Volunteering and community engagement manager jobs

Key Details

We are seeking a proactive, confident, and relationship-driven Partnerships & Growth Officer to contribute to Bridging the Bar’s external income and growth activities. This is a highly client-facing role that involves engaging with chambers, organisations, major sponsors, donors, grant funders, and other external stakeholders to secure financial support for BTB’s mission and programmes. You will take ownership of outreach, lead meetings and negotiations, and build strong, long-term relationships that underpin the charity’s sustainability and impact. 

Job Title: Partnerships & Growth Officer
Location: Remote (c. twice a month travel to London and other UK cities, with expenses reimbursed).
Working Hours: Mon- Fri  9:00–18:00 with a one hour lunch break.
Weekend Work: 1–2 Saturdays per month (September to June), with time off in lieu.
Salary:£25,396.80 per annum, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus linked to organisational performance. The expected range for this bonus is £1,000–£5,000, depending on results.

About Bridging the Bar

Bridging the Bar (BTB) is an award-winning charity working to increase diversity at the Bar of England and Wales. We support aspiring barristers from underrepresented backgrounds through a range of high-impact programmes, events, and partnerships with leading chambers, law firms, and institutions.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive, confident, and relationship-driven Partnerships & Growth Officer to contribute to Bridging the Bar’s external income and growth activities. This is a highly client-facing role that involves engaging with chambers, organisations, major sponsors, donors, grant funders, and other external stakeholders to secure financial support for BTB’s mission and programmes. You will take ownership of outreach, lead meetings and negotiations, and build strong, long-term relationships that underpin the charity’s sustainability and impact.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will manage the delivery and renewal of our annual Partnership Cycle, cultivate major sponsorships, prepare award and grant applications, support the development of new income streams such as our accreditation scheme, high-value individual giving, and crowdfunding, and innovate novel initiatives. You will work closely with the Head of Operations and Programmes, as well as the wider Programmes team, to ensure high-quality delivery across all external commitments, seamless coordination, and effective communication of BTB’s outcomes and impact.

This role is ideal for someone who is motivated by securing resources, enjoys leading external meetings, thrives in a varied and fast-moving environment, has a flexible and innovative approach, and is excited by the opportunity to contribute to BTB’s strategic growth and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Partnerships Cycle

Each year, Bridging the Bar works with a cohort of chambers and organisations who financially support our work through the Partnership Cycle. This cycle runs from April to April, with partners donating a set amount in return for formal recognition and a package of benefits delivered throughout the year. As the cycle progresses, you will be responsible for outreach and renewals, onboarding, benefit delivery, and ongoing relationship management.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying potential partner organisations, and conducting proactive outreach to engage them in the Partnership Cycle

• Renewing existing or recurring partnerships, ensuring positive and long-term relationships

• Leading meetings and negotiations with potential or existing partners to secure onboarding to the current Partnerships Cycle 

• Ensuring the smooth delivery of partnership benefits, including coordinating agreed activities and supporting partners to maximise the value of their engagement 

• Coordinating with programme teams where cross-team collaboration is required to ensure expectations are met in relation to partner benefits 

• Maintaining accurate partnership tracking, including invoicing, communications, benefit allocation, and delivery deadlines

• Monitoring partner accounts and taking a proactive approach to managing partner relationships and resolving issues 

• Developing and refining partnership materials, such as proposals, benefit decks, and outreach resources

• Bringing an innovative, solutions-focused approach to the design and delivery of partnership benefits and improvements to the overall cycle

• Gathering partnership feedback, ensuring partners understand the value and outcomes of their contribution

• Supporting impact reporting, including gathering relevant data, preparing summaries, and assisting the Head of Operations and Programmes in the production of reports for the Board

Major Sponsorships 

Bridging the Bar also secures major sponsorships to fund specific programmes, such as the Academy. These agreements are individually negotiated and supported through tailored engagement plans. You will be responsible for identifying potential major sponsors, supporting negotiations, coordinating the delivery of agreed benefits, and managing these relationships to ensure strong long-term sponsorships.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying potential major sponsors, and conducting proactive outreach to engage organisations aligned with our programmes and new initiatives

• Cultivating and renewing major sponsorships, ensuring positive, long-term relationships with key funders

• Developing proposals, presentations, and engagement resources tailored to major funders to support pitches 

• Collaborating with programme teams to ensure cross-team deliverables related to major sponsorships are met effectively and on schedule

• Maintaining accurate tracking of major sponsorships, including records of communications, deliverables, invoicing, and benefit fulfilment

• Proactively monitoring sponsor accounts, addressing emerging needs, and supporting strong relationship stewardship

• Gathering sponsor feedback and helping sponsors understand the outcomes and impact of their contribution

• Supporting impact reporting, including gathering relevant data, preparing summaries, and assisting the Head of Operations and Programmes in producing reports for the Board

Grants and Awards Applications 

Bridging the Bar also pursues opportunities through both achievement awards and monetary grants. Achievement awards help raise our profile and showcase the impact of our work, while grant funding supports the delivery and growth of our programmes. You will contribute to identifying suitable opportunities, preparing strong applications, and supporting the stewardship and reporting required by award bodies and grant funders.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying suitable opportunities that align with Bridging the Bar’s mission, programmes, impact, and funding requirements

• Drafting and preparing high-quality applications, including gathering evidence, impact data, and supporting materials

• Monitoring deadlines and submission requirements to ensure timely, accurate applications

• Assisting with stewardship of award bodies and grant funders, including timely communication and relationship management

• Supporting grant reporting requirements, such as gathering programme data, preparing summaries, and assisting the Head of Operations and Programmes with narrative and financial reporting

New Initiatives 

In addition to established activities, Bridging the Bar pursues new and emerging initiatives to support long-term financial sustainability, programme expansion, and reputational growth. This includes in our current development phase; a Chambers focused accreditation scheme, high-value individual giving, and crowdfunding campaigns. Future expansion has the scope to include other opportunities whether identified by the organisation or by you. You will help develop, test, and implement these initiatives as they evolve.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the pilot of the accreditation scheme including; conducting meetings with pilot chambers, co-ordinating with consultants, ensuring deliverable are met, assisting with evaluation and refinement, supporting materials production

• Overseeing the initial stages of our high value individual giving work stream including; identifying potential givers, conducting relevant meetings, co-ordinating with suppliers, dispatching thank you gifts, and supporting materials production and distribution 

• Developing crowd funding and fundraising initiatives including; innovating themes for targeted campaigns, overseeing campaign delivery, co-ordinating with volunteer fundraisers, administering recurring donations, and supporting materials production and distribution 

• Applying a creative, solutions-focused mindset to identifying and shaping future opportunities

Other Duties 

Beyond core responsibilities, you will also support wider organisational activities as needed. This may involve assisting with the BarNav newsletter, representing Bridging the Bar at events, and completing additional tasks that contribute to the charity’s overall effectiveness.

• Overseeing production of the BarNav newsletter including; brainstorming issues themes, co-ordinating contributions from partners, sponsors, staff, and/or candidates, compiling contributions and drafting final issue in Canva, and collaborating with the programmes team to ensure distribution of each issue.

• Providing support to the Head of Operations and programmes where needed including; taking meeting minutes, supporting production of financial reports, and assisting with presenting to the Board 

• Collaborating with operations and programmes departments to support cross-functional delivery

• Representing BTB at BTB hosted events, relevant sector events, award ceremonies, or grant briefings where required

• Maintaining a flexible approach and supporting emerging needs across the charity as they arise

About You

Essential

• Adaptable and flexible, comfortable working in a changing environment

• Confident communicator, able to liaise with senior stakeholders and clients, lead meetings, negotiate, and network effectively

• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative

• Innovative, with a willingness to propose new ideas and approaches

• Aligned with the organisation’s values and mission-driven in approach

• Commercially aware, with an understanding of opportunities, markets, and value creation

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities

Desirable

• Experience with business development, corporate relations, grants, or sales or similar

• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, generate opportunities, or support income-generating activities

• Understanding of the charity or legal landscape

• Creative approach to outreach and audience engagement, including digital communications and social media 

• Competence with common work tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Canva) and a willingness to learn new systems

What We Offer

• The opportunity to support an award-winning charity driving systemic change within the legal profession

• Opportunities to contribute to organisational strategy and shape new initiatives

• Remote-first working environment, enabling flexibility and autonomy

• Flexible scheduling, allowing you to balance work and personal commitments

• Additional annual leave, with one extra day of paid holiday for each year of service (up to three years)

• Reimbursed travel and accommodation expenses for all work-related travel

• Annual funded team celebration days to recognise achievements and strengthen team connection

• Role-specific training and professional development, tailored to your growth

• Regular supervision and mentorship to support your ongoing professional development

• Access to our Employee Development Fund to fund training courses or other progression costs 

• Access to our Employee Equipment Fund to fund to help you enhance your home-working setup

• Supportive, inclusive, and values-driven organisational culture

How to Apply

Please submit a one-page cover letter and CV via the form with the subject line (NAME) – Partnerships & Growth Officer Application - Stage One. Your cover letter should reflect your experience, vision for how you would contribute to the organisation, and commitment to BTB’s mission. This should be submitted to us directly via the email address on our website: applications that are not emailed directly will not be considered.

If you are successful at stage one, you will also be asked to complete pre-interview tasks as stage two between 12th Jan - 16th Jan.

Our third and final stage is an interview stage. Applicants successful at stage two will be invited to interview in W/C 19th Jan. 

We aim to make an offer in W/C 26th Jan. 

All applicants, successful or not, will receive application feedback from the panel.

Application Deadline: 09:00 12th January 2026 

Intended Start Date: 09:00 2nd March 2026 

Please note that you must both be located within and have the right to work in the UK for this role.

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Our Eastbourne and Hailsham services provide 24-hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25, offering low to medium levels of housing-related support. Eastbourne Foyer houses 34 young people, while our two Hailsham properties houses 10 young people, all with shared communal facilities. Across all three sites, we support residents to develop the skills needed for independent living. This includes managing finances and budgeting, building life and work skills, and maintaining personal self-care.

Our staff take a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach, supporting residents to build essential life skills, identify personal goals, and work towards their aspirations so they can move on to independent and fulfilling futures. Our dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers, and Bank Workers provide personalised guidance, practical assistance, and signposting in key areas including housing, budgeting, daily living skills, employment, and healthy relationship building.

We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our team at Eastbourne Foyer, with the expectation of working from our other sites in Hailsham when required. You will hold a caseload of residents and carry out regular key work sessions with them each week. Through these sessions, you will work together to develop personalised support plans, track progress, and help residents achieve their goals.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing:

• Coach young people to manage their occupancy agreement and adhere to house rules, in preparation for independent living
• Promote a credit culture, encouraging young people to keep up to date with all payments for rent
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing and welfare benefits for young people and be well-informed on significant changes to housing law
• Deal effectively with non-compliance issues, such as non-payment of rent or damage to room, using restorative practices and working collaboratively with the rest of the team

Coaching and Engagement:

• Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives
• Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community 
• Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries
• Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance)

General:

• Work as part of a team, on a rota shift pattern, ensuring young people at the service have non-judgemental, objective, and supportive staff during the day/evening, along with taking responsibility for personal safety during periods of lone working
• Contribute to a great working environment, with a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations
• Participate in relevant continuing professional development and utilise Reflective Practice Supervision as part of leading psychologically informed practice

There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota. 

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk
• Experience of working proactively with a caseload of young people with multiple and complex needs to enable them to achieve independent living
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources available to young people with multiple and complex needs
• Knowledge of good safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and the ability to maintain effective professional boundaries
• Demonstrated confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including signposting and advocating for clients as necessary
• Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, good IT, and keyboard skills
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 4 January 2026 at midnight. 

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.

22.5 hours per week / £27,770 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working onsite with set shifts on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Our Eastbourne and Hailsham services provide 24-hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25, offering low to medium levels of housing-related support. Eastbourne Foyer houses 34 young people, while our two Hailsham properties houses 10 young people, all with shared communal facilities. Across all three sites, we support residents to develop the skills needed for independent living. This includes managing finances and budgeting, building life and work skills, and maintaining personal self-care.

Our staff take a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach, supporting residents to build essential life skills, identify personal goals, and work towards their aspirations so they can move on to independent and fulfilling futures. Our dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers, and Bank Workers provide personalised guidance, practical assistance, and signposting in key areas including housing, budgeting, daily living skills, employment, and healthy relationship building.

We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our team at Eastbourne Foyer, with the expectation of working from our other sites in Hailsham when required. You will hold a caseload of residents and carry out regular key work sessions with them each week. Through these sessions, you will work together to develop personalised support plans, track progress, and help residents achieve their goals.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing:

• Coach young people to manage their occupancy agreement and adhere to house rules, in preparation for independent living
• Promote a credit culture, encouraging young people to keep up to date with all payments for rent
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing and welfare benefits for young people and be well-informed on significant changes to housing law
• Deal effectively with non-compliance issues, such as non-payment of rent or damage to room, using restorative practices and working collaboratively with the rest of the team

Coaching and Engagement:

• Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives
• Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community 
• Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries
• Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance)

General:

• Work as part of a team, on a rota shift pattern, ensuring young people at the service have non-judgemental, objective, and supportive staff during the day/evening, along with taking responsibility for personal safety during periods of lone working
• Contribute to a great working environment, with a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations
• Participate in relevant continuing professional development and utilise Reflective Practice Supervision as part of leading psychologically informed practice

There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota. 

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk
• Experience of working proactively with a caseload of young people with multiple and complex needs to enable them to achieve independent living
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources available to young people with multiple and complex needs
• Knowledge of good safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and the ability to maintain effective professional boundaries
• Demonstrated confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including signposting and advocating for clients as necessary
• Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, good IT, and keyboard skills
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 4 January 2026 at midnight. 

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.

Do you love helping people and helping a great charity at the same time?  Are you friendly, clear and compassionate when speaking to our supporters on the phone or in person?  Do you have strong computer skills and a keen attention to detail?

At Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, we believe there’s always more we can do for our sick kids and women. It’s our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use our hospitals and to make our hospital feel just like home. 

We’re looking for a friendly, hard-working, compassionate individual to join our fast-paced team. You will have strong communication skills, with a friendly demeanour and a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.  Sound computer skills are also essential for success.  Our Supporter Services Team is the first port of call for many of our supporters and we hope each interaction is the beginning of a lasting relationship in support of our charity. 

To be successful in this role you will: 

• Have previous experience in a customer services/administrative role

• Be friendly, compassionate and self-motivated 

• Possess a natural ability to engage with people on the phone or in person, and encourage trust and enthusiasm at the start of a supporter’s journey with the charity 

• Be able to work at a computer for significant periods of time, as well as acting as an effective and engaged team-player. 

• Have excellent computer skills – touch-type desirable, confident using a database, ensuring data input is clean and efficient.

• Regular monitoring of a busy team inbox and responding to or forwarding on emails in a prompt and helpful manner, within agreed timescales 

• Have responsibility for the recording of donations and other financial data onto the database and handwritten ledger – ensuring accuracy at all times 

• To ensure timely and efficient thanking of our supporters 

• Possess a full driving license

Please see the job pack attached for further information on the role.

What we offer:

The Charity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. 

• Flexible working and the opportunity to WFH one day per week to support work-life balance
• Generous annual leave entitlement with additional leave for long service 
• Enhanced sick pay
•  Access to an Employee Assistance programme which offers 
  both virtual and in-person support, 24/7 access to a GP 
  surgery web app, as well as lifestyle savings across online and 
  high street shops
• Free flu jabs
• Charity events throughout the year
• Employer enhanced auto-enrolment pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
• Ongoing commitment to training and professional development

The Charity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. 

Successful candidates will have access to vulnerable beneficiaries and will therefore require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

If you think you have the qualities we are looking for and the desire to contribute, please download the Job Description and Person Specification and then send us a CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria for the role and making clear why you would like to be considered for it.