External relations associate jobs in Manchester
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Use your communication experience to build the migration justice movement’s defiance and strength at a pivotal moment.
About Right to Remain
Right to Remain is a national migration justice organisation, working with hundreds of communities and groups across the UK. As a key anchor organisation within the migration justice movement, we uniquely combine sharing public legal education that democratises knowledge, facilitating strategic convenings that harness radical solidarity, and campaigning and community organising that builds power, further empowering people to establish their right to remain and collectively challenge injustices of the immigration and asylum system.
About the role
This role is for an experienced Communications Officer who wants to put their skills to work supporting Right to Remain to build knowledge, radical solidarity and power in the face of escalating attacks on the rights and dignity of migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum.
You will use strategic, thoughtful communications to amplify lived experience of the asylum and immigration system, showcase grassroots organising, and promote our expert public legal education resources and training. Your work will empower more people to understand and exercise their rights, and support grassroots community groups and allies to guide, and stand in solidarity with, people navigating the hostile asylum and immigration system.
You will have experience building and engaging communities around social justice through targeted digital communications. Day to day, you will collaborate within our small team to produce email, social and web content that demystifies public legal knowledge and showcases community power. You will also co-create content with These Walls Must Fall campaigners to share their stories, and help set out the impact of political decisions in the press.
About you
You are an experienced communicator with excellent written skills and a strong ability to develop clear, engaging messages for different audiences.
You bring a genuine commitment to migration justice and care deeply about centring the voices of people with lived experience.
This is not an entry-level role. You are confident working independently within a small, collaborative team, taking guidance while proactively identifying priorities, opportunities, and risks. We’ll give you creative freedom, and your work will have a tangible impact in helping our organisation develop at a crucial time.
Right to Remain is a national migration justice organisation, creating a world where everyone can exercise their right to remain where they need to be
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a passionate and creative Head of Brand, Communications & Marketing to lead the next stage of our journey.
This is an exciting, strategic and hands‑on leadership role for someone who can confidently amplify our brand in the public sphere, drive meaningful engagement, and increase both supporter and beneficiary acquisition.
What You’ll Do
Reporting to the Director of Income Generation & Marketing and leading a small, high‑performing team, you will:
Brand, Communications & PR
- Lead and evolve Life’s brand strategy, ensuring clarity and consistency across all channels.
- Raise Life’s visibility with powerful campaigns that engage beneficiaries, supporters, volunteers and the public.
- Oversee media relations, PR activity, reputation management and crisis communications.
- Support and strengthen internal communications across the organisation.
Marketing Leadership
- Develop innovative marketing strategies that grow reach, impact and sustainability.
- Drive supporter and beneficiary acquisition through targeted, insight‑led campaigns.
- Use data, analytics and performance metrics to continuously improve marketing effectiveness.
- Provide inspiring leadership and development to the Marketing & Comms Team.
Digital Strategy
- Lead Life’s digital marketing approach, including SEO, paid social, PPC, email, content and inbound marketing.
- Create effective user journeys and optimise conversion rates through testing and analytics.
- Oversee engaging social media content and paid advertising campaigns.
- Ensure high‑quality digital design, content, and brand guardianship.
Website & Content
- Support the development of Life’s website, focusing on optimisation, content quality and user experience.
- Oversee high‑quality storytelling that reflects Life’s values and mission.
About You
You’ll be a confident, creative and strategic leader who brings:
- At least 5 years’ experience in digital marketing, communications or brand roles (charity sector experience desirable).
- Proven experience developing and delivering brand, digital and communications strategies.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing trends, analytics and audience insight.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing budgets and leading a team.
- A warm, values‑driven approach aligned with Life’s mission of humanity, solidarity, community and compassion.
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £40,000 – £44,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (part time considered)
Location: Remote
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have proven experience in strategic HR leadership, alongside a passion for building people-centred solutions that drive organisational success? Then join Shelter as a Senior HR Business Partner and you could soon be leading a talented team at the heart of our mission to enable impactful people management across Shelter.
You must be a highly focused Senior HR Business Partner, with the aim to proactively build relationships and add value to the directorates you work with. You need to enjoy variety, challenging work and be equally experienced in HR and ER, able to lead strategically and operate practically. In particular you will be confident in your own decision making based on your knowledge and hands on experience in organisational change, TUPE, data and insights and complex ER cases at all levels, working within a unionised workplace. You will be able to manage and motivate your small team, cope with ambiguity as well as working collaboratively within a large, very busy HR/ER team. If this sounds like you, please get in touch, expect robust interview questions as we want the best HR partnering for our charity and the most competent ER knowledge. In return will offer a supportive team environment, working from home, competitive salary and very generous staff benefits.
About the role
With line management responsibilities for a team of HR Business Partners, the Senior HR Business Partners will drive HR aspects of the Strategic Plan ensuring development and delivery of the strategy to enable relationships and people management solutions across Shelter and Shelter Scotland.
The postholder will identify HR priorities which supports Shelter and Shelter Scotland’s Strategy, making recommendations to the HR Senior Leadership Team that supports the overall strategic direction.
Role specifics
As a Senior HR Business Partner at Shelter, you will play a key role in delivering our People strategy, ensuring it supports the wider goals of Shelter and Shelter Scotland. You’ll lead on embedding effective business partnering across directorates, providing expert HR support and insight to help achieve strategic objectives. Reporting to the Head of HR Business Partnering and Employee Relations, you’ll help foster a strong partnership with Trade Unions and lead key HR projects that drive organisational change. As a senior leader within the team, you’ll manage up to two HR Business Partners, offering coaching, development and performance support, and creating opportunities for collaborative, cross-functional working.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The HR Business Partnering Team provides the strategic lead on people management and organisational development at Shelter. We aim to enable the organisation to have the right Culture, Capacity and Capability to achieve its purpose. We do this through providing Employee Relations and Business Partnering support, partnering with specific directorates within the organisation to understand business needs and advise on people initiatives which support the delivery of directorate objectives. Working with colleagues within the wide people directorate to delivery cultural and structural change management initiatives tailored to the needs of the business. Supporting the Head of HR Business Partnering in the continued development and delivery of the wider people plan.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Key information
Location: Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)
Start date: ASAP (we are happy to work with notice periods)
Duration: Permanent
Salary: £36,340 - £41,065 per annum if based in London. £33,690 - £38,410 per annum if based in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle or Nottingham, plus a £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance.
Application deadline: Wednesday 18th March, 12pm
This application process will consist of 3 stages: Application, 1st interview and Assessment Centre (presentation task & interview).
About upReach
Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?
upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2.
We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment.
To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.
Role Summary
As a University Partnership Manager at upReach, you will play a vital role in securing and growing high-impact partnerships with universities committed to social mobility.
Reporting to the Head of Partnerships within the Income Generation and External Engagement team, you will be responsible for developing new strategic relationships, championing our partners' voices across upReach, and working closely with our Programmes Team to oversee a portfolio of university partners. You’ll lead stakeholder engagement, take ownership of partnership outcomes and work collaboratively across upReach with our marketing, impact and programme teams.
Core Responsibilities
You will play a critical role in advancing upReach’s mission by generating income and leading upReach’s University Partnerships strategy. Creating life-changing opportunities for our Associates through high-impact university partnerships. You will be directly supporting the organisation's strategic priorities: driving sustainable income growth, enhancing programme impact and expanding our reach as a national charity.
Given the expansive and dynamic nature of this role, the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, but provides a clear overview of your primary areas of responsibility, ownership and impact.
The core responsibilities include:
Develop and Secure New Strategic University Partnerships
-
Proactively identify, cultivate, and convert a pipeline of four and five-figure prospective university partners aligned with upReach’s mission and strategic goals.
-
Lead high-quality prospecting and relationship-building activity, targeting income-generating partnerships that also deliver high-impact opportunities for Associates.
-
Build strong relationships with key contacts at potential partners, including senior stakeholders within widening participation, employability, and careers teams, through regular in-person and virtual meetings.
-
Deliver compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations tailored to organisational priorities and demonstrating mutual value.
Stakeholder Representation and Engagement
-
Act as a visible representative of upReach at key partner events, conferences, and roundtables, building relationships, showcasing our impact, and raising our external profile.
-
Leverage social media strategically to spotlight partnership activity, amplify success stories and demonstrate the value of our partnerships in real time.
-
Respond swiftly and professionally to partner and prospective partner requests, ensuring timely, accurate information and follow-up.
-
Capture, report and disseminate key themes and insights from partner feedback, helping to inform decision-making and continuously improve the partnership experience.
Monitor and Grow Existing University Partnerships
-
Responsibility for a portfolio of upReach’s existing university partners, ensuring effective stewardship of the day-to-day relationship with high satisfaction, sustainable renewal and growth.
-
Set and monitor partnership goals and OKRs, leading regular reviews and performance reporting.
-
Identify opportunities to deepen and broaden engagement with existing partners, including expanding partnership activities.
-
Collaborate with the Student Attraction and Programme teams to engage the university in identifying & promoting the programme.
-
Working closely with upReach’s Programme teams to ensure partnerships and programmes are delivered to a high standard.
-
Lead on university partnership health reviews and mid-year partner reviews to ensure any issues are dealt with effectively, promptly and collaboratively.
Partnership Visibility and Impact
-
Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to co-create high-quality content and campaigns that showcase our strategic partnerships through university guides, case studies, thought leadership, social media, and joint events.
-
Lead on impact reporting for your partnership portfolio, using both data and compelling stories to evidence the outcomes of the partnership and drive continued engagement.
-
Proactively identify and deliver opportunities for partners to amplify the voice of upReach; through our external events, fundraising opportunities and sharing social-media collateral that promotes our work.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation
-
Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure timely and accurate invoicing and contracting for all University partnerships, supporting effective financial management.
-
Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of partnership activity using upReach’s internal CRM and systems, enabling effective reporting, forecasting and stewardship.
-
Uphold the organisation’s legal and ethical obligations, including data protection, charity law, and compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.
-
Manage and support a rotation of the Future Charity Leaders Programme, providing guidance, feedback, and development opportunities.
-
Meet monthly with University Leads (the Programme Coordinator responsible for day-to-day university activities) to set partnership priorities, monitor stakeholder KPIs (onboarding, engagement), and deliver updates to universities.
-
Contribute to the achievement of income targets aligned with upReach’s strategic goals, identifying and progressing opportunities to drive revenue growth.
-
Engage fully in the annual appraisal process, setting ambitious, SMART objectives that align with organisational priorities and your personal development.
Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate for the University Partnerships Manager should display these behavioural skills:
-
Strong track record of relationship-building, influencing, and delivering high-quality engagement with a range of stakeholders, ideally including senior university professionals.
-
Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines autonomously.
-
Confident and pragmatic decision maker in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of when to escalate situations and seek input appropriately.
-
Proven ability to develop and implement partnership or engagement strategies that strengthen collaboration and deliver shared goals.
-
Collaborative team player with experience supporting and working across diverse teams to deliver shared objectives.
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in preparing and delivering presentations and reports.
-
Proficient in using CRM or data management systems to track engagement, manage pipelines, and generate actionable insights.
-
Experience measuring and reporting on partnership impact, engagement, or value creation.
Desirable:
-
Experience in university partnerships, fundraising, account management, or stakeholder engagement.
-
Understanding of widening participation, employability, or student success strategies within a higher education setting.
-
Experience collaborating with marketing or communications teams to create joint campaigns, content, or case studies that drive engagement.
Team Culture & Benefits:
We offer:
-
Flexible and hybrid working.
-
Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days and bank holidays. This increases to 2 additional days after 2.5 years and then to 3 additional days after 5 years of working with us.
-
Birthday leave and Volunteering leave
-
Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members.
-
3% Pension Contribution, which increased to 5% after 5 years of working with us.
-
Cycle-to-work scheme.
-
Monthly socials and annual wellbeing days
-
Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aid Training.
-
Personal Development Budget, activated after 6 months in the role.
-
The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks:
-
Disability and Inclusion Network
-
Diverse Roots Network
-
Green Network
-
LGBTQ+ Network
-
Mindfulness Network
-
Parents and Carers Network
-
(Im)Migrants Network
-
Ready to apply?
We are committed to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.
Applications close on Wednesday 18th March at 12pm..
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Diversity in the workplace creates dynamic and effective organisations and we are actively working to build a more inclusive workforce by continuously improving our recruitment, retention, and development practices. We encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities , those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.
As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.
You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
- Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
- Support organisational business planning and future growth.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
- Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
- Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.
Service Quality & Client Experience
- Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
- Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
- Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.
Operational Leadership
- Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
- Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
- Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.
Financial & Asset Management
- Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
- Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
- Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
- Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
- Support staff development and performance.
Partnership Management
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
- Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.
About you:
Essential
- CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
- Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
- Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
- Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
- Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
- Budget management and financial performance experience
- Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- UK driving licence and access to a car
Desirable
- Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
- Charity/third sector leadership experience
- Experience securing funding or development partnerships
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £45,750 per annum
Hours: 32 hours per week
Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about making a real impact through safer, high‑quality environments? Do you want to use your estates, health & safety and compliance expertise to help drive meaningful change across a national charity? If so, Life Charity would love to hear from you.
We are looking for an experienced, proactive, and values‑driven Estates Manager to lead our Estates function and ensure our services, properties, and environments consistently meet the highest standards.
The Role:
As Estates Manager, you will be the driving force behind the quality, compliance and safety of Life’s estate. This role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on management of our property portfolio, ensuring all sites are safe, secure and operating to required standards.
You will:
- Lead Health & Safety and Premises/Facilities Management across the charity
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and internal standards
- Oversee risk management, audits, inspections and safety monitoring
- Manage the Estates Coordinator and foster a culture of continuous improvement
- Work with external partners to ensure checks are carried out (Gas, Fire Safety, Legionella, Asbestos, etc.)
- Manage property acquisition, disposal, leases, maintenance and contracts
- Develop and maintain estates policies and reporting systems
- Drive a positive, proactive health & safety culture across Life
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone wanting to lead meaningful change within an organisation that truly makes a difference.
What You’ll Bring:
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Highly organised, proactive, and able to take initiative
- A strong communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
- Confident managing estates compliance, risk, safety and property-related functions
- Experienced in managing a portfolio of properties (minimum 3 years)
- Able to lead others and support their development
- Skilled in identifying improvements and driving change
Qualifications/Experience:
✔ NEBOSH (or equivalent) in Occupational Health & Safety
✔ Evidence of continuous professional development
✔ Experience in data analysis or financial management (desirable)
✔ HND or equivalent in business/charity administration (desirable)
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Please note, there is a requirement to drive for this role.
Salary: £38,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Home Based with travel to Leamington Spa and sites around the UK
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.