At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects connecting food, brain health, and mental well-being for young people.
- Company: Join the William Templeton Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving youth mental health.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension, flexible working options, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse partners and contribute to meaningful change in communities.
- Why this job: Shape a groundbreaking programme that transforms research into actionable solutions for mental health.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management, relationship-building, and a passion for food and mental health.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
The William Templeton Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health (YPMH) is seeking an Innovation and Partner Engagement Manager to lead the day-to-day development and delivery of an ambitious new three-year Food, Brain and Mental Health programme. The programme will bring together evidence, innovation, implementation and partnership-building to identify where food and nutrition could make the greatest difference to brain development and mental health. It will focus particularly on opportunities to improve outcomes for children, young people and communities experiencing disadvantage.
The role
- Translate complex research and stakeholder knowledge into clear priorities, decisions and actionable opportunities.
- Design and facilitate workshops, consultations and structured processes for problem definition, opportunity identification and prioritisation.
- Coordinate contributions from YPMH colleagues, researchers, advisers, delivery partners and people with lived experience.
- Support the design, acceptability testing, piloting and implementation of selected interventions and approaches.
- Build partnerships to develop, test, fund, implement and, where appropriate, scale promising opportunities.
- Capture evidence and learning and contribute to the further development of YPMH’s Understand : Innovate : Implement methodology.
- Represent the programme externally and help develop future partnerships and funding opportunities.
About you
We are looking for someone with an unusual combination of analytical thinking, programme delivery, innovation and relationship-building capability. You will not necessarily have worked in every part of the role, but you should bring substantial experience in several of its core elements and the curiosity and capacity to develop your knowledge and capability in other areas. You will have experience of:
- Leading complex projects, programmes or workstreams involving multiple organisations and stakeholders.
- Translating evidence, knowledge or analysis into practical decisions, priorities, innovations or action.
- Building productive relationships across organisations, disciplines or sectors and influencing without formal authority.
- Designing and facilitating workshops, consultations or other collaborative processes.
- Applying structured approaches to problem definition, opportunity identification, prioritisation, innovation or implementation.
You will also be an excellent communicator and highly organised, with sound judgement and the ability to work independently, manage ambiguity and maintain attention to detail. A demonstrable interest in the relationships between food, nutrition, brain development and mental health is essential, together with the capacity to understand and work with relevant scientific and practice-based evidence. Experience in food, nutrition, public health, neuroscience or mental health would be valuable, as would experience of intervention development, implementation, policy engagement, grant-funded programmes or working with young people and communities.
About YPMH
YPMH is an independent charity working to prevent and reduce mental ill health among children and young people - from early life to early adulthood. We use our Understand : Innovate : Implement methodology to accelerate the translation of research and evidence into practical, equitable and scalable action. This is an opportunity to shape a major new programme, collaborate with leading researchers and diverse partners and help turn emerging knowledge about food, brain and mental health into meaningful real-world improvements.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Regular attendance at YPMH's Cambridge base will be expected, with the precise hybrid-working pattern agreed with the successful candidate. YPMH welcomes applications from candidates with diverse professional, disciplinary and personal backgrounds.
Innovation and Partner Engagement Manager - Food, Brain and Mental Health programme in Cambridge employer: YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health
The William Templeton Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health (YPMH) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead innovative programmes that directly impact the mental health of children and young people. Located in the vibrant city of Cambridge, YPMH fosters a collaborative work culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages professional growth through hands-on experience with leading researchers and community partners. With a generous pension contribution and flexible working arrangements, YPMH is committed to creating a supportive environment where employees can thrive while making a meaningful difference in society.
Contact Details:
YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation and Partner Engagement Manager - Food, Brain and Mental Health programme in Cambridge
✨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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health.
✨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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health.
✨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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health.
✨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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation and Partner Engagement Manager - Food, Brain and Mental Health programme in Cambridge
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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health. 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 Innovation and Partner Engagement Manager - Food, Brain and Mental Health programme, 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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health
✨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 YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health. 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!
