Community Events and Partnerships Manager

Who we are

For almost 50 years, Challengers has been transforming the lives of disabled children and young people through inclusive play. We break down barriers, reduce isolation, support families, and provide respite and community when it’s needed most.

Nearly 1 in 5 children has a SEND need, yet many are excluded from school, play and community life, lacking safe spaces to connect and belong. This leads to isolation for children and intense pressure on families. Children become isolated, missing out on vital opportunities to develop confidence, friendship and independence. Parents are facing exhaustion, declining mental health and often being forced to give up work.

Challengers exists to break this cycle, creating inclusive, community-based spaces and providing services where disabled children and their families are supported. From play and youth schemes to family days and parent carer training and three alternative provision sites, our work tackles inclusion at its root by focusing on belonging, connection and dignity.

About the role

As the Community Events and Partnerships Manager, you will play a key role in growing sustainable income and supporter engagement for Challengers.

Leading the community, corporate & events team, you will be responsible for developing and delivering an ambitious programme of community fundraising, challenge events, partnerships and supporter engagement activities.

You will ensure supporters receive an exceptional experience throughout their journey with Challengers, building long-term relationships that maximise impact, retention and income.

Working collaboratively across the fundraising, communications and service delivery teams, you will identify opportunities to strengthen supporter engagement, raise the profile of Challengers and support the delivery of organisational fundraising objectives.

Acting as an enthusiastic ambassador for Challengers, you will represent the charity at fundraising, networking and community events and help build meaningful relationships with supporters, volunteers, local organisations and partners.

Who we are looking for

We seek a relationship-focused fundraising professional who thrives on bringing people together to make a tangible difference. You’ll be passionate about creating exceptional supporter experiences, building lasting relationships and delivering engaging fundraising activities that inspire individuals, communities and corporate partners to support our mission.

You’ll have experience of managing successful fundraising or engagement events, corporate partnerships and delivering community fundraising programmes which deliver on ambitious income targets.

A confident communicator and natural networker, you’ll enjoy building external relationships with supporters, volunteers and colleagues, motivating others to get involved and helping them feel valued every step of the way.

Highly organised and proactive, you’ll be comfortable managing multiple priorities, budgets and projects while maintaining excellent attention to detail. You’ll approach challenges with creativity and a solutions-focused mindset, always looking for opportunities to maximise impact and improve outcomes.

Above all, you’ll be a collaborative and supportive team player who shares our commitment to delivering outstanding supporter experiences. You’ll be inspired by Challengers’ mission, embrace the social model of disability and be motivated by the opportunity to help create a world where disabled children and young people can play, learn and thrive without barriers.

Some of the benefits of joining the team at Challengers include:

• 34 days’ holiday allowance (including bank holidays)

• Fun and social workplace

• Free training and DBS check

• Pension and healthcare cash plan