Are you a social media whizz with a passion for telling powerful stories? Keen to progress in your career in public relations and digital communications while making a real impact in the charity sector? Join Dravet Syndrome UK as a Marketing and Communications Manager (home based,16 hours/week) and bring your creativity and energy to a role where you’ll help shape our online presence, generate meaningful media coverage, and connect communities through engaging content.
Reporting to the Head of Marketing and Communications and working with the Marketing, Communications and Fundraising Manager in this varied position, you’ll drive DSUK’s social media activity, creating and scheduling posts across our social media channels. Alongside engaging online audiences, you’ll be instrumental in our proactive PR work—writing press releases, pitching stories to key media, responding to journalist enquiries, and helping develop compelling family case studies for campaigns. As part of a passionate and supportive team, you’ll collaborate to measure the impact of our communications and marketing work.
If you’re ready to grow your career in communications and want to make a difference for families affected by Dravet syndrome, we want to hear from you.
As part of DSUK’s commitment to safeguarding, the postholder is expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
About Dravet Syndrome UK
Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) is a small independent UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Dravet Syndrome. Dravet Syndrome is a rare neurological condition that affects around one in every 15,000 people in the UK. As well as experiencing severe, difficult-to-control seizures, children and adults with Dravet Syndrome have varying degrees of intellectual disability and a spectrum of associated conditions (known as ‘comorbidities’), which may include autism, ADHD, behaviours that challenge and difficulties with speech, mobility, eating and sleep.
The charity was founded in October 2008 by a small group of 30 families. Today, DSUK is a registered charity helping over 550 families with support, education, and research programmes, underpinned by a world-class Medical Advisory Board.
What you will bring
Essential
· Demonstrable experience in planning and delivering engaging and targeted social media content to build community, raise awareness and drive engagement.
· Hands-on experience managing websites (using WordPress), delivering e-marketing campaigns (e.g. Mailchimp or similar), and applying SEO principles and other techniques to optimise digital communications and online visibility.
· Demonstrable experience in media relations, including writing press releases, working with case studies and successfully pitching and responding to a range of media (online, press, radio, broadcast)
· Demonstrable experience of working in charity, patient advocacy or healthcare sectors
· Ability to deal with people at all levels with empathy, tact and credibility
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to distil large amounts of information and present it in engaging and innovative ways for a variety of audiences
· Demonstrable design skills and knowledge of desktop publishing software e.g. using Canva to create in-house designs for social media and our website
· Act as a brand guardian, ensuring external designers and agencies understand and apply our brand, visual identity, and corporate communications guidelines effectively
· Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise
· Be a self-starter and team player with experience of remote working, and able to work effectively with colleagues using remote technology (e.g. Zoom, Google meets, etc)
Desirable
· Membership of a professional body such as Chartered Institute of Public Relations and/or a commitment to continuous professional development
Why join Dravet Syndrome UK?
Join our dynamic and growing charity, where you'll thrive in an exciting and engaging environment. We are proud to be a family-oriented charity experiencing growth and fuelled by an ambitious plan for expansion. Our dedicated team is deeply connected to our core audience, and their motivation stems from witnessing our impact on people's lives. Join us today and contribute to making a lasting difference in the lives of those we support.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 24 September 2025, with shortlisting interviews taking place in early October with job to commence November 2025.
Our commitment to diversity
As part of our ambitions to improve equality and diversity, we welcome applications for this role from those who identify under any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, which include race, age, disability, sex, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.
Registered Charity 
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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Salary: £42,787
Grade: 3
Position type: Full Time, Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (Flexible working considered)
Responsible to: Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships
Direct reports: Corporate Partnerships Officer
Location: Remote (UK), within reasonable commuting distance to London to accommodate regular partner & prospect meetings. This may be up to once a week.
ROLE PURPOSE:
Join ShelterBox's high-performing Philanthropy & Partnerships team, in a role that is all about ambition, collaboration and impact.
As Corporate Partnerships Manager, you'll be at the forefront of growing and diversifying ShelterBox's private sector partnerships - unlocking bold, strategic collaborations that help deliver emergency shelter to families whose lives have been devastated by disaster.
With a loyal portfolio of partners already established, this role is your opportunity to lead the charge on new business. You'll shape sector strategies, grow our pipeline of prospects and turn creative ideas into long-term, multi-faceted partnerships that drive real change.
You will work with the Corporate Partnerships Officer to support stewardship of existing relationships, ensuring partners feel valued, engaged and inspired to continue supporting ShelterBox's lifesaving work. But your focus will be outward-facing and future-focused - identifying new opportunities, crafting compelling propositions and making ShelterBox stand out from the crowd.
You'll manage and mentor the Corporate Partnerships Officer, report directly to the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, and collaborate with the wider Philanthropy & Partnerships team. You will also be backed by colleagues across the organisation, and our global affiliate network. Together, you'll maximise opportunities, deliver powerful partnerships, and help shape the future of corporate giving at ShelterBox.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for a strategic, creative, and proactive individual who will play a key role building strong relationships with decision-makers within businesses to help us deliver emergency shelter to the most vulnerable people hit by conflict, disaster and climate crises.
You must be confident in presenting a compelling case for support, both in writing and verbally, and be able to build relationships easily - both externally and internally. We're especially looking for someone who brings strategic thinking and planning, and who can focus their energy on targeted, high-impact work that drives results. Previous experience in corporate fundraising or within a high-value partnerships team is strongly preferred.
This position is for someone looking for a dynamic and varied role, working with a huge range of stakeholders to identify and unlock opportunities to connect the private sector with meaningful impact. It is a perfect opportunity for a forward-thinking, articulate, and personable relationship fundraiser who wants to play a pivotal part in helping communities around the world rebuild after disaster.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
New business
Lead on new business development by proactively identifying and cultivating high-value corporate prospects, with a focus on building a strong and diverse pipeline.
Conduct targeted sector research in collaboration with the Stewardship and Research Officer & Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to uncover new opportunities and develop tailored engagement strategies that align with ShelterBox's mission and values.
Leverage networks and connectors - including the Philanthropy Advisory Board - and attend relevant industry events and conferences to expand ShelterBox's reach within priority sectors.
Design bespoke cultivation plans for prospects in the pipeline, using creative and varied approaches to engage new audiences and convert interest into long-term support.
Develop compelling proposals, pitches, and partnership packages by working cross-functionally with teams across the organisation, especially the International Programme Department and Brand & Content team.
Deliver engaging presentations and pitches to a wide range of audiences, inspiring support and showcasing the impact of partnering with ShelterBox.
Collaborate with international colleagues, particularly in the USA, to explore and respond to global corporate partnership opportunities as they arise. Proactively contribute to establishing new ways of working across markets to unlock shared value and international engagement.
Ensure alignment with ShelterBox's Ethical Partnerships Policy by supporting due diligence screening in partnership with the Stewardship and Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant.
Relationship management
Personally manage relations with ShelterBox's most valuable partners: taking time to understand partner needs and decision-making drivers, and utilising insight into objectives, motivations and internal priorities to tailor engagement strategies to maximise partnerships.
Seek opportunities to uplift and add value to partnerships by having a thorough understanding of ShelterBox's work, networks and funding needs.
Work with and support the Corporate Partnerships Officer to effectively manage and steward their portfolio of accounts.
Deliver creative stewardship and communication plans to ensure our corporate partner's key stakeholders and staff feel part of ShelterBox; providing them with inspiring stories, unique staff engagement opportunities, and strong impact reporting.
Deliver first-class grant management when securing restricted income (including tracking pipeline, contracting, reporting requirements etc.)
Strategy, engagement and data
Working with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, to refine and implement the Corporate Partnerships Strategy, ensuring it is targeted, aligned with organisational priorities, and translated into work plans.
Drive strategic planning and income generation, working towards agreed targets and supporting the effective management of the Corporate Partnerships budget.
Shape and deliver ShelterBox's corporate engagement offering, collaborating with the Learning and Development team to create impactful training and staff engagement experiences for partners.
Prepare for and lead emergency fundraising appeals to corporate audiences, to mobilise and maximise support in response to major disasters.
Develop and coordinate events to deepen corporate partner's engagement, and contribute to the delivery of wider Philanthropy & Partnerships events that showcase ShelterBox's mission and impact.
Maximise the benefits of the CRM system (Microsoft Dynamics) to create and implement strategic cultivation and stewardship journeys for corporate partners, keeping records updated and following Data Protection rules. Stay informed on global trends in corporate giving, and the humanitarian sector, using this insight to inform strategic decision-making and partnership development.
Leadership
Provide strategic and supportive line management to the Corporate Partnerships Officer, ensuring clear objectives, success indicators, and personal development plans are in place and regularly reviewed.
Foster strong, collaborative relationships across ShelterBox, working closely with colleagues in the UK and internationally to align efforts and maximise partnership impact.
Act as a subject matter expert (SME) in private sector partnerships, sharing knowledge, insight, and best practice with the wider ShelterBox team and our global affiliate network.
Contribute flexibly and proactively to the wider work of the Philanthropy & Partnerships team, undertaking other reasonable duties as required to support team goals and organisational priorities.
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