Regional fundraising executive jobs
Help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.
We’re looking for an experienced Project Officer to play a key role in delivering and reporting on a major multi-year funding programme supporting Samaritans’ work across our London region.
You will lead the coordination, administration, and reporting of activity funded through a significant seven-year partnership with City Bridge Foundation. Working closely with senior staff, volunteers, London branches, and external partners and our funder, you’ll ensure projects are effectively delivered, tracked, and evidenced.
This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll bring together data, insights, and updates into clear, compelling reports, while helping shape how Samaritans’ work is delivered and improved collaboratively across London.
Contract Terms
- £34,000-£37,000 per annum plus benefits
- Full time (35 hours per week)
- Permanent
- We are passionate about flexible working—talk to us about your preferences
- Hybrid working with travel to Ewell office and occasional travel to branches and other locations related to the role
- In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We ask you to work in person around 2 days or more per month.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
What You’ll Be doing
- Set up and manage project management processes, tools, and templates to support delivery of funded activities
- Coordinate quarterly reporting cycles, gathering accurate and timely data from branches and partners
- Produce high-quality quarterly reports, combining insights from across Samaritans into clear updates for City Bridge Foundation
- Monitor progress, identify risks or issues, and escalate where necessary to senior stakeholders
- Maintain accurate financial records, documentation, and audit trails for grant funding
- Act as a key point of contact for London branches and third-party partners, ensuring engagement and alignment
- Organise and facilitate meetings, including agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions
- Support evidence gathering and sharing of learning to inform future service delivery and outreach development
- Collaborate with internal teams (research, communications, policy, and people teams) to support wider organisational goals
- Contribute to developing London-focused plans, activities, and future funding bids
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience supporting complex, multi-stream projects, including planning, tracking, and reporting
- Strong report writing skills, with attention to detail and the ability to clearly communicate activities, outcomes, and impact
- Experience coordinating meetings and working with a wide range of stakeholders, including volunteers and external partners
- Proactive approach in identifying challenges and solutions, and passion for making a meaningful impact
- Strong organisation skills, with excellent attention to detail and strong IT skills (Microsoft Office, Teams/Zoom)
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships and influence across different groups
- Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information
- A bonus if you have experience in the charity sector, working with grant funding, or community-based initiatives
Full Job Description and Person Specification below.
Why Samaritans?
At Samaritans, you’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission. You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.
We offer flexible hybrid working, great benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. To find out more about Samaritans, please read our recruitment brochure.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the people we support and who support us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, at all levels of the organisation.
Apply now
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love for you to apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV and cover letter. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.
At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.
We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar.
Applications close: midnight on Friday 3rd July
1st stage interviews (online): Thursday 16th July
2nd stage interviews (in person KT17 2AF): Wednesday 22nd July
We prevent suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The National Lottery Community Fund – Climate Action Fund Decision Panel Appointments
Climate Action Fund- Food Systems - Expert Panel Member Role Specification
Term of Appointment: Three Years
Time Commitment - 9 Days per year
The National Lottery Community Fund (The Fund) wishes to recruit an external member for the Climate Action Fund Decision Panel. The Chair of the UK Funding Committee (UKFC) accordingly invites applications for the position of external member of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund Decision Panel.
Background
The Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It launched the Climate Action Fund in 2019 as a long-term commitment to support communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in positive environmental action. Since its launch the Climate Action Fund has awarded over £182m to communities across the UK. This includes over 175 larger projects, predominantly delivered through partnership approaches and over 440 small grants that were delivered through Together for Our Planet, a funding programme in support of COP26. The programme has always had a test and learn ethos and each strand of funding has built on learning to date.
In January 2026 the Climate Action Fund launched a new strand of funding - Food Systems, focusing on strengthening food systems across the UK, while reducing food insecurity for people and communities, without harming the planet. It will achieve this through supporting partnerships that can deliver long term solutions and transformational systems change. Funding will enable large and long term interventions with the capacity and time to deliver progress against their intended aims and ambitions. We will support agroecological approaches which work with nature to create resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems. Projects can apply for a minimum of £2.5 million over three years, and we expect to fund up to ten projects in the first year. More information about funding aims and criteria can be found in Annex A (attached).
Through the Climate Action Fund we support projects based in all four countries of the UK and a combination of place based, cross country, regional, national and UK wide.
Role Specification
The Climate Action Fund is seeking a subject matter expert in food systems, who will complement our existing panel and support our work across the UK. They will have an understanding of the holistic aims we seek to address in supporting long term solutions that will have benefits for both climate, environment and nature, and to people and communities.
The Climate Action Fund Decision Panel has delegated authority from the UK Funding Committee (UKFC) to make funding decisions on Climate Action Fund Programmes.
The purpose of the Climate Action Fund Decision Panel is to make funding decisions, review the performance of the Climate Action Fund portfolio, and make recommendations where appropriate to UKFC. Funding decisions shall be taken in the context of the UKFC Delegation and shall undertake its duties within the framework of overall National Lottery Community Fund policy and procedures.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the food system across the UK, with a particular focus on agroecology and long term, systemic ways to strengthen our food system and reduce food insecurity for people and communities.
- The ability and skill to contribute effectively to the development of this strand of funding and wider work of The Fund in relation to food systems, with a strong track record of achievement in this area.
- Ability to work on a Panel with excellent interpersonal, team working, communication and representational skills.
- The ability to engage and influence in relationships with stakeholders to ensure the Fund is well represented and externally impactful.
- Personal and operational integrity, the ability to work with people from different backgrounds, and a commitment to improving equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Clear understanding and commitment to building strong and connected communities, that reflect the whole of the UK.
- Ability to deliver operational transformation and culture improvement in a large organisation.
- A strong commitment to engaging communities across the UK, and factoring UK-wide perspectives into all decision making.
Interview details:
- Date: Interviews will take place in early July with appointments confirmed by the end of July.
- Format: Online
How to apply:
Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement with a maximum of 1000 words. Your supporting statement should explain how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria below.
Essential Criteria
- An advocate and ambassador for The Fund and a demonstrable commitment to its mission and purpose.
- Understanding and experience at a senior level of community organisations and track record in creating an environment where communities are connected and supported.
- Experience of systems change work and how that translates to community centred funding.
- Experience and understanding of food systems, particularly in alignment with our funding aims and the conditions required to influence and shape long term solutions that start with communities.
- Experience of influencing or shaping food systems policy from a community perspective.
- A demonstrable commitment to and experience in equity and equitable practices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable Criteria
- An understanding of funding, philanthropy or public sector systems.
If you are excited about the opportunity to help communities drive lasting change, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.
We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)
It starts with community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking an Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation to play a central role in shaping how Villiers Park delivers and develops its programmes at a pivotal point in the implementation of our 2025-30 strategy. This role represents an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our digital education offer and innovation work, ensuring it enhances both the reach and depth of our programmes for young people across the UK.
Villiers Park is a national social mobility charity with a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes that support young people from under-represented backgrounds to fulfil their potential. As we continue to grow, digital provision and innovation are increasingly important in enabling us to reach more students, and to do so in engaging and inclusive ways.
Digital learning and programme innovation will be critical to the next phase in our strategy, building on the foundations we have already established, including the development of our learning platform and programme model. Alongside this, Leadership Challenge continues to expand as a key national outreach and social action programme, and this role will be instrumental in ensuring its quality and impact.
Our work is possible because of a brilliant team of staff, trustees and volunteers and committed funders and partners who believe in what we do and want to make the greatest possible difference. The Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation will work closely with colleagues across programmes, partnerships, communications and fundraising, as well as external partners, to ensure our digital and programme offer is coherent, forward-thinking and aligned with our mission.
This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, helping to translate ambition into impact for the young people we serve.
Sarah Chick
Head of Programmes
Job purpose
The Assistant Director - Digital and Innovation leads the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision. This includes the design and delivery of online learning experiences, the development of digital and physical resources for use across programmes, and ensuring that digital delivery is accessible, safeguarded and aligned with the organisation’s mission.
The role also provides strategic and operational leadership for Leadership Challenge, Villiers Park’s national student outreach and social action programme. This includes programme design, partner engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring the programme is effectively resourced and financially sustainable.
Working closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Communications and Fundraising teams, and external partners, the postholder supports the development of digital innovation, programme resourcing and Leadership Challenge activity to enhance reach, impact and quality.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision, ensuring alignment with our Theory of Change, priorities and values
- Lead the design and evolution of high-quality digital learning experiences, content and pathways for students, schools, parents/carers and volunteers
- Oversee the adoption and integration of digital platforms and tools, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, GDPR compliance and scalability
- Drive innovation in digital delivery by monitoring sector trends and embedding relevant approaches to enhance reach and impact
- Ensure digital provision complements and strengthens face-to-face delivery across programmes, working closely with the Head of Programmes and Assistant Directors
- Provide strategic oversight of the use of AI within programmes, ensuring its application enhances learning experiences while maintaining safeguarding and ethical standards
- Provide strategic oversight of the development and ongoing review of physical resources, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment across programmes
- Ensure all resources are inclusive, engaging, curriculum-aligned and reflect organisational standards and brand expectations
- Maintain a coherent approach to resource development, ensuring materials support programme delivery and learning outcomes effectively
- Lead the strategic and operational development of the Leadership Challenge programme, ensuring it is high-quality, sustainable and aligned with organisational priorities
- In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and strengthen partnerships with charities, corporates and universities to support programme growth and delivery
- Oversee the development of an appropriate recognition or award framework for participants
- Establish and oversee robust quality assurance and evaluation processes for digital and physical content and delivery
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and risk management, and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees.
- Work collaboratively with Fundraising and Communications teams to support income generation, bid development and programme promotion
This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks relevant to the role and within their capability.
Skills and experience:
- Significant leadership experience in education, youth or social mobility sectors
- Knowledge of school and college curricula and the needs of learners aged 13–19
- Proven experience in designing and/or delivering digital learning
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, digital accessibility standards and inclusive design
- Experience developing high‑quality educational resources (digital and physical)
- Ability to lead programmes, manage projects and deliver to deadlines
- Ability to build relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders to further organisational aims and fundraising objectives
Personal attributes:
- A genuine commitment to and care for social mobility and young people’s futures
- Organised and proactive, effectively, prioritising workload and delivering outcomes independently
- Strategic and forward-thinking, with an ability to see the bigger picture
- Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across different functions
- Willingness to learn and develop your own practice and experience
Additional Information:
- The postholder will be required to travel regularly to schools, events and partner organisations
- An enhanced DBS check will be required
- The postholder will hold responsibility to be one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
- The postholder will require a full UK driving licence
- Evening work and overnight stays may be required
- Hybrid – location local to our Cambridge office or near to one of our Regional Hubs
Employee Benefits
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated) and additional leave over Christmas.
- A dedicated wellbeing day for you to take at any time and three days (pro-rated) paid leave for volunteering or study each year.
- Training and professional development, including termly staff development days.
- Support from our wellbeing working group and access to an employee assistance programme.
- Opportunity to join working groups with other colleagues from across the organisation as well as wider networks such as the Fair Education Alliance.
- Flexibility in working hours.
- Additional sick pay and compassionate leave policies.
Safeguarding
Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.
Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.
All employees and volunteers will also agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.