Communications and policy officer jobs in Manchester

Clean Slate is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Head of Programmes on a maternity cover basis.

This is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing the delivery of impactful services across all operational departments, ensuring our programmes continue to improve the financial wellbeing, resilience and life opportunities of people on low incomes.

As Head of Programmes, you will provide leadership to managers across the organisation, maintain strong relationships with funders and commissioners, oversee organisational performance and reporting, support business development and programme growth, and ensure that our services remain safe, compliant, effective and sustainable.

This role will suit an experienced leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational management skills and who is passionate about creating meaningful change for people facing financial hardship.

About Clean Slate

At Clean Slate, we believe everyone should be able to provide for themselves and their family without paying the extra costs associated with poverty.

Our mission is to create meaningful, measurable change for people on low incomes, helping them become better off financially and more in control of their lives through money guidance, employment support and digital inclusion.

Role Overview

As Head of Programmes, you will oversee the successful delivery, performance and development of Clean Slate's services nationally. Working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to organisational strategy, support business growth and ensure programmes achieve both their social impact and financial objectives.

You will provide leadership and support to departmental managers, oversee organisational reporting and performance monitoring, maintain relationships with key funders and stakeholders, and ensure that systems, processes and compliance arrangements support high-quality service delivery.

A key element of the role will be identifying opportunities for growth, supporting funding and commissioning opportunities, and ensuring services continue to evolve to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.

• Lead the implementation of organisational objectives across all programme delivery functions.

• Champion continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and organisational systems.

Programme Oversight & Operational Management

• Oversee the delivery of all services and programmes, ensuring quality, compliance and impact.

• Support managers to achieve contractual targets, performance objectives and growth ambitions.

• Monitor programme performance, budgets and operational risks.

• Ensure sufficient staffing capacity and effective workforce planning across departments.

• Drive consistency, quality assurance and best practice across all service areas.

Leadership & People Management

• Line manage senior managers and support effective leadership throughout the organisation.

• Promote accountability, performance management and staff development.

• Support managers to identify training needs and implement development plans.

• Foster a positive culture that prioritises staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional growth.

Reporting, Data & Systems

• Oversee organisational performance monitoring and impact measurement.

• Lead reporting for commissioners, funders, trustees and senior leadership.

• Ensure the organisation's CRM and reporting systems are effectively managed and utilised to support performance, compliance and decision-making.

• Use data and insight to inform continuous improvement and organisational development.

Business Development & Partnerships

• Support the development of new programmes, services and funding opportunities.

• Work closely with the Managing Director and fundraising teams on commissioning opportunities, funding applications and growth initiatives.

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with funders, commissioners and strategic partners.

• Represent Clean Slate at external meetings, partnership forums and networking events.

• Support the organisation's reputation as a leading voice on financial wellbeing and poverty reduction.

Governance, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and cyber security requirements.

• Oversee risk management processes and contribute to organisational governance.

• Ensure services operate in line with contractual, regulatory and quality standards.

• Promote a culture of accountability, safeguarding and continuous learning.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with experience managing complex services, leading managers and driving organisational performance.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading programmes, services or operational teams.

• Experience managing managers and supporting organisational growth.

• Strong strategic planning and organisational development skills.

• Experience working with funders, commissioners and external stakeholders.

• A track record of delivering impactful services and achieving performance targets.

• Experience overseeing reporting, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance processes.

• Strong understanding of performance management, compliance and risk management.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.

• Experience using CRM and reporting systems to support operational delivery and organisational performance.

• A commitment to Clean Slate's mission and values.

Desirable

• Experience within financial inclusion, employability, community development or related sectors.

• Knowledge of commissioning, fundraising or business development.

• Understanding of issues affecting people on low incomes, including financial exclusion and the poverty premium.

Why Join Clean Slate?

This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing organisation that is changing lives across the UK.

You'll help shape strategy, support talented teams, strengthen partnerships and ensure our programmes continue to deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the people and communities we serve.

• 30 hours/week (0.8FTE)
• £35,000p.a. pro rata (actual salary £28,378.38) plus 6% pension contribution 
• Remote

Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) is the national campaigns and membership body for a network of independent, community-based Rape Crisis Centres working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.

The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a national service led by Rape Crisis England & Wales and funded by the Ministry of Justice.

We are looking for a thoughtful and committed *professional who can combine strong safeguarding knowledge with a collaborative approach to quality assurance and service improvement.

Job Summary

The Support Line Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day quality control, safeguarding oversight, and assurance of the 24/7 Support Line. Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for the service, the postholder will provide oversight and assurance of safeguarding practices, complaints, and quality issues are managed appropriately, consistently, and in line with organisational policies, procedures and statutory requirements.

The role is responsible for coordinating and delivering a proactive quality assurance programme that assesses practice, monitors compliance with policies and procedures, identifies areas for learning and development, and supports continuous service improvement. Through audits, case reviews, and quality monitoring activities, the postholder will identify themes, risks, and opportunities to strengthen practice and improve service delivery.

The Support Line Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Coordinator will be experienced in customer service, safeguarding, and quality assurance, including responding to complaints and concerns, with the ability to communicate appropriately and sensitively with a range of stakeholders, including complainants, survivors, delivery partners, and colleagues. They will have a strong understanding of sexual violence, safeguarding responsibilities, and the wide-ranging impacts on survivors and those supporting them.

*This role is restricted to applicants who are female. This is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) in accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Due to the nature of the role, the post holder will be required to provide direct support to women and children who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. The role involves working in women-only spaces and delivering trauma-informed services where privacy, dignity, and the ability to build trust with service users are essential.

We consider that being female is an occupational requirement for this role, and that applying this requirement is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, namely the provision of safe, appropriate, and effective support services to survivors.

This requirement has been carefully considered in line with equality legislation and is applied only where it is necessary for the effective delivery of the service.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding and Quality Assurance

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the national 24/7 Support Line, providing safeguarding oversight, guidance, and decision-making across all delivery partners.
• Lead and coordinate safeguarding and quality assurance activity across partner organisations to ensure services are delivered safely, consistently, and in line with organisational standards, contractual requirements, legislation, and best practice.
• Identify, assess, manage, and appropriately escalate safeguarding concerns relating to adults and children, ensuring concerns are recorded and responded to in accordance with safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance.
• Oversee and undertake safeguarding audits, case reviews, complaint investigations, and quality assurance activities to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement.
• Monitor safeguarding, complaints, and quality assurance trends across the service, identifying themes, risks, learning opportunities, and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Ensure safeguarding records, referrals, investigations, and quality assurance documentation are maintained accurately, confidentially, and in line with data protection and information governance requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with delivery partners, commissioners, safeguarding agencies, and other stakeholders to support collaborative service delivery and safeguarding responses.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of safeguarding and quality assurance training, guidance, and resources, working in partnership with 24/7 Support Line Managers to promote a culture of accountability, continuous learning, reflective practice, and ongoing service improvement.

Complaints, Feedback and Quality Control

• Act as the first point of contact for complaints relating to the 24/7 Support Line, ensuring responses are managed sensitively, appropriately, and within agreed timescales.
• Investigate complaints and service concerns in collaboration with delivery partners, establishing findings and making recommendations for resolution and service improvement.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of complaints, feedback, investigations, outcomes, and actions taken.
• Work with delivery partners to ensure consistent collection and review of service user feedback across the Support Line.
• Analyse concerns, risks, themes, and patterns identified through complaints, feedback, safeguarding activity, and quality assurance processes, taking responsibility for driving improvements, promoting learning, and working collaboratively with Support Line Managers to strengthen practice and enhance service quality.
• Coordinate and oversee Quality assurance activities, including call and chat monitoring, case reviews, and feedback processes, ensuring consistent application across all partners.

Data, Reporting and Insight

• Work collaboratively with the Data and Impact Coordinator to review and analyse service data, outcomes, complaints, safeguarding concerns, and quality assurance findings.
• Produce reports, summaries, and actionable insights for the Support Line Operations Manager, commissioners, or funders as required.
• Identify trends, recurring themes, and development needs across the partnership, supporting improvements to training, guidance, policies, and operational practice.
• Support the monitoring of service quality, safeguarding performance, and compliance against agreed standards and contractual requirements.

Service Improvement

• Ensure learning from safeguarding activity, complaints, feedback, and quality assurance informs continuous service improvement and operational development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and delivery partners on service improvement initiatives, including accessibility, consistency, and service user experience.
• Contribute to the development of processes and systems that strengthen quality, safeguarding practice, and partnership working across the national Support Line.

Synergy with the wider work of RCEW

• Participate in team meetings, cross-organisational projects, and wider organisational activities as required.
• Maintain effective communication and collaborative working relationships with colleagues across the organisation and partner network.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, safeguarding guidance, sector developments, and wider organisational priorities relevant to the role.

This list is indicative only, not exhaustive. It is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will be expected to perform but additional duties commensurate with the role may be required. The job description will be reviewed from time to time and may change in light of experience and changing circumstances, in consultation with the post-holder. We ask all employees to uphold our organisational values, support our mission and purpose, and to maintain respectful and collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.

Person Specification*

• Experience of working to improve support services, ideally within a quality assurance, safeguarding, customer service, helpline, or support service environment.
• Experience acting as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), safeguarding lead, or in a similar role with responsibility for safeguarding oversight and decision-making, or a willingness to undertake relevant DSO training.
• Experience of handling complaints, concerns, or service issues effectively and sensitively.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding practice, including the ability to recognise, assess, and respond appropriately to a range of safeguarding concerns relating to adults and children.
• Experience using data, feedback, and performance information to identify trends, monitor service quality, support decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience of assessing practice, identifying learning opportunities, and supporting service and practice development.
• Strong understanding of how helpline or support services operate, including service user needs, operational challenges, and quality standards for call and chat handling.
• Knowledge of best practice in complaints handling, safeguarding, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Awareness of accessibility requirements and inclusive practice, with the ability to support services that are accessible to diverse user groups.
• Strong customer service skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively, professionally, and appropriately with complainants, survivors, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate concerns, assess information objectively, identify themes and trends, and make clear recommendations.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Experience of coordinating quality assurance activities, audits, service reviews, or improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within the sexual violence, violence against women and girls (VAWG), safeguarding, or wider support sector.
• Experience of working with multiple partner organisations or external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and survivor-centred approaches.

Personal Attributes

• A passion for making a difference and for delivering high quality support services for survivors of sexual violence.
• Able to think critically and assess information objectively.
• Able to see the big picture, to see the connections between complaints, feedback and QA insights and how the service is delivered.

Success in the role of Support Line Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Coordinator is determined by the ability to work collaboratively with delivery partners and stakeholders to ensure safe, high-quality, and consistent service delivery across the national 24/7 Support Line. The role will ensure that safeguarding, complaints, feedback, and quality assurance activity informs continuous improvement and supports positive outcomes for service users. Key measures of success include:

• Complaints, safeguarding concerns, and quality issues are managed effectively, appropriately, and within agreed timescales and organisational procedures.
• Quality assurance and safeguarding oversight processes are implemented consistently across all delivery partners.
• Feedback collection and engagement processes remain effective, with feedback collection rates maintained above agreed targets.
• Trends, risks, learning, and insights from safeguarding, complaints, feedback, and quality assurance activity are regularly analysed and used to inform service improvement and operational practice.
• Regular, accurate, and data-informed reports are provided to the Support Line Operations Manager or funders as required.
• Positive working relationships are maintained with delivery partners, colleagues, and external stakeholders to support safe and effective service delivery.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining why you are interested in this role and how your experience meets the person specification.

Eligibility

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.

Additional Information

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

The Pepper Foundation is a local charity funding children’s hospice care at home, specialised play and family days for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Community Fundraiser will be joining Pepper at an exciting time as we launch our new three-year fundraising strategy. Backed by committed investment and with full Board approval, we are delighted to be growing the charity to deliver sustainable income that directly supports local children and families with hospice care in the comfort of their own homes. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced relationship-builder to lead and grow community fundraising and challenge events activity, helping to raise vital income for The Pepper Foundation.

You will take ownership of a varied portfolio of community fundraising activity, building and developing relationships with volunteers, schools, clubs, local businesses and community groups, while also nurturing existing supporters and creating an excellent experience for everyone who engages with us. You will lead the day-to-day delivery of our community fundraising and challenge events activity, proactively identifying new opportunities, developing a strong pipeline of support and managing your portfolio to grow income and deepen engagement with The Pepper Foundation.

Hours: 30 hours per week (37.5hrs FTE) working from home - applicants must live within Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire (or surrounding counties)

Salary: £25,600 pro-rata (£32,000 FTE)

Key Responsibilities:

Financial

• Deliver or exceed agreed income targets across community and challenge event  fundraising activities.
• Manage agreed budgets for community fundraising activities and challenge events, monitoring income and expenditure and ensuring activity is delivered in line with agreed targets and plans.
• Ensure activities are delivered as cost-effectively as possible, monitoring expenditure and helping to maximise return on investment.
• Develop and refine fundraising products, activities and supporter experiences that put supporters at the centre of what we do and encourage long-term engagement.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of community fundraising opportunities, identifying prospects, converting enquiries and building repeat support from individuals, groups and local organisations.
• Help convert one-off supporters and new enquiries into repeat fundraising relationships through strong stewardship, follow-up and tailored engagement.

Communication
• Build and develop strong long-term relationships with community groups, schools, clubs and individuals to increase awareness, support and donated income.
• Support and manage key fundraising volunteers to help deliver income and activities.
• Work with the Head of Fundraising and marketing partners to ensure community and challenge fundraising activities are promoted effectively through suitable online and offline channels.
• Confidently communicate the work of The Pepper Foundation and inspire support through a variety of channels, including informal conversations, networking, presentations, written materials, newsletters and website copy.
• Deliver a high standard of donor and supporter care to maximise fundraising potential and encourage long-term support.
• Contribute ideas and content for promotional materials within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to broaden participation in community fundraising and increase supporter engagement across the region.
• Proactively identify, develop and secure new community fundraising opportunities with local schools, groups, businesses and supporters to grow income and broaden engagement.
• Ensure relevant staff and volunteers are well briefed on community fundraising activities.
• Always represent The Pepper Foundation positively and professionally.
• Communicate confidently with a wide range of supporters and stakeholders, handling queries and resolving issues in a calm and professional way.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the fundraising team to ensure community fundraising activity is aligned with the wider fundraising strategy and income goals.

Management

• Recruit, train, support and motivate fundraising volunteers to help deliver community fundraising activities and events.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and partners, such as venues and event providers, to support successful delivery.

Planning and Organisation
• Develop and deliver activity, stewardship and campaign plans for community and challenge event fundraising within agreed priorities, budgets and income targets.
• Deliver high-quality fundraising events that raise awareness of The Pepper Foundation across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
• Use Donorfy, our fundraising CRM, to administer and manage fundraising activity accurately and effectively, working with the Database Volunteer as needed.
• Produce post-event evaluations and recommendations in line with agreed requirements.
• Use insight, pipeline information and performance data to review results, identify trends and recommend improvements to future activity.
• Manage the day-to-day planning and delivery of key events and campaigns, making decisions within agreed plans, budgets and fundraising procedures.

• Take responsibility for health and safety in community fundraising activities, ensuring appropriate risk assessments are completed and relevant fundraising and safety procedures are followed.
• Respond appropriately to unexpected incidents at community fundraising events, following agreed procedures and escalating where needed.
• Take an active role in setting up and clearing down events and community fundraising activities, including periods of standing and occasional unsocial hours.
• Arrange appropriate Pepper Foundation attendance at local community events when needed.
• Manage resources effectively, including volunteer support, to maximise reach, income and engagement.

Reporting

• Produce regular reports on pipeline, activity, outcomes, income performance and learning for the Head of Fundraising, highlighting opportunities, risks and recommendations.

How to apply: For further details about the role, please download our recruitment pack. Please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you would make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description. 

Closing date: Monday 13th July 2026 at 5pm

Interview dates: First-round interviews on 22nd and 23rd July with second-round interviews on 29th July 2026.

Interviews will take place at our office in Berkhamsted. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

If appointed, an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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