At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community initiatives and build partnerships to create positive local impact.
- Company: Heart of England Co-operative Society, committed to community and social responsibility.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, discounts, pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a values-driven organisation with a rich history and commitment to fairness.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Make a Difference in the Communities We Serve. At the Heart of England Co-operative Society, community is at the heart of everything we do. As an independent co-operative with a proud history dating back to 1832, we are committed to enriching the lives of our members, customers, colleagues and local communities.
We are now looking for a passionate and driven Community & Charity Adviser to join the team. This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver meaningful community initiatives, build strong local partnerships, and help maximise the positive social impact we make across our trading areas.
About the Role
You will lead the delivery of community and charitable programmes that align with our co-operative values and strategic priorities. Working closely with our Membership, Engagement and Community Committee, you will play a key role in ensuring our investments in communities create genuine, measurable impact. This varied role will see you:
- Develop and deliver community and charity initiatives that create positive local impact.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with charities, community groups, local authorities and other stakeholders.
- Manage community funding, grants and sponsorship programmes, ensuring fairness, transparency and effective governance.
- Encourage member participation through volunteering opportunities, campaigns and community activities.
- Measure, evaluate and report on the impact of community programmes and funded projects.
- Provide insight, recommendations and professional support to the Membership, Engagement and Community Committee.
- Represent the Society at community events, forums and networking opportunities.
- Champion our co-operative values and act as an ambassador for the Society within local communities.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking an individual who combines excellent stakeholder management skills with a genuine passion for community development and social impact. You will ideally have:
- Experience in community engagement, charity management, social value or related roles.
- A proven track record of delivering successful community programmes or social impact initiatives.
- Experience managing grants, budgets or funding programmes.
- Strong partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship management abilities.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- The ability to analyse data and evaluate programme outcomes.
- A commitment to ethical business practices and co-operative values.
- A full UK driving licence.
- Experience of working with governance committees, charities, voluntary organisations or within a values-led organisation would be advantageous.
Why Join Us?
At Heart of England Co-operative Society, people are at the heart of everything we do. In return for your skills and commitment, we offer:
- Colleague Discount 10% plus double discount on 4-weekly pay weekend in our food stores.
- Pension scheme 3.3% employer contribution.
- 30 days holiday (incl bank holidays) rising with length of service.
- FAB furniture discount of 15%.
- Enhanced maternity pay.
- Enhanced redundancy pay.
- Discounts and savings platform - My Staff Shop.
- Stream EAP with GP Access - referrals, prescription service, GP consultations, phone and in-person counselling.
- Refer A Friend Scheme.
- Long Service Award.
- Support for eye care.
- Financial and Wellbeing support from: Co-op Credit Union, Grocery Aid.
- Life Insurance 2 x salary.
- Health Assured Bereavement Support.
- Health Assured Wellbeing Services, including My Healthy Advantage mobile app.
- ZGP24 Service providing video and phone consultations, open referrals and prescription service.
- Crisis 24 - Worldwide security and health information service.
- Terminal illness support.
Our Values
We are proud to be a co-operative business where fairness, inclusion, community and social responsibility guide every decision we make. If you're passionate about creating positive change and want to help strengthen the communities we serve, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help make a lasting difference in the heart of our communities.
Community and Charity Adviser in Leicester employer: Heart of England Cooperative Society
At Heart of England Co-operative Society, we pride ourselves on being a values-driven employer that places community at the forefront of our mission. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering extensive benefits such as generous holiday allowances, enhanced maternity pay, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a rewarding career in a historic co-operative that champions fairness and social responsibility.
Contact Details:
Heart of England Cooperative Society Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community and Charity Adviser in Leicester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Heart of England Cooperative Society.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Heart of England Cooperative Society.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Heart of England Cooperative Society.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Heart of England Cooperative Society. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Community and Charity Adviser in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Heart of England Cooperative Society. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Community and Charity Adviser, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heart of England Cooperative Society
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Heart of England Cooperative Society. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
