Partnerships manager northern jobs

Coach Core is an education and employment charity that improves the life-chances of under-represented young people across the UK, who experience barriers, discrimination and a lack of opportunities. We help people age 16-24 develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to unlock long-term employment opportunities through the power of sports apprenticeships. Since 2012, we’ve enabled over 1,100 young people to find meaningful employment across 21 UK locations.

Do you have exceptional skills in driving income through mass participation and special events? We are seeking an experienced, events fundraiser who organising events and stewarding supporters so that we can raise vital funds for under-represented young people.We are looking for someone who brings energy, creativity and exceptional organisation to help us deliver events that inspire, engage and raise vital funds for young people across the UK.

In this pivotal role, you’ll join our friendly Fundraising & Marketing team and take the lead on planning, promoting and delivering our challenge events programme – including the iconic TCS London Marathon and Coach Core’s own Sports Days, Golf Day and a 24hr National Three Peaks Challenge.

Your work will put you right at the heart of our mission. You’ll be the person who:

• empowers event participants to hit ambitious fundraising goals
• builds warm, lasting relationships with supporters, sponsors and partners
• ensures every Coach Core event (large or small) is well‑run, memorable and aligned with our values

Behind every successful fundraising event is someone who can hold all the moving parts together…and that’s where you come in. From recruitment and stewardship to logistics, on‑the‑day management and post‑event follow‑ups, you’ll make sure every participant feels supported and every event runs smoothly, safely and on budget.

If you love bringing people together, thrive in a collaborative environment and want to use your skills to help young people achieve things they never thought possible, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

Salary: £37,332 (FTE) £31,110 actual for 30 hours per week

Hours:30 hours per week – ideally over 4 days (flexible working considered)

Location: London / Hybrid

Holiday:25 paid holiday days per year (plus bank holidays) pro rata plus discrertionary days over Christmas period

Application Closing Date:  5:00PM Friday 13 March

Application Details:  

Your application should include:

• A copy of your CV
• A cover letter outlining why you are a strong fit for this role
• Two examples of past work you are particularly proud of, submitted separately, with a short explanation of why you have chosen them and how they demonstrate the skills set out in the job description

At Coach Core, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives. If you come from a different industry or background and bring fresh insights, innovative thinking, and a commitment to our mission, we encourage you to apply, regardless of not meeting all the criteria.

Role: Programme and Participation Coordinator

Job Title: Programme and Participation Coordinator
Location: Remote – with semi-regular travel and out of hours working
Salary: £31,950 per annum
Reporting to: Insights and Impact Manager
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

GFS is seeking a creative and values led Programme and Participation Coordinator to bring our
programmes of youth activities to life and ensure that girls and young women (GAYW) are at the
heart of everything we do. This role sits within the Development and Impact Team and is key to
designing and delivering inclusive, evidence-informed activities that support and inspire girls, and
develop their socio-emotional skills to build confidence, friendships and wellbeing.

The Programme and Participation Coordinator will develop engaging activities and resources,
support training for delivery staff and administer the monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
They will also champion the voices of GAYW in decision making, and create and deliver
participation opportunities that ensure girl voices are heard across GFS. By connecting
programme design, impact measurement and participation, this role ensures that our work is truly
girl led. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, as well as volunteers and external
partners, they will help embed a culture of learning from and collaborating with girls.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about youth participation and wants
to make a difference to the lives of GAYW across England and Wales.

Timeline 

• Closing date: Monday 9 March, 9am
• Optional Q&A Session: Monday 2 March, 11am
• Interviews: Wednesday 18 March

How to Apply 

How to apply, please provide the following:

• Complete an application form which includes three tailored questions designed to help you demonstrate your experience, motivation, and alignment with the organisation’s values.
• Please send your completed application form, along with your most recent CV and the optional diversity monitoring form. We shortlist anonymously, so please remove any personal identifying details from your CV before sending it.

We offer an optional Q&A (on the date above) to all potential candidates. This is to talk about the organisation, explain the process and help candidates put in the best possible application. This is not part of the formal assessment, but an informal opportunity to see if we feel like a good fit for you. You can register your place by emailing our recruitment team. If you have any questions about the role but cannot attend the Q&A, please email us to arrange an informal conversation.

Please see job pack for full details.

An exciting opportunity to join the Rank Foundation team in London or Penrith as Head of Impact, Partnerships & Place.

The Head of Impact, Partnerships & Place is a senior leadership role responsible for driving collaboration & partnerships and ensuring measurable social impact. This position combines strategic vision with operational excellence to advance the Foundation’s mission. Our mission is rooted in trust, respect, and a belief in the collective power to drive positive change.

The creation of the Head of Impact, Partnerships and Place marks a pivotal moment in our journey. It signals our ambition to deepen how we understand, evidence and learn from our impact, and to use that learning to continually strengthen what we do. The role will ensure our place-based work is shaped by insight, collaboration and long-term thinking, so that communities have the best possible opportunities to thrive. By building strong partnerships with funders and collaborators, this role will help us grow and scale our work in ways that are purposeful and sustainable.

Please download the Recruitment Pack for the full description of the post and further information. 

Key Responsibilities

Impact Measurement

o Design and oversee frameworks for monitoring and evaluating strategic outcomes.

o Prepare and present impact reports to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.

o Support the wider staff team in gathering data to inform and underpin the Impact Framework.

 Partnerships Development

o Build and maintain partnerships with RankNet members, other funders, government, and community organisations.

o Negotiate and manage collaborative projects to maximise reach and effectiveness.

 

 Place-based Programmes 

o Lead the place-based programmes (currently Plymouth and Sunderland) and design frameworks for monitoring and evaluating strategic outcomes. 

o Collaborate with other funders and partners to achieve shared goals. 

o Represent the Foundation at local, regional, and national events that focus on place-based work. 

Community Engagement

o Develop and implement strategies to strengthen relationships with RankNet members, partners, and funders.

Strategic Leadership

o Contribute to organisational strategy, identify emerging trends and opportunities for social impact.

o Translate organisational strategy into clear, measurable objectives, ensuring alignment across teams and programmes.

o Manage strategic risk in relation to funders and partnerships, reputation and delivery, ensuring ethical, inclusive and sustainable practice.

 Advocacy and Representation

o Serve as the public face of the Foundation at funder and partnership events.

o Advocate for causes aligned with the Foundation’s mission.

If you would like to apply, please state the role you are applying for and send your CV together with a supporting statement no longer than 2 sides of A4 that clearly demonstrates how you meet the knowledge, skills, and experience requirements of the role to recruitment@rankfoundation. com 

To assist us in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, we would be grateful if you could complete our EDI Form.

Community Partnerships Lead
Salary: £54,524 per annum FTE
Contract: Fixed term, March to September 2026
Hours: 35 per week
Location: Crisis Skylight Merseyside or Crisis Skylight Newcastle. Hybrid working with at least one day a week in your base office. Travel will be required to support the team.

At Crisis, we know that homelessness can be ended. We are looking for a Community Partnerships Lead who will shape and deliver regional high value fundraising that supports our mission.
About the role

As Community Partnerships Lead, you will guide the Community Partnerships team to achieve income growth across regional and devolved nations corporate partnerships and philanthropy. You will also take personal responsibility for generating high value income in Northern England.

You will:

• Develop and deliver a five year strategy for income growth for Community Partnerships
• Build a clear understanding of income opportunities, challenges and competition in regions and nations
• Lead the team to explore and cultivate regional and devolved nations corporate income opportunities to meet annual targets
• Manage strong relationships with corporate partners and donors, including personal responsibility for key relationships in Northern England
• Lead the philanthropy pipeline across nations and regions and ensure excellent stewardship for high value supporters
• Create compelling regional cases for support and high value propositions in collaboration with teams across Crisis
• Lead income reporting, forecasting, pipeline development and budget setting for Community Partnerships
• Support and line manage the Community Partnerships team, ensuring professional development and strong ways of working across locations

About you
We are looking for someone with:

• Significant experience achieving income targets within corporate partnerships and philanthropy
• A positive leadership style that supports teams to perform at their best
• The ability to build compelling cases for support and high value propositions
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Experience monitoring and reporting on income and expenditure budgets
• The ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and locations
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and the values of Crisis

Experience supporting teams across different regions and nations is desirable.

Join us

This is a meaningful opportunity to drive high value partnerships that help end homelessness. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

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.

We have a newly created opportunity for a Head of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland to join us at RBL to promote, advocate and champion for our vital work and connections across NI&ROI.

It is an exciting time to join RBL as we commence work on our new 10 year strategy. Much of our work already revolves around the connections made across our communities and wider society. But with the creation of three new roles we aim to lead this work across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and ROI, in order to better harness the power of those connections to support our communities in the most effective way possible and promote our important role in bringing people together.

This role will see you as Head of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, where you will be RBL’s key representative and point of contact in NI&ROI, building and sustaining networks and connections with key stakeholders and partners, including senior military, government ministers, charity partners and senior leadership.

The role places significant emphasis on matrix working internally, building connections across NI&ROI and will see you as RBL’s spokesperson providing a public face for the charity, attending events (eg Islandbridge) and meetings, speaking to the media and engaging widely across the region.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

Reporting to our Executive Director: Membership, key responsibilities will include:

- Working closely with the Membership Council Representative, to act as the point of contact, focal point and voice for RBL as well as representing the unique needs of NI&ROI to RBL
- Liaising regularly with the NI&ROI Governments, elected representatives, the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, military bases, Reserve and Cadet Force Associations and charity partners
- Maintaining a good knowledge of all RBL activity in NI&ROI, acting as reference point for Services, Fundraising, Remembrance, Public Relations, Membership and Campaigns, Policy and Research
- Promoting and advocating RBL’s strategy in a way that is responsive to the specific context of NI&ROI and play a significant leadership role in the development and delivery of an organisation wide NI&ROI plan.
- Provide leadership and guidance on NI&ROI matters to the RBL Executive Board

You will be an experienced strategic leader, with excellent networking and communication skills and the ability to build strong strategic partnerships and influence at senior level. You will have a strong understanding of the political, cultural and social landscape in NI&ROI, with experience as a spokesperson or figurehead with media skills and exposure.

This role is 28 hours per week, to be worked as required by the role, with the ability to work flexibly (including evenings and weekends). You will be expected to travel regularly in the course of your work, including regularly across NI&ROI. You will be contracted to your home address, where you will be expected to work when not travelling.

Employee benefits include –

- 28 day’s paid holiday pro rata (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Private Healthcare
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. Our shortlisting is performed on the evidence provided in your application against the Essential and Desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you require the job advert or job description in an alternative format, please contact 0808 802 8080.

About Us

We’re 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 around 95 staff based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to grow our staff team to deliver our ambitious 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 future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

Senior Early Diagnosis Programme Manager

The Senior Early Diagnosis Programme Manager is a key role as we develop and evolve our early diagnosis programmes at Bowel Cancer UK. The role will provide strategic and operational leadership across the charity’s awareness and engagement programmes and the new Bowel Towns programme. This role will manage a multi-disciplinary team delivering programmes that improve cancer awareness, empower communities, and drive earlier diagnosis.

In addition, as the charity’s services lead for Northern Ireland (NI), the post holder will build high-impact partnerships and develop a regional plan to enhance awareness, early detection, and support for people affected by cancer. You’ll work closely with the Head of Services and Support to ensure our early diagnosis services are impactful, inclusive, and evidence-based.

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.

AHF is seeking an England Development Manager (Heritage Revival Fund) to co‑lead our core grants and advisory programme across England. This role has been created following the recent announcement of significant new investment, which will support the expansion of the Heritage Revival Fund through to 2030. This investment will enable AHF, in partnership with DCMS and Historic England, to provide grants to hundreds of communities across England, helping them bring neglected historic buildings back into use.

Ideally based in southern or central England with focus on southern half of the country. The postholder will work jointly with the current England Development Manager (HRF), who will focus on the northern half of England. Together, they will oversee activity and workflow across the whole country. The role also includes joint management of the England grants team (who work remotely) and programme budget, working flexibly and collaboratively to ensure the successful delivery of AHF’s core programme.

We are looking for a candidate with strong experience across the key responsibilities of the role, including team management, programme budget oversight, and reporting. Ideally, they will bring a proven track record of leadership within the heritage or charitable sector. Candidates must have strong numerical and financial skills, excellent attention to detail, confidence using common IT and Office systems, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

As a Support Adviser, you’ll play a vital role for people affected by motor neurone disease (MND) by offering clear information, guidance and emotional support to individuals and families. Helping them to feel informed, reassured and better equipped to manage the impact of MND. You will communicate with empathy, confidence and purpose.

Every day is different. You could help someone understand a new diagnosis, offer guidance about voice banking or genetic testing, connect a caller to financial support or local services. No two calls are the same, but each one makes a genuine impact. 

Working as a Support Adviser on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract, you’ll be part of a focused team helping individuals understand their options and access the right services at the right time. You’ll contribute to a service trusted for its compassion and reliability.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: Requirement to attend the Northampton office 3 days per week. 

The official job title for this role is: MND Connect Adviser 

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to helpline calls, emails and forum posts with sensitivity and accuracy
• Actively listen to understand a diverse range of calls and offer tailored information
• Signpost to MND Association services and external agencies
• Support complex and sensitive enquiries, liaising with health and social care professionals
• Maintain accurate records and complete administrative tasks
• Monitor service standards and contribute to ongoing quality improvements
• Identify risk or safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action
• Uphold confidentiality and follow policies that protect people and data
• Work with the Helpline Manager and wider team to ensure effective service delivery

About You

• Experience in an information-giving role, ideally including helpline work
• Strong active listening skills, with empathy and clarity in communication
• Ability to explain complex or sensitive issues with care and precision
• Resilience to support individuals experiencing emotional distress
• Experience providing information and support in writing, including email and webchat
• Experience with contact centre or CRM systems
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Excel
• Understanding of data protection and safeguarding procedures
• Able to work independently while contributing to team goals

Further information about MND Association and full job description is available in the attached Candidate Pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

What We Offer

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development
• Hybrid working

About Us

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, it takes away independence and it has no cure. Every day we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters.

About the role

Gambling Harm UK is recruiting two Regional Public Health Systems Change Leads to support the development and embedding of a public health approach to gambling harm prevention and early intervention across England.

This is a strategic, system facing role rather than a frontline delivery post. You will work with health, social care and wider public sector partners to influence how systems recognise, prioritise and respond to gambling related harms. The role focuses on partnership development, facilitation and implementation support, helping partners adopt evidence-based guidance, reduce stigma and shame, and embed sustainable system responses.

You will act as a regional lead for programme delivery, supporting place-based implementation and contributing to national learning.

Location: Home based with national travel across England

What you will do

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Integrated Care Boards, primary care, NHS providers, local authorities, Healthwatch organisations and voluntary sector partners. 
• Support the adoption and implementation of NICE guidance on gambling related harms within local systems
• Facilitate cross sector partnership working to strengthen prevention, early identification and safeguarding responses. 
• Use strong networking, influencing and facilitation skills to bring partners together around shared priorities
• Support workforce development approaches including local champion and cascade models
• Support narrative change activity to reduce stigma and shame associated with gambling harm and improve safe disclosure
• Ensure lived experience insight meaningfully informs system design, training and implementation
• Contribute to learning, evaluation and sharing what works across different local and system contexts
• Support partners to embed change into routine practice beyond the life of the programme

About you

You will have experience working within or alongside complex public sector systems and be comfortable influencing change without formal authority. You will be confident building and sustaining professional networks, able to navigate complexity, and skilled at translating evidence into practical system level action.

Essential

• Experience of working with health, local government, social care or related public sector systems
• Experience of supporting system change, service improvement or partnership working
• Strong networking, communication and relationship building skills
• Understanding of public health approaches, prevention and health inequalities
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across organisational boundaries

Desirable

• Lived experience of gambling related harm, including experience of having gambled with harm or being affected by someone else’s gambling
• Experience supporting the implementation of NICE guidance or similar evidence based frameworks
• Knowledge of safeguarding, trauma informed practice or related policy areas
• Experience of working with lived experience insight in service or system design
• Knowledge of gambling related harms or related behavioural health issues

Why work with us

Gambling Harm UK is an independent charity working to reduce gambling related harms through evidence based, public health and system level approaches. We centre lived experience, challenge stigma and shame, and are committed to addressing inequalities and the commercial determinants of harm.

We are seeking a dedicated Site Manager to join our service based in Basildon, Essex. The service engages young people in learning through vocational teamwork and social development, focusing on KS3 and KS4, with a person-centred approach that celebrates individuality and uses humour, patience and support to get meaningful outcomes for our students. We work with we work with a wide range of young people, the majority with additional needs (SEN, SEMH, EBSA), helping them to achieve L1 BTEC qualifications in order to avoid NEET outcomes.

As the Circles Study and Salon Site Manager, you will be responsible for overall leadership of the service, day to day operations and development of the future provision. In this role you will lead the tutors, empowering and enabling them to deliver high quality support for our students by setting high standards for work and reflecting this to our external partners through effective communication, evidencing outcomes that are in line with, and exceed, contractual requirements. Additionally, you will complete all time critical evidencing for the site and monitor and feedback on the supporting documentation from tutors and students, while actively promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment in which all individuals feel valued and respected.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the daily running of the site
• Liaising with external organisations and stakeholders
• Recruitment of new members
• Management of staff, through regular appraisals and by setting SMART goals
• Maintain accurate records of performance, evidencing completion of contracted targets
• Manage and monitor site and project budgets,
• Develop the site and service, maintaining and improving our offer and standards
• Motivate & inspire staff and students
• Create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment

Person Specification 

• Strong leadership skills to motivate, support, and manage staff effectively
• Experience in an education/alternative provision setting, ideally as a DDSL
• Ability to set clear goals and support staff development
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong time-management and ability to prioritise
• Clear and confident verbal and written communicator with good attention to detail
• Financial and budgeting planning skills
• Current understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles
• Confidence in handling challenges calmly and professionally, with previous experience in conflict resolution
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and email

As part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check and some roles may require further vetting. Please make sure that the application form is completed along with a cover letter, to ensure that your application is reviewed.

The strategic growth manager is responsible for creating and carrying out business development work across the charity, with a primary focus on grants and public sector tender opportunities, as well as managing a team with their own growth targets in distinct areas. They report in to the Deputy Charity Director.

All the tasks carried out in this role will contributeto the core purpose of the charity, enabling us to transform the access to and experience of mental health support, for young people.
This is a new position within a new team, focused on the growth of the charity, offering the opportunity to enhance Open Door’s approach to business development, as we create new long-term partnerships.

Based at the Bloom Building in Birkenhead and soon within our new home ‘Joy’, the role offers a flexible and collaborative working environment, engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders that align with Open Door’s values and mission.

Check out the candidate pack for full details.

This is a home-based role, working Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Applications are welcome from candidates based outside Belfast, provided they are resident in Northern Ireland and able to commute to the Belfast office if required.

The External Affairs Manager plays a pivotal role in empowering people with sight loss to live the life they choose. This position leads the development of policy and campaigns within the country, aligning with Guide Dogs’ strategic objectives. Working collaboratively with the central policy, public affairs, and campaigns team, as well as the country leadership team, the role builds strategic partnerships with government bodies, local authorities, societies, and other key organisations. This ensures Guide Dogs remains informed and influential on all policy initiatives affecting the organisation and its stakeholders.

The post holder will be responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership, management and oversight of a team.

The post-holder is responsible for shaping policy positions, drafting responses to consultations from councils, combined authorities, and devolved governments, and driving impactful campaigns at a regional level. A key focus is increasing the involvement of blind and partially sighted people in advocacy and campaigning.

Additionally, the role leads the implementation of Guide Dogs’ regional marketing and communications strategy across the Devolved Nations. This includes raising brand awareness, engaging diverse audiences—service users, families, volunteers, donors, and the public—and delivering integrated communications plans that strengthen Guide Dogs’ presence and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development

• Lead the creation of country-specific policy and position papers, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy.
• Prepare responses to consultation papers from devolved administrations, local government, and regional bodies.
• Represent Guide Dogs on committees, working groups, and forums, staying informed on policy issues impacting the organisation and its service users.

Public Affairs

• Build and influence relationships with key stakeholders, including elected representatives and senior officials.
• Represent Guide Dogs at Government Scrutiny Committees and cross-party groups.
• Act as the primary liaison with local government and statutory agencies.

Campaigns & Influence

• Strategically lead and coordinate campaigns at a country level, ensuring alignment with devolved policy priorities.
• Develop and deliver campaigns addressing local needs of the visually impaired community.
• Foster partnerships within the Third Sector to build consensus and amplify Guide Dogs’ strategic aims. 

Leadership & People Management

• Provide strong leadership to local staff and volunteers, promoting best practice and knowledge-sharing.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and compliance with safeguarding policies.
• Ensure high levels of engagement through effective communication and leadership.

Financial Accountability

• Support fundraising initiatives and monitor operational budgets to ensure efficiency and compliance.

Diversity & Inclusion

• Champion Guide Dogs’ diversity agenda, ensuring services are inclusive and accessible.
• Work with external partners to create a more inclusive environment for people with sight loss.

How to apply 

Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via this page.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help.

As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions as part of this application process, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.

If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the offense, its relevance to the role, and the time that has passed since the incident. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.

For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.

Role outline and purpose

The Head of External Relations leads strategic engagement and influencing activities to ensure hunger and hardship remain a priority for key external audiences, to build the breadth and depth of support needed to help end the need for food banks.  This role engages and influences target stakeholders in government, business, civil society and faith communities to prioritise hunger and hardship in their decisions and actions.

This role is part of Trussell’s Prioritising Hunger and Hardship programme, the goal of which is to keep hunger and hardship at the forefront of conversations and decision making – both amongst the public and key individuals and organisations relevant to our cause.  This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long-term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

· Leading the organisation’s external influencing strategy to shape key conversations, decisions, and activities among target audiences to ensure hunger and hardship remain a national priority.  Working closely with colleagues across the organisation focused on influencing and advocacy with relevant stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, advice sector, local authorities).

· Develop and maintain high-impact senior relationships with key parliamentarians, civil servants, faith leaders, youth organisations, the wider charitable food sector and other partners to build strategic support and unlock change.

· Oversee targeted engagement programmes that deepen collaboration with, and activate, key stakeholders and organisations to build and amplify the long-term wide-ranging support needed to end the need for food banks – including youth and wider civil society organisations, charitable food providers and faith communities.

· Shape and support coalitions that align around shared priorities, build a unified narrative, and strengthen the collective voice of organisations working to support people facing hunger and hardship.

· Act as an external spokesperson representing the organisation in media, at external events and high-level meetings and through written commentary.

· Provide team leadership, direction, support and line management.  This will include regular 1:1s and reviews to ensure object and targets are met.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

· Proven track record of developing and delivering successful influencing strategies, focused on wide-ranging and high-profile external audiences

· Extensive experience in senior stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and influencing with impact across a wide range of partners, including a strong understanding of the UK political landscape and policy processes

· An understanding and appreciation for faith communities, particularly the role churches play in mobilising communities to end the need for food banks

· Knowledge of issues related to hunger and hardship, with an ability to translate complex policy into accessible messaging

Behaviours and competencies:

· Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate and respond to changing political and social environments

· Role model inclusive behaviour, values and leadership including empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially excluded backgrounds

· Comfortable working in a fast-paced and high-performing organisation, combining problem-solving with collaborative interpersonal skills

· Effective communications and influencing skills: diplomatic, builds rapport, accessible and audience-appropriate presentation, and highly persuasive

Key Stakeholders

· Programme Leadership Team, particularly Heads withing Prioritising Hunger and Hardship (Head of Programme, Communications, and Research)

· Key influencing stakeholders within Making Social Security Work, Sustainable Holistic Advice, and Supportive Communities programmes (including Heads of Policy, Advice Advocacy, Community Building, and Community Design)

· Senior Audience messaging specialist (in programme)

· Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland leads

· Assistant Director of Income Generation

· UK parliamentarians and officials

· Senior sector partners

· Senior Church leaders

We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.

As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.

You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
• Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
• Support organisational business planning and future growth.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
• Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
• Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.

Service Quality & Client Experience

• Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
• Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
• Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.

Operational Leadership

• Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
• Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
• Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.

Financial & Asset Management

• Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
• Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
• Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
• Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
• Support staff development and performance.

Partnership Management

• Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
• Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.

About you:

Essential

• CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
• Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
• Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
• Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
• Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
• Budget management and financial performance experience
• Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
• Strong safeguarding knowledge
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
• UK driving licence and access to a car

Desirable

• Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
• Charity/third sector leadership experience
• Experience securing funding or development partnerships

About Life: 

Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish. 

Our services include:  

• Supported housing and community support   
• Counselling and skilled listening   
• Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies  

Our values :

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values: 

• Humanity – All people are special and equal 
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you 
• Community – We’re better together 
• Charity – Doing good for one another 
• Common good – Building a better world 

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description. 

Salary: £45,750 per annum

Hours: 32 hours per week

Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Additional annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.