Supporter group member volunteer jobs

Senior Project Officer (Community Development and Training)
Reference: SPOCDT26
Location: Home-based within or near Devon (with travel across the county)
Contract: Fixed term until December 2026 (10 months)
Hours: 15 hours each week
Salary: £28,000 FTE per annum (£11,200 actual for 15 hours per week)

Groundwork South is seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Project Officer (Community Development and Training) to support delivery of our National Lottery-funded Communities Prepared programme in Devon.

Communities Prepared works with volunteers and communities across England to help them build the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. This includes supporting communities to plan for climate-related risks such as flooding, storms, heat waves, and severe weather.

This role will play a key part in delivering the final stages of the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP), a £7.3 million programme funded through the UK Government’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme and administered by the Environment Agency.

Working closely with partners including Devon County Council, you will engage with communities across Devon to increase awareness of flood risk and support them to strengthen their resilience.

About the Project and the Role

The Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP) is testing innovative ways to improve flood resilience in communities across Devon. This role will focus on engaging 28 priority communities to assess uptake of support for community emergency planning and Flood Warden training.

Key Responsibilities

As Senior Project Officer, you will:

• Design and deliver a targeted community engagement plan across Devon.
• Raise awareness of local climate and flood risks.
• Support communities to develop emergency and flood plans.
• Help establish and support Flood Action Groups and Flood Wardens.
• Deliver training and workshops both online and in person.
• Work collaboratively with programme partners and stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on community engagement and participation.
• Track and evidence engagement activity and outcomes.
• Contribute to project meetings and programme reporting.
• Share learning with the national Communities Prepared team.

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in community engagement or community development.
• Experience delivering training or workshops.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders or partners.
• Confidence working independently in a remote role.
• An interest in climate resilience, emergency planning or environmental issues.
• A willingness to travel across Devon.

Not all communities will take up the offer of support, so an important part of the role is ensuring engagement is clearly tracked and reported.

The role involves regular travel across Devon and occasional travel to Bristol for team meetings.

Knowledge of community emergency planning or flood resilience would be an advantage but is not essential.

Closing date for applications: 22nd March 2026
Interview date: 26th March 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Groundwork South is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of the community.

No agencies please.

About us

The Merchant Taylors’ Company dates from 1327, when it was formed as a social and religious organisation for tailors and linen-armourers dedicated to St John the Baptist. Today, it is a flourishing Livery Company whose members are dedicated to education, fraternity, and philanthropy.

Members play active roles in philanthropy through volunteering their time, skills, and donations to empower charities local to the Company's key areas of work and support through governance and volunteering opportunities a number of affiliated schools across the United Kingdom as well as to exceptional individual students.

Fraternity and community are rooted in the Company’s ancient beginnings, when members worked together in order to take care of one another in poor health, old age and through unstable economic times.

About Merchant Taylors’ Boones Charity (MTBC)

MTBC is a charitable arm of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, with a vision to be a long term provider of high quality almshouses in the Borough of Lewisham that improves lives across the generations.

Almshouse dwellings for ‘low needs’ young people affected by homeless – this Youth Almshouses project is at the business planning phase, with the accommodation due to open in a few years’ time. The current proposal is that MTBC will build the accommodation and an experienced Partner Charity will manage it under a lease.

Independent living almshouse flats for people aged 57+ in financial need: Christopher Boone’s Court - MTBC has 34 flats in this luxurious new development, leased from One Housing Group. The remaining flats are owned by One Housing Group’s private tenants in the same age range.

About the role

Reports to: The Head of Philanthropy

Direct reports: None

Places of work: The Hall (Bank, London), Christopher Boone’s Court (South London).

Travel: Some travel may be required within Greater London in connection with various aspects of the role. Occasional travel may be required within the UK, primarily in connection with the Youth Almshouses project.

Key collaborative relationships within Merchant Taylors’: Youth Almshouses Project Group, Company Surveyor, Membership and Communications Team, Finance Team

Overview of role:

The postholder leads the development of policy on issues such as independent living and financial subsidy to make a positive difference to the lives of older people in financial hardship at our site in Lewisham. The postholder manages operations at that site, with an emphasis on efficient systems.

The postholder is part of the small team responsible for developing our project to house young people, being versatile about the tasks they undertake to bring this complex and exciting project to fruition.

The postholder is the lead staff member reporting to the Housing and Care Committee on the resident-related issues in our provision of almshouse accommodation. The post holder leads on fulfilling MTBC’s obligations to regulatory bodies such as the Charity Commission and Regulator of Social Housing.

Responsibilities and Duties

Youth Almshouses project: planning phase

[This phase has already started. There is a separate section of this Job Description relating to once construction has finished, estimated to be 2028]

Contributes to all aspects of the planning phase of the Youth Almshouses project and building relationships with key third parties. Non-exhaustive examples of milestones due in this phase for the project team to which this role belongs are:

o Agreeing appropriate business model and site design with the Partner Charity

o Conclusive professional advice on all aspects

o Concluding legal agreements with the Partner Charity

o Any regulatory issues concluded

o Planning permission granted

o Publicity

o Contracts in place with all parties relevant to construction

Management of the charity

• Presents information to assist decision-making, for example written reports and analysis of financial data for the trustees
• Manages MTBC’s affairs at Christopher Boone’s Court

Finance, Legal and Governance

• Leads on all financial matters affecting our residents at Christopher Boone’s Court.
• Completes annual returns to regulatory bodies
• Contributes to business continuity plan, review of relevant policies, preparation of MTBC’s annual report and accounts, budgeting cycle and monitoring performance against budget.
• Ensures that MTBC is up to date in complying with regulatory regimes of the Charity Commission, Regulator of Social Housing, the Housing Ombudsman and any other relevant regulatory bodies.

Data Protection

Promotes a ‘data protection by design’ approach to ensure that MTBC is compliant with data protection principles.

Policy, Development and Improvement

• Leads policy development on independent living, financial subsidy of residents, and any other relevant policy issues relating to residents of Christopher Boone’s Court or the planned youth accommodation.
• Keeps up to date with regulatory changes and best practice learning relevant to almshouse charities which are Registered Providers of Social Housing
• Drives forward change to reflect that learning, for the benefit of MTBC.
• Seeks appropriate specialist advice.

Information Technology and Residents

Encourages and develops the use and availability of technology to make residents at Christopher Boone’s Court confident with accessing online services.

Communications

Writes communications about MTBC and its activities for a wide variety of stakeholders.

Property Management

Arranges any repairs/maintenance at Christopher Boone’s Court which are MTBC’s responsibility.

Monitors whether One Housing Group and MTBC’s tenant at Archbishop Coggan House are carrying out all tests required by statute or lease obligations. Reports non-compliance and any unsatisfactory test results to the Company Surveyor’s team.

Assists the Company Surveyor’s team in arrangements for long term planned maintenance at the Youth Almshouses.

MTBC residents at Christopher Boone’s Court

• Leads strategy and implements all communications, arrangements and process to ensure MTBC’s almshouse flats are occupied
• Establishes an efficient system for monitoring residents’ ability to live independently
• Leads on operating all policies relating to residents’ behaviour (eg Anti-Social Behaviour)
• Drives forward and resolves ‘pastoral’ cases with a proportionate approach
• Assists in dealing with safeguarding cases in accordance with protocols
•  Leads on ending individual residents’ rights to live at Christopher Boone’s Court, through the appropriate internal and court processes, including instructing lawyers.
• Ensures that an ARC concessionary TV licence is in force for MTBC residents at Christopher Boone’s Court.
• Organises traditional annual events involving the Merchant Taylors’ Company.

Relationships with third parties

Christopher Boone’s Court:

• Ensures that One Housing Group and any other relationship partners meet agreed performance levels/contractual responsibilities to MTBC.
• Works proactively with One Housing Group to promote a cohesive, empowered community of residents at Christopher Boone’s Court, ensuring as far as reasonably possible that there is a common and consistent approach to MTBC and non-MTBC residents, and common opportunities for them.

Youth Almshouses after construction has finished (est. 2028):

• Acts as the key point of contact between the Partner Charity managing the accommodation, Merchant Taylors’ and its Client Project Manager, leading on operational issues.
• Notifies all construction latent defects to MTBC’s Client Project Manager.
• Leads on the Partner Charity’s performance level against the lease and service agreement.
• Assists as required in procuring periodic renewal and/or re-negotiation of lease and service agreement between MTBC and the Partner Charity, or a new lease and agreement with a replacement Partner Charity

Essential (skills, experience, qualifications)

• Educated to degree level
• Interest in economic/social policy issues relevant to the types of people eligible to live at the proposed youth almshouses and Christopher Boone’s Court.
• Able to take responsibility while maintaining good communication and accountability
• Proactive with a problem-solving aptitude
• A fast learner who’s able to interpret complex information
• Good commercial awareness and financial understanding
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Always reviewing and looking at ways to improve existing processes
• Good IT skills

Desirable

CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your CV and cover letter.

Please don’t use generative AI. 

Your cover letter should explain why you think  you are a good fit for this role.

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

We’re looking for 2 dynamic New Partnerships Leads to help us secure the transformational corporate partnerships that will shape the future of end-of-life care across the UK.

You’ll be at the forefront of Marie Curie’s high-value fundraising strategy, responsible for securing six- and seven-figure partnerships across priority sectors. You’ll lead the full business development and sales cycle from outreach and lead generation to pitch, proposal, and close.

You’ll manage your own portfolio of high-value prospects, build a robust pipeline, and cultivate relationships with senior stakeholders across major UK brands. One of the roles will also line-manage New Partnership Manager, supporting them to deliver their own income targets.

This role is perfect for a self-starter. Someone who can spot opportunities, open doors, and build long-term, commercial strategic partnerships that deliver income, influence, and national brand impact.

Please let us know during your application which role you want to apply for!

In this role, you will:

• Leading the development and delivery of sector-specific strategies to secure new high-value corporate partnerships.
• Generating and converting your own leads through proactive outreach, networking, and market insight.
• Managing the full business development cycle: prospecting, cultivation, proposal writing, pitching, negotiation, and closing.
• Building strong relationships with senior corporate stakeholders, trustees, volunteers, and internal teams.
• Creating compelling, commercially focused proposals, applications, and pitch materials tailored to each prospect.
• Developing innovative partnership concepts across CRM, sponsorship, brand partnerships, cause-related marketing, and strategic collaborations.
• Presenting confidently to senior audiences and representing Marie Curie at events, meetings, and networking opportunities.
• Supporting and motivating team members, contributing to a high-performing, collaborative culture.

Skills Needed

• A proven track record of winning or managing corporate partnerships worth £100k+.
• Experience securing six- or seven-figure partnerships across Charity of the Year, CRM, sponsorship, or strategic partnership models.
• Strong experience in business development, including cold outreach, lead generation, and pipeline management.
• Ability to build relationships quickly and credibly with senior stakeholders across sectors.
• Exceptional communication skills written, verbal, and presentation with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Experience writing high-quality proposals, applications, and pitch decks.
• Strong networking ability and confidence representing an organisation externally.
• Commercial understanding of brand strategy, retail, consumer partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration.
• A self-starter mindset: proactive, resilient, and motivated to build new opportunities from scratch.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at pace.

This is your chance to play a pivotal role in helping Marie Curie reach its goal of raising £9.5 million in corporate income next year and to build partnerships that change lives.

Please see full job description

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications:

Salary: £42,000 - £45,000 (plus London allowance of £3.5k (subject to eligibility)

Contract: Full time, 35 hours per week 

Based: Homebased (outside of London) 1 day per month in office for meetings 
London based 2 days per week in London HQ

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us at .

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.

The HR team is committed to the attraction and retention of a highly engaged and performing workforce that is committed to delivering our vision to see isolated communities changed by the love of Christ. We do this by nurturing a supportive and encouraging environment, where strong relationships are built, personal growth, innovation and creativity are encouraged, and performance achieved.

As our new Talent Acquisition Manager, you will be doing exactly that. You will drive the recruitment operations for placements for both UK and overseas staff, leading the team and taking ownership and responsibility to execute a best-in-class candidate experience. 

The Talent Acquisition Manager will lead recruitment for us in support of our strategic goals in this area, partnering with hiring managers and offering innovative and creative advice and solutions on how to attract and recruit the best talent available. This is a managerial role that requires strong decision making and the ability to drive the department forward progressively, but still very much a position where you will be expected roll your sleeves up and take a hands-on approach to deliver first-rate talent for the organisation, and experience for our candidates. You will oversee all recruitment activity passing through the UK office, owning our ATS and line managing the Talent Acquisition Officer.

1. Talent Acquisition Strategy 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the talent acquisition strategy, with a strategic focus on digital optimisation, to ensure improving placements for both UK and overseas roles. 

• Oversee and deliver all employer brand initiatives and recruitment campaigns including hiring events to drive candidate engagement and boost our employer brand. 

• Build diverse candidate pools, and create initiatives to attract and retain diverse talent. 

• Develop and analyse our recruitment metrics, and use your knowledge, market insights, numbers and analysis to continually refine and improve the talent acquisition process using a data-led approach. 

• Offer a clear, supportive and innovative voice in interactions with international colleagues to streamline processes and ensure seamless, effective collaboration.

• Use creative and innovative approaches to continue to reach new candidate audiences in a narrow field. 

• Continuously review our process to drive improvements and change, especially through the use of emergent technologies. 

• Work closely with colleagues in our youth outreach programme ‘Co-Pilot’ to develop, maximise and harmonise our approach in bringing a younger demographic into our talent pools, incorporating this relationship into our strategy. 

2. Transactional Recruitment Management 

• Create and deliver an annual international recruitment action and promotional plan 
• Work in close collaboration with our marketing team in the promotion and delivery of recruitment advertising including online/offline and social media campaigns and analysing results to inform planning and performance improvements. Ensure that the recruitment message remains central throughout our range of communications activities and that our voice is clear, compelling and interactsand synergizes seamlessly with our existing central campaign operations 

• Monitoring, reviewing, and developing the recruitment pages on our website to maximize engagement

• Being responsible for the discernment and wisdom required to undertake spiritual personal and assessments, refining a clear and robust framework to ensure a fair and consistent candidate experience. 

• Overseeing the development and maintenance of physical resources for overseas recruitment 

• Representing MAF throughout the year at festivals and other events within the UK as a passionate and compelling advocate 

• Initiating high quality recruitment events in various forums throughout the year, focusing on producing a clear ROI 

• Leading in the development of the Online Recruitment Journey 

• Leading in the recruitment of UK roles

• Training and supporting UK managers with hiring responsibilities in effective recruitment techniques and selection processes, ensuring that colleagues are coached and upskilled to sufficiently assist in the delivery of an efficient campaign.

• Review the workflow of the recruitment process to ensure that the workload requirement for managers supporting the process is mitigated and manageable, whilst maintaining their engagement in the process. 

• Work with the UK and International HR Managers to support a seamless onboarding process for all joiners 

3. Overseeing our selection processes to ensure the progression of suitably skilled applicants who meet our faith, vision, and values criteria 

• Designing and implementing robust, efficient, and personable selection processes that deliver an excellent candidate experience 
• Overseeing MAF UK’s assessment processes and assisting with interviews where required 

• Liaising with MAF International (MAFI) to discuss candidates’ potential fit for overseas roles 

• Managing our use of UK psychometric assessment 

4. Envisioning and delivering new initiatives to attract and build our talent pipeline 

• Overseeing and driving proactive digital acquisition using LinkedIn and other platforms 
• Working with other teams to design and deliver creative, engaging, and high-quality recruitment campaigns and promotional initiatives 

• Raising awareness and leveraging team support for recruitment initiatives

• Establishing, developing, and sustaining collaborative relationships with key external bodies e.g., Christian bodies within the aviation industry, armed forces, and universities

• Selecting, training, and managing a network of volunteer recruitment champions, increasing the scale of our capacity to support at events and build a greater presence in the community specifically from a recruitment perspective 

• Designing and implementing approaches to encourage greater diversity with applicants 

• Demonstrating a data-led approach, monitoring recruitment statistics and measures to inform decision making, identify issues and prepare management information reports. 

5. Partnership 

• Building strong relationships with the MAFI recruitment team and proactively sharing resources, experience, and expertise with Engagement Units 
• Member of the MAFI Recruitment Steering Group 

• Establishing or contributing to recruitment learning circles with other Engagement Units 

• Support efforts to integrate into one global entity from a recruitment perspective 

• Contribute to the launch and maintenance of the Mission Aviation Academy, to continue to enhance our employer brand around our training schemes and ensure a sustainable funding pipeline for them for the future 

6. Management  

• Overall management of the relationship portfolios and specific management of ‘Premium’ enquirers portfolio 

• Line manage, coach, develop and champion the Talent Acquisition Officer 

• Participating in MAF UK organisation development initiatives and policy review 

• Managing own time effectively to maximize organisational benefit 

• Lead on the overall management and administration of the Applicant Tracking System 

7. Legal, finance and professional 

• Maintaining a high level of legal awareness and ensuring our legal obligations are maintained throughout the recruitment process 
• Preparing and managing the recruitment budget 

• Modeling self-leadership through continual professional development 

8. Travel 

• This role will involve some travel within the United Kingdom, particularly around the events season. 

Other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Director of People and Culture including covering for other members of the team as required. 

DIMENSION AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY:  

• Expenditure up to agreed budget. 

• Responsible for managing the Talent Acquisition Officer and conducting regular 1-1s and Personal Development Reviews according to agreed standards. 

• Decision making within agreed parameters. 

TASKS COMMON TO ALL MANAGERS:

• Role modelling of organisational values and beliefs 

• Contributing to the shared spiritual life of the MAF UK team as a Christian mission

• Attendance and participation in team and corporate times of biblical reflection and prayer 

• Encouraging team members to attend, participate and lead in times of Biblical reflection at regular corporate prayer meetings 

• Participate in planning in accordance with the MAF UK strategic plan and as outworked through matrix programme and project teams 

• Keeping line manager informed of all relevant information in a timely manner 

• Complying with statutory and organisational requirements for the proper handling of personal and sensitive data and ensuring good personal data handling practices are developed, reviewed, and encouraged 

• Abiding by Safeguarding, Conduct and other MAF UK policies provided on the Intranet. 

CHRISTIAN VALUES, BELIEFS AND ETHOS: 

As a Christian mission, MAF UK seeks staff who share in the evangelical Christian values and beliefs as described in the mission, purpose, values, and beliefs statements.All staff will be required to actively support and demonstrate the Christian values of the organisation and to take part in organisational activities such as staff devotions, prayer meetings, and fellowship days.

Location: Hybrid working with the requirement to work in the UK offices in either Folkestone or Cranfield. 

Working Hours:Office open officially from 9.00 to 5.30pm (9-4pm on Friday). Hours to be agreed according to flexible working policy. 

Salary:£48,500

Terms: 

Hours: As a senior appointment at least 36 hours per week but in addition those required to achieve the agreed responsibilities, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day. 

Flexibility will be required for working additional hours and travel to meet business needs or for travel or meetings on weekends or evenings.

This role involves some unsocial hours, weekend work and travel within the UK 

Leave:Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per year plus eight paid public holidays per year. 

Pension: Non-contributory pension scheme (10%) of salary on joining. 

Additional Benefits:

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for free, confidential support on personal and professional issues. 

• Death in Service/Life Assurance scheme. 

• Free on-site parking at our offices. 

Probationary and notice period: 

• 6-month probation period with mid-term review 

• Notice period is 3 months. 

Closing Date for Applications 22nd March

Head of corporate partnerships

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

About the Role

We are seeking a Head of Corporate Partnerships to transform and scale our corporate income. This role is full time, based at our King’s Cross office in London, with hybrid working in place. The successful candidate will work 2–3 days per week on site, with the remainder worked remotely.

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for developing and delivering an ambitious corporate fundraising strategy that builds a sustainable pipeline of six and seven-figure, multi-year partnerships.

You will diversify and grow income across strategic partnerships, charity of the year initiatives, corporate grants, commercial partnerships and innovative new opportunities — securing long-term, transformational support for Sense.

What You’ll Lead

Strategic Income Growth

• Develop and deliver an ambitious corporate fundraising strategy.
• Build and manage a sustainable pipeline of multi-year six and seven-figure partnerships.
• Diversify corporate income streams to ensure long-term resilience.
• Develop compelling, high-impact proposals and presentations that inspire corporate investment.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing corporate partnerships team.
• Coach managers to drive accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Model inclusive, values-led leadership and embed co-production in how we work.
• Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, aligning corporate strategy with organisational goals.

Performance & Governance

• Take full accountability for budgets, forecasting and income targets.
• Monitor KPIs and performance indicators, taking action to ensure success.
• Lead cross-team strategic projects to strengthen collaboration and shared learning.
• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Regulator Code of Conduct, GDPR and data protection requirements.

About You

You are a strategic and commercially astute fundraising leader with a proven track record of transforming corporate income.

You will bring:

• Demonstrable success in securing and managing six and seven-figure, multi-year partnerships.
• Experience leading both new business and account management functions.
• Significant leadership experience within the not-for-profit sector.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis.
• Experience using data and insight to drive decision-making (ideally Power BI, MS Dynamics or similar).
• Outstanding communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• A values-led leadership approach that authentically includes people with lived experience.
• The ability to operate confidently within a large, complex organisation.

You will also be willing to travel across the UK and attend occasional evening and weekend events.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.  We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Key information

Location: Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Start date: ASAP (we are happy to work with notice periods)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £36,340 - £41,065 per annum if based in London. £33,690 - £38,410 per annum if based in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle or Nottingham, plus a £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance.

Application deadline: Wednesday 18th March, 12pm

This application process will consist of 3 stages: Application, 1st interview and Assessment Centre (presentation task & interview).

About upReach 

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2. 

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. 

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.

Role Summary

As a University Partnership Manager at upReach, you will play a vital role in securing and growing high-impact partnerships with universities committed to social mobility.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships within the Income Generation and External Engagement team, you will be responsible for developing new strategic relationships, championing our partners' voices across upReach, and working closely with our Programmes Team to oversee a portfolio of university partners. You’ll lead stakeholder engagement, take ownership of partnership outcomes and work collaboratively across upReach with our marketing, impact and programme teams.

Core Responsibilities

You will play a critical role in advancing upReach’s mission by generating income and leading upReach’s University Partnerships strategy. Creating life-changing opportunities for our Associates through high-impact university partnerships. You will be directly supporting the organisation's strategic priorities: driving sustainable income growth, enhancing programme impact and expanding our reach as a national charity.

Given the expansive and dynamic nature of this role, the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, but provides a clear overview of your primary areas of responsibility, ownership and impact.

The core responsibilities include:

Develop and Secure New Strategic University Partnerships

• Proactively identify, cultivate, and convert a pipeline of four and five-figure prospective university partners aligned with upReach’s mission and strategic goals.

• Lead high-quality prospecting and relationship-building activity, targeting income-generating partnerships that also deliver high-impact opportunities for Associates.

• Build strong relationships with key contacts at potential partners, including senior stakeholders within widening participation, employability, and careers teams, through regular in-person and virtual meetings.

• Deliver compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations tailored to organisational priorities and demonstrating mutual value.

Stakeholder Representation and Engagement

• Act as a visible representative of upReach at key partner events, conferences, and roundtables, building relationships, showcasing our impact, and raising our external profile.

• Leverage social media strategically to spotlight partnership activity, amplify success stories and demonstrate the value of our partnerships in real time.

• Respond swiftly and professionally to partner and prospective partner requests, ensuring timely, accurate information and follow-up.

• Capture, report and disseminate key themes and insights from partner feedback, helping to inform decision-making and continuously improve the partnership experience.

Monitor and Grow Existing University Partnerships

• Responsibility for a portfolio of upReach’s existing university partners, ensuring effective stewardship of the day-to-day relationship with high satisfaction, sustainable renewal and growth.

• Set and monitor partnership goals and OKRs, leading regular reviews and performance reporting.

• Identify opportunities to deepen and broaden engagement with existing partners, including expanding partnership activities.

• Collaborate with the Student Attraction and Programme teams to engage the university in identifying & promoting the programme.

• Working closely with upReach’s Programme teams to ensure partnerships and programmes are delivered to a high standard.

• Lead on university partnership health reviews and mid-year partner reviews to ensure any issues are dealt with effectively, promptly and collaboratively.

Partnership Visibility and Impact

• Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to co-create high-quality content and campaigns that showcase our strategic partnerships through university guides, case studies, thought leadership, social media, and joint events.

• Lead on impact reporting for your partnership portfolio, using both data and compelling stories to evidence the outcomes of the partnership and drive continued engagement.

• Proactively identify and deliver opportunities for partners to amplify the voice of upReach; through our external events, fundraising opportunities and sharing social-media collateral that promotes our work.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation

• Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure timely and accurate invoicing and contracting for all University partnerships, supporting effective financial management.

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of partnership activity using upReach’s internal CRM and systems, enabling effective reporting, forecasting and stewardship.

• Uphold the organisation’s legal and ethical obligations, including data protection, charity law, and compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.

• Manage and support a rotation of the Future Charity Leaders Programme, providing guidance, feedback, and development opportunities.

• Meet monthly with University Leads (the Programme Coordinator responsible for day-to-day university activities) to set partnership priorities, monitor stakeholder KPIs (onboarding, engagement), and deliver updates to universities.

• Contribute to the achievement of income targets aligned with upReach’s strategic goals, identifying and progressing opportunities to drive revenue growth.

• Engage fully in the annual appraisal process, setting ambitious, SMART objectives that align with organisational priorities and your personal development.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate for the University Partnerships Manager should display these behavioural skills:

• Strong track record of relationship-building, influencing, and delivering high-quality engagement with a range of stakeholders, ideally including senior university professionals.

• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines autonomously.

• Confident and pragmatic decision maker in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of when to escalate situations and seek input appropriately.

• Proven ability to develop and implement partnership or engagement strategies that strengthen collaboration and deliver shared goals.

• Collaborative team player with experience supporting and working across diverse teams to deliver shared objectives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in preparing and delivering presentations and reports.

• Proficient in using CRM or data management systems to track engagement, manage pipelines, and generate actionable insights.

• Experience measuring and reporting on partnership impact, engagement, or value creation.

Desirable:

• Experience in university partnerships, fundraising, account management, or stakeholder engagement.

• Understanding of widening participation, employability, or student success strategies within a higher education setting.

• Experience collaborating with marketing or communications teams to create joint campaigns, content, or case studies that drive engagement.

Team Culture & Benefits: 

We offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days and bank holidays. This increases to 2 additional days after 2.5 years and then to 3 additional days after 5 years of working with us. 

• Birthday leave and Volunteering leave

• Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members. 

• 3% Pension Contribution, which increased to 5% after 5 years of working with us. 

• Cycle-to-work scheme.

• Monthly socials and annual wellbeing days

• Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aid Training. 

• Personal Development Budget, activated after 6 months in the role.

• The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks: 

  • Disability and Inclusion Network

  • Diverse Roots Network 

  • Green Network 

  • LGBTQ+ Network

  • Mindfulness Network

  • Parents and Carers Network

  • (Im)Migrants Network 

Ready to apply?

We are committed to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.

Applications close on Wednesday 18th March at 12pm.. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Diversity in the workplace creates dynamic and effective organisations and we are actively working to build a more inclusive workforce by continuously improving our recruitment, retention, and development practices. We  encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities , those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.