Policy research manager jobs in Sedbergh, cumbria

About the Role

The Business Development Officer will play a dynamic and influential role within Sands’ Partnerships & Philanthropy team, helping to shape the charity’s growing presence across corporate, commercial, and digital landscapes. You’ll contribute directly to our income generating ambitions by uncovering new opportunities, building a healthy prospect pipeline, and supporting outreach that amplifies Sands’ profile across professional and online networks.

This role offers an exciting blend of creativity, insight gathering, and hands‑on development work. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to elevate Sands’ visibility - including helping to craft engaging digital content, develop compelling partnership assets, and support targeted online marketing initiatives. With the space to work proactively and take ownership of your projects, you’ll play a meaningful part in strengthening our corporate partnerships and creating foundations for long‑term, high‑impact relationships.

Main Purpose of the Job

• To contribute to the growth of Sands’ commercial and strategic partnerships by generating high-quality research, intelligence, and insight to support prospect acquisition and cultivation.
• To develop and maintain a healthy, diverse pipeline of corporate, commercial, and strategic prospects through structured research, qualification, and profiling.
• To support outreach, digital engagement, and online marketing activity to increase awareness of Sands’ partnership opportunities and drive inbound interest.
• To provide essential administrative and operational support for database management, data compliance, and reporting.
• To support the development of compelling proposals, pitch materials, development assets and case studies that reflect the needs and priorities of Sands and resonate with potential partners.

Principal Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Prospect Research & Pipeline Development

• Conduct structured research to identify new prospective partners across multiple sectors, including retail, leisure, wellbeing, transport, and corporate services.
• Build detailed prospect profiles, including organisational background, alignment potential, decision-makers, and partnership opportunities.
• Maintain and update a robust cross industry prospect pipeline, ensuring all prospects are accurately categorised and tracked.
• Undertake competitor and sector analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities, supporting Sands’ strategic positioning.
• Map networks and connections (internal and external) to support the expansion of Sands’ business development reach.

2. Outreach, Marketing & Engagement Support

• Support initial outreach to prospective partners, including email approaches, LinkedIn engagement, and follow-up communications.
• Support the planning and delivery of targeted online marketing activity to increase organisational visibility among corporate audiences.
• Develop engaging content for outreach - such as partner briefs, email templates, and introductory decks.
• Collaborate with the Engagement and Communications teams to ensure all external messaging reflects Sands’ brand and partnership priorities.

3. Database, Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate, GDPR compliant records on Sands’ CRM, ensuring all research, outreach and cultivation activity are fully logged and auditable.
• Produce regular reports and dashboards to support team activity planning and income forecasting.
• Track deadlines for proposals, reporting, stewardship requirements, and internal consultations.
• Support due diligence checks for all new prospects and record documentation in line with Sands’ ethical and data protection policies.

4. Partnership Materials, Proposals & Case Studies

• Support the creation of high-quality partnership assets, including pitch decks, proposals, stewardship packs, and impact summaries.
• Collate relevant organisational information and stories to support the development of compelling case studies.
• Work with internal colleagues to gather content on Sands’ programmes, events, research, and family stories to support tailored partnership pitches.
• Assist with developing template materials for more efficient proposal creation.
  
  

5. Internal Collaboration & Organisational Support

• Work closely with the Commercial Business Development Lead to coordinate new business activity and support cultivation of prospective corporate relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Engagement, Communications, Events, Fundraising and Services to ensure partnership opportunities are strategically aligned.
• Support the planning and delivery of cultivation events, webinars, and online briefings for corporate audiences.

Are you our next Trusts Fundraising Officer?

If you have a talent for story telling, are looking for a role where your words can make a lasting impact and are passionate about giving vulnerable young people life changing opportunities, then this is the job for you. We’re seeking a talented individual who can tell our story and help secure vital funding from trusts and grant-makers.

Trusts and other grant-makers are an important source of funding for our charity. As we look ahead, we’re expanding our Trusts fundraising portfolio to meet the growing needs of our programmes. This is where you come in.

As our Trusts Fundraising Officer, you’ll be an inspiring storyteller whose enthusiasm for our work shines through in your writing. You’ll play a key role in researching new funders, crafting compelling funding applications and keeping our supporters engaged with our work. Your work will involve developing case studies and gathering evidence to show the need for our services. This will help secure sustainable funding. You’ll be supported by our experienced Trusts Fundraising Manager to build lasting relationships with funders. Together, you’ll keep them engaged and informed about the positive impact they’re making on the young people we support.

The Trusts Fundraising Officer must be self-motivated, well organised, able to multi-task, have good administration skills and understand the “power of the outdoors”.  Paid or voluntary experience in a fundraising environment is essential.  This is a great opportunity for somebody looking to take the next step in their career, with plenty of scope to develop your skills and experience within a supportive team. Whilst the role is home-based you must live in the South West to ensure easy access for in-person meetings.

The Charity

At the Youth Adventure Trust, we use outdoor adventure to empower vulnerable young people from Swindon, Wiltshire and Somerset to fulfil their potential and lead positive lives in the future. We work with them to build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills that will last a lifetime, helping them to face the challenges in their lives. Dedicated support, guidance and mentoring from our staff and volunteers ensures young people receive the maximum benefit from our long-term intervention. Our aim is to make a lasting improvement to the lives of vulnerable young people. All our services are provided completely free of charge to the young people who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations to take part.

We’re proud to offer our programmes completely free of charge to participants which means the fundraising team is crucial. With ambitious plans to help more young people over the coming years, our Events Fundraising Officer role is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference. You’ll be well-supported as part of a small fundraising team with a big heart, with plenty of opportunities to visit our programmes and see the tangible impact of your work. 

What We’re Looking For:

• Outstanding communication skills – You can write clearly, persuasively and passionately. You’re confident speaking to others about the charity’s work.

• Writing experience – You have experience writing successful funding applications, proposals, or compelling articles, ideally but not necessarily with a  fundraising focus

• Fundraising experience - You may not have written a grant application before but you should have some paid or voluntary experience in a fundraising capacity.

• Attention to detail – You take pride in your work, have a good eye for detail and a thorough approach.

• Creativity - able to put together eye-catching proposals, impact graphics and social media posts.

• Self-motivation and organisation – You’re able to manage your own time and prioritise effectively.

• Passion for the outdoors and youth development – You understand the importance of giving vulnerable young people outdoor experiences and are willing to put on your waterproofs and join in on our activities and camps to witness first-hand the difference the Youth Adventure Trust makes.

• Willingness to learn - if you think you have what it takes but don’t have lots of experience as a Trusts Fundraiser, this role comes with plenty of scope to develop your writing skills and gain experience within a supportive team environment.

Safer Recruitment

The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and requires all employees to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. 

Are you someone who can build trusted relationships across sectors, develop sustainable income, and turn strategic opportunities into meaningful impact? 

Are you looking for a part-time, senior role where you can shape organisational direction, grow partnerships, and deliver programmes with national and international reach? 

The Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to improving mental health outcomes through better design. We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Partnerships & Programmes to play a central role in our next phase of growth. 

In this role, success will mean building high-value partnerships, growing sustainable income, and delivering programmes that expand DiMHN’s impact and influence. 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING 

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will: 

• Drive sustainable income through a mix of commercial partnerships, membership growth, and charitable funding
• Develop and lead strategic and commercial partnerships, from opportunity through to delivery
• Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of programmes across our core areas of work
• Grow and engage a diverse membership across commercial and health sector stakeholders
• Embed strong monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to demonstrate impact and inform decision-making

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a strategic, relationship-driven leader who can translate opportunity into impact, income, and influence. 

Knowledge and experience 

You will bring: 

• A strong track record of developing and securing income through partnerships, sponsorship, membership, and/or charitable funding
• Experience building and managing commercial or strategic partnerships, including identifying opportunities and maintaining long-term relationships
• Experience designing and delivering programmes involving multiple stakeholders, sectors, and/or geographies
• The ability to develop robust business cases, including assessing opportunities, risks, and resource requirements
• Experience growing and engaging professional networks, memberships, or cross-sector communities
• Confidence working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Knowledge of the mental health, healthcare, design, or built environment sectors is welcome, but not essential. 

Personal attributes 

You will be: 

• Strategic and entrepreneurial, able to spot and develop opportunities
• Collaborative and relationship-led, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders
• Impact-focused, motivated by delivering measurable outcomes
• Adaptable and resilient, comfortable working in a growing and evolving organisation 
• Passionate about improving mental health outcomes and interested in how design can improve people’s lives 

WHAT YOU'LL GET IN RETURN

As part of the team, you will benefit from:

• Annual leave - 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata) 
• Work from home – though in-person meetings with partners and members will be expected in order to build strong working relationships
• Flexible working - flexibility in how the 21 hours are worked across the week (to be agreed during offer discussions) 

NEXT STEPS 

Please see https://bit.ly/DIMHNPartnershipsProgrammes for our Candidate Pack, application instructions and details about the interview process.

Associate Director

Do you have senior-level experience in advocacy/influencing; service delivery or community engagement and development?

We’re looking for an exceptional systems leader to drive the work across the East of England and ensure people affected by stroke have the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Position: S11367 Associate Director – East of England

Location: Home-based, East of England. However, travel and overnight stays within the UK will be required as part of this role.

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary: Circa £64,700 per annum (Inner London weighting £3,950 per annum or Outer London weighting £2,457per annum may be applied in accordance to where you live)

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.

Closing Date: 31 May 2026

First interview Date (online): 9 June 2026

Second interview Date and discussion with team (face to face, London): 17 June 2026

The Role

You’ll lead the Association’s work in East of England, focusing on what matters most to stroke survivors and ensuring this work has real, measurable impact. In this influential role, you’ll build strong relationships across health and social care, Local Government, and the wider stroke community. Influencing local policy and practice, and overseeing the effective delivery of high-quality stroke support.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the Association’s strategic direction and impact in the East of England, ensuring people affected by stroke receive high quality support.
• Build and manage relationships with key health, social care and political stakeholders, acting as a credible and respected systems leader.
• Increase the reach and impact of the locality delivered services to ensure all new stroke survivors in the East of England receive the support they need.
• Lead and develop the East of England team, addressing capacity needs and building volunteer capability to meet local priorities.
• Strengthen partnerships across the stroke community to improve access to support and tackle health inequalities.
• Lead engagement in local policy and pathway development, influencing improvements at health board level.

About You

You’ll have:

• Senior-level experience in advocacy/influencing; service delivery or community engagement and development.
• Senior level experience influencing policy change, ideally in health and social care, at a regional or national level.
• Substantial experience of holding senior-level relationships with partner organisations, ideally in health and social care / the NHS using strong negotiation skills and political judgement.
• Proven experience of leading high performing teams and large geographically distributed teams of paid staff and volunteers, with a strong track record of growing and developing staff and teams.
• Inspiring leadership approach, balancing strategic and operational demands with sound judgement, and strong knowledge of influencing and systems leadership.

The East of England comprises of the areas within the NHS Integrated Care Boards of: Central East (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes), Norfolk and Suffolk and NHS Essex.

This role requires extensive travel across a large geographical locality. Candidates must be able to demonstrate how they can meet this requirement of the role. To fulfil the role, you must be a resident of the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

Applications

As part of the process you will be asked to submit your CV and a covering letter demonstrating how you meet the person specification set out in the Role Profile and what you bring to the role in terms of your skills and experience.

Please state any preferences for flexible options in your application. Applications from individuals who are seeking flexible working options, including reduced hours or job shares are welcomed.

You will be able to view the role profile when you apply.

Finding strength through support

The organisation is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. Providing tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. 

They are here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.

It’s only thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors that they can provide vital support. 

The Association is driven by an ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means they’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by an approach to solving inequity in stroke, the team are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across the charity.

The charity are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Association and are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how the organisation work.

A Disability Confident employer, the organisation is making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. The charity has a variety of staff network groups and are committed to continuously improving diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.

You may also have experience in areas such as Advocacy, Influencing, Service Delivery, Community Engagement, Community Development, Policy, Health and Social Care, Health. #INDNFP

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

FTWW is looking for a Communications Coordinator! The successful candidate will develop and grow the organisation’s online platform, including sharing information, resources and signposting within FTWW’s pan-Wales virtual peer support community and beyond.

The role is full-time (0.8 FTE considered for the right candidate), home-based within Wales, with occasional travel to events and meetings, so a driving licence and access to a car would be an advantage. We work flexibly, but core working hours are between 10am-4pm, and the successful candidate will be expected to work some evening and weekends, as required.

We are a small but mighty charity where no two days are the same. You may be involved in promoting a focus group to our members one day and meeting with a journalist the next. We currently have over 100 registered volunteers and over 2000 members of our online community, and you will work closely with our Volunteer & Community Coordinator to ensure that our members are at the heart of what we do.

The ability to speak Welsh, or a willingness to learn, is desirable.

Successful applicants will need to complete a basic DBS check and provide references before any offer of employment is made.

As a Disabled People’s Organisation, we recognise that AI can be a helpful tool for structuring written applications. We ask that, if you choose to use AI, your application remains an accurate and authentic reflection of your own experiences, skills, perspectives, and voice.

For more information, including accessible formats, please see the attached document.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams, in the week commencing 6th July.

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Mae FTWW yn chwilio am Gydlynydd Cyfathrebu! Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus yn datblygu ac yn tyfu platfform ar-lein y sefydliad, gan gynnwys rhannu gwybodaeth, adnoddau, a chyfeirio, o fewn cymuned rithwir FTWW sy’n darparu cefnogaeth gan gymheiriaid i bobl ym mhob cwr o Gymru a thu hwnt.

Mae hon yn swydd amser llawn (ystyrir 0.8 FTE ar gyfer yr ymgeisydd iawn), wedi’i lleoli gartref yng Nghymru, â theithio achlysurol i ddigwyddiadau a chyfarfodydd, felly byddai trwydded yrru a mynediad at gar yn fanteisiol. Rydym yn gweithio’n hyblyg, ond yr oriau gwaith craidd yw rhwng 10am a 4pm, a disgwylir i’r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus weithio ambell gyda’r nos a phenwythnos, yn ôl y galw.

Rydym yn elusen fach ond pwerus lle mae pob diwrnod yn wahanol. Gallech fod yn ymwneud â hyrwyddo grŵp ffocws i’n haelodau un diwrnod ac yn cyfarfod newyddiadurwr y diwrnod canlynol. Ar hyn o bryd mae gennym dros 100 o wirfoddolwyr cofrestredig ac mae gan ein cymuned ar-lein dros 2000 o aelodau. Byddwch yn gweithio mewn cysylltiad agos â’n Cydlynydd Gwirfoddolwyr a Chymunedau er mwyn sicrhau bod ein haelodau wrth graidd yr hyn rydym yn ei wneud.

Mae’r gallu i siarad Cymraeg, neu barodrwydd i ddysgu, yn ddymunol.

Bydd angen i’r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus gwblhau gwiriad DBS sylfaenol a darparu geirdaon cyn y byddwn yn cynnig swydd iddo.

Fel Sefydliad Pobl Anabl, rydym yn cydnabod y gall deallusrwydd artiffisial (AI) fod yn ddefnyddiol er mwyn strwythuro ceisiadau ysgrifenedig. Os ydych yn dewis defnyddio AI, gofynnwn i chi sicrhau bod eich cais yn parhau’n adlewyrchiad cywir a dilys o’ch profiadau, sgiliau, persbectifau a’ch llais chi eich hun.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, gan gynnwys fformatau hygyrch, gweler y ddogfen ynghlwm.

Cynhelir cyfweliadau drwy Microsoft Teams, yn ystod yr wythnos yn dechrau ar 6 Gorffennaf.

Senior Service Designer  

 
Location: remote. This role can be based at any of Barnardo's national offices. Regular local and national travel will be required. 
 

Help us design services that transform childhoods  

At Barnardo's, we believe every child deserves a safe, happy and hopeful future. For over 150 years, we've been innovating to improve the lives of children, young people and families across the UK. Today, we run more than 800 services and are committed to making them excellent, inclusive and designed with the children, young people and families who use them. 

As a senior member of the Service Design team, you will play a vital role in applying service design methods to deliver measurable improvements in service quality, efficiency, value and outcomes for children, young people and families. 

We are continuing to strengthen how we design and improve services across Barnardo's, working across a complex and evolving portfolio that spans children's services, digital delivery and business development. 

This role offers the opportunity to shape not only individual services, but how service design is used to support decision-making, prioritisation and innovation across the organisation. 

This is a hands-on role as well as a strategic one – you'll be actively designing, prototyping and iterating services as well as shaping direction and decision-making. 

As a Senior Service Designer, you will: 

• Work across a portfolio of projects, balancing priorities and adapting to changing organisational needs 

• Contribute to service development and proposals, working with business development colleagues to shape service models 

• Influence decision-making and prioritisation, using evidence and insight to guide direction 

• Identify opportunities to improve services in ways that deliver better outcomes, greater efficiency and value for money 

• Lead the end-to-end design of services in complex environments, shaping user-centred, evidence-based solutions that respond to organisational priorities, and creating service maps, blueprints, prototypes and other design artefacts to bring ideas to life 

• Test and iterate service concepts in response to feedback and learning, refining solutions to improve outcomes 

• Ensure services are coherent and integrated across online and offline channels 

• Work across functions including business development, digital, finance, operations, research and policy to engage stakeholders and support organisational change 

• Mentor and support colleagues – developing confidence and skills, with the potential to provide line management support to junior designers where appropriate 

• Develop practice and contribute to standards, frameworks and reusable design patterns 

• Share learning internally and externally, contributing to professional communities of practice and helping raise the profile of service design at Barnardo's 

This is a varied, hands-on and project-focused role that allows for autonomy, creativity and real impact. You'll be part of a warm, committed team that shares learning, supports wellbeing, and is united in a clear mission: designing for better outcomes for children and families. 

You'll work with a high degree of autonomy, navigating complexity and ambiguity, delivering tangible improvements to services and contributing to a growing and evolving design practice. 

What We're Looking For 

We're looking for a Senior Service Designer who can: 

• Work autonomously to lead the design of complex services 

• Manage competing priorities effectively across projects, balancing time, focus and trade-offs 

• Influence stakeholders and support organisational change beyond immediate project teams, communicating design decisions and complex ideas clearly to a range of audiences 

• Understand how services operate within wider organisational systems, and use this to inform decision-making and support effective change 

• Confidently use a range of evidence, including user research, service data and performance insights, to inform decisions and guide direction 

• Conduct in-depth user research to generate actionable insights and guide decision-making 

• Create and iterate prototypes and other design artefacts 

• Integrate offline and online service delivery into coherent end-to-end services 

• Design and facilitate collaborative workshops with a range of stakeholders and partners 

• Evaluate and evidence the impact of service design work

Previous experience in children's services, health, education or related public/third sector contexts is desirable – but if you bring transferable skills, we want to hear from you. 

What You'll Get in Return 

• 26 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays 

• Access to the Barnardo's pension scheme 

• Flexible working and hybrid/remote options 

• Wellbeing initiatives and Employee Assistance Programme 

• Regular supervision and career development opportunities 

• The opportunity to shape how service design is used across a national organisation 

• The chance to work on services that support children, young people and families across the UK.

Inclusion and Belonging 

We are committed to building a diverse workforce. We particularly welcome applications from disabled candidates, LGBTQ+ people, people from racially minoritised communities, and those with care experience. If there's anything we can do to support you through the application process, please let us know. 

 Ready to Apply?

Together, we can change childhoods and change lives.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date.  We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

This role will support the development and delivery of our services and resources for young people born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Working closely with the Engagement & Services team to help us achieve our mission. 

The Youth Engagement Coordinator will sit within the Engagement & Services Team. They will join a friendly and supportive team of seven colleagues who, together, are responsible for the delivery of CLAPA’s adult, family, children and young people and involvement services. The post holder will develop and deliver services for eight- to seventeen-year-olds, which will enable the young cleft community to connect, share experiences and access guidance and emotional support. Shaping what support looks like, creating positive impact and strengthening reach, this new role for CLAPA will make a real difference to the lives of children and young people born with a cleft.

If you think you have the talent, passion and experience to help us ensure we can always meet the needs of the community we serve, we want to hear from you.