Engagement manager jobs in bordon, hampshire

Healthy and Sustainable Diets Lead

Salary: £43,851

Hours: 35

Location: Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL/Hybrid Working

This is a UK based contract and as such, you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. We unfortunately do not have any opportunities available for sponsorship. Any offer of employment, if applicable, will be subject to receiving evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

At WWF-UK we’re committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. As a Disability Confident Employer, we acknowledge that some candidates may require additional support to overcome barriers experienced during the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team via our website.

About the role

We’re looking to recruit a Healthy and Sustainable Diets Lead to join our Conservation, Advocacy, and Policy team and help us transform the global food system. We have a vision that our planet can sustainably produce the food needed to feed a growing global population without harming nature. To help deliver this vision we have been partnering with Sodexo, which delivers catering, and other services, to 100 million consumers daily in 56 countries, by providing technical expertise and thought leadership on sustainability to support Sodexo’s ambition to be the world leader in sustainable food and valued experiences.

As Healthy and Sustainable Diets Lead you will lead the sustainable eating workstream for our global Sodexo partnership.  This will involve coordinating our engagement in the development and implementation of Sodexo’s Global Sustainable Eating Strategy, providing technical expertise on sustainable diets and other aspects of sustainable eating. You will collaborate with Sodexo’s global partnership leads to ensure delivery and alignment across the full breadth of the partnership too.

Critically, you will also lead work on healthy and sustainable diets within the UK food sector, advocating for progress towards the Livewell diet. A key responsibility will be to oversee the Diets pillar of our flagship WWF Basket initiative, holding UK retailers accountable for their commitments on driving shifts toward healthier, more sustainable diets.

In addition, you will support the work of our global sustainable diets team. This will include leading the development of a methodology for food service providers to track progress toward healthy and sustainable diets as well as advancing our Future Foods work.  

We’re looking for someone with:

· A postgraduate degree or equivalent in nutrition (e.g. UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists).

· Experience of working with businesses on changing policy & practice.

· Experience bringing together stakeholders & creating a culture of collaborative working.

· Experience of analysing & resolving complex problems involving multiple stakeholders & synthesising scientific evidence/data.

· Experience in designing & managing programmes, including monitoring impact & budgets.

· Excellent project management, communication & influencing skills.

· A flexible and adaptable attitude & willingness to accept & drive change.

Benefits, rewards & location

The salary for this role is £43,851. We also offer a full benefits and rewards package including:

· Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to a maximum of 31 days plus bank holidays

· Flexible working options

· 7.5% employer contribution to pension, increased to 10% with employee contribution.

· Training and development opportunities

· Regular wellbeing initiatives.

This role is hybrid and you’ll be required to be in the office 20% of your contracted hours. The job is based at our UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey. The Living Planet Centre is one of the greenest buildings in the UK, and you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We’re a global conservation charity with hundreds of projects around the world and millions of supporters. 

At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left is not enough – we’re now in a race to restore the natural world and prevent catastrophic climate change before it’s too late. And it’s a race we can still win. 

We’re courageous and passionate about fighting for the future we want to see – a world where people and nature can thrive. 

We were born out of passion and science, and for more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We operate with integrity, collaboratively and with respect for those we work alongside.

How to apply and the recruitment process

Please click on the link and apply via our website by completing the application form and submitting a copy of your up-to-date CV and a supporting statement to highlight what makes you a good fit for us.

Our policies and benefits reflect the importance of people being able to have a good work-life balance and being able to bring their ‘full self’ to work.

Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting individuals affected by bipolar, including carers and families. We're launching an exciting new lottery-funded project in Northern Ireland to expand our peer support network.

As Senior Volunteer Co-ordinator, you’ll play a central role in growing and supporting our network of local support groups. You’ll recruit, onboard and induct volunteer co-facilitators, ensuring a welcoming, inclusive experience. You’ll supervise and support volunteers, helping them develop skills and confidence to deliver safe, effective peer support—whether online or in-person.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the set-up and running of new support groups across Northern Ireland.
• Providing ongoing training and practical assistance to volunteers.
• Collaborating on the promotion of groups and services with internal teams and external partners.
• Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, GDPR and internal policies.
• Promoting Bipolar UK’s self-management courses and psychoeducation resources.
• Representing the charity within communities and building partnerships with local mental health services.

This is a varied, hands-on role ideal for someone with strong communication skills, experience supporting volunteers, and a passion for peer-led mental health support.

Applicants must be based in Northern Ireland due to the requirments of the role.

Salary: £28,000–£30,000 | Contract: 2-year fixed term (extension subject to funding)
Location: Home-based in Northern Ireland, with occasional travel to London. 
Hours: Full-time (35 hours/week)
Reporting to: Services Manager – Groups

Please note that we are currently only able to consider applications from candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

At the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) we are dedicated to helping the billions of people worldwide suffering from untreated caries. This suffering disproportionately affects people from disadvantaged population groups and costs the global economy an estimated $245 billion USD.

We work for better oral health for all through a number of interconnected programmes including advocating at global conferences and meetings, local groundwork throughout 28 volunteer Chapters, designing and recommending better oral health policies for national governments through our Policy Labs and more.

We are looking for a freelance Director of Operations and Finance to work for an average of 4 days a week for a total of 180 days a year. They will be part of the senior leadership team alongside the Chief Strategy and Advocacy Officer and the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

● Deliver our Operations and Finance KPIs as outlined in the Charity’s strategy; as well as being jointly responsible for the successful implementation of the full strategy.

● Lead and shape the Operations department, making sure it’s fit for purpose and maximising resources.

● Work collaboratively with senior management to maximise the success of the charity.

● Work closely and liaise regularly with the Chief Strategy & Advocacy Officer

● Work closely with the Chair of Trustees to ensure sound charity governance and compliance with HMRC and OSCR regulations.

● Ensure sound risk management strategies are in place.

● Manage the finance and operations input to grant bids and negotiation meetings.

● Liaise with external solicitors for advice to the Board.

● Project and logistics management, e.g for events and meetings

Finance

● Set and manage the charity’s annual budgets, supporting senior management in the process

● Report regularly on the charity’s finances, tracking the charity’s income, expenditure and reserves, and liaising with the Board of Trustees.

● Oversee the Charity’s bookkeeping and payroll; input journals as needed and closely monitor cashflow.

● Manage the end of year accounts and audit process, liaising with the external accountants.

Operations, IT and Data

● Manage the office and future office needs

● Manage the technology and data strategy, keeping staff tech secure and up to date, and acting as key liaison with third parties

● Be responsible for upholding our data privacy obligations. Work in partnership with senior management and charity lawyers to ensure GDPR obligations are followed, data security and use of data for internal and external reporting

● Oversee the efficient usage of our database, systems and key platforms (including Xero, Wordpress, Microsoft Office Suite) ensuring we are collecting and analysing relevant data in line with our goals to grow income and impact, ensuring proportionate resourcing and training

● Leadership of ad hoc Operations as required.

People Management

● If needed, oversee the recruitment of new staff, coordinating the process managing the staff journey including inductions, staff surveys, annual reviews, and exits.

● Oversee the communication with and distribution of work with freelancer and contractor staff.

● Maintain our policies and staff handbook, researching and writing/updating policies as required.

About you

Essential Criteria

● Must have a comprehensive knowledge of relevant systems, processes, policies, and procedures involved in the effective management of not-for-profit organisations.

● Demonstrable experience of financial management including, but not limited to, budget creation and reprofiling, forecasting, financial strategy, payments and invoicing, reconciling cashbook and bank accounts, VAT submission, and working with accountants on annual accounts.

● Requires possession of, or ability to quickly acquire specialist or professional knowledge of dental caries, and engagement in appropriate professional activities to keep knowledge base and skills up to date and develop them further.

● Ability to communicate effectively with a global stakeholder base.

● Ability to influence the strategic direction of the organisation and collaborating on the development and implementation of global impact strategy.

● Able to decide own pattern of work, manage own workload and resources.

● Requires the ability to use own judgement, creativity and initiative to resolve complex problems (for which an immediate solution might not be clear).

● Able to take both collaborative and independent decisions that have implications on their own work and that of others and have global, complex and long-lasting impact.

● Ability to advise others on recommended actions, including the creation of guidance documents and training procedures as well as introduction of new policies.

● Able to act independently in order to adapt the service offered based on research and investigation of the needs and requirements of stakeholders

Desirable Criteria

● Have an understanding of international development and sensitivity for ensuring appropriate and effective relationships are built across cultural and geographic barriers.

● Experience running communications campaigns using social media.

● Experience with Xero finance management software.

● Experience with Microsoft 365, especially Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

Applications

Please apply by submitting a CV (no more than two A4 pages) and Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages) addressing your suitability against the Essential and Desirable Criteria.

Community Project Lead 

• Two-year fixed term, full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 21 hours per week considered), £28,000 – £32,000 per annum depending on experience (pro rata if part-time)  
• Remote or office-based. Occasional visits to IPSEA’s office in Takeley or a London venue required. This role will also include frequent travel to meet with community partners. 

Do you have experience working with under-served communities and leading impactful outreach projects? Are you passionate about improving access to support for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?

IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Community Project Lead to join our team and lead the development of our advice services for under-served communities. This two-year, fixed-term role is a key part of our strategy to reach groups who may not traditionally engage with IPSEA’s support - including children and families with English as an additional language, cared-for children (children in care), migrant children, detained children, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

The project builds on a detailed scoping exercise we’ve recently completed, which involved working closely with a wide range of charities and organisations that support these communities. The resulting report outlines the barriers they face, and will form the foundation for this project and directly inform the work you will lead.

What you’ll do 

• Design and develop pilot advice services that are tailored to the needs of under-served communities, using findings from IPSEA’s research 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community groups, charities and service providers to co-produce accessible services 

• Collaborate with IPSEA’s advice, legal and policy teams to address the barriers these communities face in accessing SEND legal advice 

• Contribute to and share outreach materials, training resources and toolkits to support families of under-served communities and empower local advocates 

• Plan and lead workshops, focus groups and community events to raise awareness, gather feedback and enhance service delivery 

• Monitor and report on project outcomes and impact, providing regular updates to IPSEA staff and stakeholders 

You can work remotely or from IPSEA’s office in Takeley, with frequent travel required for essential meetings and community engagement.

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting, and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND, and would like to use your skills to improve access to vital advice and support, we would love to hear from you.

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 16 June 2025 
First-round interviews: Wednesday 25 June 2025 (London) 

We are now at an exciting time where we must grow to meet the ambition of our new 10-year strategy. To support our team and community in this next stage of our development, we are now looking for a Communications Officer.   

Working closely with the Senior Communications Manager and our Engagement and Events team, the new hire will help to promote the capitals approach and position the Capitals Coalition as the central and leading organization in this space. 

Collaboration, communication, and shared ownership are central to our way of working. We are looking for a candidate with a strong ‘can-do’ attitude, great communication and organizational skills, who can work independently to a high standard, and have a creative eye. If you are passionate about working at the intersection of climate, biodiversity, social development, equity, and economics, believe people and planet must be at the heart of decision making, and are keen to learn, then we want to hear from you!

Download the job description and application form and learn how to apply at our website. The final deadline to apply is 15th June.

Job Title: CEO

Reporting To: Chair of Trustees

Salary: £50,000 Pro Rata 

Working Hours: 28 hours per week (4 days). Job share applications will be considered.

Location: Hybrid/ Prepare to travel to London several times a year for industry events. Prepared to travel to other destinations in the UK on occasion.

Contract Type: Permanent

About Us

Safer Waves was set up in 2019 to provide support to merchant seafarers who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment or gender discrimination on board.

Safer Waves provides an anonymous email support service, run by volunteers who are trained in responding to disclosures of sexual violence, and who understand the specific challenges experienced when these events happen onboard a vessel.

We work with shipping companies, industry leaders, law enforcement and maritime training providers to raise awareness of sexual violence within the maritime industry, and to improve the support that is available to seafarers who experience it.

Job Purpose

For the first 5 years, Safer Waves has been a volunteer-led organisation. We are now in the exciting position of being able to recruit a CEO, and we are looking for an individual who has the passion to see this new organisation thrive in the maritime welfare sector.

As the head of a small and rapidly developing organisation, the CEO role will be extremely varied, with the opportunity to shape the organisational structure as needed. The CEO will work closely with the trustee board and Operations Manager to deliver the strategy, improve sustainability and financial resilience, manage risk and deliver high-quality services to our beneficiaries.

We are a growing organisation, and this is a unique opportunity to grow and innovate with the organisation and to contribute to our future success. Applicants will need to be prepared to take on a wide range of tasks at the outset including compliance, accounting, training, public speaking, banking, leading volunteers, engaging with external partners and funders, overseeing the website and email service and many other tasks.
 

Responsibilities & Accountabilities 

The CEO reports directly to the Trustee Board and is responsible for the following:

• Strategy: Shape and deliver the charity's strategy over the next five years, whilst also ensuring the day-to-day running of the charity remains effective.

• Finance: Maintain and develop relationships with funders, and find new funding streams for the charity. Prepare budgets and control spending accordingly.

• Risk management and compliance: Work with the trustees to ensure strong governance, including effective management of risks and compliance with current legislation.

• Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with international organisations including charities, shipping companies, law enforcement and government agencies among others.

• Line management: Manage staff and volunteers

• Communications and Outreach: Work with the Operations Manager, Trustees and volunteers to raise the profile of the charity and increase the number of seafarers reached

Person Specification

Essential 

• Experience in being self-sufficient and driving progress, ideally in a business or charity setting.

• Senior Management Experience

• Able to demonstrate alignment with the core values of Safer Waves.

• Knowledge and understanding of supporting survivors of sexual violence

Desirable

• Experience working in the charity sector. 

• An understanding of the maritime sector

Your cover letter should address and provide evidence to support each of the essential criteria and the desirable criteria if applicable.

Sands exists to save babies’ lives and ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy loss or baby death receives the support and care they need.

Bereaved parents and families are at the heart of why Sands exists. Sharing their experiences of pregnancy and baby loss, and what connects and involves them with our work, is both an important part of their bereavement journey and a way to demonstrate the need for our vision and mission to succeed. This role will help us to show in a real and human, authentic way, what Sands is doing to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.

Sharing these personal stories in external communications will help us reach more people, bringing to life the work we do in a way that engages diverse audiences, and increasing the likelihood of their taking actions in support of Sands.  

This new role has been developed to support the Communications & Engagement team to develop our story-telling function, build our real stories library and ensure the associated consent and stewardship processes are compassionate, efficient and effective. The Stories Officer will ensure wherever possible, that external communications assets and content created by teams across Sands includes the voices of people touched by pregnancy and baby loss – including those who have been personally affected, and those who are allies of Sands, such as healthcare professionals, corporate partners, research partners, fundraisers and more.

You will have experience of working in a charity stories or communications team, or in a stories-led environment such as journalism.

A good knowledge of compliance and safeguarding issues, including experience of working with vulnerable people in a communications context is required.

With excellent written communication and creative skills, you will be able to produce work that captures and conveys real life experiences in a sensitive and compassionate tone.

You will be highly organised with the ability to multi-task and work across more than one project simultaneously.

Job purpose

The Clinical Lead will play a pivotal role in leading and developing Action for ME’s Healthcare Services with the Operations Director, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care for individuals affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The postholder will be responsible for clinical oversight, service development, and leadership, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to enhance outcomes for children and adults with ME and will be the CQC Registered Manager for the service.

At present, the Healthcare Services is a small team with two doctors (GPs) and two physios. Our counsellors are overseen by a Counselling Lead Supervisor and our multi-faith Chaplains are supported by our Lead Chaplain.

We are keen to develop and expand our services, building on the small amount of spot purchasing from local commissioning boards and exploring a diagnosing and prescribing offer. We are also keen to explore the potential of increasing the range of disciplines offered within the team. You will play a key role in driving the strategy for our Healthcare Services with the Director of Operations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide clinical support and expertise to Action for ME's Healthcare Services, ensuring evidence-based, person-centred care.

• Act as Registered Manager for CQC (Care Quality Commission) purposes and ensure that the service meets all required standards.

• Lead the development and implementation of clinical policies, protocols, and best practices in line with national guidelines and regulatory requirements.

• Supervise and support healthcare professionals within the service, offering guidance, mentorship, and training.

• Designated safeguarding officer for Healthcare Services.

• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including NHS services, researchers, and others, to enhance healthcare provision for people with ME.

• Ensure the service complies with regulatory and safeguarding standards, including CQC requirements where applicable.

• Monitor and evaluate service delivery, using data-driven insights to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience.

• Provide expert advice on complex cases, supporting staff with clinical decision-making.

• Represent Action for M.E. at external forums, conferences, and policy discussions.

Person specification

• A registered healthcare professional (e.g., doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist) with active professional registration (GMC, NMC, HCPC or equivalent) OR an experienced commissioner of healthcare services with experience of quality assurance, safeguarding and compliance.

• Extensive clinical experience in chronic illness management OR sound understanding of clinical practice, ideally with expertise in ME or related conditions and a clear understanding of the challenges faced by people with ME.

• An understanding of Care Quality Commission regulatory requirements.

• Proven leadership experience in a healthcare setting, including team management and service development.

• Strong understanding of evidence-based practice and clinical governance.

• A sound understanding and experience of safeguarding children/young people and vulnerable adults.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with patients, carers, and healthcare professionals.

• Experience in training and mentoring healthcare professionals.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.

• Commitment to patient-centred care and advocacy for people with ME.

• Knowledge of NHS structures and commissioning processes.

• An understanding of working within the third sector or charitable organisations.

The Movements Trust is a start up charity operating in the UK and elsewhere. Our mission is to increase the funding that reaches social movements working on a Just Transition. 

We're seeking someone who is enthusiastic, committed to movement building and campaigning, great at details and systems, and overall an effective team player in a remote setting.

Our new Movement Officer will - 

- Be the first point of contact for movement enquiries, monitoring our inbox and responding to queries

- Support movements, campaigners and activists make applications to the Trust for our sponsorship service or grants programmes,

- Work with the Team and our Board of Trustees to ensure movements are screened and on-boarded

- Work with the Team to ensure we develop excellent services for movements, as well as helping to develop more events and support for movement building, improve our communications, fundraising and overall management so that we can continue to grow! 

KEY SKILLS

Essential

• Good administrative skills, preferably within a charity setting 

• Experience of managing finances eg record keeping, processing and budgeting

• Understanding and/or experience of community organizing, activism, campaigning and/or movement building

• Good communications skills - able to meet movements and explain our services to them, and to bring movements together to share experiences

• Understanding and commitment to the objectives of the Trust eg Charitable standards, a ‘Just Transition’ and social movements 

Desirable

• Fundraising - either applying for grants, or grant distribution 

• Using social media and digital tools

• Communication and awareness raising techniques

We’ve recently refreshed and invested in our fundraising team,creating four fantastic new roles that reflect our bold ambitions for the future. This is an incredible opportunity to join a passionate, purpose-driven charity at a pivotal time — bringing your ideas,energy,and experience to a team that’s all about collaboration, creativity, and making a real difference.

Events Officer 

Annual Salary - £24,000 - £28,500 FTE, (£14,400 - £17,100 pro rata)    
Weekly Hours - 21 hours (part time)    

Reporting To - Community & Events Manager   
Contract Type - Permanent     
Work Location - Primarily based in Guildford (GU1 1TU) with flexible work options.    

BENEFITS - Why Work With Us?

• Generous Holiday Allowance – Enjoy 32 days off a year (Pro rata, including Bank Holidays), with extra days for long service. Plus, we’ll give you your birthday off after your first year – because cake should be mandatory!
• Real Work-Life Balance – We care deeply about your wellbeing and believe in supporting our teams as much as we do the children and families we serve.
• Training That Grows With You – Plus, every team member gets a personal training budget and access to a holistic learning platform to support your development.
• Perks That Make Life Easier – We’ll cover the cost of your DBS check, and you’ll get access to a NEST pension and Simply Health cash plan for everyday healthcare costs.
• Room to Recharge – After 3 years, you’ll be eligible for a career break to refresh, reflect, or do something amazing.

ABOUT US

Challengers is a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled children and young people through the power of play. We provide inclusive, fun, and safe spaces across the Southeast where children aged 2–18 can make friends, enjoy new experiences, and develop vital life skills. Our unique non-exclusion policy ensures that every child, regardless of the complexity of their needs, is welcomed and supported.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

As Mass Participation Events Officer (Challenge Events Officer), you will play a key role in engaging supporters to take part in exciting fundraising Challenge Events, from the London Marathon to cycle events and adrenaline fuelled challenges like a sky-dive or abseil, raising vital funds for disabled children and young people. You will be responsible for recruiting participants, providing excellent supporter care throughout their fundraising journey, and ensuring long-term engagement with Challengers, while managing multiple projects to create a smooth, rewarding experience for all. Alongside supporting third-party events, you will leverage your skills in marketing, social media, and event planning to maximise participation and meet ambitious fundraising targets.

Please note: this role is managing and supporting our Challenge Events program (an industry standard term for all walking/running/cycling/adrenaline challenges) and supporting individual supporters who would like to take part in these events. There will be some opportunity to organise our own Challenge Events however, the management of Challengers flagship fundraising events sits within a different role.

You’ll Be Great If...

• You have experience in fundraising, particularly within community and events, and know what it takes to run successful campaigns.
• You’re highly organised with excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• You can build strong relationships with a wide range of people, from volunteers to donors.
• You understand the challenges faced by disabled children, young people, and their families.
• You’re tech-savvy, confident using Microsoft Office, design tools like Canva, and open to learning new systems quickly.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job- There is no such thing as the perfect candidate.  Challengers is a place where everyone can grow.  We follow equal opportunities so however you identify and whatever your background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day

Fully remote applications considered.

At Toc H Newport, we offer co-produced activities, outreach services and practical support to some of the most disadvantaged individuals and families in the area, reaching over 600 individuals in 2024.Our vision is of a neighbourhood where everyone has the strong community life, emotional wellbeing and socioeconomic opportunities needed to flourish.

Our centre for service delivery is the Toc H Community Centre in Eveswell, Newport, where our offer includes our popular Stay and Play sessions for low-income families, and children’s after-school club Active Juniors. Our activities and services are incredibly popular, and we hold longstanding partnerships with local agencies and stakeholders. 

It is an exciting period of growth for Toc H Newport, with a number of new funding streams making it possible for us to reach many more families in need across Newport in 2025 and beyond. This includes a £300,000 grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Community Ownership Fund, allowing us to soon complete a full structural and interior renovation of our facilities.  Following a Community Asset Transfer, our space will soon triple in size, meaning we can offer more activities and services to more local people. It’s a great time to join us and become part of a dynamic, collaborative team, committed to driving positive change at a local level.

One of our fantastic clients is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of External Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy. This pivotal role will be instrumental in strengthening societies and changing lives, working closely with senior leadership to lead government relations across the UK and cultivate relationships with elected representatives, the Civil Service, and key partners within the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors.

The successful candidate will lead a team of public affairs, policy, and influencing professionals, contributing to the wider communications strategy. They will leverage an extensive network of stakeholders and a deep understanding of policy and public affairs to stay abreast of significant developments, ensuring the organisation remains proactive in its positioning and sensitive areas.

This role requires a leader who can inspire and develop a team of External Affairs professionals, devising and executing projects in a fast-paced environment while ensuring alignment with strategic goals. The External Affairs mandate is exceptionally diverse, spanning devolved governments across the UK and increasing regional devolution within England. Regular travel to attend meetings and spend time with colleagues across the UK will be required.

The Head of External Affairs will provide a professional, consistent, and expert service, supporting strategic activity across the organisation. They will oversee tailoring outputs to effectively reach key external affairs stakeholders and play a senior role in assessing areas of reputational risk.

Key responsibilities

• As a member of the communications leadership team, take ownership of, create, and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy to deliver the organisation's missions and strategic objectives, including significant activity in the national portfolios, integrated and aligned to its communications strategy.

• Provide strategic oversight of government relations, public affairs, and strategic engagement across the UK, including relationships with sponsor bodies, working closely with the CEO Office and Portfolio Directors. Offer strategic guidance, sound judgement, and advice to senior leadership and other teams, driving a consistent organisational approach to relationship management.

• Take responsibility for strategic horizon scanning for external affairs activity across the mission areas, ensuring information and advice is shared directly with the CEO and senior colleagues, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement and influencing are maximised.

• Devise and lead a programme of external engagement with key policy, political, and mission-related stakeholders for the Chair, CEO, Board Members, and other senior leaders. This includes owning and coordinating key messages and briefings, attending meetings as appropriate, and ensuring actions are followed up.

• Oversee the design and delivery of engagement programmes that measurably increase engagement with key political and other audiences. Identify and manage risks, trends, or opportunities to protect and enhance the organisation's reputation and ensure successful influencing among key stakeholders.

• Plan and deliver a continuous review and evaluation of activities, including external benchmarking, measurement of engagement levels, and performance standards to ensure effective delivery of the External Affairs strategy across the four nations.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, delegating work effectively, ensuring appropriate use of resource across the team, and providing and commissioning external suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans.

Person Specifications

• Substantial experience leading government relations, public affairs, policy, and advocacy in a large, matrix organisation, ideally interacting with devolved administrations (national and mayoral).

• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with senior political and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration across diverse communities and perspectives.

• Experience of planning and executing strategic engagement across a range of high-profile audiences and activities, including responsibility for Chair/CEO/Board-level engagement.

• Experience of strategic planning and decision-making at a local, regional, and national level, including with peer organisations and local governments.

• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences with clarity and inclusivity.

• Experience of briefing and working with senior leaders in support of organisational and engagement objectives, often at short notice, including providing counsel in times of reputational risk and navigating complex organisational dynamics.

• Demonstrable leadership and project-management ability, with experience developing high-performing teams, resource management, and working in a matrix-management and collaborative environment.

• Experience commissioning agencies and third-party suppliers to work with internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans.

• Experience of continued professional, managerial, and personal development within the relevant discipline.

• If this role is based in Wales, or supports customers or colleagues in Wales, an understanding of Welsh language legislation and the Welsh Language Standards of the organisation is required.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary of £54,277-£60,000 outside London or £59,000-£66,500 inside London 

• Full time role 

• 12 month contract

• Immediate start 

How to Apply: To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the “apply now” button via our website.

The process: If your experience aligns with what we're looking for, a member of our team will be in contact to discuss the role with you in more detail before presenting your profile to the client. We will also ensure that all applicants receive an email to inform them of the outcome of their application.

To avoid any potential delays or your application being missed, please apply solely via the 'Apply Now' button.

Commitment to Diversity: The Talent Set and our partner organisation are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

About the Role

We’re looking for someone to help us grow our digital voice – whether you’re an experienced content creator looking for a flexible, purpose-driven role or a curious, motivated emerging creative keen to learn on the job.

This part-time role is designed to adapt to the right person.

This role can flex depending on your experience and availability:

• A skilled digital communicator with a strategic eye and limited availability (8–10 hrs/week)
• A curious, motivated emerging creative with the time and energy to develop your skills in a supportive environment (12–15 hrs/week)
  

We’re looking for the right person and will shape the role around your experience. Wherever you are in your career, you’ll help bring the Inland Waterways Association’s stories to life online, showcasing the power of community action, restoration, and environmental impact across the UK’s waterways.

You’ll be supported by our campaigns director and a part-time Brand/Social Strategist, and contribute to high-quality, mission-aligned content.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and schedule engaging content across Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, TikTok and LinkedIn. All content is primarily organic.
• Design visuals using tools such as Canva (or similar) and write clear, on-brand copy
• Align content with IWA’s three storytelling pillars: advocacy & protection, restoration & regeneration, and environmental impact
• Source and repurpose volunteer-submitted content (e.g. photos, quotes, stories)
• Support user-generated content initiatives (e.g. takeovers, calendar campaigns)
• Monitor and respond to comments/messages, with support from the team
• Ensure posts follow digital accessibility best practices
• Track engagement metrics and contribute insights during monthly content planning
• Collaborate on evolving IWA’s storytelling and visual style
  

What You’ll Bring

We expect you to bring some of the following – and we’ll shape the role around your strengths:

If you’re more experienced, you might bring:

• A strong portfolio of digital storytelling and content creation
• Experience managing branded channels or building communities
• Confidence making decisions about tone, visuals and prioritisation
  

If you’re earlier in your career, we’ll look for:

• Creativity and a clear interest in storytelling for good
• Good writing and design instincts (Canva or similar tools)
• A willingness to learn, take feedback, and grow in the role
  

And in both cases:

• A proactive, dependable approach
• An interest in environmental, heritage, or place-based campaigns
  

What You’ll Get

• A part-time role with flexibility around hours and creative scope
• Real-world experience building digital engagement for a national charity
• Support and mentorship from experienced comms professionals
• The chance to help shape the voice of a values-led, people-powered organisation
• A growing portfolio of content and impact stories to be proud of
  

To Apply

Please send your CV to our email address and anything from a paragraph to one page telling us:

• Why this role appeals to you
• A social media account, post or campaign you admire, and why
• Optionally, include examples of your work
  

At IWA, we value experience, curiosity, and creative thinking. If you don’t meet every requirement but feel this role is a great fit, we’d love to hear from you. We’re more interested in finding a person who can develop, rather than ticking every box.