Strategic development officer jobs

At Samaritans we rely on supporter donations to save lives.​

We are looking for a Supporter Care Officer to enhance the supporter experience, process donations, and thank our wonderful supporters for their contributions.

In this important role, you will engage with supporters and members of the public to maximize their relationship with the charity.

If you're passionate about delivering excellent customer service, have keen eye for detail and a great communicator, we’d love to hear from you.

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Contract terms:

£28,000 - £30,000 per annum plus benefits

Full Time

Fixed Term Contract (18 months)

Hybrid working with link to Ewell office

In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month.​

We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences 

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What you’ll do 

Engage with supporters by answering their enquiries

Thank supporters for their donations

Process all donations received by post, phone and BACS

Identify and implement opportunities to build supporter engagement

Record and report on positive and negative supporter feedback

Maintain accurate supporter records

Welcome and steward new supporter enquiries​

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What you’ll bring

Strong customer service experience and mindset

Great communication skills, including telephone, e-mail and letter writing

Ability to manage a varied workload

Experience analysing information to make objective decisions

Confidence in negotiating and influencing

Great time management​

Knowledge of fundraising, including Gift Aid and fundraising legislation (desirable)

Experience working with a CRM database (desirable)

Knowledge of card payments and Direct Debit processes (desirable)​

Full Job Description and Person Specification here

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Why Samaritans?​

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.​

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.​

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.​

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Apply now​

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to some answer short application questions and to upload your CV.​

We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.

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​Applications close: 17th February 2026 at 09:00am

Interviews: w/c 23rd February 2026

Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Salary£49,321.55 per annum

LocationLondon/Hybrid

Weekly Hours35

The Vacancy

Job Title: Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: £49,321.55 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1095733

We seek a strategic and relationship-driven Philanthropy fundraising professional with a passion for making a difference to young people’s lives. If you thrive on securing transformational gifts and building meaningful connections with high-value donors,  then YMCA England & Wales has an incredible opportunity for you to shape and lead our Major Giving programme as our new Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving).

About YMCA England & Wales

YMCA England & Wales supports 83 local YMCAs, advocating for vulnerable young people by providing essential building blocks for a better life—like a safe home, guidance, friendship, and employment skills. We are committed to ensuring fairness and opportunity for all, and through our collective voice, we influence national policy and media to improve the lives of young people across the country.

Fundraising at YMCA England & Wales has three pillars:

• Fundraising for distribution through initiatives such as our RoomSponsor programme and national partnerships
• Fundraise to support YMCAs and fund our policy, campaign and research work, which changes the lives of young people
• Help YMCAs fundraise themselves by providing assets, propositions, and advice for local fundraisers.

The Role

As Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving), you will lead the development and implementation of an ambitious new Major Giving strategy to secure and maximise funds from high-net-worth individuals. Your focus will be on nurturing relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new prospects, driving initiatives including Giving Circles and Development Boards.

You will work closely with senior leadership, Trustees, and key stakeholders to craft compelling cases for support, aligning with YMCA’s ambitious new housing strategy and broader organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, developing tailored engagement strategies to inspire long-term support.
• Plan and execute donor stewardship activities, including bespoke events, face-to-face meetings, and personalised communications.
• Work with senior leadership and Trustees to build strong relationships with philanthropists and high-value supporters.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals, impact reports, and updates to donors.
• Identify and research prospective major donors, developing strategies to engage them effectively.
• Implement YMCA’s ambitious Major Giving Strategy which projects an ever more important focus for this area.
• Oversee the Major Giving income and expenditure budget, providing accurate forecasts and performance reports.
• Collaborate with colleagues across fundraising teams to align strategies and maximise income opportunities.
• Ensure robust data management within the CRM database, adhering to GDPR and best practices.
• Work cross-functionally to develop new fundraising products and giving opportunities, ensuring high-value philanthropy is embedded across the organisation.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated, strategic, and personable fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts. You will be confident in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and passionate about delivering exceptional donor experiences.

You will have:

• Significant experience in major donor fundraising, with a track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to engage and influence high-value supporters.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to create compelling cases for support.
• Budget management and forecasting experience, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, including Trustees and senior leadership teams.
• Knowledge of philanthropy trends, donor motivations, and fundraising best practices.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an ambitious and growing fundraising team, with the opportunity to shape and lead YMCA’s major donor programme.
• Work for a charity that makes a real difference in the lives of young people and communities across England & Wales.
• Enjoy a collaborative and supportive work environment, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with opportunities for professional development.

If you are passionate about philanthropy and have the skills and experience to drive major donor fundraising at YMCA England & Wales, we would love to hear from you!

To apply: please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.

Creative Director and Joint CEO

We are seeking a visionary Creative Director who will also act as joint CEO to lead the artistic and strategic direction of the charity.

For over 40 years, the organisation has used creative practice as a catalyst for social change, promoting inclusion and empowering diverse communities across the North West. The mission and vision is to co-create inclusive, artistic opportunities with diverse communities that enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage. 

If this is something you are passionate about, then we would love to hear from you!

Position: Creative Director/Joint CEO 

Location: Rochdale /Hybrid (in person 2-3 days per week, one of which must be a Wednesday)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Salary: £45,000 plus a 7.5% employer pension contribution

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Tuesday 24 February at 5pm

Interview Date: Thursday 12 March in person in Heywood

The Role

The Creative Director (Joint CEO) is responsible for the artistic vision, creative, entrepreneurial and strategic leadership of the charity. You will work as an equal partner with the Managing Director (MD/ Joint CEO), both reporting directly to the Board of Trustees to ensure that the organisation achieves its project objectives and strategic targets, while providing quality assurance of the work of the company.

Principal tasks and responsibilities include:

• Strategic Development
• Artistic Leadership
• Advocacy and Relationships
• Finance & Fundraising
• Company & Governance
• Management and leadership

About You

We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record in securing funding, overseeing complex budgets, and fostering productive relationships with a Board of Trustees, other partners and stakeholders. You will have a creative and cultural leadership style and with experience of programming that reaches diverse communities.

About the Organisation

Join a dynamic participatory arts charity based in Rochdale, dedicated to using creative practice as a catalyst for social change. For over 40 years the organisation has co-created inclusive, artistic opportunities with diverse communities that enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage.  We call this Art for a Reason. Through a range of initiatives from Art for Wellbeing to community-led festivals, the team provide opportunities for people to explore their heritage, find their voice, and experience the transformative power of the arts. The vision is for a world where everyone has access and opportunities to create, participate and belong.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals who live in Rochdale and/or identify as being of the global majority, disabled, neurodiverse and/or LGBTQ+/and or non-binary communities. The successful candidate will be offered the post subject to an enhanced DBS check and references.

You may also have experience in areas such as Programme Coordinator/manager, Learning and Engagement, Director, Creative Director, Operations Director, CEO, Director of Creative, Joint CEO, Deputy CEO, Assistant CEO, Chief Exec, Assistant Chief Exec, Deputy Chief Exec. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire (minimum 3 days per week on campus)
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £58,000
Closing date: 9th February 2026 (10am)
 
About Edge Hill University Students' Union
 
Edge Hill University Students' Union (EHSU) is the representative body for students at Edge Hill University, one of the largest providers of teacher training in the country. They are a charity dedicated to enriching student life through representation, support, activities and services that help every student make the most of their university experience.
 
About the Role
 
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity as EHSU enters an exciting new chapter. Following the opening of their new building, they are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to drive the next phase of their development, ensuring financial sustainability, strategic growth and excellent student outcomes.
 
As CEO, you will provide visible, collaborative leadership across the organisation, working in close partnership with elected student officers and the Board of Trustees. You will be responsible for delivering on charitable objectives, developing and implementing a new strategic plan, and building a resilient, forward-thinking organisation that responds effectively to the needs of their unique student demographic.
 
About You
 
EHSU are looking for a resilient, emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will have demonstrable experience in senior leadership, ideally within the students' union sector, though they welcome exceptional candidates from outside the sector who bring strong commercial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and an understanding of membership organisations.
 
How to Apply
 
To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form, where you will be asked to answer three questions:
 
Why are you interested in applying and how do you feel your personal values align with EHSU’s mission?

What are the key achievements and outcomes within your career that make you a strong candidate for the role?

How does your leadership style support others in their growth and create a positive environment for empowerment?
 
Key Dates
 
Application Deadline: 9th February 2026 (10am)
First Interviews: 24th February 2026
Final Interviews: 3rd March 2026
 
REF-226 068

High Value Relationships Lead

Are you a senior fundraiser who thrives on building deep, meaningful relationships, understanding what motivates people, earning trust, and working collaboratively to make real change? Do you want your work to help create a world where people with a learning disability are valued equally, heard, and included in every part of society? If so, we want to hear from you.

At Mencap, we’re proud of the long-term partnerships we’ve built with organisations like Sport England, British Gas Energy Trust, and Pears. These are thoughtful, values-led relationships that have already delivered significant impact, and we know there’s even more potential to unlock. 

This is an exciting moment to join us. Our new strategy, Mencap 2030, sets out a bold vision for the organisation, and high-value fundraising is central to making it real. We’re investing in our fundraising capability, with an engaged and supportive Executive team, and an active CEO and Board who understand the power of transformational partnerships and are committed to backing this work. 

We’re looking for a High Value Relationship Lead, a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser who can take our high-value fundraising to the next level – securing multi-year, transformational support and deepening engagement across major donors, trusts and foundations, and statutory funders. You’ll lead a talented, committed team, shape our high-value approach, and build strong, credible pipelines that turn ambition into real, lasting impact. Equally importantly, you’ll ensure our fundraising feels authentic, keeping people with a learning disability at the heart of every conversation, proposal, and partnership. 

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week), permanent role with flexibility on location.

If you are passionate about transforming lives through the power of high‑value partnerships, we encourage you to apply now with an updated CV. Applications close on 1st of March with interviews to be held shortly afterward.

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

·Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Job Purpose: To support the development of a new heritage-themed community project and the delivery of our ongoing programme of community-led services, activities, events across Nottingham. The postholder will play a key role in identifying local needs, building relationships and empowering residents and local groups to engage with, and shape the services in their local area.

We’re advanceNG, a small but vibrant charity based in Nottingham. We are a trusted, values-driven organisation dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of local people. For many years we’ve been known as the Castle Cavendish Foundation and although we’ve changed our name, our commitment to the community remains steadfast.

Why Work with Us?

Collaboration is at the heart of our success. At advanceNG, we work in partnership with local communities and other like-minded organisations - big and small - to pool our strengths and resources, share expertise and create meaningful, lasting social impact in Nottingham.

Our Vision

We are working towards “A better Nottingham, where places and spaces thrive, local people reach their full potential, and communities are stronger, more connected, and more resilient than ever before.” We turn this vision into reality through our mission:

Our Mission

“advanceNG will lead a community program and manage a property portfolio that delivers urban renewal in an ethical, inclusive, and sustainable way.”

Our Core Values

Our core values are the foundation of everything we do, guiding our actions and shaping our identity:

· Be kind, welcoming, and friendly

• Embrace partnership and collaboration
• Promote respect and equity
• Celebrate diversity in all its forms
• Uphold high ethical standards
• Act with fairness and transparency
• Champion environmental sustainability
• Strive for excellence in everything we do

Exciting Opportunities Ahead!

We are embarking on an exciting new chapter, shifting from primarily distributing community grants to actively delivering services and managing community assets. Our dedicated team is ready for this challenge, but we need a passionate Community Development Worker to help us achieve our mission.

Could That Be You?

If you are motivated to make a difference and share our vision, we would love to hear from you!

Age UK Islington is changing the way we age, with a mission to help people to achieve a 'good life'. We do this by providing tailored support to people in the borough of Islington. As an independent local charity, we work at the heart of the community to ensure those people over 60, those under 60 with long term health needs and family carers are given proactive and bespoke support, dependent on their circumstances. 

Age UK Islington is in a position of strength, both financially and in terms of its role within the local community. We are financially stable, technology-driven and produce data that provides key insights into our population. We are pleased to have strong relationships with the local borough and ICB, resulting in mutually beneficial contracts that support residents to address their problems before they become a crisis. 

However with upcoming funding challenges for our NHS and local authority partners, we are looking ahead to maximise the strategic opportunities open to us that enable us to continue to deliver our high-quality and much needed services.

Age UK Islington 

Chief Executive Officer  

Islington, London/Hybrid working: with office working at least three days per week.

Circa £75,000 per annum  

We are looking for a CEO to lead our team of 40 staff and 75 volunteers and continue the development of Age UK Islington to reach a new level of impact. Working with the Board, the CEO will strategically review the current landscape and new opportunities to best support our clients.

Our new CEO will: 

• Develop a multi-year vision for the charity, and a strategy to deliver that vision. 

• Maximise Age UK Islington’s impact by reviewing new business opportunities, developing our services and products and maximising our reach and impact. 

• Lead the organisation externally with key stakeholders, including local government, the NHS and donors. 

• Lead and inspire our dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers. 

In order to continue to provide proactive, supportive services we seek an individual with sound strategic experience and a creative approach, who brings:  

• A proven track record of achieving innovation and maximising opportunities, ideally within the health and social care sector. 

• Solid experience of building strong relationships with a breadth of stakeholders, including trustees, staff, funders and partners. 

• Experience of developing income. 

• Experience of leading, managing and inspiring teams in a collaborative working environment. 

• A passion for helping people achieve a 'good life' in the best way for them. 

Age UK Islington is committed to achieve greater diversity in its executive team and welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief or disability. 

For further information, to access the full appointment brief and to apply to this role, please visit the Prospectus website. 

To arrange a discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie at Prospectus.

Recruitment Timetable  

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 4th March 2026 

Interviews with Prospectus:  10th-13th March 2026 

Engagement meeting with AUKI’s internal stakeholders and Panel Interviews: 20th March 2026 

What makes us unique is that we also care deeply about ‘plugging the gap’ for families and young people who are struggling to find the mental health support they need as a result of financial, social or other disadvantage. For this reason, we are a not-for-profit organisation and offer grant and donation funded programmes when we can.

Youth Arts & Health Trust are a registered charity based in Exeter and East Devon who specialise in providing creative therapies and inclusivity-informed arts activities for children and young people aged 5 to 25.

We are in an exciting phase of our development, with new premises in Exeter, growing activities in East Devon, a dynamic team, a supportive and experienced Board of Trustees, and much shared passion to make a difference to children, young people and families.

We provide our services for children and young people via local authorities, organisations, schools and for families directly.

We are looking for someone with vision and passion who can lead and nurture our highly capable and ambitious team to build further upon our compassionate, inclusive and trauma-informed services for children, young people and families.

This is a 0.7 - 0.8 post (25-30 hours per week) with terms to be agreed with the successful candidate.  We are open to flexible working arrangements with the right individual, whether that’s flexitime or compressed hours, or some other agreed arrangement.   

It is expected that the post-holder will work within our premises for 1-2 days a week depending on service needs, and the remainder of hours worked from home, in the community at meetings or events or working on a hybrid basis.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• To develop and deliver our strategy including a business plan and regular progression reports for the Board to ensure the charity is financially robust.
• To develop existing and new income streams to secure the future of the charity and enable us to meet our charitable objectives of benefitting children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties through arts therapies and arts activities.  This is likely to include grant fundraising, exploring procurement and commissioning routes, philanthropy, appropriate business sponsorship, training delivery and pathways for private purchasing of our service.
• To line manage, support, and collaborate with our Operations and Clinical Director who oversees our team of therapists and practitioners in ensuring all staff are adequately trained, registered, supervised and supported to provide an excellent service to our clients.
• To provide leadership for the charity both internally in regards to a positive and nurturing culture and externally in regard to reputation, partnerships and opportunities.
• To ensure all relevant policies are implemented effectively, developed and reviewed as required.
• To act as one of three Designated Safeguarding Officers and ensure policy is implemented effectively.
• To ensure the charity fulfils all its statutory obligations, working alongside the Board to achieve this.
• To ensure the charity has appropriate systems in place for the management and mitigation of risk.
• To ensure the charity meets its obligations under health and safety law.
• To lead on the development of innovative arts therapy programmes, in collaboration with our Operations and Clinical Director, our staff team and stakeholders.
• To ensure evaluation and impact data is collected and utilised for our learning and to provide evidence for the effectiveness of YAHT’s services.
• To act as an ambassador for the charity.
• If relevant, to carry a small caseload of children and young people to remain practising as an Arts Therapist or other registered mental health professional (if relevant, see desirable criteria).

Transform data into a lifeline for animals and become the strategic engine behind our global conservation efforts. As our Data Intelligence & CRM Officer, you will unlock the hidden potential within our data to drive life-saving results for orangutans, bears, and primates around the world.

Why This Role Matters

At International Animal Rescue, we don’t just rescue animals, we work to protect habitats, and work with communities to deliver holistic and sustainable conservation strategies that boost biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

Your expertise won't just live in a spreadsheet - it will directly inform how we connect with our supporters and fund our mission to release rescued animals back into the wild. You are the bridge between the fundraising team, the CRM and real-world conservation impact.

The Opportunity

This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you will act as the day-to-day lead for our fundraising CRM. You will:

Drive Income Growth: Create high-quality supporter intelligence that maximise the success of our direct mail and digital campaigns.

Uncover Actionable Insights: Analyse supporter behaviour and campaign performance to provide the strategic recommendations that guide our fundraising team.

Master the CRM: Take full ownership of data imports, quality control, and GDPR compliance within our CRM (Donorfy) ecosystem.

Shape the Future: Identify opportunities to improve reporting and data visualisation, helping us work smarter to save more lives.

Who We Are Looking For

You are a data enthusiast who thrives on finding the story behind the numbers. We need someone with proven CRM management experience and a solid grasp of creating meaningful information who can present technical findings to non-technical colleagues with clarity and passion. If you are a collaborative problem-solver who wants to apply your analytical skills to a mission that truly matters, we want to hear from you.

Please read the full job specification for more information.

About Tree Aid:

Tree Aid works with people in the drylands of Africa to tackle poverty and the effects of the climate crisis by growing trees and restoring and protecting land. As part of the Great Green Wall movement, we work where trees are needed most, where temperatures are soaring, and fertile land is vanishing at a terrifying rate. Our pioneering approach has been developed over 36 years of operating. We believe in empowering local communities with the tools and training they need to restore and maintain their environment. 

About the role: 

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Programme Funding Officer to join a dynamic team at a growing international development charity based in Bristol, delivering transformational change for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, living on the frontlines of the climate crisis. You will work closely with the Programme Funding team to secure and maximise restricted incoming from institutional donors, trusts, foundations, and corporates across all Tree Aid countries of operation.

Main duties: 

• Support the development and submission of compelling and high-quality proposals and funding applications.
• Generate new restricted income to expand and strengthen Tree Aid’s programme portfolio, including contributing to securing match funding.
• Deliver excellent donor stewardship to build, maintain, and grow strong relationships with a diverse range of funders.
• Identify and research new funding opportunities aligned with organisational priorities and share prospects with UK and country teams.
• Support donor reporting by contributing to accurate, timely donor reports and project updates as part of effective donor liaison.

About you:

Experience / Skills

• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to transform complex information into compelling cases for support.
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at different levels.
• Proven experience in developing donor proposals and reports and securing funding from institutional donors.
• Experience of donor stewardship.
• Strong numeracy skills and experience reviewing budgets and financial reports.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information.
• Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Familiarity with fundraising best practice and relevant legislation, including GDPR.
• Proficiency in French (written and spoken) is desirable.

Personal qualities

• A confident and excellent networker with ability to engage and develop relationships with external and internal contacts
• Able to work as part of a cross-cultural team particularly with staff for whom English is not their first language
• Solutions focused
• Able to organise and prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• A commitment to Tree Aid’s values

Benefits: 

Optional benefits of working at Tree Aid include: 

• A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 2% and we will contribute 6%) 
• 33 days holiday (inc bank holidays) +1 more day per year up to 38 holiday days 
• Flexible, hybrid working 
• Quarterly social events 

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a passionate and skilled development professional who wants to make a real difference for children, young people, and families in Bury. The main aim of this role is to strengthen the capacity of VCSE organisations in Bury to deliver safe, inclusive, and impactful services for children and young people.

This role is about more than delivering projects. It’s about shaping systems, amplifying voices, and building capacity across the voluntary sector. You will be a connector, advocate and facilitator: supporting grassroots organisations to thrive, embedding safeguarding and better practice, and championing youth voice in decision-making.

If you believe in co-production, equity, and the empowerment of communities, this is your opportunity to lead work that transforms lives and strengthens the VCSE sector in Bury for the future.

Main Responsibilities

• Scope the children’s and young people’s sector in Bury, building positive relationships in the process.
• Create and maintain relationships with children & young people’s VCSE groups and organisations
• Supporting the work of our VCSE organisations and helping them to increase their capacity and capabilities, including their safeguarding skills, through information, advice and guidance (IAG) and training
• Working closely with Bury Integrated Safeguarding Partnership to develop and deliver high-quality, accessible child safeguarding materials, training, workshops and support packages that enable VCSE groups and organisations to build strong and effective safeguarding policies and procedures to meet safeguarding requirements
• To enable the VCSE sector to develop its safeguarding practices and policies with children, and to meet their safeguarding requirements
• Develop and deliver Trauma Informed Training to VCSE groups and Organisations. · Facilitate the Bury VCSE Children, Young People's and Families Forum, including ensuring the production of the forum’s communications, paperwork and resources.
• Represent Bury VCFA and the Bury VCSE Sector as appropriate at key boards, forums and meetings. · Build positive working relationships with VCSE groups and organisations, statutory partners, commissioners and funders.
• Advocating for the role of the VCSE sector in strategic plans/as delivery partners in line with Bury memorandum of understanding between the public and VCSE sector.
• Lead youth engagement initiatives, including youth-led grant-making and civic leadership development · Support co-production activities with young people and families to influence local service design.

As Finance and Operations Manager at Fight Bladder Cancer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and building our finance and operational functions at a strategic level.

You will support all aspects of the charity’s work and development through the provision of strong financial assistance - ensuring accurate financial reporting, sales and other invoicing, bookkeeping, grant management and payroll management.

You will also take day-to-day responsibility for organisational administration. 

This role will involve close collaboration with our small team (currently 7.5 FTE) to ensure our day-to-day finance and operational requirements are met, working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to build greater financial resilience and strategic financial awareness within the charity.

Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.

You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.

You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team. 

Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.

Team:Research and Development

Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location

Duration:Permanent

Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)

Main Purpose

The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).

While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.

They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
• Line management of senior and mid-level staff
• Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate

Income

• Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
• Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
• Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners

Impact

• Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
• Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
• Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them. 

Delivery

• Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
• Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
• Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team

Person Specification

Experience

Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential

Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential

Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential

Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential

Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable 

Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable 

Skills

Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential

Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable 

Clear and direct written communication style - Essential

Knowledge

Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential

Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential

Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -Desirable 

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.

About Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre (MDSC)

Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre (MDSC) is a regional charity supporting people affected by muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions. We deliver a growing portfolio of health, wellbeing and community-based services, underpinned by strong values, lived experience and a commitment to quality.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Delivery to provide inspirational operational leadership across our services. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant and sustainable delivery, while supporting growth, innovation and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the CEO and Senior Team, the postholder will embed a strong performance culture, champion service-user involvement, and ensure services meet regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements.

Head of Delivery JD

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for MDSC’s service delivery portfolio
• Lead and manage delivery teams, ensuring consistent, high-quality performance
• Oversee safeguarding, risk management, health & safety and regulatory compliance
• Develop and maintain quality systems, audits and performance frameworks
• Champion meaningful service-user involvement and co-production
• Lead service development, mobilisation and change management initiatives
• Build productive relationships with commissioners, funders and partners
• Oversee service budgets, financial planning and sustainability
• Support staff development, supervision and performance management

About You

You will be a confident operational leader with significant experience in health, care or disability services. You will bring strong people management skills, financial acumen and a clear understanding of quality, compliance and performance management in regulated environments.

You will be credible with commissioners and partners, comfortable leading change, and committed to ensuring services are shaped by the people who use them.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership role with real influence and responsibility
• The opportunity to shape and grow impactful services
• Supportive, values-driven organisational culture
• Pension contribution
• Annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays
• Ongoing professional development

Safeguarding

This role is subject to a probationary period and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.