Jobs for the Membership Organisations sector
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 client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on 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.
The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.
Key Responsibilities
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Policy and Research Leadership
- Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
- Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
- Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
- Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
- Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
- Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
- Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
- Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.
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Internal Collaboration
- Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
- Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
- Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
- Line manage junior staff or associates as required.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:
- Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
- Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
- Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
- Experience in income generation or bid development.
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
- Politically aware and intellectually curious.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Strategic and solutions-focused.
- Collaborative and inclusive.
- Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
- Committed to personal and professional development.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
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 (plus bank holidays)
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
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 client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Lead innovative programmes that strengthen social cohesion and create lasting change. Join Belong and help communities thrive across the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in delivering impactful, evidence-based programmes that bring people together and foster inclusion. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are expanding our reach and deepening our impact. The Programme Lead will be at the heart of this journey, shaping and delivering high-quality initiatives that respond to local needs and drive systemic change.
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Role
As Programme Lead, you will design and deliver innovative programmes that make a measurable difference to communities. You will lead the development of local strategies, co-create solutions with partners, and ensure programmes are inclusive, impactful, and aligned with Belong’s mission.
Key responsibilities include:
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Programme Design and Delivery
- Lead the delivery of Belong’s local programmes, ensuring they are evidence-based and responsive to community needs.
- Design and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and community engagement activities.
- Apply strong research methods, including desk-based analysis, surveys, and social media insights.
- Manage programme budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure effective delivery.
- Monitor and evaluate programme outcomes, producing reports and insights for stakeholders.
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Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, community organisations, funders, and commissioners.
- Co-design programme approaches with partners, ensuring shared ownership and relevance.
- Represent Belong at external events, meetings, and forums to promote our work and build new opportunities.
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Strategic Development
- Contribute to Belong’s organisational strategy through programme innovation and learning.
- Support business development by identifying opportunities, developing proposals, and contributing to bids.
- Share learning and best practice across the organisation to inform future programme development.
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Planning, Delivery, and Risk Management
- Demonstrate strong project management skills, including coordination of deliverables and budget tracking.
- Conduct risk assessments and map risks and opportunities to ensure programme success.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys working collaboratively, and is passionate about creating lasting change in communities.
About You
We are seeking a proactive and collaborative programme leader with:
- Proven experience in designing and delivering community-based programmes.
- Experience working in or with local government or voluntary sector organisations.
- Strong facilitation and engagement skills, with familiarity in participatory methods.
- Excellent project management skills and attention to detail.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with strong communication skills.
- Relevant qualification in community development, public policy, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of social cohesion and integration issues.
- Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
Desirable: Experience in Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Collaborative and solution-focused.
- Entrepreneurial and proactive in identifying opportunities.
- Practical, focused, and reliable.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
- 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 (plus bank holidays)
- Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape programmes that build stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
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.
Harris Hill is proud to be partnering with Consumers International, the world’s leading network of consumer organisations, in the search for a Lead, Member Engagement.
£40,000 - £50,000| Remote (with optional co-working)
With over 200 members in more than 100 countries, Consumers International works at the forefront of global consumer rights—ensuring that consumers’ voices shape products, policies, and practices worldwide. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in strengthening and growing a truly global movement.
As Lead, Member Engagement, you will be at the heart of building and deepening relationships with member organisations across the globe. You will:
- Deliver a clear and impactful member engagement strategy aligned with the organisation’s mission.
- Lead on the design and delivery of inspiring events, campaigns, and activities—including global initiatives such as the Global Congress and World Consumer Rights Day.
- Support and connect members, helping them build resilience, share knowledge, and collaborate on pressing consumer issues.
- Drive community growth by identifying opportunities for new members and initiatives.
This is a hands-on, creative, and strategic role for someone passionate about building strong, vibrant, and inclusive communities.
We’re looking for a candidate with:
- Proven experience in membership management, community building, or stakeholder engagement (ideally in a global or non-profit context).
- A strong track record in organising impactful events and campaigns.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with cultural awareness and the ability to work across international contexts.
- Strong organisational and IT skills (Salesforce or equivalent a plus).
- A collaborative, proactive, and inclusive approach.
A background in international non-profits, consumer rights, or advocacy is desirable, and additional language skills (Arabic, French, Spanish) would be a bonus.
If this feel you fulfil the criteria and are keen to hear more, please do send your CV to
Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.