Stroke Association is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families with the emotional, practical and financial impact a stroke can have.
A stroke can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time! One in four strokes happen in people of working age.
“I’m Leighton and when I was 39 years young I had a stroke. There’s a sentence I never, ever thought I would write. But that’s the thing with a stroke, it didn’t care how fit and healthy I was.
It doesn’t care that I’m a dad with a 10-year-old son. A son that needs me.”
Surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and difficult journey to recovery. The Stroke Association is there to support stroke survivors and help their families find the strength they need.
We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the regional fundraising team to find a passionate, talented individual to join them as a Partnerships Officer. This role will focus on delivering new partnerships with corporate businesses, and raising vital funds to continue invaluable lifelong support for all stroke survivors, just like Leighton.
The Role
As a Partnerships Officer you will build long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with corporate business. The role will be focused developing new strategic partnerships. The main responsibilities will include:
- Acquiring new strategic partnerships
- Developing a robust pipeline of high value partnerships
- Building strong relationships with businesses whose values align
- Connecting and delivering engaging strategies to achieve effective partnerships
- Delivering exceptional stewardship to all corporate partners to meet income targets.
The Person
We are looking for someone who is confident, and has the tenacity to deliver new corporate partnerships. You must be ambitious, motivated and enthusiastic with excellent relationship building skills.
You should be a great communicator, with the ability to raise awareness of the Stroke Association at all levels. We are keen to speak to anyone who is excited at the prospect of building a new pipeline and portfolio of corporate partnerships.
The role requires flexibility to maximise opportunities, and offers the autonomy to work on your own initiative. Previous experience in fundraising is desirable however, we are also keen to speak with people who have experience in business development and building successful partnerships who are keen to transfer this skillset into the rewarding world of fundraising.
Why Stroke Association?
The team at Stroke Association are proud to have an open, honest, flexible and supportive working environment. They pride themselves on fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and recognised. They have an excellent reputation for establishing a strong, collaborative team that work together to achieve shared goals. Their flexible working options and a ‘make the day work for you’ concept you can work the hours that work for you!
Not only does this charity transform the lives of stroke survivors and their families, it also offers a wonderful environment to work in where you can add value and have a positive impact every single day!
The charity’s benefits also include elements such as volunteering days, long service awards, incremental annual leave increase with service, a generous pension contribution and enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
If this sounds like the opportunity for the next phase of your career, then please get in touch! The role is permanent and full-time (flexible working will be considered). The closing date for applications is Friday 30th January 2026. Interview will be held online - the first stage will be on 9th and 10th February and the 2nd stage interviews will be 12th February 2026.
Please note that due to requirements to travel for this role, you must have a driving license and access to a vehicle.
If you think you could be the right person to fulfil the exciting responsibilities of this role, apply here, or get in contact with Charlie, Jen or Leanne at Charity Horizons for more information:
Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format such as audio or video upload, or require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us, please contact either Jen or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.
Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.
Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.
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Benefits: 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays), company pension
Lead. Inspire. Serve. Transform Lives.
Are you a Christian leader with a heart for young people and a passion for community transformation?
Do you believe in the God-given value and potential of every person?
Are you ready to guide one of the country’s oldest and most trusted Christian youth movements into its next chapter?
YMCA North Staffordshire is seeking an exceptional Christian Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission, embody our values, and continue shaping a movement that is transforming the lives of thousands of young people and families.
With a proud 160-year history and an award-winning campus at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, this is a rare opportunity to lead a charity that is deeply rooted in Christian faith, committed to radical inclusion, and driven by a vision where all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.
Our Christian Vision and Values
YMCA North Staffordshire is an inclusive Christian movement.
Our mission flows directly from our faith and is grounded in four core values:
PROTECT
We provide sanctuary and safety, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and respected.
HOPE
We see young people not through the lens of their past, but their God-given potential.
PERSEVERE
We walk with young people through challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.
TRUST
We act with integrity, accountability, and belief in the dignity of every human being.
Because these values are Christian in origin and practice, and because the CEO is the guardian of our mission, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the postholder to be a practising Christian.
About the Role
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead an organisation of 130 staff, a £5m+ budget, and a £35m estate, helping strengthen community through youth development, education, housing, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The next CEO will:
- Provide strategic leadership to deliver the 2026–2029 Business Plan
- Champion youth voice and empowerment in all areas of work
- Sustain and grow financial strength, partnerships, and social enterprise
- Uphold and deepen our Christian identity, ensuring values-led practice
- Drive innovation, digital transformation, and organisational development
- Represent YMCA NS locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
- Be a visible advocate for young people in Stoke-on-Trent
- Strengthen our “village” culture: welcoming, relational, rooted in Ubuntu and Asset-Based Community Development principles (ABCD).
Purpose of the Role
To lead YMCA North Staffordshire in fulfilling its Christian mission, as described in the Associations charitable objectives
We develop young people; they develop their world.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic leadership in alignment with Board governance
- Upholding Christian ethos, values, and culture across the organisation
- Financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability
- Community development and partnership building
- Youth advocacy and empowerment
- Oversight of housing, programmes, and impact measurement
- Staff leadership, pastoral care, and organisational culture
- External representation and communications
Person Specification – Summary
Knowledge
- Housing, youth services, and community development
- Charity law, governance, safeguarding
- Understanding of Christian ministry, mission, and values
- Organisational development and change leadership
Experience
- Senior leadership in values-led or Christian settings
- Track record of strategic development and organisational growth
- Experience working with young people, housing, or community sectors
- Experience nurturing Christian ethos across a diverse organisation
Skills & Abilities
- Inspirational leadership and people development
- Strategic planning and delivery
- Excellent communicator and ambassador
- Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
- Ability to articulate and embody Christian faith
- Deep commitment to Christian values and the Aims & Purposes of the YMCA
The Leader We Are Looking For
The landscape for young people is changing — and so must we.
We need a CEO who is:
- Faith-filled and prayerful
- Values-driven and courageous
- Relational, compassionate, and community-minded
- A champion of excellence, innovation, and good governance
- Grounded in Christian mission and committed to radical inclusion
- Able to inspire hope, build trust, and persevere through challenge
As George Williams, YMCA’s founder, said:
“You are not alone, and you can be more.”
Our next CEO must believe this not only for themselves — but for every young person we serve.
How to apply
An application pack can be found at the YMCA North Staffordshire website. This role is subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.
Key Recruitment Dates
- Closing Date: 18th January 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026
We are a safe recruitment Organisation and an Equal Opportunities Employer, we run the disability confident guaranteed interview scheme.
We are an organisation with Christian values, committed to Equality and Diversity in the Workplace. YMCA is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.