Response line team leader jobs in Manchester

At SSE, finance isn't a back-office function — it's central to everything we do. Every pound we manage connects directly to our mission: supporting social entrepreneurs to change their communities for the better.

Our finance team is small, close-knit, and genuinely hands-on. We manage income from a wide range of funders — from major institutions through to smaller, place based partners — alongside distributing millions of pounds in grants directly to the social entrepreneurs we exist to serve.

The work is varied, meaningful, and never dull. Because we manage everything in-house, you genuinely own your work end to end — from coding invoices and uploading forecasts into Business Central, to presenting financial insight to our Senior Management Team and steering us through external audit.

We're a team that performs well but we never stand still and welcome people spotting a better way of doing something. If you want to embed smarter technology, automate a clunky process, we always welcome fresh thinking

Two positions:

• 1 x Greater Manchester
• 1 x Barking & Dagenham

We have recently been awarded a transformative multi-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund  as part of its Health Inequities: Structural Racism and Discrimination Partnership. We are one of ten national partners working alongside The National Lottery Community Fund and will take a leading role in shaping how the partnership operates, including building evidence, influencing policy and practice, supporting the design of new national funding programmes, and facilitating collective learning across the partnership.​

Alongside this, the centrepiece of our participation will be the delivery of three Anti-Racism Collaboratives (ARCs), each based in a specific locality and rooted in communities experiencing the sharpest health inequities. The initial locations are Greater Manchester, the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.. ARCs will bring together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE), faith organisations, people with lived experience, primary and secondary care providers, local authorities, public health and social care partners. Each ARC will convene a Co-Production Panel (CPP) of people from minoritised ethnic communities to identify where structural racism produces inequitable health outcomes, and to co-produce evidence-led solutions that improve health and tackle the wider determinants of health.​

We are recruiting two Changemakers, one each for Greater Manchester and for Barking & Dagenham. As a Changemaker, you will establish and support an ARC within one of our pilot localities, bringing together stakeholders, providing strategic advice and knowledge of research methods and policy opportunities. You will support the design and implementation of health intervention programmes decided on by the ARC that have the power to influence policy, practice and systems.

Working as part of a national team of Changemakers, you will also contribute to the Foundation's evidence, influencing and systems change work, connecting learning from your locality to national policy, while bringing national developments back into local action. Together, the team will develop a replicable model for tackling racial health inequities.​

We are looking for an experienced systems change practitioner who is passionate about tackling structural racism and improving health equity. This highly collaborative leadership role requires someone equally comfortable working alongside people with lived experience, senior leaders across health and local government, and colleagues from the voluntary and community sector. Success will depend on your ability to build trusted partnerships, work strategically in complex environments, translate evidence into action, and create the conditions for lasting systems change.

Person Specification​

Essential​

• Demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-agency change involving communities, VCSE organisations and statutory partners. ​

• Strong understanding of how systemic racism operates within health and wider public systems

• Experience of identifying opportunities to redesign policy, commissioning, organisational practice or partnerships to reduce racial inequities. ​

• Experience of leading or facilitating programmes that sought to tackle systemic racism through systems or organisational change. ​

• Ability to build trusted relationships across organisations with different priorities and levels of influence, exercising sound judgement in complex and politically sensitive environments. ​

• Significant experience of working alongside communities experiencing racial inequities to co-produce evidence-led solutions that influence policy, organisational practice or systems. ​

• A commitment to trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches that recognise community knowledge as equal to professional expertise. ​

• Experience of synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence and translating it into practical recommendations that influence policy, commissioning, organisational practice or wider systems change.​

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience of using evidence and partnership working to shape policy, commissioning or organisational practice.​

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences. ​

• Ability to work strategically while maintaining oversight of programme delivery. ​

• Ability to work confidently in ambiguity, adapting approaches in response to evidence, community insight and changing organisational contexts. ​

• Commitment to equity, anti-racism and the values of the Race Equality Foundation. ​

Desirable​

• Experience of working within health and care systems. ​

• Experience of analysing ethnicity-disaggregated data or wider health inequalities evidence. ​

• Experience of Action Learning, organisational development or other systems change methodologies. ​

• Knowledge of the VCSE, statutory and community landscape within the locality. ​

• Experience of organisational improvement or quality frameworks such as REMI.

For the full job description see attachment.

Applications will only be accepted via application form on our portal. We will not accept any applications via CV.

Please note, we can only accept applications from those already eligible to work in the UK.

The Charity Financial Controller will be a new role for The Christie Charity (Charity) and a fantastic opportunity for an individual looking to work for a fast moving, growing organisation. 

We are looking for a collaborative self-starter to take the operational lead of The Christie Charity’s finance function and oversee the financial management of The Christie Charity (Charity) group’s finances (this includes The Christie Charity, The Christie Trading Company Limited, and Northern Pathology Developments Limited), including but not limited to financial reporting, management accounting, and day-to-day financial operations. You will play a key role in building a robust financial control framework across the Charity group, and you will be expected to be hands on with respect to overseeing the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting and supporting the Charity’s aim of maintaining strong governance across both charitable and commercial operations. 

This post would suit an individual who enjoys working in a dynamic, evolving environment, where responsibilities may shift in response to organisational priorities. The postholder must be comfortable navigating ambiguity, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Additional information

Previously managed under a service level agreement with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, financial management has now been fully transitioned in-house, and day-to-day operations are in the process of being transitioned into the organisation with a view to strengthen independent control and governance. This provides an excellent opportunity for the postholder to be involved in transformational projects geared towards improving the finance department’s technological infrastructure and resources to adapt to the fast-growing needs of the Charity.

The Senior Risk Relationship Manager provides pivotal leadership in risk management, operational resilience, governance and data protection across Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance globally.  Advising on both threats, and opportunities across the organisation’s portfolio, producing insights on emerging themes, particularly those affecting modern slavery and human trafficking, and NGO operations

Operating at the second line of defence (L2), the role delivers independent oversight, guidance, and constructive challenge, strengthening risk management and compliance across the organisation. It supports and holds operational teams to account, ensuring risks are effectively identified, managed, and aligned with organisational risk appetite and governance requirements.

Aligned with ISO 31000 principles, the role leads the development, maturation, and embedding of an enterprise risk approach that integrates risk into strategy, operations, and organisational culture, enabling clear ownership across both centralised and decentralised functions.

The postholder works closely with operational and security leaders to strengthen organisational readiness for, and response to, major incidents and crises, ensuring effective escalation, coordination, and learning.

The role also incorporates Data Protection within the remit and is responsible for monitoring and advising on the organisation’s compliance with all applicable data protection laws.  provide objective oversight without conflicts of interest. 

It is not expected that the role holder is an expert in every aspect of data protection legislation from the outset, but must be able to upskill as needed, interpret requirements, and collaborate with external specialists where appropriate. Their role focuses on promoting good data protection practice across the organisation, including ensuring staff awareness and adherence to internal processes (e.g. completion of training, conducting DPIAs, and following approved procedures) and leading on the creation of these where gaps are identified. 

Main Duties

Risk Management

• Lead the strategic and operational development of the organisation’s risk framework, ensuring alignment with ISO 31000 and organisational context
• Coordinate appropriate identification and management of risk across all senior leadership and accountable roles, ensuring coverages of all 12 classifications of risk per the HfJ framework: (Security; Safeguarding; Health & Safety; Financial; Corruption; People & Culture; Cyber, Information and IT; Governance; Legal & Compliance; Reputational; Quality; Strategic)
• Develop and oversee an annual roadmap and schedule to monitor, evaluate, and report on organisational risk maturity, risk strategies and risk transfer.
• Maintain and continuously improve risk reporting tools, registers, and dashboards for global risk tracking and visibility.
• Coordinate training and communication that promote collaboration and ownership of risk across functions.
• Provide clear and accessible risk reporting to senior leadership, country directors, and the Board of Trustees (via subcommittees).

Risk Governance

• Lead coordination of the Risk & Compliance Committee, supporting the Chair to ensure key risks are accurately reported, well understood, and actively managed with Trustee oversight and governing mandates.
• Facilitate the setting of risk appetite and thresholds by the Board of Trustees, supporting their legal duties relating to risk, and ensuring organisational accountability.
• Author and maintain core risk policies in line with governance appetites and policy frameworks.
• Provide clear, concise and decision-oriented risk reporting to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees

Strategy Integration

• Support strategy owners to plan and monitor achievement against commitments, identify delivery risks, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Author the organisation’s annual Strategic Risk Outlook along with relevant country/thematic briefings.
• Embed risk-based thinking into decision-making, strategic planning and programme delivery to identify both threats and opportunities.

Incident & Crisis Management

• Serve as a core member of the Incident and Crisis Management Teams (IMT/CMT), advising and supporting leadership and country teams during critical incidents.
• Coordinate internal investigations into serious incidents, liaising with the Charity Commission as required.
• Maintain the incident register, ensure robust documentation, and facilitate post-incident reviews, learning and feedback to risk registers.
• Support development of the organisation’s complaints, accountability and whistleblowing mechanisms. 
• Strengthen organisational readiness and resilience for potential high-impact events.

Data Protection

Compliance & Governance 

• Keep the organisation on track with UK GDPR and equivalent laws in other regions. 
• Make sure policies are up to date and actually used in day-to-day work. 
• Offer clear, practical advice on what the law requires and how teams can meet it. 
• Act as the central point of contact to the Information Commissioners Office (and other authorities) in the event of major data related incidents.

Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) 

• Lead the DPIA process and ensure alignment across the organisation. 
• Help teams understand when a DPIA is needed and how to assess risks. 
• Step in on complex or high-risk DPIAs to guide decision-making and agree on safeguards. 
• Initiate DPIAs and involve the right people; providing oversight and guidance. 
• Check that decisions and DPIA findings align with legal obligations. 

Advisory & Support 

• Act as the go-to person for data protection questions from staff. 
• Support project and operational teams to build privacy into new systems and ways of working. 
• Advise on lawful bases, consent, transparency, and everyday compliance questions. 

Training & Awareness 

• Lead the organisation’s training and awareness activities relating to data protection. 

Risk Function: 

• Connect DPIA outcomes with wider organisational risks. 
• Ensure systems are designed with strong security and privacy controls. 

Key Result Areas

• Consistent application of the organisation’s risk management framework. 
• Clear and timely reporting of key risks and opportunities to governance bodies. 
• Continuous improvement in risk maturity and learning culture. 
• Professional, transparent, and effective incident and crisis management.
• Strong collaboration between risk, operations, and programme teams.
• Integration of risk considerations into major organisational strategies and initiatives. 
• Consistent DPIAs in line with organizational risk.

Soft Skills

• Strategic thinking – ability to connect detailed risks to big-picture objectives. 
• Stakeholder engagement – builds credibility and trust at all levels.
• Adaptive communication – explains complex issues clearly and constructively.
• Problem-solving – confident and calm in uncertain situations.
• Execution – confident in the high-quality delivery of deep and complex work
• Collaboration – works effectively across teams and geographies.
• Emotional intelligence – empathetic, balanced, and composed in high-pressure situations.
• Resilience – maintains professionalism and focus through organisational change. 
• Integrity – upholds confidentiality and ethical standards at all times. 

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management, ISO 31000, and governance structures.
• Experience analysing and reporting risks across multiple jurisdictions. 
• Proven ability to design and maintain risk policies, frameworks, and guidance.
• Skilled in digital systems for risk and incident management (Power BI, Excel, PowerApps).
• Understanding of safeguarding, security, and cyber risks within an NGO context.
• Familiarity with Board governance processes and committee reporting.
• Experience leading after-action reviews and embedding organisational learning.
• Knowledge of modern slavery and human trafficking risks in global operations.

Experience

• Minimum six years of relevant experience managing programmes, operations, or risk in international development, humanitarian, or human rights contexts.
• Experience managing serious incidents in security, safeguarding, reputational, or crisis areas.
• Experience working with Data Protection issues and management thereof
• Experience working across multiple countries or sectors (desirable). 

Education

• Educated to degree level
• Professional certification in risk management (ISO 31000, Institute of Risk Management), Global Governance, or a related field. With two additional years of professional experience desirable. 
• Project management certification (PMD Pro, PRINCE2, Agile) desirable. 

We expect all our employees to understand and uphold the standards outlined in the Hope for Justice Safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that encounters our work and reporting concerns if they do arise.

As part of Hope for Justice/Slave Free Alliance, you will benefit from an excellent package including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• 1 day Marriage Leave
• Birthday Day
• Enhanced employer pension contributions
• Company sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Access to our Employee Rewards Platform, providing discounts and offers for well-known retailers
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their family
• Professional development opportunities
• Professional memberships paid
• Flexible and hybrid working

Applications will be reviewed and interviews held on a rolling basis. The advert may be removed prior to the closing date if the position is filled. If you are interested in this role please ensure to submit your application as soon as possible.

Events Fundraising Officer (Maternity cover)

Up to 12-month fixed term contract

Full Time. Hybrid working (minimum 2 days in the office per week)

Location - This role can be based in any of our UK offices; Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Warrington

Salary: £40,013 for Cardiff, Edinburgh, Warrington per year. £44,945 for London per year (including London allowance)

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don’t have to be Christian to work here – we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues. 

About the role

Reporting in to the National Events Manager, the Events Fundraising Officer will recruit and engage supporters, building trust and collaboration to strengthen Christian Aid’s event and DIY fundraising activity and maximise participation in challenge events. Supporting the planning and delivery of impactful fundraising and stewardship initiatives, while working flexibly to contribute to wider team priorities and key fundraising moments.

The post-holder will develop meaningful communications with Christian Aid’s supporters, churches, and volunteers to maximise engagement and create consistent, high-quality experiences.

Some of the main areas of responsibility for the Events Fundraising Officer include:

• Manage and develop the challenge events portfolio, including key events such as the London Marathon and Great North Run, ensuring delivery within agreed timelines and budgets and effective collaboration with stakeholders.
• Support the National Events Manager in planning and delivering Christian Aid’s owned event portfolio, contributing to successful delivery against agreed timelines and budgets.
• Develop and deliver tailored plans for event volunteer recruitment, recognition, and retention, fostering meaningful engagement and a positive volunteer experience.
• Take lead in growing DIY church fundraising, contributing to the acquisition of new supporters, deeper engagement with churches, and increased impact.
• Respond to enquiries relating to challenge events, DIY fundraising, and event volunteering, providing clear, timely, and solution-focused advice to stakeholders.
• Contribute to the growth of Christian Aid’s movement-building presence within church communities, supporting stronger connections and increased supporter engagement.
• Work in a collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-focused way, with a commitment to continuous improvement, high-quality delivery, and the flexibility to respond to evolving team priorities.
• Work flexibly and collaboratively across the Community Fundraising & Volunteering team, supporting the acquisition of new supporters, maximising income, and delivering campaign activity through effective fundraising appeals, resources, and stewardship.

About you

Who we are looking for

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of delivering challenge events and/or other community fundraising events.
• Demonstrable experience of using supporter or customer databases and other data sources to drive decision making.
• Developed understanding of working with volunteers, including sector best practice.
• The ability to work within a project management structure and manage complex projects and workplans.
• Ability to work collaboratively with external suppliers and a wide range of internal stakeholders.
• Ability to write persuasive materials for religious and secular audiences, and ability to assess creative work and edit copy.

Desirable:

• Demonstrable experience of working with church audiences.
• Knowledge of global development issues and Christian Aid’s work.
• Experience creating supporter and volunteer digital and/or print resources.
• ​Relevant experience of direct and digital marketing in the voluntary or commercial sector.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. 

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid’s faith identity. 

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this. 

About the role

As local campaigning lead in our award-winning public affairs and campaigns team, you will play a pivotal role in driving Sands’ mission to save babies’ lives and ensure bereaved families receive the care and support they need.

You will need experience of delivering and evaluating impactful campaigns, and of working in close partnership with those with lived experience to create meaningful, lasting change at a local or national level.

This is a dynamic, outward-facing role that combines strategic campaigning with hands-on community organising. You will have the skills to support and develop a network of local campaigners, empowering volunteers and supporters to take action in their communities, influence decision-makers, and improve services over the long term. You will also feel comfortable representing Sands at a local level, developing strong relationships to amplify the organisation’s voice and impact.

Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will ensure campaigns are evidence-based, inclusive, and shaped by the lived experiences of diverse bereaved families. You will create compelling content and digital actions, support media engagement, and use data and insight to evaluate impact and continuously strengthen our approach.

This role offers an opportunity to combine leadership, influencing and community engagement skills in a purpose-driven environment, making a tangible difference to families and communities across the UK.

Main Purpose of Job 

To lead Sands’ local campaigning function.

Co-lead impactful campaigns at a local and devolved nation level with bereaved parents and families, supporting Sands core aims to save babies lives and ensure anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the care and support they need by:

1. Leading the implementation and evaluation of Sands local campaigns to further our core aims.

2. Developing the capacity of Sands local volunteers, supporters and campaigners to take action to improve their local services in the long-term.

3. Ensuring that Sands campaigns are evidence based and reflect the views and experiences of a diverse range of bereaved parents and families.

Principle Tasks and Responsibilities 

Leading implementation, and evaluation of Sands local campaigns to further Sands core aims.

• Lead local campaigns at Sands in line with our local campaigning strategy, collaborating and planning with key internal stakeholders, and staying up to date with best practise in local campaigning and community organising techniques externally.
• Evaluate the success of the local campaigns with internal and external stakeholders, implementing recommendations for future improvement.
• Work with colleagues to grow Sands’ local campaigning presence across the UK, including supporting funding applications to build staff capacity.
• Manage the budget for local campaigning.
• Represent Sands at a local level, attending meetings, and building relationships, with local politicians, NHS and council officials, journalists, third sector organisations, and other local stakeholders.
• Produce engaging campaigns content for use digitally across different platforms and in hard copy, working with the engagement team to ensure asks are effectively communicated to key audiences.
• Create compelling e-actions to support our campaigns using the Sands digital campaigning platform.
• Work with colleagues to support the production of press releases and responses to media inquiries.
• Organise campaigns meetings and events (virtual or in person).
• Recruit and line manage local campaigns staff, supporting and collaborating with them to roll out impactful local campaigns in more areas (subject to future funding).

Developing the capacity of Sands volunteers, supporters, and campaigners to take action to improve their local services in the long-term. 

• Manage local campaign groups of bereaved parents and families, empowering and motivating them to implement campaigns to solve issues that affect them and create long-term change in their communities.
• Using community organising techniques to build the capacity of local campaigners and groups to campaign independently in the long-term – connecting local people, facilitating workshops and discussions, developing local campaign leaders, and recruiting new members into campaigns.
• Work collaboratively with teams working with Sands supporters and volunteers to maximise the impact of our campaigns, including supporting the creation of effective campaign supporter journeys.
• Create written and visual resources to support campaigning.
• Develop training sessions to build campaigning skills, to be delivered online or in person, or recorded.
• Provide advice and support to Sands campaigners via email, telephone and video call.
• Ensure key data and information about Sands campaigns and our campaigners are up to date and stored in the relevant place, including the Sands database.

Ensure that Sands campaigns are evidence based and reflect the views and experiences of a diverse range of bereaved parents and families.

· Undertake evidence gathering projects to support Sands campaigns work, including collating and analysing data and presenting findings in an accessible and engaging way.

· Ensure that the views of bereaved parents and families inform Sands campaigns and provide opportunities for Sands volunteers to get involved in our campaigning activity.

· Provide direct support to bereaved parents to help them become confident campaigners, so they are well informed, equipped to speak out and know how to go about it.

General tasks 

· Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as required by the Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns and the Director of Research, Education and Policy.

· Model the culture and values of Sands at all times.

· Work flexibly with other members of staff and team, with some evening/weekend working.

· Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professional conduct.

· Abide by all Sands Policies and Procedures and undertake all mandatory training as required.

· Participate actively in annual appraisals and personal development reviews.

· Actively promote and embody the vision, mission, and values of Sands including a commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI).

· Occasional evening and weekend working.

This job description is not contractual and may be amended from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the organisation.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

Title:     Engagement Manager

Salary:     £42,000–£52,000 (depending on experience)

Contract:     Permanent

Hours:     37.5 per week (Monday to Friday) 

Holiday:     25 days per year plus bank holidays 

Location:     Home based with regular travel within / to London and across the UK

Probationary Period:     3 months

Reports to:     Head of Department 

Benefits:     An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution

Line Management:     Depending on experience, may line-manage the Senior Engagement Coordinator. 

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater. 

We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and stakeholder mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of communities, rivers and wildlife.

Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.

Who we are looking for

As River Action’s profile, influence and policy impact continue to grow, we are expanding our Public Affairs function to strengthen engagement with decision-makers, regulators, businesses, NGOs, strategic partners and local communities.

The Engagement Manager will play a critical role in helping River Action influence change by developing high-level relationships, building strategic partnerships and providing strategic leadership across River Action’s engagement programmes to advance our policy, legal and campaigning objectives.

This is a senior engagement leadership role responsible for providing strategic oversight of both stakeholder engagement and community engagement activity, ensuring River Action’s grassroots campaigning and external influence work are mutually reinforcing

What you’ll be doing

The Engagement Manager will lead River Action’s overall engagement strategy, providing strategic oversight of both stakeholder engagement and community engagement activity across the organisation.

Building and managing relationships with senior leaders across government, regulators, NGOs, businesses, financiers, academia and civil society, the postholder will identify opportunities to increase River Action’s influence, support policy and advocacy objectives, and help position the organisation as a leading voice on river protection and environmental reform.

The role will provide strategic direction and oversight to River Action’s community engagement work, including the River Rescue Kit, Community Toolkit and catchment-based campaigning activities, working closely with the Senior Engagement Coordinator who will lead day-to-day delivery, community support and programme implementation.

Working closely with colleagues across Public Affairs, Campaigns, Communications, Legal and Development, the Engagement Manager will ensure engagement activities contribute directly to organisational priorities and campaigns and that community insights help shape River Action’s policy, legal and campaigning work.

Main Responsibilities:

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and deliver River Action’s stakeholder engagement strategy.

• Manage relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Develop and implement engagement or public affairs strategies.

• Identify, map and prioritise key stakeholders across government, regulators, business, NGOs, academia and civil society.

• Build and maintain productive relationships with senior external stakeholders.

• Create opportunities for strategic collaboration that advance River Action’s mission and objectives.

• Monitor stakeholder developments and identify opportunities and risks.

Managing Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of River Action’s stakeholder and community engagement programme.

• Ensure effective delivery and continuous development of the River Rescue Kit and Community Toolkit as key resources supporting grassroots campaigners and community groups.

• Oversee catchment-based engagement strategies that strengthen community-led action, advocacy and campaigning.

• Work closely with the Senior Engagement Coordinator to identify opportunities to expand and strengthen River Action’s network of stakeholder and community groups, campaigners and partners.

• Ensure insights, evidence and priorities emerging from stakeholders and local communities to inform River Action’s public affairs, policy, legal and campaigning work.

• Monitor the effectiveness and impact of community engagement activities and ensure learning is shared across the organisation.

• Support the development of engagement frameworks, systems and processes that enable effective community mobilisation at scale.

Public Affairs and External Influence

• Support the delivery of River Action’s Public Affairs strategy.

• Build relationships with parliamentarians, political advisers, local authority leaders and relevant government officials.

• Support engagement with regulators including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and other relevant bodies.

• Represent River Action in external forums, roundtables, conferences and stakeholder meetings.

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement around key campaigns, policy initiatives and legal actions.

Strategic Partnerships

• Develop partnerships with environmental NGOs, think tanks, academic institutions, financiers and businesses.

• Identify opportunities for joint initiatives, campaigns and advocacy activity.

• Strengthen River Action’s position within the wider environmental and public policy landscape.

• Convene strategic partnerships to support policy and campaigning objectives.

Organisational Leadership

• Work closely with the Head of Public Affairs to support delivery of organisational objectives.

• Provide strategic direction, support and oversight to the Senior Engagement Coordinator, ensuring community engagement activity aligns with organisational priorities and objectives.

• Provide stakeholder intelligence and strategic advice to senior leadership.

• Contribute to organisational planning and public affairs priorities.

• Support cross-team working between Public Affairs, Campaigns, Communications, Legal and Fundraising.

• Ensure strong integration between River Action’s community engagement, public affairs, campaigns, communications and legal work.

Communications and Representation

• Act as an ambassador for River Action externally.

• Support media opportunities through stakeholder engagement and relationship building.

• Prepare briefings, stakeholder reports and engagement plans.

• Help identify influential voices and advocates who can amplify River Action’s work.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain stakeholder engagement plans and CRM records.

• Monitor engagement outcomes and report against agreed KPIs.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement activity and recommend improvements.

What you’ll bring

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, external affairs, partnerships or advocacy.

• Experience managing relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Experience developing and implementing engagement or public affairs strategies.

• Experience overseeing or managing community engagement, organising or grassroots campaigning programmes.

• Experience translating community priorities and local evidence into policy, advocacy or campaigning objectives.

• Experience working across complex stakeholder environments.

• Experience representing an organisation externally.

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of UK water-related political, regulatory and policy-making processes.

• Understanding of stakeholder engagement and influence strategies.

• Understanding of community engagement, organising and mobilisation approaches.

• Knowledge of environmental, sustainability or public policy issues.

Essential Skills

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.

• Strong influencing and negotiation abilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong strategic thinking and political awareness.

• Ability to balance strategic stakeholder engagement with community-led campaigning and mobilisation.

• Strong understanding of how grassroots engagement can support policy, legal and public affairs objectives.

• Ability to develop engagement strategies that connect local action with national influence and impact.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex stakeholder relationships.

• Excellent project management and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of water policy, environmental regulation or agricultural policy.

• Experience engaging with Westminster, Whitehall or devolved administrations.

• Experience developing partnerships with businesses and financiers.

• Experience supporting policy or advocacy campaigns.

• Experience working with community-led environmental campaigns or citizen science initiatives.

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.

• Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.

• Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.

Diversity and inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Engagement Manager’:

• your CV (2 pages), 

• a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and 

• a written submission (2 pages) as described below. 

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format. 

Written submission

The Government is expected to bring forward a Clean Water Bill in Parliament. River Action wants to influence the Bill to secure stronger protections for rivers, hold polluters to account, and deliver measurable improvements in river health.

In no more than 750 words, set out how you would approach this challenge. Your response should explain:

• Which stakeholders you would prioritise engaging with, and why.

• How you would use partnerships, community groups and grassroots evidence to support your objectives.

• How you would measure the success of your approach.

• One significant challenge or risk, and how you would address it.

We are interested in your ability to think strategically, prioritise effectively, and demonstrate how engagement can help deliver policy and environmental change.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 5pm on Wednesday 15th July.

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel. 

Interviews will be held in the weeks commencing 19th July and 26th July via video conference. 

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.

Bowel Research UK is looking for a permanent Research and Grants Manager to coordinate and evaluate the management of the charity’s research activities. This role covers all aspects of pre- and post-award research management, impact reporting, grant finance management and governance, co-ordination of the Charity’s scientific committees and shaping external scientific communications to supporters and other stakeholders. Additionally, you will foster and maintain strong relationships with researchers, serving as the primary point of contact for engaging with the research community. 

Bowel Research UK are bringing this permanent role following time spent with an interim postholder in position to create a solid foundation and understanding of what the role needs.

This is an opportunity to work with the UK’s leading specialist bowel cancer and bowel disease research charity. Bowel Research UK believe that a cure for bowel cancer and effective treatments to mitigate, or entirely eradicate, other bowel diseases is possible – but only if vital research is funded and investment made into the scientific and medical communities today, to see the benefits tomorrow. 

Bowel Research UK are a flexible employer, for this post they are looking for someone to be comfortable with joining the team in the London office once a month. If the post holder would prefer to work more regularly from an office base, the charity has office space at Royal College of Surgeons in central London. Most team members work from here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

For further information and to apply please follow the guidance in the Candidate Pack to arrange a conversation about your suitability for the role and next steps.

Closing date: midnight Wednesday 22nd July

The selection process will involve a two-stage interview process.