At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and manage community partnerships, programmes, and events at Homestead Park.
- Company: Join the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, dedicated to community and environmental change.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Applications welcome from all backgrounds; we value diversity and encourage marginalised voices.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a beloved park and connect diverse communities with nature.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and a passion for inclusion and accessibility.
This is a rare chance to shape the future of the Homestead estate - a distinctive mix of park, buildings and community spaces with an amazing history rooted in the Rowntree family’s commitment to opening up green space for the people of York. Homestead Park has been a public asset since 1904, gifted so that everyone, regardless of income, could enjoy free access to nature and community. Joseph Rowntree Foundation is now investing in a new chapter for the whole estate, and we’re recruiting a Head of Community Partnerships to help lead this work.
About the role
In this role, you’ll design and manage partnerships, programmes and events that connect people with the park, the buildings and each other, and that reflect the needs and priorities of York’s communities. You’ll work closely with groups who have not always been included in decision-making or had equal access to public spaces, tackling barriers to participation and building trusted relationships over time. You’ll also help shape how the wider estate is used in future, ensuring community perspectives are central to how it develops.
About you
We are seeking a passionate and community-focused individual to help develop Homestead Park as an inclusive and inspiring space that brings people together through nature, wellbeing and community connection. The role involves leading community engagement activities, volunteering programmes and nature-based initiatives that encourage participation, strengthen belonging and support positive social and environmental change. Working alongside local residents, charities, community groups and partners, you will help ensure the park is welcoming and accessible to all, particularly those who are often excluded from public spaces and decision-making. You will be confident facilitating inclusive activities, engaging with diverse perspectives and building meaningful connections within the community. You will bring experience of community engagement within parks, public spaces or the voluntary sector, alongside a strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility and delivering practical, impactful projects.
How to apply
If you want to use a much-loved local estate with a powerful Rowntree legacy to support community life, improve access to green space and help York move towards a fairer, more sustainable future, we’d be very interested to hear from you. Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform. The closing date for applications is 24th June 2026. Interviews date – tbc. 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 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.
Head of Community Partnerships in Clifton employer: Joseph Rowntree
At the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering community engagement and inclusivity. Our work at Homestead Park not only allows you to make a meaningful impact in York but also offers a supportive work culture that values flexibility, personal growth, and collaboration. Join us in shaping a vibrant community space where everyone can thrive, while enjoying the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Community Partnerships in Clifton
✨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 Head of Community Partnerships in Clifton
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 Head of Community Partnerships, 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!
