DEVELOPMENT MANAGER 

You will be responsible for managing the delivery of a radical new approach to supporting looked after children. Lighthouse is an early stage venture, so you will have a great deal of responsibility from day one. From managing relationships with our funders and partners to designing the training for our staff, this role will be incredibly diverse and no two days will be the same.  

There will be many challenges that require an analytical yet creative mind, and you’ll learn a broad range of skills in pursuit of our vision. You will have the autonomy and flexibility to decide how you will work to achieve our ambitious outcomes. 

This role will be tailored to the right applicant and will involve diverse responsibilities including: 

Managing key aspects of our work  

This will require taking responsibility for key areas of the Lighthouse model and turn our research into reality. You will report directly to the CEO. 

Forming and developing partnerships 

Lighthouse is currently incubated at Catch 22, a social business working at every stage of the social welfare cycle. We also work closely with Jamie’s Farm – a social enterprise supporting vulnerable children through one-week residential interventions involving a combination of family, farming and therapy. You will be responsible for forming and developing new partnerships with funders, local authorities and civil servants among others.  

Designing our recruitment and training strategy 

Our people will be at the core of our model. We intend to be the first children’s home in the country to attract top graduates to the role. We know the right people are out there, you’ll find out how to recruit them.  

Sharing our message 

This will include the development of our social media and online presence, drafting articles and blogs and speaking with journalists to raise awareness of our model and mission. 

Helping us raise funding  

Unlike 70% of the children’s home sector, we are a non-profit organisation. This means that we need to raise money from trusts, foundations and individual giving. You will be involved in writing funding applications and keeping our funders up to date on how their donations are spent.  

ABOUT YOU 

You’re a great communicator 

You have strong written and verbal communication skills with proven experience writing in varied styles and for varied audiences. You have proven your ability to communicate with a wide range of different people (e.g. MPs, journalists, teachers, young people). 

You’re a team player 

You have the ability to work flexibly in a small team. You have knowledge and experience of effective project management to tight deadlines.  

You’re purpose driven 

Your work is guided and galvanised by your values and beliefs. You are driven by a desire to improve the lives of others.   

You enjoy a challenge and love solving problems 

You do not wait to act. You see a problem and are able to develop solutions to it. When faced with challenges, you remain tenacious and versatile and are able to maintain a positive mindset.  

You’re humble 

You are reflective. You are able to be challenged and to learn from experiences and interactions.  

You’re entrepreneurial 

You’re a self-starter and have the confidence to champion our mission to a variety of stakeholders as well as a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment. You’re willing to do what is necessary to get the job done. 

 You’re collaborative and a relationship builder 

You build relationships into your work, give to others readily and use others’ strengths alongside your own, to have a greater impact in your work. 

You’re well organised 

You are able to independently manage daily responsibilities and juggle competing priorities. You are able to work efficiently and effectively to meet deadlines and deliver successfully. You’re a great planner and have an eye for detail. 

Please note that we hire for potential, so do not be put off if you feel that you do not meet every aspect of the person specification.  

 

BENEFITS 

  • Salary: £25,000 – £35,000 depending on experience  

  • Location: London at our offices in Islington  

  • A range of employee benefits such as discounted shopping and 27 days annual leave (pro-rata) 

  • Contract: Full time  

  • A 4% contribution to your pension  

  • Workspace in our central London head office. Some travel to Wiltshire and Essex may be required. 

 

TO APPLY 

To apply for the role please email the following no later than 31st January at 23:59 PM, including your name and the job title in the subject line: 

  • A supporting letter (no more than one side) why you would like the role why you will be effective in it.  

  • Your CV including references (maximum 2 sides) 

First round interviews will be held over the phone 

Second round interviews will be held in shortly afterwards at our offices in Islington.  

For an informal and confidential discussion about the role prior to application, please contact Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang at emmanuel@thelight-house.org.uk.