Development director jobs

Are you a commercially minded, senior leader with strong experience in operations, company management, partnership building and income generation?

VDT is seeking an experienced Head of Operations and Business Development to spearhead the implementation of our ambitious new Commercial Strategy, driving growth and expanding income streams.

This is a crucial, high-impact role for someone who thrives on operational excellence, has excellent management skills and a passion for strategy implementation. It is ideal for someone with strong experience in partnership building, negotiating contracts, lead generation and organisational development.

Working closely with the Chief Executive / Artistic Director, the role works collaboratively across the small staff team to deliver the company’s Business Plan, Funding Agreement, Mission and Values. You will identify opportunities, generate new leads and manage the company’s wide range of production, participation and continued professional development programmes. You will grow a new customer base for our online training and E-learning and develop income from within arts academic and social enterprise settings. You will track progress and ensure the company is run in line with best practice. 

You might not have worked in the arts or creative industries before. If you have experience as a Business Manager, Operations Director, Executive Director or Senior Producer within or outside of the cultural / charity sector, then you’ll have the core skills we are looking for.

Closing date for applications: Midday Tuesday 6 January 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 15 January 2026 (possible second interview 23 January 2026).

Leading UK drug education charity the DSM Foundation is recruiting a Head of Business and Organisational Development to join their senior management team. This role involves working with the Director and Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to the DSMF team on all aspects of organisational and business development with a long-term income growth strategy, and alongside the Head of Operations and Head of Education and Engagement, to ensure that DSMF is a well-managed and successful charity with a clear strategic vision. 

Suitable candidates will:

• Be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol.
• Have experience of strategy development and delivery, business and work stream development and income generation.
• Have a deep understanding of finance and market conditions.
• Be experienced in managing projects and performance.
• Be skilled in organisational development and people management.

Key information:

The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation is a drug and alcohol education charity, founded by Fiona and Tim Spargo-Mabbs in 2014 in response to the death of their 16-year-old son Dan having taken ecstasy. The charity aims to support young people to make safe choices and reduce harm, through increasing their understanding of the effects and risks of drugs and alcohol, and improving their life skills & resilience. They work with young people, parents, teachers and professionals, in schools, colleges and communities across the UK.

This role will be primarily based in the DSMF office with some opportunities for remote working.

Closing date for applications: 20th January 2026

Shortlisting: Week beginning 26th January 2026

Interviews: 23rd February 2026

HCPT is seeking a visionary and results-driven Strategic Director of Fundraising and Communications to lead the organisation’s income growth from £650,000 to over £2 million by October 2028. This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering a multi-stream fundraising strategy and a compelling communications approach that amplifies HCPT’s mission and impact.

The Strategic Director of Fundraising and Communications will ensure that HCPT’s mission is visible, engaging for our existing and new pilgrims and supporters and is well funded to ensure we can deliver THE BEST pilgrimage experience we can offer as defined and measured by our beneficiaries and volunteers.

This is a senior role in volunteer-led organisation and as such the successful postholder will be required to exercise flexibility with evening and weekend work to meet the business needs of the charity, given the availability of our volunteer leaders who have professional commitments during the day.

We are seeking a Community Development Officer to lead a major in-progress project improving recognition, support, and care for people with smell and taste disorders at a local level across England. 

This three-year, volunteer-led programme, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund has achieved significant success in its first eighteen months. We are now recruiting a new postholder to take this strong foundation forward through the next phase of delivery. 

Over the past eighteen months, we have recruited and established a thriving network of volunteers and local groups across England. This momentum is expected to continue. The Community Development Officer will work closely with existing volunteers and groups, primarily remotely, while also attending in-person events and meetings in different parts of England as needed. 

The postholder will lead the ongoing recruitment, training, and support of volunteer groups, working with them to identify opportunities for local outreach and engagement. Together, you will ensure that more people affected by smell and taste disorders access the information, support, and recognition they need, while continuing to raise awareness of these often-unrecognised sensory impairments. 

Our volunteer groups bring together people with lived experience alongside experts from the food, beverage and fragrance sectors, and other relevant fields. 

We are looking for a motivated, forward-thinking individual with experience in leading and inspiring others. You will bring energy, creativity, and excellent communication skills to drive the project forward and help build an innovative, sustainable programme of volunteer-led activity, supporting our volunteers to influence change within their communities. 

You will empower volunteers to play an active role in transforming public understanding of how essential smell and taste are to our lives, whether they are running peer support groups, organising local events, delivering talks in community settings, or representing the charity at information days. 

You will join a small, friendly and ambitious team committed to your professional development as the charity continues to grow. 

If you are passionate about making a difference, enjoy working with people, and want to contribute to a pioneering and collaborative organisation that values and empowers its community, we would love to hear from you. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. 

Our partner, a respected and established international charity supporting programmes across Africa; seeks a qualified and experienced senior finance professional to provide strategic financial leadership, maintain robust systems, controls, and donor compliance across the organisation. The Director of Finance is responsible for organisational financial strategy, budgeting, reporting, external audits, risk management, and supporting programme delivery through high-quality financial oversight.This hands-on role requires the Director of Finance to execute daily tasks as well as overseeing, and mentoring, others within the team to undertake what is required.

Key responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Financial Planning 

• Lead the organisation’s financial strategy ensuring sustainability and alignment with mission and organisational priorities. 

• Advise the CEO and Board on financial performance, risk, and scenario planning. 

• Develop long-term financial models and cashflow forecasts. 

• Provide financial insight to strategic decisions, business cases, growth opportunities, and operational planning. 

Financial Management & Control 

• Oversee and execute specific tasks relating to financial operations including accounting, treasury, cash management, payroll, and banking. 

• Ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes are accurate and timely. 

• Maintain and strengthen internal financial controls across central team and country/project operations. 

• Implement efficient systems and processes to support a lean but compliant financial environment. 

Budgeting & Organisational Performance 

• Lead the annual budgeting process 

• Monitor budget performance, variances, and financial KPIs, providing clear analysis for senior leadership. 

Donor Finance & Grant Compliance 

• Oversee donor grant finance, ensuring compliance with institutional donor restrictions and requirements. 

Audit & Assurance 

• Lead the annual organisational audit: prepare schedules, financial statements, and required disclosures. 

• Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP) 

• Oversee financial donor audits, ensuring timely, accurate responses and evidence. 

Risk Management 

• Contribute to the organisational risk register by recording and presenting on financial risks to the Board and Finance and Audit Committee. 

• Implement financial due diligence for donors, suppliers, and country operations as required to meet organisation and donor policies. 

Oversight of International Operations 

• Ensure strong financial management of new country programmes creating and reviewing and renewing policies as required. 

• Support the development or review of financial systems, capacity, and reporting in relation to new country expansion work. 

• Oversee financial arrangements for countries where the INGO has no legal entity, including fiscal hosts, secondee payments, and contract structures. 

Leadership, Management & Culture 

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to achieve operational excellence. 

Person Specification 

• Worked as a Finance Director or as a Head of Finance (with autonomy of decision making and board reporting duties) 

• Strong understanding of charity accounting standards and regulatory requirements. 

• Senior-level finance experience in an INGO, charity, or multi-country organisation (preferably with operations in the Global South) 

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CPA or equivalent). 

• Demonstrable experience with institutional donor compliance. 

• Experience leading annual audits and preparing financial statements. 

• Strong leadership and team management skills, including developing staff. 

• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills. 

• Experience managing multi-currency environments and international financial operations. 

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance staff, senior leaders, and Boards. 

About the Role

Do you have a creative flair and a passion for collaboration? We’re looking for someone to help shape and deliver a public engagement and events programme that showcases Headway East London’s occupational projects in art, food and music, strengthens partnerships, and raises awareness of brain injury.

The role is to work closely with our members, you will co-produce events, workshops and creative projects that highlight their experiences and talents. Also, nurture and develop relationships with partners and stakeholders, identify new opportunities for collaboration and ensure members are meaningfully involved in all aspects of engagement.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Public Engagement Programme Delivery

• Support the delivery of a public engagement programme that raises awareness of brain injury and showcase our creative work in art, food, and music.
• Work closely with the Director of Development and staff teams to identify and develop opportunities for public engagement (e.g. exhibitions, performances, and community events).

​Member Co-production and Creative Participation

• Work closely with members to support their participation in projects and events, ensuring their voices and experiences contribute to the planning and delivery.
• Support in facilitating steering groups or member planning sessions to shape ideas and gather feedback for improvements.

Partnerships and External Relationships

• Support in building and maintaining positive relationships with local organisations, cultural venues, and community partners to broaden our reach and profile.
• Represent Headway East London at events, meetings and community forums, acting as a positive ambassador for the organisation and its members.

 Event, Operations and Delivery

• Support all logistical aspects of events, including venue booking, liaising with suppliers, organising materials, and coordinating volunteers.
• Contribute to event promotion and audience engagement, including managing guest lists, ticketing, and attendee communications.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the collection of feedback, stories, and data from events and projects to evaluate their success and impact.
• Support with monitoring and reporting processes that inform fundraising, communications, and project planning. 

Key Relationships - Internal and External

Internal: All staff, Members (service users) and their families, Volunteers

External: Public audiences - supporters and funders Partner organisations, Corporate stakeholders, Contractors

Other

Apply the Headway East London values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times.

Protect and enhance the interests and reputation of Headway East London internally and externally.

Commit to the organisational principles of: coproduction equity, diversity and inclusion sustainability.

Headway East London is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to ensuring that all staff are motivated, skilled and rewarded by their work. We welcome applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected status as required by law. We promote and protect human rights; they are the foundation of what we do. We want to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and contribute their unique strengths and perspectives. We are focused on equality and believe that all the fascinating characteristics that make us different, make us more able to deliver our life-changing work with passion and creativity.

The Director is the senior leader of Firefly International, responsible for driving the charity’s mission to support war-affected children through the provision of education, mental health and peacebuilding programmes delivered in genuine partnership with our overseas partners. This is a hands-on leadership role within a small, donation-dependent charity, suited to an adaptable all-rounder who is motivated to lead growth and change rather than maintain the status quo. Firefly has a good track record and a good reputation and has both the will and the capacity to do more and do better, for the children it exists to serve.  To do that, it needs to recruit the right Director.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Essential:

• Experience in fundraising from individuals, charitable trusts and foundations, and companies: developing successful grant proposals, managing implementation of grants and reporting to funders
• Experience of working in a small charity
• Experience in organisational strategy development and implementation
• Experience of management, working with Trustee boards and of managing partnerships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including representing an organisation in public

Desirable Skills and Knowledge:

• Experience of international humanitarian relief and development
• Experience of safeguarding policies and practices
• Demonstrated ability in budget setting and in management of budgets and financial reporting
• Capacity to plan and prioritise and to manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently
• Experience of event management
• Experience of using social media to build awareness and engagement and for fundraising
• Experience of developing and managing close working relationships with partners
• Understanding of the contexts in which our partners work, in Bosnia, Palestine/Cairo and in Syria, and of the contexts for fundraising in the UK for these areas
• Awareness and sensitivity to the needs of war-affected children and the concerns of the individuals and organisations who support them
  

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director’s role is to lead Firefly International in its mission to safeguard, extend and develop the activities conducted by its overseas partners.  Within that over-arching goal, to:

• Provide strategic leadership in collaboration with the Chair of the Trustee Board
• Secure sufficient funding to sustain long-term growth
• Manage existing partnerships in overseas project areas and build new ones, overseas and in the UK, in response to any new opportunities to meet the needs of war-affected children where we have relevant experience to offer.
• Lead and support the staff team and any volunteers
• Represent Firefly International as an ambassador for the organisation, its partners and more broadly for war-affected children

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Lead Firefly’s strategic direction in Scotland, ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and values
• Build Firefly’s visibility, credibility, and influence with its key stakeholders.

Income Generation

• Strengthen existing funder relationships and develop new funding opportunities
• Develop a compelling case for support

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Firefly at events and within networks relevant to its mission and objectives
• Build our supporter base and opportunities for engagement

Communications

• Ensure production of a high quality Annual Review and newsletters
• Take prime responsibility for the website as an attractive, user-friendly communications tool and mechanism for giving
•  Extend and develop our social media presence, ensuring high quality content.

Financial Management and Compliance

• Work with the Treasurer and Finance and Admin Officer to develop budgets and manage expenditure against them, providing accurate and timely information for the Board.
• Work with the independent examiner to facilitate a smooth process of examination of the annual accounts
• Ensure that Firefly remains fully compliant with all statutory authorities such as OSCR and that statutory reports and accounts are produced and filed to time.

OTHER DETAILS

• Our office is in central Edinburgh.  If you live further afield, you may still apply.  One of our team lives and works from home in south west England.
• The role requires travel within the UK and occasionally to project areas overseas.
• Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Manages: staff team of three/four plus ad hoc volunteers
• Contract: Permanent, 35 hours pw.
• 25 days leave plus 8 public holidays
• Time Off In Lieu (TOIL)or extra hours worked
• Pension contribution.
• Open to discussing part time or flexible working arrangements

Scottish Opera is Scotland’s national opera company and the country’s largest performing arts organisation. Founded in 1962 to make opera accessible to all, the company presents productions of international acclaim, from early works to world premieres. Performances are designed to be inclusive, with supertitles, audio-described and dementia-friendly shows, free and discounted tickets for under-26s, refugees, asylum seekers and schools, and touring productions reaching communities across Scotland. 

The charity is looking for an experienced fundraiser to lead the team across a period of maternity leave. The Individual Giving team look after donors across philanthropy, corporate, members and legators. Internally this role is called the Head of Individual Giving, the job title has been amended for this selection process to reflect the broader remit of the role beyond regular donors.

The post holder will, in conjunction with the Director of Development, set and embed Scottish Operas Individual Giving strategy and will personally solicit gifts and steward key donors, whilst supporting and overseeing the work of the Individual Giving team. 

There are some fantastic projects in the works that Scottish Opera can use to engage donors, and there is brilliant internal buy in and understanding of fundraising. Income performance is strong, so there are solid foundations from which to test and trial new ideas.

This role has wide ranging appeal. Scottish Opera are happy to consider candidates for whom this role might be an exciting step up to managing multiple income streams beyond one specialist area, but equally this would be an engaging role for an experienced Head of looking to work in an exciting arts charity, taking their income success to the next level.

Working within an arts and culture charity would be helpful for the candidate to have but isn't essential.

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact Jo at THINK Recruitment to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please contact our team and we will support you.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 12th January 

Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) is the Governing Body for recreational cricket in Derbyshire, delivering services in support of the cricket community across the county.  It is one of 39 County Cricket Boards/Foundations in England & Wales and works in partnership with a number of key stakeholders to develop the recreational game locally in line with the strategy developed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). We have an ambition to inspire a generation to say, “Cricket is a game for me”.  The DCF is also a registered charity that aims to improve well-being and provide opportunities for diverse communities across the County through cricket. The Business Development Manager will develop and leverage local partnerships with sponsors, stakeholders, and funding bodies to support these aims.

The primary work location for the Business Development Manager will be at the County Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby, but the role will require travel on a regular basis as the role will be proactive in engaging stakeholders across Derbyshire in support of the DCF strategy and business plan. The position provides an opportunity, for Business Development Manager to work flexibly, and this is likely to include the occasional requirement to participate in some evening and weekend commitments.

Purpose and Focus of the Role

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager with excellent relationship management skills to help develop and sustainably grow the impact of our business by identifying and securing new investment to support the delivery of DCF programmes and activity. This will include working with existing corporate and charity partners, and establishing new relationships with Corporate sponsors, individual donors, and Trusts & Foundations.

You will develop and use stewardship tools to guide donors and partnerships through their giving journey, including cultivation plans, proposals, and reports. You will be involved in sourcing and presenting tailored information, making appropriate financial and non-financial requests. The responsibilities of the Business Development Manager will include:

• Fundraising Strategy & Implementation
• High Value Relationship Management
• Corporate Partnerships
• Trusts & Foundations
• Profile & Impact
• Leadership & Management
• Governance & Compliance

The Ogden Trust is a family charitable trust which supports the teaching and learning of physics. The Trust delivers professional development programmes for teachers of physics across England, supports schools and multi-academy trusts to improve their physics provision and works with universities to support high-quality physics enrichment.

Job scope

Head of Teacher Support leads a team delivering professional development for teachers of physics across England. The team manages a range of professional development programmes covering Early Years to Key Stage 5. The postholder will have specific responsibility for the strategic leadership and management of the team as well as managing delivery of external funding contracts.

Remote working and other flexible working arrangements will be considered.

Interview Date(s): 1st Interview: Tuesday 9th December 2025 & 2nd Interview: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Location: Camden (Hybrid Working)

Salary: £55,360 - £59,455 per annum

(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (will also consider part time working 30 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Tuesday 2nd December 2025

Closing Time: 00:00am

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Deputy Director of Fundraising at Solace Women's Aid.  

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service
Income generation and fundraising at Solace is ambitious, dynamic and rewarding. This role is situated within the Business Development team driving forward our trusts and foundations grant applications and our unrestricted funding portfolio. We work alongside our award-winning Communications, Partnerships & Public Affairs team.

About the Role

We are seeking a forward thinking, creative and motivated individual who can envision and manage commissioned tenders, grant funding, individual giving, corporate partnerships and our training and consultancy functions.

You will be a highly skilled and successful fundraiser and business development professional.

The role will manage the statutory and non-statutory income generation team including tenders, grants and fundraising staff to achieve a net target of approximately £2m per annum. This team plays a pivotal role in the financial wellbeing of the charity enabling us to support the thousands of women and children who come to us each year as a result of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

About You

You will be someone who is committed to the Solace values, who thrives on leading a team to achieve challenging targets and who has excellent verbal and written communication skills.  You will also enjoy managing time and projects to achieve strategic success.

We understand that you may not have all the knowledge, experience, and skills mentioned in the Job Profile Document. However, your interpersonal skills, passion to have a positive impact, commitment to our purpose, and ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively will be equally important.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

Please note there are two positions available: 1 Permanent and 1 Fixed Term Contract (12 Months)

Location: Office Based - London (Southwark) (due to the nature of this role, it cannot be offered on a home-working or hybrid basis)

Job Profile

Are you interested in an opportunity in the charity sector? Would you like to develop an understanding of internal processes and liaise with multiple teams in the organisation? Are you someone who likes to work with money, data and people?

The post holder will contribute to ensuring the Supporter Donations Team (SDT) manage and administer supporter donation activity on behalf of CAFOD, providing a high level of supporter care while delivering within agreed service levels and Key Performance Indicators. SDT has the overall responsibility for managing and thanking all supporter donations to CAFOD made through a variety of channels and schemes. SDT works within the Finance and infrastructure group, liaises across all teams in CAFOD, and external service providers to ensure donations are processed within agreed service levels and quality standards. Due to the nature of SDT’s role, SDT has particularly close ties to CAFOD Fundraising activities and actively engages in our fundraising programmes and schemes.

Key Responsibilities

Supporter Care:

• Handle telephone, email and postal enquiries from supporters; identifying and resolving queries in a prompt, warm and sensitive way.
• Provide phone cover to the Supporter Care team as required.
• Provide reception cover to the Supporter Care team as required.

Donations:

• Accurately code donations received, ensuring agreed departmental procedures are followed.
• Process, set up and administer instructions and payments through a variety of donations channels and schemes such as Online, Direct Debit, standing orders, BACs, Payroll giving schemes and online giving platforms.
• Input and maintain data on CAFOD’s supporter database, ensuring high degrees of accuracy on our donor records.
• File and archive financial data, while adhering to strict audit controls.

Gift Aid:

• Understand Gift Aid and its application within CAFOD.
• Assist with all aspects of tax effective giving, in accordance with agreed procedures and priorities, including preparation of regular tax claims for submission to HMRC.

Thanking:

• Produce and dispatch letters to thank and acknowledge donations received.
• Write bespoke letters of thanks to supporters to respond to exceptional donations and provide a personal touch.
• Contribute to ongoing enhancement and improvement of supporter thanking

Post/banking:

• Assist with all incoming and outgoing postal duties held by SDT to maximise effectiveness of processes and delivery of key service levels.
• Preparation of daily banking, cash handling and initial reconciliation of all monies received daily.

 All SDT staff are expected to:

• Attend and contribute to regular team, section, divisional and CAFOD-wide meetings and briefings.
• Work as a supportive member of the team, providing cover for and training of the section staff and volunteers as required.
• Participate in training and other activities as requested by the line manager
• Assist with the rapid set up of projects and work packages in response to major emergency and disaster appeals.
• Rotate through all key tasks within the team / section.

This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.

Safeguarding

All CAFOD staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

Job Specific Competencies 

• Displays a methodical approach to administrative tasks to meet processing deadlines, whilst maintaining an excellent standard of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate professionally with supporters, from individual givers to religious communities.
• Displays excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with CRM software/ database

Please click here for a full list of CAFOD’s Staff Benefits

Come and join us and help make a real difference in the lives of the world’s poorest communities.

CAFOD is an equal opportunities employer. Recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

The Deputy Director Talent, Development and Inclusion will lead the development and delivery of all people development, ED&I, inclusive recruitment, and career development initiatives across the National Theatre. This role is central to embedding a culture of learning, equity, and opportunity, ensuring that the NT is a place where everyone can thrive and grow.

The postholder will work across the NT to build inclusive systems, develop talent pipelines, and drive cultural change aligned with the NT’s values and social purpose, ensuring the policy framework is in place to support these intentions. They will work closely with the Deputy Director People Operations and Employee Relations to deliver the People and Culture strategic plan.

The successful candidates will have the following:  

• Experience of presenting ideas that convey meaning to build positive relationships to influence change.
• A thorough understanding of and experience of the practical application of inclusive best practices and organisational development.
• Proven leadership in organisational development and EDI in complex organisations
• Extensive in-depth knowledge of ED&I issues in society and the arts.
• A working understanding of inclusive recruitment frameworks and legal considerations

If that sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Friday 16th January 2026 at 12 noon