Research manager jobs in birmingham, west midlands

Do you want to be part of a dynamic and creative team? We are recruiting an Events Officer to work in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) to deliver creative, sector leading events. The Events Officer has responsibility for delivering both in-person and online events for our global community of alumni, donors and volunteers. From our mass engagement ‘Bringing Birmingham to You’ event series, to bespoke events hosted by senior members of University staff, and stewardship events to thank our donors and volunteers at all levels, the Events Officer will ensure a high-quality, engaging, and tailored experience for alumni, donors, volunteers, and VIPs. 

DARO is an ambitious office and we support our team to succeed. You will contribute to a busy programme of events, and over the year will focus on delivering activity as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations as well as a series of high-profile events in the lead up to the close of our fundraising and volunteering campaign, Birmingham in Action. You will have the opportunity to shape a creative and impactful programme which engages our alumni and supporters with the University.

DARO exists to support The University of Birmingham's academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme.

DFN Project SEARCH offer an evidence-based supported internship model which takes place entirely in the workplace.  The programmes provide continuous support to young adults with a learning disability, and autistic people who are aged between 16 – 24 with an Education Health and Care Plan, or equivalent, in their final year of education.

You will be required to identify opportunities to develop and grow DFN Project SEARCH programmes across a geographical area with the aim of supporting the organisation to ensure that as many people as need it have access to DFN Project SEARCH programmes.

In addition, you will be required to develop strategies to ensure that the operational programmes in your area are achieving at least the average outcomes expected for young people in our programmes and so you must be committed to continuous improvement.

You will be specifically required to develop strong partnerships and train and support colleagues within your area. You may also be required to support colleagues promoting DFN Project SEARCH in other areas, further European projects as required and contribute to the development of relevant UK focussed materials.

As a Programme Specialist you will be expected to:

• Demonstrate effective project planning and preparation so that each project delivers achieves the highest quality programme possible and outstanding employment outcomes for the interns.
• Establish effective working relationships with schools, colleges, local authorities, employers and the project professional staff to promote the building of excellent, high quality partnerships at each site to ensure the effective running of programmes and promote sustainability in a volatile environment.
• Take an active part in decision making, planning and audit processes of each project
• Ensure that you implement DFN Project SEARCH policy and have a clear understanding of required quality standards and criteria which constitute effective teaching and learning
   

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and organised Fundraising Officer to join our team. You will support the wider team by identifying funding prospects, supporting bid-writing, and processing bid applications. You will ensure funder and donor relationships are built and maintained as well as actively researching and building new fundraising prospects. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about making a difference and gaining valuable experience at a cutting-edge and busy charity. The role is ideal for a self-starter with innovative ideas as there is potential for role development once in post. CSH values the well-being of its employees, offering a supportive environment, flexible working patterns, and a range of staff benefits like online yoga classes, a book group, and more. If you are passionate about sustainable healthcare and looking for a rewarding, impactful role, this is your chance to make a difference! 

• Home-based with monthly travel to Oxford (flexible and expensed).

• Full time post (0.8 FTE considered for the right candidate) 

• Salary: £25,500 with career progression options 

• Fixed term for 12 months (with a view to extend into a permanent position) 

• Apply by: 09:00am Thursday 1st May

• Expected interview date: Monday 19th May 2025 

About The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) has been leading efforts to incorporate the values of environmental sustainability into the health sector since its establishment in 2008. Our work is underpinned by CSH’s Principles of Sustainable Clinical Practice: prevention; patient empowerment; lean care systems; low carbon alternatives.   

Our vision is for all people in the health system to be able to shape and deliver sustainable healthcare which supports our communities and our natural world; our mission is to inspire and empower people with the knowledge, skills and tools to play their part in the transformation to sustainable healthcare.  

Our Clinical Transformation Programme mainstreams environmental sustainability within clinical areas so that it is integral to the planning of health systems and the practice of healthcare professionals and provides training in sustainable healthcare and planetary health for staff in educational institutions, professional bodies and healthcare organisations. The Green Space for Health Programme works to realise the value of the NHS green estate for physical and mental health, supporting NHS sites to develop their green space for the benefit of patients, staff and communities, while improving biodiversity and combatting climate change. These programmes are supported through the work of our Core team. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Fundraising:

• Conduct research on potential funding opportunities and grant applications 

• Assist with the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns 

• Monitor and evaluate fundraising activities, providing reports and recommendations 

• Assist with online fundraising campaigns, including online donation platforms 

• Research and implement new ways of building individual giving 

• Maintain accurate records of fundraising activities and donor information. 

• Assist with the preparation of fundraising materials. 

• Stay up to date with fundraising best practices and trends 

• Any other duties as assigned by the Development Director 

• Support the wider team to build fund-raising skills 

Bid-writing: 

• Keep the team up to date on upcoming funding opportunities 

• Support teams to write bids. Provide management and frameworks to ensure deadlines are met and a high standard of writing is achieved 

• Work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure bids are budgeted correctly 

• Complete application processes for bids 

• Ensure compliance paperwork is completed and recorded. 

Donor Management:

• Assist with donor communication and stewardship, ensuring timely and personalised acknowledgments and processing 

• Maintain and update donor databases, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. 

• Assist with research and prospect identification. 

• Respond to donor enquiries in a professional and timely manner. 

About you 

Essential Qualifications and Skills: 

Essential:

• A track-record of successful grant applications. 

• Experience in a fundraising or administrative role within the charity sector. 

• Knowledge of fundraising principles and practices. 

• Ability to quickly assimilate technical information and translate it into plain English 

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills. 

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).  

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  

• Confidence managing donation platforms such as JustGiving, Easyfundraising etc. 

• A genuine passion for environmental sustainability 

Desirable:

• Experience with CRM databases. 

• Experience of working remotely 

• Confidence in proposing and implementing new fundraising systems 

• Experience of working in the health and/or environmental sectors or charities supporting them 

• Confidence using prospect research tools 

• Experience supporting teams to write and submit funding applications 

• Experience budgeting and costing projects/applications 

Closing date: 09:00am Thursday 1 May 2025 

IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of special educational needs and disability (SEND) law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Trusts and Philanthropy Officer to join our small, ambitious fundraising team. IPSEA has a proven track record of successfully securing grants, and this is a new role designed to help strengthen and grow IPSEA’s income from charitable Trusts and Foundations. You will be responsible for researching new funding opportunities, preparing and submitting tailored applications and reports, and managing relationships with existing funders through thoughtful and timely stewardship. You will also support the early development of strategies in major gifts and wider philanthropy. 

This role is an opportunity to play a key role in our future fundraising strategy and help secure long-term financial sustainability for our services. 

You will work remotely, with occasional travel required for essential meetings approximately 4-5 times per year. 

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND and would like to use your fundraising skills at IPSEA, we would love to hear from you. 

To apply

• Download our ‘Trusts and Philanthropy Officer Recruitment Pack’
• Visit our website to download an application form
• Submit your completed application form via our website

Please note that we do not accept CVs as applications.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 12 May 2025 
First-round interviews: 21 or 22 May in central Birmingham

This post will be responsible for supporting the Financial Controller in all aspects of the financial management of the charity. This post will take an active role in supporting both overseas and UK staff with financial management. The post will also be responsible for producing monthly/quarterly project finance reports both internally and externally. The successful candidate will be an analytical, intelligent accountant who will provide high quality support for a range of teams across the organisation. They will have the ability and communication skills to build strong working relationships at all levels across the organisation, including non-finance staff. The successful candidate will have at least two years’ experience working in a similar role and will preferably be at least part qualified. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a can-do attitude to join our Fundraising & Engagement Team and help raise vital funds for children with cancer. You don’t need previous fundraising experience—just strong organisational skills, creativity, a talent for building relationships, and a genuine passion for making a difference and raising money for charitable causes. 

In this varied role, you’ll support the planning and delivery of fundraising events, care for our amazing supporters, and assist with individual, community, and corporate fundraising activities. You’ll gain hands-on experience across multiple fundraising areas, playing a key role in ensuring the smooth delivery of the team’s work through excellent administrative and project support. 

This is a hugely rewarding opportunity for someone looking to take their first step into the charity or fundraising sector, or to build on existing experience. If you’re ready to learn, grow, and be part of something meaningful—we’d love to hear from you! 

Who are we looking for? 

To succeed in this role, you will need to be passionate about fundraising and demonstrate key qualities that will help you thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A keen interest in fundraising with a willingness to learn and develop as a professional fundraiser (and if the opportunity arose, a willingness to study for a Level 3 Fundraising Apprenticeship over 13 months)

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to provide excellent supporter care and build relationships. 

• A positive, enthusiastic and results-driven attitude with the ability to work on your own initiative or as part of a team. 

• IT literacy with knowledge of Microsoft packages.

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for more information about the charity.

Location: Home-based, ideally located in London or within a short commutable distance. Regular travel to the London office is a key requirement of the role, with occasional national travel also expected. 

Interviews: 20 May 2025 (London Office)

Safeguarding: As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.  

Promoting equality and diversity: We actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of neuroblastoma and/or other childhood cancers. As an equal opportunity employer, we also welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 

SLOW is the only charity offering weekly in person and online support groups to bereaved parents and siblings in London and across the UK.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Fundraiser to make a difference to the lives of bereaved families. As we look to diversify our income, you will work closely with the Charity Director to grow income from Corporate Partners, Community Events, Legacies and Trusts and Grants.

Reporting Line: Charity Director

Based at: Home and occasional travel to SLOW events

Hours: 21 per week (term time only)

Based in London, SLOW (Surviving the Loss of Your World) has offered emotional and practical support for over eighteen years to bereaved families in the UK that have lost a child in any circumstances. Our unique approach to working with parents and siblings is highly regarded by our members and professionals and we are proud to have won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Our work is centred around regular support groups for bereaved parents, adult siblings and creative workshops for bereaved younger siblings. All our groups are facilitated by trained bereaved parents or siblings. Our members regularly refer to our groups as a ‘lifeline’. Our model of bereavement support is unique and is a direct response to what bereaved parents have told us they need.

SLOW is a registered charity with an income of currently circa £185k. The charity has a stable resource base with a range of income sources – some annual, some on multi-year commitments and other funding resulting from planned and targeted approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Under the leadership of the Charity Director, the Fundraiser will manage the day-to-day fundraising and support the Charity Director in raising funds and developing SLOW’s income to ensure financial stability. You will assist the Charity Director in achieving the annual income and suggest new revenue streams.
• Working closely with the Charity Director, you will manage, monitor and execute SLOW’s annual financial target through a variety of different revenue streams. You will be supported by SLOW’s Business Management Assistant.
• The Fundraiser is part of a small team of paid and voluntary personnel working to maintain and develop SLOW in accordance with its founding principles and ethos. From time to time the post-holder will be required to take on tasks that are the primary responsibility of another if necessary.

Execute grant applications including: ·

• Researching appropriate grants for applications
• Writing and checking of all grant applications including proposing figures and the provision of all supporting documents
• Responding to queries from funders, including meeting/networking with them where necessary

Detailed Description Grants and Fundraising

• Collating and submitting feedback forms including analysis of expenditure versus grant allocations and membership
• Maintain good relationships with officers of grant making trusts and bodies in order to ensure regular and timely compliance with requirements

Assist with all SLOW fundraising including specifically:

• Managing corporate and private donations, charitable retail schemes and digital fundraising channels
• Work closely with the BMA to set up and administrate sponsored events and other ad hoc fundraising activities 
• Researching and proposing additional channels for fundraising  
• Work & liaise closely with volunteers at SLOW events

Person Spec:

Essential:

Previous experiences of successful grant applications and fundraising

Experience of organising fundraising events

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Solutions Focused

Flexible and adaptable attitude

Computer literacy

Desirable:

Experience of corporate partnerships

Experience of Legacies

Experience of working remotely within a highly successful small team

Knowledge of CRM systems, preferably Beacon

A bereaved parent or sibling

Experience of working within a similar organisation

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply for this post by midnight on Monday 5 May by sending a CV and covering letter of no more than two A4 pages describing how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification.

Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted, and an invitation to interview will be sent by email.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the Chairty Director and other members of the SLOW Team, either in person or via video conferencing, as the situation allows.

SLOW is committed to enriching the diversity of our team to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve and to enhance the skills of our workforce. We actively encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for this role if your skills match the job description.

About Respect  

Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector.  Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 23 years in what was then a fledgling sector and recently have seen significant and rapid growth.     

Respect supports frontline organisations across the UK, so that together we can end domestic abuse.  Our work is wide ranging: we offer accreditation of specialist services; we provide training for individuals and organisations working in the sector; we work in partnership with others to innovate and develop practice;  we provide two helplines to enable service users to get the help and advice they need; we lobby influencers to improve policy and practice; we support up-to-date research undertaken by specialists in the field; and we fundraise to ensure important work continues to happen. 

Respect has seen rapid growth over the last few years, and we now have 60+ staff running a range of projects and core activities and have ambitious plans for further growth and influence. 

Our vision   

We want a world where everyone is free from domestic abuse. Where it is never ok to control, harm or cause fear. Where those who perpetrate domestic abuse are stopped, held to account and given the chance to change.    

Our mission   

We work with our members, partners and allies to stop the harms done by those who perpetrate domestic abuse.  With innovative practice, robust research and quality data, we build evidence of what works, promote safe, effective practice and drive high standards.  We use our voice, in collaboration with others, to call for a response to domestic abuse that matches the scale of the problem.  We will not stop, until domestic abuse stops.    

Our Focus   

Respect was founded to focus on perpetrators of domestic abuse and this, including our vital work with young people who cause harm, will remain our key priority.  Our work with male victims will continue as an important, distinct, project.    

Our Values   

• Pioneering - We explore innovative ideas and develop new approaches with curiosity and rigour.   
   

• Collaborative - We work in partnership with our members, partners and allies to bring about individual, societal and systems change.   
   

• Accountable- We listen to survivors and centre their needs in our work.  We hold perpetrators to account for their behaviour and hold ourselves and our members accountable for ours.   
   

• Respectful - We live up to our name.  We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do.  We are honest, compassionate and boldly challenge injustice.    

Make a Change 

Make a Change is a community-wide, early response approach to people using abusive behaviours (or who are concerned that they might be) towards a current or ex-partner. The model has been developed by Respect in partnership with Women’s Aid Federation England, drawing inspiration from their Change that Lasts approach. It includes three strands: expert support programme for perpetrators with parallel support for survivors, workforce development and community outreach.

Improving the safety, freedom and wellbeing of adult and child survivors of domestic abuse is a key outcome for our work with perpetrators.  The Make a Change model is a multi-partner project offering local areas a framework for delivering perpetrator work. Where feasible, we aim to establish partnerships with local survivor domestic abuse service to deliver parallel support for survivors (referred to as Integrated Support Service) as part the expert support strand.

Purpose of the role: 

The Senior Communications and Policy Officer will work with the Make a Change team at Respect to advance the development of communication and policy activities for the Make a Change model in project sites and nationally to encourage uptake in new areas. They will also work with Respect’s Communications and Influence leads to ensure alignment with the organisation's broader messaging and advocacy efforts, maximising the impact of Make a Change initiatives. The postholder will lead on developing and implementing communication strategies and plans in partnership with our delivery partners across the sites.

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and across all protected characteristics1, particularly from people from the following under-represented groups: 

• Black and minoritised people 

• Disabled people 

We always welcome and support applications from those who have personal experience of domestic abuse. 

Please follow the link to find out more. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our award-winning Fundraising Team at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity. The Corporate Partnerships Officer will join our recently established Philanthropy and Partnerships (P&P) team to help us develop and nurture a range of corporate and philanthropic relationships. Together, we will significantly increase our income in support of the world leading research, treatment, and care that takes place across our hospitals in areas such as: childhood cancer, rare diseases, neonatal and maternal health, children and young people’s mental health, and critical care. 

The Corporate Partnerships Officer will be responsible for account managing a portfolio of new and existing corporate accounts to deliver a sustainable income growth year on year. In addition, they will work closely with the Head of Corporate Partnerships and Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer to support the day-to-day management of high value strategic partnerships and the delivery of business development activities. They will also contribute to the wider strategic aims of the P&P team to significantly grow both philanthropic and corporate partnership income and impact over the next three years. 

The ideal candidate will have strong corporate account management and communication skills (both verbally and in writing) ideally gained within a fundraising or sales/business development environment. They will be a self-starter with an appetite to make unsolicited approaches to businesses and individuals, along with the ability to develop and grow lasting relationships with corporate partners.  They will have strong time management skills, a motivation to work towards and achieve targets, and an appreciation of working for the NHS. 

What we offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working to support work-life balance 

• Generous annual leave entitlement with additional leave for long service  

• Enhanced sick pay 

• Enhanced Maternity Pay 

• Free flu jabs 

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Charity events throughout the year 

• Employer enhanced auto-enrolment pension scheme with 8% employer contribution 

• Ongoing commitment to education and professional development 

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

Successful candidates will have access to vulnerable beneficiaries therefore the role is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.  

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

The closing date for return of applications is 18 May 2025.

• Training Facilitator & Content Creator
• 14 hours per week at £16.00 an hour (Actual annual salary £17,472 - FTE £29,120).
• Hours may be worked flexibly over 5 days.

We are recruiting for a Training Facilitator & Content Creator to join our dedicated team at the PDA Society. This pivotal role blends the art of delivering impactful, engaging training with the creativity of developing meaningful content for our growing learning platform. You’ll be responsible for facilitating interactive sessions (both virtual and in-person) tailored to diverse audiences, and creating high-quality materials including e-learning modules, webinars, podcasts, and presentations. At its core, this role is about nurturing conversations that lead to real change – supporting PDAers, families, professionals, and researchers alike.

We’re looking for someone who is an enthusiastic, inclusive facilitator with a solid understanding of the PDA profile of autism and a passion for creating accessible, impactful learning experiences. You’ll be confident using digital tools, a skilled communicator, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively across teams. The ability to adapt your style to suit the audience is essential, as is a willingness to travel to deliver in-person training across the UK. If you’re proactive, compassionate, and eager to make a genuine difference, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply please visit our website. 

Recently named Charity of the Year by Just Giving Awards 2022, we’re committed to moving further, faster to accelerate change for everyone affected by a brain tumour. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 in the UK than any other cancer. We know that a cure can’t wait.

The Community Fundraising Team is an integral part of the Charity Fundraising Portfolio, by supporting a diverse range of inspiring supporter led fundraising activities. It is an exciting time to join the Team, as we plan for 25/26.

You will be one of our 6 Regional Community Fundraisers, based across the UK. Covering Scotland, Northern Ireland & Cumbria, you will focus on our key audiences of Individuals, Supporter Groups, Community organisations, Regional Corporates & Volunteers. Through the provision of exceptional stewardship & fundraising support, you will engage the community, maximising opportunities to raise funds in the region. You will make the most of your boundless energy & creativity to inspire our community and will be the regional driving force, ensuring our Supporter Groups continue to thrive, & our annual Community Fundraising Campaigns including, The Big Bake & Twilight Walk Own Walks are a success.

You will be passionate about the role and in supporting the delivery of our strategic plans and objectives across the region.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

You’ll be a talented and highly motivated individual with a proven track record in community fundraising. With a “can do” approach, passion and enthusiasm, you’ll inspire and motivate our supporters. You will work tirelessly to ensure that they receive the best possible experience and see themselves as an integral part of our community. You will be confident in juggling a myriad of competing priorities and work well under pressure to meet deadlines. With exceptional communication skills & the ability to build relationships with a range of stakeholders, you will be creative & agile in your approach in making the most from a fundraising opportunity.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Developing & implementing a Regional Community Fundraising Strategy 25/26.
• Achieving agreed regional fundraising KPIs & contributing to the overall delivery of annual fundraising budgets and targets.
• Recruiting, building and maintaining relationships with the community across the region. Aiming to increase their fundraising and encourage their ongoing participation in events and activities. This may be through community fundraising or using our fundraising products or initiatives.
• Recruiting, training and managing a network of regional volunteers who will support activity in the Region.
• Working collaboratively across the wider Charity Team to identify fundraising opportunities & maximise income in the region.
• Keeping our CRM fully up to date with information about our supporters and their activities. Using that data to understand what motivates our supporters in order to provide excellent stewardship.

Are you passionate about using data to drive change and make a difference?

We’re on the lookout for a strong communicator and dynamic problem-solver who will lead how we collect, manage and report on data to drive our vision and strategic mission.

As our Impact Data and Reporting Lead, you will deliver our data strategy and lead on data infrastructure transformation and visualisation. You’ll play a key role strategic role in the organisation to ensure that we have access to relevant and accessible data that drives evidence-led decision making. You’ll bring top-notch communication and relationship building skills to this role as well as a strong understanding of collecting, analysing and using data.  

If you are driven by a sense of purpose, excited to shape the future of an ambitious organisation, and eager to contribute a thriving team, we would love to hear from you. 

Location:  Home-based with frequent travel to projects across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool

Contract:  Maternity cover contract, fixed-term to 17 April 2026 (or to the return of the substantive postholder, whichever is sooner)

Do you want to work with multiple award-winning charity, FoodCycle? If you love good food and great conversation, then this is the role for you!

We connect communities, reducing loneliness and food poverty – working with thousands of volunteers and surplus food to help everyone who needs us. By creating welcoming spaces for people from all walks of life to meet, eat and have conversations, we are supporting people’s health and mental wellbeing.

As Project Support Officer you will support our Regional Manager with volunteer recruitment, documentation, and giving our volunteers a fantastic experience. Each of our Community Meal Projects is run by Project Leaders (volunteer position). You will support Project Leaders in running our Community Meals, and will give extra support to our projects as and when required.

This support could range from developing relationships with our food suppliers, researching local organisations to support with guest outreach, recruiting new Project Leaders for the Region, or attending Projects. The right person for this role is customer service oriented with great communication skills, enjoys being organized, has a can-do attitude, and understands that they are a key component in supporting our fantastic Projects.

There will be frequent travel to our projects in the North East, and evening and weekend work will be needed to cover our projects. A full driving license and access to a vehicle for work purposes is essential for this rewarding role.

Benefits: We offer 26.5 days holiday plus bank holidays, and additional holiday for length of service (pro-rata for part-time). Our healthcare package allows staff to claim money back on healthcare bills and includes access to telephone counselling and online GP appointments.

How to apply:  Please upload a CV of no more than two sides, and a covering note/letter of no more than two sides explaining why you are suitable for the role, via our vacancy website.

Deadline for your application:  We will be shortlisting and interviewing for this post on an ongoing basis and the vacancy will close once we have found the successful candidate.  Please apply as soon as possible if interested, and no later than 11.59pm on Tuesday 6th May.

Interview process: Shortlisted candidates will need to complete a 30 minute task prior to being invited to interview.

Inclusivity: FoodCycle is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We are a Disability Confident Scheme member. 

Safeguarding: Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – FoodCycle is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare / wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk. This role will therefore require a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

Please note that you will need to have existing Right to Work in the UK to apply for this role. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

About Free to Run

Free to Run’s mission is to advance gender equity globally through running. We are a registered nonprofit/nongovernmental organization that has been operating community-led programs for adolescent girls and young women since 2014. We are known for delivering long-term, youth-led, progressive running, leadership, rights, and health programs directly to girls and young women living in protracted conflict zones. However, the longer-term impact of our work is building enduring social change - decreasing barriers to public participation, increasing women in leadership, and making power structures more equitable and inclusive. Free to Run identifies as an organization working at the intersections of feminism, human rights, development, and humanitarian interventions.

The organization is in a position of significant growth, in terms of our strategy, reach, impact, and operating budget. In 2024, we embarked on a new three-year strategic plan that positions us to reach 50,000 people by 2026. We will meet this goal through our work across three strategic pillars: direct service (EMPOWER), capacity building for local, women-led NGOs (EQUIP), and building a global movement of activists who are passionate about gender equity and running (MOVE).

Position Overview

A new role within the organization, the Philanthropy Officer, Trusts and Foundations is responsible for identifying, building, and managing a (new) portfolio of trust, foundation, and grant funders from identification to stewardship, developing high-quality proposals, budgets, and reports. Alongside ownership of this portfolio, the Philanthropy Officer, Trusts and Foundations will support the broader Free to Run team with prospect research and assist with applications and reports for institutional/transformational funders.

This position offers a high degree of flexibility and would suit a proactive self-starter with a strong ability to self-manage to achieve goals and a demonstrated passion for the work of Free to Run.  This is a unique opportunity for an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser to build and grow a new, high-potential portfolio from the ground up, with strong support from program and leadership teams.

While some support for larger institutional grants is part of the role, we are particularly seeking applicants with experience managing and growing portfolios of charitable trusts, private foundations, or family foundations, rather than institutional grant management alone.

This role reports to the Director of Development and Communications and is a part-time (20 hours per week), fully remote position. While Free to Run is registered in the U.S., our team is based around the world.

Core Accountabilities
 

1. Create and manage a portfolio of trust and foundation donors at the four- to five-figure level (60%)

• Take primary responsibility for developing, growing, and building strong relationships with a portfolio of trust/foundation/grant funders through the full donor cycle.

• Take an active role in meeting and exceeding annual income targets by developing strategies to maximize foundation and grant funding, regularly assessing progress, and reporting to senior management.

• Develop a formal pipeline of foundation funding opportunities for Free to Run

• Develop compelling, high-quality funding applications tailored to donor requirements, leveraging program data and impact narratives.

• Work with the Programs team to oversee budget tracking and reporting requirements for grants, ensuring accurate fund allocation, compliance with donor requirements, and timely submission of financial and impact reports.

• Collaborate with the global Free to Run team to identify and develop new funding opportunities and projects

2.  Support the process of donor qualification and prospect research (15%)

• Use research tools to support the ED and Development Team with in-depth prospect research profiles for individual major donor prospects, family foundations, and other prospective funders

3. Provide support to the Free to Run team with institutional grant applications (20%)

• Monitor grant tracking tools to identify and qualify new opportunities for institutional or transformational grants

• Keep up to date with the funder landscape and giving trends across multiple geographies 

• Support the ED and Programs with the development of grant applications, project budgets, or other related materials where needed

• Work with internal stakeholders to lead organizational grant tracking within the donor database (EveryAction), ensuring accurate documentation of all interactions, proposals, and gifts.

4.  Engage with the Free to Run Team (5%)

• Participate in weekly 1 on 1 meetings with manager

• Participate in performance planning, goal setting, and evaluation activities

• Liaise with key staff across functions of this position

• Attend team meetings and participate in strategic planning and evaluation meetings

Location

• This is a fully remote position that can be carried out from anywhere in the world. Travel may be required occasionally to attend fundraising events or organizational/donor meetings.
• For candidates outside the U.S., this role will be offered as an independent contractor position, allowing for flexible working hours and location.

Working Hours

• This position is a part-time role at 20 hours/week. The role offers a high degree of flexibility, although working hours may occasionally fluctuate outside regular core hours to attend meetings across time zones. 

Compensation

• The full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for this role is $45,000–$50,000 USD per year (approximately £35,500–£39,500 GBP based on current exchange rates). The actual salary will be pro rata based on 50% FTE, i.e., $22,500–$25,000 per year, and will be paid in USD.

Experience and Competencies

Below is what we are looking for as we evaluate applications.  Candidates don’t need to have all these experiences and competencies but should be able to display strengths across multiple areas. 

Language: 

• English (full fluency required, written and spoken)

Experience

• 3+ years of experience successfully managing a portfolio of charitable trusts, private or family foundations, or similar funders, with a proven track record of securing and stewarding gifts in the $5,000–$100,000 range

• Direct experience crafting tailored funding applications, budgets, and impact reports for US, UK, or international philanthropic funders, in collaboration with Programs teams

• Confidence in independently managing the full donor lifecycle — from prospecting and cultivation to application, reporting, and stewardship

• A demonstrable track record of developing long-term relationships with grantmakers or major donors

• Experience in prospect identification and research using relevant tools and databases

• Familiarity with the funding and donor landscape in the UK, EU, North America, and/or MENA region

• Experience using a CRM system for fundraising (EveryAction or similar) to manage donor records, track proposals, and support donor stewardship

Skills and Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to write compelling and persuasive cases for support

• Ability to effectively convey the impact of social justice, gender equity, and the power of running, hiking, and outdoor sport in driving positive change

• Ability to think creatively and spot opportunities for new or increased funding

• A results-oriented mindset with the ability to self-organize, meet deadlines, and deliver on goals

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and generational backgrounds

• Interest in international girls’, women’s, and human rights or running/outdoor sports 

Free to Run is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don’t just accept differences — we celebrate, support and thrive on them for the benefit of our team, our programs, and our organizational strength. We are proud to be an affirmative action employer, committed to diversity, equity and inclusion of ALL people in our hiring and employment practices. We encourage applications from people who have non-dominant identities based on race, ethnicity, migration status, ability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, etc.