Communications manager jobs in Bedford, central bedfordshire

Job Title: Communications Manager
Location: Remote
Salary: £38,000 per annum
Reporting to: Head of Fundraising and Communications
Responsible for: Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Full time, permanent

GFS is seeking a strategic, proactive and values-led Communications Manager to lead the delivery of our communications function and elevate our profile across audiences and platforms. The role will support the shaping and delivery of a communications strategy that amplifies our voice, showcases our impact, and builds trust and engagement with our community. You’ll work across all areas of the organisation to coordinate messaging, manage risk and lead communications activity that reflects our feminist values and purpose.

The Communications Manager will oversee digital content, media relations, marketing and digital fundraising campaigns, working in close collaboration with the CEO, Leadership team and wider team. You will line-manage the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, ensuring high-quality content, storytelling and messaging are delivered consistently across all channels.

Please see the attached documents for more information and details on how to apply. 

Timeline 

• Closing date for applications midnight on Sunday 26 April 2026 
• First stage interviews w/c 11 May 2026
• Second stage interviews TBC May 2026

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit the following documents:

1. An anonymised CV Please remove your name and any other personal identifying details.
2. A personal statement Your personal statement should respond directly to the three application questions listed below. Please keep within the stated word limits.
3. The optional diversity monitoring form This is not seen by the hiring panel and is entirely voluntary.

Please send all documents by midnight on Sunday 26 April 2026 

Your personal statement should address the following three questions:

1. GFS is a feminist, values led organisation. Please tell us about a time you shaped or delivered a communications approach that reflected specific organisational values. What was your role, what actions did you take, and what impact did it have? 
   (300 words max) 
2. Describe a situation where you identified or managed a communications risk (e.g., media issue, sensitive messaging, reputational challenge). What steps did you take, who did you work with, and what was the outcome? 
   (300 words max) 
3. Tell us about a digital communications or fundraising campaign you developed or led. How did you use audience insight to shape it, what channels or methods did you use, and what results did it achieve? 
   (300 words max)

Who are Guts UK Charity?

Guts UK Charity is committed to a world where digestive conditions are better understood, better treated and everyone who lives with one gets the support they need. Too many people are suffering or dying in silence or alone. They don’t know where to turn for information or support, diagnosis takes too long for many, and treatment can often come too late.​

We are the only UK charity that covers the entire digestive system. We raise vital awareness of digestive conditions, fund life-saving research, and provide patients and loved ones with expert information and support – we are informed by evidence and expertise, our community, and the patient voice.​ 

Our mission is simple: to improve the lives of millions of people affected by digestive conditions 

Overall Purpose of the Communications Manager

As Communications Manager at Guts UK, you’ll champion our charity’s work and brand. You’ll play a pivotal role in our charity, delivering our communications, awareness and public education activity and providing communications support across other key areas of our work, including information, research and fundraising.

Who we’re looking for?

You'll be experienced in delivering comprehensive communications and campaigns from start to finish with a natural flare for transforming complex messages into engaging, easy to understand content suitable for different audiences.

You are a friendly and approachable leader who enjoys working creatively and collaboratively within a small team, as well as with external stakeholders and members of our community.

You are a brave and bold communicator who values collaboration and connection, matching our values as a charity, and you have a genuine interest in digestive health or connection to our area of work.

Location

We have offices in London and Huddersfield, both of which are easily accessible by public transport or road. We support hybrid working but attendance in the chosen office is required for a minimum of 1 day per week.

Please see the attached detail job pack for further information and how to apply. 

The Literacy Pirates is an educational charity working across the UK to develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance of children who are falling behind in school and have fewer opportunities in their personal lives. We offer in-person and online literacy programmes that support children to meet age-related expectations in reading and writing, succeed in school, and thrive beyond the classroom. 

Literacy Pirates is at an incredibly exciting point in its 15-year journey, as we embark on a period of national expansion with a target to quadruple the number of young people we support over the next four years. The Communications Manager role is critical to achieving our national expansion ambitions. We are excited to be able to recruit for this specialist role to develop our brand and lead the investment in our communications and marketing capacity. 

Objectives

To develop and implement a communications strategy that supports the organisational expansion strategy as well as growth in the three key areas of school recruitment, volunteer recruitment and fundraising performance. 

Developing high-quality communications content and stewarding key external relationships in support of organisational comms work.  

Key Responsibilities

• Develop audience specific communications strategies and work with departmental managers to deliver targeted campaigns to recruit volunteers, school partners and new funders. 
• Produce high-quality written, visual and digital content translating our impactful work to be accessible, engaging and audience/channel specific. 
• Develop close and supportive relationships with external ambassadors and other allies, in support of organisational communications work.
• Track engagement across media channels and email marketing, and produce monthly reports for leadership team showing activity 
• Continue the development of our new website, including monitoring analytics. 
• Support freelancers, interns and internal colleagues to design high quality video, social media, print and digital material 
• Drive storytelling initiatives by sourcing and sharing case studies and impact stories that inspire donors and the wider public. 
• Proactively identify communication opportunities as well as new relationships with external individuals and organisations.
• Manage an engaging newsletters distribution system to a range of key audiences. 
• Continue to develop the quality of all external communications ensuring all materials are aligned with our brand guidelines, key messages, and core organisational strategy. 
• Recruit and then manage a Communication and Marketing Associate in year two, resource permitting. 
• Work with the Senior Leader Team to develop and implement our PR & media strategy. 
• Work across the charity to upskill and develop the team in effective, user-centred communications. 
• Work to ensure safeguarding and dignity of children and families are central to all organisational communications.  
   

Person Specification

• 3 years’ experience within a digital communication role 
• Excellent copywriting skills with an ability to craft clear, engaging content for different audiences to tight deadlines 
• Experience with digital advertising and promoted social media posts, analysing trends, reviewing efficacy, and adjusting campaigns in real time 
• Good knowledge of the digital and social media landscape and emerging trends. 
• The ability to simplify complex concepts into plain, compelling English. 
• Proven experience working in an editorial capacity, developing compelling copy for online audiences, with a varied portfolio of written work 
• Experience of digital content creation, commissioning and management 
• Proficiency newsletter creation, working to tight deadlines, collaborating with other departments, and using mail clients 
• Experience of managing suppliers, partners and contributors 
• Familiarity with design software for creating digital assets, such as Canva 

Personal attributes 

• Self-starter, able to work proactively and intuitively 
• Able to work to varying timelines and prioritise own workload accordingly 
• Ability to communicate with a range of people of different levels, disciplines and backgrounds 
• Passionate about addressing poverty and inequality, and commitment to equality and diversity 

Salary: £40,000 – 42,000 (incl. London Weighting)

Contract: Full time, Permanent
Location: London based, two days in the office, with the option to work remotely three days

How to apply

To apply for the position, complete our online application form and upload a CV by midday on Friday 1st May 2026.

Introduction

the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens* in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home. 

Our work ranges from organising EU citizens’ communities and informing people about their rights, to holding the Government to account on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and advocating for social justice.

We are looking for an experienced, values-driven and thoughtful Communications Manager to help shape and strengthen the3million’s public voice. The role focuses on sharing our work as widely and effectively as possible, through social media, supporter communications and news media. You will act as a spokesperson for the3million, write and develop communications materials, and help grow our supporters and donors base through lived-experience focused communications.

The ideal candidate is a passionate communicator, motivated by social justice and passionate about amplifying the voices of EU citizens and other migrant communities. You are as comfortable shaping strategy as you are delivering high-quality content, and you are committed to challenging injustice and influencing decision-makers.

Key responsibilities

1. Communications strategy & leadership 

• Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the communications strategy of the3million, working closely with the3million’s CEO, Head of Policy and Advocacy and Organising team to deliver timely strategic communications support
• Growing and safeguarding the3million’s brand identity, integrity and strategic positioning across all our external channels, networks and audiences
• Develop new initiatives to expand and improve the reach and engagement of the3million’s communications
• Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of campaigns and responding to opportunities that arise
• Use analytics tools to evaluate performance and inform strategic decisions
• Support the3million’s sustainability through effective fundraising messages and campaigns
• Maintain positive and productive relationships with partner organisations, working on shared campaigns and promoting strategic collaborations, opportunities for engagement and projects

2. Content and digital communications 

• Build the3million’s public messages, using the most effective frames to communicate complex issues clearly to targeted audiences, with lived experience underpinning these messages
• Take overall responsibility for developing the3million’s website content, creating written and visual content
• Oversee and manage the3million’s online presence, engaging with relevant online platforms
• Produce regular newsletters, with clear and effective calls to action 
• Develop effective fundraising content to disseminate to supporters 
• Manage the3million’s social media channels, leading on creating engaging social media content (written and visual), developing and expanding the3million’s social media presence using relevant up to date digital tools 
• Support EU citizens in having their stories heard, sourcing and writing compelling stories, ensuring safeguarding and consent policies are followed

3. Media relations 

• Monitor media outlets for issues related to our campaigns, respond to developments in an appropriate and timely fashion
• Write and disseminate press releases, opinion pieces and articles
• Manage press enquiries, liaising with journalists and other media contacts
• Proactively pitch, develop and maintain relationships with relevant media stakeholders, developing our contacts list
• Support people with lived experience in working with journalists to have their stories heard
• Develop key messaging and briefings for staff and spokespeople to ensure consistency across communications, as needed
• Lead on crisis communications and rapid response messaging in reaction to political or media developments 

4. Campaign communications & messaging 

• Work closely with the policy and advocacy team to translate complex issues into compelling narratives 
• Work with the Community Organising team to ensure lived-experience led storytelling is embedded in the community organising strategy
• Support with the development of published materials (in print and online) such as leaflets and reports. Lead on the visual design of published materials
• Support people with lived experience (including community leaders) to be effective spokespeople for the3million, delivering relevant communications training and support their leadership development (working closely with the Organising team)

5. General: 

• Maintain relationships with relevant funders of the3million’s communications activities, providing regular reports and updates 
• Represent the views of the3million at events, conferences and in the media
• Provide assistance in other areas of the3million’s work as and when deemed necessary by the CEO

Person specifications

Knowledge and experience: 

• Demonstrable experience (minimum 2 years) in managing communications for a charity or an NGO in the UK
• Strong understanding of the UK media landscape, including experience securing media coverage and managing press relationships 
• Experience managing digital communications channels (website, email, social media) and growing engagement 
• Experience supporting or working alongside people with lived experience in communications, storytelling or campaigns 
• Experience using data and analytics to evaluate communications performance and inform strategy

Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences and channels 
• Ability to identify and quickly respond to external opportunities and risks, including fast-moving political or media developments 
• Strong media relation skills, including pitching stories and handling press enquiries 
• Digital communications skills, including social media management, email campaigns (eg using Mailchimp or Action Network) and website content management 
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to develop clear, compelling messaging and narratives grounded in lived experience
• Confidence in supporting and briefing spokespeople, including people with lived experience
• Good design and visual content skills (including using Canva for content production)

Personal attributes:

• Passionate about EU citizens’ rights and committed to supporting and advancing the rights of all migrants, irrespective of nationality, immigration status, or other matters
• Strong understanding of power, inequity and intersectionality
• Ability to work independently, managing competing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• A positive, proactive and solutions-oriented attitude, able to take initiative
• Willingness to occasionally travel across the UK

Desirable: 

• Experience with campaigning or political communications 
• Knowledge and experience in fundraising communications (donor messaging, appeals)
• Knowledge of migrants rights or the EU Settlement Scheme
• Experience delivering media or communications training 

Before you apply

One of the3million’s core values is equity - we are people led, we value diversity and are enriched by differences. We strive to listen to, engage with and represent the broadest range of people. 

We recognise our team is not currently representative of communities that experience racism and that our own ways of working may replicate wider societal oppression and injustices. We are actively working towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation, including taking steps to create a more inclusive recruitment process.

You may not have worked in an organisation whose focus is campaigning for migrants’ rights. Or you may have experience in a grassroots setting which is not formalised. Please still consider applying as many other settings offer transferable skills.

If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the migration sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism, or you have lived experience of migration, or you are a disabled person, or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - we strongly encourage you to apply.

We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity. the3million welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do.

About applying 

Apply by submitting an up to date CV and cover letter through CharityJobs, detailing your motivations for applying for this post and how your skills, knowledge and experience fit the person specifications of the role. Please note we will not be reviewing applications which do not include a detailed cover letter.

Working conditions 

Position: Full time 
Duration: one year contract, with possibility of extension, subject to funding 
Salary: £35,000
Location: Remote, UK. Home working. Occasional travel required - within the UK (all travel expenses covered)
Benefits: 28 days holiday + bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, flexible working patterns.
Reporting to: CEO

Closing date: 21st April 2026. Please note we are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be closed early if we find a suitable candidate.