Programme and partnerships development director jobs

First Give

First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.

Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.

The Route to a Million Campaign

This is an exciting time for First Give, as we seek to expand and diversify our fundraising streams into Corporate and HNWI. To support this, we are launching the Route to A Million campaign in March, aiming to raise an additional £1.5 million over the next 3 years on top of our forecast income. The campaign is supported by a newly recruited campaign board, and the new Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will spearhead the work required to achieve this target.

Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to supercharge First Give’s next phase of income growth. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our mission, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver a multi‑year fundraising strategy that fuels real, measurable impact for young people and society as a whole. First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable leading a brand-new team.

As the senior leader for all income streams, you will own and drive our major donor programme; unlock new philanthropic partnerships; and build a talented team across other income streams to achieve ambitious goals. Working closely with the Director and our emerging Campaign Board, you will play critical role in growing our £1m+ annual income, deepening donor engagement and building the culture, systems and relationships that will propel First Give into its next phase of expansion.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional fundraiser who thrives in a values‑driven, high‑ambition environment and wants to make a lasting contribution to a fast‑growing education charity.

Contract: Full time (35 hours per week), Permanent

Salary: £60K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)

Location: This is a hybrid contract. The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events as required. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.

The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we.  We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.

Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.

First Give

First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.

Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.

Corporate Parnterships Manager

We are seeking a self-motivated and driven Corporate Partnerships Manager to lead on growing and stewarding First Give’s portfolio of high-value funders. This role will focus on developing corporate partnerships and will also support our Campaign Board and major donor activity.

First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable setting up new systems and processes. You will play a pivotal role in shaping First Give’s income growth, working closely with our Head of Philanthropy and the Director. This role will also support key engagement activities, including hosting donors at student-led Final events and facilitating employee volunteering at schools.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident fundraiser and communicator looking for the next step in their career. Someone who thrives on strategy, storytelling, and social impact.

Contract: Full-time, 35 hours per week. Permanent.

Salary: £40K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)

Location: The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events for two days per week on average. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.

Reporting to: Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships

The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we.  We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.

Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.

To enable Operation Smile’s global surgical activities, OSUK’s Partnerships Team works to maximise high-potential income channels such as corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraisers and trusts and foundations.

We have created an exciting new position in our team for an ambitious and confident relationship fundraiser. Working as part of the Partnership Team and line managing one Partnerships Officer, the Partnerships Manager position will secure critical income from new and existing corporate partners through compelling pitches and excellent stewardship.

The position will build on existing partner relationships with high-profile businesses like Superdrug, the Perfume Shop and Johnson & Johnson, aiming to grow their contributions, as well as making approaches to new prospects in relevant sectors, working closely with the Director of Partnerships.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Corporate Partnerships Development

• Ensure achievement of annual income target for corporate partnerships
• Take primary responsibility for managing the current pool of medium and large corporate partnerships, including global partners (working with Operation Smile Inc), to ensure their growth and longevity – strategic input into the growth of each partner will be essential
• Develop and implement plans for partner activity to maximise all income channels, including corporate philanthropy, employee engagement, cause-related marketing and more
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of new corporate fundraising prospects, creating propositions/proposals and making approaches, working with the Director of Partnerships
• Enhance our employee engagement and community fundraising offer with simple, easy-to-do fundraising activities, linked to key moments in the calendar
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to partners and internal stakeholders
• Represent Operation Smile UK in global corporate partner discussions, applying any global strategies to develop successful fundraising plans for the UK
• Lead on the development and management of any corporate partner cultivation events

Additional Responsibilities

• Line manage one Partnerships Officer, supporting them to manage inbound community fundraising requests and existing relationships, as well as smaller corporate partners
• Oversight of community fundraising income target delivered by the Officer
• Create and maintain annual corporate partnerships and community fundraising budgets and business plans, including activities from current supporters and forecasting new business income

Additional Information

• 2 years’ experience in a corporate partnerships or business development role
• We promote flexible and hybrid working, with 2 days per week in our London office in Battersea (nearest stations Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Town). There will also be some UK travel for meetings, conferences and events.
• Some overseas travel required to visit projects and partner countries, a highlight of the role!

First-round interviews are set for the week of 2nd March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Do you share our vision to end youth unemployment?

The King’s Trust is seeking an exceptional individual to become Director of Delivery for Wales.You should share our passion for supporting young people to realise their potential and increasing our reach and impact. 

You will lead a team of colleagues, delivery partners and volunteers to turn our strategy into action, ensuring that our programmes reach those who need our help the most, by building partnerships, upholding our commitment to inclusion and safeguarding and growing our income. You will also develop and implement plans to achieve our four strategy goals of Tackling Inequality, Building the Nation’s Workforce, Being a Bold Voice for Change and Making Every Pound Count.To do this, you’ll need to able to engage and motivate a dispersed team and collaborate effectively across the whole organisation. You’ll also need to have an understanding of the challenges facing young people.

You will be a member of the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team, working with colleagues across the UK and will lead on a number of cross organisational projects.You’ll need to be visible across Wales and the wider organisation, working in our centre in Cardiff at least three days a week, as well as travelling to other centres and partner meetings in Wales and the UK as required. 

We are seeking a talented individual to join our ambitious team, championing the wellbeing of the young patients, families and staff through a high-quality programme of visual arts, music, performance and cultural activity at Bristol Children’s Hospital and St Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

You will be an excellent communicator, able to build trusted working relationships across the hospital, particularly with the Play team and Hospital School, alongside clinical and non-clinical colleagues, to ensure the effective planning and delivery of The Grand Appeal’s annual arts programme.

You will bring genuine passion for the arts and a strong belief in their therapeutic value in a children’s healthcare setting and will be committed to creating opportunities for children and families to experience joy, distraction, comfort and connection by recognising that enriching cultural experiences can play a meaningful role alongside clinical care.

We’re hiring a Director of Communities, Health and Partnerships.

Hackney CVS is in an exciting new phase and we’re looking for a senior leader to help shape it.

Following a major restructuring and redesign of our support offer, we’re focusing more sharply on our core mission: strengthening, connecting and championing the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Hackney and the City of London.

Our Director of Communities, Health and Partnerships will:

• Lead our networks, forums and engagement work.
• Amplify community voice in local decision-making.
• Build powerful cross-sector partnerships.
• Support the voluntary sector to influence systems change.

You’ll join our Senior Leadership Team at a pivotal moment, helping us embed new ways of working and secure a brighter future for the VCS.

If you care deeply about equity, collaboration and the potential of the VCS to transform lives, and if you thrive in complexity, influence and relationship building, we would love to hear from you.

For the full job description and person specification, please see the attached recruitment pack.

#director #community #health #partnership

Grade: NJC Point 31 - £41,771 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (excluding breaks)
Days: To be worked over 5 days (core hours are worked between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday)
Contract: 12 months Fixed Term contract (with option to extend), subject to funding and the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period
Responsible to: Director of Delivery
Place of work: Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN

We are seeking to recruit to a brand-new post and are looking for an experienced and passionate full‑time Programme Manager (Live Well) to lead the delivery of our VCSE‑led Live Well infrastructure in Salford. 

In this role, you will support organisations across Salford to develop high‑quality Live Well Centres and Spaces, ensuring strong partnerships are built and delivery partners are managed in a clear, transparent and collaborative way. A key part of the role will be ensuring that all delivery aligns with the expectations set out in the GM Live Well Hallmarks. You will also be responsible for ensuring the programme’s impact is clearly demonstrated through robust monitoring, high‑quality data collection and meaningful insight.

Greater Manchester Live Well is a broad cross‑system partnership with particularly strong involvement from GMCA, NHS Greater Manchester and the VCSE sector. 

Launched in 2021, it is a core Mayoral commitment and embedded in the Greater Manchester Strategy (2025–2035). The vision is that by 2030, residents will benefit from a connected, preventative and equitable system of support, delivered through:

• A network of integrated Live Well centres and spaces in every locality
• A universal “no wrong door” approach
• Recognition that the VCSE sector has a key role to play (with dedicated VCSE funding)
• Consistent and connected support offers
• A neighbourhood‑based Social Model of Health
• A preventative system built on trust, early help and coordinated support

Salford CVS is the lead VCSE sector partner and accountable body for the Live Well implementation fund in Salford, working with public sector partners to strengthen community wellbeing and ensure accessible, high‑quality support for our city’s residents.

As Programme Manager, you will lead a VCSE‑driven programme that is transforming how residents access help and support in Salford. You will maintain a clear overview of programme developments, partners and activities, acting as a key source of knowledge for Live Well locally. You will share information proactively, strengthen connections across the system and bring partners together to maximise the programme’s impact. 

Your work will also span all of Salford CVS’s full Live Well portfolio, including the Economic Activity Trailblazer delivered via the VCSE Elevate Salford partnership, the WorkWell offer through Wellbeing Matters (VCSE-led social prescribing), and any additional Live Well activity that Salford CVS leads or contributes to in the future. This will include our work with our 10GM partners on a large-scale GM National Lottery funded VCSE-led programme called Live Well – Places of Hope and Connection, which you will programme manage here in Salford.

To apply

Please complete our online application form via the ‘Apply’ button.

If you would like to know more about the role, or would prefer a paper copy of the application form, please email our recruitment team.

Closing Date: 12 noon, Monday 16th February 2026
Interview Date: Monday 2nd March 2026

Men are dying too young – and it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Around the world, men are facing a health crisis: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and suicide. At Movember we’re on a mission to change the face of men’s health by making it easier for men to talk, act and live longer healthier lives.

Every project, every campaign, every idea adds up to real change. You’ll be part of a purpose-fueled crew who believe making an impact and having fun should go hand in hand. Your mission is calling. 

DO GOOD. Work for Movember.

Your Mo-Mission (should you choose to accept it):
You will be responsible for growing our portfolio of high-value, workplace fundraising partners which play a vital role in our long-term partnership’s strategy.

This will be achieved by:

• Developing and implementing the UK Corporate (B2B) acquisition strategy, in line with the wider organisational and team strategy

• Developing and managing a robust pipeline of high value workplace or impact prospects

• Working collaboratively with other Movember income teams in the UK, Europe and in our other key markets, as well as with other Movember functions locally and globally (marketing and impact in particular)

Strategy, Planning, Reporting and Analysis

• In collaboration with both the Director of Corporate Partnerships and the Heads of within the team, implement the Partnership strategy for the market set by the Director and Heads of the team

• Achieve revenue targets set for the Partnerships team as part of the annual planning process

• Deliver regular data, insights and evaluation to inform the Head of New Partnerships on progress and performance

• Record all points of contact, information and interactions with prospects in the Salesforce

• Work strategically with other Partnerships Managers within the team to ensure partnership activity across all partners is best-in-class

Business Development

• Work with the Corporate Partnerships team to create a pipeline of high value prospects to ensure annual and long-term fundraising success

• With colleagues, develop and implement the UK Corporate (B2B) acquisition strategy, in line with the wider organisational and team strategy

• Develop and manages a stewardship plan of prospects with the goal of securing high-value partnerships

• Secure high-value partnerships to meet annual income targets, and other organisational targets in line with the Corporate Partnership’s financial strategy

• Develop excellent tailored pitch proposals for commercial, philanthropic and/or employee engagement propositions

• Prepare contracts as necessary, working closely with legal team and ensure that these are fully adhered to

• Actively raise the profile and thought leadership credentials of Movember, through a year-round calendar of activity including conferences, panels, webinars and F2F events

• Work closely with Partnership Development colleagues to ensure a smooth handover process to set partnerships up for success

No Moustache Required - but the following are:

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in Corporate Partnerships or New Business roles within a fast-paced national team, securing high-value 6 or 7 figure partnerships.

• Proven track record of developing and executing B2B corporate acquisition strategies that deliver new high-value partnerships.

• Demonstrated end-to-end partnership development capability, from prospect identification and pipeline build through to close, contract and handover.

• Experience building and managing a robust pipeline of high-value prospects, including disciplined CRM management (Salesforce or equivalent).

• Evidence of consistently meeting or exceeding new business revenue targets aligned to an organisational financial strategy.

• Ability to design and deliver tailored partnership propositions across commercial, philanthropic and employee engagement models.

• Experience preparing and managing partnership contracts in collaboration with legal teams, ensuring compliance and delivery against agreed terms.

• Strong commercial and market awareness, with experience leveraging ESG, CSR and workplace wellbeing trends to shape partnership opportunities.

Not Mission Critical - but for extra bonus points: 

• Experience working within a charity, not-for-profit or social impact organisation securing corporate partnerships.

• Proficiency in Salesforce or similar CRM systems used for partnership pipeline and reporting.

• Experience coordinating partnerships across multiple markets or regions, including working within a matrixed or global structure.

• Exposure to licensing, sponsorship or workplace fundraising partnership models.

GOOD CAUSE:
Working for Movember, you’ll help turn ideas (and moustaches) into millions for men’s health. Every bit we raise changes the face of men’s health by funding research, improving treatments, and supporting programs that help save lives. 

We’re even shaping government policies on men’s health worldwide. By meeting directly with lawmakers, and helping them understand how more investment on men’s health benefits not just men, but all the communities they serve.

GOOD VIBES:
We love weekends. That’s why our Fridays finish early for nine months of the year. But we also love our office vibe. Because here, it always feels like something big is about to happen. Be it an office-wide surprise birthday party (with cake!) or an open invite for all to hit the pub.

Come the hairy season, the energy cranks up. We’re talking celebrity visits. Live stunts on-site for TV and radio. And when we hit a fundraising milestone, the office gong might even go off. But, for those who prefer calm, no probs: hybrid working means you work where you feel best.

GOOD CREW:

Spoiler alert: we’re a no-ego, all-impact crew. That means everyone gets a say, from new starters to those leading the charge. Collaboration over hierarchies, curiosity over rigid process. And it’s true across all our offices worldwide. We work as one, sharing expertise and celebrating wins. All in the name of making the biggest impact across the globe. United, we Mo.

We offer:

• Hybrid/Flexible working – we offer our team a split of home and office working

• 13 weeks paid Parental Leave and 6 weeks annual leave

• Health Cash Plan – to support the costs of everyday healthcare needs (dental, optical, wellbeing)

• An Employee Assistance Programme offering face to face counselling, plus legal and financial support

• A fun stimulating and collaborating culture, with company events

• Service awards after 3, 5 and 10 year

• Committees to join – Culture team, Equity Diversity & Inclusion

• Bike to work scheme

• Half day Fridays for 9 months of the year

Being different is how we started. And it’s also helped us raise $1 billion for men’s health. So, we know the power of diverse experiences, skills and perspectives.

Movember is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and workplace - a place where we can all be ourselves, and each have the equal opportunity to succeed and be recognised for our unique contribution. We value the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals and actively encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds. We make recruitment decisions based on applicants’ skills, experience and knowledge, ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Do you want to DO GOOD?
If so, we’d love to hear from you.

NEON is a not- for profit Organtision 

Our Mission is to remove structural barriers within the arts and creative industries by creating equitable access to training, space, professional experience and paid work.

We centre children, young people and emerging creatives from underrepresented and underprivileged communities, ensuring talent is supported not only creatively, but economically and professionally.

We are seeking to expand our team capacity to deliver transformational growth across our creative programming. The Business Development Manager will  transition NEON from project-based delivery to sustainable, recurring programmes while scaling our impact within the creative industries and local community.

Job Description

You will work closely with both our external cross-sector funders, clients and internal delivery partners and teams to provide a service that exceeds expectations by  monitoring progress and continually adapting and improving effectiveness to meet changing needs

The postholder will:

• Expand income generation through studio hires, memberships, events, and trading

• Securing sponsorships, multi-year funding, and philanthropic donations

• Develop contracts and partnerships with schools, local authorities, and corporate entities

• Strengthening impact reporting and financial reporting and management

• Supporting the Founder and Artistic Director to build a resilient business model across our sites in Vauxhall from 2026. 

Role Profile - Essential Experience and Skills 

• 5 years plus demonstrable experience of income generation  and management, delivering on time and within budget 

• Demonstrable experience of budget management - strong financial literacy, commercial awareness and analytical 

• You enjoy working in an entrepreneurial and creative, start-up environment - understanding that this may mean doing what is needed to get the outcome, even if not within one’s own role

• You have resilience to change course and adapt priorities as needed by the business

• You are as comfortable working independently as you are as part of a team

• You enjoy working with a small team and contributing to the broader ambition of the whole organisation and being an ambassador for our work

• Willing to be based in our studio in Vauxhall

• Substantial experience of relationship building and collaborative partnership with people from all sectors and backgrounds - especially at senior management/executive level e.g. stakeholders, funders and delivery partners

• Demonstrable track record of managing and monitoring performance to meet objectives and delivery of targets 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and present ideas clearly, coherently and persuasively in the written format as well as verbally 

• Ability to think, act and communicate strategically and creatively

• Ability to be self-servicing including proficient use of Microsoft IT and Google Suite package

Desirable

• Knowledge and/or experience of the arts and creative industries, in a startup or with creative entrepreneurs is desirable though not essential. We would still like to hear from you if you have experience leading and delivering high-profile projects and are committed to making a difference.

• You are passionate about the arts and creative sectors, wanting to use your abilities to nurture the talents of others and increase diversity within these sectors

An exciting opportunity to help turn a new national initiative into reality as it moves from planning into delivery. Over the next year, we will be launching a new, national Foundation Degree while building the foundations of a wider programme of work. In the initial phase, this role will focus on working locally with partners and participants in the South West to support recruitment, onboarding and preparation for launch, while also contributing to the wider programme build-out alongside a national team. As delivery begins, the role will transition into ongoing programme management across a cluster of South West delivery centres, leading high-quality delivery, participant experience and programme quality, and helping to build strong, sustainable centres over time.

Organisational Vision & Context:

As we journey towards our vision to bring fulness of life for every child, no matter what struggles they face, we’re looking for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join our team as Head of Programme Development.

While our programmes vary, they share one common thread: an unwavering commitment to seeing lives transformed for good. With two well-established and hugely effective volunteer-driven programmes operating at scale, and two new developing programmes in the early stages of roll-out, TLG is at a pivotal time of innovation.

This Role’s Impact:

We are looking for a dynamic, pioneering leader to energise, shape, and elevate the impact of TLG’s programmes. This person will bring strengths in innovation, collaboration, and strategic delivery – able to inspire others, spot emerging opportunities, and drive meaningful change across the organisation. They will have a strong track record in developing high-quality resources and training, ensuring best practice is consistently embedded across all functions. Naturally creative and forward-thinking, they will champion the exploration and implementation of digital solutions that enhance programme delivery and extend our reach.

The new Head of Programme Development will navigate change with resilience and optimism, leading the way as we explore new approaches and refine what we already do so well. Confident on their feet, yet equally comfortable developing content and materials, they will balance big-picture thinking with a keen eye for detail. Their leadership will drive continuous improvement, so our programmes remain relevant, missional, and high-impact as we pursue our ten-year vision.

As TLG positions itself as a leading practitioner in therapeutic coaching, this leader will bring a solid understanding of coaching practice and how therapeutic coaching can transform a young person’s thinking and strengthen the culture of support we offer. Their expertise will help embed coaching-informed approaches across TLG, shaping programme design and creating richer opportunities for children and young people to reflect and grow, strengthening their wellbeing and future outcomes.

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: Part time, 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE, equivalent 4 days)

Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026

Initial Interviews: Monday 23rd February – Online

Final Interviews: Monday 2nd March – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent strategic, analytical and leadership skills to join Impetus as an Investment Director and support us in our mission to transform the lives of young people.

The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy.

Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.

About the Investment Team

The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.

The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.

The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.  

The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.

The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.

The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives.  We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

About this role

We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.  

Key responsibilities

Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio

• Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment 
• Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, to assess and build partnership foundations with potential partners – covering leadership and governance, and their impact, scale, and partnership potential; 
• Modelling from first contact of origination, our approach to engaged and trust-based investment management support;
• Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.

Managing partnerships with portfolio partners

• Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs 
• Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, including appropriate annual investment milestones to allow for a clear assessment of re-investment potential at end of phase 
• Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks against milestones and making evidence-based recommendations on progression or exit to Leads, Portfolio Director and the Investment Committee
• Escalating key risks on performance, leadership and safeguarding 
• Conducting annual partnership review with Sector Leads and partner CEOs
• Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments, in line with Service Funding Agreements. 

Supporting portfolio partners 

• Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, using a mix of at least monthly one-to-one meetings and group facilitation to:
  • clarify theory of change,
  • define long term ambition,
  • develop growth strategy
  • achieve a step change in the delivery and performance management of outcomes,
  • strengthen leadership (individual and collective) and governance capabilities,
  • develop path to scale,
  • build financial resilience;
• Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity-building projects (in addition to providing direct management support). Ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and contribute to charity progression;
• Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners that are aligned with the partner’s activities and do not distract or undermine their core work;
• Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities for portfolio partners, enhancing their ability to deliver impact at scale;
• Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner that is managed by an Investment Director.

Support to Impetus

• Developing expertise about “what works” in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement as well as investigation into key research and evaluative literature;
• Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus’ strategy, model and delivery;
• Contributing to internal priorities and working groups (e.g. team strategy discussions, digital improvement initiatives, or equity, diversity, and inclusion)
• Contribute towards Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, donor reports and fundraising events
• Sharing the learning from our work across the team, across the organisation and externally working within Impetus strategy and agreed forums
• Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, and engage portfolio partners appropriately in these events.
• Where appropriate, line-managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team to grow and develop, and achieve their project, role and team objectives.

Person specification

Essential

• A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
• Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
• A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
• Tenacity and initiative.
• Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
• Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback.
• Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
• Strong planning and time management skills.
• Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.

Desirable

• Experience in the non-profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
• Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
• Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
• Board experience in private, public or third sector.
• Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.

What makes us unique is that we also care deeply about ‘plugging the gap’ for families and young people who are struggling to find the mental health support they need as a result of financial, social or other disadvantage. For this reason, we are a not-for-profit organisation and offer grant and donation funded programmes when we can.

Youth Arts & Health Trust are a registered charity based in Exeter and East Devon who specialise in providing creative therapies and inclusivity-informed arts activities for children and young people aged 5 to 25.

We are in an exciting phase of our development, with new premises in Exeter, growing activities in East Devon, a dynamic team, a supportive and experienced Board of Trustees, and much shared passion to make a difference to children, young people and families.

We provide our services for children and young people via local authorities, organisations, schools and for families directly.

We are looking for someone with vision and passion who can lead and nurture our highly capable and ambitious team to build further upon our compassionate, inclusive and trauma-informed services for children, young people and families.

This is a 0.7 - 0.8 post (25-30 hours per week) with terms to be agreed with the successful candidate.  We are open to flexible working arrangements with the right individual, whether that’s flexitime or compressed hours, or some other agreed arrangement.   

It is expected that the post-holder will work within our premises for 1-2 days a week depending on service needs, and the remainder of hours worked from home, in the community at meetings or events or working on a hybrid basis.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• To develop and deliver our strategy including a business plan and regular progression reports for the Board to ensure the charity is financially robust.
• To develop existing and new income streams to secure the future of the charity and enable us to meet our charitable objectives of benefitting children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties through arts therapies and arts activities.  This is likely to include grant fundraising, exploring procurement and commissioning routes, philanthropy, appropriate business sponsorship, training delivery and pathways for private purchasing of our service.
• To line manage, support, and collaborate with our Operations and Clinical Director who oversees our team of therapists and practitioners in ensuring all staff are adequately trained, registered, supervised and supported to provide an excellent service to our clients.
• To provide leadership for the charity both internally in regards to a positive and nurturing culture and externally in regard to reputation, partnerships and opportunities.
• To ensure all relevant policies are implemented effectively, developed and reviewed as required.
• To act as one of three Designated Safeguarding Officers and ensure policy is implemented effectively.
• To ensure the charity fulfils all its statutory obligations, working alongside the Board to achieve this.
• To ensure the charity has appropriate systems in place for the management and mitigation of risk.
• To ensure the charity meets its obligations under health and safety law.
• To lead on the development of innovative arts therapy programmes, in collaboration with our Operations and Clinical Director, our staff team and stakeholders.
• To ensure evaluation and impact data is collected and utilised for our learning and to provide evidence for the effectiveness of YAHT’s services.
• To act as an ambassador for the charity.
• If relevant, to carry a small caseload of children and young people to remain practising as an Arts Therapist or other registered mental health professional (if relevant, see desirable criteria).

Organisational Vision & Context:

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 our team as Head of Volunteer Programmes.

TLG’s programmes aim to bring fulness of life for every child, no matter what struggles they face. Each programme is different, but the common thread is an unwavering resolve to transform lives for good.

Mobilising over 200 churches and 1,500 volunteers, TLG’s volunteer programmes - Early Intervention and Make Lunch - currently support around 5,000 children and their families each year. However, our vision goes further: we aim to see many more churches partner with us to transform lives for good in their communities.

This Role’s Impact:

We are seeking an experienced people and operations leader who is passionate about the issues of mental health, poverty, and social justice that underpin our volunteer programmes. This role will help us drive even greater impact through our network of church partners.

They will be naturally relational, organised, and collaborative - empowering others to lead where they are and championing the vital role of the local church in community transformation. With an inquisitive and solution-focused mindset, they will be skilled at identifying and guiding new ways of working that strengthen efficiency, productivity and impact.

With excellent people, communication, and training skills, they will lead and develop a staff team responsible for volunteer management, embedding TLG’s culture and values across both programmes. Our new Head of Volunteer Programmes will be a leader who is both operationally sharp and relationally intuitive - able to pioneer with resilience and build a strong, healthy team culture that enables exceptional performance.

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: Part time, 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE, equivalent 4 days)

Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026

Initial Interviews: Monday 23rd February – Online

Final Interviews: Monday 2nd March – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire