Rural partnerships development manager jobs

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options

We're on a mission to empower young people aged 14-19 across England and Wales, and you can help make a real difference.

Following our successful Wales pilot supporting 15,000 young people since launching in 2024, we're scaling regionally. In 2025 we're focusing on Bedfordshire, and that is where we need you, while also responding to needs across England and Wales, aiming to reach 90,000+ young people in-person and 2.5 million+ online across both nations.

As a Project Coordinator you'll connect volunteers with schools and foster impactful relationships within our dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people.

Working from home with occasional team meet-ups, events, and school visits, you'll join a dedicated team that values high expectations and individual contributions to help young people achieve positive outcomes.

If you're passionate, 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, via the applicant pack linked below.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine interest in our work and in the greater Bedfordshire area and/or South of England in easy reach of Bedfordshire.
• 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.

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 England and Wales face today.

If you like the sound of this environment, we would love to hear from you.

Good luck with your application!

This is a critical and exciting leadership role for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust which will take the Trust forward to the next phase of organisational growth, building on the superb achievements to date of our retiring CEO. 

You’ll need passion and energy to work on some of the most profound challenges of our time. Nature needs its champions, and you’ll need to harness all of your skills, all of your personality, and your network to grow our influence, our impact, and our outcomes. You’ll excel at galvanising others to take action  enabling  us to achieve our aims and ensure bumblebees are thriving and valued by everyone.

This is an incredible opportunity to join a very special organisation with passionate and high-performing teams who are truly dedicated to our vital purpose. 

Please refer to the CEO pack for further information.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer.  This means that whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status. 

At the Trust, we have a clear goal: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on reaching for our vision, through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees. 

Inspire mission and discipleship of children and young people 

We are looking for a dynamic team player who is passionate about creating opportunities for children and young people to explore the Bible, respond to Jesus and grow in faith, and who can inspire and equip others to do the same.   

Location: Home-based with travel in the Central Region – predominantly covering the area from Nottingham to Coventry.  

Important things to note before you apply.    

1. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from people, regardless of their background.

2. We take Safeguarding seriously. This role will require a Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service and has an occupational requirement to be filled by a committed Christian, active in church life. Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9 applies.   

3. Please note that we do not provide visa sponsorship arrangements so applicants will need to have the right to live and be employed in a permanent job in the UK.  

Who we’re looking for   

You are someone who loves variety in your work and the fact that no two days are the same. You thrive on building relationships adopting a facilitating approach, coaching, mentoring, equipping, training, and motivating others.  You value a blend of face-to-face and online interactions.

You’re a connector with experience in teamwork with diverse groups of people. Your creative mindset, combined with excellent organisational skills, enables you to spot and create opportunities for impact. You love Jesus and are filled with energy and passion for sharing the gospel. You excel with people. You are a confident communicator with experience in training and empowering others.  You have the qualities to be an excellent coach and mentor.  

If this describes you and you would like to join an organisation with a passion for Christ, sharing the gospel, making disciples and the emerging generation, provides a competitive salary, a generous pension scheme, and other valuable benefits, then read on.    

About Scripture Union    

You might have heard of us before if you're one of the 1.5 million+ who have attended one of our Christian holidays or missions over the years, or maybe you're one of the 40,000+ subscribers to have used our brilliant devotionals or been stirred by our exceptional bible resources. We've been at this for a fair few years... over 150 to be precise. Over this time, we’ve remained passionate about helping children and young people develop a vibrant faith in Jesus. As our name describes, the radical power of God's word has always been central to our approach.      

We still do all the great stuff with resources and holidays, but in the last few years, we have sharpened our vision with a renewed focus to help the ‘95%’ of young people (primary and secondary school age) across the UK who don’t go to church, and had opportunity to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus. We do this through equipping and resourcing the local church, training up volunteers and paid workers from local churches (we call them ‘Faith Guides’) and collaborating with local and national partners across the UK to connect with children and young people and support them on a journey of exploring faith in a way that is relevant and meaningful.    

In the last few years we’ve developed a brand new approach to how we do this, it’s simple and incredibly effective, we call it Revealing Jesus, and its making a massive difference.  In the last couple of years we’ve trained up nearly 600 Faith Guides across 400+ churches in England and Wales, collectively we’re seeing over 50,000 young people on a journey of exploring the christen faith and responding to an invitation to become followers of Jesus. We have 24 staff organised into four regional teams, and alongside our local and national partners, we’re playing our part in a network of organisations that seeks to reach children and young people in every context, across every town and city across England and Wales. The journey ahead is significant, and we invite you to be a part of it!   

Invest in our mission, as we invest in you: Our Benefits:  

• 23 days holiday + bank holidays + 5 volunteering days

• Up to 12% pension contribution

• Life insurance

• Free Bible Reading Guides

• Enhanced family leave

• A supportive, faith-filled environment where your work has eternal impact  

About our team   

Like many jobs, you will work with lots of different teams in different contexts. With this role, you will have the benefit of being part of regionally focused team of 7 that is part of our wider movement.   

The successful candidate will be a part of our Central Region team of 7 workers who between us work across a region, from Suffolk to Gloucestershire, up to Shropshire, to Lincolnshire. You’ll contribute your expertise in a variety of settings, ranging from urban and suburban and rural areas. You’ll have a brilliant time getting acquainted with this rich tapestry of local and national partners. Across the Central Region, we currently work with over 100 churches and have over 180 faith guides. We’d like to see these numbers grow significantly over the next few years.

Job description: Revealing Jesus Pioneer Scripture Union   

You will work in the Central Region multiplying your impact through equipping, empowering and mobilising others in outreach work. You’ll add energy, expertise, direction, and skill to the mix. You’ll recruit, motivate, train, equip, coach and support Faith Guides; you’ll work in partnership with this group as well as leading by example, you will model excellent mission delivery to children and young people aligned with SU’s mission.    

Who We're Looking For: Our Ideal Candidate   

We're seeking someone who is not just good at what they do, but also deeply passionate about our mission. Here's what we envision in the right person:   

• A thoughtful individual who can see the big picture and make smart decisions that genuinely impact our ministry.    

• A Champion for Children and Young People: You'll bring a wealth of understanding about working with young people, be a passionate advocate for their faith journey, be excellent at delivering ministry, and be someone who can clearly articulate your vision.    

• Inspirational: You'll have a natural ability to connect with people, listen deeply, ask great questions, influence discussions, gently challenge the status quo, and spark new, creative ideas within our networks.    

• Self-Motivated Organised and Effective: You're someone who thrives on managing their own work, setting priorities effectively, and skilfully juggling multiple projects. 

• A Team Player: You will work effectively as part of the Central Team and also teams across Regional Mission and the movement as a whole.    

• Forward-Thinking: You're able to imagine and pursue ambitious, long-term goals with determination.    

• Spiritually Open and Grounded: You'll be comfortable and accepting of various Christian traditions, worship styles, and expressions of faith. Crucially, you'll have a growing love and understanding of the Bible.    

• Deeply Committed to Faith: You'll have a strong personal commitment to God and live as an active Christian disciple.    

As with all our team members, you will also:   

• Be a committed Christian who resonates with SU's mission and values, actively participating in a local church community.    

• Strive for a strong understanding of the Bible, applying its teachings to your daily life and inspiring others to do the same.    

Practical Skills You'll Need:   

• You'll be confident and capable in using digital tools including email and Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel etc.).

• Presentation/training skills    

How to Apply   

If this describes you, and you are in agreement with the aims and beliefs of Scripture Union, then we would like to hear from you. To apply for this role, download a copy of the job profile. You will need to upload your CV (2 A4 pages max) and a covering letter (2 A4 pages max) detailing how your skills and experience reflect the Job Profile, via Charity Jobs.    

Closing date:  3rd October 2025

Interview date: Thursday 23rd October 2025 (reserve date Friday 24th October)

Interview location: Nottingham (TBC)