Problem solving officer volunteer roles in Manchester

Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Working Relationships: C-Level Executives, National Research, Policy, Ethics, Research Reporting, and Local Operations
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: Part-time | Flexible hours | Long term commitment

About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across our national and local operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective delivery of projects and research, maintaining ethical and operational standards, and driving continuous improvement across all organisational systems and processes.

This is a senior voluntary position ideal for an experienced operations or strategy leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit or research sector.

Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of Policy, Ethics and Research Reporting, National Operations, and Local Operations (including projects and research).

• Oversee operational delivery to ensure smooth, ethical, and effective implementation of all projects.

• Lead the optimisation of systems, structures, and processes to maximise organisational efficiency.

• Ensure resource allocation is effective and aligned with strategic goals.

• Support and collaborate with C-Level colleagues to drive organisational progress.

• Attend high-level meetings and provide regular operational updates and recommendations.

• Act as a key decision-maker in operational strategy, compliance, and performance management.

• Support and coach department heads and senior managers to strengthen internal leadership capacity.

• Step in to provide hands-on support to other C-Level officers and direct reports when needed.

What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, experienced, and adaptable leader who can bring structure, strategy, and calm to a dynamic environment. You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
• Significant experience in operations management, project delivery, or organisational leadership.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple teams or departments in complex environments.
• Strong ethical grounding and commitment to compliance and transparency.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
• Experience mentoring or managing senior leaders or functional heads.
• Comfort working remotely with cross-functional, volunteer-led teams.
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style and openness to learning and adaptation.
• An understanding of the not-for-profit, research, or policy sectors (advantageous but not essential).

What You’ll Gain
• The opportunity to lead national operations for a values-led organisation making a tangible impact.
• Executive-level experience within a collaborative, mission-driven C-Suite.
• The chance to refine strategic and operational leadership skills in a complex, real-world setting.
• Recognition through:
o LinkedIn testimonial and reference
o A public thank you post
o Permission to list the organisation as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
o A written reference upon completion of your commitment

Important Information
This is a voluntary position. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. This opportunity is ideal for seasoned operations leaders or executives seeking to contribute their expertise to a meaningful, values-driven mission and support the growth of an impactful organisation.

Apply Now
If you’re ready to help shape the strategic and operational backbone of a growing organisation and support our mission through effective leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

The Intervention Gap Dinner | March/April 2026, London

We're seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented Event Coordinator to lead the execution of an innovative workplace mental health event bringing together 60 NHS workers and managers.

What you'll own:

• Overall event logistics from venue liaison to day-of execution
• Volunteer team coordination (5-6 people)
• Timeline management and contingency planning
• Guest experience flow from arrival to departure
• Problem-solving in real-time on event day

Qualifications

• Skills in Event Planning and Event Management
• Strong Communication and Customer Service skills
• Experience or knowledge in Sales is desirable
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team and with external parties
• Exceptional organisational and multitasking abilities
• Passion for creating meaningful event experiences

What you'll gain:

• Lead a meaningful project addressing workplace mental health
• Work with UCL, King's College, and LSE partners
• Feature credit in documentary filming
• Portfolio-worthy case study for events management
• Reference from healthtech startup CEO

Commitment: Commitment: 40-50 hours total over 6-8 weeks

This is not a casual volunteering opportunity. We're looking for someone who treats volunteer commitments with professional rigour.

Why volunteer with The Intervention Gap Dinner?

This isn't performative wellness theatre. We're addressing a real gap: employees who need help but don't ask, and managers who sense problems but lack confidence to intervene. Your work will directly contribute to research informing burnout prevention being developed with leading UK universities.

You'll be part of something that treats workplace mental health with the seriousness it deserves.

About Do Me A Favour Buddy: We're building AIgorithmic technology and guidelines to predict employee burnout 2-4 weeks in advance, enabling early intervention before crisis points.

About the Role

We are looking a capable and reliable Officer within IT & Systems to support the IT & Systems function and provide operational cover for the Head of IT & Systems when required. This role exists to ensure continuity of systems, user support, and core IT processes in the event of absence, increased workload, or unexpected issues.

Reporting directly to the Head of IT & Systems, you will help manage day-to-day systems, respond to support requests, and handle joiner and leaver processes. The role is hands-on, practical, and focused on keeping things running rather than long-term architecture or strategy. Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role, with no financial compensation or future paid opportunities attached. We encourage you to apply if you have relevant/transferable skills for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operation of internal systems, including user access, permissions, and basic configurations.
• Monitor and respond to IT and systems support requests, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Supporting new starter and leaver processes, including account setup, access changes, and offboarding.
• Assist with the administration of Bitrix, ClickUp, Teamplate, or similar platforms.
• Maintain clear documentation for processes and common issues.
• Provide operational cover for the Head of IT & Systems during periods of absence or unavailability.
• Handle ad hoc systems tasks and problem-solving as they arise.

What We are Looking For

We are looking for someone dynamic with the skills and experience to make a positive impact. This role suits someone practical, calm under pressure, and comfortable working without close supervision. You will be a strong fit if you have:

• Proven experience in IT support, systems administration, or helpdesk-style environments.
• Hands-on experience managing user accounts, access control, and routine systems tasks.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, helpdesk tools, or internal business platforms.
• Experience working with tools such as Bitrix, ClickUp, Teamplate, or comparable systems.
• The ability to work independently and manage tasks at your own pace while meeting agreed expectations.
• A strong sense of ownership and reliability.
• Previous experience in volunteer-led or non-profit organisations is a bonus.
• Comfort working fully remotely and supporting users virtually.
• Strong work ethic and collaborative attitude.
• A passion for the charity work, a genuine belief in the mission of Youth Advantage UK and a commitment to making a difference.
• Previous experience in volunteer-led organisations is a bonus.
• Remote working experience or comfort with managing teams virtually.

What You will Gain

· Practical experience acting as a key operational contact within an IT and systems function.

· Exposure to real-world continuity planning and operational risk management.

· The opportunity to build confidence in owning systems processes end-to-end.

Important Information

This role is completely voluntary. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. It is ideal for experienced HR professionals looking to give back, stay active in leadership, or contribute to a values-led organisation in a meaningful way.

Apply Now

If you're passionate about fundraising and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. Help us unlock new opportunities for Youth Advantage UK and join our dedicated team of changemakers today.

JOB PURPOSE:

This Role Turns Data Into Action for Community Impact

At Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C., every donor interaction, contribution, and campaign generates valuable insight. The Data and Donor Relations Officer ensures that donor information is accurate, secure, and effectively used to build strong relationships, improve engagement, and guide fundraising strategy. You will be the guardian of donor data and the connector between insight and action, ensuring that each supporter feels valued and informed while maintaining ethical and safeguarding standards.

This is not a generic admin role. It is strategic, detail-focused and high-impact, central to the C.I.C’s long-term sustainability.

Purpose of the Role

This role exists to:

• Maintain and manage donor databases with accuracy and security
• Track donor engagement, contributions, and interactions
• Analyse donor behaviour and generate insights to inform campaigns and communications
• Support the Fundraising Director and Communication Specialists with data-driven strategies
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, safeguarding, and CIC policies
• Provide reporting on donor activity, trends, and retention strategies

You are the link between data, strategy, and donor trust.

About the role:

To manage, analyse and maintain accurate donor and stakeholder data, ensuring secure, ethical handling while providing insights and recommendations to improve engagement, retention, and overall donor experience. 

Why This Role Matters

Effective donor data management:

• Strengthens relationships and trust with supporters
• Optimises campaign targeting and impact
• Provides insight for strategic decisions and long-term planning

Without this role, donor engagement risks inefficiency, lost contributions, or ethical lapses. With it, the CIC can grow responsibly and sustainably.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Experience managing donor databases or CRM systems (e.g., CiviCRM, Salesforce, Donorbox).
• Competence in data entry, tracking, and ensuring data accuracy.
• Experience analysing fundraising or donor engagement data.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, or donor management software.
• Knowledge of GDPR, data protection principles, and ethical data handling.
• Experience in non-profit donor relations, fundraising support, or CRM administration.
• Ability to generate clear reports and visualisations for leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Collaborative skills to work with communications, fundraising, and digital teams.
• Ability to identify patterns, trends, and actionable insights from data.
• Problem-solving skills to improve donor systems and processes.

Desirable / Can Be Developed

• Experience supporting segmentation and targeted donor communications.
• Familiarity with donor engagement analytics and reporting dashboards.
• Experience in donor stewardship planning and personalised outreach.
• Understanding of the operational needs of volunteer-led organisations.
• Ability to work with multiple systems and integrate data from different platforms.

Qualifications

• Formal qualifications not required.
• Equivalent professional experience in donor relations, fundraising, or data management is highly valued.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all donors, sponsors, and stakeholders across the organisation’s donor management systems or CRM platforms.
• Monitor and track contributions, engagement metrics, and fundraising activities to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Generate regular reports for leadership, highlighting trends in donor retention, engagement, campaign performance, and income streams.
• Support segmentation and targeting of donors and supporters for personalised outreach and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Content and Donor Communication Specialists to personalise messaging based on donor data and behaviour.
• Ensure all personal, financial, and sensitive donor data is handled ethically and securely in line with GDPR, data protection laws, and organisational safeguarding policies
• Analyse donor behaviour, giving patterns, and campaign results to provide actionable recommendations for improving donor experience and engagement.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen relationships with donors and sponsors, including stewardship, recognition, and follow-up communications.
• Maintain and improve data management systems, processes, and documentation to support efficient operations and reporting.
• Liaise with fundraising, membership, and digital teams to ensure consistency and accuracy of donor data across platforms.
• Flag data quality issues or system gaps and recommend solutions to leadership.
• Contribute to planning for scaling donor management systems as the CIC grows.
• Support the development of dashboards, analytics tools, or visualisations to improve understanding and accessibility of donor data.
• Stay up-to-date with best practices in donor management, data protection, and CRM system use within charitable organisations.

What You Gain

• Founding experience in donor relations and data-driven fundraising
• Strategic insight into community-based fundraising and supporter engagement
• Leadership exposure in managing sensitive information and reporting
• Priority consideration for future paid roles
• Direct contribution to C.I.C sustainability and long-term impact

This role builds data stewardship, analytical thinking, and donor engagement skills.

This role is not suitable if you:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work
• Avoid handling sensitive data or detailed reporting
• Are seeking immediate paid employment
• Are uncomfortable applying analysis to strategic decisions

Important to be clear:

• This is a volunteer role during the C.I.C’s build phase
• It carries real responsibility for data integrity and donor relations

Formal qualifications are not required, but desirable.
Essential equivalent experience mandatory.

Next Steps:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation
• A practical discussion about event planning, coordination, and execution

If you believe that well-organised, purposeful events can change communities, and that experiences inspire action, this role is for you.

A Final Word
Data is about people, not numbers.

If you know that:

• Trust is built through care and accuracy
• Privacy is a safeguarding issue
• Respect keeps relationships strong

Do you have experience in digital and social media? Can you help us improve our communications and raise the profile of the work we do?

We are seeking an expert, creative Volunteer Digital and Social Media Lead. You will help us promote our programmes supporting people in prison and young people at risk of entering the justice system, as well as our Community Bike Shop, which funds and strengthens this work.

What you’ll do:

• Design and schedule engaging posts, stories, and reels across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more to grow our audience.

• Develop strategies for viral campaigns and collaborations to boost awareness and donations and share your expertise with our team.

• Analyse metrics (engagement, reach, growth) and refine tactics based on what resonates.

• Create eye-catching visuals using tools like Canva.

• Update our website as required and make suggestions for improvements.

• Work with our expert Trustee to consider how we can use online retail platforms to sell our refurbished bikes.

What we’ll provide:

· Creative freedom within agreed priorities and tone of voice.

· Access to the right tools plus shared photos, stories and impact stats.

· A named contact, light-touch sign-off, and occasional check-ins to remove blockers.

Time commitment: we’ll agree a realistic scope with the right volunteer based on their availability.

Reasonable agreed expenses will be paid.

Thank you

Mark Flannagan
Chief Executive

About us

UpCycle, works with individuals in prisons and young people at risk in marginalised communities.  We use bicycle maintenance workshops to help build life skills, enhance employability, prevent offending and reoffending, and foster social reintegration.  We also offer lead rides, bike fit-it sessions and other ways to engage with vulnerable people.

In prisons

· We delivered 956 un-refurbished bikes and received back 768 refurbished bikes across eight prisons and one Young Offenders Institution, training over 238 individuals.

In the Community

· Over 1034 bikes were donated to our Community Bike Shop, of those we refurbished and distributed more than 612 to underserved communities locally and overseas.

· Workshops in Bradford engaged 361 participants in diverse cycling-related activities across the area.

· "Bike to the Future" and other initiatives reached 220 young people with more complex needs.

What is Trafford Centre Foundation:

Trafford Centre Foundation (TCF) is in the process of being set up and will be a registered charity, supporting charitable causes across the Greater Manchester region. The Foundation is independent of  Trafford Centre and governed by a board of trustees who decide which good causes will receive support. Our Trustees act in the Foundation’s best interests, applying donations to advance charitable purposes.

The Foundation will fund a wide range of charitable purposes (subject to the law of England and Wales). We seek to enable transformational change through partnerships with organisations operating in the Greater Manchester area who can demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues facing our local communities and the ability to make a significant impact.

Trafford Centre Foundation’s current funding priorities are for local good causes relating to:

· Education

· Young people and those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship, or other disadvantages.

· The advancement of citizenship or community development.

· The advancement of environmental protection or improvement.

Background:

· With an established set of Trustees, TCF is at an exciting stage of the establishment process and seeks an experienced Chair to lead the board of trustees through its first grant giving cycle and beyond.

· The role is an exciting opportunity to establish robust ways of working (with established support) to deliver significant results and impact in the local community.

Role Purpose:

Chair of Trustees is a high-profile role responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of  Trafford Centre Foundation ensuring effective governance and strong oversight to maximise the Foundation’s impact for its beneficiaries.

You will oversee and provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring it operates effectively, sets clear strategic priorities, and governs in line with the Foundation’s charitable objectives, legal obligations, and values with integrity and transparency. You will provide both strategic vision and practical leadership, ensuring that all operational functionsspanning Trafford Centre Foundation are optimised to benefit all stakeholders and the wider community.

By fostering an inclusive and collaborative Board culture, you will enable trustees to contribute their expertise, uphold the Foundation’s values, and make well-informed decisions that maximise impact for beneficiaries and the wider community. As an ambassador for the Foundation, you will build influential relationships with key stakeholders and champion its vision at every level. 

Key Responsibilities:

The role includes a variety of tasks including the following:

• Act as an ambassador for Trafford Centre Foundation, showcasing exemplary behaviour and actively promoting team recognition within the business. Lead by example, creating a positive and inclusive environment that values diversity, while cultivating a strong team culture. Take ownership of your role, providing ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and recognition for outstanding contributions. Continuously seek ways to infuse energy, personality, and innovation into your leadership approach to inspire your team.

· Set a clear vision for the delivery of the Foundation’s charitable objectives, legal obligations, and values, demonstrating a passion for creating exceptional experiences. Leading by example as a role model for high standards of service and inspiring the team to deliver outstanding service to all stakeholders and the wider community. Cultivate a culture of excellence where each team member feels empowered to deliver outstanding service at every touchpoint.

· Champion operational excellence through a focus on compliance, clear communication, consistency, and collaboration. Ensure the Board operates within its charitable objects and complies with all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements

Who are we looking for?

Person Specification:

• Experience of chairing Boards of Trustees, grant giving, CIO leadership or extensive experience as an established trustee.
• Proven leadership experience with exceptional influencing and motivational skills and the ability to inspire, influence, and foster collaboration at Board level. Able to inspire and drive high performance.
• Strategic vision, sound judgement, and resilience, with the ability to analyse complex issues and make balanced decisions. Outstanding organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance priorities. Adaptable and calm under pressure.

· Strong communicator with the ability to interact at all levels, respecting workplace diversity, with the confidence to challenge constructively and facilitate consensus.

· Effective in briefing, networking, and fostering a team-oriented culture. Polite, approachable, confident, and self-motivated with high personal presentation standards.

• Strong business or financial acumen, integrity, and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong oral and written communication, report writing, and presentation skills. Analytical mindset for navigating complex situations, maintaining energy, and building credibility quickly.

 What difference will you make?

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the Board in setting and delivering its strategic priorities, ensuring decisions align with the Foundation’s charitable purpose and long-term interests.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its duties for effective governance, sound financial stewardship, and robust risk management, with appropriate policies and controls in place.
• Facilitate effective and inclusive Board meetings, setting agendas, commissioning papers, and ensuring decisions are well-informed and implemented.
• Appraise Board and Trustee performance, oversee succession planning and renewal, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

· Act as an ambassador for the Foundation, representing it at external meetings, events, and within the wider community in line with agreed policies and strategy.

· Develop the knowledge, capability, and diversity of the Board, ensuring a balance of skills and experience is maintained.

· Address and resolve conflicts within the Board constructively, and encourage positive change where needed.

 Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain positive relationships with trustees, the Chief Executive, partners, government bodies, and key influencers to support the Foundation’s goals.
• Act as spokesperson and advocate for the Foundation, promoting its purpose and impact across relevant networks and stakeholder groups.
• Commit to attending and leading approximately 4–6 Board meetings per year, as well as key committees, events, or working groups where required.
• Participate in Board evaluations, training, and appraisals, undertaking any identified development.
• Serve a term of up to three years (renewable once subject to review).