Senior conference and training events manager jobs in Stevenage, hertfordshire

Job Description

The Head of Delivery & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the 
successful implementation, quality of outcomes, and retention of DFN Project SEARCH programmes 
across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Iberia, in line with our franchise agreement from Project 
SEARCH . This role leads the Delivery & Partnerships team, ensuring strategic alignment, excellence 
of delivery, and sustained impactful partnerships.
You will play a pivotal role in driving programme quality, ensuring retention, maintaining model 
fidelity, and ensuring high-quality outcomes for interns. Additionally, you will oversee the growth of 
our number of programmes, in line with our strategic regional and national plans. You will also 
contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation, working closely with cross-functional teams 
to maximise DFN Project SEARCH’s impact.
Regular travel throughout the UK will be required, with occasional travel to other areas of our delivery. 
In addition, occasional international travel may be required, for example to the annual conference in 
the United States.

Essential Experience and Skills
• A passion for changing the lives of young people with learning disabilities and / or who are 
autistic 
• Educated to degree level or relevant Professional Qualification 
• Highly motivated and organised self-starters with the ability to work under your own initiative 
• Strong understanding of supported employment, education, and local authority partnerships.
• Experience in project management, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Experience using data systems and performance management tools.
• Experience delivering training and speaking at events or conferences.
• Understanding of SEND provision and funding arrangements in the UK (e.g., EHCPs, DWP, local 
authorities).
• Experience working with senior stakeholders via formal reporting mechanisms.
• Leadership experience managing people/teams.
• Financial literacy and experience managing budgets.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications
• Experience working with DFN Project SEARCH programmes or similar supported internship 
models.
• Experience in selling services or products and effective account management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety in programme delivery.
• Knowledge and experience of using the Microsoft suite, in particular Outlook and Excel 
• Experience of using a CRM for administrative and reporting purposes

DFN Project SEARCH are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young 
people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject 
to an enhanced DBS disclosure. 

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ 
candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the 
representation of these groups at this level at DFN Project SEARCH.

-Interviews will take place on:
  1st round July 23rd and July 24th
  2nd and final round: July 31st
  Closing date: Sunday July 12th

-Start date - Asap

Job Title:  Commercial Partnership Manager

Location(s): Home-based with attendance at AdviceUK office in London and at meetings as required. 

London office: AdviceUK, 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW 

Status: Fixed term for two years (potential to become permanent) 

Reporting to:  Head of Membership and Services 

Responsible for: n/a 

Pay range:  £42,000 to £47,000 full time equivalent. £33,600 to £37,600 actual salary, dependant on experience. 

Working hours: 28 hours per week within normal operating hours (35 hours full time equivalent). Normal operating hours are 8.00am - 6.30pm, Monday – Friday. Lunch and other breaks are unpaid. 

Special conditions: Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted. Some travel will be required which may entail some overnight stays. 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly encouraging those from underrepresented groups. If you require any accessibility support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

JOB PURPOSE 

The postholder is responsible for securing, managing, and growing commercial partnerships with organisations that support AdviceUK’s mission, values and strategic priorities. These partnerships should significantly increase AdviceUK’s commercial income, extend AdviceUK’s reach, and achieve measurable social impact. The postholder will ensure that commercial partnerships both comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and contribute positively to AdviceUK’s reputation and influence. 

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Partnership development 

• Identify, research, and secure new commercial and corporate partnership opportunities aligned with AdviceUK’s strategic and income generation priorities. 

• Develop compelling partnership propositions, including sponsorships, strategic alliances, product/service developments, cause‑related marketing, corporate social responsibility, and other commercial collaborations. 

• Identify and develop new products and services that benefit members, grow income, and support member recruitment and retention. 

• Shape new products and services with user and sector insight, applying structured approaches to testing, evaluation and scaling. Ensure that pricing, return on investment and other financial modelling is completed to demonstrate how new products or services deliver agreed objectives. 

• Bring external market insight into AdviceUK’s strategic planning and decision making, ensuring that commercial partnership propositions are clearly differentiated in the markets they are targeting. 

• Work with the Head of Membership and Services, other colleagues at AdviceUK, and AdviceUK’s existing commercial partners to develop a commercial partnership strategy, business plan and pipeline. 

• Lead negotiations and contract discussions in partnership with the Head of Membership and Services, Finance and where relevant, AdviceUK commercial partners and subsidiaries. 

• Ensure all partnerships align with the charity’s mission, values and ethical standards.  

• Carry out appropriate due diligence and risk assessments on commercial partners

2. Partnership management and growth 

• Act as the primary relationship manager for AdviceUK’s current commercial partners and subsidiaries to ensure they feel valued, informed, and engaged throughout the partnership lifecycle. 

• Maximise the value of established partnerships through renewals, extensions, upselling opportunities, and agreed new income generation activity. Support cross‑team collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

• Identify opportunities for innovation and growth within AdviceUK’s commercial partnerships portfolio. 

• Support the communication of impact to partners, including reporting on outcomes enabled by their support. 

• Represent AdviceUK at events, conferences and networks relevant to the commercial partnerships portfolio.

3. Income generation and performance 

• Ensure all partnerships deliver against agreed financial and non‑financial objectives. Contribute to departmental budgeting and forecasting. 

• Monitor partnership performance and provide accurate reporting on partnership income, engagement, and impact. 

• Contribute to the ongoing review of existing commercial partnerships and service level agreements, making recommendations for change as required. 

• Share learning, insight, and good practice to continually improve commercial partnership approaches.  

• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House guidance, relevant fundraising regulations, and internal governance policies.  

• Work closely with AdviceUK colleagues to deliver integrated partnership activities.  

4. Data and evidence

• Support the delivery of performance reports as required to evidence the extent to which commercial partnerships are achieving required KPIs. 

• Work with colleagues to ensure that partnership datasets are accurate, timely and support decision making. 

• Ensure any partnership activity that requires data sharing adheres to data protection and cybersecurity requirements. 

5. General responsibilities

• Ensure you effectively communicate AdviceUK’s vision, mission and objectives to staff, members and external stakeholders. 
• Ensure you demonstrate AdviceUK’s values and behaviours in all aspects of your work. 
• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including staff, trustees, members, partners and suppliers. 
• With support from your manager, deliver your agreed personal objectives and undertake any agreed development or training. 
• Maintain a strong understanding of our members and the advice sector more generally, by reading internal reports; accessing relevant data reports; following our social media channels; and, where possible, attending member and other relevant events. With the agreement of your line manager, ensure you make time to speak to members and visit their services. 
• Adhere at all times to AdviceUK’s policies and procedures. 
• Carry out any reasonable duties compatible with the post assigned by the Head of Membership and Services. 

The Operations Officer is a pivotal member of the team who will support the organisation to run its activities efficiently and effectively. As part of a small team, you will work collaboratively with most of the charity’s functions but in particular provide regular support to the SMT, finance, HR and fundraising teams.

Who we are:

WasteAid is an international non-governmental organisation that works in low and middle-income countries to implement environmental and economic empowerment programmes, focusing on support to nascent green businesses and grassroots entrepreneurs. The work improves the livelihoods of some of the poorest and most marginalised, promotes circular economy innovation and contributes to a cleaner and healthier future for all.

Our programmes focus predominantly on the reduction of plastic, organic, textile and e-waste pollution in areas of the world that have no formal waste management systems.

The organisation promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence based inclusive practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action. We partner with public, private and community-based organisations in countries where the lack of waste management systems is harming the environment, economy and society. We achieve our goals through our 3 flagship programmes:

- Our Wastepreneur programme for those individuals and micro businesses trying to make a living within the circular economy and make a difference in their communities.

- The WasteAid Circular Economy Network which brings together national stakeholders, local authorities and the private sector to tackle local waste challenges through networking, training, infrastructure support and innovation challenges.

- First Step Resource Management Programmes focus on a whole system approach to divert waste from landfill supporting community behaviour change, basic infrastructure, collector group training and end market development.

The organisation is just over 10 years old and has enjoyed sustainable growth with an annual budget this year of circa £1.2 million. It is a dynamic organisation with an international team who work in a supportive and collegial environment.

WasteAid currently implements programmes in The Gambia, India, South Africa and Uganda.

Purpose of Role

The Operations Officer is a varied role that helps keep the charity’s different functions running smoothly. Working closely with a small team a typical day can be a combination of regular tasks involving prompt and careful handling of incoming communications by email, post and telephone call, responding to invoices or payment requests and preparation of letters, contracts or reports. Other tasks such as recruitment support, staff onboarding, events and travel planning are less routine but may be part of your day as and when they occur.

Team co-ordinating

· Manage calendars and appointments, scheduling team meetings, appointments and events.

· Co-ordinate travel plans including booking transport, accommodation and supporting visa application processes.

· Attend quarterly Board meetings, taking minutes.

· Assist in the preparation and distribution of Board materials.

· Track charity assets and equipment, liaising with outsourced IT support as necessary.

HR Support

· Lead on fulfilment of recruitment campaigns, organising the recruitment pack, placing job adverts, handling applications, arranging interviews and tests.

· Issue contracts, contract variations, ensure signed records and references are filed.

· Prepare the induction of new joiners including introductory meetings and issuing equipment.

· Storing safeguarding records.

· Administer the charity’s HR filing system on SharePoint and the online HR management system.

· Keeping the charity organogram and staff profiles up to date.

· Logistic support for leavers, arranging collection of equipment.

Fundraising

· Work with fundraising colleagues to ensure that incoming communication is routed appropriately or responded to.

· Update records in the charity’s CRM system.

· Print and post written appeal letters.

· Logistics support for fundraising events, charity attendance at conferences, award ceremonies and trade fares.

Finance

· Handle incoming invoices and payment requests, obtaining authorisation from budget holders.

· Manage staff prepayment cards, topping up funds, issuing new cards and cancelling leavers’ cards.

· Prepare a bi-weekly payment run for international payments.

· Support the SMT with expense claims.

· Update the charity’s finance systems and file financial documents in SharePoint.

· Prepare Gift Aid claims, including utilising the charity’s CRM function.

Administration

· Manage personal and shared email accounts.

· Monitor and route incoming post.

· Answer incoming telephone calls, arranging a rota basis with colleagues.

· Preparing and issuing contracts, letters, reports or similar for signatures, including by Docusign.

· Keep all information confidential and comply with data protection and ethics legislation, including being up to date with GDPR requirements.

Other

· Ad-hoc procurement of goods or services as and when required.

· Comply with the charity’s policies and procedures.

· Occasional travel to charity meetings or events is required. Travel outside of the UK is unlikely.

· Any other reasonable duties as required.

Person Specification

Skills & Experience

This listing represents the full and ideal picture of the role. It is likely that not every strong candidate will be able to demonstrate all the listed attributes. If you feel that you can meet most of these qualifications, we encourage you to apply and give some thought as to how you might acquire any other necessary experience/skills after joining WasteAid.

Essential

· Experience in an administrative, operations, finance, HR or team coordination role.

· Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint.

· Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

· Strong attention to detail.

· Comfortable working remotely and collaboratively with a small team.

Desirable

· Experience in a charity, NGO or international development organisation.

· Experience using CRM, HR or finance systems.

· Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding or governance processes.

· Understanding of Gift Aid, safeguarding administration or GDPR.

· Interest in waste management, circular economy, climate, environment or international development.

Personal Attributes

· A self-starter, enthusiastic, reliable and professional.

· Can-do attitude, taking a ‘hands-on’ approach to getting things done.

· Enjoys individual, team and collaborative working.

· Ability to work flexibly and know how to prioritise workload.

· Demonstrates a consistent high standard of work and attention to detail.

· Willingness to learn, confident to make improvement suggestions.

· Works with honesty and integrity and is aligned with WasteAid’s values.

Are you an experienced Trusts and Foundations fundraiser seeking an exciting role in the nature and rewilding sector? Are you looking for a friendly, flexible and values-driven organisation where you can make a tangible difference and advance your fundraising career?  This opportunity could tick all your boxes! 

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture (SBP) is a charity dedicated to making rewilding happen, as a solution to the biodiversity and climate crises. We work across Scotland, from the mountains to the sea and from the remotest communities to our urban centres. Our vision is of a vast network of rewilded land and water, where wildlife flourishes  and people thrive. 

In the five years since we were founded, we’ve established ourselves as a leading force for rewilding in Scotland: a charity that achieves outsized impact through our powerful storytelling and innovative collaborations.  We’re a small, agile and friendly team that works hard to:

• Drive support for rewilding – through our films, creative storytelling, conferences, training courses and political advocacy.

• Commit land and water to rewilding – by supporting over 100 landowners to enhance nature on their land, from crofts and community-owned sites to farms and large estates.

OUR FUNDRAISING 

SBP is a growing organisation with an exciting portfolio of nature recovery projects across Scotland.  Our key income streams include grants from charitable trusts, foundations and statutory bodies, philanthropic donations, corporate partnerships, regular giving and appeals. We have a strong track record in fundraising from trusts and foundations, and we are currently in receipt of grants from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other significant environmental funders. 

Our Fundraising Team comprises a Rewilding Investment Lead (who develops corporate partnerships) and a Trusts and Foundations Lead, led by our Fundraising Manager.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Trusts and Foundations Lead, you would establish and maintain relationships with a wide portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations, and be responsible for securing both project-specific and core income.

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Identifying and researching funding opportunities, including due diligence as appropriate.

• Networking, and building and stewarding relationships with prospective funders.

• Liaising with senior, project and finance staff to identify, prioritise and cost key fundraising needs.

• Managing a dynamic pipeline of applications matched to the agreed fundraising priorities.

• Preparing and submitting compelling expressions of interest and funding proposals, including accurate financial information as required. 

• Processing grant offers and ensuring income is recorded accurately. 

• Managing a schedule of reporting and stewardship deadlines to ensure timely feedback and thanks to funders. 

• Securing progress updates from colleagues delivering funded work, in order to produce high-quality reports that meet funders’ requirements.

• Seeking feedback in relation to unsuccessful bids, in order to guide and strengthen future proposals.

• Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records on our fundraising CRM database. 

• Contributing to the development of fundraising strategies, plans and campaigns. 

• Participating fully in Fundraising and SBP team meetings, events and cross-team activities as appropriate. 

Essential skills and experience:

• At least two years’ experience securing and reporting on grants from trusts and foundations, and/or reviewing and advising on grants within a grant-giving organisation.
• Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail. Experience writing compelling bids and reports that align with funders’ priorities.
• Ability to communicate confidently with funders and colleagues in a friendly and engaging manner.
• Experience using a variety of information management tools, including CRM databases and spreadsheets, to accurately record and manage information.
• Confident with numbers. Experience working with project and finance colleagues to develop project budgets.
• Able to organise day-to-day activities according to agreed priorities, manage a busy workload, and consistently meet deadlines.
• Demonstrable passion for nature and rewilding in Scotland.
• Able to maintain personal wellbeing, productivity and effective communication in a remote team.
• Share and demonstrate our core values (see below).

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience securing grants at £250,000 and over.
• Experience of using desktop design tools to create attractive materials that combine written content with imagery.
• Experience building and managing relationships with senior or strategically important stakeholders, e.g. Board members, CEOs.
• Proficient with DonorPerfect CRM.
• Experience developing complex, multi-year budgets for grant applications, including full cost recovery where applicable. 
• Experience using a range of tools and approaches to manage priorities, meet deadlines and hit targets.
• Experience with funders that support nature and climate causes.
• Degree or equivalent professional qualification within a relevant discipline.

OUR VALUES

Our values define us as a charity and guide our relationships with colleagues, partners, funders, supporters and wider interest groups. 

● We are passionate about Scotland and its huge potential for nature restoration.

● We are bold and willing to push boundaries to make rewilding happen. 

● We trade in hope and possibility, not fear and conflict. 

● We are inclusive and respectful, inviting everyone to join the conversation. 

● We are collaborative, building connections across interest groups to drive change.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary: £35,500 - £37,500 FTE, depending on experience. Salaries are paid on the last working day of each month by bank transfer and cover the period of the first  of the month to the last day of the month. 

Contract: Permanent position. 

Place of work: This role is home-based and will require a suitable home office working  environment. SBP will provide a laptop and additional equipment as needed. 

Travel: Attendance of team meetings held across Scotland will be required (typically two to three times per year), and the role may also involve occasional travel elsewhere within the UK. Travel expenses will be paid in accordance with SBP’s  expenses policy. Applicants must be based within a reasonable commuting distance and must have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to provide visa sponsorship). 

Hours: We are open to this role being full-time or part-time (minimum 0.6 FTE, equating to
22.5 hours per week).  Working hours are flexible. The nature of the post may require occasional evening and weekend work. Paid overtime is not routinely available, but time off in lieu will
be given. 

Flexibility: Subject to ensuring that the needs of the charity and the role are met, SBP endeavours to meet the flexible working needs of its staff. 

Holidays: 28 days FTE (pro rata for part-time), including public holidays, plus 5 additional office closure days between Christmas and New Year. 

Pensions: We offer a workplace pension scheme with a 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution. 

Probationary period: 3 months. 

Notice Period: 1 month during the probationary period, thereafter 2 months.

Training: SBP is fully committed to personal development and training and offers staff regular opportunities for both internal and external training. 

Commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion: SCOTLAND: The Big Picture is committed to equality of opportunity for all and we make recruitment decisions by matching our business needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnership. We regularly review our recruitment practices to improve the accessibility of SBP, and we would welcome feedback from you. 

TO APPLY 

Please email your CV and a covering letter (maximum two pages). The covering letter should detail why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience equip you for
this role. 

Applications should be sent by 5pm on Monday 13 July.

Interviews will be conducted by video call on Monday 20 July. 

We endeavour to provide feedback on request to unsuccessful applicants. However, as a small charity – and depending on the number of applicants we receive – we may need to prioritise feedback to those candidates who are shortlisted for interview. 

Thank you very much for considering this role.