At Children’s University Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through learning beyond the classroom. We’re a small, passionate team with bold ambitions to expand our impact – and we’re looking for an equally ambitious Business Development and Community Partnership Manager to lead the way.
This is more than just a development role. It's about building sustainable growth strategies, forging powerful partnerships, and shaping a future where opportunity is no longer defined by postcode or circumstance.
As our Business Development and Community Partnership Manager, you will take the lead in shaping and implementing visionary, data-driven growth strategies across three vital areas:
- Place-based memberships with schools, universities, councils’ departments, and third sector organisations.
- Individual “at home” subscriptions for children in areas without direct Children’s University provision or those who do not engage with traditional education.
- Strategic business partnerships with corporates and SMEs, securing vital funding and in-kind support.
You’ll be a key figure in our next phase of growth — identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping us scale our reach across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive new business activity and revenue growth across all three strategic areas.
- Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of potential members, partners, and funders.
- Manage and nurture relationships from first contact through to long-term collaboration.
- Use data and insight to shape decision-making and report progress to the board.
- Be a passionate ambassador for Children’s University at events, conferences, and online.
We’re Looking for Someone Who:
- Has a proven track record in income generation, partnerships or sales – all sector’s welcome!
- Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
- Is a strategic thinker with the energy of a new business developer.
- Has the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and the empathy to build trust.
- Brings a creative, collaborative, and resilient mindset.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, flexible, remote-first environment.
Why Join Us?
- A unique chance to shape a growing national charity’s development strategy.
- A collaborative, driven team that values innovation and purpose.
- Flexible working, with one day a week in Manchester.
- An opportunity to truly change lives through education and opportunity.
If you’re excited by the chance to lead sustainable growth with purpose, and you want your work to matter, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and be part of a team creating a brighter future for children across the UK.
Registered Charity 
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking a part-time Finance Manager for Energy Sparks, a charity working towards a sustainable future in which the school community is at the heart of measurable action to tackle climate change. Energy Sparks equips children and young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools to take practical action in their school and wider community to reduce carbon emissions. We enable school leaders, staff and communities to better understand and reduce their school’s energy consumption and introduce wider measures to reduce their carbon footprint.
This is an exciting, new role in our growing team and provides a great opportunity to apply your financial accounting and management skills to help our charity flourish. As the only finance employee within a small organisation, this role will be a blend of weekly bookkeeping tasks alongside the preparation of management accounts and strategic oversight of Energy Sparks’ finances. The successful postholder will embrace the varied responsibilities.
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Salary: £40,000-£42,000 pro rata dependent on experience
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Role initially offered 0.2 FTE. This can be worked 7.5 hours per week across the year or 8.75 hours per week term time only, with the opportunity for future growth, subject to income. Hours can be worked flexibly from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
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Home working with occasional team meetings in Bath (typically 1 visit per year, although for local employees there may be the opportunity to meet more often)
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Post holder must already have the legal right to work in the UK.
Application deadline: 11:59pm Thursday 24th July 2025
To start September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
About us
Energy Sparks is an online energy management tool and energy education programme specifically designed to help schools reduce their electricity and gas usage through the analysis of smart meter data. Energy Sparks helps pupils and the wider school community to reduce their school’s carbon emissions, and make a real contribution to addressing the 'climate emergency'. Energy Sparks started in 2017 in Bath, and is now working with over 1000 schools across the UK.
Current annual income is £500,000 to £600,000 with expected growth in the 2025/2026 financial year. To date, the responsibilities in this job description have been delivered by the CEO. All staff work remotely with the core staff team based in the Bath area.
Key Responsibilities
Note: Energy Sparks currently uses the Xero accounting package to deliver most of the tasks below.
1. Financial Reporting
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Prepare monthly/quarterly management accounts, ensuring accurate reporting of income and expenditure.
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Provide financial reports to the CEO and Board of Trustees
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Track restricted vs unrestricted funds and ensure proper allocation and reporting.
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Prepare the annual financial statements (in line with charity SORP).
2. Transaction recording and bank and payment reconciliation
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Reconcile bank accounts weekly, including card payments
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Match incoming payments to invoices or grants
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Authorise and categorise supplier invoices
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Maintain accurate coding of income and spend to specific funders or grants (restricted/unrestricted funds), including apportioning staff salaries with manual journals
3. Accounts Payable and Receivable
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Process supplier payments
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Monitor supplier invoice due dates and ensure timely payment
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Issue sales invoices to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and other partners
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Monitor accounts receivable and flag and chase overdue invoices with schools, MATs or partners.
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Monitor Energy Sparks account renewals and work with the wider team to issue renewal notifications.
4. Payroll
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Check and post monthly payroll on Xero
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Post HMRC payments (PAYE/NIC)
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Process and post pension contributions
5. VAT
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Record input VAT on supplier payments including reverse charge VAT
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Correctly charge VAT on sales invoices
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Prepare quarterly VAT returns including accurate business/non-business apportionment for input VAT recovery
6. Record-Keeping
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Maintain digital records of receipts, invoices, and approvals
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Ensure proper documentation for charity finance compliance
7. Internal Controls & Risk Management
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Comply with Energy Sparks’ internal financial controls and policies to manage risk.
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Monitor cash flow and reserves and recommend adjustments for financial sustainability.
8. Strategic Financial Leadership
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Provide strategic financial insights to help inform decisions about growth and expansion.
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Assist with long-term planning, forecasting, and cost analysis for sustainability.
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Support organisational change, ensuring financial stability and compliance as the charity grows.
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Suggest improvements to financial processes, including optimising our use of accounting software to increase efficiency.
This will be a varied role within a small staff team and an ability to embrace a diversity of tasks is essential. There are currently no line management responsibilities for this post.
Person Specification
Experience & Knowledge
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Significant experience in a senior finance role, ideally in the charity sector.
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Strong knowledge of charity financial compliance, SORP, and statutory reporting
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Experience of fund management and management accounts
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Experience of preparing VAT returns and business/non-business apportionment
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Proficiency in Xero or similar accounting software, including manual journals
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Confident running a Payroll function using Xero or other accounting software
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Skilled in financial planning, reporting, and budgeting
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Advanced use of Excel and Google Sheets.
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Experience preparing for audits and liaising with external auditors/independent examiners
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Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with staff, funders, trustees, schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and suppliers. Happy to pick up the phone and chase schools or MATs for invoice payments!
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A self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently as well as within a team.
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Excellent organisation, efficiency, and attention to detail.
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Strong problem-solving abilities and a solution-focused approach.
Nice to have
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Strong interest in sustainability
Benefits
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£40,000 to £42,000 pro rata dependent on experience
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12% employer pension contribution
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38 days paid annual leave pro rata including bank holidays
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0.2 FTE. This can be worked 7.5 hours per week across the year or 8.75 hours per week term time only, with the opportunity for future growth subject to income. Hours can be worked flexibly from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
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The opportunity to make a difference in reducing carbon emissions and helping young people to live sustainable lives.
Application deadline: 11:59pm Thursday 24th July 2025
To be considered for this role, all applicants must currently have the right to work in the UK.
Energy Sparks is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.