Regional Development Lead – Southern Region

Are you passionate about making a difference and have experience in relationship management and project delivery? 

​

Join the Samaritans as a Regional Development Lead for the Southern Region and play a key role in our mission to reduce suicides on the rail network.

• Fixed term contract until 20 February 2026 

• £32,850 per annum pro rata plus benefits 

• Full time (35 hours per week) 

•​The successful candidate should live within or adjacent to the Southern region (Dorset, Hampshire, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London). Do get in touch with any queries about location prior to applying.

• We are passionate about flexible working, please talk to us about your preferences

• Hybrid working: A blend of working from home and from regional rail and Samaritans offices. Significant travel throughout the Southern region shall be required.  The successful candidate should live within or adjacent to the Southern region . Do get in touch with any queries about location prior to applying.

About the Role:

As a Regional Development Lead, you'll be at the forefront of our work with key stakeholders, including Network Rail, British Transport Police, train operating companies, and local organizations. You'll represent the Samaritans Rail Programme at regional and local levels, guiding and supporting stakeholders on suicide prevention initiatives and developing Joint Suicide Prevention Plans (JSSPs). Your role will be to:

• Act as a central point of contact for rail contacts, sharing information on national campaigns, internal communications, crisis signage, policy, and research.

• Manage regional suicide prevention activities, collaborating with various stakeholders to deliver impactful results.

• Lead community activities and post-incident support, ensuring local applicability of national guidelines and strategies.

• Promote responsible and ethical language around suicide and foster a culture change within the rail industry.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you’ll need: 

• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead initiatives from start to finish.

• Experience in relationship management, with the ability to influence and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

• Excellent communication skills to convey complex information clearly and accurately.

• A proactive, problem-solving approach with a strong sense of empathy and emotional intelligence.

This role can be exposed to emotionally challenging material and data relating to suicide and self-harm, including personal individual lived experience, which can be traumatic. You’ll receive training and support throughout your time at Samaritans to manage the demands of the role, but it’s important to be sure that this role is right for you.

​

Why Samaritans?

Samaritans is a unique workplace. Here, you’ll find an organisation that’s dedicated to making a real difference. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment, where you will have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people and grow professionally.​

Working at Samaritans

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure here - Recruitment Brochure

Being Inclusive  

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from Disabled, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.  

Application 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please upload your CV and a 2 page cover letter, outlining your motivations for applying and your transferable skills and experience. Applications close at 9 am on Wednesday 5 February, with video interviews w/c 10 February. 

Whilst we appreciate that the use of generative AI functions like ChatGPT is quickly becoming part of working life for many people, through our recruitment process we want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths. Therefore, we kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, cover letter or to generate interview answers.  

Apply today and make a real difference to people’s lives.