Job Title: Assistant Director - Communications and Content
Location: Flexible - Home-based, Shelter Office-based, or combination with regular travel to London and other locations
Contract Type: Interim, 12 months Fixed Term Contract
Accountable to: Director of Communications, Policy, and Campaigns
Salary: £78,441per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (pro-rata if part-time)
Leave: 30 days holiday per annum + Exceptional Benefits
Closing date: Sunday 5th May at 11:30pm
About Shelter
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination, and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.
We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
About the Team
This interim role reports to the Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns (CPC), alongside other Assistant Directors.
The CPC team drives Shelter's campaigns for social housing and renters' rights, supporting our services and income generation efforts.
You'll manage heads of important content and engagement teams, driving strategic direction and collaboration across functions.
About the Role
As Assistant Director Communications and Content, you'll lead Shelter's communication efforts, ensuring impact, reach and a coherent organisational voice.
You'll oversee media teams, drive cross-channel campaigns, and develop ambitious communication strategies. With your experience in matrix management and project/change management, you'll guide teams to achieve our strategic goals amidst organisational change.
About You
We're seeking candidates with extensive experience leading and managing media and communications teams, along with a track record of developing impactful cross-channel campaigns. Your ability to navigate complexity, build collaborative relationships, and drive strategic change will be crucial in this role.
How to Apply
Please reserve the following dates in your diary when you apply:
- An introduction Interview will take place Friday 10th of May virtually for approximately 30 minutes
- Panel Interviews will take place virtually on Monday 13th of May
Please ensure you have read the full Recruitment Pack before applying. Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should address and cover the following 3 questions. Answers should not be more than 250 words in length.
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Can you elaborate on your experience leading and managing high-performing communication team/s? Please provide an example of a successful initiative or project you led, highlighting how you achieved strategic objectives.
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Can you provide an example of a time when you led a high-performing team/s through a period of significant change or transition? How did you approach managing both the strategic objectives and the team dynamics during this process?
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Please elaborate on your experience of leading external communications that deliver on values of anti-racism and inclusion - highlighting how you navigated challenges and supported team members to feel empowered to contribute.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension, and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support, and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting opportunity to join us as we strengthen our impact as a small-sized charity. You will have an opportunity to use and develop your range of project management, design, social media, website, and communication skills in a dynamic supportive team that is committed to maximising our positive impact on Deaf and hard of hearing people in Bristol.
Summary of duties:
Our Communications and Engagement Officer will lead on the work of our new Community Hub project and promote all the great things that CfD does e.g. the events and activities as part of our Deaf People Together project. The post holder will be based at The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ.
This is an exciting opportunity to help CfD improve our communications, and to support the Deaf Community and hard of hearing people throughout Bristol with managing and sharing their information. You will work with Deaf and hard of hearing people by providing the training, tools, and resources to enable them to create their own information materials that can be shared with the community.
You will be responsible for developing and uploading website content, creating marketing material, use of social media and other communications platforms to help deliver the aims of our Community Hub project and to increase our community engagement and profile. You will also lead on commissioning a redesign of our website.
You will also have a role in supporting our Community Development Officer to arrange and publicise events.
You will use your time in this way:
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Half of your time on the Community Hub Project;
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About a day a week supporting our Community Development Officer;
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The rest of your time on promoting other projects and developing the CfD website.
This is a role for a creative individual who is well organised and is proactive, who has the ambition to develop and deliver fun, engaging, and effective accessible communication.
The main responsibilities are to:
Community Hub
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Provide training for and support deaf volunteers to improve CfD’s capacity to produce and share relevant community information from across Bristol. You will organise workshops for deaf people to develop their skills in video and media technology to produce accessible content.
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Develop a virtual information hub, where information on CfD events and other activities in Bristol will be fully accessible to all deaf people, using CfD’s website, social media, apps, and newsletters.
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Support deaf people with producing their own newsletters using BSL and subtitles. Our aim is to have a regular newsletter that is produced and managed by deaf people.
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Develop a CfD “newsround” – a regular video round-up of events, news, and information of interest to deaf people.
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Work with 4 Community Hubs in Bristol to increase their accessibility for and engagement with deaf people in their neighbourhoods, and to increase their understanding of how to include deaf people in activities. This work will include collaborating to deliver deaf-focused events.
Communications
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Support other projects at CfD with information dissemination, and media and communications, such as creating posters, video production, posting on social media, and basic updates on our website.
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Improve the quality and reach of information that CfD sends out e.g. using other social media platforms.
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Support the CFD Community Development Officer by arranging and promoting events.
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Ensure compliance across all media with CfD’s brand guidelines.
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Lead on reviewing the CfD website and commissioning a new design.
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Coordinate any media enquiries.
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Collect data to analyse and evaluate the impact of the role.
General
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Attend conferences, training, and other staff development opportunities.
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Develop an agreed personal training plan and carry this out using internal and external training as required.
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Adhere to and promote CfD’s policies and standards, especially the Equal Opportunities, Data Protection, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Communication policies.
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Act as an ambassador for CfD promoting a positive and professional image and attitude at all times.
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Support the CEO and other CfD staff in achieving the aims of CfD and carry out such other relevant duties as may be agreed.
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Support CfD to find funding for new projects involving Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
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Coordinate and manage own Access to Work support (if needed).
Terms and conditions:
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This is a full-time position of 37.5 hours a week. CfD’s core hours are 10am – 4pm. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
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Contract until January 31st 2026 with possibility of an extension subject to further funding.
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Salary £24,000 - £27,000a year.
Note:
The final interpretation of this job description rests with the CEO in consultation with the Board of Trustees and the jobholder. The job description will be reviewed in the course of supervision meetings and any amendments will be negotiated with the jobholder. The jobholder is also expected to share in other CfD activities as time permits and by agreement with the CEO.
Person specification
The successful candidate will have had at least two years in a relevant communications role.
You will have a pro-active approach and be committed to achieving results
Essential skills, abilities and knowledge
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A passion to communicate CfD’s values and to support the interests of the deaf and hard of hearing people that we work with.
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Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating with Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users and hard of hearing people. This may be direct communication or through a BSL interpreter or speech-to-text operator.
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Ability to create high-quality communications material and to engage with a variety of audiences.
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Experience of social media management and familiarity with evolving and new digital media platforms.
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Ability to create graphics and images for communication materials.
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Ability to produce video material, including filming and editing and adding including subtitles.
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Ability to think creatively.
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Ability to write clear content for social media and website pages
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Experience of training and supporting groups of people, either as part of paid work or as a volunteer.
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Ability to form positive working relationships with other professionals and to collaborate on projects.
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Good influencing and negotiating skills so that you can persuade people to make their activities more inclusive of deaf people.
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Good attention to detail.
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Educated to A-Level standard, including Maths and English GCSEs.
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Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated software, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Desirable skills, abilities and knowledge:
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Relevant professional qualification.
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Experience of working with Deaf and/or hard of hearing people.
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Ability to communicate in British Sign Language (training can be provided).
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Experience working, paid or unpaid, in or with communities, the disability sector or in the third sector.
Things we expect all staff to support us with:
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Actively seek out opportunities for development and income generation.
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Read, understand and follow CfD’s policies and procedures.
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Stay up to date with key developments in your specialist area.
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Be willing to occasionally work evenings and weekends.
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Participate in team-meetings and development days.
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Be willing to travel across Bristol and occasionally further afield.
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Represent CfD at local, regional and national meetings and events.
In return, you will receive:
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Competitive pay and holiday allowance
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25 days a year plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata if part-time)
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Employee pension contributions
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A flexible working policy
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Our core hours are 10:00 until 16:00 Monday to Friday
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The opportunity to be part of a committed, skilled and supportive team
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Support to develop your skills further
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a dynamic, empowering programme that centres sustainable change in the domestic abuse landscape.
The Role:
The successful Training lead will head our “Rise for Change” domestic abuse training programme and have the exciting opportunity to continue to grow the programme’s success to date. Rise for Change is a trauma informed domestic abuse training programme for non-specialist professionals. Uniquely created by our subject matter experts, our training directly addresses the need for intersectional and trauma informed domestic abuse training for professionals in all sectors. Our aim is to empower participants, no matter their professional role, to be able to respond safely and appropriately to domestic abuse both within the workplace and in the wider scope of their lives.
The role will be responsible for the delivery and upkeep of our current training packages, development of further training and the management of current/ new stakeholder relationships. This role will also serve as a subject matter expert on domestic abuse across our global digital programmes.
Postholder Reports to: the Global Programmes Director, Hope After Harm
Our Team Values:
- Passion driven and dedicated to sustainable change.
- Committed to listening and learning knowing this makes us stronger when we lead and speak.
- Tirelessly place survivors and those with lived experienced at the heart of what we do.
- Maintain integrity through compassion, consistency, and transparency.
This is what the Training Lead will do at Hope After Harm:
- Work in line with our values.
- Deliver remote training to professionals, organisations and businesses (some flexibility may be required for limited ad-hoc in-person training).
- Upkeep current training packages and development key content as required.
- Complete needs analysis of the sector and ensure our packages remain in line with need and best practice.
- Maintain new and established relationships with key partners and stakeholders through regular meetings, problem-solving and support to ensure the longevity of relationships and continuous buy-in.
- Engaging with organisations and stakeholders to gain their custom, establish needs and tailor packages/delivery to suit their needs.
- Develop and co-ordinate communications through various channels such as social media, Linked-in and event sites to gain custom.
- Maintain accurate recording and reporting of training/project delivery, including a training delivery calendar, CRM and all administrative processes and wrap around support.
- Providing ongoing advice and support to organisations in receipt of training and obtaining/responding to feedback.
- Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the training will be delivered and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of clients ensuring the service is accessible to all.
- Respect and uphold the value and necessity of intersectionality within domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention and safeguarding, across all areas of work.
- Alongside the Digital Programmes Manager, be responsible for ensuring ongoing income generation from client buy in and single ticket sessions.
- Maintain our current CPD accreditation and standards required within current/ new training packages and their delivery.
- Ensure delivery of agreed KPI’s.
This is what you will bring as the Training Lead at Hope After Harm:
- A thorough understanding of domestic abuse and gender-based violence through a trauma informed and intersectional lens, including the impact and mitigation of vicarious trauma.
- An experienced, highly skilled trainer with the ability to engage people through remote and in-person delivery.
- Hold a “Train the Trainer” qualification or be willing to obtain one during onboarding.
- Have a good understanding of the nuances of culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identity within domestic abuse and sexual violence, and be committed to intersectional ways of working.
- Knowledge of adult learning techniques.
- Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals.
- Plans and prioritises work effectively, with the ability to manage projects and multiple deadlines
- Motivate individuals and agencies to move through courses of action and decision-making processes.
- Independent worker who takes responsibility for own workload and takes initiative to gain additional opportunities for the programme.
- A kind and compassionate person, who understands the importance of participant safety and well-being as a part of training delivery.
- Places the survivor at the centre of all that you do.
- Skilled user of technology with high literacy of key presenting programmes, video platforms and databases.
- Experience of using Canva as presentation platform.
- Knowledge and previous experience of using CRM’s, such as hubspot, to track client engagement.
- Experience in driving and implementing marketing/advertising strategies
- Strong reporting skills in quantitative and qualitative forms.
- An understanding and experience of CPD accreditation is desirable.
All Workers have a responsibility to work with colleagues in maintaining service delivery, general related tasks will be discussed during the interview process and upon appointment of role.
It is the nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore be expected to work in a flexible way and tasks which are not specifically covered in their job description may have to be undertaken.
(This post is offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months from the start date, with possible extension beyond this dependent upon funding)
Who are Hope After Harm?
Thames Valley Partnership T/A Hope After Harm is an established charity of over 30 years, delivering a range of services to support those who are vulnerable or at risk of exclusion. We work to develop long-term solutions to the issues of crime and social exclusion and work at both practical and strategic level to influence policy and share good practice. We run market leading technological programmes that help change and save the lives of survivors of domestic abuse and deliver specialised training to professionals and organisations to ensure we all play our part.
For this role you will need:
· To be free from any criminal conviction which would conflict with the responsibilities of the post; you may be required to have a DBS Enhanced disclosure.
· To be able to deal with all information on a confidential basis and understand data protection requirements.
· To have Citizenship of the UK or have entitlement to work in the UK
Hope After Harm is committed to equality and diversity. While not a requirement for application, we do strongly encourage those of black and ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community to apply for this role.
Hope After Harm is an equal opportunities employer; the aim of our policy is to ensure no job applicant, employee or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability. We do not disbar applicants with criminal convictions and are mindful of the requirements of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974.
To apply for this role please submit a cover letter of no more than 1.5 A4 pages explaining why how your skills and experience align with the job specification.
To ensure fairness, applications without a proper cover letter will not be considered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.