15 Head of communications jobs

About Ditch the Label

We support young people to thrive in an increasingly complex digital world.

We combine research, education and direct support so that young people can navigate the digital world safely and confidently. We work alongside young people. They take the lead on the issues that matter to them, helping to identify the challenges we address and shape the solutions.

• Research. We generate high-quality, youth-led insights into the issues shaping young people's lives. Our reports inform our programmes and policy work, so that both are evidence-based and effective.

• Education. We work with educators and young people to promote positive online practice and to offer solutions when challenges arise. We deliver this through our school membership programme of training, resources and support.

• Support. We provide free, confidential support through online communities, one-to-one mentoring and therapeutic services. Delivered by our psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists, it helps young people feel seen and heard, overcome challenges and access the tools they need to thrive.

The Role

The Head of Communications will drive our communications and make sure our message reaches young people - and the people who support them - all over the world. This is a new, senior role, reporting directly to the CEO.

Ditch the Label is growing. We have a live schools programme across the UK, a programme in Mexico, and plans to launch in India, The Philippines and across Europe in the next few years. Our voice needs to keep pace. You will own everything we say and how we say it: social media, press and broadcast, our brand and our messaging house.

You will start as a hands-on lead, managing the consultant that creates our content and engaging national press and broadcast. Over the next few years, we expect you to build and lead a communications team as the organisation grows.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and leadership

• Develop and deliver a communications strategy that supports DTL's organisational strategy and international growth.

• Advise the CEO on communications risks and opportunities, including reactive and crisis communications.

• Set objectives and KPIs for all channels, and report on reach and impact to the CEO and Board.

• Sit on the Senior Leadership Team and collaborate on our strategy and organisational decision-making

Brand and messaging

• Act as guardian of the DTL brand and messaging house, so that every output is consistent across audiences and countries.

• Adapt our core messages for young people, educators, funders, partners and policymakers, including our international programmes.

• Amplify campaigns, partnerships and funders

Social media and digital

• Own DTL's social media channels, including content planning, production, publishing, community management and performance.

• Grow our audience among young people and the adults who support them.

• Oversee website content and email communications.

Press and broadcast

• Build and manage relationships with national, international, trade and broadcast media.

• Secure coverage and opportunities for our research, programmes and policy positions, including our Young People's Report.

• Prepare and brief the CEO and other spokespeople for interviews and public appearances.

Organisational support

• Work with programme, fundraising and research colleagues to turn their work into compelling stories and case studies.

• Make sure young people's voices are central to our communications, with appropriate consent and safeguarding.

Team and budget

• Manage the communications budget and any agencies, freelancers or volunteers.

• Make the case for, recruit and lead a communications team as the organisation grows.

Person Specification

You might not have everything on the list, but if you think you meet most of the requirements and could do the role we’d encourage you to apply

Strongly Preferred 

• Experience leading communications. You may have worked for a charity, campaigning, public sector or mission-led organisation, or you may have worked for a commercial organisation and want a change. 

• A track record of securing national press and broadcast coverage, with strong media relationships.

• Proven experience growing social media audiences, with a clear grasp of the platforms young people use.

• Experience owning a brand and keeping messaging consistent across many audiences.

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with sharp news judgement and the ability to work at pace.

• Confidence advising senior leaders, including on reactive and sensitive issues.

• A commitment to youth voice and to communicating about vulnerable young people safely and ethically.

Preferred 

• Experience in online safety, youth wellbeing, mental health, equalities or education.

• Experience working with global press outlets

• Experience communicating to international audiences.

• Experience building or managing a team.

• Experience working with policy and public affairs.

What We Offer

• A senior, permanent role shaping the voice of a growing international charity.

• £55,000 - £65,000 per annum.

• Office-based in Brighton, with flexible working available.

• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.

• A professional development budget.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages.

Your letter should address the strongly preferred criteria. Please include one example of a campaign or media moment you led, and what it achieved.

Closing date: EOD 29th November 2026 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The young people we support come from every background, and our team should reflect them. We know that people from some communities are under-represented in charity leadership and face barriers in recruitment. We actively welcome applications from the global majority, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We also value lived experience of online harms, bullying or the issues we address.

We assess every application on skills, experience and potential, not just on where you studied or how your career has looked so far. If you meet most of the essential criteria but not all, we still encourage you to apply.

We will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process. Contact us to discuss what would help you. We are open to discussing flexible working from the start.