Strategic design lead jobs in Manchester

• Accelerate building decarbonisation, support Paris goals & resilient buildings
• Strategic communications leader for new global hub shifting climate narratives
• Europe/UK-based, remote; built environment/climate expertise ideal

The Organisation
  
The Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), hosted by Meliore Foundation and funded by philanthropy, is a network of communications professionals in the fields of climate, energy, and nature. A collaborative network in over 20 countries, across 6 continents, GSCC covers themes including climate science and impacts, food and nature, finance and economics, energy, transport, industry, and multilateral climate processes.

With a focus on media debate and public discourse at the global level, and in major economies across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, GSCC supports partners in a variety of sectors and geographies via unbranded strategic communications strategies to support the goals encapsulated by the Paris Agreement.

Decarbonising the built environment is among the most urgent and under-communicated climate imperatives but is often framed as costly, bureaucratic, or politically challenging. To address this, GSCC is establishing a dedicated Built Environment Strategic Communications Hub, within the broader GSCC network. The hub will bring together strategic communications expertise and campaign delivery to support the transition to near-zero and resilient buildings.

Benefits & Culture

• Build and manage a new team of international climate communications professionals across Europe and Asia.
• Huge growth potential. Collaborates with the global climate network and ecosystem partners.
• Competitive remuneration, generous holidays.
• Full time 24-month fixed-term contract with possible renewal subject to performance and funding.
• Global, remote, ideally in Europe, work/visa sponsorships and relocations are not provided.

• Shape and implement the overall vision and strategy of the Hub.
• Build, manage, and develop a high-performing, cross-cultural team of up to 7 communications professionals in the initial phase, fostering strong collaboration across countries, disciplines, and political contexts.
• Identify policy issues to shift via strategic interventions for maximum impact.
• Oversee effective national campaigns, ensuring they are achievable and evidence-based.
• Manage the budget, financial reporting, and stakeholder relationships.

• Leadership of campaigns, media, and digital teams across European geographies, with experience collaborating across global markets.
• Strong geopolitical nous and political strategy expertise to influence change.
• Budget management (€1M min), compliance, and reporting experience.
• Ability to operate successfully — and lead others effectively — in complex, dynamic, political, and cross-cultural contexts.
• Excellent English communication skills: a European language is a plus.

If you are a skilled strategic communications leader in Europe, with the decarbonisation expertise to drive the visibility, ambition, and action needed to place buildings at the centre of the climate transition, then please  apply by submitting a CV and cover letter, responding to the skills and experience required, quoting # 1408448. 

Alternatively, request a full information package call Lois Freeke in Melbourne on +61 (0) 3 8080 8978 for a confidential discussion.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment values equitable recruitment practices and is committed to representing candidates reflective of the diverse organisations and communities we work with. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs. If you are interested in this position and have most of the skills or experience we are looking for, please go ahead and apply.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Location: Remote working. Must be willing and able to travel to London, Edinburgh and elsewhere across the UK to support business need

Reporting to: AHS Chief Information and Technology Officer (to be appointed Spring 2026)

Hours of Work: FTE 37.5 hours per week

Purpose of the post

The Strategic Data Lead will play a critical role in managing the study’s data pipeline, devising and implementing strategies for the collection, management, storage, documentation and curation of complex participant data, and sharing data with research users. In particular, there will be a need for innovative, remote data collection methods that are acceptable to children and young people taking part in the study. The role holder will provide specialist advice, direction and input to the wider scientific team to maximise the potential of the study data and future proof the resource. They will drive forward innovative solutions which enable the long-term strategic vision for data management in the study.

Main responsibilities

Strategy

• Provide expert input into the design and delivery of the study before data collection begins, maximising data quality and efficient management from the start.
• Devise and implement a data management strategy, including appropriate data architecture, meta-data and data pipeline(s), to support the study’s aims and meet the needs of the research community.
• Consider the long-term strategy for data preservation and discoverability, to futureproof the resource and ensure maximal use.

Technology and innovation

• Identify and oversee the delivery of novel solutions for collection and management of complex health data, including transfer of data from specialist equipment and mobile technology, such as wearables or app-based data.
• Lead procurement activities, where required, to support the data management strategy, translating the needs of users into appropriate specifications and working with third parties to oversee delivery of solutions.

Risk management and compliance

• Oversee the development, management and continual improvement of all procedures used to process, manage and store data, ensuring that they are kept up to date and comply with relevant legislation and local guidelines.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with other longitudinal population studies (LPS) in order to seek advice where appropriate and ensure sharing of best practise within the LPS community.
• Work closely with researchers, data scientists and national bodies, such as Population Research UK and the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration, to support study objectives.
• Consult and co-operate with colleagues and stakeholders, including children and young people, to support the use of the study’s data for collaborative research purposes, identifying opportunities to maximise the potential of the data.
• ​Offer creative solutions to issues that arise, consulting with and influencing stakeholders with differing expectations, ensuring the impact of any change is communicated and understood by those involved.

Essential criteria:

• Proven track record of managing large and complex data sets within an academic, research or similar environment, including different types of data from multiple sources, including those with complex ethical and governance requirements.
• Thorough understanding of legislation regarding data management, confidentiality and security.
• Understanding of research governance.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing a data management strategy.
• Experience of implementing current and developing technologies used for collecting, storing and accessing research data.
• Excellent organisational skills with the proven ability to manage multiple competing projects simultaneously to achieve deadlines.
• Educated to degree level in Computer Science or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Proven innovation and pro-active problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to influence and negotiate with different levels of staff and external contacts.
• Excellent communication with both internal and external stakeholders including the ability to communicate technically complex ideas at an appropriate level.

Desirable criteria:

• Proven skills in programming using various languages and technologies including understanding of data manipulation and statistical packages used to manage, manipulate and analyse data e.g. SQL, Python, R.
• Proven ability to effectively lead, direct and manage a team of technical staff.
• Experience of working with a longitudinal research study, or equivalent, at a senior level.
• Excellent presentation skills, with experience of presenting to diverse audiences.

Working Environment

• Full time role with flexible working arrangements.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.
• Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations.
• As a small charity, we offer a range of benefits, including enhanced sickness and family-friendly pay, additional annual leave, the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days’ holiday each leave year, a 10% employer pension contribution, and one paid volunteering day per year.

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply online with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 25 January 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 23 February or 02 March 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership and delivery teams. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

A rare and exciting opportunity to support the fundraising and strategic development of a wide range of Charities in the UK, as part of a friendly and supportive consulting team.

Charity Fundraising Ltd provides a comprehensive range of fundraising, strategic consultancy and evaluation services to Charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Established in 2000, our services range from grant and contract bid writing and review, to developing fundraising strategies, developing M&E frameworks and undertaking project and programme evaluations. We also offer a range of strategic support, mentoring and training. We work with lots of amazing charities, both local and national, small and large, across the UK, covering themes such as: Homelessness; addiction; youth; community; disability; mental health; minoritised groups; medical conditions; heritage; environment and more.

We are seeking an exceptional fundraiser who can offer a strong track record of driving organisational growth in the voluntary sector. Multi-year experience in two or more of the following core service areas is essential:

• Achieving major grant funding from trusts, foundations, lottery distributors, public sector agencies or similar.
• Planning and developing successful contract tender submissions.
• Planning and developing successful fundraising strategies and action plans.
• Major Donor, Legacy or Corporate fundraising strategy and delivery

The role is varied and interesting - managing a portfolio of clients and supporting them directly or strategically with their fundraising, impact evaluation and organisational development. Our consultants are all employees and we work closely together as a supportive team, sharing and developing skills and knowledge. We anticipate the appointee may not hold experience across all core areas of our services. We will enable the appointee to focus on projects that play to their strengths and experience and provide further support and training as necessary.

Based from home (must be UK resident), with ad hoc client and team meetings/socials (all travel paid), mostly within England. All IT equipment provided. Full-time or part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE - 28 hrs).

Benefits include: 24 days paid annual leave (pro rata), 5% employers pension contribution, potential cash / annual leave bonus, CPD budget and paid CPD time + lots of opportunity to learn from our experienced consultant team.

Please note that applications will only be considered where the screening questions are fully completed.

Here's what some of our team say about working for Charity Fundraising Ltd:

"I don’t think I have ever worked with such a nice bunch of people, everyone has been very welcoming, supportive and just all round lovely" 

"I really enjoy working for CF because I get to work independently with a diverse range of interesting clients, and am also part of a great, supportive team - best of all worlds!"

“Supportive and fun team; and great to learn new ideas from others fundraising skills, knowledge and expertise”

"I love being part of such a passionate, professional team and who prides itself on building close working relationships with each other and with our clients."

Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy and Research Leadership

  • Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
  • Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  • Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
  • Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
  • Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
  • Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
  • Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.

• Internal Collaboration

  • Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
  • Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
  • Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
  • Line manage junior staff or associates as required.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:

• Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
• Experience in income generation or bid development.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Politically aware and intellectually curious.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
• Committed to personal and professional development.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Lead innovative programmes that strengthen social cohesion and create lasting change. Join Belong and help communities thrive across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in delivering impactful, evidence-based programmes that bring people together and foster inclusion. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are expanding our reach and deepening our impact. The Programme Lead will be at the heart of this journey, shaping and delivering high-quality initiatives that respond to local needs and drive systemic change.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Programme Lead, you will design and deliver innovative programmes that make a measurable difference to communities. You will lead the development of local strategies, co-create solutions with partners, and ensure programmes are inclusive, impactful, and aligned with Belong’s mission.

Key responsibilities include:

• Programme Design and Delivery

  • Lead the delivery of Belong’s local programmes, ensuring they are evidence-based and responsive to community needs.
  • Design and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and community engagement activities.
  • Apply strong research methods, including desk-based analysis, surveys, and social media insights.
  • Manage programme budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure effective delivery.
  • Monitor and evaluate programme outcomes, producing reports and insights for stakeholders.

• Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, community organisations, funders, and commissioners.
  • Co-design programme approaches with partners, ensuring shared ownership and relevance.
  • Represent Belong at external events, meetings, and forums to promote our work and build new opportunities.

• Strategic Development

  • Contribute to Belong’s organisational strategy through programme innovation and learning.
  • Support business development by identifying opportunities, developing proposals, and contributing to bids.
  • Share learning and best practice across the organisation to inform future programme development.

• Planning, Delivery, and Risk Management

  • Demonstrate strong project management skills, including coordination of deliverables and budget tracking.
  • Conduct risk assessments and map risks and opportunities to ensure programme success.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys working collaboratively, and is passionate about creating lasting change in communities.

About You
We are seeking a proactive and collaborative programme leader with:

• Proven experience in designing and delivering community-based programmes.
• Experience working in or with local government or voluntary sector organisations.
• Strong facilitation and engagement skills, with familiarity in participatory methods.
• Excellent project management skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with strong communication skills.
• Relevant qualification in community development, public policy, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of social cohesion and integration issues.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities.

Desirable: Experience in Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Collaborative and solution-focused.
• Entrepreneurial and proactive in identifying opportunities.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape programmes that build stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. Since 2020, our engagement with over 40 philanthropic foundations and businesses has supported them to make over £250m of new funding available for climate action, and we have already helped them make grants to over 200 different organisations.

Our work with corporates

We work closely with businesses* to develop and implement strategic grant-making funds, through their corporate foundation arm or internal budgets, that align with their mission and values, while making a tangible climate impact. 

Increasingly, our work with businesses has focused on agri-food businesses. In today’s world, they can no longer count on steady yields, consistent quality, or predictable sourcing from global supply regions. Climate volatility is no longer a distant risk; it’s an immediate operational threat. Businesses that fail to invest in climate resilience now will face higher costs in the long-term, for example through more frequent supply shortages and greater business disruption. Companies that depend on agricultural supply chains for their business survival should treat bold climate action as a strategic investment in managing financial risk and staying competitive.

Impatience Earth has already helped a number of companies to better understand where their biggest climate risks and opportunities lie in their value chain, and support them through a learning and strategy process, through to implementation of funding. Crucially, we’ve helped them to identify how and where to invest philanthropically to both build climate resilience within the business and demonstrate their leadership across the sector. In 2026, we want to expand this work and proactively engage agribusinesses who may benefit from our advisory support. 

The role

We acknowledge that most agribusinesses have their supply chains based in the Global South, and through our work with them, we would like to see them engage in forms of reparative finance that builds the climate resilience of farmers and communities in those regions.

We are seeking a dynamic, justice-driven, Regenerative Agriculture Lead to help agri-food businesses rethink how they invest in climate impact. In this role, you will engage senior executives, particularly in sustainability, procurement, supply chain, and corporate strategy, to shift from short-term, carbon-offsetting based approaches toward directly funding regenerative agriculture practices within their supplier networks, and working towards business transformation as a whole.

Your work will help agrifood businesses transition to more resilient, low-carbon, and nature-positive supply networks by unlocking capital that accelerates climate-smart and justice-centred practices on the ground.

Your initial focus and priority within the role would be in sales and business development, and once you’ve secured high value clients, you’ll also be supporting on delivery and advisory with those clients.

Key areas of focus

Strategic sales & business development

• Identify, engage, and nurture relationships with senior-level executives at companies with agriculture-linked supply chains and networks (e.g., food & beverage, apparel, beauty, consumer goods). Note that Impatience Earth has a partnership eligibility criteria that influences the types of organisations we work with.

• Lead consultative sales conversations with companies that rely on carbon offsetting, or are looking to reduce their sustainability budgets, highlighting the value of increasing investment in direct regenerative supply chain transformation as a tool for building long-term resilience.

• Build and engage a pipeline of corporate clients and guide prospects from initial interest to proposal development, and deal close.

• Represent Impatience Earth at conferences, industry events, and executive briefings.

Thought partnership & advisory

• Engage corporate leaders on the financial, environmental, and operational benefits of transitioning to, and increasing direct funding towards regenerative agriculture.

• Translate complex climate, carbon, and agricultural concepts into clear business cases and ROI narratives, and occasionally share knowledge and provide training for Impatience Earth colleagues to develop team knowledge.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to help companies design pathways to supply chain transformation that is good for the business and the climate

What we’re looking for:

• 5+ years of experience in business development, corporate sales, partnerships, sustainability advisory, supply chain solutions, or climate/ESG-related roles. We encourage applications from folks who have worked in sustainability or procurement teams within agribusinesses.

• A proven track record of selling into or advising agribusinesses, with a focus on sustainability, carbon markets, climate tech, or agriculture-related domains.

• Strong ability to engage C-suite and VP-level leaders with credibility and influence.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to distill technical topics (carbon accounting, regenerative agriculture, climate finance) into compelling narratives.

• Comfortable navigating complex corporate structures, long sales cycles, and multi-stakeholder decision processes.

• Comfortable working in an evolving and early-stage organisation, with an entrepreneurial mindset: proactive, scrappy, and excited to build something new in a rapidly evolving market.

What’ll be nice to have:

• Knowledge of Scope 3 emissions, insetting, carbon markets, or B-corp and sustainability reporting frameworks (i.e. SBTI, TCFD, CSRD)

• Familiarity with agricultural supply chains, rural development, regenerative agriculture, or nature-based solutions.

• Experience developing climate or sustainability strategies for large corporates.

How you’ll know you’re doing a good job

• You consistently build and advance a high-quality pipeline of corporate prospects.

• You help shift C-suite mindsets from funding short-term initiatives, carbon offset projects or reducing sustainability budgets to embracing direct, long-term regenerative supply chain investment.

• You close deals and create new partnerships that directly fund agricultural transitions and measurable climate outcomes.

• You become a go-to expert for companies exploring how to finance and scale regenerative agriculture.

Benefits

As part of this role, you will have a pro rata allowance of 25 days paid annual leave, individual coaching, a professional development budget and be part of a passionate team committed to advancing climate action. We have put in place, and continue to build, a range of measures to build an inclusive and welcoming work culture centred on wellbeing, and we hope we will receive applications from people from a range of backgrounds.

How To Apply:

We are not able to sponsor visas, nor are we able to have calls with candidates in advance of application.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you have any access requirements or need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how to support you.

• Stage 1: Submit your CV plus either a cover letter (1.5 pages max), or a short video, that includes details about your relevant experience for the role and why you think you’ll be a good fit. Please consider the Requirements for this role section when you write your cover letter/record your video, particularly points 2-5. Please submit documents in PDF format as we are unable to open MS Word files.

• Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short initial video call carried out on Zoom to discuss your experience and what excites you about the role. We will send all candidates the interview questions in advance. 

• Stage 3: You will be asked to complete a short assignment at a time that suits you. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates a £50 stipend to cover the time invested in this exercise.

• Stage 4: As part of the final interview stage, you’ll be invited to a full interview, and we will be sending all candidates the interview questions in advance. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates an additional £50 stipend to cover the time invested in preparing for the interview.

Who You Will Meet:

As part of the interview process, you will meet Aditi Shah (Co-CEO), and Vicky Murray (Associate). For more information, see our website, impatience.earth.

This is an exciting and pivotal leadership role at the heart of Kinship’s digital transformation. You’ll lead a talented and ambitious team to deliver and develop live digital services, accessible content and user-centred products that kinship carers rely on to access support.

This role does not own all services delivered through digital channels. It owns selected shared digital products while also enabling teams across Kinship to deliver their work effectively through digital platforms, content and journeys, while teams retain ownership of their services and outcomes. You’ll provide leadership on standards, user experience, accessibility and innovation.

Context:
Kinship is expanding its reach and digital capabilities, and our digital platforms are central to how we deliver services at scale. In 2024, we launched a new website bringing together all content and services under one home, and introduced Kinship Compass, a postcode search tool that helps kinship carers find relevant local and national support.

Alongside this, we have been developing a new AI-powered tool to help kinship carers access trusted information quickly and accurately, 24/7. You will lead the evolution of these digital services ensuring they are safe, ethical, resilient and data-informed, and that innovation is always grounded in reliability, safeguarding and user trust.

You’ll play a key role in the Department for Education funded national Training and Support Service, ensuring kinship carers can easily access and book high-quality training through our digital platforms.

You’ll oversee content design in collaboration with internal and external subject experts and kinship carers themselves and lead the digital and content streams for Kinship Minds, including the development and delivery of our e-learning platform and curriculum.

This role sits at the intersection of digital service delivery, product development and content design. At Kinship, content design is distinct from communications or marketing. It focuses on designing clear, accessible and trauma-informed information, learning content and user journeys that enable kinship carers to understand their options, make decisions and access support. Content is treated as part of the service itself and is central to the quality, safety and effectiveness of our digital platforms.

This is a role for a digital leader who is both strategic and operationally grounded. You’ll balance innovation with delivery, experimentation with governance, and ambition with accountability. You’ll champion inclusive, accessible and co-produced design, ensuring digital products support real-world service delivery and improve outcomes for kinship families.

You will work closely with colleagues in the Communications and Policy team (who sit in a separate department and lead external communications, campaigns and social media) and who own the external communications strategy. You will ensure clear alignment while retaining a distinct focus on digital service innovation, product development and content design.

What you'll be doing:

Digital leadership and strategy

• Lead the Digital and Content Design team, setting clear priorities and building a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Own and deliver Kinship’s digital strategy and product roadmap, covering the website, Kinship Compass, Kinship Minds, the AI tool and other digital services, excluding marketing and social media.
• Provide digital leadership across Kinship, strengthening capability and effective cross-organisational working.
• Lead responsible digital innovation, ensuring AI and emerging technology are used where they clearly improve service delivery, accessibility and user experience.
• Take accountability for digital budgets, agency relationships and delivery against agreed outcomes, timescales and quality standards.
• Horizon scan and translate external digital developments into practical, service-led improvements for Kinship.
• Contribute to organisational planning, reporting and income generation linked to digital innovation.

Website, content and digital product development

• Lead the ongoing development and innovation of Kinship’s digital platforms to ensure they are user-centred, accessible and continuously improved.
• Oversee the content strategy and governance for Kinship’s website, Kinship Compass and new e-learning platform.
• Work with internal colleagues to improve our workshop booking system.
• Ensure a consistent content design approach across all digital platforms, grounded in user need, plain English, trauma-informed practice and continuous testing and improvement.
• Lead the content design team to develop content for strategic projects working collaboratively with subject experts and kinship carers.
• Work closely with Advice and Training teams to ensure digital platforms and content design support service delivery, quality standards and DfE contract requirements.
• Develop an excellent understanding of end-to-end audience experience and how the website, online content and digital products can drive effective online services and enhance the kinship ecosystem. Map the user journeys across our website and digital products leaving no dead ends.
• Ensure integration across all platforms (e.g. website, telephony, Salesforce, Kinship Minds) to create seamless user journeys for kinship carers and internal teams.
• Embed meaningful participation and co-production with kinship carers in digital service and content development.
• Drive accessibility and inclusion, ensuring our digital services reach and work for all kinship carers, including those with lower digital literacy.
• Ensure strong digital governance, accessibility, documentation and use of insight to continuously improve performance and impact.
• Oversee SEO, analytics and data-driven optimisation to improve engagement, performance and impact.

Type of person we’re looking for:

We’re looking for a service-led digital leader who is as comfortable with operational delivery as they are with strategy and innovation. You’ll understand that digital products are part of how services are delivered, not an add-on, and that reliability, accessibility and trust matter as much as creativity.

You’ll be curious, pragmatic and values-driven, with the judgement to know when to push innovation forward and when to prioritise stability, safety and user confidence.

You are likely to:

• Have led live digital services or products that people rely on, not just content.
• Be comfortable balancing innovation with delivery, and experimentation with governance.
• Think in terms of end-to-end service journeys, not just platforms or pages.
• Be motivated by improving outcomes for people, particularly families experiencing complexity or crisis.
• Value co-production, accessibility and inclusive design as core to good digital practice.
• Bring clarity, calm and consistency to teams working in complex environments.
• Be confident working across disciplines such as digital, services and delivery without needing to own everything.
• Care deeply about doing digital work ethically, safely and well.
• Show commitment to personal development and learning. 

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Head of Digital and Content by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 4 questions below in the online application process.

Closing date is midnight on Sun 18 Jan 2026, first interview online on Thurs 22 / Fri 23 Jan 2026 and second interview in person on Thur 29 Jan 2026. 

1. What attracts you to this role at Kinship, and how does your experience prepare you to lead digital services, content design and innovation in the context of kinship care and families experiencing complexity or crisis? (250 words max)
2. Give an example of where you introduced or explored digital innovation (for example AI, automation or new platforms) in a service context. How did you balance innovation with reliability, safeguarding or user trust? (250 words max)
3. Describe a time you used content and/or service design to help people understand complex information or access support. How did you identify user needs, test what worked, and ensure the content enabled action rather than just engagement?(250 words max)
4. This role leads a small but mighty remote and dispersed team. How have you managed remote teams to maintain clarity, wellbeing, accountability and delivery? Please include a practical example. (250 words max)

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.

• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown).

• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling).

• Charity Worker Discounts. 

This is an extraordinary opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Programmes, a pivotal role at the heart of our mission. You will lead the design, delivery, and impact of Belong’s programmes across England and Wales, ensuring they are strategic, inclusive, and evidence-based. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, you will shape programme strategy, oversee complex portfolios, and drive systemic change that strengthens social cohesion nationwide.

As Director of Programmes, you will:

• Lead strategic development and delivery of Belong’s place-based programmes, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.
• Oversee programme design, implementation, evaluation, and learning to guarantee quality and measurable impact.
• Line manage a talented team of Programme Leads and Coordinators, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
• Apply systems thinking to understand the interconnected nature of community, policy, and service ecosystems.
• Build and maintain high-level partnerships with funders, commissioners, local authorities, and community organisations.
• Represent Belong at national forums, events, and networks, championing our work and influence.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for programme development and funding, supporting organisational growth.

This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will play a key role in shaping Belong’s future and ensuring our programmes make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.

About You
We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader with:

• Proven experience in leading complex programme portfolios and delivering impactful initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a track record of shaping programme strategy.
• Excellent leadership and line management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders, from senior decision-makers to community partners.
• Familiarity with systems change and participatory approaches.
• Understanding of social cohesion, integration, and related social policy issues.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Highly organised, diplomatic, and politically astute, with experience in income generation and bid development.

Desirable: Experience in areas such as Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.

Personal qualities matter too: we’re looking for someone passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK, collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 12 January 2026

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through innovative place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses, and we are proud to champion collaboration, diversity, and evidence-led approaches.

*Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.*

About Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) exists so nobody in Scotland suffers or dies because medical help cannot get there in time. People can get sick or have accidents anywhere and anytime. But in Scotland there are places where urgent medical help cannot reach people. Or help gets there too late. And when lives are at risk every minute matters. As a charity we rely on donations from the Scottish public, companies and communities to ensure that urgent medical help gets to the patient when it is needed, wherever they are and at whatever time of day.

The Role
As part of our strategy for growth and national impact, SCAA is seeking a motivated individual to manage our newly formed Data function, as Data and Insights Manager. This is a hands-on managerial role, which will contribute to both the immediate data management requirements and lead on the development of the longer-term Data and Insights Strategy for SCAA.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in embedding a culture of data-driven decision making, using insights and analysis to support future growth, with a particular focus on fundraising, marketing and supporter engagement. They will ensure the right frameworks and infrastructure are in place to allow for effective data management and data-driven decision-making across the charity.

This role can be fully remote, with the option to work from Perth Airport, where SCAA headquarters are located or our Aberdeen base at Aberdeen Airport, if preferred. Occasional travel to our Perth base will be required for the successful candidate. SCAA supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements—our current approach typically includes two office days per week for those working on a hybrid basis. The usual hours and days of work will be Monday to Friday, 9am—5pm.

About You

Essential

• Significant experience leading data strategy, governance or CRM development in a fundraising, marketing or customer insight environment.
• Strong knowledge of data protection and GDPR compliance, with understanding of DPO responsibilities.
• Demonstrable experience in designing and interpreting data analysis and insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Experience overseeing CRM systems from a strategic perspective, including planning for improvements or new systems.
• Working knowledge of Power BI or other data visualisation tools from a user or strategic oversight perspective.
• Excellent leadership and line management skills, with experience developing staff and building data capability within the wider team.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders with complex data insights.
• Project management skills.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity sector, especially in fundraising or supporter engagement.
• Experience working with finance teams on reconciliation and Gift Aid processes.
• Qualification in data protection, data analysis, or a related discipline.

Our Benefits

• Pension: 12% employer’s & 5% employee’s contribution (after 3 months’ service)  
• Annual Leave: 36 days (incl. public holidays) + an extra day for your birthday (and additional days with long service)
• Death in Service benefit: 3 times annual salary
• Optional Private Medical Insurance plan and Cashplan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Maternity/Adoption/Paternity Pay
• Access to Blue Light Card
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Hybrid Working (minimum 2 days per week in the office)

Selection Process
Interviews will take place at our base at Perth Airport in Scone. First interviews will take place during the week commencing the 9th February 2026 and second stage interviews will take place during the week commencing 16th February 2026.

How to apply
Please refer to the full job pack on our website.

Application deadline is 5pm on Thursday 29th January 2026. Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

BIND UK is a specialist team offering expert advice and guidance to organisations that are determined to deliver practical, positive and permanent impact to the UK’s Food Waste Challenge. We believe change is created not by a handful of people doing sustainability perfectly, but by everyone doing a little something. Find out more about our values and purpose here. 

About Eat Smart 

Eat Smart is a successful primary school educational programme born in the NE of England designed to inspire children and schools to reduce food waste and build sustainable food systems. We deliver engaging resources and learning experiences that empower schools and pupils to have more ownership of their kitchens/dinner halls, improve student wellbeing, and have increased environmental awareness.

Since 2018 Eat Smart has enabled 70 schools in North East England to rescue their food waste by over 25%, equivalent to saving 6,000 meals worth £13,000 per school, per year, and our expansion to other areas of the UK has already begun. With an ever-growing data set and credibility for school food waste prevention, we have increasing potential to affect school food policy and deliver food waste prevention interventions on a national level. 

As we expand our delivery across the UK, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Development Manager to lead the expansion via a franchise model, build partnerships, and oversee the operational excellence of our growing network.

This is a pivotal leadership role focused on scaling the Eat Smart model nationally. The postholder will drive growth by developing regional and national partnerships, securing funding streams, recruiting and onboarding delivery partners, and ensuring quality and impact across all Eat Smart schools and organisations. 

You will combine strong operational management with strategic business development — ensuring Eat Smart continues to grow sustainably, aligning with Bind’s aims and values. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Growth & Project Development 

• Co-develop and deliver a UK-wide expansion strategy for Eat Smart
• Develop and manage the franchise/licensing model for national delivery partners
• Lead on the recruitment, onboarding, and support of partner organisations to deliver the Eat Smart programme effectively 

Funding & Partnership Development 

• Identify, establish and nurture partnerships with national and local government agencies, policy makers, school bodies and funders
• Build strategic relationships with relevant education, environment and community organisations 
• Research relevant funding opportunities for delivery partners and Bind
• Support delivery partners with the submission of funding applications 

UK Network Management & Evaluation 

• Co-design/develop the Eat Smart monitoring and evaluation system to monitor KPIs and the environmental and social impact of Eat Smart across the UK
• Lead on the management of the monitoring and evaluation system, supporting delivery partners where necessary 
• Create local and national impact reports for Eat Smart and use insights to inform improvement and growth 
• Manage the support network of UK delivery partners, ensuring they are able to deliver the programme effectively 
• Assist delivery partners with meetings with Local Authorities and catering organisations 

Marketing & Communications 

• Co-design and lead on delivery of annual Eat Smart conferences
• Represent Eat Smart at events, conferences, and networking opportunities across the UK 
• Manage Eat Smart UK social media channels 
• Develop digital and print materials to support programme promotion and recruitment

Person Specification

Essential: 

• Align with Bind’s values. If you are this, we can teach you the rest!
• Understanding of third sector grant funding landscape and experience in successful bid writing 
• Strong project management and organisational skills 
• Experience in partnership and stakeholder recruitment and management
• Ability to lead, inspire, and develop teams of partners remotely
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for improving environmental and education outcomes. 
• Excellent written and verbal communicator and proficient in IT systems (shared documents, spreadsheets, Zoom/Teams/Meet, social media, website editing and emails) 

Desirable: 

• Interest in, and awareness of, food waste on a local and global level
• Experience in business development, franchise management, or operational leadership
• Experience working in education, environment or social impact sectors
• Knowledge of primary school systems 
• Experience of community engagement in the UK 
• Full driving license and access to own vehicle 

** A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure Check will be required for the post, but a clean DBS certificate is not essential for the role - we will review employees with a criminal record on a case-by-case basis. **

What We Offer 

• Opportunity to shape and lead the national growth of an amazing educational programme 
• A collaborative, mission-driven environment with real social and environmental impact 
• Flexible working arrangements and supportive leadership. Many of our Eat Smart staff choose to work term-time only 
• Remote working, with an office in Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley 
• Being part of a small and passionate team, who believe in a positive disruptive mission to change the food waste landscape across the UK. 

Key Information

• Deadline for all applications is Mon 12th January 2026 at 9am – applications received after this date will not be considered.
• In-person interviews will take place on 21st January 2026 in Newcastle.
• Based in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley but this role can be worked remotely/hybrid (some UK-wide travel required incl. a trip to Newcastle minimum monthly)
• Contract: 30-32 hours per week (with the option of increased hours during term-time and reduced hours in school holidays). 
• The start date will be end of February 2026, but start dates will be discussed at interview.
• We will contact all applicants as soon as possible to inform them of the status of their application.

Events Lead 

Salary: £34,237 – £38,235 (depending on experience) (see below for more details on remuneration)

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 opportunity

Tackle a vital challenge, with great people.  Voice 21 exists to transform children' s learning and life chances through talk and we are aiming to be working with 2,000 schools a year by 2025. 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.

Remuneration. Our pay is a band and spine point approach where there is up to 7 years progression available (depending on starting point). 

Your purpose

Voice 21 is the national oracy education charity, working with over 1000 schools annually to ensure that every child can use their voice to thrive in school, work and life. Alongside our work directly with schools, we campaign nationally to ensure that oracy is recognised and supported by policy-makers and other key stakeholders. 

We’re looking for an Events Lead who will deliver an ambitious, high-quality programme of events in support of our mission. Based in the Influence team, you’ll play a pivotal cross-organisational role in delivering events in support of our national network of Voice 21 Oracy Schools, sales and marketing, and our fundraising and public affairs goals. 

Your responsibilities

Event development, planning and management

• Support the development and delivery of Voice 21’s Events Strategy, in alignment with our organisational plan 

• Work collaboratively across the organisation, especially with key stakeholders in the Growth and Fundraising teams, to ensure alignment with organisational goals, and effective coordination between teams 

• Plan and manage Voice 21’s annual flagship events: responsible for ticket sale and revenue generation targets; attendee experience; and co-ordination of content generation and programme design 

• Work collaboratively across the organisation to coordinate events (physical and virtual) in support of organisational goals, providing expertise, support in management/delivery, and helping to establish organisation-wide best practice systems and processes 

• Manage relationships with external stakeholders including venues, exhibitors and suppliers 

• Prepare and manage event project budgets, ensuring events operate with the agreed parameters, value-for-money is achieved and that there is effective and compliant monitoring and reporting 

• Evaluate and report upon the impact of Voice 21 events to support evidence-informed decision-making

• Ensure all events communications reflect Voice 21’s brand and strategic messaging.

External event and speaker opportunities

• Take ownership of, and further develop, Voice 21’s processes for the acceptance of external speaking opportunities, in a time of growing demand. Work across the organisation to ensure that this is managed in alignment with our organisational goals regarding partnerships, marketing and influencing. 

• Evaluate and select external events and conferences, as opportunities for Voice 21 to further its mission

Your progression 

 
Within 1 month, you’ll have:

• Started building strong working relationships with colleagues across Voice 21 

• Started developing your understanding of Voice 21, oracy, our events and Influence work 

• Attended one of Voice 21’s annual flagship events (depending on start date) 

• Taken ownership of Voice 21’s external speaker request system

Within 3 months, you’ll have:

• Developed and initiated a process for the development of Voice 21’s external speaker request system 

• Taken over and continued the planning and management of Voice 21’s flagship October event

 Within 6 months, you’ll have:

• In full ownership of Voice 21’s annual flagship events 

• Coordinating events, in collaboration with colleagues from across Voice 21, in service of our organisational goals 

• Supporting the development and delivery of Voice 21’s Events Strategy 

• You’ll have come along to the Voice 21 charity-wide Away Day and met the whole team!

Person specification

Essential

• A proven track record in the management and delivery of conference-style events

• Experience creating and managing events budgets 

• Experience using campaign management software

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for liaising with events stakeholders 

• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities

• Able to form excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders 

Desirable

• Experience working in the non-profit and/or education sectors 

• Experience stewarding sponsor/funder relationships

This job is for you if...

• You love managing events! 

• You’re a systems and processes person - you love to develop them, run them and improve them 

• You’re detail-oriented and see things that others miss 

• You’re pro-active - you love to spot opportunities to contribute your expertise and drive as part of an ambitious team

• You’d like to be part of a cross-functional team, working alongside communications, research and public affairs experts 

Where you’ll work: Remote, with regional and national travel to attend meetings and events, including some overnight stays. 

Terms: Full Time 

Application details 

To apply: 

Please send your CV and a short cover letter 

Your cover letter should briefly:

1. Why would you like to work at Voice 21? (150 words max)

2. Please describe the skills and experience that you would bring to this role (150 words max) 

3. Please describe an event you have organised that you are proud of, and explain why it was a success from your perspective. (250 words max) 

4. Please describe a time when you faced a challenge/something went wrong: what happened, what did you do, and what have you learned (200 words max).

Closing date: Midnight, 27th January 2026.

Interview date: To commence during the week starting 2nd Feb. 

Start date: ASAP.

Questions: If you have any questions about the role, or would like to discuss it before submitting an application, please contact Amanda Moorghen, Interim Director of Learning & Influence

Valuing every voice

Voice 21 believes that every voice should be heard and valued. We are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Voice 21.

Through our One World in Schools (OWIS) programme, we use powerful short films and discussion-based teaching resources to help young people question harmful narratives, build empathy, and take civic action. 
 
Operating across Europe, OWIS is now expanding into the UK, building on its strong international reputation in human rights education.

PIN seeks a dynamic, mission-driven consultant to lead the implementation of the OWIS UK Growth Strategy — a four-month, grassroots plan to grow visibility, school engagement, and strategic partnerships across the UK. 
 
The consultant will translate the strategy into action, working closely with the PIN UK team to test, learn, and build the foundations for long-term programme growth. 

Key Responsibilities 

Build Relationships with Schools and Teachers 

• Gather qualitative insights from teachers about challenges and needs in addressing OWIS topics to ensure the OWIS content and approach (the OWIS “product”) is relevant and appropriate. 

• Recruit and support 5-8 pilot schools to trial OWIS content and provide feedback. 

• Engage teachers as champions and contributors to testimonials or case studies. 

Build Product and Partnerships 

• Establish strategic relationships with NGOs, academic partners and local authorities. 

• Coordinate development of a simple UK-facing digital platform or landing page for content access. 

• Curate and develop content, collaborating with aligned organisations to explore joint licensing or resource-sharing. 

Build awareness and a model for cost-recovery 

• Produce content for 2-3 online posts a month aligned with OWIS messaging.

• Work with PIN UK to pilot the 'Friends of One World' public donation initiative. 

• Map and engage potential high-net-worth individuals and potential patrons. 

• Demonstrate clear linkage between funding and measurable classroom impact. 

• Provide recommendations for sustaining and scaling the UK programme post-consultancy. 

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning 

• Maintain a simple monitoring framework tracking outreach, engagement, and partnerships. 

• Produce monthly progress updates and a final 4-month summary report outlining results, challenges, and next steps. 

Expected Deliverables 

• Minimum of 5 pilot schools actively engaged. 

• 3–5 new strategic partnerships established or formalised. 

• UK-facing landing page or MVP platform launched with curated content. 

• Content for visibility building (thought-leadership pieces, testimonials) 

• Impact summary (qualitative and quantitative) at the end of 4 months. 

Requirements 

• Experience working in or alongside the UK education system, ideally with teachers, schools, or education-focused NGOs. 

• Proven experience in programme or outreach implementation — ideally in education, youth engagement, or communications. 

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities 

• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently and manage multiple workstreams. 

• Demonstrated commitment to human rights, inclusion, and civic education. 

• Right to work in the UK as per UK goverment regulations 

Desirable 

• Experience in fundraising, partnership development, or donor engagement. 

• Understanding of UK PSHE, Citizenship, or Media Literacy curricula. 

• Knowledge of content curation, digital platforms, or educational resource design. 

• Familiarity with digital tools (e.g. Squarespace, Canva, Google Workspace, Mailchimp).

Desirable

• 34,000 – 37,000 GBP Full Time Equivalent (contract will be 50% FTE) 

• 25 days of holiday annually plus 3 study leave days (50% pro-rata); 

• Open and informal organizational culture, interesting and creative work 

• Flexible working hours 

• Access to PIN’s Learning Hub, - e-learning and internal webinars support continuous growth and personal improvement; 

- Travel costs and expenses covered 

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

An exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of a growing adult literacy charity as it expands across North England

One in 20 adults in the UK has never learnt to read at all. This can have a serious impact on their confidence and wellbeing, limiting access to training, employment, and everyday opportunities that many take for granted. Being unable to read as an adult can be isolating and dangerous, reinforces social inequality, restricts economic growth, and worsens intergenerational disadvantage - but it is never too late to learn.

Read Easy helps adults transform their lives by learning to read. It does this by supporting its growing network of locally run, volunteer-led affiliated groups that offer free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching—both in person and online to adults - aged from 18-88. 

With its free, flexible, confidential approach, Read Easy encourages people who are too embarrassed to join a class to come forward for one-to-one support. Each new reader is provided with their own personal Reading Coach, so that they can learn in private and at their own pace. Learning to read transforms their lives in many other ways as well, including enabling them to support their children’s and grandchildren’s reading, and so transfers the benefits to the next generation.

There are currently 80 affiliated Read Easy groups across England, together involving more than a thousand volunteers. Read Easy UK is the registered charity and umbrella organisation which supports this network of affiliated volunteer groups and provides the structure, training and support to enable volunteers to establish groups in new areas.

As our North Regional Adviser, your role would be to provide strategic leadership, guidance, and oversight to ensure that all volunteer groups in your region consistently deliver high-quality services aligned with Read Easy UK’s strategy.

You will support local volunteer leaders to strengthen group performance, and foster collaboration across affiliated groups, so that that they deliver coaching to Readers with consistent quality, and a positive and worthwhile experience is had by all.

You will also find volunteers to ‘pioneer’ four new groups in the counties where there is no Read Easy presence and provide them and our 17 existing groups and pioneers in the region, with high-quality support. Your quality support will ensure that they provide the same for their volunteers and new Readers. From meeting (mostly online) with Team Leaders to provide one to one support, and hosting online and annual in-person volunteer forums, to delivering presentations and occasional training for small groups of volunteers, this is a dynamic and rewarding role.

This is a home-based post requiring flexibility, some early evening working and occasional travel to visit groups. The role is available on a part time basis (22.5 hours p/w, 60% of 37.5 hours p/w FTE).

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Live within one of the following areas: York, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire or Greater Manchester (Due to the location of our groups in the region, and to ensure efficient travel);
• have been employed to work with volunteers for at least two years;
• have strong people management and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills; and the confidence to run meetings and deliver presentations.

Salary & Benefits 

• Annual Salary £17,770 (60% of -£29,500 FTE)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closing and 2 days volunteering leave (upon completion of probationary period) – pro-rata for part time roles
• Company sick pay to financially support you when you are unwell (above statutory upon completion of probationary period) 
• Support when extending your family – company parental and adoption pay (above statutory after 12 months service) 
• Access to RewardHub – which gives retail discounts and has a ‘Wellbeing Centre’ with tools, tips, recipes, workout videos and guides which will help you to reach your own wellbeing goals 
• Training and Development opportunities and resources – we are developing personal plans in this area to enhance employee experience and opportunity 
• A collaborative, creative and inspiring working environment full of committed and passionate employees and inspirational volunteers 

We strive to ensure our recruitment practices are fair, open, easy to access and as inclusive as possible. We aim to recruit a team which broadly reflect the local communities which we serve; to work with and learn from each other to continually improve the service we deliver to our Readers. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion, ensuring a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We welcome you to apply and be your authentic self.

When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification for the role being applied for, they are guaranteed an interview for the job for which they are applying through our Disability Confident scheme.

If you need any support with your application, please contact us,

The closing date for this post is 10:00 Tuesday 3rd  February 2026. Should you be shortlisted, the first round of interviews will take place online on Tuesday 10th  February, with in-person interviews, being held in Birmingham , on Tuesday 24th February 2026.