Head of Charity
RISE UP - Providing young people with life-changing career opportunities.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working) + travel to partner sites
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: c.£55,000 - £57,500 plus benefits per annum.
We are looking for a hands-on, Charity leader who shares our commitment to championing young people, empowering our team and securing the resources that will help RISE UP grow into its next chapter with purpose and ambition!
About RISE UP
At RISE UP we believe every young person deserves the chance to build a future full of possibility.
We help young people access life-changing career opportunities from apprenticeships and job placements to events that inspire confidence, open doors and support them into meaningful and sustainable work.
We partner with employers committed to Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Social Impact alongside schools, colleges, charities, community groups and Jobcentres. Together we are building a stronger and fairer system that enables young people to thrive.
Learn more: Home | Rise Up l Youth Employment Charity | RISE UP: Overview | LinkedIn
Your Impact as Head of Charity
The Head of Charity will provide overall leadership, management and direction for RISE UP, ensuring oversight of both strategic and operational requirements. A central responsibility is to drive the organisation’s funding and income generation efforts, securing sustainable partnerships and resources to support long-term growth.
The Head of Charity will also ensure strategy is translated into action, that priorities are delivered, risks are managed and impact is maximised, while safeguarding and promoting the culture, performance and reputation of the organisation, recognising this is very much a hands-on role.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Culture:
- Providing visible leadership in partnership with the Board and Chair.
- Leading the development and delivery of our organisational strategy.
- Ensuring effective day-to-day operations across the charity.
- Inspiring and supporting a small, passionate team of three direct reports and building an inclusive, high-performing culture.
- Championing equity, diversity, wellbeing and safeguarding across all activity (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Funding, Resources & Impact:
- Driving our income generation strategy, securing support from statutory funders, trusts, foundations, corporates and individuals.
- Building a resilient funding model to support growth and innovation.
- Identifying and pursuing new opportunities and partnerships.
- Strengthening systems, processes and impact measurement to ensure we deliver real change for young people.
Influence and Representation:
- Functioning as a national ambassador for RISE UP.
- Shaping conversations around youth employment and advocating for young people’s needs.
- Building influential relationships across government, business, education and the social sector.
- Leading collaborative partnerships to create systemic impact.
Governance:
- Supporting the Chair and Board to fulfil their governance responsibilities.
- Providing insightful reporting on strategy, performance and risk.
- Ensuring full compliance with legal, regulatory and constitutional requirements.
About You
Essential Experience:
- A proven strategic and operational leader (charity, social sector, education or private sector welcome)
- A strong track record of securing funding and driving income growth.
- Experience building high-value partnerships and fundraising strategies.
- Skilled at strategy development, organisational change and evidence-based decision-making.
- Strong financial acumen including budgets forecasting and management accounts
- Experience working with or delivering initiatives for young people.
Skills & Behaviours:
- Inspiring leadership style with the ability to motivate a small team.
- Excellent communicator, relationship builder and ambassador.
- Entrepreneurial, creative and comfortable operating hands-on.
- Collaborative, inclusive and focused on people and culture.
- Resilient, energetic and passionate about youth empowerment.
- Able to tell a compelling story that moves people to act.
What we offer
- A permanent hybrid role based in Manchester (M1 1JA).
- A modern workspace in a character building at Sevendale House, with gym access.
- 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays.
- Access to wide-ranging training and development opportunities.
- Plus 10% benefits after probation.
We encourage applications from people with lived experience of youth unemployment to ensure that our services are shaped by those who understand them best.
If you share our vision to unlock the potential of young people, we would be delighted to receive:
- Your CV.
- A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.