Strategic lead jobs in Elland, west yorkshire

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people aged 13–24 with cancer. Every day, seven young people in the UK hear the words “you have cancer”, and Teenage Cancer Trust ensures they do not face it alone.

The charity funds specialist nurses and youth support teams in hospitals across the UK and provides vital emotional, practical and psychological support for young people and their families during and after treatment.

Regional fundraising is a core income stream for Teenage Cancer Trust, generating income through a combination of community and corporate fundraising. Supporters are often personally connected to the cause, including young people, families and communities directly impacted by cancer, making this a highly emotive and rewarding fundraising environment.

Teenage Cancer Trust is now seeking a Regional Fundraising Manager (North) to lead and grow income across a significant and high-potential region. With an income target of c.£750k and ambitions for further growth, this role will play a key part in shaping and delivering a more proactive, strategic approach to regional fundraising.

The Regional Fundraising Manager is a senior role responsible for leading fundraising across the North of England, managing a team of four fundraisers and contributing to the wider regional fundraising strategy. The role combines strategic leadership, team development and operational delivery, ensuring sustainable income growth across both community and corporate fundraising.

Reporting to the Head of Regional Fundraising, you will be responsible for delivering regional income targets, developing effective fundraising strategies and ensuring strong pipeline development across the region. You will also play a key role in embedding a more proactive approach to community engagement, strengthening volunteer involvement and maximising opportunities across local communities and corporate partners.

As Regional Fundraising Manager, you will:

• Lead community and corporate fundraising across the North region, supporting long-term partnerships
• Lead and deliver regional fundraising strategy in line with national objectives
• Manage and develop a team of four fundraisers
• Develop and implement regional plans to grow sustainable income
• Drive proactive community fundraising, engaging groups, clubs and local networks
• Identify and develop new income opportunities across community and corporate audiences
• Ensure strong pipeline development, income forecasting and performance management
• Work collaboratively across fundraising teams to maximise supporter engagement
• Lead key projects and initiatives to improve fundraising effectiveness
• Support the wider regional fundraising function as part of the management team

Essential skills and experience:

• Strong experience in community fundraising or relationship fundraising
• Experience managing and motivating teams to deliver high performance
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising plans and strategies
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Proven track record of delivering income against targets
• Experience leading projects or initiatives that drive change or improvement
• Ability to analyse data and use insight to inform decision making
• Excellent communication and influencing skills

Desirable:

• Experience working across both community and corporate fundraising
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams
• Experience working in emotionally sensitive cause areas
• Experience supporting teams through change or organisational development

Employee benefits include: 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by 1 day with each year of service, up to 30 days annual leave
• End of year closure: when we can, we offer 3-4 extra paid days off over Christmas for a relaxing or time with family and friends. This is decided year by year.
• Up to 5% employer pension contribution
• Annual salary review
• Flexible bank holidays (except 25th and 26th December and 1st January or any substitute bank holidays for these dates)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave benefits
• Income Protection and Life Assurance
• Health Cash Plan plus free telephone access to a GP whenever you need it
• Gym discount

Organisational Vision & Context:

At TLG, we’re on a bold, pioneering journey toward 2030 - reshaping how we think, plan and operate so we can deliver our vision with agility and impact. Rooted in our conviction of “Fulness of life for every child, no matter what struggles they face,” and our mission to pioneer unique and relevant approaches for churches everywhere, we see technology as the accelerator that will turn vision into reality. ​​

This is an exciting time to join the team. In response to the growing mental and emotional health needs of children and young people, TLG is exploring two major initiatives: Therapeutic Hubs in churches and schools, and a UK‑wide Coaching Network that equips ministry leaders to work therapeutically with children. Together, these initiatives strengthen the local church’s ability to connect with children and families and extend the reach of compassionate, evidence‑informed support. ​

To make this possible, efficiencies and innovation must be at the forefront of how we work - streamlining processes, embedding digital solutions, and leveraging technology to unlock capacity and accelerate change. ​

This Role’s Impact:

As CRM and Systems Lead, you’ll be responsible for the design, development and ownership of TLG’s Power Platform solutions, with a focus on Dynamics 365 configuration, Power BI reporting, and Power Automate workflows. This role bridges user needs with technical delivery, ensuring digital tools are intuitive, scalable, and aligned with organisational goals. You will lead the development of user-centred digital solutions and play a key role in shaping TLG’s data strategy and digital transformation, enabling TLG to scale innovation across programmes and giving our teams the tools to move fast with confidence.

If you’re a pioneer who loves collaborating across functions and turning complex needs into elegant, scalable tools, this is your invitation to accelerate TLG’s next chapter!

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: Part-time, 22.5 – 37.5 hours per week (0.6 – 1.0 FTE)

Closing Date: Sunday 19th April

Initial Interviews: Wednesday 22nd April – Online

Final Interviews: Tuesday 28th April – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

Please Note: You will not be eligible to apply unless you hold the L2 Award in Instructing Cycle Training and have worked for 5 years in cycle training. If you do not hold this qualification your application will automatically rejected. 

• Lead the Trust’s strategic development work supporting our 2025–2035 strategic ambitions.
• Drive innovation across the Bikeability programme — including training guidance, evidence-based pilots, and digital learning products.
• Use your expertise as a qualified cycle training instructor to shape improvements to national training delivery.
• Support research, evaluation and evidence generation to ensure the programme remains future-focused and impactful.
• Represent the Trust at national forums, government meetings, conferences, and sector events.
• Manage development budgets, oversee project governance, and contribute to strategic decision-making.
• Ideal for someone with quality assurance experience, a strong background in qualification design and evaluation, and a proven track record of delivering innovative, high-impact projects.

We expect to hold interviews on either 10th or 13th April but we may do rolling interviews. 

This newly created and pivotal role comes at a crucial moment in Sands’ strategic journey. As Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will lead an ambitious, integrated high value fundraising programme spanning major donors, charitable trusts, foundations and statutory funders - driving the growth needed to fuel research excellence, strengthen bereavement support, and save more babies’ lives.

During the last strategic period, Sands successfully doubled its income, powered by a strengthened pipeline, compelling propositions and increased donor engagement. As we enter the next strategy cycle, the expectation is to match - and build on - this success, with the Senior Philanthropy Manager playing a central role in delivering the next major uplift.

You will shape and drive a step change in high value fundraising: building a sustainable long-term pipeline, cultivating transformational supporters and unlocking new networks with emphasis across the UK health and research landscape. A key focus will be aligning fundraising closely with the organisation’s new research and Saving Babies’ Lives ambitions - identifying and engaging donors passionate about research excellence, and translating research innovation into compelling, donor-led opportunities.

Confident in pairing organisational priorities with supporter motivations, you will open new doors and deepen engagement with those capable of driving meaningful impact.

With management responsibility for the Trusts & Statutory team, you will strengthen organisational resilience and contribute to sector leading fundraising performance at a time of significant ambition. You will bring a values driven, collaborative and curious leadership style, alongside excellent communication, relationship building and influencing skills. Highly organised, you thrive in fast-paced environments and deliver under pressure. A true team player, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape transformative fundraising and make a profound difference to families and babies across the UK.

Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 pro rata 
Based: Based from home with frequent travel to our network of schools and EdCity (paid for)
Hours: Full time (32.5) 

Lift Schools is one of the largest and most ambitious multi-academy trusts in England. With schools across five regions, our mission is clear: to provide an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day. Mathematics sits at the heart of that mission. We believe that strong foundations in mathematics and numeracy unlock opportunity, academic success and lifelong learning. We are now seeking an exceptional leader to join our central curriculum team as National Lead for Secondary Mathematics to cover maternity leave. Lift Schools is growing so there is scope for the successful candidate to migrate into a permanent to add additional capacity to the team.

About the role
As a senior member of our central curriculum and education teams, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving our national approach to mathematics across our secondary schools. You will provide strategic leadership for mathematics, working closely with school leaders, teachers and central colleagues to improve curriculum quality, teaching practice and pupil outcomes at scale. This is a highly influential role, combining vision, expertise and collaboration to make a meaningful difference to thousands of children nationwide.

Reporting to the Director of Curriculum, you will work alongside regional education directors, heads of department and school leaders, and lead professional networks that build expertise and capacity across the trust.

About you
You are an experienced and credible secondary leader with a strong track record of improving mathematics outcomes and teaching. You hold significant expertise in effective mathematics education. You are strategic, network-minded and passionate about ensuring excellence at scale.

Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 58 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential. Our mission is that we will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day. With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives. We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.

Why join Lift Schools?
- A rare opportunity to influence national practice at scale
- Work alongside a highly committed, values-driven central education team
- An opportunity to drive your subject forward at a high leadership and impact level 
- Flexible working with (funded) national travel
- The chance to make a lasting difference to children’s lives 

How we support you
At Lift Schools, we believe talent drives performance. We offer you:
Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training
Generous benefits: From your teacher pension plan to the benefits of annual leave during most teacher holiday periods,  healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

The role is due to commence September 2026 or earlier if possible. This is a fixed term position to cover maternity leave.  Lift Schools is growing so there is scope for the successful candidate to migrate into a permanent to add additional capacity to the team.

Closing date: 27th April 2026
Interview date: w/c 7th May 2026

All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.
Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.  Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We are looking for a warm, organised and proactive Membership and Individual Giving Manager to help us deepen relationships with our members and supporters. This role is central to building a sustainable income base that allows EDS UK to continue providing vital support, information and advocacy for people living with EDS and HSD.

As part of a small team, you’ll enjoy a varied role that blends hands-on delivery with strategic thinking. You’ll lead our membership scheme, grow regular giving, and ensure every supporter feels valued, understood and connected to our mission. You’ll bring empathy, clarity and creativity to supporter communications, recognising the diverse needs of our community.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a tangible difference every day and help shape the future of EDS UK’s supporter experience.

Job Title: Programme Lead

Reporting to: Senior Programme Lead

Location: North West

Salary: £23,500

Contract: Permanent, term-time only, full-time

Annual Leave: 50 days paid holiday each year which must be taken during school holiday

“The facilitator is a friend and teacher mixed into one… she gets the reasoning from the teacher and the understanding bit from the friend.” - Power2 Rediscover Young Person

Power2 is a fast growing and energetic children and young people's charity that has supported 27,000 young people since 2001. We are based in the North West of England and London and deliver early-intervention asset-based programmes to children and young people who have mental wellbeing challenges and are disengaged from school and more widely. We are well-known for our accredited Teens and Toddlers programme and are supporting young people via Power2 Rediscover, an intensive 1:1 crisis response programme.

With our support, children and young people who are experiencing vulnerabilities and disadvantages improve their wellbeing, re-engage with school and learning, build networks and access opportunities.

We’re committed to equality and operate within a culture and structure that recognises diversity and strives to be fair. We live by our values of Brave, Expert and Passionate and we aim to have an entrepreneurial and flexible approach to work.

We are looking for new Programme Leads to deliver our programmes so that all children and young people, regardless of their needs, feel they belong and can prosper.

Our new Programme Leads will be trained to deliver all our programmes and will primarily work in schools to support young people, their families, and school staff to ensure that at-risk pupils make the most of their education and improve their life chances. Work will include 1:1 support based in a school or in the community and delivery of Power2’s group programmes. The successful candidates could be based in one school or travel between multiple schools.

The relationships you cultivate with the young people you work with are at the heart of our success – so recruiting the right people is paramount. Our facilitators work with significant autonomy and authority and must embrace responsibility and be accountable for their work. They work collaboratively alongside young people, operating as a mentor as they empower young people to develop self-esteem, become resilient and engage with school and their own future. They give each young person the time, the confidence and skills to engage with their education and their future life plans.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check (child workforce) and provide details of two referees.

Candidates are encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description for this role. Your experience, skills and passion will set you apart so tell us your achievements, irrespective of whether they are personal or work-related and how this has shaped you, including things you’ve learnt along the way.

We are specifically interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of the issues we seek to address (childhood experience of having low family income, being disengaged with school and learning, experiencing poor wellbeing/mental health, being care-experienced, involved in gangs and violence). It is also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

Please apply online with a CV and a personal statement. In your personal statement please describe how your skills and experience match the role description and provide your notice period. Your CV and personal statement are submitted on the second page of the application process. Applications without a personal statement will not be considered.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Power2 strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can ALL be ourselves. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We work to ensure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. If we can make the application process more accessible to you, please let us know.

Safeguarding

Power2 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS certificate (child workforce) in place. We may undertake an online search if you are shortlisted.

Do you believe every young person should have the opportunity to thrive, and want to help connect supporters with the chance to make that a reality?
 

Manchester Youth Zone is looking for a skilled, relationship-driven Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Lead to help grow and nurture a community of major donors and corporate supporters who play a vital role in breathing life into the charity's mission.
 

Salary: £39,318 to £42,672 FTE
Location: Manchester, with some homeworking (3 days onsite FTE)
Contract: 12-months with potential to extend, 40 hours per week FTE, with flexibility for reduced hours (minimum 3 days per week)
Benefits: 33 days annual leave, pro rata, an additional day off for your birthday, 5% employer pension contribution, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, onsite gym and sports facilities
 

About the charity
 

Located in Harpurhey (one of Manchester's most economically deprived areas), Manchester Youth Zone is an established independent charity dedicated to providing young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.
 

They support young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, offering high quality youth work, mentoring and targeted support during evenings and weekends. Their purpose is to create passion, purpose and pathways for every young person who walks through their doors.

About the role
 

Major donors have always been central to the youth zone's story. You will manage a portfolio worth over £1 million, nurturing and uplifting valued supporters, as well as securing new five and six-figure gifts.
 

You will create thoughtful, personalised donor journeys and steward significant relationships that lead to long-term, multi-year commitments.
 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone proactive and relationship-led, with the confidence to build trust quickly. Working closely with the Interim Chief Executive, Trustees and senior volunteers during a period of leadership transition, you will open doors, strengthen partnerships and bring the impact of the youth zone's work to life for donors.
 

There is a very real and significant opportunity for growth and development in this role, for the right candidate.

About You
 

You bring a strong track record of securing five-figure, multi-year gifts from either businesses or high-net-worth individuals, along with experience building and converting high-value pipelines.
 

An excellent communicator, you are confident making senior-level, face-to-face asks and developing compelling cases for support.
 

Strategic, organised and calm under pressure, you can manage competing priorities with ease, always maintaining accuracy and care.
 

You are moved and motivated by the opportunity to improve young people's lives and driven to deliver outstanding results.
 

How to Apply
 

Please send a copy of your profile or CV to Amelia Lee at Charity People, as the first step.
 

If your experience matches what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with further information on how to make your formal application.
 

Deadline: Only because this role has been advertised previously, we'll be accepting applications on a rolling basis. If you feel this disadvantages you in any way, reach out to Amelia Lee at Charity People and she'll ensure you don't miss out.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation. 

We are seeking an experienced and committed Youth Work Programme Manager to join The Kite Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop impactful programmes that support and empower LGBTQ+ young people. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of our youth work provision, manage and support a dedicated team, and work collaboratively with partners to ensure our services remain inclusive, responsive, and effective. If you are a thoughtful and motivated leader with a strong commitment to high-quality youth work and creating safe, supportive spaces for young people, we would welcome your application.

This is a remote position but will require travel across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and the surrounding areas.

Contract Type: This is a full-time permanent position, working 32 hours within a 4-day working week. We are happy to discuss and explore flexible options and job share opportunities.

Salary: £34,936 – £40,311 depending on experience.

To find out more about the role, please review the application pack detailing the job description and person specification and apply via the link on our website.

We’re looking for a strategic, creative and collaborative Head of Brand and Marketing to lead our public identity, supporter engagement and campaign visibility. This is a key leadership role responsible for shaping how we present our work, grow our profile and inspire support for people affected by serious and life changing injury.

This role will lead the work to shape and strengthen the Day One brand, ensuring it is consistent, inclusive and compelling across every touchpoint, from national fundraising campaigns to service information. Responsible for leading and developing a small, talented team creating a supportive environment where creativity and collaboration thrive. Working closely with colleagues across Fundraising and Services, you’ll bring teams together around shared campaigns and supporter journeys that deepen engagement and expand our reach. This role blends high-level strategic planning with practical delivery leadership ideal for someone who thrives in purpose-led environments and wants to build a brand that truly makes a difference.

What You Will Bring 

You’ll bring experience in brand and marketing that goes beyond delivery with a track record of shaping how an organisation is seen, understood and supported. That might be from the charity sector, or from campaigns that focused on health, justice or hidden disabilities. You may have worked on sensitive storytelling, built public trust, or led bold campaigns that asked people to think differently. 

Or you might bring experience from a commercial or corporate brand environment with a strong sense of audience insight, creative direction and campaign strategy and a desire to apply that thinking to a cause with real impact. 

Wherever you come from, you’ll understand the value of a trusted brand and how powerful it can be when it's clear, consistent and human. You’ll be stepping into a space where strong foundations already exist and bringing the skills, energy and confidence to help us go further. To strengthen how Day One Trauma Support shows up, build our reach, and grow a brand that truly reflects who we are and the difference we make. 

How to apply 

Please upload your CV and supporting cover letter to Charity Jobs outlining why you’re interested in the role. Please take your time to explain how your experience is relevant to this post.

Closing date: 9am Monday 13th April 2026 

Interviews:  

First stage virtual: Monday 20th April 2026 

Second stage in-person (Leeds): Wednesday 29th April 2026 

For further information, please see the attached recruitment pack.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the development and delivery of our digital learning and natural history publishing at our national environmental education charity.

You will oversee a talented team and collaborate with authors, designers, and creators in the natural history community to deliver innovative training and resources that set the standard for environmental learning.

• Permanent full-time contract
• Starting salary circa £36,973 per annum + excellent benefits
• Flexible base location with remote / home working welcomed
• Make a visible, lasting contribution to environmental education across the UK

Love where you work!

At the Field Studies Council, our mission is to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.

Your team will be responsible for creating high-quality training courses, publications, and resources that inspire learners of all ages. You’ll work together to extend our charity’s impact across the UK.

We value the contribution each team member makes and provide excellent benefits to reward and support you in your role.

What you’ll be doing

In this key leadership role, you will guide the Digital Learning & Publishing unit, ensuring our courses and publications are impactful, financially sustainable and aligned with our charitable mission. Your work will include:

• Overseeing the production and management of biodiversity training courses and natural history publications
• Leading a team to deliver both in person and digital learning experiences
• Managing budgets, business planning, and the operational performance of the unit
• Working with Marketing to grow ecommerce revenue and promote the portfolio
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with partners, authors, tutors, designers, and the wider natural history community
• Identifying new opportunities, markets, and partnerships to expand our reach
• Leading editorial workflows, rights management, licensing, and version control
• Commissioning new titles and resources that support environmental understanding
• Ensuring compliance with GDPR, safeguarding, and copyright requirements

Where you’ll be based

The base location for this position is negotiable, with remote working / home working welcomed. If you prefer working in an office environment, you can work from one of our Field Studies Centres across the UK. Hybrid working options can also be considered.

This role includes travel to Field Studies Council locations and other venues throughout the UK and will involve some overnight stays.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• An experienced senior manager with a strategic mindset
• Skilled at leading teams, freelancers, and creative contributors
• Confident working with authors, artists, designers, and content creators
• Experienced in delivering training materials at regional or national scale
• Commercially aware, with strong budget management experience
• A clear and engaging communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
• Highly organised, detail focused, and able to deliver at pace
• Comfortable using digital tools, databases, and online learning platforms
• Motivated by our mission and values

If you are looking for a role where your leadership can make a genuine difference to environmental learning, we would be delighted to receive your application.

* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:

• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 2 extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
• Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary 
• Health and Wellbeing Support App for you and eligible family members to access remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physiotherapy sessions and financial & legal support
• 24-hour Counselling Helpline Service
• Cycle to work and EV schemes
• Discounts and cashback opportunities 
• Flexible working options where roles permit
• Quality learning and development opportunities

The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 27th April 2026.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council online in the week commencing 11th May 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks / PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.

As Director of External Affairs across the Bild Group of four small charities (with collective turnover of approx. £3m/yr), you will have a deep commitment to human rights and improving people’s lives.

You will provide strategic direction and leadership to the External Relations function across all four charities in the group, taking overall responsibility for and providing thought-leadership on our strategic approach to policy, influencing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement. 

You will play a lead role in planning, developing, and implementing the communication and external relations and wider engagement strategic plan to grow awareness and profile of Bild, Respond, Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and ACT.

By sharing the impact of our work and programmes in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and /or mental health conditions, you will support Bild in becoming the sector leading provider of organisational and workforce development (and RRN in becoming the leading charity in reducing restrictive practices globally – and Respond as leaders in trauma informed therapy).

You will champion Bild and RRN’s brand, vision, mission and values acting as an ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally to partners, stakeholders and media.

Key Responsibilities and Duties: 

Strategic Leadership:  

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and external relations strategy across the four charities in the group to raise our profile and to influence change which positively impacts on our beneficiaries, aligning media, campaigning, and public affairs with the charity’s mission and strategic priorities 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team including Membership and Events Officer, Resources Coordinator and comms team as required 

Comms & Marketing:

• Plan, develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans to maximise awareness of the Bild Group of charities across the broad spectrum of communications disciplines including media relations, stakeholder management, influencer engagement, ethical (impact focused) marketing, social and new media and the production of new materials and resources 

• Write, develop and produce materials such as infographics, press releases, briefing documents, media statements and online information suitable for stakeholders, including people with lived experience

• Ensure effective marketing across all four charities focusing on impact and including ensuring we attend a range of external events and that all four websites are best practice. 

Influencing & Public Affairs:  

• Working with the CEO, you will drive policy change by developing strategies to influence key decision makers through building relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, and sector stakeholders to ensure the charity's policy agenda is impactful 

• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, calls and requests for information in order to capitalise on suitable opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of all four charities

• Build our credibility as a thought leader in the sector 

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:  

• Build and sustain strategic alliances with senior civil servants, civil society groups, and community partners to increase the organization's influence and impact 

• Develop effective stakeholder relationship management processes that ensure partnerships of all levels are provided with a rich, immersive engagement experience with the organisation and the work that we do 

• Identify, liaise with and ensure positive relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external including media, government departments, partners, charities, providers, customers, other relevant parties to secure maximum impact for all four charities and their beneficiaries

Reputation, Brand Management & Marketing:  

• Champion the Bild group brands, promoting the mission, values and impact of the organisation and ensuring consistent, engaging narratives and high-quality storytelling across all external channels

• Shaping the charity's profile and protecting its reputation through media relations, digital engagement, and consistent key messaging and building our credibility as thought leaders in sector. 

Membership, Events & Communities:  

• By ensuring appropriate, effective and engaging communications to all relevant audiences and stakeholders, your role will support the growth and development of our membership, Communities of Practice and the event programme (including webinars and conferences).

• Effectively plan, manage and lead a range of events for the Bild group of charities and associated marketing and communications

• Develop framework for Communities of Practice and strategy for engagement and growth 

• Supporting Bild and RRN spokespeople with PR and media outreach

• Keep abreast of communications and engagement activity within the sector and demonstrate an awareness of the impact these may have on existing and future communications activity

General Responsibilities 

• Contribute to evaluation and assessment of results against KPIs and tracking activity

• Allocate, manage and evaluate budget spend

• Identify resource requirements for activity across Bild group

• Develop and maintain systems, databases and procedures to support Bild group communication activities

• Plan, monitor, appraise and report progress of activity regularly with an innate understanding of how this supports activity across the Bild group

• Plan, manage and oversee budgetary spend related to outsourcing specialist activities such as video editing and design

• Ensure communications and marketing work complies with data protection and other legal, professional and agency requirements, standards and policies

• Support the senior leadership team on any activity as required. 

Personal Development  

• Be part of a culture of quality in all areas of communications, PR and marketing

• Participate and contribute to individual performance appraisal and supervision sessions

• Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within the adult health and social care, education & disability sector and the wider communications / engagement profession

• Undertake relevant training, as necessary including accessing new systems and software as required to support the role.

Organisational Responsibilities: 

• Access and work within Bild’s policies and procedures.  

• Attend internal cycle of team meetings relevant to this role.  

• Engage with line management, supervision (where appropriate) and appraisal process.  

• Comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that information on clients, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders remains confidential.  

• Take responsibility for personal learning and development with support from line manager.  

• Work in a manner that facilitates equal opportunities and inclusion for all.  

• Remain professional and respectful at all times, promoting positive relations with all those we encounter in our work.  

• Maintain health and safety and risk awareness for self and others across the organisation.  

• Undertake any other duties that Bild may require within the remit of this role.  

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review with the postholder at their annual appraisal.  

Person Specification  

Job Title 

Director of External Relations 

• Exceptional copy writing and verbal communication skills

• Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships

• The ability to work effectively within a small team

• Ability to work under pressure, and plan, manage, and adapt own workload

• A flexible, proactive and problem-solving approach to work

• A motivated attitude and ability to work on own initiative 

• A commitment to human rights and modelling accessibility and inclusion throughout activity

• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post

• Fit to undertake the duties of the post. 

Experience/Skills/Competencies 

Essential 

• Significant experience working in communications, policy and PR with demonstrable success

• PR and media management experience, including both online and traditional PR

• Experience of managing and implementing social media plans, including post development, scheduling, evaluation and monitoring feedback

• Experience of overseeing the design and production of print and electronic publications, including website management and development

• Experience of managing CRM systems and ensuring effective data capture and utilising data to inform decision making

• Ability to analyse data and shape results into reports that inform decision making

• Ability to build effective relationships and networks and establish credibility for Bild, RRN, Respond and Bild ACT 

• Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with colleagues, members and wider stakeholders

• Demonstrated digital comms / social media skills and understanding of emerging digital marketing tools and platforms

• Ability to use a variety of IT packages/databases including CRM systems.

• Experience managing budgets and associated reporting

• Ability to work remotely and regularly travel to in person events

• Time management skills and ability to prioritise workload under pressure as part of a small but vibrant team

• Strong awareness and interest in news/current affairs/politics and the broader third sector, social care and education sector. 

Desirable 

• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, preferably in another disability and/or membership charity

• Strong understanding of education, health, social care, disability and not for profit environment

• Strong media contacts within relevant trade sector publications

• Ability to use externally managed media databases (such as Agility etc.)

• Experience with conferences, webinars and hybrid events. 

• Experience supporting and manging a remote team

Education and Qualifications: 

Other Requirements: 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities and able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.  

• Regular travel to attend meetings and events. 

• Occasional evening meetings.  

Legal requirements: 

• Enhanced DBS check. 

Role Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to shape Shine’s strategic direction while managing the operational delivery of our services for children, young people, and families aged 0–25. Building on the success of our Little Stars/Ser Bach programme for members aged 0–12 and the development and extension of the FIRE (Friendship, Independence, Resilience, Empowerment) programme for those aged 13–25, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our support for children, young people and their families.

Working across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you will lead the delivery of an established, evidence-based programme that improves health, social, and emotional outcomes for those living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and associated conditions.

You’ll lead a passionate team and work closely with Shine’s Adult Services Team (25+), Health Team, Wales and Northern Ireland Managers and wider colleagues across the organisation to ensure work is coordinated, complementary, and beneficial to members. At the same time, you’ll forge strong partnerships with NHS professionals, statutory services, and voluntary organisations—driving collaboration that will support our vision of providing consistent, high-quality support for children, young people and families nationwide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Management
• Programme Development & Delivery
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
• Member Support & Engagement

Please see the full Job Description & Person Specification below and on our website. 

Benefits to working at Shine:

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027
• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)  
• 3% pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year
• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Broadband allowance for home-based roles
• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment  
• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders 
• Support to learn and develop 

How to apply 

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job. 

If you would like to discuss the role with our Deputy CEO, Gill Valentine, please contact Shine to arrange a convenient time for a call. 

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria. 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications. 

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

Closing date: Thursday 16th April 2026 at 11pm 

Interviews:  Monday 27th April 2026  

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.