Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Partnership and Business Development Trustee

The MAZI Project
Remote working

Posted: 21 Nov 2025

Deadline: 5 Jan 2026

Compensation: Voluntary

Unpaid Volunteer Remote working

Job description

About The Mazi Project

The Mazi Project empowers marginalised young people—many excluded from traditional education or employment—through food-based programmes that promote social mobility, wellbeing, and opportunity. From our aMAZIng recipe kits to cooking workshops, we use food as a tool to reduce isolation, build confidence, and help young people feel cared for and extraordinary.

We are at an exciting stage, building our education and social programmes from the ground up. Our goal is to develop innovative partnerships with corporates, local authorities, and government bodies to expand our reach, secure sustainable funding, and amplify our advocacy for food equality and youth empowerment.

The Role

We are seeking a Partnership and Business Development Trustee to join our board and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of The Mazi Project. This trustee will assist in the development of strategic partnerships, help us navigate statutory services and funding opportunities, and foster corporate relationships that support both the growth of our services and companies’ CSR goals.

You will use your networks and influence in the South West and beyond to introduce The MAZI Project to the right people, helping us secure funding, increase awareness of our work, and position our organisation as a thought leader in food equality and empowerment for marginalised youth.

This role is not just about funding—it is about helping us build a replicable model that could enable expansion into other cities while strengthening our advocacy, reach, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and assist in implementing innovative partnership and business development strategies with corporates, local and combined authorities, and government bodies.
• Use your professional networks to introduce The Mazi Project to key decision-makers and influencers.
• Support the organisation in securing funding for growth and programme development, including statutory services, grants, and corporate sponsorship.
• Advise on strategic approaches to help companies achieve their CSR and social impact goals through collaboration with The Mazi Project.
• Strengthen The Mazi Project’s voice and advocacy in food equality, empowerment of marginalised youth, and engagement with city-wide initiatives.
• Support the development of a scalable model for expansion into new cities.
• Act as an ambassador for The Mazi Project at external events and meetings, promoting our mission and programmes.
• Fulfil all trustee governance responsibilities, ensuring the charity meets legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a proven track record in business development, partnerships, or strategic fundraising in the charity, corporate, or public sectors.
• Maintains a strong network in the South West and nationally, with the confidence to make introductions and open doors.
• Understands how to align corporate, statutory, and charitable goals to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Shares The Mazi Project’s passion and values of empowerment, social mobility, and food equality.
• Can think strategically, innovatively, and collaboratively to support growth and advocacy goals.
• Is able to commit time and energy to trustee responsibilities, including board meetings, strategy sessions, and partnership engagement.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to help shape strategic growth from the ground up.
• A chance to make a direct impact on the lives of marginalised young people.
• The ability to leverage your networks for social good, connecting corporates, government, and communities.
• Collaboration with a passionate, mission-driven team and board committed to innovation in food equality and youth empowerment.

Application information

We’re committed to inclusive hiring.

We know that not everyone has equal access to polished CVs or traditional career paths, and we also know that many people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, may not apply unless they meet every single requirement. Please don’t rule yourself out if you feel you could thrive in this role but don’t tick every box.

You’re welcome to apply in the way that feels most accessible and comfortable for you but please add a CV alongside a cover letter or a short video (up to 5 minutes), a portfolio, or another format that helps us understand your skills and experience. If you need any adjustments to the process, just let us know.

Send applications to melanie@themaziproject.com

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