Communications And Public Affairs Officer Jobs in Birmingham, West Midlands
At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.
Responsibilities and Person Specification:
This role will form an integral part of our three person Policy and Public Affairs team based in Scotland, working as part of a UK-wide Policy and Influencing team. The role will drive forward our policy projects to reduce poverty in later life, conducting expert research and policy analysis and turning this into persuasive evidence to catch the attention of decision makers and persuaders. The postholder will create opportunities to amplify the voices of older people in poverty and work to secure support for our policy recommendations in Holyrood.
You will have strong research skills with experience of turning quantitative and qualitative data into high quality, persuasive policy outputs. You will have experience developing credible, evidence-based policy solutions, informed by the perspectives and insights of people with lived experience.
You will be a skilled verbal and written communicator with the ability to engage different audiences. You will build strategic relationships with a variety of stakeholders to advance the solutions needed to address poverty in later life, using your knowledge of the political landscape in Scotland and passion for our cause.
For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.
This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight.
Location: Homebased in Scotland (with occasional travel required)
What it’s like to work at Independent Age:
We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.
We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.
We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.
You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.
Application Process:
To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by clicking the Apply Online button below (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).
To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name.
Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A Basic Disclosure Scotland Certificate will be required for this role.
Closing Date: Sunday 14th April
Interview Dates: Wednesday 24th April & Thursday 25th April
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Job description
Do you have skills in community engagement, providing advice, support and training? Could you motivate and support local communities to engage with their local railways and sustainable travel?
We’re looking for a new Community Rail Support Officer based in southern England and the Midlands, to support our network of community rail partnerships (CRPs) and station adoption groups.
About us
Community Rail Network is a not-for-profit organisation, working across Britain, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.
Community rail is made up of 75 community-based partnership organisations, and around 1,200 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence with families and disabled people, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener travel and tourism by rail.
Our enthusiastic team of 22 works mainly from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to advise our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights via decision-makers and the media. We believe in developing our team and supporting everyone to reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.
About this role
The purpose of this role is to provide support and advice to community rail partnerships and groups in the South of England and Midlands, on working effectively and delivering maximum benefit to their communities and railways.
You’ll be comfortable engaging and advising local groups and communities to extend existing and set up new initiatives, and to reach wider audiences with an evidence-led, place-based approach. As well as supporting local groups, you’ll work closely with the rail industry, and wider third and public sector partners to ensure collaboration and shared success.
Main responsibilities
- Provide direct support and advice to CRPs and their officers, and other community rail groups in the region. This includes responding to queries and requests, passing on specialist queries to other members of the team, and providing proactive support through our accreditation review process and as set out in our plans;
- Support the development of skills, confidence and effectiveness across the network of CRPs and station groups, helping them to increase their positive social, environmental and economic impact, including through referral to our training, events and resources;
- Support the development of emerging community rail partnerships, station friend groups and community-led stations and railway-related projects in the region;
- Helping our members to work effectively with rail, transport, local government and community partners, supporting effective relationship building and showing positive leadership and insights on community rail within the region;
- Work with the Support Manager on delivery and monitoring of our grant schemes, and support CRPs and groups in the region to apply, deliver successfully and report back on funded work;
- Gather and share examples, feedback and insights from our members across the region, to facilitate best practice sharing and confidence across community rail and to feed into our communications, resources, events and public affairs work;
- As a member of the Community Rail Network team, participate and contribute to our wider work as relevant, such as Community Rail Week, our annual conference and Awards.
Skills, competencies and experience
- Skills in in supporting community engagement projects; an understanding of and confidence in using community engagement, local communications, project planning and evaluation techniques
- Interpersonal skills and the ability to work confidently with stakeholders at all levels and facilitate positive discussion; articulate and assertive
- Excellent writing and presentational skills
- Awareness of sustainable transport and social inclusion, and an appreciation of the importance of rail, sustainable travel and mobility to communities
- A demonstrable ability to manage time effectively and juggle a range of activities in an organised and professional manner;
- Proactive, positive and self-motivated, able to work on own initiative and inspire and enthuse others, and overcome hurdles to achieve results;
- IT literate with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, the internet and social media
Other information
- This post is home-based, but with regular travel (including overnight stays) within the south of England and Midlands, and nationally for team meetings
- The Community Rail Support Officer reports to the Support Manager within the Support and Development team
- Hours are 37 hours per week. A degree of flexibility and out-of-hours working (evenings and weekends) will be required, together with some travel and overnight absences
- This is a permanent position and includes a probationary period of three months from the date of appointment
Application Instructions
Please upload your CV and answer the two questions on the form, by 9am on Tuesday 16th April, summarising, with evidence, how you match the role specification and why you are interested in this position. Please include a daytime phone number and an email address. Due to limited resources, we cannot provide feedback to candidates not invited to interview. Interviews are likely to be held on Friday 26th April.
Championing the community rail movement | Connecting people and their railways | Creating inclusive, empowered, sustainable and healthy communities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy to join our team in Birmingham, with hybrid working (two days a week in our Birmingham office and three days working from home). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £40,560 - £45,000 per annum depending on experience.
NGA is an independent, not-for-profit national membership organisation for state school governors, trustees and governance professionals in England. Our work aims to improve the educational standards and wellbeing of young people by increasing the effectiveness of governing boards and promoting high standards. As expert leaders in school and academy governance, we provide information, advice, guidance, professional development and e-learning.
About the role:
The role of Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy would suit candidates who are visionary leaders, passionate about transforming education and governance across England. NGA are looking for a candidate who will be able to innovate and enhance our current outreach and influence at national level, maintaining NGA’s reputation as the go-to authoritative voice on school and trust governance. As the role is new to the organisation, the ideal candidate will have considerable experience of developing an external affairs programme and leading on parliamentary work, harnessing the voice of NGA members to develop the advocacy strategies. Excellent project management and communications skills and the ability to work to strict deadlines are essential.
Benefits of working for NGA:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days (FTE) increasing to 27 with continuous service, 8 days bank holiday and 3 days Christmas closure, with the ability to buy and sell annual leave
- Employer contribution pension scheme at 7%
- Hybrid working (between our Birmingham office and home working) and other flexible working arrangements on request
- Wellbeing support through our employee assistance programme
- A healthy training and development budget (CPD) with a wide range of learning and development opportunities
- A commitment to environmental sustainability includes a cycle to work scheme and encouragement to use public transport, including railcards
Key responsibilities of our Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy:
- Development and delivery of programme of advocacy and influence
- Craft and implement effective strategies to influence national education and governance related policy and practice, working closely with NGA’s chief executive and Deputy chief executive
- Maintain effective oversight of NGA’s PR activity
- Ensuring NGA positions, research findings and recommendations are well defined and effectively articulated through impactful messaging
- Ensure invitations to address external events are taken by and used to their best extent to further governance practice and our policy positions
- Oversight and development of NGA’s campaigns
- Lead of the development and, with the Senior Policy Officer, the delivery of NGA’s specific campaigns to influence policy and practice for example NGA’s Visible Governance, Funding the Future 2024 and Everyone on Board campaigns
- Managing NGA’s parliamentary work
- Establish a strategy for NGA’s parliamentary focus, driving NGA’s political engagement and related activities
- Monitor parliamentary business on a weekly basis to identify issues arising and opportunities to engage parliamentarians in discussion and debate about education policy and school governance
- Oversight of NGA Member voice and events
- Working with NGA’s Event Coordinator and SLT to ensure plans are in place, implemented effectively to budget and events evaluated to ensure member voice is both heard and acted upon
- Oversight of NGA’s webinar and podcast programme, ensuring these engage members and the wider sector on NGA’s policy and practice priorities and messaging
- Contributing to NGA’s policy, information and research work
What we’re looking for in our ideal Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy:
- Experience in public affairs, developing and implementing impactful external affairs strategies
- Experience of influencing public policy and/or parliamentary business
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, or similar ability gained through work experience relevant to the role
- Excellent understanding of local and national government, political and legislative processes
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including a proven ability to write confidently and concisely for a variety of audiences
- Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders including members, partners and officials
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and metrics
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, social media and media monitoring tools
Closing date: Wednesday 24 April at 9am
Interview Date: Wednesday 8 May
We will aim to offer alternative dates if shortlisted candidates are unavailable on this date.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
If you feel that you are the right candidate for the role as our Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy or would like to find out more information about the role, then please click ‘apply’ now.We’d love to hear from you.
Are you looking for a new challenge or to take the next step in your marketing career? We are recruiting an experienced marketing professional to set up and develop our marketing and communications function and deliver a strategy to support our business objectives.
It’s an exciting time to join us. In this new role you’ll lead on all aspects of marketing and communications to build brand awareness, market services, increase revenue, support fundraising and communicate our impact effectively across our catchment area. You’ll also grow our marketing capability by working with agencies and suppliers, upskilling others, managing volunteers and in time a new team member.
Ideally you will have experience in business planning, setting an appropriate marketing mix across a range of channels, understanding audiences and knowing the importance of measurement and evaluation. You’ll be able to both think strategically and work hands-on, as you’ll oversee the day-to-day marketing activities and track their success.
You will have a collaborative, solution focussed attitude, working as part of a small, friendly management team. You’ll have experience working for or with charities or not for profits and support the aims and work of our organisation.
Based at our Birmingham office, the role will involve visiting our other locations from time to time and attending external meetings, so some flexibility in working hours and some travelling will be necessary. Up to 2 days a week may be worked from home depending on work requirements. We offer ongoing development, 25 days leave, a pension scheme and staff wellbeing support.
If you have any questions/queries about the job or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact us.
Deadline for applications: Tuesday 2 April 2024
Interviews will be held: 11 and 12 April 2024
This post is subject to a DBS check.
Please submit a CV, with a separate cover letter outlining your relevant experience and how you meet the requirements of the role.
Job Title: Marketing and Communications Manager
Reports to: Director of Communications and Growth
Contract: Permanent, full or part time
Hours: 28 – 35 must be available to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, other days negotiable
Salary: Circa £40,000 per year
Location: Remote, with attendance at in-person meetings required, around once a month, normally in London
Job purpose
To conceive and execute a best-in-class marketing and communications strategy to position us as the go to organisation on dementia carer support. Your work will underpin our efforts to campaign for change, partner with organisations, and provide practical and emotional support so that no dementia carer feels isolated, invisible or alone.
Key responsibilities
·Lead on the development and delivery of the marketing and communications strategy and activity, working with colleagues in public fundraising, commercial income generation and campaigns, to achieve agreed annual targets in line with DCC’s plans.
·Using primarily digital platforms and working with colleagues in fundraising, campaigns and service delivery, co-produce a suite of activities and assets that deliver relevant prospect audiences into the wide end of the funnel.
·Lead on communications work, including journalist outreach and pitching news stories, content creation, discussion and engagement on current affairs from the perspective of our cause and issues.
·Work with colleagues to gather and curate compelling, emotional stories and to embed a story-led approach in our communications.
·Support the fundraising team to develop assets for DCC’s supporter journey, using data analysis and insights to ensure the effective stewardship of supporters.
·Set, monitor and report on campaign and project budgets, key performance indicators and annual work plans as well as longer term financial forecasts.
·Be responsible for adhering to all relevant legislative and regulatory obligations relating to marketing, digital and communications.
·Establish and document key processes in the marketing function, working closely with colleagues in fundraising and operations to do so.
Carry out other duties commensurate with this post as requested.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Title: Senior Local Public Affairs Manager
Salary: £43,250 - £48,048 per annum (plus London weighting if applicable. Salary negotiable depending on experience)
Hours/Contract: 35 hours per week, 1 year Fixed term contract
Based: Flexible
Closing date: Sunday 14th April 2024
Interview date: w/c 22nd April 2024
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Marie Curie's growing Policy and Public Affairs team on a 1 year fixed-term basis as our Senior Local Public Affairs Manager. The post holder will lead our local public affairs programme in England, manage relationships with senior local government and integrated care system leaders, and influence policy change at a local level to deliver a better end of life experience for people affected by terminal illness.
Marie Curie Benefits Package:
- Season ticket loan -for travelling to and from work
- Defined contribution schemes for Pension
- Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme
- Loan schemes for bikes; computers and satellite navigation systems
- Introduce a friend scheme
- Help with childcare cost (TC apply)
- Entitled under Marie Curie Blue Light Card
- Entitled to Benefit-Hub Discount Scheme
- Life assurance - for all employees
- Eye care - (under Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations, Marie Curie will pay towards sight tests if you use computer screens and other displays as part of your job)
What's in it for you:
- Annual leave allowance:
- England and Wales = 25 days plus 8 public holidays (pro rata)
- Northern Ireland = 25 days plus 11 public holidays (pro rata)
- Scotland = 25 days plus 10 public holidays (pro rata)
- Competitive Policy for parental/sick leave
- Continuous Professional Development - (Marie Curie supports and encourages personal and professional development)
- Industry leading training programmes
- Flexible Working
- Free DBS/PVG/Access NI
What we are looking for:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to synthesise and present complex and varied material in a range of formats
- Political astuteness and judgement, including track record of success in campaigning and lobbying and demonstrable ability to manage senior level relationships
- Excellent understanding of local and devolved government
- Outstanding organisational and project-management skills
- Ability to effectively line-manage staff
- Knowledge of health and social justice issues in the UK
- Familiarity with, and a commitment to equal opportunities
- Educated to degree level or with equivalent knowledge and experience gained in the workplace
The Senior Local Public Affairs Manager will design and lead the delivery of our local public affairs programme, and line-manage a team of officers responsible for delivering this work, engaging public policy decisionmakers in localities across England. The post holder will design and manage the delivery of significant internal and external projects, initiatives and campaigns which seek to improve the care and support available to everyone with a terminal illness. The holder will be responsible for managing relationships with senior Local Authority and Integrated Care System leaders, and ensure local public affairs activity contributes to the development of Marie Curie's relationships with local MPs and other key decisionmakers, working with them to improve end of life experience for everyone across their locality.
To apply, please send us your most recent CV and a cover letter detailing your experience, how you meet the person specification and why you would like to work for Marie Curie
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
We believe that diversity makes us stronger. Join Marie Curie and be part of an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone's unique perspectives and experiences are valued. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and walks of life. Apply today to bring your talents to our diverse and inclusive charity.
This role will be subject to receiving a satisfactory disclosure check.
About us:
Every day of your life matters - from the first to the last. When you work for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We're a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and 12,000 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left.
Everyone knows our daffodil, but it's our warmth, creativity and care that touch lives. Here, we take the time to really get to know the people we care for and those who love them. And we do whatever it takes to give them the final days and hours they deserve.