Development Manager Jobs in Reading, England

Are you an innovative, passionate and dedicated spiritual leader ready to shepherd a faithful congregation that has creative ideas for bringing people into the kingdom? The Farnhams and Hedgerley Community Church (FHCC) is seeking a committed Community Pastor to guide and inspire our small but thriving community.

Meeting in the village of Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire our church is a cornerstone of faith and fellowship. We are a close-knit community that prizes hospitality, and our small congregation of approximately 25 people serves its community with a big impact. We enjoy the benefit of traditions while embracing new ways to grow in our spiritual journey and to outreach to the community. Our church is not just a place of worship, but a hub of support, love, and service for all.

Responsibilities

· Community Engagement & Evangelism: Oversee The Family Hub, our primary outreach and lifeline to the community. Build on the relationships formed within the village and beyond, promoting our church’s presence and involvement in community activities.

· Ecumenism Encouragement: Continue to foster unity with the other churches in the village and help arrange infrequent joint services and events.

· Nurture Volunteers: Develop the gifts of congregation members and mobilise them to deliver the vision together.

· Teaching: Deliver engaging, bible-based teaching that inspires and challenges the congregation.

· Pastoral Care: Oversee pastoral care which may include compassionate counselling, support, and guidance to church members in times of need.

· Leadership and Operations: Oversee Sunday gatherings, community events and church operations. Contribute to church governance processes, serving as an Elder on the Leadership Team.

Qualifications & Experience

· Faithful and Passionate: A deep, personal relationship with Christ and a passion for sharing the gospel.

· Experienced: Good, applied Bible knowledge, and relevant experience in leadership.  We are open to consider individuals with proven experience of leadership in a church or non-church setting. Experience and heart for outreach essential.

· Engaging Communicator: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to connect and communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds.

· Humility: Must be sensitive to the relationships within the congregation and the community, and have the ability to relate well to people of all socio-economic groups.

· Servant Hearted: Willing to serve with integrity, motivation and vision.

· Compassionate Leader: A heart for the lost and community building, with a genuine love for people.

· Pioneer: This position is a great opportunity for someone willing to pioneer this open-to-growth congregation.

·  Evangelical: Must align with the Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith.

·  Alpha: Prior experience running Alpha desirable but not essential.

·  Independent Facilitator: Must be happy to work independently while involving and facilitating the views of church members and other leaders as required and beneficial to the vision.

We’re looking for a creative storyteller to develop our presence across social media and manage engaging campaigns that create emotional connections and deliver results.

Hours: 21 hours per week
Salary: £30,000 - £32,000 pro rata, depending on experience
Location: Remote working, with occasional travel for meetings

About The Flying Seagull Project

A unique team of artists, performers, play specialists and fun-devotees, we are dedicated to ensuring no childhood passes without proper play, big belly laughs and everyone feeling valuable. We work across the UK and internationally, reaching out and sharing circus, music, art, dance and play experiences with children and communities facing the harshest of crises due to poverty, war, isolation and illness.

We create safe spaces, either in our big top tent, or an empty car park or wherever we can take over a corner, to ensure that every child feels safe, seen and special. The locations we work in include refugee camps, orphanages, institutions, refuges, marginalised communities, hospices and community centres. What unites us is the energy, determination and commitment to creating genuine childhood joy for those starved of that basic right and making magical memories that can last forever.

Our medium-sized charity is led by CEO Ash Perrin, with five core staff and a team of highly experienced crew and volunteers. We also have hubs in the Netherlands and Norway. We are a dynamic and friendly organisation, dedicated to delivering a huge impact with limited resources and are looking for people who are driven and who share our mission.

The Role

This is an exciting and pivotal new role, with huge scope and freedom to increase our reach and promote our dynamic, unique charity in a direct and rewarding way.

Your first job will be to draft our Social Media and Creative Communications Plan, setting out the key opportunities, milestones and targets for the next few years.

You’ll be responsible for developing our brand presence across multiple social media platforms. You’ll manage authentic, highly-engaging campaigns that delight our community, creating emotional connections and delivering results.

An all-rounder with the ability to see social media and communication plans through from inception to delivery, you’ll be adept at creating and editing digital media as well as analysing their performance.

In this role you’ll work closely within our tight-knit team, reporting directly to the CEO.

Responsibilities

• Bring the brand to life on social media with compelling and consistently engaging creative communication.
• Draft and roll out a compelling Social Media and Creative Communications Plan.
• Set KPIs, work to targets, analyse and report on performance.
• Reacting quickly to opportunities and title deadlines, keeping pace with a dynamic agenda.
• Increase engagement for existing audiences while acquiring new followers.
• Lead the creation and delivery of email marketing to charity stakeholders and our wider community.
• Create and run a GTM calendar to plan and schedule posts and campaigns that support the brand strategy.
• Work with the Executive Director to design and deliver integrated digital fundraising campaigns.
• Provide support Social Media support to our Netherlands and Norway hubs as required.

The Ideal Candidate

Vibrant, boundary pushing, brave and creative, you will be adept and skilled at creating and managing exciting and engaging content across all social and digital channels.

A natural storyteller with fantastic ideas and drive to share the magic we bring, building unity and compassion with new and existing audiences, promoting our work and expanding our reach and reputation.

Skills

• Minimum three years’ demonstrable experience working in social media & creative comms.
• Adept at developing and executing social media & communication plans from inception to creation to delivery to analysis.
• Skilled with digital editing software (Adobe Suite) as well as in-app editing on social media platforms.
• Able to write good copy, edit photos and video and create social native content.
• Skilled with Adobe Suite and able to learn new software quickly.
• Up to date with the latest trends, developments and opportunities on social media that align with the brand.
• An eye for excellent content, design and copy, understanding brand nuances like tone, personality and visual identity.
• Self-sufficient executor with a can-do attitude in a challenging and evolving environment.
• Comfortable working to targets, managing KPIs and delivering to deadlines.
• Commitment to The Flying Seagull Project’s vision, mission and values.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or age.

How to apply

If you think this sounds like your ideal opportunity and you’d like to join our Seagull team as our new Social Media & Creative Communications Lead, please apply as soon as possible. We are considering applications on an ongoing basis as they are received, so don’t delay!

We will hold the first round of virtual interviews on 20th & 21st November 2024 for early applicants, with a potential second round of virtual interviews at a later date.

To apply, please send your cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) clearly stating how you meet the role requirements and skills and an up-to-date CV to Tania Skae. Thank you.

Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme) 

Designed and delivered by social work charity Frontline, we teach social work differently. By blending learning and practice, what you discover in theory is eased into real-life settings, supervised by a social worker. Gaining your postgraduate diploma within 12 months, will be the first step in your life-changing career. 

You’ll learn how to connect with children, young people, parents and carers. How to gain all important trust, so a family opens their door to you again. You’ll gain the technical knowledge and build on your relational skills. We’ll give you the time and support to develop your approach, with confidence.

You earn while you learn, and once you gain your qualification you’ll step right into a job. And through our Frontline Fellowship, you’ll join a network of peers intent on transforming social work practice in England. 

Be part of something bigger. Join the next generation of social workers. 

What’s in it for you? 

• Earn as you learn with a salary of up to £34,000 from year two. 

• Qualify as a social worker and complete a fully funded master's degree.

• Get high-quality training and supervision from experienced social workers, academics and coaches in a rich, supportive environment.

• Become part of the Frontline Fellowship and receive ongoing support and training throughout your career. 

What to expect as a trainee social worker 

Year 1: 

• Start with five weeks of intense online study, including five in-person sessions, led by experts in social work theory. 

• Begin your 12-month placement in a local council social work team, where you'll work closely with fellow trainees and an experienced social worker. You'll gradually take on more responsibility in supporting children and families. 

• Qualify as a social worker by the end of your first year. 

Year 2: 

• Manage your own caseload, building on your skills and confidence. 

• Engage in ongoing study to further develop your professional abilities. 

• Receive continued support from Frontline tutors, your employer and fellow trainees. 

Year 3: 

• Conduct a research project and complete the academic credits needed for your fully-funded social work master's degree. 

• Receive leadership coaching to enhance your professional capabilities. 

Who we’re looking for  

We are looking for your potential to become an outstanding children’s social worker and leader, empowering families to achieve positive change. No specific experience is required to apply. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and a commitment to advocating for the communities’ social workers serve. We're dedicated to fostering diversity in our programme and supporting applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. 

You will also meet the following criteria:  

• Have at least a 2.2 (predicted or obtained) in an undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent)

• Have obtained GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above (or approved equivalent qualification)

• Possess the right to work and study in the UK (including access to public funds) for the duration of the programme (until September 2028)

• Be resident in England by the time the programme commences

• Not be a qualified social worker 

Be part of something bigger. Join the next generation of social workers.