Head of communications and events jobs

About Starlight

No one enjoys medical procedures, least of all children. From facing everyday vaccinations to the most serious of surgeries and chronic conditions, all children experience varying degrees of apprehension and fear. Feeling scared, powerless, or anxious in healthcare settings doesn’t just trigger a child’s emotions; it can create traumas that impact treatment success and that can have a life-long impact. Starlight’s aim is to transform children’s health through better experiences, by putting play at the heart of every child’s healthcare.

Evidence shows that play in healthcare can reduce anxiety, fear and even pain; it helps children engage and prepare for their treatment and cope better with procedures; it minimises trauma and contributes to a better experience; and supports children to have some sense of agency and control in an environment where these opportunities are limited. Play can also reduce the number of attempts to deliver treatment, the need for sedation and the need for repeat appointments. Prioritising children’s right to play in healthcare results in healthier, happier children who are involved in their own healing and recovery as well as more efficient treatment and care.

We work in over 900 healthcare settings across the UK with an ultimate vision to ensure that no child endures trauma in healthcare.

Role Overview

Starlight has a long and successful track record of delivering high-profile, high-value special events, including the prestigious Blenheim Ball, Newbury Race Day, and until recently, the Highclere Clay Pigeon Shoot. These events are supported by influential committees and have played a critical role in raising income, stewarding donors and connecting supporters with our purpose.

With a gap in our Philanthropy team and maternity cover needed until around May next year, this 9-month fixed-term role exists to lead, develop and deliver Starlight’s flagship events at a senior level. Immediate responsibilities are for the Starlight Health Play Awards a key stewardship event in October; and the development of a Royal Palace Event to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Starlight likely to be in November. There is also the opportunity to shape the Starlight Event Strategy, with the development of a new event building on the success of our Newbury Race Days and the development of our biennial activity with the Blenheim Ball Committee.

This is a senior, delivery-focused role designed for an experienced events professional who can hit the ground running. Working closely with the Starlight Team and Committees, you will bring leadership, strategic judgement and outstanding project management to ensure Starlight events continue to excel in reputation, income and supporter experience. 

Are you an exceptional communicator who enjoys building relationships, delivering memorable experiences and helping others connect with a meaningful cause? We invite you to apply for the Development Officer - Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM) position within Development and Alumni Engagement at the University of Oxford, where your work will help secure philanthropic support for one of the world's leading universities.

Location: Oxford, with hybrid working available

Salary: Grade 6: £35,681 - £41,636 per annum, with a possible extension to £45,212 including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730

Contract: Permanent, Full time

About Us

Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you'll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.

Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) plays a central role in enabling the University's ambitions by building meaningful relationships with alumni, philanthropists, trusts, foundations and partners around the world. Within the Gardens, Libraries and Museums team, you'll help unlock philanthropic support that preserves world-renowned collections, expands access to knowledge and enables cultural engagement for future generations. Your work will directly contribute to initiatives that enrich research, education and public understanding on a global scale.

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays), with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Sustainable travel benefits, including cycle loans, discounted bus travel and season ticket loans.
• Access to a wide range of social, cultural and sporting activities.

About the Role

This is an excellent opportunity to build a career in major gift fundraising within one of the world's most respected cultural institutions. Working with experienced colleagues, you'll develop your own portfolio of donors, helping to secure philanthropic support for the Bodleian and across the Gardens, Libraries and Museums.

Alongside developing donor relationships, you'll lead the delivery of two high-profile annual stewardship events attended by senior University figures, oversee annual fundraising appeals and create compelling proposals and communications that inspire philanthropic support. You'll work closely with colleagues across the University to turn complex academic and cultural projects into engaging stories for donors.

Whether you're already working in fundraising or bring transferable experience from events, communications, alumni relations or another externally facing role, you'll receive training and support to develop your expertise in major gifts fundraising.

About You

You will bring:

• Experience in fundraising, alumni relations, marketing or other relationship-focused roles.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce engaging and persuasive content for different audiences.
• Experience of planning and delivering high-quality events
• Strong relationship-building skills, with confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, organise your own workload and deliver to deadlines.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications and CRM or relationship management systems.
• A demonstrable interest in the cultural sector and a desire to develop a career in philanthropic fundraising.

Application Process

To apply, please upload:

• A covering letter/supporting statement
• Your CV
• The details of two referees

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3 August 2026.

Face-to-face interviews will take place funon Thursday 13 August 2026

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision over the coming years.

We are recruiting a Head of Communications to join our Senior Leadership Team to lead the charity’s communications work, ensuring that the charity’s ambitious growth plan is supported by exceptional strategic communications that engages our key stakeholders and builds support for the charity’s work, particularly with funders and university partners.

This is a senior position and will involve close work with the charity’s senior managers, trustees and high-profile stakeholders. This is both a strategic and hands-on role, ranging from having senior oversight of the charity’s communications strategy, through to rolling your sleeves up to work with the team to meet a tight deadline. 

The role at a glance

Contract

Permanent. The role is available on either a part-time (30 hours per week, 0.8 FTE) or full-time basis, with responsibilities adjusted appropriately.

Start date

September 2026 (or as otherwise agreed with candidate)

Working hours 

The role is available either 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE) or full-time, with responsibilities adjusted appropriately.

We are a delivery organisation providing frontline educational services for young people. Our Head Office team is based on the site of our North Kensington centre in West London. We are an organisation with team members at different stages of their career, including many in their first roles: we are committed to nurturing talent and providing a developmental culture for all. Role is mainly office-based, with the opportunity to work from home one day per week.

The in-person time will mainly be in the office with other members of the team, but will also include regularly attending meetings at other locations - for example, attending events or meeting stakeholders at IntoUniversity centres.

Salary

£55,000 to £60,000 per annum pro rata (incl. £2,800 London contribution) Pro-rated salary for 30 hours p/w (0.8 FTE) is £44,000 to £48,000 per annum. 

Location

IntoUniversity Head Office, 95 Sirdar Road, London W11 4EQ 

Annual Leave

Full-time staff entitlement, pro-rated for part-time staff: 33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days).

Senior Leadership Team

The postholder will be a member of the charity’s Senior Leadership Team, which comprises six senior operational, HR, communications and fundraising staff along with the four members of our Senior Management Team. 

Application deadline: 09:00am Wednesday 29th July 2026

Could you lead a talented team to deliver compelling, audience‑led campaigns that accelerate progress for everyone affected by ovarian cancer?  

We are looking for an Interim Head of Marketing and Communications to lead this function during an exciting period of transition and growth. This role will play a pivotal part in delivering our communications and brand strategy, supporting the rollout of our new organisational strategy, and maintaining momentum across high‑profile campaigns and projects.  

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising and Engagement, you’ll oversee marketing and communications across the organisation, line managing a team of specialists and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team. You’ll provide strategic leadership, clear direction and hands‑on support, ensuring activity is well planned, insight‑driven and aligned to our wider organisational objectives.  

This role is ideal for an experienced marketing and communications leader, ideally from the charity sector, who can combine strategic thinking with strong delivery, and who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.  

We are an ambitious charity, building on our achievements and targeting what’s important to stop ovarian cancer devastating lives - symptoms awareness, early diagnosis, better treatments and support for all. It’s an exciting time to be joining Target Ovarian Cancer as we move into our ambitious new strategy.   

Join us and together we'll fight for a world where everyone with ovarian cancer lives.  

 The role 

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term position to July 2027. 

We operate a hybrid working model. You will usually work remotely but will be expected to attend meetings at our office near London Bridge when required. Please note that travel costs to the office are not covered. 

If you would like more information about expected office attendance, please refer to the recruitment pack. 

How to apply 

You will be asked to submit your CV and answer two application questions (maximum 250 words each) as part of the process. You will also be asked to complete an equalities monitoring form. 

Applications without responses to the application questions may not be considered. 

Key dates 

• Closing date: 22 July 2026 

• First interview Monday 27 July, second interview Friday 31 July 

If you are invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments. 

Additional information 

Target Ovarian Cancer does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot sponsor visas. 

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require support with your application, please refer to the guidance provided in the recruitment pack.

Head of Communications and Engagement
The Diocese of Winchester is seeking an exceptional communications leader to help shape how we tell the story of God's work across our Diocese. This is a strategic senior leadership role, responsible for leading our Communications & Engagement Team and developing a clear, engaging and effective communications strategy that supports our mission, vision and priorities.

Serving a population of over 1.2 million people across more than 230 parishes, the Diocese of Winchester is a diverse and vibrant community. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence how we communicate with clergy, parishes, schools, partners, media and the wider public, ensuring that people feel informed, connected and inspired by our shared mission.

About the Communications and Engagement Team
The Communications & Engagement Team supports the Diocese in sharing its vision, celebrating local stories, engaging stakeholders and managing communications across a wide range of activities. The team works collaboratively with colleagues across mission and ministry, safeguarding, schools, vocations, creation care and governance, ensuring that communications effectively support diocesan priorities and objectives.

What you’ll do

• Lead the development and delivery of the Diocese's communications and engagement strategy
• Shape and communicate key diocesan messages alongside senior leaders
• Build strong relationships with clergy, parish officers, Winchester Cathedral and external stakeholders
• Oversee media relations, press releases and crisis communications activity
• Lead communications campaigns around major church seasons, diocesan initiatives and strategic priorities
• Ensure the Diocese embraces best practice in digital communications, social media and emerging technologies, including AI
• Manage the Communications & Engagement Team, supporting and developing staff to achieve their full potential
• Build collaborative relationships with Church of England communications colleagues regionally and nationally

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience of developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies within a complex organisation
• Strong leadership and people management experience
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, media and influencing skills
• Experience of leading change and managing organisational risk
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of budget management and strategic planning
• A collaborative and resilient approach, with the confidence to challenge constructively and build strong relationships
• A practising Christian who is committed to the mission and ministry of the Church and able to support the vision of the Diocese of Winchester

CVs are not accepted.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 31st July 2026.

Initial interviews for the role will take place on the 26th August 2026. If you are successful in the first interview, you will be invited to a second interview on the 7th September 2026. Both interviews will be held at the Diocesan Offices, Old Alresford Place SO24 9DH

Hours: 37.5 (part-time or job share is not available for this position).

Salary: £25,000

Location:      Primarily office-based in Hemel Hempstead, with regular travel around the community required and some flexible working offered.

Reports to: Senior Events & Community Fundraiser

Requirement: Access to a car is essential

Are you looking for a role where no two days are the same? This could be it.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual This is an entry-level role ideal for someone looking to launch their career in the charity sector. No prior professional experience in fundraising is required, as full training will be provided.

As our Events & Communications Assistant, you’ll be right at the centre of everything we do - helping deliver engaging events, creating content that connects with people, and bringing our work to life.

You’ll work closely with our Fundraising & Communications team to plan and deliver events, promote them across digital channels, and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. From coordinating logistics to posting on social media and supporting supporter communications, you’ll play a key role in making things happen.

This is a hands-on role that includes the practical delivery of events. You’ll be involved in setting up and packing down, transporting equipment, and supporting on-site logistics. This can include lifting and moving equipment, putting up gazebos and stands, and driving the event van. 

About you

· You’re super-organised and able to juggle multiple priorities with ease

· You’re proactive, positive and ready to roll your sleeves up

• You’re comfortable taking a hands-on approach to events, including lifting equipment, setting up spaces and supporting logistics You enjoy working with people and delivering great experiences
• You’ve got strong communication skills, confident on social media and able to bring ideas to life
• You’re confident using Microsoft Office and quick to learn new systems
• You’ve got a sharp eye for detail and take pride in getting things right first time
• You’re motivated by making a genuine difference through your work

 How to apply

Read the full Job Description & Personal Specification.

 We will not accept a general CV for this role.  Instead, please fill in the DENS Application Form and include your Supporting Statement. 

We’re recruiting on a rolling basis and will close this vacancy once a suitable candidate is appointed. We aim for an August hire for a September start, so early applications are strongly encouraged.

Please advise us should you require adjustments to be made for you at interview.

Extra info re benefits……

Why join DENS?

You’ll be part of a supportive, friendly, and dedicated team of fundraisers who foster a collaborative "One Team, One Goal" culture. We value and celebrate every member's contribution, ensuring you thrive in our positive working environment. Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, along with ongoing training and development to enhance your skills. Your fundraising efforts will directly contribute to creating positive change and making a lasting impact in our community.

Benefits include:

• 25 days or equivalent annual leave, excluding Bank and Public Holidays
• One additional day of annual leave after each 5 years’ service, up to 3 days.
• Flexible working environment
• Medicash plan, including Virtual GP, some dental and optical cover
• Employee assistance programme – 24/7 mental health support helpline
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Professional development and training, including on-going access to e-learning platform
• Staff Networks, Wellbeing Days and whole team events
• One day to volunteer for DENS or another organisation
• NEST pension scheme

About DENS

Our aim is to be the first port of call for people in Dacorum who are facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion; to support and empower them to take the next positive step in their lives, secure and maintain a long-term housing option and be an active member of their community.

We ensure individuals have access to temporary and short-term accommodation, and individuals and families have access to emergency food and provisions. We provide a range of services so that people can develop the resilience, skills, and confidence to take the next step in their lives.

This role will support the delivery of Sarcoma UK’s challenge events portfolio, with a particular focus on supporting the expansion of the London Marathon into a two-day event and providing excellent stewardship to a growing number of challenge event fundraisers.

This is a new, fixed-term role offers an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about fundraising to learn and develop within a busy, friendly and supportive fundraising team. The post is offered on a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of becoming permanent.

At Sarcoma UK, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Benefits:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• 25 days holiday entitlement per annum plus bank holidays and the working days between Christmas and New Year
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Volunteering day per year
• Enhanced sick, maternity and adoption pay
• Sarcoma UK Life Insurance Scheme
• Health and wellbeing:
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Therapy sessions
  • Wellbeing Group
  • Team activities throughout the year
• Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loan

Our Promise: 

Everything we do is shaped by the people affected by sarcoma.

Our work is guided by five commitments:

• We are shaped and driven by people affected by sarcom: we listen to and learn from the experiences of patients and families.
• We are committed to equity: everyone affected by sarcoma should be able to access the same quality of care, information and support.
• We collaborate to make a bigger impact: we work with healthcare professionals, researchers, organisations and policymakers to achieve more together.
• We uphold the highest standards: we use evidence and expertise to push for better care, treatment and research.
• We are relentlessly ambitious: sarcoma is decades behind other cancers. We will use every opportunity to close that gap.

Duties and key responsibilities

Challenge Event Support

• Provide day-to-day support to the Senior Challenge Events Officer across Sarcoma UK’s challenge events portfolio.
• Act as a point of contact for fundraisers participating in challenge events, responding to enquiries and signposting them to the right support.
• Support the delivery of the London Marathon, including stewardship and the setup of the Running Show and after party.
• Help administer the challenge events process, including registrations, deadlines, record-keeping and post-event evaluations.
• Assist with the organisation of event-day experiences, such as cheer stations and receptions, to support participants and celebrate their achievements.
• Help compile reports and evaluations for events within the challenge event portfolio.
• Support research into new challenge events to help grow the charity’s portfolio.

Communications

• Support the creation of challenge event content for online and offline channels, including the website, working with the Senior Challenge Events Officer and the Communications team.
• Help compile impact messages for fundraisers.
• Help gather fundraising stories, case studies and achievements to share with the Communications team.

Supporter Care

• Provide friendly, gold-standard support to challenge event fundraisers, helping them access the resources they need to maximise their fundraising and stay involved long term.
• Help deliver personalised stewardship journeys to support participants in meeting or exceeding their fundraising targets.
• Respond promptly to fundraising enquiries by post, email and telephone.
• Help ensure fundraisers receive timely recognition, including letters, certificates and impact updates as appropriate.
• Send fundraising materials and packs to supporters.

Administration and Compliance

• Maintain accurate supporter records using Sarcoma UK’s database (Raiser’s Edge).
• Help ensure Gift Aid is captured at every opportunity.
• Help monitor and manage event fundraising stock.
• Work in line with fundraising legislation, including GDPR, risk management, health and safety regulations, and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Conduct.

Other

• Provide event support, which may involve occasional weekend or evening work.
• Adapt to the evolving needs of Sarcoma UK by undertaking other duties as required.

Why this role matters
Good ideas, strong evidence and inspiring stories only create change if the right people understand and act on them. This role exists to ensure that the case for physical activity reaches the right people, in the right way, at the right time, and that it moves them to act. You’ll develop compelling narratives grounded in insight, evidence, and behavioural science, helping partners across the system create greater impact and supporting Yorkshire  Sport Foundation in leading and influencing far beyond its own boundaries.

Responsibilities
Strategic comms leadership
• Develop and lead a long-term strategic marketing andcommunications approach aligned to our Active Partnership role
and Sport England priorities
• Use behavioural science, audience insight and evidence to shapehow the system understands physical activity and inequality
• Identify the beliefs, motivations and barriers of key audiences anddesign communications that influence action
• Ensure all communications activities support YSF to influencestrategic stakeholders
• Advise the organisation on how messaging can support policy, investment and system change
• Develop Yorkshire Sport Foundation’s reputation as a trusted strategic voice

Influence & stakeholder engagement
• Shape communications that influence policy, investment and practice across local authorities, health and education systems
• Support senior leaders to land key messages with senior stakeholders
• Equip partners with messaging that helps them to demonstrate and amplify the impact they make
• Translate complex insight and evaluation into clear narratives and messages
Insight-led communications
• Embed audience insight and behavioural science into messaging
• Combine data, evaluation and lived experience to demonstrate impact whilst ensuring communications reflect communities
authentically
• Build a learning approach to testing, adapting and improving messaging effectiveness

Organisational leadership
• Lead and develop the strategic marketing and communications function
• Set standards for when communications activity should, and should not, happen
• Maintain humility while strengthening clarity of impact and purpose

Channels & delivery
• Plan and deliver integrated marketing and communications campaigns across digital, media, content and internal channels, ensuring activity aligns with organisational objectives and brand standards
• Produce and oversee high-quality content (copy, press materials, web, social, email and collateral) while coordinating agencies, suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Monitor performance using analytics and insight, report on outcomes and continuously optimise campaigns and messaging to improve engagement and reach.
Other
• To lead on YSF public affairs and policy work in partnership with the CEO
• Strategic comms planning with the Active Partnership National Organisation and other leading Active Partnerships ensuring consistency of messaging across England
• To support the marketing of events across Yorkshire
• To work flexibly to respond to changing organisational requirements and carry out any other duties which may arise from
time to time
• To follow policies and procedures in relation to other matters, e.g.Health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR, financial procedures, etc.

What we’re looking for
We know great candidates rarely tick every box. If you have strongskills across most of the areas below and believe you can add value, we’d love to hear from you.
• Skills in both operational and strategic marketing and communications
• Ability to influence policy, investment or organisational behaviours
• Ability to design and deliver communications strategies that change decisions
• Skills in translating evidence and insight into persuasive narratives
• Understanding of behavioural science and audience-centred communications
• Able to operate with credibility and humility in partnership environments
• Comfortable working where success means others receive recognition
• Strategic thinker who challenges activities that lack purpose
• Commitment to reducing inequalities
• Strategic narrative and messaging development skills
• Senior stakeholder influencing and facilitation skills
• Ability to simplify complex evidence and communicate in engaging ways
• Leadership and team development skills

Other
• Ability to travel independently around West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
• Ability and willingness to work to our organisational values

Please make sure you demonstrate your ability to meet therequirements of the job by giving clear, concise examples of how you meet each of the requirements in the What We’re Looking For section of the job description.

We recognise and welcome our responsibility to remove any barriers in our Recruitment and Selection process for disabled people. We have tried to do this, but if you have a disability and identify any barriers in the job description or employee specification, please tell us of these in your application. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments
to the job wherever possible and it would help us to know your needs to do this.

We're hiring: Communications Manager

The Work Rights Centre is looking for a passionate communications or press professional to lead our agenda-setting media coverage. The successful candidate will develop and deliver our comms strategy, lead on media relations to amplify our impactful work, and devise strategic systems-change campaigns.

This is an ideal opportunity for a candidate with a strong sense of justice and storytelling background, who values impact, teamwork, and the autonomy of working in a diverse and agile team. We can accommodate flexible and remote work, and offer enhanced pension, annual leave, parental leave and sick pay benefits.

• Pay: £38,000 - £42,000
• Contract length: Permanent
• Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) or part-time
• Location: London hybrid (with possibility of remote-only for an exceptional candidate)

The role

You’ll set the strategic direction of our comms work, ensuring that it drives our strategic objectives, and lead the press office function. You’ll find the story potential in our legal and research work, and secure extensive media coverage through maintaining strong relationships with journalists from across the political spectrum.  You will create and publish high-quality and up to date content across our website, newsletter and social media channels. This is a real opportunity to lead on all aspects of the communications function in an impactful organisation, and contribute to systemic change.

About you

We seek an enthusiastic and passionate professional with minimum 3-5 years experience in a dedicated communications or press role.

You will also have:

• A track-record of securing high-quality, agenda-setting media coverage.
• Good contacts across editorial boards.
• A track-record of successful delivery against comms objectives on social media.
• Experience developing, executing, and evaluating data-driven communication strategies.
• Strong understanding of the UK political and media landscape, with a sharp eye for reactive opportunities.
• Good knowledge of website and social media content management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Please download the job description for full responsibilities and complete person specifications.

To apply send two samples of your recently published work, along with your  CV and cover letter by the end of Sunday 9th August.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced international advocacy professional to lead our global engagement strategy as our inaugural Head of Advocacy. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment on our mission as we continue to develop and implement our international engagement strategy and launch a new Global Institute for the 1001 Critical Days. As our Head of Advocacy you will elevate our influence on the global stage. You will work with our senior team to drive international advocacy and engagement with policymakers, parliamentarians, international organisations, and strategic partners. Your work will help us to position babies – and the 1,001 critical days – at the heart of global policy agendas.

To apply please click on the redirect to recruiter button. Please note that interviews will take place on Thursday 13 August. 

Put simply, there is nowhere else quite like it. Seven acres of park, playgrounds and Grade II listed community buildings, tucked into the heart of Bloomsbury, dedicated entirely to children and families and where no adult can enter without a child.

It has been this way since 1936 and our jobs and potentially yours, as our new Head of Estates, is to protect this sanctuary for children and young people for generations to come.

This isn’t your average Head of Estates role – it’s a role for someone that cares deeply about their work and someone who will thrive on the prospect of developing and protecting this iconic space for children and young people. The prospect of being able to see the tangible impact of your work in bringing joy to thousands of children and families across London, will hold huge appeal.

What you’ll be doing:

• Overseeing the day-to-day compliance, management and maintenance of our park, playgrounds, sports facilities, and Grade II listed buildings.
• Leading a small, multi-skilled Grounds and Facilities team — recruiting them, developing them, and building a culture they're proud to be part of.
• Overseeing contractors and capital works, from routine repairs to major building projects. 
• Sitting on the Senior Management Team to shape the charity's strategic plans.
• Looking after a grounds and facilities budget of c.£400K.
• Acting as one of four Designated Safeguarding Leads, because looking after this site 
means looking after the children in it.
 

Who we’re looking for:

• An inspiring leader, capable of galvanising and getting the best out of our small but agile team – you’ll thrive on managing people, seeing your team as your greatest asset.
• A systems person, who knows that quality systems and structures are key to consistent, high quality facility management
• Someone who sees the bigger picture but also knows how to balance this with a hands on operational approach when needed.
• Someone with an exceptional attention to detail – you’ll see things that others don’t, set standards at the highest level and help others understand why quality matters.
• An experienced facilities professional, capable of balancing the demands of managing a complex, public space and heritage site.
• A team player – someone with the conviction to own what they do but who also understands 
the value of working and learning from those around them.

“IPSO protects the public interest by promoting high quality journalism and defends the public when editorial standards fall short.”

Charlotte Dewar, IPSO Chief Executive

IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation – is the regulator of most newspapers, magazines, and digital news in the UK. We are a small but influential and high-profile organisation with a clear and important purpose. We place a strong emphasis on personal development for staff and provide excellent training opportunities and a supportive work culture.

We are recruiting a communications officer to cover maternity leave within our committed, friendly, and dynamic team.

Reporting to the Head of Communications, you will play a key role in delivering IPSO’s communications activities, with a strong focus on digital channels and social media, internal communications, and day‑to‑day management of the IPSO website.

About the role

The key role responsibilities will be to:

• Plan, create and manage digital communications and social media content across IPSO channels, using analytics to monitor performance and support organisational priorities
• Manage and update the IPSO website using WordPress, including day‑to‑day communications, publishing rulings, and ensuring accuracy, accessibility and basic SEO standards
• Produce and edit a wide range of communications materials, including newsletters, news releases, internal updates, and briefings, ensuring alignment with IPSO’s purpose and regulatory role.
• Provide broader communications support, including media monitoring and reporting, handling press enquiries as directed, and assisting with IPSO events and conferences.

Skills and experience

We are looking for an experienced and proactive communications officer to cover maternity leave for a minimum of six months, starting in August or September 2026.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will create clear, engaging content, monitor media coverage, and help ensure IPSO’s communications are accurate, accessible and aligned with its role as regulator of UK digital news, newspapers and magazines.

A personal interest in current affairs and the news industry is a must, but there is no need for a degree or qualification in this area. You will have strong interpersonal skills, an ability to get things done, and you will enjoy working with a range of colleagues and stakeholders.

You’ll also have excellent written skills and superb project management skills.

At IPSO, we want to create a culture which recognises, values, and respects that people are different. We believe that representing the diversity of the society in which we work is fundamental to our goals of protecting people and promoting freedom of expression.

We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential. We know diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment and we strongly encourage applications from a wide range of people regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender (identity, expression or reassignment), marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief and socio-economic background.

What we can offer you

This is a chance to deliver the communications of a high‑profile, independent regulator at the heart of the UK media landscape working on complex, high‑profile issues relating to journalism, regulation and press freedom.

This contract is for at least six months covering maternity leave. There is a competitive starting salary of £32,960, 25 days of paid annual leave (pro rata), and excellent additional benefits.

The role is full-time, and IPSO offers hybrid working to all staff. All staff work two core days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in our Central London office; members of the senior management team work an additional day in the office. New staff may be asked to come in for more days while they familiarise themselves with the organisation.

How to apply

Candidates are required to attach a Diversity Monitoring form, which can be found on our website. Please note that although this form is required for applications to be considered, candidates are free to opt out of any questions.

To apply, please read the full job description and forward your CV and you must include a cover letter outlining briefly why you are interested in the role and how you are suitable, along with the Diversity Monitoring form by midday on Monday 27 July.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 6 August in London.

IPSO will reimburse reasonable travel costs for attending interviews. If you require a reasonable adjustment, please include that information with your application. In-person interviews are preferred but IPSO conducts interviews by video call where needed and candidates choosing this option will not be disadvantaged. The job description for the position can be found on our website.

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.

Communications and Engagement Officer

Location: Hybrid/remote working (at least 2 days per week based in our Central London office, however we want to get the best from you, so we are open to discussion).

Contract: Permanent, 35hrs p/week.

Peace Direct does not currently hold a sponsorship license and therefore if you do not have the right to work in the UK, we cannot accept your application.

Who we are 
Peace Direct is an international charity with a vision for a just world, free from violent conflict. Working in partnership with local peacebuilders in some of the world’s most conflict-affected places, we want to change the international system so that it better supports the role that local people and communities play in preventing violence and building and sustaining peace. More than that, we want to change the international system so that it better supports the role that local people and communities play in preventing violence and building and sustaining peace.

The Role 
We are looking for a Communications and Engagement Officer to join our busy Fundraising & Communications team. You will play a key role in growing and engaging Peace Direct's audiences to take action for local peacebuilders. You will coordinate and deliver content across email, web and social media channels that increases supporter engagement, conversions and unrestricted income. You will support wider organisational communications including working directly with our partners to collect content, championing ethical, decolonised and values-led communications. You will also provide administrative support to the whole team, contributing to Peace Direct’s visibility, impact and fundraising success.

About You: To join us, some of the skills you will need are:  

• Strong organisational skills with experience providing administrative support in a busy team environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and build effective relationships with colleagues, supporters, and stakeholders.
• Confident using new systems and following established processes.
• Excellent writing, editing, and digital content management skills.
• Experience using data and analytics to improve performance and engagement.
• Commitment to inclusive, ethical communications and responsible storytelling.

If you are a highly organised communicator with strong digital content skills and a passion for social change, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help amplify the voices of peacebuilders around the world.

This permanent position is based in our small, friendly central London office, working alongside a highly committed and diverse team.

Still interested? Take a look at the job description to see full details about the role and whether it matches your skills and experience.  

How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing relevant experience and what excites you most about working in our Fundraising and Communications team via Charity Jobs. Please indicate in your cover letter, should you choose to, whether you are applying through the Disability Confident Scheme.

Using AI in your application
At Peace Direct, we understand how useful AI can be in supporting engaging and effective communications. However, we prefer that AI is not relied on in job applications. We are excited to read your unique insights and experiences, which AI often removes. Please ensure your application reflects your own voice and how your ambition aligns with our mission.

We also offer candidates the choice of submitting a video clip, i.e. a video cover letter if this is preferable to a written cover letter. To ensure fairness we suggest you turn the camera off so that we only hear your voice. The video should be no more than 2 minutes in length. You should email it as a video link via WeTransfer or any other file sharing tool, to our recruitment inbox, the address of which you will find on the jobs page of our website as unfortunately the Charity Jobs website does not permit a url to be inserted here.

For the video cover letter, the following should guide your speaking points. Switch the camera off and state the following:

• Your name;
• The job you are applying for;
• Describe your overall skills and abilities (as they relate to the post being advertised);
• A brief description of your work experience (in relation to the post being advertised);
• What makes you qualified for the new position;
• Any additional details that help introduce yourself

You should choose either a written cover letter or a video cover letter, but we request that you please do NOT submit both.

Closing deadline for CV and cover letter is 11:30pm on Sunday 26th July.  

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete the following before their interview:

• A short supplementary information form
• A task put together by the Digital Fundraising & Engagement Manager and Communications & Engagement Manager

First stage interviews will be held ideally in-person on 6th and 10th August. Second stage interviews will be held on 13th August.

Peace Direct strives to be a diverse and inclusive employer, with equality of opportunities regardless of personal identity, and we are committed to improving our systems and ways of working to support this, including creating a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) working group, DEI strategy and recruitment guidelines. We strongly encourage individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), LGBTQ+. As part of being a Disability Confident Committed employer, we welcome people with disabilities or health challenges to apply and those who meet most of the Essential requirements as laid out in the job specification will be guaranteed an interview for the job which you are applying, through our Disability Confident scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

We welcome people from all backgrounds and strongly advocate our DEI policy and commitment to maintain an inclusive workplace culture; we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent, so we welcome a conversation about any DEI concerns you may have. Please contact our HR Manager, Lesley Agbarakwe. What’s important isn’t your level of education or the opportunities which you have had; it’s about your passion and how you seize the opportunities ahead of you to use your skills and knowledge in this field of work.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which includes criminal records (DBS) checks. Peace Direct also participates in the Inter

Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). In line with this Scheme, we will ask your consent to request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation after having left previous employment.  

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Peace Direct is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Peace Direct engages. Peace Direct expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

Peace Direct is committed to preventing and protecting all people from harm in their interactions with us. We expect all those that act in our name to uphold our approach to doing no harm and to sign up to our Safeguarding policy and Code of Conduct.