External communications lead jobs

We are recruiting for a member of the Policy and Research team to help provide hard-hitting evidence to deliver our mission for more affordable, greener transport solutions.

• £29,000-£38,000 (dependent on experience level and appropriate seniority), 8 per cent pension, generous annual leave and life insurance
• Full-time, permanent
• Location: Southwark and flexible home working

Campaign for Better Transport is the leading national charity championing the need for integrated, sustainable and affordable transport. This role will play a significant part in our Policy and Research team and will be responsible for developing and evidencing our policy work to underpin our campaigning, influencing and communications.

The successful candidate will have experience in policy research, a good understanding of quantitative and qualitative research, the ability to develop and utilise appropriate research methods and excellent data analysis skills. They will also have an understanding of Westminster, national, regional and local policy development and delivery processes.

We are open to levels of seniority between officer and manager level, and will appoint the most suitable person to the post, depending on experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Research 
  • Managing and working on research projects that utilise both quantitative and qualitative methods, including drafting and analysing surveys, statistical data analysis, and organising and leading focus groups and expert workshops
  • Drafting written reports, including analysis of the research findings and the policy context, and developing recommendations for policymakers.

• Policy
  • Developing and disseminating the charity’s policy positions based on robust evidence and analysis
  • Managing the delivery of written materials including policy briefings, letters, consultation responses and inquiry submissions.

• External facing 
  • Supporting external communications, including blog writing and acting as a media spokesperson
  • Maintaining effective working relationships and attending meetings with key partners and stakeholders
  • Representing the charity externally at conferences, roundtables and other events.

Person specification

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• An undergraduate qualification (transport, policy or politics related would be a bonus)
• Experience in a similar role (a minimum of one year for the Policy Researcher role, including internships, and three years for the Policy Research Manager role)
• Understanding of quantitative and qualitative research and ability to develop and utilise appropriate research methods 
• Excellent data analysis skills (ability to use data analytical tools desirable)
• Ability to lead workshops and roundtables
• Understanding of Westminster, national, regional and local policy development and delivery processes 
• Understanding of the major issues in sustainable transport (desirable for the Policy Researcher role and essential for the Policy Research Manager role)
• Experience of working effectively with stakeholders from different sectors 
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly 
• Engaging verbal and written communication style tailored for different audiences 
• Confident public speaker and ability to persuade and network effectively
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet often competing deadlines
• Strong work planning and prioritisation skills
• Proven ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy of communications.

What is the overall purpose of the role?

We are looking to appoint a Support Youth Worker to help develop and deliver an innovative and progressive youth programme for our Girls Project, in a safe industrious and supportive environment working primarily with young girls from diverse communities.

The Girls only group (targeting ages 11-19 years) will promote life skills, well-being and female empowerment. Helping girls move forward through the next stage of their lives to become the women who will shape their community in the future. The Girls group will support, provide advice, mentoring and signposting to additional support services.

Responsibilities:

• Support with the research, planning and delivery of an innovative and progressive programme of youth activities in collaboration with young people and the lead worker.
• Carry out financial and administrative procedures related to the Girls Project.
• Support the promotion of the Girls Project including collating and creating content to be used for online and offline marketing and advertising (hard copy, posters, social media posts etc).
• Record all attendances (registers) for all sessions and populate data required for reporting purposes in a timely manner.
• Coordinate, deliver, host or co-host and oversee the delivery of Girls Project sessions (one-to-ones or groups), trips and residential, that take place on-site and off-site, face to face or online.
• Liaise and supervise with facilitators or external providers directly concerning the delivery of the Girls Project i.e including agreements, risk assessments, SLA’s and Code of Conduct.
• Ensure that children and young people are involved in contributing to the development of the Girls Project via consultations and evaluations.
• Recruit young people through networking and promoting to external organisations and agencies, and beyond.
• Manage referrals to and from the project.
• Assist in recruiting external facilitators required for the delivery of the Girls Project.
• maximise the opportunities for the project.
• Keep an eye out for potential funding opportunities to expand the project scope further
• Any other duties appropriate to the post as directed by YAA

This job description cannot cover every task that may arise within the post at various times and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other duties from time to time which is broadly consistent with those in this document. This job description does not form part of the contract of employment.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

The Support Youth Worker will bring:

• Similar experience in a Youth Worker/Support Worker role
• Level 2 or above Youth Work Qualified (desirable)
• Experience in the charity sector, the voluntary sector, or the community sector would be desirable.
• Experience working with vulnerable children, young people and adults (up to 24 years)
• Experience creating and delivering activities within a youth base/support setting using creative ways to consistently engage and motivate young people positively
• Competent in the use of MS Office and the ability to use databases for recording and reporting.
• Strong planning, time management and organisational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to work well as part of a team as well as working independently
• Confident speaker and presenter
• Flexibility in working hours

Client proposals and contracts senior manager

In this role, you’ll play a pivotal part in Dot Dot Dot’s impact in London and beyond. Your primary responsibility will be to create the materials that help us win new contracts and partnerships. You’ll analyse the business and social value of each project, turning insights into persuasive cases for action. From there, you’ll craft compelling pitches and proposals, working closely with our senior leadership team to deliver them directly to clients and partners.

This is a collaborative, cross-cutting role at the heart of our business development work. You’ll help us respond to new enquiries, shape tailored proposals, and coordinate contracts - always ensuring our service stands out and reflects both our unique approach and the priorities of each client. Along the way, you’ll bring curiosity about what matters to clients, confidence with data, and the ability to coordinate people and processes to get things done.

You’ll be working closely with senior leaders, gaining cross-functional experience, and helping to shape how the role evolves over time. We’re an ambitious team with a social mission and a high bar for quality, and we’ll support you to learn as you go - through training, mentoring, and hands-on experience with friendly, knowledgeable colleagues across the business.

About you

We’re looking for someone who enjoys both the detail and the bigger picture - someone who takes pride in writing clearly and persuasively, and who can bring people and processes together to produce written outputs that truly resonate with clients.

You don’t need a background in sales or property; what matters most is a love of creating compelling, high-quality materials - whether that’s a persuasive pitch deck, a polished proposal, or a detailed report or contract.

If you’re motivated by translating ideas into action, spotting patterns, and helping good work shine, we’d love to hear from you.

You must have:

• Excellent written communication - able to write clearly, persuasively and quickly, turning client conversations into compelling proposals and refining others’ content.
• Confidence with data - not necessarily a spreadsheet expert, but comfortable working with numbers, reviewing assumptions, and asking the right questions.
• Strong project coordination - experienced in bringing together people, information and deadlines to deliver pitches, proposals, or other complex work.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver - keeps work moving forward and meets competing deadlines without losing quality.
• Collaborative and client-facing - works well with colleagues across the business and represents Dot Dot Dot with professionalism and integrity.
• Curious and proactive - keen to learn, unafraid to ask questions, and willing to take initiative to fill gaps in knowledge.

You’ll have the opportunity to deepen your skills in:

• Using tools like Salesforce and financial models to track and assess opportunities.
• Understanding service design, legal risk, commercial assumptions, and client reporting
• Engaging senior leaders and external partners in strategic client conversations.
• Gaining hands-on experience with procurement, tendering, and contract negotiation.
• Public speaking - internally and externally

Discover more about the role, who we are and our strategy going forwards, in the job specification.

Please apply via the online recruitment platform, Applied. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 19 October 2025. Interviews will be held at our office in east London on 5 and 6 November.

Join The Hepatitis C Trust – Make a Difference in Liver Health 

The Hepatitis C Trust works nationally with peers who use their lived experience to raise awareness, provide training, and improve access to hepatitis C testing and treatment. 

In partnership with the Royal Berkshire & Thames Valley ODN, we’re expanding our work to include a Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) surveillance and early liver disease detection programme in Royal Berkshire & Thames Valley. 

We’re looking for someone who: 

• Has experience in health services or working with volunteers. 

• Has been affected by or supported someone with liver disease. 

• Can work independently, engage with stakeholders, and drive community outreach. 

In this role, you will: 

• Promote liver screening and early detection in the community. 

• Support patients through assessment and ongoing care. 

• Coordinate workshops and raise awareness. 

• Collaborate with local hospitals and outreach clinics. 

Requirements: 

• Full driving licence and own vehicle. 

• Willingness to travel across the region. 

• Passion for patient-led care. 

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the HR subject matter expert, you will lead the transition of HR and Culture at DENS. You will develop a People and Culture Strategy that supports organisational aims, responds to increasing HR demands and ensures that DENS is able to attract and retain a diverse workforce of talented staff and volunteers. You will proactively plan for, comply with and respond to the evolving expectations of external stakeholders, including future employees, funders and commissioners, and changes to employment law.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and embed a People and Culture Strategy in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Board.

• Be the trusted expert HR Advisor to Senior Leaders, the lead on all formal Employee Relations (ER) related cases, and coach the HR & Culture Officer to support managers on informal cases.

• Keep abreast of employment law, case law and trends, sharing these with key stakeholders to ensure policy and practices are not only compliant but innovative, and supporting the assessment and mitigation of people related risks

. • Gain an understanding and support leaders to innovatively respond to the recruitment challenges faced by low unemployment rates in the local area.

• Lead a proactive, data informed resource/workforce planning approach, based upon internal needs and external insight and trends (including recruitment needs, skills development, employment law changes).

• Develop a HR infrastructure and systems to support DENS’ service development. With the support of the HR and Culture Officer, review, develop and implement standardised processes and frameworks and supporting documents

. • Lead, motivate and develop your team, encouraging a collaborative climate.

• Review and implement staff development initiatives, including a structured training plan, quality assurance of one-to-one meetings and annual performance reviews.

• Oversee employee relations and improved HR systems, ensuring compliance with best employment practices and risk management

. • Promote a healthy workplace culture and employee and volunteer proposition through contemporary HR practices such as wellbeing, recognition.

• Lead the implementation of the EDI policy, ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace

. • Role model a culture that supports autonomy and responsibility by coaching managers on the use of tools and guidance to enable them to effectively and confidently manage employee related issues

. • Ensure payroll accuracy monthly and ensure post payroll checks have been completed

. • Responsible for managing the HR & Culture budget.

• You may be asked to undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the post as requested by your manager and you must carry out the duties of the post in accordance with DENS’ policies and procedures. 

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Wendy Lewington on 014 42-41 2340

•  Access – the Foundation for Social Investment works to make sure that charities and social enterprises can access the finance they need to sustain or grow their impact.
• You will be part of a small organisation of around 15 people that take a flexible, collaborative and trust-based approach to work.
• Working closely with the Head of Blended Finance and the wider Programme team you will act as an integral support function for colleagues but also build good relationships with our external partners, supporting their engagement with Access.
• This is a key role that offers experience across a variety of different disciplines, with significant potential for personal learning and growth.

What you will deliver (responsibilities)

Programme Support:

• Present analysis and insights based on performance data and any contact with delivery partners to inform decisions within the team about ongoing relationships.
• Support the writing of papers for the Investment Committee and other committees including the Access Board, to present clear information to support understanding and decision-making.
• Help to organise, manage and minute internal and external meetings and events, including peer learning workshops.
• Assist with keeping Programmes pages of the Access website up to date.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of a bank of practical resources for use by our partners
• Other programme support duties as required.

Finance:

• Ensure robust financial management of Access’s programmes, including monitoring deployment targets of social investors and supporting the process for drawing funds from Access.

Relationship management:

•  Become one of the day-to-day points of contact for a portfolio of organisations who are delivering or supporting Access’s programmes, or in the process of applying to do so. These may include social investors, grant partners or other stakeholders.
• Build strong productive and supportive working relationships with delivery partners, in a spirit of collaboration and learning.
• Maintain comprehensive and clear records of the status of the relationship and any key questions or issues which are currently being addressed.

Data and learning:

• Support the acquisition and collation of regular performance data submissions
• Support the analysis and reporting on performance within each delivery partner and across the portfolio.

Other tasks:

• Leading on or supporting the delivery of internal and external events
• Contributing to learning and programme design discussions

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We are committed to being an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all. We believe in the value of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Selection for roles is based solely on individual merit, talent, skills, and potential.

As a charity, we are dedicated to reflecting the communities and individuals we aim to support. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who share lived experiences or come from backgrounds that align with those we serve. Diversity strengthens our ability to make a meaningful impact, and we encourage all who feel passionate about our mission to apply.

First interview dates are expected to be online bewteen 8-10th October.

Second interviews to take place (in person at our office in London) on Tuesday 14th October.

Circa £42,000 per annum

Fixed Term – until End of June 2026

Part home/Part office (London) based

At the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), we work together to achieve the best possible results for children in danger around the world. We believe in an inclusive workplace and in the power of fulfilled colleagues who share the same values and goals, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

This is a great opportunity to join UNICEF UK as a Content Manager, working on Soccer Aid for UNICEF - the biggest celebrity football match in the calendar and UNICEF UK’s biggest broadcasted fundraising event. Since its inception in 2006, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised more than £121million, helping to protect every child’s right to play. 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF and the team has ambitious plans to mark this milestone, which this role will be pivotal in delivering.

The Content Manager leads on the creation and delivery of cause content to help Soccer Aid for UNICEF meet its fundraising and brand targets. You will do this by working closely with the in-house creative team at UNICEF UK, as well as content leads from our partner organisations and internal workstream leads. The role will provide strategic oversight and expertise ensuring we deliver engaging and audience-led content for platforms including social media, fundraising products and TV audiences. 

We are seeking an individual who is experienced in implementing an engaging and audience-led content strategy, with evidence of effective campaign delivery. You should have excellent communication skills and be able to manage multiple conflicting priorities, working in a high-pressure campaign environment.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 5pm, Sunday 5 October 2025.

Interview date: Wednesday 15 / Thursday 16 October 2025 via video conferencing (MS Teams).

Expected start date: 5 January 2026.

In return, we offer:

· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

Most colleagues work one or two days a week in the office (Stratford, East London) and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help protect children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

The Christie Charity is a vibrant, fast moving, energetic organisation with a passionate team and a fantastic reputation.

Everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie hospital ensuring cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology. We provide funding over and above what the NHS provides.

We are currently entering a particularly exciting period of growth and expansion as we fundraise for a number of major projects.We are looking for a creative storyteller with a passion for bringing powerful stories to life to join our marketing team and help showcase the incredible impact of our charity.

In this exciting role, you’ll create high-quality videos, photography, and interviews that highlight the work of our hospital, staff, and supporters. Working closely with our Digital Marketing Manager, you’ll produce inspiring content for campaigns, our website, and social platforms, ensuring our supporters feel connected and engaged. You’ll also step in to cover social media activity when needed, keeping our online presence strong and consistent.

We’re looking for someone with proven skills in video and photo production, editing, and digital storytelling, who is comfortable interviewing people and working with sensitive stories. If you’re organised, creative, and ready to make a real difference by helping us share our impact with the world, we’d love to hear from you.

The Charity team is responsible for raising millions of pounds each year to ensure Christie patients receive the very best care and treatment. This includes everything from access to world first clinical trials and receiving radiotherapy in state-of-the-art treatment centres, to young adults being cared for in a bespoke age-appropriate centre and being able to offer patients anxiety reducing complementary therapy, or even creative sessions in our art room.

If you want to make a real difference to cancer patients and are ready to rise to the challenge of working for one of the most successful charities in the North-West, then this could be the role for you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 29 September

Interview date: Thursday 16 October

Job Title - Marketing Assistant

Contract - Full time, permanent

Hours - 36 hours per week

Salary - £27,000 per annum

Location - Hybrid (Home Based/London)

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Coram PACEY

Coram PACEY (previously the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) was formed in 1977, we are a professional association dedicated to supporting home-based childcare professionals including childminders and nannies to provide high quality services, information and advice to children, their families and carers. We want all children to experience high quality childcare and early education, helping them to have a bright future.

About the role

As part of the Membership and Marketing Team, schedule content across all channels that promotes Coram PACEY products, services and membership to drive sales and acquisitions. Help Marketing, Policy and Education and Training promote and deliver a programme of events and policy campaigns to raise Coram PACEY’s profile and convert prospective members.

Alongside this, support the Marketing Manager to deliver a range of marketing and communications activities that support targeted income generation, brand awareness and Coram PACEY objectives.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing Date: 30th September 2025

Interview Date: Beginning October

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

We’re Hiring: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £75,000 – £80,000 + pension
Location: Northamptonshire (flexible, with min. 3 days on-site)
Closing date: 5pm, Friday 3rd October 2025

Age UK Northamptonshire is looking for a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead us into our next chapter.

We are the leading local charity supporting older people across the county—providing advice, companionship, and essential services to 18,000+ people every year.

As our long-serving CEO retires, we need an inspiring, strategic leader who can:
✅ Champion older people as a trusted advocate and spokesperson
✅ Lead a dedicated team of 140+ staff and 260+ volunteers
✅ Strengthen partnerships and income streams to ensure sustainability
✅ Build on our proud history while driving innovation and growth

About You

You’ll bring:

• Proven senior leadership experience in a complex organisation
• Strong financial and strategic planning skills
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities
• Integrity, energy, and resilience to lead by example

Knowledge of the voluntary sector, health, social care, or issues affecting older people is highly desirable.

Interviews take place in October. If you have any questions then please use the above email. 

�� Be the voice for older people in Northamptonshire. Lead us into the future.

About SPANA

SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) is the global charity for the working animals of the world. Since our foundation in 1923, we have worked where they work, to support the welfare of working animals, including horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, dogs and camels.

About this role

As Head of Digital Engagement you will lead SPANA’s digital presence across web, email, social and emerging platforms – ensuring the organisation’s voice, brand and mission are powerfully communicated to global audiences. You will also provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership to the digital team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and excellence to maximise impact and drive growth. 

This exciting role is responsible for shaping and delivering a compelling and consistent digital experience that drives awareness, deepens engagement and supports organisational priorities in communications, advocacy and income generation. You will play a central role in delivering SPANA’s strategic ambitions through innovative, data-informed digital approaches. 

Contract, location and salary

This is a full-time (34.5 hours per week), permanent role with a salary of approximately £55,000 per annum subject to skills and experience. This role is UK based, and candidates must have the current right to work in the UK. SPANA staff work remotely, attending our London office once or twice a month (or more if preferred). 

SPANA offers benefits to staff including a health care cash plan with Medicash, and generous pension scheme with SPANA contributing 10% if the employee contributes at least 5%.

Full details and how to apply

Please review the job description for full details including a person specification. The deadline for applications is 23:59 BST on Sunday 21 September 2025.

We’re looking for an experienced content officer to create and share our charity’s impact, stories and campaigns in new and compelling ways to help raise awareness, grow our audience and drive engagement. 

This is a hands-on role and requires someone with proven experience of creating high-quality, creative and engaging content across print and digital platforms, including video, email, web and social media.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to create and deliver a wide variety of content which makes a difference to women, sick kids and their families, we’d love to hear from you. 

Please see our job information pack for further details on this role and what we as a Charity have to offer!

Interviews will be held at our office at 5 Rowchester Court, Whittall Street, Birmingham, B4 6DH on Wednesday 22 October.

National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) is looking for a new Director to lead our national network and champion rural arts across the UK. We’re seeking an inspiring leader with a collaborative approach to advocate for our members and sector, to strengthen partnerships and support a vibrant network that ensures creativity and culture thrive in every community.

About NRTF

NRTF is an Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) within Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio. As a national membership and strategic organisation, we unite and champion the diverse parts of the rural touring sector. We advocate on behalf of our members, offering up-to-date information, advice, guidance, professional development and networking opportunities. By sharing news, stories and opportunities, supporting rural touring-focused projects and initiatives, and through our Annual National Rural Touring Conference, we raise the profile of rural touring, embedding its value in the wider cultural landscape. We celebrate the work and achievements of the volunteer promoters, professional artists and organisations who make culture accessible for rural communities. This is an exciting moment to join NRTF as we enter our third decade as an organisation and continue building the profile and impact of rural touring across the UK, while supporting the passionate and committed members at the heart of our network.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Director is the strategic and operational lead of NRTF, responsible for the organisation’s vision, management, performance, and long-term sustainability. They ensure delivery against NRTF’s mission and business plan, champion rural touring at a national level, and act as the primary liaison with Arts Council England, stakeholders, and the wider sector. Working closely with a proactive Board of Trustees, the Director provides leadership on governance and compliance in line with UK Charity Law and NRTF’s Articles of Association, ensuring the organisation operates with transparency, accountability and good practice. The Director is a visible ambassador for rural touring, building strong relationships across the cultural sector, advocating for members, and promoting the role of rural touring in ensuring that creativity and culture thrive in every community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

● Lead and implement NRTF’s Business Plan and strategic objectives.

● Oversee the delivery and evaluation of all funded programmes and initiatives.

● Develop and sustain relationships with our members, including the rural touring schemes, national and regional stakeholders, funders, and policy-makers.

● Ensure alignment with ACE’s Investment Principles and “Let’s Create” strategy.

● Ensure long-term sustainability through innovation, partnerships, and appropriate diversification, ensuring the organisation remains relevant and forward-thinking.

Finance and Fundraising

● Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Finance Officer and Treasurer.

● Ensure ACE and funder reporting is accurate and timely.

● Lead on developing new funding opportunities, working with colleagues and freelance support to secure income from trusts, foundations and diversification streams.

Membership and Sector Support

● Foster strong relationships with membership, particularly scheme members.

● Understand and respond to member needs, ensuring services and benefits are relevant.

● Foster a strong member community through events, forums, and networking opportunities.

● Together with the NRTF team, design and deliver initiatives to grow, engage, and retain members.

● Represent NRTF and advocate for member interests at national and international events, conferences, and sector forums.

Project and Event Delivery

● Provide strategic oversight of all NRTF projects, ensuring they are well-managed, impactful and aligned with the business plan.

● Lead and represent NRTF at the Annual National Rural Touring Conference and other national events, with project managers and freelance teams responsible for delivery.

● Foster partnerships with schemes and sector organisations to co-create and deliver events and projects that serve members and raise the profile of rural touring.

Communications and Advocacy

● Provide strategic leadership for NRTF’s communications and advocacy, ensuring consistency of voice and alignment with the business plan.

● Lead sector advocacy and act as spokesperson and ambassador for rural touring.

● Maintain and develop national visibility for rural touring through partnerships, media opportunities and press engagement (with support from NRTF’s freelance press agency).

● Oversee delivery of marketing and communications, working with the Marketing & Digital Coordinator to manage campaigns, content and social media.

● Build strategic partnerships with other organisations, funders, and influencers.

HR and Operations

● Lead on recruitment, contracting, staff management, and HR policy implementation.

● Line-manage employed staff, ensuring fair and effective working conditions.

● Manage Contracts for Services for freelance teams and contractors

● Maintain organisational infrastructure, including IT, office resources.

Governance and Legal

● Support and develop the Board of Trustees, ensuring sound governance practices.

● Organise and service Board meetings, the AGM, and working groups.

● Act as Company Secretary: ensure compliance with charity and company law, maintain registers, and submit returns.

Person Specification

Essential

● Proven senior leadership within arts or cultural organisations.

● Commitment to rural/community engagement.

● Strong understanding of the UK arts funding landscape, especially ACE.

● Demonstrable experience in finance, HR, governance, and fundraising.

● Experience in project delivery.

● Strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills.

● Experience of working and engaging with key stakeholders.

● Experience working with or supporting a Board of Trustees.

● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

● Evidence of original thinking, idea making and bold ambition.

● Caring and positive leadership style.

Desirable

● Awareness of the ethos, principles and practice of rural touring.

● Knowledge of community arts and engagement, and/or cultural networks.

● Experience in legal compliance and company secretary responsibilities.

● Understanding of contemporary cultural policy and advocacy.

● Experience in digital communications, social media, and PR.

● Experience in event management and programming.

If you are excited by this role but are not sure if you fully meet the person specification, we encourage you to reach out to our Interim Head of Operations, Jo Purseglove to discuss further.

About Impetus

Our vision is for a society where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive in school, secure crucial qualifications, and take their first steps into the world of work on the journey to sustained employment in adulthood, for a fulfilling life.

As a leading impact funder, since 2002, Impetus has been helping the best leaders build stronger organisations delivering the most promising interventions that support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed against the odds. We do this by using our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact, 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 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.

These are challenges that are faced by all young people, but they disproportionately affect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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

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

About the role

Are you passionate about giving all young people the best chance in life? Are you a brilliant influencer and communicator who relishes harnessing great policy, research and communications to realise social change? Do you want to work in a pioneering charity with impact at its core?

Then this could be the role for you. At Impetus we are looking for our next Director of Public Affairs, someone who can inspire our brilliant Public Affairs team and spearhead our communications, policy and research work. This is an exciting senior role, joining our Senior Management Team and working alongside our CEO, board, donors, supporters, portfolio partners and the wider sector to effect real change for young people.

This is an exciting time to join Impetus. We are at an inflexion point, having welcomed a new CEO this year and implementing a new strategy focusing on strengthening and expanding our impact and influence. A big part of that is through our public affairs and communications work; whether influencing policy makers so that all young people regardless of background get the best possible chance to succeed, reducing the gaps in education and employment between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their better off peers, or working with government and other funders to prove and expand impactful programmes or communicating our findings, insights and message to a wider range of audiences.

The Director of Public Affairs will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team to raise our profile and influence policy, unlock and steward resource and build new partnerships, in order to facilitate growth in impact. They will do this by getting the most out of our high performing Public Affairs team, which covers policy, research, advocacy and communications - as well as working across teams and with the Board to ensure Impetus is well positioned externally.

We’re proud of the work we’ve achieved to date, developing a strong track record of high-quality research and insightful reports, significantly raising our profile through media relations and stakeholder engagement, building strong sector partnerships and coalitions to drive meaningful change, establishing a wide range of relationships across government and the sector and building strong expertise in the team. We’re delighted that you’re considering joining us to take forward this work to the next level.

Here are some examples of the types of work that the Public Affairs team delivers:
• Our monthly policy newsletter, Impetus Insights
• Our news and commentary and blogs
• Our latest research reports on school engagement, attainment and youth employment
• Our coalitions: The Youth Employment Group and Who is Losing Learning?

For more information on what we’re looking for from our Director of Public Affairs & what a typical week can look like – please view the Director of Public Affairs recruitment pack.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and income generation

• Work with Impetus CEO and SMT to support the delivery of the Impetus strategy and business plan and deliver the public affairs milestones to time and within budget.
• Champion and contribute to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of Impetus' work, ensuring that EDI principles related to Impetus’ mission are reflected in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications and public positioning.
• Vision setting and strong line management of the Public Affairs team, developing their capabilities, representing the team at SMT and to the Board and ensuring it continues to make a valuable - and valued - contribution to the achievement of Impetus’s objectives, through building and implementing high quality work plans for the team and ensuring the wider Impetus team is aligned on these.
• Increase awareness, understanding and trust in Impetus among key stakeholders, through regular, thoughtful engagement with the sector and securing high profile media coverage.
• Raise awareness of the education and employment gaps faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and what we can do to break down the barriers they face - through research, policy positioning and effective communications.
• Build a positive reputation for Impetus in government and parliament and among funders, as a source of expertise on how to improve the education and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a trusted interlocutor and partner, building on and leveraging the many relationships already established.
• Ensure that all advocacy is supported by high quality research and evidence, with our policy and research agenda well aligned to supporting the delivery of Impetus’ strategy.
• Ensure a positive media profile, continuing to build on the base established to build awareness among the media of Impetus’s expertise and content.
• Position Impetus as a ‘sought-after’ collaborative partner for other organisations with shared objectives; including regularly representing Impetus at relevant sector events.
• Support the delivery of our fundraising strategy and the successful delivery of our events programme, in particular, our flagship Transforming Lives Dinner.
• Where appropriate, collaborate with our portfolio partners to support their public affairs work and to leverage relevant partnerships, drawing on their insights to inform Impetus’ work.
• Contribute to the successful performance of the Senior Management Team, and provide expert advice to them, as well as to Trustees, on all public affairs-related activities and in the implementation of the broader strategy, engaging with decisions and challenges across the organisation.
• Oversee the running of our Public Affairs Committee (PAC), leveraging their skills, expertise and influence for the good of Impetus.

Personal specification

Essential

• A commitment to Impetus’ mission
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Experience of leading public affairs / communications / policy at a senior level
  Strong track record of influencing (through policy, advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations)
• Strong management skills including strategy development, people management, budgeting and impact monitoring
• Experience of leading multiple and complex workstreams to achieve measurable results
• Experience of representing an organisation externally; in meetings, media interviews and on public platforms
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
• Presence, credibility, motivational skills, natural ability to command respect based on experience, and ability to look beyond own area of expertise
• Proven experience of building and maintaining influential external relationships and strategic partnerships
• Ability to motivate a team and work collaboratively, enlisting support from others
• Knowledge of the education and/ or young people sectors

Desirable:

• Experience of fundraising, including trusts and foundations
• Knowledge of digital communications
• Experience of data management and good analytical skills
• Understanding of, and/or lived experience of, the barriers that young people face, that contribute to the education and employment gap
• Knowledge of venture philanthropy / impact management
• Knowledge of private equity and associated industries

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

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.

How to apply

Please click here to apply.

You will need to:

• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
• We will also share our equal opportunities form which must also be completed.

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 11:59pm, Sunday 12th October 2025.

Interviews

First round interviews will take place: w/c 20th/27th October 2025.

Second round interviews will take place: w/c 3rd November 2025.

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.