Organisation development manager jobs in Leeds

As our Operations Manager, you will play a key role in building the strong foundations that enable Birthrights to deliver impactful work across the UK. Working closely with the CEO and wider team, you will oversee core organisational functions, from HR and governance to finance processes and digital systems, ensuring our internal structures support our mission to transform maternity care through a human rights lens.

We are looking for someone with experience managing organisational operations in a charity or values-led organisation. You will be highly organised, proactive and collaborative, with strong project management and problem-solving skills. A commitment to racial justice, equity and anti-oppressive practice is essential.

If you are passionate about building resilient organisations and supporting a movement for rights-based maternity care, we would love to hear from you.

Download the full job pack below for more details, including the job description, person specification and how to apply.

Apply for our Operations Manager role by: 12pm (noon) on 13th April.

The Compliance Officer will safeguard the charity by contributing to robust internal governance and compliance processes, supporting risk identification and management processes and being mindful of relevant legislation and regulation. This role will be able to interpret regulatory guidance and make suggestions for changes to internal processes, including but not limited to guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Through the development and utilisation of new and existing processes, you will provide assurance to the charity’s leadership teams that the organisation operates in line with statutory obligations, internal policies and procedures and recognised best practice standards.

This role will co-ordinate and support the development, implementation, and regular review of policies and procedures that underpin strong internal controls and transparent decision-making. Responsible for supporting colleagues with identification, assessment, and monitoring of incidents and operational risks, helping to record proportionate controls and review periods to protect all stakeholders. In doing so, you will promote a culture of accountability, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement across the charity. 

This role focuses on the processes that support operational day-to-day governance and compliance, as opposed to overarching governance which falls to the responsibility of the CEO, supported by the Board Secretary/ Executive Assistance role.   

Working closely with the Finance and Operations Manager, Quality Assurance Manager and external Data Protection Officer to ensure a co-ordinated and streamlined approach to governance, compliance and risk across the whole organisation. 

This role is not responsible for: 

• Acting as Board Secretary 

• Strategic decision making 

• Providing legal advice 

• Acting as the Data Protection Officer 

You Will Bring: 

A strong understanding of internal governance frameworks, ability to implement and coordinate risk management principles and processes and a strong understanding of regulatory compliance. You will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and the confidence to ensure processes are applied across the organisation. With strong analytical and problem-solving skills, you will proactively help others to identify risk and implement and record effective mitigations and controls. You will be able to implement processes which support continuous learning and improvement of policies and procedures. You will work closely with others who have a responsibility for compliance, quality measures and risk identification processes ensuring seamless working across departments.

You will also bring excellent written and spoken communication and have strong interpersonal skills, which enable you to deliver training to others and to foster a culture of integrity around compliance. You will build trusted relationships across the organisation while maintaining independence and objectivity in your own role, having the confidence to speak up if change is needed or processes and practice needs to change. 

We’re looking for someone who is highly organised with attention to detail and is able to work collaboratively with a focus on operational delivery.

How to apply 

Please upload your CV and supporting cover letter outlining why you’re interested in the role. Please take your time to explain how your experience is relevant to this post.

Closing date: 9am Monday 6th April 2026 

Interviews:  

First stage virtual: w/c 13th April 2026 

Second stage in-person (Leeds): w/c 20th April 2026 

For more information, please refer to the attached recruitment pack.

Join us at a pivotal moment for the education sector.

ISBL is launching a major new initiative – the Centre for Education Operational Excellence – designed to transform how schools and trusts operate. We are seeking a proactive and strategic Business Development Lead to help shape, drive, and deliver this ambitious programme from inception.

About ISBL

ISBL has a 30‑year track record of supporting and developing a unique cadre of education professionals: school business leaders. Our work is underpinned by nationally endorsed professional standards and our OpEx for Education™ framework, placing us at the heart of sector improvement and operational excellence.

We serve a community of approximately 24,000 schools within a sector worth more than £80 billion, giving us significant reach, influence, and opportunity. Our core services span institute membership, professional development, research, events, sector innovation, and the sharing of best practice – creating a rich platform for partnership growth and impact.

Introducing the Centre for Education Operational Excellence

The Centre represents the next evolution of our work, extending ISBL’s focus from individual professional development to whole‑organisation operational excellence across schools and trusts.

It brings together three interconnected hubs:

• Solutions – Practical, high‑impact services and tools that support operational improvement.
• Research – Evidence‑based insights that shape best practice and drive innovation.
• International – Collaboration across global education systems to raise operational standards worldwide.

Working alongside ISBL, these hubs form a powerful ecosystem that connects practice, research, and international learning – strengthening organisational performance and, ultimately, educational outcomes.

About the Role

As Business Development Lead, you will play a central role in shaping the Centre’s commercial strategy, building new partnerships, and driving sustainable growth. This is a rare opportunity to influence a nationally significant initiative.

Full role details are available in the attached job description.

At TLG, we’re passionate about building an exceptional staff team that’s committed to making a real difference in the lives of struggling children across the UK. We’re always on the lookout for great people to journey with us towards our vision, and we’re excited to offer a unique opportunity for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join us as Operations Manager.

About the role

The Operations Manager sits at the very heart of TLG, working closely with the Executive Director to turn vision into reality and ensure the organisation runs smoothly at every level. From trustee board and governance rhythms, through the leadership team, and out across the whole organisation, this role is pivotal in holding together the systems, structures and environments that enable TLG to flourish.

Our Operations Manager will lead and coordinate core organisational functions, champion a healthy and effective office culture, and provide confident, cross‑organisational leadership. With oversight of strategic and operational coordination, they will ensure that TLG’s systems, rhythms and ways of working are not just efficient, but actively support our people to thrive and our mission to be lived out day‑to‑day.

Your Impact

We’re looking for someone who brings clarity, steadiness and strong operational instincts to a fast‑moving, purpose‑driven organisation. They will thrive on making organisational life run smoothly - someone who can confidently hold the rhythms, plans and processes that keep TLG functioning at its best, while translating bigger strategic priorities into clear, practical action.

This person will be naturally organised, proactive in spotting improvements and able to simplify complexity into manageable systems that serve the whole team. They will be comfortable influencing across the organisation, building trust, and partnering well with others. Above all, they will care deeply about TLG’s mission and bring a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach that strengthens our culture, compliance and operational excellence.

Job Purpose

At the heart of the Operations Manager role is the opportunity to shape how TLG works at its best. This role brings strategic insight to the design and continual improvement of our organisational rhythms - streamlining key processes, strengthening ways of working, and unlocking efficiencies that free our people to focus on what matters most. By stewarding the operational heartbeat of TLG, the Operations Manager ensures that our rhythms are not only well‑managed, but intentionally aligned with our mission, enabling clarity and momentum across the organisation.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: 22.5 - 37.5 per week (0.6 – 1.0 FTE)

Closing Date: Monday 11th May

Initial Interviews: Thursday 21st May – Online

Final Interviews: 28th/29th May – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

Organisation Manager - internally known as Chief Executive Officer

Are you passionate about the environment? 

Could you lead and support a dedicated team of staff working on diverse but interlinked projects that vary in size and duration? 

We are looking for a dynamic, flexible and experienced manager to provide leadership of a variety of exciting and innovative environmental projects and improving EPIKS’ long-term sustainability through both effective delivery and securing future workstreams. 

You will have a proven track record of programme and project management experience together with a keen understanding of nature conservation, active travel and access to greenspaces. You will be supported by volunteer non-exec directors and a skilled team of dedicated staff with an office base in Huddersfield, satellite projects in Kirklees and the south Pennines with opportunities for flexible working.

Closing date for applications: 23.59 Wednesday 1st April; interviews 14th April 2026. 

Background 

At EPIKS we are passionate about finding local solutions to environmental problems that are integral to our concern for effective climate action. We work with a range of partners to improve the environment: promoting biodiversity, active travel and a sustainable economy to make Kirklees a better place to live and work.  EPIKS is run by four volunteer Directors and a small, dedicated team of part time staff. 

We are at an exciting phase of development, with new projects to deliver on improved access in and around the Colne and Upper Calder Valleys and sustainable transport. EPIKS has recently expanded our volunteering programme and community engagement activities. We have also established a firm foundation for our active travel projects and the Walk Wheel ride brand, increasing our partnership with Network Rail. 

Role Profile  

• Manage an overall framework for the delivery and sustainability of a variety of funded environmental projects

• Support non-exec directors with a consistent, strategic overview of EPIKS as an organisation.

• Manage a team of 9 part time staff to ensure effective, efficient delivery of projects and programmes 

• Support the development of new funding bids and revenue in collaboration with Directors and staff 

Person Spec – Essential  

• Knowledgeable about key environmental issues particularly nature conservation and active travel 

• Experience of leading and managing programmes and events 

• Experience of preparing funding bids to foundations and public agencies and sponsorship proposals to private sector bodies

• Project management experience 

• Able to work inclusively, working with diverse communities and groups 

Person Spec – Desirable 

• Adept user of a range of media platforms

• Awareness of local government and business sponsorship or employers' partnership working

• Ability to contribute to biodiversity or active travel projects

• Good working knowledge of Teams/Microsoft 365 

Please refer to the attachment below for further specificatons and job description

#manager #strategic manager #organisation manager

Job Title: Commercial Manager

Reporting To: Head of Retail, Wholesale & Food Service

Salary Range: £36,000 - £38,000 (dependent upon experience)

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: This is a field‑based role that can be based anywhere in the UK. You’ll manage several large accounts, with regular visits to their headquarters and key events. On average national travel can be expected a couple of times per week.

Working days/hours per week: 35 per week, Monday - Friday, 9am – 5pm

Requirements: As part of our safer recruitment policy, we do ask questions regarding unspent criminal records.

Our Vision: A UK where “No good food goes to waste”. 

The Felix Project and FareShare have recently merged to form the UK's largest food redistribution charity. Its vision is a UK where good food is never wasted, and nobody goes hungry.

The organisation rescues high quality edible surplus food, from across the food industry and gets it to over 8,000 organisations across the UK who are working to strengthen communities and improve lives.

The charity manages seven depots across London, Suffolk, Merseyside and Hampshire and works with 16 network partners who operate a further 26 regional depots across the UK.

Over the next year our ambition is to rescue enough food nationally to provide nearly 200 million meals, turning an environmental problem into social good with measurable impact for people, planet, and the economy.

Purpose of the Job

Commercial Manager will identify, develop and manage top food partners relationships and strengthen existing business relationships with companies in the food industry, generating value for the partner and to secure growing and sustainable volumes of surplus food for the FareShare Network. For designated top food partners, you will be their day-to-day point of contact with regular face to face contact at all levels.

You will undertake structured, strategic account management, leading and coordinating FareShare’s engagement across our organisation. This will mean agreeing and executing a bespoke joint business plan with each account to get more food, money and strategic support. You will also feedback on ways that we can better support our accounts and improve our services to them. You will work directly and be on-site with top food partners to help identify and overcome the barriers which exist to giving surplus food to people in need as well as increasing money and strategic resource.

You will also be required to work closely with FareShare colleagues within FareShare and across the UK in our partner organisations in order to identify and understand opportunities for creating mutual and shared value.

Duties and Responsibilities

Partnership Management

• Contribute to the development of consistent, structured Joint Business plans with

designated accounts that take into account food, funding and other strategic initiatives to drive growth in food, money and other strategic resources

• Work on behalf of the account to develop and embed services relevant to the account and agreed through the joint business plan – e.g. employability or store level redistribution 

• Execute joint business plans and report internally and externally on progress.

• Research and understand your accounts, including key ESG initiatives, waste streams, key personnel within the organisation that will help drive its success and engage the relevant internal departments through both desked based research and face to face contact.

• Proactively drive account forwards and progress these relationships with regular on-site visits and linking FareShare exec with key contacts.

• Keep up to date with industry and charity insights and ensure this is reflected back strategically across ways of working and account management.

Project and Initiative Management 

• Be responsible for managing and communicating key projects and initiatives to increase food volumes and strategic value, securing support from a range of stakeholders within food partners and across the FareShare network. 

• Work closely with Supply Chain and Logistics, Operations and Network Development teams with the aim of optimising food out to our network

• Develop and lead FareShare cross-departmental strategic activity to enable us to derive maximum value from key food partners including liaising with fundraising, marketing and volunteering teams.

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) is a unique global non-governmental organisation
representing patient organisations supporting patients and people with lived experience from all regions of the
world across all disease areas.

We are a small, internationally focused team and are seeking a proactive, engaged and organised
Membership Engagement Manager to strengthen and enhance our global membership operations.

We do not have a physical office, so the post holder will work remotely. However, s/he must be based in the
United Kingdom, with the right to work here.

This post is offered on a part-time basis (28 hours per week). While the role is part-time, it carries a significant
level of ownership and requires strong organisational skills, prioritisation capability and the ability to work
autonomously within a small international team.

Senior Data Manager

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

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

Job Summary for Senior Data Manager

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

Safeguarding

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

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

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

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

Role Summary

The Outreach Manager is responsible for driving the expansion of the Schools Consent Project’s reach, engagement, and impact across London and the South East. Acting as the organisation’s lead “sales” and business development professional, you will contribute to and manage our strong pipeline of partner schools and organisations, convert leads into confirmed bookings, and maximise long-term engagement. 

You will own the end-to-end outreach and partnership journey: from prospecting and lead generation, through relationship development and negotiation, to repeat engagement and retention.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Lead Generation

• Develop and execute a proactive outreach and growth strategy to increase workshop bookings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing schools; ensure SCP’s workshop content remains responsive and reactive to the emerging concerns of young people when it comes to sex, consent and the online world.
• Generate leads through cold outreach, referrals, events, and campaigns.
• Contribute to and maintain a pipeline of new schools and educational settings.
• Reinvigorate historic relationships with schools.

Account Management

• Convert enquiries and prospects into confirmed programme partners.
• Present the charity’s offer and impact to senior school leaders, safeguarding leads, and decision-makers.
• Manage key accounts and ensure high levels of partner satisfaction and retention.
• Promote additional workshops and programmes where appropriate (eg. teacher training; parent workshops).
• Track booking trends eg. seasonal vs. reactive bookings; develop a communication strategy around each ‘type’ of school, involving timely booking reminders.

Pipeline, Targets & Performance

• Manage outreach targets for bookings, partnerships, and regional coverage.
• Monitor conversion rates, pipeline value, and performance metrics.
• Produce regular forecasts and performance reports.
• Use data and insight to refine sales strategies and improve outcomes.

Marketing & Promotion

• Help develop compelling outreach materials and campaigns.
• Deliver presentations, webinars, and pitches to prospective educational partners.
• Represent the organisation at conferences, networks, and sector events.
• Help gather case studies, testimonials, and impact data to support outreach and fundraising.

Delivery Coordination

• Work closely with our Volunteer Manager and Operations Manager to match supply with demand.
• Ensure smooth handover from booking to delivery.
• Anticipate capacity constraints and manage partner expectations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Contribute to the development of outreach systems, processes, and tools.
• Share insights and learning across the organisation.
• Oversee team members currently managing school outreach.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in sales, business development, partnerships, or outreach roles.
• Experience working with schools, education providers, or youth services.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding targets.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong relationship management and account development experience.
• Highly organised, with strong CRM and data management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and drive results.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in the charity, education, or public sectors.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection frameworks.
• Understanding of social impact measurement.

Values and Approach

We are looking for someone who:

• Is committed to our mission and values.
• Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and integrity.
• Works collaboratively and inclusively.
• Is proactive, adaptable, and solution-focused.

Safeguarding and Equality

The Schools Consent Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

At Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK, we’re transforming what support looks like for people severely affected by mental illness. To help us reach even more people, we’re looking for a Prospect Research Manager to shape and lead our prospect research function—providing the intelligence, insight and strategic direction that will fuel our fundraising growth.

If you’re a curious, analytical thinker with a passion for uncovering opportunities and turning insight into impact, this could be your next step.

Online interviews for these roles will be held on 14th, 15th and 16th April.

About the role

As our Prospect Research Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind our high-value prospecting strategy across Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Corporate Partnerships.

You will:

• Lead a proactive research strategy that identifies, qualifies and prioritises high‑value prospects
• Deliver high‑quality profiles, briefings, due diligence and portfolio insights
• Build connection maps to uncover warm pathways into potential partners
• Champion best practice in data, insight, and CRM usage (HIVE & Salesforce)
• Stay ahead of trends in philanthropy, corporate giving and grant-making
• Guide and develop our Prospect Researcher—fostering a culture of curiosity, integrity and collaboration
• Work closely with senior fundraisers to shape portfolios, pipelines and long-term strategy

In short: you’ll make sure our fundraisers have the intelligence they need to build strong, meaningful relationships that change lives.

Who you’ll work with

You’ll collaborate across our high‑performing Fundraising team, including:

• Trusts & Grants Managers
• Philanthropy Manager
• Corporate Partnerships
• Senior leadership across External Affairs

This is a role where your insight will influence decisions at every level.

About you

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

Essential skills & experience

• Significant experience in prospect research for fundraising
• Strong knowledge of Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Corporate fundraising
• Ability to lead complex research projects with strategic focus
• Outstanding analytical and communication skills
• CRM confidence (Salesforce experience a big plus)
• Experience with due diligence, connection mapping and portfolio management
• A collaborative, proactive approach to working with teams and stakeholders
• Sound understanding of GDPR, ethics, and the Fundraising Code of Practice
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion—and our mission

Desirable, but not essential

• Knowledge of the mental health or wider health/social care sector
• Experience with wealth screening tools or AI in prospect research

Why join us?

Working across both Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK means you’ll be part of a team that generates nearly £6 million annually to support life-changing services, campaigns, and programmes.

Your insight and leadership will directly contribute to better outcomes for people living with mental illness—and that’s something you can feel proud of every day.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re excited by the thought of leading insight-driven fundraising research—and want to help us create a world where everyone affected by mental illness gets the support they deserve—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us drive meaningful, lasting change.

Make a difference. Protect children’s rights. Strengthen trust. 

NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) exists to ensure children, young people, and vulnerable adults have a voice. Every day, our work changes lives. We are now seeking a full time (35 hours a week) Compliance Manager to play a critical role in safeguarding the organisation, supporting ethical decision making, and enabling us to deliver the highest standards of service. 

This is a senior and influential position – ideal for someone who combines meticulous attention to detail with a deep passion for governance, integrity, and doing what’s right. If you want your work to have genuine social impact, this is the role for you. 

About the role 

As our Compliance Manager, you will lead and embed a proactive, prevention focused approach to compliance, governance, and ethical risk management across NYAS. The role can be homebased depending on location, but monthly travel to NYAS offices will be required.

You will: 

• Develop and maintain organisational compliance frameworks, policies, and controls.
• Provide clear, accessible guidance to staff at all levels, building awareness and capability across the charity.
• Oversee compliance monitoring, reporting, and follow-up, ensuring transparency and timely action. 
• Lead key areas including data protection, data breach response, DPIAs, SARs, and staff privacy training. 
• Support business continuity, operational resilience, and assurance standards (ISO 9001, ISO 27001, PCI DSS). 
• Oversee corporate insurance processes and maintain strong relationships with insurers. 
• Lead effective complaints governance, ensuring issues are managed fairly, consistently, and in line with regulation. 
• Mentor and support colleagues, encouraging a culture of learning and continuous improvement. 

This role is essential in protecting NYAS, strengthening public trust, and ensuring that everything we do is safe, accountable, and ethically grounded. 

About you 

You will bring: 

• Strong experience in compliance, governance, and/or data protection roles. 
• A solid understanding of UK GDPR and data protection requirements. 
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to interpret complex legislation clearly. 
• Skilled investigatory, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. 
• Ability to work confidently with senior leaders and influence cultural change. 
• Experience with standards such as ISO 9001 / ISO 27001 (desirable but not essential). 
• Passion for the mission of NYAS – advocating for children’s rights and strengthening organisational integrity.

Why NYAS? 

At NYAS, you’ll join a passionate, supportive team working toward an important cause. We are committed to helping you succeed and are proud to offer: 

• Purpose with impact: Your work directly strengthens protections and outcomes for children and young people. 
• Flexible & hybrid working: Work from home, the Birkenhead office, or a blend that suits you. Some travel to other NYAS offices and external meetings is required. 
• Supportive culture: Collaborate with colleagues who share your commitment to fairness, transparency, and safeguarding. 
• Development: We invest in our people with training, support, and opportunities to grow. 

We welcome every voice 

NYAS is proudly committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We value the unique experiences and perspectives that every individual brings. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of the care system, minoritised ethnic groups, disabled applicants, LGBTQ+ applicants, and anyone who can help us broaden our thinking and deepen our impact. 

We are a Disability Confident Employer, and we will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. 

Ready to make a difference? 

If you are motivated by purpose, take pride in high quality governance, and want to help shape a resilient, ethical charity that protects children’s voices and rights, we would love to hear from you. 

Apply today and help us continue making a lasting impact. 

Interviews will be held on 21st and 22nd April 2026. Please indicate if you have a preference in your application.

Development Phase: Visitor Destination Development Manager

Fixed Term to November 2027

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is one of the UK’s fastest growing nature conservation organisations and seeks to appoint a Visitor Destination Development Manager to transform our flagship nature reserves into pioneering places that inspire hope, drive action for nature and open their doors to everyone. 

This is a rare opportunity to manage a project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at a pivotal moment. You'll oversee specialist consultants across visitor experience, accessibility, commercial development and community stewardship; coordinate our project Steering Group and ensure the programme is rigorously evaluated and reported to our funder. 

But this role is about more than process. You'll bring a wealth of experience and the confidence to drive real change – taking colleagues on the journey with you, building consensus and laying the groundwork for what comes next. Critically, you'll make sure everything we learn shapes the next chapter of development for our Flagship Nature Reserves.

You'll bring proven experience of managing complex, multi-strand programmes, ideally within the heritage, conservation or visitor destination sector, along with a track record of commissioning and managing external consultants to deliver high-quality outcomes. Strong stakeholder management skills are essential as you'll need to bring colleagues along on a shared journey, whilst managing funder relationships and reporting with rigour and care. You'll be able to synthesise complex information into clear recommendations and actionable next steps and communicate with confidence at a senior level. Above all, you'll be collaborative and inclusive, with the drive to embed learning and lasting change within the organisation.

Role Overview

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and delivering the day-to-day operations of the Schools Consent Project across England and Wales. In particular, this involves booking and coordinating the delivery of workshops across all educational settings; acting as the first point of contact for legal queries, feedback and safeguarding issues from volunteers and service users; and fostering strong relationships with our schools and partner firms.

Key Responsibilities

Operations and Programme Delivery

• Manage and coordinate the booking of workshops with schools and partner organisations.
• Oversee the scheduling and delivery of workshops, liaising with schools, volunteer lawyers, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure high standards of programme delivery and participant experience.
• Maintain accurate operational records and systems.

Volunteer Management and Training

• Help organise induction, training, and ongoing development sessions.
• Manage DBS checks and compliance with safeguarding requirements.
• Act as a primary point of contact for volunteers.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect, analyse, and manage feedback and monitoring data from workshops.
• Prepare reports and summaries for internal use, funders, and trustees.
• Use data to support continuous improvement of programmes.

Safeguarding, Complaints, and Risk Management

• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding disclosures, complaints, and concerns.
• Follow organisational safeguarding and complaints procedures.
• Escalate serious matters appropriately to the Director and relevant authorities.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records.

Outreach, Partnerships, and Growth

• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, and other educational providers.
• Support the Director and Founder in developing and implementing the UK growth strategy, informed by schools/volunteers’ feedback and booking data.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in operations management, project management, or programme delivery.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• High level of IT literacy, including confidence with digital systems and remote working tools.
• Familiarity with MS365 and Salesforce as our main operations platforms.
• Experience with Xero and basic financial administration.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a remote and distributed team.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Strong personal commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment, and reducing sexual violence.

Desirable

• Legally qualified
• Experience working with schools, colleges, or educational institutions.
• Experience working with pro bono departments in law firms.
• Experience in the charity or non-profit sector.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection frameworks.

About this role:

We are seeking a motivated and experienced professional to lead our fundraising and partnership development activities, supporting the diversification and growth of income across both established and emerging streams. While the role will place significant emphasis on corporate fundraising, it will also involve the strategic development of grants and trusts. You will develop strong relationships with funders, identify new opportunities, and support our members to build their own grassroots fundraising capabilities.

Working closely with both colleagues and members, you'll help shape our funding strategy, develop high quality proposals, and ensure we have the systems and insight needed for sustainable growth. Your contributions will enable us to expand our work to engage and empower communities across Britain. 

In addition, you will help shape the guidance we provide to members of the community rail movement, strengthening their grassroots fundraising capabilities and approaches.

Main responsibilities

• Manage and grow corporate relationships for the benefit of Community Rail Network and its members, nurturing effective, lasting relationships that help community rail to deliver on its aims around community development, sustainable travel, and inclusion.
• Conduct prospect research to identify new corporate supporters and relevant grant opportunities, taking a proactive approach to cultivating new leads, building networks and flagging upcoming opportunities well in advance to ensure sufficient preparation time.
• Engage, listen and pitch to funders, understanding shared priorities, articulating the value of partnering with us, and securing continued or increased support. 
• Work cross-team to create strong proposals, using member and partner insights to identify funding needs and opportunities, and develop compelling cases for support and budgets.
• Develop joint grant applications by collaborating with colleagues, members and external partners to create bids aligned with our strategic aims and which recognise our current strengths, resources and prioritie
• Support strategic funding development, working closely with the senior leadership team to shape our approach and deliver against funding objectives and ensure it is understood by colleagues.
• Champion a positive fundraising culture and ethos, providing expertise and contributing member support, training, and events across the community rail movement.
• Contribute to wider organisational activity, including using major events and campaigns, such as the Community Rail Awards, to advance fundraising efforts.
• Develop and maintain effective fundraising systems, including funder reporting, review processes, and tracking KPIs to monitor progress and impact.

Skills, competencies and experience

1. Proven skills and experience in third sector fundraising, including corporate fundraising, grant management and funder reporting, with a broad understanding of the full fundraising mix and ability to spot new opportunities.
2. A demonstrable proactive approach to relationship building, with experience engaging and stewarding funders to create long-term mutually beneficial partnerships.
3. Strong proposal/grant application and report writing skills, able to tailor communication for different audiences and stakeholders to maximise clarity, relevance and impact.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to gather insight and inspire engagement both internally and externally.
5. Strong organisational and time management skills, able to balance multiple and competing  priorities and meet deadlines effectively. 
6. Experience of, or demonstrable understanding of, membership organisations, including the ability to balance member needs with our organisational objectives.
7. Appreciation of and commitment to community development, empowerment and sustainability, and the value of community engagement in relation to transport.
8. Solid understanding of KPIs, targets, budgeting, and risk management, with the ability to plan, track and evaluate performance effectively.
9. A proactive, positive and self-motivated mindset, able to work independently, collaborate well, and inspire confidence in others.
10. IT literate, with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, TEAMs, the internet and social media.

Other information

This post is home-based, but with travel (including occasional overnight stays) for team meetings, events, member engagement, and external meetings. This is a permanent position and includes a probationary period of three months from the date of appointment. Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 3%; flexi-time working (core hours 10am-3pm); access to Employee Assistance Programme. 

We are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.