At Children’s University Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through learning beyond the classroom. We’re a small, passionate team with bold ambitions to expand our impact – and we’re looking for an equally ambitious Business Development and Community Partnership Manager to lead the way.
This is more than just a development role. It's about building sustainable growth strategies, forging powerful partnerships, and shaping a future where opportunity is no longer defined by postcode or circumstance.
As our Business Development and Community Partnership Manager, you will take the lead in shaping and implementing visionary, data-driven growth strategies across three vital areas:
- Place-based memberships with schools, universities, councils’ departments, and third sector organisations.
- Individual “at home” subscriptions for children in areas without direct Children’s University provision or those who do not engage with traditional education.
- Strategic business partnerships with corporates and SMEs, securing vital funding and in-kind support.
You’ll be a key figure in our next phase of growth — identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping us scale our reach across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive new business activity and revenue growth across all three strategic areas.
- Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of potential members, partners, and funders.
- Manage and nurture relationships from first contact through to long-term collaboration.
- Use data and insight to shape decision-making and report progress to the board.
- Be a passionate ambassador for Children’s University at events, conferences, and online.
We’re Looking for Someone Who:
- Has a proven track record in income generation, partnerships or sales – all sector’s welcome!
- Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
- Is a strategic thinker with the energy of a new business developer.
- Has the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and the empathy to build trust.
- Brings a creative, collaborative, and resilient mindset.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, flexible, remote-first environment.
Why Join Us?
- A unique chance to shape a growing national charity’s development strategy.
- A collaborative, driven team that values innovation and purpose.
- Flexible working, with one day a week in Manchester.
- An opportunity to truly change lives through education and opportunity.
If you’re excited by the chance to lead sustainable growth with purpose, and you want your work to matter, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and be part of a team creating a brighter future for children across the UK.
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Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Qualifications/ skills: CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification (Level 5 or above)
Time: Minimum 12 up to 16 hours per week. Can be worked flexibly but there are some essential meetings on a Monday.
Where: Remote - UK based. Two team days per year in London / South East or online.
Salary: £35,000-£38,000 full-time equivalent, depending on experience. This salary is in line with our organisational pay structure.
Deadline to apply: 11th July 2025
Estimated start date: September 2025
Role overview
This HR Lead role will support a unique, employee-owned, self-managed organisation. You'll play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of HR practices, advising on employee relations, and contributing to a positive, self-directed work environment.
As a self-managed organisation HR is distributed between a number of different roles. You will be working alongside our Organisational Development Lead, Training & Development Lead, Compliance Lead, HR Support, Onboarding/Offboarding Lead, Team Companion and the leadership team.
As this is a new developing role, the responsibilities listed in the Job Description are areas where Chiltern has identified HR expertise is needed at this current point in time. This gives the role holder the opportunity to further develop and shape this area of our business.
Key duties include advising on employee relations, supporting self-managed teams, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and employee ownership, and you'll also work closely with individuals to ensure HR policies are adhered to, individuals feel empowered and engaged and that the organisation's culture aligns with its values in the delivery of HR practices.
Accountabilities
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
1. HR Strategy & Organisational Development
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Collaborate with the leadership team to drive the organisation’s People Management Strategy
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Devise and deliver HR projects to improve business efficiency and effectiveness
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Lead succession planning initiatives across the organisation
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Horizon scan for emerging HR practices and employment law developments
2. HR Policy, Compliance & Risk Management
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Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and the Employee Handbook to ensure legal compliance
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Ensure compliance with UK employment law across all HR functions
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Lead on:
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Third Party Risk Policy
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Equality Impact Assessment Policy
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Stakeholder Engagement Policy (ensuring service user perspectives are integrated)
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Monitor adherence to internal policies, including whistleblowing, grievances, and dignity at work
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Audit EDI data bi-annually and create strategies to promote diversity and inclusion
3. Employee Relations & Case Management
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Providing advice and leading on the process for :
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Grievances
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Disciplinaries
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Bullying, harassment, and capability issues
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Redeployment and redundancy
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Lead meetings prior to disciplinary sanctions in collaboration with our HR administrator
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Mediate disputes and facilitate conflict resolution within the context of HR discussions
4. Compensation and Benefits
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Developing and maintaining salary structures
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Conducting salary benchmarking and market analysis
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Overseeing annual salary reviews
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Ensuring compliance with pay equity laws
5. Recruitment, Onboarding & Talent Management
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Oversee advertising and attraction strategies
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Support onboarding processes to aid efficiency
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Review terms and conditions, contracts, and engage with external advisors as needed
6. Attendance & Performance Management
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Manage absence cases including statutory and contractual entitlements
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Support the leadership team with performance and attendance-related challenges
7. Systems & Process Improvement
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Maintain and enhance HR systems, ensuring lean processes and the integration of e-systems
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Regularly review and improve the Staff Portal alongside our Training & Development Lead
8. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
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Stay updated on EDI legislation and best practice
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Support the organisation in being legally compliant, culturally relevant, and innovative in its EDI approach
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Lead data audits and present an equal opportunities review every two years
9. Professional Development & Networking
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Engage with local HR support networks, including CIPD and ACAS
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Maintain continuous professional development (CPD)
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Be an active member of Social Enterprise UK HSC HR group and attend relevant meetings
Person specification
We are looking for an efficient, well-organised, friendly person to join the team with the following qualities:
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CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification (Level 5 or above)
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Experience in a generalist HR role, including employee relations, policy development, and HR project delivery.
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Experience working on or leading Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels
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Confident facilitator and leader of sensitive meetings and discussions, with a culture of care
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As this is a hands on role, a high level of organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously is needed
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Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive work environment
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Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to adjust to changing priorities and respond effectively to new or unforeseen challenges.
Job benefits
A key benefit in working for Chiltern is being a part of a forward thinking employee owned team, where our culture celebrates and values the voice of each individual.
Staff members benefit from a flexible working environment, creating a personal schedule based around the requirements of the role.
Ultimately, at the heart of what we do is our value of ‘care’, which is felt strongly across the team.
Additional benefits include:
- Flexible working
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32 Days (FTE) per annum annual leave allowance (including bank holidays)
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High street discount shopping portal
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EAP package - access to confidential support and wellbeing services
About Chiltern Music Therapy
Chiltern is an award-winning social enterprise that provides music therapy, community music services and training to over 1700 people of all ages and many different needs across England each year. Formed in 2011 from a desire to change how music therapy was offered in the UK, we hold accessibility and financial inclusivity at our heart, working across health, education, social care and community settings.
Proud to be a self-managed and employee-owned organisation, we strive to create a world where music therapy is the transformative thread in the lives of the children and adults we support. At Chiltern we recognise the different strengths within our team. We provide an environment where people can take charge of the work they do and make informed decisions using professional judgement and life experience, alongside peer support. We’re welcoming, inclusive, and have worked hard to create a positive environment that we are proud of. You can find out more about us on our website.
How to apply
To apply, please apply with your CV and a one-page covering letter which should include your reasons for wanting to join Chiltern Music Therapy and suitability for the role.
We welcome enquiries and applications from people of all identities and backgrounds and value diversity in our workforce.
We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible as we may close applications early depending on application numbers.
For more information about Chiltern Music Therapy please visit our website.
