Communications lead jobs

About the Role

We are looking for a creative, organised and strategic Social Media and Communications person to lead and deliver engaging communications across digital and traditional channels. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing compelling content, managing social media platforms, increasing audience engagement, and ensuring consistent m essaging across all communications.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about storytelling, understands how to grow online communities, and can confidently manage communications campaigns that support organisational objectives

We are looking for a warm and proactive members of staff to help us deepen and expand relationships with our members and supporters. This role is central to building a sustainable income base that allows EDS UK to continue providing vital support, information and advocacy for people living with EDS and HSD.

As part of a small team, you’ll enjoy a varied role that blends hands strategic thinking. You’ll lead on our communications , grow on delivery with followers , and ensure every supporter feels valued, understood and connected to our mission. You’ll bring empathy, clarity and creativity to supporter communications, recognising the diverse needs of our community.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a tangible difference every day and help shape the future of EDS UK’s member experience.

Key responsibilities

Social Media Management

• Develop and implement a social media strategy aligned with organisational goals.

• Manage day to day activity across all social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube

• Create engaging, accessible and audience , but not limited focused content including graphics, videos, reels, stories and written posts.

• Schedule and publish content using social media management tools.

• Monitor engagement, respond to comments and messages, and build positive online communities.

• Track trends, emerging platforms and digital opportunities.

• Monitor analytics and prepare monthly performance reports with recommendations.

Communications

• Develop and deliver internal and external communications campaigns by writing and editing high quality content.

• Ensure all communications reflect the organisation’s tone of voice and brand identity.

• Support awareness campaigns, fundraising initiatives, events and service promotion.

• Manage media enquiries and assist with public relations opportunities.

• Coordinate communication plans for campaigns, launches and events.

Website and Digital Content

• Maintain , map and update website content on our CMS to ensure information is accurate and engaging.

• Support SEO and AI  and digital marketing activity to improve reach and visibility.

• Work with designers, external suppliers or internal teams to create multimedia content.

• Keeping the database s clean and up to date including Mailchimp and CMS

Brand and Audience Engagement

• Maintain brand consistency across all communications.

• Build relationships with stakeholders, supporters, partners and influencers.

• Identify opportunities to grow audiences and increase engagement.

• Promote inclusive and accessible communication practices.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Analyse campaign and social media performance using analytics tools.

• Produce reports demonstrating impact, engagement and growth.

• Use insights and data to improve future communications activity.

Collaboration and Representation

• Represent the charity at occasional events, meetings or online sessions.

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative culture within a small team.

• Undertake any other reasonable request from the requirements of the role. Head of Services to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

▪ Proven experience managing social media platforms for an organisation or brand.

• Strong copywriting, editing and storytelling skills.

• Experience creating digital content including graphics and short form video.

• Excellent understanding of social media trends, analytics and best practice.

• Experience using scheduling and analytics platforms.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Good understanding of brand management and audience engagement.

• Experience working within the charity, healthcare or non profit sector.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive communications.

• Experience with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or video editing tools.

• Experience managing paid social campaigns.

• Understanding of AI, SEO and email marketing platforms.

• Experience of using wordpress or other CMS

Skills and Attributes

▪ Strong organisational and strategic skills, with attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire through content.

• Creative and proactive.

• Empathetic and audience focused

• Highly organised and detail oriented.

• Adaptable and solutions--focused.

• Passionate about meaningful communications and community engagement.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a small, fast paced team.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.

• Comfortable working remotely with occasional travel to London.

• Flexibility in working hours – some evenings and weekends may be required.

• A commitment to the policies and aims of EDS UK.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo a fully enhanced DBS check, prior to commencing employment with EDS UK.

Application process

Please send your CV, together with a covering letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role .

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Location: Home based, remote role, Europe or Asia. Competitive pay based on location.

You must have the right to work in the country you live in (please note we are not able to offer sponsorship for a business visa or work permit at this time). 

Contract: Between 0.8-1 FTE, with flexibility for the right person.

About us

Action Speaks Louder (ASL) is a not-for-profit galvanizing people around the world to hold

major corporations to account for their climate promises. We focus on pressuring corporations to walk the talk on climate, in order to help deliver international climate goals. If we can pressure large consumer-facing, brand-sensitive corporations to live up to their climate commitments it will transform the landscape – dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting renewable energy procurement, whilst creating the political space for governments to increase ambition.

Action Speaks Louder has built a diverse team of campaigners across multiple countries, and

has a strong track record delivering outcomes from multinational companies. We are

committed to offering equal opportunities in a diverse, flexible, family-friendly, supportive

working environment.

The role

We are looking for a sharp, experienced communications professional to lead ASL's voice and drive its communications strategy at a pivotal moment in the organisation's growth. This is a senior, strategy-led role for someone who combines rigorous campaign instincts with genuine digital fluency.

About you

You have at least 8 years' experience in senior communications roles, ideally within campaigning or purpose-driven organisations. You have a track record of delivering communications campaigns with measurable real-world impact.

Critically, you are a digital native. You understand how campaigns live and die on social platforms, how to build and activate online audiences, and how to use data to test, iterate and sharpen messaging in real time. You are confident navigating the rapidly changing media landscape and as comfortable crafting a social campaign as you are pitching a broadsheet journalist.

You know how to tell complex stories simply without losing rigour. You understand that both message and messenger matter, and you know how to target both to diverse audiences across different markets and cultures. 

Duties and responsibilities

Strategy

• Lead and continuously refine ASL's communications strategy

• Develop integrated campaigns that combine digital, earned media and stakeholder engagement to maximise impact

• Identify emerging opportunities and risks in the communications landscape

Digital campaigning

• Lead ASL's digital campaign strategy across social, email and content channels

• Oversee content production, ensuring quality, consistency and platform-appropriate storytelling

• Harness data and analytics to test messaging, track performance and optimise campaigns

Media liaison and PR

• Develop and maintain relationships with key journalists across target markets

• Build and manage media contact databases

• Develop pitch content, press materials and key messaging

• Identify and capitalise on media moments

Management

• Manage external contractors and agency relationships

• Lead a diverse, distributed team

• Support spokespeople with messaging, briefings and media preparation

Selection criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing communications strategies for international campaigns with measurable outcomes

• Strong digital campaign experience: social strategy, content, community building, analytics and paid amplification

• Demonstrated experience securing top-tier targeted media coverage across varied markets

• Experience crafting, testing and iterating topline messages

• Ability to communicate complex material clearly without sacrificing accuracy or credibility

• Comfortable leading a remote, globally distributed team

• Fluency in English. 

Desirable

• Experience working across diverse regions and stakeholder communities

• Experience with AV production and multimedia content

• Media training skills

• Familiarity with corporate climate accountability, energy transition or adjacent issue areas

What we offer

• A genuinely significant opportunity to shape a dynamic, fast-growing international organisation with strong connections to global philanthropy

• Work that matters — with a team that combines passion with rigour and a results-oriented approach

• Real autonomy to shape and develop your role over time

• A fully flexible, remote working environment

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated confidentially.


• ​Job Title - Communications & Engagement Lead
• Responsible to - Chief Executive Officer
• Salary - £23,000 actual (based on £31,500 full time)
• Contract - Part-Time (28 hours per week) - From time to time, you may be required to work some evenings and weekends. These are usually communicated well in advance and the time will be given back to you in lieu. We expect team members to work in-person 60% of the time whether that’s at our office in MediaCity or at our delivery locations in Greater Manchester. This is a one-year fixed-term contract, with the likelihood of renewal subject to funding availability.

Important dates

• Applications to be received by 11pm on Sunday 5 July 2026 
• Video Screening to be complete by 11pm on Thursday 9 July 2026 
• Interviews held on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July 2026.

ABOUT YOUTH LEADS UK

Youth Leads UK is an award-winning charity that believes young people matter. We support young people furthest from opportunity to build skills, create change, and shape the decisions that affect their lives – from classrooms to communities to boardrooms. We run leadership programmes, deliver social action projects, and publish Youth Leads Magazine – a platform for youth voice and creativity.

Working with thousands of young people across Greater Manchester for over a decade, we are experts in enabling young people to step outside their comfort zones, build real-world skills and grow in confidence. We back young people to lead, in our programmes, in policy spaces and in shaping Britain's future.

Please see our website ‘About Us’ page for more information about our vision, mission and values.

WHY WORK WITH US?

At Youth Leads UK, we believe in creating an environment that helps you thrive both personally and professionally. We offer 30 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) and a part-closure over Christmas and New Year. Our wellbeing programme includes regular socials and time for mental health initiatives, and our base at MediaCity, one of Greater Manchester's most vibrant and sustainable locations, ensures a positive and connected working environment.

We are deeply committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion. That’s why we are a Living Wage Employer, signed up to the Greater Manchester Good Employer’s Charter, and the #ShowTheSalary campaign. It’s important to us that our staff team reflects the communities we serve. We guarantee interviews for our Youth Leads UK alumni, care experienced or disabled individuals, so please let us know in your application if you meet this criteria. We promote equal opportunities and we value the unique perspectives of diverse team members.

As a youth-led organisation, we prioritise employing individuals under 30, aligning with our mission to foster strong connections and relatability with the young people we support. This is in accordance with the Equality Act and reflects our belief in empowering young voices to shape our work. 
 

ROLE SUMMARY

This is the lead communications role at Youth Leads UK - the person who holds our voice, shapes our stories, and makes sure the world hears what our young people are doing and why it matters.

Working closely with the CEO and eventually supported by two Youth Content Creators, you will own the communications and engagement function across all channels and audiences. You will set the tone, maintain the brand, lead our campaigns, and ensure everything we put out reflects who we are and what we stand for.
 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Strategy and brand

• Own the Youth Leads UK communications strategy, ensuring our channels, campaigns, and content are coherent, consistent, and purposeful
• Act as the guardian of our brand — maintaining voice, tone, and visual identity across everything we produce
• Work closely with the CEO to align communications activity with organisational priorities and the Generation:NOW strategy
• Analyse performance across channels and use insight to inform what we do next

Campaigns and content

• Lead the development and delivery of youth-led campaigns on issues that matter to our communities - from mental health and civic participation to cost of living and representation
• Oversee the planning and production of Youth Leads Magazine - three editions per year, created by and for young people
• Lead on long-form and strategic content including press releases, impact reports, website articles, and stakeholder communications
• Set the brief for social media content and oversee delivery by the Youth Content Creators, ensuring quality, consistency, and brand alignment
• Manage email communications including newsletters and stakeholder updates

Developing young people

• Provide day-to-day communications direction to two Youth Content Creators — setting briefs, reviewing content, and ensuring brand consistency
• Actively mentor and develop the Youth Content Creators, helping them build skills, confidence, and understanding of professional communications practice. The youth content creators will be line managed by the Head of Programmes, who you will work closely with
• Champion youth voice across all communications output, ensuring young people are authentically represented and genuinely involved in how we tell our story

Media and public profile

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts across local, regional, and national outlets
• Draft and issue press releases, media statements, and reactive comments
• Identify and pursue opportunities to place youth voice in public debate - through opinion pieces, broadcast appearances, panel contributions, and more
• Support the CEO and young people to prepare for media appearances and public-facing engagements

Communicating our impact

• Work with the wider team to translate programme outcomes, data, and young people’s stories into compelling content for a range of audiences
• Produce materials that communicate Youth Leads UK’s impact clearly and powerfully to partners, funders, and the public
• Ensure our digital presence - website, social channels, email - reflects the quality and ambition of our work

OTHER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Ensure young people play a strong leadership role across our work
• Keep up to date on new developments and trends within the youth sector
• Administrative duties as required, such as minute-taking, arranging travel and booking venues
• Representing Youth Leads UK at conferences and events
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation
• Ensure Youth Leads UK’s Health and Safety and Safeguarding and any other appropriate policies are adhered to where necessary
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by your work as required by law and described in the relevant operating policies and procedures
• Be committed to safeguarding principles and be willing to put the welfare of children and young people at the forefront of your work
• An understanding and belief in the inclusion of all staff, partners and young people irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ability, identity and experience
• Actively promotes and embeds an understanding of equality, diversity, and an inclusive culture
• Able to take personal accountability for key work areas

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

ESSENTIAL

• Strong writing skills - able to produce compelling content across formats, from social media captions to press releases to long-form articles
• Experience developing and delivering communications strategies or campaigns
• Solid understanding of brand, voice, and audience - and how to maintain consistency across channels
• Experience managing or overseeing social media channels for an organisation or campaign
• Ability to use analytics to evaluate performance and make informed decisions about future activity
• Experience writing press releases or supporting media and press engagement
• Confidence building relationships with journalists, media contacts, or external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills - able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality under pressure
• Genuine commitment to youth empowerment, social justice, and amplifying underrepresented voices
• Experience with video content production or editing
• Understanding of safeguarding principles when working with young people (training provided)

DESIRABLE

• Proficiency in Canva for creating and adapting branded content
• Experience with email marketing tools and understanding of what makes an effective newsletter or stakeholder communication
• Experience using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar tools (training available)
• Experience working in or with the charity, public, or youth sector
• Understanding of civic leadership, social action, or community engagement
• Experience directing, briefing, or supporting others to deliver communications work
• Familiarity with website content management systems
• Experience mentoring or developing junior colleagues or young people

We recruit based on potential, not polish - so don’t worry if one or two of the above are missing - most things can be taught!

ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION

Youth Leads UK has a small yet mighty team, so you may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities from time to time.

All staff are expected to:

• Adhere to the policies and procedures in the Youth Leads UK staff policy handbook.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in line with organisational policies.
• Successfully complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two independent references before appointment.
• Actively promote an inclusive and diverse culture within the organisation.

The post holder must have confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK (the successful candidate will be required to provide documentary evidence before a job offer is confirmed).