Community research jobs

The Fundraising Development Administrator will play a vital role in supporting the Director of Fundraising across corporate partnerships, philanthropy and special events. 

The successful candidate will provide high-quality administrative and project support whilst also developing skills in copy writing, marketing, events, stewardship, prospect development and fundraising strategy. The role offers valuable exposure to senior stakeholders, donors, and wider organisational projects. 
 
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is hard-working, enthusiastic, keen to learn and passionate about pursuing a career in fundraising, working work with a driven team in a small, but impactful and growing charity to improve the lives of young carers and patients.

Dose of Nature is moving towards sustainable national delivery. With strong clinical foundations, independent research demonstrating measurable impact, and growing partnerships across the health and heritage sectors, we are now strengthening our fundraising capability to support our next phase.

This is an opportunity to join a small, ambitious organisation where evidence, demand and strategic momentum are aligned, and where strong fundraising delivery can directly support the scale and reach of impact.

About Dose of Nature

Dose of Nature is transforming the UK’s approach to mental health by placing nature at the heart of mental health interventions.

We deliver clinically led, volunteer-powered nature prescriptions that achieve clinically measurable outcomes. Independent research, including a two-year study with the London School of Economics, has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in wellbeing, life satisfaction and purpose among participants.

Dose of Nature currently operates with approximately £500k annual income. As we scale our partnership and membership models, we aim to grow this to c.£800k per year over the next three years, enabling sustainable national delivery and increased access for communities across the UK.

Our priorities over this period include:

• Expanding partnership hubs across multiple regions
• Launching an accredited membership model to scale delivery
• Piloting and embedding Dose of Nature prescriptions within NHS programmes
• Strengthening academic research, accreditation and national influence

The Role

This is a key fundraising role within a small and collaborative charity team.

As Fundraising Lead, you will play an important part in developing and delivering a diversified fundraising pipeline, with a particular focus on trusts and foundations, alongside philanthropy and selected partnership opportunities.

You will report to and work closely with the Director of Growth & Strategy, who leads overall fundraising strategy and senior relationships, while you focus on driving day-to-day fundraising activity, pipeline development and funder engagement.

This role would suit an experienced fundraiser who enjoys both planning and delivery; from researching opportunities to developing strong proposals and stewarding funder relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising Planning and Delivery
  • Contribute to development and implementation of fundraising plans aligned with organisational priorities
  • Build and manage a pipeline of opportunities across trusts, foundations and philanthropy
  • Identify opportunities for multi-year and core funding
  • Support income tracking and forecasting
• Trusts and Foundations
  • Lead research, cultivation and application development
  • Prepare high-quality, evidence-based funding applications
  • Build strong and professional relationships with funders
  • Coordinate grant reporting and stewardship
• Philanthropy and Supporter Engagement
  • Support engagement with individual donors and philanthropic supporters
  • Contribute to development of funding materials and cases for support
  • Maintain effective stewardship and communication
• Partnerships and Funding Opportunities
  • Contribute to funding proposals linked to partnership hubs and programme delivery
  • Help identify aligned funding opportunities with partner organisations
• Systems and Organisation
  • Maintain a clear and organised fundraising pipeline
  • Provide regular updates on fundraising activity
  • Ensure fundraising activity follows best practice and compliance requirements

What Success Looks Like (Year 1)

• A structured and well-managed fundraising pipeline
• High-quality proposals and reporting delivered consistently
• New income secured from trusts and philanthropic supporters
• Strong relationships established with key funders
• Clear fundraising processes and ways of working embedded

About You

We are seeking an experienced fundraiser with a strong track record in trusts and foundations fundraising.

You are likely to:

• Have demonstrable experience securing funding from trusts and foundations
• Be confident developing strong funding proposals and reports
• Have experience managing or contributing to fundraising pipelines
• Be organised and comfortable managing multiple priorities
• Build effective and professional relationships with funders
• Be motivated by improving mental health outcomes and social impact

Experience in health, mental health or community sectors may be helpful but is not essential.

Why Join Now?

Dose of Nature is moving from proof of concept to sustainable growth.

We have strong clinical foundations, robust independent research, and an expanding partnership network. The next stage is to secure the funding that allows this model to grow and reach more people.

Joining now means playing a meaningful role in shaping the fundraising foundations that will support that growth.

Benefits

• Pro-rata annual leave entitlement of 25 days + bank holidays
• Employer pension contribution in line with statutory requirements
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunity to work within an evidence-led, growing national charity
• Professional development opportunities

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Dose of Nature is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in the charity and mental health sectors. We are committed to creating a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your CV
• A supporting statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining:
  • Your relevant fundraising experience
  • An example of funding you have helped secure
  • Why this role interests you

Senior Data Manager

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

We currently have employees working across four nations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to deliver our ambitious new strategy, On a Mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a world where nobody dies of bowel cancer.

Job Summary for Senior Data Manager

• A senior data leadership role sitting at the heart of the Data & IT function, reporting to the CFO and working in close partnership with the Senior IT Manager — with this role taking lead responsibility for all things data
• Own and lead the charity's data strategy, working collaboratively with senior leadership to shape a forward-looking, insight-driven organisation
• Take full ownership of CRM operations (Raiser's Edge NXT), driving adoption, optimisation and continuous improvement to ensure the charity is truly getting the most from the system — unlocking the data, trends and insight within it
• Hold overall responsibility for the Charity Automation Roadmap, driving systems integration and automation to reduce manual effort and improve data flows across the organisation
• Develop Power BI dashboards and reporting frameworks that bring data to life — putting actionable insight into the hands of teams across the organisation
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across fundraising, finance and operational teams — translating business needs into practical technology solutions
• Champion data quality, GDPR compliance and governance, embedding robust standards and processes organisation-wide
• Line manage and develop a small data team, with a coaching-focused approach to performance and growth

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Lightbox Gallery & Museum is entering an ambitious new phase as we prepare for our 20th anniversary in 2027. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced and initiative-taking fundraiser to help shape the organisation’s future by developing new income streams and leading our anniversary campaign, Lightbox20.

You will take ownership of the campaign activity across the organisation - developing strategy, building relationships with donors and partners, and delivering income to agreed targets. At the same time, you will manage the practical detail that underpins successful fundraising, including stewardship and our CRM system.

Key priorities are developing and delivering the Big Give campaign this year, capital fundraising for the garden and our 20th anniversary Lightbox 20.  

This role will suit someone who thrives in a small organisation, understands the unique challenges and opportunity this brings and who is self-motivated to build an ambitious campaign from the ground up. The successful appointee will combine strategic thinking with direct delivery, collaborating closely with the Director and Trustees to secure the next chapter of Lightbox Gallery’s success.

Senior Policy Adviser

- Based at: CARE, 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF (option of a hybrid working)

- Salary: £38,000 - £43,000pa dependent on experience

- Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week NB. Part-time applications (minimum of three days per week) for this role will be considered.

- Contract type: Permanent

Do you long to see biblical principles informing and shaping public policy solutions to some of the deepest challenges our nation is facing? Do you have experience of engaging with parliament?

We are looking for a new Senior Policy Adviser to join our team at CARE. For 40 years and more, CARE’s Policy Team has worked with parliamentarians to inspire legislation that is good and godly, valuing human life and dignity as infinitely precious. Most recently, though our work on the Online Safety Act, we have helped to protect children and young people from online harm and through the current Crime & Policing Bill, to protect women and girls from the destructive impact of porn.

Our vision is to see politics renewed and lives transformed and we do this by telling God’s better story to a broken world. There are three core activities at CARE:

1. Equipping politicians through a relational approach where we provide well researched briefings and advice.
2. Engaging the church by producing relevant resources on a wide range of topics to serve church leaders and congregations.
3. Empowering future leaders through our highly regarded Leadership Programme.

About the Role

The role majors on enhancing CARE’s policy work and reputation in the public square. This will be achieved through proactive engagement with the UK’s Parliaments, equipping and informing CARE’s supporters, the church and wider public.

Our Senior Policy Adviser will be part of developing, advocating and leading on the formation and pursuit of policy in line with CARE’s objectives and strategy.

The post holder will be responsible, under the Senior Policy Manager, for helping to further CARE’s policy and public affairs objectives in a variety of ways.

The Team You Will Join

You will join a team dedicated to the issues we champion and to each other as we pursue excellence in our work.

We have expertise in addressing the harms associated with gambling and commercial sexual exploitation, in advocating for life affirming policies and in defending the innocent and vulnerable. To that, we have a long history of championing policy which strengthens the family.

This is an exciting time to join CARE as we strategise around new policy interests and opportunities, and a new colleague will be key to that. You will be a highly valued team member, get to share and develop your skills and build new relationships.

What You Will Bring

We seek a new colleague with experience, so this will probably be your second or third role in this field.

We have long established causes and concerns, but we are also looking at the policy horizon, so you’ll be innovative and creative too.

Above all, you will be passionate about the relevance of God’s word for the politics and culture of today.

How to apply

To apply, please click the link below to visit our website. 

There is a genuine occupational requirement for this role to be filled by a Christian – see CARE’s statement of faith.

The deadline for applicants is by 12.00p.m on Tuesday 7th April.

Shortlisted candidates will be advised by Friday 10th April
First Interviews: Monday 20th April
Final Interview: Friday 24th April

• Would you like to make an impact by leading one of our fashion store teams that are community based, offer amazing choice and genuine sustainability? We're looking for a Store Manager to join our team in Newry.

  What does this role involve?

  As a Store Manager you will be accountable for your stores performance, maximising sales through physical and digital channels, and achieving store targets by leading an inclusive and diverse team that consistently demonstrate the BHF values.

  Each day is different in this varied, fast paced and hands on role.  Due to the volume of deliveries and donations, it can be physically demanding at times, yet most rewarding as you play a part in helping to fund life saving research.

  What are we looking for?

  • Experience working in a customer facing role in retail, hospitality or service industry
  • Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams
  • Commercial awareness
  • Ability to achieve sales targets
  • Committed to achieving the highest retail standards at all times
  • Able to work under own initiative and take a proactive approach to changing business needs and objectives
  • Thrives working in a hands on, fast-paced environment
  • An understanding of budgets and P&L 

  Our store is fast-paced and trades 5 days a week which means we require flexibility from our store teams to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

  What’s important to us?

  At the British Heart Foundation (BHF) we offer a huge range of new and used quality furniture, clothing, jewellery and more, available in store and online.

  Our vision is a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer. We'll get there by funding cutting-edge research and innovation, which hold the keys to saving and improving more lives.

  In addition to raising funds for the BHF, we connect with our local communities and help reduce clothing and furniture waste across the UK. With over 700 stores we make a huge environmental impact by preventing around 70,000 tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill every year. We receive 1.6 million items donated to our home stores and 9.8 million bags of donated items and we will continue to build upon our reuse agenda in the years to come.

  Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

  Why join the BHF?

  We have a strong culture of internal progression and will actively support you to develop your career.

  Our generous staff benefits include:

  • 38 days annual leave (plus the option to buy and sell leave)
  • Holistic support leave of up to 10 additional days off each year
  • Enhanced family policies (maternity, paternity and adoption leave)
  • Wagestream - early access to your wages
  • 25% staff discount
  • Health cash plan (Dental, Optical, Therapies, etc)
  • Access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
  • Pension with employer contribution of up to 10%
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounts on gym memberships
  • Discounts with a wide range of retailers

  Ready to apply?

  To apply, please follow these simple steps:

  1. Click the “Apply” button below.
  2. You’ll be seamlessly redirected to the BHF Careers page.
  3. Complete the application form, submit your CV and upload your employment history.

  What do I need to know?

  DBS Check: Any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check

  Inclusivity Matters: We’re committed to fairness and consistency. As part of this commitment, we use anonymous CV software during the application process

  Act Swiftly: Early applications are encouraged. We’ll be reviewing submissions throughout the advertising period and may close the advert early

  Sponsorship: Please note that we are unlikely to be able to sponsor applicants in respect of this role due to the role not meeting the minimum salary criteria to be eligible for sponsorship.

  Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact a member of the Recruitment team.

• Would you like to make an impact by leading one of our fashion store teams that are community based, offer amazing choice and genuine sustainability?

  What does this role involve?

  As a Store Manager you will be accountable for your stores performance, maximising sales through physical and digital channels, and achieving store targets by leading an inclusive and diverse team that consistently demonstrate the BHF values .

  Each day is different in this varied, fast paced and hands on role.  Due to the volume of donations, it can be physically demanding at times, yet most rewarding as you play a part in helping to fund life saving research.

  What are we looking for?

  • Experience working in a customer facing role in retail, hospitality or service industry
  • Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams
  • Commercial awareness
  • Ability to achieve sales targets
  • Committed to achieving the highest retail standards at all times
  • Able to work under own initiative and take a proactive approach to changing business needs and objectives
  • Thrives working in a hands on, fast-paced environment
  • An understanding of budgets and P&L 

  Our stores are fast-paced and trade 7 days a week which means we require flexibility from our store teams to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

  What’s important to us?

  At the British Heart Foundation (BHF) we offer a huge range of new and used quality furniture, clothing, jewellery and more, available in store and online.

  Our vision is a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer. We'll get there by funding cutting-edge research and innovation, which hold the keys to saving and improving more lives.

  In addition to raising funds for the BHF, we connect with our local communities and help reduce clothing and furniture waste across the UK. With over 700 stores we make a huge environmental impact by preventing around 70,000 tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill every year. We receive 1.6 million items donated to our home stores and 9.8 million bags of donated items and we will continue to build upon our reuse agenda in the years to come.

  Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

  Why join the BHF?

  We have a strong culture of internal progression and will actively support you to develop your career.

  Our generous staff benefits include:

  • 38 days annual leave (plus the option to buy and sell leave)
  • Holistic support leave of up to 10 additional days off each year
  • Enhanced family policies (maternity, paternity and adoption leave)
  • Wagestream - early access to your wages
  • 25% staff discount
  • Health cash plan (Dental, Optical, Therapies, etc)
  • Access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
  • Pension with employer contribution of up to 10%
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounts on gym memberships
  • Discounts with a wide range of retailers

  Ready to apply?

  To apply, please follow these simple steps:

  1. Click the “Apply” button below.
  2. You’ll be seamlessly redirected to the BHF Careers page.
  3. Complete the application form, submit your CV and upload your employment history.

  What do I need to know?

  DBS Check: Any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check

  Inclusivity Matters: We’re committed to fairness and consistency. As part of this commitment, we use anonymous CV software during the application process

  Act Swiftly: Early applications are encouraged. We’ll be reviewing submissions throughout the advertising period and may close the advert early

  Sponsorship: Please note that we are unlikely to be able to sponsor applicants in respect of this role due to the role not meeting the minimum salary criteria to be eligible for sponsorship.

  Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact a member of the Recruitment team.

We’re looking for an experienced, passionate, strategic and creative Head of Development to join us as part of a job share and lead our support and capacity-building offer. 

You will have strategic oversight of our support offer to the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Somerset, leading on the provision of targeted support and infrastructure services. You will also lead the Development Team, develop a programme of forums and events across the county that support the training and networking needs of the sector, and work with colleagues to build our partnerships with local agencies.

You will bring significant leadership experience working with or supporting the development of voluntary sector organisations, groups or networks. You will have demonstrable experience of partnership working – including with the Public Sector – and knowledge of the principles of asset-based community development and empowerment.

In return, we offer flexible, hybrid working options, a free Employee Assistance Programme, up to 7.5 hours of volunteering leave per year, and an additional day of leave for your birthday.

This is a full-time, job share role, though part-time and flexible hours will be considered for the right candidate. The salary is £40,000-£43,000 per annum.

Contract type

Permanent

Location

Whittington with some flexibility for remote working

Hours

Full time (37.5 hours per week) with flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required

Annual salary

Starting from C1 £27,355.42 with the ability to progress to C3 £30,308

Last day to apply

29/03/2026

Reporting to the Individual Giving Manager, the postholder will help deliver an ambitious programme, driving the recruitment, development, and retention of supporters across appeals, campaigns, lottery, and regular giving to generate sustainable income and lasting impact.

Knowledge and experience

Essential

·Experience in data management

·Knowledge of effective campaign or project planning

·Experience of researching and developing content for fundraising

·Experience of creating communications for a variety of audiences and channels

·Experience of analysing campaign results and using insight to optimise future campaigns

·Experience of collaborative working with multiple internal and external partners to deliver projects

·Proven track record of working to and achieving targets

Desirable

·Managing direct marketing campaigns in a charity environment

Values

·Exhibits our hospice values and behaviours

Skills

Essential

·Confidence using CRM systems

·Working to deadlines

·A creative thinker

·Data led

·Strong attention to detail

·Organised

·Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

·Effective Diary management

Personal Attributes

·Empathetic

·Team player

·Able to work under pressure

·Collaborative

·Ambassador for St Giles Hospice

Other requirements

·Valid driving licence

·Eligibility to work in the UK

·Please note that St Giles Hospice does not hold a sponsorship licence and is therefore unable to accept sponsorship requests

Just so you know:

This post is subject to a Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role; this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit our website for our Privacy Policy. This is in extension to Charity Job Privacy Policy.

Join our team and help deliver real-world change

We stand at a defining moment. Climate change, inequity, and health challenges demand action. This isn't the first time Manchester has risen to the moment, and now we are ready to do it again.

At the end of 2025 we launched our first ever fundraising and volunteering campaign, “ Challenge Accepted”. We're uniting alumni, donors, staff, students and civic, industry and community partners to tackle the world's toughest challenges and transform lives locally and globally.

We are building an exceptional team of people to champion bold thinking that is rooted in impact.

Will you accept the challenge?

Manchester individuals are recognised for embracing shared values such as integrity, courage, ambition, and collaboration. Our community is strengthened by a pioneering outlook and a collective determination to drive positive change. We welcome people of all backgrounds who demonstrate resilience, optimism, and a genuine commitment to fostering a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable world. If you share these qualities, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with us.

This is a fixed term position for 3 years.

Details of the Role

Reporting to the Head of Principal Gifts, the Philanthropy Manager (Principal Gifts) will operate at the higher end of donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship to secure significant support (six and seven figure gifts) in support of the University’s key priorities.

As an exceptional fundraiser, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of relationships with alumni and significant philanthropists, to secure gifts for bold, impactful projects and programmes across the University. You will proactively build the pipeline, demonstrating a creative approach to reach potential new donors in the UK and globally.

We seek individuals with success in securing significant philanthropic gifts in the Higher Education, Voluntary or Cultural Sector or proven transferable skills. You will have experience of working within a team whilst working towards personal targets. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are results orientated, persuasive and have exceptional negotiation skills.

Fundraising at The University of Manchester

As a member of the University's fundraising team, you’ll have access to a robust support structure that enables you to do your very best work. This includes regular training and development opportunities; access to detailed reports, data, and management information to guide and inform your fundraising; an expert team of Operations and Prospect Research colleagues supporting your work; and the full engagement of senior University leadership. As part of an experienced and supportive network of fundraisers, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate and share best practice. You’ll also have access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to help you develop core skills like personal effectiveness, leadership, and management.

Manchester Mindset

Our approach to fundraising is driven by our values of being collaborative, bold and ambitious – and approaching our work with integrity. These values underpin the Manchester Mindset: our framework for fundraising success, authored by and for our fundraising team.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and all appointments will be made on merit. As we are committed to the principles of the Race Equality Charter Mark, we would particularly welcome applications from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community who are currently under-represented at this level in this area. 

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Sydenham Garden is seeking to appoint a Grants, Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Lead for two days per week on a fixed term contract for two years. They will join our team of 14 staff and 70 volunteers supporting people living with mental ill-health and dementia in south-east London. 

Position:  Grants, Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Lead 

Contract:  Fixed term for 2 years 

Hours:  0.4 FTE 15 hours per week

Salary: £38,000 pro rata

Annual leave: 33 days including bank holidays pro rata

Location: Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, SE23 2LW or working from home – minimum 1 day a month in office

Application closing date: 9am Monday 13 April 

Interview date: Friday 1 May 

Our Organisation 

Sydenham Garden, based in Lewisham in South-East London, is a special, unique and beloved wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We were established in 2002 and will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2027. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give our primary beneficiaries). People are referred to us from community organisations and health professionals and we use an integrative approach where those with different degrees of mental and physical ill health come together with volunteers from the local community to reduce social exclusion and prejudice. Each year we work with on average over 250 co-workers and over 70 volunteers. 

About you 

You’ll have experience in building relationships with a range of Trusts, Foundations and statutory funders, drafting compelling funding proposals and demonstrating impact through high-quality reports. You’ll have excellent communication and people skills and feel comfortable both thinking strategically and managing competing priorities day-to-day. Most importantly, you’ll thrive in a small team working to make a big impact for people living with mental ill-health and dementia. 

Why you should join us  

Sydenham Garden is a small team rooted in our local community, and that community is at the centre of everything we do; from the people we support, to the volunteers and neighbours who get involved in our gardens and our work in all sorts of ways. 

We work collaboratively, support each other across different areas of the organisation, and aren't afraid to try new approaches and learn from what doesn't work. We're values-led, we care deeply about our impact, and we hold ourselves accountable to the people and communities we serve. 

We're also confident advocates for our work, and comfortable making the case for Sydenham Garden to funders, partners and the wider community. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Sydenham Garden is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve. 

This is an exceptional opportunity at one of the world's most prestigious universities at a time of extraordinary ambition and philanthropic momentum. 

Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Oxford
Salary: £65,336 - £82,255 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record
Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

Here at the University of Oxford, we are recruiting three Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts to join our incredible team. These are new positions, part of an expansion of our friendly, collaborative and successful Principal Gifts team.

As Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts, you will operate at the highest levels of the University to secure transformational gifts at the eight-figure-plus level, advancing Oxford’s mission and global impact.  Your work will help ensure that Oxford continues to attract the brightest minds, pursue world-leading research, and address the most urgent challenges facing humanity.

You will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Director of Development – Principal Gifts, and other senior leaders to align principal gift opportunities with institutional priorities and articulate a compelling case for support to some of the world’s most significant philanthropists.

Your impact will be enduring – enabling breakthrough discoveries, expanding opportunity for students, and strengthening Oxford’s position as a global leader in education and research.  The Associate Director of Development role offers the chance not only to secure transformational gifts, but also to shape the future of Oxford’s philanthropic culture and leave a legacy at an institution that has been changing the world for over nine centuries.

This is a chance to join a dedicated, professional and ambitious team at a time when Oxford’s fundraising is at unprecedented levels. With strong support from the Vice-Chancellor, a proven track record of principal gift success, and an unparalleled global reputation, you will have every opportunity to make your mark, both at Oxford and in your career.

You will be passionate about what we do here, not phased by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope to hear from you!

The University of Oxford is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

Closing date: midnight on Monday, 6 April 2026.

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

No agencies please

This is an exciting new leadership role within User Voice’s London team, responsible for delivering two major programmes at the intersection of Health Justice and forensic mental health services.

The Project Manager will lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of these initiatives, ensuring they meet strategic objectives and deliver meaningful impact for participants and stakeholders.

This role is ideal for someone with lived experience of the criminal justice system who is already leading complex projects and managing teams and partnerships.

Alongside submitting your CV, please use your cover letter to answer the following questions: 

1. Your lived experience of the criminal justice system, how it informs your work at all levels & why you want this job.

2. Your project management experience (minimum two years).

3. Your experience supporting or leading volunteers, peer workers, or lived experience roles.
4. Your skills in facilitation, co‑production, engagement, and working with vulnerable groups.

5. You experience of working within complex systems such as prisons, NHS services, and/ or forensic mental health.

6. Your experience of being a line manager.

7. Your safeguarding and risk management experience.

Working closely with the Participation Manager, you will help shape and develop programmes using collaborative approaches with community groups, schools and youth organisations. This will include building partnerships that support sustained engagement with underserved audiences and encourage young people and families to explore ongoing opportunities within Wakehurst.

An Enhanced DBS Check is required for this role.

We are looking for someone with significant experience of working with young people, families and community groups, with a strong emphasis on outreach and partnership development. You will have a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with schools, youth organisations and community partners, and of successfully bringing new audiences into programmes or engagement opportunities.

You will be confident working externally and proactively developing connections, with significant experience of engaging under-served communities and a strong understanding of the barriers that can prevent people from accessing nature, science and cultural spaces.

You will play a key role in contributing to the growth of youth and family audiences at Wakehurst by identifying participation trends, developing targeted outreach approaches and working with partners to remove barriers to participation and improve access to engagement opportunities. You will support the development of clear pathways that enable participants to move from initial engagement into deeper involvement with Wakehurst’s programmes, including opportunities linked to the Community Access Scheme.

You will be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple relationships and coordinate projects effectively while working collaboratively with colleagues across different teams. An interest in nature, conservation or environmental engagement is important, alongside a genuine passion for supporting people to connect with the natural world.

Experience of developing new participation initiatives, and embedding inclusive practice within programmes, as well as knowledge of evaluation and safeguarding, would be beneficial.

This role is based at Wakehurst with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

About Us

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.