Salary:

£30,000-£35,000 per annum

Hours:

36 hours per week

Location:

Manchester, England

About the role:

Contract: Fixed Term subject to external funding and performance

About the role: Active Communities Network have launched a new project, The ACN Way, which is being delivered across the UK. This project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund for five years, having started on October 1^st 2024. The project will build a network of 500 groups that are better connected, unified and more vocal with the aim of being actively involved in decision making and are better understood by policy makers and commissioners.

The Regional Network Lead is a recent post which will work with an array of Voluntary and Community Sector groups operating in North of England. The post will offer specialist mentoring to organisational leaders and capacity building services to improve the skills, confidence and positioning of an array of youth and community groups who lack a voice as well as supporting connections to others and broader systems.

The project aims to amplify these unheard groups who deliver such vital services. As part of a UK wide team, the post will contribute to working with strategic bodies, elected representatives and funders to create transformative system changes based on our locality and person-centred based approach. The post holder is expected to provide their specialist support to 20 groups per annum in their region, developing organisational development action plans and leadership development.

Duties and Accountabilities

Develop and maintain relationships with grassroots groups who join the network to ensure they are supported.
Work alongside each grassroots group to develop tailored organisational development actions plans and leadership development. Working closely with the leadership of the group by providing specialist mentoring to identify areas where organisations can be supported with training and development.
Organise network events within the region with the aim of expanding the network and connecting groups
Manage multiple stakeholder relationships within the region with the ability to adapt to meet the needs of the stakeholder.
Work with the wider UK team and organisational partners to ensure groups are provided with the best support suitable to them.
Continuously working with local stakeholders to understand changes within the local landscape which might impact on network groups to allow support to be adapted as and when required.

Essential experience / knowledge:

A minimum of 3 years’ experience of working within the VCS at a senior/leadership
level, therefore being able to ‘lead by example’
Strong connections in the region across multi-disciplines and proven ability at
brokering and connecting groups
Previously delivered capacity building work, including mentoring organisational
leaders
Track record in sustaining and building the strengths of local groups
Worked strategically with funders, statutory bodies, commissioners and decision
makers making positive change for the VCS
Demonstrate experience in measuring, monitoring, evaluating and communicating
impact on a programme and community level
Managed a case load of VCS groups with diverse needs, experiences and
development

Essential skills and abilities:

Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the VCS in the North of England and the key challenges faced by both operational staff and organisational leaders
Have a broad understanding and experience of working with VCS groups who are in their infancy through to well developed.
Have a strong understanding and mastery in delivery models that support vulnerable young people, communities and residents.
Able to manage diverse and multiple stakeholder relationships from ministerial level to grass roots volunteers
Good business acumen and able to interpret and understand all aspects of managing and developing a grass roots VCS group
Working knowledge of how to connect, where to connect and how to offer valuable practical advice and guidance to groups
Able to interpret and speak on behalf of others with clarity, honesty and integrity to ensure a true voice and representation is made of grass roots groups in the
targeted areas.

Related files:

About ACN:

Active Communities Network was established in 2007 in response to the closure of Sport England’s Active Communities Development fund. The charity has developed from a collective of small grassroots groups in south London to a global provider in the sport for development collective. The charity currently supports c6,000 young people per annum across its own delivery sites in London, Belfast and Manchester, with a network of c200 groups working with us to support the delivery of our mission – create opportunities, inspire change, tackle inequality.

How to apply:

Apply online. Click the apply now button to submit your application.

Additional information:

In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhanced DBS check.
6 months probationary period / extendable on performance and funding secured.

Closing date:

06/07/2026 12:00 pm

ACTIVE COMMUNITIES NETWORK LIMITED

1 role available