Head of communications jobs

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a prestigious independent school group to recruit a Group Head of Marketing & Communications.

This senior leadership role will drive the development and delivery of innovative marketing, communications and PR strategies across a highly respected education group. Reporting to the Strategic Director of Development, Engagement & Marketing, you will lead on brand campaigns, digital content, social media, publications, media relations and stakeholder engagement, while supporting admissions, development and partnership activity.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in marketing and communications, with a strong track record of delivering multi-channel campaigns and engaging content. You will be a confident line manager, relationship-builder, highly organised, digitally savvy and experienced in managing websites, CRM systems and social platforms.

Experience within a Group role within education is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading marketing and communications strategy across the group
• Supporting pupil recruitment and admissions campaigns
• Managing websites, social media and digital content
• Overseeing publications, PR and media relations
• Supporting fundraising and alumni communications
• Managing external agencies and suppliers
• Line management of two marketing managers

If you have significant senior marketing and communications experience developed in an Education setting, I’d love to hear from you.

• Full-time, permanent position
• Location- Barnes, South West London.
• Based in the school 9-5pm every day.
• Salary - competitive £60,000-£68,000 as a guide
• Great benefits, and holiday allowance, and Christmas closure.

Please apply today, the school is reviewing applications on a rolling basis and looking to interview ASAP.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

What we do is extraordinary.

And we need a Head of Fundraising who understands all of that.

Let’s start with the obvious.

You’ll need a sense of humour for this job.

Because we work with animals and children — and both have a habit of humbling you, daily.

HorseWorld Trust rescues abused and neglected horses and gives them a second chance at a meaningful life. Some of those horses go on to support vulnerable children and young people — including those with SEMH needs, SEND and children in care — through our Discovery – Discover Horses, Discover Yourself™ programme.

What we do is extraordinary.
It is also muddy, unpredictable, emotional, joyful, heartbreaking, funny and deeply human.

About HorseWorld (the real version)

Horses are incredible animals. They’ve carried humans into war; it’s no wonder they can read exactly what a child needs, often before the child knows it themselves.

Sadly, some people still abuse and neglect them. That’s where the HorseWorld hug comes in. With us, horses are safe. They live out all year round, form herds, roll in the mud, escape occasionally (because… horses), and get to live like horses again.

Our 160-acre farm is minutes from Bristol and Bath, but feels like a different world. In winter, photoshoots and tours involve waterproofs and wellies. In summer, it’s an outdoor oasis.

We do serious work — and we also believe in joy:

· Horse Festivals

· Carol services

· Massive corporates on their knees pulling ragwort

We are kind, committed, slightly irreverent, and very proud of what we do.

Why this role exists (the honest bit)

We raise around £1.5m a year against operating costs of around £2.5m.

Fundraising needs to grow — but more importantly, it needs to work better.

This role exists to:

• grow sustainable, controllable income
• improve return on investment (ROI)
• focus on what actually delivers impact
• stop doing things that don’t (even if they’re well-loved)

You won’t be expected to perform miracles.
You will be expected to bring clarity, judgement and leadership — with empathy and humour intact.

The role (what you’ll actually do)

As Head of Fundraising & Communications, you will:

• Sit on the Senior Management Team and report to the CEO
• Lead all fundraising and marketing comms activity
• Take responsibility for income and cost-effectiveness
• Shape strategy, set priorities and make evidence-based decisions
• Personally steward a small number of key major donors and partners

You’ll lead a talented team covering:

· Individual Giving

· Major Donors & Philanthropy

· Corporate Partnerships

· Trusts & Grants

· Digital Content

• Data, CRM & Compliance

You’ll also work closely with our Heads of Equine Welfare and Discovery to fundraise for our work with vulnerable horses & children.

Who this role is for

You’ll probably thrive here if you:

· Are an experienced charity fundraiser who’s seen how things really work

· Understand that “more activity” is not the same as “more impact”

· Care about ROI and relationships

· Can make tough decisions without losing kindness

· Are both proactive and adaptable

· A great communicator and relationship builder

· Are comfortable talking to Trustees one minute and standing in a muddy field the next

· Can laugh when a horse wanders into a carefully planned moment (because it will)

You don’t need to be an equine expert — but you do need to like animals, people, and the beautiful messiness of both.

What we offer

· A genuinely senior SMT role with real authority and Board backing

· Space to think, not just react

· A values-led organisation that tells the truth

· A team that works hard, laughs often and cares deeply

-        Horses who will keep you grounded (sometimes literally)

Final thought

This is not a polished, corporate fundraising role.

It is a meaningful one — rooted in rescue, recovery, growth and second chances.

If you want to lead fundraising in a place where the work matters, the people are lovely, the horses are honest, and humour is not optional — we’d love to hear from you.

Key Details
Salary: £50,000 per annum depending on experience plus benefits
Hours: 35 per week (Mon–Fri, some weekends)
Location: HorseWorld Trust, Bristol
Reports to: CEO

 DBS required

Application Details

To apply for this role please complete the  application form (available to download from our website or contact us to request the form).

 This role is subject to a DBS check, and you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK. We are a Safer Recruitment organisation and this is mandatory.

SUMMARY

Position Title:  Head of Digital Organising & Communications

Level: Level 6

Salary: £40, 000 - 46, 000 (FTE yearly/depending on experience/salaries under review as part of our ongoing pay review process)

Reports to: Director of Organising and Campaigns

Location: Liberation centre Brixton, London (New office in Brixton)/ Remote working within the UK with at least 2 days’ work from our office (Pro rata for part time)

Contract: Fulltime (40hrs/weekly), fixed-term contract for 2 years with potential for Part time (e.g., 32hrs/weekly) options

Hours: TAA has flexible working hours, with some expected evenings (e.g., one 9pm finish once every two weeks) and weekends due to the nature of the role. All extra hours are reimbursed as Time off in Lieu (TOIL).

Start date: As soon as possible (with consideration for notice period)

Benefits:  TAA laptop and phone, (employee assistance and health cash package including staff supervision, counselling, dental, optical care and more.).

The Advocacy Academy is an activist youth movement. We serve as the political home for grassroots youth organising and the catalyst for collective action. The lives of the young people we work alongside have been directly shaped by living in an unjust world, and we exist to turn their anger into action and change.

Young people are often the catalysts for major social change, from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, to the Soweto Uprising mobilising young people to resist the apartheid regime's education policies, to the Sunrise Movement redrawing the electoral map across America, and more recently protests across the world protesting the genocide in Palestine. How successfully they achieve real and lasting change depends on whether they are organised and whether they have the right strategy and tactics to be effective.

Before you skim the job description, please remember you don’t have to tick all the boxes for each role to apply.We all experience a bit of imposter syndrome, including the staff here at The Advocacy Academy. Let’s name it for what it is - a manifestation of the oppression many of us face on a day to day. If this role pulls you and you believe you could make a difference, then apply anyway or reach out to us to discuss more!

ABOUT THE ROLE

In a context of the rise of the far right, increasing inequality, and climate disaster, The Advocacy Academy is growing to meet this moment. As part of this, we are expanding our Organising and Campaigns Team, including recruiting an experienced Digital Organiser.

This person will lead the design and implementation of an ambitious digital organising approach, including building out our base online and supporting campaigns to amplify our message and deliver the tangible wins we are pushing for. The work will be supported by up to five of our ‘changemakers’ - young people who will be paid to support our digital organising alongside their other work or study.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Oversee and deliver a Digital Organising Strategy within TAA, including but not limited to:

• Working with the SLT to set the strategic objectives and direction of your area of responsibility in relation to the broader growth of the organisation, ensuring appropriate resources, KPIs and relevant tools are in place to assess progress and make judgements on priorities. 
• Taking the lead on decision-making and problem-solving for all considerations relating to the area of responsibility, working with your department director and SLT around overlapping projects.
• Understanding the impact of socio-economic and sector specific changes that could impact the department, including wider trends around digital organising and campaigns.
• Supporting the department director with the management and mitigation of organisational risks by escalating issues within your department in a timely manner and supporting them with problem solving.

2. Lead on TAA’s digital organising approach, implementing online strategies as part of our campaigns, growing our membership, supporting our fundraising and building the systems needed to support these initiatives, including but not limited to:

• Leading the development and implementation of digital organising strategies as part of our youth-led organising campaigns, and support members and wider supporters to take action to deliver material change on issues that matter to our membership.
• Leading the development and implementation of digital strategies to deliver membership growth, working alongside colleagues to track and achieve key target numbers. 
• Leading the development and implementation of online member journeys, from initial touch points with TAA through to leaders of our youth movement.
• Ensuring the right digital platforms and technology (including website, WhatsApp, CRM, email, social media) are used to facilitate the effective and efficient delivery of key objectives
• Supporting the crafting and implementation of campaign messaging and content to support our campaign aims.
• Supporting the Development Team to create and implement key digital mechanisms to fundraise, including with individual donors, HNWIs, corporate donors and international funders).

3. Lead on TAA’s communications, storytelling and engagement work, ensuring we have a clear, consistent and effective narrative that reaches people, including but not limited to:

• Leading the strategic direction of TAA’s storytelling work, ensuring narrative change is embedded across the programme and rooted in the lived experience, values, and leadership of our communities.
• Coordinating the distributed communications efforts by different teams, ensuring consistent, high-quality outputs across all channels.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of multimedia content that shifts public understanding and showcases the impact of youth organising.
• Providing editorial oversight and creative leadership to ensure our digital storytelling is coherent, compelling, values-aligned, and responsive to the external environment.
• Supporting and advise the senior leadership team on narrative risks, opportunities, and emerging digital trends relevant to our movement goals.

4. Support our members to learn and grow as digital organisers in their own right, including but not limited to:

• Proactively build relationships with our members and grow our membership, through holding regular 1:1s and relational meetings that strengthen campaigns but more importantly help them to identify and act on their developing political interests and to plug them into relevant opportunities for growth at TAA and our wider networks.
• Hold a list of members that you are the relationship lead for, developing and delivering a live learning plan with many of them, supporting them to become powerful organisers.
• Work closely with the Programmes and Community teams to set trajectories and expectations for a young person’s campaigning and organising journey, their starting point coming into TAA, and the training and support they need.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings, holding space effectively and designing and delivering creative learning journeys for young people.

5. Be a key member of the Organising and Campaigns Team, including but not limited to:

• Support efforts to set the strategic direction and priorities for the Organising and Campaigns Team each financial year.
• Proactively develop an interest in the impact of political, socio-economic and sector specific changes that could impact the HOST Programme, department and TAA in general.
• Support the Director of Organising and Campaigns and Head of Organising and Campaigns with the management and mitigation of organisational risks presented by the Programme by escalating issues in a timely manner and supporting them with problem solving.
• Support colleagues in the Organising and Campaigns team to run events, training programmes and other key activities to deliver on departmental aims.

6. Culture, values and wider strategy and mission. Hold senior accountability for driving the achievement of our strategic objectives by embedding our vision, mission, strategy, ideology and cultural values across your area and the wider organisation. Play a central role in shaping organisational direction and leading cross-departmental priorities and initiatives, including but not limited to:

• Embodying and championing our commitment to social and economic justice, ensuring this is consistently reflected in organisational strategy, decision-making, delivery and partnerships
• Acting as a champion of organisational culture and values, setting the standard across teams and holding others to account in upholding these in practice
• Leading on identifying and driving opportunities that strengthen organisational impact, working closely with senior leadership, including the Director of Finance, HR and Ops, and contributing to high-level strategic direction
• Holding ultimate responsibility for identifying, assessing and addressing risks to our integrity, authenticity and alignment with our ideology and culture, taking decisive and timely action
• Enabling and lead effective cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring teams are aligned, appropriately resourced and working cohesively towards shared goals
• Shaping and model a culture of openness, care and accountability, contributing to organisational wellbeing approaches and supporting leaders across the organisation to do the same
• Taking ownership of your continued leadership development, while also actively developing others and building leadership capacity within your area

7. Governance and Compliance

• Provide strategic leadership on governance and risk management within your portfolio, working in close partnership with the Finance, HR and Operations team.
• Lead and hold accountability for risk identification, analysis and mitigation, ensuring risks to strategic objectives are anticipated, escalated and managed effectively
• Maintain oversight of risk across your area, ensuring robust systems, controls and practices are in place and consistently applied
• Ensure strong organisational compliance with TAA policies and practices, taking responsibility for their effective implementation, continuous improvement and alignment with wider organisational standards
• You will support Programmes and Community Departments by ensuring that the operations, structures, processes, and practices align with and support TAA's campaigning and organising goals, activating new allies' goals, and community goals

A BIT ABOUT YOU  

• You are passionate about, and committed to, creating a more fair, just and equal world. 
• You believe in the potential of young people to challenge the status quo and are dedicated to helping them become more powerful citizens.
• You have a deep understanding of, and a personal connection to, issues of social justice. You are attuned to how injustice affects young people and marginalised communities, and are well-informed on the key challenges they face, and are committed to driving meaningful change.
• You’ll be comfortable managing a “to-do” list of competing priorities and balancing your workload to meet competing deadlines.
• You’re a sensitive and thoughtful relationship-builder who is interested in building a network of relationships to support the Advocacy Academy’s work. You’re a great listener, and remember people’s names, faces, and stories. 
• You’re a confident written and verbal communicator, who is comfortable with tailoring communication to reach a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders.
• You’re proactive, organised, and eager to learn, whether that’s chatting with potential funders, researching new opportunities or collaborating with teammates.

IDEAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE  

• At least 2 years of experience in digital organising and campaigning on issues of social justice and
• At least 2 years of experience in direct content creation
• Strong written, verbal and visual (graphic, video or other) communication skills
• Experience working with different audiences or types of stakeholders 
• Project management and experience working collaboratively across teams both in person and online
• Excellent organisational skills with confidence managing multiple tasks at the same time/ balancing multiple priorities to meet deadlines
• Experience with our existing systems e.g., Gmail/ Google Docs/ Google Sheets/ Canva
• Confidence working in a fast-paced environment 

This is an outline of the responsibilities and duties of the Head of Digital Organising & Communications; it is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Liberation Centre and our young people. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holders.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates will be asked to provide a CV and a Cover Letter OR a supporting video application addressing the following questions (no more than 1000 words or 10 minutes for all questions).

• Tell us about a social justice issue that makes you angry and why it matters to you?
• Our Organisers support our members to organise and campaign on issues that matter to them.Tell us about a digital organising effort or campaign you were part of, what it achieved, what it didn’t, your role in that effort and any reflections you have about being part of it?
• Our Organisers support our members to identify and act on their developing political interests, including helping them to be more confident and comfortable developing and implementing organising strategies. Tell us about a time when you helped someone learn and develop their capacity to make change in the world?
• Include anything else you would like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the roles.

In addition, please also provide information on your notice period and your availability for interview. You may also attach any other content that would be relevant for us to have in order to showcase interest and experience. The content can come in any form of media, including but not limited to - a mind map of ideas, a timeline or portfolio of your work, life or experiences; a recording; a Powerpoint or other form of presentation; a song, article, poem or other writing samples.

DATES

• Closing Date: The deadline for applications 31st May 2026 by 10am.
• Task: If shortlisted you may be required to develop and present an outline of organising strategy on a topic shared in advance.
• First Round of Interviews (online): will be scheduled for 9th & 11th June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).
• Second Round of Interviews (IRL): will be scheduled for 24th June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).

Please be aware that we will be interviewing as we receive applications. The application date might be brought forward if we find the right person.

ONLINE OPEN HOUSE

Any questions? Give us a call. If you have any questions about the role or are interested in hearing more about what The Advocacy Academy is about, we are happy to do 15-20 mins exploratory phone call, including trying to find time with the Director of Organising and Campaigns if the questions are helpful. Contact using the email on the JD if you would like to explore further.

A NOTE ON USING AI TOOLS IN YOUR APPLICATION

We understand that AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful when preparing an application, and you’re welcome to use them as a support. However, we’re most interested in hearing directly from you. Please ensure your application reflects your own voice, experiences, and perspective.

We value the unique insights, lived experiences, and ways of thinking that each candidate brings. These are what help us understand who you are and what you would bring to the role, and they are an important part of how we assess applications.

If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know. we’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible.

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US

We aim to be representative of the community we are working with. We encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQIA, working class as well as disabled people, those living with mental health conditions, refugees and migrants. We welcome people from all identities who are made to feel marginalised. 

We’re not just committed to being an equal opportunity employer, we actively celebrate diversity in all its forms. Let us know if we can do anything to make the application or interview process more accessible. If you are invited to interview, we will at that point ask you for any accessibility requirements or preferences.

As an employer we make all reasonable adjustments to support employees in their work if they are disabled or have a health condition. We support the Access to Work scheme which could provide you with financial support to get the help you need to do all tasks successfully. We are happy to facilitate Access to Work assessments and reclaims and would actively welcome applicants who would need this in order to do the job.

All staff who work on our programme must have, prior to starting work, a returned satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dated no earlier than 1st January 2021. The Advocacy Academy will assist the application for, and pay for the processing of, a new DBS for staff members where required. 

We welcome applications from people with convictions. Please disclose in your application if you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not “protected” (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013)) . We consider each person on their own merits, taking into account all the circumstances.

Post summary

This is an exciting senior position for an exceptional digital communications manager who wants to work for a high-impact campaigning NGO. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead and grow the digital channels of one of the UK’s leading rights NGOs. We’re looking for someone with a vision to help take our digital reach to the next level, whilst respecting supporters’ privacy.

Big Brother Watch is a leading voice in the UK protecting privacy and free speech, and has a strong track record of successful campaigns that defend civil liberties in the UK. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Director and Head of Advocacy to build campaigns that respond to pressing threats to our freedoms. You’ll devise strategies to run successful digital campaigns including mass mobilisation; you’ll curate the supporter journey for our network of 100,000 email subscribers; you’ll manage and produce highly engaging content including long and short form videos and graphics for our social media channels; and you’ll lead our digital fundraising.

About you

The right candidate will have strong experience in a similar role and a proven track record in social media management, content/video production and digital fundraising.

You’ll have experience working across a range of digital channels, including social media and video, website CMS, and email marketing platforms such as MailChimp. We are looking for someone who will diligently uphold our brand identity and voice; who is self-motivated, resourceful, and a proactive team player. You will be flexible, able to work under pressure and thrive managing a busy and sometimes competing workload.

If this sounds like you, and you’re passionate and committed to Big Brother Watch’s mission (this is essential), we’d like to hear from you.

This is a broad role and you may not have experience in every area listed, but if you are a creative, digital-first communicator who is eager to grow and make an impact contact us.

Big Brother Watch

Big Brother Watch is a UK civil liberties campaign group fighting for a free future. We’re determined to reclaim our privacy and defend freedoms at this time of enormous technological change. And we fight to win.

We’re a fiercely independent, diverse, non-partisan and non-profit group of campaigners and researchers who work to roll back the surveillance state and protect rights in parliament, the media or the courts if we have to. We publish unique investigations and pursue powerful public campaigns to pursue real change. We work relentlessly to inform and empower the public to collectively reclaim privacy, defend our civil liberties and protect freedoms for the future.

We’re a small, dedicated and highly effective team of seven full-time staff and five volunteers.

Person specification

• Passion for Big Brother Watch’s mission

• Experience of managing website CMS, basic HTML

• Experience in developing and managing newsletter strategy to drive engagement and support campaign goals

• Strong understanding of social media, particularly X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, including best practice and trends

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Premiere Pro, Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects

• Hands-on experience shooting video content for campaigns or social media

• Experience of producing impactful copy for campaigns, including on sensitive and nuanced issues

• Demonstrable experience using digital skills for campaigns and/or fundraising

• Good understanding of the political climate

• Ability to translate technical information into easy to understand persuasive content and create engaging messaging for a variety of audiences across multiple digital channels

• Ability to monitor trends and identify creative opportunities that support campaign objectives

• Ability to monitor, analyse and report on performance data

• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines

• Friendly, positive and adaptable team player

Desirable:

• 5+ years experience in digital campaigns, marketing or communications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant field.

• Interest in free and open source software

Job description

Key responsibilities

General

• Devise and ensure delivery of Big Brother Watch’s digital strategy & communications calendar, encompassing social media, website, and email, working closely with the Head of Advocacy

• Line manage and support staff within the digital communications team, including performance management and professional development

• Develop packages of digital and physical campaign resources to a high standard

• Monitor trends, sector standards and contribute ideas on new digital initiatives

• Designing templates for our briefings and bespoke report templates

Website

• Drive recruitment of supporters and grow fundraising

• Help maintain and develop the Big Brother Watch website structure, content and SEO

• Create, upload and edit content (including images and video), work with HTML

• Work with colleagues to ensure all content is kept up-to-date.

Email

• Manage the newsletter schedule and mailouts, and other supporter journey engagement

• Ensure best practice in email content, testing, delivery and response rates

• Ensure the highest standard of data protection regarding our databases

• Drive recruitment of subscribers

Social media

• Manage and publish content on Big Brother Watch’s social media platforms and demonstrate growth in outreach

• Lead the development and ideation of new social media content

• Create and edit videos and graphics

Media

• Reposting spokepersons’ appearances in broadcast, online and print media via our digital channels

• General media monitoring of relevant news & press opportunities

• Contributing to press strategies

• Potential requirement to be on 24 hour call for media enquiries – this is on a rota system.

Summary
We’re recruiting for a new Head of Fundraising and Communications to build on the growth we’ve experienced in recent years, and move us to the next level. This is a wide role and you won’t be expected to be an expert at everything, so we are looking for someone with the knowledge, confidence and strategic approach to play to their strengths, while drawing in other expertise and capacity where needed. This is an exciting and inspiring opportunity for the right person, both in terms of the role itself, but also the key part you’ll play in helping to enable women who have survived trafficking and other forms of violence to recover and rebuild their lives.

Job Location:  Hybrid (at least two days a week in London office)

Salary:              £41,500 - £52,800 pro rata (depending on experience)

Working hours:Full-time

Contract:          Permanent 

Reporting to:  Co-Director

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be undertaken. This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement section under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Two reasons why you should join Ella’s
 

1. You will make a difference: Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Join us, and be a crucial part of ensuring survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free. 

2. You will work in a great place: We are a passionate, growing organisation. Last time we asked, 100% said they would recommend Ella’s as a place to work. As a team, we are strong, women-led, authentic, professional, fun and supportive of one another. 

Job description and person specification

We’re recruiting for a new Head of Fundraising and Communications to build on the growth and development we’ve experienced in recent years, and move us to the next level. Last year we raised £685K through fundraising and are aiming to increase this by 20% a year in the coming years .

You will work closely with other members of the Senior Leadership Team to raise crucial funding, public support and awareness to underpin our organisational strategy, and with colleagues across the organisation to gather and communicate stories and information in a powerful and accessible way. 

This is a ‘doing’ role as well as a senior one. It’s also a wide role and you won’t be expected to be an expert at everything, so we are looking for someone with the knowledge, confidence and strategic approach to play to your strengths and those of your team, while drawing in other expertise and capacity where needed. 

This is an exciting and inspiring opportunity for the right person, both in terms of the role itself, but also the key part you’ll play in helping to enable survivors to recover and rebuild their lives.

Key tasks

• Overall oversight of all streams of fundraising.

• Line management of 1x Fundraising Officer and 1x Grants Lead.

• Overall oversight of Ella’s’ communication channels including recruitment of additional communications support.

• Uphold brand and support others to work to brand.

• Build and manage relationships, partnerships and connections to support Ella’s’ fundraising and communications.

• Lead on fundraising and communications strategies and policies, and input into organisational strategies and policies.

• Ensure implementation of fundraising and communication strategies.

• Monitor fundraising against targets and report to directors and trustees. 

• Attend senior management meetings (weekly online), team check ins (weekly in-person) and other internal and external meetings online and in-person as required.

Additional tasks

• Support with Monitoring and Evaluation

• Respond to media enquiries and requests

• Source and manage external suppliers as needed

• Copywriting and editing

• Oversee the design of external communications

• Support management and use of CRM database

• Other tasks as required by Directors or by role

Person specification

Essential

• A track record of excellence in relevant paid roles within registered UK charities.
• Working knowledge of all streams of fundraising, with direct experience in at least two of the following: trusts, foundations and statutory; individuals; philanthropy/major donors; community fundraising; corporates/business.
• Understanding of what makes a strong case for support.
• Understanding of the power of human stories, and how to gather and communicate stories that promote dignity and respect. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding and experience of what constitutes high quality, effective charity comms (written and visual).
• Understanding of brand.
• Line management.
• Impact reporting (internal and external).
• Computer literacy.
• An understanding of strategy.
• Partnership and relationship building.
• Initiative, and ability to manage varied workload.
• Willingness to get stuck in and ‘do’ as well as lead.
• Kind and sensitive to the needs of survivors in gathering and telling of stories.
• Able to work well with others. 
• Organised and efficient.
• Ability to work in a growing, fast-changing organisation.
• Motivated by the cause.
• Commitment to follow the policies, procedures and ethos of Ella’s, and to advocate on behalf of the organisation. 

Desirable

• Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Strategy writing.
• Events (fundraising events as well as thought leadership and exhibition stands etc).
• Interviewing skills.
• Media/press.
• Film.
• Copywriting, editing and proofreading. 
• Design.
• Social media.
• Website CMSs.
• Website SEO knowledge.
• Speech/talk writing and editing. 
• Digital marketing. 
• Working with suppliers such as photographers and filmmakers, copywriters and designers, website developers.
• Public speaking.
• Brand management.
• Team leadership.
• GoogleSuite.
• Canva.
• Experience across charities of various sizes.
• Experience of working with funders in the anti-trafficking/VAWG sector.
• An understanding of issues surrounding sexual exploitation and trafficking.

How to apply 

To apply for this role, please submit all of the following:

• Up to date CV
• Covering letter outlining your suitability for this role (no more than two sides of A4)
• Completed equal opportunities online monitoring form. The information on this form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The form will not be treated as part of your application. This form is submitted online on CharityJob.

Please submit your CV and covering letter through CharityJob before Tuesday 26 May 2026 9.00am. 

We will review applications as we receive them and may offer interviews before the closing date, so please apply quickly if you are keen.

It is intended that interviews will be held in early June. Candidates will be invited to interview by email - please check your spam folder. 

If you have queries about any aspect of this role or the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, then please contact us via CharityJob.

Please also note that appointment to this role will be subject to a DBS check.

More about Ella’s
Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our mission is to do everything we can to ensure survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free. 

Here is a summary of our main activities:
 

• We run eight safe houses. This supported accommodation is crucial for survivors, until they are ready and able to live independently. 

• We provide regular support for women and families in neighbourhoods across London, and many more further afield when they need us. 

• We speak out on issues affecting the women we work with. We care deeply about survivors of trafficking and exploitation and want to see a world where these crimes are not tolerated. 

Ella’s is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, as we believe having a diverse team adds value and positively impacts our service. 

We actively encourage applicants from BAME backgrounds, LGBTQ+ applicants and those with disabilities. We are committed to equality and diversity within our organisation.

Are you a talented Fundraising leader who believes every young person deserves the chance to reach their potential?

As Head of Fundraising and Communications, you'll shape meaningful opportunities for donors and partners to play an active role in Manchester Youth Zone - now and into the future. You'll help shape a fundraising approach that deeply connects with funders and captures their imagination, as well as developing a sector-leading approach to stewardship that keeps them engaged for the long-term.

Salary: £60,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid, ideally minimum 3 days on site in Harpurhey
Benefits: 5% employer pension; 33 days annual leave including bank + birthday day; free gym access; access to OnSide's Talent Academy; bespoke training and mentoring

About the charity:
Manchester Youth Zone (MYZ) is a unique and ambitious charity that punches above its weight. Part of the national OnSide family and deeply rooted in North Manchester's Harpurhey community, MYZ serves one of the poorest wards in England with 94% of MYZ's youth members coming from the highest indices on the national poverty index scale.

We need you to lead a refreshed and reimagined Fundraising team, to deliver for these young people.

About the opportunity
This is a unique Head of Fundraising role, with the chance to live and breathe the impact of your fundraising. It would suit an ambitious fundraising leader who wants to work collaboratively and with autonomy.

There's a unique duality to this role. On the one hand, it is absolutely strategic, working closely with the CEO and Board and taking ownership of a new fundraising strategy.

But, it's also essential to have a willingness to roll your sleeves up and get stuck, working hands-on with high-value partners, philanthropists and corporates. You'll hold relationships with the charity's largest donors and be keen to offer them brilliant stewardship and support.

About you
We're looking for a fundraising leader who delivers big impact and leads from the heart. Someone who inspires others to thrive, as well as being equally driven and motivated to achieve exceptional personal results.

When you apply, we'd love to see you to clearly demonstrate:

• Strong track-record of fundraising success, consistently delivering against financial targets and growing unrestricted income.
• Personal experience of securing six-figure gifts, whether through major donors or corporate partnerships.
• Ability to think and act strategically across multiple income streams, alongside a willingness to stay close to the detail and lead from the front.
• Generous, compassionate approach to leadership that brings out the very best in others.
• Creativity and openness - someone who embraces change and is energised by finding solutions.
• Genuine understanding of the challenges facing young people and underserved communities, alongside a clear commitment to championing equity, diversity and inclusion.

MYZ operates in a vibrant and diverse community, so we would especially welcome and encourage applications from individuals from global majority backgrounds.

If you are as excited by this unique opportunity as we are, you'll want to get in touch for further details on how to make your formal application.

To apply, please send a copy of your profile or CV in the first instance to Amelia Lee at Charity People.

Deadline: 9am on Thursday 28^th May

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Reports toDirector of External Relations

Hours37.5 hours per week 

Salary£56,959.05 - £63,886.54

ContractFixed Term Contract - 12 Months

LocationRemote (with occasional travel across UK) 

BenefitsA generous package including 25 days holiday per year plus public holidays, employee pension scheme with 4% employer contribution, Cycle2Work scheme, 365 days a year Employee Assistance Programme 

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone, for good.

We work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. We want what you would want for your best friend. We listen to survivors, putting their voices at the heart of our thinking. We look at the whole picture for each individual and family to get the right help at the right time to make families everywhere safe and well. And we challenge perpetrators to change, asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ rather than ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ This applies whatever the gender of the victim or perpetrator and whatever the nature of their relationship.

Last year alone, we delivered more than 700 sessions to over 15,000 learners across the UK in policing, health, housing, justice, education and the specialist sector. And we have reached 90,000 adult and 100,000 child survivors through programmes designed and delivered with partners.

In the last 9 years, close to 7,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change through flagship interventions developed by our Drive Partnership and the programme continues to expand year on year.

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

Description

You will provide strong and steady leadership for SafeLives’ communications, marketing and public affairs work over the next year, communicating our Whole Picture Strategy, finding what works and helping it happen to end domestic abuse for everyone for good.

You will shape and deliver strategic communications and influencing work to reach decision-makers, strengthen public trust, and support our mission to drive real change in the UK’s domestic abuse response.

You will be able bring to together robust data, the voice of survivors, and the view of practice experts to position SafeLives at the centre of the conversation with professionals, key policy and decision makers and influencers as a credible and trusted voice.

You’ll lead a cross-functional team of comms, marketing and public affairs colleagues to:

• Strengthen core messaging and consistency around our Whole Picture strategy and the WP Framework, to support delivery and impact
• maintain our communications and marketing and our brand
• provide oversight of our influencing through policy and public affairs, working with senior colleagues where escalation is required
• support income generation through targeted marketing, and support for fundraising
• ensure we are sharing evidence, data and research in support of our strategy

You will connect reactive work with long-term strategic priorities, ensuring our external engagement supports our strategic priorities, policy goals, and income generation ambitions. And you will lead high-quality responses to breaking news and emerging issues, providing clear strategic advice to the Senior Leadership Team and acting as a trusted lead on reputational risk.

You will ensure SafeLives is visible, authoritative and survivor-centred in public and policy conversations, with timely responses, briefings and support, ensuring our communications and influencing are clear, consistent and drive impact.

You will work with our training, practice, and fundraising teams to drive our business development and income generation, as well as helping us to understand all our audiences and better meet their needs.

And as part of the Operational Management Team (OMT), you’ll work closely with colleagues to ensure an inclusive and supportive organisational culture, role modelling our values.

Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Responsibilities

1. Leadership

·Provide calm, structured and values-led leadership across the Comms, Marketing and Public Affairs team.

·Ensure reliable systems, processes and workflows for communications, marketing and public affairs.

·Set expectations, priorities and working rhythms that bring stability and clarity to the team.

·Promote a supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture with clear communication channels.

2. Core Narrative, Messaging and Evidence Sharing

·Lead the development of SafeLives’ core messages, ensuring they are used consistently across all teams, and the development of our influencing asks.

·Translate SafeLives’ research, data and evidence into accessible, impactful content for external audiences, including practitioners, policy and decision makers.

·Ensure all outputs are survivor‑centred, values‑aligned and evidence‑led

·Develop our brand to reflect our approach to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion and in line with our values - human, rigorous, brave and inclusive.

·Oversee production of communications, marketing and policy materials that help to amplify our Whole Picture strategy and our related priorities.

3. Communications and Media Leadership

·Lead SafeLives’ overall communications strategy and activity.

·Oversee media relations, with strong focus on clear messaging and reputational resilience.

·Implement rapid-response and crisis‑comms protocols with clear escalation to Directors.

·Lead the development and management of our website, digital channels and content strategy.

·Ensure SafeLives is timely, authoritative and survivor‑centred in its external interventions.

4. Marketing and Audience Engagement

·Lead marketing strategy to support:

·Statutory and voluntary income generation

·Training uptake

·Consultancy and practice development

·Fundraising and supporter engagement

·Strengthen audience insight, segmentation and targeting.

·Oversee campaigns that bring SafeLives’ strategy and evidence to life and drive measurable action.

·Ensure that communication and marketing resources are used effectively to support business development.

5. Public Affairs and Policy

·Provide strategic alignment between SafeLives’ core messaging and evidence sharing and our influencing work

·Ensure public affairs activities and outputs (briefings, consultations, correspondence) are clear, accurate and consistent with SafeLives’ communications approach.

·Maintain awareness of political and policy developments relevant to SafeLives’ mission, advising Directors on risks and opportunities for influencing, working with colleagues across the organisation to develop policy.

·Senior level engagement will be led by Directors, as needed, with this role and the public affairs team leading stakeholder engagement and supporting preparation, messaging and follow‑up.

6. Planning, Governance and Performance

·Lead forward planning for all communications, marketing and public affairs activity.

·Set realistic, measurable KPIs that support the delivery of our comms and influencing strategy and our income generation.

·Embed continuous improvement processes and ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection.

·Oversee budgets for communications, marketing and public affairs, ensuring value for money and resource prioritisation.

7. Authentic Voice

·Ensure that the voices, experiences and priorities of survivors remain at the heart of all external communications.

·Support colleagues and Pioneers who use lived experience in SafeLives’ work in a trauma‑informed and respectful way.

Person Specification

Experience

·Strategic communications, including influencing, brand/profile raising, media relations and reputation management in complex, high profile environments (E)

·Media relations, including securing high quality coverage and rapid-response experience (E)

·Developing and delivering effective communications and marketing cmapaigns, including support for fundraising and income generation (E)

·Digital communications across owned, earned and paid media (E)

·Experience using data, research and evidence to inform communications, influencing and storytelling (E)

·Understanding of public affairs or policy environments within the social sector (D/E)

·Leadership and people development, ideally across multi-disciplinary teams (E)

·Influencing professional and policy audiences through clear, impactful communications, information and guidance (E)

·Working with people affected by domestic abuse to support storytelling and influence change (D)

Skills

·Confident in providing strategic communications advice aligned with organisational strategy and policy priorities (E)

·Exceptional written, oral and influencing skills, including excellent writing and editing ability (E)

·Strong political and media awareness

·Excellent judgement under pressure, making sound, values‑led decisions at pace (E)

·Ability to turn complex and fast‑moving information into clear messaging for different audiences, particularly professional and policy maker audiences (E)

·Strong issue and risk management in sensitive public contexts (E)

·Excellent digital and social media skills (E)

·Strong analytical skills to design and deliver campaigns (E)

·Numerate, with experience preparing and managing budgets (E)

·Strong planning, prioritisation and ability to meet multiple deadlines (E)

·Able to identify problems early and propose solutions (E)

·Commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (E)

·Commitment to ending domestic abuse (E)

Competencies

Leadership, organisational and strategic awareness 

·Inspires trust and confidence in others 

·Commitment to SafeLives’ values – Human, Rigorous, Inclusive and Brave - underpins all actions and decisions 

·Remains calm, decisive and collaborative in fast-moving situations, while maintaining message clarity, survivor focus and organisational credibility

·Demonstrates an understanding of how your own role contributes to achieving SafeLives’ goals 

·Is responsive to change which helps achieve goals

·Pursues tasks/goals with energy, drive and need for completion 

Teamwork & collaboration 

·Fosters an inclusive working environment so that others can contribute effectively 

·Supports colleagues in demanding situations, recognises the importance of well-being in self and others, accepts help and support from other team members 

·Listens to the views of others and shows flexibility in working with collective decisions 

People management and decision making 

·Ability to lead and manage effective teams and create an inventive, responsible and generous team culture 

·Strong focus on quality, performance and impact 

·Coaches staff to reach their full potential 

·Makes effective decisions on a timely basis 

·Judgement and problem solving is based on identifying outcomes and victim focus 

Communications and relationship management 

·Communicate with energy and direction 

·Ability to build strong and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders 

·Promote and contribute to cross team working 

·Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and in a timely manner, tailoring communication to suit the audience 

·Maintains confidentiality 

Delivering quality 

·Self-starter with the ability to use initiative and judgement to identify problems and propose solutions 

·Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines 

·Takes responsibility for own workload, acts on own initiative, seeks feedback from others, evaluates own performance and then acts upon it 

·Tries out new ideas and ways of working and identifies and shares learning 

Influence 

·Inspires confidence and trust– demonstrating high standards of integrity, honesty and fairness 

·Actively engages the knowledge, ideas and contributions of others 

·Uses appropriate techniques to influence others 

This is a rare opportunity to join a charity at the very start of its journey.

Head of Fundraising & Communications

• Salary: £60,000-£65,000
• Location: Initially from home until opening with travel for prospect meetings primarily in Wakefield and the surround. Once open, hybrid, with 3 days per week on site.
• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours (open to flexible working requests)
• Benefits: 33 days holiday, pension, professional development

Wakefield Youth Zone will be the newest member of OnSide's growing network of state-of-the-art youth centres, giving young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to when school is out. With capital funding secured and construction about to begin, the next critical phase is revenue fundraising.

This is more than a fundraising leadership role. It's an opportunity to build the fundraising and communications function from day one. Initially, you'll be the driving force behind building a community of around 34 Founder Patrons, each giving £25,000 per year for four years, creating the financial foundation for the Youth Zone's first years of operation. As opening approaches, you'll recruit and lead your own team, shaping strategy, culture, and long-term sustainability.

We're looking for someone entrepreneurial, relationship-led and comfortable working independently. You'll be supported by the national OnSide network, an exceptionally successful proven model, and a growing Yorkshire partnership with Barnsley Youth Zone.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the Founder Patron campaign, securing multi-year major/corporate gifts
• Build and lead the fundraising and communications function
• Develop and deliver a sustainable fundraising strategy
• Personally manage key donor and corporate relationships
• Work collaboratively across the OnSide network and region
• Sit on the future Senior Leadership Team
• Oversee the Youth Zone's communications function, supported initially by a regional comms manager, and later by a dedicated local comms hire.

What we're looking for:

You will be an ambitious and relationship-driven senior fundraiser with:

• A strong track record of securing major relationships
• Experience working with corporates and/or high-net-worth individuals
• Strategic thinking alongside hands-on delivery
• Confidence in building partnerships and making the ask
• Entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative approach

This is a career-defining opportunity to build something from the ground up and create lasting impact for young people in Wakefield.

How to Apply

If you're as excited about this role as we are, please send your CV or profile to Ellen Drummond at Charity People to start the conversation. If your experience aligns with the brief, we'll be in touch with next steps on how to make your formal application.

Closing: 9am, on Friday, 15^th of May

First stage virtual interviews: 21^st & 22^nd of May

Second stage in-person interviews: W/C the 1^st of June

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

YHA is looking for an experienced and strategically minded Head of Communications and Engagement to lead how our story is told through a period of organisational change. This role owns our corporate narrative and shapes compelling communications that strengthen YHA’s voice and influence.

Working across the organisation and with external partners, you’ll develop and deliver integrated corporate communications that inspire engagement from staff and stakeholders, and ensure coherent and consistent messaging which amplifies YHA’s impact as a leading youth charity, social enterprise and force for good, and support income growth.

Why work for YHA?

Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive staff benefits that support your well-being and career growth:

• 10 nights free hostel stays per year for you and up to 3 friends or family

• Access to YHA’s staff discount and cash back portal

• Free YHA Membership each year

• Access to support via our Employee Assistance Program

There are many more benefits to working for YHA so please visit our website for more information.

What will you be doing as Head of Communications and Engagement?

• Own YHA’s corporate narrative, tone of voice and organisation‑wide communications strategy

• Lead integrated internal and external communications that strengthen brand, impact and income growth through a period of strategic transformation.

• Develop and deliver strategic messaging to support YHA’s organisational transformation and long‑term objectives

• Champion communications best practice across the organisation, working closely with the marketing team, digital team and senior leaders

• Plan, coordinate and oversee corporate content, publications and communications scheduling across all channels

• Line manage the Internal Communications Manager

• Lead on media relations and press engagement, including external agency support and spokespeople

• Strengthen YHA’s external presence, reputation and profile as a national youth charity and social enterprise

• Lead stakeholder engagement, partnerships, policy influence and horizon scanning for emerging risks and opportunities

• Manage crisis communications strategy and process

• Steward and leverage YHA’s heritage and archives to support impactful storytelling ahead of the 100‑year anniversary

What Skills and Experience do you need?

• Experience in communications, with a proven track record of developing and delivering strategic, organisation‑wide communications in a complex national organisation

• Strong ability to shape and communicate clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences across multiple internal and external channels

• Demonstrable experience of leading media relations, PR campaigns, stakeholder engagement and reputation management, including crisis communications

• High‑level writing, editing and content‑planning skills, with a creative and audience‑focused approach

• Ability to interpret complex organisational information and translate it into engaging, accessible and inspiring communications

• Experience influencing and advising senior leaders, bringing authority, constructive challenge and a cross‑organisational perspective

• Proven ability to identify reputational risks, anticipate emerging issues and recommend strategic communications responses

• Experience building productive partnerships and relationships with senior stakeholders, partner organisations, public bodies and agencies

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work to deadlines and find solutions under pressure

• Demonstration of our HEART values – they’re part of everything we do, and we look for people who bring them to life in their everyday work

For more information about the role and the skills and experience required, please refer to the job description.

At YHA, we understand the richness of life experiences, and we place just as much importance on lived experiences as we do on skills and knowledge. We provide a robust induction, ongoing training, and opportunities for personal growth. While certain roles may require specific skills, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. For more information about how we are creating an inclusive workplace please visit our jobs website.

Who are YHA?

YHA is a social enterprise with a mission to enrich the lives of all, especially young people. YHA does this by providing brilliant hostel stays and experiences that improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills.

If you would like to find out more about YHA the charity, the culture, the heritage and so much more please visit our jobs website.

How do you apply?

Submit your CV and complete the application form. For more information about our recruitment process, visit the job website.

Once the hiring manager has reviewed your application we will contact shortlisted candidates. We aim to get in touch within a reasonable amount of time after the closing date. You can also check on the progress of your application if you have signed up to Connect - our online candidate portal

PLEASE NOTE All relevant checks are in place to ensure safeguarding and legal requirements of safer recruitment are adhered to. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.