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Head of IT & AI
Part time - 3 days per week
Based: Hybrid working,1 day per week at our office at Dowgate Hill House, 14-16 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU.
Business Disability Forum is the leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion.
We are trusted partners, working with business, Government and disabled people to improve the life experiences of disabled employees and consumers, by removing barriers to inclusion.
- We work with over 600 Members and Partners employing over 5 million people in the UK, and a further 16 million people worldwide.
- We advise, support and encourage businesses (many of them global) to become more disability-smart.
- We influence policymakers, informed by the experiences of business and disabled people – as employees and consumers
- We provide evidence-based thought leadership on how business affects the lives of disabled people.
- We help effect changes in business practices, products, services and policies that positively impact the life experiences of disabled people, and also benefit business.
The role
Business Disability Forum is looking for an experienced, strategic Head of IT and AI to review and manage outsourced IT services, work with colleagues to ensure applications are optimised and ensure they comply with best practice data protection. You’ll lead an AI transformation agenda so we can adopt the efficiencies of AI working with colleagues at all levels across the organisation to develop, implement and monitor a plan to embed the benefits of AI while mitigating any risks.
Business Disability Forum outsources IT support to various suppliers covering CRM (Salesforce), Microsoft 365 and Telephony. The Head of IT and AI will review and manage these relationships ensuring users are kept online and active and have the applications best suited to the organisation’s needs with consideration given for compliance with our memberships’ requirements and best practice data protection.
Business Disability Forum needs to adopt the efficiencies of AI, the Head of IT and AI will be responsible for identifying opportunities, developing our use of AI, harnessing the automation and cost savings offered while maintaining security of data and compliance with our memberships’ own compliance needs. The Head of IT and AI will work with members of the leadership team to develop, implement and monitor a plan to embed the benefits of AI throughout the organisation while mitigating the risks.
The requirement
- Experience in managing outsourced IT service desks and multiple suppliers
- Proven experience leading AI transformation initiatives, including implementing organisation-wide‑ technology changes.
- Significant experience in leading the implementation and ongoing development of CRM (preferably Salesforce) in a charity or membership organisation.
- Ability to identify and plan future needs from a digital and technical perspective.
For the full job description and person specification of this role and instructions on how to apply please visit our website below via the button below:
How to apply
Applications should be by CV and a supporting statement, of up to 400 words, detailing why you think you would be suitable for the role sent to jobs @ businessdisabilityforum .org .uk. If you require any adjustments to the application process please contact Barnaby Powell as set out below.
- Closing date for applications: Monday, 6 April 2026.
- First interviews are planned for the 21 & 23 April 2026
- Second interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 27 April 2026
Business Disability Forum is committed to ensuring that all its information, products and services are as accessible as possible to everyone.
If you wish to discuss anything in regards to accessibility or if you require alternative formats please contact Barnaby Powell by email at humanresouces @ businessdisabilityforum. org .uk or by telephone on 020-7403-3020.
For further information on Business Disability Forum please refer to our website via the link on this page.
The closing date for application is Monday, 6 Apil 2026
Equal opportunities
We are committed to becoming disability-smart and an employer of choice irrespective of race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, or pregnancy and maternity. The ethical and business case of ensuring that our workforce is representative of wider society is at the heart of what we do. When we are recruiting, disabled candidates who meet all of the criteria will be offered an interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Based at Head Office, in Saunderton near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, with flexible hybrid working
35 hours per week – Full-time/part-time could be considered
About Us
National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.
About The Role
Overview:
- Working as part of the Trusts and Foundations department, you will help to deliver the objectives and income targets through your work with Trusts and Foundations.
- Reporting to the Head of Trusts and Foundations, you will work as part of a high-achieving, small but busy department.
- You will be able to develop relationships with colleagues in the wider teams, senior staff, Hearing Dogs trustees, external trusts and foundation managers and administrators.
- To be able to make bids and write applications to maximise financial support from charitable trusts and foundations, philanthropists and major donors.
- A good knowledge of Trusts and Foundation fundraising and experience of delivering excellent stewardship with external stakeholders.
- The Trusts and Foundations team has a target of £1.3m in 2026-27, growing to £2.1m by 2029-30.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Head of Trusts and Foundations to achieve annual targets, including meeting a personal income target each year.
- Create and deliver high-quality applications for grant funding for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Hearing Link Services, creating a synergy of combined applications to maximise income for both areas of our work.
- Investigate new projects that may be funded by applying for new restricted grants.
- Develop relationships with colleagues in fundraising, dog operation team, senior staff, Hearing Dogs Trustees, external Trusts and Foundation managers and administrators.
- Research the market and develop market knowledge. Establish new partnerships with Trusts, using all relevant and appropriate research techniques to understand their grant-giving criteria.
- Write and produce compelling trust applications and update reports; to ensure all trusts funding applications are relevant, timely and produced to the highest standard.
- Record all information on CRM, maintain records and keep records up to date, ensuring future actions are also recorded.
- Excellent knowledge of database processes and ability to support the team with statistical information.
- Create reports for income and ensure all templates are up to date.
- Provide comprehensive funding information to Head of Trusts and Foundations and Director of Income Generation, and regular reporting and recommendations on future funding opportunities.
- Account manage Trust and Foundation relationships, ensuring the trust receives updates and reports on time.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy departments to identify opportunities to secure new donors, for example where a major donor may have their own family foundation or where Trusts can attend major donor events.
- Work closely with the Prospect Research Manager to build a personal pipeline of new Trusts and Foundations.
- Work closely with the Case for Support and Impact Manager to develop tailored cases and proposals and high-quality reporting with a focus on outcomes and impact.
About You
The following attributes are considered essential for the job:
- Minimum 3 years' experience in Trusts and foundations fundraising
- Experience of working in the charity Sector
- Excellent and persuasive writing skills and a sharp eye for details
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Experience of large-scale bid writing for specific projects over multiple years
The following attributes are considered desirable for the job:
- Formal training or a qualification in fundraising
Please note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).
Please apply by providing your CV and Cover Letter by 3rd April 2026.