Director Of Communications And Development Jobs

About us

Collaborate CIC is at the forefront of pioneering collaborative approaches to social change and public services. As an innovative social consultancy and think tank, we are building the thinking, culture, and practice of collaboration to help us meet the challenges of today, together. We work towards a vision of a collaborative society — one that is equitable, caring, and sustainable. 

About the role 

At the heart of our organisation is a deep well of expertise, creativity, and rigorous thinking. However, we recognise that while we are brilliant thinkers and do great work, we need someone to help us better communicate the value and impact of what we do to wider audiences. 

We’re looking for an experienced Communications and Marketing Manager with a strong background in strategic communications, ideally with sector knowledge, who can spread the word about our incredible work to support people and places, and grow the movement for a more collaborative, equitable society where we all are supported to flourish.

This role will manage our external communications and marketing content. It will be supported by and report to a Director, while collaborating closely with both the operations and practice team. This role will be ‘top to bottom’, considering and developing our communications strategy, and putting strategy into action by creating marketing materials, optimising our website content, and driving engagement on social media to effectively share our content externally.

About your experience and skills

You will be a versatile and persuasive communicator, particularly in writing, who can adapt their approach to suit people from different sectors and with levels of seniority. 

You will be a creative and practical thinker, capable of developing and delivering annual plans for our communications as well as adapting quickly to new opportunities . 

You’ll thrive in a collaborative team environment, working closely with project team members to develop content, and help them increase their communications and marketing skills. 

Strong organisational abilities are key, as you'll juggle multiple tasks across different timelines. You should also be comfortable with a variety of digital tools and quick to adapt to new platforms. 

Finally, you’re passionate about improving public outcomes, curious about social change, and likely have experience—whether personal, professional, or voluntary—of working toward that goal.

For more information on job responsibilities and experience requirements see attached for the full job description.

About the package and benefits

• Salary range: £35,000 - £42,000 (pro-rata)
• Location: We’re a national organisation with an office in London. All of our team work in a hybrid way, which varies depending on role and location. This role requires at least 1 day per week/fortnight in the office during the induction period. Beyond that, you are required to come to London at least once every 6 weeks.
• Working hours: preference is 22.5 hours per week, open to exploring flexible working requests that match organisational needs with personal needs/preferences
• Additional holiday over the winter holidays, on top of 25 days' (pro rata) holiday and bank holidays
• Pension contribution equal to 3% of your pro-rata salary
• Options for multi-purpose loans, bike-to-work scheme, eye tests, enhanced parental leave pay and we're open to exploring more...
• Being part of an inclusive, team-led, learning environment

Next steps and how to apply

• To apply, please follow the how to apply button below before 5pm on Monday 11th November.
• You’ll answer questions that are related to your interest in this role and your experiences and skills that would help you to do it. After the job closes, your answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers to ensure that every application is treated fairly and without bias.
• First interviews 25-28th November: you will meet 2 members of the team to discuss your experience and skills and to complete a short task.
• Second interviews 2-4th December: the opportunity to meet 2 more members of our team and to talk about you and the role with us further.

We hope to make an offer by mid December! If availability allows, we would love the person to start in post in January, or as soon as they have completed any required notice period.

Also, we love giving and receiving feedback, so at the end of the application process you'll receive insights into how well you performed and be invited to give anonymous feedback to us, or feel free to reach out to us to give more personalised input.

We are an equal opportunities employer

Collaborate supports flexible working and enables the potential for growth within this role and the organisation.

We seek to be a genuinely collaborative organisation, sharing ideas across the team through weekly team meetings and regular learning sessions. We collectively consider our broader strategy, examine and share learning across our projects, and explore how we might develop our work and our thinking.

As a Living Wage employer, we believe in paying our team fairly and are committed to promoting equity of opportunity for all. 

Being equitable, inclusive and fair is not easy or simple and we are challenging ourselves, talking, working and learning about how we can continue to do this better. We aim to create an inclusive working environment in which all individuals are able to make the best use of their skills and are enabled to thrive.

Variety, the Children's Charity, seeks an experienced fundraising leader, people-person, and all-around star to be our next Director of Fundraising & Communications – could it be you? Based in our head office in London, you will work with our CEO and Regional Director of Development (North West) on significantly growing our income. Backed by a fantastic brand and reputation, you will lead through a transformative period of growth as we raise funds to make a real and immediate difference in the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.

At Variety, the Children's Charity, we believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential. We fund and deliver life-changing programs that give disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK a better future. 2024 is our 75th year in the UK, and we are part of a global network that has raised and donated close to £1.6 billion to positively impact the lives of children in need.

We are one of the most well-recognised and trusted charities as a result of this illustrious track record. Today, in the UK we have a team of 20 dedicated staff, which will grow over the next 12 months, who support our work and an enviable network of committed supporters and volunteers across the country.

We’re not content to rest on our laurels – we have recently completed a leadership transition that will provide the strategic and operational foundation for the charity to be more effective than ever. We plan to double our income in the next three years and grow our support for children and young people across the UK.

To do this, we need a dynamic, forward-thinking fundraiser who can engage effectively with staff, Trustees, volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries. Someone who knows how to make the most of the unparalleled showbiz and business networks our trustees bring to the organisation. Who can demonstrate a deep understanding of fundraising, a commitment to achieving ambitious financial targets, the ability to lead by being fully accessible to various stakeholders and can actively participate in key Variety events, including the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, Variety Props Awards and the Variety Disability Sports Awards. Success in the role will make a huge difference to the lives of the children and young people we support as well as putting our new Director on the map.

The Appointment Brief for this role with full job description and person specification is available upon application. 

You will be attracted to this role because of:

1. You have an affinity to the cause - if you understand bipolar, this is a change-driven organisation where you can achieve impact and be close to the work that matters to you.
2. There’s a high chance of success - the £3.5 million figure is ambitious but realistic, based on a extensive research.
3. There is a momentum of growth - 95% since 2019 and the third highest in the mental health sector.
4. You will be personally responsible for this success.
5. You will succeed at a broad professional level.

The Director of Fundraising be responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising strategy. This will include the day-to-day management of the existing fundraising team and championing fundraising at senior management level and with the Board.

The ideal candidate will have:

- 5 to 10 years of fundraising experience, including managing a fundraising department.

- Proven track record of achieving a step change in income generation

- Experience of two of the following fundraising methodologies: Grants, Corporate, Community and events, Legacies, High net worth individuals or Commissioning

Evidence of continuous professional development in fundraising together with management experience and/or qualification is essential. As is strong digital skills, with a track record of maximising the use of CRMs and excellent business writing skills.

Must have good internal and external interpersonal skills, be an inspirational leader and capacity to represent Bipolar UK at a senior level.

An affinity to bipolar will be an advantage

Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in England. On any given day, our services support thousands of women and their children, helping them to overcome the physical, emotional, financial, and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives — free from fear.

We are currently recruiting for a Deputy Director, Technology who will be the lead technology expert for the organisation. This is a new role offering the scope to shape Refuge’s response to the technology challenges we face in executing our strategy and achieving our mission. 

We are looking for someone with a proven track record in delivering high-quality IT support service through effective contract management of the recently appointed outsourcing company, including the resolution of any remaining on-boarding issues.  You will bring a strong understanding of IT security practices, regulatory compliance, and cyber security protocols. You will also be a trusted advisor for senior colleagues, providing expertise, identifying opportunities, and delivering solutions for modernisation, automation, and cost optimisation across the organisation. You will provide advice and technical guidance to teams who manage their own applications and systems (Finance, Fundraising, People and Culture, Helpline) and manage the procurement of new IT software solutions with key investments in case management, housing management and finance systems in the early planning stages. And you will take management responsibility for Refuge’s well-established and respected Data and Performance team, ensuring we continue to report to funders on standards of performance across our services.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to meet you.   

Closing Date: 09:00am 11 November 2024

Interview Date: 21 and 22 November 2024

About Us

We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.  

Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.

We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.

About the role 

The Natural History Museum is seeking a proactive and self-starting, ambitious, driven, creative and forward-thinking Internal Communications Manager to support its 1100 members of staff, across three sites. This role is responsible for developing and overseeing the delivery of the Museum’s internal communications strategy.

You will relish seeking out (and prioritising!) the vast amounts of news within the organisation – creating engaging content that resonates with colleagues.  With a creative, inclusive and strategic approach to delivering engaging employee communications, you will ensure the Museum adopts best practice. You will be encouraged to explore and share new innovations in internal communications.

This role has a broad remit to develop and manage internal communications for the Museum that informs and celebrates the varied work of colleagues from creating temporary exhibitions, delivering world-famous visitor events and leading the transformation of the Museum’s galleries, to the ground-breaking research conducted by our 350 scientists.

Supporting a wide range of internal communications activities, this role will inform, engage and motivate colleagues about the Museum’s vision and mission and all the vital work the Museum is undertaking to create advocates for the planet.

You will have a proven track record of developing and delivering impactful communications strategies that incorporate in-person and online events and digital communications which are effective throughout a multi-site organisation.

About you

A talented self-starter, you will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to establish good working relationships quickly. You will be a creative storyteller with good attention to detail, accustomed to working proactively with a breadth of stakeholders to develop compelling narratives and impactful communications.

With proven experience managing a breadth of Internal Communications channels and in-person and hybrid events, you must be comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, varied environment. You will have experience managing crisis communications.

You will play a key role in advising colleagues, including the Executive Board, on Internal Communications and in supporting the development and maintenance of Internal Communications channels.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job.

Closing date: 23:59 on Wednesday 13 November 2024

Interviews expected: w/c 25 November 2024

Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. In 2024 we embarked on our new 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it. 

Location: Based at our Crisis Skylight South Wales, 163 St Helen’s Rd, Swansea SA1 4DQ, with the option of hybrid working in line with Crisis’ Hybrid Working Policy. 

About the role 

As Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer (Wales), you will play a crucial role in our work to end homelessness in Wales.

You will create and drive forward a bold communications strategy for Wales, collaborating with colleagues across multiple departments to showcase the depth and breadth of Crisis’ work in Wales with maximal impact.

You will share our passion for equity and for ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are at the heart of our work. 

The successful candidate will have a natural interest in campaigning for positive change and will work closely with our policy team, joining the team at an exciting time as we anticipate proposals for new legislation to better support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Wales.

About you 

The successful candidate will: 

• Have an excellent working knowledge of the media landscape in Wales.

• A proven track record for designing and delivering impactful communication strategies or substantial experience as a journalist. 

• Be experienced in working with people to share their stories in a positive and meaningful way. 

• Have exceptional communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively with wide-ranging audiences and partners. 

• Have a good understanding of Welsh politics and take a keen interest in campaigning for positive policy change. 

• Be passionate about working as a team to help end homelessness in Wales. 

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.  

Working at Crisis  

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:  

• A competitive salary. Please note, our salaries are fixed to counter inequity, and we do not negotiate at offer stage. 

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.  

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%  

• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay. 

• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm  

• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)  

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.  

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply? 

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Sunday 17 November 2024 23:55

Interview date: Tuesday 26 November 2024 at Crisis Skylight South Wales, 163 St Helen’s Rd, Swansea SA1 4DQ 

Interview process: This will include an interview looking at competency and values-based questions with our recruitment panel as well as a discussion with some of our members with lived experience of homelessness here at Crisis. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation and to complete a short-written task. 

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for my application? 
We strongly discourage applicants from using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. This is so we can run a fair, transparent process which gives all applicants an equitable chance of success. We want to hear about your own experience and perspectives in your application and if shortlisted, during the interview too. 

Accessibility  

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.  

 
Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094  

Post summary

This is an exciting position for an exceptional person with fundraising, campaigning, policy, communications and management/leadership experience to temporarily direct one of the UK’s leading human rights NGOs. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to oversee high-impact civil liberties campaigns to achieve real change and manage a high-performing multi-disciplinary team to further privacy, free expression and data protection rights in the United Kingdom. Importantly, you’ll be an experienced fundraiser, responsible for leading our grants and major giving to maintain Big Brother Watch’s income growth, and have experience with financial reporting.

You’ll have a diverse skill-set enabling you to line manage our Advocacy Manager, Digital Communications Manager and Head of Research and Investigations. An ideal candidate will also be responsible for leading the development of policy positions on new and emerging issues alongside our talented team.

You may also share spokesperson responsibilities, taking up our role as a recognised voice on civil liberties matters in the national media, though this is not essential.

The start and end of the position will include comprehensive handover periods with the current Director, and may include a period of co-working full time with the current Director.

We recognise that applicants may not have all the skills relevant to this role, or policy expertise across all of our key campaign areas. However, if you are a committed and experienced civil liberties advocate with significant fundraising and management experience, we would like to hear from you.

About you

We’re looking for highly experienced professional with a track record of NGO fundraising and management with a demonstrable passion for protecting civil liberties, especially privacy and freedom of expression. Ideally, you’ll have a high level of experience of or interest in working on new and emerging technologies.

Importantly, you’ll have excellent political judgement. You’ll have strong knowledge of British politics, a strong network of relevant contacts and significant experience both fundraising and advocating for change.

You’ll have an entrepreneurial approach, always identifying opportunities to boost Big Brother Watch’s campaigns, resources and reputation. The ideal candidate will appreciate the importance of winning in the court of public opinion in order to win in parliament, and have the skills to do both.

You’ll be a brilliant communicator internally and externally, able to simplify complex technology issues and convey powerful messages whether in campaign slogans or in interviews as a Big Brother Watch spokesperson.

You’ll be at ease working on a strictly non-partisan, cross-party basis and grounding our campaigns and communications strategies in human rights and liberal principles. You’ll also embody our principles of equality, respect and accountability.

We’re looking for someone with natural leadership qualities, ideally with experience of managing managers, who will bring the best out of our highly capable team as a motivating and compassionate director.

If you’re committed to Big Brother Watch’s mission, we’d like to hear from you.

Big Brother Watch

Big Brother Watch is a UK civil liberties campaign group fighting for a free future. We’re determined to reclaim our privacy and defend freedoms at this time of enormous technological change. And we fight to win.

We’re a fiercely independent, diverse, non-partisan and non-profit group of campaigners and researchers who work to roll back the surveillance state and protect rights in parliament, the media or the courts if we have to. We publish unique investigations and pursue powerful public campaigns to pursue real change. We work relentlessly to inform and empower the public to collectively reclaim privacy, defend our civil liberties and protect freedoms for the future.

We’re a small, dedicated and highly effective team of seven full-time staff, in addition to contractors and volunteers.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Fundraising

• Seeking fundraising opportunities and writing fundraising applications

• Reporting to funders, including trusts/grants and individual donors

Management and finances

• Day to day operational management of the office, ensuring policies are upheld

• Management of the Advocacy Manager, including overseeing the development of quarterly campaign plans and evaluations across our priority areas

• Management of the Digital Communications Officer and our public communications strategy/scheduling, encompassing digital fundraising

• Management of the Head of Research and Investigations, ensuring ongoing production of high-quality research, investigations and reports to support priority campaign areas

• Ensuring the highest level of quality of all campaigns, communications and research output

• Manage staff performance and development, and ensure wellbeing

• Help foster a positive, supportive work environment

• Financial management of the organisation, liaising with our accountants, with quarterly financial reporting to the Board of Directors, and maintenance of our annual budget

• Organise quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors and prepare papers, including financial and campaign updates

Advocacy

• Lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team to further our strategic aims across campaigns, communications, research and some litigation

• Identify advocacy and press opportunities to further campaign aims, with the team

• Oversee and ultimately authorise our public messaging, from press quotes to public stunts, in line with our strategic aims

• Work with the team to promote Big Brother Watch’s campaigns externally/in the media, supporting spokespeople or personally undertaking speaking engagements, media interviews/opinion writing, etc.

• Uphold Big Brother Watch’s reputational excellence in public fora

• Work with the team to communicate complex issues to varied audiences, whether parliament, press or public

• Identify opportunities to further our strategic aims whether in parliament, the press or through legal action

• Identify and support opportunities for the team to work with stakeholders and pursue collaborative campaigns/coalitions on key issues

• Develop and advance Big Brother Watch’s relationships with allies across Government, legislative bodies, international organisations & NGOs in a strictly cross-party manner

• Produce formal correspondence, blog posts, presentations, and other documents articulating Big Brother Watch’s strategic goals

• Reflect, evaluate and implement learning from Big Brother Watch’s performance

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Successful experience (2y+) fundraising from trusts and individual donors for a non-profit/NGO

• Experience of budget management and financial reporting, particularly in a non-profit context

• Proven leadership in a senior management role (2y+) in a similar role or environment

• Proven experience with high-level political judgement and decision-making

• A strong understanding of the external political environment, including levers for change and knowledge of what changes the minds of decision-makers

• A demonstrated commitment to defending rights and civil liberties in the UK

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Proven ability to work successfully in a non-party, cross-party environment

• Proven ability to represent an organisation as a responsible and high-impact ambassador

• Proven commitment to organisational excellence across all outputs

Desirable

• Experience managing managers

• Expertise and experience on UK issues relating to data protection, civil liberties, privacy, surveillance and/or free expression

• Excellent and persuasive communications skills

• Aptitude for managing and building relationships with stakeholders

• Familiarity with relevant UK surveillance and data protection laws

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including, famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to the 5 country offices worldwide we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable Development Programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role:

The Head of Communications is responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s communication strategy to establish Muslim Aid as a leading faith-based voice and thought leader in international development, humanitarian programming and positive systemic change. This role involves managing all aspects of internal and external communications, including media relations, digital content, and brand management. The Head of Communications will work closely with the Director of Strategy and Communications to ensure that communication efforts are aligned with the organisation’s strategic goals and effectively engage stakeholders.

About the Role:

 Develop and implement a comprehensive global communication strategy that enhances the organisation’s public image, engages key stakeholders, and supports the achievement of strategic goals. Ensure that the strategy is flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Lead the development and monitoring of annual communication plans that outline key initiatives, campaigns, and activities. Ensure that these plans are aligned with the organisation’s strategic priorities, reflect cross-departmental needs and include clear objectives, timelines, and performance metrics.

Provide editorial oversight for all content produced by the communications team, digital or otherwise: including social media posts, website content, newsletters, press releases, and other written materials. Ensure that all content adheres to the organisation’s messaging guidelines and brand standards.

Act as the overall guardian of the Muslim Aid brand and put in place processes and support to ensure it is represented at its best in all external communications.

Ensure that the organisation’s brand reflects and aligns with organisational identity and is consistently applied across all communication channels. Lead efforts to refresh and strengthen the brand as needed to reflect the organisation’s evolving direction.

Steer strategic engagement with the media to ensure accurate reporting on Muslim Aid’s activities, priorities, principles, and approach, as well as to platform Muslim Aid’s strategic direction and goals, and advance the organisation’s thought leadership.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
2. Proven leadership experience in a communications role, preferably within an INGO or similar organisation.
3. Proven experience in developing and executing successful communication strategies, managing media relations, and overseeing digital communications.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to create compelling content for diverse audiences.
5. Proficiency in digital communication tools, social media platforms, and content management systems.
6. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Why you should apply:

Take the lead in shaping Muslim Aid’s voice and reputation as a thought leader in international development and humanitarian work. As the Head of Communications, you will be at the forefront of our communication strategy, helping to amplify our impact and foster positive systemic change. You will manage all aspects of our internal and external communications, from media relations and digital content to brand management, ensuring that our message reaches and resonates with key stakeholders. If you are a skilled communicator passionate about making a difference in a values-driven environment, this is your chance to drive change in an influential, essential role.

Benefits you will enjoy working for us: 

• 25 days annual leave + 4 privilege days 
• Hybrid working
• Paid time off for medical appointments 
• 2 hours lunch break on Fridays
• Workplace Pension Scheme

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV. 

The Christie Charity is a vibrant, fast moving, energetic organisation with a passionate team and a fantastic reputation. We exist to solely support The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and its patients providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds.

 The Charity Finance Director will oversee the Charity’s finances, including financial planning, forecasting and reporting. They will be an integral part of the senior leadership team working closely with the Chief Executive and the board of trustees to achieve strategic objectives.

 This is a really exciting time to join the Charity as we continue to embed our change of governance structure and develop new ways of generating income, including social investment opportunities.

 This senior level role requires a team player with integrity and resourcefulness, coupled with exceptional analytic and problem-solving skills and the drive and motivation to support the Charity’s ambitions.

At Makespace, our mission is to revive, repurpose and transform empty and underused spaces across Oxfordshire into affordable, community-driven places. We are committed to nurturing connection and support for social enterprises, creatives, makers and fostering a more inclusive and connected local economy.

Our agenda is spatial justice - we believe everyone has the right to safe, affordable, secure and beautiful spaces in which to work, organise and celebrate. We use meanwhile as a lever to unlock spaces, and as a catalyst to bring about long-term, community place-based renewal, building towards community ownership.

The Advocacy and Communications Director will lead Makespace’s advocacy and external communications, to influence systemic change across the community/social enterprise sector and deliver transformational, multi-generational change in line with our strategy. The role will deepen engagement with local and national partners and stakeholders, building on the success of Makespace’s neighbourhood level projects as the organisation moves into the next phase of development. A key part of the role is translating the learning and impact from our hub spaces into compelling advocacy and communications campaigns.

This role is a new position designed to strengthen our senior leadership team, working closely with the Executive Director and Operations Director to guide the strategic direction of the organisation.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we refuse to stay in our lane and believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The shared soul of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast; Black Charity Leaders and The Social Mobility List.

Mothers’ Union is a global Christian movement working to transform lives, strengthen families and advocate for change. 

Active for nearly 150 years and now with 4 million members in 84 countries, our development programmes have extraordinary reach and an approach that is in line with best practice – our members serve in their local communities, have strong established relationships, and are there for the long term. They see what is needed, where it is needed and work as volunteers to help others. This local knowledge, combined with their Christian faith perspective enables transformation in the communities they serve. 

Our programmes, which take an Asset Based Community Transformation approach, are focused around the three pillars identified by our members of stopping violence (especially gender-based violence), poverty and injustice. 

We now seek a Director of Global Programmes to build on the excellent work to date to ensure there is consistency in approach, and that the local teams have the necessary capability and capacity in place to deliver to time, quality and budget. Our desire is to do this without losing the relational and member-led approach we have always taken, and to extend the work into more countries. 

This will require a best-in-class development leader with a mature Christian faith, the ability to shape culture and convert vision into operational strategies that enable growth.  You will be a brilliant team builder and collaborator who balances trust and accountability and you will likely have experience of working in a networked organization, with and through volunteers. 

For more details, including how to apply, please see the job pack attached.

Closing date 5pm on 8th November

About the Company
Bluestep was incorporated in 2010 and is based at Blisworth Hill Farm in the lovely Northamptonshire countryside, commutable from Northampton, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. The business operates in design, merchandise, storage and fulfilment services providing varied solutions to a wide range of clients in the charity, healthcare, outdoor education, corporate and sports sectors. We are a progressive, forward-thinking company that prides ourselves on a first class service.

Main purposes of job
As our Charity Account Director within the Client Services team, you will play the lead role in driving business growth across the Charity sector in line with our 4-year plan that we launched at the start of this new financial year (April 2024).

You will be responsible for the day-to-day management, leading, inspiration and coaching of our Charity Account Management team (from Senior Account Managers to Account Executives, possibly Apprentices down the line), while at the same time looking after a select number of high value Charity partners.

This responsibility will involve you being constantly immersed in the daily activity, providing on the spot advice and coaching to our team, making a concerted effort to get to know each of our clients and an expert knowledge of our portfolio of services on offer. Due to the experience and network of the successful candidate, we expect you to bring opportunities our way.

We are looking to appoint a candidate with the commerciality, leadership and ambition to push us to the next level.

Main responsibilities

Client Strategic Influence: Will play a huge part in creating, influencing and implementing strategy for a very small number of extremely high value, lifelong clients surmounting to a multi-million pound portfolio. Without your involvement, our clients would struggle.

Inspiring, Mentoring, Coaching: We expect the successful candidate to have a huge passion for developing teams and individuals. You should gravitate towards people and be an inspirational figure that the team will want to seek knowledge and support from. You should have the ability to help integrate and intertwine individuals with their clients, making them an indispensable extension to their team.

Reporting Lead duties: All members of the Charity team will report into this role and the individual will be responsible for all aspects of people management.

Living in the Detail: With such a huge client base within the Charity sector, offering a variety of services (Merchandise, Design, Storage & Fulfilment), we expect the successful candidate to have the capacity and ambition to immerse themself in the detail, investing an incredible amount of time getting to know individual accounts and clients alike. Much of this will take place in “real life” through discussion with Account Managers and clients, though detail will also come from Synergist, our CRM platform.

Strategic Implementation: Able to support the development and implementation of commercial strategy with the aim being to accelerate the growth of Bluestep as a business and industry player. Adaptability will be required as trends and needs develop over time.

Client Relationship Management: Love & Care is central to everything we do (Net Promoter Score is a key metric that we have introduced to the business) and your philosophy must be focused around this. Our Love & Care Manager is the key to unlocking the rewards of this and a resource that must be utilised to the best of your ability. This role will require management and delegation of clients when the team are on leave.

Sales and Revenue Generation: This role will require integrated working with our Client Services Director and Marketing team to ensure that sales support is directed in the right areas at the right times. This ties in with our recruitment strategy and demands. With the candidate’s standing within the Charity community, we also expect this person to unlock significant opportunities within the sector.

Collaboration: This role works very closely with our Client Services Director, who has overall responsibility for all Client Services related activity, and our Love & Care Manager, who will underpin and support all operational and client requirements for the team. Generally, this role requires collaboration across the business in order to guarantee success.

Budget Management: Responsible for creating and monitoring annual, quarterly and monthly sales and GP margin budgets across the Charity sector by individual. Responsible for communicating and agreeing budgets across the team.

Reporting: Develop and update reporting tools that keep the team and management abreast of performance, including presentations within our fortnightly “Scrum” meetings. Prepare and present regular reports and updates to leadership.

Drive change on Industry Trends: Not only offering solutions both internally to Management and to clients in order that these are addressed, but playing a huge role in ensuring they are implemented. This person should be an influential member of the sector community.

The above list is not exhaustive and duties relevant to the post or the individual’s experience may be required from time to time. Variation may occur to the duties and responsibilities at the request of the Managing Director without changing the general character of the post. Any variation will always be discussed first.

Charity Account Director Experience
Proven experience in Senior roles within a merchandise and design agency or similar environment
Experience working with Not-for-profit organisations or in-house roles including Senior Fundraising Manager/Director (essential)
Proven track record of winning significant new business, developing customer relationships and spend
Evidence of inspiring, coaching and mentoring teams of people to achieve success
Track record of creating positive, values-based cultures
Client-facing experience and extremely comfortable in presenting environments
Strategic thinker
Technology proficient (CRM systems such as Synergist)

Charity Account Director Skills & Attributes
A natural leader and inspirer
People-person
Superb teamwork skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Capacity to take on a lot of information in a short space of time
Adaptable across many areas of a job role
Problem-solver and adaptable to certain situations
Time management
Strong commercial acumen: results orientated with a focus on achieving and exceeding sales goals
High standards of integrity, service delivery and customer care
Personable and fun to work with

On offer for the Charity Account Director

• We allow one day of remote working each week (increases to two days once 6 month probation period is complete)
• Some travel/overnight stays will be expected
• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 per annum depending on experience
• Inclusion in our Profit Share Scheme (paying out up to 15% of basic salary) upon completion of 6 month probation period
• NEST Pension scheme (Bluestep contribution of 5%)
• 29 days of Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Free onsite gym membership
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay (upon completion of 2 years’ employment)
• Plus many more benefits included in our Perks Guide (including Private Medical Healthcare through Vitality on your 2-year anniversary)

To apply for the Charity Account Director Role
Please follow the Indeed process for applying.

• Application deadline: Friday 15th November 2024
• Stage 1 Interviews (Teams): Once application received and successfully through initial screening process
• Stage 2 Interviews (Face-to-Face): if successfully through Stage 1 interview
• Stage 3 Presentation (Face-to-Face): If successfully through Stage 2 interview.

Ampleforth Abbey Trust is looking to appoint a strong performance-focused leader to take up the pivotal position of Director of Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk is of paramount importance at Ampleforth Abbey and safeguarding all vulnerable groups from harm is a key strategic priority. The Trust’s charitable beneficiaries and safeguarding responsibilities include both vulnerable adults and children. Ampleforth Abbey is home to a large Benedictine community and its main works include the provision of guided and individual retreats and the operation of a Visitor Centre, Tea Room and shop. Monks of the community also serve in local parishes and a small number are resident in a dependent monastery in Zimbabwe. 

As Director of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, you will ensure the highest standards of safeguarding arrangements are in place across Ampleforth Abbey Trust, that these are robustly maintained and that the charity meets its legal duties and obligations in relation to the same, demonstrating all due care for all relevant legislation and carrying out duties in the most cost-effective and efficient way.

In this role you will have a clear vision of success with a passion for significant and complex challenge, and a track record of developing and delivering effective safeguarding policy and practice. You will possess exceptional influencing and communication skills to help drive a culture of collaborative continuous improvement which motivates and empowers others within the organisation.  You will forge strong and effective partnerships, in particular with our statutory and regulatory partners.  You will conduct yourself in a way befitting our culture: acting with integrity, leading by example, with enthusiasm and strong ambition. You will have the experience, skills and abilities to be able to make an instant impact at the highest-level, in this high-profile role in a demanding and complex environment.

Key Dates

Closing date:    Midday Thursday 21 November 2024

Interviews:  Week commencing 2 December 2024

Start Date: March 2025

Ampleforth Abbey Trust adheres to safer recruitment as part of its commitment to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding for children and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All offers of employment will be subject to checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) along with other relevant pre-employment checks and the receipt of employment references.

To apply please send

· A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, tailored to job description and person specification.

· A Statement of Suitability explaining your motivation for applying for this role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role.