At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships with communities and partners to drive meaningful change in York.
- Company: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, committed to social justice and community empowerment.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real impact and contribute to long-term solutions for inequality.
- Other info: Join a dynamic environment focused on sustainable change and community wealth building.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team tackling pressing social issues in your city.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement, research, or policy work; strong relational skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
This role is about what it means to honour that legacy now. York is a city of contrasts: heritage and change, wealth and inequality, influence and marginalisation. This role asks what it means for JRF, in its home city, to live up to its founding memorandum today. This is relational, outward-facing work that keeps asking “what would Joseph do?” of today’s challenges such as extreme wealth inequality, precarity and the climate emergency.
You will work alongside communities, civic partners and institutions to build trusted relationships, develop new approaches and contribute to change that is rooted, collective and built to last. As York Civic Partnerships Lead, you will deepen JRF’s role as an anchor institution, helping ensure that the resources we steward are used in service of our mission and of the city.
You will be part of JRF’s Regional Programme within Emerging Futures, a long-term, place-based initiative backing people, organisations and coalitions who are building alternatives to extractive and exclusionary systems in the North East and York.
What you will do
- Play a central role in how JRF listens, connects, and acts in York.
- Build trusted relationships with civic partners, community organisations, and local stakeholders.
- Support community wealth building across the city, including work with the York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Commission.
- Lead a flagship collaboration with the University of York and community partners to reimagine Seebohm Rowntree’s poverty mapping 125 years on.
- Convene people and ideas that strengthen York’s ecosystem for just and regenerative change.
- Contribute to shared learning, research, and programme development across the regional team.
- Evolve JRF’s anchor practice in York so that our assets and influence are clearly in service of our mission.
About you
You work relationally and think systemically. You are comfortable with uncertainty, able to hold multiple perspectives, and skilled at building trust across different spaces. You are motivated by questions of power, wealth, and justice, and by how institutions like JRF can use their position to support deeper transitions rather than short-term fixes.
You might come from civic, community, research, policy, or cross-sector work. What matters most is how you show up, with integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to working in service of transitions to support just and regenerative futures.
York Civic Partnerships Lead employer: Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
JRHT is an exceptional employer that prioritises resident and community engagement, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact the lives of individuals and communities. With a strong focus on professional development, you will have ample opportunities to grow your skills while working collaboratively with diverse groups in a supportive environment. Located in a vibrant community, JRHT provides a unique chance to make a meaningful difference through innovative partnerships and engaging events.
Contact Details:
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land York Civic Partnerships Lead
✨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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
✨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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
✨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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
✨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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace York Civic Partnerships Lead
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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). 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 York Civic Partnerships Lead, 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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
✨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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). 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!
