Regional Community Development Manager

The Co Operative Academies Trust, Manchester, M60 0AG

28 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  23 October 2026 at 12am (midnight)

• Date listed

  25 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: NJC SCP 25-29 (£37,563-£41,177 FTE) Actual salary based on 0.6 FTE £23,106 - £24,706 per annum

Regional Community Development Manager job summary

Are you passionate about turning schools into the vibrant heart of their local communities?

At Co-op Academies Trust, we firmly believe that our schools should act as true anchors for the communities they serve. Guided by our core vision of "collaborating for a fairer world," we are seeking a dedicated, energetic Regional Community Development Manager to join our team in South Cumbria.

If you are a natural relationship builder who thrives on forming meaningful partnerships, championing youth and family support, and driving community-led action, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As the Regional Community Development Manager, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering our Trust-wide community strategy across designated academies in South Cumbria. You will champion the belief that local schools are essential drivers of social cohesion, family support, and opportunity.

Working closely with Headteachers, senior leaders, local authorities, and third-sector organisations, you will map out local needs, harness local assets, and create tailored community plans that deliver real impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Line Management & Leadership: Line manages local Academy Community Pioneers, empowering them to deliver high-impact community plans tailored to their specific school contexts.

Partnership Building: Build robust relationships with local Co-op food stores, funeral care, local businesses, charities, statutory providers, and youth services to expand our community offer.

Strategy & Delivery: Co-develop and roll out bespoke community strategies for each academy that reflect local priorities, including youth work, family support, and community engagement.

Funding & Bid Writing: Identify relevant grant opportunities and lead or support funding applications to bolster local community initiatives.

Collaboration & Best Practice: Share best practice across our regional and cross-Trust networks, reporting progress and impact to local Academy Governing Councils (ACCs).

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an authentic, proactive, and values-driven professional who understands the unique challenges and strengths of South Cumbria's communities.

Essential Criteria:

Relationship & Partnership Builder: A proven ability to connect with people, collaborate across sectors, and establish positive, sustainable partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

Strategic & Action-Oriented: Skilled in turning community data and consultation into clear, actionable, high-quality community plans.

Values-Driven: A genuine commitment to community-led development and the co-operative values of fairness, equality, and self-help.

Organisation & Drive: Excellent communication, administrative, and project management skills, with the ability to manage priorities efficiently under pressure.

Qualifications: Educational background to A-Level or equivalent, including GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above.

Mobility: Willingness and ability to travel across our academy sites in Cumbria.

Experience in line management, bid writing, and delivering impactful community support or youth work is highly desirable.

What We Offer

When you join Co-op Academies Trust, you become part of a collaborative, welcoming network where support is always close at hand.

Competitive Salary: £23,106 – £24,706 actual per annum (pro-rata to 0.6 FTE).

Generous Benefits: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Co-op colleague discounts, and wellness benefits.

Flexible Working: Part-time arrangements (3 days / 21.6 hours per week) with hybrid flexibility tailored to school and site visits.

Exceptional Support: High level of cross-Trust support, continuous professional development (CPD), and peer-to-peer network groups.

Purpose-Driven Culture: The chance to make a tangible, positive difference in the lives of children, families, and wider local neighbourhoods.

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead community transformation across South Cumbria, we would love to receive your application.

Interview Date: Thursday, 12th November in Cumbria

To Apply: Please submit your completed application form highlighting how your skills, experience, and values line up with the role expectations outlined in JD &PS.

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All post-holders are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of background.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Co Operative Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-co-operative-academies-trust

Why us?
Co-op Academies Trust is a place where you are part of something bigger, through a leading education and opportunities to serve our community, we are working together to make a better world.

From ages 3-19 Co-op Academies Trust supports students in Primary, Secondary and Special schools across the North of England, giving children the skills and experiences they need to succeed, no matter where they come from.

What makes our Trust unique is that we are sponsored by the Co-op Group. That close relationship means that we benefit from all the business expertise that has seen the Co-op grow to one of the most respected, successful businesses in the country.

Everyone in the Trust honours our fundamental commitment to the Ways of Being Co-op. They are our DNA; they represent our culture and reflect the rationale behind our decision-making. No matter what we do, they are how we do it.

Our ways of being are:

Be Yourself, Always
Show You Care
Do What Matters Most
Succeed Together
In 2025, we have 38 academies as part of the Co-op family, across 4 regions.

Our Values
Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy - We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:

Succeed together

Do what matters most

Be yourself, always

Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you!

We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:
Benefits include:

You’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores.
Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more
Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
Co-op Funeralcare benefit
Season ticket and rental deposit loans
And More!

For more information about the Co-op Academies Trust, please visit: www.coopacademies.co.uk

The Trust is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.

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