Challenge event manager jobs in Wickford, essex

We are looking for someone who is angry at injustice, who really believes in the ability of ordinary people to make change, who cares deeply about the institutions that are dotted across our neighbourhoods – the churches, mosques, schools, charities, youth groups, etc. - and who is motivated to share the craft of Broad-Based Organising with others. If that is you, we’d love you to join our growing team of organisers across the South-East of England and, more broadly, across the UK! We hope to work with you to build on already existing work in Colchester, Chelmsford, and Southend and support the building of new work across Essex. 

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems. 

Citizens Essex is a relatively-young Chapter of Citizens UK, covering 3 main geographical areas: Colchester, Chelmsford, and Southend. Our ideal candidate for the position of Senior Organiser has high emotional intelligence, is curious about other people, politically astute, and is fundamentally relational. They will have a track record of making things happen, be able to work with a high degree of independence, are comfortable with uncertainty, and able to think strategically as well as operationally.  They will be interested in understanding and working with different sectors and types of organisations, as well as engaging with people from a wide range of faiths and cultures which are different to their own. They are an excellent communicator. They will learn and teach the craft of broad-based organising and be interested in receiving feedback to support their own development and growth. They will build and maintain relationships with a large number of leaders across the County and coach them to take action together on a common agenda.

Our ideal candidate will have a strong track record in enabling leaders from schools/colleges/universities and faith institutions to deliver on issues of social justice. 

Community Organising 

Through our theory of social change, called community organising, we train thousands of everyday people to lead change in their communities, equipping them with the skills to hold politicians and other powerholders to account. We are made up of 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents’ groups, health practices, charities, trade unions and other civil society organisations.

Purpose

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.

Main Responsibilities

A Senior Organiser is mastering the craft of community organising and taking increasing responsibility for developing major campaigns, managing budgets and managing staff. They operate with a high degree of independence and are significant contributors to CUK-wide functions such as training.  Senior Organisers model the broad-based community organising methodology in their work including the building of relational power, the recruitment and retention of dues-paying institutions, the development of leaders, the strengthening of member institutions, leader-led public actions, and the winning of systemic change.

You will bring communities together to drive change both locally, regionally, and nationally. This role will work closely with local civic institutions, such as churches, mosques, schools, universities, unions and other community groups to:

• develop the leadership of people within those organisations - our 'leaders' who lead the campaigns we work on

• help them identify the changes they want to see and create strategies to win those changes

• strengthen institutions’ own abilities to achieve their missions.

This includes listening to members of the community to find common issues, engaging local decision-makers through meetings, and planning in-person ‘actions’, where you might hold those in power to account. All of this work is underpinned by the knowledge that everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. This work will be rooted locally, but you will be a part of a bigger national drive to make change alongside diverse local alliances across the UK. In Essex, the work is currently focusing on the first Mayoral Election for the County but you will also work on other campaign priorities that are developed through the institutions you work with.

Working as a Senior Organiser for Citizens UK, reporting to Sebastien Chapleau, Regional Supervisor for the South of England and Wales, your main responsibilities will include:

Build relational power to further the goals of CUK

• Develop a comprehensive power analysis for Essex, particularly as the County will elect its first Mayor in May 2028 

• Develop and grow strong working relationships with power players at a county-wide level or sector, including journalists; taking the initiative to establish new relationships as required

• Conduct one-to-one relational meetings in order to develop relationships with leaders; demonstrating timely and effective agitation to stimulate action

• Work effectively with local journalists and media outlets to further CUK’s goals

• Develop a strategic plan to enhance people’s participation in public life as well as enhance non-partisan political and democratic practices across Essex.

• Develop a strategy built on an acute sense of how communities and institutions behave within, and across, the cultures and contexts of Essex. 

• Develop a plan that enables clear and impactful cross-institutional collaboration across Essex.

• Develop a clear strategy to address the shared interests between TELCO and Citizens Essex Leaders (eg around the Lower Thames Valley, overlaps between RC and CoE Dioceses in East London and Essex, etc.). 

Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good

• Work with and learn from the best veteran leaders on key actions 

• Play a central role in the development of primary leaders; creating plans with them that are carried out

• Nominate leaders for training on the core taster curriculum and for National Training

Strengthen institutions and develop BBOs

• Organise diverse alliances to work together locally but, most importantly, at chapter level

• Create/develop a leadership team of positional leaders and representatives from all institutions at chapter and local levels that are successful in combining action with growth. Work closely with the co-chairs to develop leader-led strategies. 

• Design organising strategies that combine internal & external action

• Ensure that core teams are developed across all institutions across the broad-based alliance to ensure that organising - rather than servicing - remains the top priority. 

Support leaders through the Cycle of Action to create change

• Take the staff lead on chapter-wide actions and campaigns; aiming to achieve significant wins at chapter/campaign level

• Facilitate Issues Workshops and Delegates Assemblies and, in the run up to May 2028, a Mayoral Accountability Assembly

• Develop strategies for significant impact; with comprehensive plans & tactics 

• Support actions, ensuring publicity, and facilitating high level negotiations 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of actions; demonstrating ability to incorporate lessons learned into future actions

Contribute to CUK’s financial viability through effective fundraising & financial management 

• Recruit new dues paying institutions; negotiating annual membership dues and letters of understanding as required

• Recruit and work with large organisations; ensuring that they invest into the alliance and not solely internal delivery 

• Contribute to fundraising by securing £75k-£90k per annum overall, at least half of which should be ‘hard money’ from retention and recruitment of member institutions and strategic partners.

Contribute to effective teamwork

• Line manage other Organisers in Essex

• Attract and help recruit new Organisers

• Lead other Organisers or Associates in a manner that supports high performance by providing clear expectations and providing proactive coaching, support and accountability. 

• Teach entire training curriculum on National Training successfully; acting as a ‘Track Captain’ by providing meaningful feedback and support to other trainers

• Deliver sessions at Guild Days

• Produce all required reports and follow CUK’s procedures on time and to the required standards

Contribute to the Craft of Community Organising

• Schedule an average of at least 4 to 5 1-2-1 relational meetings into your daily schedule as a core part of your professional practice

• Commit 10 working days pa (pro rata for part-time staff) to the preparation, delivery and evaluation of Citizens UK National Community Leadership Training;

• Contribute to the leadership of a Guild Team and help it develop as a Community of Practice that enables Organisers across the UK to develop their skills and experience.

Inclusion 

• Displays self-awareness of DEI issues and good practice. 

• Is alert to the impact on chapters and team members.

• Lead, support collaboration and acts within their area of responsibility and influence. 

• Support in the resourcing, evaluation, and reporting of DEI work, as relevant

Build relational power to further the goals of CUK

• Develop a comprehensive power analysis for Essex, particularly as the County will elect its first Mayor in May 2026 

• Develop and grow strong working relationships with power players at a county-wide level or sector, including journalists; taking the initiative to establish new relationships as required

• Conduct one-to-one relational meetings in order to develop relationships with leaders; demonstrating timely and effective agitation to stimulate action

• Work effectively with local journalists and media outlets to further CUK’s goals

• Develop a strategic plan to enhance people’s participation in public life as well as enhance non-partisan political and democratic practices across Essex.

• Develop a strategy built on an acute sense of how communities and institutions behave within, and across, the cultures and contexts of Essex. 

• Develop a plan that enables clear and impactful cross-institutional collaboration across Essex.

Personal Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any subject or equivalent (D)

• Evidence of further and continuing study including a possible professional qualification (D)

Experience

• At least three-years employment track record of successful Organising (D)

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team; including motivating and developing more junior staff (E)

• Experience of risk taking to create a project/situation/event that illustrates your values (E)

• Experience of successful fundraising (E)

• Experience of successfully supporting young people in schools/colleges/universities to develop successful campaigns (E)

• Experience of successfully developing faith leaders across a range of denominations (E)

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects on time and to standard (E)

• Clear evidence of campaigns won and people developed (E)

Key skills and knowledge

• Ability to build and maintain relationships (E)

• Ability to inspire, motivate and lead (particularly people who are different than you) (E)

• Ability to organise yourself and others and to work responsibly in an unstructured environment (E)

• Financial management skills including ability to set and manage a budget (E) 

• Ability to use imaginative strategies to help improve disadvantaged communities (E)

• Ability to plan and organise under pressure (E)

• Ability to work with and relate to all types of people (E)

• Ability to teach and run workshops (E)

• Ability to develop the potential of others (E)

• Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing (E)

Personal qualities & values

• A passion for justice (E)

• A good sense of humour (E)

• A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, trade unions, schools and other community organisations (E)

• Good judge of character (E)

• High levels of emotional intelligence (E)

• An interest in and experience of politics and public life (E)

• Able to work in a team (E)

• Willingness to work within accountable relationships (E)

• Self-motivated and adaptable (E)

Our Organisers and some project teams work closely with our member institutions and will be expected to attend member events that take place in the evenings and occasional weekends. We operate a Time Off in Lieu approach and have very flexible working arrangements to ensure a good work-life balance.

Please note that the role is Essex-wide and, as such, there is a practical expectation that the successful candidate will be able to drive between key locations across the county (with associated mileage costs being covered by Citizens UK). 

The successful applicant will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are renewed on a 3-year cycle.

About the application process

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role. 

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

We are looking for someone who is angry at injustice, who really believes in the ability of ordinary people to make change, and who is motivated to learn the craft of Broad-Based Organising. If that is you, we’d love you to join our growing team of 11 organisers in South London! We hope to work with you to build on already existing work in Greenwich and support the building of new work in Bexley and Bromley.

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Community Organising

We train thousands of people each year to lead change in their communities, through the craft of Broad-based Community Organising, equipping them and their institutions with the skills to hold powerholders to account. We organise with 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK, and in South London Citizens we organise in ten boroughs with almost 100 member organisations. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents’ groups, health practices, charities, migrant hubs and other civil society organisations.

Purpose

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.

Main Responsibilities

The principal responsibility of an Associate Organiser is their own development: learning the craft of Community Organising under the guidance of an experienced Community Organiser. You will work intensively with a small number of member organisations under close supervision, growing your experience, skill and responsibility incrementally. An Associate Organiser is working towards becoming a competent practitioner of the craft of broad-based community organising methodology, and focuses on the building of relational power, the recruitment and retention of dues-paying institutions, the development of leaders, the strengthening of member institutions, leader-led public actions, and the winning of systemic change.

This role is particularly to organise with Be Well Organisations in Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley. Be Well Organisations may be faith, education, or community institutions, tackling isolation and poor mental health by: 1. Building relationships, 2. Signposting and offering practical support, and 3. Taking action on structural and systemic inequalities and injustices. But you may also work on other campaign priorities and responsibilities as needed across the team.

We are looking for people who are angry about injustice, who believe ordinary people have the power to make change, and who are motivated to learn the craft of Broad-based Organising. The role is hugely varied, and involves working across the two boroughs, in different institutions and context, and with a lot of independence.

Working as an Associate Organiser in South London Citizens, your main responsibilities will include:

Build relational power to further the goals of CUK

· Actively participate in the development of a comprehensive power analysis appropriate to the desired sphere of influence for each project/assignment

· Establish working relationships with identified leaders and demonstrate ability to move them into action, including as part of the wider alliance; taking the initiative to establish new relationships

· Conduct 15-20 weekly one-to-ones to develop relationships with leaders and understand their concerns.

· Tell a wide range of Community Organising stories effectively to influence others and achieve CUK’s goals

Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good

· Identify and discern actual and potential leaders with the passion and ability to drive change

· Proactively create opportunities for leaders to develop, especially tertiary or new leaders; nominate for training on the core taster curriculum · Successfully deliver training workshops in local institutions and on the core taster curriculum at a local level

Strengthen institutions and develop Broad Based Organisations (networks of community organisations)

· Ensure good understanding of the basic interests and traditions of typical member institutions

· Organise several Be Well Organisations to participate more fully in the alliance

· Support pre-existing core teams and create/develop new core teams to provide leadership

Support leaders through the Cycle of Action in order to create change

· Support leaders in running listening campaigns

· Organise actions; demonstrating increasing independence in working without the need for close supervision

· Take the lead in supporting Be Well Organisations through the cycle of action

· Evaluate the effectiveness of actions; demonstrating ability to incorporate lessons learned into future actions

Contribute to CUK’s financial viability through effective fundraising & financial management

· Recruit new dues paying institutions; work together with a more senior Organiser to negotiate annual membership fees and letters of understanding

· Contribute substantively to fundraising to ensure the sustainability of the work

· Liaise with the Finance & Operations team to update the membership database and ensure timely invoicing and fee collection

Contribute to effective teamwork

· Be proactive concerning personal professional development and wellbeing; i.e. by reading widely, developing a healthy work-life balance and demonstrating ability to reflect on own organising craft & improve on self-identified weaknesses

· Demonstrate ability to work effectively with colleagues and participate in a team

· Produce all required reports and follow CUK’s procedures on time and to the required standards

Participate in the development of the craft of Community Organising and play a role in the Guild of COs

· Schedule an average of at least three 1-2-1 relational meetings into your daily schedule as a core part of your professional practice

· Commit 10 working days pa (pro rata for part-time staff) to the preparation, delivery and evaluation of Citizens UK National Community Leadership Training or other local or regional trainings

· Participate in fortnightly learning sessions with the wider SLC team

Personal Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Experience

· Previous campaign experience (D)

· Evidence of having acted in a leadership role with peers or in local community activities (e.g. organising a club or project, playing a role in a faith institution) (E)

· Experience of project management; evidence of having delivered work on time and to standard (D)

· Able to demonstrate previous experience of ‘learning by doing’ in a work or project environment; evidence of being open to feedback and comfortably coachable (E)

Key skills and knowledge

· Excellent interpersonal awareness – ability to listen well and appreciate a viewpoint or opinion that is different from one’s own (E)

· Excellent concern for impact – ability to adapt own behaviour to address the needs or concerns of someone else (E)

· Good communication skills – able to speak with conviction and passion; and to make a logical argument (E)

Personal qualities & values

· A self-starter with ability to take initiative and work independently (E)

· A belief in the capacity of ordinary people to make change, and the ability to build relationships with people across divides (e.g. religious, racial, language, class, etc) (E)

· An anger at justice (E)

· A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, trade unions, schools, and other community organisations (E)

· An interest in and experience of politics and public life (E)

· Able to work in a team (E)

· Willingness to work within accountable relationships (E)

· Self-motivated and adaptable (E)

Our Organisers work closely with member institutions and will be expected to attend and lead events that take place in the evenings and weekends. We operate a Time Off in Lieu approach and have very flexible working arrangements to ensure a good work-life balance.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are renewed on a 3-year cycle.

About the application process

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would particularly love to see applications from people of faith, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interview date: 16th July 2026

About The Role
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, and nearly one million people are living with it today. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a need for better support, care and hope. 
What would it take to turn an idea into something that improves lives at scale? And how do we make sure good innovations do not get stuck, but reach the people who need them? 
At Alzheimer’s Society, innovation is how we turn ideas into real world change. We identify, support and invest in solutions that improve diagnosis, care, access to treatment and help prevent crisis. Our Innovation Programme has supported more than 60 innovations, reaching over 1.5 million people and helping partners secure millions in further funding. 
We are looking for an Innovation Officer (Portfolio) to help grow and strengthen this impact. You will sit within our Innovation Team in the Research and Influencing Directorate, supporting performance, relationships and learning across our investment portfolio. 
This role is about helping good ideas go further and making sure they deliver real benefit for people affected by dementia. 
What does it look like when innovation truly works in the real world? 
What you’ll do 
You will manage relationships with our innovation portfolio partners, monitoring progress, impact and reach, seeking opportunities for wider implementation and scale of innovations, how can we drive opportunities for wider adoption and growth of innovations? 
You will help us understand the impact of our innovation portfolio by turning project data into clear, useful insight through dashboards and analysis. .How do we frame data to focus on outcomes and emphasise real world change?  
You will track the return on investment of innovations within the portfolio, monitoring quarterly   sales and annual returns to understand whether innovations are delivering the expected impact and sustainability. How do we balance impact, growth and financial return? 
You will help with operational delivery, including due diligence, contracting, and invoicing. How do we keep the behind the scenes work steady so innovation can move forward? 
You will also help share the work of our team and innovators we support  through events, communications, and engagement. How do we make impact feel real and support innovations to be accessible to others? 
You will support learning and evaluation to understand what works and why. How do we make space for learning, not just delivery? 
Key responsibilities include: 

- Manage portfolio partner relationships through regular engagement, meetings, and stakeholder support 
- Develop and maintain impact metrics and dashboards to track portfolio performance, returns, and impact 
- Monitor financial performance including sales, returns, and quarterly partner reporting 
- Review and analyse partner reports to identify progress, risks, and key themes across the portfolio 
- Support income-generation opportunities by identifying routes for testing, implementation, and scaling 
- Monitor compliance requirements including contractual obligations and brand-licensing agreements 
- Lead evaluation activity by designing, commissioning, and monitoring evaluations with partners 
- Prepare and coordinate partner representation and involvement in meetings and events 
- Support operational processes such as invoicing, due diligence, contracting, and onboarding of new partners 
- Collaborate across teams and contribute to continuous improvement of portfolio management and reporting 

About you 
You care about work that makes a difference. You are curious, open to learning, and comfortable working across information, people and processes. 
You might come from innovation, partnerships, health, charity or the public sector. Or somewhere completely different. 
We do not expect you to know everything on day one. We care more about how you think and how you work with others. 
If you meet some of the criteria but not all, we would still really like to hear from you. 

- You are interested in understanding what is working and what is not, and why  
- You enjoy working with others to keep things moving  
- You can manage multiple pieces of work and notice what matters most  
- You communicate clearly, even when information is complex or changing  
- You find practical ways forward when things are not straightforward  

We are building innovation that transforms lives. This role helps make sure that happens. 
Interviews for are provisionally scheduled to take place on the 14th July via MS Teams

About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.