VACANCY: Community Development Lead – Makespace

ocva.org; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Makespace is seeking a Community Development Lead to drive strategy, mission, and partnerships for community work across our spaces, with responsibility for guiding the Communities Team. The role focuses on widening access, building local capacity, and advancing social justice and ecological resilience in partnership with local stakeholders.

The post is based in Oxfordshire (main office in Oxford) with a permanent contract. Applications close 8am on 15th Sept 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience guiding community strategy and programmes.
• Ability to build relationships with local stakeholders.
• Proven leadership of a team and project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Steward strategic vision and plans for all community work.
• Build strategic relationships with key local stakeholders.
• Lead and support Community Organisers through coaching and facilitation.
• Oversee core and funded community projects.
• Plan and run the annual events programme across all spaces.
• Set up volunteer recruitment programmes.
• Monitor and evaluate community work and funded projects.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Project management

Partnerships

Volunteer recruitment

Job description

Home » News » VACANCY: Community Development Lead – Makespace

VACANCY: Community Development Lead – Makespace

September 8, 2026

Job title: Community Development Lead

Role summary:

The Communities Lead holds the strategy, mission and yearly plan for community development across Makespace’s buildings, and leads and manages the Communities Team in line with our organisational strategy and our North Star of spatial justice. The purpose of the role is to widen access to space and build local capacity and agency, creating an environment where Makespace and local residents can transform their neighbourhoods towards social justice and ecological resilience.

Job location (usual place of work): OXFORDSHIRE (MAIN OFFICE IN OXFORD)

Applications close on (please give date): 8am 15th Sept 2026

Contract is: Permanent

Job Description:

Strategy, Mission and Partnerships

• Steward the strategic vision and plans for all our community
• Work closely with the Directors to build strategic relationships with key local stakeholders

Leading the Communities Team and Missions Projects

• Lead and manage the Community Organisers through coaching, facilitating, enabling and practical support
• Lead and oversee core and funded community projects
• Plan and own the annual events programme across all spaces
• Set up and steward volunteer recruitment programmes
• Own the monitoring and evaluation framework for community work and funded projects