External affair director jobs

Hybrid - London WC1H - we operate hybrid, flexible working practices with 20% of your time per month being office based

Join the ACU as Head of Communications and Engagement and use your expertise and experience to help us in our mission to be the voice of Commonwealth universities, supporting them to collaborate and to advance their contribution to sustainable development.

Working at the intersection of higher education and international development, The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 400 members in more than 40 countries, and our official role within the Commonwealth and United Nations affords an impactful platform for advocacy and strategic partnerships.

The role
The Head of Communications and Engagement leads ACU's external voice and its member engagement function, ensuring that our member universities experience ACU as a present, credible and valuable partner. This role is the primary custodian of how ACU communicates with the world and how relationships with members, stakeholders and partners are built, maintained and deepened.

You will develop and lead an integrated communications and engagement strategy, ensuring all activity is strategically aligned, well-coordinated and delivered with maximum impact.

Working closely with the Director, you will provide leadership in shaping the external affairs of the ACU, finding new and creative ways to communicate ACU's work and impact, strengthen our position with key audiences and platform our advocacy messages within the sector and with key decisions makers including at major multilateral forums. You will oversee marketing efforts to drive participation with our member opportunities and for our managed programmes and will be responsible for contract fulfilment for a range of external clients. You will also lead on internal communications in support of our people and culture agenda. 

Working with the Head of Membership and Events and Head of Policy and Research, you will be jointly responsible for the membership strategy, leading an international engagement team to ensure that our offer is visible to members, and our diverse and geographically dispersed network feel engaged and see the value of membership.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can bring a strategic and an integrated approach to communications and engagement, enjoys working in a collaborative international environment and who will foster creativity and innovation to deliver maximum impact.

You will:

• Bring a track record of leading integrated communications strategies in complex contexts, alongside experience of membership engagement or institutional relationship management at a senior level.
• Have worked at senior level in marketing or communications, be skilled in devising and implementing successful communication strategies and plans, audience segmentation, content creation, delivery and the use of the various channels for effectiveness
• Be comfortable holding the strategic and the relational in equal measure, and understand that in a membership organisation, communications and engagement are two sides of the same endeavour.
• Be a strategic thinker, know how to use data and insight to direct a team's activity, and understand how to design an engagement model that utilises personalised account management and varied communications channels to reach diverse audience segments with targeted messages 
• Be comfortable leading a small, dispersed team- including a network of regional engagement leads across ACU's core geographies - setting strategic direction and supporting consistent standards and autonomous delivery 
• Be energised rather than daunted by breadth: moving between brand strategy and member retention, hands-on delivery and team leadership

What to expect
We see equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and we value the many different perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our collective performance (you can find more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and safeguarding on our website by clicking here). We believe in investing in all our people and creating cultures in which everyone can thrive.

We offer a fantastic package of benefits including:

• 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata - part-time employees) and 4 Christmas closure days
• Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Significant investment into your personal and professional development
• Regular social activities
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Give as you earn charitable donations scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free travel season ticket loan

How to apply
Apply via the apply button which will redirect you to our recruitment portal.

Closing date: 27th August 2026 at 23.45 pm.

Interviews will take place on 7th September 2026.

First stage interviews will take place virtually. A second stage will be conducted in-person at our London office in the week commencing 14/09/2026.

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Engagement Manager is an experienced professional who plays a key role in supporting donor engagement across all Impetus donors, enabling the team to provide best practice and high-quality donor stewardship and a platform for the renewal of key philanthropic gifts.

The Engagement function is responsible for pro bono and volunteering. Reporting to the Head of Engagement, the Engagement Manager is responsible for supporting the successful delivery and continuous improvement of the volunteering programme, ensuring it delivers high-quality opportunities, contributes to agreed KPIs and evolves in line with the needs of funders and the organisation. 

The postholder will account manage key relationships with mid-level supporters and internal stakeholders, working across teams to deliver meaningful and well-coordinated engagement opportunities. They will contribute to identifying and developing new opportunities for the volunteering and pro bono programmes that respond to funder interests and portfolio needs. 

In addition, they will manage relationships with mid-level pro bono supporters, taking them through the full pro bono journey from project matching and onboarding through to stewardship and ongoing support.

This is a cross-functional role that collaborates closely with the Investment team, wider Philanthropy team, Public Affairs team and other stakeholders to ensure a consistent and excellent donor experience.

Key responsibilities

Volunteering programme  

• Account manage relationships linked to volunteering across corporates, individuals and grant-making trusts, ensuring engagement is maintained and escalating strategic issues or risks where appropriate.
• Support or lead meetings, alongside fundraising account managers where appropriate, with funders to understand their volunteering interests and contribute to the development of suitable engagement opportunities.
• Support account managers in ensuring consistent donor engagement throughout annual giving cycles, including tracking, reporting, and communications.
• Contribute to the development of the volunteering function to ensure the programme offers a range of high-quality opportunities suitable for different funder types and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Identify and suggest new volunteering opportunities based on charity needs and funder interests, working with the Head of Engagement to ensure strategic alignment across the programme.
• Lead delivery of the mentoring programme within agreed plans and frameworks.
• Where necessary, support delivery of the volunteering programme (i.e workshops), ensuring it delivers high-quality engagement activities, contributes to agreed KPIs and continues to develop in response to organisational and funder needs.
• Build and manage effective working relationships across the Investment team, Philanthropy team and other stakeholders to ensure volunteering opportunities are well scoped, coordinated and delivered effectively.
• Work with the Head of Engagement to coordinate needs across the Engagement team, liaise closely with the Investment team and portfolio contacts, and plan and deliver a high-quality programme of volunteering opportunities.
• Ensure communications with donors and external partners are clear, timely, compelling and aligned with agreed messaging.
• Line manage the Engagement Officer, providing support, guidance and oversight to enable effective delivery. Where necessary, lead volunteering delivery sessions when cover is required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Salesforce, including pipeline activity, reporting and key relationship updates.

Pro Bono programme 

• Support the identification, prospecting and conversion of new pro bono supporters, aligned with the needs of portfolio charities and Impetus, including attending meetings with prospective supporters.
• Manage relationships with mid-level pro bono funders, supporting delivery across the full engagement process from identifying suitable projects and matching opportunities through to onboarding, delivery and stewardship.
• Work with the Head of Engagement, internal teams and charity partners to scope projects and support matching pro bono funders to suitable opportunities.
• Support the onboarding and ongoing management of pro bono partners, ensuring clear communication and a high-quality supporter experience.
• Monitor the progress and quality of pro bono projects, gather feedback and identify improvements to strengthen delivery and impact.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Salesforce, including pipeline activity, reporting and key relationship updates.

Other

• Support the development and implementation of efficient processes and systems within the Philanthropy team, with a focus on consistency and effectiveness.
• Work in line with best practices and agreed processes, policies and standards across all engagement activities.
• Share insights and learnings internally and externally to support continuous improvement.
• Work in line with Impetus’ strategy, policies, and procedures.
• Attend and support delivery of Impetus events as needed.
• Support the Philanthropy team as required with ad hoc duties.
• Provide cover for aspects of the Head of Engagement role when required.
• Represent the Philanthropy team in cross-functional projects and working groups, contributing to delivery and collaboration.
   

Person specification

Essential

• Experience of delivering or managing successful engagement, volunteering or fundraising activities, including tracking performance against objectives or KPIs.
• Familiarity with the fundraising landscape, including a good understanding of the corporate donor marketplace.
• Strong account management experience, including managing external partners or funders and building effective relationships across internal teams.
• Experience managing across the donor lifecycle, and  identifying and developing opportunities that meet stakeholder needs.
• Experience of developing opportunities for diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex ideas and information, including Impetus model.
• Experience working with skilled volunteers or pro bono partners, including supporting relationships through the full lifecycle from scoping or matching through to delivery and stewardship.
• A collaborative working style, comfortable working across teams with a commitment to working in a collaborative and inclusive way to achieve shared objectives.
• Experience of managing and developing staff, including setting clear objectives, providing regular feedback and creating development opportunities. Able to adapt management style to support colleagues at different levels of seniority and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience delivering workstreams or programmes within agreed plans and KPIs.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to devise donor engagement plans and use project/account plans, budgets, and other financial information.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and manager a busy and varied workload.
• Ability to look beyond own area of expertise and be pro-active and creative in problem solving.
• Ability to make operational decisions and escalate strategic issues where appropriate.
• IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
• A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of the sector – education and employment.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs of a young person, charities, and corporates.
• Experience of working with young people.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 23rd August 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 31st August 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 7th September 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

ALDER HEY CHILDRENS CHARITY

Job title: PR, Communications & VIP Engagement Manager

Salary: £39,428-£50,450

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Mix of home working and office based (office is at Alder Hey, Liverpool). Hybrid working available.

About us

Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises vital funds to help make Alder Hey Children’s Hospital a truly world-class, patient-friendly hospital for the 450,000 patients and families we care for every year.

The charity helps to fund a range of activities and projects that are designed to enhance and improve the lives of our amazing young patients. This includes the funding of specialist medical equipment to ensure our brilliant surgeons and clinical staff have the most up to date and cutting edge technology available and funding hi-tech distraction equipment designed and proven to reduce pain and anxiety in our patients. We also fund a range of programmes and special projects such as our ward musicians, our on-site magician and the play specialists we have on every ward.

About this role

Are you passionate about using the power of storytelling, media and influential voices to create lasting change for children and young people?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Alder Hey Children's Charity as our Communications, PR & VIP Engagement Manager, helping us deliver our vision of a healthier, happier and fairer future for every child and young person.

Every day, Alder Hey Children's Charity works to create magical moments, fund pioneering research, invest in world-leading innovation and champion better health and wellbeing for children. As part of our ambitious team, you'll play a vital role in sharing these stories, inspiring support and helping more people understand the difference they can make.

You'll lead the Charity's public relations, media and VIP engagement programme, developing creative campaigns that raise awareness, strengthen our reputation and grow our impact. Working alongside colleagues across fundraising, marketing, advocacy and Trust communications, you'll secure high-profile media coverage and build meaningful relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, influencers and public figures who share our passion for improving children's lives.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You'll help shape how the Charity is seen, ensure our incredible stories reach new audiences and harness the support of influential advocates to drive fundraising, awareness and policy change.

If you're an experienced communications professional with outstanding media instincts, exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities will include:

· Leading the Charity's PR and media programme, identifying and delivering proactive communications opportunities that raise awareness, strengthen our reputation and showcase the impact of our work.

· Developing engaging communications and storytelling across press, digital and campaign channels, ensuring consistent messaging that supports fundraising, advocacy and organisational priorities.

· Building and nurturing relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, VIP supporters and media contacts, creating meaningful partnerships that champion Alder Hey Children's Charity and inspire wider support.

· Planning and delivering high-profile visits, events and campaign moments, working collaboratively across the Charity and Trust to create memorable, safe and impactful experiences.

· Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, advocacy and Trust Communications to deliver integrated campaigns, maximise opportunities and protect the Charity's reputation.

· Monitoring and evaluating communications and VIP engagement activity, using insight and learning to continually improve our impact, profile and supporter experience.

Other Duties  

• Be an outstanding advocate for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in line with the core values of the organisation. 

• Be an active and supportive member of the Alder Hey Children’s Charity team, contributing to the team’s development and working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.

• Attend and support events run by fundraising teams where required, including occasional out-of-hours working. 

• Gain and maintain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the charity’s work, priorities and future plans. 

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

Our Values

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity, our values guide how we work. Being courageous, working together, showing passion and embracing creativity enables us to support the hospital in delivering the very best care for young patients and their families.

Courage

We try new things, take risks and innovate. We speak up, take accountability and act with responsibility.

Together

We work as one team, sharing knowledge and learning. We partner with patients, families, supporters and colleagues.

Passion

We are passionate about what we do and inspire others.

Magic

We are creative, fun and child-led, creating special moments and going the extra mile.

Additional Information

In April 2025, the charity adopted a four-day working week policy. Staff previously working 37.5 hours now work 30 hours across four days, maintaining full pay while supporting a better work-life balance.

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and is not exhaustive. It may be subject to change in line with organisational needs.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity will make reasonable adjustments where required and is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

The post holder will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

How to apply

You can apply by clicking the link below. Applications must include your CV and a covering letter (no more than one side of A4) which answers the following questions:

· How do you meet the person specification? If you don’t exactly meet all of the role requirements but have transferable skills please do consider applying and provide details as part of your answer.

· Why do you want to work for Alder Hey?

Additional information is included within the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing date: Monday 24th August, 12pm

Interviews will be held in person at Alder Hey on Tuesday 8th September 2026

Purpose of the Role

The Director of External Affairs and Growth is an SLT role responsible for leveraging the voice and power of the eoa's network to influence and accelerate the growth of the employee owned sector.

The role leads the eoa’s external affairs, policy and insights, marcomms and events, shaping the external environment for employee ownership and securing the funding and commercial income needed to support sustainable sector growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead external affairs strategy, building the relationships and influence needed to shape policy, remove barriers and expand EO.
• Build strategic relationships and secure grant funding and commercial partnerships, generating income to support advocacy, events and sector growth initiatives, including the UK EO Growth Strategy.
• Oversee our policy and insights work, engaging key stakeholders to co-produce content that influences EO practice and policy and strengthens the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
• Oversee the delivery of a mar-comms strategy that delivers commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading authority on EO.
• Oversee our events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development
• and commercial sustainability.
• Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables and public affairs events,
• championing the employee ownership model.
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership and Operations to align advocacy and external
• engagement with member needs and priorities.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across income generation, advocacy, policy, events and mar-comms activities

Knowledge, Experience, and Attributes

• Proven expertise in external affairs, advocacy, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, grant funding and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
• Experience in event programming, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
• Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
• Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
• A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity.
• Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.

What Constitutes Success in This Role?

Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth of the employee-owned sector, strengthening the eoa’s influence and increasing the adoption of “great EO”. Stronger stakeholder relationships, greater advocacy impact and improved commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of grant funding, sponsorships and strategic partnerships will also be key indicators of success.

Key outcomes for the role 

• Outcome - Growth of the employee ownership sector
  • Measure - Increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness

• Outcome - Strengthened corporate engagement
  • Measure - Growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement

• Outcome - Strong Commercial Sustainability
  • Measure - Increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships

• Outcome -Increased policy influence
  • Measure - Policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement

• Outcome - Enhanced sector insight and intelligence
  • Measure - Utilisation of high quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs

• Outcome - Development and adoption of best practice
  • Measure - Creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.

• Outcome - Successful events programmes
  • Measure - Increased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A two-page CV
• And one of either:
  • Cover letter setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role
  • Video (maximum 10 minutes) setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role

Applications should be submitted before 9:00am 17 August 2026. We will close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interviews will be in two stages. The first stage will be a virtual interview via teams on
26 August. For those who successfully move to stage 2 there will be an in-person
discussion w.c. 31 August.

The eoa welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those
who are under-represented. We recruit based on values, skills, and contribution to our
purpose.

Job Title: Head of Communication and External Affairs

Reporting To: Director of Marketing and Communications

Salary Range: £55,000 to £60,000

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: London

Hours/Days per week: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Requirements: Felix can only employ applicants who currently have the right to work in the UK. As part of our safer recruitment policy, we do ask questions regarding unspent criminal records.

We are Felix

We bring people together to rescue, repurpose, and share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, turning an environmental problem into a social opportunity.

Together with 16 other independent charities, 18,000 volunteers, and thousands of partners, we are the UK’s food rescue network, supporting 1.5 million people across the country.

We‘re about fuller plates, fuller communities, and fuller lives.

Purpose of the Job 

The Head of Comms and External Affairs will lead our narrative and steward our reputation at critical moment, following the merger of FareShare and The Felix Project to form the new Felix brand. The role will set the strategy and operating rhythm for a team of seven across media relations, internal communications and public affairs, ensuring Felix speaks with one clear, trusted and influential voice.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications and working alongside the Head of Brand Marketing who leads brand marketing and digital communication, the postholder will protect and build Felix's reputation, shape national and sector conversations on food redistribution, food waste and food insecurity, and help position Felix as a leading partner in the national endeavour to triple food redistribution in the UK.

The role will provide senior counsel to the CEO, Executive Team, trustees and senior leaders; lead high-quality media, stakeholder and parliamentary engagement; and ensure internal communications support colleagues, volunteers and partners through integration, change and growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Set and lead an integrated external affairs strategy for Felix, aligned to organisational strategy, the post-merger integration plan, the refreshed brand and the national programme to expand food redistribution.
• Lead, develop and empower a multidisciplinary team of seven across media relations, internal communications and public affairs, directly managing three discipline leads and building clear priorities, standards and ways of working.
• Lead Felix's media relations and reputation management, securing proactive national, regional and sector coverage, overseeing reactive press office activity, preparing spokespeople, managing issues and crisis communications and working closely with the digital marketing team.
• Working closely with the CEO and policy colleagues, leading public affairs and influencing activity, building trusted relationships with government, parliament, food industry partners, redistribution networks, funders and sector coalitions to advance Felix's mission and policy objectives.
• Set the strategic direction for internal communications, ensuring staff, volunteers, network partners and other internal audiences understand the charity's vision, values, priorities and change journey.
• Develop clear narratives, messages, evidence and thought leadership that explain Felix's mission, impact and role in creating a fairer and more sustainable food system.
• Provide expert advice to the Executive Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, CEO, Executive Team, trustees and senior leaders on reputation, stakeholder positioning, media risk, political context and communications opportunities.
• Work closely with the Head of Brand Marketing to ensure external affairs, brand marketing, fundraising, digital communication and operational communications are integrated, consistent and mutually reinforcing.
• Embed professional standards, risk management, evaluation and compliance across the function, including political impartiality, charity law, safeguarding, data protection, media protocols and inclusive communications.
• Bring innovation and experimentation to the development of content and wider communications offer.
• Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time. 

Recruitment timeline 

We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.  

Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, will not be able to provide feedback.

Astra Foundation is seeking a Foundation Director; a dynamic, seasoned and strategic leader with a background in philanthropy who is motivated by their mission to combat loneliness in young adults, empower youth to reach their full potential, and reduce plastic pollution, primarily in the UK and France. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a young foundation and support the next phase of its evolution, building on strong foundations to further steward support for their priority areas and civil society partners. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, with a willingness to handle all aspects of the Foundation’s work, from high-level strategy and external relations to day-to-day administration.

The Director of Finance will lead on all aspects of the Museum’s financial management, including producing monthly accounts and strengthening internal controls and processes. They will oversee treasury functions, including the management of the Museum’s cash holdings and endowments. Serve as Company Secretary, ensuring full compliance with Charity Commission requirements and the Companies Act.

As part of the Leadership Team, they work closely with our board of trustees to manage the Museum’s finances in line with the forward plan and wider Museum strategies.

Key Accountabilities

• Prepare annual budgets, working with managers to achieve realistic targets and review figures throughout the year.
• Prepare monthly management accounts including cash-flow forecasts for presentation to the Director and Trustees.
• Prepare monthly management accounts to report and analyse any significant variance between actual and budget result.
• Prepare year-end draft accounts ready for audit and assist the audit team with any queries.
• Manage the Finance Team.
• Organise and oversee the daily and monthly accounting procedures in respect of banking, cash handling, data entry, bill payments etc.
• General financial and business management as well as co-ordination of Museum affairs including Investments, Banking, Legal, and Insurance, Contracts, Licence Agreements and other associated matters.
• Provide the accounting function for fundraising projects including Heritage Lottery, Arts Council, other grants and any other fund providers.
• Provide financial and textual information in support of major capital expenditure projects being an active and crucial team member.
• Preparing Month Gift Aid returns and Quarterly VAT returns and providing advice on VAT and Gift Aid or any other tax matters.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly Pension contributions to Scottish Widows.
• Provide statistical information and returns to various local and national bodies.

What you'll bring

Experience:

• Proven experience of leading a finance function at a senior level is essential, along with extensive experience shaping and delivering financial strategy, including budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Experience of managing partial exemption VAT calculations and compliance is vital, along with a track record of establishing and maintaining strong relationships with auditors, regulators, trustees and external stakeholders.
• We would particularly welcome candidates with experience of working within the charity, not-for-profit, or a similarly regulated sector.

Knowledge & Skills

• You will be an excellent people manager, who has exceptional attention to detail and a robust understanding of accounting principles and practices.
• Able to demonstrate strong initiative and accountability in delivering work to a high standard.
• Knowledge of restricted/unrestricted fund accounting and Gift Aid.
• You will have comprehensive knowledge of the full MS Suite, but will excel at Excel.
• Knowledge and experience of using Iplicit and Sage accounting and payroll is preferred.

Qualifications

• A fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).

This strategically important role will provide global leadership for advocacy across the Open Doors ministry, helping local and regional teams to shape advocacy priorities, strengthen alignment across international teams, and ensure the experiences and voices of the most persecuted Christians continue to inform decisions at every level of our organisation.

The role also oversees Global Integrated Campaigns and plays a key role in strengthening Open Doors’ voice and influence amongst external partners, institutions, governments and decision-makers. As the global context continues to evolve, advocacy remains an essential part of our mission. We believe God is calling us to speak courageously, act wisely and work collaboratively on behalf of those whose voices are often unheard.

This is a role for a courageous and servant-hearted leader who can bring together diverse stakeholders, develop and execute strategic priorities, and strengthen advocacy’s contribution to the mission of Open Doors worldwide.

Purpose of the Position

The Global Advocacy Director is a strategic leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO and responsible for providing direction, alignment and influence for advocacy across the Open Doors organisation. Working closely with field regions, fundraising bases and international leaders, the Director ensures that advocacy priorities remain connected to the needs of persecuted Christians and contribute to the wider mission and strategy of Open Doors.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be:

• A servant leader with humility, wisdom and integrity.

• A strategic thinker who can see both the wider picture and the practical steps needed to achieve it.

• A relationship builder who can unite people around a shared purpose.

• A courageous and resilient leader, comfortable operating in complex and sometimes challenging environments.

• An excellent communicator, able to inspire, influence and engage a wide range of audiences. 

Working for Open Doors

Open Doors International offers a unique opportunity to combine professional expertise with meaningful ministry impact. As a global Christian organisation serving persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries, we are committed to attracting and developing exceptional leaders who are passionate about our mission and values.

The Director of Global Advocacy will join a diverse international organisation working across cultures, regions and functions to strengthen the persecuted Church and advance the mission of Open Doors worldwide.

Location: The successful candidate must live in an African, European or Asian time zone. Applicants must be able to work effectively across international teams and time zones.

International Travel: The successful candidate should expect a significant amount of international travel to engage with colleagues, partners, advocacy networks and ministry stakeholders.

Salary and Benefits: A competitive salary package will be offered, commensurate with the seniority and international scope of the role.

Additional benefits and employment arrangements will be discussed with shortlisted candidates and will be tailored to the successful candidate’s location and circumstances.

Faith Requirement: As a Christian ministry, Open Doors requires the Global Advocacy Director to demonstrate a mature Christian faith and full alignment with the organisation’s Christian beliefs, values and statement of faith.

The Epilepsy Research Institute is looking to appoint a Trusts and Foundations Lead. This is a great opportunity to play an important role in securing grant income from trusts, foundations and statutory funders to support our mission.

A confident and experienced trusts fundraiser, you will identify and pursue funding opportunities, develop compelling applications and manage funder relationships and reporting requirements. Working as part of the External Affairs team, you will bring excellent written communication skills, sound knowledge of fundraising regulations and best practice, and the ability to work independently and manage your own workload effectively.

Our mission is to radically advance research into the causes, prevention and treatment of epilepsy and associated conditions. If this is something that interests you, and you have the skill set we are looking for, we look forward to hearing from you.

Application is by way of a CV and covering letter which highlights why you are interested in the role and how your experience fits the needs of the Institute as set out in the job description.

Youth Employment UK is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to join our Policy and Research department at an important moment for youth employment policy.

The Senior Policy Officer will strengthen Youth Employment UK’s policy and insight capacity by helping gather, analyse and communicate evidence from young people, employers, members and the wider youth employment system.

Working with the Policy and Research Director, the role will support Youth Employment UK to develop high-quality policy positions, recommendations, briefings and reports, and to strengthen our reputation as a leading source of insight and practical solutions for youth employment.

This is a policy-focused role with strong research literacy. It is not a technical academic research post, but the postholder will need to be confident in interpreting evidence, drawing out implications, writing clearly, and translating insight into practical recommendations for different audiences.

Summary of responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and respond to youth employment-related policy developments through written briefings, articles, guidance and formal evidence submissions. 

• Support the development of Youth Employment UK policy positions, recommendations and messages

• Work with Youth Ambassadors and young people to gather insight that informs policy positions, reports and recommendations

• Support delivery of our Youth Voice Census by writing up findings for a wide range of audiences

• Support Youth Employment UK’s Good Youth Employment Benchmark by conducting employer interviews and writing employer-facing reports.

• Support Youth Employment UK’s public affairs activity, including APPG, Connected Communities and other policy forums.

• Work closely with the Policy and Research Director, Policy and Research Coordinator and wider team in an agile, fast-paced working environment 

About you

We are looking for someone with strong policy judgement, excellent writing skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to improving systems for young people. 

You will bring:

• Experience in policy, public affairs, research, youth employment, education, skills, employment support, social policy or a related area

• Research literacy and confidence working with evidence, data, reports and lived experience insight

• Ability to turn complex information into clear briefings, recommendations and practical outputs

• Confidence in engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as young people, employers, members, policymakers, charities, NGOs, think tanks or public bodies.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to a wide range of audiences 

• A high level of self and project management skill, able to work effectively as part of a team and independently 

• A clear passion for improving education, employment and transitions outcomes for young people through policy activity. 

A full overview of responsibilities in the role and person criteria can be seen in the attached job description. 

What we will provide to you

• Competitive salary.

• Standard company pension.

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 26 days after 12 months’ service.

• 2 volunteering days per year.

• 2 additional wellbeing days per year.

• Onsite parking, available on a first come, first served basis.

• Personal development opportunities.

• Free breakfast and lunch options when in the office.

• Team activities and events.

• Dog-friendly office.

Please note that this is a full-time (37.5 hour) role, with some flexibility over working hours. Our main office is in Kettering, right next to the train station. However, we are open to discussing remote and hybrid working arrangements with the right candidate. 

Job Summary

The Research and Impact Lead role offers an exciting opportunity to apply specialist research and evaluation expertise within a purpose-driven national charity - working closely with BookTrust colleagues, and our partners and families, as part of a team of research and impact specialists. This role will have a particular focus on our work with children in foster, kinship and adoptive families and partners in the children’s social care sector. 

We are seeking an experienced mixed-methods researcher and evaluator with strong methodological expertise and the understanding and collaborative skills to ensure theory and evidence can be applied in practice to improve outcomes. The successful candidate will bring intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and sound judgement, with the ability to interrogate evidence, navigate ambiguity and remain open to new perspectives and learning. The role is likely to suit someone with experience of taking overall accountability for the design and delivery of research and evaluation studies, with excellent partnership, stakeholder management and planning skills. 

We offer excellent opportunities to further develop research, leadership and partnership skills in an ambitious and dynamic organisation. Alongside a flexible and supportive working environment, we provide both on-the-job learning and formal professional development opportunities. 

Application

To apply, please complete the application and attach a copy of your CV along with a covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role. Your covering letter should not be longer than two sides. Please also answer this question in your cover letter:

What are some of the principles of good evaluation that BookTrust should incorporate into its monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) work on programmes for children in adoption, foster and kinship care?

Please also attach one or two examples of research, evaluation or learning outputs (reports, presentations etc) you have produced and also specify if you are applying to be based from our Leeds of London office. 

Closing date: 5pm Tuesday 4th August.

Interviews: Interviews will be in two stages - 1st stage interviews will be on w/c 10th August, via Teams.

Job title: Partnerships Manager

Responsible to: Director of Delivery, Innovation & quality (MindCHWF) & Senior Operations Manager (Turning Point)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week - Full-time

Salary: Starting salary is £ £46,448.13 PA at full time equivalent (P04-SP41) with scope to increase to £49,612.14 (P04-SP44)

Contract type: 31 March 2027 (with potential for extension)

Location: [102-110 Mare Street, Hackney] with working across locations in City & Hackney

Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, working in partnership with Turning Point and Antidote, provide the City and Hackney Integrated Recovery Service (Substance Use).  The service is based in each of City and Hackney’s neighbourhoods in order to be accessible, local and inclusive.  A full integrated service will contribute to recovery, social inclusion and improving the quality of life of all our service users in the City of London and Hackney borough. A full integrated service, shaped by the community needs and voices of service users, carers, families, communities, all staff and volunteers will contribute to recovery, social inclusion and improving the quality of life of all our service users in the City of London and Hackney borough.

The service has three elements: Out There, Everywhere- specialist outreach, in reach and engagement, Building Blocks- low, medium and hi intensity support pathways, and Get Connected- building on our local, individual, and shared assets to provide recovery capital and peer support.

This role will connect the staff teams and service users to wellbeing opportunities within the local community. The role will promote the City & Hackney Recovery Service within the local community through events, social media and local community engagement. They will identify the needs of the client group and provide adequate support.

This role will lead on management of subcontractors, coordinate quarterly contract monitoring and build partnerships including commissioners, GPs, politicians, and other stakeholders to increase collaborative and effective service in City and Hackney’s neighbourhoods. The role will also lead to support MindCHWF’s policies and delivery in the blended service in order to provide efficient and high-quality service.

Job Role:

1. Nurture external partnerships across specific areas and being responsible for overseeing and ensuring all appropriate pathways are in place and reviewed

2. Maintain and enhance appropriate key relationships with statutory and VCS partners who co-locate/joint work with or refer into the service

3. Lead on expanding the partnership network on an ongoing basis by identifying opportunities to streamline delivery and maximise joint working

4. Work as part of the service-wide team developing recovery treatment services that are truly connected to the community

5. Lead on development and management of a broad range of internal and external partnerships including but not limited to, homelessness prevention, outreach, community development and engagement, peer mentoring

6. Take a lead role in supporting the teams to improve and adapt to changing demands

7. Promote and raise the profile of the service and partners across the boroughs

8. Establish and review joint-working protocols to deliver joined up and effective support, using a population health perspective, reflecting the service’s aims

9. Oversee the innovation fund, establishing processes and protocols to set it up and the ongoing governance of the fund

10. Lead on management of all service sub-contractors – including liaison and cascade of information back and forth between the service, co-ordinate quarterly (and ad hoc) contract monitoring (manage KPI’s, staffing, service support etc.).

11. Develop and manage a Partnership Board that meets quarterly comprising Mind, London Friend and NHS Homerton (and any other organisations we begin sub-contracting to).

12. Generate and maintain/oversee SharePoint folders for all key stakeholders – including contact info, management details, premises and any joint working agreement paperwork.

13. Maintain and overarching Stakeholder contact list in Excel to be stored on SharePoint, update and amend as necessary over time.

14. Maintain and update the service satellite spreadsheet (including internal and external satellites).

15. Attend relevant CDP’s to represent the service and cover for colleagues at CDP’s as and when required.

16. Be the main link for partners/stakeholders when they are looking to initiate some joint working enterprise or have feedback or concerns to raise with the service.

17. To lead on organising stakeholder events and community events.

18. To establish and continue building a wide network of contacts for the service within as many professions as possible within CoL and Hackney.

19. To branch the service out more into the night-time economy of the borough, in terms of awareness, literature/posters and training where relevant.

20. Support the Training and Practice Lead to offer and deliver more training to external partners.

21. Run regular feedback sessions and surveys of partners to elicit feedback from the service and gather intelligence on what training and support they would like from our service. Share this information/intelligence regularly with the service at MGM’s.

22. To maintain and bolster 12-step and other mutual aid groups in the service, be the main liaison for these contacts and establish a SMART recovery Group to complement our existing mutual aid arrangements.

23. Lead on changes to the service website, review this site and consider how we could optimise promoting the service this way.

24. Lead on liaison with TP External Affairs and Marketing teams. Create and manage a service promotion plan.

25. Lead on negotiating, writing, collating and storing all MOU’s, RA’s ISA’s and all other written agreements with partner agencies relating to co-location and joint working.

26. Manage the service’s digital footprint including google reviews, and control or delegate the management of the service’s social media channels to boost our digital engagement with the local community.

27. Create a regular C&H Recovery Service newsletter to share with partners and stakeholders.

28. Engage with local media and politicians where appropriate to promote the service and position the service effectively politically within the borough.

29. Oversee the work we do with commissioners and public health teams on the PH Van and Hot Spot Activity including attending meetings relating to these with the council. Ensure a rota and staffing is organised for these outreach exercises months in advance.

30. Continue to manage the contracts and joint-working agreements with the GPSC scheme and our separate GP alcohol satellites with a view to setting up at least two more GP satellites in the borough.

31. Organise regular forums and training sessions with GP’s in the borough.

32. To field any complaints coming from GP’s and other key stakeholders.

General

· To comply with, promote, and contribute to the writing and development of Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest's values and with all organisational systems, policies and procedures

· To work with colleagues and partners within the service to provide a seamless service

· In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to take responsibility for your own health and safety at work and that of any staff, service users or visitors you are working with, and to report any risks or potential hazards to the Health and Safety Representative

· To keep records and statistics for dissemination to effectively monitor the service, ensuring that all files and information are kept in accordance with Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest's policies on confidentiality and data protection

· To be administratively self-supporting

· To liaise with other Mind CHWF projects and staff from partner agencies and external stakeholders to facilitate and maintain effective links

· To attend and participate in staff meetings, contributing to discussions and giving reports if needed

· To attend supervision, appraisal meetings, and appropriate internal and external training courses as approved by your line manager

· To attend Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest staff away days

· To undertake any other tasks and duties commensurate with the post as directed by your manager, or any other senior manager in Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest

Person Specification

The following criteria will be used when assessing candidates. Criteria marked (E) are Essential and (D) are Desirable.

Values and Behaviours

· A passion and commitment to supporting good health for individuals and communities (E)

· A valuing of coproduction (E)

· Effective verbal and written communications that can be modified to different stakeholders (E)

· Collaborative team working skills (E)

· Proven negotiating and networking skills with an ability to establish new working partnerships (E)

· Adaptable and resilient to work in a changing and challenging environment (E)

· Ability to deliver against agreed goals, targets and outcomes (E)

· Ability to translate strategy into tangible action to enhance service KPI performance (E)

· Resilient and reflective (E)

· Ability to work under pressure and meet both service and central services deadlines (E)

· Able to work in a changing and sometimes challenging environment (E)

· Excellent report writing skills (E)

· Excellent organisational abilities, able to manage a complex workload of multiple priorities (E)

Knowledge & Experience

· Proven ability to establish new partnerships and collaboration with agencies, with enhanced negotiating skills (E)

· Significant Management experience of leading throughout challenge and change (E)

· Track record of developing innovative approaches to community-based collaboration and joint-working strategies (E)

· An understanding and interest in community development and peer support approaches (E)

· Proven knowledge of substance misuse (D)

· Experience of community-based interventions/collaboration / partnership making (E)

· Resilient and reflective (E)

· Ability to work under pressure and meet both service and central services deadlines (E)

Skills & abilities

· Strong collaborative leadership skills (E)

· Coaching skills to achieve successful outcomes (D)

· Proven experience in leading teams with an ability to improve and adapt to changing demands (E)

· Ability to prepare and manage the services Business Continuity Plans (D)

· Experience of Microsoft Office suite, Excel and Database systems (E)

· Experience of performance monitoring at a high level (E)

· Good communication skills and professional role model with staff and partners at all levels (E)

Qualifications

Essential

· Fluent written and spoken English with appropriate literacy and numeracy skills. (E)

Desirable

· Relevant qualification in health, social care, substance use, mental health, psychology, counselling, social work, or a related field, or equivalent experience. (D)

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

· Enhanced check required.

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Living Wage Foundation

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting half a million people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most. 

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies. We are a non-partisan organisation and work with partners across the political spectrum to advance our mission.

Purpose

The Living Wage Foundation is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Media and Communications Manager to join our team for a 12-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive communications professional with a strong background in media relations, public messaging, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will be experienced and confident in working to tight deadlines, responding to last-minute changes, and prioritising competing demands in a high-profile environment. They will be motivated to amplify the Living Wage Foundation’s mission of tackling low pay and insecure work.

The postholder will lead all media, messaging, and external affairs work, developing and implementing a proactive media strategy that supports our mission and key campaigns, such as Living Wage Week and the annual Rates announcement. As a skilled media professional, you will oversee all communications outputs, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment, while delivering media training and refining key messaging to maximise reach and impact. 

In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing our political engagement efforts, building cross-party support and working with political leaders, mayoral teams, and other key stakeholders to promote our initiatives. You’ll manage two direct reports (Events Manager and Media Manager) who each hold line management responsibilities, and you will play a critical role within our Senior Management Team, collaborating closely with the Head of Communications to shape the overall direction of our communications work. This role will work closely with Citizens UK colleagues, including the Citizens UK communications team on cross-organisational priorities.  You will report to the Head of Communications.

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for managing and allocating part of the communications team budget, expanding team capacity, and driving the team’s effectiveness. In collaboration with other senior managers, you will help foster a culture that values creativity, innovation, and strategic impact.

Main Responsibilities

Contribute to CUK mission and its strategic objectives:

• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s media strategy, ensuring it aligns with broader organisational, communications, and campaign goals, and establish clear processes for evaluating its success.

• Work alongside other Senior Managers across Citizens UK on cross-organisational activity including through the Senior Management Group

• Support the Living Wage Foundation’s Political Engagement Strategy by building and sustaining cross-party support for the organisation’s mission and objectives.

Situational awareness and research:

• Lead regular updates on key audiences, tracking positions on issues of interest and ensuring the team is fully informed.

• Guide the team in proactive media monitoring, enabling timely responses to significant developments.

• Collaborate with the Senior Research Manager to conduct and commission impactful research, driving media campaigns that effectively reach and engage target audiences.

Strategy development:

• Work alongside other Senior Managers in the Communications Team to shape and guide the overall communications strategy.

Lead on all media and messaging outputs, including developing high-quality materials, coordinating media events, and delivering media training.

Reputational & risk management:

• Develop and manage the organisation’s risk register, offering strategic oversight and serving as a primary contact for crisis communications.

• Manage and respond to reactive media enquiries promptly, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s values and objectives.

• Draft key messages and FAQs for media interviews and public responses, and advise senior leadership on sensitive media or reputational issues.

• Represent the Living Wage Foundation effectively in senior stakeholder interactions and participate in out-of-hours press duties when needed.

Materials development and dissemination:

• Oversee the Media Team in producing engaging press releases, blogs, opinion pieces, and media briefings to elevate the Living Wage Foundation’s profile and the voices of workers and employers within the Living Wage movement.

• Ensure media outputs and communications reflect the organisation’s values and uphold a consistent voice.

• Create and refine key messaging for public communications, including FAQs and response guides.

Social media and website

• Ensure consistency in messaging and alignment across all media and digital platforms in collaboration with the wider communications team.

External relationships (including media and press)

• Lead employer case study development, identifying and preparing Living Wage employers to speak to media and champion a real Living Wage.

• Drive stakeholder engagement efforts, cultivating valuable relationships with Living Wage employers, campaign partners, and media contacts.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists across print, digital, and broadcast media to secure quality coverage.

• Collaborate with the Public Engagement Team to draft emails, speeches, speaker notes, briefings, and press notices for political engagements.

• Strengthen and maintain broad cross-party support for the Living Wage agenda.

Campaign & events management

• Provide a link between Events team and Senior Leadership Team to ensure efficient decision-making around key events.

• Lead on media and messaging elements of agreed comms-led campaigns.

Internal comms & knowledge management

• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive press database, mapping key media contacts and publications in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s objectives.

Internal relationships

• Work closely with the Senior Digital and Communications Manager to guide and oversee team initiatives.

• Provide line management and development support to the Media Manager and Events Manager.

Learning, expertise & DEI

• Lead media training sessions for LWF staff and Living Wage employers, enhancing their confidence and effectiveness in media engagements.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the LWF and Citizens UK, including communications and DEI teams, to develop and implement ethical storytelling practices, ensuring lived experience is represented responsibly, inclusively, and in line with organisational guidance.

• Contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.

• Ensure accessibility is embedded across communications and events, working with relevant teams to implement best practice and organisational guidance.

Person Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Experience

· Proven experience and a strong understanding of the UK media landscape, with experience building relationships with journalists and securing high-quality media coverage. (E)

· Experience in line managing and leading a team. (E)

· Demonstrated experience in managing sensitive reputational issues, including risk assessment and crisis communications. (E)

· Skilled in leveraging real-life stories and case studies to drive engagement, including experience in leading media training for spokespeople. (E)

· Strong track record in designing and executing high-impact communications strategies that achieve measurable results. (E)

· Experience of working collaboratively across teams and influencing senior stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. (E)

· Experience of working with a range of voices and perspectives, including community, worker or lived experience storytelling. (D)

Key skills and knowledge

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce and edit clear, engaging content suitable for media, digital and public audiences. (E)

• Competence in using social media platforms to engage audiences effectively, understanding their role in broader media strategies. (D)

• Proficiency in evaluating campaigns and media outputs, with the ability to derive insights that inform future strategies. (E)

• Strong interpersonal skills for building effective relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, including political audiences. (E)

• Solid understanding of the political landscape and public affairs, with experience engaging cross-party stakeholders (E).

Personal qualities & values

• An enthusiasm for media and communications, coupled with a strong commitment to the mission of the Living Wage Foundation. (E)

• Ability to lead, support and develop high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment. (E)

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to communicate responsibly and ethically about lived experience. (E)

About the application process

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be held 17th and 18th August.

This role will join an ambitious programme developing the capacity of the Libraries Connected public library networks. We want to help them evolve as strategic partnerships able to deliver social impacts at scale and to secure resources and investment from national, regional and sub-regional government. Be key to the development of libraries as essential social infrastructure, and help them secure the resources they need to make an impact. 

The role is part of a small team of two Regional Managers, supported by an Administrator. 

By developing our existing regional networks into formal, resourced structures we can enable the regions to: 

• Secure investment for the service and for the libraries from regional and devolved / combined authority funds.
• Create unique regional offers to meet specific needs across and within the regional areas.
• Deliver at scale. For example, the Yorkshire & Humber regional network has 15 library services, and 348 library buildings. 
• Create opportunities for cost saving – through joint procurement and shared / collaborative services. 
• Share good practice and experience on a formal and integrated basis. 

We have 9 regional networks in England, covering all library services and ranging in size from 9 to 33 services. Within each region they provide hundreds of library branches, thousands of staff, and serve millions of service users.  They have a long tradition of working together as peer support networks and to deliver activities such as festivals, marketing, and staff training. 

Please see the attached job description for a full description of the role, including person specification. 

Frequent travel within the UK may be required for the role.

About Libraries Connected 

We are an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public libraries. Our work is driven and led by our membership, which includes almost every library service in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man).  

Across the areas we serve there are 176 individual library services with around 3,000 library branches serving over 61 million people. 

Our unique approach is to bring these services together to share experience, expertise and evidence – driving innovation and impact across the public library sector.

While senior library leaders sit on our board and committees, we work with library staff at all levels.

As well as providing practical support, training and advice to libraries, we represent them to government and raise their profile in the media. We also develop and lead national library projects with cultural, academic and corporate partners.  

We work to a strategic plan that runs until 2027, organised around four themes: drive, grow, connect and engage.  

We generate income from membership subscriptions, commissioned services, events and grants. As an Arts Council Investment Principle Support Organisation, part of our core funding in England comes from the Arts Council to help embed their Investment Principles across the library network.   

Our values 

• We are supportive. We respond to the varied, emerging needs of our members and their communities to enable libraries to learn from each other, and other sector leaders, so that they can safeguard and improve their services.  

• We are inclusive. We work with our members and partners to design and deliver our work and to determine our strategic priorities because we are committed to representing the diverse communities and libraries which we serve.  

• We are open. We are in constant communication with our members and partners on all levels to learn from their experiences, reflect on our practice and develop our services. We welcome challenge and new directions for our work.  

• We are ambitious. We believe that libraries are an essential part of the solution to a range of society’s needs. We promote innovation and collaboration to ensure that libraries are recognised locally and nationally.  

Working at Libraries Connected 

We are a friendly, collaborative team of around 20 staff based all around England and Wales. 

We value diversity and are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment. We strongly believe that inclusive and diverse organisations are not only better places to work, they are more innovative, make better decisions and are more successful. We value people who bring unique perspectives and knowledge to our team. 

We want to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To reduce bias, we shortlist candidates based on their responses to up to six application questions. These are designed to tell us about your values, experience, attitudes to work, and transferable skills. We do not ask for a separate cover letter or supporting statement. 

We offer flexible working as standard, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities. Many of our staff work their hours in different ways, including flexi time and compressed hours. We are open to discussing what would work for you and be possible for the role. 

All roles are remote and are open to applicants who live anywhere in the UK. We provide staff with a home office set-up including laptop, monitor and phone. There is the option to work from our central London office or use a co-working space if it is not possible to work from home. 

We welcome requests for adjustments to our standard recruitment processes for anyone who needs them.