Strategic development officer jobs

We’re looking for a senior leader to join our Senior Management Team and take overall responsibility for the organisation’s operational core.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a high-impact organisation as a key member of the Senior Management Team, working in close partnership with the Chief Executive to drive organisational excellence, sustainability, and transformation.

As Executive Director, Operations, you will sit at the heart of the organisation leading critical  services and ensuring everything we do is underpinned by strong governance, robust finances, effective systems and an engaged, high-performing workforce. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping strategy, enabling delivery, and ensuring we remain fit for the future.

This role requires a strategic leader who thrives on complexity, brings clarity to challenge, and is motivated by delivering meaningful impact.

What you’ll do

• Lead core corporate functions including Finance, HR, IT, Governance and Facilities 
• Contribute to organisational strategy and decision-making as a member of the SMT 
• Ensure strong financial oversight, planning and risk management 
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and services 
• Support and develop high-performing teams and a positive organisational culture 

What you’ll need

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation
• Expertise in one or more corporate service areas, with the ability to lead across a broad portfolio 
• Strong financial understanding and confidence overseeing organisational performance 
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to influence at senior level 
• Sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities 

You’ll join a collaborative and purpose-led leadership team, with the opportunity to shape how the organisation operates and grows. This is a role with real influence, where your leadership will directly enable delivery, improvement and long-term success. Please find out more from the candidate pack. 

Why join us

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and medical specialties
• Hybrid working – up to 60% remote
• Modern working environment with home‑working equipment provided
• Generous annual leave, plus the option to buy up to 5 extra days
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave (maternity, paternity and adoption) for those with 2+ years continuous service 
• Excellent pension scheme
• Sabbaticals (5+ years’ service) and secondment opportunities
• Interest‑free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Long service recognition awards

As our Fundraising Officer (Community) you will be a key member of the income generation team for Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, joining at an exciting time following significant growth in revenue generation. You will drive our community fundraising efforts, delivering our ambitious plans and meeting financial targets.

You will lead innovative fundraising campaigns, foster and manage community relationships and ensure exceptional supporter experiences. Your role will encompass key community fundraising campaigns to maximise support and donations from both community groups and individuals.

In this role you will collaborate with the wider team to ensure a unified and effective approach to fundraising to ensure that the charity is financially sustainable and widely recognised by the local community. You will support the promotion and delivery of significant events, provide excellent stewardship and enhance supporter journeys. Your proactive, can-do attitude and dedication will play a crucial role in achieving substantial revenue growth and driving the success of our strategic initiatives.

Role purpose

The Head of Finance is a key member of the Charity’s senior management team, working closely with the chief executive, directors, and trustees. The head of finance will lead the day-to-day financial operations of the Charity, including budgeting, reporting, audit, payroll, and pensions. Managing the finance manager and management accountant, the Head of Finance will ensure the effective running of the finance department and smooth day-to-day processes. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will be a key advisor on strategic financial decisions, balancing meticulous operational control with strategic planning.

As the Head of Finance, you will:

• Proactively contribute to the development and delivery of the Charity’s strategy through developing long-term financial planning to underpin our objectives.
• Act as senior finance business partner to the senior leadership team, supporting strategic and operational decision-making.
• Lead on the annual audit and production of statutory accounts, ensuring effective management of the audit process.
• Support the rest of the Charity team to become financially informed and comfortable understanding financial performance, control, and accountability.

Main responsibilities

Financial controls, reporting, and operational finance

• Lead the finance function of the Charity, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial management and reporting.
• Ensure that appropriately robust internal financial and operational controls are in place.
• Ensure that our unrestricted and restricted funds and accounting records are maintained in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly management accounts and other reports are produced by the finance team and distributed to members of the senior management team, encouraging ownership of departmental budgets.
• Manage and oversee accounts receivable and payable, ensuring strong cash management.
• Ensure all banking facilities, financial systems, and internal processes function to a high standard and enable the Charity to carry out its transactional and operational financial functions.
• Lead financial risk identification and mitigation, working closely with the chief executive and leadership team, and reporting to the board of trustees.

Financial administration and governance

• Manage the production of statutory accounts in line with the Charity SORP and lead the annual external audit process.
• Oversee our tax affairs, including PAYE, national insurance, corporation tax, VAT, and gift aid.
• Responsible for our payroll and pensions functions.
• Maintain and continuously improve financial policies, procedures, and controls, working closely with the fundraising and operations teams to ensure organisational efficiency.
• Identify and escalate financial risks to the chief executive and board
• Line manage and support the management accountant and finance manager, ensuring professional development and high-quality output.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

We are looking for candidates with demonstrable strategic financial leadership spanning organisational planning, budgeting, risk, and reporting. You will have:

• You must be a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, OR CIMA)
• Excellent knowledge of charity financial management, SORP, and audit is essential.
• Experience of effective budget setting and implementing controls and processes to manage and monitoring budgets
• Firm understanding of risk management
• Experience of improving policies and processes in comparable organisations
• Success in delivering increased cost effectiveness
• Evidence of building financial impact and performance metrics and reporting
• Understanding of the requirements of legislation, Charity Commission and professional body guidance on a being a well-run and financially accountable Charity
• Considerable experience of management and development of staff

Skills, abilities, and behaviours

• A strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture and make decisions in line with the charity’s needs as part of a team
• Strong change management skills with experience of managing teams through change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret and communicate financial information to a non-specialist audience
• Strong organisational development skills, able to identify and act on opportunities to drive performance in business
• Experience of the charity or not-for-profit environment (this could be gained as a trustee) preferably with some understanding of charity funding and investment management
• Collaborative working style with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Resilient with a flexible, creative and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving

As our Fundraising Officer (Corporate) you will be a key member of the income generation team for Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, joining at an exciting time following significant growth in revenue generation. You'll be driving our corporate fundraising efforts, delivering our ambitious plans and meeting financial targets.

You will lead innovative fundraising campaigns, foster and manage corporate relationships and ensure exceptional supporter experiences. Your role will encompass corporate campaigning and working with local and regional businesses to maximise support and donations to the charity.

In this role you will collaborate with the wider team to ensure a unified and effective approach to fundraising to ensure that the charity is financially sustainable and widely recognised by local organisations. You will support the promotion and delivery of significant events, provide excellent stewardship and enhance supporter journeys. Your proactive, can-do attitude and dedication will play a crucial role in achieving substantial revenue growth and driving the success of our strategic initiatives.

Position: Communications and Engagement Officer

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, 1 day working from home allowance

Salary: £24,454 FTE (£14,870 actual); 5% pension contribution, 33 days of annual leave entitlement (inclusive of bank holidays) pro rata

Contract type: Permanent

Reportable to: Communications and Engagement Manager

Direct reports: No direct reports

Benefits:

• 5% pension contribution
• 33 days of annual leave per year (pro rata) which increases with length of service
• Enhanced sick leave entitlement with length of service
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Individual training budgets
• Discounts on local Barnsley Gyms
• Free parking in the town centre

Job Purpose

At an exciting time of growth and strategic development, Barnsley CVS is looking for a creative and motivated Communications and Engagement Officer to help tell our story and strengthen connections across the borough.

In this entry-level role, you will support how we communicate, connect and engage with local communities, members, stakeholders and the wider VCSE sector. You’ll help bring our work to life – creating accessible, engaging content and supporting campaigns that showcase the impact of local organisations and the difference they make every day.

Working as part of a small, supportive team, you will contribute to delivering communications that inform, inspire and involve. From digital content creation and social media to events and community engagement, you’ll play a hands-on role in helping people understand, access and take part in opportunities across Barnsley.

You will also help ensure that we are quick and effective at responding to the voices of local people and organisations. Your role will be key to supporting Barnsley CVS’s mission to build a strong, connected and thriving VCSE sector that has a positive impact on communities.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone starting their career in communications and engagement, who is passionate about communities, keen to develop their skills, and motivated to make a meaningful difference.

To be successful in this role, you will be someone who already has some experience and knowledge of communications and digital media but also has a genuine interest and passion for the VCSE/Charity sector in Barnsley and is motivated to highlight the work of the sector across our Borough.  Paid working experience is not essential if you can demonstrate an appetite and a commitment to charitable causes and creative communications.

Director of Isle of Man Services & Quality, Performance and Safeguarding
Service: Isle of Man Services & Quality, Performance and Safeguarding

Salary: £85,000 - £95,000 FTE per annum* Additionally £480 FTE per annum home-based working allowance

Location: Homebased with a requirement to be present on the Isle of Man for at least three days/30 hours a week, including regular travel to our London Head Office.

Contract & Hours: Permanent, 37 hours per week. We offer flexible working arrangements.

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:
Family Action supports people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

Are you an innovative, inspirational leader, who is solution focused and passionate about making a difference? Do you have the energy and focus to lead an extraordinary combination of services for children and families across the Isle of Man and take organisational responsibility for quality, performance and safeguarding?

Do you have a proven track record of delivering safe, excellent, inclusive services and cultivating quality and diversity? Are you hungry to show how you can drive system change? Are you looking for a diverse, ambitious and fast paced organisation where you can be part of the Executive leadership team – if so, you have found it.

About the Role:
The Director’s primary function is to provide strategic, operational and professional leadership across Family Action’s services on the Isle of Man (children’s residential homes, secure accommodation, short-stay homes, wraparound and edge of care services, semi independent accommodation, aftercare services, family support and Family Time) - ensuring consistently high-quality, safe, trauma informed practice and provision that meets statutory requirements and best practice standards.

The Director will be the organisational lead for quality assurance, performance and safeguarding, responsible for designing, implementing and assuring robust governance, oversight, and continuous improvement frameworks. They will collaborate closely with Manx Care, Commissioners, partners, multi agency safeguarding arrangements, and internal teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for looked after children, care leavers and families - modelling the organisation’s values; people focus, can do, excellence and mutual respect.

Main Responsibilities:
• Provide executive leadership for Residential, Wraparound, Edge of Care, Leaving and Aftercare services, Family Support and Family Time on the Isle of Man ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and contract specifications.
• Develop high-quality, trauma informed, therapeutic approaches across all services, ensuring models reflect emerging research, innovation, and best practice.
• Serve as the strategic lead for safeguarding, ensuring compliance with organisational safeguarding procedures and statutory requirements.
• Establish, monitor and report on Quality Assurance frameworks, including audits, inspections, risk management, incident reporting, and service performance.
• Ensure all residential services, including secure accommodation, operate in accordance with the Children and Young Persons Act and relevant inspection and regulatory frameworks.
• Advise senior leaders and governors/trustees on matters relating to Residential, Wraparound, Edge of Care, Leaving and Aftercare, Family Support and Family Time provision on the Isle of Man and quality assurance, performance and safeguarding across Family Action.
• Direct line management of two Deputy Directors and overseeing budgets to ensure efficient, cost-effective service delivery. Championing the sharing of learning, the development of staff and volunteers and best practice across services to support continuous improvement and innovation.
• Strategic and accountable leadership, leading the Directorate by motivating and galvanizing the team to achieve the highest quality services maximising outcomes for the children and families we support.
• Be part of the Executive Group of Directors and the Chief Executive, influencing organisational development and decision-making, resource allocation and future strategy.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):
• Passionate about social justice, improving life chances and supporting children, young people and adults on the Isle of Man.
• Passionate about leading quality, performance and safeguarding across an entire organisation, and being part of a high-performing executive team leading an exciting and fast-paced charity.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in children’s social care with significant leadership experience in regulated environments.
• Proven responsibility for safeguarding, statutory compliance, quality assurance and regulatory engagement. And who has
• Proven experience working with vulnerable children, young people, and complex families, including trauma-informed practice.
• Highly robust, able to prioritise multiple workflows and issues and a fantastic and inclusive leader that can inspire their Directorate, peers and other senior leaders across Family Action.
• Present on the Isle of Man for a minimum of three days/30 hours a week and to attend Executive Group meetings in London once a month.
• Appointments are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks and Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced and children’s barred list.

Benefits:
- an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays
- up to 6% matched-pension contributions
- flexible working arrangements with the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment
- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- eye care, winter flu jabs vouchers and cycle to work scheme
- professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

Closing date - Thursday 21st May at 23:59.

Interviews and assessment - week commencing 1st or 8th June via Microsoft Teams.

If you would like to discuss the selection process or the potential for flexible working, please see email address provided on the Family Action job advert for David Holmes.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We also encourage applications from candidates with lived experience of the people we serve. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and we strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and also, we will make reasonable adjustments on the job where required. All candidates with a disability are welcome to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and request priority consideration for an interview, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role.

To help remove financial barriers, we will reimburse reasonable travel costs if you attend an interview in person.

*Salaries are typically not offered at the top of the range and will be based on the level of skill and expertise of the successful candidate and internal equity.

GM Moving is seeking to recruit an individual with purpose, passion, and integrity to lead, support and connect the Greater Manchester system in creating the conditions to enable Active Lives for All.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £40,777 - £48,226 p.a. (NJC Spine Points 30 – 37). Salary to be at entry-level except for exceptional circumstances.  

Contract:  1 year fixed term (maternity cover)

Greater Manchester Moving is the Greater Manchester charity committed to changing lives by inspiring a healthier future in Greater Manchester through moving more, sport, and physical activity. We play a strategic leadership role in support of the Greater Manchester wide movement, for movement.

It’s an exciting time to join the team as we develop our vision to build and foster relationships with and between people, communities and system partners, to enable a whole system approach to supporting the development of community networks, activities and opportunities to move more and tackle inequality.

We are looking for someone who loves working with people, who can unite people from diverse backgrounds around a vision, who understands the power of collaboration and who can work with others to help people connect, support and lead across sectors, organisations and alongside communities to help us achieve the ambitions set out in the ten-year strategy, GM Moving in Action.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high performing Active Partnership team working with a network committed to making positive change through movement, physical activity and sport.

This is a full-time role (37 hours per week), but job shares, secondments and reduced hours will be considered as part of our commitment to flexible working. Working days will predominantly be Monday to Friday. Our team works a minimum of two days a week in person, and our core office day is Tuesday. Occasional evening/weekend work may be required.

We have permanent office space at House of Sport in Manchester, and office space with GMCA and NHS GM at Tootal Buildings, Oxford Road, Manchester. We have regular team and co-working days, blended with homeworking. We trust you to work in a way that suits you and that enables you to be productive and thrive.

Greater Manchester Moving is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity, irrespective of ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, pregnancy or personal circumstance. We aspire to being a diverse, inclusive and responsible organisation. Our aim is to have a workforce that reflects and understands the communities we work alongside.

The Recruitment Pack (which includes the Job Summary), Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, are available to download from our website. Please complete your personal statement with close reference to the Our Ideal Candidate section of the Job Summary.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 31 May 2026 (midnight) 

Interview date: Monday 15 June 2026 (possible alternate date Thursday 18 June 2026) - If you are unable to attend the scheduled interview date, please highlight this in your application when submitting.

No CVs or agencies.

The Communications Department inspires, informs and engages the public by showcasing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission, impact and scientific progress across all channels. We lead the charity’s media and strategic communications activity, ensuring clear, accurate and compelling storytelling that supports research, fundraising and organisational priorities. The Strategic Communications Officer will be part of the Corporate Communications team – one of several specialist teams in the wider Department.

The Strategic Communications Officer will play an important role in delivering high‑quality campaign and communications activity that supports ARUK’s strategic goals. Reporting to the Corporate Communications Manager, this individual will mainly work collaboratively with colleagues across Brand and Strategic Marketing on our big impact campaigns, as well as supporting the corporate communications team when capacity requires – this could be working with the CEO office, Fundraising or filling a need from the wider team.

The role holder will help to coordinate campaign workflows, gather accurate information, and support the delivery of integrated communications activity. The Strategic Communications Officer will contribute to the smooth running of campaigns by maintaining organised processes, supporting planning and reporting, and helping to produce content that strengthens understanding of dementia and the urgent need for research. The postholder will also help to create engaging, accessible content for cross‑channel campaigns and ensure that messaging is consistent, evidence‑based and aligned with organisational priorities.

Projects to own and drive forward include World Alzheimer’s Month, the Christmas campaign, and other key organisational priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Delivery & Production

· Support the research and production of campaigns and projects, including the World Alzheimer’s Month, Christmas campaigns and other Brand activity.

· Support on development of communication plans and materials for supporter‑facing activities and campaigns. 

· Write, edit and proof content for campaigns and projects ensuring accuracy and narrative alignment.

· Prepare, write, pitch and issue media stories to generate coverage for our initiatives and campaigns.

Research & Information Support

· Monitor external trends and sector‑relevant topics to inform content and news planning.

Cross‑Team Support & Collaboration

· Work collaboratively with the Brand team, as well as the wider communications teams on shared projects.

· Support internal communications and the social media team for priority campaigns and strategic projects.

· Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand content needs.

· Work closely with teams to ensure their content embodies Alzheimer’s Research UK tone of voice.

Administration, Planning & Coordination

· Provide project coordination support for major cross‑channel campaigns and key organisation publications.

· Maintain clear documentation ensuring campaign materials and project assets are well organised.

· Contribute to content calendars for news and campaigns.

· Manage external freelance support in peak periods.

Quality, Accuracy & Compliance

· Support continuous improvement by sharing campaign insights and recommending enhancements, including introducing repeatable process and templates.

· Champion equity, diversity and inclusion in all communications.

· Ensure clear, accurate and consistent messaging across all outputs.

What This Role Delivers

· Engaging, accessible cross‑channel campaign content that strengthens ARUK’s strategic communications.

· Improved coordination of major brand activity and strategic communications projects.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

· Experience in communications, campaigns, marketing or digital content roles.
Strong writing, editing and proofing skills with attention to detail.

· Experience producing content across multiple channels.
Ability to adapt complex topics into engaging communications.

· Experience supporting cross‑team partnerships or agencies.

· Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects.

· Creative thinker with proactive, solutions‑focused approach.

· Collaborative, confident working across teams.

· Able to work independently with strong attention to detail.

· Confidence using digital tools, CMS platforms and MS Office.

· Enthusiastic about learning and communications best practice

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

As part of our Agile ways of working, you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £30,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 10th May 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks)

Days: To be worked over 5 days, Monday to Friday, with core hours between 8am – 6pm

Contract: Initial 12 months fixed-term contract (with option to extend), subject to the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period

Responsible to: Senior Strategic Lead (People and Place)

Place of work: Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN

We are seeking to recruit to a brand-new post and are looking for an experienced and strategically minded person to strengthen Salford CVS’s strategic VCSE leadership role within Salford.

Main purposes of the post

To provide strategic leadership for Salford CVS’s place-based work, ensuring the VCSE sector is influential, represented and embedded within key strategic partnerships, boards and system-wide initiatives across Salford. The postholder will work closely with the Senior Strategic Lead for People and Place to shape strategic agendas, strengthen cross-sector relationships and ensure VCSE voices help influence the city’s long-term plans relating to Pride in Place, regeneration, housing, social value, climate action, culture, and wider place-based priorities.

For more information, please download the full Job Pack.

How to apply

Please download and complete our application form via the ‘Apply’ button.

Closing date: Noon on Wednesday 13th May 2026.

Interview date: Thursday 21st May 2026 at Salford CVS offices in Eccles.

About the Mercury

The Mercury creates and shares stories that are exhilarating, revelatory and relevant. Through the reinvention of classic texts and the creation of bold, new writing, we believe that the transformative power of theatre can enrich the lives of our community.

The Mercury is a significant regional developer of new talent, working with a range of partners across the arts, education and creative industries to deliver a studio programme and a learning, participation and professional development programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of theatre makers.

Everything we do is driven by our values of quality, innovation, diversity, and connection.

About your new role

Are you a commercially minded fundraiser, passionate about garnering support for a cause you love? Come and join #TeamMercury as our new Head of Development and Partnerships.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in identifying and securing funding, building commercial partnerships, and nurturing meaningful strategic relationships that drive sustainable growth.

You will lead on securing income from Trusts and Foundations, statutort funders, lottery sources, individuals, corporate partnerships, membership schemes and commercial coproduction investments.

The successful candidate is creative, highly collaborative and forward-thinking. You will bring experience across a range of fundraising approaches and the ability to make the most of a mix of commercial streams. We would love to hear from you!

To find out more, download the candidate pack.

Applications close at 10am on Monday 18 May 2026. First round of interviews will take place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is entering an exciting new chapter. 

Founded in Brighton and Hove in 2013, Release has grown from a small local charity into a financially robust organisation with a growing national reach. Under the leadership of our outgoing CEO, the charity has been transformed—moving from a challenging financial position to one with strong reserves, clear sustainability, and ambitious plans for growth. 

We now provide affordable 1:1 online counselling to women across the UK, alongside specialist group programmes supporting maternal mental health and key life transitions. One-to-one counselling is a core offer and a vital income stream, enabling us to extend our reach while staying true to our values. 

This period has also seen Release grow from having no volunteers to working with over 20 dedicated volunteer counsellors, strengthening our capacity and community impact. 

As our CEO steps down, Release is ready for its next phase—building on strong foundations, amplifying our national impact, and remaining firmly rooted in our purpose: being a charity that supports women’s mental health, run by women, for women.

Carers First is a charity that works directly with, and for unpaid carers, providing personalised information, advice and tailored support making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.

We have a committed, dedicated staff team and you could be just the person we are looking for to join us to make that valuable difference in carer’s lives.

We live and work through our values in all that we achieve by being positive, collaborative and ambitious and we have clear plans to scale our reach, support and impact for carers.

About this role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Development Manager to join our team. Reporting directly to the Director of Income and Engagement, you will play a key role in securing and sustaining income to enable Carers First to grow its support and impact for carers. Your responsibilities would include: -

• Identifying, assessing and managing commissioned contract and funding opportunities aligned to Carers First’s strategic aims, maintaining a clear and intelligence‑led pipeline.

• Leading the development of compelling, high‑quality and cost‑effective bids and proposals for carers services and support (including re-securing existing contracts). Working with services, co-ordinating bid plans and bid teams to ensure a consistent, unified approach.

• Supporting the mobilisation of new contracts and services.

• Supporting delivery of the Income Generation Strategy, including leading on larger Trust, Foundation and grant applications where appropriate.

• Building effective relationships with commissioners, funders and partners to support business development and market engagement.

• Using quality, insight, outcomes data and carers’ feedback to strengthen bids, inform service improvement and support the development of innovative service models that improve outcomes for carers.

About you

To be successful in this role you will bring a strong mix of business development expertise, Local Authority commissioned contract success, sector knowledge and collaborative working, alongside a commitment to improving outcomes for carers, with;

• A strong track record of securing new Local Authority commissioned contracts and re securing existing contracts, with experience of commissioning and procurement processes in health, social care or the voluntary sector.

• Proven experience of leading bid development activity and bid teams, producing high quality, persuasive proposals within tight deadlines.

• Experience of senior stakeholder engagement and relationship management with commissioners, funders and partner organisations.

• A good understanding of health and care systems, including Local Authority and Integrated Care System priorities and pressures.

• Experience of service design and service improvement, working collaboratively with multi disciplinary teams and people with lived experience.

• Excellent organisational, programme and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse insight and impact data and translate this into learning, improvement and compelling cases for support.

• A collaborative, inclusive and supportive approach, with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and strong alignment with the values and mission of Carers First.

We are looking for passionate people who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Charity. Carers First is committed to providing a supportive, vibrant, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Carers First Can Offer You

In return for your contribution, we have an amazing package of staff benefits including 26 days annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service, flexible working options, paid carers leave, access to our work-place pension, staff discount scheme, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package.

Whatever you are aiming to achieve in your career, we are here to encourage, help and support you grow, through our excellent training and development programmes.

How to apply

To apply for our exciting opportunity and make a real difference to the lives of carers, visit the Carers First website and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.

Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service that we consider acceptable.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Kate Kennard, Director of Innovation and Development, via our recruitment team to arrange a call.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Interviews: Successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first round interview:

Stage 1: Online competence-based interview – Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Second‑round interviews will only be offered to those candidates who successfully meet the required criteria at the first interview as follows:

Stage 2: A face-to-face meeting in London with an interview panel – Tuesday, 26 May 2026. You will be required to do a presentation, and details will be provided in advance.

Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Positive       Collaborative        Ambitious

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks)

Days: To be worked over 5 days, Monday to Friday, with core hours between 8am – 6pm

Contract: 18 month fixed-term contract in the first instance (subject to the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period)

Responsible to: Bruce Poole, Senior Strategic Lead for Wellbeing, Health and Social Care

Place of work: Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN 

We are seeking to recruit to a brand new post and are looking for an experienced and strategically minded person to strengthen Salford CVS’s strategic VCSE leadership role within Salford.

Main purposes of the post

To provide strategic leadership for Salford CVS’s health and social care work, ensuring the VCSE sector is influential, represented and embedded within key strategic partnerships, boards and system-wide initiatives across Salford.

The postholder will work closely with the Senior Strategic Lead for Wellbeing, Health and Social Care to shape strategic agendas, strengthen cross-sector relationships and ensure VCSE voices help influence the city’s long-term plans relating to Health and Social Care.

For more information, please download the full Job Pack.

How to apply

Please download and complete our application form via the ‘Apply’ button.

Closing date: Noon on Tuesday 12th May 2026.

Interview date: Friday 22nd May 2026, in person at Salford CVS’ offices.

Working closely with the People Partner, HR Administrator, Compliance Manager, Finance Department and Managers across the Charity, the HR Officer will play a key role in ensuring people processes are joined up, compliant and well understood, while supporting engagement, consistency and continuous improvement across the employee lifecycle.

Specific duties include:

HR Policy Ownership (Primary Responsibility)

Induction Coordination

HR Analytics & Reporting

Employee Relations & Support

About you:

You should be CIPD Level 5 or equivalent HR experience, with strong experience of writing and reviewing policies.

Have experience implementing and embedding HR policies

Have experience coordinating inductions and onboarding processes

Have strong Excel skills, with experience creating dashboards and HR reports

Have knowledge of employment law and HR best practice in charities

Have excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills

Have ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently

We offer interesting and varied roles, believe in empowerment, and offering you a competitive salary and opportunities for development and training. You will be joining a supportive culture that encourages a healthy work-life balance and you’ll be part of a positive and friendly HR team. 

Benefits include:

Ø  Workplace pension - 5% ER contribution (with an option to increase to 6%)

Ø  6.8 weeks of Annual Leave (FTE) including Bank Holidays.  Additionally, you will earn one extra day of leave for each year of service, (based on number of full years you will have completed on 1st April each year) up to a maximum of 5 additional days.

Ø  Generous company sick pay allowance.