WE ARE HIRING AN INTERIM HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

There is an exciting opportunity to join the Reform Radio team in Manchester as Interim Head of Development (on a maternity leave cover contract – 9-12 months). Reform Radio is a Community Interest Company, award winning radio station, and arts organisation (an ACE NPO and Manchester City Council Cultural Partner). We’re dedicated to using creativity and culture to support young adults in building confidence, improving wellbeing and to access skills training and progression pathways. 

As part of our senior team the Interim Head of Development will work closely with our three Directors to develop and meet organisational income targets and business development goals. Our diverse income portfolio includes public sector tenders and grants, trusts and foundation grants, and commissions. 

Our ideal candidate will have experience in strategic development and management of fundraising, ideally in arts organisations, with a proven track record of securing significant grants from public and private funders. This could be the ideal role for somebody looking for a flexible, part-time senior position and for the next exciting step in their fundraising career. 

If you’d like to chat about this opportunity, please contact Lewys, Head of Quality Assurance, on lewys@reformradio.co.uk or on 0161 806 0879.

The job description and person specification are also available as an audio file, and we’re happy to accept applications in written format, audio or video.

This is a rolling deadline with an anticipated start date March 2025. Please note applications will not start being reviewed until 20th January 2025.

About Reforn Radio

Reform Radio is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and DAB radio station that broadcasts the best in independent music, arts and culture from Manchester to the world. We use radio as a tool to engage young adults from across the North into high-quality creative training and to support them to build meaningful careers. 

Some of our favourite stats from 2023/24:

• We delivered 716 free creative sessions to a total of 580 participants.

• We delivered Employment and Creative Skills training to 247 young adults.

• With 86% progressing onto employment, education, training and volunteering.

• We reached an online audience of 1.47 million.

• 519 DJs broadcast original shows across our station.

Our Vision: To live in a world where all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Our Values: Creativity, Community and Collaboration. 

Resources:

• Reform Radio Round Up 2023-24

• Reform Radio Projects

• Reform Radio Blog 

Job Details

Hours: Part time – 64 hours a month.
Salary: Annual salary of £35,000- £40,000 pro rata, dependent on experience.
Annual Leave: 11.5 days (including bank holidays)/year.
Pension: Optional Nest Pension scheme 
Location: This role is based at the Reform Radio offices in Manchester, but flexible working requests will be considered.
Address: Reform Radio, Bonded Warehouse, Lower Byrom St, Manchester

Role Description: 

There is an exciting opportunity at Reform Radio for a senior fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing significant income through high level bid writing,partner relations and fundraising to join the team on a 9-12-month maternity-cover contract.

Working with the directors to help shape organisational strategy and align fundraising activity to meet the goals and objectives of the organisation. The right candidate will leverage their experience and contacts to help bring consistent and significant new income to the organisation and bring new ideas and enthusiasm for the work we do and how we can strengthen and support it.  

Main responsibilities will include;

• Working closely with the Directors to meet organisational targets and development goals. Our current fundraised income is generated through grants, trusts, foundations, and earned income through public sector contracts and commissions..
• Working closely with Directors on wider organisational development (e.g. business planning, finance, governance, strategy), to ensure fundraising activity is fully aligned with the organisation’s current capacity and future plans.
• Leading on shaping and writing of large scale bids in response to tenders, usually for adult skills training contracts. 
• Researching and developing a pipeline of new grant opportunities.
• Shaping and developing funding bids for trusts and foundations and statutory grants, meeting strategic funding deadlines with availability to be responsive to quick turnaround opportunities and deadlines. 
• Supporting the Directors on the ACE NPO submission for 2027-2030 (deadline July 2025).
• Working closely with the Head of Quality Assurance on the reporting for the organisation’s ACE NPO funding agreement and the development and delivery of high quality Board papers. 
• To build ‘Cases for Support’ relevant to the different funding sources.
• To develop a low level strategy to bring lower level CSR support including sponsorship of outreach programmes and our station infrastructure.
• To work with the Marketing team on the development of our “Supporters” monthly subscription service. 
• Supporting the Head of Quality Assurance on funder and stakeholder reporting.
• Supporting the Audio Production team on the development of commission and audio industry tender bids.
• To ensure effective systems and processes are in place which reflect best practice in the sector.
• To ensure proper recognition of supporters and develop new and innovative ideas for better ways of acknowledgment.
• Provide fundraising advice and support to Reform Radio participants. 
• Continue to embed fundraising across the whole organisation and maintain team support.
• Continuing to improve fundraising systems, policies and procedures, including the management and collection of data.
• Bringing together the support of the Board to assist with the development of income streams.

Person Specification

Essential skills, knowledge and qualities required: 

• Minimum 3 yrs experience in management of fundraising, ideally in arts organisations but we would welcome applications from candidates with experience in other areas.
• Relevant experience of supporting organisational and strategic development.
• Proven track record of securing significant grants (£100k+) from public funders  (e.g. local authority and ACE), arts funders (e.g. Youth Music, Paul Hamlyn), and social funders (National Lottery, Henry Smith Charity).
• Relevant experience writing successful bids and tenders to the highest level and working with partners both within and outside the organisation to secure this work.
• Experience working with a range of partners and stakeholders. 
• Excellent organisation skills and an eye for detail.
• A high level of financial literacy with experience of developing organisational/project budgets and cashflows.
• Ability to work across and balance competing priorities, colleagues and partners.
• Experience of working independently to meet multiple deadlines. 
• A commitment to the vision and mission of Reform Radio. 

Desirable skills, knowledge and qualities required: 

• An understanding/experience of CIC fundraising models and techniques.
• Experience of writing and securing tender bids/contracts. 
• Experience in writing NPO applications or reporting on NPO funding agreements. 
• Experience of working with management accounts. 
• Experience in supporting or coaching others to access funding opportunities. 
• Experience of working with funders and partners within Greater Manchester.

For all paid roles at Reform Radio we require you undertake an Enhanced DBS check.

How To Apply

Closing dates for applicants: This has a rolling deadline, we will review applications as they come in and close the opportunity when we find a suitable candidate. It’s recommended to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out. However please note applications will not be reviewed until January 20th.

Contact details:lewys@reformradio.co.uk

We’re asking applicants to send the following in either written, video or audio format:

• A CV (max 2 pages/ 3 minutes)
• A cover letter (max 2 pages/ 3 minutes)

Including:

• What relevant experience do you have? 
• What do you think you would bring to this role and to the organisation? 
• Why is the work of Reform Radio important to you? 
• Why is this role attractive to you? 

Please provide 2 references (we will not contact references unless an offer is made) 
Please complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form here (optional)

Access Support

If you have any access requirements or if you are facing barriers in applying that we can help remove then please get in touch. 

Reform Radio is registered as a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) which means under the Disability Confident Scheme we will guarantee an interview for people with a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010) who can demonstrate they meet the person specification essential criteria within the job description. If you meet the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 please let us know in your application. 

Other useful support – https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work