Communication manager jobs in knaresborough, north yorkshire

Title:Policy and Advocacy Manager

Salary:From £40,000 per annum

Contract:Permanent

Hours:37.5 per week (Monday to Friday)

Holiday:25 days per year plus bank holidays 

Location:Home based with travel within / to London and across the UK

Probationary Period:3 months

Reports to:Head of Legal and Policy

Benefits:An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution

Start date:As soon as possible / flexible

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end pollution. 

We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and community mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of community and wildlife.

Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life. 

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers to join our team to drive forward our policy and advocacy work. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong policy insights capable of blending analytical problem-solving with intelligent advocacy to drive meaningful change. This role requires someone to have excellent writing skills and the ability to draft complex policy documents as well as top line arguments for wider communication. . 

The ideal person will bring a combination of expertise, energy and ideas to amplify our impact, holding decision-makers and polluters accountable with a professional and diplomatic approach. They will engage with influential people across the sector, government, industry and media. 

If you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy across multiple campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

As our Policy and Advocacy Manager, you will play a leading role in shaping and advancing River Action’s political and policy influence, working closely with the Head of Legal and Policy, Chief Executive and wider team to develop and execute an impactful policy and advocacy strategy.

River Action is the Co-Secretariat for the APPG on Water Pollution, offering our Policy and Advocacy Manager a unique opportunity to shape the policy direction for River Action and also to influence policy development across Parliament. 

You will also work closely with our public affairs agency who manage our daily Westminster activities. 

You will:

• Lead River Action’s policy and advocacy work on agricultural, sewage and industrial water pollution, with a focus on regulation, funding and legal frameworks. 

• Collaborate with River Action’s team and external partners to ensure our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking policy analysis and evidence.

• Develop policy analysis to support campaign, communications and policy strategies, based on a strong evidence base and a sound understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks.

• Translate complex policy and evidence into concise documents with clear messages and compelling campaigns to engage political and policy stakeholders.

• Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, interpreting their implications and opportunities for River Action and its supporters.

• Generate analysis to enable participation in public consultation processes, including drafting high-quality and persuasive consultation responses and briefings for Westminster and Whitehall audiences.

• Increase our political influence with exciting policy interventions, ensuring River Action’s voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

• Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers, civil servants, industry experts and partner organisations.

• Support grassroots community groups and third-sector partners in engaging with their local representatives for effective advocacy.

• Organise and attend key political meetings and events, including the Water Pollution APPG, stakeholder roundtables and parliamentary events.

• Manage strategic policy partnerships, including our relationship with Wildlife and Countryside Link and other third-sector organisations.

• Ensure River Action’s policy and advocacy efforts align with our creative campaigns, by making sure colleagues and spokespeople are well-briefed and communications content is well-informed to maximise reach and impact.

You will also:

• Actively engage in professional development and training.

• Adhere to health and safety policies while working in different locations.

• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our mission while being true to our values. 

UK travel will be required. Training and operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case costs will be covered and standard River Action procedures will apply.

What you’ll bring

The position will suit a self-motivated, strategic and determined person. You will be an excellent communicator, with exceptional writing skills and comfortable representing River Action and engaging with diverse stakeholders. You will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and to hold decision-makers and polluters to account.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience in a similar policy and advocacy role, ideally within the environmental sector. 

• Policy and/or legislative experience, with a good understanding of the workings of the UK government and Parliamentary procedure.

• A good understanding of the UK water industry, the key UK water-related policies and the issues that are impacting our rivers, land and wildlife.

• Excellent communication and writing skills with close attention to detail and the ability to produce concise and persuasive briefings, reports and consultation responses.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working creatively and at a fast pace with colleagues, stakeholders and partners. 

• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to proactively plan and prioritise work and to report your progress and impact.

• Ability to work flexible hours and travel as necessary.

• A good and supportive team player with a willingness to muck in as and when required.

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.

• Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.

• Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.

Diversity and inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Policy and Advocacy Manager’:

• your CV (2 pages), 

• a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and 

• a written submission (2 pages) as described below. 

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format. 

Written submission

Please prepare a 2 page policy briefing for MPs on a current issue affecting the health of UK rivers. Your briefing should be written in a clear, persuasive style suitable for a Parliamentary and government audience and:

• Identify a water-related issue (e.g. agricultural pollution, sewage discharges or water management).

• Provide a concise analysis of the impact on rivers and biodiversity.

• Summarise relevant UK Government policies and legislation.

• Propose two or three practical policy recommendations for decision-makers.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 23:59 on Monday 15 September 2025.

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel. 

Initial interviews will be held on 17 and 18 September 2025 and panel interviews will be held in w/c 22 September 2025, all via video conference. For panel interviews, some questions will be provided in advance for equity and to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience most effectively. 

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.

About us

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. 

The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.

About the role

This is a new role which will help to deliver a pilot strategy to grow long-term sustainable income by enhancing Breast Cancer Now’s on-the-ground presence locally.

Joining the relationship fundraising team and working closely with the high value partnerships team, this role is responsible for cultivating new long-term relationships and, in turn, driving fundraising income.

Uniquely, the post holder will help to implement a large-scale trial to further grow Tickled Pink, an award-winning partnership between Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! which has raised over £100m. The goal is to grow both engagement and future income by directly supporting colleagues across Asda stores in their local area.

In addition, this role will establish and grow a portfolio of supporters in Bristol and the southwest by cultivating relationships with new and warm supporters including individuals, clubs, societies and local companies. It will also line manage a community fundraiser covering a patch in London and the southeast.

What’s special about this role is that you’ll be working alongside a supportive, innovative and fun team which has delivered continued growth in fundraising over the last five years.

The is the first time the charity has had a community fundraiser locally based in the southwest. It is one of five new roles being introduced as part of the pilot, and the goal is that they all become permanent. 

About you

You’re a pro at cultivating long term relationships with a variety of new supporters to generate income, and have great community fundraising experience working with individuals, local companies and clubs and societies.

You’re proactive and can work in a flexible and agile way; perhaps you’ve helped to deliver successful pilots in the past. You’re solution focused and experienced in developing and delivering ideas to grow income and engagement in the short and long term.

With great communication skills, you’re a team player and love working independently as well as part of a large team with various stakeholders.

Job description and benefits

Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This is a remote role, and the candidate will need to be based in Bristol or the surrounding area. Regular travel will be required to meet supporters and visit Asda stores in your region, as well as to our offices in London and Cardiff.  

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement.  Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. If you’ve any immediate questions please contact the Breast Cancer Now Recruitment team.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.

Closing date

Thursday 11 September 2025 at 9am

Interview date

First interview Tuesday 16 September 2025

Second interview week commencing 22 September2025

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

About us

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. 

The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.

About the role

This is a new role which will help to deliver a pilot strategy to grow long-term sustainable income by enhancing Breast Cancer Now’s on-the-ground presence locally.

Joining the relationship fundraising team and working closely with the high value partnerships team, this role is responsible for cultivating new long-term relationships and, in turn, driving fundraising income.

Uniquely, the post holder will help to implement a large-scale trial to further grow Tickled Pink, an award-winning partnership between Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! which has raised over £100m. The goal is to grow both engagement and future income by directly supporting colleagues across Asda stores in their local area.

In addition, this role will establish and grow a portfolio of supporters in the northwest by cultivating relationships with new and warm supporters including individuals, clubs, societies and local companies. It will also line manage two community fundraisers based in Scotland. 

What’s special about this role is that you’ll be working alongside a supportive, innovative and fun team which has delivered continued growth in fundraising over the last five years.

The is the first time the charity has had a community fundraiser locally based in the northwest. It is one of five new roles being introduced as part of the pilot, and the goal is that they all become permanent. 

About you 

You’re a pro at cultivating long term relationships with a variety of new supporters to generate income, and have great community fundraising experience working with individuals, local companies and clubs and societies.

You’re proactive and can work in a flexible and agile way; perhaps you’ve helped to deliver successful pilots in the past. You’re solution focused and experienced in developing and delivering ideas to grow income and engagement in the short and long term.

With great communication skills, you’re a team player and love working independently as well as part of a large team with various stakeholders.

Job description and benefits

Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This is a remote role, and the candidate will need to be based in Manchester, Liverpool or the surrounding area. Regular travel will be required to meet supporters and visit Asda stores in your region, as well as to our offices in London, Sheffield and Glasgow.  

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. If you’ve any immediate questions please contact the Breast Cancer Now Recruitment team

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.

Closing date  

10 September 9 am

Interview date

First stage interview 15 September 2025

Second stage interview week commencing 22 September 2025

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Prospectus is excited to be supporting a national children's charity with their search for a new homebased Prospect Research and Communications Manager.

This organisation runs over 1,000 UK projects that transform the lives of almost 300,000 children and young people every year. They believe they can bring out the best in every child regardless of the issues they face. Their work supports children living in poverty, children that have been sexually exploited, children living with a disability, children living with domestic violence and young carers who look after an ill parent or relative and so much more. 

As the Prospect Research and Communications Manager, you will take a leading role in identifying five, six, and seven-figure prospects for the Relationship Fundraising team. With a focus on building a healthy pipeline of high value donors from trusts and foundations, through to major donors, this role will work collaboratively with the team to identify new funding opportunities. This role will also populate pipelines for specific fundraising activity including Appeals and Special Events. Ensuring potential donors are engaged with the team's work, it will also work on delivering the Philanthropy communication programme.

The successful candidate will have proven experience within the charity sector and will have examples of successful prospect research for a fundraising team. This person will need to have high levels of attention to detail and be comfortable in creating compelling cases for support. Joining a collaborative team, but as the sole prospect researcher, this person will need to work with others as a team but also autonomously.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, then please contact Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus.

If you are interested in applying to this Prospect Research and Communications Manager position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Embedded in the work of the Programme Department, the Communications and Marketing Manager is responsible for designing and delivering on communications and marketing plans designed to amplify our brand messages, and raise awareness of our mission with partners, and beneficiaries and help us achieve our vision.

This is a hands-on, operational role ideal for someone with significant experience of leading on communications activities, who thrives in a small team and enjoys delivering against long-term plans and managing day-to-day priorities. You’ll lead the delivery of all aspects of communications and marketing - from planning campaigns and managing social media to producing content and supporting fundraising efforts.

As well as working with the Programme Department to support and promote the work of our local partner programmes, the role will also create and maintain mechanisms to ensure all of our staff are informed and engaged with the full scope of our work and impact we enable.

AMR Action UK is the United Kingdom patient organisation for people impacted by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our legitimacy to advocate for change, with policy makers and NHS organisations, comes from our small-scale research projects, our engagement with patients and their families, and from our direct support of patients through our information service and peer-support activities.

The Programmes and Projects Manager role has two main aims – to manage our grant-funded project work and, at a time of expansion and change, to put in place the underpinning systems that will support our future growth.

To be successful in the role you will need proven experience in areas covered by the job description so that you can make immediate impact on appointment. You will also be highly organised, data rational and solution focussed.

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is found.

Location: Flexible / Remote (UK-based), travel required
Salary: £40,000
Contract: Full-time

About Us

We are building something unprecedented.

The Waqf Fund for Muslim Education is a groundbreaking new initiative with a bold vision: to establish the best schools, with the best teachers, providing the best education, producing the next generation of exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and public servants.

Rooted in the Islamic tradition of Waqf (endowment), this fund will be a perpetual source of investment into the education and future of our children, empowering them to serve humanity with excellence, integrity, and purpose.

This is not just a fundraising role. This is your opportunity to help lay the foundation of an educational legacy that will echo for generations to come 

The Role

As our Fundraising Manager, you will be the driving force behind developing, launching, and delivering a dynamic fundraising strategy to secure significant and sustainable support for the Waqf Fund.

Your role will combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery from engaging high-net-worth donors and institutional funders, to inspiring grassroots giving from communities who believe in the transformative power of education.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning – Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the Fund’s mission and values.
• Major Donor Engagement – Identify, cultivate, and steward high-value donors and partners, building long-term, trust-based relationships.
• Community Fundraising – Mobilise grassroots support across the UK Muslim community, creating campaigns that inspire giving at every level.
• Institutional Funding – Explore and secure grants, sponsorships, and partnerships from trusts, foundations, and corporate supporters.
• Events & Campaigns – Design and deliver fundraising events, both in-person and digital, that engage and inspire.
• Waqf Awareness – Champion and educate donors on the concept of Waqf as a sustainable, faith-driven model for impact.
• Impact Reporting – Work with the leadership team to demonstrate the difference donor support is making, through compelling storytelling and data.

About You

We’re looking for someone with a rare combination of heart and hustle. You will:

• Have a proven track record in fundraising, business development, or sales, ideally in the charity or education sector.
• Understand the values and motivations of Muslim donors, with sensitivity to cultural and faith contexts.
• Be a confident communicator, able to inspire at a boardroom table and from the mosque pulpit.
• Have experience in building a fundraising function from scratch (preferred but not essential).
• Be highly organised, results-driven, and not afraid to roll up your sleeves.
• Share our vision for transforming education and believe deeply in the power of giving for lasting change.

What We Offer

• A chance to be part of a historic, first-of-its-kind initiative in Muslim education.
• The opportunity to shape and grow a pioneering fundraising programme from the ground up.
• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, mission-driven team.
• A role where your work will leave a lasting legacy for generations.

How to Apply:
Send your CV and a covering letter outlining your passion for this role and how your experience aligns with our vision.

Job Title: Communications and Campaigns Manager

Reporting to – Chief Executive

This is a permanent full-time role, home based with regular UK wide travel

Salary - £29,000 - £32,000 dependant on experience

Closing Date – midnight 5th September 2025

The Role

This is a key role supporting the NFF team to amplify the experience of flooded people and the work of the National Flood Forum. We’re looking for a proactive and people-focused Communications & Campaigns Manager to join our team. The successful applicant will develop and deliver national campaigns, ensure our messages reach the right audiences and manage activity across multiple platforms. The vision and creativity to tell powerful stories about flooding and its devastating impact on individuals, communities and economies is essential, as is the ability to manage internal and external stakeholders with tact, sensitivity and authority.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Storytelling

· Translating community activity and project work into compelling stories and campaigns that amplify the voices of those affected by flooding.

· Contributing creative ideas to increase awareness of an organisation’s work and impact.

· Tailoring messaging to diverse audiences including policymakers, partners, media, and communities.

Campaigns & Public Engagement

· Developing and delivering successful multi-channel communications campaigns Evaluating campaign and communications effectiveness and reach

· Organising, planning and supporting online and in person events.

Content Creation & Digital Media

· Creating engaging digital and written content, including newsletters, blogs, website content, case studies, and social media posts.

· Supporting the development of the NFF’s website

· Driving integrated campaign work aligning digital, press, and stakeholder communications.

· Identifying and exploiting external opportunities to promote the NFF and its important work.

· Creating a bank of case studies to highlight the issues flooded people face.

Media & External Relations

· Cultivating productive relationships with the media and creating compelling media materials including press releases and case studies

· Building strong relationships with community flood groups to support them to share their stories in the media.

· Monitoring media coverage and leveraging media opportunities aligned with NFF’s mission.

Internal Communications & Capacity Building

· Production of our internal communications and supporting staff with templates, messaging guidance, and digital tools.

· Production and distribution of our internal newsletter, gathering updates and impact stories from teams and regional staff.

· Supporting staff and volunteers with communications training and briefings to build confidence and skills.

Knowledge Management & Brand Consistency

· Keeping internal communication and campaign assets up to date.

· Using insights from staff and communities to improve communication tools and templates.

· Working to ensure consistent branding and accessibility across all channels.

Skills & Knowledge

• Communication: Proven ability to write effectively for diverse audiences, including media, online platforms, political stakeholders, and internal teams. Skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships.
• Strategy: A track record of developing and delivering highly effective communications strategy and leading proactive and reactive engagement across a range of issues
• Storytelling: Outstanding storytelling skills that vividly bring to life the lived experiences.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong influencing skills and a track record of building strong and productive working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Empathy: Strong ability to empathise with individuals and communities impacted by flooding.
• Organisation: Highly organised, flexible, and capable of operating at a senior leadership level.
• Collaboration: A collaborative team player with a solution-focused approach.
• Experience: Relevant degree and a minimum of five years’ experience in the field.

How This Role Contributes to Our Strategy

· Raising the NFF profile: Ensuring the work of the NFF and the experience of flooded people is amplified.

· Partnerships: Developing strong relationships with partner organisations.

· Collaboration: Fostering a collaborative approach within the organisation.

We are looking for an efficient and dynamic individual who is passionate about the impact of community work and understands the benefits of dance.

Dancing for Well-Being is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, enriching lives through dance, music, friendship, and laughter.

We use accessible group dance activities to help people maintain and improve their sense of physical, emotional and social well-being and to foster feelings of belonging, connection and togetherness.

We are at an exciting point where we now need to work to increase our sustainability as an organisation, and have just been awarded a further 3 years’ funding, thanks to the National Lottery, to help us achieve this. The introduction of a new full-time Operations Manager role to oversee the day-to-day running of our activities is a vital part of our plans.

The main focus of this role is to ensure the smooth running of the organisation’s day-to-day activities, which involves not only strong administrative skills, but also excellent communication skills with a variety of stakeholders, and care and compassion for our members and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Oversee the running of weekly groups and regular/occasional sessions
2. Manage a team of volunteers
3. Oversee the day-to-day financial operations
4. Coordinate marketing materials and opportunities.

Terms of the role:

• Salary: £29,250 per annum
• Hours: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week
• Employment type: 18 month fixed-term contract, with the intention of an extension, subject to funding, to up to 3 years
• This post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate.

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please email or call us to request a job pack.

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.

Job TitleHead of Communications

LocationHome based (Home working with regular meetings in London)

Salary£45,000 - £55,000

HoursFull Time, permanent 

Reports to                   Chief Policy Officer 

About Parentkind

As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. 

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise approaching £140 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

Supporting parents beyond the school gate

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. 

Our No Cold Child initiative with FatFace stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Winning the Business Charity Awards ‘Fashion & Retail’ Award, and shortlisted for two further awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

The All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.Furthermore, helping attract children into school on a day which often sees struggling parents keep their children at home.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 150,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources, developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience, equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

Our direct support of schools

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allowed shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. This campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools during the past twelve months, supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

In April, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our focus on Policy & Research

Our work is grounded in evidence. Since 2023, we have conducted the UK’s largest annual parent survey: the National Parent Survey. With approaching 6,000 participants providing 130,000 bits of data to provide invaluable insights into the struggles, concerns, hopes and fears of parents. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already informed national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform.

In each of the past two years the number of policymakers, educators, parents and researchers accessing the National Parent Survey exceeded seven thousand, and the survey featured in more than two hundred media outlets each year.Excitingly, the Times & Sunday Times are partnering with Parentkind to raise the profile even further in September 2025 and the survey will be launched at a lighthouse event featuring the Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson), the Ofsted Chief Inspector of Schools (Sir Martyn Oliver), the CEO of Mumsnet (Justine Roberts), the Children’s Commissioner (Dame Rachel De Souza), and our own Chief Executive (Jason Elsom). 

In addition to the National Parent Survey, Parentkind undertakes representative polling of parents throughout the year on a variety of important topics, which increasingly find exposure in the media and policy discussion.

Parentkind provides the secretariat for the Westminster APPG for Parents and the Stormont APG for Parental Participation in Education. Two very successful parliamentary groups bringing together policymakers and a variety of stakeholders to consider the challenges faced by parents and act as a voice for them through a variety of policymakers.

Our Media Engagement

Since becoming recognised as the UK’s largest parent charity, with likely more groups and frontline volunteers than the Scouts or Girlguiding, Parentkind has gained increasing prominence in the media.Beyond the reach of the National Parent Survey and our regular polling, Parentkind receives frequent requests for quotes of reflection and input by media in relation to their journalism and from Government and non-Government entities in support of policy announcements.

Beyond this, the Parentkind community of volunteers and PTAs share local or regional media announcements of their own.Whether or not it celebrating the completion of large projects they have invested countless hours and thousands of pounds into realising, or the community event they have worked into the night to deliver for their school communities.

It will be your role to take this much further, gaining increasing exposure for the work of Parentkind, its community, and parents more broadly. 

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

The role will involve:

· Promoting our parent polling data and work across social media platforms with eye catching content. 

· Providing comment on topical issues for social media so that we are part of the conversation. 

· Build the right relationships to dramatically increase the number of of media organisations seeking input and thought leadership from Parentkind.

· Build relationships with broadcast media so we get asked to appear on broadcast media more often. There’s a chance for you to be a talking head too.

· Help to draft parent polls and reports with a focus on compelling questions that will hit the front page. We need a brilliant writer, able to turn facts and figures into engaging narratives with bold headlines and strong messages that catch the eye. Boring writers need not apply…

· Draft eye catching press releases with bold headlines and a compelling narrative to promote the work we do across the charity. You’ll also place the press releases with national journalists leading to high profile coverage.

· Support the authoring of articles, op-eds and blog posts by members of the Executive Leadership Team.

· Be responsible for media monitoring, measuring our media hits, and reporting on coverage and interesting themes for the Executive Leadership.

Your mission is to massively increase our online, in print and social media presence to make us the highest profile parent charity in the UK. We don’t need you to be an education expert, we need someone to get us on the front page.

We have a huge amount of data on what parents think and we need you to get it seen. This is a great job for someone who wants to grab hold of a “comms” function and make it their own.

Parentkind is a UK wide charity, you will be expected to support our work in other parts of the UK where necessary.

For 'Person Specification' please see the job description

ID: 1542 Operational Manager – Central (West Midlands Northamptonshire and sorrounds)

Service: Central Region

Salary: Grade 4 Point 34 – 38: £42,140 - £46,240 FTE per annum 

- Additionally, £480 home-based allowance FTE per annum

Location: Home based with travel to various locations across West Midlands Northamptonshire and surrounds

Hours: 37 hours per week (full time).

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Permanent Contract

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic manager to provide operational leadership for services in the Central region of England. You will have overall responsibility for the safe, high-quality, and financially sound delivery of services across the west Midlands and Northamptonshire.

You will bring proven experience in managing services for children, young people, and families with complex needs - such as neurodiversity, special needs and disabilities, and family support concerns. You will also have a strong track record in leading, managing, and developing staff teams while maintaining high service standards.

In this role, you will build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders in the region and contribute to the development and growth of Family Action’s services and strategic ambitions.

Family Action are forward looking, ambitious and have a commitment to continuous improvement and development. We are a people-focused, can-do organisation that strives for excellence in all we do, and operates with mutual respect. If you share these values and have the necessary skills we want we look forward to hearing from you.

At Family Action we transform lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation. We have been building stronger families since 1869 and today we work with more than 60,000 families in over 150 community based services, as well as supporting thousands more through national programmes and grants.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Line Management

· Provide leadership and line management to service managers and project leads.

· Oversee recruitment, supervision, and staff development in line with Family Action policies.

· Foster a high-performance culture and provide operational cover when needed.

Financial Oversight

· Manage service budgets to ensure sustainability and value for money.

· Identify financial risks and contribute to business planning and service development.

Operational Delivery & Quality Assurance

· Ensure services meet strategic goals and comply with quality, safeguarding, and data standards.

· Lead on new service setup, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.

· Embed service user participation and report Social Value outcomes.

Strategic Growth & Business Development

· Support regional strategy delivery and contribute to tenders and funding bids.

· Build partnerships, promote services, and help coordinate events to share best practice.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

- Lead delivery of key projects and high-quality services.

- Manage teams, operations, and new service setups.

- Oversee and lead safeguarding and quality assurance within services

- Champion service user involvement and feedback.

- Monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.

- Balance operations with strategy

· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· complete an application form on the Family Action portal

· Closing Date: Sunday 7th September 2025 at 23:59

Interviews - week commencing 15th September and 22nd September - dates to be confirmed.

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email: Gabriel Hall (full address on advert document).

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

This role is part of the Senior Management Team working to deliver the current strategy. You will be liaising across teams to continuously improve working processes, practices and procedures at Survive.

Finance

· Take responsibility for managing an effective and efficient finance function and producing timely reports which enable effective decision-making by the CEO and the Board.

· Lead on the production of the annual budget and work with others to project incoming funds.

People

· Lead on the delivery of effective and efficient HR operations across the full employee/volunteer lifecycle and drive key initiatives and activities which contribute to Survive being a great place to work or volunteer.

· Support our managers, staff and volunteers with day-to-day HR needs to ensure consistency and compliance.

Outline of main duties 

The following is a summary of the key responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, and the post-holder may be required to carry out other duties which are appropriate to the scale and nature of the job role. 

Finance

· Provide effective oversight of the day-to-day banking, invoicing, expenses and supplier payments on Sage accounting software.

· Prepare and present timely and accurate financial data for the Finance and Resources Sub Committee and the Board including management accounts, cashflow monitoring, expenditure by funder, variance reporting against budget lines and live forecasts.

· Mange fund accounting including restricted, unrestricted and designated funds and comply with external funders’ requirements.  

· Contribute to Finance and Resources Sub Committee meetings and provide advice on financial forecasts, budget planning, policy development, reserves and investments.

· Develop an annual budget for the year ahead and assist the Fundraising Sub Committee to produce budgets for grant proposals and scenario planning.

· Prepare Survive’s accounts for independent examination by the appointed Accountants and hold administrative responsibility for the successful completion of the annual financial statements and the annual report, and the timely submission to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

· Administer the payroll for Survive employees, liaising with the outsourced payroll provider. Make the relevant payments to HMRC including the annual P11D amount. Administer the Survive pension scheme and ensure the correct contributions are paid each month.

· Produce financial monitoring KPIs, statistics and reports for grant applications, funders, Board of Trustees and other organisational and strategic planning as required

· Line manage and develop the Finance and People Administrator.

People

· Deliver the People strand of Survive’s strategy and chair People Sub Committee meetings, maintain and develop People policies and procedures.

· Provide training on Survive’s People policies to the management team to ensure consistency and understanding.

· Provide support for all HR queries including applying policies appropriately.

· Manage staff benefits, calculating entitlements, enrolling onto schemes and answering queries.

· Provide information on the Survive pension scheme to staff and enrolling them into the scheme as appropriate.

· Source training courses as required and oversee management of Survive’s e-learning accounts. Co-ordinate team training days and ad-hoc training sessions.

· Contribute to the monthly internal newsletter to keep the whole team informed about internal and external news, training opportunities and resources.

· Co-ordinate the annual health and wellbeing survey, and lead on making improvements following inputs and suggestions from the Survive team.

· Oversee maintenance of HR system (HR Breathe) and ensure that data is accurate, complete and up to date.

· Maintain existing and work towards gaining new accreditations such as Disability Confident.

· Support hiring managers with the recruitment process including placing adverts, receiving and anonymising applications, arranging interviews. Be part of the shortlisting and or interviewing panels as required.

· Prepare and deliver organisational inductions to all new employees and volunteers.

· Maintain and oversee efficient HR administration for the joiners and leavers processes.

· Monitor the data that Survive holds for staff, volunteers and trustees in order to comply with organisational policy and UK GDPR.

Person Specification – Finance and People Manager 

Qualifications 

• Qualified by experience or hold a professional accounting qualification. HR qualification preferable.

Experience, knowledge and skills 

• Understanding of financial and HR systems (we use Sage and Breathe HR) and Microsoft Office packages.
• Understanding of charity finance including reporting on restricted income and expenditure and managing reserves.
• Experience of managing payroll and pension administration processes.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data management, able to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Working knowledge of UK employment law and best practice.
• Experience of working within a management team, and reporting to Trustees.
• Experience of presenting financial information to a variety of audiences.

Personal

• An interest in the work that Survive does to support survivors of sexual trauma. 

• A commitment to uphold and work towards Survive’s values including active promotion of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusive practices.

• Able to work independently and prioritise work effectively to meet demanding deadlines.

• Able to build good working relationships across a whole team.

• Excellent listening skills; written and verbal communication skills.

• A flexible approach to work and problem solving and ‘can do’ attitude to get things done.
• An interest in continuing your own personal development and learning.

A fantastic opportunity to join a small but growing team of committed staff working to support children with brain tumours and their families.

Leading our T&F applications, you will have a deep-understanding of the trusts and foundations (as well as corporate foundations) landscape and you will have experience of working with Senior Management Teams to ensure successful applications for larger grants (£20k+).  You will have proven success in securing multi-year funding and building healthy pipelines with the skills to write compelling and evidence-based applications and reports.

Remote role with travel to our Cambridge office at least quarterly.