Senior event manager jobs in Milton keynes
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!
We are delighted to be working in partnership with World Vision UK. As a global Christian humanitarian charity, World Vision is dedicated to tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice, empowering children, families, and communities to thrive. Through advocacy, emergency relief, and long-term development, they bring hope and transformation where it’s needed most. At the heart of their mission is a deep commitment to demonstrating God’s unconditional love.
We are seeking a meticulous and strategic Prospect Researcher to play a vital role in supporting fundraising growth by identifying, validating and researching potential major donors, mid-level supporters, churches, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners. As part of the Fundraising and Marketing Directorate, you'll help unlock resources that transform lives and bring lasting change to vulnerable communities worldwide, contributing to World Vision's ambitious goal to impact 5.5 million lives and raise £100m in sustainable income by 2029.
In this important role, you'll proactively identify and qualify new major gift prospects using a range of internal and external sources, conducting detailed research to assess giving potential, affinity, and influence. Working closely with relationship managers across Major, Mid-Level, Trusts & Foundations, and Church teams, you'll ensure they have the insights and tools to prioritise prospects, build effective donor journeys, and steward relationships for maximum impact. You'll support systematic prospect management, provide concise, high-quality profiles and briefing notes to equip fundraisers ahead of meetings and events, and produce regular reports on the prospect pipeline and fundraising KPIs. You'll also contribute to horizon scanning, identifying new opportunities in the external landscape that align with World Vision's mission and fundraising strategy.
This is an excellent opportunity to use your research and analytical skills to directly support life-changing work with vulnerable children around the world.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
- Proven experience in the field of prospect research of major donor prospects
- Strong understanding of GDPR and ethical considerations in data gathering and donor profiling
- Expertise using CRM platforms for prospect tracking and portfolio management
- Ability to interpret and validate data from multiple sources
Come and be part of a mission-focused organisation where your research expertise will directly contribute to bringing opportunity, dignity and lasting transformation to vulnerable children and communities across nearly 100 countries. By equipping fundraisers with high-quality research, you'll help unlock resources that transform lives and bring lasting change to those who need it most.
This role is subject to a Enhanced DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer.
For more information, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
Charisma is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments or wish to apply for this role under the Disability Confident Scheme, please confirm in your application, or contact our Operations Teams separately. Charisma will ensure all candidates who disclose that they wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and that meet the minimum criteria for the role will receive an opportunity to interview with the Charisma Consultant representing the vacancy.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
Location: Hybrid / Milton Keynes (2 days per week onsite)
Closing date for applications: Applications are being reviewed on receipt and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. When a suitable candidate is found the role will close, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.
Lindengate is a mental health charity that supports children and adults of all ages with their mental, physical, and social wellbeing through nature-based activities.
The Programme Lead is responsible for the design, delivery, and development of community-based wellbeing and mental health programmes. The role ensures services are safe, inclusive, trauma-informed, and responsive to community needs, supporting individuals to improve their mental health, resilience, and quality of life. The postholder will lead programme delivery, manage staff and volunteers, build partnerships, and contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and funding requirements.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Job Title: School Gardener for Young Marketeers Leeds
Position Type: Freelance
Reports to: Project Coordinator
Based at: Home-working and at schools in Leeds
Working Hours: February – July 2026:
16 x school gardening sessions at £110 per session plus 2 days planning @ £220 = £2200
3.5 days @ £165 for delivering 8 x school assemblies and attending Market Day = £577.50
Total: £2777.50
Contract: Temporary
Job Purpose
· To deliver Young Marketeers gardening sessions and assemblies in eight Leeds primary schools
Background to School Food Matters
At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food. To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.
Young Marketeers
This much-loved programme was started in London in 2012. It is now running in about 125 primary and special schools across England. This is the fourth year it has run in Leeds. The programme provides hands-on opportunities for children from primary schools to grow fruit and veg from seed to sell at their local market. Young Marketeers is also a platform for School Food Matters to promote food education to schools and communities as a way to support children to live happy and healthy lives. Children learn the art of growing veg from seed, and market traders will share their secrets on how to create a winning market stall. Primary schools will be visited by our gardener in March/April and then again in May/June and receive further tips on how to ensure a bumper crop. Then in July, they head to the market to sell their produce, and to meet the Mayor!
Key Tasks include:
· Build and maintain relationships with teachers, teaching assistants and senior leaders to ensure the smooth running of the project
· Plan and deliver
o One assembly in each school
o Two food growing sessions in each school with a class of 30 children (divided into 2 groups of 15)
· Attend Market Day in the city centre in July with all schools
- Complete monitoring and evaluation forms in accordance with instructions from our Evaluation team
- Take photos of workshops and events where possible
- Keep Project Coordinator and Leeds Project Officer fully updated on progress
· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
- Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times
Person specification
Essential
· Experience of delivering food growing sessions to children
· Knowledge of fruit and vegetable growing
· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail
· Ability to work in a team, and seek help when needed
· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude
Desirable
· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation
· Experience of working in primary schools and engaging children
· Experience of building relationships with partner organisations and individuals
We campaign for a better school food system. We support schools, local authorities and MATs to improve food in schools.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Campaigns Lead
Hours: 35 hours per week, permanent, subject to a probationary period
Salary: £34,434 to £36,363 – NJC Scale Points 23 to 25
Based: Working from home, with regular meetings across Greater Manchester; occasional travel to other cities.
BHA is a leading health and social care charity that works to challenge health inequalities and support individuals, families & communities to improve their health & well-being. We offer a range of unique services delivered at local, regional, and national level in the areas of health promotion, community health education and engaging and involving communities in health and social care decision making.
The Campaigns Lead is responsible for creating and coordinating health campaigns across BHA.The role will support all our projects, and our core team, with their campaign work, collecting meaningful data about the work of BHA, raising the profile of these issues and ensuring that the voices of our service users are heard far and wide.
The successful applicant should bring a proven track record in developing and delivering health awareness campaigns or public health communications. You should have strong experience creating engaging content for digital platforms and social media, and a commitment to working with marginalised communities, particularly Ethnic Minority communities and LGBTQ+ people.
We are looking for someone who can use data and evaluation to measure effectiveness, and who has experience of stakeholder engagement and partnership working in the VCSE sector.The post holder will have the following essential criteria:
- Experience of developing and delivering health awareness campaigns or public health communications
- Experience of creating engaging content for digital platforms and social media
- Experience of working with marginalised communities, particularly Ethnic Minority communities and/or LGBTQ+ people
- Experience of using data and evaluation to measure effectiveness and inform decision-making
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and partnership working in the VCSE sector or similar
- Commitment to BHA's values and ethos
- Willingness to occasionally work unsociable hours, including the occasional overnight stay
Benefits of working with BHA:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays pro rata
- Birthday leave
- Employee Assistant programme (includes income protection)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Flexible working
If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Aydin Djemal to arrange an informal telephone discussion.You can apply by completing the Application Form on our website and submitting it in line with the instructions provided.Your application must detail how you meet the points asked for in the person specification.
CVs will not be accepted, and applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship.
We carry out right to work checks fairly and without discrimination.Appointment is subject to a Basic DBS check. We only request information we’re legally entitled to and assess it in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and DBS filtering rule.
The closing date for applications is 2 March 2026
Interviews will be held on Interviews w/c 09 March 2026
Reasonable adjustment
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications that represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we actively work to remove any barriers. Therefore, if you have a disability and have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application process, please email us at any stage.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Accountable to: Director
Responsible for: No direct reports
Salary: £50,000 per annum
Type: Three-year fixed term contract associated with fixed funding. Flexible working arrangements are available. Candidates are encouraged to share any flexibility requirements or proposals when applying.
The Head of Development will work closely with the Director to manage relations and raise funds from Trusts, Foundations, Corporates and Individuals to support the Gallery’s mission.
They will lead the strategic planning, execution and growth of the gallery's fundraising efforts. This includes securing major gifts, cultivating donor relationships, leading fundraising campaigns and developing income streams from individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate sponsors.
As a key member of the senior management team, the Head of Development will ensure that philanthropic support aligns with the gallery’s mission, vision and long-term financial sustainability.
Main duties and responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the gallery’s exhibitions, public programming, capital renewal and endowment.
- Lead and manage, with the Director, all fundraising activities including annual giving, major gifts, legacy giving, membership, grants and corporate partnerships.
- Set annual income targets and monitor progress, adjusting strategies to ensure goals are met.
Donor & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and manage relationships with major donors, patrons and sponsors.
- Oversee donor communications, appropriate acknowledgements and stewardship activities to maintain and deepen engagement.
- Represent the gallery at fundraising events, networking functions and relevant public engagements.
Campaigns & Special Initiatives
- Design and implement major fundraising campaigns, including gala events.
Grants & Proposal Writing
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities from trusts and foundations.
- Supervise grant writing, reporting, evaluation and compliance processes.
Collaboration & Reporting
- Work closely with curatorial, marketing and education teams to align fundraising with programming.
- Provide regular fundraising reports and forecasts to the board.
- Support the Board of Trustees and Fundraising Committee with strategy, materials and coordination.
Person Specification:
Experience
- Proven track record (3 years) in fundraising roles, preferably within the arts, cultural or nonprofit sector.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Knowledge of fundraising regulations and donor data systems.
- Strategic thinker with a passion for the arts and community engagement.
Desirable skills and abilities
- Creative approach to donor engagement and storytelling.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Excellent relationship management skills.
- Experience with legacy and endowment fundraising.
- Existing networks in the arts or philanthropic community.
Personal
- Flexible team member with the ability to collaborate and support other colleagues.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
General
Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Director.
The role may involve occasional evening and weekend working, as well as early morning and late evenings, for which time off in lieu will be given.
REF-225 793
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!
We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Spurgeons, who believe in creating brighter futures for children, young people, and families. As one of the UK's leading children's charities, firmly supported by Christian beliefs and values, Spurgeons helps vulnerable children and their families by delivering projects that support them and their communities to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges they face.
We are seeking a Supporter Engagement Lead to play a central role in building strong, lasting relationships with supporters, ensuring every interaction reflects care, transparency, and impact.
You'll act as the first point of contact for supporters, delivering excellent supporter care through phone, email, and post. Managing all aspects of legacy administration and liaising with families and solicitors, you'll ensure exceptional supporter care throughout. You'll support the delivery of individual giving programmes including welcome packs and annual thanking, while creating and developing stewardship initiatives for key supporter groups such as Old Fegans and Spurgeons Scholars.
Working collaboratively with the Marketing Team and internal stakeholders, you'll create and deliver engaging supporter communications including monthly emails, magazines, and prayer resources to inspire loyalty and long-term giving. You'll also develop and deliver an engaging community fundraising programme, create and manage a suite of challenge events designed to attract new donors, and plan year-round conferences and events (both in-person and online) to promote Spurgeons' work and drive engagement from individuals and churches.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
- Proven experience delivering excellent supporter or customer care, including handling enquiries and building relationships
- Experience managing fundraising administration processes such as donation handling, Gift Aid, and legacy administration
- Track record of planning and delivering successful events (in-person and online) for engagement or fundraising purposes
- Excellent written and verbal communication, able to produce compelling content and engage supporters
By month 3, you'll have gained a full understanding of Spurgeons' supporter engagement strategy and successfully delivered at least one monthly supporter email. By month 6, you'll have launched at least one community fundraising initiative and one challenge event. By month 12, you'll have delivered a fully developed stewardship programme and achieved measurable improvements in supporter satisfaction and retention.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that isn't just goal-driven, but fuelled by creativity, passion, and a love for bold ideas to drive positive change! You'll be part of a team that celebrates successes and believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to do their best work.
For more information, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
Charisma is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments or wish to apply for this role under the Disability Confident Scheme, please confirm in your application, or contact our Operations Teams separately. Charisma will ensure all candidates who disclose that they wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and that meet the minimum criteria for the role will receive an opportunity to interview with the Charisma Consultant representing the vacancy.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.
Location: Home based
Closing date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by Tuesday 3rd February 2026
1st round interviews with Spurgeons: w/c 9th February 2026
Final round interviews with Spurgeons: w/c 16th February 2026
We create family hubs where we’re needed most, so, when a family member needs support, turn to us.



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!
Partnerships Coordinator
This role is available in partnership with The Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine Leaders Programme.
Please read the programme details before making your application.
Salary: £24,479 for 35 hours week plus £312 p.a working from home allowance.
£26,936 for 35 hours per week, plus £213 p.a working from home allowance (London weighting)
Your opportunity
Tackle a vital challenge, with great people. Voice 21 exists to transform children' s learning and life chances through talk and we are working with 1,200 schools across the country this year alone. To reach this goal we recruit great people and give them real responsibility, training and support.
Output focused culture, with flexible working opportunities. We have an agile and flexible approach – our team can work when and wherever works best to deliver the requirements of their role. For staff working at home, we support them to create a workspace and provide technology that enables them to work effectively.
Real development opportunities. We believe in supporting people to develop the skills they need to be excellent – whether this means funding external training, finding a mentor to support them or giving them the time to learn from others in the organisations through our regular CPD sessions. We also offer paid study leave for team members taking part in formal studies outside of work.
Great benefits. 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) and additional Christmas closure period. Holiday entitlement increases linked to length of service, 5% employer contribution to pension, interest-free season ticket, cycle and technology loans, employee assistance scheme.
About Voice 21
Voice 21 is the national oracy education charity. We exist to empower every child to use their voice for success in school and life. Our work transforms learning and life chances through talk by increasing access to a high-quality oracy education for those that need it most. Follow the links to find out more about why oracy is so vital and the impact Voice 21 has.
Your purpose
To support our CEO, Director of Strategic Development and other members of the Senior Leadership Team to engage partners in our strategic planning, including to influence the implementation of the new national curriculum and guidance on oracy and establish a new advisory board to inform our strategy. You will be responsible for supporting the delivery of our partnerships strategy using email communications, providing administration and leading on planning for a series of meetings, round table discussions and partnership events. This will include working closely with the events team organising the flagship Voice 21 events, the Speaking Summit in March 2026 and Great Oracy Exhibition in October 2026.
This is a newly created role in the team and the post holder will play a significant part in shaping it in order to deliver its core purpose. The role may evolve based on the needs of our growing organisation.
Your responsibilities
Partner relationships & communications
-
Ensure that communications to partners are sent in a clear and timely manner, using either automation or other systems e.g. mail merge.
-
Coordinate processes for partnership meetings and roundtables, e.g. the booking process for participants and arrangements relating to special adjustments etc.
-
Use our Customer Relationship Management (CRM), SalesForce, to create records and collect and update partner data.
Meeting coordination & delivery
-
Arrange all key activities for events you are responsible for. This could include Advisory Board meetings (online and in person), visits to schools or roundtable and briefing meetings. Manage invites and book venues, reminder/follow up communications, and ensure feedback is captured and collated.
-
Find solutions to problems e.g. technical issues in an online course; booking an additional venue due to increased demand.
-
Attend events, either in person or online, to provide support to members of the team leading them.
Partnership Strategy Planning
-
Track key progress with our partnership strategy and analyse this to support decision-making.
-
Take ownership of partnership engagement and experience, finding opportunities for improvement and implementing these.
-
Work closely with the members of the Whole Leadership Team to establish a ‘Relationship Manager’ lead system to maximise the benefits of partnerships.
This job is for you if you are...
-
Highly organised, you enjoy making a plan and seeing it through! You might have previous experience organising events or programmes.
-
Quick at picking up new skills e.g. using a Customer Relationship Management system, and generous in sharing your skills with others.
-
A collaborator with great communication skills (written and verbal).
-
Proactive when faced with problems, which you view as an opportunity to learn
-
Have strong IT skills and are competent using MS Office (essential)
-
Have previously used a marketing automation platform (MAP) or worked with a contact database (desirable, not essential)
-
Comfortable managing ambiguity - even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear you make a start on figuring it out.
-
You are passionate about Voice 21’s mission and helping us meet our ambitions.
Who you’ll work with:
-
Our Senior Leadership team: made up of our CEO and 4 directors; your work will support objectives across the wider leadership team. You will work directly with the Director of Strategic Development.
-
Our broader team across Voice 21: Collaboration and partnerships are a key part of Voice 21’s new five year strategy so your work will be across the Voice 21 team.
-
Our partners, including Voice 21 Oracy Schools and Centres of Excellence we work with to support delivery of our 2030 Strategy.
Where you’ll work: Remote, with regular national travel to attend programmes and meetings, including regular overnight stays.
You will also be required to attend Time to Shine key events which are detailed in the Guide for Potential Programme Candidates
Contract: One year fixed term contract linked to specific grant funding and subject to successful probation review at 3 months.
Terms: We would welcome applications on a full-time basis. Candidates need to be available to start within 4 weeks of any offer.
Application details
The Rank Foundation is looking for Time to Shine (T2S) Leaders who can meet the aims of the T2S programme, please refer to the Time to Shine application pack as applicants who do not demonstrate this through their application will not be considered.
The 12-month programme is experiential and focuses on building leadership skills and encouraging personal and professional development. The T2S Leader is employed by the charity and spends the majority of their time gaining valuable work experience and developing professional competency within the workplace.
To apply:
Please follow the link to send your CV and a short cover letter with the subject line: "Partnerships Coordinator.” and answer the following questions:
-
What do you know about the Rank Foundation?
-
What excites you about taking part in the Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine programme?
-
What made you want to apply for this role?
-
What skills will you bring to the project?
-
What will be your biggest challenge in this role?
-
What do you hope to achieve during your T2S year?
Closing date: 1st February 2026
We reserve the right to close the advert early should we exceed the number of applicants we can review within our recruitment process deadlines prior to interview commencement dates.
Interviews date: First Interviews 5th and 6th February
Second interviews, 10th February 2026
Start date: Must be before 13th April 2026.
Questions: If you have any questions about the role, or would like to discuss it before submitting an application, please contact Amy Gaunt, Director of Strategic Development
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Use your digital marketing skills to deliver record-breaking campaigns that raise millions for great causes at a multi-award winning digital agency.
8Cats Digital is on a mission to create the most effective, creative, and accountable digital marketing campaigns in the sector and we’re looking for an ambitious Digital Marketing Executive to join us.
You’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering digital campaigns that have real-world impact - from bringing in leads for legacy campaigns to raising seven figures for individual giving. You’ll take a client brief and lead it through every stage: creative ideation, execution, optimisation, and analysis.
If you're someone who thrives in a fast-paced agency setting, loves solving problems, and wants your work to make a difference, this is your chance to grow with us.
What You’ll Do:
- Take briefs from major charity clients and translate them into outstanding multichannel digital strategies
- Oversee campaigns from start to finish: from creative briefing to real-time optimisation to final reporting.
- Work across a diverse range of causes and channels, leading on paid media and collaborating with specialists on delivery.
- Write clear, actionable briefs for our in-house team (designers, media buyers, copywriters).
- Monitor live campaigns using Meta Ads, Google Ads, and GA4 - spotting trends, fixing problems, and seizing opportunities.
- Deliver post-campaign insights that go beyond the numbers - and explains the 'why'.
- Support the senior team on key accounts, and lead others independently.
- Contribute to our long-term mission to raise £100m for our clients' causes by 2035. A target we're well on our way to achieving.
What You’ll Bring:
- 2-3 years' experience in a digital marketing role (agency or in-house) working with charities or non-profits.
- Proficiency with Meta Ads, Google Ads, and GA4
- Ability to manage campaigns from brief through to post-campaign insights.
- Strong data skills, able to review performance and draw actionable conclusions
- Experience creating post-campaign reports and communicating impact
- Comfortable working across multiple clients and causes simultaneously
- Charity sector experience or knowledge of fundraising campaign types (desirable)
- Familiarity with other paid digital channels such as YouTube, TikTok, Reddit or offline channels like DOOH or TV (desirable)
Why join the 8Cats Digital team?
- Mission-led: We’re working to raise £100,000,000 for charity by 2035 — and we’re well on our way with £35,000,000 raised so far.
- High-impact work: You’ll shape campaigns for causes including cancer, environmental, humanitarian, social justice, mental health, housing and homelessness plus a range of other health causes.
- Supportive team: Small, experienced, and invested in your growth.
- Creative freedom: You’ll be trusted to find new angles, test new tactics, and help redefine best practice in the sector.
- Early opportunity: Join us at a pivotal time and grow with the agency.
The Details:
- Location: Remote (UK-based), with travel to London for client meetings or team meetups
- Hours: We're looking for full-time, part-time or contract and can be flexible around your home life
- Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience.
Ready to Apply?
Send your CV and a short cover note that tells us:
- Why you think you'd be a great addition to the 8Cats Digital team
- Why does this role and the sector excite you
- A campaign you’ve worked on and your contribution to its success
We’re interviewing on a rolling basis, so get in touch if this sounds like your next role.
No agencies, please.
Please don't use AI in your applications. We want to hear from you, not ChatGPT.
About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships
We’re excited to welcome a new strategic leader to shape and deliver transformational income growth and strategic partnerships for the Trust.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. This is a home-based role, requiring regular travel to meetings with donors, events and to our main hubs for collaborative meetings and team activities.
Role Overview
In this pivotal role, you will lead the refinement and delivery of the Trust’s high value giving strategy, building and sustaining relationships with philanthropists, statutory funders, trusts and foundations, and corporates. You’ll inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team to achieve ambitious income targets and strengthen strategic partnerships that support the Trust’s vision. You will actively demonstrate desired behaviours - enthusiastically engaging with external partners, taking initiative to strengthen the team, and fostering a culture within the Trust that supports high level giving.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement and refine the Fundraising Strategy to deliver significant and sustainable income growth and impact.
- Lead, inspire and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of delivery, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
- Personally lead on cultivating and stewarding transformational relationships with corporates, trusts, foundations, high-net-worth donors and some statutory sources while empowering your team to build profitable, multi-year relationships, a robust pipeline and secured income.
- Prepare, monitor, and deliver the annual business plan and income budget (currently £5m with significant growth planned).
- Represent the Trust externally at a senior level and maintain awareness of sector trends.
- Maintain best practice in fundraising compliance, risk management, and reporting, maintaining the highest standards of integrity.
- Embed diversity, inclusion, and safety responsibilities in all activities.
About You
As an accomplished fundraising leader with a proven track record of delivering high-value income and building strategic partnerships, you thrive in complex stakeholder environments and bring a blend of vision, resilience, and hands-on expertise. You’ll be confident influencing at Board level, adept at navigating ambiguity, and passionate about making a lasting impact.
Skills & Qualifications
- Proven experience in leading a team – skilled at building, inspiring, and motivating teams to achieve fundraising goals.
- Comprehensive expertise in major donor fundraising, corporate partnerships, and trust and foundation giving, alongside a working knowledge of statutory giving.
- Demonstrated expertise in high-value fundraising and partnership development, with a proven ability to create, cultivate and steward long-term relationships while influencing internal stakeholders to secure and sustain transformational support.
- Proven success in securing transformational gifts and multi-year partnerships.
- Demonstrable problem-solving skills, able to influence inside and outside the organisation.
- A proven ability to develop and write persuasive and successful funding applications and partnership proposals for major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporates.
- Exceptional communication and networking skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
- Experience managing significant budgets and delivering income growth.
- Knowledge of fundraising compliance and sector trends.
- A collaborative and innovative approach, able to lead and motivate a diverse team while working cross-functionally.
- Personal resilience and adaptability, with the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
What We Offer
We offer an annual salary of £78,000, plus £520 cash car allowance per month. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here:
Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Canal & River Trust is the UK's largest canal charity, caring for a 2,000-mile network of stunning canals and navigable rivers.
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!
Role Overview:
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with Lesley Hynes Fundraising (LHF), a highly regarded fundraising consultancy specialising in charitable trusts and foundations. Led by founder and Managing Director Lesley Hynes, who brings over 30 years’ specialist experience, LHF works in close partnership with inspiring charities across the UK, delivering expert strategy and hands-on fundraising that creates real impact across causes including social justice, health inequalities, environmental protection and community support.
This Trusts Fundraiser role offers an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, fully remote team with a long-standing track record of delivering exceptional service to charity clients. The postholder will deliver vital trusts and foundations fundraising across a diverse range of causes, contributing to the highest standards of fundraising practice within a supportive, ambitious and growth-oriented environment that values creativity, expertise and professional development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategies to maximise trust and foundation income for client charities.
- Conduct detailed prospect research and maintain accurate records of funding opportunities.
- Prepare compelling grant applications and assist with funder reports and monitoring requirements.
- Support the organisation of events and attend external meetings with trust and foundation representatives as needed.
- Contribute to team capacity by providing expertise and additional support to colleagues.
- Maintain accurate client and fundraising data in line with GDPR and data protection legislation.
- Assist the MD in ensuring compliance with all relevant fundraising regulations.
- Keep up to date with trust landscape developments and fundraising best practices.
- Support business development activities, including website and social media updates.
Person Specification:
- Proven experience (minimum three years) in trust and foundation fundraising, ideally within small/medium charities.
- Track record of securing grants of £300,000+ annually.
- Ability to build and manage relationships with key funders and stakeholders.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Skilled in research, data management, and analytical tasks.
- Capacity to interpret complex financial and grant information.
- Organised with good time management and the ability to work independently under deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and clients.
What’s on Offer:
- Salary: £34,000-£44,000
- Location: Remote
- Contract: Permanent
- Fantastic Benefits Include: 5% employer pension, Healthcare Cash Plan, annual wellbeing budget and regular investment into training & personal development
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.
Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.
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.
Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the wellbeing of the city through creative practice. We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic individual to build up Shieldfield Art Work’s fundraising programme and contribute to our strategy. This is a vital part of our work as we seek to become more sustainable and resilient in an ever challenging climate.
Our ideal candidate will have good experience in developing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy in order to take the strategic fundraising work of our community arts hub into a new chapter. You will also be able to articulate your active Christian faith, be able to explain SAW's Christian ministry and show ability to be able to write for both Christian and secular funders with different priorties.
You will need to be self-motivated and confident in your expertise. The role is suitable for candidates who are experienced in larger and multi-year applications to trusts and foundations (ideally in the cultural sector), developing individual giving campaigns and CSR channels, cultivating donor relationships and a good storyteller, to tell the story of and champion SAW. You must be motivated particularly by the social impact and outreach work that we deliver.
Closing Date: Tuesday 10th February, 10am
Location: At SAW/remote working
Contract Type: 12-month fixed-term
Period of work: March 2026 - February 2027
Rate of pay: £41,600 - £52,000 pro rata at 40 hours per week (£20-£25 per hour) based on experience
Number of days: 52 days, 8 hours per day
For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.
About SAW
Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice. We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways. We are blessed with a gallery, workshop room and garden on our site in Shieldfield and so try to organise ways for these assets to be a blessing to our local community.
As a Christian organisation we believe each and every person has inherent worth, bearing the image of our creator. This motivates us to listen to and seek out those whose stories may not be being heard, so that we may better understand and love those around us.
We are particularly committed to our area of Newcastle, Shieldfield, just east of the city centre. We devise and commission art projects that tell Shieldfield’s story, and consider how stories from our local area relate to life outside of Shieldfield. In attempting to reflect a God who is interested in all areas of life, we are interested in the micro to the macro – art that speaks truths about the human condition, to art which speaks to the condition of our planet, and everything in between.
Our site in Shieldfield comprises a gallery, workshop room and community garden, from which we run:
-
Four sessions of Painting for Fun each week
-
Twice monthly Craft Action Collective sessions
-
Gardening sessions (Shieldfield Grows) every week, with a pause in winter
-
SAW Reflects events which provide time and space for deep thinking and conversation
-
A programme of exhibitions in our gallery that changes throughout the year
-
Our community garden is open to visitors all year round.
Shieldfield Art Works is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne, which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


