Application Guide

How to Apply for Strategic Development & Growth Lead

at Autistic Parents Uk

🏢 About Autistic Parents Uk

Autistic Parents UK is a Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) led by and for autistic parents, operating with a strong commitment to the social model of disability and neurodiversity. This makes it unique as it centers lived experience in its governance and mission, offering a chance to work within a genuinely community-driven charity. Someone might want to work here to contribute directly to systemic support for a marginalized community while being part of an organization that practices the principles it advocates.

About This Role

This Strategic Development & Growth Lead role involves crafting and executing APUK's organizational strategy to secure sustainable growth, focusing heavily on income generation through grants, partnerships, and new service models like training. It's impactful because you'll directly strengthen the charity's infrastructure and reach, enabling it to expand its support for autistic parents across the UK. Your work will shape the charity's future capacity and community engagement.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing grant applications or partnership outreach, followed by a virtual team meeting to align on strategic priorities. You could spend the afternoon drafting a section of APUK's growth strategy, researching new funding opportunities like commissioned services, and coordinating with volunteers on marketing efforts to raise community engagement.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Autistic Parents Uk Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of hands-on experience in charity sector strategic development, with a proven track record of securing grants and building partnerships (not just theoretical knowledge).
  • Demonstrates a genuine understanding and commitment to DPO principles, neurodiversity, and the social model of disability—able to articulate how these inform strategic work.
  • Is a collaborative, adaptable communicator comfortable working in a remote, part-time setting within a small team, with experience in overseeing marketing/comms to raise profile.
  • Has practical experience in strengthening organizational systems like governance, monitoring & evaluation, not just strategy creation.

📝 Tips for Applying to Autistic Parents Uk

1

Explicitly mention your experience with Disabled People's Organisations or neurodiversity-focused work in your resume—don't assume it's implied.

2

Quantify your income generation achievements: e.g., 'Secured £X in grants over Y years' or 'Built Z partnerships leading to % growth.'

3

Tailor your examples to APUK's context: discuss how you'd identify growth opportunities for a small, community-led charity, not a large NGO.

4

Highlight remote collaboration skills, as this is a part-time remote role—mention tools or methods you've used to work effectively in distributed teams.

5

If you have lived experience as an autistic person or parent, consider disclosing it appropriately, as APUK values lived experience.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain your specific experience with charity sector strategic development and income generation, linking it to APUK's need for sustainable growth.", "Demonstrate your understanding of DPO principles and neurodiversity, showing how you'd apply them to strategy (e.g., ensuring community voice in decision-making).", 'Detail one concrete idea for income generation or partnership-building relevant to APUK (e.g., developing training services for professionals).', "Emphasize your collaborative approach and ability to work part-time remotely to support APUK's expansion."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore APUK's website and social media to understand their current programs, tone, and community engagement—note any gaps or opportunities.
  • → Research Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) and the social model of disability to speak knowledgeably about APUK's framework.
  • → Look into funding trends for neurodiversity or parent-support charities in the UK to suggest relevant grant opportunities.
  • → Review APUK's public communications to assess their current profile and brainstorm how you'd enhance it.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you developed and delivered an organizational strategy for a charity—what was your process and outcome?
2 How would you approach income generation for APUK, considering its focus on autistic parents and DPO principles?
3 What does the social model of disability mean to you, and how would it influence your strategic decisions here?
4 How do you prioritize tasks and collaborate effectively in a part-time, remote role?
5 Tell us about a partnership you built that increased a charity's profile or funding—what challenges did you face?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic charity jargon without tying it to APUK's specific context (e.g., 'increasing impact' without mentioning autistic parents).
  • Focusing solely on corporate or for-profit experience without adapting it to the charity sector's constraints and values.
  • Overlooking the part-time, remote nature—failing to demonstrate how you'll manage time and collaboration effectively.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Autistic Parents Uk!

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