Development director jobs

We’re hiring a Director of Communities, Health and Partnerships.

Hackney CVS is in an exciting new phase and we’re looking for a senior leader to help shape it.

Following a major restructuring and redesign of our support offer, we’re focusing more sharply on our core mission: strengthening, connecting and championing the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Hackney and the City of London.

Our Director of Communities, Health and Partnerships will:

• Lead our networks, forums and engagement work.
• Amplify community voice in local decision-making.
• Build powerful cross-sector partnerships.
• Support the voluntary sector to influence systems change.

You’ll join our Senior Leadership Team at a pivotal moment, helping us embed new ways of working and secure a brighter future for the VCS.

If you care deeply about equity, collaboration and the potential of the VCS to transform lives, and if you thrive in complexity, influence and relationship building, we would love to hear from you.

For the full job description and person specification, please see the attached recruitment pack.

#director #community #health #partnership

We are looking for a talented fundraiser to join The Georgian Group in a pivotal new role, reporting to the Director. The new Development Manager will drive forward our fundraising strategy, reinvigorate our membership programme and increase philanthropic giving ahead our milestone 90th year in 2027. If you are proactive and organised with the ability to enthuse existing and prospective donors, we would love to hear from you.

We have a longstanding and loyal membership base from which to build major giving and other philanthropic support for our conservation and campaigning work. As part of a small and close-knit team, you will work with the Director and Trustees to expand our prospect pipeline and build relationships with supporters at all levels of giving. You will drive new member recruitment, including among under 35s, our fastest-growing membership category. The role is supported by a Membership and Office Administrator.

This is a hybrid role but a significant amount of in-person working will be essential for the relationship-building aspects of this role. We are open to conversations with candidates seeking a different working pattern to engage the ideal person for this important role. 

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, along with details on how to apply, please refer to the attachment below.

Closing date for applications: Friday 20 February 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 3 March 2026

Play to the Crowd (incorporating Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers) is looking for a Fundraising Manager. 

Hours/contract: Permanent, full time, 36 hours per week (job share or part-time hours will be considered for the right candidate)

Salary: £28,950 - £32,754 depending on length of service 

Base: Theatre Royal Winchester / Hybrid

We’re looking for a confident and enthusiastic fundraiser with a track record of delivering and leading major donor fundraising, membership schemes, corporate partnerships as well as securing significant funds from Trusts and Foundations.

The Fundraising Manager is responsible for implementing the charity’s fundraising strategy to increase our fundraised income to support all areas of our activity. This will be achieved by connecting donors and supporters to our mission to delight and unite communities through the power of live performance and participation.

The charity has ambitious plans for the future. We will continue to invest in the beautiful Theatre Royal Winchester. With the absence of Arts Council England National Portfolio funding, we will be transitioning to a new structure and funding model for future Hat Fair festivals. Through our engagement projects we will continue to have impact on our local community both in central Winchester and the wider district.

The Fundraising Manager role will be vital in:

• Helping to develop a sustainable fundraising model to secure future Hat Fair festivals

• Securing funding from Trusts and Foundations for community projects, core revenue to support our artistic and creative ambitions, and capital works

• Cultivating and securing large gifts from Major Donors

• Growing our membership base – our members are loyal and key advocates of the charity and audiences for our events

• Managing the relationships and developing our Corporate Partnerships 

How to Apply 

Application deadline: 10am Tue 17 February 2026 
Interviews: Wed 25 February 2026 

Interested? If you would like to find out more details about this role please visit our website where you can find the Job Description and Person Specification. Our website also contains our application form. Please note that we require fully completed application forms. We are unable to accept CVs. 

Keen on this role but seen something you’re not sure about? Don’t rule yourself out, get in touch to talk it through. For an informal discussion about the role, please get contact Kirstie Mathieson, Communications and Development Director (email available in the job pack) 

Play to the Crowd is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences and is also open to job share proposals. 

The Bikeability Trust is entering a new exciting phase of our strategy to 2035 to ensure more children can cycle with confidence. A year into our strategy we have reviewed Executive Team roles and responsibilities and are now looking for a creative Communications and Fundraising Director to lead our mission driven communications, income generation and impact reporting functions.

You will be an experience senior leader in communications, who has the drive to take our strategy to the next level. A key member of the Executive Team, working across the home based diverse staff team to bring together the impact of our work through corporate communications and influencing. We recommend reading our annual reviews on the Bikeability website to see a flavour of the work you could be leading.

Our income generation work is focussed on small impactful corporate partnerships, we have tested some individual giving and are planning to host a fundraising Ball in 2026. Experience in fundraising is desirable, with communications experience as essential as this role will ensure strong relationships with Government. 

If you would like to have a short discussion with the CEO before applying please contact Emily Cherry CEO. We are looking to interview shortlisted candidates on the 23rd or 25th February. We are looking for a candidate to start from 1st April or sooner. 

Hoxton Health helps hundreds of local people to manage long term conditions and stay mobile and independent as they age.  We are seeking a new director for our calm and friendly complementary therapy clinic based in St Leonards community hospital.

About Us
Hoxton Health is a well-valued local charity, established over 30 years ago, providing low-cost complementary therapy treatments for older people and those with long term conditions. We fundraise and build partnerships to subsidise treatments, offering lower costs to older patients. Based in St Leonard’s Hospital in Hackney, our friendly team consists of independent practitioners delivering therapies through the week, two other part-time office staff, and a team of volunteers who run the reception.

What will you be doing?
The Centre Director is responsible for the management of all aspects of the organisation's operations and development – internally and externally.
This includes:

• Governance and strategy, including support for Trustee Board
• Oversee smooth running of the clinic
• Finance and fundraising
• Staff management
• Monitoring and evaluation of grant funding
• Development of new projects
• Partnership engagement with other agencies

The clinic is small but busy, with varied days and experiences. We foster a friendly and supportive environment for both our patients and team members. Leadership, guidance and inspiration for this must start with the Centre Director’s work and influence.

Why join us?

• Opportunity to shape the future of a well loved, longstanding service for older people and those with complex needs
• Satisfaction of leading a service with real and valued impact on the health of local people
• Opportunity to join and lead a friendly and welcoming team
• Employer Pension contribution
• Complementary therapy treatments at staff rate

#Director
#Centre Director
#Clinic Director
#Charity Director

About the opportunity 

This is an exhilarating time for Advancement as we have recently embarked on our second comprehensive campaign. Your leadership will be vital in cultivating complex relationships with high-net-worth individuals, industry collaborators, and innovative organisations, building a vibrant ecosystem of supporters committed to advancing science, technology, engineering, maths and business.

The Director of Development, STEM and Business is a senior role in the team, responsible for growth of the University’s fundraising program within the University’s Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and the University of Sydney Business School.

Building on several established relationships and a strong trajectory of major philanthropic gifts, this position will establish, manage and nurture relationships with existing and potential donors for the STEM and Business portfolios.

Working closely with academic leadership, this position is also charged with growing a culture of philanthropy across the Faculty and schools to increase awareness of and engagement with the fundraising process.

You will bring a wealth of experience in major gift fundraising, a proven track record of closing gifts, and a strategic mind adept at navigating complex stakeholder environments. You will be a creative, inspiring leader, motivating and developing a team of development professionals dedicated to achieving bold goals.

The following overview of Activities and Accountabilities are designed to deliver outcomes aligned with the University’s strategic goals:

• Demonstrated success in closing multi-million dollar gifts and meeting stretch financial targets.

• Ability to think strategically and provide robust, tactical advice on fundraising strategy.

• Current knowledge of best practices in development.

• Expert influencing skills and the demonstrated ability to coordinate and optimise outcomes from competing objectives across the institution through collaboration, negotiation and priority setting to mitigate internal competition.

• Proven leadership experience with the ability to mentor, inspire and motivate a group of ambitious and goal-oriented professionals.

• Proven ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner in writing and in person.

• Demonstrated success in establishing, cultivating and maintaining high-level, strong relationships with influential donors.

• Experience building collaborative working relationships with colleagues and senior leadership to achieve the organisation’s goals.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications would be beneficial.

About us

The Advancement Portfolio team at the University of Sydney is the most successful fundraising program in Australian higher education. Having completed the nation’s first $1BN fundraising campaign and recently launched on the next, the team is not only the finest performing, its success facilitates the largest real-world impact that philanthropic giving makes possible.

Since its inception 175 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to philanthropy and underpin our long-term strategy for excellence and growth. We’re Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence.

Why us

When you join the University of Sydney, you become an integral part of a community in which you are fully supported to achieve your career ambitions. You’ll be in a workplace where development is encouraged, and intellectual pursuits foster a sense of purpose and confidence including:

• 35-hour work week

• flexible working model

• up to 36 weeks paid parental leave.

• tax-efficient salary packaging options

• ongoing training and development in-house and external

• subsidised parking on campus

• access to Relocation Assistance and sponsorship if needed

Note for candidates from overseas

• The University will cover costs and travel for the final shortlisted candidate interviews.

• We will also assist with a temporary visa for this position, assist with immigration and family relocation costs

Closing date: 11:59pm Tuesday 27th January 2026

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
 

If you are passionate about the power of philanthropy to impact the future of research and education, and if you seek a rewarding opportunity to inspire change across multiple sectors, we would be delighted to hear from you. Join us in shaping a legacy that will benefit generations to come, in a vibrant university renowned for its innovation, diversity, and opportunities.

Pre-employment checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact, Sarah Scott, Recruitment Operations.

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Organisational Vision & Context:

As we journey towards our vision to bring fulness of life for every child, no matter what struggles they face, we’re looking for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join our team as Head of Programme Development.

While our programmes vary, they share one common thread: an unwavering commitment to seeing lives transformed for good. With two well-established and hugely effective volunteer-driven programmes operating at scale, and two new developing programmes in the early stages of roll-out, TLG is at a pivotal time of innovation.

This Role’s Impact:

We are looking for a dynamic, pioneering leader to energise, shape, and elevate the impact of TLG’s programmes. This person will bring strengths in innovation, collaboration, and strategic delivery – able to inspire others, spot emerging opportunities, and drive meaningful change across the organisation. They will have a strong track record in developing high-quality resources and training, ensuring best practice is consistently embedded across all functions. Naturally creative and forward-thinking, they will champion the exploration and implementation of digital solutions that enhance programme delivery and extend our reach.

The new Head of Programme Development will navigate change with resilience and optimism, leading the way as we explore new approaches and refine what we already do so well. Confident on their feet, yet equally comfortable developing content and materials, they will balance big-picture thinking with a keen eye for detail. Their leadership will drive continuous improvement, so our programmes remain relevant, missional, and high-impact as we pursue our ten-year vision.

As TLG positions itself as a leading practitioner in therapeutic coaching, this leader will bring a solid understanding of coaching practice and how therapeutic coaching can transform a young person’s thinking and strengthen the culture of support we offer. Their expertise will help embed coaching-informed approaches across TLG, shaping programme design and creating richer opportunities for children and young people to reflect and grow, strengthening their wellbeing and future outcomes.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: Part time, 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE, equivalent 4 days)

Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026

Initial Interviews: Monday 23rd February – Online

Final Interviews: Monday 2nd March – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) is looking for a confident, target-driven Development Manager to help grow philanthropic support. Working closely with the Director of Development, you will deliver individual giving, Supporters’ Circle activity and public fundraising appeals, while supporting corporate partnerships and trusts and foundations. The role involves building strong relationships, planning engaging supporter events and writing persuasive fundraising communications, including appeals linked to future capital developments. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and motivated fundraiser who believes in the power of arts and culture to create positive change.

MAC is an exciting, ambitious arts centre which offers a wide array of free exhibitions, theatre, music, cinema and comedy performances as well as creative learning and participation activities. Well-loved and well used, it’s a relaxed friendly place attracting a diverse mix of visitors.  As well as MAC our work also extends outside of the venue across the city to community settings to inspire new audiences to experience high-quality art experiences.

Salary: £30,038 per annum

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Job Purpose:

To deliver key strands of MAC’s Development and Fundraising Strategy, with responsibility for Individual Giving, Supporters’ Circle, donor events and fundraising communications, while also supporting Corporate fundraising and Trusts and Foundations activity.

The Development Manager will be a confident, target-driven fundraiser with excellent writing skills and a strong ability to build relationships. The role will play a central part in delivering public appeals, supporter engagement and long-term giving, including activity linked to exciting capital developments.

A full job description, including key responsibilities, person specification and how to apply can be found by clicking the apply now button.

Deadline

All applications must be received no later than 12pm midday Monday 16 February 2026

Late applications will not be considered.

Please be aware that we may close this vacancy before the stated deadline if we receive a high number of applications. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible. 

Short-listing
Shortlisted candidates will be informed at the latest by end of day Friday 20 February 2026
 
Interviews
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview the week commencing 23 February 2026

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Working with the Director of Research, this role will have management of the clinical development process at Cure Parkinson’s. The charity supports a large treatment selection process that feeds new clinical trials seeking disease modification. This is an exciting time in Parkinson’s research and there is the opportunity to have a really meaningful impact by joining the Cure Parkinson’s team as we expand our funding schemes and initiate new ventures.

As our Clinical Research Manager, you will have a PhD in life sciences (an MD or MBSS would advantageous) and significant experience in clinical trial development. You must have a strong understanding of Parkinson’s, the biology associated with the condition, and the agents currently in development. You will require excellent organisational and communication skills as you will be representing the charity via stakeholder engagement. Working as an effective member of our Research Team you will be able to handle multiple tasks with precision simultaneously and be comfortable building relationships and providing support for researchers.

Contract Type: Permanent 

Location: Southampton and Portsmouth with frequent visits and activity across both locations

Interviews: 25th of February 

Would you love to be the friendly and welcoming face and voice of The King's Trust, selling our great work to young people and partners in the Southampton area?

Picture yourself planning and attending incredible showcase events with our partners and young people. These gatherings will be the stage where we celebrate the outstanding achievements of The Trust. Whether it's an internal team gathering or an external event, you will play a pivotal role in energising and engaging the people we aim to support. Your enthusiasm will be contagious!

You’ll be passionate about finding creative ways to engage with young people and get them excited about our programmes. You’ll quickly be able to craft a recruitment plan for the Southampton area, working across a field-based team, to be the ultimate people connector. You’ll know how to cultivate, spearhead, and nurture fantastic relationships with agencies and partner organisations that can refer eligible young people to The Trust.

Get ready to take centre stage in our mission! You'll ignite enthusiasm in our potential customers, showing them how we can turn their goals into reality. You'll achieve this by delivering sensational sessions and engaging in one-on-one interactions, all geared towards promoting The Trust's remarkable programmes that will thoroughly captivate young individuals and partners alike. We're talking about creating excitement and making dreams come true! Let's make sure our young people have a consistently amazing experience when they come on board our programmes. Keep them engaged by staying in touch and referring them to the right support whenever they need it.

And now for the serious stuff! You’ll help to keep our records squeaky clean by accurately documenting information about our young people, volunteers, and partners. It's all about ensuring each step of their journey aligns with our funding contracts and accurately reflects on our systems.

At The Trust, we're strong advocates for fostering an inclusive workplace, and it would be fantastic if you share that passion too. So, we’d love it if you would be the voice for our Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity drive by crafting a local action plan that aligns with our big EDI goals.

Be ready for anything in addition to all these fantastic responsibilities, you might find yourself donning different hats and stepping up whenever needed. Join us at The King's Trust, where every day is a chance to create a brighter future for our young superstars!

Why do we need Youth Development Leads? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Youth Development Leads! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

ID: 1670Assistant Director of Partnership, Services and Innovation

Service:           Bromley by Bow Centre, Family Action

Salary: £61,000 (inclusive of ILW and market allowance)

Location: Based at the Bromley by Bow Centre in Tower Hamlets.  Given the leadership and collaborative nature of the post, the Assistant Director will be expected to have a strong presence and attend the Centre multiple times a week.  There will be travel within the London area and occasionally outside of this region.

Hours: Full Time – 37 hours a week

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Permanent Contract

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

At Family Action we transform lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage, and social isolation. We have been building stronger families since 1869 and today we work with more than 60,000 families in over 150 community-based services, as well as supporting thousands more through national programmes and grants.

About the Role:

The Assistant Director position offers an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual who is passionate about working within a strong, vibrant community to drive positive change. 

Are you an innovative, strong team player and leader, who is solution focused and passionate about making a difference in everything you do?  Do you have a proven track record of partnership working, creating growth and retaining services, delivering excellent, inclusive services and cultivating quality and diversity?  Are you looking for a diverse, ambitious and fast paced organisation – if so, you have found it.

The role’s primary function is to provide strategic direction, development and growth.

The Bromley by Bow Centre (BBBC), established in 1984, has grown into a nationally recognised model for community regeneration. Today, it serves as a key hub for the East London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with a mission to help the community thrive through person-centred, holistic, and integrated health and wellbeing support.

BBBC works in close partnership with a range of stakeholders, its services span integrated advice, employability and enterprise programmes, learning opportunities, community and wellbeing support, social prescribing, and activities that foster inclusion. In addition, the Centre collaborates across organisations and communities to deepen understanding, share learning, and develop its principles and model.

BBBC is merging into Family Action early in 2026 and will become a part of Family Action’s vibrant London region, which works in and with diverse London communities and adapts to their evolving needs. Our work is underpinned by service user involvement, robust partner engagement, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to create a sense of belonging for both staff and the people we support, and we are dedicated to innovating and co-designing services alongside those with lived experience.

The role requires a strategic thinker who is confident in developing and working with external stakeholders and partners while maintaining a clear oversight of operational delivery.  

You will be creative, promote innovation, and contribute to the ongoing growth and strategic development of BBBC and services within the wider Family Action.

Responsibilities:

· Lead and manage strategic partnerships at a local and national level.

· Provide leadership and drive innovation across BBBC.

· Operational line management of the Heads of Delivery and Impact ensuring the successful integration of BBBC into Family Action.

· Oversee budgets, manage financial risks, generate income, and contribute to sustainable service development.

· Represent BBBC and Family Action externally and build strong partnerships to support integrated service delivery.

· Ensure high-quality, safe, and compliant services through overseeing effective monitoring, auditing, and continuous improvement in line with Family Action’s polices and frameworks.

· Be a key member of Family Action’s London team and the wider Senior Leadership Group.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Strong track record in stakeholder engagement and cross-sector partnership working.

· Proven experience leading services for children, young people, adults and families.

· Ability to manage teams, budgets, income generation and service performance to a high standard.

· Knowledge of safeguarding, regulatory frameworks, and quality assurance processes.

· Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with an understanding of structural disadvantages.

· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· complete an application form on the Family Action portal

· Closing Date: Monday 9th February 2026 9am

Interview dates – panel interview and presentation – Wednesday 4th March 2026 with visit to the centre and staff focus group prior to this – date to be confirmed.

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email: Lee Denton (full email address located on the advert document)

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families, children and adults and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

For this vacancy, we are also applying positive action to improve the representation of people of colour in senior operational management roles at Family Action. As such, the guaranteed interview scheme is extended to applicants of colour who meet the minimum criteria.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.

You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.

You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team. 

Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.

Team:Research and Development

Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location

Duration:Permanent

Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)

Main Purpose

The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).

While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.

They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
• Line management of senior and mid-level staff
• Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate

Income

• Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
• Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
• Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners

Impact

• Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
• Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
• Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them. 

Delivery

• Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
• Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
• Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team

Person Specification

Experience

Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential

Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential

Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential

Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential

Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable 

Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable 

Skills

Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential

Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable 

Clear and direct written communication style - Essential

Knowledge

Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential

Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential

Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -Desirable 

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.

Please note that this advert may close early should sufficient applications be received, so early application is advised. Please include a cover letter with your application, outlining how you feel you meet the requirements of the role.

Closing date: Friday 30th January 2026

Join us as a Commercial Business Development Manager (South) - Job Description/Person Specification

WithYou is recruiting for an experienced Commercial Business Development Manager to join our Business Development and Communications directorate. This is a key role for a collaborative and commercially minded professional who is motivated by impact and excited by a varied role that will directly support the growth and sustainability of our services.

As a leading charity supporting people with drug, alcohol and mental health challenges, we operate over 80 services across England and Scotland, providing free and confidential support to more than 100,000 people each year. Find out more about us here.

As Commercial Business Development Manager for the South Region, you'll be responsible for driving the development of high-quality tender submissions. This will include undertaking market analysis and strategic service design in collaboration with colleagues from across the organisation, including operations, clinical, finance and HR.

Key priorities will include:

Project management: leading a project team to produce high-quality, competitive, and financially viable bids.

Bid writing: contributing to the writing of technical responses, implementation plans, and service models.

Commercial modelling: developing costed pricing models that reflect specifications, internal cost structures and delivery models.

Strategic analysis and pipeline development: monitoring market trends, commissioner expectations, and competitor positioning to inform our regional pipelines.

Collaboration: working closely with Directors, Operational Leads and other Subject Matter Experts to prepare for commissioning and tendering activity, including designing service models.

Compliance & quality: ensuring all models comply with procurement regulations and public sector contracting expectations.

This is a permanent, full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. You will work from home, with travel across England and Scotland as required. The salary for this role is £37,000 to £44,290, depending on experience.

We’ll be excited to see the following in your application:

• Substantial experience in a similar role, including a track record or appreciation of business development
• Demonstrable project management experience and skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Knowledge of the third sector, health and social care and/or public health
• Commercial and financial modelling skills
• Excellent communication skills, including effective stakeholder engagement

As an organisation, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our staff. We know that representing the communities we serve is key to us meeting our vision of a future where everyone lives a life free from the harm associated with drugs and alcohol. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team, including people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people, people of all ages and armed forces veterans.

As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates that are veterans and meet all the essential criteria for a role. With You is also a Disability Confident Employer and we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with a disability and meet all the essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

What we offer

• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday or a special occasion of your choice
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• 2 days paid volunteer leave per year
• Auto-enrollment into We Are With You’s pension scheme
• Access to a Blue Light Card - giving you great savings on big high-street and online brands
• Flexible working opportunities and access to a range of services and resources to support you with your wellbeing
• We have an excellent Refer a Friend scheme which offers you a £500 bonus for any recommendations, any role! Our scheme allows you to recommend your friends and family to work with us and earn a £500 bonus payment for every successful referral you make. Please note, the Refer a Friend scheme is only applicable if your recommended friend completes their 6 months probation period

Overview

We’re looking for a Senior Business Development Officer to join our national Business Development Team. This is an ideal next step for you if you’re an experienced bid writer looking to grow your career in business development, make social impact, and develop your leadership skills. We’d particularly like to hear from people that have experience of writing high-scoring drug and alcohol service bids.

Location: London, Brighton, Manchester or Leeds.

Salary: £43,384.62 − £47,792.23 per year. If you’re based in London, you’ll receive an additional £4,133.14 per year for Inner London Weighting.

Contract: Permanent.

Responsibilities

About the role

Change Grow Live is a health and social care charity. Across the country, we support people to make positive changes in their lives, including around drug and alcohol use, smoking, homelessness and criminal justice.

As a Senior Business Development Officer, you’ll play a lead role in the development and writing of tenders and proposals for a variety of health and social care services. This role offers a great opportunity to learn and develop while using your established skills, and you’ll be encouraged to take on more responsibility as you progress.

This role offers a great opportunity to learn and develop while using your established skills, and you’ll be encouraged to take on more responsibility as you progress, including line management opportunities.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Writing and editing complex and highly weighted bid responses, working to short timeframes
• Project managing the writing of key tenders with support from a Business Development Manager
• Supporting the development of Assistant Business Development Officers and Business Development Officers, with the potential of providing line management
• Working with staff across the organisation and our partners to develop bids that reflect best practice respond to local needs
• Producing and coordinating detailed research for upcoming opportunities, including meeting with subject matter experts, analysing data and collating evidence
• Creating presentations, diagrams and reports
• Participating in and leading reviews of our bid and proposal processes.

About you         

We’re looking for candidates with proven experience of writing tenders, proposals or grant applications in health and social care.

You are:

• A highly competent communicator with a successful track record in bid writing, ideally for drug and alcohol treatment or related services
• Experienced in leading smaller bids and proposals
• Able to analyse data and interpret evidence, with good IT and research skills
• Solution-focused, creative and proactive
• Happy to give and receive constructive, challenging feedback
• Collaborative and contribute to a positive culture team
• Ready to work hard to deliver on CGL’s values and mission.

What we offer

You’ll be able to access structured training, development and mentoring as part of a supportive team. There’s a clear progression pathway within the team, from Senior Business Development Officer to Manager, Senior Manager, Deputy Director, and Director. Several of our current Business Development Managers were previously in the Senior Business Development Officer role.

We also offer:

• The option to work from home for some of the week
• Wellbeing support, including an employee assistance programme and an hour each week for wellbeing activities of your choice (find out more here).

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we work with. We pride ourselves on an inclusive and supportive workplace, evidenced through our Investors in People silver status.

We’re happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that you need to be successful. Please let us know in your application or at any stage of the process if you would like to discuss this.

 Before you apply

In the application portal, there’s a section called ‘how you meet the criteria for the role’. This is your chance to tell us about why you’re a good fit for this job – we won’t be able to consider your application unless it’s filled in. Please explain how you meet each of the person specification criteria (listed at the end of the job description). Use clear examples of your experience (this link contains some useful guidance). As guidance, written statements should not exceed 1,000 words. You can address multiple criteria together where you think it makes sense.

Interviews will be held 16th – 23rd February 2026 via MS Teams. We’ll also ask shortlisted candidates to complete a written task online during this timeframe, at a time of your choice. We may hold a pre-qualification stage task (e.g. presentation) depending on the number of applicants.

We encourage applications from individuals who may not meet every requirement but are excited about the role. We value lived experience of substance use, homelessness, and/or multiple disadvantages.

We’re a Disability Confident Committed employer. Under our Disability Confident interview scheme, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates where they meet our selection criteria in their application. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances where it is not practicable or appropriate, we may limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. Please confirm in the ‘how you meet the criteria for the role’ part of the application if you are applying under this scheme. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed.

Check the job description and team explainer for more information. Contact Yasmin Gilders to discuss this role further.

What our people say

Holly, Senior Business Development Officer said:

“What are your favourite parts of the job? The amount we learn from bid to bid. No two services are the same and I’m constantly coming across amazing individuals, teams and interventions. Being part of a team that helps share and celebrate great work, and support other services to implement new and exciting initiatives is really rewarding.

How would you describe the team? Helpful, real and full of knowledge. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and is happy to share their skills, knowledge and learning. I’ve never felt like I’ve asked a silly question, and I don’t feel like I must put a on ‘work mask’ every day.

What were your highlights from last year? Becoming a Senior and working across 7 different bids or direct awards last year. It was busy but I learnt so much, made some great connections with people across the organisation and feel excited for 2026.”

Fran, who progressed from this role to Business Development Manager last year:

“How did the role help you progress? The Senior Business Development Officer role sets you up to well to progress into a Business Development Manager role, as you begin to get involved in managing writing teams, reviewing written responses, engaging with Service Managers and Directors in model development and hold line management responsibilities. I was in the Senior Business Development Officer role for just over a year and a half before successfully applying to the Manager role.

How would you describe the team? The Business Development team are incredibly supportive and will give you the opportunity to develop in areas that you’re interested in. My manager supported to me build skills and experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone but enabled me to progress into the Business Development Manager role.

What would you say to someone thinking of applying? Alongside developing your writing skills, this role is a great place to shape your leadership and management skills. If you don’t have line management experience, don’t let this put you off.”

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 39 to 43 (£43,384.61 - £47,792.23)

Interview Date

16/2/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026