Rural partnerships development manager jobs in Newcastle

We are seeking an experienced Fundraiser to take ownership of a strategic role with real influence.  You’ll design and deliver a bold plan to grow individual and community income, leading donor acquisition, retention and stewardship while overseeing the programme to build meaningful local relationships that strengthen our funding and deepen community support.

This role presents an opportunity to make a tangible difference to the people and communities that our Hospice serves. As the lead for this income stream, you’ll see the direct impact of your work in improved services and patient care, shape how we engage supporters for years to come, and leave a lasting legacy by growing an essential, sustainable source of funding.

This role is for you if:

• You’re energised by building strategy and owning a fundraising income stream end-to-end.
• You’re a relationship-builder who can cultivate donors, volunteers and local partners.
• You’re motivated by seeing the direct impact of your fundraising on patient care and services.
• You want a hands-on role where you can shape systems, processes and long-term plans.

What you’ll be doing:

• Developing and owning the individual giving and community fundraising strategy and annual plan.
• Designing and delivering donor acquisition and retention programmes (welcome journeys, regular giving, renewal campaigns).
• Creating and managing a high-quality stewardship programme: personalised communications, events and impact reporting.
• Working with the Community Fundraising Lead to recruit, support and mobilise volunteers and community fundraisers; coordinating local events and activities.
• Working with Communications to produce campaign materials, stories and digital content.
• Managing donor records, segmentation and reporting in the CRM; monitoring performance against targets.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in individual giving or equivalent (3+ years).
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence engaging donors, volunteers and local businesses.
• Track record of developing and delivering acquisition, retention and stewardship activity.
• Good project management, organisation and ability to work independently across competing priorities.
• Experience with CRM systems and data-led decision-making.
• A values-led approach, excellent written communication and attention to detail.

Why join us?

• A meaningful role where your work directly improves care and support for local people and families in rural Northumberland.
• Opportunity to lead a strategic post and make a tangible, long-term impact.
• Opportunities for professional development and to shape fundraising practice.
• Local travel to connect with supporters and community partners.

Location: Hexham, hybrid working will be considered.

Hours: Full-time, with some weekend and out of hours working

Reports to: Head of Income Generation

Closing date: 9 March

Interviews: w/c 16 March

Contract:  Permanent, part time (3 days per week)

Salary:  £14,920 per annum (FTE £29,010 per annum)

Location:Home based within Oxfordshire, ideally within one hour of Burford, with regional travel

Closing date:  Friday 13 March 2026

Interview date:  Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March

As Community Project Coordinator, you will be part of a dedicated team overseeing the efficient day-to-day operation of our Pet Food Bank project and wider community-based initiatives. Working closely with the Community Project Lead, you will help deliver projects that improve the lives of people and pets, with dignity at the heart of everything we do. This includes supporting a national network of pet food banks and partners, increasing awareness of Blue Cross, and ensuring practical, compassionate support reaches pet owners in short term crisis.

More about the role

This is a home-based role within Oxfordshire, ideally located within one hour of our Burford offices, as you will be required to travel to Burford on a weekly basis to manage deliveries at our Warehouse. Due to the rural location and less frequent public transport, travelling by car is often the most practical option. While the role is home based, you will be contractually attached to the Burford site. Travel to Burford will therefore be treated as normal commuting and expenses will not be payable for travel to this site.

Working across a defined geographic region, you will support the development and smooth running of the Pet Food Bank project and other community initiatives. This will involve close collaboration with pet food banks, suppliers, local authorities, community groups and volunteers to ensure effective coordination, communication and logistics.

You will secure donations of pet food and services, oversee the movement of food and equipment, and regularly travel to food bank partners and other organisations. A key part of the role involves liaising with volunteers and colleagues by phone and in person, ensuring everyone is supported, informed and working together effectively.

Alongside core project delivery, you will support the planning, preparation and delivery of a large-scale summer event in June 2026, working in partnership with one of our corporate partners. This event will play an important role in expanding our outreach and support for pet owners in need. You will also provide essential administrative support, contribute to reporting, and help deliver a clear and effective communication plan to support project and event activity.

Occasional travel to other partner organisations or Blue Cross locations will be required. Travel to locations other than your attached Burford site will be claimable in line with Blue Cross expenses policy.

You will act as a positive ambassador for Blue Cross, ensure policies and procedures are followed, and support the Community Project Lead with income delivery and media activity where required. 

About you:

You will thrive in a role where you can see the impact of your work every day. You are an organised, proactive and people focused individual who enjoys building meaningful relationships and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will be a confident and empathetic communicator, able to engage professionally and non-judgmentally with members of the public, volunteers, partners and colleagues. You will be comfortable managing multiple priorities, adapting to changing deadlines, and handling sensitive information with discretion.

Able to work independently across your region, you will also be a strong team player with good problem-solving skills and the ability to balance day-to-day delivery with forward planning. An understanding of the local areas within your region would be an advantage.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Full UK driving licence with access to your own vehicle
• Demonstrable experience of using excellent communication skills to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships
• Proven ability to prioritise and organise work and projects
• Proven administration skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• IT literate with MS Office and web based databases and platforms
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply Blue Cross values 

Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Experience in a similar role
• Experience supervising or managing volunteers
• Previous experience working in the charity sector

How to apply 

To apply, please click the apply button and submit your application. As part of the application process, you will be asked to indicate your preferred base site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Blue Cross benefits   

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it weren’t for their amazing efforts and commitment, we wouldn’t be able to make the difference that we do today.  In return, we want to provide you with the best working environment we can.

With a wide range of perks aimed at enhancing your life both inside and outside of work, you'll
thrive in a supportive and rewarding environment.

Our generous benefits package includes:  

• 38 days per year, increasing to 43 with service (including bank holidays). For part-time roles, holiday entitlement is calculated pro-rata.
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution 
• Life assurance 
• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
• Free access to GP via MetLife
• Recognition scheme
• Annual volunteer days 
• Claim for professional fees
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers. 

We want you to feel valued and supported throughout your career with us. For more details on our benefits and to see how we invest in our team, visit the 'Why Work for Us' page on our website.

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website. 

Camwch i mewn i daith drawsnewidiol gyda Cyfleodd Dysgu mewn addysg

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options. We're on a mission to empower young people aged 11-19 across the UK, and you can help make a real difference. As our Project Coordinator, based in Wales, you'll play a crucial role in connecting volunteers with schools and fostering impactful relationships, all while working within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people. With the support of our experienced team and dedicated trustees, you'll have the chance to shape young people's career ambitions.

If you're self-motivated and eager to contribute to a great mission, this is your chance to join a team that's helping young people to transform their career and life chances.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what one of our young people had to say:

"My personal experience has been exceptional. There is a collaborative atmosphere, and it is truly empowering to be part of a charity that values student input and involves us in decisions that directly affect our lives." – Working Options Alumnae.

Find out more about the role and hear from our Chief Executive about our charity's ambitions in our Applicant Information Pack.

Person specification 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO:

• Has a passion for our cause.
• Is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Is self-motivated.
• Has excellent attention to detail.
• Can juggle multiple priorities, sticking to deadlines and flagging when priorities need reviewing.
• Has a flair for developing great relationships, particularly with schools and colleges.
• Is proactive and tenacious, able to seek out new opportunities and remain resilient.
• Is creative and likes coming up with new ideas.
• Is ambitious for themselves and for the charity.
• Has high computer literacy.

DESIRABLE:

• Experience within educational settings or working with young people in Wales.
• The ability to communicate in the medium of Welsh.

We carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process, using only publicly available information and in line with our data protection responsibilities.

While we don’t specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across Wales face today.