Community Organisation Development Manager

Help us build the power of community.

This role will lead our work in the West Midlands. You’ll be working as part of a team providing tailored business development support through contracts and funded programmes to community organisations of all sizes and to local authorities and other bodies.

As well as directly working with community organisations you will also represent the full range of Locality’s work in the area. You will be responsible for building strategic relationships with funders and statutory authorities (for example local authorities, health boards, regeneration agencies, etc) that will create a better environment for community organisations. Our work is generally funded through direct and indirect contracts, often on a day rate basis. You will therefore also need to be able to identify business development opportunities, bid for and win contracts, ensuring we stay within budget. You’ll bring your experience of working in or with a diverse range of community organisations alongside the expertise to support a delivery team and have the skills and confidence to grow and develop lasting and meaningful relationships at all levels. As well as carrying out significant face to face work with community organisations and others, supporting our team is also a key part of the work and you will need excellent technical expertise to support the work of others.

This is a wide-ranging role, but we don’t expect people to be experts in everything; we want people who can contribute to the range of services we offer community organisations and who are happy to learn and develop with us.

Our workplace is one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We particularly want to hear from people with lived experience of the rich and diverse communities within the West Midlands region. Like many organisations in our sector, our staff team is under-represented by people from minoritised backgrounds. We are actively addressing this as an organisation with strong policies and actions around diversity, equity and inclusion and we strongly encourage applications from people from minoritised backgrounds. You will be working for an organisation which really values it staff and have plenty of opportunities to develop within the role.

Full or part time working is possible including flexible working hours.

See here or more information on Why Work at Locality

For an idea of what the role is all about read A week in the life of a Development Manager

For more information about the role please see the full Job Description and Person Specification (PDF)

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role, please email alison.berwick@locality.org.uk

The Benefits

• Leave:25 days holiday, plus three grace days between Christmas and New Year; An additional day of leave for each year of service (up to 5 days); Option to purchase annual leave via salary sacrifice (up to 5 days); Volunteering days (up to 5 per year), TOIL policy.
• Wellbeing:Employee Assistance Programme (EAP); in house Mental Health First Aider, Health Cash Plan scheme; Cycle to work scheme.
• Maternity:Enhanced maternity of 10 weeks full pay.
• Pension:Scheme with an enhanced employer contribution of up to 7%.

Digital Open Day

This is an unusual role, and our experience is that many applicants struggle to understand the full extent of the job, or the skills and experience required. Good applicants can come from a wide range of backgrounds. We are holding a digital “open day” to give candidates an opportunity to find out more. We strongly encourage you to attend this session if you can before submitting your application. It’s a great opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, and ensure the role is the right fit for you.

• Date: 18 June 2026
• Time: 2pm
• Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89945026635?pwd=gajbMjgX881af0Kkq0OtHIga8DKYuA.1

Application Process

Once you are ready click the apply button below. This will take you to our recruitment platform where you will be asked to give some initial information and then be asked to submit answers to 5 capability questions.

Please consider your responses to these questions carefully. You will be able to save and go back to these up until you submit your application. Finally, you will be asked to submit your CV.

A note on generative AI: Please note that written answers are screened using an AI detection tool. Answers generated or rewritten by AI — including those that have been edited or processed through humanising tools — are likely to be flagged, so we ask that all responses are written authentically in your own words.

Our normal process is to longlist initially, inviting candidates to a fifteen minute on-line informal interview to be held on 7 July 2026. As part of this process, we will talk about your level of experience and knowledge. The final interview which will take place on either 16 July 2026.

If you have any queries on the application process or want a confidential conversation about any element of our recruitment– please email danielle.newson@locality.org.uk

Thank you for your interest in this role. We really look forward to hearing from you.