Business development manager jobs

WHO WE ARE

We are Zarach, the children’s bed charity, and we’re on a mission to end child bed poverty, helping children get a good night's sleep, and the chance to thrive at school. 

In our nearly eight years as a registered charity, we’ve captured the hearts and attention of many individuals, community groups, businesses and funders who want to support us on our mission. We’ve also been given an incredible media platform from which we have raised awareness of child bed poverty at local, regional and national levels. This support and awareness has seen us deliver over 17,000 bed bundles to children to date!

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As we grow, we are looking to recruit a Policy & Advocacy Manager to join the Communications team.

As our ideal candidate you will need to be in commuting distance to our Leeds warehouse, meaning you can travel regularly to meet with the team. This is a hybrid role based between the Leeds warehouse and home, and regular travel to other locations will be required to attend meetings, conferences and other such activities related to policy and advocacy. As such, you will need to have a full UK driving license and access to your own car.

You will be someone who has strong experience in the field of policy and advocacy, with a proven track-record of engaging and influencing a range of external audiences and political stakeholders, such as MPs and councillors.

Alongside your relevant skills and experience, we’ll be looking to see that you have a genuine care for our mission and, as such, are self-motivated to do a great job and be a values-led member of our team.

Ideally, you’ll have experience in a charity/NGO or social policy sector, due to some of the specialities that come with this. However, charity experience is not essential if you can demonstrate an appetite and track record for continual learning and development across your working life to date. 

WHAT WE OFFER

• Starting at £20,400 with progression up to £22,800 p/a (£34,000 - £38,000 FTE)

• 28 days, plus Bank Holidays (prorated for part-time work)

• Healthcare Cash Plan

• Quarterly Staff Recognition Award

• A great working environment! One of our colleagues described us as- “Zarach is a wonderful place to work with the mission at the core of all that we do” 

To decide if you’d like to bring your skills and experience to bear in the pursuit of our mission, please have a look at the job description, our website and the coverage of us across social media. 

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a strategic, outward-facing role where you will build partnerships, develop new opportunities to expand our reach and impact.​​

�� What you’ll be doing

• Leading the expansion of F4YP services into new geographical areas

• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities, and partners

• Creating referral pathways to increase access for children and families

• Identifying opportunities and supporting funding bids and proposals

• Strengthening local systems to better support young people’s wellbeing

• Raising the profile of F4YP across new communities and networks

�� What we’re looking for

• Experience in partnership building, outreach, or service development

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Experience contributing to funding applications or commissioned work

• Ability to think strategically while delivering results

• A proactive, confident individual who thrives in a growing environment​

�� Bedford / Hybrid (Beds, Herts, Cambs) | ⏰ Full-time | �� 3-year fixed term | Working pattern: 9-day fortnight (one day off every two weeks

• Location: London 

• Permanent contract  

• Full Time 

• 28,000-30,000 (+£2,000 London Weighting) 

• Start Date: 1st August 

A fantastic opportunity for an experienced facilitator ready to take on a leadership role. As a Lead Programme Coordinator, you will combine frontline delivery with team leadership and quality assurance, supporting a cluster of schools and a small team of PCs to deliver outstanding outcomes for young people. 

As a Lead Programme Coordinator (LPC), you will be at the frontline of our work-facilitating weekly sessions with young people, managing school and business relationships, and ensuring high-quality programme delivery across your cluster. Alongside this, you will line manage 2–3 Programme Coordinators, act as deputy to your Delivery Manager, and play a key role in driving quality and consistency across your regional team. 

Key Responsibilities:  

• Programme delivery and facilitating work with young people  

• Programme management and logistics  

• Stakeholder management   

• Impact management and quality assurance 

• People management – line managing 2–3 Programme Coordinators 

• Deputy Delivery Manager responsibilities 

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Competencies:  

• Experience of facilitating activities with young people – including preparing engaging sessions in advance by utilising resources available to them  

• Experience of project management – highly organised, with the ability to manage your own time to meet deadlines  

• Experience of working on projects which have multiple stakeholders – communicating effectively through written and verbal communication  

• Experience of line managing or supervising others – including setting clear targets, conducting 1:1s and supporting professional development

• Experience of quality assurance – reviewing data, identifying risk and taking action to improve delivery outcomes across a team

• Commitment to Envision’s vision, mission and values and ability to work well in, and contribute to, our organisational culture  

Envision seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We encourage applications with lived experience to apply as they are currently under- represented in our organisation. Envision graduates will be guaranteed a first round interview.   

To apply you must please read the application pack and apply through CharityJobs.  

Deadline - Midnight 10st June 2026 

Please note: Applicants for this role will first go through out standard PC recruitment rounds, as outlined in the document.

-Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.   

- We will only be contacting candidates who have been shortlisted for interview. Therefore, if we do not contact you, please assume you have been unsuccessful.   

- We also regret to inform you that, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide you with feedback regarding your application.   

We are looking for an experienced Salesforce Administrator to expand capacity and play a key role in the next phase of our organisation-wide Salesforce rollout. Having successfully implemented Salesforce for donor management, we are now expanding the platform to support our international field operations. 

Working as part of our International Salesforce team, you will configure a brand‑new Salesforce NPC platform, integrate it with our existing NPSP donor system, and provide day‑to‑day support to users across 18 countries. You’ll be a Salesforce product champion - triaging support tickets, delivering configuration changes, supporting testing, and helping drive continuous improvement across the organisation. 

This is a highly collaborative role, working closely with our Salesforce Developer & Product Owner, Project Manager, and stakeholders around the world. Occasional travel to our London office and internationally may be required. 

About you 

You are a certified Salesforce Administrator with strong experience building and configuring Salesforce from scratch. You’re a confident communicator, an excellent problem solver, and comfortable supporting and training users in an international environment. Experience with NPSP and / or NPC is required. You must be a fluent English speaker with the right to work in one of the following countries: UK, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Romania or Ukraine. 

About us 

Mission Without Borders is an international Christian organisation working with poor and marginalised families and children across Eastern Europe. We support communities through practical, emotional, and sustainable development initiatives - serving people regardless of religion or ethnic background. 

Rewards and benefits 

• Up to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays 

• Pension scheme 

• Flexible working, with occasional travel 

Help develop a new international Salesforce platform, transforming the lives of families, children, and communities in Eastern Europe. Working with 18 countries, this is a real opportunity to make a difference. 

Head of Project Delivery

Help provide more safe spaces and support for young people across the UK.

Are you an exceptional project leader who thrives on delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programmes? Do you want your work to make a lasting difference to communities?

We’re looking for a Head of Project Delivery to play a crucial role in bringing new Youth Zones to life—state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound spaces that transform opportunities for young people in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from under-represented groups; in particular from Black, Asian, Mixed Race & other ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.

Position: Head of Project Delivery (internally known as Head of Youth Zone Project Delivery)

Location: Hybrid working (2 days a week in either the Bolton or London offices combined with home-working and travel across our Youth Zone network as required)

Salary: £65,000-70,000

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week) – 0.8 FTE can be considered

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: Agile working with flexibility in working hours; 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to a maximum of 30 days); birthday leave, additional annual leave purchase scheme; company matched pension; company sick, maternity, paternity & adoption pay; Employee Assistance Programme, active and engaged networks to join (including Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and access to Charity Worker discounts.

Closing Date: 12noon on 10th June We may close this role early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

First Stage Interviews (online): 24th June

Second Stage Interviews (in-person at a Youth Zone – location TBC): 2nd July

About the Role

In this exciting and newly created role, you will lead the project management of new projects with end-to-end delivery of multiple new Youth Zones. Working closely with colleagues across multi-disciplinary teams, you will ensure every project is delivered effectively, collaboratively and to the highest standards.

You will thrive on managing the detail of individual projects, whilst also maintaining oversight across the whole portfolio of projects at different stages. The role doesn’t have direct reports but requires strong matrix leadership, influencing others to deliver at pace and with accountability.

You will:

• Lead project planning, governance and delivery across multiple Youth Zone developments
• Chair project meetings and manage decision-making gateways
• Ensure robust reporting, risk management and issue resolution
• Use strong relationships and collaborative working to coordinate diverse stakeholders across multi-disciplinary teams

About You

You will have excellent project management skills and significant experience of project managing multi-year complex projects and/or programmes using robust project management tools and methodologies.

A confident, credible project leader who can operate at both strategic and operational levels, you’ll bring:

• Experience using formal project methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP) and tools such as MS Project
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to influence others
• Excellent planning, organisational and reporting skills
• A highly collaborative approach with ability to work across multi-disciplinary teams
• Clear, engaging communication skills with the ability to adapt to different audiences
• Experience within the charity or public sector (desirable)
• A genuine passion for improving outcomes for young people

Above all, you’re motivated by purpose and excited by the opportunity to help deliver spaces that enable young people to thrive.

About the Organisation

A national charity that believes all young people should have the opportunity to discover their passion and their purpose that fund and build state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound youth centres called Youth Zones in the country’s most economically disadvantaged areas. The organisation trains the amazing people that run them and offers continuing support to youth zones nationwide through a national network of independent youth charities.

It’s about opportunity.

You may have experience in areas such as Project Manager, Head of Project Management, Director of Project Management, Head of Project Delivery, Senior Project Manager, Project Manager Lead.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

About Red Sky Foundation 

We’re a proud North East-born charity with a big heart and a national mission: saving lives and giving hope to children and families affected by heart disease and heart conditions. From installing life-saving defibrillators in local communities to funding specialist equipment, care and support, we’re powered by people, partnerships and passion. 

We’ve built a strong presence across the North East with positive impact on cardiac healthcare; now we’re looking for someone who can strengthen and nurture new and existing corporate partnerships and grow sustainable fundraising income through meaningful business relationships. 

Join Team Red Sky at an Exciting Time of Growth! 

Are you a confident relationship-builder who’s passionate about connecting businesses with a leading charity making a real impact on public health? 

Red Sky Foundation is growing at stratospheric pace with projects being delivered locally and nationally. We are attracting corporate partnerships from regional SME’s and global super brand companies with a desire to help us build upon our fundraising initiatives. 

We’re looking for an ambitious, proactive and highly organised Corporate Fundraiser to join Red Sky Foundation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on networking, developing partnerships, and supporting businesses to make a difference through fundraising, sponsorship and long-term collaboration. 

As our Corporate Fundraiser, you’ll be the key point of contact for businesses and corporate supporters who want to engage and support Red Sky Foundation. You’ll develop strong relationships with local and regional commercial partners, inspire teams to fundraise, and encourage organisations to choose Red Sky as their charity partner. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Building strong, lasting relationships with businesses and corporate supporters across the North East and beyond. 

• Identifying and approaching new companies to secure fundraising partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. 

• Supporting businesses with fundraising activities, campaigns and employee engagement initiatives. 

• Managing a pipeline of prospective corporate supporters and charity partnership opportunities. 

• Developing tailored partnership proposals and presentations. 

• Acting as the main point of contact for corporate fundraising enquiries via phone, email and meetings. 

• Maintaining communications and regular contact with supporters throughout their fundraising journey – thanking them, sharing impact updates and encouraging continued support. 

• Networking and presenting at business events, exhibitions and community functions to enhance Red Sky Foundation’s profile. 

• Supporting the Events Manager with corporate attendance, sponsorship and engagement at key fundraising events, including some evening and weekend working. 

Salary: £39,000–£42,000 per annum (£65,000–£70,000 FTE equivalent) 

Contract: Permanent – Part time, 3 days a week 

Location: London or Birmingham 

Working pattern: Hybrid. Cross-region travel up to twice a month for in-person SMT meetings. 

Envision is at an exciting moment. Our programmes are working, our partnerships are growing, and our team cares deeply about getting it right. What we need now is someone to help us build the infrastructure to match our ambition – reaching and impacting more young people from less-advantaged backgrounds across London, Birmingham and Bristol. 

As our Chief Operating Officer, you will join our Senior Management Team and take clear ownership of Envision's finance, compliance, HR governance, and operational efficiency. This is a newly defined role – created to give the function the senior leadership it needs and to free the CEO to focus on external leadership, fundraising, and strategy. 

You will join an SMT of four, working alongside the Director of Programmes and Impact and the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, led by the CEO. It is a collegiate team that operates with a high degree of mutual trust and collective ownership – and we are looking for someone who is as comfortable in a strategic conversation about Envision's future as they are reviewing a set of management accounts. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Play an active role in SMT – contributing operational and financial insight to organisational planning, strategy development, and decision-making alongside the CEO and senior leadership team. 

• Lead finance oversight and board reporting: overseeing monthly and quarterly management accounts, leading the annual budget-setting process, owning the audit cycle, and preparing papers for the Finance, Audit and Risk Governance (FARG) Committee. 

• Own HR policy and governance: maintaining Envision's HR framework, handling complex employee relations matters, and overseeing the full employee lifecycle with execution led by the Business Admin and Finance Officer. 

• Line manage the Finance Manager and Business Admin and Finance Officer, providing clear direction and developing a high-performing team. 

• Lead operational improvement: conducting a review of processes and systems, building a live improvement register, and implementing agreed changes through to completion – not just to proposal. 

• Explore and pilot AI and automation tools for high-friction tasks. Genuine curiosity and willingness to experiment matters more than technical expertise. 

• Hold compliance and risk governance oversight – GDPR, Health and Safety, regulatory filings – ensuring a clear calendar of requirements is owned and met. 

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Competencies 

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or demonstrable equivalent finance expertise. 

• Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role with finance oversight responsibility. 

• Experience of audit management and board-level financial reporting. 

• Track record of leading and developing small teams. 

• Working knowledge of GDPR and charity compliance obligations. 

• Demonstrable ability to operate at a strategic and governance level 

• Experience leading operational process or systems improvement, from diagnosis through to implementation. 

• Active interest in AI and automation tools, with a practical approach to exploring and applying them. 

• Commitment to Envision's vision, mission and values and ability to work well in, and contribute to, our organisational culture. 

Envision actively encourages applications from those from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, as they are currently under-represented in our organisation. We seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. Envision graduates will be guaranteed a first-round interview. 

Please note: we are unable to support visa applications and therefore applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

To apply, please apply through CharityJob.

Closing date for applications- Wednesday 10 June (midnight) 

Round 1 interviews (online) : Thursday 18 June 

Round 2 interviews (in person- London): Thursday 25 June 

We will only be contacting candidates who have been shortlisted for interview. The safety and wellbeing of the young people we work with is paramount at Envision. Successful candidates will be subject to a full Enhanced DBS check and reference checks. All new staff must attend safeguarding training during their induction period. 

This role exists to help Capacity change how public services work for people, not just deliver projects. You’ll lead exciting work that brings together communities, public services, and partners to create meaningful, equitable change. You will operate at the intersection of discovery, strategy, design, and delivery, holding complexity, shaping direction, and helping others act with confidence in uncertainty.

You’ll be accountable for both what is delivered and how it is delivered: ensuring the work is grounded in lived experience and evidence, co-produced with people and partners, and delivered with integrity, pace, and care. Alongside delivery, you’ll contribute to business development, client relationships, strategic direction, and the continued evolution of our Homes and Missions model.

The National Youth Agency is looking for a Programme Governance Lead.

Programme Governance Lead
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Location: Home-based in England with occasional travel for meetings, workshops, and team activities. Head Office is in Leicester.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

We are looking for Programme Governance Lead to manage and oversee the successful delivery of all programmes/projects within the Programmes Directorate by establishing and leading consistent governance and assurance. The postholder will strengthen programme governance, reporting and risk management ensuring programmes are delivered by agreed methodologies and in a consistent manner.

Key Responsibilities

As our Programme Governance Lead, you will:

• Define, implement and maintain an agreed methodology for programme/project lifecycle governance.
• Chair programme/project boards and ensuring decisions, and actions are documented and actioned.
• Identify risks, issues and dependencies which are not captured by Programme Portfolio Leads. Ensure consistent risk management across projects and programmes. Proactively identify cross-programme/project risks and issues (including those not visible to project/programme leads), implement mitigations, and escalate risks/issues to the Director of Programmes and COO as required. Assess programme/project risks against the NYA risk register and update the register accordingly.
• Produce and present monthly programme governance reports at the Directorate Programme Board, providing clear portfolio-level insight (milestones, deliverables, RAG status, KPIs, benefits, and financial/resource assumptions) to enable effective senior decision-making and assurance.
• Design and run governance routines (e.g., project start-up, weekly/monthly reviews, decision logs, change control) and support high-quality papers and actions for directorate governance forums; ensure timely escalation of material risks, issues and decisions to the COO.
• Support teams to evidence compliance with funder/contractual requirements; ensure appropriate documentation, approvals and version control are in place and accessible.
• Implement and maintain a robust lessons-learned process (during and post-delivery) and ensure findings are integrated into future programmes/projects through updated standards, templates, training and assurance checkpoints.

Why Work for NYA?

• NYA operates as a people-focused organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
• NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
• A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
• NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
• We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

Closing date: 23:59 Friday 3rd July 2026.
N.B. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may close the vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.
Interviews: W/C 13th July OR W/C 20th July

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Please note: We use AI detector software, so applications or CV’s with high levels of AI generated content may be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance.

No agencies please.

Small Oxford charity seeks an organised, friendly Office Administrator to provide admin, finance and HR support (part‑time, 18–24 hrs/week; Tues, Weds, Thurs preferred). Responsibilities include managing enquiries, processing invoices, maintaining records, diary and meeting support, and helping with events.
Applicants must be confident with MS Office, excel and google sheets, CRM systems, have an eye for detail, strong verbal and written skills, discretion with confidential information, and a willingness to learn charity systems. Experience with Xero or Beacon CRM an advantage. Pension provided.

To apply: send CV and a short cover note explaining your suitability to the email address given by the end of the day 19th June 2026. Interviews expected during the 1st and 2nd weeks of July

QuarterFive are delighted to be supporting STEM Learning, a leading educational charity that believes every young person deserves access to high-quality education and career support, regardless of their background. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead the organisation's fundraising strategy and team to secure significant, multi-year income from major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates. You’ll be responsible for expanding their funding base, deepening key relationships, and ensuring the organisation has the partnerships and resources to achieve its mission.

Fundraising has developed rapidly in recent years, with investment, board-level commitment and a growing team driving success. With strong foundations in place and a portfolio of high-value partnerships, there is an exciting opportunity to scale their strategic influence and deepen their impact.

We’re looking for a relationship-driven leader who will take an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for new funds and develop long-term, high-impact partnerships.

This is a hybrid but mostly home-based role, with monthly team meetings and occasional overnight stays at the N.England headquarters, and fortnightly attendance at the London office. All travel costs covered.

As Head of Fundraising, you will:

• Lead on fundraising strategy with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, focusing on driving  new funder engagement and developing long-term, high-impact partnerships
• Secure high-value, multi-year funding partnerships with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, achieving six-figure and above income targets
• Manage, develop and inspire a team of five, fostering a proactive, collaborative, innovative and high-performing culture
• Build and maintain a strong, diversified pipeline of new and repeat funders aligned to organisational priorities and ethical fundraising principles
• Engage senior stakeholders including the CEO, Chair, Trustees and senior partners to unlock networks and open opportunities
• Work closely with programme and delivery teams to create compelling funding propositions and ensure excellent stewardship and impactful reporting
• Represent the organisation at senior-level networking events, conferences and sector forums, influencing decision-makers and strengthening brand positioning

Essential skills and experience:

• Success in securing and growing income from a range of sources, including HNWIs and trusts and foundations — delivering six-figure and multi-year partnerships
• Skilled relationship builder with experience developing and stewarding complex, multifaceted partnerships that deliver mutual value and long-term impact
• Strong managerial skills to empower teams and support their professional development and enjoyment in their role
• Strategic business developer with the ability to build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, identifying, cultivating, and converting prospects to meet fundraising targets
• Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the confidence to identify, shape, and present compelling cases for support
• Collaborative and influential, experienced in working across matrix structures and with remote or cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, ensuring alignment and effective delivery
• Highly skilled communicator, comfortable presenting to diverse audiences and tailoring messages to inspire and engage at all levels
• Strong networker, eager to represent the organisation at events and conferences, identifying new opportunities, and staying informed on market trends and developments in the philanthropic and corporate partnership landscape

Desirable, but not essential:

• An understanding and general knowledge of the education landscape in the UK
• Experience of establishing or maintaining a Fellowship programme

Employee benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 15% employer pension contributions 
• Private health care via Benenden Health plus Healthcare Cash Plan and Dental Plan
• Annual salary review
• Electric Car Benefit Scheme

We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader to relaunch and build the next phase of the UK Democracy Network: a national network that helps organisations working to strengthen democracy across the UK connect, collaborate and coordinate more effectively.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a growing national network. The Network already has strong foundations, sector backing, and three years of core funding secured. The next step is building it into an independent, trusted and influential organisation that helps the democracy sector work together more effectively.

About the Network

The Democracy Network exists to help make collaboration across the democracy sector more effective. It connects organisations, practitioners and professionals across the UK democracy ecosystem, helping to reduce duplication, strengthen relationships, share intelligence, and enable more coordinated collective action.

About the host organisations

The Network is jointly incubated by two organisations with deep roots in UK civic tech, democratic education, and sector-wide network building:

The Politics Project supports young people to use their voice by giving them access to brilliant democratic education. They work with young people, teachers, youth practitioners and politicians to help them learn about, teach and actively participate in democracy. The Politics Project also leads the Democracy Classroom Network, a sister network of over 100 organisations across the democracy, education and youth sectors which support over 3,500 teachers and youth practitioners to engage young people in democracy.

Democracy Club produces the most comprehensive election data in the UK. Established in 2010 and registered as a Community Interest Company in 2015, it runs the national polling station finder Where Do I Vote and candidate lookup service Who Can I Vote For, serving election information to millions of UK voters each year and supplying data to the Electoral Commission. Democracy Club brings a mailing list of 35,000, an active community of 1,200 volunteer contributors collaborating on election information, and strong digital and data expertise to the Network.

Our vision for the Network

Over the last year, we have carried out extensive consultation with members of the UK Democracy Network, the Network’s Steering Group and funders. Through this process, we have developed a new vision for the Network that is designed to reflect and support the diversity of the democracy sector, and the wide range of approaches, perspectives and organisations within it.

Our model is built around a series of smaller thematic, geographic and demographic-based “hubs” within the wider Network. These hubs will create spaces for organisations and individuals working on particular issues, in particular places, or with specific communities to collaborate more effectively, while remaining connected to the wider democracy ecosystem.

Alongside this, the Network will support stronger coordination and information sharing across the sector through activities such as a monthly bulletin, shared events, an annual conference and practical tools and databases that help partners collaborate more effectively.

Importantly, we want to build on and strengthen the excellent work that already exists across the democracy landscape, rather than duplicate it. Over time, we also hope the Network can help incubate and support new hubs and collaborations around emerging issues and opportunities within the democracy sector.

About the role

The Network will be delivered by a small core team: a Network Director (this role), a Network Manager (in post), and a Network Coordinator (to be recruited).

Our medium-term ambition is for the Network to become an independent organisation in its own right. We see this role as central to shaping that transition, with the successful candidate expected to lead the Network into its next phase as an independent organisation over the course of the grant period. 

Key responsibilities

The Network Director provides overall leadership of the Network and is responsible for its long-term sustainability and strategic direction. 

Specifically: 

• Strategic leadership. Set strategic direction for the Network in consultation with members, hosts and the Steering Group / Board.

• Represent the Network. In networking and fundraising events, high-level roundtables and in high-profile relationships with government, funders, media and sector leaders.

• Lead on fundraising. Develop relationships with major funders, alongside Harriet Andrews at The Politics Project, building a diversified, sustainable funding base.

• Oversee the Network's transition to an independent legal structure. Support the establishment of the Board, working with Harriet Andrews and Sym Roe to recruit members with a mix of professional expertise and elected network representatives.

• Build an inclusive, supportive team culture. Line manage the Network Manager and Network Coordinator.

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation. Lead reporting to funders, and support the annual review process with the team and Steering Group / Board.

Person specification

We are looking for a values-driven, experienced, strategic leader. They will have strong people and financial management skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across the democracy sector. They will be an excellent communicator, comfortable leading through complexity and change, and motivated by a commitment to strengthening UK democracy. 

The postholder will be expected to work in-office two days a week and attend regular in-person engagements in London.

Benefits

• 33 days’ annual leave pro rata, including Bank Holidays (with three days off between Christmas and New Year).

• 4% employer pension contribution.

• 2 working days / 15 hours of volunteer leave a year.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

Further information about the role and job specification can be found in the Candidate Recruitment Pack.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The UK democracy sector has historically been less diverse than the country it serves, and we want to help change that, starting with how we recruit. We particularly welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in democracy sector leadership, including people of colour, disabled people and people from working-class backgrounds.

How to apply

Please apply via charity job with the following:

• Your CV (no more than two pages).

• A supporting statement of no more than 500 words, setting out how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification and why you are drawn to this role.

The closing date is 11.30pm, Sunday 14th June 2026.

We will shortlist on the basis of the supporting statement against the person specification.

Lead a national charity at a pivotal moment of change and make a life‑changing impact for individuals and families affected by rare craniofacial conditions. 

Headlines Craniofacial Support is a UK-based charity providing information, advice and support to individuals and families affected by craniosynostosis and other rare craniofacial conditions.  The charity works closely with professional partners, including the 5 NHS Designated Specialist Craniofacial Units across the UK.

Craniosynostosis is a condition where two or more of the plates in the skull fuse prematurely, requiring medical support from a young age. Around 350 children are born with craniosynostosis each year in the UK.

Established by group of parents in 1993, Headlines now has over 2,500 members.  Within our charity offer we send out regular newsletters and an annual magazine, Headline News.  We also support families to connect through events such as an annual Family Weekend, conferences and Days Out, and provide information through our helpline and access to psychological support.  We have private social media groups and specific groups within our membership who meet regularly including Cranio Dads, Young Persons Network and a Teens Group.

After 8 successful years, our current Director will be retiring in 2026 and we are now seeking an enthusiastic, inspirational and proactive individual to take up the reins.This is a rare opportunity to lead a well-established, respected national charity at an important moment of transition.

Strategic priorities for us, moving forward, include increasing our fundraising activities to ensure sustainability of the charity alongside the smooth running of our core activities in providing support, facilitating research and raising awareness.

Key responsibilities

The Executive Director will hold day-to-day responsibilities, working closely with the Chair and Trustee Board to provide effective leadership and operational management of the charity. Specifically, they will:

• Act as an ambassador for the charity, liaising with members, health professionals and with wider community and provide day-to-day management of Headlines staff and activities, setting objectives in line with the operational plan.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection and other legal, statutory and regulatory requirements and responsibilities.
• Work on behalf of and with the Trustees to deliver the charity’s mission, goals, operational plans and long-term strategy,  and act as a positive leader and role model, managing and motivating Headlines staff,
• Ensure effective financial management of Headlines working closely with trustees and the treasurer to ensure financial security and appropriate allocation of funds.
• Manage and enhance the event programme to meet charity objectives, including identifying and meeting members’ priorities and raising awareness of craniofacial conditions.
• Develop opportunities for collaborative working and partnerships with other organisations for the benefit of people with craniosynostosis and rare craniofacial conditions.  This also includes work overseas, predominantly in Europe with our medical and charity partners.
• Oversee communications and marketing activities to raise the profile of Headlines, its work and the needs of its members.
• Identify opportunities for growth, developing projects and keeping policies relevant, to enhance and expand the work of Headlines.
• Be responsible for generating funds through innovative and cost-effective fundraising activities and grant applications to maintain the long-term success of the charity.

Person specification 

Essential criteria

• An understanding of the importance of the charity’s values and priorities.
• Evidence of inclusive, innovative and proactive leadership, with demonstrable experience of fundraising and income generation.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with experience organising events and activities.
• Experience of successfully managing budgets and developing new and sustainable funding streams.
• Excellent organisational, presentation and communication skills and the ability to write reports for public consumption and for statutory obligations.
• A high level of digital literacy skills with an understanding of online technology and the application of social media.
• Proven track record in managing, leading and motivating staff and volunteers.
• Willingness to operate a hybrid model of working with most work taking place from home, working remotely with stakeholders and across the UK/ internationally for specific events.
• Experience of working within the charity sector, ideally at a management level and/or within  financial management of the charitable sector, with sound knowledge of the relevant legal requirements and regulations applicable to a charitable organisation.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working effectively with a Chair and Board of Trustees.
• Experience of working for a health-related organisation.
• An awareness of the principles of inclusivity, accessibility or experience of working with individuals with visible differences.
• Degree or equivalent.
• Experience of commissioning research and liaising with research bodies.

Other information

Headlines hosts events and fundraising activities throughout the whole of the UK. All Headlines staff are expected to work flexibly to support those activities as required, e.g. attendance at Annual Family Weekend, conferences, member events, supporter receptions and other related scientific meetings and conferences. This may occasionally require travel and overnight stays. In addition, all staff are expected to be self-servicing in terms of administration and basic digital skills. Please note that the list of duties is not exhaustive and additional responsibilities might occasionally arise and the workload can vary across the year

We are seeking an Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation to play a central role in shaping how Villiers Park delivers and develops its programmes at a pivotal point in the implementation of our 2025-30 strategy. This role represents an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our digital education offer and innovation work, ensuring it enhances both the reach and depth of our programmes for young people across the UK.

Villiers Park is a national social mobility charity with a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes that support young people from under-represented backgrounds to fulfil their potential. As we continue to grow, digital provision and innovation are increasingly important in enabling us to reach more students, and to do so in engaging and inclusive ways.

Digital learning and programme innovation will be critical to the next phase in our strategy, building on the foundations we have already established, including the development of our learning platform and programme model. Alongside this, Leadership Challenge continues to expand as a key national outreach and social action programme, and this role will be instrumental in ensuring its quality and impact.

Our work is possible because of a brilliant team of staff, trustees and volunteers and committed funders and partners who believe in what we do and want to make the greatest possible difference. The Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation will work closely with colleagues across programmes, partnerships, communications and fundraising, as well as external partners, to ensure our digital and programme offer is coherent, forward-thinking and aligned with our mission.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, helping to translate ambition into impact for the young people we serve.

Sarah Chick

Head of Programmes 

Job purpose

The Assistant Director - Digital and Innovation leads the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision. This includes the design and delivery of online learning experiences, the development of digital and physical resources for use across programmes, and ensuring that digital delivery is accessible, safeguarded and aligned with the organisation’s mission.

The role also provides strategic and operational leadership for Leadership Challenge, Villiers Park’s national student outreach and social action programme. This includes programme design, partner engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring the programme is effectively resourced and financially sustainable.

Working closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Communications and Fundraising teams, and external partners, the postholder supports the development of digital innovation, programme resourcing and Leadership Challenge activity to enhance reach, impact and quality. 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision, ensuring alignment with our Theory of Change, priorities and values
• Lead the design and evolution of high-quality digital learning experiences, content and pathways for students, schools, parents/carers and volunteers
• Oversee the adoption and integration of digital platforms and tools, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, GDPR compliance and scalability
• Drive innovation in digital delivery by monitoring sector trends and embedding relevant approaches to enhance reach and impact
• Ensure digital provision complements and strengthens face-to-face delivery across programmes, working closely with the Head of Programmes and Assistant Directors
• Provide strategic oversight of the use of AI within programmes, ensuring its application enhances learning experiences while maintaining safeguarding and ethical standards
• Provide strategic oversight of the development and ongoing review of physical resources, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment across programmes
• Ensure all resources are inclusive, engaging, curriculum-aligned and reflect organisational standards and brand expectations
• Maintain a coherent approach to resource development, ensuring materials support programme delivery and learning outcomes effectively
• Lead the strategic and operational development of the Leadership Challenge programme, ensuring it is high-quality, sustainable and aligned with organisational priorities
• In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and strengthen partnerships with charities, corporates and universities to support programme growth and delivery
• Oversee the development of an appropriate recognition or award framework for participants
• Establish and oversee robust quality assurance and evaluation processes for digital and physical content and delivery
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and risk management, and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees.
• Work collaboratively with Fundraising and Communications teams to support income generation, bid development and programme promotion

This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks relevant to the role and within their capability.

Skills and experience:

• Significant leadership experience in education, youth or social mobility sectors
• Knowledge of school and college curricula and the needs of learners aged 13–19
• Proven experience in designing and/or delivering digital learning
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, digital accessibility standards and inclusive design
• Experience developing high‑quality educational resources (digital and physical)
• Ability to lead programmes, manage projects and deliver to deadlines
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders to further organisational aims and fundraising objectives

Personal attributes:

• A genuine commitment to and care for social mobility and young people’s futures
• Organised and proactive, effectively, prioritising workload and delivering outcomes independently
• Strategic and forward-thinking, with an ability to see the bigger picture
• Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across different functions
• Willingness to learn and develop your own practice and experience

Additional Information:

• The postholder will be required to travel regularly to schools, events and partner organisations
• An enhanced DBS check will be required
• The postholder will hold responsibility to be one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
• The postholder will require a full UK driving licence
• Evening work and overnight stays may be required
• Hybrid – location local to our Cambridge office or near to one of our Regional Hubs

Employee Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated) and additional leave over Christmas.
• A dedicated wellbeing day for you to take at any time and three days (pro-rated) paid leave for volunteering or study each year.
• Training and professional development, including termly staff development days.
• Support from our wellbeing working group and access to an employee assistance programme.
• Opportunity to join working groups with other colleagues from across the organisation as well as wider networks such as the Fair Education Alliance.
• Flexibility in working hours.
• Additional sick pay and compassionate leave policies. 

Safeguarding

Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.

Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.

All employees and volunteers will also agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.