Area marketing and communications manager jobs

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.

About the role

Guided by Nene Park Trust's Business Plan and Fundraising Strategy, the Head of Fundraising will lead and develop a comprehensive fundraising programme across all income streams. You will need to be highly competent at applying to Trusts and Foundations, including Lottery funders - our most lucrative channel for charitable income, whilst also able to drive the growth of our corporate and individual fundraising programmes which are at an exciting stage of development. 

As the senior member of the Fundraising Team, you will oversee and lead innovative fundraising campaigns, appeals and events, and build and steward lasting relationships with donors, partners and supporters at local and national levels.

You will lead and manage the Fundraising Team, setting clear objectives, supporting professional development and driving high performance aligned to the Trust's values and culture. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, you will ensure fundraising activity is well-coordinated, compliant and  mpactful, helping to secure the income needed to realise the Trust's considerable ambitions.

Key areas of work:

Fundraising Strategy and Planning

• Lead the delivery of the Trust's Fundraising Strategy, devising and managing an annual work programme that covers a wide range of fundraising opportunities, maintains diverse and sustainable income streams, and builds the organisation's voluntary income capacity to meet its strategic aims and objectives.
• Initiate, manage and coordinate major project-based fundraising campaigns, events and other activities in support of the Trust's Business Plan.
• Monitor best practice among close competitors and the wider charity sector to ensure the Trust's approach to fundraising is coherent and delivering the required impact.
• Ensure that all fundraising activity is responsible, delivery-focused and compliant with relevant charity and statutory legislation, fundraising regulations and recognised codes of practice.

Trusts, Foundations and Statutory Funding

• Lead the development and submission of grant applications to charitable trusts, foundations and statutory/public bodies to support standalone projects, capital purchases and core cost recovery.
• Help develop cases for support, business cases and budgets for projects and activities, and support project leads to monitor and control work programmes and expenditure.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to funders and other stakeholders in line with grant conditions. 
• Identify funding information sources and carry out in-depth research on funding opportunities. 

​Corporate Fundraising and Partnerships

• Build relationships through networking with local and national organisations to attract sponsorship, corporate donations and other partnership opportunities.
• Lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate supporters and donors in collaboration with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.
• Develop strong cases for support to present a compelling proposition to corporate partners and sponsors.

Individual and Community Fundraising

• Oversee and support the team to raise money from individuals, including community fundraising, regular giving, in memoriam giving and membership.
• Plan and coordinate the stewardship of individual supporters and develop the donor journey, including the provision of NPT membership.
• Manage a schedule of regular appeals and campaigns to supporters through a variety of communication channels.
• Utilise fundraising and marketing tools, such as online donation platforms, crowdfunding and mailshots, to encourage donations and other forms of giving. 
• Develop and implement fundraising events and supporter engagement activities within the Park and elsewhere.
• Subject to strategic priorities, develop the potential for major donor and legacy fundraising.

Supporter Relations and Data

• With support from colleagues, maintain and develop the Trust's CRM system to underpin effective individual and corporate supporter management.
• Ensure the fundraising function remains compliant with all relevant data protection laws and fundraising regulations at all times.
• Manage and oversee fundraising budgets responsibly and in line with the Trust's financial policies and procedures.
• Contribute to reporting on the Trust's fundraising performance, providing regular and accurate updates to the Chief Executive and Trustees.

Team Leadership and Management

• Provide clear, values-based leadership to the Fundraising Team, creating an environment where people can bring their best to the Trust.
• Effectively manage and support staff through regular meetings, setting and reviewing work programmes and objectives, annual performance reviews, and identifying training and professional development needs.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the organisation to engage their support for fundraising initiatives.

Knowledge, skills and expierence

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience, with evidence of recent and ongoing professional development relevant to fundraising
• Extensive experience of fundraising across multiple income streams, including writing successful applications to charitable trusts, foundations, Lottery and statutory funders 
• Demonstrable experience of building and implementing individual giving and corporate fundraising programmes 
• Track record of securing corporate partnerships, sponsorship and grants
• Experience of creating and implementing a successful fundraising strategy that has significantly increased revenues
• Experience of leading and line managing a fundraising team, motivating individuals to achieve their potential
• Experience of compiling and overseeing budgets for projects, taking into consideration funders' requirements
• Familiarity with CRM software, databases and MS Office
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to write compelling, persuasive funding applications and cases for support
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to present confidently to donors, funders and partners
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to work within agreed budgets and maximise return on investment
• Ability to collate and analyse data to produce informative reports for funders and internal stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with creativity and an entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising
• Self-motivated, proactive and resilient, particularly when faced with setbacks
• A collaborative team player who inspires and supports colleagues
• Calm under pressure with the ability to deliver high-quality work to deadlines
• An appreciation of parks and countryside and the outcomes they deliver for environment, health, education and social cohesion
• Ability to attend events and other activities outside of normal working hours

Why Nene Park Trust?

As Gold accredited Investors in People, we recognise the high level of service we deliver is dependent upon our excellent staff team. That's why we're pleased to offer an extensive rewards package to recognise employees' commitment to the Trust. You can find out more about the benefits of working with us on our website.

More information and how to apply

Please visit the Nene Park Trust website to view the full recruitment pack and apply for this role. Completed application forms should be submitted by 12:00 noon on Monday 3rd August.

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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