Jobs in East of england

Context and Purpose of the Role

After five years of dedicated leadership, GROW’s Managing Director is moving on. We are now seeking an exceptional, values-led leader to guide GROW through the next phase of our 2030 strategy and help realise our ambition to become a movement-shaping force within agroecology.

GROW is entering a pivotal stage of growth. Our focus now is on strengthening team capacity, centring community voice, developing pathways to leadership and employment, deepening hyper-local networks, and contributing more visibly to the agroecology sector.

With strong financial foundations, a committed team, and a long-standing partnership with a progressive secondary school, this is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation uniquely positioned at the intersection of farming, education, and community action.

The Managing Director will provide clear strategic direction and overall leadership, ensuring GROW remains responsibly-governed, financially resilient, and grounded in its agroecological values. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, they will nurture and inspire a multidisciplinary team of 16 employees and freelancers, strengthen key partnerships, and guide the organisation’s continued development and impact.

Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary: £48,000-£53,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week (9am-5pm with 1-hour paid lunch break)
Location: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days a week on site at The Totteridge Academy, Barnet Lane, N20 8AZ (more days on site expected for the first 3-6 months)
Pension: GROW participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 30% off all GROW Farm produce, annual training budget, subsidised lunches, and a generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays.
Probation period: 6 months

GROW is a site-based organisation, and our farm sits at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Managing Director who is as comfortable talking with students, volunteers and visitors as they are shaping strategy and leading the organisation’s future. This is a role for a thoughtful, adaptable and hands-on leader who can hold the big picture while staying closely connected to our farm, outdoor programmes and the communities we work alongside.

Leadership at GROW is practical, relational and rooted in place. One day you might be gathering feedback from our Student Board of Advisors, listening to how our programmes are working for the young people who shape them. The next, you might be at the farm stall chatting with local community members selling jars of GROW’s homemade pickles. The Managing Director helps ensure that these everyday moments remain central to the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a small, committed team of 16 staff, nurturing a culture that is collaborative, knowledgeable and grounded in our values. They will guide GROW’s strategic direction while staying attentive to the daily rhythms of farm and school life that make it a vibrant place for learning, growing and connection. 

Trustees recognise the breadth of this role and are committed to strengthening the organisation’s operational capacity. An early priority for the new Managing Director will be to shape and secure support for an additional capacity-building role that complements their leadership and enables GROW to thrive in the years ahead.

1. Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Provide overall leadership and strategic development of the charity.
• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees quarterly.
• Ensure charity policies and legal guidelines are up to date, clearly communicated, and embedded in everyday culture.
• Ensure statutory filings (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House) are accurate and timely.
• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding, and environmental regulations.
• Lead on crisis management and serious incident reporting.
• Prepare high-quality written reports for Board and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise Trustees on strategic opportunities, risks, and sector trends. Support Trustee recruitment, induction, and development.
• Enable Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Engage relevant professional expertise where appropriate to support decision making. 

2. Operations, Education & Farm

• Ensure operational resilience, deputising and covering critical functions during staff absence.
• Work closely with Education Leads to develop the quality of our educational
• programmes, ensuring they align with agroecological principles.
• Ensure thorough Risk Assessments are completed, communicated, and
• implemented for all activities and programmes.
• Support the income generation strategy for the Farm.
• Support the Farm Manager with infrastructure development, including planning permission applications.

3. Finance & Fundraising

• Act as the main point of contact for the charity’s accountants.
• Develop and oversee organisational budgets, leading annual budget-setting and ongoing monthly, quarterly, and forecast reviews.
• Develop and deliver the annual income generation and fundraising strategy with the Head of Fundraising.
• Oversee effective impact reporting with the Head of Fundraising.
• Develop and implement plans to improve cost-efficiency.
• Support the completion of large and complex fundraising bids.

4. Partnerships

• Act as the main point of contact for GROW’s key partner, The Totteridge Academy (TTA), and the Academy Trust, United Learning, to ensure the partnership is effective and positive.
• Build and develop partnerships with schools, youth services, local authority, community growing networks and organisations to support the long-term development of educational programmes and participant recruitment and local environmental impact.

5. Marketing & Profile

• Oversee the charity’s overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Retain strategic oversight of all core marketing and communications, including the press opportunities, charity’s website, printed materials, and promotional content, ensuring that GROW’s voice, values, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Build and enhance the charity’s public profile through events, speaking engagements, and external representation.

6. People, HR & Safeguarding

• Manage and support the team to effectively perform their roles and develop within GROW, ensuring staff are fully trained and confident with organisational policies.
• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of all staff in line with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, and Safer Recruitment best practice.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure compliance with any safeguarding requirements set by partner school, The Totteridge Academy.
• Be rigorously mindful of child safeguarding at all times, embedding safeguarding policies in everyday culture and remain up to date with relevant legislation and training.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop progressive internal systems, policies, and training that promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace, grounded in our agroecological principles.
• Ensuring the organisation is GDPR compliant and acts as the Data Protection Lead.

7. Values & Culture

• Act as a role model for GROW’s guiding agroecological principles and organisational values in all internal and external relationships.
• Create a supportive, nurturing, high-trust culture in which staff and freelancers can thrive.
• Champion a culture of reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Centre community voice in decision making, governance, and organisational strategy

Direct reports:
Farm Manager
TTA Education Lead
Senior Facilitator
Head of Fundraising
Freelance Programme Leads

This job description is not exhaustive; as a small and evolving charity, flexibility is essential and all staff are expected to take a hands-on approach and support wider organisational needs where required.
 

Person Specification

Essential Personal Qualities

• Strong alignment with GROW’s mission, agroecological principles, and organisational values.
• Ability to lead and nurture a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team intuitively
• and with empathy.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Collaborative by nature and solution-focussed in approach.
• Strong commitment to inclusive working practices and social justice.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a not-for-profit,
• education, and/or environmental sectors.
• Experience of building and maintaining successful partnership work, for example
• with farms, schools, local authorities, funders, and/or community organisations.
• Significant experience of managing and developing staff and freelancers in a
• small team.
• Proven ability to lead organisational strategy and translate it into operational plans.
• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board or governing body.
• Experience of financial management, including budgets, forecasting, and working with accountants.
• Track record in contributing to fundraising, including securing major bids.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk in a regulated environment.
• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth, or community context.
• Understanding of legal, progressive and inclusive HR systems and policies.
• Ability to develop and oversee marketing and communications that clearly articulate organisational mission, build community engagement and support financial sustainability.
• Demonstrable experience handling and reviewing legal documentation, including contracts, leases, and formal agreements.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic thinker, able to see and drive forward the “big picture” while managing operational detail.
• Skilled and inclusive people manager, able to motivate, develop, and challenge others.
• Excellent, adaptable and confident communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a broad and competing workload.
• Effective decision-making and ability to work independently with accountability.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty.
• Strong organisational and administrative capability.
• Sound judgement and a high level of discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of agroecological farming.
• Experience working with local councils, schools, academy trusts, and authorities.
• Knowledge of charity and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local Barnet area.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

At GROW we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, race, national origin, religion or belief,
disability, age, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, especially those who are under-represented in the charity and food growing sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, people from the global majority, neurodivergent individuals, and those with a range of lived experiences. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and brings a rich mix of perspectives, skills, cultures, and ways of thinking.

Youth and Community Leader

Oasis Knights (Streatham/Brixton Hill, South London)

40 hours per week (1.0FTE)

Permanent

Salary: £38,794 per annum

Want to lead a Youth Centre offering a diverse range of activities for the local community?

Want to enable young people to thrive?

Want to be lead a dynamic, passionate and impactful team?

 

Knights Youth Centre (KYC) was established in 1936 as an independent Christian Charity. The centre provides a range of universal and targeted youth work programmes in partnership with a number of statutory and voluntary organisations and is located on the boundary of the Clapham Park Estate (the largest estate in the Borough of Lambeth) in an area of high social need. In 2025 KYC joined the Oasis family of charities and is now known as Oasis Knights. Oasis’ vision is for community, a place where everyone is included, making a contribution and reaching their God-given potential. There is also the exciting opportunity to collaborate with the Oasis St Martins Village in nearby Tulse Hill, our new village that works with local partners to provide a welcoming inclusive space to provide opportunities for young people and tackle issues such as school attendance and exclusions.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Youth and Community Leader to manage and develop the work at Oasis Knights. This is an opportunity to lead a team committed to making a tangible difference in the lives young people, their families and the broader community. The successful candidate will be responsible for strategic leadership and operational management, which includes overseeing a range of youth and community activities. A critical aspect of this role involves fundraising, business development, and monitoring the impact of all initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

· Overseeing youth provision, including mentoring, youth clubs and targeted interventions.

· Ensuring effective financial management and income generation to sustain and expand services.

· Managing and growing a team of staff and volunteers, ensuring alignment with Oasis’ ethos and values.

· Building strong partnerships with local stakeholders to support the delivery of impactful youth projects.

· Developing and maintaining monitoring and evaluation frameworks to demonstrate the impact of activities.

· Working with the building narrative to ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and other statutory requirements.

The successful post holder must have:

· A degree-level qualification or equivalent in youth work, community development or a related field.

· Proven experience in leading youth projects and managing diverse teams.

· Strong fundraising and income generation skills, with the ability to create and implement successful strategies.

· Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships.

· Knowledge of safeguarding practices and experience working with young people in challenging environments.

· A track record of developing and implementing strategic plans in partnership with stakeholders.

· A commitment to the Oasis ethos and values, including inclusion, equality, and perseverance.

As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· A pension scheme, offering 7% employer contribution.

· A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays).

· Policies which promote well-being and are family friendly.

To apply, please apply via Charity Jobs or refer to our website for further information.

Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Completed applications should be returned by 9am on Friday 17th April 2026.

Stage 1 Interviews will take place online on Wednesday 22nd April 2026.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889

Prospectus are pleased to be supporting our client in their search for a Senior Partnerships Officer.

The organisation is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for almost 50 years. They empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of the charity’s work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs.

This is a full-time, permanent role, with flexible working arrangements with a salary of £34,200 per year (plus Inner London Weighting of £3,483.94, if eligible). This is a hybrid role and the postholder will be expected to work from their offices in either Bristol or London 1-2 days a week.   

The Senior Partnerships Officer will work closely with the Partnership's & Development Manager and Head of Fundraising to continually develop and maintain strategy for maximising income from corporate supporters. You will have personal responsibility for a portfolio of prospective and existing corporate supporters to solicit large donations, apply for funding and ensure meaningful partnerships are created.

They are looking for someone with proven experience of creating meaningful multi-year partnerships, securing sizeable donations. You will also have demonstrable experience of meeting/exceeding targets set.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Ariha Semontee at Prospectus.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. Please in the first instance share an up-to-date CV with us and should your experience be suitable, we will look to arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You will then have all the information you need to finalise your formal application. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Fauna & Flora is seeking qualified candidates to lead delivery of a major new transboundary conservation initiative in one of Europe’s last wild river systems. The Lika-Pounje-Upper Una river transboundary landscape is a rare, connected ecosystem shared by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, facing growing pressures and in urgent need of coordinated action. As Project Manager, you will drive day‑to‑day delivery, support local partners, and help build the foundations for long‑term ecological resilience and sustainable rural development across this unique river corridor

.

You will join our Central & South-eastern Europe and the Balkans programme at a pivotal moment, shaping a new model of cross‑border collaboration for freshwater and karst landscapes. This is an opportunity to apply your project management and partnership‑building skills to a landscape where decisions in the next few years will determine its future. Working with committed local partners and specialists, you will help secure lasting benefits for biodiversity, communities and the Lika-Pounje-Upper Una river landscape.

The successful candidate will have a substantial proven track record in leading complex, multi-stakeholder conservation or landscape-scale initiatives, ideally within the Balkans or comparable contexts. They will be an experienced project manager, skilled at working across cultures and sectors, and able to bring diverse partners — including protected area authorities, community stakeholders, and civil society organisations — together around shared objectives. Experience working alongside protected area management and community-based or co-management approaches will also be important. You will be skilled in providing strategic advice and technical input to the design, development, implementation, evaluation and reporting for projects and will have excellent project, grant, financial and people management skills. The role also requires a skilled and credible communicator, who is confident in developing and managing relationships with partner organisations and relevant stakeholders, and able to write donor proposals and reports.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in project management, capacity building, community mobilisation and engagement as well as a commitment to organisational, donor and legal compliance.

Please visit our website and download the job application for further details on how to apply

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 5 April 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 7 April 2026.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship of a Skilled Worker Visa.

Interim Chief Executive
6‑month contract – Part‑time (21 hours/week)

We are seeking an experienced and confident Interim Chief Executive to lead an organisation through a key period of transition. This role requires a strong, strategic leader with a background in membership organisations, experience managing teams through change, and the ability to represent the organisation effectively across the sector.

Hours: 21 hours per week (potential to start on 28 hours), flexible (some evenings/weekends)
Salary: £80,000 FTE (pro‑rated) + NEST pension
Location: London N1 (hybrid with weekly office presence)
Start date: Late April (Negotiable)
Contract length: 6 months (Maximum)

The role is to rovide interim leadership and clear strategic direction for the development and management of the organisation, establishing a secure foundation that enables it to serve as a beacon of dynamism and innovation within its field. It involves leading and maintaining a high‑performing executive team that delivers services and support to its members, while fostering a collaborative working environment with the non‑executive directors on the governing body.

What we’re looking for:

• Senior leadership experience in a membership organisation
• Experience as a CEO or equivalent
• Ability to lead through complexity and change
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Understanding of finance and budgets
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Desirable: Knowledge of policy issues affecting allied professions or the wider healthcare landscape

How to Apply

Please submit your CV only via the Prospectus website.

Closing date

10th April – applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged.

PRHA is a great place to work – Our award-winning teams work together to improve the lives of our residents and make a real contribution to ending homelessness. As an IIP Gold standard employer, we value our staff and commit to develop their skills and support them in their important work.

When can you see your leadership translate into real change in people’s lives every single day – not just in reports, but in safer homes, stronger services and better outcomes?

Providence Row Housing Association (PRHA) offers that opportunity.

We are excited to be recruiting for a new Director of Operations, reporting into the Chief Executive. This is an exciting role for an accomplished operational leader who will be a part of an established Senior Leadership Team.

Role Focus

 

As a key member of our SLT, your key focus will be on providing the overall direction to services delivered to PRHA residents, including: housing management, building safety, support and property services. 

In addition, you will lead services that underpin the effective operation of these departments including GDPR, performance and Human Resources. You will drive customer experience, partnerships and manage external contractors, whilst managing broader priorities.

We value an inclusive approach, and success in this role means bringing your leadership skills and innovative approaches to problem solving to inspire, motivate, and develop our talented teams, providing advice, support and guidance.

The leader you are

 

We are seeking a senior-level support/housing professional with broad operational experience within the housing sector, with experience covering Support, housing management and property/asset management. We understand it is likely you will have greater experience in one of these fields, but will have worked at a strategic level that has provided strong insight to the benefit of these areas coming together.

We are interested in hearing from values-driven leaders who are committed to delivering exceptional services, hold a deep understanding of the legislation and compliance environment in which we operate, are committed to strengthening services, and ensuring our residents receive the highest level of service.

What we offer

We offer our staff a generous benefits package, which includes:

·Pension Scheme – We offer a group stakeholder pension scheme with 3% employer's contribution, employee contribution is 5%

·Holidays - Employees receive up to 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with long service

·Medical – we provide a “Cash Back" Scheme for a range of services such as dental, physio, chiropody, health& wellbeing

·Training Programmes – We provide comprehensive training to our employees to enable them to grow in their career and achieve their professional aspirations.

·Season Ticket Loans – We offer interest-free season ticket loans after successful probation

·Life Assurance - Upon death whilst in service, a Death in Service payment may be made according to the scheme rules. The payment covers 3 times of the employee’s annual salary.

Closing Date: 5pm 13th April 2026 

Interview date: 22nd April 2026 if successful for interview you will be notified by 5pm on the 15th April 2026.

It is required for this post that the successful candidates will have to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

It’s strengthening reporting processes so our charity can operate with clarity and trust.

It’s supporting a charity through a period of change, helping shape processes and systems that underpin everything we do. That’s what makes a career at Royal Collection Trust so exciting.

We are committed to strong governance, transparent reporting and continuous improvement. With a new finance system being implemented, we’re looking to strengthen policies, streamline workflows and embed best practice across accounting, tax and audit. You’ll play a pivotal role in delivering high‑quality, compliant financial reporting, strengthening controls around capital and leases, and ensuring tax obligations are met across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing statutory accounts in line with UK GAAP and Charity SORP, supporting the Head of Finance.
• Managing the year end external audit, coordinating responses to external audit requests, preparing schedules and ensuring timely sign off.
• Owning capital and overseeing lease accounting, reviewing and updating policies and improving month end and year end processes.
• Ensuring tax compliance across Corporation Tax, Gift Aid, VAT and overseas sales tax, and approving tax returns.
• Reviewing and documenting policies and procedures, producing clear technical guidance and embedding controls.
• Supporting the design and implementation of the new finance system to align reporting and tax processes with operations.
• Leading and developing the finance team, line managing the Financial Accountant and collaborating with management accounts and business analyst.

Essential Criteria:

• You’re a qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA) with strong technical accounting knowledge and recent hands‑on experience using FRS 102 in statutory accounts preparation.
• You’ll have practical knowledge of VAT and tax issues relevant to UK charities or non‑profits, able to interpret guidance and apply it in practice.
• Proven experience managing audits, preparing audit schedules and liaising effectively with external auditors and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent written skills, able to produce clear, structured process documents, policies and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, able to collaborate across teams and challenge the status quo constructively.
• Organised and adaptable, able to manage multiple workstreams and projects with a positive, solutions‑focused approach.
• Line management experience or demonstrable people leadership skills, with a supportive, development‑focused style.

If you’re motivated by improving controls, delivering high quality reporting and helping shape a modern finance function, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer:

We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities. 

• Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for us.
• Our excellent non-contributory pension plan (we’ll contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish) is highly valued by our employees, as is complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fuelled throughout the day.
• Flexible and hybrid working varies across different roles, and we’ll discuss the options available to you that will suit both your job requirements and individual preferences.
• We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.

About Us

Bringing Unity Back into the Community (BUBIC) rebuilds lives through peer support, practical action and unwavering community presence. A peer‑led charity supporting people facing substance misuse, homelessness, exploitation and multiple disadvantage in Haringey.

Job Purpose

As Operations Manager (OM), you’ll lead safe, high‑quality services, guide a committed frontline team, ensure compliance, strengthen partnerships, and drive performance across all operations; keeping our work moving from outreach and hotspot engagement to groups, community stalls, and the everyday moments where trust is built. As part of BUBIC’s commitment to meeting people where they are, the post holder will also share night‑outreach duties with the Team Leader, working one evening per week (5pm-midnight, typically Wednesday or Friday) to reach those most visible and vulnerable at night, enabling early intervention, safer engagement, and stronger pathways into support. If you want your skills to fuel transformation and strengthen a community from within, this role gives you the platform to do exactly that.

Please see attached the full job description.

We are expanding the Data & Insights team at the National Theatre and are seeking a Lead Data and Insight analyst to play a pivotal role in shaping how data informs strategic decision making across the organisation’s digital activity. This is a high impact role at the intersection of reporting, insight generation and data storytelling. You will translate complex datasets into clear, compelling narratives, enabling stakeholders to make informed, customer centred decisions. As part of a growing central team, you will help establish best practice, elevate data maturity, and contribute to delivering world class theatre experiences for audiences at scale.

The successful candidates will have the following:  

• Proven ability to own end-to-end analytical workflows, from data extraction to insight delivery

• Comfortable operating in a developing data environment, able to work effectively with evolving data and varying levels of data maturity while helping shape more robust, scalable solutions

• Demonstrated strong ability to translate ambiguous business problems into structured analytical approaches and actionable insights

• Strong expertise in Power BI (including DAX) and dashboard design best practices

• Strong SQL skills; experience using Python for data analysis

• Optimistic and solutions-focused, approaching challenges with a constructive mindset

If that sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Friday 17th April 2026 at 12 noon

SMART CJS – Trust and Foundations Bid Writer

Role Overview

Are you committed to supporting people who are homeless or rough sleeping?

Are you proactive with a positive attitude?

Job Title: Trust and Foundations Bid Writer (with some responsibility for corporate fundraising)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Working from our office in central Bedford, with some provision for remote working.

About SMART CJS

Founded in 1997, we are a charity that provides safe spaces for people who are facing or experiencing homelessness, are rough sleeping or have fallen on tough times. As times have changed, our services have adapted and grown, but we’ve always kept the people we support at the centre of all that we do. We believe that everyone needs a little help sometimes and, with trust, respect and honesty, people can make incredible changes. Our vision is to transform communities so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, participate in and contribute to all aspects of life. Our mission is to provide safe spaces to work with vulnerable people within our communities, empowering them to make positive changes and take control of their lives.

Why Join Us?

We believe in diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Benefits include:

• 27 days Annual Leave (rising to 30 after 3 years) + Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Generous Pension scheme (after successfully completing a probation period)
• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• Access to a Charity Worker Discount scheme
• Access to the company health and wellbeing service including support with mental health, legal advice and more
• Access to an online GP service

We require all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This job description will be supplemented by annual objectives which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder.

The Role

SMART CJS is looking to recruit a Trusts and Foundations Bid Writer. The successful candidate will also have some responsibility for corporate fundraising with businesses based in Bedford and beyond; this responsibility will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

The main responsibility, though, will be to generate income by writing bids to charitable trusts and foundations, and to statutory funders.

The role will include researching and identifying charity trusts and similar bodies which are able to make an award to SMART. It will also include keeping abreast of developments in fundraising in the charity sector as a whole, especially in the field of grant awarding and, to a lesser extent, of corporate giving.

There will be a probationary period for the role. As it generally takes six months for a grant to be awarded (though some arrive more quickly), the probationary period will need to be for a minimum of seven months, though its precise duration can be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Training will be given; the scope of the training will depend on the candidate’s previous experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SMART’s friendly and dedicated team. You’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively; the role is primarily self-directed. We envisage that you’ll be working primarily from our offices in Prebend Street, Bedford, though you'll be able to work from home for some of the time as well. Given the nature of our work, personal resilience is important; some of the stories we use when applying for funding can be emotionally challenging.

Our fundraising comes from regular gifts, donations from the community (individuals and groups), and corporate bodies (businesses). The majority of our fundraising income comes from grants. There will be a realistic target for the amount you need to raise; this will reflect the performance for grant applications in the charity sector as a whole and it will not be unrealistic. Fundraising is not an exact science; the assessment of performance against the targets will be fair and reasonable. The final responsibility for SMART’s fundraising rests with the trustees; they appreciate and understand the complexity of the issues involved.

Main Purpose of the Role

You will work closely with the CEO, the Chair of Trustees, the Head of Business and the fundraising team. The post involves gathering information, writing the bids, tracking the progress of submissions, and reporting back to grant awarders on how their money has been spent, if they require this.

There will also be a responsibility for corporate fundraising. This will involve building relationships with businesses in and beyond the Bedford area. The responsibility for this will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Bid Writing

• Research and identify suitable grant and funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies.
• Write and submit high-quality funding applications and proposals in line with SMART’s strategic priorities.
• Work collaboratively with service leads and front line teams to gather accurate, up-to-date data and service information for applications.
• Tailor the applications to the funder’s criteria, using storytelling effectively.
• Manage a pipeline of applications and submissions, ensuring deadlines are met and income targets are tracked.
• Maintain and build relationships with key funders, providing timely reports and updates on grant-funded work.
• Work to realistic targets and be able to provide feedback on these.
• Organisational Development and Support
• Contribute to the strategic development of SMART’s income generation plans.
• Support development of strong internal bid and grant management systems.
• Monitor success rates and provide monthly reporting on funding performance to the Head of Business and to the Chair of Trustees.
• Represent SMART CJS at funding briefings, webinars, and networking opportunities where appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in SMART’s performance management and appraisal process.
• Attend the monthly meetings of the Fundraising Committee (a sub‑committee of the Board of Trustees).
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the CEO, the Head of Business or the Chair of Trustees.

Person Specification

Whether you’re already an experienced bid-writer, or whether you think this is something that you could learn to do effectively, we’d like to hear from you. You need to have excellent skills in written English and be able to write in prose that’s clear and readily understandable to the general reader. The criteria for each grant awarder are different; you need to be able to match your bid to what they would like to fund (homelessness, mental health, relief of poverty, women’s issues and so on). You need, then, to tell SMART’s story in a way which appeals to each funder.

You need to have excellent inter-personal skills and be able to work as part of a team. While there is a strong element of self-direction in the role, you need to be able to work closely with senior management and also with the trustees; the trustees have the final responsibility for fundraising in the charity.

You will need, too, to have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to have a genuine interest in homelessness and the work of the charity, and a commitment to improving our clients’ lives and wellbeing.

The Stuart Low Trust (SLT) is a well-respected and award-winning charity based in Islington supporting people who experience mental health issues and socially isolated.SLT was created to be radically different from other mental health charities – uniquely accessible, inclusive and community-embedded. You will be joining a small friendly team, where we care about staff wellbeing.We believe in trusting the expertise of our staff and giving them the freedom to thrive with regular help on hand when needed. 

We support over 500 adults per year through social groups -creative arts, nature-based activities, wellbeing workshops and peer support.90% of participants report improved mental health and wellbeing. 

Why Join Us?  
This is an opportunity to play an important role in a small but impactful charity.  Your work will directly enable adults experiencing isolation to access safe, creative and life-affirming activities. Perfect for someone who thrives in a small charity where you can see the impact of your work every week. 

Who we are seeking 
We are seeking a Fundraising Manager, who enjoys writing grant applications and building strong relationships with supporters. Working closely with the Chief Executive, you will have a primary focus working on our trusts and foundations pipeline, while generating around 10% of total income from other sources. We are realistic what is possible in 21 hours per week! 

We are seeking a fundraiser who combines: 

• A strong track record securing trust and foundation income 
• Excellent bid-writing skills 
• Experience generating income beyond trusts (corporate, community or individual) 
• Comfortable working autonomously in a small team 
• Experience in a mental health organisation or small charity is desirable but not essential.

Summary role description 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will: 

Lead Trusts and Foundations Income 

• Develop a pipeline of grant funders to apply to. 
• Write compelling, high-quality applications.. 
• Deepen funder relationships to secure repeat grants. 

Raise income from other sources 

Work with the Chief Executive to generate income from other sources with a realistic and achievable target of 10% total income via:

• Corporate partnerships in Islington, King’s Cross tech, creative industries and the City. 
• Community and individual giving, especially among affluent local residents. 

Build sustainable systems to support fundraising 

• ​Strengthen stewardship journeys including donor tracking systems and explore use of AI tools. 
• Contribute to fundraising communications and our profile-building. 

Why this Role is Different 
You will be stepping into an organisation in a strong position to build on: 

• Multi-year funding security (63% of next year’s income already secured through multi-year grants, 4 months’ free reserves, annual income circa £250k). 
• Trusted funders include City Bridge Foundation, Garfield Weston, Sport England and leading City Livery Companies. 
• Strategic Plan 2024–28 with clear goals. 
• Excellent impact measurement systems. 
• A highly experienced Chief Executive with 30 years in the charity sector. 
• A collaborative and supportive team, who understand fundraising is everyone’s responsibility. 

What You’ll Gain 

• Real autonomy and ownership 
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Occupational pension scheme 
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Access to training and development opportunities 
• Supportive management culture 
• A genuinely collaborative, values-led culture 

Location
Based at Jean Stokes Community Centre, Islington (5 minutes by bus from King’s Cross) 

Application instructions
Please note, while we appreciate the value of AI tools, we strongly prefer that applicants prepare their supporting statements for this purpose with minimal use of AI.This helps us to better understand your authentic voice, skills and motivation for this role.Thank you. 

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references. 

We are embrace diversity, equality of opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that represents are variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.The more inclusive we are, the more we can achieve. 

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 5th April 2026 at 12midnight
Interviews: Monday, 20th April 2026 
Estimated Start:June/July 2026 

Location: London (Hybrid. One day per week if commutable. One day per month for remote candidates.)
Salary: £38,000 to £42,000 DOE
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Employment Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 13 April 2026

Help secure transformational funding at a nationally respected charity
We are looking for a Senior Trusts Fundraiser who can inspire major funders and help unlock significant income. The Trusts team has grown strongly over the past two years and the area continues to be resilient. This vacancy has been open since Christmas and offers an exciting opportunity to join a team with strong leadership, a supportive culture and a wide portfolio of impactful projects.

You will work on substantial bids at the two hundred thousand pound level and above. The role involves navigating the breadth and complexity of a large national organisation. It also offers the chance to develop compelling cases for support, fuelled by recently funded capital improvements and innovative services such as online bereavement counselling. There is a wide range of fundraising opportunities and no shortage of inspiring work to present to funders.

This role is ideal for someone who is ready to take the next step and has the confidence and capability to work at the scale expected by major national charities.

About the role

• Build and steward relationships with significant trust, foundation and statutory funders.
• Lead on high value applications for five and six figure gifts, including bids worth two hundred thousand pounds or more.
• Produce persuasive, tailored proposals and budgets for major funders.
• Manage a forward looking pipeline and meet agreed income targets.
• Plan and deliver cultivation activity including meetings and service visits.
• Record and track activity using a fundraising CRM.
• Work collaboratively across teams throughout a complex national organisation.

About you

• Significant experience securing income from trusts and foundations at a high level.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to produce compelling proposals.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Ability to manage your own workload and take initiative in cultivating supporters.
• Strong relationship building skills and a collaborative approach.
• Willingness to travel nationally with occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Our values
You will bring supportive, connected and impactful behaviours to your work. You will listen with care, collaborate with colleagues and help deliver meaningful change for the people the organisation exists to support.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Yeldall Manor is a Christian recovery centre for men overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. We’re looking for a caring, motivated person to help maintain a clean, comfortable, homely environment while supporting residents as they rebuild their lives.

In this rewarding position, you will help ensure the cleanliness of our buildings while working alongside our male residents who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Although you will sometimes carry out practical cleaning tasks yourself, a key part of your role is to support, motivate and guide residents as they take responsibility for the majority of the cleaning as part of life in community.

You will need strong interpersonal skills, a calm and encouraging approach, and the confidence to set and uphold consistent standards. As a CQC‑registered centre, excellent hygiene is essential, and we aim to maintain a warm, family‑style atmosphere where everyone feels valued and at home.

Yeldall Manor is a Christian organisation, and every member of staff plays a part in supporting residents on both their recovery and spiritual journeys. This role therefore has an occupational requirement that the successful candidate be a committed and practising Christian (in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010).

Yeldall Manor is committed to safeguarding the welfare of its residents. The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check. We welcome candidates with lived experience but, if you are in recovery, you must have a minimum of two years’ clean time.

Hours and benefits:

• Permanent position
• 24 hours per week (some flexibility available within the standard working week)
• Lunch provided daily with the residents
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata) rising to 30 days after three years' service
• Full details available in the job description

Application:

If you are mature, motivated and caring, with practical skills and a heart to see people overcome substance misuse, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter to explain your suitability for the role as outlined in the attached job description and person specification and respond to the additional question about your Christian faith.

About Us

The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship is one of the four Loyal Societies supported by His Majesty The King and has been promoting friendship and hospitality across Commonwealth nations since 1901. We remain committed to our founding belief that education, in its broadest sense, is the foundation of human development.

Currently, we are proud to offer Commonwealth students the opportunity to become part of a Commonwealth family, whose values are decency, respect for others, understanding, tolerance, integrity and partnership. 

One of our key priorities is to provide a vibrant student house for young Commonwealth students to live in when attending a university or college in London, to make lifelong friends and to learn from each other in a safe and secure environment. The Victoria League Student House is an affordable 'home away from home' whilst studying in London.

About the Role

As General Manager, you will play a central role in leading and developing the work of The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship, raising its profile and ensuring its long-term sustainability. You will oversee the overall management of the charity, alongside the effective operation of the Victoria League Student House.

This is a broad and hands-on leadership position, combining strategic development with day-to-day operational oversight. You will drive key fundraising initiatives and business development opportunities, as well as support the House Manager and their team, and the Membership and Administration Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and growth of the charity
• Drive fundraising and build partnerships
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Student House
• Support and manage staff
• Ensure effective financial management and governance
• Promote the charity through events, communications, and stakeholder engagement
• Oversee property management and health and safety for the Student House.

Private accommodation at Student House may be available for a reduced salary and on call duties. 

Please see attached the full Job Description and Person Specification.