Rural partnerships development manager jobs

Rural Housing Enabler

Hours: up to 34 hours per week

Location: Office base Brightspace, Ipswich or Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft with blended working

Term: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027 (potential to extend subject to funding)

Salary: £31,295 Fulltime (pro rata £28,374.13)

Start date: As soon as possible

About us

Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.

Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.

About the role

We are seeking a Rural Housing Enabler to join our friendly team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Suffolk. You will engage with communities and provide a range of support, from raising awareness of the need for affordable housing, facilitating initial discussions, gathering of evidence of need and liaising with other stakeholders. You will assist them throughout the journey of developing their own local housing schemes.

In this role, clear communication is essential. You’ll be presenting to a range of audiences, and working in partnership with communities / community leaders, parish councils, district and county authorities, landowners, developers, housing organisations, and other partners to bring forward affordable rural housing projects in Suffolk. Good IT skills, and the ability to build strong relationships are crucial.

The ideal candidate will have the following experience/skills:

· Excellent working knowledge of the issues affecting housing in Suffolk, and other issues affecting rural communities

· Experience of working in supporting rural communities thorough consultation for affordable and/or community led housing

· A good knowledge and understanding of the principles of quality community consultation.

· Working with local authorities, parish councils, housing associations and similar organisations

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

If you are interested in the role and would like to learn more, please visit our website for more information on who to contact. 

We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post. 

What we offer

You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:

· Blended working where role allows

· Flexible working options to support work/life balance

· 33 days (FTE) increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays

· Up to 4% matched pension contribution

· 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk

· Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities

· Company Sick Pay Scheme

· Continued Professional Development for job related development

· Family Friendly policies and practices

· Tailored induction

For more information and an application pack please visit our website.

Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability.

We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced community development worker to lead a portfolio of projects and support the wider Lost Woods team. Using an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, you'll work with adults, children, young people and families — particularly those facing barriers to accessing nature.

Your lead projects will include:

• Woods on Prescription and sustainable community woodland wellbeing activities
• Five Ways to Family Wellbeing – building confidence to take children and YP into woodlands
• Networking for underserved groups engaging with woodland and nature
• Evaluating and legacy-planning for all lead projects by November 2027

Alongside the team, you'll:

• Engage communities, map needs and help overcome barriers to participation
• Support volunteer groups to develop their own sustainable woodland activities
• Work with landowners, local authorities and partners to improve woodland access
• Deliver training, events and networking for stakeholders
• Report accurately on outcomes and maintain GDPR-compliant records
• Represent AirS at events and through social media
• Contribute to fundraising for Lost Woods and future AirS projects

About You

Essential:

• Experience of community development, including asset-based approaches and mentoring community groups
• Experience delivering nature-based, outdoor or conservation activities across a range of ages and abilities
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including those with vulnerabilities or complex support needs
• Experience on multi-organisation partnership programmes
• Confident collecting, monitoring and evaluating data and writing funder reports
• Knowledge of ABCD and an understanding of barriers to community involvement, particularly in rural areas
• Strong interpersonal skills — able to influence and motivate volunteers, communities and stakeholders at all levels
• Good organisational skills and experience meeting monitoring and reporting requirements
• Qualified to GCSE level or equivalent; Forest School (level 2/3), Eco Psychology, Nature Connection or Counselling training also considered
• Current driving licence and use of own vehicle
• Outdoor First Aid trained, or willing to be — you'll lead risk assessments for woodland activities

Desirable:

• Accredited qualification or significant experience in community development or community organising
• Knowledge of rural Sussex, relevant statutory services and local conservation organisations
• Experience of line management or team leadership
• Coaching, mentoring or training facilitation skills
• Experience using social media to promote projects

Location: Lost Woods programme area (West, Mid & East Sussex) with home working Hours: 21 hours per week (some evenings/weekends – TOIL given) Salary: £30,833 pro rata Contract: Fixed term – programme ends November 2027 Annual leave: 28 days pro rata | Pension: 5% employer contribution

AirS is committed to equality of opportunity. This post is subject to a DBS check.

Job Title: Development Project Officer
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £35,329 to 45,090 (depending on experience)
Area of operation: Development
Responsible to: Development Director
Benefits: Bupa Health & welfare package, including salary sacrifice, electric car scheme and generous contributory pension scheme
Annual leave entitlement: 30 days per annum, exclusive of bank holidays
Place of work: Home based, but with regional development area across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. There will be a requirement to attend our London Office (Soho) one day per month (Hybrid Contract)

About English Rural:

English Rural Housing Association is a leading national rural specialist working to provide affordable homes in small villages for local people. We own and manage around 1,600 affordable properties, spread amongst ~200 villages, and have a development programme of between 150 to 200 more homes over the next five years. We are passionate about rural communities and play a leading advocacy role in promoting the importance and urgent need for affordable rural housing.

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join our small but professional and friendly development team to continue the delivery of our high quality new build homes programme.

We design our homes to high-standards, incorporating local architectural features. Our ‘fabric first’ approach to design and construction, coupled with and our commitment to renewable energy technologies, aims to reduce environmental impact and running costs for our residents. We build small scale schemes of quality homes that are in keeping with the village. Our approach involves forming a community-led local partnership to research, enable and deliver affordable rural homes.

Working under the leadership of the Development Director and collaboratively with internal colleagues and external consultants and contractors. The role will be to fully coordinate from inception working with Rural Housing Enablers, site acquisition and planning through to completion with the day-to-day project management of rural exception site housing delivery (noting, we do deliver some through selective Section 106 planning schemes with housing developers). Our typical land lead sites are around eight to twelve affordable homes, and may incorporate some open market housing to provide some necessary cross subsidy funding.

About you:

To succeed in this role, you will have a proven track record in working and successfully delivering affordable housing development and preferably rural housing. You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work both collaboratively but also be an independent self-starter. It takes a special person with professionalism, enthusiasm, initiative, tenacity and a great deal of pride in the end product to stay the course and deliver these small, often challenging yet ultimately rewarding community lead housing schemes. The right candidate will also ideally have some technical construction experience, either from formal qualification of direct housing delivery. English Rural is looking to invest in and develop the right candidate to grow with our business.

If you feel excited by the challenges posed by this role, we would love to hear from you!

Closing date for applications: 12pm on Monday 8th June 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 23rd June 2026 (to be held in our London office)

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Please advise if there are any restrictions to your residency in the UK that might affect your right to take up employment in the UK.

English Rural Housing Association is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity in its workforce.

No agencies please.

Community Business Officer (Trading)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Location: Office based, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Salary: £27,976 – £36,328 per annum

Plunkett UK is looking for a Community Business Officer (Trading) to support a network of community-owned businesses across the UK.

About Us

Plunkett UK, the operational name for Plunkett Foundation, is a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run successful businesses in community ownership. We do this to achieve our UK-wide vision for resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.

About the Role

In this proactive, people-focused role, you’ll work closely with established community businesses to strengthen their operations, improve sustainability, and maximise social impact. You’ll provide direct support, coordinate access to specialist advice, and build strong relationships to understand each group’s needs and challenges.

You’ll also support membership engagement, contribute to events and communications, and maintain accurate data to ensure high-quality support across our network. Working as part of a collaborative team, you’ll help deliver a responsive and effective service to community businesses.

This role is ideal for someone organised, empathetic and confident communicating with a wide range of people, with a strong interest in community business and rural communities.

The successful candidate should have the following knowledge, experience, skills and attributes:

• Relationship‑focused: you enjoy working with people and are confident building positive, professional relationships.
• Customer‑centred: you have experience working with the public and take pride in providing a helpful, friendly service.
• Empathetic and patient: you take time to understand the situations and needs of the people you work with, responding with care and without rushing.
• Proactive and confident: you take initiative, approach tasks positively, and are comfortable acting independently within your role. You're confident engaging with others, raising issues when needed, and following things through to completion.
• Communicative: you're a confident and clear communicator, comfortable managing multiple interactions by phone, email, video call and in person. You adapt your tone and approach to suit different people and situations.
• Community‑minded: you bring an interest in community business and an understanding of community business models and the challenges facing rural communities.
• Tech comfortable: you have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and are confident using everyday digital tools to stay organised. Experience of using CRM systems — particularly Salesforce — is an advantage, and you're comfortable keeping accurate records and information up to date.
• Problem‑solving: you're practical and solution‑focused, able to think issues through, handle queries calmly, and find effective responses when challenges arise.
• Organised and adaptable: you are able to prioritise your workload effectively, managing competing demands on your time without losing focus or quality.

Join Plunkett UK and be part of a national charity supporting resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 3 July 2026 
Please submit your final application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. 
Interview date: During week commencing 13 July 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and our approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and we believe that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into account. Additionally, the makeup of the rural communities we work with leads to their own particular diversity and exclusion challenges and opportunities compared to urban areas. Our commitment to EDI, both internally and externally, has been tailored to Plunkett and the communities we serve.

No agencies please.

Ripon Cathedral is a magnificent building in the heart of the stunning rural region of North Yorkshire. It is a place of mission and worship which welcomes over 100,000 visitors every year.

The cathedral plays a key role as a major events venue and tourist attraction in the city. However, their dedicated team also work in partnership with other local charities to support the community, providing a range of educational programmes and activities.

We are looking for a Fundraising Manager to join their ambitious team, could this be you?

The Role

This new role of Fundraising Manager is a key part of the ongoing work to implement the Cathedral’s strategic plan. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the role will be vital in securing sustainable funds to support the Cathedral’s ambitious plans for growth. Main responsibilities include:

• Creating and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
• Leading and developing the existing Patrons Programme
• Developing a pipeline to secure grant funding from trusts and foundations
• Introducing and leading a new culture of legacy giving
• Increasing the average donation per visitor and growing individual giving

The Person

We are looking for someone with a proven track record in developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies that deliver financial growth. You will have experience in one or more of the following income streams; Trust and Foundations, Major Donor/ Patrons and/or Legacy Fundraising. You should be experienced in working to targets and managing budgets and possess a sound knowledge of fundraising regulations and legislation and GDPR.

We are looking for someone with exceptional communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders. You should also be able to write compelling communications, including applications and proposals.

Previous line management experience is desirable, but most importantly, you should be collaborative, ambitious, and resilient, ready to drive projects forward. This is a diverse role with huge potential to build on historic success and shape the future of Ripon Cathedral!

Please note that this is a permanent role, however we are open to discussing interim options which may be considered for the right candidate. 

Why Ripon Cathedral?

Ripon Cathedral has a rich history stretching back almost fourteen centuries. Its development and growth over the last decade have been remarkable, and there are ambitious plans for the future.

The team is forward-thinking and committed to a wide variety of projects,  from installing solar panels on the Cathedral roof to continuing to support the excellent Cathedral Choir and providing opportunities for young people to benefit from musical training.

This is an opportunity to join a team that is friendly, collaborative, and aspirational.

The Cathedral offers a generous holiday allowance and a range of other benefits, including staff discounts.

If this sounds like the type of role and charity that could suit the next phase of your career, then please get in touch. To register your interest please apply here, or for more information contact Charlie, Leanne or Jen at Charity Horizons.

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format such as audio or video upload, or require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us, please contact either Leanne or Jen who will be happy to advise on this.

Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.

Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.

This is a new role, expanding the management team in our Services team, and providing some additional focus for our grant making, commissioning and direct service provision work.

This is an exciting time to be joining our team. Our grant making work is providing support for wellbeing services across the county, in addition to the £5m Sunflower Appeal, which will provide a major capital grant for a new cancer centre at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford. We have recently begun commissioning services directly, with our counselling service for family and carers of cancer patients being our first step into this way of working.

There are huge opportunities to develop our work further. Our Bins for Boys project launched in 2024, and we want to see Bins for Boys venues across our region by 2028. Our monitoring, evaluation and impact work is building, and there is grant potential to shape how we report on the value our work has to the communities around us.

We are looking for someone who is a confident communicator, able to develop strong partnerships and has the skill to understand and interpret new project ideas. A clinical background is not a requirement, but a genuine interest in how we can make a difference for people living with cancer is essential.

Our ideal candidate will have an understanding of managing grant-funded projects, a creative approach to challenges and a supportive attitude to managing others. They will be able to navigate complex governance and work with internal and external stakeholders effectively. They will have the ability to see and realise opportunities for income generation to support their work.

This role will work alongside the Head of Services (Cancer Awareness), and there is an expectation of close collaboration and cross-working between the two sides of the team. It will also form part of the wider Lingen Davies management team, attending senior team meetings and collaborating with others to ensure smooth running and development across the charity.

Please note, this role requires travel across our large, rural region. Therefore, a UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential.

Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) is looking for a dynamic and values-led Charity Director to provide strategic leadership as the organisation enters an exciting new phase of growth and development.

TCR is a well-established charity at the heart of the Teesdale community. We deliver a wide range of activities, services, and opportunities for people of all ages, with a strong focus on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, connection, and reducing rural isolation.

Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, this leading role at TCR will provide strategic vision and governance oversight, develop and grow regional and national partnerships, generate sustainable grant and commercial funding streams, and have overall responsibility for the delivery of the charitable aims.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a friendly and committed team and shape the continued development of an organisation that makes a real difference within the local community.

Application Process

Please submit:

• An up-to-date CV; and
• A covering letter demonstrating your suitability for the role and how your skills and experience meet the person specification (max 2 sides of A4, font size no smaller than 11).

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached for further information about the role and requirements.

Key Dates

• Closing date for applications: 9th June 2026, 23.55pm
• Interviews expected to take place: w/c 15th June 2026 Please note that dates and timings may be subject to change.

Additional Information

Appointment to this role will be subject to:

• Satisfactory completion of 2 references
• An enhanced DBS check
• Confirmation of the right to work in the UK

TCR is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to be implemented as part of the application or interview process.

Programme Director | Full-time 35 hours per week (part time at four days per week will be considered) | £53,712 - £56,652
Based at our offices in Clapham, near Settle, with a mix of office and home working.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Programme Director to help shape the future of Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), a growing charity with a current annual budget of c£2million.

Leading our projects and grant team you'll play a crucial role in bringing our interlinking projects and grants together, providing clear long-term direction and ensuring lasting impact for our beneficiaries.

About the role 

Our ambitious project strategies have enabled us to grow our woodland, grassland, wetland and outreach and engagement work. We aim to continue to develop these core projects, alongside our grants programme to increase our ability to help tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and connect more people with nature.

The Programme Director will play a key role in creating and implementing long term project strategies to build on the charity’s success. You will be leading a small team to deliver transformative projects, while identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership work. Monitoring, evaluation and learning of projects and grants to continuously improve their impact, as well as a knowledge of Health & Safety Executive legislation, are key to ensure that all our projects are safe and delivered to the highest standards for our beneficiaries. 

As a member of the YDMT Executive Leadership Team, supporting the Chief Executive, you will help provide leadership, vision and direction, assisting the Board to set and implement the strategic direction of YDMT.

We believe the role will be a highly rewarding one, and a real opportunity for someone to develop their skills in a fantastic organisation, whilst benefiting this wonderful area and its communities.

About you

We're looking for someone with a background in project management who can combine strategic planning with excellent leadership and relationship building skills. Your role will focus on leading major projects and grants programmes, managing multiple and complex delivery within timeframes and budgets.

You will be a natural networker and ambassador, who can confidently develop strong relationships with our stakeholders and provide inspirational leadership to our team. Underpinning all of this is your ability to work within our culture – which means sharing our values of being creative, caring, honest and enabling.

About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust 

We are a small charity doing big things to help to protect and enhance the People, Landscape and Wildlife of the Dales. 

For 29 years we have delivered diverse and inspirational projects, helping to plant 1.6 million trees and securing the future of more than 850 hectares of wildflower hay meadows, creating habitats for our wildlife and combatting climate change. We are passionate about inspiring disadvantaged groups and future generations to care for this special area. Our three-year strategy is centred around building partnerships that increase the scale and pace of nature recovery.

Closing date for applications is 9am, Mon 8th June 2026. Interviews will be held w/c 22nd June 2026.

For more information and to apply for the role please click on the 'Redirect to recruiter' button.

Housing First Support Worker – Connect Community Trust (Somerset)
Salary: £27,669.10 per annum (pro rata) 35hrs a week

Are you passionate about walking alongside people as they rebuild their lives? We’re looking for a compassionate and committed Housing First Support Worker to help people move on from homelessness into secure, independent living.

This is a truly person-centred, community-based role where relationships are at the heart of everything. You’ll work with individuals who have often experienced significant trauma and exclusion, offering flexible, long-term support that adapts to their needs. Through patience, consistency, and trust, you’ll support people to maintain their tenancies, improve their wellbeing, and reconnect with their communities.

You’ll hold a small caseload, enabling you to provide meaningful, tailored support – whether that’s helping someone set up their new home, access health and recovery services, manage finances, or simply being a steady, reliable presence in their lives. Working collaboratively with local partners, you’ll play a key role in helping people build a stable and hopeful future.

About you:
You’ll bring experience of working with people facing homelessness, mental health challenges, or other complex needs, alongside a genuine belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. You’ll be resilient, empathetic, and able to work both independently and as part of a wider team. Strong communication skills are essential, as is a full driving licence and access to a vehicle, given the rural nature of the role.

For an informal conversation, please contact Suzanne Addicott directly.

Rolling interviews – we encourage early applications.

Are you passionate about helping young people discover faith and purpose? 

At Scripture Union, we believe every child and young person should have the chance to explore who Jesus is—yet many never will. That’s why we’re growing a team of people who are passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities, and inspiring others to make a difference in the lives of young people. 

We’re looking for someone who is motivated by this vision and excited to have a hands-on role in seeing it become a reality across London. 

You’ll be working in and around your local and other nearby boroughs. You will already have strong existing connections in West London (Ealing, Hillingdon, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow and Hounslow) or North & North West London (Brent, Enfield, Harringay, Hackney, Islington, Camden, Westminster & City). 

This role could be for you if you… 

• Have experience in youth work, church ministry or leadership, education, or social entrepreneurship 

• Love connecting with people and building strong, collaborative relationships 

• Enjoy starting new things, spotting opportunities, and turning ideas into action 

• Are confident supporting, coaching, and encouraging others to grow 

• Are passionate about seeing children and young people thrive 

• Are a practising Christian who is active in your local church 

You might not have heard the term Mission Enabler before—and that’s okay. What matters most is your heart, your drive, and your ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. 

What you’ll be doing 

This is a varied and outward-facing role where no two weeks look the same. You’ll: 

• Build relationships with churches, community groups, and individuals across your area 

• Recruit, support, and encourage volunteers who are working with children and young people 

• Help create and lead new initiatives that give young people opportunities to explore faith 

• Coach and equip others to grow their confidence and impact 

• Develop new ideas and approaches that can be expanded more widely 

• Contribute to events, activities, and programmes across the region 

You’ll spend time out and about in your local area, as well as working flexibly from home. 

The role can be a full or a part time job share and offers flexibility for anyone with childcare/caring responsibilities, candidates in existing part time employment or study. We also offer home based working for even greater flexibility and balance with the responsibilities of family life.   

Why join Scripture Union? 

Scripture Union is a national charity working to see a new generation with a vibrant faith. We partner with churches and communities across England and Wales, helping them engage children and young people in meaningful and relevant ways.

When you join us, you’ll be part of a supportive, purpose-driven team where your work has real and lasting impact. 

We offer: 

• Flexible, home-based working 

• Full-time or part-time/job share options 

• 23 days holiday plus bank holidays (and additional volunteering days) 

• Up to 12% pension contribution 

• Life insurance and enhanced family leave 

• A collaborative, values-led working environment 

About your team  

You’ll be joining our brilliant South Region team, which covers our largest region from Kent to Cornwall, offering numerous opportunities to contribute your expertise in a variety of contexts, from urban and suburban to coastal and rural settings. You’ll have a brilliant time getting acquainted with this rich tapestry of local and national partners. Across the south region, we currently work with 130 churches and have 150 faith guides, we’d like to see these numbers grow significantly over the next few years.  

In the south region we have the highest density of Christian holidays and festivals, with events that we organise and run directly and a variety of festival and missions that we support and partner with. You’ll have a fantastic opportunity each summer to get hands on engaged in these mission and festivals throughout the year.  

Our South Region also includes our vibrant capital, one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse cities in the world, with over 300 languages spoken. With many like-minded missional organisations having a footprint in and around the capital, and all of the Christian movements and denominations represented here, London holds key strategic value and will be the focus of your ministry activities. You’ll be joining an exceptional and growing team of five staff. We are particularly interested in how sports, arts, and culture can be explored to further enable the mission both in London and across SU and would be particularly interested in candidates with expertise in either of these areas.  

Important information 

• This role requires an active Christian faith and involvement in a local church (Occupational Requirement – Equality Act 2010). 

• An enhanced DBS check is required. 

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (we cannot offer visa sponsorship). 

Interested? 

If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and young people—and to equip others to do the same—we’d love to hear from you.