Senior development and retention officer jobs in edinburgh
Senior Accessibility Specialist
Reference: APR20257021
Location: Flexible in UK
Salary: £44,315.00 - £47,312.00 Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours a week – Flexible working pattens to be discussed
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
Whilst we have a huge presence and influence in the conservation sector we recognise that our work is not reaching everyone. We need to enable more, and more diverse people to engage with and act for nature.
Recognising that people are at the heart of delivering our ambitions, we have an exciting opportunity for a talented person to join as Senior Accessibility Specialist.
What’s the job about?
Our 2030 strategy commits the RSPB to becoming more relevant to the communities and supporters we work with by involving a more diverse range of people. Recognising that people are at the heart of delivering our ambitions, we have an exciting opportunity for a talented person to join as Senior Accessibility Specialist. Reporting to the Head of EDI, and as part of the EDI leadership team, you’ll hold close relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation. You’ll work collaboratively to support the transformation in behaviours and skills needed to make the RSPB a more accessible and equitable place for all.
The role does have flexibility to shape and innovate but will be focused on the continuation and delivery of two main priorities:
- Working with our nature reserve teams to implement accessibility improvements that make our spaces more inclusive for Staff, Volunteers and Visitors
- Working with Communications and Learning and Development teams, internal networks and other stakeholders, to deliver better experiences for our disabled workforce from the point they apply for a role.
Essentials:
- Experienced in delivering strategic accessibility interventions and influencing positive change at all levels of a large and complex organisation and the wider sector
- Personal commitment to making a tangible difference to accessibility with a focus on physical disability, sensory disabilities and neurodiverse people and communities.
- An advocate and practitioner of accessible design and clear communication
- Background and confidence in working with people with lived experience of access barriers and providing support and advice to organisations around accessibility.
- Comfortable to proactively challenge internal policy, practices and communications to better include marginalised groups.
- Expertise on accessible communications, with experience working to improve standards of internal communications and co-designing engaging content for external communication
- Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills to role model and drive behaviour change across all areas of accessibility
- In depth knowledge of accessibility standards and best practise within the UK. Including: WCAG, social model of disability, universal design principles, access to work, reasonable adjustments and working application of the Equality Act 2010
- Significant experience of designing and delivering resources and training around accessibility in a range of formats to meet learner needs
- Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills, ability to recognise a build key relationships and influence at a sector level
- Sound understanding of intersectionality of disability and other protected characteristics and a good generalist EDI knowledge to inform specialist advice and guidance
- Strong and effective communication skills, with ability to influence leaders and mobilise other teams to act
- Strong written communication and digital presentations skills to communicate accessibility and disability inclusion to a wide range of audiences
- Analytical evaluation to inform and report on areas of focus and impact
- Awareness of project and process management to enable work to be planned and delivered to a high quality, on time and within resource capacity
Desirable:
- Experience or interest in accessibility in the Conservation section, nature or climate emergency
- Understanding of the intersectional context of race and gender equity within accessibility
- Practical experience supporting accessibility changes at visitor attractions
- Experience working in the Voluntary sector or in volunteering
- Experience of movement building or membership organisations
Additional Information
This role is available full time and permanently for 37.5 hours a week, but we welcome applications for those looking for different working patterns and are happy to discuss further with interested candidates.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.
Closing date: 23:59, Wednesday 21st May 2025
Interviews will take place around the 18th and 19th of June.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert at any time.
Open briefings
If this sounds like the role for you and you'd like more information on what the day-to-day responsibilities are, or a chance to ask questions, please get un touch with EDI at RSPB to enquire about one of our open briefings.
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.
As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
No agencies please.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
The RSPB brings people together – people like you – to protect the things that matter to us all.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The eoa exists to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy. With 800+ member businesses and a community of thousands of employee owners, we are the national voice for employee ownership in the UK.
Our refreshed strategy is focused on accelerating impact through people powered growth. We’re here to make employee ownership a mainstream business model choice—by expanding the sector, setting the standard for excellence, and building a connected, values-led ecosystem. We do this through sharp insight, high-impact advocacy, and a thriving member experience.
For founders and business owners exploring employee ownership, or for leaders and managers building Great EO businesses, the eoa offers tools, knowledge, experience and connection. We facilitate powerful peer learning, codify what works, and champion the stories that inspire others to choose EO.
Together with our members, we’re creating the conditions for employee ownership to thrive—seizing the political, cultural, and digital opportunities ahead. and this is where you come in.
As Director of Partnerships and Growth, you’ll be the driving force behind the eoa’s external influence and reach. you’ll lead our advocacy and external affairs strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver powerful events programmes that accelerate adoption of Great EO. You’ll also shape the narrative—ensuring our insights, policy recommendations and thought leadership land with impact.
This is a high-profile, senior leadership role at a pivotal time for the EO community. It calls for someone with a track record in advocacy or external affairs, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to lead high-performing teams. It also needs a big-picture thinker - someone who can champion EO, influence change, and help us build a more inclusive, resilient economy.
If you’re excited about the opportunity to grow an economy that puts people at the heart of business, we’d love to hear from you.
Role Details
At the heart of this Director of Parnterships & Growth role is the opportunity to shape the external environment for employee ownership, champion the voice of our members, and lead high-impact strategies that grow both our reach and the sector itself.
You’ll lead on policy, advocacy, external affairs and events—crafting compelling narratives, building powerful partnerships, and delivering programmes that drive commercial sustainability and sector-wide change.
From shaping relationships with key stakeholders and securing strategic sponsorships, to overseeing the delivery of thought leadership, content, and events, you’ll ensure that the eoa is not just part of the national conversation—but leading it.
Your ability to influence, convene, and inspire will be critical to removing barriers to employee ownership and unlocking the potential of our £1.7m organisation to deliver even greater impact.
Join us on this exciting journey where your leadership will shape policy, grow influence, and contribute to our mission of unlocking the potential of people, businesses, and the economy through employee ownership.
This role is remote, however regular travel to our HQ in Brough and across the UK is expected.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead external affairs, collaborating with stakeholders to shape policy, advocacy and best practice that removes barriers and expands EO.
- Establish relationships and secure commercial partnerships and sponsorships, generating revenue to support advocacy, events, and sector growth initiatives.
- Engage key stakeholders to co-produce content that positively influence EO practice and policy and amplify the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
- Oversee delivery of an effective content strategy that delivers our commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading EO authority.
- Oversee events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development, and commercial sustainability.
- Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables, and public affairs events, championing the employee ownership model.
- Collaborate with the Director of Membership & Operations to align advocacy efforts with member needs and engagement.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across advocacy, policy, event activities.
Success in this role
Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth rate, influence and adoption of great EO across the employee ownership sector. Strengthening and expanding stakeholder relationships, driving advocacy impact and securing commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of sponsorships, partnerships will also be indicators of success.
Key outcomes for the role
- Growth of the employee ownership sector. Measured by increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness
- Strengthened corporate engagement. Measured by growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement
- Strong Commercial Sustainability. Measured by increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships
- Increased policy influence. Measured by policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement
- Enhanced sector insight and intelligence. Measured by utilisation of high-quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs.
- Development and adoption of best practice. Measured by creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.
- Successful events programmes. Measured by iIncreased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.
About you
- Proven expertise in advocacy, public affairs, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
- Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
- Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
- Experience in event programme development, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
- Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
- Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
- A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity through teamwork.
- Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.
Role Summary
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Remote, with regular travel to eoa offices and national events
- Salary & Benefits: £65,000 p/a + 7% Pensions. 30 Days leave + Bank Holidays.
- Reports to: CEO
- Management: TBC
Non Charity Employer
11 - 20
We exist to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
About Kinship
We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to.
Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.
About the role
This role will support Kinship to operate as an effective charity by ensuring effective day-to-day operations and seamless delivery of the People function at the charity.
You will bring your People leadership experience, attention to detail and excellent communication skills to the role. You will be structured in your approach to ensure that day-to-day issues are handled while also working to improve processes and systems. You will be credible with senior management and able to articulate and balance the trade-offs of a People leadership role.
You will be able to balance multiple competing priorities and prioritise effectively, A positive mindset is key to being part of the team, as is thinking creatively to problem solve and being empathetic to colleagues. You will be highly motivated by our mission, recognising that excellent internal People processes are essential to allowing others to effectively complete their roles and achieve our mission.
You will be a powerful ambassador for our mission, credible with other HR and CSR professionals working to implement kinship friendly employer policies and processes.
Key Responsibilities include:
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Work with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Executive management team to design, develop and embed a high-quality HR function to support the employee life cycle.
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Responsible for ensuring all policies, procedures, and processes relating to people and culture, work effectively, efficiently and in line with legal requirements.
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Responsible for all People matters, ensuring they are handled fairly and consistently in line with policies and procedures.
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Support and advise line managers on People, EDI and change management activities, including promotions, disciplinary, capability and grievance procedures.
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Organise line manager training to ensure line managers understand their responsibilities and apply policies consistently.
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Responsible for the candidates’ recruitment experience. Ensure candidates receive a consistent and professional recruitment experience.
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Responsible for job descriptions, person specifications, recruitment packs and job adverts.
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Ensure offboarding processes are robust and implemented consistently to safeguard the charity’s assets and to comply with Data Protection rules.
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Lead on the delivery and growth of the ‘Kinship Friendly Employers’ scheme, driving growth in the scheme and the number of bronze, silver and gold partners
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Ensure Kinship role models ‘Kinship Friendly’ employment practices and seek opportunities to share these as examples with other HR professionals.
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Support fundraising efforts with corporate supporters who are ‘Kinship Friendly Employers’
Essential criteria includes:
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HR qualification or significant demonstrable experience.
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Coaching qualification or significant demonstrable experience.
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Demonstrable experience of supporting the development of a high-quality People function within a growing organisation.
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Demonstrable experience working in a changing and flexible organisation.
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Demonstrable problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
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Demonstrable knowledge of best practices, employment laws, and regulations.
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Effective communication skills.
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Strong interpersonal skills – a genuine team player able to relate to a wide range of people.
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Ability to work on own initiative and manage own workload.
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Demonstrable experience of EDI principles.
Desirable experience includes:
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Personal experience of kinship care.
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Experience of working in a dynamic and fast-changing workplace.
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Exceptional business-partnering skills
What we’ll offer you
Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) as well as a generous pension scheme. We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity!
How to apply
Please apply via Charity Job with your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages. Please include your notice period and earliest availability to start in your cover letter.
- Application deadline: Thursday 22 May, 9am
- First interview: 29 May - 2 June
- Second interview: TBC
Kinship reserves the right to close applications early on receipt of sufficient applications. Apply early!
• Make sure you’ve read the job description and the essential requirements – make sure your answer reflects those points in the requirements very clearly.
• Really tell us why you want to work for Kinship. We’re interested in working with people who share our values. You can read about our values above.
• Keep your response clear – use bullets points and short paragraphs if that helps. It will help the recruitment team to really focus on your answer.
• Don’t go over 2 pages on your covering letter.
• Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT to produce your answers. We use software to check and your application will be rejected if you do.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We support kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.