Designer month jobs

Do you want to work for a dynamic, creative, fast-paced charity?

At Action Together we see the amazing things people achieve when they work together to make the lives of others better. If you share our values: believe it’s possible, strengthen others, and be true, we’d love you to consider joining our team.

Finance Director

The ideal candidate

We seek a finance leader driven by values, with extensive experience directing finance operations and delivering top-tier financial planning, reporting, and governance. This role requires strong technical accounting abilities, exceptional communication skills, and the talent to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences.

You should be a collaborative, inclusive leader who excels at developing team members, managing risks, negotiating effectively, and guiding the organisation through periods of change. Most importantly, you must be committed to Action Together’s mission of social justice, equity, and community empowerment.

The role

The Finance Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring Action Together remains financially robust, sustainable, and compliant as a charity and employer. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will partner closely with the CEO and Board to shape a resilient business model, strengthen financial governance, and provide strategic direction that supports our mission and values.

You will lead and develop a high performing finance function, oversee annual budgeting and long‑term financial planning, and ensure high‑quality financial insight is available to the CEO, SLT and Board. The Finance Director has responsibility for the production of monthly accounts package, annual audit and statutory accounts, risk management, payroll assurance, investment strategy, and organisational compliance with Companies House, the Charity Commission, and all financial governance requirements.

You will play an integral role in supporting strong governance, working closely with the Treasurer and Board to provide clear, timely, and insightful financial performance updates, forecasts, and risk assessments.

You will also work with the Treasurer to shape investment strategy, strengthen financial controls, and uphold governance across all statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements

Equality , Diversity and Inclusion

At Action Together we value diversity, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

In order to ensure that our workforce reflects our communities across all levels of seniority, Action Together is offering a guaranteed interview to any candidate who meets the essential criteria listed in the person specification and who is also:

• A disabled person and/or
• A member of a community experiencing racial inequality

Action Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We expect all of our employees to demonstrate this commitment.

Right to work

We do not hold a Sponsor License and are unable to accept applications which require sponsorship to work in the UK

Please note, the successful candidates will be required to undertake a basic Disclosure and barring Service (DBS) check. A positive Disclosure of Offences will not automatically bar an applicant from being appointed and suitable applicants will not be refused employment because of offences that are not relevant.

Safe to Learn is looking for a creatively driven graphic designer for a fixed-term contract of initially 12 months. We are looking for someone who has a passion for communicating everything from research reports to branding and storytelling for children and their families, in all types of media, including the website.

This role would suit a graphic designer who is confident working independently, enjoys working in an often fast-based but varied, working environment, where attention to detail, flexibility and pace are essential. All while working with and being supported by a team of specialists.

If you have the necessary skills and experience and want to affect real change then join Safe to Learn.

Job description

Safe to Learn is a newly established network of teachers, parents, researchers, policymakers, young people and child safeguarding practitioners, working together to end antisemitism in UK schools. We co-produce evidence-based child safeguarding resources, tools and standards to address antisemitism and improve the school environment for all children, educators and support staff.

Safe to Learn is seeking a graphic designer to build on the work in progress by providing engaging print and web design in line with our brand guidelines for all assets, including printed and digital resources, such as emails, leaflets, web banners, landing pages and advertising banners for the website and online marketing and dissemination campaigns. 

Responsibilities

1. Work collaboratively with the KCS Communications team to ensure all designed elements and communications have a consistent look and feel in line with existing style guides.

2. Work collaboratively with external partners and agencies.

3. Ensure all designed digital-based or printed communications are consistent with the brand guidelines.

4. Receive briefs from members of the KCS team and agree achievable deadlines.

5. Manage workload and prioritise briefs in line with agreed deadlines advising of any potential slippage.

6. Ensure designs meet the brief prior to handover for sign off.

7. Progress to final design following amends and final sign-off in agreed format (s) or implementation online where appropriate.

8. Provide support and cover for other design colleagues.

9. Keep up to date with new technology, software and systems.

10. Anything else that might be reasonably required.

Person Specification

Candidates with the following experience and commitment are encouraged to apply:

1. A demonstrable alignment with our mission and values.

2. A clear commitment to ending antisemitism and understanding of antisemitism, child rights, and child safeguarding and their underlying principles.

3. Demonstrable experience in graphic design, preferably in the charity sector.

4. Knowledge and proficient use of Adobe Creative Suite, especially Adobe Illustrator, Mailchimp.

5. Creative flair, demonstrable through extensive portfolio.

6. Enthusiastic, conscientious and motivated, with a high-level of attention to detail.

7. Experience of dealing with competing priorities and able to multi-task.

8. Use design skills in areas such as colour, composition, layout and typography to work on a variety of products and activities. These could include:

· websites, apps and social media channels

· advertisements

· reports and publications

· posters, flyers and banners

· exhibitions and displays

· corporate communications and campaigns in our brand identity.

9. The work demands creative flair, up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and a professional approach to time, workload and deadlines.

10. A commitment to inclusive design principles and designing for accessibility.

11. Experience of developing high-quality resources and educational materials for children and educators.

12. A positive, flexible, participatory and consultative approach.

13. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to engage audiences at all levels.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send a CV, a portfolio of your recent work and a cover letter addressing each point in the person specification.

Should you need further information please contact:us.

Design and Communications Manager

Salary: £38,000 - £41,000 per annum + benefits

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Type: 12-month FTC, April/May 2026 start preferred  

Are you an experienced Design and Communications Manager looking for a new and exciting opportunity? Here at Seashell, we are looking for a talented individual who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of others…

About Seashell Trust

Originally founded in 1823, Seashell Trust is a nationally recognised and registered charity based in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport. The Trust comprises of the Royal School Manchester, the Royal College Manchester, bespoke Residential Care Homes, Outreach Health and Family Services that support over 8,000 people a year. We provide expert education and residential care for children and young adults with multiple complex disabilities including, profound learning difficulties, multi-sensory impairments, mobility issues and neurological disorders like severe autism. Our fantastic services are based all on one-site, which deepens our sense of community for our children and young adults and the Seashell team.

We are currently in the midst of the largest fundraising appeal in our 200-year history which will see our campus become the national centre of excellence for the education and residential care of children and young adults with the most complex disabilities.

In 2015 we raised £10 million to build our residential care facility Sir Norman Stoller Way and in 2023, opened The Moulding Foundation building, a £25 million home for Royal School Manchester. Building is now complete for our new Royal College Manchester; The Ged Mason building opened in early February 2026.

About the role

The Design and Communications Manager is responsible for managing Seashell’s brand identity so that it engages effectively with our audiences, reflects our values and articulates our ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as lead designer for the Trust and work with the Head of Marketing and Communications to establish clear direction for enhancing brand awareness
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to champion the Seashell brand, providing design insight and input into key campaigns.
• Design and create marketing and communications materials, as well as keeping the brand/marketing and communications toolkit and content bank up to date, to help our teams create their own materials to strengthen our brand and amplify awareness.
• Lead on design or oversee artwork for key organisational documents (impact report etc.) campaigns, fundraising events, reports, prospectuses, impact stories, social media, advertising and any other key content required.
• Act as ‘brand guardian’ and maintain brand assets and guidelines. Ensure consistent application of design standards and brand guidelines across all departments and communications
• Support Seashell’s understanding of its brand guidelines - including tone of voice, sentiment, inclusive language and visual identity - through the provision of advice and guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Co-ordinate the development and delivery of creative content to strengthen and promote our brand, supporting Seashell’s strategic priorities and business planning requirements
• Work with suppliers and stakeholders throughout the development cycle. Duties include writing design and technical briefs, scoping technical development projects with colleagues and suppliers, establishing systems that will enable the functions to be most impactful
• Be accountable for the efficient management of key budgets, ensuring appropriate and effective spend
• Carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required

Full job description is available upon request

What you will need for the role:

•  Previous experience in design led role is essential - experience of working in a marketing and communications role in an education and care setting, particularly within the charity sector is desirable
• Strong graphic design skills and proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and/or equivalent tools.
• Proven design skills, able to create high quality artwork that elevates a brand
•  Competent user of website content management systems, WordPress in particular
• Ability to write and edit high quality, engaging and informative marketing communications copy
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with an ability to handle numerous projects with competing deadlines and priorities
• Excellent communication and relationship development skills.
• Happy to work outside of office hours on occasions by agreement
• Enthusiasm and commitment to giving the children and young adults at Seashell the best opportunities.

What we can offer you:

• Access to our on-site inclusive gym, fitness classes and state of the art swimming pool
• Blue Light discount scheme
• Benenden Health Care Membership – access to 24/7 GP, physiotherapy, medical treatments, mental health support including counselling service, cancer support, care planning and social care advice
• Access to a wide range of vocational programmes to support you in your job role
• Life Assurance (3x Annual base salary) subject to terms and conditions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Paid Enhanced DBS

About recruitment at Seashell

Please upload your CV to apply. As per our Safer Recruitment procedure, you will be required to complete a Seashell Application Form as part of our recruitment process.

We provide a caring environment that is safeguarded and committed to promoting learning, respect and independence, as well as dignity for all of our students. As part of our safer recruitment procedure, successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check (no cost) and full references will be taken.

We value our employees and recognise the need to recruit, retain and develop highly skilled and committed talent who share our vision and values!

We value diversity and are committed to equal opportunities. We are an inclusive employer and welcome all applications.

Disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria on the person specification will be guaranteed an interview. If you require any reasonable adjustments for an interview, please highlight this to our Recruitment Team in advance.

This charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our vision is for the children and young people in our care to be safe, happy and to achieve the best possible outcomes so that they are valued and valuable members of their communities.

Since 1960 we have invested more than £500 million in blood cancer research in the UK. Where we’ve invested, survival rates and quality of life have improved. We’ve been working to beat blood cancer for over 50 years, and we won’t stop until we do. Be a part of our story and help us change the world.

We’re looking for a Senior Research Grants Officer to play a key role in delivering and strengthening our research portfolio spanning translational and clinical research. You’ll lead on the coordination and delivery of the Transformational Research Awards Scheme, support clinical trial review processes, and oversee a portfolio of active grants to ensure funding decisions and post-award management are rigorous, transparent and strategically aligned.

You’ll also play an important part in strengthening how we fund and manage research. From supporting the implementation of a new Grants Management System to refining processes and providing expert guidance to researchers, committee members and senior stakeholders, you’ll help ensure our investment delivers maximum impact. If you bring strong biomedical knowledge, grant administration experience and a passion for driving progress for people affected by blood cancer, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a hybrid role with regular anchor days in our London office, alongside attendance at key meetings, conferences and team events throughout the year.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

This is an exciting role in our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The government has just published a UK wide cross-government child poverty strategy, and made some historic commitments to reduce child poverty including scrapping the two-child limit and expanding free school meals in England. However, there is more to do, and this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to monitor the impact of these changes and influence policy makers and parliamentarians to ensure child poverty is high up the agenda.

We are looking for someone with a track record of communicating complex policy areas in an accessible manner to a range of non-specialist audiences. You will have knowledge of parliamentary processes and the different advocacy levers that can be used to influence change. You will enjoy working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions, working closely with colleagues across the organisation as well as externally.

In addition, in a senior policy officer we are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing CPAG’s policy and research programme, including leading the delivery of research projects, helping to shape our press and campaigns work, and contributing to the development of future projects including fundraising.

You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues.

The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, sharing analysis and expertise as part of the DWP’s review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of the green paper on the changes to disability benefits. 

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements, including considering part time hours. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

Please note we are recruiting for one person with the right fit at either the policy officer or senior policy officer level.

For more information about this post and to apply download the (Senior) Policy Officer job pack.

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process please contact us.

Closing date for applications: Monday 16 March (midnight)

Interviews will be held in London w/c 23 March.