Outdoor learning leader jobs
The Role
As Wilder Learning Manager, you’ll lead a small, passionate team delivering inspiring outdoor learning and engagement programmes that connect schools, educators and young people with nature across Sussex. You’ll oversee the delivery and ongoing development of high‑quality accredited training, INSETs, school sessions and advice that supports schools to improve their grounds for nature and outdoor learning.
You’ll be an enthusiastic and confident leader, able to step into delivery when needed, and excited by innovation, collaboration and partnership working. Bringing experience of managing people, you’ll foster a positive, supportive and inclusive culture, encouraging creativity, continuous improvement and professional development.
This varied role combines leadership, project management and hands‑on involvement, playing a key part in ensuring our learning offer inspires and empowers educators and young people to connect with, care for and benefit from nature across Sussex’s land and marine environments.
A valid drivers licence is required for this role.
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS with Barred List check
The Person
You will be a professional, values-led leader who enjoys supporting others to do their best work. You’ll bring a positive, practical and reflective approach; enabling you to navigate complexity, manage competing demands and support decision-making. You’ll be comfortable building trust, having honest conversations, and creating space for others to grow; balancing encouragement with clear expectations.
You’ll be organised and reflective, able to manage your time and priorities while remaining approachable and supportive. You’ll share Sussex Wildlife Trust’s commitment to inclusion and safeguarding, and reflect our values in your practice. You’ll demonstrate a personal passion for wildlife, outdoor learning and the benefits nature connection for young people in Sussex, which will underpin everything you do.
We exist so that future generations can experience the joy and well-being that comes from connecting with nature in Sussex
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Merseyside Youth Association is seeking an energetic and visionary Outdoor Education Centre Manager to lead our lakeside Outdoor Education Centre (based on the Lord Derby Estate in Knowsley) into its next exciting chapter.
You’ll be the driving force behind the Centre’s direction, designing imaginative outdoor programmes for children and young people including those who may never have experienced the outdoors before.
Alongside the outdoor delivery, you’ll bring strong commercial flair: developing and delivering a robust income generation strategy, managing budgets, securing grants, expanding school and corporate bookings, and positioning MYA as the provider of choice for outdoor education locally and beyond.
You’ll build meaningful partnerships, drive targeted marketing, track both impact and financial KPIs, and ensure our programmes not only change lives but also sustain the long-term future of the Centre.
If you’re driven, innovative, and passionate about shaping inclusive outdoor experiences that help young people grow in confidence and joy, this is your opportunity to lead something remarkable.
Note: As part of your application please make sure you highlight how you meet both the Essential and Desirable elements of the job specification.
Merseyside Youth Association Limited Actively Promotes the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, Young People and Children.
The above post will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure,
Please note, CV’s will not be accepted and should not be part of your supporting information.
Closing Date for Completed Applications: Midnight Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Merseyside Youth Association Limited is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to maintaining a non-abusive environment
Creating a Positive and Lasting Change in the Lives of Merseyside's Young People
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Organisation
Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity supporting low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
We help thousands of families every year with essential grants, services and practical support. But we do much more than that. We champion families’ voices, challenge inequality and help shape the conversation on disability, childhood illness and disadvantage.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how Family Fund connects with people across the UK. As a newly created role, it offers real scope to define and develop the function, while playing a central role in strengthening the organisation’s voice and influence.
We are looking for a bold, creative Group Director of External Affairs to join our Senior Leadership Team. At a time when families need us more than ever, you will raise Family Fund’s national profile and influence, positioning the organisation as a trusted, evidence led voice on childhood disability, serious illness and the broader challenges facing low-income families. You will build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, funders, and the public ensuring the organisation secures the visibility, support, and resources needed to drive lasting change for the families we serve.
You will lead an energetic, specialist team spanning communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research, bringing these areas together through a joined up external engagement strategy that delivers real impact.
Some key responsibilities include:
- Lead our communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research teams
- Raise Family Fund’s profile as a trusted national voice
- Build strong relationships with policymakers, media, funders and partners
- Help drive real change for families through influence and insight
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for an experienced leader who loves the power of communication, influence and connection.
Key attributes will include:
- Senior experience in external affairs, communications or public affairs
- A strong track record of influencing policy and engaging senior stakeholders
- Experience leading teams and working at senior level
- A warm, confident communication style and great relationship skills
- A real passion for Family Fund’s mission and social justice
This is an exciting, high impact role with the chance to make a genuine difference to families across the UK.
Candidate Briefing Pack
For comprehensive information about Family Fund, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:
- An up-to-date CV
- A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your experience, motivations and suitability for the role.
All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Russam. All applications should be uploaded via the Russam website.
If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter - Managing Partner, Charities at Russam.
Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd February 2026
Initial interviews with Russam: 17th and 18th February 2026
Interviews with Family Fund: 4th, 5th and 6th March 2026
Flexibility will be provided if needed - do let us know as soon as possible if you are unavailable on these dates.
We commit to inclusion, equality and diversity and we welcome applications from all parts of the community. Family Fund is a Disability Confident Leader. We will invite to interview all disabled applicants who meet the requirements for the role. If you have a disability, and are happy to let us know, please highlight this in your covering letter. We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and we welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.
The focus of this role is delivery of support to the fundraising team as well as administrative and financial record keeping tasks. You will be the first point of contact for individual supporters and play a key role in developing and delivering our stewardship and engagement plans. You will be involved in gathering feedback and experiences from our visitors so that we can show our impact. You will have an important role to make sure our database, record keeping and financial systems are accurate and fully up to date. You will assist the Fundraising Manager to generate financial and impact reports for use internally and externally. This is a varied role with plenty of contact with our wider staff team and supporter community and some desk-based work alongside. If you have experience in fundraising roles this would be an advantage.
Key responsibilities:
Supporter care and communication (40%)
· Act as the first point of contact for fundraising enquiries, including in person visits, ensuring a positive, personalised and friendly approach.
· Proactively and reactively thank new and existing supporters, via a variety of channels including phone, email, letter, social media and in person.
· Contribute to the development and delivery of a stewardship plan, with support from the Fundraising Manager.
· In collaboration with the Fundraising Manager and fundraising colleagues, produce materials and resources to support our stewardship of donors and supporters. This will include preparation of newsletters, social media content, marketing/fundraising materials and helping to plan and deliver supporter and participation events.
· Assist with systematic gathering and presentation of visitor feedback from a range of stakeholders including participants, group leaders, parents and teachers. This will be through face-to-face conversations, online events, surveys and through collating evidence gathered routinely by teams at Bendrigg.
Financial and database administration (30%)
· Working with the Finance Manager and Fundraising Manager, accurately process, record and reconcile donations and Gift Aid income across various platforms.
· Log donations using a combination of manual data entry, automated imports, and third-party integrations with our fundraising database.
· Confidently run internal reports to generate statistics and impact measurements for use in our accounting, projections and grant reports.
· Ensure the database is fully up-to-date and complies with data protection regulations including GDPR.
Team support (30%)
· Manage our third-party donation platforms, ensuring accurate record keeping.
· Work with the fundraising team to create and maintain our stock of fundraising materials and resources.
· Maintain Bendrigg’s website pages related to fundraising and supporter care.
· Help the Fundraising Coordinator prepare for and deliver events and other community initiatives.
· Contribute to the planning process for the team’s calendar of fundraising appeals and activities.
· Provide support to the onsite Income & Engagement Team providing a 'reception' service including answering the door, greeting and signposting visitors, accepting deliveries, answering the main office phone and directing calls.
Further responsibilities
· Participate in the day-to-day work of the organisation – such as attending team meetings, producing reports and taking a flexible approach to general administrative duties.
· Complete internal and external training appropriate to the role.
This is not an exhaustive list, and you will be able to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected, within the scope and rank of this post.
We make adventure accessible, working together to overcome barriers and transform lives.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.