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ARCHIVE -  job opportunities at Schoolreaders

There are currently no vacancies being advertised. Please check back regularly for the latest Schoolreaders opportunities.

To apply for any of the above positions, please download the job application form using the links above, and email it along with a copy of your c.v, covering letter, and any supporting documents to apply@schoolreaders.org

Schoolreaders is committed to Equal Opportunities in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It is important to us that we have a diverse workforce therefore we request that you complete the diversity monitoring form and job application data processing form. You do not have to complete the whole form. This form is kept entirely separate from the recruitment process. Please email this to: apply@schoolreaders.org.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews offered, on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the closing date should a suitable applicant be found, so please submit your application as soon as possible. For the purposes of recruitment, we will store your data for up to 30 days before destroying it unless we invite you to interview.

 

Schoolreaders is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a basic disclosure check of unspent criminal convictions. If you are appointed to a role within Schoolreaders you will be subject to the organisation's Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find by clicking here.

​

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, either at application or interview please contact us via apply@schoolreaders.org

 

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Head of Fundraising

Closing date: 30/4/21

Hours of work:     
Reporting to:       
Location:               

Minimum 30 hours per week or full-time
CEO
Flexible – partly home-based by arrangement, but travel to our Bedford office will be required at least two days a week and for management meetings as necessary, plus occasional travel to meet with supporters. The office is a 15-minute walk from Bedford Station.

Role Description:

We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced Head of Fundraising to lead our small, dynamic Schoolreaders fundraising team and help grow income in line with the charity’s ambitious, exciting plans. This is the ideal opportunity for someone hoping to achieve great results within a rapidly-growing charity which is impacting the lives of thousands of children every week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. With the CEO, to develop the organisation’s fundraising strategy in line with Schoolreaders’ 2020-2025 organisational objectives, and to develop and implement detailed operational fundraising plans accordingly.

  2. To be responsible for preparing income and expenditure budgets for the Fundraising department, monitoring income targets and other performance indicators and reporting regularly to Trustees and Senior Management Team.

  3. To identify shortfalls in performance with support from the CEO, and to prepare and implement contingency plans to ensure financial targets are met.

  4. To be responsible for identifying, researching and developing new sources of funding in order to diversify our funding base and create multiple ongoing income streams.

  5. Along with other fundraising team members, to be responsible for hands-on ‘account management’ of a number of key supporters: identifying and developing existing and new partnerships with high net worth individuals, corporates and other funding institutions.

  6. To line-manage and optimise the effectiveness of the Fundraising Manager (Trusts and Foundations) and Fundraising Officer (Corporate, Events and Community) plus other colleagues involved in fundraising activities, including County Team volunteers.

  7. To be responsible for optimising all supporter relationships, both individual and institutional, through effective stewardship and effective systems and processes.

  8. To oversee the ongoing development and successful application of the fundraising database, in cooperation with the Operations Team.

  9. To ensure that all fundraising activities are carried out in accordance with fundraising legislation and good practice, including GDPR.

  10. To ensure that Schoolreaders’ fundraising is carried out in accordance with the organisation’s values, including carrying out due diligence with key funding partners.

  11. To represent Schoolreaders externally to relevant audiences and stakeholders.

  12. As a member of the Senior Management Team, to contribute to the wider organisation’s strategic development and future plans and to support organisational change.

  13. To ensure that all fundraising activities are carried out in accordance with the charity’s values and aims.

  14. To carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the job.

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how to apply

Marketing and Communications Manager

Closing date: 30/4/21

Hours of work:     
Reporting to:       
Location:               

19 -24 hours per week, flexible over 3 days

CEO

A combination of office based (Bedford), and home working.  The office is a 15 minute walk from Bedford Station.

Role Description:

We are looking for an experienced, creative and highly motivated Marketing and Communications Manager to join our small, dynamic Schoolreaders team and help build our profile and reputation through multi-media marketing and PR campaigns.  A wonderful opportunity for someone who wants to play a key role in a fast-growing charity that is impacting the lives of thousands of children every week.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Helping develop and implement the marketing and communications strategy to build name awareness and to maximise reach of the Schoolreaders service

  2. Taking responsibility for all marketing and PR activities within the charity

  3. Developing and delivering marketing and communications campaigns across the entire spectrum of communications disciplines including media and public relations, brand marketing, advertising, marketing, digital and social media and production of materials

  4. Increasing the charity’s profile across media (national, regional, social, print and broadcast)

Main Duties:

  1. Develop key messages, lead on creating consistent language across all media

  2. Act as ‘brand guardian’ for internal and external communications

  3. Copywriting, image sourcing and licensing, printing of bi-annual newsletter

  4. Copywriting for all other printed materials, ie impact report, posters, flyers, bookmarks etc

  5. Manage design agency relationship and oversee briefing and campaign delivery ensuring it’s on time and within budget

  6. Manage the marketing and communications budget

  7. Copywriting for fundraising campaigns

  8. Support the Fundraising team with the marketing of events, fundraising projects and social media content

  9. Provide event management support for fundraising events

  10. Copywriting for communication to all stakeholder groups (volunteers, schools, county teams, funders)

  11. Identify, write and disseminate newsworthy stories and press releases for Schoolreaders

  12. Take responsibility for Schoolreaders’ press office, dealing with press enquiries and developing media relationships

  13. Maintain volunteer and school case studies for use in PR and marketing

  14. Create a Schoolreaders blog for the website

  15. Manage crisis situations communications including strategy, holding statements, Q&As

  16. Identify issues that could potentially damage the organisation’s reputation and recommend actions to mitigate this risk

  17. Carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the job

Person Specification:

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Salary: 

Reporting to: 

Location: 

Literacy Charity Operations Coordinator

Closing date: 17/3/22

Hours of work:

 

            

30 to 37.5 hours per week over 5 days Monday to Friday within office hours which are 9am - 5pm with 30-minute lunch break

​

£21,500 (FTE)


Head of Operations

​

Office based, Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive, MK41 7PH

Role Description:

An exciting opportunity to become part of the operations team at Schoolreaders, a small, young and fast-growing charity that is expanding to help more children learn to read across the country. Schoolreaders operations team recruits volunteers from local communities and matches them to a primary school where they listen to children read on a one-to-one basis. We support over 13,500 children in over 750 schools every week with a Schoolreaders volunteer.

​

The core of the operation is recruiting volunteers in target areas for specific schools. The operations team then process the volunteer and school applicants, match the volunteer to the best-fit school, and then there is ongoing management of, and communication with the volunteers and schools. Our aim is to make a real difference to the state of literacy in the UK, particularly for those children further disadvantaged due to Covid-19 and school closures. One in four children are leaving primary school not able to read to the expected standard.

 

Your skills and experience will reflect customer service ability, excellent organisational skills, a strong familiarity with telephone and on-line communication with the public, and excellent spoken and written English. You need to be competent with Excel and IT generally and it would be an advantage to have experience with the Salesforce CRM system.

 

 

Main purpose and scope of the job:

 

To work within a small team to deliver the operations side of Schoolreaders on a daily basis. This includes interviewing the volunteers, matching them to partner schools using an on-line CRM system, dealing with enquiries and school follow-ups to ensure a seamless experience for both the volunteer and the school.

 

The operations coordinators are responsible for all operational duties associated with the Schoolreaders charity including general enquiries, application processing and partner management. This is an office-based role.          

 

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

 

• Follow the operations systems and procedures

• General Enquiries

• Application Processing

• Telephone Interviews

• E-mail inbox management and prioritisation

• Resolve school / volunteer enquiries and complaints

• Partner management, reporting and communications

• Schools research and contact

• Mass Mailshots and partner surveys

• Any other operational duties as requested by the Schoolreaders team

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Customer Service Operations Coordinator
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Business Support Officer

Closing date: 31/07/21

Hours of work: 

Reporting to:       
Location:               

30 to 37.5 hours per week 
Compliance and Business Support Manager/ Head of Finance 
Office based, Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive, MK41 7PH

Main Purpose and scope of the job:

To work with the Compliance and Business Support Manager and Head of Finance to deliver a robust compliance and finance programme across the organisation and provide overall business support. It will require attention to detail, a logical approach and the ability to manage a wide variety of tasks.

 


Key Duties and Responsibilities:

​

To assist the Compliance and Business Support Manager with:
•    Monitoring compliance with data protection laws and related policies.
•    Ensuring all safeguarding policies and documentation is monitored, reviewed and updated.
•    The management of Health & Safety policies and procedures, ensuring full and accurate health and safety and  training records are maintained. 
•    The development of and monitoring legal compliance with material for competitions and campaigns.
•    The compilation and co-ordination of the policy schedule and library.
•    General HR administration duties.

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To assist the Head of Finance with:
•    Managing day to day finance functions and basic bookkeeping tasks including recording donations & invoices, petty cash, banking, allocating payments and ensuring all expense authorisation procedures are followed and documented and filed.
•    Bank reconciliations and journal entries as required & liaising on any supplier queries which may arise.
•    Supporting the team with ad hoc tasks towards the completion of the monthly management accounts and year end accounts.
•    Preparation of Gift aid claims and monitoring of charity giving accounts e.g. VMG, Just Giving.
•    Maintaining a fixed asset register
•    Monitoring email in-boxes for finance and the office

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and you may be expected to perform different tasks as required by the overall objectives of the business.
 

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Trusts Officer (part time)

Closing date: 8/10/21

Job title:               Trusts Officer

Place of work:       Flexible by agreement - with some attendance at our Bedford office and occasional travel to some meetings where necessary

Hours:                   14 hours per week

Reporting to:         Fundraising Manager          

Salary:                   £25k pro rata

Contract:               Permanent

DUTIES:

  1. To help develop our well-established funding stream from trusts and foundations. You will manage your own portfolio of trust supporters, involving research, bid-writing and meeting reporting and monitoring requirements, plus occasional face-to-face meetings. 

  2. To research and identify other sources of grant-funding, including national and local grants.

  3. To respond to all fundraising enquiries, requests and gifts received in a prompt, efficient and thoughtful manner within agreed timescales.

  4. To input into annual budget plans and support the Fundraising Manager to monitor progress and income from trusts/foundations on an ongoing basis.

  5. To help maintain our fundraising database and our systems for applications and reporting to trusts and grant-makers, ensuring accurate data entry and record keeping.

  6. To make face-to-face presentations and represent Schoolreaders as necessary.

  7. To work with other members of the Schoolreaders team, including our volunteer County Teams, to maximise opportunities for fundraising from trusts and grant-makers.

  8. To ensure that the role is carried out in accordance with fundraising legislation and best practice.

  9. To ensure that due diligence is carried out thoroughly with all funding partners.

  10. To carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the role.

​

​

PERSON SPECIFICATION:​

Essential

  • Experience of managing long term supporter or customer relationships.

  • Results-orientated with evidence of achieving targets.

  • Proven ability to work with others in a team.

  • Ability to work under your own initiative to prioritise and manage varied tasks.

  • Proven experience of meeting deadlines.

  • Proactive and highly motivated, with excellent organisational skills.

  • Excellent written skills with an ability to write compelling, informative bids and reports.

  • Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills (including PowerPoint presentations).

  • Fully computer and IT literate with good knowledge of Excel.

  • Knowledge and understanding of fundraising legislation (including GDPR) and best practice.

  • Ability to travel to occasional meetings as required.

  • Eagerness to learn and develop as a trust fundraiser.

​

Desirable

  • Experience of Salesforce or other fundraising databases

  • At least 1 year’s relevant experience of fundraising from trusts and foundations

​

Click here for information on how to apply for this position

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Please email your application form, diversity monitoring form and job application data processing consent form to apply@schoolreaders.org

Recruitment and County Coordinator​

Closing date: Wednesday 9th March 2022

Job title:               Recruitment and County Coordinator

Hours:                   30 to 37.5 hours per week over 5 days Monday to Friday within office hours which are                                 9am to 5pm

Reporting to:        Operations Manager          

Salary:                   £26,000-£28,000 FTE

Location:               Office based, Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive, MK41 7PH

Role Description:

We are looking for a committed individual to join the Schoolreaders team to deliver the key reading volunteer and school recruitment element of the operation. They will also direct the teams of county volunteers to target recruitment in their specific region. This is a pivotal role and will require adaptability. Your skills and experience will reflect volunteer and customer service ability and strong organisational skills. You will need excellent spoken and written English and telephone, social media and communication skills. You need to be competent with Excel and IT generally and it would be an advantage to have experience with the Salesforce CRM system.

 

Main purpose and scope of the job:

To work with the operations and communication teams to co-ordinate the volunteer and school targeted recruitment for Schoolreaders. To manage the teams of county volunteers (approx. 50) who recruit in their local regions and provide support to the charity. This includes target setting and recruitment performance meetings with the county teams. This role involves press and social media communication, supporting the fundraising team and some engagement with reading volunteers across the country. This role has some administrative support from the Operations and Communications Administrator.

This is an office-based role, with the option of one day working from home and occasional travel to represent Schoolreaders and support the county teams.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Plan, identify and recruit targeted volunteers and schools.

  • Support and coordinate the teams of county volunteers, resolve county team enquiries and challenges

  • Arrange national annual meetings for county teams, recruitment reviews and termly updates.

  • Recruitment, induction and training of county team members

  • Plan and run recruitment campaigns including use of social media and press, liaison with community groups and collaboration with other organisations

  • Liaise with the communications, operations, fundraising and other departments as required

  • Arrange mailshots, mail merges, partner surveys and coordinate and update volunteer on-line sites e.g. www.do-it.org

  • Arrange occasional reading volunteer support events with county teams

  • Produce and present monthly county reports and updates

  • Follow the operations systems and procedures and support the operations team during peak times

  • Carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the job

​

What you can expect:

A highly rewarding, fast paced and engaging environment in a growing national children’s charity. Schoolreaders is a highly professional charity which values every team-member’s contribution to our team efforts. We offer a generous holiday allowance, enhanced sick pay, an employee assistance programme, plus training and development opportunities. If you want to join a great team in a fast-moving, welcoming environment whilst making a huge impact on children’s literacy across the country, this could be the perfect role for you!

 

Further details including the job description and application forms can be found on our website.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews offered, on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the closing date should a suitable applicant be found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Schoolreaders is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a basic disclosure check of unspent criminal convictions.

Screenshot 2022-01-19 at 10.36.39 am.png

Trusts Officer (part-time) 

Closing date: 23:59, Monday 4th April

​

Place of work:     
Hours:                 
Reporting to:       
Salary:           
Contract:           

Hybrid  

14 hours per week 

Trusts and Grants Manager

£25k pro rata 

Permanent 

Duties:

  1. To help develop our well-established funding stream from trusts and foundations. You will manage your own portfolio of trust supporters, involving research, bid-writing and meeting reporting and monitoring requirements, plus occasional face-to-face meetings.  

  2. To research and identify other sources of grant-funding, including national and local grants

  3. To respond to all fundraising enquiries, requests and gifts received in a prompt, efficient and thoughtful manner within agreed timescales

  4. To input into annual budget plans and support the Trusts and Grants Manager to monitor progress and income from trusts/foundations on an ongoing basis

  5. To help maintain our fundraising database and our systems for applications and reporting to trusts and grant-makers, ensuring accurate data entry and record keeping

  6. To make face-to-face presentations and represent Schoolreaders as necessary

  7. To work with other members of the Schoolreaders team, including our volunteer County Teams, to maximise opportunities for fundraising from trusts and grant-makers

  8. To ensure that the role is carried out in accordance with fundraising legislation and best practice

  9. To ensure that due diligence is carried out thoroughly with all funding partners

  10. To carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the role

 

Person Specification:

ESSENTIAL

  • Experience of managing long term supporter or customer relationships

  • Results-orientated with evidence of achieving targets

  • Proven ability to work with others in a team

  • Ability to work under your own initiative to prioritise and manage varied tasks

  • Proven experience of meeting deadlines

  • Proactive and highly motivated, with excellent organisational skills

  • Excellent written skills with an ability to write compelling, informative bids and reports

  • Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills (including PowerPoint presentations)

  • Fully computer and IT literate with good knowledge of Excel

  • Knowledge and understanding of fundraising legislation (including GDPR) and best practice

  • Ability to travel to occasional meetings as required

  • Eagerness to learn and develop as a trust fundraiser

​

DESIRABLE

  • Experience of Salesforce or other fundraising databases

  • At least 1 year’s relevant experience of fundraising from trusts and foundations

Marketing and Communications Manager

Closing date: 23:59, Monday 4th April

​

30-37.5 hours per week
£28,000 - £35,000 FTE
CEO
A combination of office based (Bedford), and home working.  The office is a 15 minute walk from Bedford Station.

Hours of Work:
Salary:

Responsible to: 

Location:   

Role Description:

We are looking for an experienced, creative and highly motivated Marketing and Communications Manager to join our small, dynamic Schoolreaders team and help build our profile, reputation and fundraising through multi-media marketing and PR campaigns.  A wonderful opportunity for someone who wants to play a key role in a fast-growing charity that is impacting the lives of thousands of children every week.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Helping develop and implement the marketing and communications strategy to build name awareness and to maximise reach of the Schoolreaders service

  • Taking responsibility for all marketing and PR activities within the charity

  • Developing and delivering marketing and communications campaigns across the entire spectrum of communications disciplines including media and public relations, advertising, marketing, digital and social media and production of some materials

  • Increasing the charity’s profile across appropriate media (national, regional, social, print and broadcast) including regional volunteer recruitment

  • Work as part of the senior management team

​

Main Duties:

  • Develop key messages, lead on creating consistent language across all media

  • Act as ‘brand guardian’ for internal and external communications

  • Copywriting, image sourcing and licensing, printing of bi-annual newsletter

  • Copywriting for all other printed materials, i.e. impact report, posters, flyers, bookmarks etc

  • Manage design agency relationship and oversee briefing and delivery ensuring it’s on time and within budget

  • Manage the marketing and communications budget

  • Copywriting for fundraising campaigns

  • Support the Fundraising team with the marketing of events, fundraising projects and social media content

  • Provide event management communications for fundraising events

  • Copywriting for communication to all stakeholder groups (volunteers, schools, county teams, staff, funders)

  • Identify, write and disseminate newsworthy stories and press releases for Schoolreaders

  • Take responsibility for Schoolreaders’ press office, dealing with press enquiries and developing media relationships

  • Create and maintain volunteer and school case studies for use in PR and marketing

  • Manage crisis situation communications including strategy, holding statements, Q&As

  • Identify issues that could potentially damage the organisation’s reputation and work as part of the senior management team to recommend actions to mitigate this risk

  • Carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the job

​

Person Specification:

Screenshot 2022-03-09 at 8.32.59 am.png

Fundraising Executive (Community and Events)
Closing time and date: 23:59, Tuesday 31st January 2023

Hours of work:   

Salary:               
Reporting to:     
Location: 

​

Part-time (28 - 34 hours per week)

£28,000-£32,000 FTE

Head of Fundraising

Flexible – partly home-based by arrangement, and Bedford Office. (Hybrid)

Schoolreaders aims to give all primary school children the opportunity to learn to read, by recruiting volunteers from communities and matching them to local primary schools where they listen to children read on a one-to-one basis. We provide our service free to all partner schools so that every child can benefit.

 

Role Description:

This is the ideal opportunity for someone with initiative and fundraising flair to make a real impact on a dynamic, rapidly growing child literacy charity. We are looking for someone with a minimum of 2 years’ fundraising experience to join our small, successful fundraising team and help develop our support from individuals, companies, schools, events, and fundraising groups. Whilst the position is based in Bedford, the remit of the position extends more widely across England.

Main Duties

  • Act as a point of contact for fundraisers and supporters, ensuring that we deliver first class supporter service and stewardship.

  • Build and manage our individual supporter base.

  • Manage our annual Race for Reading virtual challenge event.

  • Lead on excellent stewardship of our amazing challenge event participants, ensuring they feel motivated and valued.

  • Research and pitch new event ideas or improvements as appropriate to keep the event portfolio fresh, exciting, and consistently delivering a strong ROI.

  • Support the County Teams to deliver cost effective events that adhere to all health and safety requirements and legal obligations.

  • Identify and develop fundraising opportunities with primary and secondary schools, particularly in areas where we have Schoolreaders volunteers. This will include both schools within the Schoolreaders scheme and others which are not.

  • Manage a varied calendar of fundraising events.

  • Identify and develop fundraising opportunities with parishes, church networks and community groups, particularly those local to our partner schools, plus other membership networks.

  • Identify opportunities for generating funds nationally from other fundraising schemes including Book Club Quiz, sponsored challenge events and online fundraising schemes.

  • Develop and maintain our fundraising database where it relates to the above supporters.

  • Make face-to-face presentations and represent Schoolreaders as necessary.

  • Work with other members of the Schoolreaders team, including our volunteer County Teams, to maximise opportunities for fundraising.

  • Identify PR opportunities created by our fundraising, and work with PR/Comms team to optimise these to raise funds and profile further.

  • Manage online giving platforms.

  • Ensure the role is carried out in accordance with fundraising legislation.

  • Ensure due diligence is carried out thoroughly with all funding partners.

  • Carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the role.

Person Specification

Screenshot 2022-11-21 at 16.43.47.png

Benefits

As part of our commitment to making Schoolreaders a great place to work, we offer access to the following employee benefits:

 

  • 25 days annual leave (3 of which must be taken over Christmas) plus an additional paid day off on your birthday and public/bank holidays (pro-rated for part time staff)

  • Contributory pension

  • Access to a free 24/7 support service providing legal, financial, emotional, and medical advice

  • Free parking

  • Access to a variety of onsite services, including a gym, a canteen and pop-up events

To apply for this role, please email your CV and cover letter to Alexandra Spurgeon, Head of Fundraising: a.spurgeon@schoolreaders.org

Schoolreaders is committed to Equal Opportunities in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It is important to us that we have a diverse workforce therefore we request that you complete the diversity monitoring form and job application data processing form. You do not have to complete the whole form. This form is kept entirely separate from the recruitment process. Please email this to: apply@schoolreaders.org.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews offered, on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the closing date should a suitable applicant be found, so please submit your application as soon as possible. For the purposes of recruitment, we will store your data for up to 30 days before destroying it unless we invite you to interview.

 

Schoolreaders is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a basic disclosure check of unspent criminal convictions. If you are appointed to a role within Schoolreaders you will be subject to the organisation's Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find by clicking here.

​

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, either at application or interview please contact us via apply@schoolreaders.org

 

​

IT & Data Officer

​

Place of work: Bedford Office

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £25,000 - £28,000 depending on experience
Reporting to: Business Support Manager         

Minimum 30 hours per week or full-time

​

Please note, we are actively seeking candidates for this vacancy and will be conducting interviews throughout the duration that the role remains open. Due to the ongoing interview process, we reserve the right to close the position earlier than the specified deadline. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

​

Role Description:

To support the growth of the charity, Schoolreaders is specifically focused on developing its Business Support Department. As part of this, we are looking for a dynamic and pragmatic IT & Data Officer. You will be coming onboard to support the day-to-day management and help in the development of the charities IT systems.

 

This role will report into the Business Support Manager. You will work alongside the Business Support Manager (BSM) and external contractors to ensure the ongoing delivery of reliable IT services and get involved in the projects to develop our IT capabilities.

 

This is a varied role that would suit a graduate or someone with experience of working in an IT role who is looking to develop both their technical and customer service skills. You would also need to have a self-starting attitude and be happy to get stuck in as you will be working in a small friendly team. There may be occasion for you to support colleagues outside of your IT role.

​

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide first (and second where possible) line support for all the charity’s IT systems.

  • Co-ordinate and assist external contractors on third line support issues.

  • Set up new IT equipment including laptops and software

  • Become the “go to” person for any IT questions for the Schoolreaders team.

  • Plan and execute IT projects as part of the charity’s IT annual strategy.

  • Support the fundraising and operations teams in their use of the CRM, including producing reports.

  • Assist the BSM in developing the charity’s IT strategy and annual plans.

  • Occasional help with other business support functions

Trusts & Grants Manager

Place of work: Bedford Office with hybrid working

Hours: 30 - 37 hours per week over 4/5 days

Salary: £36,000 - £39,000 p/a
Reporting to: Head of Fundraising         

 

Please note, we are actively seeking candidates for this vacancy and will be conducting interviews throughout the duration that the role remains open. Due to the ongoing interview process, we reserve the right to close the position earlier than the specified deadline. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

​

Schoolreaders was launched ten years ago in Bedfordshire with the aim of recruiting volunteers to provide one-to-one reading support for children in primary schools across the country.  Over 22,000 children in over 1000 schools are receiving weekly reading sessions from a Schoolreaders volunteer.  One in four children are leaving primary school unable to read to the expected Government standard. Our service is needed more than ever before with 1 in 6 primary schools across the country asking Schoolreaders for reading volunteers. Building on past successes, we have ambitious plans to expand our provision, focussing on areas of deprivation in which children need our support the most. 

 

Role Description:

We are looking for an experienced, and highly motivated Trusts Manager to join the small, dynamic Schoolreaders fundraising team.  This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who wants to play a key role in a fast-growing charity that is impacting the lives of thousands of children every week.

​

What we are looking for: 

Schoolreaders is looking for a Trusts Manager who can take the lead in maintaining and growing our well-established support from trusts and foundations. You will have a portfolio of trust supporters along with experience of being involved in research, bid-writing, face-to-face meetings as well as achieving fundraising targets. You will oversee a small and enthusiastic team of part time trust officers.

​

You will have the opportunity to work with the Head of Fundraising to develop a medium to long term strategy to ensure sustainable support from both existing and potential trust and foundation supporters. There will be an ongoing need to research and identify grant-funding in both national and local statutory grants.

​

You will have reporting and budgetary experience which will support your input into annual budget plans and monthly reporting requirements as well developing and maintaining our fundraising database.

​

We have a fantastic team of volunteers based throughout the counties of England who you will work with to maximise fundraising opportunities.

​

You will have a strong knowledge of fundraising legislation and good practice.

​

If you have excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, if you’re highly motivated with excellent organisation abilities and love working as part of a team this could be the role for you!

​

Ideally, you will have a minimum of 2 years line management and trust / grant experience with a proven track record of generating significant one-off and multi-year grants from major trusts and grant makers.

 

Other

Ability to travel to occasional meetings with supporters as required: Essential

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What you can expect:

An exciting and rewarding role where you can develop your own trust management skills whilst making your mark on a fast-growing national children’s charity. Schoolreaders is a highly professional charity which values every team-member’s contribution to our team efforts. We offer a generous holiday allowance, enhanced sick pay, an employee assistance programme, plus training and development opportunities. If you want to be part of a great team in a fast-moving, welcoming environment whilst making a huge impact on children’s literacy across the country, this could be the perfect role for you!

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Main Duties

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  • 1. To take the lead in maintaining and growing our well-established support from trusts and foundations. You will manage your own portfolio of trust supporters, involving research, bid-writing and meeting monitoring requirements, plus face-to-face meetings, often at the highest level.

  • 2. To line manage a trust officer, (one part time direct report).

  • 3. To work with the Head of Fundraising to develop a medium to long-term fundraising strategy for developing sustainable support from existing and potential trust and foundation supporters where possible aiming for multi-year partnerships.

  • 4. To research and identify other sources of grant-funding, including national and local statutory grants.

  • 5. To input into annual budget plans, monitor progress and income on an ongoing basis, and prepare monthly variance reports for the trusts/grants team.

  • 6. To help develop and maintain our fundraising database and our systems for applying and reporting to trusts and grant-makers, to ensure effective coordination across the team.

  • 7. To make face-to-face presentations and represent Schoolreaders as necessary.

  • 8. To work with other members of the Schoolreaders team, including our volunteer County Teams, to maximise opportunities for fundraising from trusts and grant-makers.

  • 9. To ensure that the role is carried out in accordance with fundraising legislation and good practice. 10. To ensure that due diligence is carried out thoroughly with all funding partners.

  • 11. To carry out any other duties which are relevant and appropriate to the role.

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 Personal Specification

  • Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills (including PowerPoint presentations)

  • Excellent written skills with an ability to write compelling, informative bids and reports

  • Proactive and highly motivated, with excellent organisation skills

  • Proven ability to work with others in a team and to motivate others

  • Ability to successfully prioritise workload with competing deadlines

  • Results-orientated with evidence of achieving ambitious targets

  • Excellent relationship management

  • Strong research, analytical and report writing skills

  • Knowledge and understanding of good practice and legislation relating to fundraising, including GDPR

  • Fully computer literate with excellent IT skills including high competency in excel.

  • Hands on experience of fundraising databases

  • Experience using Salesforce

  • Proven experience of managing budgets

  • At least 2 years line management experience

  • At least 2 years relevant trusts / grants fundraising experience

  • Proven track record of generating significant one off and multi-year grants from major trusts and grant makers

  • Ability to travel to occasional meetings with supporters as required

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