Youth collective senior manager jobs in Birmingham, west midlands
Reporting to: Head of Business Development
Direct reports: None
Location of work: Home based in Scotland. This post holder will be based at home with regular travel across Scotland. The role will involve some irregular travel across the rest of the UK. Travel expenses will be paid in line with our Travel Expenses Policy.
Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, flexible hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work
Contract Length: Permanent
Salary: £37,500
BACKGROUND
Magic Breakfast’s mission is to end child morning hunger in the UK now and for good. The latest research suggests that 2.7 million children are at risk of hunger, meaning one in five children don’t have enough to eat. When a child is too hungry to learn, they struggle to concentrate, absorb information, and manage their emotions, causing them to fall behind in their studies.
Magic Breakfast provides a nutritious breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma. We are now at an exciting point in our journey as we launch Nourishing Futures, our long-term strategy, which capitalises on market changes and government commitments to scale our work, while redefining breakfast spaces not just as places to eat, but as places to thrive.
To support the delivery of this strategy, we are evolving our Business Development function and creating a new Business Development Manager – Scotland role. This role will unlock opportunities in Scotland across public funding, trusts, foundations, philanthropy and partnerships, ensuring Magic Breakfast grows its income sustainably across devolved nations.
JOB PURPOSE
The Business Development Manager – Scotland will drive income growth and strategic partnerships in Scotland. Reporting to the Head of Business Development, this role will take a lead in developing both public funded income and philanthropic support (trusts, high-net-worth individuals and corporate partnerships).
The postholder will work closely with the Head of Major Giving (Trusts & Philanthropy) and Head of Partnerships in England to ensure joined-up approaches, while developing extensive networks and relationships across Scotland’s funding and commissioning landscape.
This role is both externally focused — cultivating relationships with commissioners, funders, and partners — and internally collaborative, aligning with colleagues across Magic Breakfast to maximise opportunities and deliver against the organisation’s strategic plan.
Key responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy
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With support from the Head of Business Development, lead the development and delivery of the Scotland Business Development and Fundraising Strategy, ensuring alignment with Magic Breakfast’s UK-wide income priorities, wider organisational strategy, and any Scotland-specific plans across Service Delivery and Policy & Engagement.
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Act as the lead advisor on business development in Scotland, providing insight, guidance and recommendations on market trends, risks and opportunities.
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Build and maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities across public and philanthropic income streams, ensuring accurate forecasting and reporting.
Public Funding
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Identify and secure public funded service contracts in Scotland, particularly with local authorities, education commissioners, and government departments.
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Work with the Policy and Engagement team to develop opportunities with national and regional agencies (e.g. Public Health Scotland, NHS boards, Integrated Joint Boards, Community Planning Partnerships) to embed breakfast provision into wider public health, wellbeing and education strategies.
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Engage with local authority frameworks, grants and tendering processes, positioning Magic Breakfast as a trusted delivery partner for both statutory and discretionary funding streams.
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Build strong partnerships with consortia, third sector networks, and intermediary bodies to access collaborative commissioning opportunities and joint delivery models.
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Monitor and respond proactively to changes in the Scottish Government’s commissioning priorities (e.g. child poverty, attainment challenge, early years and family support, wellbeing economy), aligning proposals with policy drivers.
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Lead the preparation of tenders, bids and commissioned service proposals, ensuring they are compelling, evidence-led and costed appropriately to reflect the value of Magic Breakfast’s offer.
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Ensure clear processes for the qualification, negotiation, contracting and reporting of income agreements, working closely with Finance, Service Delivery and Policy colleagues.
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Collaborate closely with the Business Development Manager responsible for public funded income in England and Wales to ensure a joined-up UK-wide approach to opportunities, share intelligence on successful models, avoid duplication of effort, and apply lessons learned from to maximise income growth.
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Align Scotland’s approach with national frameworks, campaigns, and strategic priorities, ensuring that proposals, tenders, and partnerships complement work happening in other devolved nations.
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Explore blended income opportunities, integrating public funded income with potential corporate partnerships or philanthropic support to maximise funding and sustainability.
Philanthropy and Partnerships
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Develop and manage a pipeline and portfolio of Scottish-based trusts, foundations, family foundations, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), and philanthropists, including those with devolved nation-specific remits. This will include working closely with the Prospect Research Manager and Major Giving colleagues to identify and qualify new opportunities, and to re-engage lapsed supporters in Scotland,
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Take responsibility for cultivating relationships, preparing compelling cases for support, and personally soliciting major gifts (five- and six-figure level), securing multi-year, transformational commitments.
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Work collaboratively with the Major Givings Leads and the Head of Major Giving to integrate Scottish funders into the UK-wide prospecting and stewardship framework, maximising opportunities for uplift and avoiding siloed engagement.
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Deliver high-quality, values-driven donor journeys for Scottish prospects and supporters, including bespoke engagement opportunities such as school visits, events, and briefings that connect funders directly with impact.
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Build relationships with corporates headquartered or operating in Scotland, coordinating with the Head of Partnerships to ensure Scottish corporate engagement complements and aligns national partnerships, avoid duplication, and develop bespoke proposals and stewardship plans where appropriate.
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Contribute to the design and delivery of fundraising campaigns or initiatives with a Scottish focus, ensuring they complement national activity and align with the organisational fundraising strategy.
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Collaborate with the Prospect Research Manager and Major Giving colleagues to identify and qualify new opportunities, and to re-engage lapsed supporters in Scotland,
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Represent Magic Breakfast externally within Scotland’s philanthropy and fundraising networks (e.g. Scotland Fundraising Conference, Association of Charitable Foundations Scotland, SCVO events), raising profile and building new connections.
Collaboration and Internal Contribution
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Work closely with colleagues across the wider fundraising department to ensure Scottish funders and opportunities are aligned with team specific strategies and the overall fundraising goals and objectives
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Share intelligence and relationships with colleagues in England to strengthen organisational-wide fundraising and business development.
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Collaborate with Policy & Engagement colleagues to ensure business development opportunities are aligned with advocacy and campaigning priorities.
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Contribute to a culture of openness, collaboration and innovation across the Business Development team.
Financial Processes, Reporting and Compliance
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Contribute to business development planning, budgeting and forecasting processes, highlighting risks and opportunities to income.
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Ensure accurate recording of pipelines, income and activity in Salesforce, with robust monitoring and reporting.
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Ensure all donor and organisational reporting requirements are met and high-quality reports are delivered in a timely manner.
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Ensure all activity is compliant with ethical fundraising standards, safeguarding, GDPR and Magic Breakfast’s policies.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION:
Knowledge and Experience
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Strong knowledge of the Scottish funding and commissioning landscape, including key trusts, foundations, government bodies and corporate networks.
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Excellent practical understanding of procurement rules and policies as well as tender and budget cycles.
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Proven track record of developing and delivering income growth from a variety of sources, including public funding, philanthropy and partnerships.
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Demonstrable experience of managing the full fundraising pipeline — from prospect research and qualification, through cultivation and solicitation, to long-term stewardship and renewal.
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Hands-on experience of securing and soliciting significant gifts (five- and six-figure level) from high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations, with evidence of personally closing gifts at this scale.
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Demonstrable experience of building and stewarding high-level relationships with commissioners, funders and corporate partners.
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Experience of preparing successful tenders, bids and proposals, ideally within education, social impact or the charity sector.
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Experience of cross-team collaboration within a UK-wide or devolved nations context (desirable).
Skills and Abilities
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Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders confidently.
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Strong pipeline management and analytical skills, with a track record of meeting or exceeding income targets.
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Strategic thinker with the ability to evaluate opportunities, prioritise effectively and translate plans into action.
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Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to deliver high-quality outputs under pressure.
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Strong team player with a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
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Proficient in Microsoft Office and fundraising/CRM systems (ideally Salesforce), as well as ability to use project management systems (such as Asana).
Other
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Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s aim of alleviating child morning hunger as a barrier to learning.
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Commitment to Magic Breakfast’s values and to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
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Willingness to travel across Scotland and the UK, with occasional out-of-hours working for events.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.
APPLICATION PROCCESS
Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, hr @magicbreakfast. com
Shortlisting - w/c 19th January
Interview 1 - w/c 26th January
Interview 2 - w/c 2nd February
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Head of Development and Communications
Job Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
£46,200 - £50,200 per annum FTE
The Head of Development and Communications plays a pivotal role in driving In2scienceUK’s mission to change lives by opening doors to STEM degrees and careers for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
As a senior leader, you will shape and deliver a bold, integrated development and communications strategy that brings our mission to life, tells powerful stories of change, and inspires confidence and commitment from donors, partners, and key stakeholders that unlocks new opportunities for innovation and expansion.
In this role, you will manage a small, high-performing team and oversee the creation of compelling narratives and effective engagement strategies that inspire donors, partners, alumni, and key stakeholders, supporting a resilient and diversified income portfolio.
Working closely with programme teams, you will ensure that development and communications activity amplifies the impact of existing programmes, while identifying and developing new opportunities that deliver meaningful outcomes for young people across the UK.
You will drive the development of strategic partnerships and funding relationships to expand the reach and influence of In2science’s work. Combining strategic vision with operational expertise, you will take a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to growth, shaping how the organisation connects with its audiences, builds its reputation, and communicates the impact of its work in support of long-term strategic goals.
In2scienceUK operates on a remote basis, with necessary UK-wide travel for partner and funder meetings, events, and staff co-working days.
Direct Reports
Development Team: Development Manager, Development Officer, External Fundraising Consultancy.
Comms Team : Senior Communications Officer.
Responsibilities
Development
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To collaborate with the senior leadership team and trustees in setting organisational strategy and building strategic partnerships to support In2science’s vision for 2026 and beyond.
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Lead on planning, implementation and delivery of segmented fundraising and stewardship campaigns across programmes and audiences with a 2026 income target of £1.5m.
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Lead and manage a diverse fundraising portfolio, including corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, research grants (e.g., UKRI), government funding, and individual giving.
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To lead a small but effective development team, including an external fundraising contractor to build upon our success to date to achieve funding targets and foster strategic relationships with funding and delivery partners.
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Budget and resource all aspects of development and communications, including engaging with external contractors to maximise our output and upskill our teams.
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Work closely with the Head of Operations to oversee our CRM, ensuring accurate pipeline reporting and forecasting, as well as utilising the system for tailored stewardship opportunities.
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Work closely with our programmes team to ensure that deliverables are met and in line with our mission and objectives.
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Explore opportunities for partnership to launch new programmes and initiatives, working with the Data and Impact manager to use national data to ensure we deliver the greatest possible impact to those most in need.
Communications
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Oversee the organisation’s external communications, ensuring all messaging is on-brand, reflects our values, meets high standards, and effectively tells the story of our impact on young people.
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Oversee resourcing of the communications function, balancing 70% development and brand engagement with 30% programme-focused activity.
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Identify opportunities to maximise brand presence through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and media activity.
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Work closely with the SMT and Trustees to respond to media, speaking, and event requests, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging.
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Ensure digital and web platforms effectively showcase our impact and support compelling storytelling.
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Manage the Senior Communications Officer to deliver campaigns that drive organisational growth and engagement with donors, partners, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
Governance
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To work with the SMT, CEO, and Trustees to ensure strong charity governance, including leading the Growth Subcommittee and preparing reports for quarterly board meetings.
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Identify organisation-wide opportunities to streamline and improve performance across the organisation.
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Working with SMT and trustees to ensure charity compliance. Including the charity commission, funding regulator, ICO.
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Identify and manage organisational/operational risk and ensure that all measures are in place to mitigate this.
As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder. The postholder will carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager. All staff must undertake all mandatory training, checks and compliance as instructed by the organisation.
Person Specification
Essential:
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A passionate advocate for social mobility in STEM.
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An inspiring leader who can inspire and collaborate across the organisation to achieve our collective goals.
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Three years experience of leading a development team to generate a seven-figure annual income from a diverse range of donors, ideally in a charitable organisation.
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Knowledge of all streams of fundraising, with direct experience in at least two of the following: corporate fundraising, trust and foundations, research grants e.g. UKRI, government grants or individual giving (incl. high-net worth donors).
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A target driven individual with a proven track record of personal six-figure income generation and achieving or exceeding personal targets.
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Excellent relationship management skills to steward existing and potential partners and donors.
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Experience of line management including developing personal development plans and setting KPIs.
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Proven experience of managing a brand, ensuring consistent and impactful communications that maximise reach amongst our target audiences.
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Superb written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade and influence at all levels.
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Proven experience of overseeing communication campaigns to engage new prospects across a variety of audiences.
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Evidence of efficient and accurate management of budgets and resources.
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Willingness to work flexibly and attend occasional events or meetings on evenings/weekends when required.
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Working collaboratively and supporting fostering a collegiate workplace environment.
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Upholds the values of our code of conduct and is respectful to all.
Desirable:
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Direct knowledge and/or experience of the barriers young people face in accessing STEM degrees or careers.
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Direct knowledge and/or experience of working with education organisations or STEM sector employers, incl. knowledge of current trends.
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Experience of working in collaboration with across teams to deliver new initiatives that maximise outcomes for young people and attract relevant funding.
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Evidence of delivering highly impactful events.
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Prior experience of public speaking, thought leadership and engaging with the press.
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Experience of governance in a small charitable organisation and utilising Trustees to support the organisation's goals and objectives.
Benefits:
At In2scienceUK we practise what we preach by giving all staff opportunities to progress in their careers. You will have the opportunity to develop your career with your line manager to get you to the next level from day one.
Although we take our career development seriously we also value work-life balance. You will have the opportunity to work flexibly from home, balancing your caring responsibilities, volunteer commitments, hobbies and anything else that makes you happy.
You will have 28 days of annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays.
Commitment to Safeguarding:
In2scienceUK is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults as outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children. We are committed to recruiting candidates who share this commitment to safeguarding, and therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job, and that all candidates are appropriately screened prior to appointment.
The following pre-employment checks will be undertaken as applicable:
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References
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DBS check and/or Overseas criminal records check where applicable
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Self-Disclosure
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Identity check
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Right to work in the UK
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Evidence of qualifications applicable to the role
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Confirmation of registration with applicable registered body where applicable
Many of our roles involve working with children and we will therefore take up references prior to your appointment. You should provide details of referees including your current and previous employers, covering the last 5 years. Your current or previous employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children, if the role involved working with children, including any in which the penalty is time expired. We will also ask if you have been the subject of any child protection concerns and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure.
Diversity and Inclusion:
In2scienceUK is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in STEM and the charity sector, including but not limited to people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
We recognise that talent and potential come in many forms, and we welcome applicants with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and working environment, and we will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know.
Please provide a cover letter and CV highlighting your suitability for the role.
In2scienceUK exists to unlock the potential of young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds and boost diversity and inclusion in the STEM sector.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Birmingham or London only, (hybrid working - 3 days on-site each week and an expectation to travel across all delivery areas regularly)
1st stage interviews: 2nd and 3rd February over MS Teams
2nd stage interviews: 11th (Birmingham) 12th (London) in-person
For more information, or to apply, please click 'apply now' to be directed to our website.
Join The King’s Trust and lead a team that transforms young lives across England.
As Senior Head of Delivery, you’ll drive ambitious plans, inspire high-performing teams, and ensure thousands of young people aged 11–30 gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.
This is a core leadership role overseeing delivery across Greater London, the South Coast, South West and West Midlands, with colleagues primarily based in Birmingham, London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bristol and Plymouth. You’ll shape strategy, manage significant budgets, and build strong partnerships across public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Please note: a minimum of three days on-site each week and frequent travel across delivery areas will be required.
We're committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and want our leadership to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome people who bring different perspectives and experiences, and particularly encourage applications from those underrepresented in our organisation and sector, including candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
If you’re an exceptional leader with commercial acumen, a passion for impact, and the ability to motivate dispersed teams, we’d love to hear from you. Help us create a future where every young person can realise their potential. Apply today and make a difference that matters.
What happens next?
Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date.
Why do we need Senior Heads of Delivery?
Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of our Senior Heads of Delivery!
Perks for working at The Trust!
- Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year
- Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
- You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc.
- In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role
- Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas.
- Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network).
- Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave.
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme
- Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)
Equal Opportunities
Here at The King's Trust, we're committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We want to be an organisation that's representative of the communities we serve, which is why we strive for diversity of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion and sex. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can be themselves and do the best work of their lives.
We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation and sector, such as candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
We’re a Stonewall Top 100 Employer and we are an employer that is Disability Confident. Our staff, volunteers and young people are supported by KT CAN (our Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network) and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network).
Safeguarding
The King's Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake basic disclosure checks in accordance with the Codes of Practice for all roles within the Trust, and for our roles working directly with young people, at an enhanced level. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants.
A NOTE FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:
We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!
We believe that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or the challenges they are facing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: Head of Major Giving - Trusts & Foundations and Individual Donors
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Development
Location of work: Home based. The post holder will be expected to travel to meet donors, travel to away days and team meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland. Expenses will be paid in line with our Travel and Expenses policy.
Contract type: Ideally full-time, 35 hours per week, 28 hours or 35 hours compressed would be considered.
Contract Length: This is a fixed term contract starting ASAP for 12 months.
Salary: £48,500
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Magic Breakfast is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
JOB PURPOSE
This is a unique opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role during an exciting period of transformation at Magic Breakfast. As Head of Major Giving (Maternity Cover), you will shape and deliver our strategy for high-value income generation across philanthropy and trusts and foundations, while embedding a newly merged team and fostering a culture of one unified, high-performing team within Major Giving and more widely as part of Fundraising and Development.
You will lead a team of five people, line managing and working closely with two Major Giving Leads, empowering them and co-creating a Major Giving strategy that fully seizes the opportunities presented by our refreshed organisational strategy. You will also oversee a well-established Trusts and Foundations portfolio and a group of highly engaged individual donors, maintaining and growing these important relationships whilst helping to provide strategic and targeted support across pipeline development.
This role offers a chance to make a tangible difference by bringing together two recently merged teams, embedding new ways of working, and setting up structures for long-term success. You will have a dotted-line relationship with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), enabling you to ensure joined-up major giving approaches across the UK and unlock exciting opportunities in Scotland.
We are looking for a natural relationship-builder with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to inspire donors, colleagues, and external stakeholders alike. As part of the Fundraising Leadership team, you will deputise for the Director of Fundraising and Development when needed and collaborate across the organisation to implement, monitor, and adapt our fundraising strategy, maximising the impact of major giving.
This is a rare chance to leave your mark on a highly visible and strategically important function, shaping a newly merged team, influencing our major giving strategy, and contributing to the long-term success of Magic Breakfast.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver an integrated Major Giving strategy covering philanthropy and trusts & foundations with clear objectives and KPIs for income and performance and an embedded review, learn and continuously improve culture.
- Provide strong leadership across the Major Giving team, ensuring delegation and empowerment whilst also setting clear direction that helps to mitigate challenges and unlock and seize on opportunities.
- As part of the wider leadership team, play a key role in ensuring effective delivery of the fundraising strategy, organisational goals and our long-term strategic vision.
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Oversee a collaborative approach to prospect research and pipeline development to ensure a sustainable flow of opportunities, working with colleagues from across the wider department to leverage opportunities for referrals and pipeline development.
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Work across the organisation to package innovative and compelling projects for funding. Maintain a strong knowledge of the organisation strategy, business plan and opportunities for innovation, to identify and build compelling giving propositions, wish lists and a persuasive case for support including non-financial asks.
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Prepare phased budgets and reforecasts, identifying and recognising opportunities and risks to income in line with activity plans and progress.
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Work with finance and performance and relevant business leads to manage programme budgets and restrictions.
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Foster strong communication and collaboration with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), ensuring effective two-way sharing of insight, alignment on donor and funder relationships, and joined-up approaches to national and devolved opportunities.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.
Please see our website for more infromation and our job pack
APPLICATION PROCCESS
Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com
Shortlisting - 12th - 14th January
Interview 1 - 19th OR 20th January
Interview 2 - 23rd January
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Employer: Community Rail Network
Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time
Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield
We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.
About us
Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.
Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.
Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.
About this role
This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.
As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.
Main responsibilities
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Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice;
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Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport;
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Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared;
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Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;
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Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport;
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Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement;
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Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact;
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Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR;
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Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact;
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Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;
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Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement.
Skills and competencies
- Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management;
- Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
- An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights;
- Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas;
- Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels;
- Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels;
- A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments;
- Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level;
- Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks;
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so;
- IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media;
- Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.
Other information
As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.
This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.
Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.
Championing the community rail movement | Connecting people and their railways | Creating inclusive, empowered, sustainable and healthy communities
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