Student development network manager jobs in Birmingham

Are you a volunteering or alumni relations professional looking for your next challenge? Do you have a passion for engaging volunteers and for bringing people together? Are you looking to develop your career at a prestigious organisation?

We are looking for an International Engagement Manager to join our team to refine and expand a bold and innovative alumni volunteering programme to support both the priorities of the University and the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO). The post holder will deliver volunteer and engagement opportunities in key markets including China, India, Hong Kong, USA, Dubai, and many others, and will join nine other volunteering professionals as part of the wider team. The role will be responsible for developing a range of volunteering opportunities for international alumni, which support Birmingham 2030 targets around graduate employability, student recruitment, student experience, research and influence. You will be responsible for growing the number of international alumni volunteers and reporting on the impact of your work internally. 

A key component of this role will be developing relationships with colleagues across the University to include alumni engagement and volunteering across the University’s international strategic themes. The International Engagement Manager role will be a point of contact for international matters into the Development and Alumni Relations Department amongst other University departments, including International Student Recruitment, Birmingham Global and Careers Network. As the lead on international engagement activity for the department, you will be expected to travel overseas for events and alumni activity in key strategic regions.

You will be provided with a robust induction and an ongoing training program that will include support from the University as well as expert external providers.

The University has global reach, including several partnerships with other leading universities around the world, and is grounded in our local community, having opened the first fully comprehensive University secondary school in the country in 2015. We are an ambitious and successful research-intensive University (one of the top 100 research-led universities globally) and have produced 10 Nobel Prize winners, including three who received their awards in 2016. Academics here are exploring the impact of climate change, helping to address global health epidemics, and changing our understanding of Shakespeare. Our students come from nearly 150 countries and our flagship outreach programmes mean that almost 25% of our student population come from underrepresented backgrounds: one of the highest proportions in the UK. 

DARO exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

Are you passionate about bringing art to everyone? Do you believe in the power of digital to engage people with the arts? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Philanthropy Manager to join our friendly and dedicated team.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries, particularly individuals who experience physical, mental or social barriers to accessing the arts.

About Art UK

Art UK is an art education charity and the online home for every public collection of art in the United Kingdom. It is making the UK’s national collection of art accessible to everyone online – for enjoyment, learning and research. Art UK brings together art from almost 3,500 British institutions in one of the UK's largest ever arts partnerships and showcases this art to a global audience of 5.5m users per annum. Approaching 60% of this audience is overseas.

Art UK provides significant support to museums and galleries in the UK, by providing them with a shared digital platform to showcase their art collections, reach new audiences, and generate income. Most of these collections would not be able to show their art online without Art UK. The Art UK platform is rich in story content, learning resources for teachers and students, and public engagement opportunities. A shared e-commerce infrastructure helps collections generate much needed commercial income. 

About You

As the Philanthropy Manager, you will be a confident and persuasive communicator, comfortable engaging with supporters and stakeholders at all levels. You will have a solid knowledge of philanthropic giving and a deep appreciation of the value of high-quality donor stewardship. Highly organised and detail-focused, you will enjoy working with data and be skilled at producing compelling content both on and offline. You will bring initiative, creativity and the ability to work independently, while also being a collaborative team player.

The Philanthropy Manager is a new donor-facing role, which will focus on expanding and strengthening a major donor portfolio to increase five and six figure income from individual donors and family trusts for Art UK. You will lead on managing and growing Art UK’s philanthropic giving programme, which includes the Patrons and supporter events programme and our major donor activity. Working within an ambitious team, you will have the support of a freelance Prospect Researcher to identify new prospects, and the Development Manager and CRM Officer to develop donor journeys and relationship management systems. You will report to the Head of Development, work closely with the CEO and Chair of the Philanthropy Board, and collaborate with colleagues across the organisation.

You will actively promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of your work, reflecting your commitment to our organisational values and contributing to a positive workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline through identification, research, cultivation and relationship-building to secure five-figure gifts and long-term support
• Manage a portfolio of mid-level individual donors, converting one-off supporters into deeper donor relationships
• Manage and grow Art UK’s mid-level regular giving programme, strengthening donor relationships through face-to face meetings, events and personalised communication
• Develop donor development strategies, using CRM to analysis and identify higher gift prospects from existing donor pool and maximise giving potential
• Lead on major gifts for annual Big Give campaigns, identifying and securing keystone pledge donors, and leveraging networks to reach giving targets
• Create and implement, effectively and in a timely manner, development plans for each donor to retain and upgrade donors and document all activities in CRM Beacon
• Prepare and personalise correspondence and fundraising materials, including donor stewardship and reports, funding proposals and acknowledgement letters as appropriate
• Work closely with the Marketing team and other colleagues to showcase Art UK’s work and enhance donor engagement
• Organise and deliver events for major donors and prospects (with support from the Development team), including attending events where appropriate
• Support management of the American Friends of Art UK (launching 2026), including donor stewarding and events programming
• Support senior leadership and board members in the preparation and delivery of high-quality donor pitches to secure new philanthropic gifts
• Monitor progress against targets and maintain accurate reporting, including updates to Art UK’s Board of Trustees and the Philanthropy Board
• Ensure pledges and donations are processed efficiently and that donors are thanked promptly and personally
• Work closely with all members of the Development team to ensure prospecting and cultivation activity is aligned and complementary
• Ensure all philanthropic fundraising activity is conducted in line with legal, regulatory and ethical best practice e.g. GDPR and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Code of Practice

Necessary Skills

• Essential: Experience managing a pipeline of philanthropic supporter prospects, including researching and devising bespoke cultivation plans
• Essential: Proven experience as a major donor fundraiser with a track record of securing five-figure gifts.
• Essential: Proven experience creating, implementing and evaluating philanthropic fundraising strategies
• Essential: Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify and shape innovative partnership opportunities
• Essential: Outstanding relationship-building and networking skills, including digital engagement
• Essential: In-depth understanding of the philanthropic fundraising environment
• Essential: First-class written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with a wide range of stakeholders
• Essential: Experience analysing and using supporter data to inform campaigns
• Essential: Strong copywriting, proofing and editing skills
• Essential: Experience using CRM databases with a high level of accuracy
• Essential: Thorough knowledge of fundraising best practice and legislation
• Essential: Self-motivated, reliable and exceptionally organized
• Desirable: Experience planning and managing fundraising events
• Desirable: Experience in donor acquisition through online giving platforms, direct marketing by email and social media campaigns
• Desirable: Active interest in the visual arts and awareness of UK art collections
• Desirable: Experience working with a diverse range of audiences
• Desirable: Experience working on projects with a broad range of partners
• Desirable: Experience of US fundraising and philanthropic giving

Contract terms

• Full-time
• Permanent contract
• Salary £38,000 per annum
• Three-month probationary period
• One-month termination clause
• Work from home, within 2-hour travel time to central London (once monthly travel to London for evening events and meetings required)

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus regional Bank Holidays
• Paid Christmas closure period (Christmas Day to New Year’s Day)
• Flexible working hours
• Workplace pension scheme
• Training and development opportunities
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Above statutory paid sick leave
• Enhanced paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Monthly wellbeing hour
• Trained Mental Health First Aider’s
• Regular staff socials, both virtual and in-person
• Eye tests paid for up to £35, glasses subsidised up to £30

• Are you motivated by hitting income targets and building lasting partnerships?
• Do you enjoy turning conversations into opportunities and ideas into income?
• Are you ready to play a direct role in driving revenue growth in the education sector?

Then this could be the role for you.
 

We are looking for a Business Development Officer to drive revenue growth at Learning on Screen—the UK’s leading charity for moving image in post 16 education. This is a revenue focused role for someone who thrives on relationship building, enjoys closing deals, and is motivated by delivering clear income targets. You will play a key role in growing and diversifying our income through sales, partnerships, and sponsorships, contributing directly to our strategic ambitions.
 

Role overview

• Job title: Business Development Officer
• Salary: £28,000 (£35,000 FTE)
• Hours: 28.8 hours/week (4 days, 0.8 FTE)
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Remote
• Reports to: Chief Revenue Generation Officer

What you will be doing

• Selling our products and services (including memberships, subscriptions, and courses) to meet income targets
• Researching, identifying, and converting new leads across the education sector
• Supporting the development of sponsorship and partnership opportunities with external collaborators
• Building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships to maximise value, engagement, and income performance
• Creating compelling proposals and resources to support income-generating initiatives

What we are looking for

• Experience in B2B sales, partnership development, or commercial (ideally in the non-profit or education sectors)
• A confident communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills
• Someone who is proactive, target-driven, and able to manage multiple priorities
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong data awareness, able to monitor performance and spot opportunities

This is a great opportunity to grow your career in a supportive, ambitious, and flexible environment while contributing to our mission of transforming education through the power of moving image and sound.
 

About us
Learning on Screen is a membership organisation that champions the use of moving image and sound in post-16 education. We give educators and students access to millions of films, TV programmes and radio broadcasts—spanning over a century—and support our members to use this content confidently and creatively. From expert copyright advice to innovative partnerships, we help bring teaching to life and open up new possibilities for learning. If you're passionate about education, media, and meaningful impact, you’ll feel right at home here.

How to Apply: 

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the 'apply' button below: 

• Your CV
• Cover letter outlining your relevant experience and qualifications
• Completed equality and diversity monitoring form 

Application Deadline: Tuesday 10th March 2026 by 12pm. 

Interviews: W/C 16th March 2026.

Please note that this is a part-time, permanent position. The job description is subject to occasional amendments and not considered part of the employment contract. Flexibility is required within the broad scope of the role. 

Learning on Screen is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to consider any applications received after the deadline. 

About the Role

As a passionate professional in the identification, development and management of a wide range of relationships in support of our programme partnership, you will ensure the Career Ready programme in Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire continues to thrive, which includes securing charitable donations from supporting partners. You will work closely with our Programme & Partnerships Manager for Glasgow, in support of our work growing there.

This role requires experience of partnership and account management and the scale and ambition of our social mobility work means you will need to be well organised, confident and able to positively influence a wide range of people including headteachers, teachers, CEOs and HRDs.

You will identify and approach opportunities that are well researched and pursue with unswerving perseverance. It’s also a great chance to develop personally.

Programme & Partnership Managers lead the delivery of our programme locally. In this role, you’ll grow, develop, and maintain the employer and education partnerships that make the Career Ready programme work — including our Local Advisory Boards, Local Authorities, school coordinators, the Developing the Young Workforce Regional Group, and the employers and volunteers who provide mentoring with the accompanying paid internship, deliver engaging masterclasses, and support events.

Once you’re confident in what, why, when, and how of our work, you will:
1. Lead, grow, and strengthen the Career Ready partnerships in Renfrewshire & West
Dunbartonshire.

You’ll ensure an excellent programme experience for all stakeholders and secure employer engagement for approximately 60+ students each year (with growth expected) who take part in our 18-month programme. This includes ensuring
sufficient mentors with the accompanying paid internship, high-quality masterclasses and purposeful events.

2. Support programme delivery, stakeholder engagement and the generation of new programme and funding partnerships across Renfrewshire & West Dunbartonshire. 

You’ll work closely with the Career Ready Glasgow & West Areas Local Advisory Board, the Programme & Partnerships Manager for Glasgow, the Head of Programme & Operations, the Scotland Partnerships Manager, Partnerships Lead, and your fellow Programme & Partnerships Managers — all committed to delivering quality, impact, and sustainability. You’ll also collaborate with the Scotland Operations Team to
ensure accurate data, strong processes, and effective management information for the area.

Find out more

You can find out more about the role, and working at Career Ready, in our candidate pack.

• £36,000 - £39,870 DOE (pro rata for part time)
• A working from home allowance of £300 pa is provided (pro rata for part time)
• Annual leave: 27 days holiday plus bank/public holidays. In addition, Career Ready is closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
• 6% of salary contribution to a private pension subject to an employee contribution of 3%
• Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Business expenses including mileage allowance for car usage

How to apply

Please visit our website for full details of how to apply.

Timetable

• Closing date: 5 pm, Monday 16 March 2026 (early applications are encouraged)
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening conversation prior to interview
• Interviews will take place from w/c 30 March 2026

Family Education Trust is recruiting a Development Manager to turn evidence-led research into real-world impact for families across the UK. This is a rare opportunity to build a fundraising function from the ground up inside a respected policy organisation - with the autonomy to do it your way.

About the role

You will build and lead FET's income growth function, securing near-term unrestricted income while developing durable fundraising capacity. Your core focus is establishing a new major donor and mid-value programme and delivering a high-performing trusts and foundations pipeline.

We have streamlined administrative responsibilities so you can concentrate on what matters: income growth and donor relationships. You will work closely with our Communications Manager, who produces copy and assets for your fundraising brief.

What we are looking for

We need someone with recent, hands-on fundraising experience in a mission-led organisation who has built income, not just maintained it. Experience building a major donor pipeline is essential, along with trusts and foundations competence. You must have genuine personal alignment with FET's mission and established public positions on family policy.

The details

Salary: Up to £40,000, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate Location: Home-based, with UK travel as required Contract: Full-time, permanent Hours: 37.5 per week Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays Pension: 5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice Closing date: 9am Monday 16 March 2026 

How to apply

Please read the full job description and person specification (attached) and send a CV and covering letter by 9am Monday 16 March 2026. Your covering letter should explain how you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification.

The Opportunity 

The Finance and Operations Manager will provide financial expertise and support the Head of Finance & Operations (HFO) to deliver high quality financial management in budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting.

The role will also support the HFO in the organisation's operations functions, ensuring that legal and operational governance is delivered on time and to a high standard, that SMF is is compliant in Health & Safety (H&S), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), insurance and other operational matters. The role holder will provide support leadership on the organisation's IT function and deliver training to all teams in matters concerning finance and operations. 

Location: We operate a hybrid model of work i.e. a combination of in-person and remote, with flexible days in the office depending on business need and your preferences. We would typically expect in-office attendance an average of one day per week.

When in the office you will be based in one of our regional offices (either Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester or Newcastle – depending on preference and accessibility). This is where you will usually attend in-person events, training sessions etc. though some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: We are looking for the right candidate and while we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) we are open to flexible working arrangements such as part-time, compressed hours, flexitime and job-shares. 

Occasional/frequent evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Finance:

• Oversee the day-to-day financial management and cash flow of the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) working closely with the HFO, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Operations team. 
• Ensure that our accounting software is consistently up to date with the correct information.
• Work with the HFO on management information to enable the SMT and trustees to monitor progress and performance, make effective decisions and plan for the future.
• Financial information to support income development including budgets, income tracking and analysis and funder reports.
• Support the development of the annual organisational budget with the HFO, in liaison with the CEO and management team and provide support in developing departmental / project budgets as relevant.
• Manage how the organisation applies and reports on VAT. 
• Alongside our appointed accountants prepare Year End accounts, end of project accounts, and work with the appointed accountants to ensure the Accounts are completed, approved, and filed on time.
• Manage and improve our financial systems and procedures, streamlining internal processes to ensure they are effective and safeguard the finances of the organisation.
• Devise and implement effective and efficient procedures, including the introduction of a purchase order system and a new ethical procurement policy.
• Maintain the payroll function of the organisation and be the lead point of contact with our external payroll provider. 
• Conduct reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities.

2. Operations:

• Support the Data Protection Officer (the HFO) for the organisation, in liaising with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) appropriately, ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of and trained in the relevant Data Protection policy and procedures, and ensure that the organisation meets its Data Protection requirements.
• Support the HFO in overseeing operational matters such as insurance, H&S, buildings maintenance and asset register; work closely with the management team to ensure awareness, compliance, and procedures that are effective and efficient for staff and volunteers. Where appropriate, escalate concerns and issues to HFO.

3. Strategic Responsibilities:

• Work closely with management and trustees to provide and develop financial and operational expertise; contribute appropriately to the development and management of organisational strategies, service proposals and development of the organisation.
• Lead on the appropriate understanding and training at each level of the organisation on how operational and financial systems work and support their role.
• Ensure that financial and operational policies and procedures meet the highest standards, reflect the charity’s ethos effectively and support the organisation’s strategic development; champion inclusivity (including Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)) and sustainability (in the widest sense).

4. Line Management

• Day-to-day people management
• Outline outcomes to be achieved, considering individual skills, capabilities, and workload to ensure a balanced distribution of work
• Review work outputs, monitor and quality assure work
• Manage and report on performance; deliver performance reviews
• Identify training and development needs; employ a coaching approach, and clarify opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth
• Recruit and induct new team members  
• Reasonably support well-being: provide a supportive work environment, and address any issues that may impact the well-being and morale of your reports

See attached job description for more detail on the key responsibilities in the role

Person Specification:

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below: 

1.  Leadership
2.  Communication
3.  Adaptability
4.  Professionalism 
5.  Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

Essential:

• Part/fully qualified as an Accountant, or equivalent relevant experience
• Significant experience of working in a finance role in an organisation with a turnover of £1m or more  
• Hands on experience of maintaining a financial software package 
• Experience of working with financial systems to prepare financial reports and management accounts
• Experience in managing the operational aspects of an organisation, including risk assessments, GDPR etc.  
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of bookkeeping and general financial and accounting principles  
• Numerate and able to use an accounting software package  
• IT Literate, including experience of Microsoft Office software and excellent skills in using Excel and Word  

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a finance role for a charity
• Experience of Accounts IQ accounting package
• Experience of preparing finance reports relating to project grants/restricted funding from a range of donors 
• Knowledge of charity accounting and the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) 
• Knowledge of Salesforce CRM

See attached job description for more detail on the person specification

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom. 
• Some travel will be required as part of this role to other offices and locations, as needed for events, work placements and meetings. 

Benefits

• 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website by 23:59, Sunday 22nd February and answer the following questions:

1) Why would you like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation? (250 words max.)

2) What makes you a suitable candidate for this role, including specific examples from your experience and skills? (500 words max.)

3) Tell us about a time when you managed an important relationship with a corporate partner, client or external stakeholder. What was your role in maintaining the relationship, and what did you learn about effective account management from the experience? (500 words max.)

Camwch i mewn i daith drawsnewidiol gyda Cyfleodd Dysgu mewn addysg

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options. We're on a mission to empower young people aged 11-19 across the UK, and you can help make a real difference. As our Project Coordinator, based in Wales, you'll play a crucial role in connecting volunteers with schools and fostering impactful relationships, all while working within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people. With the support of our experienced team and dedicated trustees, you'll have the chance to shape young people's career ambitions.

If you're self-motivated and eager to contribute to a great mission, this is your chance to join a team that's helping young people to transform their career and life chances.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what one of our young people had to say:

"My personal experience has been exceptional. There is a collaborative atmosphere, and it is truly empowering to be part of a charity that values student input and involves us in decisions that directly affect our lives." – Working Options Alumnae.

Find out more about the role and hear from our Chief Executive about our charity's ambitions in our Applicant Information Pack.

Person specification 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO:

• Has a passion for our cause.
• Is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Is self-motivated.
• Has excellent attention to detail.
• Can juggle multiple priorities, sticking to deadlines and flagging when priorities need reviewing.
• Has a flair for developing great relationships, particularly with schools and colleges.
• Is proactive and tenacious, able to seek out new opportunities and remain resilient.
• Is creative and likes coming up with new ideas.
• Is ambitious for themselves and for the charity.
• Has high computer literacy.

DESIRABLE:

• Experience within educational settings or working with young people in Wales.
• The ability to communicate in the medium of Welsh.

We carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process, using only publicly available information and in line with our data protection responsibilities.

While we don’t specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across Wales face today.

As Youth Worker you will use your experience of working with children and young people to:

• Work alongside the Youth Coordinator to develop and deliver an agreed project plan that meets the requirements of funders and local team priorities, in line with Diabetes UK processes and policies.
• Support young people and volunteers to understand and grow their strengths and skills, empowering them to take action, support others and make change happen.
• Continuously improve our impact and engagement with young people and the diabetes community, identifying opportunities to share learning and good practice across teams.
• Work with colleagues to grow and enhance our engagement with young people, creating opportunities for long term relationships and involvement of young people in the wider work of the charity.

Contract Type: Full-time / 6 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Salary Band:£29,900, plus £2,200 London weighting if applicable

Location: Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Manchester or Newcastle 

Hours: 5 days per week; 9AM-5.30PM (flexible working hours available). 

Start date: 6th April 2026 or ASAP, as agreed with candidate 

The Opportunity   

As a key team member within our Partnerships and Income Development team, you will play a vital role in creating, developing and delivering the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Programme and Social Mobility Employer Index - how we inform, influence and positively impact employer-led social mobility, and a source of income generation. 
 

1. Delivery of the Social Mobility Employer Index 

• Deliver the SMEI 2026, including but not limited to: marking entries, creating individual feedback reports for each entrant, creating sector reports for key industries, and gathering feedback to review and update the survey for 2027 

• Maintain accurate and up to date information and process documentation, including the mark scheme used to mark entries, and the process followed to create feedback reports 

• Support with the ongoing development of the digital platform, employer resources and online content, ensuring it is updated in line with the survey and delivers a smooth user journey

• Support with the annual monitoring and evaluation of the SMEI and its impact on employer-led social mobility 

2. Stakeholder management and customer service 

• Provide excellent customer service and stewardship to organisations entering the SMEI throughout the whole customer journey, e.g. preparing and sending regular communications and updates to prospective and live entrants, answering questions received into the SMEI inbox and troubleshooting independently 

• Prepare and deliver feedback calls and presentations for organisations, including Lunch & Learns on social mobility, introductory calls on the SMEI, presentations and webinars about the SMEI, and providing detailed feedback calls on entrants’ performance in the SMEI 

• Support with creating and developing assets and activities to market the SMEI and other products and services including webinars and social media assets 

• Engage with external stakeholders, such as employers, policy experts and social mobility practitioners, to understand key issues and trends relevant to workplace social mobility 

3. Quality standards 

• Stay up to date with the latest research, evidence and on workplace and employer-led social mobility, communicating changes or updates with colleagues, as well as maintaining and updating the evidence base for the SMEI

• Support the annual evaluation of the SMEI and its impact on employer-led social mobility

4. Systems and processes 

• Maintain accurate and up to date records, using SharePoint and our Salesforce CRM to support pipeline management, income tracking and partner records, namely for the SMEI 

• Comply with internal policies such as data protection and our ethical fundraising policy, as well as external fundraising regulations and legal requirements 

5. Team support and collaboration 

• Collaborate across the team to ensure opportunities are aligned across all income streams 

• Champion a collaborative and creative fundraising culture, building internal understanding, support and excitement in fundraising and partnership activities 

Please see full job description attached for more details. 

Benefits

• 36/37 days (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank holidays) calculated on a pro rata basis with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website and answer the following questions:

1)   Why would you like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation? (250 words max.)

2)   What makes you a suitable candidate for this role? Please include specific examples of your experience and skills, with reference to the key responsibilities and person specification for this role. (500 words max.)

3)   The Social Mobility Employer Index involves marking detailed employer submissions and producing high-quality feedback reports. Describe a time when you had to assess complex written information against a set of criteria and produce clear, constructive feedback for an external audience. What was your approach, how did you ensure accuracy and fairness, and what was the outcome? (400 words max.)

Chief Executive

We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase.

Position: Chief Executive

Location: London, with regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other UK locations as required

Hours: Full-time

Salary: £80-90k dependent on experience

Duration: Permanent

Closing Date: 10.00am on Monday 23th March 2026.

Interviews: March 2026.

Who we are

For over 15 years, City Year UK has stood alongside children and young people across the UK, helping them to discover their potential and believe in what they can achieve. As a leading youth and education charity, we inspire and empower young people to dedicate a year of service, volunteering with us to support children in schools, reduce youth unemployment, and strengthen communities.

Our City Year mentors work in schools serving children who are often furthest from opportunity. They provide consistent and caring support that helps pupils feel valued, motivated, and capable of success. By building trusted relationships, boosting confidence, and encouraging a love of learning, our mentors make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the children they serve.

The Role

We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase. This is an important moment for the organisation and an opportunity to shape the future of a movement that is changing lives. Building on strong foundations, the next Chief Executive will lead the organisation as we strengthen and expand our programmes, deepen our impact, and play a leading role in the development of a UK Year of Service that supports children and young people across the country.

This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. With the full support of the Board, the next Chief Executive will lead City Year UK into a focused next phase, securing financial resilience, strengthening delivery, and ensuring sustainable long term impact.

Main responsibilities include:

• Fundraising and Development
• Strategy and Leadership
• Governance
• External Engagement
• Programme Delivery
• Finance and People

About You

We are looking for an inspiring leader who is passionate about unlocking the potential of young people, championing educational equality, and driving lasting change. You’ll bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and fundraising in the charity sector, along with the vision and energy to lead City Year UK into an ambitious new chapter. Skilled at building powerful partnerships, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and championing an inclusive, purpose-driven culture, you’ll also be a dynamic fundraiser, ready to support the growth and diversification of our income so we can expand our impact even further.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• A proven track record of senior leadership and management at a Chief Executive or Director level, likely in the charity or mission-driven sector
• Experience leading a complex organisation, with strong financial oversight, including managing a budget of comparable scale
• Demonstrated success in securing £1.5m+ a year of funding aligned with programme delivery; strong understanding of the connection between mission and sustainability
• Excellent leadership, management and team-building skills with a collaborative working style
• Strong political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder environments
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and experience working with senior stakeholders across sectors
• Outstanding communication skills—written, verbal, listening, and presenting

Please apply by uploading your CV and a supporting statement responding to the two questions set out in the Recruitment Pack. Your statement should clearly demonstrate your relevant experience, leadership capability and track record in relation to this role. Due to the high volume of CVs received, we can only respond back to the successful candidates.

Employee Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 28 days, plus 3 Christmas Grace days
• A matched pension scheme with 4% standard employer contributions and matched up to 5%.
• An organisational culture that values its employees and places particular emphasis on fairness and transparency.
• Sector-leading training, with qualifications up to master's degree level funded under the apprenticeship levy.
• 2 Volunteering days per year - pursue a project you’re passionate about
• 2 Wellbeing days per year
• A comprehensive wellbeing service designed to support the overall wellness of employees
• Interest-free travel season ticket loans, bike loans under the “Cycle to Work Scheme” and loans to assist employees with welfare or financial hardship
• Enhanced sick pay for up to 6 weeks

Other areas of experience may include CEO, COO, Chief Exec, Chief Executive, Director, Managing Director, HR, Finance, Operations.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

We're FIRST UK, a EdTech charity using robots, role models and competitions to make STEM more approachable and inclusive – empowering young people with the technical knowledge and soft skills to engineer better futures. 

It’s an exciting time to join us as we move from startup into scaling mode. We’re backed by some of the world’s leading tech-enabled businesses including Arm, Purposeful Ventures, Smiths Group, Bloomberg, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and many more.

In summer 2026 we’ll publish a new 5-year strategy articulating how we will build more than robots in schools and community groups nationwide, alongside growing our annual income to £2m by 2027.

It’s easy to see why competitions like this really do help students develop the skills they’re going to need for the rest of their lives. Honestly, I wish I had something like this when I was at school.

Spencer Kelly, BBC Broadcaster

What we're looking for

A fundraiser, partnerships guru, and consummate relationship builder. Someone who can support the CEO to identify, go after, and convert opportunities which sustain and scale the charity’s impact. Broadly this means more money and greater participation. Through your ability to seek out and support the relationships which matter most you will ensure the charity secures:

• Income generating relationships with trusts, foundations, and philanthropists
• Corporate partnerships fuelling our programmes with funding and volunteers
• Collaborations with organisations supporting outreach and growth
• An ecosystem of proactive trustees, advisors, ambassadors and advocates

Working closely with the CEO you’ll get the charity in front of the right people, having the right conversations which grow investment and participation. Your tenacity will help build and steward a network to achieve our mission better and sooner.

Who this might suit

A people person. You love seeking out and building relationships, then maximising their impact. You might have worked in a charity fundraising position before. You understand what good looks like in terms of brokering strong partnerships – and relish the mix of research, prospecting, proposal development, pitching, and importantly onward stewardship of the relationships we win to ensure we amplify, leverage and retain them.

Whatever your background – the common, transferable skill set is being excellent at relationships. Understanding that it’s not just about the chat, it’s about the follow through. You do what you say you will – and do it well.

The experience you'll have

• Evidence of winning income (e.g corporate partnerships, sponsorship, grants etc)
• Evidence of driving growth (this might be in sales, membership, users, income etc)
• Experience stewarding relationships (partners, funders, trustees, volunteers, stakeholders)

You might also possess

• Passion for STEM, tech for good, inclusion

What you'll get

Responsibility, autonomy, sense of purpose. You’ll be working in a small organisation which is lean, agile and fast-paced. Unimpeded by hierarchy and bureaucracy you’ll have the freedom to experiment, fail fast and crack on. You’ll be presenting a compelling case for support against a validated impact model. Long before pandemics we were working flexibly and remotely – it’s embedded to our culture.

I'm in, what's next?

• Check out the full role profile on our HR platform
• Browse our website and get familiar with our mission
• Answer 3 short screening questions, upload CV and hang tight until Sun 08th Mar
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview by Thu 12th Mar

Safer recruitment

You must live in and have the right to work in the UK. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, all employees of the charity will be asked for two references which will be conducted by phone and are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks upon appointment.