucial initial planning of the project.

Partnerships Lead 

Starting Salary: £61,021 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility - so please ask) 

Location: London-based role with expectation of hybrid working from our London office (Society Building, All Saints Street) 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role  

As Partnerships Lead, you will play a key role in helping the Foundation grow its impact through strategic partnerships and new propositions. Acting as the "front door" for future partnerships, you will identify, develop and strengthen relationships that align with our mission and long-term strategy. 

Working across the organisation and with external partners, you will support collaborative working, help shape partnership opportunities, and turn ideas into meaningful social impact. You will also build and embed best practice, creating a consistent and effective approach to initiating, negotiating and managing partnerships across the Foundation. 

This is an exciting opportunity to combine strategic thinking with relationship-building, helping to scale our impact and support communities across England and Wales to thrive. 

A strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all in your work and approach is essential. 

About You  

We are looking for someone with a strong track record of developing strategic partnerships that deliver shared value and align with organisational goals. You combine strategic thinking with excellent influencing skills, enabling you to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders. 

You have experience designing and developing new propositions, programmes or services, with the ability to spot and nurture potential partnerships that align with strategic goals. Comfortable working in complex environments, you can balance competing priorities, facilitate collaboration and deliver change by building capacity though others. 

You are an organised and adaptable leader who enjoys coaching and supporting colleagues to achieve lasting impact. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our careers site, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

If you have any queries about the application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Optional Q&A Session: Friday 3rd July 2026 at 14:00-15:00 

Closing Date: Midday, Friday 10th July 2026 

Interviews: Wednesday 22nd July 2026 

Offering paid internship opportunities for those who are blind or partially sighted across a range of different areas.

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a national sight loss charity supporting blind and partially sighted people to live the lives they wish to lead.

We currently have five internship opportunities available across a range of teams. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available, with all roles paid at the Living Wage Foundation rate.

We offer internship opportunities within a supportive environment where you will be able to develop numerous workplace skills alongside your day-to-day role. You will have the opportunity to network with other interns on the programme.

The key benefits:

• Comprehensive learning and development programme
• A mentor with lived experience
• Competitive compensation
• Technology training
• Employability support from TPT's Employment Team
• Networking with other visually impaired interns

Personal specification:

• This post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010.

For specific personal specifications, please visit our website to view each role.

We have the following roles available:

• Employer Engagement and Partnerships Intern
• Employment Intern
• Policy and Campaigns Intern
• SLC Projects Intern
• Volunteer and Participation Intern

Policy and Research Coordinator 
Location: Hybrid (typically 3 days in the office), central Manchester with occasional travel 
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000 
Closing date: 10am, Monday 13th July 2026 

About Belong 

Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is a national organisation working to strengthen social cohesion and integration across the UK. Through research, policy development and place-based programmes, we bring people together, support communities and champion approaches that help create a more connected and less divided society. 

Belong is entering an exciting new phase of growth. With a strengthened national profile, an ambitious strategy and a passionate team, we are looking for talented people who share our commitment to creating positive change. 

About the Role 

As Policy and Research Coordinator, you will play an important role in supporting the delivery of Belong’s policy and research work. Working closely with the Policy and Research Lead and wider team, you will help ensure projects are well organised, rigorous and impactful. 

This varied role combines research coordination, stakeholder engagement and project support. You will contribute to research and policy projects from planning through to dissemination, supporting activities such as literature reviews, data collection and analysis, stakeholder engagement, report writing and project administration. You will also help coordinate meetings, workshops and consultation activities, ensuring research findings and insights are effectively shared with a range of audiences. 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with information and evidence, managing multiple priorities, and contributing to work that informs policy, practice and positive social change. 

About You 

You will be an organised and proactive individual with experience supporting research projects, policy development or related activities, ideally within a charity, public policy or research environment. 

You will have strong information-handling skills, with the ability to analyse, summarise and synthesise complex material clearly and accurately. Alongside excellent written and verbal communication skills, you will be comfortable building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and managing competing priorities effectively. 

Most importantly, you will be intellectually curious, collaborative and committed to Belong’s mission and values. You will bring a solutions-focused approach, a strong attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn and develop within a policy and research environment. 

Benefits  

• 30 days’ annual leave per year 

• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office) 

• Enhanced sick pay 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our recruitment partner's site, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. As part of your application, you will be asked to answer three questions. 

1. Please tell us about a piece of work that you are particularly proud of and the role you played in its success. (max. 300 words) 

1. Please describe a situation where you had to work with a range of different people to achieve a shared outcome. (max. 300 words) 

1. Belong works with people, communities and organisations from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. What values or principles guide how you work with others? (max. 300 words) 

Deadline:  10am on Monday 13th July 2026 
Interviews: 21st or 22nd July 2026 (in-person in Manchester)

For questions or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact Atkinson HR Consulting.

Belong’s Commitment to Inclusion  

Belong is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. They welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage individuals from communities under-represented in the charity sector to apply. Impostor syndrome can disproportionately impact candidates from marginalised groups—if you are unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to do so.

Freshwater Habitats Trust is the UK’s leading charity for all freshwaters. We are an evidence-based organisation that protects freshwater wildlife through practical and innovative nature conservation projects across England and Wales.

The Director, Central Team, will develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, playing a key role in realising our vision of building the Freshwater Network.

As a member of the Senior Management Team the postholder will lead the Central Team and work across the following areas:

• Strategic development

• Leadership and management

• Fundraising

• Project delivery

• Partnership development

• Technical supervision

• Finance

This position requires a creative, dynamic and enthusiastic person who works well as part of a team whilst being self-motivated and ambitious. 

The Director will have the ability to think on their feet, steer the direction of the

programme teams and support them to achieve the long-term goals of the organisation.

Closing Date: Friday 17th July 2025 (5pm)

Interview Dates: First round interviews: 27th July 2026 (On Microsoft Teams)

Second round interviews: 11th August 2026 (In-person)

The second-round interviews will be held at our offices in Oxford.

About the role:

This role is key to our new partnership programme influencing practice and policy on climate resilience and emergency preparedness at local and national levels. It presents a fantastic opportunity to effect real change in how our government responds to the needs of people most affected by climate change.

We are looking for someone who can be a bridge between the statutory and voluntary resilience communities and equality groups. You’ll have a thorough understanding of emergency preparedness and response systems, and a commitment to transform how they operate for the benefit of everyone, by working collaboratively with a rights based approach.

About the programme:

Hosted and supported by Equally Ours, this role exists as part of an innovative, collaborative team that brings together five roles from three different organisations: Equally Ours, Communities Prepared (Groundwork South) and the VCS Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP). This brand new programme has received £2,052,488.00 over five years from the Climate Action Fund, a long-term commitment from The National Lottery Community Fund to support communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in positive environmental action. 

About the organisation:

Equally Ours is the UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives. Our vision is a just and compassionate society, where we are free from harm and can all contribute and flourish, whoever we are, whatever we believe in, and whatever we do and don’t have. A society that is equally ours.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Programme Leadership

• Lead Equally Ours’ contribution to the programme. Shaping and delivering the programme’s policy, influencing and systems change objectives.
• Work closely with programme partners Communities Prepared (Groundwork South) and the VCS Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) to ensure joined-up co-design and delivery across community engagement, resilience training, strategic communications and influencing activity.
• Facilitate and enable the co-design process and provide a pan-equality analysis on thought leadership.
• Lead for the programme on liaison and knowledge exchange with initiatives in the devolved nations.

Policy Influencing

• Drive systems change: Support efforts to redesign climate resilience policy and practice at local, regional and national levels, ensuring it better reflects the needs and rights, experiences and expertise of communities experiencing discrimination and disadvantage.
• Build strategic relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with equality organisations, government departments, voluntary and statutory sector partners and resilience stakeholders.
• Support influencing activity: Coordinate and contribute to consultations, policy submissions, roundtables, events and stakeholder engagement opportunities that strengthen the programme’s influence and impact.
• Promote a rights-based approach: Champion intersectional, pan-equality and human rights based approaches across climate resilience policy, practice and partnership working. 

Person Specification (Essential Skills and Experience):

1. Demonstrable experience or understanding of statutory and voluntary sector duties and action on climate resilience in relation to extreme weather event preparedness and response.
2. Policy and influencing experience: Demonstrable experience of creating policy or practice change, ideally linked to equality, social justice, climate resilience or related areas.
3. Partnership and stakeholder engagement: Experience of building positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including community organisations, networks, public bodies or voluntary sector partners.
4. Community engagement: Experience of engaging with communities experiencing discrimination and disadvantage in meaningful, inclusive and accessible ways.
5. Understanding of equality and human rights: Professional or lived experience combined with a strong understanding of equality, intersectionality and human rights principles, and the ability to apply them in practice. 
6. Communication and collaboration skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate and facilitate confidently with a range of audiences and work collaboratively as part of a partnership programme.
7. Organisation and programme coordination: Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate activity and work effectively across multiple projects and stakeholders.
8. Anti-Racism, intersectionality and a human rights approach: Commitment to embed these principles across all aspects of our work.

Please read the full application pack attached before applying. You must be signed into your CharityJob candidate account to access and view this document.

Please note we will only accept applications that include a cover letter.

Role Purpose:

About Responsible Finance

Responsible Finance is the membership association for the UK’s Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs are community lenders, committed to delivering positive social impact, and offer fair and affordable finance to businesses, social enterprises and to people unable to access it elsewhere.

This is an exciting moment to be joining the CDFI sector. Responsible Finance and its members are focused on increasing access to fair and affordable finance for SMEs, social enterprises, people, places and communities that are underserved by mainstream finance. The Partnerships Manager will play a central role in turning that ambition into practical referral pathways, stronger partnerships and measurable growth in responsible lending.

Awareness of CDFIs remains low among many organisations that support SMEs and entrepreneurs. Many businesses that could benefit from CDFI finance are therefore not currently being directed to the sector. An increasing number seem to be turning to high interest lenders, which don’t always consider good customer outcomes.

We are therefore seeking an exceptional Partnerships Manager to develop and deliver a partnership outreach and creation strategy that raises awareness of CDFIs, increases referrals and signposting, and supports growth in CDFI SME lending. Our recent pilot with Lloyds Bank to refer declined SMEs to Responsible Finance, and our partnership with Grow London Local are just two examples.

Success in this role will mean building a prioritised partnership pipeline, converting relationships into active referral pathways, improving the quality and volume of referrals to CDFIs, and using data to learn what works.

Purpose of the Role

As Responsible Finance’s dedicated Partnerships Manager you will build strong relationships with banks, brokers and broker organisations, professional advisers, business organisations, government, local growth bodies and others to raise awareness, establish referral routes and strengthen onward pathways to finance readiness and business support.

Your work will be a driving force in delivering Responsible Finance’s ambition to unlock an additional £1bn of lending over the next five years.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading the development of Responsible Finance’s partnership and stakeholder relationship strategy, working with our CDFI members to identify the organisations with the greatest potential to support growth in demand and referral pathways.
• Educating potential partners and referrers about what CDFIs are, the finance and support they provide, and of their role in local economic growth and community development.
• Increasing referrals and signposting to CDFIs centrally through Finding Finance and locally from organisations supporting businesses, improving access to finance and supporting lending growth.
• Managing the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the Finding Finance platform to ensure that it supports frictionless referrals and good customer outcomes – and that ongoing attribution data informs the ongoing targeting of partners.
• Developing routes for onward referrals to organisations that can support businesses with technical assistance, finance readiness and wider business support, creating a stronger future pipeline for CDFIs.
• Representing Responsible Finance at sector events, roundtables and stakeholder meetings, with a clear engagement plan, follow-up process and route for converting contacts into partnership opportunities.

This is a varied and dynamic role, working closely with our members and a range of external stakeholders. This job description is not exhaustive; it outlines the key tasks and responsibilities of the post which are subject to change. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

Role success measures and outcomes

• A prioritised partnership strategy and engagement plan agreed with Responsible Finance and informed by CDFI member needs.
• A live pipeline of target partners, with clear next actions, ownership, status and expected impact.
• New or improved referral pathways from priority partner segments, such as banks, brokers, accountants, local growth bodies, business support organisations and others.
• Improved quality, tracking and attribution of referrals through Finding Finance and local partner routes.
• Evidence of learning from pilots, including what drives referral quality, customer engagement, member value and responsible lending growth.

Skills and Experience:

Essential

We are looking for someone with experience of partnership development, stakeholder engagement or business development in a relevant environment. Experience of the finance ecosystem, SME support landscape or local economic development networks would be particularly valuable. Knowledge of CDFIs is highly desirable but not essential for the right candidate.

• Strong relationship-building skills. Must be comfortable working with stakeholders at a range of levels.
• Proven ability to build partnerships from prospecting through to implementation, including converting conversations into practical actions, pilots or agreements.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Previous experience in a similar stakeholder / partner facing role.
• Highly self-motivated and able to drive your own work forward, but equally a team player with a collaborative working style.
• Willingness to travel regularly – this role is partner and stakeholder facing and the post holder will be required to travel frequently, up to twice a week, and sometimes at short notice.
• Strong presentational and public speaking skills and experience.
• Ability to develop compelling value propositions and engagement materials for different audiences.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, prioritisation, delivery against milestones and managing dependencies across multiple stakeholders.
• Confidence using data, dashboards or CRM-style tools to track pipeline activity, referral performance and outcomes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with members or delivery partners, balancing different organisational priorities and capacities.
• Understanding of good customer outcomes, referral quality, consent and data-sharing considerations in a partnership or customer journey context.
• Strong judgement and political/stakeholder awareness when representing an organisation externally.

Desirable

Working as part of a small organisation, you will need to demonstrate flexibility and versatility and have opportunities to support a range of other projects and support services for our members, developing a wide range of skills and competencies.

Therefore, in addition to the essential criteria above, we are also interested in candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Experience in organising and delivering events and workshops.
• Experience of creating and delivering presentations.
• An understanding of CDFIs and/or lending helpful – particularly investor relations and social enterprises.
• Experience line managing and/or directing the work of other team members.
• Experience working with banks, brokers, accountants, business support organisations, local authorities, combined authorities, chambers of commerce, growth hubs or social investment networks.
• Experience designing referral journeys, customer pathways, partner onboarding processes or account-management frameworks.
• Experience using or improving digital referral platforms, CRM systems, forms or reporting processes.
• Understanding of SME finance, access-to-finance barriers, finance readiness, social enterprise finance or inclusive/local economic growth.
• Experience developing partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, pilot plans or data-sharing processes.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and responses to the following questions to Careers4Change:

• What appeals to you about this job/Responsible Finance and why do you think you’ll do a great job?
• Tell us about a partnership or stakeholder relationship you developed. What was your approach, what changed as a result, and what did you learn?
• Based on what you know about Responsible Finance and CDFIs, what would your approach be to developing strong partnerships and referral pathways?

We recognise that the use of AI tools is widespread these days, and it is often obvious when it’s used. We will automatically reject applications where the use of AI without any editing or your original thoughts is evident. The ability to be thoughtful and tailor to your audience is crucial for being successful in this role.

 

Job title: Responsible Finance, Partnerships Manager

Location: Remote with frequent expenses-paid travel – up to 10 times /month

Reporting To: Programme Director 

Contract: 18-month fixed term contract with intention to make permanent, subject to performance and funding 

Salary: £40,000

Date Closes: Friday 17th July

Fixed term until 12 February 2027 (maternity cover) 
 
Plan International UK is a global children’s charity striving for an equal world. One where every child can reach their full potential and every girl can choose her own future.   
 
We bring people together to protect children’s rights and keep girls safe, in school and in control of their bodies – even when disaster strikes. And we won’t stop until we are all equal. 
 
This is an exciting moment to join our major donor programme. We have doubled major donor income in the last two years, and we have ambitious plans to do even more with our brilliant supporters. You would be joining a high-performing team with real momentum behind it, leading a critical and growing income stream through a pivotal period. 
 
As Major Donor Manager, you will lead the strategic direction of our major donor programme and the team behind it. This is a senior role responsible for managing and developing three philanthropy officers, holding oversight of the full portfolio, and leading our new business and prospecting effort.
 
Rather than holding a personal portfolio of live donors, which we will keep stable for our supporters during this period, you will own and drive the prospect pipeline through to the point of ask: shaping every approach, planning cultivation, and progressing new business, with high-value asks routed through the Philanthropy Lead and wider team to protect continuity for our partners. You will also drive the next phase of our giving circle, shape our events programme, and work closely with our Director of Fundraising, Trustees and senior volunteers to open doors and secure multi-year, six-figure support.
 
You will be an experienced major donor professional with the track record and judgement to lead a programme and team. Specifically, you will bring:

• Substantial experience of securing high-value gifts from high-net-worth individuals and building lasting relationships.
• A genuine appetite for developing people, with the skill to coach, motivate and grow an emerging team.
• The interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate with senior internal and external stakeholders, including Trustees and Leadership Forum.
• The instinct and pace to pick up an established programme quickly and drive the new business pipeline with confidence through a transition.
• A passion for our values, our feminist leadership principles and our vision for girls’ equality

 
For further detail of this role, please see the job profile. 
 
Please note, due to the short nature of this contract and a requirement for the successful candidate to be able to start as soon as possible, unfortunately we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role.
 
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Monday 6 July 2026
 
First-round interviews will take place on Monday 13 July 2026
 
Second-round interviews will take place on Monday 20 July 2026
 
We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of children, young people and adults in our work. We, therefore, apply rigorous recruitment and selection processes to ensure that only those who are suitable are recruited to work for us. Accordingly, appointment to all our roles is subject to a range of vetting checks and for this role this will include a Basic Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working for us; this will depend on the circumstances of any offences.
 
Plan International UK is committed to being an inclusive employer and we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
 
REF-229 427

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.