School partnerships officer jobs

The School for Social Entrepreneurs backs people with purpose — entrepreneurs building organisations that change their communities. We're looking for a National Partnerships Lead to work directly with our CEO, driving high-priority national funding partnerships, diversifying our income, and building the relationships that fund our impact. 

You'll identify major funding opportunities, negotiate with trusts, corporates and government partners, and lead complex proposals from first conversation through to a signed agreement — including the budgets, risk assessments and value propositions behind them. You'll also act as a sounding board for the CEO, pressure-testing ideas and sharpening how we tell our story to funders. 

We're looking for sustained experience supporting a CEO or senior leader, a track record of leading multi-million pound funding initiatives end-to-end, and the versatile writing skills to move between board papers and detailed funder tenders without losing accuracy under pressure. Sharp budgeting and numeracy matter for this role, alongside real comfort building trust with senior external stakeholders. 

This position is for someone who thrives on ambiguity, enjoys solving complex problems, and wants their work to directly fund entrepreneurs changing their communities. 

The National Society for Education (NSE) is both an NCI and a Royal-charter charity. It's aims are to support Church schools and the wider education sector by developing leaders, shaping policy and growing faith.

The NSE leads the Church of England's national work in education in partnership with 41 Diocesan Boards of Education and approximately 4,700 Church of England schools. We also support the national education work of the Church in Wales, which includes around 150 schools. Our presence extends to work with community schools and academy trusts, as well as higher and further education through numerous chaplaincies, providing spiritual support and guidance to children and young people, and to adults.

We are a dynamic team, working remotely from our homes around the country. We gather regularly online, and also have in-person team days through the year.

Deliver life-changing STEM experiences. Build partnerships. Shape the future workforce.

• Looking for a role where no two days are the same?
• Want to combine event delivery, stakeholder engagement and youth development in a career with real purpose?
• Join EDT as a Delivery Officer and help thousands of young people discover exciting opportunities in STEM, education and future careers.
• As a Delivery Officer, you'll be at the heart of inspiring the next generation through engaging programmes, industry partnerships and memorable learning experiences.
• This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious Delivery Officer to join a respected national charity during an exciting period of growth and transformation.

Why Join EDT?

At EDT, our values aren't just words. They shape everything we do.

• Passionate about creating equitable access to STEM careers
• Dynamic in our response to a changing world
• Collaborative with industry, educators and communities
• Respectful of young people's potential and lived experiences

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver engaging STEM programmes, workshops, events and experiences for schools, colleges and industry partners
• Take ownership of programmes from planning and coordination through to delivery, evaluation and reporting
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, teachers, industry mentors and external stakeholders
• Represent EDT as a professional and engaging Delivery Officer at face-to-face, residential and virtual events
• Inspire and engage large groups of young people through confident presentations and interactive learning experiences
• Manage programme data, CRM records, participant feedback and reporting to support continuous improvement

Please refer to the Job Description for the full list of responsibilities and person specification.

Who We're Looking For

• Experience delivering programmes, projects, events or activities within education, youth engagement, outreach, STEM or community environments
• A confident presenter who can motivate, engage and inspire young people
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Experience coordinating events, workshops, programmes or educational activities
• Passion for creating opportunities and improving outcomes for young people
• Willingness to travel and occasionally support overnight or residential programmes

What's In It For You?

• Salary of £27,300 to £32,400 depending on skills and experience
• Hybrid working with flexibility built into the role
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Life insurance worth three times annual salary
• Wellbeing support and employee benefits

Location

• Hybrid working
• Office base in Southampton or Welwyn Garden City
• Travel across the South of England, including London and South Wales
• Home working, office working and delivery on partner sites
• Occasional overnight stays required

Why This Role Stands Out

• As a Delivery Officer, you'll be delivering inspiring experiences directly to young people.
• As a Delivery Officer, you'll work with schools, employers, universities and industry leaders.
• As a Delivery Officer, you'll help shape programmes that influence future careers and aspirations.
• As a Delivery Officer, you'll see first-hand the impact your work has on young people's lives.

Hashtags

#DeliveryOfficer #DeliveryOfficerJobs #EducationOfficer #ProgrammeDelivery #STEMJobs #STEMEducation #YouthEngagement #OutreachOfficer #ProgrammeCoordinator #EventManagement #SchoolsEngagement #EducationJobs #CommunityEngagement #ProjectCoordinator #EmployerEngagement #EducationCharity #HybridWorking #SouthEnglandJobs #SouthamptonJobs #WelwynGardenCityJobs #STEMCareers #YouthProgrammes #CareersInEducation #EducationRecruitment #STEMOutreach #StudentEngagement #ProgrammeManagement #EducationCareers #DeliveryOfficerCareers #YouthDevelopmentJobs

Social entrepreneurs scaling their ventures face a specific set of challenges including income generation, hiring, governance, hard calls about growth and risk, all alongside scaling their social impact. We’re recruiting learning and enterprise development managers who’ve lived that journey themselves, to bring first-hand credibility and challenge directly to the entrepreneurs on our scale-up and scale-up-plus programmes.

You’ll hold ownership of SSE’s scale-up approach, shaping our learning content on strategy, profitability and the systems that hold a growing venture together – grounded in what actually works, not just what’s written down. Facilitation sits at the heart of this role. You’ll design and deliver learning programmes and group sessions for cohorts of entrepreneurs as well as leading 1-2-1 coaching and diagnostics, and delivering Action Learning Sets, SSE’s long-standing peer-coaching method (training provided).

We’re looking for people who’ve founded or led a VCSE with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more and held financial accountability such as statutory reporting to the Charity Commission and, where relevant, Companies House, reporting to a board or funders, and making hard calls about growth, income and risk.

You’ll succeed in this role if you believe in what social entrepreneurship can achieve and want to turn your experience into supporting social ventures to scale and create more impact in their communities and beyond

Green Alliance is an environmental thinktank, charity and advocate committed to achieving a greener, fairer future for the UK. We believe that ambitious political leadership is essential for meaningful environmental change at the speed and scale necessary.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our operations team, someone with a strong financial background with excellent attention to detail, a flexible attitude, an ability to work effectively under their own initiative and as part of a small team, together with excellent organisation and administrative skills.

Effective financial control is central to our strategy and operating model. The finance officer plays an essential role in maintaining control over our finances and operations. You will process and monitor financial transactions, liaise with our payroll bureau regarding staff payroll and pensions and support the Head of finance. You will be experienced in using Dynamics 365 Business Central as an accounting system.

This is a part-time role for two days a week (0.4FTE), with flexibility about when the hours are worked. It's a hybrid role, working from home and from our office. You will report to our Head of finance. You will also work with all staff on financial matters including personal and credit card expenses, central and project income and expenditure, and processing of payroll by liaising with our external bureau.

Job Title: Church Engagement and Events Officer 

Responsible to: Senior Fundraising Manager 

Salary: £29,706 – £31,908 

Location: USPG, 5 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB 
 

Hours of work: Full time – 35 hours per week (Minimum two days per week in the London office). Occasional weekend and evening work with time off in lieu. The post involves up to 20% travel within Britain and Ireland.Permanent contract. 

The package also includes 

• 8% employer contribution to a pension 

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional discretionary leave during the Christmas week 

• Season Ticket Loan 

USPG is the Anglican mission agency that partners with churches and communities worldwide in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen relationships, unlock potential and champion justice. You can find out more about our work by visiting our website.

The Job 

Reporting to the Senior Fundraising Manager, this role sits within the Communications, Engagement and Fundraising team. The Church Engagement and Events Officer will play a key role in building relationships with churches, supporters and volunteers across Britain, Ireland and Europe, helping them engage more deeply with USPG's vision and mission. 

You will lead the planning and delivery of USPG's events programme, including the USPG Conference, Founder's Day, In Conversation Dinners and the annual Carol Service, as well as supporting the organisation's presence at festivals, synods and other national events. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will help create inspiring and engaging experiences that raise awareness of USPG's global mission. 

As the first point of contact for many church supporters, you will provide excellent stewardship, support and resources that inspire churches and communities to engage through prayer, giving and action. You will also contribute to the development of USPG's church engagement activity, helping to strengthen supporter relationships and increase engagement across the church year. 

About You  

You are a confident and proactive relationship builder with experience in planning events and working with churches, supporters, volunteers or Christian organisations. You are passionate about helping people engage with mission, justice and the global Church. 

An organised and effective communicator, you can manage multiple projects and events, build strong stakeholder relationships and work independently while contributing to a collaborative team. You are comfortable engaging with clergy, church leaders, volunteers and supporters, and are motivated by USPG's mission and Christian ethos. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in church engagement, events and supporter relations within a respected international mission agency. If you have the skills, enthusiasm and commitment to help churches connect with God's mission around the world, we'd love to hear from you. 

How to apply 

Please download and complete the attached application form and email it to HR as indicated on the document.

If you would like to discuss the role, please feel free to contact Natasha Bourne, HR Manager. 

Closing Date: 31st August 2026 

Provisional Interview Date: 8th September 2026 

This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent communicator with experience in collaboration and partnership working who is keen to make good quality income maximisation advice and support accessible to families across Scotland.

As Development Officer (Income Maximisation in Schools) you will play a lead role in looking at the actions needed at different levels to sustainably embed advice in schools across Scotland. You’ll be involving and engaging schools, advice services and other partners to develop practical recommendations which can be used to improve provision nationally. You will also be helping to develop resources and professional learning to increase awareness and confidence in schools around financial entitlements and pathways to income maximisation support.

You will be based within the Cost of the School Day team at CPAG in Scotland and will work closely with Welfare Rights, Digital and Policy colleagues.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

For more information about this post and to apply, download the Development Officer (Income Maximisation in Schools) job pack and application form.

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process please contact us at.

Closing date for applications: 11.59pm 16 August 2026

Interviews will be held at our Glasgow office in person on: 25 August 2026 

Help Shape the Future of Rivers in the North East 

Tyne Rivers Trust is seeking an ambitious and inspiring Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to lead the growth of our fundraising, strategic partnerships and philanthropic income at an exciting moment in our development.

As a thriving environmental charity, we work to protect and improve rivers for wildlife, communities and future generations. Following our expansion in 2025 to include the Northumberland river catchments, we are entering a new phase of growth and impact across the North East.

This is a rare opportunity to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in securing the funding, partnerships and support that will enable us to deliver lasting environmental change.

About the Role 

Working closely with the CEO, Chief Scientist & Technical Director and wider leadership team, you will lead the development and delivery of Tyne Rivers Trust's philanthropy, fundraising and partnership strategy. You will cultivate and steward high-value relationships with major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners, statutory bodies and other key stakeholders, helping secure sustainable income and long-term investment in our work.

You will also lead and grow our partnerships across the Tyne and Northumberland catchments, ensuring we build strong collaborations that maximise environmental and community impact. As the Trust continues to expand, you will help position TRT as a leading environmental charity and trusted delivery partner across the region.

Key Responsibilities 

Lead Strategic Partnerships 

• Develop and strengthen relationships with businesses, funders, public bodies, charities and community organisations. 

• Lead the strategic development of catchment partnerships across the Tyne and Northumberland. 

• Identify and develop new partnership opportunities that support our mission and growth. 

Drive Fundraising and Philanthropy 

• Develop and deliver our fundraising strategy and income diversification plans. 

• Build a strong pipeline of major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate supporters. 

• Secure significant funding to support TRT's long-term sustainability and growth. 

• Develop compelling cases for support and partnership investment opportunities. 

• Create and deliver innovative fundraising initiatives and campaigns.

Champion Impact and Influence 

• Lead partnership communications and impact reporting. 

• Develop compelling stories that demonstrate the value and impact of TRT's work. 

• Support profile-raising activity and strengthen the Trust's reputation across the North East. 

• Ensure partnership activity aligns with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.

Lead and Inspire 

• Provide leadership to a growing philanthropy and partnerships team. 

• Contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. 

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the organisation.

About You 

We are looking for an experienced fundraising and partnership professional with a proven track record of building successful relationships and securing significant income. 

You will bring: 

• Experience developing and managing high-value partnerships and stakeholder networks. 

• Significant experience designing and delivering fundraising strategies. 

• A strong track record of securing six-figure funding from a range of income streams. 

• Experience working with trusts, foundations, major donors and corporate partners. 

• Experience leading and developing teams. 

• Outstanding communication, influencing and relationship-building skills. 

• The ability to identify new opportunities and turn ideas into investment and impact.

Why Join Tyne Rivers Trust? 

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to some of the UK's most important river catchments while helping a successful and ambitious charity achieve its next stage of growth.

We offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working. 

• A supportive and dedicated team. 

• Opportunities for professional development. 

• A senior leadership role with significant influence and autonomy. 

• The chance to improve rivers, nature and communities across the North East.

This role is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are strengthening our team and increasing our capacity to protect and restore rivers across the region.

Job Title: Operations and Partnerships Coordinator 

Hours: 35 per week (full time)  

Location: London based, home working with regular travel across London 

Contract: Fixed term (until 31 March 2027 - with hope the role will continue beyond March subject to funding)

Salary: £40,535 inclusive of London Weighting (£36,192 national salary) 

About us

Housing Justice brings together communities and finds solutions to homelessness by building personal connections, a sense of belonging, and creating justice in the housing system. We train and support volunteers to offer various accommodation options while building a network of local support. This includes providing personalised assistance to help individuals access relevant local services and address their other needs. Through compassionate, courageous, and collaborative action, we implement innovative solutions to tackle housing injustice, enhance the quality of housing, and elevate the voices and experiences of groups affected by housing injustice to both local and national governments. 

About the Faith & Community Development Team

The Faith & Community Development Team supports and strengthens community and faith-based responses to homelessness across England through its national network, partnerships, training, research, funding support and quality improvement work. The team supports organisations to deliver safer, more effective and sustainable services, including shelters, day services, outreach and community hubs. 

About you

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive person. You will have good knowledge of homelessness policy and practice, strong written and spoken communication skills, including report writing, and the ability to collate and present quantitative and qualitative information. You will have excellent digital and IT skills, including Microsoft 365, Excel and Word, with the ability to adopt and apply AI-enabled productivity tools (e.g. Microsoft Copilot or equivalent) to improve ways of working.

You will also be confident in building relationships and working in partnership with shelters, day services, churches, community projects, funders, and other stakeholders. 

About the role

The successful candidate will provide essential operational, administrative and coordination support to the Faith and Community Development Team, working closely with the London Partnerships and Development Lead. They will support smooth service delivery, stakeholder engagement, internal communications, meetings and events, reporting processes, and will act as partnership manager for a small number of projects across London. 

Benefits

• 29 days annual leave, 3 of which are fixed between Christmas and New Year. This is in addition to bank holidays and pro-rata if part time. 
• After 3 years of service you are entitled to one additional day of holiday for each additional year of service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days, pro-rata if part time. 
• We offer flexible working. Not all posts can be made flexible, but where possible we operate core hours of 10am to 3pm, with employees able to flex their working day around these. Any flexibility is at the discretion of the line manager and relevant senior manager. 
• As this role is offered as hybrid, we will provide some financial support to get you set up with appropriate equipment. 
• We offer an employee assistance programme through Spectrum Life, which can be used by you and your family for a range of advice and support. 
• We offer a cycle-to-work scheme. 

How to apply 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please read the attached job description and fill out the application form (accessed by clicking 'Apply'), describing your capabilities for each of the numbered points in the person specification. Please note that we do not accept CVs.

ThinkForward is recruiting an Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships to help lead our team delivering our unique programme supporting young people into further education and employment. 

About the Role

Our Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships is a pivotal executive leadership role, that will transform income generation into a partnership-led growth engine for ThinkForward.

Purpose: To lead and embed a strategic partnership ecosystem that delivers sustainable, diversified income growth; access to commissioned and place-based funding; scalable delivery routes; and increased influence in policy
and practice. The post holder will personally originate, shape and close major funding and partnership opportunities with senior stakeholders.

Strategic Focus: Act as executive relationship lead for government, local authorities, commissioners and major stakeholders; increase access to public-sector funding, commissioning and multiyear partnership agreements; diversify income across statutory, corporate and trusts and foundations funding streams; turn system-level partnerships into delivery settings, national reach and more young people supported.

Why it Matters: The role enables ThinkForward to move from transactional partnerships to system-level influence and secure a share of £1bn+ public funding flows linked to youth outcomes.

What We're Looking For

Experience: Senior leadership in fundraising, partnerships or public-sector engagement; securing six- and seven-figure multi-year partnerships; Board-level influence across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Executive Capability: Exceptional relationship-building, commercial thinking and the ability to shape complex funding propositions in political, policy and commissioning environments.

Leadership: Able to lead high-performing teams, build pipeline and CRM discipline, and balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Knowledge and Attributes: Understands public-sector commissioning, place-based funding and the charity funding landscape; outward-facing, entrepreneurial, values-driven, collaborative and systems-oriented.

Application Details

Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £75,000PA
Location: London/Hybrid

For more information about ThinkForward and the role you could play as our Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships, please download the attached job specification. 

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum two pages) either via Charityjob. Your covering letter should tell us why you're interested in the role and how your skills and experience match the person specification outlined in the job description.

We look forward to hearing from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop Build Studios – a small and dynamic built environment charity – and Build Workspace – the charity’s central London co-working space in Waterloo.

This role could suit an experienced sector leader looking for a leadership role, or a rising leader ready to step up.

Working closely with our dedicated Board of Directors and our small team, you will lead the development of the charity, oversee development and delivery of projects and identify new opportunities, partners and funders.

You will also oversee the smooth running of the co-working space, delivering a high quality service to members and promoting a collaborative environment for a diverse group of small and start-up practices.

The role is a part time opportunity (2 days/week) with the potential to expand. Salary £60,000 FTE (pro rated to 2 days/week - £24,000 per annum)

About us

Build Studios is a charity that works to inspire the next generation about the built environment through collaboration and learning. We have been working from our central London base in Waterloo since we were established nearly ten years ago.

We work with our community to improve awareness, access and aspiration for young people to careers in the sector. This takes place through outreach work with schools, careers enrichment and events.

Our engagement with young people takes place at a number of points in their school journey – from our ‘Healthy Homes’ programme with primary pupils, built environment careers enrichment with secondary aged students and digital design for sixth formers – inspiring them about the importance of good city design to their everyday lives. We continue this engagement into the world of work through Alternative Practice, our community of students and young workers, who come together through events and activities, to collaborate with others from across the sector.

Our workspace company, Build Workspace, provides co-working space, support services and events for start-ups and small businesses in the built environment sector.

We aim to attract entrepreneurs, creative young businesses, self-employed specialists and freelancers, providing an affordable, collaborative workspace in a central location, right next to Waterloo and the South Bank.

Profits from the co-working space are ploughed back into the charity.

About You

You will be

- Passionate about the built environment and knowledgeable about the sector

- Experienced in managing people and projects

- Experienced in managing finance and budgets

- Willing to take a hands-on and proactive role across all aspects of the running of a small organisation

- Proficient in presenting and advocating for an organisation or cause

- Able to demonstrate successful fundraising and business development experience

You may also be

- Experienced in developing projects and programmes

- Experienced in working with boards or committees

We actively encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Job Description

The role will involve the following:

Line management: managing and developing Build Studios and Build Workspace’s small staff team, with access to retained HR support agency. Leading annual appraisals and regular 1:1s.

Governance : managing the annual cadence of quarterly board meetings, AGM and associated companies house and charity commission filing, liaising closely with the boards of directors of both companies.

Business Planning: annual business planning, working with the board, staff team and other stakeholders to develop an ambitious annual plan in line with Build Studios five year strategic plan.

Budgeting and financial management: production of annual budget, working closely with the Treasurer and Chairs of Build Studios and Build Workspace; quarterly monitoring of financial performance in liaison with accountants; day to day management of project budgets and payments.

Fundraising: Leading fundraising bids with relevant grant funding bodies, developing new programmes in line with their (and Build Studios’) strategic priorities. Approaching sponsors for financial support, making a compelling case for investment.

Project management: Taking a lead role in managing projects, ensuring delivery, reporting and impact measurement are conducted in line with funder requirements and our own standards.

Communications and marketing: Supporting the team with delivering strong communications and marketing through our various channels (website, LinkedIn, Instagram, newsletters). Engaging external agency/freelance support where appropriate. Working with the operational team to deliver timely and effective communications to members in the Workspace.

Operations: Working with operations team to ensure high quality management of the workspace, having oversight of health and safety, space management systems and software and landlord liaison, and maintaining a healthy pipeline of prospective members. Ensuring appropriate operational cover is in place for the workspace during staffed hours.

Engagement: Building positive relationships with Build Studios and Build Workspace members and partners, seeking mutually beneficial opportunities to develop profile and engagement, through events and collaborations.

Other information

The contract of employment will be with Build Workspace, but the post-holder will work across both Build Studios and Build Workspace.

We would expect at least one of the two days to be worked on site at Build Studios (Waterloo, London). The remaining day can be worked flexibly at the office or from home.

Build Studios is actively seeking additional funding from grants and sponsors to grow our outreach and engagement programmes. Future successful funding bids will enable this role to be extended to more days beyond the core 2 days/week.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a full DBS check.

The role has 25 days paid annual leave (pro rated to 10 days for 2 day/week role) plus bank holidays. Additionally 5 days’ paid sick leave (pro rated to 2 days for 2 day/week role).

How to apply

Please apply with CV and covering letter, demonstrating how you would be well suited to the role, to Helen Santer 

Closing date for applications: Friday 21st August at 5.00pm

Interviews are scheduled for 1st and 2nd September.

We will offer written feedback to all candidates shortlisted for interview.

No agencies please.

Could you help transform the way schools and education providers identify and support young carers? There are over 10,000 children and young people with caring responsibilities in Essex alone.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Education Engagement Lead to join our Young Carers Team, in a new role leading our engagement with schools and colleges across Essex. This is a rewarding and varied role, working in partnership with schools, further education providers and key stakeholders to improve the identification, recognition and support of young carers.

You will have experience of partnership working, project coordination and delivering training within education, children's services or the voluntary sector. You'll be passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people and helping education settings embed sustainable support for young carers.

Action for Family Carers is a thriving charity which for over 35 years has been providing support for Adult Carers and Young Carers – people with unpaid caring responsibilities for others. We are a Carers Trust Network Partner and hold the Excellence for Carers quality mark. We provide support including, information, coaching, counselling, peer support, respite care and Young Carer clubs across Essex, working within schools, GP practices and a variety of community settings.

Responsibilities will include:

    Building effective partnerships with schools and colleges to improve young carer identification and support.

    Delivering training and guidance to education professionals.

    Supporting schools to achieve the Young Carers in Schools Award.

       Developing resources and promoting good practice with young carer team members and across education settings.

    Coordinating participation opportunities that enable young carers to influence service development.

 You will need to be:

       Experienced in partnership working within education, children's services or the voluntary sector.

    Confident delivering training, workshops or presentations.

    An excellent communicator with the ability to build positive relationships.

       Organised and confident managing projects and competing priorities.

       IT literate and comfortable using Microsoft Office and databases.

       Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.

    A driver with access to a vehicle.

We offer:

    Full induction and relevant training

       Contributory pension scheme

       24-hour Confidential Staff Helpline

       An opportunity to help vulnerable families in the local community

    A chance to be part of a supportive and friendly team

ABOUT CHEFS IN SCHOOLS

Chefs in Schools exists to improve children’s health and futures through better school food and meaningful food education.

We work alongside schools and catering teams to transform what children eat every day, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to good health. We combine practical support, training, operational expertise and sector influence to help schools serve fresh, nutritious food that children want to eat.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and are ambitious about both impact and scale. We want every child to have access to excellent school food and a real food education, regardless of background.

We are a values-led organisation - bold, honest, collaborative, innovative and focused on solutions.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

You will lead the delivery of Chefs in Schools External Affairs function, ultimately ensuring there is widespread recognition that poor quality school food is unacceptable. Through integrated media, digital and advocacy work, you’ll ensure quality school food is viewed as a vital tool for healthy development and food literacy. 

You will turn strategic direction into coordinated delivery, leading a multidisciplinary team that increases our influence, strengthens our reputation and helps achieve meaningful improvements in school food.

Working closely with External Affairs colleagues and Chief Executive, you will ensure our public profile, policy influence and media work reinforce one another, while creating the management capacity required for a growing organisation. This builds on the new functional structure where media and content, policy and campaigns, and the School Food Review programme all sit within External Affairs.

We want Chefs in Schools to become the most trusted and recognisable voice in the conversation around school food and food literacy. This role will play a central part in building that influence and recognition.

We are looking for somebody who understands that influence is built through consistency, credibility, creativity and cultural relevance as much as through formal communications activity alone. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the External Affairs team.

• Translate organisational strategy into clear plans and objectives.

• Ensure media, content creation, campaigns, policy and coalition activity reinforce one another.

• Set priorities and allocate resources across competing work.

• Develop team capability through coaching, support and performance management.

• Contribute to organisational strategy and annual planning.

• Advise on reputational opportunities and risks.

• Ensure innovation is embedded at the heart of our work and approach.

• Deputise at SLT level where appropriate.

• Represent the organisation externally.

• Build a collaborative, ambitious, solutions-focused culture.

Operational planning

• Develop and oversee the annual External Affairs plan in line with strategy.

• Coordinate campaign calendars, policy priorities, publications and media moments.

• Ensure external activity supports fundraising, programmes and partnerships.

• Monitor delivery against KPIs and adjust plans where required.

Campaigns and public engagement

• Provide strategic oversight of policy development and campaigning.

• Challenge and refine policy recommendations before publication.

• Ensure campaigns are evidence-led and aligned with organisational strategy.

• Support relationships with government, sector leaders and coalition partners.

• Build strong relationships with media, MPs, councillors and key stakeholders.

Media & communications

• Oversee media strategy and organisational messaging.

• Ensure consistency across press, social media, website, publications and events.

• Identify media moments and hard hitting stories that will hit the headlines. 

• Sign off major messaging and communications.

• Lead communications planning around major announcements or crises.

School Food Review 

• Provide strategic oversight of the School Food Review programme.

• Ensure coalition work complements Chefs in Schools wider influencing strategy.

• Support senior relationships with coalition partners and funders.

• Remove barriers to delivery for the Programme Manager.

Budget & governance

• Manage the External Affairs budget.

• Ensure safeguarding, risk management and governance requirements are met.

• Oversee procurement of agencies and consultants.

ABOUT YOU

Essential experience and skills

• Significant senior leadership experience across media relations, campaigns, policy or public affairs.

• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong operational planning skills.

• Excellent political judgement.

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication.

• Strong project and budget management.

• Comfortable balancing long-term strategy with fast-paced reactive work.

• Strong understanding of the UK media landscape and digital channels. 

• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and visual. 

• Experience of working with MPs and other key stakeholders.

• Strong alignment with the mission and values of Chefs in Schools.

Desirable

• Education, food systems or public health experience.

• Coalition leadership.

• Charity senior management.

• Experience working with ministers, journalists and on national campaigns.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

We know that strong candidates may not meet every single requirement listed in this job description.

If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution to our mission, we would encourage you to apply.

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation where people from different backgrounds, experiences and communities can thrive.

York Travellers Trust (YTT) is seeking an inspiring, values-led Chief Executive to
lead our organisation through its next stage of development.

We work alongside the vibrant and resourceful Gypsy and Traveller communities of York and the surrounding area. We challenge discrimination and inequality, increase opportunities and life chances, and build bridges that promote understanding and community cohesion.

As Chief Executive, you will provide strategic leadership and hold overall responsibility for YTT’s performance, financial sustainability, governance, safeguarding and organisational development.

Working closely with our Board, staff and community members, you will:

 shape and deliver YTT’s strategic direction;
 strengthen our financial sustainability and develop new income opportunities;
 ensure our services remain effective, safe and responsive;
 build influential relationships with communities, funders, partners and
policymakers;
 champion the rights, needs and aspirations of Gypsy and Traveller
communities; and
 embed sociocratic and democratic ways of working so that community voices
genuinely shape our decisions.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong commitment to equality, social justice and community empowerment. You will have experience of leading in a charity, community organisation, public service or another values-led environment.

You will understand the strengths, needs and systemic barriers experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities, gained through direct work with these communities or substantial experience alongside other marginalised groups.
You will combine strategic thinking with a collaborative, authentic and hands-on leadership style. You will also bring experience of managing people, working with a Board, overseeing finances, securing income and representing an organisation externally.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a trusted community organisation at an important point in its development. If you share our ambition for an inclusive, community-led and sustainable future, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The job description sets out the skills and experience we are looking for, but we know
that the right person may not tick every box. If you are passionate about our mission and bring significant relevant experience and the capacity to develop into the role, we would love to hear from you.

We are open to applications from people wishing to job share or looking for less than full-time hours; if this applies then let us know in your application.