At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community-driven initiatives for a fairer future in County Durham.
- Company: Join the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a leader in social change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, supportive environment, and commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to shape transformative programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by empowering local communities and fostering partnerships.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of County Durham and experience in community engagement.
Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)
Are you based in County Durham, with a deep understanding of its places, communities and power structures? Do you bring the relationships, strategic insight and commitment needed to support community-led, just and regenerative futures in Durham?
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to be the Durham Area Lead within the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s (JRF) Regional Programme, part of the Emerging Futures team. Rooted in the North East and York, the programme is a long-term, place-based initiative focused on supporting transitions towards a more equitable and just future where people and planet can flourish. Building on the region’s rich history as a birthplace of industrial innovation and social change, the Durham strand of the programme backs people, organisations and coalitions who are building alternatives to broken systems and creating the conditions for this work to take root and thrive. We act as funders and field-builders: resourcing and nurturing infrastructures, communities, networks and individuals so that transformative work can grow and evolve.
As Durham Area Lead, you will be embedded in place, alongside the communities you work alongside, helping to support, shield, connect and nurture those demonstrating what just and regenerative futures could look like in County Durham. You will foster relationships and build partnerships with local authorities, universities, funders, businesses and grassroots groups to support work in service of fairer futures in and around Durham. You will provide strategic direction and insight on how we fund, partner and programme in the area, bringing together research, learning and practice to deepen our approach to place-based work. Combining third-horizon thinking with practical delivery, you will help to design and grow programmes, coalitions and infrastructures that can evolve over time. You will also contribute to team culture and strategy as a senior member of the Regional Team, connecting the work in Durham with JRF’s wider Emerging Futures agenda across the North East and York.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Based in County Durham, with strong knowledge of the county’s economic, social and political context, and deep curiosity about how these might evolve in the future.
- An understanding and interest in solidarity economy and community wealth building.
- Skilled at building and stewarding complex, purpose-aligned partnerships across public sector, community organisations, social enterprises and local businesses, enabling groups to collaborate around shared, transformative goals.
- Confident working directly with communities on issues that matter to them, facilitating group-based work and nurturing community-led social infrastructure and enterprises.
- Able to work strategically within place, synthesising research, insight and practice to develop coherent approaches that connect local action to long-term systemic change.
- Comfortable navigating complexity and uncertainty, spotting opportunities in evolving policy and political landscapes, and shaping emergent strategy, budgets and programmes that can adapt over time.
- A relational, values-driven leader – someone who can hold space, ask good questions, listen deeply, and grow coalitions and teams in ways that centre equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice.
If you’re an inspiring, Durham-based leader who enjoys bringing people together, developing pioneering approaches and helping communities build lasting alternatives to unjust systems, we’d love to hear from you.
How to apply
If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you. Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform. The closing date for applications is 31st July 2026. Interviews will take place on 13th August 2026. We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.
Additional Information
Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background. We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty. We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.
In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for. At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).
We offer a supportive and flexible workplace. For details about our benefits click here: JRF Benefits. We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.
Durham Area Lead in Belmont employer: Joseph Rowntree
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an exceptional employer, deeply rooted in the County Durham community and committed to fostering equitable and just futures. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer a supportive and flexible work environment that encourages collaboration and innovation, allowing you to make a meaningful impact alongside passionate colleagues. Our culture prioritises diversity, inclusion, and social justice, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to transformative change in the region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Durham Area Lead in Belmont
✨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.
✨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.
✨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.
✨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. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Durham Area Lead in Belmont
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. 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 Durham Area 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
✨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. 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!
