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Battersea is entering an exciting phase of innovation and transformation during this second year of our new five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation, we are strengthening our team to drive the growth to achieve our organisational goals.
This role sits within the Philanthropy, Partnerships & Commercial (PPC) team, made up of Philanthropy & Trusts, Corporate Partnerships & Commercial, Special Events & Stewardship, and Fundraising Operations.
Main purpose of the role:
The focus of the Philanthropy & Trusts team is to build a solid base of support through excellent stewardship of existing trusts and major donors alongside cultivation of new prospects, reached through prospect research and the networks of senior volunteers.
The key purpose of this Philanthropy Manager is to meet both financial and strategic KPIs, by managing a portfolio of key individual relationships and cultivating lapsed and colder prospects to support the long-term health of the Philanthropy portfolio. This role, together with Battersea’s other Philanthropy Managers, will also work closely with senior leadership, senior volunteers and other individuals to open up their networks and introduce new major donors to Battersea.
What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:
Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.
Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.
We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. If you would like to talk more about this, please contact us. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.
More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.
Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.
To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.
Closing date: 27th September 2026
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.
Interview date(s):
First round (online, via MS teams): 5th/6th/7th October 2026
Second round (in person, with task): 13th/14th October 2026
For more information about the role, please download our Recruitment pack.
To apply for the role, please click the "Apply" button.
Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. We believe that every dog and cat deserves the best.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a unique opportunity to lead fundraising for a charity at the cusp of substantial growth, with an exceptional track record of recent fundraising success, an engaged base of supporters and significant untapped potential across multiple channels.
Overview
As Director of Fundraising and Development for Plum Village UK, you will provide strategic leadership of the charity’s fundraising at this critical juncture. Building on the successful campaigns that brought our new Being Peace Practice Centre into being, you will lead the development of a sustainable, diversified fundraising operation across donor stewardship, trusts and foundations, regular giving, legacies, and partnerships, to deepen relationships of trust and gratitude with our supporters.
This role is ideal for a fundraising leader, whether from a career fundraising background or another field, who brings strategic capability alongside deep alignment with the Plum Village tradition, where fundraising itself becomes a form of engaged practice in service of mindfulness and community transformation.
Fundraising in the Plum Village tradition is fundamentally relational. It is not a matter of extracting income from a base of supporters, but of deepening the relationships of trust, gratitude and shared purpose with those who make our work possible, in ways that embody the values of the tradition. Done well, fundraising is itself a form of engaged practice. The Director will be expected to lead the function in this spirit.
The role comes with a high level of strategic ownership. An initial fundraising strategy has been developed and shared with trustees, providing a framework of priority channels, governance arrangements and resourcing for the next phase. The new Director will inherit this as a starting frame, and will then be empowered and expected to develop, refine and bring forward a fundraising strategy on their own authority, working closely with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising and presenting proposals to the board as appropriate. The role also carries operational ownership of the fundraising mechanics, including the choice and management of supporting systems, databases and tools.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic leadership of fundraising
Lead PVUK's fundraising strategy, developing and refining the strategic direction, and presenting proposals to the Board for approval and resourcing.
Set, monitor, and report on fundraising targets across all income channels, in agreement with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising and the Board.
Provide regular substantive updates on fundraising at quarterly board meetings, working with the Lead Trustee on the preparation of board-level reporting.
Bring forward analysis and proposals to support the Board in setting wider strategic priorities, including realistic income potential by channel and the investment required to secure it.
Identify and manage risk in the fundraising portfolio, including channel concentration, donor over-reliance, and the sustainability of resourcing.
Donor stewardship and relationship development
Lead the stewardship of PVUK’s existing donors, lenders, and supporters with the depth of care that this base deserves, recognising it as the most precious resource of the fundraising function.
Cultivate and deepen relationships with major donors, including through personal contact, site visits, and tailored communication of impact.
Work with the Chair of Trustees, the Centre Director, and other senior figures on key relationships that require their involvement.
Steward the friendly lender base throughout the lifetime of their loans, maintaining trust and keeping them informed of the charity’s progress.
Build and maintain a culture of gratitude and recognition that appropriately honours the contributions of all supporters.
Income channel development
Lead delivery and growth across PVUK’s priority fundraising channels: donor stewardship, trust and foundation fundraising, regular giving, legacies and Gifts in Wills, and partnerships with values-aligned organisations and networks.
Develop trust and foundation fundraising as a substantial new income stream, including scoping aligned funders, building peer-to-peer introductions, constructing tailored funding propositions, and overseeing high-quality application writing and reporting.
Design and grow a regular giving programme that converts members, retreatants and supporters into ongoing monthly donors.
Develop a structured legacy and Gifts in Wills programme that normalises legacy giving across PVUK’s communications and supports those who wish to leave a Gift in their Will.
Develop partnerships with values-aligned organisations and networks where these support both income generation and the wider reach of PVUK’s work, in close consultation with monastics and trustees.
Operations, systems and budget ownership
Own the operational mechanics of fundraising for PVUK, including the choice, configuration and ongoing management of databases, donor management systems, online giving platforms, and integration with communications tools.
Manage the fundraising budget, including a discretionary supplementary budget for consultancy, training, materials creation, contracted support and light administrative resource, deployed at the Director’s judgement to develop the function effectively.
Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant supporter records and ensure sound data practices throughout the fundraising operation.
Provide accurate financial reporting on fundraising performance, working with PVUK’s finance function and external accountants as required.
Make the case for additional resourcing where evidence of need supports it, including the possible recruitment of a Fundraising Officer in due course.
Communications and storytelling
Lead the development of compelling fundraising narratives that authentically convey the work of PVUK and the Being Peace Centre to multiple audiences, including major donors, institutional funders, individual supporters and the wider public.
Work closely with the PVUK Communications team on the integration of fundraising communications with the wider communications strategy.
Commission and oversee the production of fundraising materials, including written content, graphic design, video and digital assets, drawing on contracted specialists where appropriate.
Ensure that all fundraising messaging about the Being Peace Practice Centre is agreed with the Centre Director before publication.
Working partnerships across PVUK
Work in close partnership with the Centre Director on all matters relating to Being Peace, with agreed ways of working on messaging, external representation, and any programming commitments made to funders.
Work with the Lead Trustee for Fundraising as primary day-to-day point of contact at board level, supporting the Lead Trustee to hold strategic oversight of fundraising on behalf of the Board.
Work with colleagues across PVUK’s communications, dharma programming, sangha-building and partnership functions, with these working relationships developing naturally in the first months of the role.
Draw on external advisors and specialists as needed for support and assurance, both in technical fundraising disciplines and in sector-specific knowledge.
Engage volunteer capacity from within the community where this can valuably supplement the fundraising operation.
We build mindful communities in the UK inspired by the teachings of ‘Father of Mindfulness’ Thich Nhat Hanh.



Action for Conservation exists to empower the next generation of environmental leaders — placing young people at the heart of action for nature and the climate. We are looking for a Fundraising Manager — Trusts and Foundations to take the lead on our income generation from trusts, foundations and statutory sources, ensuring our charity continues to grow sustainably and to bring the magic of nature into young people’s lives.
Key details
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Start date: December 2026 or January 2027, exact date to be agreed
Starting salary: £38,035 - £42,203 depending on location and experience
Location: London, Bristol or Manchester (hybrid) would be preferred; we are open to a remote hire for the right candidate
Hours of work: 35 hours on a 5-day working week. We operate a 9-day fortnight scheme with every other Friday off. Some evening and weekend work will be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) can be taken.
Travel: Occasional travel to London and our other active regions for meetings and events
About the role
As Fundraising Manager - Trusts & Foundations, you will play a crucial role in shaping and implementing our fundraising strategy. You will work closely with the Fundraising Manager - Philanthropy and Partnerships and the Chief Executive Officer to grow and diversify Action for Conservation’s income, taking responsibility for our trusts and foundations revenue stream. You will be the driving force behind our grant applications and reports, producing compelling fundraising content that drives donor engagement and maximises income opportunities. You will be able to distill and transform information from various sources about our projects and programmes, including impact data, into readable, persuasive narratives about our work tailored to donor interests and criteria. You will also manage the trusts and foundations pipeline, from researching new prospects and identifying the most appropriate approach for each funder to coordinating grant administration, monitoring and reporting. Through everything you do, you will maintain and build on existing funder relationships and proactively nurture new ones, enabling us to attract and retain funders year after year.
We are looking for a driven and passionate individual with a track record of securing one-off and/or multi-year five- to six-figure grants, who is comfortable managing multiple prospects, deadlines and priorities. To succeed in this role, you will be a skilled and persuasive written communicator with a keen eye for detail, excellent organisation and time-management skills and a positive, flexible and highly proactive approach to your work.
Key Responsibilities
Please see the Recruitment Pack for a full job description and the skills, knowledge and experience we are looking for.
Why work with us?
You will be joining a dynamic, mission-driven and closely-knit team who truly love what they do. It goes without saying that we work hard, but we also maintain a positive work-life balance and emphasize spending time outdoors. Some of the benefits of working with Action for Conservation are:
How to apply
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 21 October at midnight. To be considered for the role, you must apply via our online application form. Click on the "Apply" button or visit our website to access the application form. Full details about the vacancy and application process are available in the enclosed Recruitment Pack.Please note that interviews will be held remotely in the w/c 02 November.
Our commitment to diversity and Guaranteed Interview Scheme
Diversity is one of our core values as an organisation and we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We also recognise that the climate and ecological crisis disproportionately impacts minority and/or marginalised communities – yet these voices are largely underrepresented in the sector. Currently, the environmental sector is the second least diverse in the UK, with just 4.8% of employees from ethnic minority backgrounds. If the environmental movement is to succeed in creating a greener future that supports society as a whole, we need diverse voices at the heart of our programmes. We therefore encourage people from demographics that are currently underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply.
We particularly encourage applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds or living with a disability or long-term health conditions. We will offer an interview to any candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds or living with a disability who opt into our Guaranteed Interview Scheme when applying and who meet the essential criteria for this role.
If you would like further information, support with access requirements, such as an adjustment to the application or interview process, or an informal chat, please get in touch.
Building the next generation of nature conservationists


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
REMAP is a national charity which helps disabled people across the UK, achieve greater independence and a better quality of life. Our community of volunteer engineers design and create equipment when no commercial alternative exists – at no charge to the individuals we help. We are the UK’s only charity providing innovative, custom made and personalised equipment for disabled people.
We are looking for an experienced Fundraising Manager to focus on leading and developing a diverse programme of fundraising activities that will generate sustainable income and support the organisation’s very compelling cause. REMAP is unique.
Our new Fundraising Manager will be ambitious and enthusiastic, with outstanding written communication and interpersonal skills who is able to develop excellent relationships with volunteers, donors and staff. They will:
To apply please submit your CV and Covering Letter outlining how you meet the personal specification by the deadline of midnight on Monday 28th September 2026. Interviews will take place online via Teams on 12th & 13th October 2026.
REMAP exists to improve the quality of life for people who experience short or long-term disability through infirmity, illness or ageing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior fundraising professional who combines strategic thinking with excellent relationship-building skills and a passion for making a tangible difference.
The Fundraising Manager will lead on the development and growth of several key income streams, including:
Working in close partnership with SUDEP Action's other Fundraising Manager (who oversees Community fundraising, Trusts and Grants and other aspects of our in-memory giving), the postholder will also share responsibility for the development, delivery and performance of wider fundraising activity across the charity.
A significant aspect of this role will involve re-engaging existing high-value supporters while identifying and cultivating new prospects. The ideal candidate will be confident networking, opening doors, building meaningful relationships and inspiring people to support a cause that may be unfamiliar to them.
The postholder will work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, including fundraising colleagues, the CEO, and wider management team, drawing upon their expertise to develop effective fundraising plans, test assumptions and ensure the charity is represented professionally, authentically and consistently.
Given the nature of SUDEP Action's work, the role also requires sensitivity, empathy and the ability to engage thoughtfully with people affected by epilepsy and bereavement.
Full details of the role and experience required can be found in the Job Pack attachment.
Interested? Please send us a CV and cover letter showing us why:
• you want to work at SUDEP Action,
• you think you are a great candidate for this role,
• why your skills and experiences make you a good fit.
It doesn’t have to be long, 1-2 pages at most, but should give specific examples to demonstrate your suitability to the role and the impact you have had in similar roles. Applications not including a cover letter including the above will not be shortlisted.
SUDEP Action is an equal opportunities employer, and we’re committed to treating applications fairly. Initial shortlisting for interview is done blind.
First Interviews: Thursday 15th October 2026. Second Interviews: Monday 18th October 2026.
Our mission is to stop preventable epilepsy deaths and to provide the UK's only bereavement service for anyone who has experienced an epilepsy death


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you an experienced fundraiser who enjoys building relationships and wants the opportunity to shape a role around your skills and experience?
We’re looking for a Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser to join Enham Trust and help grow our corporate fundraising. You will manage and develop our existing partnerships while also building new relationships and identifying opportunities to bring new supporters on board.
This is a role where you will have the opportunity to take ownership, bring your own ideas and help shape how our corporate fundraising develops.
What you will be doing
You’ll build and maintain relationships with our corporate partners, while also identifying new organisations and opportunities to grow our income. You’ll work closely with businesses to develop fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering and other ways they can support Enham Trust.
You’ll also:
There is plenty of scope for the role to develop, so we’re looking for someone who is confident working independently, takes ownership and happy to bring new ideas to the table.
About you
You’ll already have fundraising experience and understand how to build strong relationships with supporters and develop those relationships into fundraising opportunities. Corporate or partnership fundraising experience is important, as you’ll be managing existing relationships while also looking for new opportunities.
You will be responsible for growing income to support Enham Trust’s fundraising targets.
We’re looking for someone who is:
Experience of working within the disability sector would be useful but isn’t essential. Fundraising training and support will be available, so we’re looking for someone who has the right fundraising experience and wants to develop their career with us.
You will need to be based within or near Hampshire, as we’re looking for someone who can work from our Enham Trust office around 2 to 3 days a week. You’ll also need to be comfortable travelling to meet corporate partners and attend external meetings, so you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
About Enham Trust
We are Enham! Together we have been making a difference to the lives of disabled people for over 100 years and we are looking forward to continuing this for the next 100 years! Together we explore opportunities with people so they can live the lives they choose by overcoming limitations and expanding possibilities. Through first class care, personal development, housing options, and employment, we support people to exercise individual choice and control in their lives.
We live by our values, TOGETHER we do amazing, we WOW people every day and we dare to be DIFFERENT!
Join us at Enham Trust and become part of a team that makes a real difference.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Want to use your fundraising experience to create real, visible change for thousands of Sri Lankan street dogs? Join a small, ambitious charity where your ideas, relationships and fundraising expertise can have a direct impact.
WECare Worldwide is looking for an experienced and hands-on Head of Fundraising to join us for a 12-month maternity cover and take ownership of our fundraising strategy and income generation.
We are a UK- and Sri Lanka-registered animal welfare charity providing international-standard veterinary care to street dogs in Sri Lanka. We are a small and collaborative organisation, so this is a role for someone who enjoys combining strategic fundraising leadership with hands-on delivery. You will work closely with the CEO and colleagues across WECare to help shape how we grow our income, while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day fundraising work needed to deliver results.
A major focus will be our individual giving and digital fundraising, including online donations, regular giving and fundraising appeals. This is currently one of our most important sources of income, and we’re looking for someone who can help us strengthen supporter engagement, improve donor journeys and identify opportunities to grow sustainable income.
You’ll also play a key role in developing our grants and trusts & foundations income, from identifying opportunities and building compelling applications through to reporting and stewardship. Alongside this, you’ll nurture and develop major donor relationships and explore the right corporate partnership opportunities for WECare.
This is very much a role for someone who enjoys both thinking strategically and getting things done. You might be developing the fundraising plan one day, working on a significant grant application the next, reviewing digital fundraising performance, shaping an appeal or speaking directly with a donor or potential partner.
You’ll work with colleagues across the organisation to turn the incredible work happening on the ground in Sri Lanka into compelling stories, funding propositions and campaigns that inspire people to support WECare.
We’d love to hear from you if you have a strong track record in fundraising, particularly across individual giving, trusts and foundations, major donors or other high-value income streams. You’ll be commercially aware, comfortable working with targets and forecasts, confident building relationships and happy taking initiative in a fast-moving environment.
Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who genuinely wants to make an impact. WECare is an ambitious organisation with big plans, but we remain small enough that the person in this role can make a tangible difference to both our fundraising direction and the animals our work exists to help.
Location: Remote
Contract: Fixed-term, 12-month maternity cover
Reporting to: CEO
Please see the full Job Description for further details about the role and experience we’re looking for.
WECare is a vet and nurse run charity providing high standard veterinary care to the millions of roaming dogs in Sri Lanka in need of vet care.
Who we are
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
Reports to: Fundraising Manager
Location: Remote, with occasional travel for funder and staff meetings 4-5 times a year
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Trusts and Philanthropy Officer to join our small, ambitious fundraising team. IPSEA has a proven track record of successfully securing grants for core costs and projects. You will be responsible for researching new funding opportunities, preparing and submitting tailored applications and reports, and managing relationships with funders through thoughtful and timely stewardship. You will also have the opportunity to shape the early development of our strategies in major gifts and wider philanthropy and contribute to this work into the future.
This is a key role in IPSEA’s fundraising strategy and will help secure long-term financial sustainability for our services.
If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND and would like to use your fundraising skills at IPSEA, we would love to hear from you.
What we can offer you
To apply
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Deadline for applications: 9am on 5 October 2026.
First-round interviews: on 16 October in London, with second-round interviews (online) in the week commencing 19 October 2026.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Oxford Hospitals Charity is seeking an engaging and proactive individual to join our Fundraising Team and support our brilliant fundraisers, as they say thank you to their hospitals. As a visible ambassador for the charity as Community Fundraising Officer you will lead the charity in connecting our hospitals with the community they serve.
Responsible for the day-to-day development and delivery of our community fundraising activity, you will bring your communication and collaboration skills to identify new opportunities for grateful patients to give back to the hospitals, and support them throughout their fundraising journey with the charity. Whether it’s a family, a school, a local golf club or a corporate, you will help all of these amazing supporters find a fundraising opportunity to show their gratitude for the care our hospitals provide.
The ideal candidate will be proactive and tenacious, enjoying seeking out new opportunities for the charity, with a can-do attitude. They will have excellent attention to detail and organisational abilities, with exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills. Occasional evening and weekend working time will be required by the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Purpose
The Fundraising Manager will drive fundraising growth for YMCA Lincolnshire, a well-established charity working to improve the lives of children and young people, families, local communities and those at risk of homelessness.
Reporting to the Head of Income Generation, you will lead the delivery of YMCA Lincolnshire's Fundraising Strategy and be responsible for achieving agreed income targets across a diverse range of income streams. You will grow income through individual giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, community fundraising, events and campaigns, while strengthening donor stewardship, supporter journeys and the effective use of our Beacon CRM.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, you will translate service delivery outcomes into compelling cases for support and build meaningful relationships with supporters, funders, businesses and community groups. You will ensure all fundraising activity is compliant, insight-led and aligned with YMCA Lincolnshire's mission, values and strategic objectives.
The closing date is Friday 25th September 2026 at 5pm.
Applications will be shortlisted as they are submitted, so this position may close early should the right candidate be found.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Join Brightside and help transform the futures of young people facing barriers by securing the funding and partnerships that make life-changing mentoring possible. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious fundraiser to play a key role in growing our impact across the UK.
Brightside is the UK's leading online mentoring provider, connecting young people with relatable role models so they can make confident and informed decisions about the future. Since 2003, we've supported more than 178,000 young people and facilitated over three million messages between mentoring pairs on our safe and secure online mentoring platform.
We're looking for a talented Fundraising and Partnerships Manager to help deliver our growth ambitions. Working closely with the CEO and Senior Partnerships Manager, you'll play a key role in securing the funding and partnerships that enable Brightside to expand its reach and impact.
What you'll be doing
What we're looking for
Why join us?
For full details of the role, responsibilities, person specification, benefits and application process, please see the attached job description.
Applications without a cover letter or response to the screening question will not be considered.
Our mission is to help young people make confident and informed decisions about their future

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.
The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.
90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.
Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.
We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.
“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”
- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO
The Role
The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.
Strategy and Direction
● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador
● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team
● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals
● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan
Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact
● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people
● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention
● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement
Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations
● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events
● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile
Leading People, Culture and Operations
● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team
● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values
● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence
Governance and the Board
● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees
● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting
● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements
About You
Essential
● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees
● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative
● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams
● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors
● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level
● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery
● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable
● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds
● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience
● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape
● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities
Personal Attributes
● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage
● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks
● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it
Terms of Appointment
Contract type
Full-time, permanent
Location
Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff
Salary
£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP
Reports to
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Direct reports
Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations
Travel
Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events
Trustee meetings
Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Community Volunteers Enabling You (COVEY) has been a lifeline for children, young people and families across Lanarkshire since 1992. We provide one-to-one and group-based befriending, mentoring and family support services tailored to those who need it most. Our mission is to help children, young people and families become more resilient, safe and better equipped to reach their full potential.
As Fundraising Manager, you will lead the development of community fundraising, corporate fundraising and fundraising events (either held by us or undertaken by members of the public such as the Kiltwalk), helping COVEY grow sustainable unrestricted income and build long-term relationships with supporters.
This is a brand new role with real scope to build on COVEY’s trusted place in the local community, developing new fundraising opportunities and partnerships, as well as building on our existing relationships with volunteers, staff, trustees, supporters, funders, schools, employers, community partners and local networks.
You will also help shape fundraising activity linked to COVEY’s 35th anniversary in 2027, using this milestone to celebrate the children, young people and families we have supported over this time (and the volunteers and staff that made it happen), in turn raising our profile and build long-term supporter relationships beyond the anniversary year.
This role would suit someone who is confident, proactive and relationship-focused, with the ability to engage people, spot opportunities, make compelling asks, build partnerships and turn interest into meaningful support for COVEY.
What we’re looking for:
COVEY is entering an important period of growth. Our 2025-28 Strategy sets out ambitious plans to increase income, grow unrestricted funding, strengthen our external profile and develop wider community support for the charity. The Fundraising Manager will play a key role in achieving this, and will be able to shape exactly how we do this from the ground up.
What We Offer
We offer a rewarding and fulfilling role with the opportunity to develop your skills and career in an enriching environment. Our benefits package includes: